Some great ideas for getting really organised in 2108


Most agents agree that they are more productive when they are more organised, but in the rush to secure listings for January, handle the influx of calls from buyers who all want to move in time for the new school year, and persuade sellers not to take their homes off the market for the holidays, your office (and life) can end up pretty messy.

However, says Shaun Rademeyer, CEO of BetterLife Home Loans, SA’s biggest bond originator, help is at hand – if you are prepared to spend just 15 to 30 minutes a day working towards a pristine office and a streamlined work routine that is not only going to make you want to go back to work in January but keep making you more effective and prosperous all through 2018.

“This might seem counter-intuitive when you look at the current chaos, but you should not fall into the trap of thinking you will only be able to clear it up if you have several hours or days of uninterrupted time and putting it off until that time materialises.

“The truth is, that time will probably never arrive and things will just get worse. You should rather just block out a small amount of time each day to make a start and then keep working on your organising tasks. This is a major time-management secret used by many of the world’s most successful business people.

“It will help you stick to a routine and will increase your motivation as you see things steadily improving.”

To get you started, here is a list of 10 tasks that can each be accomplished in under 30 minutes:

  •  Delete all old, unnecessary emails;
  •  Unsubscribe from all those e-newsletters that you never get time to read and just clutter up your inbox;
  •  Dust and vacuum your office or clean out the office fridge;
  •  Clean out your handbag, wallet and car boot and file the receipts you need for your expense claims and tax returns;
  •  Tackle one of the piles of mail / paper work on your desk and don’t put anything back on the pending pile;
  •  Update your email address book or client database;
  •  Research one new app or product that might improve your productivity;
  •  Go through all the numbers / contacts on your phone, delete the ones you don’t need and make a list of people to call over the next few days;
  •  Reorganise/ repack your marketing materials and order any items that you need;
  •  Set up one new organizational system on your computer, such as a new digital filing system for your sellers, buyers, marketing campaigns and house pictures.

Anne-Marie Bamber is Norgarb Properties dedicated Home Loans Consultant. She has over 15 years’ experience in assisting clients with their Home Loan needs and has placed many happy families in their dream homes.

Contact her today for no cost stress-free home-buying.

Anne-Marie Bamber
Home Loans consultant
Tel: +27 (0)21 851 3568 | Fax: +27 (0)21 441 1494 | Cell: +27 (0)82 071 1665
E-mail: anne-marie.bamber@betterlife.co.za

BetterLife Home Loans

Grey Water for Your Garden

The water crisis in Cape Town has reach new heights, with Day Zero fast approaching. The phrase “every drop counts” means a lot more now, and the need for every individual to take responsibility for their water usage has become critical. In a collective effort to save the little water we have left, Capetonians are being saving savvy, using every means possible to not only save the water that sits in the dams, but reusing water in their homes.


Grey water – that is, waste water from baths, showers, washing machines and kitchen sinks – has become an essential part of the water saving strategy. Although requiring a bit more effort, using grey water can reduce the city’s water consumption by approximately 30%. Emptying grey water into a household toilet cistern, for example, saves an estimated 30ℓ of water per day. Grey water is also a fantastic alternative to keeping your garden alive and thriving – here are some handy tips on how to beat the water shortages.

Using Water from Your Bathrooms

Brushing your teeth and showering are practices that occur on a daily basis. With a shower using use an average of 7.9ℓ per minute, and brushing of teeth using an average of 5.6ℓ per day, a large volume or reusable water is created. By replumbing the water from the bathroom basins and drains, water can be diverted to water the plants in your garden. Alternatively, place large bowls and buckets on the shower floor and in the basin to catch the excess run off, and empty the buckets onto your flower beds and or use them to flush your toilets.

Using Water from your Laundry

The water from your washing machine is a great alternative to catching water, due to the sheer volume of water used by washing machines. If harsh laundry detergents aren’t used in your washing machine, the water can be caught and used to water trees or landscape plants. Phosphates found in some detergents may harm the plants in your garden, so take care to use an environmentally friendly laundry powder that will not have a negative impact on the plants. Grey water from washing machines is most suitable for established trees and lawns. Should you not be using eco-friendly washing detergents and softeners then the water can be used for flushing the toilet.

Using Water from the Kitchen

The cold water from the kitchen sink that runs first before the water becomes hot can be used to indoor water plants. Place a large bowl or bucket underneath the tap to catch the run off, and reuse it by pouring it onto flower beds and pot plants. In addition, the rinse water from washing the dishes can also be used, although in this instance the water should be used within 24 hours to avoid bad odour. Reusing the water from steaming or boiling vegetables, is another fantastic option, as the water contains nutrients that are beneficial for the plants in the garden. Simply pour the used water from the cooking pot into pot plants and flower beds.

Grey water usage not only reduces the amount of water entering the city’s sewers, but reduces the demands of the public on water supply from dams. Providing grey water for your garden will encourage growth and provide a green place of solace amidst a difficult season. Every drop counts – use it wisely.


Norgarb Properties Agent Andre Ter Moshuizen who specialises in the Claremont area, shares some household tips and handy home hints with you every month. Read more of his articles here. 

Andre Ter Moshuizen: 082 602 1367 | andre@norgarb.co.za | www.norgarbproperties.co.za 








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February In The Garden

While this Summer has been cooler than in previous years, water is also more scarce than ever before in Cape Town. If you are growing veg, make sure to water them sparingly and only in the evening or early morning so you don't burn their leaves.


Make sure you have lots of mulch to aid water retention - there should be NO soil exposed to the sun, and a thick layer of mulch. If you are tending to veggies, you should be using water already used once – from the shower, sink or washing machine (if you use biodegradable products).

 It's amazing how much water you can recycle if you get the right sized basins! Hopefully everyone's being really creative with setting up rainwater systems too, and you can buy very smart flat plastic piping to attach to gutters and run into your garden. Ask about it at any hardware store – it's fairly cheap too!

Plant List for This Month: 

Bush and climber beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Cabbage, Calendula, Carrot, Chard/Spinach, Celery, Chinese cabbage, Chives, Chilli's, Kale, Kohlrabi, Globe artichokes, Leeks, Leaf mustard, Lettuce, Onion, Parsnip, Parsley, Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Tomato

Happy growing!


Patchwork Group

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EASY PEASY BREAD

There is nothing wrong with wheat or bread, but the refined flour that is available is empty, over processed and can barely be considered real food. Use stoned-ground flour to make real bread.

Makes 1 loaf of bread!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter, softened

450g of white or whole wheat stone-ground flour

1 x 7g sachet instant yeast

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon brown sugar

450ml of water at room temperate


Method:
                 
1. Grease a medium loaf tin with softened butter or line with baking paper.

2. Sift flour into large mixing bowl, if you want to keep the bran, tip it into the bowl after sieving. Stir in the yeast and salt. Make a well in the centre of the pile.

3. Stir the sugar into the water and pour into the well. Mix together then beat with wooden spoon for about 2 minutes. The dough is ready when its soft and sticky and come away from the sides of the bowl.

4. Transfer the dough into the loaf tin, cover with a damp tea towel, and leave in a warm place for about 30 minutes. After 15 minutes preheat the oven to 200ᴼC.

5. Once the dough has risen almost to the top of the tin, uncover and bake for 30 – 40 minutes or until brown. Remove from tin – it should sound hollow when you tap the base of the loaf.

6. To harden the crust you can return the loaf to the oven for a few minutes. Leave on a wire rake to cool.

7. Homemade bread will turn mouldy much faster than store-bought bread, so use within 2 days, or freeze in slices.

Estate Agent
Cell: +27 (0)82 846 0739 | Office: +27 (0)21 674 1120 | Fax: +27 (0)21 774 4927
Email: lyn@norgarbproperties.co.za
Focus Areas: Kenilworth & Claremont Village

THE IMPORTANCE OF REPORTING CRIME


Reporting a criminal incident to the Police is important for the following reasons:

  • Police do not automatically investigate a crime. They can only investigate if the crime has been reported and a statement made.
  • Reporting the crime is important for accurate crime stats. This gives SAPS more leverage to request extra police officers, vehicles etc.
  • It gives the police a time frame & points out “hot spot"
  • It helps them to determine the Modus Operandi of criminals
SAPS, private security companies and Har-Lyn Neighbourhood Watch need to know what is happening in our area to be able to focus their crime prevention efforts properly. 

If you genuinely feel you do not want to take the time to provide SAPS with a statement, please send a quick e-mail to Jenni Coleman, the HVCID manager stating the incident (gates lifted, door damaged etc.) date, approximate time and address. Please keep it brief and to the point.

JENNI COLEMAN
Manager - Harfield Village Community Improvement District (HVCID)
Cel: 081 412 6109 E-mail: admin@hvcid.co.za

WHAT DOES A KNOT AND A CONTRACT HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?



Quite a lot, in fact! The lovely summer weather in the first months in the South African new year, especially the Valentine’s Day charms that infuses much of February, makes this time ideal for couples to choose to tie the knot. But in tying up the loose ends of the arrangements for the celebration, don’t forget there are other very important things to look at as well.

A marriage is a unique parcel made up of, on the one hand, considerations and undertakings private and intimate to two persons and, on the other, certain legislated consequences that automatically apply to the persons’ patrimonial relationship. Married persons are often, at least initially, unaware of the effect of these somewhat contradictory elements that exist within their marriage relationship. But as time passes and spouses becoming involved in businesses, investments and other opportunities, the legal side of the relationship plays a very significant role, undoubtedly also should the spouses divorce. 


Why an antenuptial agreement? 

For the reasons mentioned above, and as a start to honouring your union and showing consideration for your future life together, spouses-to-be are well advised to invest in a custom-drafted antenuptial contract to avoid unnecessary uncertainty or conflict in future. An antenuptial contract gives parties the opportunity to (amongst other things):

  • protect and secure a spouse’s individual assets (including those intended for heirs) from the other spouse’s creditors; 
  • protect a spouse from becoming jointly liable for the debt of the other spouse; 
  • determine that an inheritance received by a spouse during the marriage will remain in that spouse’s individual estate; and 
  • outline rights and obligations in the event of divorce and death many couples are uncomfortable to contemplate the possibility that their intended marriage may be subject to financial strain or come to an end; it is however in the best interest of both parties to do so, in order to ensure a degree of certainty in making financial decisions and planning their future with confidence.

Formalities

If you choose a marriage out of community with accrual, or out of community without accrual, it will be necessary to conclude an antenuptial agreement. Note in this regard:

  • The antenuptial contract has to be prepared by and signed in front of a specially qualified person designated as a notary public before the date of marriage. 
  • It must then be registered at a South African deeds registry within three months, and the notary will in due course prove to you that he has registered the contract by giving you the original with the deeds registry details endorsed on it. 
  • This is absolutely crucial as the contract is a public document, and any member of the public can go and view a copy of your contract at the deeds registry. That is what proves that you have the right to conduct your financial affairs independently. 
http://www.stbb.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/STBB-Antenuptial-Law-brochure.pdf

STBB Claremont



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6 COMMON MISTAKES NEW PUPPY OWNERS MAKE!

Welcome to 2018! We hope you had a wonderful summer holiday! We were thinking that perhaps Father Christmas brought you a new bundle of fur so to kick off the year we are looking at ……..

 6 COMMON MISTAKES NEW PUPPY OWNERS MAKE!


1. DON’T COMPLETE THE VACCINATION SCHEDULE -  One isn’t enough!

Your new puppy will need to be vaccinated against the most common deadly diseases. Depending on his age your pup will need a course of 2 or 3 vaccinations, 4 weeks apart, which will protect him against Parvovirus, Distemper, Leptospirosis, Infectious Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Rabies.

PLEASE DON’T SKIP A VACCINE! Your puppy really does need the full course for him to develop optimum immunity. 

2. MICROCHIP

Placing a microchip is painless and inexpensive and the best way to ensure the safe return of    your pet if it gets lost.      

3. DON’T FEED A PROPER DIET

Yes, there is a lot of stuff out there about what you should and shouldn’t be feeding your puppy! The reality is that if you start off by feeding your puppy a good quality food that is specifically designed for its developing stages you will be giving it the best possible start in life.

4. DON’T SOCIALIZE/ TRAIN

Once your puppy is vaccinated its never to soon to start socializinghim with other dogs, puppies and people. You want your puppy to grow into a dog that is a pleasure to have around and can cope with all situations. Puppy socialization classes are ideal and often teach basic training skills.
  






5. MAKE THE RULES AND STICK TO THEM!

Puppies are cute and cuddly bundles of joy THAT GROW!

It may be great to snuggle up with your Grate Dane puppy in bed now but you could be the one in the dog box by the time he reaches 6 months old! Avoid confusion in your puppy’s life by making house rules early on and ensure all the family members stick by them.

6. INSURE YOUR PUPPY!

Owning a pet can be a costly affair these days, particularly if they have to undergo a major   procedure. There are many different pet insurances available with affordable premiums.



Kenilworth Veterinary Clinic
47 Kenilworth Road, Cape Town
kenvet@telkomsa.net
Telephone: 021-671-5018

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