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Here are a few of the latest smart home technologies that can keep your home clean. Smart Faucets A touch-free faucet that turns on and off with motion sensors or voice commands can help to reduce the spread of germs in your home. Air Purifier An air purifier with HEPA filtration can, in theory, remove any virus particles from the air in your home. Steam Cleaners Steam cleaners are touted for being able to eliminate 99.9 percent of virus particles. Smart Security Smart security allows you to unlock your door without touching the deadbolt or thank delivery drivers via a speaker system. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Tis the season for pollen and pesticides, not to mention pet dander and disease-carrying creepy-crawlies. The editors at ThisOldHouse.com checked in with health and environment experts across the country for easy, inexpensive tips to help keep your home healthy. Here are 10 tips to keep in mind: Add mats on both sides of the door.Up to 80 percent of the dirt that gets tracked inside"along with countless allergens, bacteria and lawn chemicals"can be caught before it makes itself at home with washable mats on both sides of the door. Establish a no-shoes-indoors policy. Keep a basket of slippers or socks near the entryway for family members and guests alike. Create a pet checkpoint. Treat cats and dogs with a monthly tick-and-flea medication, and use a fine-tooth comb to catch fleas before they come inside. Know that flea shampoos and collars may contain pesticides, which can rub off on kids and furnishings. Caulk holes and crevices. Check the kitchen windows and sink, and caulk any crevices to keep out insects before they come looking for a free lunch. Clean food-prep surfaces often. Keep bacteria away by scrubbing cutting boards with hot, soapy water after each use. Use your range hood when you cook. It’ll reduce cooking-related air pollutants, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, and will lower humidity, which can encourage the growth of mold and bacteria. Open a window. Unless youre fighting pollen, remember that indoor air can contain two to five times more chemical pollutants than air from the outdoors. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. High-efficiency particulate air filters are best for sucking up dust, dust mites (and their allergy-aggravating droppings), animal dander, and fleas. Pot up a plant or two. Spider plants, peace lilies, philodendrons and aloe vera can help neutralize formaldehyde (found in furniture) and benzene (found in car fumes and paint supplies). Snake plants, English ivy, Boston and asparagus ferns, and Areca and bamboo palms are also good neutralizers. Sanitize handheld devices. Telephones, TV remotes and even computer keyboards can harbor more bacteria than a toilet seat. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Most everyone knows a healthy diet is important for a healthy body. But eating the right foods every day might be easier said than done"especially with so much tempting junk food available! If youre looking to improve your diet, start by making some small changes and learning the keys to healthy eating. Try to include all the major food groups"fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy and protein"as part of your meals and snacks daily. Youll also want to limit added sugars, saturated fat and sodium. For further guidance, check out these 10 tips from ChooseMyPlate.gov for building healthy meals and meeting your eating needs throughout the day: 1. Make half your plate veggies and fruits. Vegetables and fruits are full of nutrients that support good health. Choose fruits and red, orange and dark-green vegetables, such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes and broccoli. 2. Include whole grains. Aim to make at least half your grains whole grains. Look for food labels indicating the product is 100-percent whole grain or whole wheat. Whole grains provide more nutrients, including fiber, than refined grains do. 3. Dont forget the dairy. Complete your meal with a cup of fat-free or low-fat milk. Youll get the same amount of calcium and other essential nutrients as whole milk but fewer calories. Dont drink milk? Try drinking soymilk or include low-fat yogurt in your meal or snack. 4. Add lean protein. Choose proteins such as lean beef, pork, chicken or turkey, as well as eggs, nuts, beans or tofu. Twice a week, try to make seafood the protein on your plate. 5. Avoid extra fat. Using heavy gravies or sauces will add fat and calories to otherwise healthy choices. Try steamed broccoli with a sprinkling of low-fat parmesan cheese or a squeeze of lemon. 6. Get creative in the kitchen. Whether youre making a sandwich, stir-fry or casserole, find ways to make them healthier. Try using less meat and cheese, which can be higher in saturated fat and sodium, and including more veggies that add new flavors and textures to your meals. 7. Take control of your food. Eat at home more often so you know exactly what youre eating. If you eat out, check and compare the nutrition information. Choose options that are lower in calories, saturated fat and sodium. 8. Try new foods. Keep it interesting by picking out new foods youve never tried before, such as mango, lentils, quinoa, kale or sardines. You may find a new favorite! Trade fun and tasty recipes with friends, or find some online. 9. Satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way. Indulge in a naturally sweet dessert dish"fruit! Serve a fresh fruit salad or a fruit parfait made with yogurt. For a hot dessert, bake apples and top them with cinnamon. 10. Remember that everything you eat and drink matters. The right mix of foods in your meals and snacks can help you be healthier now and into the future. Small, practical changes in how you eat can improve your diet and add up to big wins over time. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Figure out what items you need. Don’t hold onto things just because of sentimental value or because you might need them “someday.” Separate items by rooms and areas according to their function. This will allow you to create an organizational system both you and your kids can understand and adhere to. Use empty closet space beneath hanging clothes for a shoe rack or dresser. Buy shelving units to use in rooms or closets. Arrange belongings in boxes, baskets or containers that are easy to stack. Install wall hooks to hang pans and other items. Look for furniture with built-in storage. Use empty space under furniture for storage, but keep it neat and organized. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Published with permission from RISMedia.
Saving money is often easier said than done, but if youre serious about bulking up your savings account, there are ways to achieve your financial goals. And while eliminating vacations, canceling your cable subscription or getting rid of your car and relying on public transportation can help you save big chunks of money, these may not be practical solutions for you and your family. If eliminating big expenses is too difficult, take a step back and focus on cutting smaller expenses that wont impact your life in a big way. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Small, Daily Expenses $5 cup of coffee a few times a week at your local coffee shop will add up right before your eyes. In fact, if you purchase a cup of coffee twice a week, thatll cost you nearly $500 a year. If your caffeine addiction has you picking up a coffee every day of the work week, youre laying down $1,200 a year. Thats some real cash worth saving by brewing your coffee at home. Impulse Purchases Impulse purchases can go beyond living expenses and straight into splurges that you dont truly need. Common impulse purchases include a pint of ice cream at the grocery store, or gum or lottery tickets when youre buying gas. Make a conscious effort to put an end to these small impulse purchases for a week and see how much money you save. In-App Purchases If youve downloaded a lot of games, photo editors or other apps that do a range of things for you, you have the opportunity to spend plenty of cash on things you probably dont even think about. Paid versions of apps"or ones that allow in-app purchases"are convenient and can help you save time, but spending a few dollars for such apps can add up. When downloading apps or games on your smartphone, go with the free version if you can, knowing that you may have to sit through some ads to get the content. Coupon Apps While coupons are a great way for savvy shoppers to save some serious money when shopping for groceries, clothes and everything in between, they can also encourage unnecessary spending if youre constantly purchasing products you dont need. If youre looking to get a handle on your spending, remove Groupon and other coupon apps from your phone"and only look for a coupon once youve decided to purchase an item. Alcohol and Desserts When Dining Out Beverages at restaurants have high markups, particularly alcohol, so skip the cocktail until The same goes for desserts. While you dont want to deny your sweet tooth when youre celebrating your birthday, for example, know that restaurant desserts are extremely overpriced. Do your wallet a favor by making something at home or buying it elsewhere. While the ideas noted above are on the simple end of the spectrum, begin incorporating one or two at a time and see how far youve come at the end of a month before deciding whether or not you can adhere to it long term. Published with permission from RISMedia.
An illness, injury, broken appliance, car accident or job loss can occur at any time. Having enough savings to cover three to six months’ worth of expenses can help you avoid losing your home or going deep into debt to make ends meet. Savings Strategies It’s easy to set a vague savings goal, but you won’t build up an adequate emergency fund unless you make a consistent effort. Look at your income and expenses and set a savings goal that is both ambitious and realistic. Some people have funds automatically transferred to a savings account each time they get paid, while others wait until the end of the month and transfer what they can. The problem with the second approach is that if you aren’t disciplined, you might overspend during the month, have nothing left to contribute to your emergency fund, promise yourself that you will save money next month, and repeat the cycle. Automatic transfers can help you stay committed to your savings goal. Find Ways to Lower Costs Housing and transportation are major expenses for most people. If you have a mortgage, see if you can refinance and lower your interest rate. If you rent, consider finding a roommate or moving to a cheaper place. If you spend a lot on gas, taking public transportation, carpooling, buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle, or moving closer to work could lower your costs. Debt can make it tough to save. If you have student loans, consider refinancing. If your credit card balances or interest rates are high, look for a card with a favorable balance transfer offer. People spend a lot of money for convenience. You could save by cooking at home more often and taking coffee and a lunch to work instead of eating out and going to a coffee shop. Telephone and entertainment costs can get out of control if you aren’t careful. If your phone bill is high, see if you can switch to a cheaper individual plan or a family plan. You can also cut back on cable and go to movies and concerts less often. Earn and Save Extra Money If there isn’t much you can cut from your budget, increase your income. Look for a part-time job or odd jobs to earn some extra money. If you have any belongings you don’t use that are in good condition, sell them. If you receive a tax refund, bonus or monetary gift, put it straight into your savings account. If you can normally get by without the extra money every month, then you won’t miss it, but it can make a big difference in the size of your emergency fund. Start Saving Today An emergency can happen at any time. Having money set aside can give you peace of mind and help you avoid a financial crisis. Even if you can’t save much at first, do what you can and make saving a habit so you can gradually build an emergency fund. Published with permission from RISMedia.
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