Chairs // Pressure Washer 2000PSI // Dyson Vacuum //
OWNING VACATION RENTAL PROPERTIES IS NOT ALL HOLIDAY
After renting out properties in Chicago, Lake Arrowhead, and now Florida, Reid and I have seen it all. Well, maybe not everything, but pretty close. We’ve had new chairs ruined by renters making holes in the seats, oven knobs shirred off, and another oven broken for 2 months. You never know what will happen next. We have compiled some highs, and not-so-glamorous realities below.
Like many of you, one of our financial goals is to have residual income in a variety of investment types. Think barstool. Each leg is a different means of income. Vacation rental properties are one leg, but lots of stress. Is it worth it? Keep reading.
TIP: Properties require maintenance, visit your rental once a month to check-in. As an investment property, you can stay on the property 14 days out of the year for holiday. However, we recommend you visit the property at least once a month for maintenance and check-in. It is work, not a vacation. We use a local property manager for support, but we still find it necessary to keep things looking clean and maintained ourselves. Management varies by percentages and involvement. Ours doesn’t cover landscaping. We pull weeds, scrub walls, change light bulbs, power wash the exterior and caulk sinks/showers. Sweat equity is always worth it. I secretly love weeding, especially when there’s not a million mosquitos biting my legs.
TIP: Do things that require professionals during the off-season. The complication to your vacation rental is you have a small window of time between bookings to schedule big maintenance items, so plan-ahead. We replaced our crawl space insulation with spray foam. This isn’t a fun expense, but over time it will keep utility costs down.
TIP: Interior design is pivotal to your vacation property brand, but keep durability in mind when making a purchase. We noticed after only six months of guest, the upholstery is already looking worn. Keep knick-knacks and breakables to a minimum in the house. To decorate, we used antique books around the house. Books add warmth, are cheap, non-breakable and easy to replace. The basic rule is, don’t get too attached. Your rental will likely experience lots of wear and tear and plan to budget to replace furniture at least once a year. Despite the losses, broke items, highs and lows, is it worth it? We say yes.
TIP: Bring your gently used furniture from your primary house into your rental. You don’t wanna buy new for a rental that gets A LOT of wear and tear. We recently brought our ottoman and rugs to our rental to freshen up the interior and take out the rugs that have seen better days. We’ll enjoy new rugs in our home while our rental gets a glow up.
How about you, have you taken the rental plunge? Share your tips below! Or email me shalice@shalicenoel.com
Linen Skirt sz 6 // Shopshalicenoel tee Small USE CODE LABORDAY15
Belt size 80 // Flatline sandals (I went down a half a size) // Straw Hat
I had to travel to get inspired. I love the white landscape of Alys Beach. This linen skirt with pockets is a favorite on repeat. I paired it with my favorite modal tee in black from Shop Shalice Noel.
Fall faves under $100
All under $100
- Leopard dress has great reviews and looks killer with tall boots
- Classic 501 Levi’s $98
- LBD has a great shape and great ruffle
- Half zip stripes $80!
- $59 sneakers FTW!
- $89 Levi’s black crop jeans I love to pair with booties for fall
Some say that having a big family is too expensive. We think that it just takes more creativity. Here are 5 big family budget hacks that we practice.
Family Ice Cream
Going to Ice Cream Parlor Regular Cup is $5.99 x 7 People = $41.93 plus tax and tips
Going to Grocery Store and buying 2 gallons of Ice Cream
Our Favorite Ice Cream is 2 for $10
Saved $32
Tip:
We find we often go to the ice cream parlor as an excuse to get out of the house, so take your gallons of ice cream to a nearby park and enjoy.
Meal Plan
“WHAT IS FOR DINNER?” Who else hates that question? We try and save time and money each week by subscribing to HelloFresh. We get meals that we pre select online, sent straight to our door. While it will takes time to create the meals, I love not having to think about it. When I have the HelloFresh meals, I go to the grocery store less and therefore less prone to impulse buys. I see you start sweets gummy bears by the checkout line . . .
Family Dinner
Going out to dinner
Nice meal at a modest sit-down restaurant is approximately $15 x 7 People = $105 plus tax and tips
Going to Chipotle
Burrito $10 for mom and dad. The older kids order 2 pointers for $5.99 and we order Levi side of beans and rice for $2, for a total of $46
Saved $59
Haircuts
Going to the Salon
Kids haircuts cost $25 x 5 = $125 plus tips
Home Haircut
We bought clippers from Marshalls for $24, 10 years ago. That was a great ROI (return on investment).
Saved $125 / month
Tip:
The boy’s hair is super simple to cut. In fact, I have cut Reid and the boys hair for years. I still go to the salon regularly and the girls go occasionally to get washed and trimmed, but that’s it.
Movie Night
Going to the movies
New Release movie tickets cost $12 for kids and $14 for adults and that’s a matinee. $12 x 5 + $14 x 2 = $88
Home Movie Night
Amazon Prime Movie Rental $3.99
Saved $84
Tip:
Pop some popcorn, get some cola and plopped down on your couch for a cozy movie night at home. From what we saved in movie tickets, I bought us a new sectional for our media room!
Car Wash
The car wash cost $8 for the standard wash.
Home Car Wash
1 hour of free entertainment! (Almost free, yes, we still have a water bill, but the entertainment is worth it)
Saved $8 per week
Tip:
To save water, fill a bucket of sudsy water and give them a sponge. The kids love washing the car and it usually turns into a water fight.
It’s your turn, what are you money saving tips/hacks? I’d love to hear.
Shalice@shalice-noel
leggings sz 4 // tee in xxs // hat // brooch // stripe sweatshirt small // nike blazer sneakers // varley belt bag
We’re in Florida gaining some bright inspiration that the beach and sunshine affords. I needed this! I found these super flattering flare leggings and love them. You will too! They fit true to size and the best for work or play. Tip: add a blazer for work, add sneakers for running errands and soccer practice. The options are endless. I included fun items on sale below from around the web for labor day weekend. We are celebrating Reid’s 44th birthday tomorrow, so I’m going to try and turn in early before the festivities begin.
xx Shalice
A & F
Beek
Use code SHALICENOEL10 for an additional 10% off!
Get ready for cooler temps in new shearling Beeks! They have arch support and quality leather. I love that they’re female owned.
If you purchase a pair of full price shearlings, you will receive a pair of flip-flops at the price of $100 (their flip-flops retail at $159, so you will be saving $59). Use code SHALICENOEL10 for 10% off!
Jcrew
LONGWKEND for 30% off
Madewell
30% off use code “LONGWEEKEND”
Mango
I wear a small in the coatigan
Target
(Latest purchases that I’ve been happy with have been this vintage tee, tennis skirt, and shorts)
Nordstrom
H&M
SHOPSHALICENOEL
Hat // CC Brooch // Moccasins // Lee jeans // Oversized cardigan // Stripe Knit – $7! // Nylon/Leather bag
Stripes are hot, but they have always been hot. If I need some color, but I don’t want to commit to a lot of color, I add a stripe to my neutrals. Is red a neutral? I do love my pop of red!
Have you interviewed for a job in the last couple years? How did that go? With work from home still a thing, it seems the Virtual Interview is the current trend. Reid just went through a series of Zoom interviews, so we thought it would be useful to share some interviewing tips and I’ll share what I would wear considering; you are on camera and not in real life. The interviewing dynamic is much different than in person, so prepare wisely to smash that interview.
Five tips to consider on a Virtual Interview
1) Whiten your teeth. The Virtual Interview positive is you don’t have to worry about stinky breath, but make sure you smile often and don’t have your lunch stuck in your teeth. They should only see your pretty white smile. Whitening Strips
2) Apply face tanner water and then apply some serum to make your skin glow and radiant. The Water by Tan-Luxe
3) Look the employer in the eyes and do not look into the camera.
4) Sit with good posture, chin up and hands in your lap. This is what I believe is the downfall to the virtual interview; you lose the importance of body language. Remember to lean into the camera when something interests you as you would at a conference table.
5) Keep a cheat sheet in front of you, to remember names, key messages, or anything else you don’t want to forget in the heat of the moment. Don’t forget a water bottle as well. If you are talking a lot and nervous, you will want to prevent dry mouth.
Confidence Boosting Essentials
Suits
Accessories
Five tips on what to wear for a Virtual Interview
1) Do not wear stripes. Choose something solid.
2) I always recommend a feminine power suit with a flattering neck line and tasteful jewelry.
3) Wear your hair up to show your jaw and neck line.
4) Wear your power shoes if it makes you feel better. If not, wear slippers.
a. (caution though…Reid wore shorts in the interview and they asked about a drawing against the wall. He naturally got up to show it to them on the screen and revealed his shorts and slides with socks!!! It may have worked to his advantage in this situation. They got a chuckle and put everyone at ease on the call.)
5) Nude lipstick. You don’t want too bold of a color.
Vest in small // Mens Jeans 510 // Similar to my FP Boots sz 40 tts // Duffle Bag (keepall 45) // Hat
5 Vests I’m loving
Denim vest how fun is this? Can be paired with the peasant top.
Double Breasted Vest – a classic
Single breasted waistcoat – menswear tailoring with a feminine edge
Ivory Sleeveless Double Breasted Vest – I’d pair with cropped skinny pants
Stripe Gray Vest – to pair with white pants or white jeans
Do you drive around and see strip malls with 24hr tanning still operating? I always ask myself, how do these businesses stay open? I did the old spray tan, back in the day. Most likely college! I’m thankful that I have found a sunless tanner that works well, easy to apply and infused BioCell Collagen® CG for youthful-looking skin.
Here are 5 simple steps for Sunless Tanner application:
1) Bathe and exfoliate with body scrub. Recommended scrub here.
2) When skin is dry, apply 3 foam squirts into mit. Recommmended mit here.
3) Apply foam to each area of the body. I start from the neck and work my way down. I apply three squirts of foam to each extremity, typically.
4) Once covered, wash palm of hands with soap thoroughly.
5) Brush your teeth or do your hair while skin dries. Once dry, get dressed and show the world your tan.
I love the natural look of the tan. I’ll typically reapply every 2-3 days, depending on the tone I desire. Reid also loves the Sunless Tanner, so share with your husband.
GOOD NEWS!
FREE CellProof Sunless Tanning Foam when you spend $99 ($34.99 value)!
Offer valid July 28 through July 29 at 11:59 PM MT, or while supplies last. Limit 1 free gift per account, subject to change. Order subtotal must be at least $99 before all discounts, tax and shipping. Excludes existing subscriptions.
Shalice Noel Tip. You can use your anniversary credit to get towards 99$ purchase. I recommend this for you shopping cart to automatically earn the free Cell Proof Sunless Tanning Foam.
Wait 4-6 hours for the glow to show up. One thing Reid and love about it is that it doesn’t bleed onto our sheets. So I can apply the tanning foam after exfoliation in the shower and go to bed without worrying about staining the sheets.
