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How to Save The Earth and Your Wallet

March 28, 2024

For many people, adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle is high on the list of worthwhile efforts. For others, its all about stashing cash. Consumer editors at Good Housekeeping Magazine suggest a few simple and relatively inexpensive tips that can aid in both pursuits:Lighten up on laundry. Tests show that switching from a top-load to a front-loading washer can cut your water use by half for a full load. And washing clothes in cold water versus hot can save you up to 25 cents per load. Conserve water and energy and save up to $40 per year by washing three cold-water loads a week.Program your thermostat. Pre-setting a programmable thermostat to start heating or cooling your home an hour or two before you get home from work (instead of letting heat or air run in an empty house all day) can save as much as $150 annually. Alternatively, lowering the heat temp by two degrees can save up to $40 per year " and setting the AC at 78 degrees instead of 73, can cut your bill by 40 percent.Upgrade your toilets. Upgrade two toilets made before 1992 to low-flow ones, and you can cut water costs by nearly $200 a year in a two-bathroom, four-person home. Replacement not in the budget? Try a Brondell Perfect Flush ($79), which converts your toilet into a dual-flush, saving about half the water and $100 per year per toilet.Use refillable containers. If you use spray bottles of window cleaner and/or other household products, buy the largest containers or concentrates and refill smaller bottles. Save money on cost per ounce and cut the number of plastic containers cluttering up the landfills.Read labels. Whether to save money, save your health or save the planet, read and understand product labels:USDA Organic: Food is produced without antibiotics, genetic engineering or most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.Rainforest Alliance Certified: Companies that practice soil and water conservation and reduce the use of pesticides. (Seen on coffee, chocolate and bananas.)Green Seal: Products are evaluated for environmental impact and must meet recycling/bleaching standards. (Seen on napkins, paper, towels and toilet paper.)Published with permission from RISMedia.

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Best Ways to Handle Broken Appliances

March 27, 2024

When major household appliances break, should you repair or replace them?The answer depends on which applianceMany refrigerator repairs are easy and affordable, especially if the problem is a bad motor or electronic controls.Dishwashers are usually simple to repair, but issues with their door seal or tub often prompt a full replacement.Unless water heaters are failing because of a part thats easy to replace, its almost never a good idea to repair them.Washing machines with water leaks or broken belts are simple to repair, but a faulty clothes dryer might be a fire hazard worth replacing.When in doubt, consult the manufacturer or a service professional.Published with permission from RISMedia.

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Getting the Most Out of Your Child's 529 Plan to Pay for College

March 26, 2024

State-sponsored 529 accounts are a tax-free way to pay for a childs college education. Opening an investment account when theyre young and contributing to it regularly and basically forgetting about it until theyre ready to go to college is one way to deal with it.The money is usually invested in mutual funds, so parents dont have to keep a close eye on how theyre performing.Because 529 plans have a much shorter time to grow than retirement accounts do, a severe market drop can affect how much money they have for college. For this and other reasons, its a good idea to set up a 529 wisely and keep an eye on it.Conservative investments are one way to go, especially if all of your college money is in a 529. Most 529s offer age- and risk-based investments as the child grows, moving from stocks to more bonds as they get older, much as a retirement fund can. In addition, some 529 plans offer savings accounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.Whatever returns a 529 plan gets, the best way to get the most out of it is to contribute to it regularly, such as through automatic deductions from a family checking account. Contributions arent deductible on federal taxes but many states offer a deduction on a state tax return.Investment allocations can be changed twice a year, so be sure that the change youre considering is one you want to make.Another way to save with a 529 plan is to use one of 13 prepaid tuition plans offered by 12 states and one not-for-profit organization. They allow participants to pre-purchase future tuition at a predetermined rate today.The most widely offered 529 plans are college savings plans that typically use mutual funds to grow contributions that parents make to the plan.If your child doesnt want to go to college, a 529 plans beneficiary can be changed to another family member to use for college.If the money isnt used for educational purposes then the earnings, not the contributions, will be subject to income tax plus a 10 percent federal penalty. Some plans may also charge extra fees.Published with permission from RISMedia.

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Productivity-Boosting Tips

March 25, 2024

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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Getting Creative With Your Wall Space

March 24, 2024

Do you have a blank wall with no idea what to put on it? Rethink the boring family photo with these interesting ideas.Get wordy. Whether youre a logophile or are just looking to amp up the playful vibe of your space, adding large text to your wall can be innovative and inspirational. You can purchase a variety of word hangings online, or create your own with stencils for a literal conversation starter right on your own wall.Create a mirror collage. We all know a mirror on the wall can open up a room and throw lots of luscious light. But by using many smaller mirrors to create a pattern or design, you can add the benefit of a unique, boho vibe. Choose mirrors in various shapes or with different frames.Hang a rug. Remember the old tapestries of your dorm room? Hanging a nice, well-made floor rug on the wall is the adult version of this decorating phenomenon. Whether you want a bold color pop or a bright design, pick a blank wall and go wild.Vertical plants. Snag some aesthetically pleasing wall planters or sconces and create a botanical masterpiece by popping in your favorite succulents or hanging plants.Published with permission from RISMedia.

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How to Design Your Home With a Sense of Harmony

March 23, 2024

Take these factors into consideration when it’s time to decorate your living space!Proportion & ScaleBefore buying furniture, always take measurements and try to visualize how it will fill the space its intended for.Color SchemeTake the time to look for inspiration and choose colors that match the mood youre looking to create.Traffic & FlowWhen arranging furniture and decor, consider how youll move about each room and the way in which these items direct traffic.BalanceThe goal is for a room to have a consistent impact or weight, rather than having lots of decor on one side and wide open space on the other.Published with permission from RISMedia.

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Minimizing Clutter by Maximizing Storage

March 22, 2024

Looking for space to store your things at home?Everything you own is competing for space in your house. Everyday items, such as clothes and exercise equipment, along with seasonal things like pool toys and Christmas decorations, are taking over your limited square footage.You can create more space by moving some things around, but that doesnt always solve the problem. Here’s where you can find additional storage space in a cluttered home:Under the BedDont let the space under your bed go unused or gather dust. Buy some plastic bins and use them to store seasonal items such as winter clothes. Put your heavy sweaters in them during warm weather, and switch them out with your bathing suites and shorts during colder months.If you have more space under your bed, store shoes, linens, blankets and other things you dont need every day.Vacuum Storage BagsSome clothes are bulky and can take up a lot of room in a drawer or closet. Vacuum storage bags are sold at home supply stores and can hold your winter clothes for a few months. Use your vacuum cleaner to remove the air and collapse the bag. They can also be used for other bulky items like comforters, sheets, blankets and towels.Over-the-Door OrganizersThis hanging organizer can look like something out of your old dorm room, but it still comes in handy. Hang it over the back of your bedroom door to store shoes, baseball hats, belts, scarves and jewelry.Charging StationYou may not notice them immediately, but there are probably tangled charging cords all over your house. They don’t usually cause a huge storage problem, but they create clutter and can be ugly to look at.Buy a charging station that can conceal the cords and keep your phones and other electronic devices accessible in an area that looks pleasant.GarageA garage can easily become one of the most crowded areas of a house. Clean it up by putting things in bins, donating what you dont need and hanging a peg board to hold your tools.Everything should have its own space, especially in the garage where things can get cluttered quickly. Use a thick marker to draw an outline on the peg board for each tool. When you see an outline without its tool in place, youll know that a tool is missing. It should also help you put tools back where they belong after using them.Published with permission from RISMedia.

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Transforming Your Bath Into a Spa

March 21, 2024

A long soak in a bubble-filled tub can feel like heaven after a hard day at work"and soaking in a bath that feels like a spa can elevate that happy relaxation. Here’s how you can elevate your home’s bath experience:Add some greenery. Place a pot of minty eucalyptus on the counter, or any bright greenery that loves moisture, to add a fresh look and feel to your bath. They look pretty and smell relaxing, too!Add a basket or two. A trick from resort hotels, pile a stack of soft towels on a small stool and put a basket of lovingly chosen lotions and soaps on the counter. Its a quick and easy way to make a bathroom feel luxurious.Choose bath mats carefully. Fabric mats can collect moisture and get moldy, while a slatted wooden bamboo stays clean longer and adds a little Zen to your retreat.Introduce aromas. A spa appeals to all your senses, including scent. To aid in relaxation in your homes bathroom, light a candle with a soothing aroma, like lavender or eucalyptus, or put out some essential oils.Hang some artwork. Give yourself something visual to focus on as you lounge in the tub. Hang a print with a relaxing theme, such as ocean waves or a tropical beach scene.Add a bath caddy. The shower caddy is too high if youre in the tub. Corral all your bath supplies, from soaps and shampoos to loofah sponges, in an easy-to-reach caddy hung at tub level so they are at your fingertips when you need them.Tie everything in with a shower curtain. The shower curtain takes up a lot of space in a small room, so hanging a new one with a chic and minimal design can dramatically change the rooms atmosphere.Make some updates. And if you really want an impressive spa-like bath, make some upgrades like adding heated floors and a rainfall shower head.Published with permission from RISMedia.

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