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When you purchase a house, the goal is often to make it a home. Painting the walls, hanging photos, and decorating with furniture that matches your style is the best way to create comfort and personality within your home. The majority of the focus is on the interior, often saving the exterior for a later time. The same is true when it comes to home repairs. Things that need to be repaired indoors are almost always addressed before those that are outdoors. This is likely because most people spend more time in their house than they do on the outside of it.

Repairing Asphalt Yourself

Over time the wear and tear of everyday life can wreak havoc on the outdoor elements of your home. Asphalt driveways are an extension of your living space, connecting your house to the street. Regular weathering, shoveling, driving, and heat can cause small cracks and deterioration in your asphalt. Before long, those small cracks can easily become big cracks, which often form small pits and potholes. Home repairs go beyond the interior of your home. Learn the best ways to care for and repair asphalt in your driveway and in front of your home. Asphalt is water resistant, and designed to withstand rigorous weather conditions as a result of its elasticity. Its compression strength allows it to support heavy vehicles without immediately cracking like other materials. When used on driveways, asphalt has a relatively long lifespan ranging from 15-20 years when cared for and properly maintained. Like any surface, asphalt can wear down, leading to cracks and holes that may need to be repaired in order to prevent further damage, and preserve the value of your home and driveway. When you notice damage in the asphalt in front of your home, there are a few different ways you can go about repairing it. The first solution is sealing the crack or pothole on your own. Home improvement stores sell various kits that are popular in caulking the creves in your driveway. These kits are great for temporary use, but over time the weathering and compression becomes too much for the materials to handle, causing them to separate, crack, and create deeper issues in the asphalt. The best way to repair the asphalt in your driveway or in front of your house is by hiring a professional to come out and pour industrial sealant into the crack, or fill the pothole. Many homeowners are concerned about the cost associated with hiring a professional. The truth is, whether you spend hundreds of dollars over time on filler packets, or spend money on a professional at the first sign of the damage, you’re spending money on a repair either way. The difference is that when you call a professional first, the problem is fixed. If you try to repair the concrete yourself multiple times before calling a professional, then you’re actually spending even more money. Keep up with the exterior maintenance of your home, and do your research before spending money on any temporary home repair. If you can't do a Denver asphalt repair yourself, hiring a contractor isn't a bad choice to ensure the job gets done right.

When you purchase a house, the goal is often to make it a home. Painting the walls, hanging photos, and decorating with furniture that matches your style is the best way to create comfort and personal...

When you purchase a house, it’s likely that you also purchase homeowners insurance, which is designed to protect your property from damage to the house itself, or to the possessions within. Homeowners insurance also provides liability coverage against accidents in the home or property. This means, if someone becomes injured on your property, you are protected from being sued for bodily harm or damages.

What You Should Know About Contractors

Home improvements and repairs around the house are often depicted by cost. For example, wear and tear roofing replacements are not covered by homeowners insurance, and can cost you thousands, therefore making it an easy repair to put-off. When it comes to hiring a contractor to get a project done around your house, it’s important that you never hire a contractor without proof and documentation of their coverage and permits. Some commercial and residential contractors might lure you in with a more affordable price, but if they are not covered, that price could rapidly increase if something were to go wrong during the project. Some contractors are not covered, which means that while homeowners insurance protects you against any injuries they may sustain on your property, it does not protect you from your neighbors. If a contractor causes damage to your neighbor’s house and is not covered, your neighbor can go after both the contractor, as well as you, the homeowner for the damages incurred by someone you hired. Homeowners insurance covers you as the homeowner from troubles that come from accidental injury and damage on your property. It does not directly cover the people who are injured, or the damage that occurs on an adjacent home by the contractor who performs work on your property. Regardless of the circumstance, be sure you never hire a contractor that does not have full liability coverage. Homeowners insurance can protect you in most cases, but taking the most precaution in handling your home improvements and repairs is the best way to ensure the job gets done well.

When you purchase a house, it’s likely that you also purchase homeowners insurance, which is designed to protect your property from damage to the house itself, or to the possessions within. Homeowne...

When it comes to the value of your home, one thing is for sure: if you have an unfinished basement, there is always room for improvement. Your home is likely the greatest investment you’ll ever make. For most homeowners, maintaining the value and livability of their home is always in their best interest. Many homes have unfinished basements, which are often used for storage space and not much else. If you have an unfinished basement, it’s time to ask yourself, does your basement need finishing?

Why Should You Finish a Basement?

There are a number of reasons why finished basements are a better option for any home. Transforming an unfinished basement into a functional and comfortable living space is one of the greatest ways to increase the value of your home, add to the number of rooms in your house, and change the overall living space available to you and your family. Whether you need a place where the kids can spend time away from adults, or you’re looking to add spare bedrooms and a TV room for family and guests to come stay, a finished basement is a huge asset to your home, lifestyle and financial value. The decision is really pretty simple when it comes to basement finishing. Deciding whether or not to finish your basement really comes down to determining the before and after use of the space. Start by identifying what the unfinished basement space is currently used for. Regardless of whether it’s empty, storing personal items or stacked to the brim with moving boxes that never got unpacked, an unfinished basement serves your family a purpose. Once you identify the current purpose for your unfinished basement, it is recommended that you then identify the purpose you wish for your basement to serve. Guest rooms and man caves are just a few of the thousands of ways your basement can add to the comfort and livability of your home. Whether you hope to create a downstairs apartment, or just a place where everyone can escape from the craziness of day-to-day life, a finished basement opens a world of opportunities for your home and family. Aside from deciding how your basement could better serve you, finishing your basement is an excellent way to eliminate clutter. If you’re one of the many homeowners whose basement is full of boxes and storage, considering a basement finishing is a great place to start weaning through those personal belongings. We all have a lot of stuff. Whether you’re newlyweds with newly combined personal items, or empty-nesters with decades of memories and things from every stage of your lives, basements are notorious for allowing homeowners to hoard their stuff. Life is the only thing that could possibly be better than all of that stuff, and the memories you make in a living space that adds quality and usability to your life and living space are far greater than the stuff you collect and box up over time. One of the main factors your basement may need finishing is simply to eliminate some of that stuff. The final reason your unfinished basement needs finishing is to increase the value and space that is accounted for in your home. Statistically, homes with finished basements are more likely to sell quicker, and appraise higher than homes with unfinished basements. A finished basement means that your 5 bedroom house may quickly turn into a 7 bedroom house. More bedrooms means a higher value and more money if you ever plan to sell. Even if you don’t plan to sell, it’s always a smart idea if you have the money to capitalize on your greatest investment and create a living space that is perfect for your family and lifestyle.

When it comes to the value of your home, one thing is for sure: if you have an unfinished basement, there is always room for improvement. Your home is likely the greatest investment you’ll ever make...

Custom shirts, hats, T-shirts, bags, water bottles and other objects of all kinds are the most popular options for branding your business, and advertising in a unique way. Screen printing is a stencil printing technique that passes ink through a mesh “screen” to apply a desired image onto an object.

History of Screen Printing

Screen printing was first used over 2000 years ago by the Chinese. The screen, now made of polyester was formed by stretching human hair across a wooden frame. They would attach a stencil to the screen, often made of leaves, and imprint it on a desired object. Years later, the Japanese adopted the process of screen printing, but used woven silk to create the screen rather than human hair. Through the years, various screen printing techniques have led the process to be called several different names. The technique is generally the same, but has traditionally been known as screen printing or silkscreen printing because of the materials used prior to the invention of polyester mesh.

Screen Printing Today

Synthetic threads are the most common material used in modern screen printing processes. In addition to polyester mesh, some screen printing materials also include the use of nylon and stainless steel. The various types and sizes of mesh ultimately determine the finished look and design of the final product.

Screen Printing Applications

Used for more than just advertising, screen printing is a widely popular technique for general branding applications. When you purchase a CD from the store, the image on the disc is screen printed. Cotton, silk and polyester fabrics can all be screen printed directly onto for name personalization, family reunions, and adult football or softball leagues. Beyond fabrics, screen printing can produce posters, flyers, signs, bus advertisements, and even watch dials. The possibilities are as vast as your imagination. Imprinting images, logos, names and designs onto customized merchandise, give-aways, or handouts, is a proven method in free advertising, and a marketing technique that leaves a lasting impression.

Custom shirts, hats, T-shirts, bags, water bottles and other objects of all kinds are the most popular options for branding your business, and advertising in a unique way. Screen printing is a stencil...

Identity theft, fraudulent charges and false authorization are common things that almost everyone has a story about. Whether it’s noticing a $500 charge on your credit card, or learning for the first time that you authorized a specific activity, your personal information can be used by the wrong people all too easily. Security experts recommend you shred all mail and financial statements as a precautionary measure for protecting yourself from theft and damage to your identity.

Tips to Shred Your Document at Home

Once your information leaves your possession, you have lost full control over what happens to it. Shredding your personal documents at home is the greatest method in ensuring your information is securely handled before being transferred through multiple stages of garbage disposal. At home shredding solutions are easy, but it is recommended that you don’t take shortcuts in destroying your private statements. Purchasing a paper shredder at the local office supply store is the most popular option in safely disposing of your personal information. Household shredders are often the size of a small trash can, and take up minimal room in your kitchen, home office, or loft. These affordable household options come in cross-cut shredders, and strip cut shredders. Experts suggest using cross-cut shredding over strip-cut because it is more secure in destroying all traces of the initial document. If purchasing a paper shredder is not an option for you, an age old solution for destroying personal information is burning it. For safety reasons, we recommend you only burn documents in a controlled and safe burning environment like a wood-burning fireplace, your grill, or a contained fire pit. This option can be messy, and often takes longer than feeding paper into a shredder, but if it is convenient for your lifestyle, burning your documents before disposing of them is an at-home option for shredding personal information. Community shredding events are great for disposing of any amount of personal documents. Local financial institutions and community organizations often hold weekend events with a certified shredding company. Some people save private documents for months at a time in boxes in their home. Dropping those boxes at a community shredding event can save you time and money. No matter which approach you take, it’s imperative that you ensure the most secure handling, storing and disposal of your personal information.

Identity theft, fraudulent charges and false authorization are common things that almost everyone has a story about. Whether it’s noticing a $500 charge on your credit card, or learning for the firs...

Garbage disposals are one of the most underrated appliances in your entire household. They tirelessly work away to grind away your food debris with little to no attention, but they do it anyway. About one of the only times the garbage disposal grabs your attention is when things become stinky. Luckily though you don’t need to call a plumber to take care of the sink, you can do it by yourself. Here is how to make garbage disposal cleaning pods with items already in your household.

How to Make Garbage Disposal Cleaning Pods

You Will Need

  • Baking Soda
  • Coarse Salt
  • Dish Washing Liquid
  • Parchment Paper
  • Metal Baking Sheet

Your Essential Oil of Choice

  1. Dump ¾ cup of baking soda into a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add in a ½ tsp of dish washing liquid
  3. Add in a ½ tsp of coarse salt
  4. Add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil for scent. You can use peppermint, lemon, or whatever scent you want.5
  5. Add about a quarter of a cup of water to the mixture.
  6. Stir it up! You can use a whisk, spoon or whatever else is on hand. Keep mixing until the mixture is the same consistency as wet sand. If your mixture is too dry, add small amounts of water until your get a wet sand consistency.
  7. Scoop up a handful of the mixture, there are no real size requirements but the pod should be small enough to fit in your garbage disposal.
  8. Squeeze your hand together to shape the pod. If the pod just crumbles, add a little water to your hands and try again until your get a pod that will hold its shape.
  9. Mold the pod until it is relatively uniform in shape.
  10. Deposit the pod onto parchment paper placed over a baking sheet.
  11. Repeat steps 1-10 until you have used the mixture.
  12. Allow the pods to dry overnight.
  13. Store the pods in a large mason jar to stay fresh.
Congratulations, you have made your own garbage disposal pods on the cheap. To use, simply place in your garbage disposal and turn on. The grit of the salt will work to clean stuck on debris, the baking soda will help deodorize and your essential oil will leave your otherwise stinky garbage disposal smelling fresh and clean!

Garbage disposals are one of the most underrated appliances in your entire household. They tirelessly work away to grind away your food debris with little to no attention, but they do it anyway. About...

Ceramic tiles are a very popular material for American bathrooms and have been for decades. Ceramic tiles are waterproof, come in many varieties and look great, but they do crack and break over time. Damaged tiles are an eyesore and they can also allow water and moisture into areas where they shouldn’t be. Luckily, you don’t need a handyman every time one of these tiles cracks, with a little knowledge you can fix it yourself. Here is how to repair cracked or broken ceramic bathrooms tiles.

How to Repair Bathrooms Tiles

You Will Need

  • Grout saw
  • Power drill
  • Masonry drill bit
  • Chisel
  • Hammer
  • Metal spackling / putty knife
  • Notched trowel
  • Ceramic tile adhesive
  • Matching grout
  • Sponge / towel
First you need to remove the cracked or broken tile and prep your work area using the following steps. Note: Be careful of waterproof membrane behind the tiles during these steps.
  • Use the grout saw to remove the grout surrounding the damaged tiles
  • Use a drill with a masonry bit to drill several holes in the damaged tile. This will make it easier for removal.
  • Use your hammer and chisel to break up and remove the damaged tile. Be careful of adjacent tiles during this process.
  • Use the spackling knife or other tools to remove any leftover adhesive. The cleaner the working surface, the better.
  • Double check that the water proofing membrane is intact.
Now that the work area is cleaned and prepped, you can replace the damaged tile using the following steps.
  • Use a notched trowel or spackling knife to apply ceramic tile adhesive to your work area.
  • Carefully inert your replacement tile. Double check to make sure the tile is lined up correctly with the other tiles and it is flush against the other tiles.
  • Allow the ceramic tile adhesive to dry.
  • Add grout around the new tiles, use a wet sponge or towel to remove excess grout.
  • Allow the grout to dry before getting the new tile wet.
Just like that, you’ve repaired a ceramic bathroom tiles without costing yourself a service call. Use this knowledge to take care off all of your ceramic tile issues moving forward.

Ceramic tiles are a very popular material for American bathrooms and have been for decades. Ceramic tiles are waterproof, come in many varieties and look great, but they do crack and break over time. ...

Grilling is one of the best ways to make a variety of meat and seafood. Whether you enjoy a good Ribeye steak, a fresh ground hamburger or veggies grilled to perfection, learning how to grill can be tricky. Depending on where you live in the country, what type of grill you have and what type of meat or seafood you use can determine the overall outcome of your meal. We’ve put together some great grilling instructions to get you started right.

How to Grill

For smaller grilled items, like hot dogs, kabobs and pork chops, you want to use the grill hot and fast. This means cooking on high, which may not be something you’re used to doing when grilling. Even when a recipe calls for you to cook on a lower heat, if you’re not doing anything special to the meat, cook it on high. If cooking fish, chicken or veggies, avoid the high heat. These items should be cooked over a medium flame. They’ll take longer to cook but they’ll be delicious on your grill. Indirect grilling creates a wonderful flavor on the grill when done right. This is where you only cook on one side of the grill and keep uncooked food on the other side. You move food back and forth during the grilling process and the uncooked food slowly cooks, much like baking in the oven. This works best for ribs, roasts and whole chickens. Don’t forget to flip your meat. Some recipes say not to, others say do it too often. You should always flip your food to cook it evenly on the grill. When flipping, you want to move it to another section of the grill to keep it hot. When you flip and place the piece of meat back on the same grill spots, it actually cools down the meat slightly which can affect the overall outcome. Meat is done when it’s best done for you. While many recipes will give you time frames, it really depends on the type of grill, the flame, how often you flip and how attentive you are. One day you may cook the perfect steak, the next not so much. Grilling takes practice and learning to live with the frustration of a bad piece of meat here or there while you’re learning the ins and outs of your grill.

Grilling is one of the best ways to make a variety of meat and seafood. Whether you enjoy a good Ribeye steak, a fresh ground hamburger or veggies grilled to perfection, learning how to grill can be t...

If you’ve been reading the news or if you live in California, you will know that access to water is becoming a serious issue in some areas. One common tool to combat excess water usage is the simple low-flow toilet. As the name implies, low-flow toilets don’t use nearly the amount of water per flush as the traditional household, but they are definitely more expensive, so are they right for your home? Let’s look at the some of the uses, benefits and drawbacks to the low-flow toilet, so you can decide whether or not these water saving toilets are right for you.

What is a Low-Flow Toilet

A low-flow toilet is a toilet that uses drastically less water than a traditional toilet to flush away waste. Traditional toilets can use up to 3 and ½ gallons per flush while a low-flow toilet may use as little as just ½ gallons. Low-flow toilets became popular in the United States during the 1990s in response to water conservation efforts and have becoming more popular ever since.

Benefits of a Low-Flow Toilet

  • Reduce water usage. Obviously the number one benefit of a low-flow toilet is its water conservation properties. Low-flow toilets can use less than half the water or a traditional toilet so every time you flush, you’re helping to conserve water.
  • Reduced utility bills. If you’re using less water, you’re spending less money. This can be a nice benefit in drought-stricken areas where water bills can get a little steep. Certain cities, states and jurisdictions may offer credits for low-flow toilet use as well.

Disadvantages of a Low-Flow Toilet

  • Low-flow toilets are more expensive than their traditional cousins. However, many homeowners can make up this difference in reduced water bills in just a couple of years.
  • Low-flow toilets may have troubles with excessive waste that traditional toilets have no issues with. Low-flow toilets may require extra flushes because to whisk away waste.
  • If you live in an older home you may have to have your plumbing retro-fitted to work well with a low-flow toilet. Any additional work on your plumbing will of course cost more money out of the gate.

Our Take

If you have a large household, tend to use a lot of water and can afford it, low-flow toilets are a fantastic option and will pay for themselves in just a few years. If you are still unsure about the toilet itself or your plumbing, talk to a local plumber to get extra advice.

If you’ve been reading the news or if you live in California, you will know that access to water is becoming a serious issue in some areas. One common tool to combat excess water usage is the simple...

Unless you live in a sprawling 10,000 square foot estate, you will likely have issues with storage and organization in your home. Where to put things so they are out of the way yet convenient at the same time is an issue that virtually every homeowner has to contend with when it comes to their living space. There is a simple organizational tool, found at every big box store around the country that could be the answer to many of your organizational needs, the shoe organizer. Let’s look at 7 unique ways in which you can use the show organizer for more than just your pumps and heels. 7 Ways to Use a Shoe Organizer
  1. Wrap up the gift wrap. Gift wrap haunts attic corners and the backs of closets and always seems to get bend. Utilize a deep shoe organizer to store your excess gift wrap and hang it on the back door of your utility or storage closet.
  2. Find a home for bulk items. That 100 pack of toilet paper for 5 bucks seems like a heck of a deal, but you need room for all that. Use a shoe organizer to store bulk items like toilet paper, paper towels, and any other bulk items to keep them out of the way.
  3. Chargers and electronics. In today’s wired world, everything seems to come with a cord. These often end up in tangled messes all over the house but not with a show organizer. Label and store your cords and chargers to keep them accessible and out of the way.
  4. Kitchen confident. Loose items like candy bars, snacks and juice boxes can wind up all over a kitchen but not with a show organizer. Keep ready-to-grab snacks and items in a shoe organizer for quick access.
  5. Hats and gloves. Those who live in colder climates know the frustration of trying to find your favorite pair of gloves. Use a shoe organizer to organize gloves, caps, beanies, scarves and other winter accessories. Keep it on the back of the closet door nearest your favorite entryway.
  6. Cleaned and organized. Stow your cleaning supplies in a show organizer on the back of your utility closet for quick grabbing and cleaning.
  7. Craft corner. Art supplies, sewing supplies, balls of yarn can end up all over the place without some organization like a shoe organizer. Keep all your crafts in place.
This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the versatility of shoe organizers. Try some of the ideas listed above or make something up on your own to make items accessible but out of the way at the same time.

Unless you live in a sprawling 10,000 square foot estate, you will likely have issues with storage and organization in your home. Where to put things so they are out of the way yet convenient at the s...

The only thing that changes when a new baby comes around is everything. Yes your new bundle of joy is the most important thing in your life so you should be doing everything you can to protect them, and that calls for babyproofing your home. An entire home is a lot to work with but babyproofing doesn’t have to be such as headache as long as you follow these four tips for babyproofing your home.

4 Tips for Babyproofing a Home

  1. Get down on their level. Obviously a baby or small child’s world perspective will be much lower than yours. That’s why to protect the baby, you need to think like baby. Get down on all fours to get a better understanding of what issues may face your child such as electrical outlets, sharp corners, countertops and more. You may be able to see something you missed the first go-around when you put yourself on your child’s level.
  2. Do a kitchen sweep. The kitchen is one room that holds plenty of hazards for babies and small children and will be one of the most important areas for babyproofing. Here are some things to look for in the kitchen.
  • Objects on counters within a baby’s reach such as pots, pans and of course dangerous utensils.
  • Lock the dishwasher.
  • Get a childproof lock for kitchen cabinets or move hazardous chemicals well out of reach.
  • Remove any oven or range jobs that are within reach.
  1. When it comes to babyproofing your bathrooms, it’s all about mitigating hazards. Here are some things to watch out for I the bathroom.
  • Lid lock for the toilet.
  • Childproof locks for bathroom cabinetry.
  • Medicines and cleaners should be kept locked away or well out of reach.
  • Never leave standing water in a tub.
  1. All other rooms. Make a methodical, slow sweep of all other rooms in the house. Look for:
  • Sharp corners.
  • Furniture that can be tipped over.
  • Objects within reach on table surfaces.
  • Drape a towel over doors to prevent doors from fully closing and crushing little fingers and toes.
Babyproofing a home can be a slow and time consuming process but is worth every second to know your adorable little tyke is safe within your walls.

The only thing that changes when a new baby comes around is everything. Yes your new bundle of joy is the most important thing in your life so you should be doing everything you can to protect them, a...

One of the simplest tasks a homeowner can do to freshen up their home’s appearance is touch up their interior paint. For a large repainting project it is likely you will hire a painting company but most touch ups can be taken care of easily by the homeowner. If you want the job to look great you need to follow the same steps as the professionals. Luckily, we’ve outlined those steps to make sure your paint retouch goes according to plan. Here are some tips on touching up the paint in your home.

Tips for Touching Up Paint in Your Home

  1. Clean the work area. Paint will have a hard time adhering to a dirty surface. Use a soft cloth or sponge and a soap and water combination to wipe down your work area. Allow the area to dry completely before moving to the next step.
  2. Take this time to make any repairs in holes or cracks in the while. Sand the area around the hole or crack with a fine grit sandpaper meant for home surfaces. Use a putty knife and spackling compound to fill in the area. Feather the putty knife at a 45 degree angle for best results and until the hole or crack is filled. Remove excess spackle with your putty knife. Allow the patch to dry before sanding it again to make the hole flush with the wall.
  3. Prime the work area. Use primer that matches your current paint type or the new area could stand out. Allow the primer to dry.
  4. If you already have leftover matching paint you should use that for touchups. It also helps to use the same type of brush as was used in the first place. If you don’t have leftover paint, take a small flake of paint to your local hardware store to have them match it.
  5. Use as little paint as possible to cover the touchup area. Avoid getting paint on spots that were not primed. Allow the paint to dry.
  6. Once the paint is completely dried, check it from multiple angles to make sure it blends right. Even with these steps it may not be a perfect match and that’s ok. Consider retouching the wall again if the new area sharply stands out.
Congratulations, you have fresh paint on your home. Don’t worry if no one notices, that’s kind of the point!

One of the simplest tasks a homeowner can do to freshen up their home’s appearance is touch up their interior paint. For a large repainting project it is likely you will hire a painting company but ...

For most homeowners, the next project or repair is always around the corner. The need to improve the environment in which you live is definitely a powerful one which can be both exciting and frustrating at the same time. With a little practical knowledge, homeowners can make the most of their home improvements and that knowledge includes these 10 tips for home improvement.

10 Tips for Home Improvement

  1. Get on top of time-sensitive projects. This is just a matter of prioritizing. If summer is right around the corner, you should be sprucing up your backyard instead of fumbling with a broken water heater. Learn to prioritize to make your life easier.
  2. Gear up. It’s hard to tackle home improvement projects if you have to keep running to the hardware store so take some time to assemble a basic toolbox and supplies for DIY projects.
  3. Have a detailed plan. The old saying goes that preparation prevents poor performances and that’s especially true when it comes to home improvement projects. Knowing the right materials, timeframes, dollar estimated and more will save you plenty of time, hassle and money.
  4. Choose your DIY poison. Not every home improvement project should be taken on by the homeowner. Choose your battles and don’t be stubborn about using a professional when needed.
  5. Keep learning. Buy a few home improvement DVDs, check out some DIY books from the library and continue to grow your home improvement knowledge.
  6. Choose high return projects. If you are deciding between two projects, try to go with the one that will add the greatest dollar value to your home’s net worth. Projects like extending a deck can be much more valuable than planting a few shrubs.
  7. Get some inspiration. Browse sits like Pinterest, doityourself.com or look at other pictures of homes in your area to get ideas on what to tackle next.
  8. Get the dough. Funding home improvement projects is usually the biggest hinderance. Look for tax deductions, alternative methods to paying for home improvements and low cost projects.
  9. Know where to spend your money. Home improvement projects can often be tweaked to not only suit your home better, but save you money as well. Choose your dollars wisely.
  10. Get the right people. Not all projects are DIY so you will need to be calling on different contractors. Choose these contractors carefully, choose a local and reliable company with positive reviews.
There are of course more tips out there than just these 10, but these steps are a great way to get on the right track when it comes to home improvement projects.

For most homeowners, the next project or repair is always around the corner. The need to improve the environment in which you live is definitely a powerful one which can be both exciting and frustrati...

Moving to a new place can be very exciting, but it can also be very frustrating. Organizing, labeling and packing your life’s work is an undertaking even for a one bedroom apartment. That’s why we want to help you out with some tips for moving straight from the pros.

14 Tips for Moving

  1. The little things can often be the most difficult when it comes to moving. Try using the $20 in 20 minutes rule. If you can find the item again in the future in under 20 minutes for less than 20 bucks, leave it behind.
  2. Color code your boxes with tape such as green for kitchen, yellow for bathroom and so on. It will help both you and the movers to know where to put things without asking around.
  3. Don’t pack things that don’t need packing. You can just move the entire DVD shelf or carry out an entire drawer or a desk. Avoid packing things that simply don’t need to be packed again.
  4. Take plenty of pictures to have a physical reference of where to put things. No more, “Honey, where was this paperweight?”
  5. Use toilet paper rolls to neatly wrap up cords on power strips and laptop chargers.
  6. Make your own box handles by cutting triangles into the sides of boxes, makes for much easier handling.
  7. Pack items together in layers. Don’t throw assorted stuff into assorted boxes. For example, if you are emptying out a desk, pack individual drawers in layers, just use cardboard to separate the layers.
  8. Use your rolling luggage as a convenient way to haul larger and heavier items.
  9. Designate a small box for small items such as keys, nails, screws and more so you don’t have to search for everything later.
  10. Create a packing toolbox with tape, scissors, labels and other moving items. Having a convenient toolbox for moving helps you not scramble around the house every time you need a pair of scissors.
  11. Prevent spills by putting a layer of plastic wrap underneath caps and lids before screwing the cap back on. Double protection against spills.
  12. Throwing a garbage bag over groups of hanging clothes makes moving them out a breeze.
  13. Use your stuffables (towels, bedsheets etc.) as cushioning for fragile items. Two birds, one stone.
  14. Always keep your cords and chargers with the items they are meant for, just tape them together.
Moving can certainly be a hassle, but if you use these tips you’ll find that moving doesn’t always have to be so difficult.

Moving to a new place can be very exciting, but it can also be very frustrating. Organizing, labeling and packing your life’s work is an undertaking even for a one bedroom apartment. That’s why we...

Every homeowner has this simple yellow box sitting in their refrigerator or cabinet. What yellow box? Well, good old fashioned baking soda of course. Many homeowners know that baking soda can be useful around the home for more than just cooking but not many know just how versatile baking soda can be. Here are 9 ways to put that old box of baking soda to work for you.

9 Ways to Use Baking Soda Around the House

  1. Drains and disposals are usually the culprit when you can’t find the source of a smell in a kitchen. Mix together about a quarter cup of baking soda and vinegar, add a pinch of kosher salt and toss the mixture down the drain followed by running hot water.
  2. Scrub your smelly food containers with a mixture of baking soda and hot water to rid them of yesterday’s lunch stench.
  3. Mix together a solution of 1 cup of water with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Microwave the solution for 3 minutes followed by a thorough wipe down to clean and deodorize your microwave.
  4. Add a cup of baking soda to your dishwasher and run it empty on the rinse cycle to eliminate leftover odors.
  5. Ovens are often ignored and chemicals to clean them can be harsh and caustic. Ditch the cautic spray and wipe down your oven with paste of ½ a cup of baking soda plus a few spoonfuls of water. Let the paste sit overnight then scrub away to a clean, fresh oven the next morning.
  6. Baking soda can even be used to prevent smells. Soak any raw fish in a quart of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda for an hour to eliminate that fishy odor.
  7. Composting is great for the garden and the environment but not for noses. Add a layer of baking soda at the bottom of your compost bin and regularly toss in handfuls to mitigate some of the more offensive odors.
  8. Use the same step above for your recycling and trash containers.
  9. All that gunk that builds up on your oven’s hood can also lead to offending odors. Wipe it down with a paste of ¼ of baking soda, a smidge of dishwashing detergent and hot water to clean and freshen.
Where there’s odor, there’s baking soda to eliminate it. Use these tips to get everything in your home smelling fresh and look for other uses around the house as well.  

Every homeowner has this simple yellow box sitting in their refrigerator or cabinet. What yellow box? Well, good old fashioned baking soda of course. Many homeowners know that baking soda can be usefu...