Livingston Reporting - page 288

A Variety Of Options In Pocket Knives

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Nothing is manlier than owning a pocket knife.  When you think of the essentials in a man’s life and the items they carry with them on a day to day bases you think pocket knife, wallet and car keys.  That’s it; that is truly how simple it is when you are a man.

The pocket knife has been a staple since first world soldiers and explorers went on exploration and conquests.  It was made in such a way that it could be carried easily, which is why pocket knives continue to be popular today.  Colonial Americans flourished the pocket knives popularity and everyone from farm hands to businessmen was carrying this convenient tool to aid in a variety of tasks.  Soldiers continued to carry pocket knives as an essential tool throughout the several wars in America’s history.

The pocket knife has been a staple in the pockets of American men for generations.  One issue that we face today is the extinction of the casualness in which we can carry a pocket knife.  With recent restrictions on airline flights and entering governmental buildings both state & federal, the pocket knife risks a downturn in popularity.

It is important to remember even while being limited in certain situations men must continue to carry pocket knives.  The reasons are plentiful.  There are so many times a day in everyday life where using a pocket knife has become common practice.  When you are opening a package that has come in the mail it is always taped beyond what we are humanly able to open with our bare hands.  A pocket knife is necessary for this situation.

The list is long but a pocket knife is crucial in a multitude of simple tasks we accomplish every day.  From opening letters to cutting fishing line a small knife that is conveniently located in your pocket is indispensible.

The hard part comes at choosing the style that will live in your pocket.  The three most popular options include; the jack knife, the pen knife and the multi-purpose knife.  Each different style of pocket knife has advantages and certain features that me more desirable to you than others.

For instance a jack knife is an incredibly simple knife.  It is hinged at one end and may have more than one blade.  Jack knives are a popular option for the outdoorsman for hunters, fishers and hikers.

A pen knife is hinged at two ends and has two or three blades at each end.  The original purpose of a pen knife, as its name conveys, was to sharpen and cut quills for writing. A pen knife should be considered if you are interested in using more than one type of blade.  The pen knife is lightweight and is easily disguised even when dressed up.

Finally the multi-purpose pocket knife which as it name implies is used for a multitude of purposes.  Often a multi-purpose knife is referred to as a Swiss Army knife.  This knife is not for the user only in search of one small blade.  Usually a multi-purpose knife has several tools that enclose into the pocket sized knife such as scissors, tweezers, screwdrivers and even utensils.

Finding the perfect pocket knife is an individual conquest.  Often, a pocket knife is handed down from generation to generation.  However if you are in search of a new pocket knife to use, several online retailers offer a substantial selection at affordable prices making it convenient to have a pocket knife delivered right to your door.

Knife Mule

Finding A Quality Knife For Skinning

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

If you want to start a controversy among hunters a sure fire way to do this is by asking which company makes the best, finish the sentence.  Every hunter, fisher and outdoors man alive is sure that they know the best rod, the best gun, the best shells to use and the list goes on.  So when I was asked recently what my preference was when it came to skinning knives I bit my tongue at first.  I am not one to start an issue over my preferences in hunting tools because it is my belief that all tools have the ability to work given the right user.  I think that every tool can perform the job it is set out to do but of course some will work better than others when paired with the correct user.

 

When it comes to skinning tools I do have preferences but I do agree that pretty much any animal can be skinned using most any knife or tool for that matter.  Some tools will make the job easier but let’s be honest in a life and death situation the toe nail clippers on my Victorinox Swiss Army knife if I needed to. It is imperative to remember that there is not one perfect gun, knife, sleeping bag or any tool for that matter that will be considered the ultimate by everyone.  Choosing the right skinning knife will depend on you the end user.  There are some measurements that will help you want to take into consideration though when buying a knife to be used in skinning.

 

The first thing consumers should consider when purchasing a knife to be used for skinning is the blade.  Blade qualities to consider are the hardness of the blade and the material used to create the blade. When it comes to the hardness of the blade remember the harder the blade the longer the edge will be held however, it also makes sharpening the blade more difficult. A softer blade is easily made razor sharp though is more easily dulled especially when skinning animals with thick fur. When it comes the blades metal stainless steel and carbon steel are both popular options.  Stainless steel requires less maintenance however are on the harder side is carbon steel which needs proper maintenance to prevent rust and discoloration.

 

The point of the blade is also important.  Some people prefer a drop point or a clip point.  Basically the only thing to consider when it comes to the knife blade is the will it puncture the skin, slice the skin and slice the membranes between the muscle and skin cleanly.  This may take some practice to determine the exact technique you will choose to perfect.

 

The size of the blade is something to consider as well. Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to a skinning knife and really neither is smaller.  Consider a mid-sized knife when looking for an all-purpose skinning knife.  A large skinning knife on a small animal or a small skinning knife on a large animal just doesn’t make sense.  If you are only going to have one knife in your collection the choice is simple, a mid-sized knife blade.

 

The main thing any outdoors man needs to remember when purchasing any knife is how it works for them as an individual. Price, style, blade material and the works won’t matter if the knife isn’t perfect for you.  A skinning knife is so important is ensuring the quality of the meat in the end.  Choose wisely.

 

Knife Mule

Take A Knife With You On Your Next Outdoor Adventure

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

It is almost that time a year again when we all start to think about getting out into the great outdoors once again.  Whether your passion is hunting, hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing or one of the many other adventures that come with warm weather it is wise to start thinking about purchasing a knife you can carry with you.  A knife is an all-purpose tool that can be used for safety, but for a variety of everyday tasks as well.  For an inexperienced shopper it can be an intimidating undertaking without a little knowledge of knives to take with you.

 

There are a multitude of knife styles to choose from starting with fixed blade knife. A fixed blade knife is one of the sturdiest, most durable styles of knives.  A fixed blade knife can easily be carried using a sheath attached to a boot or belt.  This style of knife is great for any outdoors man but is especially helpful to paddlers and survivalists as it is incredibly handy.  It can be released from its sheath in a hurry allowing cord, webbing or small brush to be cleared instantly.

 

Another style of knife is the folding blade knife.  Most folding knives have a locking mechanism in place to ensure that the knife doesn’t release unexpectedly. Folding knives come in a variety of lengths and offer a great deal of versatility.  Small folding knives, such as pocket knives are easily carried whereas larger folding knives can be stored easily in a pack. Some claim that the folding blade is not as durable as a fixed blade knife however with all the latest developments in knife technology this is highly debatable.  Fixed knife blades also can include multiple tools that easily fold into themselves giving you a variety of easy to use tools.  This is great for bikers as you never know when you will need a wrench or screwdriver out of the trails.

 

Blade type is also something to consider when purchasing a knife.  There are three basic styles to choose from including: straight blades, serrated blades and a combination.  As with anything each blade type has advantages and disadvantages.

 

A straight blade knife is a super nice tool as it is easy to sharpen and keep an edge on.  Straight knife blades are great for cutting and make any meal easier especially when hiking or camping. Serrated edges have teeth built into the blade, much like a saw blade but not as enhanced.  The teeth make this blade much easier to cut through bone, rope and limbs.  It is also much more difficult to sharpen.  A combination blade offers the advantages of both styles.  The activity that you are partaking in should be considered when choosing a blade type.

 

The good thing about purchasing a knife is that it is a versatile tool that does not have to break the bank.  You can purchase several knives and depending on the activity you are embarking on choose what to carry with you.

 

Knife Mule

The Countdown to Selling Your Home: Step Three – The Final Step

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

After much preparation you are finally here; the final steps in actually selling your house.  By this point you have gathered all the paperwork, prepped the home, researched pricing and are ready to add the sign to your yard.  Your realtor will be right by your side each step of the way.  Within the last two weeks before you officially add your home to the market the push from the realtor will be staging.

Staging your home for sale is a whole lot easier than it sounds.  Especially because your real estate agent has done this process so many times before and can truly give you sound advice on what buyers want to see when they enter a space.  Staging is a three step process.  You first start by eliminating clutter, then cleaning and finally staging your space.

Eliminating clutter is a difficult step in the process as you still need to live in the space as you sell your home.  Many times the clutter found within the home is the stuff that also makes the home livable.  When we are talking about reducing clutter we are talking about the minor stuff like school bags but mainly the stuff within the space that screams to other that this house is yours.  Buyers want to enter your home and feel themselves in the space.  If the only thing that they see is you and your family everywhere they turn this will turn them off.

When it comes to removing clutter the best option is to have your realtor or another outside party come in and help.  They are impartial and can come in and quickly eye pieces that should be packed and put in to storage.  For instance, if you are a collector of crabs within a kitchen space, when identifying you your friends probably think about crabs.  When a buyer comes in those things that identify you to the space need to be removed and more neutral things put into place.  The goal is to allow the buyer to visualize themselves in the space.  The more of you left in the space the harder this is to accomplish.

Next comes cleaning.  If this is not something that you are within your expertise hire a cleaning company to come in and hit your house hard.  You will want all the windows, door walls, molding, cupboards, appliances and so forth cleaner than they would be if the buyer was looking at a brand new home. The house should appear like it is ready to move your stuff out and theirs in.  Clean is important!

The staging process is next.  Take out any furniture that takes away from showcasing how roomy the space is.  Eliminate any pieces that bring to much focus on to them.  Large furniture draws away from the space.  If needed put your furniture in storage and rent more space friendly pieces.  Your realtor will help you layout the furniture in a way that enhances the space and makes it buyer friendly.

The final step to selling your home is list it on the market, wait for buyers to roll in, negotiate a reasonable offer and close.  Using a local realtor often leads to a quicker sale as they are experts in highlighting your home, neighborhood and community.  Realtors will market your home in a variety of ways to attract the type of buyers interested in exactly what your home offers.  If you are selling a home on water, you market to lake front buyers.  The same can be said for homes on golf courses and farms.  Your real estate team will market your home to the right buyer; your job is to ensure they can visualize themselves in your home without putting in too much sweat equity.

Lake and Land Real Estate

The Countdown to Selling Your Home: Step Two

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

The countdown is on.  You have made it through the processes involved in phase one.  You have taken time to set up a realistic budget, analyzed the cost of selling verse equity and have obtained all the key documentation needed for the sale; now what?  After you have done all cosmetic and functional repairs and downplayed the issues that you can’t fix it is time to move on to the next step.

With one month to go before you officially list your house on the market you will find yourself busy in research.  With your realtor, the month’s goal will be to obtain a reasonable asking price for your home.  There is a lot that needs to be taken into consideration when determining exactly what you need to ask for your home.  The first is the local housing market.  You must establish the pricing at which similar homes in the area have actually been selling for.

This is where the process becomes a bit tricky.  It seems simple, take what you bought your home for add the cost of the improvements you have made and calculate the appreciation value found in similar homes for sale in the area and wham there you have it; the magic number, the asking price. Here is the problem, plain and simple market conditions are often uneven.

In recent years we have seen an amazing amount of change in the housing market.  With homes selling for a significant amount less than what they are valued at due to the increasing in foreclosures and short sales.  This can drive the market down in your area a solid thirty percent.  With this in mind you will want to assess the fair market value for your home.  There are several things to take into consideration when determining the fair market value over an asking price.

The first thing you need to do is look at the actual sale price of properties sold in the area.  This can be done through local property records that are open to the public.  This will be an accurate account for the amount of money that is passing from one party to the next in the sale of comparable homes in the area.

The next step is to get the top of the line estimates of home values of homes that have sold in the area.  You can do this by looking on sites such as Zilllow or Trulia. These sites will give the outer most prices at which the houses in the area would go for.  This is the top of the line price for homes in your area.

From here it is important to get an actual appraisal for the home.  An appraiser will take into consideration things like a new water heater, new roofing and upgrades that have been done within the home.  This is nice to do as well because they can also point you into the direction of small upgrades that really pack a lot into the actual price you will be asking for your house. An actual appraisal will also help you in negotiations as you will have proof and validation for the buyer on why the home is being placed at that price point.

All of this research can be put into perspective an asking price on your home.  You will have a better understanding of offers that are coming in and be able to counter offer with physical hard evidence.  This puts you in a great position as a seller.

 

Lake and Land Real Estate

The Countdown To Selling Your House: Step One

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

As an organizer and a constant planner being without a time line makes me crazy.  This is how I empathize with homeowners going through the process of selling their homes.  The task of selling your home is large and can be overwhelming especially when processing each and every detail needing to be addressed.

A real estate agent will be the one to lay down the timeline for selling your home.  They should also be the individuals with answers and solutions to keep your timeline on track. Of course, there will be blips along the way.  That is the nature of real estate however with an experienced agent in your corner you will be able to visualize each step throughout the journey and this will help decrease the stress that inevitably comes along with change.

The best time to meet with a local real estate agent is before you are ready to actually put the sign in the yard.  This will allow you time to get your ducks in a row before people are inspecting every inch of your home to see if it is worthy to be their next home.

About two months before you think you will be ready to put the house on the market there is a list of things to check into.   You will want to go over every inch of your current financial situation; get together a budget and see exactly where money is coming in and going out.  This is the time you will also process an estimate of expenses to list the house for sale verse the equity in your home.  This will be the amount available towards the purchase of the new home.  This is also the time to get all your important papers collects such as the homes title, mortgage and insurance paperwork.

Two months is also a good starting point to allow you to process the urgency in your move.  The more urgent the move is; say for job relocation, the more aggressively the list price will need to be.  If you have time and are moving to have more space then maybe you will be able to wait a bit longer for the right buyer at a higher price point.

The two month point is also the time to assess the homes condition.  It is the time to get the major and minor repairs done to make sure your home shows well and passes an inspection.  There are three basic problems homes have; cosmetic, functional and ones that can’t be fixed.

Cosmetic issues are items such as the color of the paint on the walls, nasty carpet or torn screens.  Functional repairs are those that might take some money but will help increase the value of the home.  Think about the appliances, roof, plumbing, electrical and main structural elements.  Eliminate the expensive reasons people will have when the inspection shows them.  There are also some problems that buyers will have that you can do nothing about such as the school district, the neighbors siding color or the traffic on the road.  Those will be issues the buyer will know exist and will have to take them or leave them.

This is the beginning of the home selling time line.  Two months is the perfect amount of time to get serious about selling your home and begin to look into local real estate agents for assistance in getting you and your house ready to sell.

Lake and Land Real Estate

Residential Gate Operators and Control Systems

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

In the last decade electronic gates and gate operators have become more common place in residential homes because of lower costs as well as ease of availability. Most homeowners can now afford the benefits of increased safety and privacy that comes along with the installation of aluminum privacy fencing and aluminum entrance gates.

When it some to choosing a gate operator for your new aluminum gate and fence there are two choices: swing and slide gate operators.  Both systems offer the same benefits with the only difference being the style in which the gate opens.  As the names would apply a sliding gate slides open as a swing gate opens swings open.  Both offer the benefit of preventing access to people or vehicles without the proper entry system such as a keyless remote, a keypad or other options in entry control.

Electronic entrance gates are designed for a variety of applications including industrial and residential use.  Residential entrance gates are designed to be used for single family use with normal traffic.  If installing an electronic gate for a community or commercial purpose you will find the need to purchase a different grade gate operator, a gate operator made specifically for more traffic.  Both swing and slide gate operators can be enabled using DC and AC models with battery and/or solar panel options.

When choosing between a swing and slide gate you will want to consider your driveway space and what method of opening is going to allow the gate to function properly.  You will need to consider the space when a vehicle is pulled into the drive as well as parked with in the drive.  If your driveway offers minimal space to open and close it is best to go with a slide gate that is compact and easily fits within itself.  Other considerations you will want to think about when choosing a gate and fence system is reliability, safety and security.

The three major benefits and rewards associated with electronic gates are privacy, convenience and security.  Privacy comes with the control the homeowners now posse in access into their driveway.  With the use of a gate homeowners need to make visual or audio communication to identify visitors before allowing them in.  This will detour thieves and salesman.

With the installation of a security perimeter fence and an aluminum entry gate you can for sure deter burglars.  Although if you leave the fence open you are losing the security benefits it gives you.  To keep your family and pets secure make sure to leave the gate closed at all times when you are home or away.  Surveillance cameras can also be used to enhance protection.  Cameras, aluminum privacy fencing and gates deter burglars by making your home as inaccessible as humanly possible.

An electronic entry gate offers comfort and ease of use as well.  Many homeowners with a fence in place refuse to get out of their car to open and close it, this is why having a gate operator eases the use of a fence.  A gate operator makes an electronic gate as convenient as a garage door opener and offers a great deal more security as well.

SAC Fence

The Importance Of Quality Computer Repair

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

There is no question that computers have become an important part of our everyday lives in business and on a personal level.  When the network is down within a professional business environment work completely stops which means money is not being made.  This can be a huge problem.  From the router malfunctioning to the server failing all computer problems need to be addressed promptly by experienced IT professionals.  When it comes to your home computer or business network it is vital that computer help is only a phone call away.

 

Finding and retaining computer help has never been easier than it is now days.  Professional PC support is around every corner.  The problem exists in that not all computer help is created equally. There are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to computer services.  Do you prefer working with a large company that employs hundreds of technicians or a small company that has available two or three computer technicians?

 

There are benefits and drawbacks to both options.  A large big name computer repair service will most likely always have a technician available to help your with your computer issue no matter what time of day or what issue has arose.  The problem is that with hundreds of technicians available there is no guarantee on the level of service that you will receive being a dime a dozen client.  The other issue is that there is no way to guarantee that the technician that has previously worked on your network will be the one addressing the issue you are currently having.

 

With a smaller IT company you can almost always guarantee that the two or three technicians that work with your company are all familiar with your computers and the issues you are having.  With only a few people to communicate between you can rest assured that your company is a priority and making sure you are up and running a top speed is their most important priority.  The one drawback is that with only a few professionals available that you could call and all three could be tied up elsewhere, leaving you waiting on one of them to have a moment to open up to address your issue.  The great thing that happens when working with a small company is that when they do show up on sight they already know your system and history and can get it on the issue right away.  A larger company with lots of technicians will always need the history of the problem and what has already been done to try and correct the problem.

 

With any decision there will always be pros and cons.  When choosing between a large IT company or a smaller IT company to provide care for your business computers and networking needs here are some other things to consider: ease of access, accessibility, expertise, experience, credentials and your budget.  Check with several companies and check to see how they figure out their charges.  Check to see if there is an initial service fee, if drive time is charged and how they charge.  If you are working within a budget try to maximize your money by finding a company that doesn’t charge service call fees or drive time.  This way you will only be paying for the time that they are onsite actually working on repairing your computers, servers and networks.

 

Creative Programs and Systems

Improving Your Supply Chains Effectiveness With The Correct Logistics Plan

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

All companies hoping to be successful and competitive in providing products and services to consumers need to have implemented a strong, reliable logistics strategy.  Having this in place will allow your service levels to be high and unaffected during times of change throughout the rest of the business structure.  This is true of companies no matter how large or small. How though does a company pursue this dream?  Here are some tips to guide your company in the right logistics direction.

The first piece of advice is to reduce logistic prices, FTL, LTL and courier by leveraging your predicted volumes.  You must find a logistics provider that will offer your business competitive pricing upon start up using your predicted volume when you have no historic information to pull from.  This can save you a significant amount of money in discounts offered in freight costs.  This in turn improves your competitive edge and increases your cash flow.

Another tip that is effective in strategies employed for effective logistics is to practice a demand driven logistics method.  Match the demand for your products with your supply and this will decrease the amount of money spent on transport.  It also offers savings in replacing inventory and offering a high level of customer service which is the most important need of your business for growth.

Companies should initiate communication between sales and operations planning.  All of the business’s primary functions should come together and work as one.  Reviewing, discussing and planning future business activities with all partied who impact or are impacted in regular operations of the business.  A team approach will allow common goals and methods to achieve them to be understood throughout the company.

In larger companies it may be imperative for a logistician to be employed that can connect to the logistics world and lead with great interpersonal skills.  This person would be responsible for creating, implementing and creating a logistics plan that would be constantly changing to meet the demands of the business.  This person should bridge the gap between shipping and receiving allowing a flawless logistics flow.  They would work with all different freight carriers to not only find discounted shipping rates but unsurpassed service.

Creating a successful strategy for the logistics of your company could be something as simple as defining exactly what it is you wish to accomplish and what goals are to be achieved.  The supply chain strategy that is employees must bring into line the goals of the company, supporting them and helping them to be achieved.  Consider the goal and work your supply chain strategy around it.  If you have a goal of faster shipment speeds this logistics plan will look a great deal different from a company that is focused on low cost shipping.

Not all companies’ logistic goals are the same.  What is right for your company may not be considered a viable option to another.  Logistics is all about finding out what works well in line with your companies goals and future and creating a supply chain that fits into that plan.

 

 

Detroit LTL

Integrated Pest Management Techniques In Extermination Explained

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

We have created an environment that makes homeowners feel that the only way to truly feel accomplished is to attempt all projects on your own first.  The only problem with this is that we end up paying twice as much as we would have when we end up having to hire the professional to come in a clean up the messes we have made trying to fix our issues in the first place.  One arena this could not be truer for is in the area of pest removal.

There are several reasons that pest removal and bug control should not be done by homeowners but instead left to the professionals.  The most important reason is the fact that quality best control professionals use a system in removing, eliminating and preventing pest that allow pest removal to be done in an environmentally, pet friendly way called Integrated Pest Management or IPM for short.

Control tactics is the last step in IPM and the most important.  It states that there are three methods available to use in controlling, eliminating and preventing pests.  They should be applied to any situation in the following manner: cultural, biological and lastly chemically.  Without professional experience in IPM techniques and terminology it is easy to get lost.

Cultural control can be explained as steps taken to control pests not using chemical or biological methods.  In cultural control an eco-friendly method is applied to begin with.  For outdoor pests this may be something as simple as planting peppermint plants to help reduce and eliminate an overwhelming mosquito population in your yard.  If you have a flea infestation in your home the cultural control technique would be sanitation.  If would mean consistent cleaning and vacuuming of carpets, drapes and such as well as washing bedding and the flea breading grounds within your home.  It would also consist of regular checks and baths for pets.

Next we will take into consideration the biological control methods.  These are ways to control pest that use things in nature that do not have toxicity to humans, the environment or domesticated animals.  The biological method for flea control is using a flea predator such as a nematode to come in and eat the fleas and their larvae.  Another biological method would be with the use of a flea spray.  The spray acts as a predator and detours the fleas from getting comfy.  With IPM, a combination of methods can be used to combat an infestation.  You may use both cultural and biological to remove the fleas from your home.  You can sanitize while also using a flea spray to deter the bugs from making your home theirs as well. When you use a combination of methods you are decreasing the chance of needing chemical control in excess while decreasing the pest population.

Chemical controls in IPM consist of using the most environmentally friendly methods first to control, eliminate and prevent pests.  Many chemical products are now environmentally friendly and pet safe to use.  Options using citrus and lavender and other plant based products in a chemical combination are used over harsh chemicals that leave an imprint on our environment.

When hiring a pest control provider look for a local exterminator that employs IPM techniques over one that does not.  The last thing you, your family or pets need is to be subject to the intense effects of harsh pesticides and chemicals in your home.

Best Pest Removal LLC