gulflifere.com

Author: opey@gulflifego.com

  • Garden Trends to Revamp Your Landscaping

    It’s an exciting time for gardeners. We’ve reached mid-spring and now is the time to start making our summer-garden plans. While it’s always important to touch up your garden this time of year, why not go a little bigger this time and give your landscape a complete renovation with these hot summer trends?

    1. Go Bold
    Plant dahlias such as the Coral Gypsy, Tempest, and Beach Bum varieties to bring bright color to your yard. Planting summer-cypress adds serious pops of color, and by adding some of your standard favorites, you can perfectly complement the bright reds. For year-round boldness, plant some hardy succulents or evergreens in large, brightly colored planters that make a statement.

    Wildflower and perennial meadows also create a casual style of planting. Gardens are getting more natural and less manicured, so you should think about how you can keep your arrangements loose and less structured, which will make your garden standout. Think like the Japanese, who are known to embrace garden imperfections, asymmetry, and incompleteness.

    2. Try Textures
    Silvery dusty miller and ruffled ferns are in style this season. Bounce colors off one another with orange lilies and purple verbena. Contrast shapes by planting things like yucca and lantana. Don’t forget those hanging baskets, either. Start your hanging basket with a tall statement piece, surround it with something that fills the gaps well, and finish with some color to spill over the edges.

    3. Get Cooking
    Spending more and more time outside, including time to make a nice meal, is nothing new. Outdoor kitchens are rising in popularity, especially for homeowners who entertain a lot. When designing your outdoor cooking space, try to take your design choices in a different direction than your indoor kitchen to keep the space feeling unique. Contrasting the indoors with the outdoors is what will make your space feel truly refreshing.

    4. Get Out
    A place to relax within your garden can feel like a vacation, especially for those who don’t have the time for an official trip. Creating a lovely area to relax, read, or meditate is gaining in popularity as people become more aware of the need to decompress. Find a secluded space in your garden and set up some of your favorite chairs and a table. Or if you want to go big, build a little open-air art studio situated around or within your favorite plantings. A garden is a great place to refresh after a long day.

    5. Give Back
    You can get much more enjoyment out of something when you share it. Give to your neighbors and give back to the planet. Look into how you can make your garden a Certified Wildlife Habitat to benefit wildlife. Donate some of your fresh produce to your local food bank or share with your neighbors to really build a feeling of homeliness. Find natural solutions for weeds, slugs, and snails. Include plants that attract pollinators. Enhance your soil with organic compost by creating your own composter. It’s simple and keeps a lot of waste out of the garbage piles and puts it to work in your garden. You can also buy packaged or bulk compost at most home and garden stores.

  • Home Projects You Can Tackle in a Weekend

    Looking for something to do this weekend? How about finally tackling one of those home projects you have been putting off? Using this time to cross some of those items off your list will make for a smooth transition into the summer months.  Take a look at some of the easy projects you will be sure to finish in a weekend!

    Start an Herb Garden
    As spring has officially sprung, many of us are looking to start our gardening activities. For those of you who love cooking at home and are avid herb enthusiasts, this is a great time to create your own herb garden and avoid those last-minute trips to the store! Many grocery stores and hardware stores sell herb seeds and small plants that can quickly blossom and thrive. Whether it be a good chunk of square footage in your yard, a nice section in your balcony, or even a collection of small pots on your windowsill, there are tons of ways to get fresh herbs growing in and around your home.

    Deep Clean Your Home
    It’s been ingrained in our minds how important it is these days to keep sanitizing and disinfecting our homes, but you should definitely take the time to move beyond that and dive in deeper. Get into all those spots you’ve frequently missed and scrub down your shower, tub, bathroom and kitchen sinks, drains, toilets, cabinets, and kitchen appliances. Toss those bath and kitchen mats into the washer, shiny up those wood floors, and top it all off with a nice vacuuming.

    Install New Kitchen or Bathroom Hardware
    Are you in need of a quick kitchen fix that will instantly modernize the entire space? Swapping out your old nickel hardware for some chic burnished brass ones is an easy DIY that will make your kitchen feel brand-new.  You can also easily swap out your old shower head for a larger one to create a spa-like experience the next time you shower!

    Clean out the Fridge
    Refrigerators are just one of those not-so-frequently cleaned areas in your home. Really cleaning the fridge is more than just wiping down the shelves. You’ll need to remove all the food. Be sure to pop it into a cooler to keep it chilled for a bit – especially the frozen foods. As you empty the fridge, check expiration dates and throw out any old condiments that you didn’t know were expired. Once your fridge is empty, wipe down every surface with a food-safe cleaner. If you don’t have one, you can make your own.  When your fridge is clean, return the foods to the fridge with the soonest expiration date in the front and the ones not likely to expire soon in the back.

    Paint Interior and Exterior Doors
    One of the easiest ways to give your home a fresh look is by making over the interior doors Update boring, plain doors by adding trim and fresh paint, or refinishing them a new color and style.  This season, painting your outside doors a fun and bright color like a robin’s egg blue or bright yellow is a great way to add color to your home!

    Whether you want to test your gardening skills by making an herb garden or want to put your organizing ability to good use, there are tons of projects around your home that you can get done in just a weekend!

  • 6 Ways Home Buyers Mess Up Getting a Mortgage

    Getting a mortgage is, by general consensus, the most treacherous part of buying a home. Many homebuyers said they found the mortgage experience stressful and complicated. Even lenders agree that it’s often a struggle. If you’re out to buy a home, you have to be vigilant. To clue you into the pitfalls, here are six of the most common ways people mess up getting a mortgage.

    Waiting until you can make a 20% down payment

    A 20% down payment is the golden number when applying for a conventional home loan, since it enables you to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI), an extra monthly fee of 0.3% to 1.15% of your total loan amount. But with mortgage rates where they are today—in a word, low—waiting for that magic 20% could be a huge mistake, since the more time passes, the higher mortgage rates and home prices may go!

    All of which means it may be worth discussing your home-buying prospects with lenders right now. To get a ballpark figure of what you can afford and how your down payment affects your finances, punch your salary and other numbers into a home affordability calculator.

    Meeting with only one mortgage lender

    According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, about half of U.S. home buyers only meet with one mortgage lender before signing up for a home loan. But these borrowers could be missing out in a big way. Why? Because lenders’ offers and interest rates vary, and even nabbing a slightly lower interest rate can save you big bucks over the long haul.

    In fact, a borrower taking out a 30-year fixed rate conventional loan can get rates that vary by more than half a percent So, getting an interest rate of 4.0% instead of 4.5% on a $200,000, 30-year fixed mortgage translates into savings of approximately $60 per month, or $3,500 over the first five years.

    So, to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible, meet with at least three mortgage lenders. You’ll want to start your search early (ideally, at least 60 days before you start seriously looking at homes). When you meet with each lender, get what’s called a good-faith estimate, which breaks down the terms of the mortgage, including the interest rate and fees, so that you can make an apples-to-apples comparison between offers.

    Getting pre-qualified rather than pre-approved

    Mortgage pre-qualification and mortgage pre-approval may sound alike, but they’re completely different. Pre-qualification entails a basic overview of a borrower’s ability to get a loan. You provide a mortgage lender with information—about your income, assets, debts, and credit—but you don’t need to produce any paperwork to back it up. In return, you’ll get a rough estimate of what size loan you can afford, but it’s by no means a guarantee that you’ll actually get approved for the loan when you go to buy a home.

    Mortgage pre-approval, meanwhile, is an in-depth process that involves a lender running a credit check and verifying your income and assets. Then an underwriter does a preliminary review of your financial portfolio and, if all goes well, issues a letter of pre-approval—a written commitment for financing up to a certain loan amount.

    Bottom line? If you’re serious about buying a house, you need to be pre-approved, since many sellers will accept offers only from pre-approved buyers.

    Moving money around

    To get pre-approved, you must show you have enough cash in reserves to afford the down payment. (Presenting your mortgage lender with bank statements is the easiest way to do this.) Nonetheless, your loan still needs to go through underwriting while you’re under contract for your loan to be approved. Because the underwriter will check to see that your finances have remained the same, the last thing you want to do is move money around while you’re in the process of buying a house. Shifting large amounts of money out or even into your accounts is a huge red flag. So if you’re in contract for a home, your money should stay put.

    Applying for new lines of credit

    If you apply for a new credit card or request a credit limit increase a few months before closing, watch out: Credit inquiries ding your credit score by up to five points. So, don’t let the credit inquiries add up.

    Applying for multiple lines of credit while you’re buying a house can make your mortgage lender think that you’re desperate for money—a signal that could change your mortgage terms or even get you denied altogether, even if you’ve got a closing date on the books.

    Changing jobs

    Mortgage lenders like to see at least two years of consistent income history when pre-approving a loan. Consequently, changing jobs while you’re under contract on a property can create a big issue in the eyes of an underwriter.

    Your best bet? Try to wait until after you’ve closed on your house to change jobs. If you’re forced to switch before closing, you should alert your loan officer immediately. Depending on the lender, you may simply need to provide a written verification of employment from your new employer that states your job status and income.

  • Summer Refresh for Your Home

    Now that Summer is fast approaching, it’s the perfect excuse to refresh and brighten your home. It’s time to put away the faux fur throws and plaid wool pillows and bring in some vibrant colors and light, airy fabrics, and textiles. To help you freshen your home this Summer, we provided you with a list of ideas to freshen up your space!

    Clean Windows
    It’s finally time to let some light in! Now that the sun is shining, it is important to clean and open your windows to let the fresh air in. Washing and dusting your windows will help decrease the dirt and debris blowing through your house when it comes time to open the windows. During this time, if you notice your window screens have holes or rips it may be time to purchase and install new screens. If you’re feeling extra fun, you can even purchase new summery curtains to make your window space pop with color!

    Check HVAC System
    What’s worse than a 90-degree day with no air conditioning? To ensure that nightmare doesn’t happen to you, check your home’s HVAC system to ensure it’s working well before temperatures get too hot. That way if you run into a problem, you should have more than enough time to have a professional check it out for you.

    Put Seasonal Stuff in Storage
    Simplify your life!  Store away items that aren’t useful in the summer, such as blankets, thick Afghans, and heavy quilts, so that you can make space for things that are!  Lightweight throws are the perfect summer sofa or chair accessory because you can curl up in them comfortably, even when it’s hot outside!

    Add Some Greenery/Fun Accessories
    Flowers and plants are your best friends when it comes to bringing charm, beauty, and fragrant smells into your home. Pull out your vases, and stock fresh flowers of all kinds and colors in every room that you can! You can even get faux plants if you don’t want to buy the real thing!

    Additionally, you can brighten up your space with fun summer accessories. Beachy wall art, summer scented candles and fresh fruit arrangements are all great ways to decorate for the summer months.

    New Bedding
    Bulky, heavy, warm bedspreads in the summer are bad news. Thick bedding ends up on the floor anyway because it’s too hot to try to sleep with.  Put it away for the next few months and use a thin down comforter for a cooler night’s sleep. And by the way, if you have access to simple white bedding, use it!  It’s the perfect peaceful bedroom color for the summer months.

    The best way to celebrate the season change is revamping your space. Hopefully these tips will help you brighten your space for summer!

  • 8 Ways to Keep Kids and Pets Safe in Your Home

    With our spring-cleaning tasks just about completed, it is now time to prepare for carefree summer months of enjoying more time outdoors with neighbors, family members, and friends. With summer BBQs and impromptu picnics, there is likely to be more traffic in your home than usual in the coming months. Of course, you want to make sure that all guests, from those with the tiniest feet to those with four paws, stay safe when spending time at your home.

    In order to keep everyone from children to pets safe this summer (and all year through), we’re offering a few safety tips. Here are eight ways to child- and pet-proof your home:

    1. Protect your personal belongings.
    This tip is two-fold and will help protect your visitors and your valuables. When you know you’ll have a lot of traffic coming in and out of your home, it is a good idea to lock away things of value. This way, no one will get hurt, and nothing will get broken or misplaced.

    2. Restrict areas with safety gates.
    One of the best ways to prevent children and pets from getting into things they shouldn’t be around your home is to install safety gates. Often placed at the top and bottom of staircases, gates not only prevent children and pets from falling, but they also provide a great barrier, restricting access to forbidden areas.

    3.  Secure unstable furniture.
    It is natural for children and pets to run, jump and climb while they play. But when they get a bit rambunctious around your furniture, they run a risk of getting hurt. To prevent items like bookshelves, TVs or other larger pieces of furniture that you might have pushed against your walls from tipping over, it is a good idea to use brackets or anchors to safely secure them.

    4. Lock cupboards with child-proof locks.
    For every item from cooking oils and spices to kitchen knives, you simply never know what children and pets might try to get into. Prevent them from finding anything dangerous by locking up the cupboards and drawers where you don’t want them to peek.

    5. Keep medications and cleaning solutions on high shelves.
    Just as it is important to keep children and pets away from items in the kitchen, you also want to make sure that any medications and harmful cleaning supplies are far out of reach from little fingers and paws. It is a good idea to keep these items locked away or on shelves without easy reach.

    6. Remember to put the seat down – every time!
    It might sound silly, but pets are prone to finding any watering hole they can in a home. To prevent them from using your toilet bowl as a watering dish, make a habit out of putting the lid down every time you use the bathroom.

    7. Don’t keep poisonous plants in the house.
    Though they may add beauty and freshen the air in your home, some plants can pose dangers to children and pets. Be sure the plants you’re adding to your décor are safe. Opt for greenery that will not poison children or your four-legged family members who just can’t keep their paws off.

    8. Don’t allow children or pets access to electrical outlets and cords.
    Newer homes may offer a bit more protection when it comes to electrical outlets, but you don’t want to have cords lingering around your home when you have little feet and paws scampering around. Do your best to tuck cords away from areas where children and pets might play inside your home.

    Finally, when it comes to keeping children and pets safe in your home, a little common sense can go a long way. Take a few precautions to protect your tiniest and furriest family members and friends, but also keep a watchful eye over them as they play inside your home.

  • 10 Home Renovation Trends That Could Hurt Future Sales

    Spring is the time for many major home remodeling projects. From installing new flooring to upgrading your porch or patio to any other number of home upgrades, warmer weather seems to signal the perfect timing for making renovations.

    We also know that spring is a prime time for selling a home. While many buyers love a few upgrades, it pays to choose carefully when it comes to your renovations. Why? The design choices you make might not align with every buyer’s taste, which could hurt your potential for selling in a competitive market.

    Here are 10 trendy renovation choices to avoid if you’re planning to sell your home in the future:

    1. Overdoing it in the kitchen. Yes, granite countertops are appealing to many buyers. However, high-end appliances might not increase your resale value as you would hope. Sure, they are great if you’re planning to use them for the long term, but they probably won’t give your home an edge over others on the market.

    2. Being overly bold with your paint choices. Who doesn’t want to follow current trends when it comes to paint colors? But if you’re going bold in a lot of parts in your home, you could be creating more work for yourself when it comes time to sell. Loud paint colors can be covered up, but it can be a time-consuming and costly process.

    3. Forgetting about your curb appeal. Don’t get so caught up in renovating the interior or exterior of your home that you forget about your lawn and landscaping. Remember, your curb appeal is one of the first things that buyers notice about your home. Give it proper attention when you’re making renovations too.

    4. Leaving out lighting. Like finely pruned landscaping, great lighting can be an awesome selling point in a home. So, if you’re doing a major design overhaul in any room, don’t forget about upgrading your lighting. Whether it is a new fixture or adding energy-saving bulbs, good lighting can increase your home’s appeal when it comes time to sell.

    5. Buying on impulse alone. Typically, there are many parts to a remodeling project. Think about a kitchen renovation. You might choose new flooring, cabinets, countertops, appliances, and hardware. Be sure to coordinate your choices so that you’re creating a fluid look throughout the project. Otherwise, your result could be disjointed and even unappealing to buyers.

    6. Only focusing on appearance. Together with coordinating design choices is making sure that your stylistic upgrades are supported by structural renovations too. It is one thing for your home renovation to look good, but if it negatively affects your home’s structure, it could cost you far more money – and a potential home sale – in the future.

    7. Skimping on good materials. During a home renovation, you want to get the most for your money. But that doesn’t mean you should buy cheap materials simply to achieve a certain look. While they might be appealing at first, lower quality materials probably won’t last, which could cost you more in the long run.

    8. Choosing the cheapest contractor. Like good materials, a good contractor can make your home renovation project last. When you’re ready to renovate, be sure to choose a reputable contractor. Otherwise, you could be paying for repairs – or a total redo – when it comes time to sell.

    9. Thinking you don’t need a permit. This is especially true if you’re completing your spring home renovation projects by yourself. Be sure to check local regulations before demo day. If you make renovations without a needed permit, you could be fined or even asked to tear down your work!

    10. Being the biggest home in the neighborhood. Finally, remember that while your renovations are meant to add beauty and value to your home, they do not need to make it the showiest home in your neighborhood. In fact, if your home is the biggest or most expensive in your neighborhood, you might not recoup your investments when you go to sell.

    The bottom line when it comes to your spring home renovations: be sensible if you’re planning to sell in the future.

  • Mistakes to Avoid While Moving with a Pet

    There’s no doubt that pets add another layer of stress and complication to a move, but of course we wouldn’t leave them behind for the world. And moving with an animal can be done safely! Read on to learn seven mistakes people make when moving with a pet and how to avoid them.

    1. Not Preparing Your Pet for The Move
    A move is always stressful for an animal, even if they’ve moved before. Transportation can add unnecessary stress if your pet isn’t prepared for it. If your dog isn’t crate trained, start start immediately. Place any type of pet, including reptiles, in the planned carrier for a few hours a day every day leading up to the move, so they can get used to the space; for cats and dogs, include any favorite beddings or soft toys to make the space comfier. Reptile carriers should be empty to prevent injury.

    2. Not Having a Vet Picked Out Beforehand
    If your pet is injured in the move or becomes sick with the stress, you want to have a vet available to see them as soon as possible. Research local exotic vets and find one that fits your needs; if possible, get your pet in the system as a patient and send the vet their records before the move. Also, check with your current vet before the move for any tips for moving with your specific pet safely.

    3. Not Having A Space Prepared for Your Pet When They Arrive
    This is probably obvious for owners of lizards, snakes, fish, and other tank or terrarium pets. Any pet that needs to live in a controlled environment should really spend as little time outside of their preferred climate as possible – be that heat, humidity, pH, water hardness, or anything else. However, cats, dogs, and other animals that have free roam of the house will also need a designated space prepared for them before they move in. Moving is stressful, and being immediately released into a new space can be overwhelming. Setting up a bathroom, bedroom or other contained space with their litter box or puppy pads, bed, toys, food, and other familiar necessities will give them a place to feel safe and comfy and less like they’re on a foreign planet. It will also be a major help in keeping them out from underfoot during the process of moving furniture and boxes and other heavy things that nobody wants dropped on the cat – least of all the cat.

    4. Not Transporting Your Pet Safely
    Cars and moving vans can be dangerous places for any animal, and having an animal in the car can also make it more dangerous for the humans involved. No matter how cute your dog looks hanging their head out the window, it’s important to make sure your animal is constrained while in the car to prevent accidents. Crate your dog or invest in a doggy seatbelt, buy a cat basket or carrier, and put a reptile in a waterproof clear plastic container with air holes and towels on the bottom. (Wet the towels if your reptile needs a moist environment.) Place the carrier on your lap or the floor to prevent it from moving or being crushed by other objects. If traveling by air, check with your airline for their pet transportation guidelines.

    5. Giving Your Pet Too Much Freedom Too Soon
    This one is especially important for cat owners. Whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat, they are likely to be very attached to their environment at home and a move will be particularly stressful for them. Dogs can still struggle with the new environment, but their strong bond with their people will blunt the stress for them. Lizards and other reptiles might not even notice the change so long as their tank setup stays the same.

    Your cat might respond to this stress by trying to run away or by hiding away in a dark corner or small space for days. To avoid this, keep them in a contained space full of familiar objects for a few days at the old house, and then again with the setup as identical as possible in the new house. Let them explore new rooms at the house one at a time, always with close supervision and any escape to the outside blocked. How long it takes your cat to feel comfortable in the new space will depend on your cat, but hopefully within a few days or a week they can start to regain roaming privileges. Don’t let them outside for at least two weeks.

    6. Not Checking Local Laws Ahead of Time
    Check the licensing requirements for your pet before transporting them and make sure all the paperwork is squared away. Some jurisdictions may not allow certain breeds of dogs, like pit bulls or rottweilers. This is most important for lizards, snakes, amphibians, and other “exotic” pets. Some states, like Hawaii, forbid these pets entirely for environmental reasons. Also, make sure to have your lizard or other pet checked by a reptile vet no more than 10 days before the move and given a clean bill of health in writing, as you might need it to get your pet approved to travel.

    7. Trusting Your Pet Too Much
    This is especially true for dog owners, who might get lured into a false complacency by news stories about dogs finding their owners again after getting separated during a move. However much your dog loves you, this is unlikely, so take precautions. Get your dog tagged, microchipped and/or make sure your contact info is on their collar.

    Unfortunately, moving will be a stressful time for you and your pet no matter what, but if you’re careful and thoughtful throughout the process, it will just be a minor blip in a loving relationship and a happy life for your pet.

  • Tips for Buying a Home Out of State

    What do you need to know if you’re gearing up to buy a home in another state? Here are five tips if you’re making an out-of-state move:

    1. Hire a buyer’s agent who is familiar with the area where you are searching for a home. When you cannot be onsite for all aspects of your home search, it is crucial that you have a trustworthy, local expert to guide you through your buying experience. From learning about an area’s best neighborhoods, schools, and amenities to finding out tips about your future commute, your real estate agent is the perfect point of contact for regional information. And let’s not forget that agents are a wealth of knowledge about available homes, lenders, and service professionals when it comes to selecting a home, getting a mortgage and going all the way to closing. Choose carefully so you feel confident working with your real estate agent—even from afar.

    2. Become a thorough online researcher, but don’t limit yourself based on your search results. It pretty much goes without saying that you’ll have to do more than a little online research when you buy a home out of state. But you shouldn’t only rely on what you see online. In fact, you probably shouldn’t totally rule out a home out based on poor listing photos. Instead, check in with your agent to find out if a home that has the features you want is worth looking at. Your agent may be able to check in on a home before you attend a showing. Finally, while online information and a trusted real estate agent can be great resources, you should make sure you visit any home that you are seriously considering.

    3. Try to be present for your home inspection. Frankly, when you’re moving to a new state, it is likely that you won’t have a pre-established network of trusted professionals to rely on for things like your mortgage, home appraisal, and inspection. While you certainly can rely on the trusted advice of your real estate agent when it comes to selecting an inspector, you might feel most comfortable with the results—and purchasing the home—if you see any potential issues for yourself. If you can’t be there, your real estate agent might be able to stand in, but for peace of mind, it can be important to attend your inspection.

    4. Use technology to your advantage. Though you shouldn’t simply rely on your online resources when you’re selecting a home, it is safe to rely on technology for other aspects of the home-buying process. You can actually sign an offer on a home electronically—and you can orchestrate your entire closing without physically being onsite. You certainly want to do your legwork before you agree to buy a home, but you can—and should—let technology take you through the closing process if possible.

    5. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. This is great advice for any potential home buyer (or seller!), but it is especially true if you’re buying a home out of state. If there is anything you don’t understand about the process, all you need to do is ask. Your real estate agent is there to assist you through the entire process. Use their services to navigate a new market.

  • 5 Ways Couples Can Manage Finances Together

    When most couples plan things they can do together, managing money might not make it to the top of the list. But maybe it should! Dealing with your finances can cause major strain for anyone and on any relationship.

    Here are five ways for couples to come together to successfully manage their money:

    1. Avoid keeping secrets.
    Honesty is the best policy for many aspects of a relationship, and nothing could be truer when it comes to your finances. Whether you’re talking about your debts, credit score or savings goals, it is always a good idea to keep an open, honest dialogue with your partner. Hiding any part of your financial history could lead to major problems for your financial situation – and your relationship.

    2. Create and keep a budget together.
    Once you’ve got an open dialogue to discuss your financial situation, you can start working on it together. A good first step in financial management is building a budget that you both can follow. Include your earnings, bills and projected expenditures. Don’t be afraid to make it a little fun too. Allot some extras for date nights and reward yourselves for good financial behavior from time to time!

    3. Share responsibilities.
    In any relationship, no one partner should take on all the financial responsibilities. Make it a team effort when it comes to money matters. Have a conversation about who is responsible for paying each bill and how much each partner will contribute. Being transparent about your shared roles will help improve your financial situation – oh, and your relationship!

    4. Use available technological tools.
    Know that you and your partner are not in your financial situation alone – not only do you have each other, but you also can rely on today’s technology to help keep you on track. Use trustworthy money management apps and software for everything from help with creating your budget and paying your bills to tracking your spending and saving money.

    5. Do what works best for you.
    When it comes to holding separate accounts or creating a joint account, there are a lot of opinions on what is best for couples. However, both methods can bring success. If you and your partner are honest about your financial matters, don’t worry about how other couples make it work. When it comes to separate or joint accounts, decide what you’re both comfortable with and make it work for you!

    A healthy financial situation can make for an even healthier relationship. So, take some time this spring to work on your finances with your partner. You might just reach new financial goals and new heights in your relationship!

  • Spring Cleaning Guide

    Spring cleaning might seem like a daunting task, but with a little love, your home will be looking brand new! Spring cleaning is essential to a happy and healthy home. From the bedrooms to bathrooms, to the living room, use this checklist to tackle every room in your home.

    Home Maintenance
    –     Change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
    – Check all electronics and make sure they are working properly and plugged into a surge protector.
    – Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher.

    Porch and Patio
    –     Power wash surfaces
    – Wash outdoor furniture
    – De-grime screens
    – Plant flowers

    Bedroom
    –     Wash all bedding and pillows
    – Flip mattress
    – Clean out under the bed
    – Organize closets and drawers
    – Dust
    – Mop/Vacuum floors

    Bathroom
    –     Clean and disinfect tub and shower
    – Wash bathmats and towels
    – Dust and clean sink and toilet
    – Wash or replace shower liners and shower curtains
    – Organize medicine cabinet/drawers

    Kitchen
    –     Clean out pantry
    – Wash kitchen cabinets
    – Deep clean the oven
    – Move the fridge- mop and vacuum behind it
    – Deep clean fridge and get rid of unwanted food
    – Clean countertops

    Laundry Room
    –     Clean dryer vents
    – Clean inside of washing machine
    – Wipe down iron
    – Tidy up shelving

    Every Room
    –     Wash baseboards
    – Dust blinds, windowsills, doors, and walls
    – Wash windows, inside and out
    – Replace light bulbs
    – Wash drapes and blinds
    – Mop and vacuum floors

    When it comes to spring cleaning, be realistic. Go at your own pace. It’s not a race after all. Your reward will be an uncluttered, clean, and healthy home for yourself, and a feeling of accomplishment and pride. This guide should help you accomplish all the rooms in your home, plus the spaces you forgot about!