Originally posted by Kevin Kaczmarek:Our retirement planning should be based on assets that produce cash and appreciate in value, not securities that ebb and flow with the 30+ forces we have no control over in the market.All investments ebb and flow based on external factors we have no control over.

I was trying to illustrate that some companies do well regardless of external financial crisis, panic, European debt issues, etc.

Anybody have experience with this? I'm thinking about using it outdoors to spruce up some garden/underground outdoor spaces.

http://airstone.com/

The new landlord may be able to avoid the situation you are in now by explaining to the tenant up front what the 'security deposit' may and will be used for, and to explain the cost of labor and material for property neglect such as baseboard repair, broken closet doors, cleaning, etc.

Also, I should note that this example is for the materials only so far, labor is another factor, too!

Your building materials and local regulations could be a lot different from what many of us are used to.

Materials that are not customary for an area may cause problems initially until those materials have been tested in the market.

The labor is the same for installing 20 year shingles as 50 year shingles, and the material costs differences are minor.6.

Most importantly have extra screws and materials to secure the place back up when you are done.

It's a slow process.Also, at the REI meetings, if someone presents at the meeting and offers their material, introduce yourself afterwards and ask for what they offered.