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acciodracarys-blog · 7 years ago

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When is the Best Time to Look for New Appliances?

When is the Best Time to Look for New Appliances? is a post originally published on: Everything Finance - Everything Finance - Its all about Money!

Whether we are homeowners or renters, at some point we are going to have to purchase or replace appliances in our home.

Appliances are not usually something that we tend to give much thought to when we look at our monthly budget. But we should have a good plan in place for them because they can get EXPENSIVE.

So when is the best time to start looking for appliances?

Plan Well

Appliances these days have much shorter shelf lives than they did in years past, unfortunately.

What this means for us is that they can cost us less money to purchase, but we have to replace them more frequently.

This can end up costing us a LOT more in the long run if we don't plan carefully.

The average life expectancy of most major household appliances are as follows:

�� Dishwasher: 9 years

Dryer: 13 years

Electric Range: 13 – 15 years

Freezer: 10 – 20 years

Garbage Disposal: 12 years

Gas Range: 15 – 17 years

Microwave: 9 years

Refrigerator: 9 – 13 years

Washing Machine: 5 – 15 years

For some of these appliances, there is a pretty wide range of life expectancy. This is due to how much regular use it gets, as well as the make and model.

Either way, these household necessities are simply just not lasting as long. Therefore, planning in advance to replace them can only help us save more money in the long run.

Planning in advance to replace them can only help us save more money in the long run. Click To Tweet

The Plan

The first step is to take an inventory of every appliance you have, that you are responsible for replacing, at some point in time. Do your best to figure out when the item was manufactured so that you have a clearer ballpark idea as to the potential end of its life.

Next, do your research on each appliance well ahead of time. This is so that you have your ideal replacement item narrowed down before it's time to buy. This also gives you a better idea as to what the potential price may be to replace the item.

Now that you have this information, create a spreadsheet with the following:

When each appliance was purchased

Make and Model of the current appliance

Make and Model of the appliance you are considering replacing each one with

How many years of life each appliance has left

Multiply how many years of life left by 3.22%, which is the current average rate of inflation

The total amount that appliance would potentially cost you

Divide the cost by how many years each appliance has left of life expectancy

Divide by 12 to get the monthly figure you need to add into your monthly budget now

Doing this not only helps to remove a lot of the pressure by making sure you have enough saved to replace an appliance, but you have a much better idea as to when you will need to start looking for a new appliance.

Year End/Month End

Once you have narrowed down the time frame for life expectancy of each appliance, then the real fun begins. When that year is upon you, begin looking for appliances towards the end of the year for great deals.

Most appliance manufacturers roll out their new lines in September or early October, so this is a good time to start looking. At that time, dealers don't want to keep the old merchandise in stock because they need to make room for the new lines. This gives you great negotiating power, so don't be afraid to haggle!

The end of the month, towards the end of the year, is one of the optimal times to negotiate because stores usually have quotas to meet also. So not only are they trying to get rid of last years models, but they also have quotas to meet. This is a negotiator's dream because the sellers NEED us, not the other way around. Use this to your advantage to get a great deal on an appliance that you need.

January

If you aren't quite ready to pull the trigger at the end of the year, don't worry. You haven't completely missed out on all of the great deals.

Dealers actually need us, the consumers, even more in January. This is usually one of the slowest purchasing months of the year because of the massive purchases in November and December. Therefore, stores are doing everything in their power to get to you to buy something, anything, from them.

Not only that, but there are usually some of the previous year models still available in January, but the pickings may be slim. Dealers must get rid of this inventory, so they are willing to make some rock bottom deals to get the merchandise moved. Enter you! If you can wait until the end of January, when they are also working hard to reach sales quotas, you have the possibility of walking away like a bandit.

You may not get the exact appliance you had been budgeting for, but if you can find one that is comparable and will still do what you need, then take it. By doing so, you could ultimately save yourself hundreds or even thousands of dollars. And that extra money could be put towards other appliances you also need, or something fun for you instead. The possibilities are endless!

Appliances for the Win

No matter if we like it or not, some things are just a part of life these days. Replacing appliances just happens to be one of them. That doesn't mean that it has to hurt our bottom line any more than it has to if we budget for it accordingly.

By creating an appliance replacement plan well ahead of time, we could potentially save ourselves a lot of heartache down the line. This plan also helps us determine when we will need to start looking for appliances to replace. By knowing the “when,” we put more negotiating power in our hands to get some of the best appliances for lower prices.

So why wouldn't we do that for ourselves?

What are some of your best tips and tricks to planning out the purchase of replacement appliances? What have been some of your best deals?

When is the Best Time to Look for New Appliances? is a post originally published on: Everything Finance - Everything Finance - Its all about Money!

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acciodracarys-blog · 7 years ago

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How to Overcome 4 Common FSBO Objections

Sell my home myself they said. It'll be easy they said. After 90 days on the market, most FSBOs will not be thinking it is that easy.

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acciodracarys-blog · 7 years ago

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How to Overcome 4 Common FSBO Objections

Sell my home myself they said. It'll be easy they said. After 90 days on the market, most FSBOs will not be thinking it is that easy.

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acciodracarys-blog · 7 years ago

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Organizing a Home Office

I assume we are all similar in that when the new year comes around, we all make resolutions to stay on track. I crave order and organization, so I always spend the first few days of the new year putting my home back together after all the holiday madness and entertaining. Since I work from home, I often begin by organizing my home office.

I partnered with Snapfish, and I am sharing unique, personalized ways to organize yourself (and office).

Although I use an electronic calendar, I love having a calendar on my desk that I can view quickly. I am in love with this Woodblock Desk Calendar. There are so many design options to fit every decor style and personality. It gives me a month view at a glance, and this calendar would also make a wonderful gift!

Are there any other list makers out there? I love the feeling of accomplishment and checking things off my list.

Thanks to my customized softcover journal I am going to stay organized and on task this year. I added my logo to this gorgeously designed planner and am ready to tackle the new year!

I sit at my computer desk for way too many hours, so I love this custom mousepad. It is easy to make, and you can instantly warm up your workplace with a personalized mousepad.

Although I chose to keep my mousepad simple with just one photo, Snapfish offers so many customization options in their product builder:

Photos: Upload photos from your device, Facebook, Instagram, Google Photos or your Snapfish album.

Layout: Choose a single photo or multi-photo layout.

Design Variations: Snapfish offers pre-designed themed templates that make it easy to create.

Backgrounds: There is a pattern option for almost any occasion.

Text: Add a name, initials, or personalized phrases that help caption the moment.

Size: There are several different product sizes.

Embellishments: This is where the fun really begins! Snapfish offers hundreds of cute embellishments, sassy sayings and themed collections you can add to your product…

You will instantly feel like a designer, and it so fun (and easy) to play around with all the options.

I have a design background, and I have used lots of various programs over the years. This program offered by Snapfish is SO easy and well done!

I am looking forward to writing thank you's with my new customized folded notecards. I was so impressed with the quality and price that I am planning to order some notecards just for my business.

I feel ready to tackle 2019 thanks to my custom office product! Creating it was so easy, and I love that I have personalized supplies that look fantastic and function well!

Whether you are looking to get organized and wanting a unique gift for friends or family, I highly recommend creating Snapfish photo product.

Happy New Year!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Snapfish. All opinions are 100% mine.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

The post Organizing a Home Office appeared first on Sincerely, Sara D..

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acciodracarys-blog · 7 years ago

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2018 Holiday Gift Guide – DIY Staff Picks

At DIYControls, we have been finding great products and proudly serving our customers for over 60 years! Our focus is on do-it-yourself products designed to protect you and your home and business, and to keep your entire family – including pets, children, and seniors– safe and secure in and out of the home.

Exceptional Service & Support

From freeze alarms, pool alarms, remote monitoring solutions and automatic shut-off valves to phone thermostats, wireless security systems, and video surveillance and more, we are your source for easy-to-use products to protect your family, home and business. And we're happy to provide free technical support for every item we sell.

All of us here at DIYControls take pride in offering exceptional and friendly customer service. We know our products inside and out, and love nothing more than helping you select the most economical and valuable protection.

Our Staff Picks for Holiday Gifts

When it comes to the holidays, we're as particular as you are about finding just the right gift for everyone on our list. To help you get a head start on your shopping, here are 12 things we would most like to give – or receive – this year!

Bob: Home Protection During the Holidays

Protection is a priority for those like Bob who aren't always “home for the holidays.” With an automatic water main shutoff system like the leakSmart Automatic Water Shut Off System with Internet control, Bob can rest assured that his home and belongings are protected against water damage before it starts. Leaksmart's sensor-based system detects leaks throughout the home and shuts off the water in less than 5 seconds. The system hub connects to the Internet and sends audible and visible alarms as well as notifications via a smart device app.

Bob's wish list also includes a professional grade DIY security system to safeguard his home against intruders and other safety hazards. A fee-free, internet based security system like Risco's WiComm Internet/Cellular Security System with a cellular backup option lets Bob use an iOS or Android smartphone or a computer to control the system from anywhere. He can also receive email and push notification alerts right to his mobile device .

Dan:

A Warm Welcome

For ski and snowboard enthusiasts like Dan, the gift of an Internet thermostat lets him live the dream of arriving to a pre-heated ski cabin on cold winter nights. The Venstar T3700 Explorer Residential Digital Thermostat has seven-day, single-day, or five-and- two-day programming. A variety of lighting, language and temperature options allow Dan to customize the unit, and he can choose to connect remotely using either WiFi or Z-Wave technologies by adding one of Venstar's optional wireless modules. All for under $100!

Laura: A Sound Sleep and Reminder to Take Her Meds

The Marsona Sound Therapy Machine is a thoughtful and unque gift for anyone who has difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, especially those like Laura who suffer from tinnitus. It lulls users with relaxing sounds like falling rain, the ocean's surf or crickets chirping softly. This lightweight, portable machine plugs into a wall outlet or runs on battery power. It also features an automatic timer and sliding volume control.

Laura would also appreciate finding a Med-Q White Digital Pill Box Organizer in her

stocking. She can easily program the Med-Q with her medication time and it will flash the corresponding day slot with a bright red light. It also sounds an alarm that increases in volume. Features include 14 removable compartments, oversized buttons and large, digital display, and braille marking.

Kris: A Smart Home Upgrade

Kris is wishing for an easy entree into the world of smart homes. The Samsung SmartThings + Leviton Home

Automation Bundle gives her the ability to easily control the lighting in her home from anywhere in the world. The kit includes the SmartThings hub, a Leviton universal dimmer and a Leviton switch. And because this system is totally expandable and compatible with many WiFi and Z-wave sensors and modules, Kris can add any of hundreds of compatible devices to monitor and protect her property, including lights, speakers, locks, thermostats, sensors and more.

Laura's Mom: Layers of Pool Safety for Her Grandkids

The Safety Turtle 2.0 Child Immersion Pool Alarm System is the easiest way to

protect little ones around a pool for open water. This “personal immersion” system uses water-activated wristbands that trigger a loud alarm when submerged in water. Laura's mom can use the Safety Turtle at home or carry it to wherever the grandkids will be swimming, including hotels, lakes, a friend's pool or on a boat.

For an added layer of protection, the easy-to-install MagnaLatch ALERT Pool Safety Gate Latch with Alarm is a magnetic latch she can affix to vinyl, metal or wood gate posts. The top-pull model has dual electric warnings when unlatched – bright LED lights and an audible alarm – and a rekeyable lock for extra security and convenience.

Lisa: Fewer Worries About Her New Dog

The gift of an indoor pet cam would go a long way towards alleviating Lisa's worries about her new dog when she's at work or away from home. Motorola's Digital Wireless Indoor Pet Monitor with two cameras offers a convenient two-way communication feature that will allow Lisa to communicate to her dog without being in the same room. The video monitor has a full color LCD screen and infrared night vision for keeping an eye on things in very low light levels.

Jim: Vacation Home Peace of Mind

A freeze alarm monitors the temperature inside the home and provides a warning if it dips dangerously low. It's an ideal gift for people like Jim, who owns a vacation home up north that he closes up for the winter. A call-out freeze alarm like the best-selling TempAlarm Dialer Pro sends Jim an alert via a phone call when the indoor temperatures in his home are falling.

A local alarm like the simple-to-use Freeze Flash Temperature Warning

Light lets Jim put his observant neighbors to work for him! All he has to do is set the low temperature, install the batteries and place the unit in a visible window. When the temperature goes below the set level, the light will flash and attract his neighbors' attention.

Donna: Home Alone Security for Her Dad

The Ring Video Doorbell is tops on Donna's list of gifts for her elderly dad, who lives alone in a town several hours' drive from her. It's like Caller ID for the front

door and super-simple to use! When the doorbell is pressed or motion is detected, an alert is sent to her dad's smartphone along with streaming live HD video of the visitor outside the door. Ring Video also lets her dad converse with the visitor through the built-in microphone and speakers.

Still looking for the perfect gift?

Click on the Great Gift Ideas tab on the DIYControls home page for more suggestions. Use the lefthand column to shop by price, manufacturer, features and more. It's a handy resource for finding holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list!

The post 2018 Holiday Gift Guide – DIY Staff Picks appeared first on DIYControls Blog.

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acciodracarys-blog · 7 years ago

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How to Wash White Clothes

When you wash white clothes, there's one laundry rule you should never break: Always wash whites separately. You're in a rush and sending the whole load through a cold-water wash is a lot quicker.

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acciodracarys-blog · 7 years ago

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Collard Greens, Feta, Mushroom Frittata

Fresh and easy frittata with collard greens, garlic, feta cheese, mushrooms, and dried herbs. This simple recipe is big on flavor and makes for a perfect make-ahead breakfast! How's your breakfast game hanging? I admit, I tend to be routinal ...

The post Collard Greens, Feta, Mushroom Frittata appeared first on The Roasted Root.

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acciodracarys-blog · 7 years ago

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Cyclops House: Copper, Concrete and Windows that Usher in Ample Natural Light

We are always on the lookout for innovative ideas that move away from the mundane and give home design a new direction. Surrounded by a lush green landscape, this contemporary home in Stockholm is definitely unlike most other homes you will ever come across as its latest addition uses a copper-clad finish to usher in a unique textural appeal. Designed by Mans Tham Arkitektkontor, the Cyclops House was given a new upper level that was covered in untreated copper cassettes as per the request of the homeowner. With the lower level finsihed in concrete, the residence feels both ingenious and industrial with a style of its own.

Copper panels with untreated finish give the home a dynamic appeal

The house gets its name from the striking Cyclops window with wooden frame above the stairway with a skylight bringing in even more natural light. With a minimal and modern interior, the new level of the residence adds additional space even while giving it a whole new dimension. A new living room with kids' room next to it, terrace, teen bedroom and bathroom were added to the existing floor plan while revitalizing the already present spaces. Folding glass doors, metallic meshes and steel frames complete the transformed home and give it even greater diversity. [Photography: Staffan Andersson]

RELATED: Functional Sydney Residence Fuses Privacy With Ample Natural Ventilation

Weathered copper panels for the upper level of the contemporary home

Gorgeous and unique Cyclops House in Stockholm with upper level extension

Lush green landscape around the Cyclops House

Exquisite addition on the upper level stands out visually

The existing house is built in foam concrete and could not bear the load of another floor. The solution was to build the addition as a wood structure placed on a new steel frame base. The horizontal steel frame sits on a series of steel posts anchored to the foundation of the existing house.

RELATED: Ro House: Stunning Series of Covered Terraces Usher in Green Freshness

Narrow staircase leading to the new upper level

Cyclops window and skylight brings light into the home

Interior of the house combines traditional style with modernity

Floor plan of the lower level of modern Stockholm residence

Sectional view of the Cyclops House

You're reading Cyclops House: Copper, Concrete and Windows that Usher in Ample Natural Light, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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acciodracarys-blog · 7 years ago

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Collard Greens, Feta, Mushroom Frittata

The post Collard Greens, Feta, Mushroom Frittata appeared first on The Roasted Root.

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acciodracarys-blog · 7 years ago

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Giveaway Guidelines

Maid to Shine is declaring January the month of giveaways!

If you're interested in participating please read the guidelines below then head on over to our Facebook pages to enter (click here for Colorado Springs, click here for Denver).

Guidelines:

-To have the chance of winning you must be an active duty police officer

-You must be within our service area to win (Colorado Springs Service Area, Denver's Service Area)

-You must understand that this giveaway is for a general first time cleaning

-You must like Maid to Shine's Facebook page and leave a comment in the comment section of the designated post

-You are welcome to nominate your friends if they are active duty police (even if you are not, you can still nominate)

-If you are chosen as a winner your cleaning must take place when Maid to Shine's schedule has availability within the month of January

-This offer may not be traded for cash

-This cannot be combined with any other offers

We're so excited to get started on our giveaways for the month! We can't wait to give a nice clean home to some deserving people. Thank you!

The post Giveaway Guidelines appeared first on Maid to Shine | Your Best & Local House Cleaning Colorado Springs.

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acciodracarys-blog · 7 years ago

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Our Infertility Journey: Losing Our Baby

Our struggle to become parents continues...

Keep Reading

The post Our Infertility Journey: Losing Our Baby appeared first on DIY Playbook.

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acciodracarys-blog · 7 years ago

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Catching Up and a Hello to 2019!

Happy New Year to you! I hope that the holidays have left you with a full love tank and that your 2019 is off to an incredible start! Oh, how I have missed you all so very much!

It always feels a little awkward coming back from an extended break, especially when they are unplanned and much longer than ever anticipated. Truth be told I have always had huge goals and amazing intentions for this small slice of the internet, but 2018 just wasn't meant to be my year (again, womp womp). For someone who is generally an energetic go-getter, learning to navigate the past few years has been a true personal challenge and journey. And having to do it online has been flat out tough, especially when I am trying to walk the line of personal and professional in front of an audience. If I have learned anything, it's that no matter how much you plan, life can change those plans in an instant. And as a self-proclaimed planning obsessed girl, that has been a hard pill to swallow. I am not 100% ready to dive into my absence, although I hope to someday down the road. Just know that your support is deeply cherished and I appreciate those of you who continue to check-in. The outpouring of love, comments, emails, DM's, etc, has been so overwhelming over the past couple of months, and for that, I am eternally grateful. They continue to uplift and encourage and I truly hope that THIS IS THE YEAR that I can give that back to you.

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I have a few things to cover since I have been away, so let's begin with Christmas decor storage.

I have never been a minimalist by any means and I truly enjoy layering our home with our character and personality. At the same time, I am making 2019 the year to reduce and streamline. This last Christmas I only put up a fraction of our decor, and I noticed that our time entertaining and enjoying the holidays wasn't at all negatively impacted. I also appreciated that it took much less time to pack everything up this past weekend! Keeping it understated was refreshing and allowed me to focus on what really mattered most to me, and it was also the most relaxed I have been during the holiday season in years. I definitely need to continue to remember this and apply that understanding to more areas of my life this coming year! I know some of you probably had your decor packed up December 26th, but for those of you who extend the season and enjoy the layers a little longer, I thought I would share my top Christmas decor storage tips (a refresh of this post here). And if you already have everything packed away, tuck these tips in your pocket for next year (or give your bins a quick remix when the mood strikes).

CLEAR STORAGE BINS

For so many years I selected solid bins because I didn't like the visual clutter that generally comes with the clear versions. A few years ago I decided to give clear bins a whirl (I love these) and it really has been so helpful! I appreciate that I can get a quick idea of the contents without having to do any rummaging or digging.

LABEL

Even though the bins are clear, and some of the contents are simple and obvious, other bins still have a mixture of items such as ornaments, embellishments for different trees, stockings, garland varieties, books, wreaths, ribbon, tree skirts, lights, etc... Therefore, labels can help to differentiate categories and assign items/bins to specific areas of the house. This year I updated my labels to an editable version, that way I can just type the contents, print them out and slide them into the label sleeve attached to the front of the bins. I saved my labels to my computer to easily edit and reprint down the road if needed. You can download the editable label printable for free here.

CATEGORIZE

Make the most of your bins and divide them out in a way that makes the most sense for how you decorate. Zippered storage bags work really well to corral and categorize smaller items like ornament hooks, ribbon, beads, special ornaments, replacement bulbs, light clips, stocking and wreath hooks, etc...

THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX

Are there other items that you only use during the holidays? Specific items for entertaining or baking or cooking? Maybe you use certain pillows, candles, appliances and serving platters for a month or two out of the entire year. If your storage is limited around the house, don't give those seasonal items prime real estate with your day-to-day belongings. Instead, pack those pieces away with the remainder of your Christmas decor. TIS' THE SEASON TO CLEANSE This is the best time of the year to streamline your Christmas inventory. While packing everything up, take the time to recategorize your bins and eliminate the items that didn't make the cut this past year. Handle each object and ask yourself if it is worth your time, space and energy moving forward. Also discard any items that are broken, torn or worn. Donation Ideas:

Drop off your gently used holiday decor at your local donation center (Salvation Army, Locally Owned Thrift Stores, Goodwill, etc...)

Check with your local Habitat Restore, some do holiday-specific sales throughout the year.

Inquire with local shelters to see if and when they typically accept holiday decor, and what specific items are most beneficial.

Does your city decorate for the holidays? Think of areas around town that put up Christmas trees or string lights that may benefit from the items you no longer have a use for. Libraries, hospitals, community centers, etc...

Have you heard of Give Back Box? I recently read about this donation program and I love it! It really emphasizes the one-in-one-out rule, but can be used beyond that method! When you receive merchandise in the mail from select retailers, you can reuse that box along with a free shipping label to donate your household goods and clothing items. Give Back Box selects a charity based on your location, however, there are ways to select your own if you wish. Christmas decor is accepted, so pack up a box and ship it on out!

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Remember last year I flocked our artificial tree? I promised to give you an update on how it held up through storage and I am happy to share it did really well. I have noticed that flocked trees will shed no matter if you DIY or purchase them that way, and ours did drop some flocking during setup and decorating. However, not enough to notice on the tree itself, and minimally throughout the time that it was up. I am excited to try the flocking process again down the road on some garland and outdoor topiaries, and I love that I can always easily add more to the tree over the years as necessary with the remaining flocking powder.

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If you are looking for a couple of idea-inducing reads for the New Year, I contributed to two publications on newsstands now:

Inside this month's issue of Parent's Magazine, we focussed on Little Ways to Love Your Home.

While inside the Family Circle issue you will find a great section dedicated to making the most of your home's hot spot: The Kitchen! So many great suggestions in this one!

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In other iHeart news, 2019 planners were released in my shop last month and I get so much joy filling in the colorful pages for the new year. I am thrilled to see that you do too!

The FAQ page is loaded with details on the sizes, layouts, coversheets, printing suggestions, and images. The pages are fresh and beautiful and seeing them being used by you all throughout the year is a true treat, so thank you for Instagramming and sharing those images with me.

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This time of the year is generally known for starting fresh and setting goals and organizing every nook and cranny of your home. I have had a few conversations with friends and they have mentioned that the new year gets so built up that they feel like once the clock hits midnight, they should have this automatic boost of energy, and that when they wake up they should feel some sort of magical feeling and clear vision for what is to come to finally get their lives together. So. Much. Pressure. While I personally do love that the new year is a great benchmark for setting goals and reflecting and evoking change, I want to remind you all (and myself), that lifestyle changes are gradual and don't happen overnight, and all big things come from a culmination of smaller steps. It's great to set goals and be fired up, but also be realistic and break those goals up throughout the year. Think of little changes that you can make each day that will help you reach a larger goal by next month, next quarter, or even by the end of 2019. That is how I am personally approaching this year; day by day, bit by bit. It doesn't all have to be done by the end of January. I am still wearing a lot of hats, and aside from trying to be an involved and loving wife and mom, I have a lot of business-centric goals that include updating and organizing my website (and a new home tour!), moving my online shop and adding fresh new items, working with clients (best feeling), and writing a book (big goal). Pair that with the administrative responsibilities of running a business, freelance writing, creating content and sharing it actively on social media, I get a little overwhelmed managing it all and managing it well. When I work on a project, I get so hyperfocused on that one specific thing, that it can take away from all the rest. Sometimes the blog takes a hit, sometimes my personal goals take a hit, sometimes my family takes a hit, sometimes my shop takes a hit. I can organize a closet no problem, but maybe I need to find someone to organize my life (ha!). Time management, prioritization, and balance are all my personal top priorities for 2019. Some things will have to move to the bottom of the list so I can actually do the more important things. And this is that moment where it all rounds right back to my small steps towards the big goal mantra.

I don't want to drag this post out any longer, but a few final notes about our year to come:

Last year we didn't focus a lot of attention on our own home or projects. I am approaching my 10th year of blogging and that is a LOT of organizing, crafting and remodeling. We simply needed a break, even if we still have a lot of wish list updates to make, going at it around the clock is exhausting, expensive and disruptive. It was time to let things rest, and we did. Buuuut, our oldest is graduating high school this year!!!!!! He is receiving college acceptance letters and about to spread his wings and I am holding back tears of joy (and let's be real, tears of selfish sadness) on the daily. With graduation comes a graduation party and a big party is a great motivator to check lingering home tasks off of the list, as well as a lot of deep cleaning. Time to relight that fire!

How do you all feel about doing a home cleanse with me this year? I really wanted to do this last year, so the past few months I began researching and building a really great resource of ways to clear clutter from your homes. It always pains me a bit to see how piles of trash bags can so quickly be associated with organizing, so I am diving deep into options for feeling less guilty about getting rid of our belongings. And I would really love for it to become a library that can be referenced and built-upon over time. You in?

I don't have a lot of closets or drawers left to organize around here, this year my biggest pain points are PAPER (I have a plan!) and photographs (I don't have a plan!). What are your biggest organizational pain points? Knowing your problem areas could really help me come up with new content, so if you could take a quick second to leave a comment on this post with your organizing goals and struggles, I would appreciate it to the moon and back!

Let's raise a glass of wine, a coffee filled mug, or a bottle of water, and cheers to 2019! P.S. I just went back a re-read my intro to 2018 post. Wow. Sounds like I am rewriting history and even mimicking a few of the same sentences word for word, nodding and still feeling a lot of the things that I felt last year. Believe me when I say that as frustrating as that is for me, I know it is also frustrating for you. Please know that I never take you all for granted and I really hope to break the cycle. There are definitely some things I need to change, and I appreciate your continuous grace as I work on bettering things around here. ♥

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