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These key features will enhance your kitchen in more ways than one. Two Ovens Multiple ovens provide you with flexibility and functionality, especially when making a multi-course meal for large groups. Pot Filler A faucet mounted right above the stove lets you skip the heavy lifting and get right down to cooking. Professional-Grade Range Whether youre making family breakfast or hosting dinner parties, a professional-grade range is a kitchen essential. Dishwasher Drawers Rather than having one large dishwasher, two dishwasher drawers give you the ability to clean smaller loads without sacrificing space. Smart Appliances Smart ovens, touchless faucets and refrigerators that notify you when ingredients are about to go bad are the new normal in luxury kitchens. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Everybody wants to save money to buy a house, take a vacation or be able to retire comfortably. If you have limited income, those goals can seem out of reach. It can be hard to save money if you dont have much coming in, but there are ways that you can trim your spending and be able to set some money aside for the future. Cut Expenses For most families, housing is the biggest monthly expense. If you own a house, consider refinancing your mortgage to lower your monthly payments. That will extend the term of the loan, which means it’ll take you longer to pay it off, but you could save hundreds of dollars a month that you could put toward saving for retirement or your childrens college education. If your children have moved out, consider renting out a spare room or downsizing to a smaller house or apartment. Entertainment can be expensive. Cable often starts out at a low introductory rate that increases after a period of time. Ask yourself if you really need all of the channels you currently have, or if you even need cable at all. There are many other services that offer access to thousands of programs at a fraction of the cost. Eating out and grabbing a cup of coffee here and there can quickly add up. Eat breakfast at home or take something with you to eat at work. Instead of going out for lunch, pack a sandwich. Cook dinner at home instead of going to a restaurant. You can still go out to eat once in a while, but limiting yourself to once or twice a week can save you a ton of money over the course of the year. Pay Off Debt If you have debt, come up with a plan to pay it off. Make a list of all of your credit card balances, outstanding car and student loans, and other debts, along with the interest rates. Create an ambitious but realistic plan to pay them off, starting with the one with the highest interest rate. You might be able to refinance a loan to a lower interest rate or take advantage of a credit card balance transfer offer that can significantly lower your interest rate and give you time to pay off the bill without accumulating a lot of additional costs. Save for the Future If your employer offers a retirement plan, you should take advantage of it, especially if the employer provides a match. That’s basically free money that the employer offers to help you plan for your future. Saving Money Is Doable If you have a limited income, you may feel like saving money is impossible, but it isnt. Trimming expenses, lowering interest rates, paying off debt and taking advantage of help offered by your employer can allow you to get on firmer financial ground. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Food is a major expense in any household, and for those on a tight budget, a few dollars saved can make a big difference. ChooseMyPlate.gov offers 10 tips based on planning and smart shopping to help you feed your family while keeping more money in your wallet. 1. Plan, plan, plan. Before you head to the grocery store, plan your meals for the week. Include meals like stews, casseroles or stir fries, which stretch expensive items into more portions. Check to see what foods you already have, and make a list for what you need to buy. 2. Get the best price. Check the local newspaper, online and at the store for sales and coupons. Ask about a loyalty card for extra savings at stores where you shop. Look for specials or sales on meat and seafood, which are often the most expensive items on your shopping list. 3. Compare and contrast. Locate the unit price listed on the store shelf directly below the product. Use the price to compare different brands and different sizes of the same brand to determine which is more economical. 4. Buy in bulk. Its almost always cheaper to buy foods in bulk. Smart choices are family packs of chicken, steak, or fish and larger bags of potatoes and frozen vegetables. Before you shop, remember to check if you have enough freezer space to store the extra food. 5. Buy in season. Buying fruits and vegetables in season can lower the cost and add to the freshness. If you arent going to use them all right away, buy some that still need time to ripen. 6. Ditch the convenience costs. Convenience foods like frozen dinners, pre-cut vegetables, and instant rice, oatmeal, or grits will cost you more than if you were to make them from scratch. Take the time to prepare your own, and youll save. 7. Choose cheaper. Certain foods are typically low-cost options all year round. Try beans for a less expensive protein food. For vegetables, buy carrots, greens or potatoes. As for fruits, apples and bananas are good choices. 8. Cook once to eat all week. Prepare a large batch of favorite recipes on your day off (double or triple the recipe). Freeze the portions in individual containers. Use them throughout the week, and you wont have to spend money on take-out meals. 9. Get your creative juices flowing. Spice up your leftovers by using them in new ways. For example, try leftover chicken in a stir fry or over a garden salad, or use it to make chicken chili. Remember, throwing away edible food is throwing away your money. 10. Be savvy at restaurants. Eating out can be expensive. Save money by getting the early bird special, going out for lunch instead of dinner or looking for 2 for 1 deals. Stick to water instead of ordering other beverages, which add to the bill. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Published with permission from RISMedia.
Feeling down? It happens. However, if the blues seem to follow you everywhere you go, consider these simple tips for raising your mood. Surround yourself with flowers. Flowers have been shown to subtly lift the spirit of those around them. Grow a flower garden in the spring and summer and bring those blooms inside with you. Feeling low in the winter? Create a flower budget. Just $5 – $10 a week could bring a gorgeous bouquet into your life. Place it on your desk at work or wherever you spend a lot of time. Adopt a pet. Furry friends bring an endless amount of joy into the lives of their owners, from play time to snuggling and beyond. If you have the schedule and resources that allow you to responsibly adopt a pet, do it, and let the smiling begin. Do a random act of kindness. Kindness has a boomerang effect, so don’t be afraid to dole it out. Volunteer, help out a pal before they even ask for it or do something smaller. Next time you’re in line at the grocery store, offer the person with only one item waiting behind you to step ahead. Create a happiness ritual. What makes you happy? A long bath with a good book? Journaling for 15 minutes every morning? Yoga? A walk with a pal? Incorporate more of this into your day to lift your mood. Identify downers. Some downers, like a stressful job or a sick family member, cannot be avoided. But others, like a long commute or a toxic relationship, can be identified and cut. Ask your boss if you can work from home one day a week to avoid the commute, or if possible, look for another job closer to home. Another downer that may be hiding in plain view? Social media. Monitor how you feel before and after you spend time on Instagram or Facebook and act accordingly. Published with permission from RISMedia.
These features are essential for an equestrian estate that leaves nothing to be desired. First-Class Facilities A well-designed stable with an adequate number of stalls, a wash rack and a tack room for your equipment are the most important items on the list. Riding Trails Theres quite simply no greater luxury than being able to leave your private stable on horseback and leisurely roam the propertys scenic trails. Equestrian Community Equine veterinarians, trainers and nearby supply stores are just a few things that youll be thankful for having easy access to. Ample Accommodations Multiple generations of families and large groups of friends come together at these prized homes to spend quality time together. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Heres what you need to know before installing concrete countertops in your home. Sealing Is Essential Similar to marble, concrete is naturally porous and will stain if not protected with a sealant. Enjoy Durability Youll have the benefit of a seriously durable surface thats heat and scratch resistant. Customizable Concrete is completely customizable and can be cast in any size or shape you desire. Extra Versatile Concrete isnt limited to modern and industrial spaces. Its equally suited to giving rustic and minimalist aesthetics a trendy look. Sustainable (Sometimes) Some companies produce sustainable concrete that you can bring into your home in good conscience. Published with permission from RISMedia.
Children learn by observing others around them, particularly their parents. Kids often imitate what they see adults do, whether its positive or negative. If you would like your children to be polite and respectful and to follow rules, demonstrate those behaviors in your own interactions with others. Teach Kids to Communicate Respectfully Children learn how to speak to others by seeing and hearing how their parents communicate with other people. If you want your children to say please and thank you, make a habit of saying those things yourself. If you want your kids to speak calmly, dont raise your voice when you get frustrated. Explain how youre feeling in words so your children can learn how to express their own feelings. Give Clear Instructions Positive directions are easier for kids to understand and follow than negative ones. Instead of telling your children not to do something, tell them what you want them to do. For example, instead of saying, Dont leave your toys on the floor, say, Put your toys away when youre done playing with them. Reinforce Positive Behaviors If you see your kids behaving in a way that you would like to see continue, praise them. Instead of making generally positive comments, tell them specifically what youre happy to see them doing. This will help reinforce the good behavior. Assign Chores Kids can learn values such as responsibility and cooperation and build their self-esteem by having chores to complete. Even young kids can be assigned simple tasks, such as putting dirty clothes in the hamper and picking up toys. Seeing all members of the family pitch in and work together can make children feel included and important. Teach Your Kids to Keep Their Word Always follow through on promises. If you tell your kids that theyll get a reward for cleaning their rooms, give them what you promised if they do a good job. If you tell your kids that they wont get dessert if they dont do their homework, dont give in if they whine and complain. Your kids will respect you if they know they can trust what you say, and they will learn to say what they mean and mean what they say. Model the Behaviors You Want to See in Your Kids Children learn by observing others. Theyre watching you and paying attention, even if you dont think they are. The behaviors you model are the ones your children will adopt. Set a good example by demonstrating the way you want to see your kids behave, teaching them how to express their feelings in clear and constructive ways, assigning them age-appropriate levels of responsibility, and enforcing consequences to teach positive behaviors. Published with permission from RISMedia.
When it's time to move, you need someone who markets your home, knows how to find the right buyer, negotiate on your behalf, oversee the inspections, handle all necessary paperwork and supervise the closing. We take care of everything you need buy or sell your Scottsdale home, from start to close.
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