A new roof is a costly endeavor that few homeowners look forward to. In fact, the national average cost of a roof replacement is roughly $22,000. With such high costs involved, it’s common to fear hearing the diagnosis that your home needs a new roof. While there is little that you can actually do to reduce the cost of replacing your roof, there are a few signs you can familiarize yourself with that indicate a roof replacement might be on the horizon for you and your home, so the initial diagnosis doesn’t come as quite a shock. Recognizing these indicators…
It’s that time of year, again, where your dinner plans and your party plans have you heading outdoors, from your kitchen stove to your BBQ grill. And, just like your kitchen stove, your BBQ grill, requires regular cleaning to keep it up and ready for this year’s summer parties. Keep reading to find out how to get your grill clean at the beginning of the grilling season, make clean-up easier while you’re grilling, and how to keep it clean between uses, throughout the summer party season. Prepare your grill for your first summer party If your grill has been neglected…
Summer has arrived, and with it comes grilling season. Some people also take these early weeks of summer to spice up their outdoor kitchen. A lot of money can go into this process, but it does not have to be all that expensive. There are plenty of ways to beef up that outdoor kitchen with ease. Here are a few ideas to manage outdoor kitchen renovations on a budget. Different Stations Many outdoor kitchens have both prep and cooking areas in them. Some of them have a bar or a table setting nearby. These factors all need to be considered…
If you have a small bathroom, you may find that it is difficult to figure out how to design it. While designing small bathrooms can be challenging, there are some ideas that you can implement to make them feel and look larger and more spacious. By making the most of the space that you have, you can have the picture-perfect bathroom that you want. Consider installing a corner sink When bathrooms are very small, traditional sinks can get in the way of your room to move. Even pedestal sinks may take up too much room. With a corner sink, you…
In many households, the idea of children coming, whether from the delivery room or from friends and relative visits is both scary and intimidating. Too frequently, the idea of making houses kid friendly is reduced to child proofing against falls down the stairs, electrocution, fires and access to ingestible small pieces and chemicals. However, making a house kid-friendly is more than this. It requires a consideration, not just to their safety but their interests and comforts as well. You have to consider not just what will keep them safe, but also what will make them feel at home, relax and…
If you are entertaining the idea of working from home, you may they think of how it will save you money. It’s possible to anticipate saving money from no longer driving, parking or taking public transportation to and from work. The money spent on occasionally going out to lunch can now be saved. There could be costs associated with working from home you may not have anticipated. Office Supplies When working in an office, you will have easy access to a wealth of office supplies. This changes drastically when you work at home. When a person works from home, the…
Owning a pet means living with pet hair, but dealing with your animal’s fluffy fur doesn’t have to be a chore. Adding a few of these quick actions to your daily routine can help you get on top of the proper care of your pet’s shedding and combat dust and dander. Grooming Start at the source and get into a grooming routine with your pet to help reduce the amount of hair that hits the floor in the first place. Brushing Not every pet likes to be brushed, but some love it and will consider being groomed quality time. If…
Because a disorganized kitchen pantry is often a nightmare for the home cook, having an organized and clutter-free pantry can be a relief. As such, you may have envied and longed to have one of those gloriously organized pantries featured on cooking shows. Fortunately, turning your cluttered kitchen pantry into a storage dream is not as tough as most of us think it is. Having a system to re-stock your pantry when necessary and knowing where your go-to items are will often prove helpful. Pantry organization comes with a variety of benefits, from making the preparation of home-cooked meals easy…
Mother’s Day is a time to show your mom an extra bit of appreciation for all she has done to raise and support you. While you should probably show your love all year, a nice gift or special treat is always a welcome addition. Spending a ton of money may not be an option in your budget, but you can find some really nice gifts for under $20 when you take some time to put the effort in. Here are ten great ideas to think about: 1. Potted Plants Potted plants bring joy and greenery into the Spring season. Some…
The next best thing to seeing a beautiful sunset is painting one, or better yet – photographing one. However, as simple a subject as a sunset might seem, many photographers come away with images that don’t really represent the sunset that they saw. To photograph the essence of a good sunset, there are a few photo techniques to keep in mind. From a standpoint of composition, sunsets with clouds in the sky often render much more dramatic images as compared to cloudless sunsets. Clouds tend to offer texture, shades of color and interesting design. When photographing a sunset, keep in…