What Is the Highest Paying Scrap Metal?

Collecting and recycling scrap metal is a great side-hustle to earn big money simply from recycling discarded cars, appliances, electrical equipment, and other forms of scrap metal. Collecting old scrap metal can be somewhat lucrative, but you have to know the best types of base metals to collect and which types pay the most.

Copper is King

For most scrappers, copper is the king of scrap metal because it gains as much as $2 to $4 per pound. When it comes to scrap metal, that's a pretty high amount, especially compared to other metals like aluminum or brass. Copper is also much lighter in weight than steel or iron, which makes it much easier to lift, carry, and haul.

Why Copper is so Valuable

Copper is valuable because of its versatility and because it's used in a variety of applications like plumbing and electrical systems. It's important to keep in mind that not all copper commands the same price. There are grades of copper that vary in price. For instance, #1 bare bright copper commands the highest price, while #2 insulated copper wire will get a much lower price, so it's crucial to understand the different types of copper.

Copper pipes and tubes used for plumbing are very valuable and can be easily recycled. If you want to earn more money for your copper wiring, remove the insulation from the wiring before you take your copper to be recycled.

Where to Find Copper to Recycle

You can find copper in electrical motors, compressors, copper transformers, electrical wiring, and plumbing systems in commercial buildings and houses. If you have access to demolition sites, you can gather discarded copper pipes and electrical wiring for recycling.

Other Base Metals to Recycle

While copper is the highest paying scrap metal, there are other base metals that are worth your time to have recycled. Brass and aluminum are two scrap metals that people often discard. Brass can be more difficult to find than aluminum, but if you know where to look, you can find brass in several household products, such as doorknobs and handles, bed frames, faucets, and serving trays.

Aluminum is almost everywhere. You can find aluminum in cans, car parts, household appliances, bicycles, and other products. While aluminum doesn't pay much per pound like brass and copper, the sheer abundance of the metal makes it worthwhile to collect and recycle.

Recycling is good for the environment and is an excellent way to put some extra cash in your pocket. Separate all your metals by type to ensure you get the best prices for all your scrap metals before you head to the recycling plant.

How to Choose a Condo That Fits Your Lifestyle

Some people wonder if buying a condo is a wise investment. In truth, condos serve as a more cost-effective way to become the owner of a property. They also offer many benefits that conventional homes do not, such as being easier to maintain.

Another benefit of condo ownership is that you will only require insurance for the interior of your property. Here, our focus will be on how to choose a condo that fits your lifestyle.

How can you tell if a builder is trustworthy?

Hiring a renovator or a contractor is something that should be given some serious thought. There are many fly-by-night companies that may try to scam you out of your hard-earned money if you are not careful.

You thus need to perform the necessary due diligence in order to look into their qualifications. They need to demonstrate that they are who they say they are, and they should also have a proven track record of success.

Referrals may help you narrow your search, so try asking trusted friends, family, or colleagues if they can send you to a trustworthy builder. Being accredited by the Better Business Bureau may also help you find a reliable and transparent company to help your cause.

Advantages of Buying a Condo

One of the reasons why condos are all the rage at the moment is due to their limited upkeep. Condos also tend to be far more affordable when compared to a typical townhouse or conventional single family home.

People who are part of a condo suite may also feel closer to their neighbors, and may form enduring and cordial relationships with them. Being part of a larger condo unit also means that you will be able to take advantage of the shared amenities of the community.

Examples may include a gym, swimming pool, sauna, recreation room, garden, and/or library.

What should people consider before buying a condo?

You need to have an open and candid conversation with your loved ones. Take the time to discuss what you need, as well as what you desire in your new home. 

You also must determine how much you can realistically afford to pay monthly, as well as how much you can pay in the form of a down payment.

Is your job stable? Does it have opportunities for advancement? Is the neighborhood safe? Is the condo located in close proximity to supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitals, malls, schools, police stations, and fire stations?

Additionally, do you plan on growing your family soon? If so, how many rooms will your family need? Does the condo provide indoor and outdoor parking? How much are the condo fees? What amenities are included?

Look into mortgage rates and other costs, such as closing and brokerage fees, that may be incurred upon purchase. In regards to closing costs, they tend to range from 2 to 5 percent of the total loan amount.

If the closing costs will be a problem, then you can ask the condo seller if they would be willing to cover a portion of the amount. You can also save some additional money by shopping around in order to find an affordable home inspector to examine the property.

As for the down payment, you can use a free down payment calculator that is available online in order to help decide a goal. Next, you can arrange automatic transfers from your checking account or your savings account to get the ball rolling.

In order to choose the perfect condo, you need to analyze a wide variety of different factors, assessing the unique needs of your family, before you make your final decision. 

New condos in Richmond Hill can help improve your lifestyle, but you still need to analyze your unique financial situation beforehand. Do not hesitate to negotiate with the vendor in order to get a lower price.

How to Choose a Condo That Fits Your Lifestyle

New condos in Richmond Hill are luxurious, spacious, and elegant; however, do they fit with your lifestyle? For example, if you enjoy being physically fit, then your condo should include jogging or walking trails.

If you like working out, then you may require an indoor fitness center in order to exercise without having to leave the vicinity. If you love swimming, then an indoor swimming pool can help you get a great workout even during the frigid winter months.

Many new condos in Richmond Hill are also geared towards nature enthusiasts. You may be able to enjoy exclusive access to stunning parks, mesmerizing beaches, and spectacular nature trails. 

Some condos will even include zen gardens for those who like meditating under a bodhi tree. Those who enjoy being pampered may want to look into a luxury condo that includes a decadent sauna and spa. You can kick back after a hard day of work by decompressing in a state-of-the-art steam room. 

Some luxurious condos also include movie theaters, media rooms, and video game recreation rooms for those who enjoy watching the latest movie blockbusters or playing the latest video games on monolithic 4K or 8K screens in 120Hz mode.

Taking the First Step

Buying a condo is not a walk in the park. It will involve some serious planning and budgeting on your part. However, condo ownership is a wise investment that will pay great dividends in the future.

You should choose a condo that speaks to your unique needs and preferences. It should gel with your lifestyle in order to elevate your overall happiness and well-being.

To help avoid financial hardships after you move into your new home, you should set aside some money. For example, you will likely need some cash in order to purchase new appliances and furniture, albeit such costs can virtually be eliminated if the condo comes fully furnished. 

In any event, you should set aside a nest egg to fund home repairs and renovations in the future, as upgrades to your condo will increase its real estate value when you are ready to sell it.

Sources:

14 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers - NerdWallet

Choosing a Condo That Fits Your Lifestyle (suzannemvolkman.com)

Toys Down the Toilet? What to Do When Your Kids Cause Plumbing Problems

A clogged toilet can be an emergency if you don't have access to another bathroom. When your commode is clogged because your child put a toy down it, you may want to try fixing the problem yourself before contacting a plumber, especially if the bowl is overflowing. First, close the shut-off value, if you have one, then take these steps.

Reach In

If you can't see the toy clogging the drain, you may be able to feel it. As disgusting as it sounds, you can try putting on sturdy rubber gloves and reaching into the toilet drain through the bowl. Toys often lodge in the first bend of the drain, which you can easily reach on most commode models. If you can feel the toy but can't grab it, try a coat hanger or needle-nose pliers.

Use a Plunger or Snake

A plunger or snake can push the toy past the toilet's bends and into your home's drain pipes where it can wash away. Try a special toilet plunger, also called a flange plunger, for the best seal. If it doesn't work, try a toilet auger, also called a closet auger or toilet snake. This steel cable can force the lodged object down the drain and may also have a hook at the end that can pull the object back into the bowl where you can remove it. 

Keep in mind that forcing the toy further into the pipes should only be attempted if you know it won’t cause a clog further in the system. Otherwise, you should always try to remove it instead. Snakes can also damage the pipes, so be very careful if you chose to use one.

Call a Professional

If you can't free the object after a few minutes, it's time to call a plumber. Professionals have more drain cleaning options than you can find at your hardware store. The plumbing company may use a camera to see the problem and an electric drain snake to clear it. They might also try forcing a high-powered jet of water through your plumbing. In some cases, they may have to remove or even replace the toilet to fix the problem, especially if your do-it-yourself efforts have damaged the inside of it.

Protect for the Future

Closing the toilet lid or bathroom door may be enough to prevent some children from putting toys down the drain again, but others can maneuver around these obstacles. If your child can raise the lid or open the door, consider an adhesive toilet lock that requires firm pressing to operate. When your child is older, you can get rid of the lock and follow the directions included with it to remove the adhesive residue.

If you didn't see a child put a toy down the drain, your toilet clog could have another cause, perhaps hidden inside your home's pipes dozens of feet from the bathroom. Do-it-yourself efforts can't reach those clogs, but a plumber can. Whether your kids caused your plumbing issue or something else did, it's fine to try to clear the clog yourself. If that doesn't work, depend on a plumber to get things moving again.

4 Must-Haves to Think About When Decorating Your Windows

You might think that decorating your windows is a great way to finish off a room, but it's actually much more important than a simple aside from your overall decorating plan for a room. It's also essential for ensuring that you have a way to regulate the amount of light in the room, create privacy, and even control the levels of heat in a particular room. These treatments are absolutely essential when you're making plans to decorate your home.

Beautiful and Functional Valance or Curtain Rods

Some plastic window blinds leave a lot to be desired in terms of aesthetics. If you want your windows to have a finished look, you'll need either a valance or curtain rods to finish off the top. A valance is an upholstered box that goes at the top of the window to screen the rest of the window fittings. This is an ultra-finished look, but a beautiful curtain rod can also make the top of the window look finished. It's just a less formal look.

Roller Shades

This type of shade is very functional and looks great when in use. One of the benefits of roller shades is that you can easily adjust the amount of light that you let in by simply pulling on the bottom of the shade to move it up or down. They also come in a variety of colors and materials, meaning you can fit them to any style no matter the direction you’ve taken with the room.

Curtains

As something that provides privacy, blocks out light and extra heat and is often one of the centerpieces of a room's design scheme, drapes and curtains add a lot to a space. You'll love all of the colors, patterns, and materials that you can choose from. And you can even get blackout curtains, which are great for bedrooms near streetlights or if you simply need a way to block out the light from the moon.

Tieback Hooks

These are great when you want to have a finished-off look that lets you pull back the curtains and keep them out of the way. Tieback hooks for curtains also look very stylish and come in a variety of materials.

Curtains, shades, and their various accessories are one of the most important items to have for your windows. They’re an easy decoration and serve the function of either covering your window or putting it on display. You’re able to control how much light is let into the room, and depending on what styles or designs you choose you can make your windows look elegant, functional, modern, or any style that fits with what you want for your house.