Anne is a 30-something full-time SAHM mom of 5 ranging from 3 to 17 and grandma of 1 who resides in Ashwaubenon (Green Bay) Wisconsin. She started blogging in 2008 as a way to regain her sanity. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, cheeseburgers and vodka along with spending time with her husband and kids.
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If you live in an area that is warm all year round, then you know how important it is to have an air conditioner in the house. So when your air conditioner begins to develop problems, you have no option but to get it fixed…fast!
If you consider that such repairs might be costly, then it makes more sense to prevent the problem before it develops. This means you have to know what to look out for so that you can then keep your air conditioner in good shape.
Here are 8 of the most common problems that are likely to affect the functioning of your AC unit:
Clogged Drains
The AC is supposed to remove moisture from the air and drain it via a drain line. However, the drain ducts may get clogged with dust and dirt, thus causing the water to back up. This may damage the system. It may also cause condensation on walls and furniture, thus triggering mold growth.
Low Refrigerant/Leaks
Refrigerant is the coolant that the AC uses to eliminate heat from the building. If there are leaks in your refrigerant ducts, there won’t be enough refrigerant to keep the air cool. This kind of problem may require a technician to resolve. It’s always advisable to work with a qualified HVAC professional, and you can contact Swift Services for more details on how to fix such a problem.
Corroded or Frozen Evaporator Coils
These coils are designed to absorb heat from the air and release cooler air through the air ducts. But if the coils become corroded or too cold, the AC will produce warm air or no air at all.
Clogged Filter
A dirty filter minimizes air flow and may also cause your AC to freeze. To check if your filter is clogged, try to shine a light through it. Depending on the type of AC you have, you may be able to clean the filter yourself or change it either monthly or every three months.
Leaky Ducts
The AC ducts that run through the ceiling and walls are supposed to carry cooled air throughout the room. However, these ducts can get punctured by careless workers or rodents, thus causing the cool air to go to waste inside the walls.
Dirty Condenser Coils
Condenser coils are located on the outside of the AC and are responsible for expelling heat from the building. Since they are exposed to the elements, they can easily get covered in dirt or soot and may need to be cleaned by an HVAC technician.
Thermostat Problems
Make sure that your thermostat is in the correct setting. If you have the old type of thermostat, ensure that it’s calibrated properly or simply replace it with one of the new programmable ones.
Fan Problems
An AC has two fans – one blows over the evaporator coils and the other helps the condenser coils to expel heat outside the building. Sometimes due to a faulty motor or debris, the fans stop working properly. If the problem isn’t resolved, the compressor will fail and your AC will need to be replaced.
You need to have scheduled maintenance to ensure your AC is in good working order. Take some time to troubleshoot for potential problems and if necessary, get your air conditioning repaired as soon as possible. You will save a lot more money that way.
I used to read blogs all day, then I started writing myself in 2009. The shift from consumer to creator has been a beautiful adventure. It’s inspired me to share with you my tips on how to turn your favorite craft into a moneymaking business, too.
Let’s face it: doing what you love is the best, but the appeal is greater if it makes income. You’ve had your doubts, especially when it comes to turning a profit. But I’m here to tell you that there’s no reason you can’t succeed. You may have started crafting when you were a toddler, but you’re a professional now. It is your time to shine.
Think Ahead
There has never been a time that’s more conducive to selling your handmade crafts than now. One reason is Etsy, the internet’s number 1 online market for DIY goods. With the boundaries of physical geography erased, your creations will have a digital consumer reach that is greater than any time in history.
Build a Social Media Following
You don’t need much to build hype. You could have only one kind of bracelet to sell, if you made people feel like it was the ultimate bracelet every single person needed to have on the planet. Not feeling very confident with this whole branding thing? I understand. Easier said than done. Poke around Instagram and learn from the best. You’ll notice that successful social media influencers have a specific angle, whether that’s a literal camera angle or a recurring pattern to what they post (for example, jewelry with an interesting backdrop). Think of Instagram as the hook that grabs the consumer. The next step is directing web traffic to a site that offers more information and/or products for sale.
Become your Brand
Personality is so important when it comes to self-promotion. Because you don’t have an advertising team to push you, what you have to work with is your fabulous self. The consumer is interested to know about who created the object they can no longer live without. Remind yourself how enormous the internet is—it’s a wonderful thing that you have found each other. Honor their trust by creating an About Me page on your website and share your story and bio.
Stick to a Name
Whether it’s your own name or an alternative, the main way to communicate what you’re about is through a brand name. You’ll want it to fit what you are selling and come up with a logo too. A book agency is not going to have the same sound or aesthetic as a jewelry line. To that end, know your audience. When it comes to marketing, first impressions stick. This takes us back to learning from others: get to know other crafters doing what you have in mind for yourself. Determine what you think works for them, what you would do without, and what you can do better. Conducting this kind of market research before launching your website and social media is a good idea, as changing a name once you’ve established a vision can be confusing to consumers and fellow crafters alike.
Choose a Business Model
The legal model that you choose for your business depends on how much responsibility you are interested in taking on. The rudimentary setup for a small business is a sole proprietorship. As the owner of the business, you become solely responsible for the gains and losses accrued under your watch. If you would prefer a little legal distance between you and your company, you may need a Limited Liability Company (LLC).
Apply for a License
Every state enforces a set of codes and stipulations for small business ownership. While your business might be more fun than some, the legal structure is just as important as any other. If you want your business to take off, you have to set strong foundations. Set your prices in such a way that yields profit.
Pay your Taxes
Keep the IRS happy and pay your taxes, in full and on time. Running a business is a lot of work, but if you build it correctly you will succeed. Transparency is key. This is also true of your relations with your customers. When it comes down to it, your aim is to keep customers happy and coming back for more. Make contact easy and pleasant by providing sufficient communication tools, like a business email address that you check regularly.
Give Yourself Benefits
One of the best parts of being self-employed is that you get to decide your own benefits package. You decide how much vacation time and sick time you get. You decide your holidays, health insurance, life insurance, maternity/paternity leave and more!
Conclusion
Starting a small business is an exciting time in any field of work. For crafters, it’s a dream come true. You’re obviously passionate about your product if you think it’s worth value! All you need is to get the paperwork in order and you’ll be on your way!
The next time you book an appointment to have your vehicle serviced, make sure you are getting the best deal. Thompson Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Baltimore offers a variety of service specials to help you save money.
Check out these great deals before you schedule your appointment.
Contrary to what many may think, divorces aren’t always messy affairs. But in some cases, they can become complicated because of various factors surrounding the marriage or because one or both the parties are actually hindering the process through their actions. However, there are some things that you can do to make sure that the process remains as simple as possible. In this article, we’re going to give you a few basic mistakes mothers make when filing for divorce.
Don’t Let the Emotions Get in the Way
Divorce, especially if this is your first time around, can be one of the most difficult challenges in your whole life. And any issues relating with money, property or your children will be emotional. But you should never let your emotions dictate your path and course of action.
This is easier said than done considering that you may be in a emotional tailspin at the moment and might not be in the best state to discuss things like finances. Or you may be overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty about your financial future. But rushing into a settlement now could spell disaster later on and could make a huge difference down the line.
If we were to give you one piece of advice, it would be to regroup first and seek emotional help from someone close to you before you enter into any kinds of proceedings. They will not only be able to give you some basic advice if they’ve been through the wringer before, but also give you the emotional support that you so desperately need at the moment and bring you back to clarity. Only then will you be able to start focusing on your plan.
Not Getting Thoroughly Informed
It’s still surprising to see how many mothers enter family law cases while being completely in the dark. Either they’re intimidated by the whole process, waiting for their lawyers to handle everything for them, or they go in with their heads full of half truths and misconceptions. However, you have tons of resources at your disposal and it’s possible to understand how separation and divorce law works in your jurisdiction if you know where to look.
However, don’t think that you have the qualifications to represent yourself in court just yet. Meeting a lawyer will give you knowledge and a more solid foundation. Work with experienced family lawyers if you want to understand the basics of your case and what you can expect. For those living in Canada, one recommended company to look into is Crossroads Law. This firm was founded around the goal of creating a family law service with a client centred approach, so you know they have your best interests in mind. These experienced divorce lawyers will be able to walk you through things like spousal support and child custody and will be able to explain some of the quirks and details surrounding divorce laws in your area.
You should also be informed about your rights as well. You shouldn’t have to worry about getting kicked out of your property because your spouse has decided to stop payments. Knowing your rights is essential if you want to know what you’re entitled to and how you’re protected. And make sure that you aren’t rushed into any settlements out of intimidation.
Speaking of intimidation, make sure that you don’t let your ex partner intimidate you into avoiding litigation. They might try to trick you into thinking that your lawyer is only out for your money, but don’t fall for it. If you’re involved in an acrimonious split, your lawyers should be the ones communicating, not the parties directly.
Putting too Much Weight into Free Consultations
Sure, it’s nice to know that you’ll be able to get some level of advice for free, but you shouldn’t get too excited about free consultations. Chances are you’ll only get summary information from a very junior lawyer. However, they’re still a decent way to gauge what type of firm you’re dealing with. However, if you want to get valuable information, then you have to be ready to pay for it.
Borrowing Money from Family Members for your Legal Fees
A lot of people will automatically think about borrowing from their family and friends when the time comes to file, but that could be a huge mistake on your part. Friend and money don’t often mix. Try to find any other source for financing if possible. You could look if you can use your home equity or apply for a credit card as an alternative if you want to avoid issues.
Not Avoiding Financial Sabotage
If you leave joint credit lines open after you’ve made it clear that you’re going to be filing for a divorce, you are opening yourself to all kinds of issues. Your ex could do everything in their power to ruin your credit by taking all kinds of dubious loans and running up your credit. So, make sure that you close any joint credit lines and home equity that could be used to sabotage your credit, liquidated, or used to fund the other party’s litigation before anyone knows that you’re actually going to be applying for a divorce.
This is why it’s important that mothers are well aware of their household’s full financial picture at all times. Too many mothers make the mistake of letting their partner take care of everything that has to do with money in the house. In other cases, they might have a solid grasp on anything related to household accounts, but be completely in the dark when it comes to the family business. If you don’t have a clear picture of your finances, you won’t be able to come to a fair settlement.
So make sure that you have access to your tax returns, and have access to your investment and bank accounts’ documents and passwords. And make sure that you review your credit report and look for discrepancies as well.
While this can seem intimidating at first, know that you don’t have to deal with it on your own. A good financial planner will help you with the whole process and will allow you to better interpret and organize all of this data.
And if you have important parenting related fees that need to be taken care of, make sure that you do it now with marital funds before you have to deal with the courts. If any of your kids need an important surgery or an elective surgery that they may need in the foreseeable future, do it now since things could get complicated later.
Starting a New Relationship Right Away
While you may be tempted to seek comfort in the arms of someone else during this difficult time, it’s a very bad idea to enter a new relationship right away before the divorce is finalized. This will only add fuel to the fire, even if the other side happened to be the one who was unfaithful in the first place. Don’t give the other party any type of ammunition or reasons to throw a wrench into the proceedings. Try to keep things as amicable as you can if you want the process to go as smoothly as possible.
Conclusion
Mothers are often the most vulnerable party when comes the time to file for divorce. That’s why it’s important that you come as thoroughly prepared as possible and know as much as you can about the process in order to facilitate it.
