You should ask yourself a few basic questions to figure out where to begin:

• Do you want to hire professionals, or would you prefer to do the work yourself?
• If you hire professionals, would you like to hire one company that will supervise the construction and deal with all necessary professionals such as electrician, plumber, general contractor, etc.? Or, would you prefer to search for individual, independent contractors and supervise the work yourself?
• If you desire to do the work yourself, do you need to do any research or learn any new skills?
• Or, do you have the confidence that your past experience is sufficient to do a good job on the work you have in mind?

As you contemplate whether to hire professionals or to do the work yourself, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you truly have the time to do the work, including taking into account that the projects you have in mind may take longer than you believe?
• Do you believe economically that you will benefit from hiring others versus doing the work yourself? It may seem at first thought that doing the work yourself will be less costly, but it is wise to go through your budget and give careful consideration to the entire process to see if it truly will be to your benefit to do the work. Alternatively, hiring one company to supervise all workers versus hiring independent contractors should also be weighed carefully in consideration of your budget. Remember that it is not uncommon to find unexpected costs once you begin your renovation project, whether you do it yourself or hire others.

Regarding the decision making process specifically concerning renovation projects of homes in Bluffton, you should consider the numerous options you have both for hiring others or for doing the work yourself.

If you do the work yourself, you have numerous local stores from which to choose to purchase your supplies. Home Depot and Lowes may seem the most obvious, but you also have access to Espy Lumber, Builders First Source, and Grainger Industrial Supply in Bluffton. This is but a bare beginning. Ace Hardware, Ferguson plumbing supplies, flooring stores, furniture stores, landscaping stores, light stores, and many other resources for building and other home-related supplies abound in the Bluffton, Hilton Head, Okatie, Hardeeville, and Ridgeland area. The Low Country is truly ripe for virtually endless options to do your own work.

On the other hand, the Bluffton area is chock full of building companies, some of which specialize in renovations. Just check out local phone books, the Internet, or even advertising in local publications to see all your options. Obtaining a referral from someone you trust, or from someone whose renovated home you admire, can be a good idea. If you are new to the area, or have not yet moved to Bluffton, you may want to contact stores like Home Depot or Lowes to see whom they may recommend.

If you would prefer to hire individual contractors to work on various projects such as plumbing, electricity, etc., you will likely benefit also from asking trusted sources.

Given the downturn in the economy over the past few years, many building companies as well as individual contractors are looking for work and could potentially offer more affordable prices than you may expect. Regardless of whether pricing is higher or lower than you expect or would like, you will likely have an easier time finding people to hire than you might have when the market was booming.

While plenty of people prefer to buy homes that are all ready to place the key in the door and move in, plenty of others prefer to buy homes with the potential to become the perfect fit. Some people like the minimal stress of simply having to move in, while others enjoy the challenge of wanting to make specific changes. For those who do enjoy the challenge and have a dream home in mind that will involve making changes to get the desired look and effect, Bluffton is bursting at the seams with opportunities to convert a home into what you desire – no matter the course you would like to take to get there.

While the nature of any market in the long term is to have its share of ups and downs, the bottom line in purchasing a Bluffton property is whether or not the location is right for you when you weigh the area against surrounding towns, cities, communities, etc.

While not so long ago Bluffton was considered to be the relatively small area that is now known as historic Bluffton, Old Town Bluffton, or downtown Bluffton, a much larger area is now referred to as Bluffton. In fact, some towns that are not even called Bluffton – such as Okatie and part of Ridgeland – often now get lumped into the “Bluffton” name. So the real question is, is the so-called “greater Bluffton” area right for you, whether you are considering an investment or a location to move?

As far as investments go, despite the up and down nature of any market over the long haul, the greater Bluffton area may be right up your alley in terms of investment potential simply because the area’s reputation is continuing to grow alongside its development. More and more people are moving to the area, the area is growing outward, and throughout all the growth the area continues to be both beautiful and full of opportunities for work, play, vacation, and more.

Regarding whether Bluffton is right for you in terms of a destination for relocation to coastal South Carolina, the pros of the Bluffton area are innumerable while the cons are few and far between.

While the cons are for most people pretty much limited to intense heat and mosquitos at times, increased traffic during tourist season, and a slower pace for those who prefer fast pace living, the benefits of Bluffton living seem virtually endless. These include, but are not limited to:

• Warm climate, including relatively mild winter
• Quick access to the beach
• Easy access to multiple waterways
• Easy access to historic cities like Savannah, GA, and Charleston, SC
• Lots of shopping, including a large number of outlets
• A wide variety of restaurants
• Several local universities
• Life-long learning programs
• Innumerable classes, seminars, workshops, clubs, meetings, and programs
• A vast array of hospitals, medical centers, and health care options
• Plenty of places to run, hike, bike, walk, work out, and watch or participate in other sports
• A wide variety of ongoing events, such as seafood festivals, oyster roasts, beach walks, children’s activities, holiday events, and more
• Innumerable job possibilities, including part-time, particularly in the tourist industry, restaurant industry, retail industry, and hospitality
• Friendly, outgoing people
• A wide variety of age groups, from newborns to seniors
• An ever growing number of communities and neighborhoods with all sorts of characteristics and attributes
• Outdoor activities galore
• A family-friendly menu of activities, events, and happenings

This is just a small taste of the many offerings for those considering a move to Bluffton, South Carolina.

Please do not hesitate to call me on my cell phone at 843-338-2120 if you have any questions about Bluffton living or might like to take a look at some properties in the area.

Sun City residents have a reputation of having a knack for finding the best deals when it comes to their daily lives, yet even the less savvy in finding the most economical deals have plenty of opportunity in Bluffton to save money along the way.

Why? Thrift shops abound. Yard sales, garage sales, and rummage sales are almost constant. Some restaurants have early bird specials for those willing to dine before the crowds set in. Local businesses offer coupons and specials, sometimes publicized in the local community publications. New businesses offer grand opening specials. Many businesses offer reduced prices during the holidays. And competition between businesses creates even further opportunities for savings.

The Bargain Box, the Litter Box, Animal House Thrift, St. Francis Thrift Shop, Goodwill, God’s Goods, and Salvation Army are just some of the numerous thrift shops in the Bluffton and Hilton Head area. It is not uncommon to find either brand new, or nearly new, clothes and other items at these thrift shops. Clothes can be purchased for as little as twenty-five cents per t-shirt, $1.50 per dress, and $2.00 per sweat suit.

Brand new appliances and furniture can be purchased affordably at Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Best Buy, but nearly new or less new appliances can also be purchased at the Bluffton area’s thrift shops, yard sales, garage sales, rummage sales, and even from online advertising through websites like www.craigslist.com, www.beaufortyardsales.com, or online or in-print newspapers.

As for food shopping, the numerous food shops in the Bluffton area provide plenty of opportunities for price shopping, coupon use, discount card use, and shoppers’ specials. People seeking the best deals might have to visit several food stores to purchase better deals at a combination of stores, but the savings can be worth the extra effort.

Wal-Mart in Hardeeville, along with Target in Bluffton, provide further opportunities for getting good deals.

Additionally, local pharmacies offer specials – including free medications in some instances – that can add up to more savings.

The overall savings when combining some good old-fashioned research with strong common sense can certainly pay off in the long run.

1. What made you decide to move from Minnesota all the way to Bluffton, South Carolina?

We moved due to my husband’s career.

2. Why did you choose Bluffton instead of Hilton Head?

We chose Bluffton over Hilton Head because it is close to my husband’s job, and we enjoyed the atmosphere.

3. What advantages have you seen living in Bluffton as opposed to Hilton Head?

I believe the advantages for us are more open spaces and less tourists, not to mention we still are close to the beaches.

4. Please describe your family in terms of who is in it and ages.

Our family consists of my husband, 43, myself 41, and four children. Only two of our children are with us here in the South – our daughters, ages 16 and 18.

5. Do you hope to buy something in the area, or prefer to rent?

We are very open to purchasing property, but we are currently renting for the purpose of taking our time to find the right area.

6. How was the transition moving from such a northern location to the South?

Our transition has been fairly easy since the locals have been very inviting. We have a great group of people my husband works with that has made us feel like family, and we are loving the heat.

7. How long did it take you to adjust and really feel at home here?

We must have been southerners at heart since we felt at home from the time we arrived, and at this point have no belief we are going back.

8. Why would you recommend Bluffton as a place to live for others?

I recommend Bluffton to anyone who is looking for that tropical atmosphere mixed with a touch of country and sprinkled with rich culture.

9. Please describe your business.

I am a Personal Wellness Coach with Herbalife Int. and a Certified Sports Nutritionist. My career consists of changing the nutritional habits of people locally, national, and internationally through education and supplementation for improved health, weight, and sports performance.

10. What do you love about the work that you do?

What I love most about the work I do is the calls and hugs I receive from athletes and others when I have helped them reach their goal weight, improve their health, remove unnecessary medications, and feel years younger. No amount of money can compare to that, though of course the money earned in helping them is a blessing also.

11. How hard was it to get your business going here?

When we moved here, I came with a very movable business that I am able to do anywhere. It was a slow start for me, but I believe that was my fault since I had a hard time believing I lived here and was not on vacation.

12. How has your family settled into the area?

The family as a whole is doing well here. We have the typical complaints of missing those we have left behind, yet many have found our new location to be their new vacation spot.

13. What do you believe you have brought to the area as a family? In other words, what blessings do you feel you have contributed to the area?

The gifts and talents I believe we have brought to this area are many. My husband is a talented auto body paint and customs technician working for the Carriage Shop. He loves customizing anything from cars, boats, trucks and bikes. That is why the Carriage Shop brought us here.

I love changing the nutritional habits of others which in turn makes for a healthier community. When it comes to athletes, I help them stay strong, and improve their stamina and endurance. This always makes for better overall athletes and teams with more wins inside and out.

I also offer a community weight loss challenge in the Bluffton area to educate anyone who wants to learn, be supported, and be held accountable in their journey to better health.

14. How do you feel you have been blessed by living in Bluffton?

We have been very blessed to move here because we hated the cold and found an area of beautiful sounds, sights, and people. Since moving here, I have been writing for the Savannah Sports Monthly. That has been a blessing to me for the ability to educate many.

15. Would you recommend the area to others and why?

I would recommend this area to many, but part of me would like to be selfish and keep it to myself. We have been working on our family up North to come here. My reason to invite others would be for the vacation feeling all the time and great hospitable people.

16. Do you feel people in this area are open and desirous of taking care of their well-being, health, etc.?

Many people in this area are very open to improving their health and weight in safe manners, and I continue to add to my client base regularly.

17. How have you found the people and hospitality in the area?

When we first visited the area three weeks prior to moving here, I found doors being opened, people smiling and saying hello, and friendly hospitality. So I started asking, “why is it here the way it used to be everywhere?” The answer I received was, “most are from elsewhere, so we are all visitors treating each other with respect.” I really didn’t care why, but simply that it was being done.

If you are interested in contacting Sheila Roemeling to learn more about the services she offers through her
business, please contact her at:

Telephone: 651-263-6677
E-mail: mywellnesscoach1@gmail.com
Website: fashionyourhealth.webs.com
Website: goherbalife.com/sroemeling

While landscape companies become abuzz with frenetic activity trying to keep up with the season, and while workers marvel at the sudden onset of plenty, albeit hard, work, Bluffton will not merely experience the greening of the landscape. Just as the nation as a whole takes steps toward a greener, more sustainable, ethic in order to ensure long-term durability of the world around us, Bluffton and the surrounding area are taking their own measures to do the same.

While some builders proudly publicize their green building capabilities, while businesses let the community know of their environmentally friendly policies, and while individuals make their own efforts to keep up with the greening of America, one local organization has formed with the intention of helping Bluffton and the surrounding area get started, stay on top of, and/or improve in the area of the greening of Bluffton and beyond.

Experience Green has a very clear mission. According to its website, www.experiencegreen.org, Experience Green’s mission is “to build sustainable communities that benefit the planet, its people and prosperity.”

How exactly does the relatively new local organization plan to do this? The website reveals that the group aims to provide “experiential education to promote engagement in sustainable business and living practices, serve as a connector between governments, institutions, businesses and individuals, and further community development through implementation of sustainable strategies.”

What about the group’s vision? The group “focuses on the three aspects of comprehensive sustainability—environmental stewardship, social accountability, and economic prosperity.” Furthermore, Experience Green pictures a “society educated about and prospering through practices based on sustainable guidelines, and promoting community systems for the greater good of a sustainable economy and existence.”

A self-tour of the group’s website makes it abundantly clear that Experience Green is dedicated to being proactive when it comes to the greening of Bluffton and beyond. Events to educate the public, networking to bring businesses and individuals together with the right resources, an Earth Day celebration, reading materials, and more are all part of the initiative of Experience Green to ensure that the area’s greening is far more than the greening of the beautiful landscape enjoyed by Low Country residents and visitors alike.

The “Profit Green & S12050 Roundtable”, to be held at Palmetto Electric on Hilton Head on February 28, is just one of the offerings provided by Experience Green in its drive to fulfill its mission. To learn more about the event and to register, interested parties can visit www.experiencegreen.org.

Is Bluffton and beyond going green? Those keeping a watchful eye on the greening practices of the nation as a whole, or of particular parts of the country, might be best able to determine how Bluffton fares in comparison. But comparisons aside, with Experience Green chasing after its goal to help the area with long-term sustainability, it is highly possible Bluffton and surrounding areas will continue the move forward with learning how to make sustainability yet another benefit to living in Bluffton and beyond.

Nor does the newspaper need to make use of every nook and cranny of the Hilton Head High School parking lot just to make its yard sale look bigger than it is. The newspaper’s yearly yard sale truly is one of the largest, and most populated, yard sales in Hilton Head, Bluffton, and beyond each year. The yard sale is so jam packed with vendors, stuff for sale, and visitors that the newspaper literally runs out of space and has to turn away potential vendors.

This year’s “World’s Largest Yard Sale” is just around the corner, and will take place at its usual location in the Hilton Head High School parking lot from 9am to 1pm on March 31. Booth space is $55, and applications are available at www.islandpacket.com/yardsale. According to the newspaper, proceeds from vendor fees will benefit the high school. Additional details are available by calling 843-689-4811.

What will the enormous yard sale boast in wares this year? More than likely, vendors will set up shop early with an endless array and display of their items. Books, clothes, gifts, furniture, baby items, shoes, and just about everything else typically found at a yard sale will likely be available for purchase. But unlike the typically sized yard sales that can only offer so much, this yard sale has a humongous volume of just about everything.

Rows, rows, and more rows of vendors fill up their spaces with one item after another. Early birds get a sneak peek at the wide selection, while those who stroll in later in the day often have the opportunity to purchase things at much lower cost – and sometimes free.

At the end of the day, non-profit organizations send their trucks to pick up donations for their thrift shops of leftover goods that vendors would prefer to let go rather than pack back into their homes and garages.

For those who might not be in the market for purchasing anything, the yard sale is truly as much of a community event as it is an opportunity to spend money and accumulate more belongings. Given the numbers of people that pour into the yard sale and walk up and down the rows of vendors, the yard sale is the perfect opportunity to run into friends, meet new people, and simply enjoy a Saturday doing something fun.

For those who prefer much smaller garage and yard sales, the Bluffton and Hilton Head area are well known for playing host to numerous sales just about every weekend of the year. If you have never visited the Island Packet’s “World’s Largest Yard Sale”, this is certainly an experience not to be missed.

While some people are seeking work simply to pay bills and help make a living, still others enjoy taking on part-time work to keep busy, to stay connected to the community, and for pure enjoyment. So what opportunities abound now that the season is just around the corner?

Hotel jobs. Restaurant jobs. Retail jobs. Boating jobs. Pool jobs. Landscape jobs. And this is just the beginning. As people flock to the area in coming weeks and months to enjoy their vacations, part-time residency, or to consider making a move to the area, local businesses face a big need to bolster up their staff to be prepared for the increased population.

While some of these part-time jobs require previous experience, training, and education, many of them simply require a positive attitude, a good work ethic, and a strong sense of responsibility and commitment. The requirements depend on the job and the employer, and some of these part-time jobs are the perfect opportunity to learn a new skill and trade, and to gain experience before delving into a search for full-time work.

So what exactly is the best way to peruse the job possibilities? Long gone are the days when the daily community newspaper was the number one way to find local employment. Certainly word of mouth can help, and undoubtedly “knocking on doors” at some businesses to inquire about employment and fill out an application can reap rewards.

But perhaps the best way to get a good look at the wide variety of part-time jobs available for the upcoming season is to visit www.craigslist.com and www.indeed.com. Craigslist is a well-known website that allows online visitors to search for jobs based on location and type of job. Indeed is a website that pulls together jobs listed in a very wide variety of print and online publications, so it is a wonderful resource for those who do not have the time or ability to spend researching jobs in numerous places.

For those not familiar with Craigslist, it is highly advised to use wisdom and discernment when scanning through job listings. Some jobs are scams, and not all people posting jobs are honest. Some people who use Craigslist are confident in being able to discern a real job from a scam, but not all have this confidence. It is extremely important to exercise caution when looking at job possibilities listed there. If the business listing a job is a legitimate and known business in the area, such as a local hotel or restaurant, then there is a higher likelihood the job is legitimate. Craigslist itself offers recommendations on how to use its website.

As for Indeed, this website simply compiles jobs from numerous locations. So, it is recommended that someone scanning Indeed for jobs consider the source.

For those who do not have Internet access or prefer not to use websites, Goodwill in Bluffton has a portion of its enormous store dedicated to helping people find work. Local churches also periodically offer help in job searching, including supporting the job seeker in the process of finding a job.

Additionally, schools and universities often have counselors or career centers that help with the job search process.

Regardless of what method a job seeker prefers to use, one thing is clear. Bluffton and the surrounding Low Country area are not only gearing up for the spring and summer seasons. The area is also looking for staff, thereby providing a huge increase in jobs available for those needing or desiring work.

Thanks to a variety of local print and online publications, so-called Blufftonians and those living in the surrounding Lowcountry area have plenty of opportunities to keep up to date with the latest endless assortment of events, activities, and more. Whether someone is interested in a one-time event, joining a club, attending a recovery group, enjoying a local sports team, pursuing a degree through a nearby university, trying a new hobby, learning a new trade, taking a lifelong learning class, meeting fellow singles, finding a new church, traveling, and more, local publications provide the perfect way to keep on top of the endless possibilities.

The Island Packet, Bluffton Today, the Savannah Morning News, and The Beaufort Gazette are the area’s larger print publications that also offer online content on their websites, but numerous smaller publications join the ranks in letting locals and visitors alike know what is happening in the area. These larger newspapers offer events listings, calendars, reviews, news, and feature stories concerning local happenings, but then so do some of the smaller publications.

Bluffton and the surrounding area are rather small in population when compared with big cities nationwide, yet the number of publications available is rather surprising considering the population. Driving around the Bluffton area, as well as surrounding towns and cities, will undoubtedly turn up rows of newspaper boxes packed with both the larger and smaller publications.

Lowcountry Weekly; Bluffton Sun; Tidbits; Pink Magazine, C2 Celebrate Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Beyond magazine; Hilton Head Monthly; and Connect Savannah are just some of the numerous publications typically offering events calendars and more.

While many of the businesses, organizations, and individuals offering events and activities provide promotion of these opportunities through their own means such as fliers, brochures, websites, mailings, business newsletters, church bulletin boards, and more, one of the best ways to keep apprised of the wide variety of possibilities is to browse through the local publications on a regular basis. An individual business or organization will likely only list what is happening in its own circle, but the local publications offer the most variety for the individual or family wanting to look at all options.

Living the abundant life in Bluffton and beyond when it comes to staying active is easily facilitated for those who take full advantage of the numerous publications that publicize all the endless opportunities the area offers.

From coffee to conversation, from tasty goodies to good friends, from Bible studies to music events, the Corner Perk offers a host of drinkables, edibles, and lots more.

As publicized on the Corner Perk website (www.cornerperk.com), the little corner café with a big offering is proud to offer some very special coffee. Every coffee shop has something special about its coffee, right? But how many coffee shops get to brag about a nearby supplier? The Corner Perk’s coffee is roasted by Savannah, Georgia’s, PERC COFFEE – specifically by so-called “Master Roaster Phillip Brown.”

Coffee aside, and even delicious delectable aside, the young, friendly, and outgoing owners enjoy connecting with the community and providing opportunities for the community to come together – whether it be for a young people’s Christian youth group, a musical event, a joint study time for students who need a meeting place outside of school, and more.

More? Yes, there is always more at the Corner Perk. More coffee. More conversation. More food. More friendship. More activities. People might be drawn into the Corner Perk’s inviting atmosphere for a Perk-Me-Up, but will undoubtedly find a Pick-Me-Up that inevitably comes with a very special local coffee shop – and more.

Brighter Day, right off Forsyth Park in Savannah, has a long-standing, rich tradition of offering countless healthy treasures on its jam-packed shelves. But this is not all. The cozy, family-style atmosphere, the friendly and exceedingly knowledgeable staff, the mini cafe in the rear, the nutritional knowledge based offered in the store, the owners’ extreme knowledge of health food and nutrition, and the constant flow of eclectic clientele combine together to offer something very special.

For those used to small style health food stores with limited offerings, or for those more familiar with super-sized health food stores with a bit more sterile supermarket style atmosphere, Brighter Day truly is a one of a kind treasure. It has an abundance of product especially considering its smaller size, but it also offers the personal care and attention of a smaller store.

As for product, the choices abound. From rows of all natural vitamins and nutritional supplements, to organic and local farm produce, to hefty and scrumptious sandwiches and snacks to eat onsite, to delicious frozen treats, to a wide variety of just about everything healthy, Brighter Day truly offers its regular customers and new visitors alike a plethora of healthy fare.

For those who need a break from their shopping, outdoor tables offer the perfect opportunity to break open a healthy snack or meal, grab a friend, tie a dog’s leash under the table, and enjoy watching the constant traffic of a big mix of local art students, typical bigger city passerby, families, and more.

Brighter Day, situated next door to the super popular Sentient Bean coffee shop and café, is truly a bright spot in a big city, a treasure trove of healthy choices, and the perfect stopping off point for people crossing the bridge from the Bluffton area who may well want to make a day of seeing the sites and enjoying Savannah’s culture and events.

Brighter Day, located on the corner of Park Avenue and Bull Streets in downtown Savannah, can be found at 1102 Bull Street, Savannah GA or online at www.brighterdayfoods.com.