The Toll Men

“Big Things Come In Small Packages” We’re all familiar with
this quote, it’s normally associated with gifts not home
decorating, but it should be.

A one or two bedroom house, apartment, condo or townhouse can be
just as impressive and grand as something with fifteen
bathrooms, Wow, imaging having to clean all those, I have enough
trouble with two.

One interesting thing I have found from past experience is that
decorating a smaller place is actually easier, not to mention
less expensive.

Whether your currently living in a small space or downsizing -
that’s another one of those trendy “buzz” words, which simply
means your moving into something smaller - planning how your
going to decorate or redecorate is a good idea.

You may think because it’s smaller, having large pieces is out
of the question. Not true, having oversized furniture is not
going to make your rooms appear smaller, what it will do is give
a warm inviting feeling. Of course the layout and size of a room
will determine how many pieces can comfortably go into it. After
all, you may be looking for drama and comfort, but you still
need to be able to maneuver around.

This also applies to accessories, it’s better to have a few
large dramatic pieces as opposed to a lot of small items, which
can tend to turn into clutter and dust collectors. The exception
to this would be with collections. But again you want to have
places to showcase them like glass front hutches, cabinets,
bookcases or shelves.

Another decorating challenge can be in warming up your new
place. This normally can easily be achieved by adding color with
paint. Now that’s all fine and good unless you happen to be
renting and your landlord say’s “Paint, oh no”. That’s ok; color
can be added in a number of other ways. Several examples:
Window treatments Furniture fabric Accent pillows Area rugs
Wall art Plants & Flowers

Storage can be another issue in a smaller space, there just
never seems to be enough. If you’re buying new furniture or
deciding on which pieces to bring from your current home, look
for ones that can perform double duty.

For example:

Instead of the standard coffee table, look for one with a flip
top or shelves underneath. Cedar chests, blanket chests or
trunks can also be substituted.

Place an armoire intended for the bedroom in the living room
it’s the perfect storage place for remotes, magazines, extra
bedding, kitchen linen or any of those pesky little things you
just can’t seem to find a place for. A small floor cabinet you
might have used in a bathroom can become an end table. Most of
these come with drawers, shelves or both. Decorative stacking
boxes or even old suitcases not only make for great storage, but
they also become terrific accessories.

Plastic storage boxes come in a variety of sizes, colors and
are inexpensive. They can be stacked on shelves in a closet or
cabinet, even into drawers. Clear smaller sizes are perfect
storage for shoes, winter gloves, pictures or how about
extension cords, nails, packages of hooks or hand tools. Larger
sizes can keep extra winter coats, blankets, odd season clothes
or seasonal decorations neat and in one place. Baskets and
hampers are another option.

Kids rooms are always in need of extra places for all their
treasures, plastic milk crates are perfect for them. They come
in many bright brilliant colors. One suggestion, if you are
planning on stacking the crates and have small children it would
be beneficial to secure them to the wall. Plastic shelving
units, which can be found in most discount stores, are perfect
for mounting on the backs of doors or on the wall in closets.
These come in especially handy in the kitchen for holding extra
soda bottles, canned goods, paper towel etc.

Well, I think you’ve gotten the idea, look around and use your
imagination, you will be surprised with what you can come up
with.

Moving into and decorating a small space can be challenging, but
with a little planning it can be just as beautiful as any large
house. And in the end size really doesn’t matter, if it’s filled
with the people and things you love, then you have successfully
created a home.

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Copyright © 2004 bonnie carrier.

When someone is extremely deep in debt, and he or she has no other options to prevent bankruptcy, debt consolidation can be his or her savior. Debt consolidation can also be a very wise choice for someone who has many debts on high interest credit cards. Debt consolidation, quite simply, is the process of taking loans and debts and bringing them into one low-interest loan that can be paid off over varying periods. This is a very good choice for many people because it saves them from having to file bankruptcy. Debt consolidation merely requires collateral (such as a home or vehicle) for the interest rates to be lowered and the customer to be on his or her way to debt free living.

Most people understand the basics of debt consolidation, however there are several dos and don’ts in the world of consolidating debt. Most importantly, make sure you research the company before you choose to consolidate your debt with it. Some companies will take advantage of unassuming consumers. Here are a few underhanded tricks unfavorable companies will employ when you are trying to consolidate your debt:

1. Some companies will take advantage of high interest loans, and the benefit of consolidating those loans, by charging exceptionally high fees in the debt consolidation loan. These fees can sometimes even be near the state maximum for mortgage fees. Any company with fees that seem unnaturally high should not be your choice for debt consolidation.

2. Watch out for companies that wait until you are “backed into a corner.” Some companies will let a customer get further and further into debt until the customer is forced to refinance. Someone who has put his or her house will be willing to refinance in order to save his or her collateral (again, usually the home). The unscrupulous company will then charge an excessive refinancing fee.

3. Lastly, be wary of companies that employ “predatory lending.” Predatory lending is when a debt consolidation company allows a customer to be in such debt that they are unable to find another debt consolidator to help them with the debt. The person is forced to stay with their current company and sometimes even file bankruptcy anyway. The company that knowingly led the customer into the dregs of debt comes out on top. Most companies don’t use predatory lending, but it is always a good idea to be extra careful when choosing a debt consolidator.

Good debt consolidation companies naturally don’t do anything underhanded. On the contrary, a worthwhile company offers the customer all the information he or she will ever need about their loans and interest. The company is helpful and concerned for the financial safety of their customers. Companies that realize that the decision to consolidate one’s debt is a weighty one are usually the best companies to opt for. Approaching each case uniquely is the sign of a debt consolidator that understands the importance of every customer.

Debt consolidation can be a weighty decision for many people to make. If you keep in mind the dos and don’ts of choosing a debt consolidation company, you will have no worries. Some companies try underhanded methods to increase their profits, but if you know what to watch out for, those companies cannot swindle you. Debt consolidation is a wise choice for anyone who has high interest credit cards, and substantial loans. Follow my advice, and I’m sure that you’ll be debt free sooner than you can say, “Consolidate!”

Mike McDowski writes about a variety of financial matters and advocates debt consolidation with Credit Solutions ( http://www.creditsolutions.com ).

Paco Underhill, author of the wonderful book “Why We Buy. The
Science of Shopping” has now followed this up with a review of
the shopping experience in America’s Malls.

His new book “Call Of The Mall” examines how Americans use the
mall (shopping centre), what it means, why it works when it does
and why it often doesn’t work at all well.

Paco Underhill is CEO of Envirosell whose studies of consumer
behaviour are sought after by leading retailers, manufacturers
and distributors around the globe. And now owners, managers and
marketing specialists in shopping centres will be studying
carefully the observations and conclusions of the man who has
been called “the Margaret Mead of shopping”.

In this article we put the spotlight on some of Paco Underhill’s
observations with excerpts from his new book.

Parking and Entering

“The entrance to the parking lot is where the mall really
begins. As you approach there is always that moment of
anticipation when you see whether the lot is full, empty or
somewhere in between. It sets the tone for the day. Enjoy a
smooth transition from the highway to the front door and you
feel blessed. Hit a snag and you start your shopping trip under
a black cloud.”

“We’ve studied many malls where there is one door used by people
unfamiliar with the mall. We call it the ’stranger’ entrance.
But it’s usually not the portal of choice for those who know the
mall well.”

“When choosing a mall parking spot, you’ve got four priorities
to juggle:

1. You want a spot that’s easy and fast to reach when you arrive.

2. You want a spot close to the mall.

3. You want a spot near the entrance that will bring you closest
to your first destination inside.

4. You want a spot that’s fast and easy to reach when you leave.”

Parking within 50 feet of your preferred entrance is probably
the highest priority of the four, especially when it’s cold, hot
or rainy.

“Often when I start a consulting assignment for a retail chain
or developer, I’ll drag executives out here. They’re usually
puzzled: ‘Wait a sec - the stores are in there!’ But I insist.
For all their knowledge and experience, few merchants or
managers understand how much of the customer experience takes
place in the parking lot. Executives who would be appalled by a
lack of regard for shopper comfort within the store don’t give a
thought to what happens out here.”

“If the mall devoted more thought to how shoppers experience the
place, they’d spend a little money and effort on the parking
lot. As soon as you turned in off the road you’d come upon a car
greeter - a traffic cop. He’d be the boss, and he would have two
or three minimum wage high school kids running around to inform
drivers where all the spots are, would keep traffic moving
smoothly, and would give shoppers the sense that fairness and
order prevail.”

“Doesn’t happen…before Christmas by 10.00am traffic is at a
standstill and tempers are flaring. Mall management remains
uninvolved. Find your own spot. Fight your own battles, it tells
us, then come inside. Mall operators think they control parking
lots by installing surveillance cameras. As any police officer
will tell you, control is about being visible.”

Rest Rooms

“Your average mall bathroom’s ambience would be dramatically
improved if, say, Aveda or The Body Shop furnished the sinks
with samples of various sweet smelling goods. Even cosmetics
would work here…A woman could test some new soap or
moisturiser, want more, and be directed to the store to find it.”

“Has no one ever considered using this as a kind of showroom for
the things you sell out there on the floor in the store, twenty
five feet away?”

“I’ve suggested to the marketing people at Proctor & Gamble that
they sponsor ladies’ rooms in major airports - hire an attendant
with a mop and a bucket to keep the place clean, and stock the
joint with all their newest products.”

“An entrepreneurial approach to the well-appointed rest room
could turn even this place into a profit centre.”

Using Mobile Phones

“In Europe and Japan, cell phones seem to work everywhere, while
in the United States (and Australia!) phone users are often
driven outside or to odd corners of the mall for good reception.
The cell phone as a shopping aid allows contact with your buying
adviser.”

“We have started to track the phone conversations that happen in
stores and their apparent effect on buying decisions. It’s
remarkable how predictably the conversations begin: ‘Honey, I’m
here at the mall, what did you say you wanted?’”

Jurek’s View

“Call Of The Mall” follows on from the most fascinating,
entertaining and useful retail research book ever written, “Why
We Buy. The Science of Shopping” which is a must read for
everyone involved with retail.

“Call Of The Mall” is also easy to read, though it has far more
of Paco Underhill’s opinions and far less actual research to
back up his conclusions. I have the feeling with this book that
Paco Underhill has been reading too much of his publicity and
now believes he is a witty, entertaining writer. So, in some
ways it’s a bit of a let down. However, for anyone involved in a
management role within shopping centres it’s still a ‘must read’.

Both books are currently available from Terrific Trading as we
have shipped in a supply to cater for demand. Go to our website
www.terrifictrading.com and click RESOURCES for details.