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Real Estate & Home Improvements | 202 ARTICLE

continued from page 200

media channels including things like lighting can make a can save you thousands by
Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, big difference with no money preventing the buyer from
Linkedin and Twitter. If they are coming out of your pocket! thinking they need to replace
looking for a home and you have the carpets immediately.
an agent marketing in these 10. Consider a
channels you could see an professional cleaning. In fact just last week I had a
increase in showing activity. client who wanted me to list
A clean home is inviting to their home. After viewing the
9. Take advantage of buyers, whereas a dirty home property it was clear to me it
good lighting. can turn them away faster than needed a professional cleaning
just about anything. The easiest before anyone set foot inside. A
A bright, cheery home is more way to know your home is tenant had just moved out and
inviting to buyers. Let the spotless and looking its best is the owner did not realize it was
sunlight in if you can, and add to hire a professional cleaning not up to snuff.
some better lighting if your company. Make sure your
home is dim. Even buying kitchen and baths are spotless. There you have it – these are
brighter light bulbs can help. Buyers will pay closer attention some of the best home selling
One of the things I always to these areas. In addition make tips to get you on your way to a
mention to my clients is to make sure your carpets are as clean successful home sale!
sure all of their curtains are as possible. If need be, consider
drawn and lights remain on having your carpets From an article entitled 14 Killer Tips for
when there is a scheduled professionally cleaned. This is Selling A Home, by Bill Gassett RE/MAX
showing. Again the presentation one of those things where Executive Realty. More of Bill’s usefull
of your home is critical. Small spending a few hundred dollars articles can be found on
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ARTICLE 203 | Real Estate & Home Improvements

Finding The Best Tradie and
Getting Great Work

Finding the right tradie who is rental property. Who manages it your query, immediately begin Join www.livewellclub.com.au
going to do good work for for you? They probably have a tracking down their references,
you, is not just a matter of panel of handymen and which list you should insist they
picking up the phone directory tradespeople. If you don’t have bring when they pickup your
and going from there. You will rental property, call an estate specs. Protect yourself by
have to put effort into research agent anyway and see if they can performing proper due diligence.
and selection and then keep recommend a trades person. Your A bad reference should send up a
engaged throughout the work. local hardware store is another big red flag. References from
source of information. Sometimes neighbours and people known to
In Australia, we are blessed with there will be a stack of cards of you should rate the highest.
an abundance of qualified, people the hardware store
experienced, licensed and recommends on a regular basis. Ask the tradie to provide proof of
energetic tradies. From plumbing insurance in acceptable limits.
to gardening and everything in The bottom line is don’t just You can reduce your exposure to
between. However, we also know select a trades person by the size risk by ensuring that the tradie
that there are plenty of shoddy of their ad in the paper or has proper insurance. Always ask
workers and you don’t want to be magazine. Instead get to see proof of license when it is
paying a ton of money for work recommendations from whatever a skill that requires licensing in
that has to be redone. Here is sources are valuable to you to Australia. If you hire a tradie
how you try to find the best add to the information you glean without a license, you put
people. from papers and magazines. So yourself, your property and your
having created a list of potential family or business at unnecessary
Start by looking in the right contenders for your job, what’s risk. Visuals score high so don’t
places. There are several good next? be afraid to drive by job sites.
websites designed to help you
define exactly what you are after Except for the very smallest of Narrow your list to three tradies
and then get quotes from trades jobs like changing a tap, your first and ask about starting dates and
people who subscribe to the step is to create a competitive completion dates. If the job will
website. The good thing about environment by asking for written take more than one day, insist
these websites is that they are quotes to perform the work you that the tradie leave the job site
very quick to get responses and have detailed in a written job neat and orderly at the conclusion
usually have reviews by past description. Be sure to give every of each day and add this
customers of the tradies. Go applicant the same detailed stipulation to the contract.
through these reviews to gauge specifications.
the level of service to expect. Be sure the contract stipulates
Now that you have several tradies precise payment terms. Tradies
Good old word of mouth is an interested, encourage them to should not be paid a large
excellent way to go. Ask friends, inspect the job site and ask proportion of the cost in advance
neighbours and relatives who they questions that may not be but you may choose to release
have used. Or perhaps you have a detailed in your project portions of the overall price as
the job moves along.
specifications. If
they are interested The responsibility of retaining
and experienced, qualified, experienced and
the tradie’s trustworthy tradies lies with you,
questions will the consumer. It’s up to you to
reflect this. make sure you get the service you
need by a reliable provider. Good
While the tradies luck with your project.
are formulating
their responses to O50s
Australian Over 50s Living & Lifestyle Guide

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206

YOUR
CHOICES

Funeral Services

Writing and Delivering the 207 | Funeral Services

Perfect Eulogy

Way past midnight, as I Don’t be afraid to share a personal As you’re delivering your eulogy, Join www.livewellclub.com.au
began falling into a deep sentiment or charming story. By think of a spiritual element to tie
slumber, my mobile adding a personal touch, you’ll everything together. For some, that
phone sang a familiar tune. have a greater opportunity of may take the shape of Biblical
Searching frantically, I thought to connecting with your audience and verse. For others it may be a
myself, “Who could be calling at helping them walk down memory metaphor.
this hour of morning? I hope lane. Most of all, your anecdotes
nothing’s wrong? Did someone will help lighten the mood—which is While attending my Uncle Derrick’s
pass away?”“Hello!?” The tear filled much appreciated under the funeral, Cousin Erica shared
voice was the call I had been circumstances. memories of taking motorcycle
dreading my entire life. Sadly, my rides with him as a child. In closing
mother had passed away. Unfortunately, we’ve all heard she said, “So the next time you feel
eulogies that were a far cry from the sun on your face and the wind
The loss of a loved one brings forth the truth. Embellishing a few points in your hair, that’s Uncle Derrick
a sea of emotions. You’re here and there is to be expected saying hello to you.” While the
immediately swept with memories but it is disrespectful to go overall eulogy was beautiful, it was
of laughter, meals shared and overboard. While we have all made that final sentiment that left us all
pointless arguments. In fact, it’s as mistakes, it is more honorable to speechless and in tears. Think of a
though life flashes before your celebrate someone’s life with truth, creative way of leaving your own
eyes. As the reality of their loss than tarnish it with falsehoods. mark, and you too will deliver a
sinks in, you contemplate the Focus on the positive aspects and memorable eulogy.
endless checklist of things to do. leave behind their short-comings.
After you’ve called the insurance Keep it politically correct and The final tip is to begin writing and
company, made the arrangements, remember you’ve been entrusted practicing your eulogy ahead of
notified family and ordered the with paying their final respects. time. Write what you feel, then pare
flowers, the final piece of the Class always wins. down your thoughts to focus on
puzzle is the eulogy. those most important. Sincerity and
While we could spend hours confidence is the key. Make the
For most people, preparing a eulogy recanting stories of great fishing most of it.
is extremely difficult. Within trips and prize winning apple pies,
minutes you’re expected to time truly is of the essence. A Delivering a eulogy is your final
summate the entire life of the eulogy should be kept to five opportunity to say thank you to
departed and bravely deliver that minutes or less, and be used to someone who made a difference.
message before watchful eyes. If highlight the most important details By following these tips, you can
preparing a eulogy leaves you of the loved one’s life. While this ensure your loved one’s legacy is
uneasy, here are some practical may be difficult to hear, there will special in every way imaginable.
tips to help you deliver one of a be another family waiting to use the Always remember, life is a
respectable nature. space you’re in, so you’ll want to celebration, so celebrate each day
keep your sentiments concise. as if it were your last.
A eulogy is not like delivering a Additionally, there may be others
presentation at the office. Instead, waiting to share a few words, so be Karen Devereaux
it should be heartfelt and personal. considerate of everyone’s time.
Your words should reflect the O50s
beauty of one’s life and the impact Australian Over 50s Living & Lifestyle Guide
they’ve had on others.

Funeral Services | 208

209 | Funeral Services Join www.livewellclub.com.au

Funeral Services | 210 ARTICLE

Consider a
Memorial Garden for

Your Loved One

A memorial garden provides a long-lasting tribute to a loved one

who has passed away, as well as offers a place for the survivors to

The garden can be as small remember and to heal.
as a single tree or perennial
plant or as large as an as black-eyed susan (rudbeckia), Plant sweetheart roses to
oversized flowerbed or garden veronica, or sweet william. remember a spouse. Or if your
with many different flowers, memorial garden is a single tree,
ornamental grasses, and even If red was his or her favorite color, plant an oak for strength or a yew
shrubs and trees, depending on consider planting a garden for immortality. Just keep in mind
available space. consisting primarily of red hues that these can get quite large and
with a single accent color such as need adequate space if they are
When selecting plants for a silver. For example, you could to last and remain there over the
memorial garden, consider the plant a mixed bed of red years.
favorite flowers of the individual impatiens, geraniums, and
you are honoring. Did that person verbena edged with silvery dusty If commemorating a war hero or
love daisies or lilacs? Prefer miller, lamb's ear, or one of the veteran, plant a red, white, and
peonies or poppies? Did he or silver-leaved varieties of blue garden, including varieties
she have a favorite season such artemisia. such as red poppies and daylilies,
as spring, making a bulb garden white phlox and peonies, and
of daffodils, tulips, and other You also could select plants that blue Jacob's ladder (polemonium)
spring bloomers the perfect have specific meanings, such as and Siberian irises. There are
tribute? forget-me-nots (memories), very few true blue flowers, so you
rosemary (remembrance), may need to substitute dark
Or think about the fragrances or poppies (rest or eternal sleep), purple varieties, perhaps some of
colors that evoke fond memories. yellow tulips (friendship), or pink the delphiniums or campanulas
Perhaps the scent of lavender or carnations (I'll never forget you). If for blue.
roses reminds you of that person. the memorial is for a baby or
Another possibility is to include young child, plant daisies for Or choose plants with
plants that have the same name innocence or white lilies for purity. inspirational names like the
as your friend or loved one, such Or use varieties such as baby's 'Patriot' hosta, 'Peace' rose,
breath (gypsophila) or 'Sweet 'Freedom' alstroemeria, and 'Over
Dreams' coreopsis rosea. in Gloryland' Siberian iris. Other
popular choices are gentle
shepherd daylily, remember me
hosta, or guardian angel hosta.

When planting your memorial
garden, you will probably want to
include a mix of varieties, as well
as keep rules of proportion in
mind--taller plants in the back,
smaller ones in the front, for
example. What makes it a
memorial garden though is that
it's planted from the heart. Don't

continued on page 213

Memorials Tell Human History – 211 | Funeral Services
And Your Story Too

Across the world and whenever we feel grief or wish to might speak of your passions or
throughout the ages, mark a date that is important to share something you have created
memorialisation has been us. By connecting us to the past, with those who will visit in the
considered a defining characteristic providing for our current needs, or future. The important role of your
of human civilisation. It is a vibrant setting our own stories down for connections to your own family,
tradition that continues to this day, the future, physical memorials are culture and to your traditions can
including here in Brisbane where integral to community and also be captured in stone, bronze,
you’ll find that a wide range of generational memory as well to our and glass, setting this down for all
options are available for you to own personal care while grieving. to see. Given our wonderful
consider, that suit every budget Not wishing to leave memorial Brisbane way of life, a fitting
and every personal, cultural or plans until it is too late is also memorial is also one that is in a
religious requirement. It is very human and, from antiquity right up cemetery or memorial garden that
human to acknowledge and to modern times, it has been showcases the sun and sub-
commemorate a life well lived and considered wise to make provision tropical splendour we enjoy every
a fitting physical memorial is an for a memorial while still alive. day. For information on a range of
enduring way of doing this. It is So, whether needed now or for the Brisbane’s leading cemeteries and
human to want to visit the future, it is worth asking what memorial gardens that offer
memorials of our ancestors and makes a good memorial? affordable, customisable
loved ones, to learn of our own A physical memorial, for example, memorials that meet every
histories and connections to a might acknowledge military service personal, culture or religious
place, as well as to find comfort or other life-long commitment. It requirement, visit
www.mymemorial.com

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Funeral Services | 212 ARTICLE

Pacssrineg awtitehaoubt auwrdillecnould
for your children and loved ones.

Most of us go to a great deal of effort and sometimes expense to

ensure that our passing does not leave behind a burden to our

children and other loved ones. Many of us pay for prepaid

insurance premiums and others even go so far as to preplan

funerals. It is therefore surprising to learn that many of us in older

age groups do not have a will, because passing without a will would

definitely create a burden for our children and loved ones.

When you die without a her to inherit something, even any impacts of your wishes that
will, you die though you have no biological you may not have thought about.
“intestate.” That bond with her? An uncomplicated will can be
means that your property will be completed within an hour or so
dealt with according to the laws To further complicate matters, and could avoid years of
where you lived. The laws for and particularly in Australia as heartache for your children and
intestacy differ from place to we are a nation of migrants, the loved ones who you leave
place, but the vast majority of many modern families are not behind.
them provide, in one way or restricted by national borders.
another, that the assets are to You and your family might be There are many reasons why
be given to the next of kin. living in different countries. someone might put off writing
Imagine the hardship of a family their will, but most of those
Although it may sound simple, it member in another country reasons are irrational. Many of
is not always so. After all, what trying to claim their inheritance us do not like to consider our
does “next of kin” mean? What through a foreign legal system – own mortality, and the thought
if you were living with someone, perhaps in a language they don't of writing a will might make us
but are not married? Depending even understand. uncomfortable. Yet death is a
on how long you have been certainty, and when we consider
living together, he or she might Divorces, domestic partnerships, the facts, our loved ones are
be entitled to the inheritance. and children out of wedlock are much better off if we write a will,
Do you want your entire estate only a few examples of things than if we do not.
to go to this girlfriend or that could muddy the water
boyfriend, or do you want to when trying to determine who For many of us, our death will
leave something for your gets what. And if anyone in the come as a surprise. last thing
children as well? family feels like they are not we would want for our loved
getting their “fair share,” there is ones in this time of grief is to
With complicated family a good chance they might fight have to deal with a bitter legal
relationships, things can be the rest of the family in court. battle too, when a long forgotten
further complicated. Perhaps cousin decides he is entitled to
you have a granddaughter There is good news - as long as half the inheritance.
through a second marriage and you write your will, none of this
with whom you have a very really matters. If you cringe at The best and easiest way for
strong emotional bond and in the thought of writing a legal everyone is to leave a last will
fact she has looked after you for document, you can sit down with and testament.
the past few years, do you want a lawyer, who will also explain
O50s
Australian Over 50s Living & Lifestyle Guide

continued from page 210 ARTICLE desk. For a deck or patio, fill a 213 | Funeral Services
special container with a few
worry whether your planting fits Where you locate your garden will choice perennials that you can
rules of design or will be depend on where you have move indoors to overwinter when
appreciated by others. Do what is adequate space and/or the type the weather turns cold. Or check
most meaningful for you. of plant--sun lovers or shade with your local town officials to
lovers--you want to include. Or you see if you can have a tree planted
Include appropriate statuary and could choose a quiet, private spot at a park or near a town
hardware. If memorializing or one with a favorite view or landmark or building in memory
someone who loved cats, why not meaning to the deceased. of your loved one.
include a small cat statue? For a
bird lover, add a birdbath to When choosing a site, keep in It doesn't matter what you plant,
attract backyard songbirds. If the mind that for a successful garden where you locate the garden, or
person was known for a great you need to select the right what form, size, and shape it
sense of humor, buy or make a plants to fit the soil, sun, and takes, what's most important is
garden whimsy or two as a other growing conditions. Full-sun that you create the garden that is
remembrance. plants such as peonies will not do most meaningful to you. Involve
well in a shady spot. Siberian your family and friends, and let
Add a bench for visitors to sit and irises don't mind wet feet while the planning, planting, and caring
reflect or a water feature, such as varieties that need a well-drained for the garden be part of the
a fountain or water garden, to soil will struggle to survive in wet healing process not just for you,
create a soothing, comforting areas. but also for others.
environment. Or put in an arbor
or trellis, training honeysuckles, If you live in an apartment, or Leonard Perry, Horticulture Professor, Dept of
ivies, and other climbing vines to don't have a backyard, you can
cover the structure to create a still create a memorial. Tie a Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Vermont.
quiet, secluded spot for colorful ribbon around a pot of
contemplation and remembering. rosemary and keep it by your Professor Perry can be contacted at

[email protected]

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