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Do Gutters Increase Home Value? Here's How Top Appraisers Assess the Water Shields of the House

Gutters are the unsung heroes of real estate. They don't earn compliments like a property's gorgeous landscaping or the rustic tile selection of your master shower will. But without them, a home's structural integrity is at risk.

Every day 14,000 homeowners face water emergencies while 37% have claimed losses due to water issues. Meanwhile, homeowners insurance companies pay out $2.5 billion in water damage losses every year. Gutters serve the critical role of pushing water where it needs to be: away from the house to avoid foundation erosion and roof leaks.

“When I go out to appraise a property for a lender, they will almost never lend on a property that doesn't have gutters and downspouts that are functional,” said Jerin Harper, a home appraiser in Oregon with a decade of experience.

“In this instance, I would be required to provide a 'cost-to-cure,' which is an estimate to install or repair gutters and downspouts. The cost-to-cure figure can then be subtracted from the overall home value.”

So do gutters increase home value? Not exactly, because they're like the tires of a car: buyers expect a property to have them in good working condition, or they'll pay less for it. We'll help you get up to speed on homeownership and gutters with insights from top appraisers around the country who explain:

How gutters shield the house from ice dams and foundation problems

The numbers on dirty or damaged gutters and how they detract from your home's value

Pro tips on gutter material selection, installation, and add-ons to maximize ROI

Gutters as guardians of the house: Protecting against ice damming and foundation erosion

Imagine you're sitting in your living room on a chilly winter day watching television, when suddenly you feel a drop of water on your head. And then another, and another. You look up to find a wet patch spreading out on your ceiling just above you.

Or, picture this: It's been a stormy few days with lots of rain. You go outside to clean up after the storm and to your horror, find that some of your foundation has washed away-but only in one spot that should have been difficult for the water to reach.

The culprit in both situations? In most cases, bad gutters. Properly constructed and clean gutters are essential to preventing water damage to your home.

The first scenario likely due to an issue called ice damming on the roof, where the water melting from a warmer part of your roof can't escape. This typically happens when gutters haven't been cleaned out properly, the water freezes, and then the ice accumulates under your shingles, melting and damaging the attic or ceiling in your home.

The second scenario could be thanks to a broken gutter or a missing downspout-the water is dumping down onto your foundation instead of getting pushed away from the house.

“You need to have gutters because you're going to start affecting your foundation significantly if you don't direct water away appropriately,” said Brett Young, a top-selling agent in Indianapolis. “It's not an option out here, honestly. If you're buying a house that doesn't have gutters on it, it's probably because it's a bank sale home and it's all beat up.”

Granted, some locations don't need gutters as much as others-like Arizona, for example, where Young used to live.

Some homes out there didn't have gutters and it wasn't a big deal, essentially because it's the desert and there's just not that much rain. But even in that situation, it's better to have them rather than not, just in case a storm comes through that is strong enough to damage your home.

No gutters (or gutters in poor condition) will detract value from your house

Not only will a lack of gutters or ones with issues hurt your home and affect the sale, it could also actively lower your home's value.

Whether you don't have any gutters or the ones you have are dirty, broken or improperly attached, you're compromising the longevity of the home by leaving it open to other problems. And those problems will have an effect on the appraisal when you're trying to sell.

Harper notes gutters in poor condition could detract between $500 and $1,000 from the value of an average-sized house with a straightforward installation by a professional.

“Gutters are part of the real estate, but there's not a specific adjustment line for gutters,” said Michael Keough, a 30-year residential home appraiser in New Jersey. “If the lack of gutters is ruining something, you'll detract from that item.”

In some cases, the missing or damaged gutters can even end a sale before it begins.

Good gutters will attract buyers but don't necessarily add value

All that being said, gutters themselves typically won't increase the value of your home. They're standard, especially in areas with a lot of rain, and having them isn't anything special.

“People don't just normally install gutters for the aesthetics of the gutters,” said Edmond (Buddy) Eslava, a nationally renowned appraiser with the Appraisal Consultant Group in the Mobile, Alabama. “If you needed them and didn't have them, it would detract value. But having them won't add value.”

You can, though, add overall perceived value to your home based on the gutters themselves. Our experts shared some tips on what to do to make your gutters work for your home sale.

Make sure your gutters are installed properly.

There are two important pieces to this equation. Proper gutter installation means making sure the water is being diverted far away enough from the house so no damage is sustained around the foundation or on the siding.

But you also have to make sure they're level-meaning no water is left to pool up in them with nowhere to drain. If that happens, they can start to draw an accumulation of mosquitos and other nasty bugs or cause ice damming.

Match your gutters to your home.

Just like any other part of your property, including outbuildings, shutters, garages, and even gazebos, you'll want to make sure the color and size of your gutters are appropriate for your home.

For the color, typically the gutters will be the same color as the outdoor trim. As far as sizing, Young notes that the standard size used to be four inches, but now it's up to six inches-so get the larger ones.

Eslava agrees, noting that eight-inch gutters are available too, and you should opt for those ones instead of the six-inch. But, if your house is a bit smaller and the large gutters would look out of place, then stay with a smaller size.

It's also critical to have enough downspouts. The general rule is one downspout for every 35 or so feet of gutter.

Stick with the standard gutter materials.

Seams are out. If you want gutters that will bring value to your home, skip them and go for a seamless option. It looks tidier and more professional. Typically, gutters are metal or aluminum; the actual material doesn't matter much as long as the gutters are sturdy, functional, and match your house. Each material does have pluses and minuses, though.

Aluminum: These resist corrosion and are relatively inexpensive, plus they're lightweight and the standard material. But they can have strength problems and may break under pressure.

Metal, like copper or steel: These types of gutters are heavy, expensive, and difficult to install. But they're stronger than aluminum and work well for matching a certain aesthetic on the outside of your home.

Vinyl or plastic: These are generally the cheapest type of gutter and they're easily installed, but they come with several drawbacks. They can discolor easily, and they're the weakest of the top three options.

Get gutter guards: Gutter guards are covers that go over your gutters to stop junk from building up inside them. These are your first line of defense if you live in a heavily wooded area or have a lot of trees near your house.

They'll stop leaves and sticks from getting in, and will keep squirrels and their seeds out-so you don't have to worry about looking up one day to see a patch of sunflowers sprouting from the edge of your roof. As a plus, Young says having gutter guards could add value to a home appraisal.

Skip the rain collection system: Well, unless you really want one. Young says that he's never seen a rain barrel or rain collection system add to the actual value of the house-though some buyers may like having it. Some won't, though, so go with your personal preference on this one.

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Five-Minute DIY Sweater Vase Project

I finally took down my Christmas decorations.

I put it off as long as I could, but Valentine's Day was looking at me with a scolding face.

There's seriously nothing worse than getting chastised by a holiday.

After the boxes were packed and the twinkling lights were put away and the halls were undecked, it all looked clean.

And fresh.

And ready for a new year.

But truth?

It looked a little empty.

So I took 1/12 of an hour and a thrift store bargain and came up with this.

A five-minute DIY sweater vase project.

I started with a random set of vases I had around the house.

They don't have to match.

No one will notice when they are wearing their sweaters.

I found three cream sweaters at the thrift store.

You may have some sweaters around your house that might work, too.

The rest of the sweater might look a little awkward, but just make sure the arms are cute.

Place your vase next to the arm of the sweater to measure.

Add six additional inches in case the sweater stretches.

(total aside:  don't worry if you mess it up-the sweater has another arm.)

Then cut the sweater arm off from the rest of the sweater.

Pull the sweater arm onto your vase.

Straighten the seam in the back.

And then?

Just cut to fit, leaving a small hem at the bottom.

Then just tuck the hem under at the bottom.

You could also add a little bit of fabric glue to hold it in place.

Then?

Fill it with water and add branches.

Place the vases at different heights.

I used books to stack and arrange them.

That's it.

Here are a few tips I learned along the project way:

1. Know your vases before you pick your sweater.  Some sweaters are looser and some are tighter weave.  You want to make sure your sweater won't overstretch.

2. Mix up the weaves of your sweaters to make the display even cozier.

3. I also thought it might be cute to add a pom pom to the top or front of the vase.

4. Cream sweaters are pretty, but you could add color and pattern, too.

Hello 2019.

Best five minutes I've spent this year.

PS  I've been getting so many e-mails from so many of you who are interested in starting a blog.

It must be all those New Year's resolutions.

I want to help, so I'm opening up FOUR slots for a one-hour consult.

Want to start a blog?

Want to grow your business?

Want to bring a product to market?

I'm all ears and here to help.

Here are the details on cost and what the consult offers and reviews of some individuals I've consulted with.

Just e-mail me at thistlewoodfarms@yahoo.com.

Here's to the BEST 2019 EVER.

The post Five-Minute DIY Sweater Vase Project appeared first on Thistlewood Farm.

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Cozy in Coastal Maine

Maine is famous for beautiful summers with refreshing temperatures, ocean breezes, and plenty of outdoor activities. The winter season is pretty fabulous too, and there are many offerings to entertain the adventure enthusiast or the homebody. Maine's various ski mountains attract visitors from all over New England and beyond. Frozen lakes and ponds are perfect for family ice skating or a vigorous round of hockey; and there are numerous trails for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Whether you wish to go out and enjoy one of these brisk winter adventures, or simply cozy up by the fire, these stunning Maine homes have got you covered.

Aspinwall Bremen Long Island, Maine

The great room in this historic island home features massive oak trusses and the commanding central fireplace, made from local stone, is thought to be one of the largest in Maine.

Undercliff Cottage | Camden, Maine

This lovely den with coffered ceilings, Cypress trim, and a stone fireplace is perfect for enjoying a good book while the flakes fall outside

Sears Cottage | Islesboro, Maine

This fine historic home features eleven unique wood-burning fireplaces and water views from almost every room.

Periwinkle Beach | Islesboro, Maine

This central, brick Russian fireplace is designed to maximize warmth and coziness.

Otter Creek Lane | Islesboro, Maine

The three limestone fireplaces in this bright and open home were inspired by Giorgio Armani.

Northeast Point | Camden, ME

When it is cold out, cooking and dining is a pleasure in front of this warm and inviting fireplace.

Dark Harbor House | Islesboro, Maine

With nine fireplaces throughout this thoughtfully-renovated historic home, it is difficult to choose just one!

260 Bay View Street | Camden, Maine

The double-sided, commanding stone fireplace in this festive family great room is perfect any time of the year.

For additional information about these listings, please contact Joe Sortwell, jsortwell@landvest.com or Terry Sortwell, tsortwell@landvest.com in our Camden office, 207-236-3543.

The post Cozy in Coastal Maine appeared first on LandVest Blog.

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Last Minute Budget Changes for 2019

The last thing any property manager wants to hear is that something they need isn't in the budget. There are several components that go into your yearly costs, and it can be easy to let some things fall between the cracks if you're not careful. 

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How to Start an Overwhelming Organizing Project

Learn how to start an overwhelming organizing project to make it more manageable and bring order to your space! I admit, there have been times when I have walked into a messy room with the intention of getting it organized and then walked right back out again because the task felt so overwhelming! I mean,...

The post How to Start an Overwhelming Organizing Project appeared first on Just a Girl and Her Blog.

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Six on Saturday in my Garden, January 12, 2019

This week's Six on Saturday in my garden - for the week of January 12, 2019 - is all about Winter interest, whether by intention or accident. Six photos sharing what things look like at the moment. Enjoy! Today is my first time participating in a wonderful weekly garden series started by The Propogator, a [...]

The post Six on Saturday in my Garden, January 12, 2019 appeared first on Pet Scribbles.

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A-frame 2.0 – Den Bedroom

Back with the next room of our old A-frame 2.0 and how we re-decorated the space for the new owners! This room is the little den bedroom just off of the living room. You might remember the DIY headboard I had in there previously and how we added the vertical paneling to cover some horrendous walls. We glammed it up a bit for Caroline, Jayden and Robert, but the boho vibes are still strong too.

This is the original board for the re-design, by the time it went to the procuring, the side tables were sold out and we had to swap the rug but I love how this pretty pad with a nod to the mod turned out. See how I designed this space before, for us, and the before of the before here. Which is your fave?

Photos by Team Woodnote

SHOP THE POST: Headboard: Bajara Headboard from Urban Outfitters / Curtain: Covet in Thistle by Kelly Wearstler for Groundworks at Lee Jofa / Chair: Josey Swivel Chair from Urban Outfitters in Rose / Side Table: Aldama Side Table in Copper from the Citizenry / Lamp on Side Table: Geneva Glass Globe Accent Lamp Brass from Target / Bedding: Washed Cotton Tassel Duvet Cover in Lilac from Urban Outfitters / Vase: Lady Legs Ashtray / Pink Pillow: Coco Pink Cushion from curatedkravet.com / Bedside Tables: Ophdahl Hourglass Accent Table in Brass from Target / Wall Sconces: Jonathan Adler Milano Brass Wall Sconce from Lamps Plus / Ottoman: Trousdale Ottoman in Mustard Velvet from ModShop / Rug: Tufted Pom Rug in Natural from Urban Outfitters

The post A-frame 2.0 – Den Bedroom appeared first on Sarah Sherman Samuel.

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2019 Maximum HSA Contribution Limits – How Much Can You Save for Your Medical Expenses?

Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, are growing in popularity among people who need affordable health insurance and among employers looking to save on health insurance costs.

HSAs have many benefits beyond cost savings. Let's dive in and take a look at what exactly is a health savings account, the HSA contribution limits for each calendar year, how HSAs are one of the most flexible financial accounts you can open, and why it's a good idea to max out your annual HSA contributions.

What is a Health Savings Account?

Health Savings Accounts are a type of tax-advantaged savings account specifically for health care spending. Contributions are tax deductible in the year they are made, and grow tax-free. Withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified medical expenses.

In essence, a Health Savings Account is very similar to a combination of a Traditional IRA (tax deduction when you make the contribution) and a Roth IRA (no taxes on qualified withdrawals for medical expenses).

This is a huge benefit!

Health Savings Account Eligibility

To be eligible for an HSA, you need to participate in a qualifying High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) for health insurance.

A plan may qualify as an HDHP if the deductibles are $1,350 per year or higher for individuals, or $2,700 per year or higher for a family plan. These deductibles are typically higher than average, hence the name, High Deductible Health Plan.

High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) also limit the deductible amounts and out-of-pocket expenses. For 2019, these limits are $6,750 for self-coverage only, and up to $13,500 for family coverage.

Advantages of HDHPs

Many people choose these health insurance plans because they typically have lower monthly premiums due to the high deductible. Many employers offer these HDHP plans for the same reasons.

The goal of the higher deductibles is to save costs for everyone, incentivize policyholders to become smarter with their healthcare spending and give you the option of setting aside money pre-tax to pay for healthcare. On the flip side, you need to have sufficient funds to pay your portion of the deductible. So only choose an HDHP if you have some money set aside in an emergency fund or cash savings.

Tax Advantages of Health Savings Accounts

You can set aside pre-tax income in an HSA for use specifically on health spending. HSAs are often compared to and confused with Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

The two are similar in that you set aside pre-tax income for health costs, but FSAs have a serious downside that HSAs do not. With an FSA if you do not spend all of the funds in your account by the end of the year you forfeit the remaining balance of your account to the plan administrator.

With a Health Savings Account you never lose the funds. In fact, you could set aside money this year in an HSA and use it 40 years from now (some people even pay for their health care out of pocket now, and use their HSAs as another way to save for retirement). And as long as the funds are used for healthcare spending, you won't pay any tax on the withdrawals.

2019 HSA Contribution Limits

How much money can you set aside for future healthcare spending with an HSA?

The maximum annual contribution is dependent upon whether you are on an individual or family plan. The maximum HSA contribution limit is $3,500 per year for an individual, while families can contribute $7,000. There is also a catch-up contribution limit of $1,000 for those who are age 55 or older (note: catchup contributions for retirement accounts start at age 50).

Here is a list of contribution limits from recent years, including the HSA contribution limits from 2010 – 2019:

Tax YearIndividualFamily Catch-Up Contributions (age 55 and over) 2019$3,500$7,000$1,000 2018$3,450$6,900$1,000 2017$3,400$6,750$1,000 2016$3,350$6,750$1,000 2015$3,350$6,650$1,000 2014$3,300$6,550$1,000 2013$3,250$6,450$1,000 2012$3,100$6,250$1,000 2011$3,050$6,150$1,000 2010$3,050$6,150$1,000

What Happens If I Contribute Too Much to an HSA?

If you are contributing funds to your HSA automatically through payroll deductions it should be virtually impossible for you to contribute too much to your Health Savings Account. However, it is possible to over-contribute by making deposits outside of the payroll system or simply through error.

If you discover you have contributed too much to your HSA, you must take action to avoid paying penalties to the IRS.

The fix is quite simple: you must remove the excess amount contributed, plus any interest earned on that amount, and pay tax on both before April 15th of the following year. (You can contribute to this year's HSA through April 15 of next year.) You received a tax break by putting the money into your HSA pre-tax, but since you contributed too much you technically should have paid tax on the original income.

Failure to remove the excess contribution by the April 15th deadline and then withdrawing the funds at a later date will result in a 6% excise tax when you do withdraw the funds. Additionally, if you leave the funds in indefinitely, each year you must pay the 6% tax.

However, there is one way to get out of having to remove the contribution and paying tax: leave the contribution in, but avoid the 6% excise tax by lowering the next year's contribution by the amount of the over-contribution.

For example, an individual with an HSA contribution limit of $3,500 per year would have been guilty of contributing $100 too much if they contributed $3,600 this year. They could avoid paying the 6% excise tax by only contributing $3,400 next year (the $3,500 contribution limit minus $100). If they contributed the full $3,500 next year, they would then be forced to pay the 6% tax on the original $100 over-contribution.

Can You Contribute if You Aren't Eligible for the Entire Year? Pro-Rated Contribution Rules Explained

Rarely do you start a new job on January 1st or end it on December 31st. When you gain and lose access to a high deductible health plan will impact your availability to contribute to an HSA. If you are not active in an HDHP for the entire year your situation is a gray area.

Here is what the IRS says in one of its instruction manuals:

Last-month rule allows eligible individuals to make a full contribution for the year even if they were not an eligible individual for the entire year. They can make the full contribution for the year if:

They are eligible individuals on the first day of last month of their taxable year. For most people this would be December 1, and

They remain eligible individuals during the testing period. The testing period runs from December 1 of the current year through December 31 of the following year (for calendar taxpayers).

If the taxpayer does not qualify to contribute the full amount for the year, the contribution is determined by using the sum of the monthly contribution limits rule.

OR

Sum of the monthly contribution limits rule (use Limitation Chart and Worksheet in Form 8889 Instructions). This is the amount determined separately for each month based on eligibility and HDHP coverage on the first day of each month plus catch-up contributions. For this purpose, the monthly limit is 1/12 of the annual contribution limit, as calculated on the Limitation Chart and worksheet.

In other words, you can contribute the full amount if you are eligible as of Dec 1, of the calendar year. However, you may owe back taxes if you do not remain eligible from January 1 – December 31 of the following year.

To avoid tax problems, your HSA contribution can be pro-rated. Simply divide your normal contribution limit by 12 to get your monthly contribution limit.

For individuals, it is $291.66 and for families $583.33 (both numbers represent the 2019 tax year; just apply the current tax year to your situation).

Each month that you had at least 1 day active in an HDHP counts as a full month for your contribution limit. Then simply multiply the number of months you were active in the health plan by your monthly contribution limit.

For example, an individual that started a new job and gained access to an HDHP on March 12th and maintained HDHP coverage through December 31st would have 10 months of pro-rated contribution availability. They could contribute $291.66 x 10 = $2,916.60 for the year. If they contributed the full amount of $3,500 they would need to take the steps listed above to avoid penalties for over-contributing to their HSA.

IRS Publication 969 has more info about HSA qualifications, contribution limits, distribution rules, and more.

Benefits of Maxing Out Your HSA Account Each Year

There are numerous advantages to having an HSA. There is the immediate tax benefit in the year you make your contribution. And since your savings never expire, you can save the funds in your HSA or a linked investment account, and let your savings and investments grow over time. In fact, this can be a brilliant investment strategy:

Using Your HSA as a Super Retirement Account

Health Savings Accounts combine the best of the Traditional IRA and Roth IRA. Contributions are tax-deductible in the year they are made (like a Traditional IRA), and the earnings and withdrawals are tax-free if used for a qualifying medical expense (like a Roth IRA, when used for retirement). There are no age limits when using your HSA funds for a qualifying medical expense. So you can let your money ride until needed. Or just let it grow and pay your medical expenses out of pocket.

What if you want to use your HSA for non-qualifying medical expenses? If used for anything other than a qualifying medical expense, you will pay taxes and a 10% early withdrawal penalty, just as you would with a retirement account. However, the rules change a little bit once you turn age 65. Once you reach age 65, the current tax rules allow you to make non-qualifying withdrawals from your HSA with the same tax rules as a Traditional IRA. So you would pay taxes on the withdrawals, but you would not pay any penalties.

This flexibility makes your HSA one of the most powerful financial tools in your toolbox.

Benefits of Long-Term HSA Ownership

I maximized my HSA contributions each year I was eligible to contribute to an HSA. We decided to take advantage of the investment opportunities through the HSA, so we elected to pay our medical costs out of pocket and invest our HSA funds.

My health insurance plan has since changed, and I am no longer eligible to contribute to an HSA plan. However, I am not required to remove those funds until I decide to use them for medical expenses, or I decide I wish to withdraw the funds for other purposes.

Since the funds are invested, I'd like to let them compound as long as possible. If we have a major medical expense, I can elect to pay for them with our HSA savings. And if we are lucky and don't have any expenses we can't pay out of our cash flow or savings, then I will have a large investment account I can tap into when I reach retirement age. I'm hoping for the latter!

Where to Open an HSA Investment Account

The first thing you need to do is qualify for an HSA with a compatible High Deductible Health Care Plan. Check with your employer if you have an employer-sponsored health care plan. If not, then you may be able to purchase a qualifying HDHP on the ACA exchanges or find one through a health insurance company such as eHealthInsurance (this is where I always found our health care plans after I became self-employed).

Once you have a qualifying health care plan, you can shop around for different banks or investment accounts that offer HSAs. I wrote an article about the process of opening an HSA account, which bank I chose, and why.

I decided to open my HSA account with HSA Bank, in part because they have easy access, very low fees (which can be waived if you maintain a certain minimum in your account and because they make it very easy to link your HSA account to a brokerage where you can invest your HSA funds.

HSA Bank offers two investment options. I chose to invest with TD Ameritrade, because of their excellent reputation and access to several hundred fee-free ETFs for trading. So I've never paid anything to make a stock purchase at TD Ameritrade because I invested in ETFs that didn't have any associated trading costs.

You can visit TD Ameritrade to learn more or to open an account.

Health Savings Accounts are one of the most flexible financial accounts you can open. If you are eligible to open an HSA, I recommend maxing out your contributions each year. And if you can swing it, try to pay your medical expenses out of pocket. This will allow your HSA contributions to grow tax-free indefinitely, allowing you to increase your net worth.

The post 2019 Maximum HSA Contribution Limits – How Much Can You Save for Your Medical Expenses? appeared first on Cash Money Life | Personal Finance, Investing, & Career.

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OPEI Expands Product Representation, Adds Golf Cars And Light Transport Vehicles

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) has announced that the International Light Transportation Vehicle Association (ILTVA) has transferred representation of its member products and respective ANSI standards to OPEI, effective January 1, 2019. This expands OPEI's product representation to now include golf cars and light transport vehicles.

Kris Kiser President OPEI

“OPEI is a natural fit for these products as we actively represent a wide range of utility vehicles currently in the marketplace,” says Kris Kiser, President of OPEI. “As the association of record in this space, we're a leader in the development of safety standards for UTVs, and have significant experience as it relates to these vehicles with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulators.”

OPEI currently represents manufacturers of utility vehicles for a wide range of end-user applications. ILTVA developed and maintained ANSI standards relating to the design and performance of golf cars and personal transport vehicles. That organization will wind down its operations, and those standards will now be part of OPEI's ongoing standards development work.

“As uses and applications of these products have expanded, it made sense for us to partner with OPEI. The association has a demonstrable history in utility vehicle safety and performance standards and representing these products before regulatory authorities, as well as a deep background in market statistics collection, and positions us well as we look toward the industry's future,” says Mark Wagner, member, OPEI Board of Directors, and President and CEO of Club Car, LLC, Ingersoll-Rand Industrial Technologies. “We're excited to work with OPEI on the representation of our products on a going-forward basis.”

The post OPEI Expands Product Representation, Adds Golf Cars And Light Transport Vehicles appeared first on Turf.

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3 Important Reasons to Have Your Dryer Vent Professionally Cleaned

You rely on your dryer to make sure your family has clean clothes throughout the week, so when it comes to upkeep, you need to do more than simply throw away the lint in the lint trap.  Here is why professional dryer vent cleaning is an important part of caring for your appliance and protecting your home:

Save Money – When your dryer vent is clogged with lint, it runs inefficiently.  When it runs inefficiently, it costs you money. Routine appointments with a good professional dryer vent cleaning company will help to keep your dryer operating efficiently.

Protect your Investment – A dryer is a costly appliance.  Keep it in good shape by using it according to the manufacturer's instruction, calling on professionals to repair it when required, and ensuring the vents are clear and operating as they should.

Be Safe!  Lint buildup creates a fire hazard.  Clean out the lint trap after every load of laundry, and don't let lint build up in or around the dryer.  Don't keep flammable items near the dryer. And be sure to clean out the dryer vent thoroughly, from the inside of the house AND from the outside the house, in order to keep the vent from getting clogged with lint.  Better yet, call on dryer vent cleaning professionals who are trained to remove lint and buildup correctly.

At First Coast Home Pros, we are the cleaning experts, trusted by customers in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra and along the Beaches, and across northeast Florida.  We specialize in dryer vent cleaning, and our technicians are trained to clean the vent thoroughly from the interior and exterior of the house. When the cleaning is complete, we even test the air flow to be sure the system is running exactly as it should be!  Keep your dryer in good shape and help minimize the risk of fire by scheduling regular cleaning appointments for your dryer vent.

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Routines to Keep a Tidy Home With Kids

While children are the ones who make the messes, they can also help clean them up! Here are some basic routines that help keep a tidy home with kids. Post contains affiliate links.

Tidying a home with small children in it is like trying shovel snow while it's still snowing. 

It feels sorta pointless, but if you don't at least shovel the snow while there's a lull, then soon you'll find yourself snowed in and unable to get out.

It's the same with toys. 

And all the kid stuff. 

And all the normal stuff. 

And everything else that lives in a house. 

Now, I know may people embrace the whole “the house will look like a bomb for a few years thing” and if you are truly able to function better that way, then I'm not going to try to convince you otherwise.

However, if you hate the fact that your home looks like a football stadium after a ball game (Go Gators!), then I'm hoping these tips will help you.

Tidy Routines That Even Small Kids Can Do

Remember, if the house is in an overwhelming state of mess for YOU, imagine how it must feel to your child. Keep things simple and easy for both you and the kids.

1. Bed making and morning tidy

I've only recently gotten the kids to straighten their beds because, well, they weren't able to make their beds. You can do a few things to make this easier like getting zip up sheets, a zip up comforter

, or just teaching them (painstakingly if they're small) how to tidy the bed.

I teach mine how and they don't have the freedom to come to breakfast unless their bed is straight and their room is cleaned. Now, straight is relative, but if I can tell they've tried I never go behind them.

Age: I will get my 2 year old to “help” tidy his crib, my barely 4 year old to help tidy his bed, and my 5, 6, and 7 year olds tidy their beds on their own.

Note: I use this clock to help the older ones know what time they can come out of their rooms to start the day.

2. Cleanup after playtime

Each morning my kids have an independent play time and I don't restrict how many toys they can play with anymore. When they are small and in the crib, they get a few choices, but when they move to playing in their room they can do what they want.

The rule is that they can't come out of their room, however, until it's picked back up. I've done this from the get-go and now they don't argue or fuss, so their room pretty much stays in good order all day.

If your children struggle to work hard without complaining, check out these printable chore cards you can use to help teach your kids responsibility, hard work, and contribution. 

3. Get a good laundry system down

It's my goal this year to get a good laundry system down for our family of 7.

I had a great one when we had 4 people then 5 but it unraveled at 6 and at 7… I just go in when we're out of clothes and that's that. However, in order to feel like the laundry is not out of control, I'm working to create a new system that is easier for us all to keep.

Your hamper system is probably the most important thing of all.

I recommend watching this video and seeing how you can apply it to your own home.

Are your home systems and routines just not working?

Get my free 5 email series that will help you make your home ordered again. Lose the chaos today!

4. Timed cleanup

I recently bought this timer to help in our day to day. Here is all the ways you can use a timer during your day, but let's say here that it's a great way to get in a big spurt of cleaning without feeling overwhelmed.

Set your timer for a certain period of time, turn on some music even, and clean until the timer goes off. It's easy enough to keep the kids motivated when they know there's an end in site.

You might even do this for 5 minutes every evening. 

The more you do little by little, the less that builds up.

5. Evening sweep

I wrote a whole post on the evening sweep here. It's a great routine to add into your evening.

If you get your husband involved it may take less time than you think. This is actually the icing on the cake so if you don't add in the other four routines above this will honestly leave you with a tidy home!

Get Your Tidy Routines Printable Checklist

The post Routines to Keep a Tidy Home With Kids appeared first on A Mother Far from Home.

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Owlet Smart Sock Review

Overall Rating

4.5/5

Mobile notifications

Heart rate and oxygen tracking

Financing options

Check Price on Amazon

Quick Review

Owlet's smart sock is the answer to parental paranoia about whether or not your baby's doing okay-especially overnight and during nap time. This innovative baby health monitor tracks oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep patterns. And all it takes to get that valuable data is a little sock that wraps around your baby's foot.

Our safety experts fought over the chance to try the Owlet with their bambinos, and Scott was the lucky winner. He tested the Owlet Smart Sock 2 with his daughter, Isla, for several weeks to find out how easy it is to work with, if the tracking is accurate, and whether or not his girlie would keep it on her foot. See the results of his test below-and our recommendations for using the Owlet with your little one.

“For me, with my first one, in the middle of the night I would be like, 'Okay, I'm just going to go in there and make sure that he's breathing.' And they're so still. I'd just put my hand on their chest to make sure, but try not to wake them up. That's one thing that the Owlet does really, really well.”

Scott, dad and product tester (his baby pictured below)

How We Evaluated the Owlet Smart Sock

After the big fight scene over who got to test the Owlet, one lucky Safewise safety expert took it home and tried it out on his daughter. While Scott and his wee one figured everything out, the rest of us got to work researching everything we could find about the Owlet Smart Sock. We looked at the history of the product (we tested the Smart Sock 2.0), the pricing, customer feedback, and expert reviews. I also conducted an interview with parents who relied on the sock for the life of their infant. You can find more details about how we review products on our methodology page.

Owlet Pricing and Specifications

Owlet Smart Sock 2 Price $299.99 Financing Starting at $25/month Technical Requirements Wi-Fi connection Guarantees 45-day Peace of Mind Guarantee Warranty 1 year Check Price on Amazon

How the Owlet Smart Sock Stacks Up

When my kids were babies, I hovered obsessively over their cradles looking for signs of life. It may sound morbid, but I've never met a parent who didn't do the same thing at least once. Let's face it-when you become a parent, those wee ones take over. And you want to do everything you can to make sure they stay in charge for a long, long time.

Enter the Owlet Smart Sock. This ingenious device does all the obsessive hovering for you. And it actually knows what to look for. If I'd had the Owlet, I'd have gotten a lot more (well, a bit more) sleep in those early months with my new baby. And everything about the Owlet sock is designed with your baby's needs in mind, from the lullaby alert to the soft, adjustable construction of the sock itself.

Our tester, Scott, put the Owlet through its paces and came out a big fan. But because he used it with his second child, he felt it wasn't as life changing as it could have been. For parents who aren't newbies, the smart sock makes the most sense if there are health concerns in play-especially with such a big price tag.

“The price is high, so with me having a child that was in all regards healthy, I didn't necessarily feel a need for it. But I also tested it on my second child. If this were my first child, and if I had really understood how the Owlet works, I may have purchased it. And it likely would have been worth the price for my well-being.”

Scott, dad and product tester

Price and Contract

The good news is there's no monthly subscription or long-term contract required with the Owlet Smart Sock, but the bad news is a steep up-front price. The Owlet costs around $300, which is pricey for a baby monitor that doesn't include video or audio. But that's just a one-time cost, and Owlet offers no-interest financing options if you'd rather spread out the payment. Plus, you don't have to purchase any extra equipment-everything you need comes in the box.

Owlet Financing Options Monthly Payment Repayment Period $25 12 months $50 6 months $100 3 months

The company also includes its 45-day Peace of Mind Guarantee with every Owlet Smart Sock purchase. That means if you don't love it within the first 45 days, you can return it for a full refund, no questions asked. And if you're a bargain shopper, Owlet sells refurbished smart socks for about $100 less than a brand new setup. Refurbished sensors and base stations have to pass a 13-point inspection before they can be sold. And you won't get used socks-the refurbished kit includes three brand-new socks.

Pros

One-time purchase

No contracts

Financing available

Peace of Mind guarantee

Cons

Expensive price tag

Tech and Equipment

There is some assembly required. The Owlet sensor isn't in the sock when you unpack the system, but it's easy to slip it in. It comes disassembled so you can use the right-sized sock-you're going to have to change it when the baby grows anyway, so it's helpful to learn how to install it from the start.

It's apparent that Owlet spent a lot of time considering the needs of infants and new parents. The base station communicates primarily with light-you won't find blaring sirens or piercing beeps here. It has five different status notifications that use different colors of pulsing, blinking, flashing, and static light to let you know what's going on with your baby. And when it does make noise, the Owlet base station plays a lullaby.

You can also get notifications on your smartphone with the Owlet app. The app was easy for Scott to use and understand (and this is a guy who's in a constant battle with his Spotify app).

What's in the Box

3 Owlet socks (sizes 0–18 mos.)

Sensor

Base station

Charging cords

Setup instructions

Quick reference guide

Warranty

Owlet Socks

This adjustable sock holds the sensor and wraps around your baby's foot to take heart and oxygen readings.

Smart Sock Sensor

This pulse oximeter tracks oxygen levels and heart rate.

Base Station

The base station communicates with the sensor and app to collect data and send alerts.

You can use the Owlet app to check live readings from your baby when they're wearing the sock. But if you want historical oxygen and heart rate information you need to download the Connected Care app. We think it's worth it to have two apps, though. One of the most helpful things in the Connected Care app is the trended sleep data. You can see exactly what's going on when your baby's in dreamland, which is helpful if you're in the midst of sleep training or if you're trying to decide how and when naps are most effective.

Pros

Unpacks easily

Keeps baby comfy

Includes 3 sock sizes

Provides live data

Reports health and sleep history

Cons

Requires some assembly

Uses a different app to track historical health and sleep data

Features and Usability

Overall the Owlet Smart Sock is easy to use and delivers what it promises. Setup is fairly simple, and the mobile app is easy to navigate, even for a sleep-deprived parent. Best of all, Owlet's notifications are gentle instead of jarring. Owlet helps both you and your infant get better sleep-you because you're not worried, and the baby because you're not disrupting their slumber to make sure they're okay. And it's nice to know that if Owlet sends an alert for something nonemergency like a low battery, it won't act like your smoke alarm.

Owlet Setup and Use

Getting the smart sock up and running was “doable” though not strictly easy, according to our tester, and Owlet has numerous resources to make it that way.

“One thing that's nice is that I was already feeling really hesitant when I opened the box, but then they have these guides. And you immediately open up the app on your phone, and the app gives you step-by-step instructions and a video. So it was very doable -I don't know if easy is the right word, but I was pleased with the instructions.”

Scott, dad and tester

Like nearly all smart products, the Owlet uses your home Wi-Fi network to communicate among the sensor, the base station, and the app. Scott was pleased with how easy the Wi-Fi setup went.

“When I set up a lot of Wi-Fi connected things, I assume there's going to be some errors, it usually takes a few times, but not with this. Of course I had to get the passwords for my router and my Wi-Fi network ready, but once it was connected, it worked just fine. It synced up on the first try-to my surprise.”

Scott, dad and tester

The trickiest thing about using the sock is wrangling the baby. Owlet uses pulse oximetry to monitor your baby's heart rate and oxygen level. That's just a scientific way to say that the sensor is taking the baby's pulse to get the information it needs. But to take the pulse, the sensor has to be placed on the back of the baby's pinky toe.

Whether or not this placement will be challenging depends on you and your little one. Scott and his baby girl didn't struggle at all. In fact, he said that he was surprised by how much she didn't react, “It was like she didn't even know the sock was there.” But I remember my own wriggling wee ones, and I'm sure that getting things lined up correctly would have been a challenge.

Because the socks come disassembled and in three different sizes, they can seem a little complicated. But with instructions both on the socks and in the app, Scott says, “It's pretty hard to mess it up.” While Owlet advises that most errors with the product come from the user, Scott didn't run into any issues or alerts that he had done it wrong.

Owlet Alerts and Notifications

One of the most unique things about the Owlet is that it takes a gentle approach to alerts. As we mentioned before, there's no clanging or screeching that would scare the heck out of parents and the baby-not to mention how it would wake everyone up.

Scott particularly liked that alerts about a low battery or connection problem (re: wiggling baby) aren't startling. Instead of getting an alarm, the base station light turns red and it plays a lullaby. But you need to make sure to keep the base station in your sightline or you'll miss out. If you want freedom from the base station, use the Owlet app for notifications.

Even though our test didn't turn up any health alerts, we know a couple who relied on the Owlet when they brought their baby home from the hospital with health concerns.

“As first time parents, our lives were turned upside down when we brought our little boy home on oxygen. Stress and worry continued when it was time to transition him off of supplemental oxygen and his oxygen level monitors. At this point, we quickly began looking for options to help ease the transition.

“Purchasing an Owlet was easily the best decision we could've made! We tested the Owlet against our hospital grade pulse oximeter and were greatly satisfied with its accuracy. Noninvasively and conveniently monitoring his oxygen levels while he slept gave us confidence and immense peace of mind.”

Lyndsay, mom and Owlet user

Pros

Quick, simple setup

Gentle lullaby alert for errors

Excellent tutorials/instructions

Easy-to-use app

Cons

Placing sensor can be tricky

The Bottom Line

We loved the Owlet Smart Sock and we think you will too. This smart baby health monitor is what parents have needed for generations. No more obsessively watching to make sure your baby is breathing-with the Owlet all you need to do is check the app or look at the base station for a status report. For the price, we think it's a splurge for parents who already know the drill or have an infant with no apparent health issues. The Owlet is much more applicable to first-time parents or parents of a baby with health concerns.

Pros

Easy setup

No contracts

Excellent instructions and online support

Live health data

Peace of mind

Cons

Costs a lot

Requires some assembly

Uses two apps

More Ways to Stay Safe (and Sane) With a New Baby

Smart Baby Gadgets for New Parents

Baby Proof It: A Room-by-Room Guide to Securing Your Home

Best Baby Monitors

Baby Proof Your Home With Help From These 6 Gadgets

Best Nanny Cams

Jump To

Pricing and Specifications

How Owlet Stacks Up

Price and Contract

Tech and Equipment

Features and Usability

Bottom Line

The post Owlet Smart Sock Review appeared first on SafeWise.

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Top DIY Posts of 2018

Looking back at top DIY posts of 2018. I'm sometimes a little surprised at most visited posts – they're blasts from the past! I'll share a 2018 recap later this week but let's take a look at DIYShowOff reader favorites from the past year: 

Lighted PVC Candy Cane Decor made the top of the list of faves. Wouldn't several lining a walkway look so festive and inviting? 

Looks like a tire swing but upcycle an old tire into a planter: DIY Tire Planter. This always gets compliments at our home. Who knew an old tire turned planter would be a great conversation starter?

Pallet Herb Garden – time to give some thought to this year's herb list. I love that we still utilize this on our patio which is located right off the kitchen. Mint for mojitos, rosemary for roasted cashews. 

This one reminds, me. I really need to organize and refresh these shelves in real life. Adding it to the to-do list! This former under-utilized space in our home (there are 6 door ways in this small space!) now functions as an open pantry and we love it!

DIY Pipe Shelving Tips

Ah. Another oldie but goodie and favorite project. Next time you're at the thrift store, check out the electronics/lighting department (i.e. maybe 1 shelf of things with wiring). lol

DIY Chandelier Planter

DIY baseboards – I'm guessing inquiring minds want to know. haha! I'll actually be recreating this post in real life with some baseboard trim at the #helloredreno studio. 

Everyone loves outdoor entertaining and so this tutorial for Giant LCR Dice Yard Game was a hit in 2018!

When you've accidentally dropped your phone one too many times, it's time to get creative with ways to keep it safe!

DIY Toilet Paper Holder Shelf

DIY Tray Cat Perch – kitties love to be in the sun AND watch for birds and squirrels and what's going on with the world outside, so no surprise this made top views. Cats rule!

Love a good Cinderella story? Then you'll want to check out this Before & After Bathroom Makeover!

Any of your DIYShowOff favorites up there? Remember a few of those? What's one of your favorite projects from last year? 

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Tutorials & Tips Link Party 378

Happy New Year friends and welcome to the first Tutorials & Tips Link Party of 2019! If you're new here, a special welcome to you! The Tutorials & Tips Link Party is a place for bloggers in our niche to link up their best tutorials, tips, crafts, room reveals, furniture makeovers, recipes, etc. Each week, […]

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Resetting Your Home After the Holidays

When the gifts have been opened, the tree has been taken down and Christmas has passed, I start to crave simplicity and fresh inspiration in my home. There's a moment every year after the decorations have been packed away where the house feels a little bare, but I like to look at this as my opportunity to approach our home with fresh eyes.

For me, the tools for this reset begin with the senses-sounds, smells, colors and textures. I love to put a good playlist on shuffle, burn a new candle and start looking for the places in my home where I can clear clutter, incorporate new colors and add life.

In the spirit of keeping things fresh, I'm also sharing two fun candle alternatives that my team came up with: a citrus simmer pot and a natural linen spray.

A simmer pot is essentially a stovetop potpourri. I love the ease of throwing these ingredients into a pot of water and letting it fill our house with clean scents all day long.

Citrus Simmer Pot Recipe

+ 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary + 1 tbsp dried lavender + 2-3 lemon slices (or opt for using the peels alone) + A few drops lavender essential oil + A few drops rose essential oil

On the stovetop, bring a few cups of water to a simmer. Gently place the rosemary, lavender and lemon slices into the water. Add in drops of lavender and rose essential oil until fragrant. Turn the heat to low, and allow pot to simmer for a few hours. Make sure to check on the simmer pot about every 30 minutes and add more water to the mixture as needed.

Recipe Note: Do not leave pot on the stovetop unattended, and while it looks pretty enough to drink, resist the urge. This brew is for smelling, not sipping.

A linen spray like this one is nice to keep on hand. I love using it to refresh the linens in the spare bedroom when we're expecting a guest, so the whole room smells fresh when they arrive. I also like to give the folded towels and throw blankets in my linen closet a quick spritz if they've been sitting for long periods of time. This natural linen spray has a light scent, and is completely customizable based on the essential oils you use to prepare it.

Linen Spray Recipes

Note: We recommend using amber colored glass spray bottles, which helps protect the aromatic and therapeutic properties of your essential oils. Additionally, we used these specific bottle sizes, but feel free to adjust our recipes to the bottle size you prefer or already have at home.

12 oz. Lemon Lavender Linen Spray

+ 12 oz. amber glass spray bottle + 10 drops of lemon essential oil + 10 drops of lavender essential oil + 2 Tbsp witch hazel (You could also use a pinch of Epsom salt or sea salt in place of the witch hazel if you prefer) + Filtered or distilled Water

4 oz. Rose Linen Spray

+ 4 oz. amber glass spray bottle + 7 drops of rose essential oil + 1 tsp of witch hazel (You could also use a pinch of Epsom salt or sea salt in place of the witch hazel if you prefer) + Filtered or distilled water

Instructions:

Begin by adding drops of essential oil directly into your bottle. Add witch hazel or salt (this step helps to emulsify the essential oils since oil and water don't mix). Next, fill the rest of your bottle with room temperature filtered or distilled water.

Put the cap on the spray bottle and give it a good shake before use. Spray on bed sheets, pillows, towels, curtains, throws, furniture pieces (as you see fit based on your furniture's specific care instructions), or pet beds.

A reset doesn't mean you have to make any significant purchases. Instead, opt to embrace change in really simple ways. For example, adding freshly cut stems to a vase in your entryway, burning a fresh scented candle, incorporating a basket for your throw blankets in the living room, or using throw pillows to bring color to your sofa or bed. A little goes a long way! Maybe for you, embracing change looks more like tackling a space you've been avoiding in your home, like your hall closet, junk drawer, or pantry.

Whatever this process looks like for you, don't overwhelm yourself by thinking of this as a complete overhaul of your home. Rather, look at this as your opportunity to slow down, reset and embrace the clean slate of a new season. I hope that whatever this fresh start looks like for you, that you will approach it with pause, purpose and intention. Happy January!

Click on the photo to listen to my playlist “At Home” on Magnolia's Spotify!

The post Resetting Your Home After the Holidays appeared first on Magnolia.

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#125: A Tale Of Two Kitchens

Our holiday was full of fun, family, and a freakish amount of Ikea boxes filling the duplex. So this week we're sharing how we navigated the task of installing not one, but two kitchens over winter break – including how things got off to a rocky start – and when we actually saw the light (both literally and figuratively). We also got AN AVALANCHE of feedback from you guys on the small sleeping nook we debated filling with various bed layouts in our last episode, so today we're sharing how we've adjusted our plans to make the room work for as many families as possible. Plus, we tried out a new money-saving trick (why haven't we been doing this for years?!) and requested some info from our international listeners that we hope leads to some interesting revelations.

You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify – or listen to it below! Note: If you're reading in a feed reader, you may have to click through to the post to see the player.

What's New

This was the scene on Christmas morning when our kids found their dollhouses (which we discussed getting in Episode #124). Below you can see the interiors a bit closer, which we filled with furniture that came with one of them, plus a $35 box of stuff we snagged off Facebook Marketplace on Christmas Eve (!!!).

We'll share more of them as Sherry and the kids begin the process of fixing them up.

And thanks for your feedback from Episode #124 about the small sleeping nook on each side of the duplex. As you heard in the episode, we found a flexible solution that involves these Ikea mattress bases.

We'll share more photos of our final plan once they come together a little more, but for now I'll treat you to these incredibly lifelike “renderings” that Sherry did on her phone to show the three configurations that we can achieve with the beds we bought.

Also, this was the pop-up trundle bed from Ikea that came highly recommended by lots of you! Since it doesn't accommodate the highest voted option from last week's poll (two separate twin beds) it wasn't right for us, but if you're looking for a pop up trundle (with two twin mattresses on the same level to create a king), about 1,000 people suggested this one!

Pinterest 100 Game

image source

Here's the full 2019 Pinterest 100 list for your perusing pleasure, plus you can hear last year's game in Episode #78 and the year before's quiz in Episode #30.

Shown above is their example of “geometric paint treatments” by the way.

Also, here's the makeover we shared where reader Angela painted her tile floor to give it total makeover for under $75. It still blows my mind that this is just a stencil!

Design Norms Around The World

As suggested by a UK listener named Jo after hearing Episode #122's discussion of laundry room placements, we'd love to hear about home design “norms” that are common in your part of the globe (particularly if they differ from what you hear us talk about).

Please use the Google Form below, and don't forget to specify what country, state, or region you're writing about.

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Duplex Kitchen Progress

Those are HALF of the boxes that were delivered for the duplex kitchens and laundry rooms on each side of the house (the other half were stacked on the other side).

It was slow-going the first couple of days, but we eventually got rolling and are really excited about our progress. We're planning to write a detailed blog post about the actual steps and materials that can make installing an Ikea kitchen go a lot more smoothly (this is our fourth rodeo) so you can stay tuned for that – hopefully in a week or two.

Below you can see the wall Sherry mentioned in the episode that was so bowed that it required lots of shimming to keep the metal cabinet rail straight (this was an exterior wall where we used the original framing).

And again, we'll share more pictures soon, but below is a peek at how far we got by the end of the holiday break. There's still toekicks to be added, hardware to be installed, plus little details like appliances, counters, and backsplashes.

But getting this far means we can finally get our counters templated and our appliances installed!

We're Digging

Since I can't link to the specific eBay coupon that I used for our shower curtains (I used it up!), I'll link you to the shower curtains we bought. They're the same extra-long white waffle shower curtains that we used in the beach house, which work great for 8ft ceiling (there are also these longer ones for 9ft ceilings). Oh and we use these shower liners for the 8′ foot ceiling-ed rooms, and these are the ones we use for 9 ft ones.

I also want to add that after recording I spent $3 to get THREE 10% off your order coupons for Lowe's, which has already saved me over $50 on curtains rods & ring clips (more glamorous duplex purchases).

And last but not least, here's Headbanz, our family's new favorite game for everyone in the household.

If you're looking for something we've dug in a past episode, but don't remember which show notes to click into, here's a master list of everything we've been digging from all of our past episodes. You can also see all the books we've recommended on our Book Club page.

And lastly, a big thank you to You Need A Budget (YNAB) for sponsoring this episode. Sign up at YNAB.com/YHL to get your first three months free!

Thanks for listening, guys!

*This post contains affiliate links*

The post #125: A Tale Of Two Kitchens appeared first on Young House Love.

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Winter Weather – Does It Impact NJ and NYC Rats?

Rats and New Jersey Winter Weather

The winter weather likely has your business hunkering down in your office – and also having more than a few uninvited guests. We're not talking about your in-laws here. During the winter, its common for your business properties in to be overrun needing a NJ rat control service to deal with rodents infestations.

Why these Furry Fiends are a Winter Worry

Like you, rodents like to be warm and have easy access to food and water, which is scarce in wintertime. This makes your office like the Taj Mahal to unwelcome rats and mice: Your faucets, sinks and tubs an oasis; pantry and crumb-laden break room floors an all-you-can eat buffet; and old boxes, insulation, and more are prime fodder for nesting materials.

How You Can Fight the Invasion

To evict these tiny, unwelcome guests can require gargantuan effort. Even seemingly insignificant cracks offer easy access to rodents, whose nimble bones can squeeze down to nearly nothing.

Gaps around doors and windows, holes where cable, phone, and electrical lines are run, split screens, attic and crawlspace holes and cracks that offer access to interior walls and ventilation can turn youroffice into 'public domain' for these trespassing masterminds. Professional assistance ferreting out these popular access points is key to addressing the root causes of infiltration.

Ready for rodents to hit the road? Schedule a office inspection with the NJ rat control service experts at Stern Environmental and evict unwanted rodent guests today.

The post Winter Weather – Does It Impact NJ and NYC Rats? appeared first on Sterns Chatter.