Little Tips To Make Life Easier

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• Did your little Picasso use your dining room wall to create a work of art? WD-40 cleans most surfaces!
• Did you just paint a flower pot only to have water leaking from it? Put a coffee filter in it.
• Can't get a screw out? Use a wrench to turn your screwdriver.
• Having a hard time drilling into bathroom tile? Use masking tape to prevent the drill from slipping.
• Dirty shower head? Attach a bag filled with vinegar with a rubber band to the shower head, wait a couple of hours, remove the bag and scrub the head. 
• Tired of the dreaded task of cleaning the gutters? Try using gutter guards.
• Make the arrangement of a gallery wall easier but using paper templates before hanging the frames.
• To remove water stains from kitchen or bathroom fixtures, rub the fixtures with a halved lemon, cut side down.

5 Ways To Save On Your Energy Bill

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1. Caulk and seal air leaks: Look for leaks around plumbing lines, recessed lighting, electricity wires,  windows, attics, and crawlspaces. Sealing off these leaks can save you up to $220/year per U.S. EPA.
2. Consult an HVAC contractor: Have a professional inspect all the ductwork in your home and make any repairs to leaks. It's also a good idea to have an HVAC tune-up. These steps can save a homeowner up to $330/year.
3. Program your thermostat: Programming your thermostat to energy-saving settings can save up to $180/year per EPA.
4. Replace light bulbs: Replacing traditional bulbs with LEDs or CFLs (although LEDs may be a better choice since they don't contain mercury) can save on energy costs. Although these new bulbs are more expensive than traditional ones, they do last longer and they are coming down in price. If you replace your 5 most used bulbs with these modern varieties, you can save up to $75/year.
5. Turning down water heater temp: Setting your water heater temp to 120 degrees Fahrenheit versus the 140 degrees most come out of the box set to can save you 6%-10% on your annual water heating costs.

Creating A Spa Bathroom At Home

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• Apothecary jars: Placing different sized apothecary jars filled with various bathroom supplies such as bath salts, cotton balls, etc, not only creates a spa look but it also helps to organize the space.
• Nice towels: Choosing neutral, white towels made of Egyptian cotton or micro-cotton not only looks clean and plush but those materials are extremely soft and luxurious.
• Mirrors: Hanging mirrors from ribbon looks beautiful and creates a light and airy look by allowing the light to reflect around the room.
• Subway tiles: These are a classic look and can be used for a backsplash or on the shower walls for a gorgeous and timeless look.
• Soothing color: Painting bathroom walls a soft blue or gray gives the space a relaxing feel. Try Benjamin Moore Nantucket Fog.
• Fresh flowers: Many people put flowers in living rooms or kitchens but the bathroom can often be an overlooked space. Adding a small vase of fresh blooms can instantly create a beautiful and refreshing look.
• Quality hand soap: Try placing a wonderfully smelling hand soap on a pretty dish so that both you and guests can feel pampered.

Happy Friday!

4 Things You Need Before Buying A Home

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1. Emergency fund: An emergency fund saved up to cover unexpected costs is very important as a homeowner. Enough cash to cover 3-6 months of living expenses is ideal. This way, if your income is interrupted for any reason or unexpected expenses arise, you have enough money to still make mortgage payments until back on your feet.
2. Budgeting skills: If you are already able to adhere to a budget that's great; if you have time it's great to try living on a homeowner budget before you buy. Try setting aside mortgage funds every month and see how you do; if you can comfortably live like this, it may be a great time to buy.
3. Steady income: When deciding how much you want to spend on a home, it's important to factor in a steady income that will be able to cover mortgage payments and other home expenses. Go a step beyond that and think about how your financial situation would be affected by different life choices such as going back to school, starting a family, or making a career move.
4. Good credit score: Being familiar with your credit score and credit report is important before trying to obtain a mortgage. Any incorrect information on your report should be corrected and it's always a good idea to know what your score is. Lenders will not only use your score to determine whether or not to lend to you, but also what kind of rates you may qualify for.

Habits Of Highly Effective Home Buyers

1. Get pre-approved: Meet with a lender to see if you qualify for a mortgage and if so, how much. It's important to know what your budget is while house hunting and it's crucial to be pre-approved before submitting an offer on a home.
2. Determine what your must haves, like to haves, and cannot haves are: The home search will be much easier if you can narrow down the features you absolutely need in a home, what you would like to have in a home but is not necessary, and features that you do not want in your future home.
3. Be realistic: Find out what homes are going for in the area you are interested in.
4. Be flexible: Unless you are custom building your dream home, it may be difficult to find every single thing on your wish list in a home. When touring houses, it's important to take in the whole picture and understand what things you can easily change to make the house your own.
5. Have fun: Buying a home does not have to be a stressful process; have fun with it and enjoy the journey to finding your new home!

Childproofing Your Home

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• Outlet covers: It's important to cover up any outlets to ensure that little ones can't stick their hands or toys in them. It's also a good idea to put covers on power strips even if you think they are well hidden.
• Stove knob covers: These covers can be easily removed when it's time to use the stove but they prevent kids from turning on the burners.
• Cabinet and drawer locks: Lock any cabinets or drawers that are within reach, especially those that contain household cleaners or sharp utensils. 
• Corner guards: Put these on any sharp corners on tables, etc.
• Fireplace screen: Putting up a barrier in front of the fireplace is a good idea even if you don't plan on using the fireplace.
• Stair gates
• Window covers: A window screen isn't enough to keep your child from falling out of the window; a window cover is a good idea even if you live in a one story dwelling.
• Childproof the outdoors: Look around your yard to see if there are any rocks/sharp objects that you need to remove or any holes or ditches that your child can fall into.