As a landlord you can deduct the hard operating costs of your properties every ceiling or floor you repair, and each new plumbing fixture or electrical outlet your purchase.

FORBES: How Real Estate Investors Can Protect Themselves From The IRS

If the government has to shut down as a result of a standoff when the government's general operating budget expires in late March or the debt ceiling is not raised this spring, Republicans will continue to lose the public's confidence in their ability to govern and the reduction in services will highlight to Americans what the government actually does.

CNN: If spending is cut, GOP will get the blame

Shades operating by wall-mounted controls disappear into a recessed ceiling pocket when not in use.

WSJ: Sheer Curtains, Solar Shades Are Popular Window Treatments