US-centric: Find potential roommates with Google maps mashup webapp Roomapes. To list your residence, enter a profile complete with rent amount, housing situation, listing description, and a picture. Search for available shares by geographic region or by zip code. Text listings (without the Google Maps) are also available. Roomapes is free and requires an email address to post yourself as an roommate who is seeking a new dig or to manage your listing. If you’re looking for a new apartment, also consider previously mentioned Google Maps/Craigslist Mashup MapsKreig. Roomapes
Get your home ready for potentially damaging winter storms with eHow’s detailed guide. Tips include rounding up outdoor furniture and items that might fly around in high winds, having a supply of flashlights and candles on hand, and stocking up on emergency foodstuffs. What’s your best tip for preparing for a big ‘un? Thoughts in the comments.
How to Prepare Your Home for a Winter Storm [eHow]Conventional wisdom says that buying a home is a sound investment, and renting is throwing money out the window every month. But finance blogger Millionaire Mommy Next Door says that renting resulted in significant savings over buying a home: I calculated the total cost of living in our [purchased]home. Due to our sweat equity, our mortgage balance was very low … but once I added property taxes, insurance, maintenance and, especially, lost opportunity costs (home equity not available to earn money), it became very clear that our shelter “need” was costing us too much in life energy.
Of course your situation depends on location, income, credit score, and real estate market, but this is an interesting look at an argument for renting you don’t often hear. Photo by Lil Erna.
Rent, Grow Rich, Be Free [Millionaire Mommy Next Door] I Get Richer as a Renter [Millionaire Mommy Next Door]
