Wreckless Roommate Case Study #1 by Brian

PIGS ROLL AROUND in the mud to stay cool. But they’re pigs; that’s what pigs do. Roommates however can’t plea “animalia” unless they’re defended by Mike Tyson’s attorney.

“But your honor,” this is a true story, “my client is an animal.” That’s a lousy defense. And that’s exactly what Tyson’s attorney pled. But this case study isn't about bad defense attorneys or pigs.

My roommates don’t exactly roll around naked in the mud to stay cool. They do it because they’re roommates?

Number one mistake made by roommates

Washing pots and pans before you use them and storing them messy for days in the sink, on every inch of counter top, and on the stove. Don’t do this. It’s disrespectful to others in the house. Instead of washing pots and pans before you use them, wash everything you use after you use them. You could try doing what people did in Shakespeare’s thatched world. They licked their plates clean and flipped ‘em over for dessert. But that tradition happened at about the same time that two-thirds of the finger licking island died of the plague.

Best Practice for Roommates

Clean behind the ears, and wash dishes you use after (emphasis on "after") you use them so that you can store them away clean for anyone else you’re sharing the kitchen with. In turn, you’ll always have clean dishes stored in the cupboards instead of filthy ones thrown in the sink. And, you end up washing them the exact same amount of times.

Final Thought

Acknowledge that you’re sharing space with other people. Be considerate and leave them a kitchen they can use too. Place everything you mess up cleanly back into the cupboards.

If You’re Like Me

It's nearly impossible for me gracefully to tell my roommates that they are messy pigs. I get angry half way through the first sentence and drop to all fours going oink oink. In my mind, telling them to clean up after themselves is no different than asking pigs to quit rolling around in the mud naked. Not going to happen.

I decided to buy my own pots, pans and dishes. I keep only what I need in a special cupboard in my room. When I’m ready to prepare a meal, if my kitchen is a pigsty, I can always pull out the dishes in my room and happily prepare my meal with a sardonic sneer and contempt for the animal kingdom. When I’m done, I wash what I’ve used and hide my cleanliness in a secret cupboard in my room.

My system beats the advice I read on About.com that suggested a disgruntled roommate that cleans up after her best friend should just move out. Really, all I want is to use the kitchen.

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Happy Father's Day

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How to Organize Kids’ Toys in 10 Easy Steps by Ariane Benefit

DO YOU DREAM OF A CLUTTER-FREE PLAY AREA that you and the kids can easily keep neat? Here’s how to keep toys & art supplies under control and make your life a lot simpler and easier!

Play Room Before


Play Room After


1. Empty Everything! Start with surfaces such as a desk and then move on to shelves and other storage units.

2. Sort. As you empty, sort items into piles or bins. Group items using categories such as dolls, small toys, toys requiring supervision, etc.

TIP: Create a container for things with missing items. As you find missing pieces, put them in the same container till you find all the pieces.

3. Assess how much you have of each thing and set limits. Do they really need 72 stuffed animals? Determine how many is a reasonable amount to keep and set a policy. Remember, kids get overwhelmed when they have too much stuff. They take far better care of their things and enjoy them more when they have fewer of them.

4. Communicate Limits and conduct a treasure hunt. Have your child pick his or her favorites according to the limits you have set. Set aside the rest to donate. Let them know that the rest will be going to kids who don't have as much as they do.

5. Assign Homes & Containers. Now that you know what you have and have reduced everything to a reasonable amount, it’s time to contain. Smaller items need to be contained. Label each container (consider using photos.) For larger items such as big trucks, assign a "parking spot" on a shelf or floor.

6. Be Creative. Containers don't have to be expensive. You can use plastic containers from product packaging, or even empty tissue and tea boxes. Decorating recycled containers is a great art project!

7. Make Things Easy to access and easy to put away.

*Store frequently used items on lower shelves.
*Use containers without lids where possible. Lids often discourage kids from putting things away.

8. Be Safe. Store items requiring supervision either out of reach or locked. If you use tall shelving units, anchor them to the wall so they can't fall over. Store heavy items on the bottom shelves.

9. Teach the Kids how to put everything away. Kids don't always know what to do when you tell them to “clean your room!” Take the time to teach them how to organize and put each thing away. Explain to them that organizing their toys will make it easy to find them later and prevent them from losing toys. Practice with them several times. Make a game out of cleaning up and reward them with lots of praise for putting things away.

10. Maintain. Once you’ve decluttered, it’s time to maintain limits. How about adopting a "give to get" policy? Whenever your child gets a new toy, have them pick one to donate. This is a great way to teach children the joy of giving. Set up a monthly donation pickup with your favorite charity and you'll never have to do a big cleanout again!

Play Room Before


Play Room After

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Friday Funnies by Nick

I saved a lot of money by doing the sprinklers myself!

This do-it-yourselfer might be in for a big surprise when he gets this month's water bill.

Have a cartoon you'd like illustrated? Nick 'ill draw it. Comment below or send an e-mail immediately. It's fun. What are you waiting for?

Ever question what was improved after one of your own home improvement projects? Let Nick know.

Have a happy Friday!

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Road Trip by Brian

"Bring in the mail. Just toss the paper. Water the lawn. I'll be back in a week. Oh, here's the keys. O.K.?" you ask waiting to hit the road.

IMPROVING and maintaining our homes can be rewarding, but sometimes a reckless abandon can be golden. And for every family vacation or road trip you've ever taken, there's a story.

You Can Help Me Win!

Read about one of my most memorable road trips to Sequoia's redwoods in California and then submit a story of your own for a chance to win $100.00 for you and $100.00 for your favorite charity. Learn how to make money with articles on just about anything at Associated Content.

Thanks. Rate my story and write one of your own before midnight June 9th. Or publish stories for cash anytime you'd like.

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Expert Corner: Custom Kitchen Design by Alisha Gregg

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CUSTOM KITCHEN DESIGN is a growing business, but what we see are many cabinetmakers calling themselves custom kitchen designers and builders. That is not to say they are not, just that they build a different level of kitchens. As an interior designer specializing in "furniture kitchens," I can assure you there is a substantial difference. Furniture kitchens are not for everyone, and typically begin in the $900-$2,000 per linear foot range depending on the intricacies, but the design speaks for itself.

A furniture kitchen does not employ the use of stuck-on features and attached stock mouldings to enhance its architecture. A furniture kitchen features custom bowed islands, radiused ends and doors, hand carved features inherent to each piece, carved structures, one of a kind mouldings and longevity beyond a lifetime. We are speaking of true craftsmanship, and the ability to make any piece, any way you want it. The internal organization employs only the finest of hardware, with the smoothest hand for drawer guides, door closures, and specialty storage. Think of intricate detailing, curves and pieces that seem to flow from one to the other effortlessly. Dream of the use of exotic woods (not just mahogany, cherry or oak).

These types of kitchens are for entertaining and use; they make an architectural statement yet are carefully planned to be livable and functional, while exuding the craftsmanshp of a truly exceptional architectural space.

Essentially, you can categorize your kitchen design budget accordingly:

Low budget: $200-$400 per linear foot
Stock cabinetry purchased from a kitchen showroom such as a Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. or built by your local carpenter, low end hardware, drawer guides, painted finish or thin stained finish, melamine or MDF board construction, biscuit joined, finish nailed plywood drawers.

Mid-range budget: $400-$800 per linear foot
Nicer kitchens with straight lines, some stock pieces, builder standard mouldings, corbels purchased and attached, stained finishes, builder standard hardware, raised panel construction, plywood drawers, but will still typically see nail holes that have been filled, thin stained or lacquered finishes. Typically limited to local woods.

High-end budget: $800 & up per linear foot
Custom planned for every detail, bowed islands, radiused doors, hand carved features, dovetailed joined solid wood drawers, one of a kind mouldings, the finest of hardware, door closures, and specialty storage, intricate detailing with respect to the architecture of the home and owner preferences, any exotic wood or veneer, thick finishes with options for glazing, distressing, antiquing, layered lacquer (contemporary), waxing, or any other finish desired by the client.



For more information on authentic custom kitchen design, you can contact Alisha L. Gregg, at 806.797.1776 or visit her website at http://www.algstudio.com/.

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Friday Funnies by Nick

"Honey! When you're done painting, could you fix that hole in the roof?"

Looks like this guy is all thumbs! Have an idea you'd like illustrated? Nick 'ill draw it.

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