That is definitely a perk. The house is always in shape. But, it's also a lot of work. Some places charge an extra cleaning fee, which isn't a bad idea if it's nominal. It can be an extra motivating incentive when you don't feel like scrubbing the toilet every three days.
You don't really have to give much up. You have to remember that these folks didn't come there to visit you. They came to explore the city, which means they're gone most of the time. We've had guests for days that my husband never even met; they were out and about before he got up for work and came back after he was in bed for the night.
Are you using a toaster oven or a traditional toaster? I've never encountered that, but I tend to use a traditional toaster (with the slots) because it toasts more evenly.
I also do let my bread thaw a bit first - do you put it into the toaster when it is frozen?
NYC has already passed a law that will make it illegal for renters and homeowners who do not reside in the rental space full time to rent it out for less than 30 days, and even then you can't accept payment. However, the lawmakers have said that they won't hunt people down, it will only be enforced if neighbors, etc., complain.
Personally, I don't think it's anybody's business what I do with and in my own home. So long as I'm not impacting someone else's life, who cares. I think this sets a dangerous precedent. Does this mean that if I complain about noisy children, animals, the smell of weed, cigarette smoke, someone's gross food, etc., that those things will be banned soon, too? Unless people are getting hurt, everybody should mind their own business.
As for counting on it as part of your income, you definitely shouldn't. I've had friends who've seen the success that we've had with this want to move to two-bedrooms so they can do it, too. But I've told them that they need to be able to afford the rent on their own at all times. The winter months are very slow; we barely have any guests. But when it's peak season, the extra money is nice.
I was going to mention matzoh, but matzoh are traditionally made from unleavened bread (like a cracker) - so no yeast. I figured someone would get on my case if I did. ;)
The problem I've run into with freezing bread is that each slice ends up with some pockets of wetness, so when I pop it into the toaster oven, it doesn't quite toast up evenly -- some parts are nice and toasted, while other parts are still cold and wet. Any way to get around that?
I always gather up all our bread scraps and soak them in water i have boiled potatoes or vegetables in and feed them to my chickens. It always comes in handy to have a stash of bread in case I run out of food and haven't got time to get to the store.
As someone who does her best cleaning when company is coming over, I also love how this would force me to keep my living space spotless. Then again, a one-room apartment is probably not the best place to host strangers.
I got my first credit card about a year out of college. I did have a stable job. To be honest I didn't really want it (I still only use it for a few charges a month) but I realized that I needed to actually start building credit. It's a small $500 secured card, because that's the best I could get with no credit history. Around the same time I also got a Nordstrom card with a $200 limit.
It's been a few years now and those are still the only ones I have, and I can't see any reason to get any more.
I make something close to the german bread dumplings, but call them matza balls and serve then in clear chicken broth with some light veggies. We all love that around here.
I've often thought of doing this, because our house is set up in such a way that would really be great for travelers. I'm just not sure that I could give up the stuff I really love - like having a second bathroom! Although our area is perfect for it....
Best new appliance tips? Don't buy new, period. Craigslist (or something similar) is the best way to go. My last stove cost me $40 and my last washing machine, $75. Both work perfectly fine. They aren't stainless steel or the top of the line models but they are not junk either. Good, solid, quality models that I have had for 5+ years now. I'm always surprised when people on Craigslist sell their old appliances because they are "upgrading". Why waste money on replacing appliances that still work? Their waste, my gain.
Great tips! One caution though: I've heard some cities in Canada adn the US are debating whether this is legal or not. Some condo owners haven't been happy with a steady stream of travelers coming and going in their building, and some people object to strangers constantly being in their neighbourhood.
Renting a room to a traveler sounds like a good idea, but I would never count on it as part of my income or as part of the price of buying a place. It would just be a nice extra :)
I make beeswax candles, so of course, I agree that you should have some on hand, but even better for a power outage is olive oil lamps. You can make them yourself, or buy them. 1/4 cup of (cheapest) olive oil lasts something like all day & if they tip over, the oil is not flammable!
A wood-burning stove is great (keeps you warm & you can cook on it), as is a wired telephone & a crank/solar radio. Please store your water in glass gallon bottles (not plastic - it leaches). I also have a composting toilet so I don't have to worry about flushing!
I got my first credit card shortly before I graduated from college June 1968. Shell Oil sent all seniors at Univ of Connecticut, and probably every other college, an application. I filled my out, got my card immediately. At the time the card was only good for gas and related products at Shell gas stations. I used it for years paying the balance off each month. That was easy as gas was less than $1. a gallon !!
Got my first credit card my first year in college. I used it to only pay for gas and paid it off every month. It replaced using my debit card at the pump so it was a simple transition. It taught me that I need to pay off the balance every month. Haven't paid interest on a credit card purchase ever.
I got my first credit card my freshman year of college. I was one of the few who kept it paid off every month! I was enticed, of course, by the cool homage to my university with a beautiful picture right on the card!
Sounds like most folks here are happy to rent. My husband and I rented for 12 years, and last year, we bought our place when we realized we would pay LESS in mortgage, pmi and taxes combined than what we were paying in rent. Just made sense to us to buy in this 'buyers' market. It's a very personal decision to buy or rent - one size does not fit all.
That is definitely a perk. The house is always in shape. But, it's also a lot of work. Some places charge an extra cleaning fee, which isn't a bad idea if it's nominal. It can be an extra motivating incentive when you don't feel like scrubbing the toilet every three days.
To be fair, Mikey, weed IS illegal. ;) For now.
And kids should be.
You don't really have to give much up. You have to remember that these folks didn't come there to visit you. They came to explore the city, which means they're gone most of the time. We've had guests for days that my husband never even met; they were out and about before he got up for work and came back after he was in bed for the night.
Are you using a toaster oven or a traditional toaster? I've never encountered that, but I tend to use a traditional toaster (with the slots) because it toasts more evenly.
I also do let my bread thaw a bit first - do you put it into the toaster when it is frozen?
NYC has already passed a law that will make it illegal for renters and homeowners who do not reside in the rental space full time to rent it out for less than 30 days, and even then you can't accept payment. However, the lawmakers have said that they won't hunt people down, it will only be enforced if neighbors, etc., complain.
Personally, I don't think it's anybody's business what I do with and in my own home. So long as I'm not impacting someone else's life, who cares. I think this sets a dangerous precedent. Does this mean that if I complain about noisy children, animals, the smell of weed, cigarette smoke, someone's gross food, etc., that those things will be banned soon, too? Unless people are getting hurt, everybody should mind their own business.
As for counting on it as part of your income, you definitely shouldn't. I've had friends who've seen the success that we've had with this want to move to two-bedrooms so they can do it, too. But I've told them that they need to be able to afford the rent on their own at all times. The winter months are very slow; we barely have any guests. But when it's peak season, the extra money is nice.
Thanks so much for your comment, Elizabeth!
I hadn't thought of chickens! Do they like potatoes and bread?
I was going to mention matzoh, but matzoh are traditionally made from unleavened bread (like a cracker) - so no yeast. I figured someone would get on my case if I did. ;)
The problem I've run into with freezing bread is that each slice ends up with some pockets of wetness, so when I pop it into the toaster oven, it doesn't quite toast up evenly -- some parts are nice and toasted, while other parts are still cold and wet. Any way to get around that?
I always gather up all our bread scraps and soak them in water i have boiled potatoes or vegetables in and feed them to my chickens. It always comes in handy to have a stash of bread in case I run out of food and haven't got time to get to the store.
Great tips! We are lucky here in KC that we have a JC Penney's Home Store that has a section specifically for scratch and dent appliances.
As someone who does her best cleaning when company is coming over, I also love how this would force me to keep my living space spotless. Then again, a one-room apartment is probably not the best place to host strangers.
I got my first credit card about a year out of college. I did have a stable job. To be honest I didn't really want it (I still only use it for a few charges a month) but I realized that I needed to actually start building credit. It's a small $500 secured card, because that's the best I could get with no credit history. Around the same time I also got a Nordstrom card with a $200 limit.
It's been a few years now and those are still the only ones I have, and I can't see any reason to get any more.
I make something close to the german bread dumplings, but call them matza balls and serve then in clear chicken broth with some light veggies. We all love that around here.
I've often thought of doing this, because our house is set up in such a way that would really be great for travelers. I'm just not sure that I could give up the stuff I really love - like having a second bathroom! Although our area is perfect for it....
Best new appliance tips? Don't buy new, period. Craigslist (or something similar) is the best way to go. My last stove cost me $40 and my last washing machine, $75. Both work perfectly fine. They aren't stainless steel or the top of the line models but they are not junk either. Good, solid, quality models that I have had for 5+ years now. I'm always surprised when people on Craigslist sell their old appliances because they are "upgrading". Why waste money on replacing appliances that still work? Their waste, my gain.
Great tips! One caution though: I've heard some cities in Canada adn the US are debating whether this is legal or not. Some condo owners haven't been happy with a steady stream of travelers coming and going in their building, and some people object to strangers constantly being in their neighbourhood.
Renting a room to a traveler sounds like a good idea, but I would never count on it as part of my income or as part of the price of buying a place. It would just be a nice extra :)
I make beeswax candles, so of course, I agree that you should have some on hand, but even better for a power outage is olive oil lamps. You can make them yourself, or buy them. 1/4 cup of (cheapest) olive oil lasts something like all day & if they tip over, the oil is not flammable!
A wood-burning stove is great (keeps you warm & you can cook on it), as is a wired telephone & a crank/solar radio. Please store your water in glass gallon bottles (not plastic - it leaches). I also have a composting toilet so I don't have to worry about flushing!
I know, I was so depressed writing this that I actually left out a bunch of the topics that I wanted to discuss.
Excellent tips, and thanks for sharing them!
I got my first credit card shortly before I graduated from college June 1968. Shell Oil sent all seniors at Univ of Connecticut, and probably every other college, an application. I filled my out, got my card immediately. At the time the card was only good for gas and related products at Shell gas stations. I used it for years paying the balance off each month. That was easy as gas was less than $1. a gallon !!
Got my first credit card my first year in college. I used it to only pay for gas and paid it off every month. It replaced using my debit card at the pump so it was a simple transition. It taught me that I need to pay off the balance every month. Haven't paid interest on a credit card purchase ever.
19 years old, JC Penney card. HUGE mistake on their part giving me credit!
I got my first credit card my freshman year of college. I was one of the few who kept it paid off every month! I was enticed, of course, by the cool homage to my university with a beautiful picture right on the card!
Sounds like most folks here are happy to rent. My husband and I rented for 12 years, and last year, we bought our place when we realized we would pay LESS in mortgage, pmi and taxes combined than what we were paying in rent. Just made sense to us to buy in this 'buyers' market. It's a very personal decision to buy or rent - one size does not fit all.
19 I think