Chitownproperty

Chitownproperty’s Virtual Food Drive is officially underway! The season of giving has arrived and we invite you to participate in our annual food drive. Just visit this site to donate:

http://vad.aidmatrix.org/vadxml.cfm?driveid=4000

The site makes it easy to contribute to a fantastic local organization, The Greater Chicago Food Depository. So far, our friends have donated over 2700 meals, but the drive runs until December 31 so you still have time to give.

Thank you for your business and referrals this year, and Happy Holidays from the Chitownproperty team,

Christine Shepardson, Debbie Wood, and Mandy Wroblewski

A few cans of paint will refresh your rooms

Redecorating might be the last thing on you list on a tight budget during the holiday, but the Tribune reminds us that there is one quick and cheap way to drastically change a room: painting.

It’s the easiest, thriftiest and least risky way to update a room. Unlike plumbing and electrical work, there’s no absolute right or wrong. Take a stab at rewiring and you could be violating codes, risking injury and creating a safety hazard. About the worst that can happen when you’re painting a wall is a little mess.

The article also includes tips for prepping and painting the room to get the best results.

Here’s something to think about in the coming weeks, and your family collects holiday gifts and all the packaging that comes with them: what do you do with the boxes? Some of those decisions are easy; of course you throw away boxes from toys, clothing, etc. But what about fancy electronics and gear that you might have to return or sell one day? Do you need to save the box for that new Wii for the kids?

The Unclutterer blog, a site dedicated to helping people stay organized, says keep the boxes only if you A) plan to sell the item within three years, and B) the original packaging improves the price when you sell it. Otherwise, it’s not worth the clutter.