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Bed, Bath & Laundry

Back to school time – Is your room ready?

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Prepare your home for school

Get ready for school!

It’s back to school time. Whether your preparing for kindergarten or your college dorm room, get it ready for the school year. Here are some Shop RTO tips for doing so.

First, the obvious. Clean it up. When you’re on the go, it’s more difficult to spend a lot of time at once. That’s why clean it up now and make sure each day you clean whatever you messed up that day so all of sudden you’re not in some paper stacked, laundry filled jungle.

Wash everything! Sheets, pillow cases and clothes. Start the school year with everything clean and ready.

Make your study area nice. Get new furniture if need be. Buy some plants. Decorate with paintings, photos or posters. Anything to not make it look like a prison cell.

Studies constantly show your environment shapes your mood. Typically a sterile environment emanates a cold, dark presence that you don’t want to be in. You don’t want to associate studying or homework with a broom closet. Liven it up to your taste. If you have a window, use that as your basis for your room arrangement. It’s a feng shui approach.

Make sure you have plenty of light and the proper type of lighting. Typically, a room needs three tiers of lighting. But in a small bedroom or dorm room, you many only need one lamp then the overhead.

Make sure your computer, laptop and/or tablet is ready. Think about upgrading and getting a new one. Computers are now key in learning so you don’t want to be at a disadvantage from the get-go. Try rent to own stores if you can’t afford one or want the latest for a small rental price. Make sure your programs are installed correctly or updated to the most recent version.

If you need any of these home furnishings and can’t buy it outright or don’t want to own them due to a uncertain future of living arrangements as can be when in College then everything you need to make your room ready for school can happen through your local rent to own store. Rent the furniture for the semester or rent to own it with affordable payments. The rent to own store is responsible for delivery and pick up if you don’t want it anymore or are finished renting.

And, you’re never obligated to own it and can return it at any time for any reason. Who knows? Your aunt may come in and buy you a brand new bed so that bed you just rented can go back to the store and you’re not penalized one bit. And, they’ll come and get it for you.

Just another Shop RTO Home Decorating tip.

ShopRTO provides consumers home decorating and living tips and promotes rent to own as a shopping option for affordable home furnishings.

Front loading vs top loading washing machines

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Front loading vs top loading washer machines

Which washing machine is right for you?

The clothes are piling up and its laundry day. We’re all guilty of putting off laundry but the chore really can be a daunting one if your washing machine is acting up or needs to be replaced altogether. If you’re ready to invest in a new machine the first detail to consider is which type of washer will work best for you; a front loading or a top loading machine?

With so many brands and models to choose from there are plenty factors to consider however the most basic and considerable is the loading style, so let’s cover the pros and cons of both.

Front loading Washer
Front loading machines can be beneficial to you if you’re working with a small space. Oftentimes, these machines are stackable, making efficient use of your laundry space. However, if you chose to have them side by side, they not only require more space but more physical bending than top loading machines. With that said, you can choose to add a pedestal to your front loading machine that will give it a boost and alleviate bending but since pedestals are optional they also run an additional cost. The laundry load capacity on front loading machines is bigger than that of top loading machines allowing for larger loads like a comforter. They also have a higher spin cycle that extracts more moisture from wet laundry and thus requires less drying time which in turn uses less energy per load, saving costs.

That brings us to another significant factor, cost. Front loading machines do tend to be more expensive than top loading machines but nowadays there are so many that it’s likely you can find one within your budget. Front loading machines also don’t provide many options for customizing loads and therefore require more time per load. Another concern is that early models were said to develop mold around the door but since their initial development they have undergone a lot of improvements such as better water drainage to prevent mold altogether.

Top Loading Washer
Unlike front loading machines, top loading machines require far less bending when tossing your laundry in or moving them from washer to dryer. Wash cycles are also customizable and have more options including load size and time allowing for shorter cycle time that in turn uses less energy per load, saving costs.

Although you can save some time and costs on washing, top loading machines have a slower spin cycle that doesn’t extract moisture as well and will in turn require longer drying time. Another thing to consider is space. Top loading machines require more space since they don’t stack. These machines are also said to wash less effectively for full loads as well as utilizing more water per load than a front loading machine due to their design.

It might be a tough choice to make but consider trying both models before making a final decision with rent to own. Find your nearest rent to own store and try the washing machine of your choice without taking the plunge of a final sale and try before you buy.

Just another ShopRTO lifestyle tip.

ShopRTO provides consumers home decorating and living tips and promotes rent to own as a shopping option for affordable home furnishings.

July is one of the best months to buy home furniture

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July is the best month for rent to own furniture

Look to July for the best furniture deals

The two best months to buy home furniture is January and July. July is coming up so start researching the brands, styles and prices for that new couch, love seat, bedroom suite and whatever home furniture you need or want to replace. Then get your shopping shoes on when July hits.

Why July? Makes sense when you think about it from the store’s point of view. Which shoppers always need to think about when shopping for the home.

Summer months can be the deadest months for furniture stores so they have to make deals to get shoppers in the store.

Dealing with furniture moving and furniture deliveries and decorating is a lot more appealing in good weather than in snowy, cold weather.

New furniture models and designs will be released in August. Furniture stores need to get rid of yesterday’s models to open up showroom floor space for the new sets. That means making good deals and having sales specials.

It’s been awhile since Christmas season and awhile to next Christmas so money could be burning in the pockets of shoppers without the guilt or fear.

When it comes to home furniture shopping and purchasing, the options can be endless which is why it’s good to start the research now. Look up styles on the web then go to the varying stores to actually sit, touch and look up close to them. Oh, and make sure you measure the space you want to fill first. If it don’t fit then you need to quit. At least for that particular item.

How about payments? You have four choices in how you want to pay. You can go cash, credit, rent to own or used. If you can’t go cash outright then look at your payment options to consider credit or rent to own stores.

There is a time where credit is the way to go then there’s the time when rent to own is the way to go. Both have the same premise – the less payments, the less the cost so do the math on both transactions. Be wary of those stores that offer the 0% interest for the first year or you don’t have start making payments for a year or two. Because when that offer is up or payments begin, the interest rates most likely will be very expensive.

If you go used, then make sure you test that furniture out really well. And, rent to own stores can be great for used deals. They need to have new furniture on the showroom floor so getting rid of used furniture is a priority.

There’s also the showroom models. That exact furniture that customers have been testing out for the past month(s) in the store can be a steal of a deal especially during, well, you guessed it, July.

Just another Shop RTO home furniture tip.

ShopRTO provides consumers home decorating and living tips and promotes rent to own as a shopping option for affordable home furnishings.

 

Give your home some new flare at little cost

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cheap home decorating ideas

New flare for little cost.

It’s important to change things up in your home on a regular basis. A new flare for the home can be simple and inexpensive and help keep things fresh. So here’s some tips.

The easiest is greenery. Get a new plant. They’re cheap, easy and healthy for you.

Use knick-knacks. Go to any flea market, garage sale or trinket shop and find some eclectic accessories to place on shelves, desks and counters. Get creative and subtle and watch how they will catch the eye and a smile from your guests. A Jack Skellington figurine sitting on the kitchen window sill is a good example.

How about a frame job. Find something unique and frame it. Especially if it’s personal. Get that favorite rock t-shirt and stretch it over a canvass. Get the pre-made canvasses at Hobby Lobby. They’re cheap and easy and frame it. Or use a burlap sack and paint upon it or have your kids paint on it to personalize further.

Use some wallpaper. It’s in vogue and is cheap especially if you use it as a discreet background of some of your enclosed shelves.

Skirt a table. There are all sorts of possibilities in what patterns and textures you can find then place it over you end tables and it’s a whole new look.

Wrap it up. Take a vase, lamp post, chair legs, etc. and wrap it with some yarn, rope, paper or anything that looks nice and is durable.

Stairway to haven. Add some paint or prints to your stairs and it’s instant and stylish.

Check out wall decals. Just slap them on and it’s instant art and very different.

And for the bathroom? Get a new shower curtain. That is sooo easy but makes all the difference.

These are just a few great and cheap ideas to spruce up the home on the cheap and to keep your home from getting style stale.

Just some more Shop RTO home decorating tips.

ShopRTO provides consumers home living and decorating tips and rent to own as a shopping option for affordable home furniture and more.

 

Go furniture shopping inside the store not on-line

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Rent to own furniture stores

Furniture shopping at the store can actually be fun.

Furniture shopping at the store makes sense. Larger appliances and HD TVs as well. Why? Here are some very good reasons.

Sitting on a couch and bed are a must in person. It’s paramount to personally view a HD TV before you buy it. Looking and opening an oven, refrigerator and washer/dryer combo are a must. And listening to a wireless speaker system needs your ears. And you can only do those in person. You need to make sure it’s the perfect fit, color and size.

Try it before you buy it. Yes, you can try it at the store but it’s better if you can try it at home. Rent to own stores are the best for that option. That’s part of their unique niche in the shopping world. They will deliver and let you try it for a week or month and then pick it up if you want. Make sure you ask the rent to own store employee their policies. Each rent to own store is different.

Furniture shopping and other important home furnishings is a science as much as an art. Use these tips to make your shopping a Rembrandt.

Make sure you compare prices on-line and competitors ready. Have their prices, specials and discounts already on your iPhone to show the salesperson. You could get it cheaper in person or it may already be cheaper. These stores need you in there and will have incentives. Ask about delivery fees and warranties as those can be expensive and not listed in their pricing.

Make sure you bring your measurements with you when looking for specific furniture, appliances and electronics. If you think you can eyeball measurements then don’t. Rarely works and if you’re that good then you’re one of the lucky few.

Do your homework especially furniture shopping because there are so many styles, colors and prices. Take photos or video of where you’re planning to put the furniture so as to get the size and colors as matched as possible.

Rent to own stores can be good to go to if you want to look at varying furniture, HD TVs and appliances especially if prices or payments are an issue. Again, you can try before you buy with a single obligation to own. You have the option to own not the obligation to own. That’s a common misperception.

Rent to own prices also include delivery, pick up and maintenance as part of their pricing. Those are not extra fees as typical retail does. And shop around, rent to own stores and general retail stores are begging for your business so use their competition to your advantage.

Just another ShopRTO home furniture tip.

ShopRTO provides consumers home living, finance tips and rent to own as a shopping option for affordable home furniture and more.

Get ready for Spring cleaning by starting indoors

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Cleaning kitchen tips

Spring cleaning starts indoors.

It’s just about time to get ready for spring cleaning which means a lot of decorative changes. Seasons change and so does your home both inside and out. So first things first, it’s time to clean up last season. But let’s take this yearly chore one step at a time. By starting indoors.

First thing first, get rid of old or unused items. That goes for everything inside. Start with your clothes. Look at all of your spring clothing and pile up those you’re tired of or have literally worn out their welcome. Throw them away or donate them.

This helps clean out your closets and, best of all, know what kind of clothes shopping you need to do. For those who love to shop then that gives you a true, focused and blissful purpose. For those who do not like to shop, well, at least your closet is lighter and cleaner.

Spring means lighter and brighter colors. That definitely means your bed linens. Have those clean and ready. Take them to your local dry cleaners or do it yourself, have them fresh and ready to go. How about table clothes and napkins? Same thing. Get those lighter, brighter ones clean and ready (or bought). How about those curtains? Some go to the extent of having seasonal curtains. If so, have the spring/summer ones sent to the dry cleaners ready for the warmer, sunnier seasons of spring and summer.

Spring season means a change of menus. It’s not spring yet so we’re still in winter menu mode but have to start at the starting line which means cleaning, ugh. Go through the refrigerator and inspect every expiration stamp and let the throwaway begin. Remember to throw those that are eco-friendly away in the recycling bin. You don’t have to clean them out. They’ll take them full of mustard and what not.

Then go through the pantry and do the same thing. And that means everything including the rack of spices. You’ll be amazed how long ago you used that particular spice. Was it really 2003? Geesh. Toss! And make a list of everything you toss to use for tomorrow’s grocery list so you’re not in the middle of a spring barbecue and the chili rub is not there.

These two chores of cleaning the refrigerator and pantry also gives you the prime opportunity to clean out the drawers, bins and shelves. If they’re more empty then they’re easier to clean. Sorry for that tip. But, it’s a good one.

Getting ready for spring and spring cleaning can be daunting so start with small simple tips. These are a few good ones to get through with to then head onwards to more and, then soon enough, it will be time to go outdoors to spring in action.

Just another ShopRTO home lifestyle tip.

ShopRTO provides consumers spring cleaning and living tips for the home and when rent to own is the right choice for your home furniture, appliances and electronics.

How to pick the right mattress for you

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How to choose the right mattress.

Make sure you pick the right mattress for your back.

You spend half of your life on your mattress so you better spend some time making the right choice when shopping for one. A good night’s sleep depends on many factors – stress levels, room temperature, ambient noise and comfort. Comfort means your pillow, blankets, maybe a cat or dog or two with you but most of all the mattress. So here’s some tips when shopping for your mattress.

First, let’s break down the type of mattresses to choose. There are four basic types – Innerspring coil, Memory Foam, Latex and Air. Each have their pros and cons.

Innerspring coils are the most popular where each coil is individually wrapped. Prices range widely and more expensive does not mean better. They also range from firm to soft. Sleep doctors say to make sure that they have a coil count of, at least 390. And, more coil count doesn’t mean better sleep. Innerspring mattresses can be the safest bet but may not give you the ultimate comfort the others provide.

Memory foam mattresses are those that are made from layers of foam of different types of densities. They mold to the contours of your body throughout the night and help relieve pressure points. If you sleep with a partner then each of you create your own individual imprint so no one has to compromise for the other. Because memory foam molds to your body, it can absorb the body heat and become hot. That’s good for some, bad for others. And some people have said the foam can emanate a chemical smell.

For some, Latex is best as it gives both the firmness and bouncy touch so has the support and comfort. But, if you don’t like firm mattresses then this may not be your choice.

Air mattresses are standard innerspring but use air-filled chambers instead of coils. It’s good for couples who need different types of firmness. The problems can be irregular pocket holes can create an uneven bed or can inflate one side when one sits on the other.

So what does all of this mean? It means your back has a lot of choices so spend the time lying on each. The best way to find your mattress is to go into stores and lie down on them for 10 – 15 minutes. Bring your pillow! Anything to re-create your sleep. I don’t think they’ll let you bring your dog or cat in, though.

Some rent to own stores have many mattresses to choose from and if you rent them and in a couple of months don’t like them then you’re not stuck with an unfriendly mattress. If you do like the mattress then use the early purchase option to save money.

Just another ShopRTO Lifestyle and Bedroom Furniture tip.

ShopRTO provides consumers home decorating and living tips and promotes rent to own as a shopping option for affordable home furnishings.

 

Want a cheap smart refrigerator? Use a fridge mount.

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Used tablets can be useful

Attach your tablet on the fridge to maximize its use.

There’s nothing cooler than smart refrigerators but they’re really expensive and their in-house apps can go outdated. Want a cheaper and better option? Use a fridge mount for your iPad or tablet.

There are dozens of fridge mounts out there. They can be as low as $15 or up to $50. You stick them on through an adhesive or a magnet. Sounds intriguing, eh? Here’s why:

You have an old tablet just sitting there getting dusty. Now you have a great use for it!

You have a multimedia device right there. Use it as the kitchen radio, the Skype communication device, the TV or play funny YouTube stand-up comedy routines while you’re cooking.

Have it as your day, week, month planner right there in front of you. There are dozens of planning and scheduling apps out there. Find the right one and just tap it each morning to find out what needs to be done. Even better, use the reminder function so when you’re sleepy eyed self is grogging to the kitchen in the morning, they’ll be there for you to see.

Use it as your grocery list. The best time to remember the groceries you will need at the store is in the kitchen after you close the refrigerator door. They have bunch of apps for that as well. Free grocery list apps are a dime a dozen. But be careful. Some are so over complicated that it becomes a waste of time. You may just want to use a voice automated list app. Or just the old fashioned list app and type it in.

There’s also grocery store delivery companies popping up everywhere using apps.  That could create the whole grocery ecosystem right there on your fridge with a couple of apps and button pushes.

Lastly, you’d never lose that iPad again. It’s mounted there. It’s not a permanent mount, granted. You can take it on and off with ease. But, it’s always right there staring at you so it’s not staring at you that means you need to find it and put it back in its home so you never lose it, again.

Just another ShopRTO smart refrigerator tip.

ShopRTO provides consumers home decorating and living tips and promotes rent to own as a shopping option for affordable home furnishings.

 

Tips to cleaning your mattress

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Mattress cleaning tips

Cleaning your mattress means keeping your mattress as long as possible.

Getting a good night’s sleep can all depend on the mattress you sleep on. So make sure your mattress is nice and clean. They can also be very expensive so you want to make sure you get your money’s out of it. So here’s some Shop RTO tips on cleaning your mattresses or keeping your mattress clean.

First suggestion is pretty easy and common sense. Buy a cover. There are many different kinds. Whether it’s one that lies on top that is cotton, pillow top, blends. But there are also casings that wrap around the mattress. Plastic casings that zip tight to protect against liquids. And, uh, hate to say but bed bugs as well.

Flip it. Spin it. Turn your mattress over and spin it on a regular basis. Helps shift the weight put upon the mattress through the months. Use daylight savings time as the reminder as it splits the year up in six months and makes for a good reminder.

Use extra blankets or towels for extra guests. As in your dog or cat. Hate to say it but let’s get real. Millions of spoiled dogs and cats enjoy the nestling with their masters on the bed. Or, is it the other way around and they allow us to sleep in their bed? At any rate, don’t let them spoil your mattress. Most pets enjoy their regular spot on the bed so strategically place an extra blanket or towel to protect from muddy paws and make it easier to clean the fur.

Clean up spills quickly and efficiently. Use a damp cloth with warm water and make sure the cloth isn’t soaking or dripping. That’ll just make the problem worse. If it’s urine or blood, add some baking soda to the warm water. Add some dish soap as well. If it’s a tough stain, use a soft brush and only treat the area that’s affected and be gentle. Try to dry it quickly with a blow dryer or a fan directly on it.

Americans sleep on an average of 7-8 hours a day and count on them to provide the comfort and relaxation after a long day. Make sure you pick the right mattress and keep it fresh and clean as long as you can.

Just another Shop RTO bedroom furniture and lifestyle tip.

ShopRTO provides consumers home decorating and living tips and promotes rent to own as a shopping option for affordable home furnishings.

Do I have my appliance repaired or replaced? Read these tips.

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Tips to repairing appliances

When do repair or purchase home appliances.

Appliance repaired or get a new one? Good question. Repairing or replacing refrigerators, washers/dryers, dishwashers and stoves can pose a tricky situation. Appliances are expensive enough to warrant repairs but repairs can also be too expensive to be worth it. Where do you draw the line?

Obviously, those appliances under warranty are not a factor in this discussion. It’s those appliances that you’ve had in the 4-7 year range that leave you with that tough decision. Experts say the most dominant factor when making your decision is how old that appliance is and how expensive a model you have.

Consumer Reports conducted a study years ago that still helps today. They surveyed thousands of consumers who faced this dilemma and found these interesting tips and observations:

  • If the repair cost is more than one-half of the cost to purchase one then toss it and buy a new one.
  • Many respondents felt that appliance repairs would be too costly and too much of a pain-in-the-who-know-what that they didn’t even consider repairing and bought a new one. DO NOT do that. Appliance repairs can be easy and relatively cheap so always explore that option.
  • Do not repair anything that costs $200 or less to buy new such as a garbage disposal. Not worth it.
  • Most respondents had the best experiences with independent contractors. In these days, ask your friends and neighbors through Facebook or Neighborhood forums who the best appliance repair person is. You’d be amazed how quickly and good referrals you will get.
  • Most appliance repairs can be made at home. It’s not as inconvenient as you may think.
  • If you end up having to buy a new one, the good news is that they will be more energy efficient.

And, remember, if you’re left without an appliance for a couple of days, go to a rent-to-own store and rent one while you’re shopping around. Or, if you can’t buy outright consider rent-to-own. But only if it makes sense. Use ShopRTO’s best practices to see if rent-to-own is better than a credit card in your circumstance. And, if you want to buy used, go to a rent-to-own store as they can have some of the best “used” deals in town.

Just another ShopRTO lifestyle tip.

ShopRTO provides consumers home living and decorating tips and promotes rent to own as a shopping option for affordable home furnishings.

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