Making Those Needed Home Repairs
This time of the year a lot of
people start thinking about repairs
needed around the home. No home
is repair free. Things do break down
through the years at intervals.
1 o decide whether you shotild
make the repair yourself, that will
save lots of money, or hire an
expert, ask yourself these questions.
?What type of repair must be
made? ? {
?What is the extent of the
repair? V. . *? , . .
?What are your actual or poten
tial skills?
?How much time will it take?
?How important is the repair
I compared to your time? *
' *What will it cost?
?Are reputable repairmen avail
able and what are thetf prices?
?Are standard types of materi-./
Ms required and are they readily
ayailable to you?
?Will the repair require more
materials than labor, or more labor
than materials?
?How much wiil you save if
you do the work yourself?
Consider time. Do not begin a
repair unless you have time to do it
right.
Once you begin a repair and
invest time and money, do not
expect that a repairman will come
in and finish the job for substan
? tially less than what he would have
originallychargea. ' _ . '
Avoid the- cost of repeating the /
same repair because you used faulty
materials or procedures. ^
These are somethings to con
sider before hiring a repairman.
Before you contact a repair
man, figure out the kind and quality
of the repair needed. This can
imprqve fcommuriicatioln between
you and him and reduce misunder
standing. It can fortify you against
' ' s wicheroo" tacucs i n which a
lower price is offered in the begin
ning to "sell" you ancj ther\ you a^e I
1 persuaded into switching to a more
. costly product.
. . ? ? - ? c i
.. i . . " ' i'-. ? " ' ' ? "
Contracting for work, having it
dope, and getting satisfactory
results can be a trying experience
even with a refutable repairman.
For your benefit and his, put your "
agreement in writing. Do not rely
upon "reputation of honestly,"
"word of honor," or "verbal under
standing.** J
j To reach a clear and binding
agreement, you should know and
write down in detail what you
expect for the amount of money
you are to pay. This means writing
HOME ECONOMICS
By JOANN J. FALLS
a specification. (Or have the repair?
man prepare it.) ^ V
Tfie^specrfic fcti on should be
brief and to the point. Do not over
spend, but plan to lise quality mate-'
rials since labor will offen be your
main cost.
The specification will vary
slightl\ dopunding upon the nuturc
of the repair. It should include: ' j
An agreement between the
contractor and you which should be
executed. The agreement describes:
? ? All material, labor, and equip
hient necessary for the job..
When the job is to be com
pleted : 'T
Who cleans up the mess that
results from the job. ? ? -
The amount in which the
repairman or contractor shall
assume responsibility for damage to
your property or that of .your neigh
bors. . r
That any Changes in the con
tract "fchall be rlf&de in writing and,
agreed to by both pa rtics. % ~
That the agreement frees you
from all liens that may be placed
against the job. for failure of the
contractor-repairman to. pay for
materials, labor, equipment, etc.
The schedule of how and when
payments are to be made,
J o Try to select a repairman or
contractor whose work you know.
Examine some of his previous work
and ask the owners if they are satis
fied. If you need help, consult with
an architect, businessman, or the
Better Business Bureau in your
area. Seek at least thrpe bids before
you choose a contractor.
Th4 contract should show the
cash price. If you are not paying
cash, it should show the cash down
payment, the unpaid, balance, the
arrfount financed, and the total num
ber of numbers. You may wish to
check on the wofk in progress,
however, stay out of the way. Inter
ference can cause days, affect the
quality of the work, or cause dis
agreements and added colors.
MONEY WATCH
By THEODORE R. DANIELS
? V . ' V . J*
? ? Probate Primer ? ?
'*? v. . . m . ?- ?? "? \ * ..
A probate proceeding is not necessary when a person dies and
leaves only "non-probate" property. Such property includes jointly
owntbd cnecicing, savings, and investment accounts that are intended
to pass by law to the surviving owner(s) through a right of suvivor
ship. Non-probate property avoids probate as it passes to the surviv
ing owner(s). For example, if Mrs. Jones dies with all of her mdney in
a saving account jointly owned with her surviving husband, Mr. Jones
needs only foilow a simple procedure at the bank or savings and loan
association to put the account into his name alone. (Most financial
institutions will probably ask for, a copy of the deceased person's
death certificate). Further, you should be aware that life insurance
paid to Mr. Jones is also considered as "non-probate" property.
In addition to "non-probate" property, most people leave prop
erty which is subject to probate. As you would expect, each state has
its own rules which cover the probate process; however, there are
nine basic steps to deal with in this process;
1 . The first step is to determine whether the deceased person left
a will., ^his is the legal document prepared by a person prior to death
^ directing others how to distribute his or her assets/property after
death. You should also check to see if there are any amendments
(called "codicils") to the will. ? * ' - i
2. The person(s) entitled to the deceased person's property such ?
as an heir or beneficiary named in the will, or creditor can file a writ
ten request at the probate clerk's office to begin a probate proceeding.
This request, generally, includes the completion Of a form that asks
? for 4he deceased person^ name, address, date of death, and the names
' and addresses of close relatives.
3. The third step includes the issuance of authorization, by the
court, to the personal representative to administer the deceased per
son's estate. The personal representative has the legal obligation to
perform his or her duties honestly and efficiently. The heirs of the
estate can hold the personal representative accountable for doing any
thing that could affect the financial condition of the estate..
4. The personal representative has the responsibility to inform
hewspapers, potential heirs and creditors of the probate proceedings.
After giving notice the personal representative must allow a waiting
period for responses. , - - *
5. The next step requires the personal representative to develop
an inventory and appraisal of the estate's assets and debts.
v. 6. The sixth step includes the pay-off of all debts and taxes by
the estate. This requires the personal representative to determine the
validity of each debt before any payments are made.
7. . The personal representative is required to prepare a final
accounting of the estate's value and debts. The final accounting is
complete once the inventory, appraisal, and payment of any outstand
ing debts and taxes have been completed. ?
8. Then the personal representative supervises the distribution of
the estate's assets/property to survivors, according to the instructions
included in the will. .
9. Once the approval of the final accounting ha* been given, by
the court the interested parties, the estate can be closed
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Theodore
R. Daniels. Money Watch, P.O. Box 2355K, Washington. D.C,
20026. "?/: ? ' .. ;
p
Nationwide Bridge Scholarship Game to Be Held
The date of Sept. 23 has been
confirmed for the Nationwide
Bridge Scholarship Game! The
game will be hfcid Friday night at
the Dudley Cosmetology Univer
sity. Registration begins at 7*30
p.m. and the game starts at 8 p.m.
All bridge players are invited to
participate. Meals will be served in
/ the cafeteria prior to the game.
The Triad Bridge Unit sponsors
the game.
Grade "C" Winners: The
Kings and Queens Duplicate
Bridge Club and the Winston
Salem Duplicate Bridge Club co
sponsored its quarterly Grade "C*
-Tournament on Sept. 12 at the
Carl Russell Recreation Renter.
Flight "A" Winners: Firtt
place was awarded to Inez Geralds
.and Annie Gist (Jacksonville,
. Fla.); Second place was awarded
to Billae Matthews and Rutji
Washington; and third place went
to Floyd Nealj and Mary Boswell
(Clemmons).
i *****
* ? ? ? ?
/?
. Flight MB" Winners: First
place went to Floyd Neal and
Mary Boswell; second and third
place ties were Waldo Lester and
# Marjorie Lester; other second and
third place ties, were Rudolph
Bridge News
By RUDOLPH V. BOONE SR.
1
Boone and Sarah Boone.
1 Charles Gadson was the game
director, Ruth Washington is the
Monday game director for Sep
tember.
\ ' 1:'- ; V. V
J/,... m m>w w m ? ? | ?
No other games were played
during the week. At the moment
this article is being prepared, a
number of local players are near
irig Virginia Beach. Virginia for
the weekend, where they will par
* ticipate in the Tidewarter Bridges
Unit's Annual' Grade "A" tourna- v
ment. If will be an exciting woek
end for the players .
The president of the Triad
Bridge Unit, Richard Bowling, has
declared himself a candidate for
the vice-president of the Mid
Atlantic Section. The unit has
endorsed him, however members,
are urged to attend the Oct. 7 ;
through Oct. 10 Mid-Atlantic Sec
tional and cast that vote for
Richard. He is number 80 in the ,
'Top One Hundred" bridge play
ers in the American. Bridge Asso- ,
ciation. Good Luck our candidate,
Richard H. Bowling!
He will make a great VP! *
Choice Beef"
' - ? - -
^ept.
I ? ? thruiFuesdayr
I Sept. 27. 1994.
1 We Reserve The Right
To Limit Quantities.
17SDA Choice Bee/
Boneless Full Cut
Round Steak
Q ?g fin SaveSrOO
wm ^ Per Lb.
j Lb.
hHhB
U.S.D.A
M grade . .
BEEF 1 1
tvc ot/y per j
^?DA Choice Beef 1 "
Save 300 per ^
Sweet Red Pears/
Juicy Bartlett Pears/
Bose Pears
?5 ^ '
28 Oz. - All Flavors
Ragu
Spaghetti Sauce I
250
Lb.
. Reg.
.$1.59 Ba
? v^l
Page
Napkins
15 Oz.
Chef Boyardee
Beefaroni &
Assorted Pastas
!*? *
Fresh Baked
8" Apple Pie
A All
v Varieties
6 Ct.
Lb.
-6 Ct.
Onion
RoUs