It’s a simple psychological fact that people want to believe that everyone thinks the same way they do. It’s very much an untruth, however, and it results in people often ignoring the ways in which they are at risk. Even if you don’t bank or shop online, don’t rule out the possibility of someone else doing so in your name.

US law allows residents to receive one free copy of their credit report each year, from each of the three major credit bureaus. You can (and should) request these free copies at the AnnualCreditReport website. Checking your credit report allows you to identify any inaccuracies, as well as any potential fraud being carried out in your name. That’s why it’s so important!

You now know how to identify potential identity theft and fraud after it has occurred, it is important that you are equipped with more of the information you need in order to ensure that you never will.

If you ever get an email from PayPal, you bank, or any financial institution asking that you click a link and log in to your account or provide any information, do not click the link. Do NOT provide the information. If you get an email from anywhere asking for your password, disregard it. Literally nobody legitimately requests sensitive information via email.

If you’re ever unsure, though, it’s worth looking in to some of these requests. When researching, do not use the links or addresses provided in emails; always type the address by hand, as links can say they lead one place and really lead to another, like so: http://www.mystagedlife.com

Another important thing to note is that the addresses given in emails are often fake, as well. Only use addresses provided by your financial institution, never trust addresses provided via email, even when you can verify that the email is legitimate!

If you’ve read the rest of my identity theft articles, you know I have to cut this short. Don’t worry, I won’t keep you waiting long for the rest!

I’ve already explained the importance of keeping physical documents behind lock and key in a secured cabinet. I’ve covered the importance if not giving out or writing down your passwords, ever. These are the most important steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft, in general; however, they’re really only the tip of the iceberg.

Also important is choosing strong passwords. A strong password will contain a random mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters and numbers, as well as punctuation marks when allowed and will be, at the very least, eight characters long. A longer password is better, in cases where it is allowed.

To be truly secure online, just as in the physical world, you must be willing to forgo some convenience. Security questions are a great idea, in theory, as they allow a method of verifying who you are in order to allow you to reset your password should you every forget it. The problem is that they are often answered by easily researched information, which anyone who knows you probably already knows and anyone who doesn’t can find out with minimal effort. Even if the password reset option relies on email to complete the task, try to bear in mind that your email password can likely be reset with the use of security questions, as well.

Don’t worry, there’s a simple solution. Pick someone you know and answer those security questions as though you were that person; never tell anyone who you picked and try not to pick someone obvious such as a family member, best friend or current or former lover. This way, no matter how well someone knows you, they won’t be able to have your passwords reset to gain access to your online accounts.

So far, everything I’ve covered has been about keeping your data locked up and secured. There’s much more to it than this, which I would love to cover right now. Alas, I hear about it in meetings if I make these articles too long. I’ll fill you in on the rest of the details shortly; in the meantime, start putting what you’ve learned so far to good use!

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As promised, the next article is ready!

Why, then, should you listen to what I have to say about preventing it? It’s happened to me, twice, right? Right.

It’s happened to me, twice. I’ve recovered from it. Both times.

I, personally, tracked down the scumbag the second time; I traced their steps, I learned more about them than they knew about me. Then I turned that information over to the police.

How did I do this? Simple. I used the same techniques they used. That, right there, is what qualifies me to tell you how to protect yourself.

Before I take you online, let me cover the basics on how to avoid identity theft in the physical world, where I was first victimized.

The single, most important thing you can do to prevent identity theft is to keep your social security card (or equivalent, for non-US readers) and any credit cards you don’t use regularly locked in a safe location. Preferably, this would be a safe deposit box which requires photo ID and a key to access. Failing this, a fireproof safe bolted securely to a concrete floor will do just fine. If you lose a key, be sure to change it.

Shred any credit offers that you don’t intend to accept, as well as any piece of mail or other documents containing any personally identifiable information, unless you intend to keep it and file it in a locked cabinet (secured similarly to the safe mentioned above). Once shredded, divide each item into four piles. You’ll want to have four boxes, labeled 1, 8, 15 and 22, for this purpose. Place one pile in each box and empty each box on the day of the month for which it is numbered. This prevents all but the most dedicated identity thieves from reassembling and using your discarded documents. Yes, credit card companies will accept and process applications that have been shredded, reassembled, filled out, photocopied, wadded up and shipped to them in a jar of kool-aid. It’s a bit extreme, yes; just don’t ask me how I know this. You should follow this procedure, really, for any document you discard that contains anything more than your first name. You might not think there’s anything useful on that overdue notice from the library, but trust me, there is.

Again, if it has your personal information on it, secure it. Locked drawer in a cabinet that can’t simply be slid onto a dolly and wheeled away. Never carry anything on you that you don’t intend to use; my first incident was the result of armed robbery and the sale of my identification, including my social security card, which I had on me because I had just started a new job and my employer required a copy.

These are basic guidelines for protecting your identity in the real world. Beyond that, use common sense and don’t go around giving out your personal information to everyone you meet, even if you think they need it. You’ll eventually end up giving it to someone who does need it to steal your identity!

Protecting yourself from online identity theft, however, is a bit more complicated than protecting yourself in the real world. The most important step you can follow is very simple: NEVER TELL ANYONE YOUR PASSWORD, TO ANYTHING, EVER; NEVER WRITE YOUR PASSWORDS DOWN AND NEVER USE THE SAME PASSWORD FOR MORE THAN ONE ACCOUNT.

Nobody but you ever has a legitimate need to know your passwords. Ever. Period. I don’t care who they say they are, if they’re asking for your password, they’re lying. Service providers can access your account without a password, it’s their system and they have that access. I’ll repeat this one more time because it is the most important step you can take to protect yourself online: NEVER TELL ANYONE YOUR PASSWORD, TO ANYTHING, EVER; NEVER WRITE YOUR PASSWORDS DOWN AND NEVER USE THE SAME PASSWORD FOR MORE THAN ONE ACCOUNT.

There’s a ton more information that I’d love to dole out right now, but Sharon insists that I keep my articles short and sweet (shorter than this, even), so I’ve written more here.

That’s a good thing, of course, something we all want to see keep happening; that’s why it’s important to understand just why it is happening.

Speculation, the assumption of the risk of loss, in return for the uncertain possibility of a reward, is a common practice among investment bankers, typically hedge funds. In recent years, many investment bankers saw fit to buy barrels of oil which haven’t even been drilled for yet; thus, driving up the cost of those barrels as demand began rising much higher than the available supply.

The end result of all of this is higher prices for gas, along with many other petroleum based products, such as plastics, some paints and many solvents. This, in turn, has led to higher prices for any products which are made of plastic, make use of oil based paints or are manufactured using any of those solvents.
Now, the majority of this speculation began after 2005’s severe hurricane season caused oil shortages in some parts of the world. Many investors were banking on that keeping up in following years. When those hopes (sick as they may seem) were dashed, speculators began selling their oil, causing a sharp drop in price, which we have all seen at the pump.

For more information, refer to this CNN article.

From the Akron Beacon Journal’s Article “Area home sales freeze, down 29% in January”

According to figures provided by the Akron Area Board of Realtors, number of home sales in the area dropped a whopping 29% compared to January of last year. In total for 2007, the annual decline was 12% and things don’t look much better for 2008. The total value of home sales from 2007 dropped 28%. Not that it is good, but one number did go up, the average number of days on the market went from 91 days to 94 days. Well I guess there is some good news…the average sales price in January 2008 was $128,799 compared to $127,360 in January 2007. Don’t get too excited, that’s only 1% and there is more bad news. The National Association of Realtors announced Monday that national sales dropped last month to the lowest level in nearly a decade and is the fifth consecutive decline. Home values in Akron are reported to have dropped 3.8% over the past year according to the Zillow Home Value report. Can we say, “housing slump?”

Saturday’s schedule features:

• International Design stars on the KRUPS Stage
• Seminars on all things design
• The IDS Workshops are new this year:
  • Saturday’s workshop will be DESIGN & DECORATING TRENDWATCHING by Cobi Ladner, Editor at Canadian House & Home magazine and Mark Challen, Vice-President Communications also from the magazine. Unfortunately, the 100 places are sold out.
  • There are some places left for the LIVING WITH A COMMITMENT TO GREEN workshop on Sunday.
• What’s Your Design Dilemma?  This is your chance for a free 15 min. consultation with one of ARIDO’s registered interior designers.  Appointments are on a first-come first-served basis and arranged upon visiting the ARIDO booth (1617).

Visit the AfriCharisma booth to see and touch the remarkable rock and scatter cushions and pebble carpets by South African Designer, Ronel Jordaan. The felt cushions made to look alike rocks are divine. The unique cushions and carpets are handmade with no sewing (therefore no seams). 

Interior Design Show 2008 in Toronto

Here are some tips from Good Housekeeping on organizing a linen closet:

• Relocate random items that do not belong in the linen closet
• Remove and recycle past-their-prime bedding, towels, and tablecloths.
• Arrange what is left by use – seasonal pieces (quilts, beach towels) go on high or low shelves in clear plastic bins (for dust protection and easy recall).
• Keep everyday textiles at eye level with dividers to prevent topples.
• Organize bath towels by set, except for washcloths which tend to get lost in stacks.
• Store washcloths rolled in sock-drawer dividers.
• Stash extra toiletries in bins, baskets, or boxes.
• Hang special occasion tablecloths on over the door towel bars. They won’t be creased from folds.
• Line your closet with contact paper to prevent snagging.
• Label areas of the shelves so you can easily locate items (queen sheets, twin, etc.).

Maybe you are thinking, “How does this relate to staging?” Well, I suppose we’ll give you a free tip. To stage a game room, set up a game in progress on a card table. The potential buyer will get the impression that they can have a fun and entertaining lifestyle in your house, which might lead to a signed contract and a sold home!

VOC’s are defined in another part of our blog. You’re sucking them in, you might as well find out what they are.

“The initials V-O-C stand for “volatile organic compound,” which is essentially any organic compound which evaporates readily to the atmosphere. Why are we listing this term in the DESIGN SPEAK section? Because they are a hot topic in the growing Sustainable Design trend. VOCs contribute significantly to photochemical smog production and certain health problems. These organic substances easily become vaporous / gaseous, and they are often used as quick dry solvents which, upon evaporation, give off volatiles, an increasing environmental concern. You know that “new car smell” or the lingering aroma hanging in the air after the installation of new carpet, hard-surface flooring, paint, or wallcovering? VOCs! Therefore, in an effort to improve the health of the planet, as well as the health of the end-users of their products, many manufacturers have developed (and are continually refining) production methods to lower, and ultimately eliminate, VOCs in their products.”

Hmmm… I heard that the new car smell is actually formaldehyde. Why would anyone love that smell?

- 10 ways to increase the value of your home anytime

- 10 ways to get the most money for your home when you sell

- advice on finding and buying the home of your dreams

- making your kitchen ready for homebuyers

- beautiful curb appeal

- and much, much more,

Find HGTV’s real estate tips and tricks here.

Nicolas Ronco, the entrepreneur that opened Yelo earlier this year, said it is ”for people who are overstressed and overworked.  For lawyers or brokers who abuse themselves, a power nap is a way to recharge naturally without caffeine.”

An interesting article published in the Columbus Dispatch and written by Natasha Singer of the New York Times News Service, March 8, 2007, noted, “Sleep is the new bottled water.  Although it can be had for free, it is being marketed as an upscale amenity. Now when people can’t sleep for a couple of nights, they think they are part of a national sleep epidemic and there should be something to fix it . . .You can buy sexual arousal, a new shape for your face, a skinnier silhouette, so why shouldn’t you be able to buy sleep?”

Even manufacturers are getting in on the sleep deprivation craze, trying to sell sleep.  Dove offers Calming Night, a line of soap and body wash to help induce sleep.

Sleep aids are another way to buy sleep.  They work if used as directed, however, I’ve heard of people who wake up in the middle of the night and take over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids.  When the alarm goes off a few hours later they are still groggy.  The sleep aids warn that they cause sleepiness for 8-9 hours.  This means that they are driving to work in a daze (scary) and have an unproductive morning.  

Sleep is valuable if we want to be healthy and productive.  If New Yorkers can’t get a good night’s sleep at home, they can stop by Yelo where they can design the perfect relaxation and rejuvenation session.  Check it out here.   

 

 

 

1. Clean the tile thoroughly with trisodium phosphate (TSP).
2. Apply a high quality primer.
3. Apply 2 coats of polyurethane oil-based enamel – marine grade.

Bye bye baby blue tiles!

I am a firm believer in mixing old with new in design.  In my own home I have antiques in every room, but wall colors, other furniture, art and accessories represent today’s fashions. 

I feel the architect succeeded in respecting the past by surrounding the old museum’s building with the new structure, yet forging Akron into the future with today’s architectural fashion (sleek, transparent, clean lines).

The art itself is presented well in spacious rooms with hip but subdued colors (not to detract from the art itself).  Area artists from Akron, Cleveland and Hudson are well-represented.  Abstract art, sculpture and paintings are blended into each space in a comfortable flow.

Now this is where it gets good.  When you wear something, return it to the hanger and hang the NORMAL WAY with the hanger opening facing back.  And then in six months look at all the BACKWARD hanging items.  Since these have not been worn in six months, get rid of them. 

This is the best way to stay on top of clothes and accessories that you don’t like, don’t fit, require too much maintenance, or do not make a complete outfit.  After all, that’s why you haven’t worn them in six months. 

Rachel is working on this system and loves it.  I’m next.

Now for some fun. This amazing Lego church is only about 7 1/2 feet by 2 1/2 feet and took about a year and a half to complete. We especially love the floor pattern, light fixtures, windows, and mosiacs. Check out the masterpiece by Amy Hughes. Truly amazing!