Quick Tips for Keeping Your Home Looking Spotless

 

Nobody likes to spend hours cleaning house–and, sometimes, there are few hours to spare. Yet some people seem to have a knack for keeping their homes looking spotless even when the time spent cleaning is minimal.

Country Living Magazine polled home bloggers and other busy women to come up with several little tricks that help keep a home looking spiffy:

Take your shoes off. Shoes carry in dirt and germs. Train the family to remove them when coming in the door–and put up a cute sign in the entryway asking visitors to do the same.

Make the bed. Even if the bedrooms are not picture-perfect, a neat bed makes the space look pulled together.

Squeegee the shower every time. It only takes about 20 seconds, and it keeps the glass looking clean and bright.

Clean the bathroom sink. A quick swipe with a baby wipe will keep your sink sparkling. Keep the wipes handy under the sink.

Wipe down kitchen counters. To avoid using harmful chemicals, keep a spray bottle filled with a homemade solution of one part vinegar with three parts water. It cuts through grease and easily removes fingerprints from stainless steel appliances.

Clean up as you go. When cooking, clean up the pots you’re finished with, mixing bowls and extra ingredients as you work. The goal is to have nothing much left to do after dinner but to put your plates in the dishwasher.

Do a five-minute cleanup before bed. Get the whole family to pitch in. Five minutes before bedtime, pick up the dog toys, newspapers and personal items; hang up jackets; put away the mail; and put things back in their place.

Put your clothes away. Almost every master bedroom has one chair that starts off empty on Monday and ends up covered with clothes by Friday. Before you go to bed, put dirty clothes in the hamper and put the clean ones away.

Open a door or window. Letting in fresh air at every opportunity is a good way to help keep your home feeling fresh and breezy.

With these quick tips and some discipline, you can keep your home looking spotless.

How to Spot an Investment Scam Before It's Too Late

 

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. And when it comes to money, these words may be hard to remember if someone is offering a financial return that sounds too good to pass up.

According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), some of these types of investment fraud are called Ponzi schemes, where new money pays off early-stage investors to create the false appearance that investors are profiting from a legitimate business. Without a constant flow of money from new investors, Ponzi schemes eventually collapse.

If someone approaches you with an investment, here are some red flags to be aware of:

High rate of return that’s guaranteed with little or no risk. Every investment has some degree of risk, and those with higher returns typically involve more risk. There is no such thing as a “guaranteed” rate of return.

Overly consistent returns. Investment values go up and down over time, so be suspicious of an investment that continues providing positive returns regardless of overall market conditions.

Limited-time offer. If a sales pitch says that the offer is only available for a limited time or only for a special group of people, this should cause concern.

Free offers to get you in the door. Salesmen can try to build trust by offering a free trinket or lunch at a seminar that they say only a few select people are invited to. While the seminar may be listed as an educational event, you may be asked for money at a later date. The freebie is being used to gain your trust so that you’re more willing to open your wallet when the time comes.

You don’t understand the investment. If the investment is so complicated that you don’t know what you’re investing in, stay away. All of the information about the investment should be readily available and include filings with the SEC. If the financial professional won’t make documents available, walk away.

Unlicensed sellers. In addition to the investment not being registered with the SEC or state regulators, look out for investment professionals and firms that aren’t licensed or registered with the federal or state government. Securities laws require it.

Difficulty receiving payments. If you don’t receive a payment or have difficulty cashing out of your investment, be wary. Ponzi scheme promoters routinely encourage participants to “roll over” investments and may offer even higher returns on the amount rolled over.

5 Strange Household Items to Clean With

 

Did you know you can clean your home with toothpaste? How about ketchup? Whether you want to avoid using harsh chemicals, ran out of cleaner and don’t want to take a trip to the store, or are just looking to get creative with what you have, below are five strange items you can clean your home with.

Toothpaste. Do you notice hard water stains on the exterior of your home or car windows? A little toothpaste can take care of that. Choose a non-gel variety, squirt a bit of paste onto a clean, damp rag, and rub in a circular motion to remove the stains. Wipe down with a clean, wet sponge or cloth to remove paste residue.

Ketchup. America’s favorite condiment also makes a terrific cleaner for brass, jewelry and silver. Why? The tomatoes in ketchup up its acetic acid content to around 4 percent.

Olive oil. Is your coffee or dining room table riddled with rings from cold or warm beverages? Buff it out with a mixture of olive oil and salt, and remember to stay patient. The mixture can take several hours to take effect.

Vinegar. There are myriad ways to use white vinegar to clean your home. Make a mixture of half vinegar, half water to clean your walls, counters, shelves, fridge, and more. Have a pesky clogged drain? Skip the harsh chemical-ridden products. Simply dump two tablespoons of baking soda down the drain and follow it with a cup of vinegar for a fizzy, clean effect.

Salt. Salt, especially when combined with an acid, makes surfaces sparkle. Use salt and lemon juice to buff your stainless-steel appliances. Because it’s absorbent, salt is also a natural odor eliminator you could sprinkle in your stinky, post-workout sneakers.

Do these strange, yet inexpensive, household cleaning tips sound intriguing enough to try out around your home? If so, have some fun!

How to Take Care of Your Wood Furniture

 

Quality wood furniture can last a lifetime and is often a treasured heirloom, passed down through multiple generations. Still, even the highest-quality wood is susceptible to scratches and abrasions if not properly cared for. Here are a few tips to keep wood looking its best for many years to come.

Don’t Mistreat Furniture
To avoid rings and heat damage, always use coasters when setting glasses or mugs on wood tables, and never place hot food directly on them without the protection of a trivet or potholder. Incorporate decorative placemats or a tablecloth to protect your dining room table from food and drink spills.

Avoid Environmental Damage
Sunlight, heat and other environmental factors can wreak havoc on your fine wood. Don’t place valuable furniture in front of uncovered windows, vents or fireplaces, as the light and heat can damage and fade the wood.

Keep Your Wood Clean
Airborne particles can build a filmy layer on wood that scratches the surface. Frequent dusting keeps this buildup from happening. If you have a spot that’s heavily soiled or sticky, never use all-purpose cleaners, which can cause damage to the wood’s finish. Wipe it down with a damp cloth using water and mild dish detergent. When using commercial wood polishes and sprays, always buff well to avoid a dull, sticky film.

Treat Wear and Tear
Even with the best care, wood furniture can sustain injuries. For minor nicks and scratches, use a polish or touch-up stick to hide abrasions and restore the wood’s inherent beauty. If damage is too extensive to be treated this way and you aren’t quite ready to give up your treasured fixture, you may need to resort to something more drastic. Re-staining or painting a piece of damaged furniture could breathe new life into it and give it several more good years.

Re-Oil Dry Wood
If furniture has been stored and becomes overly dry, you may need to re-oil it. Begin by cleaning it with Murphy’s Oil Soap or another appropriate cleaner, and then prepare the surface with #0000 steel wool, always working with the grain. Liberally apply your furniture oil, and let it soak into the wood for about 15 minutes. If you’re going to apply a protective coating, let your furniture set for at least 24 hours before proceeding.

Keep Wood Smelling Fresh
Sometimes older pieces will develop an unpleasant odor, especially if they’ve been stored. You can sprinkle the surface with baking soda to freshen it up and place a pan of charcoal inside drawers to absorb smells that emanate from inside. You can even leave the piece outside in a shaded area on a warm, dry day to give relief from a malodorous stench.

Taking proper care of your wood furniture isn’t hard or even that time-consuming, and the reward for your effort will be a home filled with beautiful pieces that look and feel as good as the day you got them.

Source: Megan Wild/RISMedia’s Housecall

10 Tips to Stretch Your Food Budget

 

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. It’s 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 aren’t 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 you’ll 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 won’t 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.

Top 5 Storage Hacks for Your Garage

 

If you’re looking to organize and store items in your garage, then you need to have a plan. The last thing you want is to not have enough room to park your own vehicle in your garage.

Here are the five most popular storage hacks that’ll allow you to make the most out of your garage:

Garage Shelving
One of the easiest ways to store a bunch of items in your garage is by installing shelving. The good news is that shelving systems are easy to assemble. A good shelving organization tip is to put the heaviest items on the bottom. This will lower the center of gravity of the shelf. Also, you’ll be able to easily access the heaviest items.

Storage Bins
If you want some flexibility, buy several plastic storage bins. You’ll be able to put large and small items in the bins, as well as store the containers in various ways. No installation required.

Ceiling Storage
If you want to dedicate most of your garage space for your vehicles, you may be pressed for space. However, you can actually store items above your vehicles with the use of ceiling storage racks. These racks are mounted from the ceiling and can hold a number of items. It’ll take some expertise to install the ceiling rack, but it will be well worth the time for this garage storage hack.

Pegboards
If you’re looking to store your bicycles or other heavy items, or if you want to organize your tools and lawn care equipment, you can use pegboards to attach the items to your garage wall. First, install the pegboard on the wall. From there, you can add hooks that’ll allow you to hang your items.

Wall-Mounted Cabinets
With wall-mounted storage cabinets, you’ll be able to secure items of all sizes. You’ll also be able to better organize your items while keeping your garage looking neat and clean. Wall-mounted storage cabinets may require professional installation; however, it will be well worth the investment.

By using the right garage storage hacks, you’ll be able to properly organize one of your home’s largest spaces. Consider what you need to store before planning your strategy. Most likely, combining two or more storage hacks could allow you to get the best use out of your garage.

Source: Kara Masterson/RISMedia’s Housecall

Healthy Ways to Manage Stress

 

We all have stress in our lives. Busy days at work, problems at home, traffic jams and money trouble are prime examples of stressful situations. However, chronic stress can lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and depression, so preventing and managing stress is essential to living happier and healthier.

Here are some tips from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help you deal with stress:

Prepare yourself. Prepare ahead of time for stressful events like a job interview or a hard conversation with a loved one. Stay positive, picture what the room will look like and what you’ll say, and have a backup plan.

Plan your time. Feeling in control of your situation could lower stress. Think ahead about how you’re going to use your time. Write a to-do list and figure out what’s most important–then do that thing first. Be realistic about how long each task will take.

Relax with deep breathing or meditation. These are two effective ways to relax your muscles and clear your mind.

Relax your muscles. Stress causes tension in your muscles. Try stretching or taking a hot shower to help you relax.

Get active. Regular physical activity can help prevent and manage stress. It can also help relax your muscles and improve your mood. Aim for 2.5 hours a week of physical activity. Try riding a bike, taking a walk or lifting weights. Be sure to exercise for at least 10 minutes at a time.

Eat healthy. Give your body plenty of energy by eating healthy, including vegetables, fruits and lean sources of protein.

Talk to friends and family. Tell your friends and family if you’re feeling stressed. They may be able to help.

Get professional help if you need it. Stress is a normal part of life. But if your stress doesn’t go away or keeps getting worse, you may need expert help. A mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or social worker, can help treat stress-related conditions. Lots of people need help dealing with stress–it’s nothing to be ashamed of.