If you are looking for garden design ideas you have more options than just driving around neighborhoods or looking at magazines you also have the choice of checking out online landscape designs. The most professional and detailed choice for online landscape designs seems to be landscape design drawings, they can be anything from simple garden design ideas to a complex complete renovation; in both instances you would get a done to scale drawing. This means that either you or a contractor would have to perform measurements on everything to ensure an easy installation.

You will also be likely asked to provide pictures of the property and home together along with a survey; some of the online landscape design companies will take measurements of the property and house in lieu of a survey. For garden design ideas you will need to provide them with some idea of what you want; for instance, if you are looking for a complete design or foundation plants, a patio, an arbor or simply a walkway around a garden.

The online landscape designs normally will include an estimate and agreement for you to sign, professional grade drawings, a list of any type of paving material that may be needed, additional notes on the drawings that they feel are necessary, a lighting design if appropriate, where the drainage areas should be and a complete plant list that has not just the name of the plants, but the size and quantity that you will need to create the design.

There are also 3D online landscape designs which are pretty amazing since often times people can have some difficulty actually seeing a design. The 3D design will include not just the landscape design done in three dimensional form it will also have the actual architecture of your home. This means that you will actually be able to see a better picture of what the final results will look like.

Most of the online landscape designs come from a program called Sketchup for their 3D renderings; the Cad drawing is entered into the software program and it transforms even the simplest of garden design ideas into beautiful, highly detailed, full color 3 dimensional drawings. This produces a lifelike illustration that becomes available to you in a PDF format or if you prefer they can also transfer the images to a CD or DVD and have it sent to you.

When you are trying to rush out the door or if you are planning on heading from the office to the club it is much easier to accomplish a pulled together look if you base your wardrobe on a theme. It also helps you present a coherent image to everyone else which is a help since we know that other people do form an opinion of you on the way you dress; deciding on your style is actually pretty easy.

Start by getting rid of anything you have that seems to best fit the personality and person that you were five years ago and then ask yourself a few questions about your current lifestyle. For instance if you are a stockbroker that works 18 hour days then your wardrobe needs will be vastly different from someone like a D.J.

Read on to find a few suggestions on how to find the perfect theme to help carry you from work to play.

If you find yourself drawn towards earth tones, pastels and whites then you probably fall into the preppy category; don’t worry this is really not a bad thing as “preps” usually portray themselves as stable and well rounded individuals. For this style you need items such as oxford shirts, pressed khaki pants, blazers, argyle sweaters and polo shirts to pull of the complete look.

While a more classic style does overlap some with the preppy look the classic tends to lean towards a more French traditional style of dress. So if you tend to favor black, white, navy, gray and camel you will probably be best suited for this look and to help pull it off you will need items like immaculately cut suits, silk ties, white dress shirts, scarves, wool coats that are knee length and cashmere sweaters in your wardrobe.

You may be consider trendsetters if you live, eat and breathe fashion and tend to be sure to keep up with the latest labels and are not afraid to take a few risks when it comes to fashion. The trendsetter tends to change their look a lot constantly reinventing themselves; while this is not the easiest theme to perfect it can be done. As far as any particular pieces to keep in your wardrobe just look for anything that you think is about to be big.

Do not worry about it if your style seems to fall into more than one category as that is exactly what makes you unique; however, if your style seems to be all over the place and you have got several items from different categories that could be a sign that you have a difficult time putting outfits together. When you define your own style it makes it easier to shop and easier to get out the door and on with your life.

Even the thought of organizing the garage is enough to bring some men to their knees (and of course it doesn’t help when it is not your idea to do so, but that’s another thing altogether); but the sooner you get it done the better off you will be and the more peace you will likely have as well.

One of the most important things to remember is that when you organize your garage you will need to designate a place for everything while still ensuring that all of your items are easily accessible. If possible start by taking everything out of the garage, just pile it onto the driveway or grass and then begin sorting everything into different categories such as lawn maintenance items, toys, electric tools, sporting equipment, etc. Of course, be sure to throw away all items that are broken beyond repair (yes that includes those that you think you may be able to fix…someday) and items that you no longer need.

Start by installing some type of a hanging rack for those lawn tools which helps to keep them within easy reach while keeping them out of the way and providing you with more space. You can either make one yourself of purchase one pre-made and install it or have someone install it for you if you are not sure of your own capabilities (hey, you do not have to tell anyone that you didn’t do it yourself).

It is also a good idea to have enough room to rotate seasonal items; for example when it is close to winter make sure to have shovels, snow blowers, sleds, etc. easy to get to and likewise during the summer be sure to have any outdoor furniture accessories, toys or pool accessories where you can get to them quickly.

You can also gain some additional storage space by installing cabinets or shelves which again you can do yourself or hire someone to do for you. Free standing cabinets are also a good idea for some sporting equipment, toys and the materials that you need for things like washing your car.

It may seem like an intimidating job but once it is done you will wonder why you didn’t do it sooner and you may just get a special dinner out of the deal for being such a great “handyman”.

If you plan on selling your home keep in mind that what is outside counts just as much as what is inside. Since the prospective buyer is not able to see inside right away one of the first things they will notice is your landscape design which can either peak their interest or send them running away. Hiring landscapers to renovate your yard can be affordable and not only does it enhance the chances of making a sale it can provide significant investment return. As property value increases so does the renovation investment return; anywhere from 26 to 74% of the cost.

A good landscape design offers curb appeal, however, with the current market the quality of the renovation and your own neighborhood are also important factors. Be sure that with the help of good landscapers that you are in the seller mentality since your particular taste may not be the same as someone else’s and a bad choice could actually be detrimental. You can always get an appraiser to assess your home’s value and then make some suggestions on how to increase the value. Even with the market constantly changing a good landscape design and renovation will aid in the sale of your home.

One landscape design that seems to be the best for increasing property value is the addition of a deck; this is because it means there can be further improvements such as outdoor fireplaces, kitchens, etc. You can even save some money by building it yourself just be sure that you are up to the job so that it will look good otherwise it is a waste of time.

Landscapers also suggest the addition of new sod as it can say quite a bit about the condition of the inside of the home. If the lawn is not well maintained people often make the same assumption about the inside of the home. This also includes planting trees and creating shade, another good selling point that increases the value immediately and will continue to increase it if they are properly maintained. When you combine them with shrubs it also provides more privacy, cuts down on the noise and creates a pleasing aesthetic look to the property.

If you are looking for low landscape maintenance there are several tips that landscape companies offer. Obviously mowing and watering your lawn take up the most time so one of the major steps that can be taken towards low maintenance is to reduce the amount of grass to be mowed and watered. There are ideas that can help you become more “water-wise” and perhaps introduce a few different plants that are a good alternative to grass.

Photo by: Ivan Prole

Landscape companies recommend considering “xeriscaping” for those that are interested in a low watering type of landscape; this is basically referring to a landscape that is tailored to stand up to drought type of conditions and it comes in several forms. For those in the southwestern area of the United States plants like cacti fit the bill as well as what they call extended patios. These are simply patios that are enlarged and take up the area where you would normally see grass; perfect for low landscape maintenance.  In other areas of the U.S., those that are not quite as low on water, the answer may be with using shrubs, ground covers and mulches.

Some suggestions by landscape companies for plants that would work well include succulents such as aloe or stonecrop. Succulents have fleshy thick water storage organs, storing the water in their roots, stems and leaves. With their amazing adaptability they have grown into a large variety of different plant forms and leaf shapes, like paddle leaves, trailing or busy columns of tear drop shaped leaves and tight little rosettes. They make excellent display plants and are the epitome of low landscape maintenance.

Another suggestion made by many landscape companies is to design a rock garden; perfect for a rocky or shaded spot and drought prone areas. If you are lucky enough to have a naturally rocky area then you have something to build on otherwise you will have to bring in your own stone or rocks. This can get expensive so you may want to shop around first or check out areas in the country where you may have notice them before, just check with the land owner first to avoid any problems. Again, this is perfect for those wishing to keep their landscape maintenance to a minimum.

Illustration by: ivan petrov

Everyone knows that having good credit is essential to survive in this day and age. If you don’t have it you may get turned down for essential credit or if you are approved you may have to pay an inflated interest rate because to the lender you are a bad credit risk. So, what can you do to improve it and keep it healthy?

If you have had to file bankruptcy or perhaps you have a repossession on your credit report and it has been a while, try to obtain a secured credit card through a bank or Credit Union. Although it is very limiting and normally they charge a higher interest rate, at least being secured it will be easier to acquire. This will help you by rebuilding your credibility, just be sure that the company does report to the three major credit bureaus.

Try to get an infinity card; it is typically a Visa or MasterCard and in addition to the emblem it also has a logo of the company that issued the card all of which shows that it is indeed a real credit card. Although you will most often you have a very low balance available it is normally supplemented with some type of benefit such as points towards merchandise or frequent flyer miles.

Keep all of your revolving debt low to the actual available credit by keeping approximately 75 to 80% of the credit still available; in other words, when you do get a card do not go out and start charging it all the way, use it as little as possible because it is capable of increasing your score dramatically.

About a year after a bankruptcy or other major set back try to buy property. Property is a sound investment and with your debt to income ratio being lower mortgage companies see it as much less of a risk and perhaps you will not have such a high interest rate. If you are not able to purchase property then maintain a good rental history. By having at least 12 months history and paying utilities on time it is easier to qualify for a loan or any type of credit. Once this has been established you will have a much better chance of getting approved for a property (or something similar) loan the next time you apply.

The Roth IRA was created in 1997 and created quite a bit of excitement; however 2010 just may be its most exciting year yet. While many of the contribution limits and the basic rules are the same one thing that is changing is the Roth IRA conversion. Of course, another constant of the Roth IRA is that tax free money awaits you when you hit retirement. Here are a few of the major rules of the 2010 Roth IRA:

Photo by: Thomas Picard

1. The contribution limits have stayed at the same levels as they were in 2009; in 2009 if you were 49 and under the contribution was $5,000 and if you were 50 and over it was $6,000. That amount is still the same in 2010.

2.  2010 is the year for the big conversion; while this is the actual year that you can convert you can actually defer the claimed income until 2011 and 2012. Since the IRS expects that many people will take advantage of this they created a provision on how taxes are to be paid. You will have an option of being able to claim half of the conversion amount as income in 2011 and the other half to be claimed in 2012. Remember that this is only for 2010, after that all taxes will have to be paid in full the next year.

3.  There was a small increase in phase-out limits; those that were on the outside looking in on the Roth IRA’s really did not get a lot of help when it comes to the phase-out limits. Those filing single gained no improvement and joint filers only received an increase of $1,000 at both the top and bottom ranges.

4.  There were people that want to take advantage of this IRA for a while but were unable to because of surpassed phase-out limits which resulted in them settling for a pre-tax substitute found in the traditional IRA. The main problem with the traditional IRA (of course other than having to pay retirement taxes) is that after reaching income limits you would not get a tax deduction for contributing to the IRA, but you still get the tax deferred growth. If you are what is considered an active participant, meaning you make annual additions or accrue a benefit, in a company’s plan and if you make more than $109,000 when filing married joint returns or $65,000 filing single in 2009 then you are disqualified from being able to have the full deduction, which leaves you with a nondeductible IRA.

Originally there was nothing appealing about the nondeductible IRA, but it has now become a popular way for the higher wage earners to get into the Roth IRA; through a back door so to speak. By contributing to the nondeductible IRA in 2009 it can be now be converted to the Roth IRA in 2010.

Let’s face it, you can feel overwhelmed with the amount of paperwork that you generate and how much of it you may need to retain. Exactly how long should you hang on to those tax returns, bank statements, 401k records, etc.?

Photo by: Christophe Libert

When it comes to brokerage statements most of the experts claim that you can get rid of the old one when you get a new one, but many people prefer to keep at least 6 months worth of them. Normally your broker keeps a record as well and can produce old ones if necessary; however, you definitely want to hold onto the one that you receive in December (or your annual statement).

Tax returns are something that many people want to hold on to indefinitely, especially if they own a business. However, the IRS guidelines say that you should keep supporting documents on items such as deductions or income until the limitations on that return runs out. The time limit is the length of time that you can amend your return in order to claim a refund or credit, or the leng

th that the IRS is able to assess additional taxes.

Most CPA’s say that 3 to 7 years is fairly standard but they still advise that you keep them forever. The reason for this is that while most audits only go back 3 years if you are ever convicted of a tax felony then that opens the door for you to be audited throughout your entire tax history. Of course the best way to keep this from happening is to not commit tax fraud.

It is recommended that you keep your bank statements for 3 years; this is in support of the IRS audit procedure. The IRS has long accepted electronic paperwork and most banks have this available as well, but, it is always a good idea to have a paper back-up.

For life insurance policies, you first of all want to keep them locked up in a safe place and experts claim that you should keep the policy not just for the entire policy life but add an additional three years to that in case there are any problems that arise in the future, which happens surprisingly often.

Finally, when you are done with all of that paperwork and are weeding out what you no longer need, do not just throw it away. Identity theft is very real and very costly and damaging to the victim, so be sure to shred those important papers as one way of deterring identity thieves. If you own a business you may want to contact a company that specializes in coming to your location and destroying any sensitive information that you may have

on paper.

Photo by: Vangelis Thomaidis

You may have heard about the Roth IRA, but you may not be entirely clear on what it is; the Roth IRA is an Individual Retirement Account providing tax free growth. It is quite possibly one of the simplest and possibly one of the most effective, of the sheltered accounts available.

Rather than getting taxed twice, or more, like you would with a regular tax investment type account with a Roth IRA you will be taxed one time only. This is basically how the Roth IRA works in comparison with others:

Accounts Taxed Regularly

• After you pay income tax you make a contribution of post-tax dollars.
• The principal is possibly subject to taxes on both capital gains and dividends while it grows.
• When you withdraw you will pay capital gains tax.

Deductible IRA

• You receive a tax deduction that will essentially allow you to deposit what is considered pre-tax dollars.
• The principal is tax free growth.
• Income tax is paid on the whole amount that you withdraw.

Roth IRA

• You will pay income tax then make the contribution using post tax dollars.
• The principal is considered tax free growth.
• There are no further taxes when you withdraw.

The advantage of using a Roth IRA rather than the regularly taxed type of account is evident; you will pay income tax in the beginning but by using a Roth IRA you are through with paying taxes, while with the other regular account it is just beginning.

The Roth IRA advantage over the deductible IRA is almost as evident:

• The Roth IRA is simple – there is no type of special reporting that has to be done to the IRS, while the deductible IRA must have a reported deduction on the 1040 form anytime you have a contribution and on a withdrawal you have to report the whole withdrawal as taxable income.
• If you think that tax may rise in the future then Roth IRA is an advantage since you pay now instead of later.
• A Roth IRA is flexible since you take care of the taxing obligations in the beginning you will likely face far fewer restrictions at a later time.

Keep in mind that the Roth IRA is meant to be used as a retirement account; meaning that you may impose penalties if you withdraw too early. A good rule of thumb is to not make any kind of a withdrawal for five years after the first contribution or until you reach the age of 59 1/2, whichever one is later.