Nicholas Yount, REALTOR

It’s that time of year again when harried Americans are gathering tax forms, digging up receipts and dreading what they may owe Uncle Sam this year—or dreaming about how they will spend their refund. Either way, you may find some diversion in a few of the facts behind the tax. You Can Blame Lincoln  -  Honest Abe is best known for ending slavery, but the Civil War came at a cost—Lincoln paid the bill in part by instituting the first national income tax, a flat 3% for any American earning more than $800 a year (about $18,000 in today’s money.) The Revenue Tax Act of 1964, which turned out to be fairly tough to collect on, did withstand a Supreme Court Challenge but was repealed by Congress in 1872.  It Moved in to Stay  -  The plan for more efficient national taxation bobbled around for a while in various iterations, but the 16th Amendment made it official in 1913. In its first year, fewer than 1% of Americans paid an income tax at the rate of about 1% of income....

When we think of getting fit, the first thing that often comes to mind is cardio and heavy weight training. While these can be great ways to stay active, they aren’t always the best option.  There are infinite ways to move your body to build strength and endurance. If the weight room just isn’t for you, try one of these fun alternatives to work towards improving your overall health and happiness.  Yoga This practice provides an abundance of benefits for the entirety of your wellbeing. Yoga is a great way to improve strength, flexibility and mindfulness. If an in-person class seems a little intimidating, there are plenty of online resources that allow you to practice yoga from the comfort of your own home.  Swimming An alternative to running, swimming is a fantastic way to improve your cardiovascular health without damaging your joints. This low-impact option is perfect for those who are recovering from injury.  Rock Climbing  This low-impact activity is a fun wa...

We want the best for our children, and their birthdays are the perfect time to show them how much we care. Most parents want to throw them a fun-filled party that they’ll cherish forever. Try one of these unique themes to make your little one’s special day extra special this year! Holiday Celebration Pick the best part of each holiday for the ultimate celebration! Post up decorations from every time of year to transform your house into a holiday haven.  Start the party with an unconventional Easter egg hunt. Follow it up with sparklers and poppers outside to celebrate like it’s Independence Day. Next, lay out costume pieces for a DIY Halloween costume contest. Feed those hungry little bellies with a delicious Thanksgiving meal, followed by a goofy white elephant gift exchange. Finally, finish the party with a good ol’ New Years style celebration with a countdown to blowing out their candles. Battle of the Bands Throw it back to the golden age of rock and roll! Split your guests int...

If it feels like food prices are out of control, you are not imagining it. Consumer prices through December 2021 increased by 7%, the largest annual climb since 1982. Here are seven money-saving strategies you can use now to help reduce your tab at the grocery store. Don’t Wing It  -  Planning ahead is the only way to resist tossing too much stuff into your shopping cart. Plan your meals for the week, make a list of what you need and force yourself to stick to the list.  Download Store Apps  -  Know what’s on sale before you plan your meals and take advantage of digital and loyalty deals. Max Out on Sale Prices  -  When pasta, bread or other shelf-stable or freezable items are at super-low prices, buy one to use now and two to use later. Buy Reduced  -  Keep an eye out for those yellow labels in the meat and produce departments. They typically are on foods that are near their expiration date. But those meats frozen now will be fine when thawe...

Your kitchen counter stools can be the finishing touch for your kitchen that pulls the whole design together. Whether they are upholstered, leather or rattan, every counter stool style lends a different look and feel. One of the most essential elements of selecting a kitchen counter stool is ensuring correct measurements. Read on to learn more about measuring kitchen counter stools and how to choose the best set for your kitchen. Select the Seat Height The first step is selecting the right height for your kitchen island. You should allow nine to 13 inches between the seat and the counter to sit on the seat comfortably. As you search for kitchen counter stools, you may wonder about the difference between counter stools and bar stools. Counter stools are shorter than bar stools, as counter stools fit under a kitchen counter and bar stools are meant to fit under a bar. Counter stool seats range from 24 to 29 inches high, whereas a bar stool seat measures 29 to 32 inches high. Assess the F...

If that $4 cup of coffee you stop for every morning really seems to start your day off right, it may be worth what you’re spending. But if it’s just a habit, think how much you’d save if you brewed that cup of joe at home and took it with you in a reusable container. And if spending less and saving more is high on your to-do list, here are seven other spending habits that may be useless expenses that you can cut out immediately. Smartphone Upgrades  -  Trading up to the newest model each year will not necessarily give you vastly better features, but it will almost undoubtedly involve another upfront cost and perhaps a longer commitment.  Expensive Haircuts  -  Consider how much you’re spending now on basic haircuts and color. Switching from a luxury salon to a less expensive shop could save you hundreds of dollars a year, and leave you just as happy. Movies Out  -  The average cost of a movie ticket today is more than nine bucks a pop, plus the cost of...

Basements tend to be damp spaces. The paint that you used in your living room or bedroom won’t be appropriate for an environment with a higher level of humidity.  You need to use waterproof paint in your basement to keep condensation from forming between the concrete and drywall and to keep mold and mildew from growing in the basement. If your basement has concrete walls, waterproof paint can reduce the amount of moisture that seeps through the walls.  Types of Waterproof Paint Latex paint dries fast and produces less of an odor than some other forms of paint. It’s long lasting and less likely to crack or peel than some other types of paint. Latex also gives walls an attractive finish.  Epoxy is a durable and stain-resistant paint that resists cracking, peeling and other forms of damage. It has a satin finish and is easy to clean.  Acrylic paint is another option, although it’s not as durable as some other types of paint. It may work in an unfinished basement, but it...