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The Best Big Island, Hawaii Travel Guide

You guys really seem to like these Hawai'i travel posts. More people read and pinned my Maui Musts post and my Kauai Travel post than if I combined every pin from every other post I've written in my four years at How Does She. I get it, longing over tropical island and white sandy beaches is slightly more enjoyable than reading tips on how to pottery train your three year old.

Well, since you seem to like reading about Hawai'i it only makes sense that I cover the biggest and arguably the best Hawaiian island, Big Island. Really though, I never understand how anyone can pick a favorite island. It's like choosing your favorite child. There may be days that one seems better than the others but in the end they all have their own unique strengths that make them equally lovable.

About the Big Island

Big Island is formally named the island of Hawai'i. And, like it's nickname suggests, it is big; so big that all the other Hawaiian islands could fit inside of Big Island and still have room to spare.

The first time I came to Big Island was after I had lived on Maui for 18 months. I live in central Maui so even if I drive to the furthest point on the island it's only a 40 mile trip. I couldn't believe that a single island could be so big. We spent more time in the car over our few days there than in the six months prior on Maui. Thankfully, the island is saturated in natural beauty so you don't mind long drives gazing out the window. And with big size comes big selection. There really is something for everyone on Big Island.

Why the Big Island?

Big Island is similar to Kauai and Maui in its abundance of adventure, romance, and natural beauty. The two things that really set Big Island apart are the active volcano and the abundance of history. Big Island has done an excellent job of preserving Hawaiian history and it is definitely worth devoting some vacation time to. As for the volcano, Kilauea, it can throw a wrench in to your travel plans. Be sure to stay up to date with the volcanoes activity when making your travel arrangements.

Like the Hawai'i travel guides I've written in the past, this list is includes the best the island has to offer. Regardless of your travel style you are sure to find just what you are looking for on this best of Big Island list. And like the other posts, there are more destinations included than any visitor can hope to visit in a single trip. I guess that just means you will have to come back!

Big Island Travel Guide

The Sites

South Point

Lapakahi State Park

Pu'u Honua o Honaunau “Place of Refuge”

Crystal Cove

Cloud Forest

Pololu Valley Lookout

Pu'ukohala Heiau

Puako/Malama Petroglyphs

'Ahu'ena Heiau

Hulihe'e Palace

St. Peters Catholic Church

Painted Church

Tex Malasadas

Rainbow Falls

Pe'epe'e Falls

Kaumana Cave

Banyan Drive

Hawai'i Tropical Botanical Garden

Tropical Dreams Ice Cream

Manuela Malasada Co.

'Akaka Falls

Kolekole Park

Umauma Falls

Laupahoe Point

Waipio Valley

Mauna Kea State Park

Pololu Valley

Captain Cook Monument

Volcano National Park

Kilauea Volcano*

Jagger Museum*

Hawai'i Volcano Observatory*

Thurston Lava Tube*

The Beaches

When visiting Hawai'i beaches remember to use proper ocean safety. The ocean is not to be trifled with. Read the warning signs, talk to the lifeguards, check the conditions, & remember, “if in doubt, don't go out.”

Hapuna Beach

Waipio Beach

'Anaeho'omalu Beach

Kealakekua Bay

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

Green Sand Beach

Old Kona Airport Beach

Honoli'i Beach

Waialea Beach

Kua Bay

Wawaloli Beach

Makalawena Beach

I know I say this every time, but I feel obligated to remind all visitors to pack their aloha spirit on any Hawaiian vacation. The aloha spirit is strong in Hawai'i, and the biggest island may have the biggest Aloha. Come to Big Island ready to put on your cruise control, talk story with every one you pass, and leave your worries behind. We love to share our piece of paradise with those that want to visit. I hope to see you in Hawai'i soon! Aloha!

We love to travel, and tropical destinations are always a favorite. Here are a few more of our top tropical places to visit!

8 Reasons Why Jamaica May Be Your Ideal Island Getaway

Things to Do in Thailand with Kids | Our Family Trip to Thailand

Reunion Resort Orlando: The Perfect Relaxing Family Vacation Destination

The post The Best Big Island, Hawaii Travel Guide appeared first on How Does She.

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6 Tips for a Successful Finished Basement Remodel

Finishing the basement in your home is a great way to maximize the space you already have, without having to add on any square footage in the form of an addition. Whether you want to go the more luxurious route and turn your basement into a home theater, or you're simply looking for a way to create more living space in your home, finishing your basement is a great way to do so. However, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind for a successful basement remodel. Below, we cover 5 tips to get you started.

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Unwanted Christmas Tree Pests

Christmas trees are vulnerable to thousands of spider mites, praying mantis eggs and more.

Did you know that up to 20,000 bugs could be lurking in a single Christmas tree? This holiday season, we're here to help and have a checklist of things to consider before bringing your tree into the house.

Christmas tree pests include:

Aphids are common pests of evergreen trees and the warm conditions of the home may cause overwintering aphid eggs to hatch. Cinara aphids are large brown while black aphids that resemble small swollen ticks. These aphids do not bite or spread diseases and they will not feed on regular house plants.

Adelgids can produce cottony secretions over their bodies that might resemble snow on a Christmas tree.

Spider mites produce fine webbing and can appear as tiny red and brown dots when shaken out of the tree. The mites also create small red stains on carpets, ornaments, or furnishings and quickly die after the tree is cut.

Praying mantis eggs can hatch when introduced to the warmth of the home and if so, there can be hundreds of tiny mantids wandering in search for food.

Beetles and non-threatening spiders can also be found on Christmas trees.

It is important to note that none of the insects that emerge from a fresh-cut tree will cause any harm or damage to the tree, house, furnishing or occupants. Do not spray Christmas trees with pesticides, as they may do more harm than the insects themselves.

If you'd like to learn more about what to watch out for this holiday season, see this recent news story (click here) featuring one of our Regional Trainers discussing the topic of pests and Christmas trees.

The post Unwanted Christmas Tree Pests appeared first on Terminix Pest Control.

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Where Should You Keep An Emergency Account?

Like it or not, emergency accounts are kind of boring.

And they need to be.

The main purpose of an emergency account is to sit around and wait for an emergency.

That certainly limits your options as to where to hold the money.

Because you may need the money on very short notice, the safety of principal needs to be the primary concern.

But that doesn't mean you can't try to earn some income on your emergency account in the meantime.

6 Best Places to Put Your Emergency Account:

Local Banks

Online Bank Accounts

US Treasury Bills

Laddered CDs

Betterment

Roth IRA

You don't want to take risks in doing it, but you should attempt to earn at least a little bit of income while you're keeping your money safe.

Here are six emergency account options to consider…

1. Your Local Bank

Your local bank is always a solid option.

Unfortunately, most don't pay much in the way of interest. And it usually doesn't matter whether that's interest-bearing checking, savings, money markets, or certificates of deposit (CDs).

Because they have a network of local branches, they don't need to pay high-interest rates to attract customers.

For example, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Weekly National Rates and Rate Caps, average rates on bank savings vehicles look something like this:

Savings, 0.09%

Interest Checking, 0.06%

Money Markets, 0.16%

3-month CDs, 0.19%

6-month CDs, 0.31%

Those interest rates are downright microscopic. But the one advantage to local banks is that they can provide immediate physical access to your money in the event of an emergency.

And even though the interest they pay amounts to little more than dust, it's better than nothing.

2. Online Bank Accounts

If you want to keep your money absolutely safe but earn higher interest than you can at a local bank, seriously consider online bank accounts.

In today's world of electronic money, you can often get access to your funds from an online account just as quickly as you can from a local bank branch.

In fact, most provide various options for you to get your money, including transferring it into a checking account at a local bank.

But the interest they pay on your savings are a welcome relief from the fractional rates being paid at local banks.

For example:

Ally Bank currently pays 2.00% APY on all balance tiers on its Online Savings account.

CIT Bank currently pays 1.85% APY on its Online Money Market account.

Barclays Bank is currently offering 2.55% APY on it' 12-month CDs.

Online banks may not have local branches, but they're the next closest thing in terms of liquidity. And when you consider that the interest rates they pay on savings instruments run between 10 and 20 times higher than what local banks are paying, it's well worth keeping most of your emergency account with at least one of them.

You can open an account with Ally, CIT, or Barclays today.

3. US Treasury Bills

US Treasury Bills are short-term debts issued by the US government. And because they are issued by the US government, they are considered the safest of all investments, backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the US government.

They can be purchased in denominations of as little as $100 through do US Treasury's portal, Treasury Direct, and with terms of 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 13 weeks, 26 weeks, and 52 weeks. You can both purchase and redeem them through Treasury Direct.

Current yields on these securities are all in excess of 2% APY, with specific rates as of November 16, 2018, as follows:

4. Laddered Certificates of Deposit

CDs generally pay higher rates of interest than what you will get on savings accounts or money markets.

But the best rates go to the CDs that have longer terms. Typically, the better paying rates start with 12-month CDs.

That creates a bit of a problem if you're looking to build an emergency fund. After all, emergencies don't wait 12 months for your CD to mature. You'll need an ability to access funds before a CD matures.

Now you can usually liquidate a CD early.

But if you do, you'll be subject to an early withdrawal penalty. That can cost you several month's worth of interest.

An alternative might be to have some money in a savings account or money market account, with most of your money in 12 months CDs earning higher interest.

But an even better strategy will be to create a “CD ladder”. The laddering part has to do with staggering the maturities.

For example, under Online Bank Accounts we noted that Barclays Bank offers a 12-month CD paying 2.55% APY.

You can divide up your emergency account into 12 equal parts and invest the funds in 12 different 12-month CDs.

If you have $12,000 in your emergency account, instead of investing it all in a single CD, you can instead invest $1,000 in one CD each month.

You'll get the benefit of the 2.55% APY, but each month you'll have one CD maturing, while investing in a new one.

Because one CD is maturing each month, you would have at least $1,000 available for that month, and for every month.

That's how you can use a CD ladder to earn higher interest on your money, but also add a measure of liquidity for emergency purposes.

5. Betterment

If you want to add even higher returns to your emergency account, and you're willing to take on some risk to do it, you can consider putting at least some of your money into a robo-advisor.

The most popular, and perhaps the best robo-adviser overall, is Betterment.

For a low annual fee of just 0.25%, Betterment will provide you with a fully managed investment portfolio, that will be diversified across stocks and bonds.

Stocks are the more risky asset allocation, so if you plan to use a Betterment account as an emergency account, you should favor a higher bond position.

That will make it easier for you to liquidate funds at more predictable valuations than you can with stocks.

But maybe the best use of a Betterment account is to put the bulk of your emergency account into it, to earn higher returns on your money. But you should also hold a portion in more liquid assets, such as those listed above.

You would then be able to tap your liquid savings for immediate emergencies, and access funds from Betterment only when either a larger amount of money is needed, or the emergency lasts longer than expected, such as in the case of a job loss.

Either way, you probably won't want to put all of your emergency account into Betterment. There is the risk of loss in the event of a general stock market decline.

The best way to protect against that risk is to make sure you always have at least some funds sitting in a completely liquid account, using the Betterment account as a secondary emergency account.

Start earning with Betterment today >>

6. Roth IRA

This one's a bit controversial as an emergency account, but it can actually make perfect sense.

If you put money into a traditional IRA – or virtually any other retirement account – and you need to withdraw funds before you turn 59 ½, you'll have to pay ordinary income tax on the amount withdrawn, plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty.

But the Roth IRA is the exception to that rule.

Under what is known as IRS Roth IRA Ordering Rules, you can withdraw your contributions to a Roth IRA at anytime, free of both ordinary income tax and the 10% early withdrawal penalty.

That's because under the ordering rules, the first funds withdrawn from a Roth IRA are considered to be your contributions. And since contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax deductible, they are not taxable on withdrawal.

Apart from the fact that you can take tax-free early withdrawals from a Roth IRA, using one as an emergency account has several advantages:

They can be used to earn higher rates of return, such as by holding the Roth IRA with Betterment.

Investment earnings on a Roth IRA are tax-deferred, so they'll build up more quickly than in a taxable account.

Since a Roth IRA is first and foremost a retirement account, any funds not withdrawn for an emergency will continue to help you save for retirement.

Once your Roth IRA account gets big enough, you may be able to keep a small portion in liquid assets, like bonds, to use as an emergency account.

But the rest of the account, the majority, can be invested for growth as part of your retirement strategy.

Where You Should Put YOUR Emergency Fund?

As you can see, there are more options as to where to put an emergency account than just the local bank. Best of all, you don't have to pick just one type of account.

You can use several, effectively turning your emergency savings into something of a diversified portfolio.

For example, you can hold a small amount, say enough to cover 30 days of living expenses, in a high yield savings account or money market.

You can put a larger amount into higher yielding (but safe) investments, like CDs and Treasury Bills.

Then you can put the largest amount into a growth account, like Betterment and/or a Roth IRA, to earn even higher returns for the long-term.

That will enable you to have the liquid funds you need for an emergency account, while earning a lot better than 0.09% in a local bank savings account.

The post Where Should You Keep An Emergency Account? appeared first on Good Financial Cents.

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Pushing past fear with epic beginner table saw tips and making a push stick.

Did you even know I have a table saw? Ohhh, I do. This beautiful sawdust is proof! In fact, I took a pretty photo shoot of this very table saw last summer after spit polishing it, because I had plans to sell it on a bidding site! Let me put it this way. IMO the […]

The post Pushing past fear with epic beginner table saw tips and making a push stick. appeared first on Funky Junk Interiors.

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What is Private Mortgage Insurance? Why do I need it?

When you're ready to buy a house, you'll need to make a payment during the onset of the purchase, known as a down payment. Your down payment will be a percentage of the entire loan; this percentage varies and can be anywhere from 3.5% to 20%. When you make a down payment, you are taking on part of the risk from your lender and reducing the amount of your succeeding mortgage. After paying your down payment, your mortgage covers the rest of the home's price. For a traditional conventional loan, a lender may require at least a 20% down payment at closing. What happens if you don't have enough money to meet that requirement? Or maybe you haven't had the time to save for this payment.

This is where private mortgage insurance (PMI) comes in.

PMI is sold by private insurers. It is offered in association with conventional mortgages to prevent or reduce potential losses to lenders resulting from the borrower failing to make payments; defaulting. One in three borrowers buys PMI to afford a home, without a large upfront payment. With PMI, home buyers seeking a conventional mortgage have more options to purchase homes without the burden of saving 20% of the home's purchase price.

How does PMI benefit homebuyers?

If you choose to not make the 20% down payment, you still have options for financing a home. How much PMI you're required to purchase depends on the amount of the loan amount, and the loan-to-value ratio.  This ratio indicates how much a loan is compared to the value of your home.  For example, a $100,000 valued home with a $95,000 dollar mortgage will have a loan to value ratio of 95%.  Most PMI rates fall between .5% and 1% of the loan annually, which can be broken into monthly payments, although there are other choices on how to pay for PMI available to you. You're required to obtain PMI and keep the insurance in force while paying for renewal until you build sufficient equity in the property. This is used in the event of a default; so the lender's losses can be reduced. When the loan-to-value ratio is 78%, your mortgage lender is required to drop PMI.

Purchasing PMI may also be beneficial for you if you don't have enough time to save 20% of the loan amount prior to closing. Purchasing PMI gives you the opportunity to be living in your dream home sooner, while making the PMI payments along the way. Multiple loan options make obtaining a mortgage not only manageable, but something to look forward to.

It is important to be aware of your options, and weigh the pros and cons of each to determine what works best for you.

If you'd like to learn more about your options in funding your home purchase, get started with a Union Home Mortgage loan officer today.

The post What is Private Mortgage Insurance? Why do I need it? appeared first on housing buzz blog.

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Insurance Coverage and Falling Objects

Falling Objects

What if a meteorite or airplane parts fall from the sky and land on my vehicle?!?

What should I do if a sheet of ice and snow comes off of another vehicle on the highway and hits my car causing damage?!?

Our Massachusetts Auto policy tells us that there IS coverage under Comprehensive Coverage (Part 9), for losses caused by falling objects. What this means…

Comprehensive Coverage is coverage for events other than collision. Events that are out of your control…

Natural disasters: Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Hurricanes

Fire

Explosions

Vandalism

Theft

Run-ins with animals, such as deer

Broken Windshields (make sure you don't have a separate glass deductible)

And last, but certainly not least in our case, here in New England:

FALLING OBJECTS

Falling Objects

  If you carry Comprehensive Coverage (Part 9) on your policy, then you DO HAVE COVERAGE if your vehicle is ever struck by a falling object  (After your Comprehensive deductible is applied).

If your car is struck by an object that came off of another automobile, do your best to get their information. If subrogation and recovery of your deductible is possible, it is vital to have the plate number of the other car! Otherwise, there is no way for the insurance company to recover your deductible and you will end up responsible for the entire cost $$ of the repair!

Do you have additional questions?  Shoot us an email at info@insurewithrichardson or click the lightning bolt to send us a direct message!

The post Insurance Coverage and Falling Objects appeared first on Richardson Insurance.

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Chicken and Avocado Soup

This Chicken and Avocado Soup with lime, scallions and cilantro is my go-to when I want comfort food with Latin flavors.

It's also really easy to make, and comes together in less than 30 minutes! The avocado adds a creaminess and richness to the light broth and is naturally low-carb, keto and Whole30 friendly. If you wish, you can also add tortillas or serve it with rice on the side.

(more…)

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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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How to Save Money at the Grocery Store

We've all experienced this moment: You're checking out at the grocery store, the cashier tells you your total and you think to yourself, “How the heck did I spend so much money?”

It's easy for grocery store spending to get away from us. Stores are now jam-packed with irresistible foods in creatively-designed packaging and brightly-colored signs advertising impossible-to-pass-up deals. The average grocery shopper is up against a ton of pressure to get them to buy, buy, buy, when many Americans' budgets are begging them to save, save, save.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to cut down on grocery spending. You just have to know what you're doing. Here are our tips.

Go in With a Plan

A well-thought-out grocery list is your first line of defense against overspending. You don't want to walk through those automatic doors without one.

Without a grocery list, you don't know exactly what you need (and what you don't). This can easily lead to impulse buys or throwing things in your cart on the off chance you're running low on a particular item.

To be sure you're only spending what is necessary on groceries, take some time before your trip to the store to figure out what you need. Ever gone to the store and stocked up on pasta, only to come home and find out you already have a small stockpile of it in the back of your pantry? Check your pantry and refrigerator beforehand so you know what you've already got.

Equally as important as having a plan is sticking to it. Retailers have come up with all sorts of psychological tricks to get you to spend more than you intended. Don't fall for it and commit to only buying the items on your list. And remember: Never go grocery shopping when you're hungry.

Plan Your Menu

Take some time before you go shopping to detail each and every meal you plan on eating for that week. Write down what ingredients you'll need and add them to your grocery list.

While at first this may seem like a daunting task, the money you save will make it worth your while. Plus, it doesn't have to be super complicated. Just because you're planning your meals doesn't mean you have to suddenly become a fabulously creative chef. It's OK if most of your planned lunches are a simple ham and cheese sandwich and dinner is a bowl of cereal. The important thing is that you aren't buying more food than you'll eat. (Although health-wise, it may be wise to diversify your diet a bit, but hey, one area of self-improvement at a time.)

Cut Food Waste

Saving money is also about making the most of the money you spend. If you aren't using the stuff you buy, you're wasting money, regardless of whether you got a good deal on it or not.

If you find yourself unable to go through the full package of any perishables you buy before hitting the product's expiration date, make a note to start buying smaller package sizes or freeze what you know you won't get through. If you're pouring a lot of partially-full gallons of milk down the drain, start buying half-gallons. If you can never get through a whole loaf of bread before it starts growing green spots, buy a half-loaf or keep a week's supply in the pantry and stick the rest in the freezer.

Buy in Bulk (Sometimes!)

A common piece of advice you'll hear is to buy certain items in bulk to save money. But does it really save you all that much money? Which items should you buy in bulk?

When you see a bulk item at a low per-unit price, you might think that you can't pass up on such a deal. But if you end up unable to use the whole thing before it expires, tossing it because it takes up too much space or just getting sick of it, you're erasing any potential savings.

If you're really committed to buying in bulk, you'll also need to consider the cost of a warehouse store membership, such as Sam's Club or Costco, to have access to a wide variety of bulk products. Figure out if the money you save would be enough to justify the cost of membership.

So, when does it make sense to buy in bulk? If you have a large household, buying most of your regularly-used items in bulk probably makes more sense, both in terms of how much money you spend and how often you need to restock these items.

If you have a smaller household, there are still times when it can make sense to buy a few things in bulk, but you probably shouldn't be stuffing your kitchen full of jumbo jars of condiments and 10-pound bags of rice.

If you want to buy in bulk, non-food household staples are usually a safe bet: things like laundry detergent, dish soap, trash bags or toilet paper. Just be sure to keep an eye on the price and compare costs of different sizes to make sure you're actually getting a good deal. And don't buy anything in bulk that you aren't absolutely going to use every last bit of. If you like switching shampoo brands every month or so, don't buy a giant bottle of it, no matter how well-priced it is.

Buy Generic

We all have our various brand loyalties, and sometimes the off-brand swaps just aren't as good as their more well-known contemporaries. However, if you want to save some money, be open to trying the generic versions of some of your most-purchased items and see if you notice a difference.

If you decide you can't bear to part with your favorite brand name cereal, that's OK. But running this experiment for the grocery items you spend the most money on can end up saving you some cash if you find a few things you can easily swap out. Often, you may find that the generic versions are just as good as the brand name, or are even exactly the same. For example, if you're buying an over-the-counter medication, compare the generic to the brand name. As long as both packages list the same active ingredient, they'll both be equally as effective at curing your headache. Buy the generic and save yourself a few bucks.

Go Online

You won't always save money by grocery shopping online, especially when you factor in any convenience fees and shipping costs. However, online shopping can make it easy to find the best deals on certain items while avoiding impulse buys.

The internet makes comparison shopping ridiculously convenient. Whereas at a brick and mortar store, you're less likely to abandon your cart to see if you can find a better deal on brussels sprouts elsewhere. Online, you can check out competing prices with just a few clicks, making it more likely that you're able to get the best deals on most of the items in your cart.

Take a look at the various services and memberships available and compare the benefits and costs. Even if you don't switch to grocery shopping online exclusively, those who get free shipping with online retailers such as Amazon might be able to find good deals on bulk items like paper towels and garbage bags that make the occasional online order well worth it.

Are you a thrifty grocery shopper? Share your best tips with us in the comments!

The post How to Save Money at the Grocery Store appeared first on ZING Blog by Quicken Loans.

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First Friday Feature: A Beautiful Sky Blue Kitchen

Starting the new year fresh off the bat, we thought it would be fitting to feature a kitchen updated and revived with new finishes and a fresh new look. Just like many of us view the new year, we see it as a new beginning, a fresh start so to speak. The same goes for many things in our lives, such as our kitchens! Many times, a kitchen does not need a complete gut, rather more of a cosmetic redo. Which is exactly what we've done here! This particular kitchen already had great bones and beautiful sky blue cabinetry, it just needed some finishing touches to get that make-over look. To learn more, continue reading below!

Countertops

With cabinetry already having a fresh sky blue color, we didn't have to touch the cabinets. However, by lowering the pony wall, and dropping it to cabinet-height, really helped to open up the kitchen. The original countertops were a dark and outdated tile application that needed a redo. So out with the old and in with the new 3 cm Cambria Quartz in Ella. The brightness of the new countertops was a much-needed cosmetic change for this kitchen space to liven up!

Backsplash

The original backsplash was an outdated light-brown 4×4″ square installed in a mixture of straight and diamond lay. The new backsplash was a Daltile Artigiano 3×6 glazed ceramic wall tile in Italian Alps. This tile has a hand-painted look with irregular edges, giving it a hand-made look.

Fixtures and Fittings

To complete this kitchen, a new sink, faucet, and hardware is a must! From Blanco, we have a Diamond super single bowl in a granite composite sink in the color Truffle (441765), and Meridian semi-professional faucet in Satin Nickel (440557). Lastly, the new hardware on the cabinetry are Amerock Blackrock pulls in Satin Nickel (BP55276-G10).

Thanks for stopping by! While you wait for our next feature, check out some of our previous ones here, and here!

The post First Friday Feature: A Beautiful Sky Blue Kitchen appeared first on Kitchen Design Concepts.

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Happy Holidays: See you in 2019!

Image above by @OliviaRichards from @PartyCrushStudio

Oh, what a year it's been! 2018 has flown by and our team is looking forward to our annual break and a chance to regroup, celebrate with family and get ready for the next year. This year we started a new print magazine, launched a new podcast, traveled around the country to celebrate both, and put a new project onto the stove that will hopefully (fingers crossed) be starting early in the new year. We have some very BIG news coming up after the break, too, so I hope you'll join us on Monday, January 7th when we're back from the holidays with our regular weekly content.

Until then, all of us here at Design*Sponge are wishing you a safe and happy holiday, safe travels if you're heading anywhere and best wishes for a happy new year. I know this year has been filled with ups and downs for so many in our community and we just to send all of our love and our gratitude for your continued support, feedback and friendship. Next year Design*Sponge will turn 15 (!!) and this year we really got a chance to sit back and look at how we've all grown up together. We are all feeling awash in gratitude and thanks. So from all of us to you and yours, thank you and have a wonderful holiday! We'll see you in 2019! (January 7th, to be precise). xoxo, Grace

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Friday favorites

How many of you are on day 3 of your New Years resolution? How many of your New Years resolutions include eating healthy, dieting, or exercise? Well, if you are like me, making healthier choices is definitely my number one priority. Today's Friday favorites is all about eating healthy, feeling better, and getting back in shape! I recently found these Boulder Canyon chips that are healthier than your regular chips. I really like being able to feel like I am not on a diet, just eating the same old foods, but ones that are actually better for you!  Head on over to their Facebook page where they are conducting product giveaways!

I really like this crossfit workout that you can do from home.

Here is a protein packed hot chocolate that I discovered when I was doing the whole 30. It's really delicious!  Take advantage of the Nordstrom half-yearly sale with some new workout wear. I love this brand, very fashionable as well as comfortable.  These running shoes are in my shopping cart! Love, love, love them. No excuses that you don't have time to shower in the morning before hitting the gym. I use this dry shampoo before I go so I don't look totally homeless.  Now this is a water bottle! If you have sore muscles from working out, or just want a detox bath, I highly recommend this product, I've been using it for years.  And after your soak, keep that dry itchy skin soft with my favorite unscented lotion. Make 2019 your year! xoxo

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Meet Sweeten General Contractor Nick

His key to success? Scheduling, scheduling, scheduling!

At Sweeten, the experts in our network are experienced contractors and design pros we'd be thrilled to have working in our own homes. We check their licenses, insurance, quality of work, and customer service skills. Trust and open communication are the lifeblood of our free renovation service, and our personal connection to our experts enables us to match you to the best choices for your project. Here, get to know their personality and click to view their portfolio, including photos from past work and client reviews, so that you can hire the right team and renovate with confidence.

Check out Nick's portfolio here 

What do you love most about construction and working in the renovation space?

I think it's great to capture someone's ideas and bring them to life. Also, the joy customers have after the project is completed-when they are satisfied, it's really rewarding.

What do you want all of your clients to know when they start a project?

They have nothing to worry about. We'll take care of everything from A-to-Z.

What is your favorite project that you've done?

Actually, our first Sweeten project. Our client was very easygoing. He shared his vision and then let us work.

Describe your ideal client?

Trusting! They trust us, our expertise, our craftsmanship-pretty much everything about us.

If you couldn't be a contractor what would you be doing and why?

I am actually a chemical engineer. I'd be working back in pharma because I left that to work with my dad and to take over the company. This is really my dad's company, but we're partners.

What is your secret to make sure a project is wrapped up successfully?

Scheduling is the number one thing. Making sure subcontractors all align properly, they're on time and trustworthy. My subcontractors are very reliable.

What is your favorite New York City borough

I'm from Queens, so let's go with Queens.

What is your favorite New York restaurant?

There is a really good brick oven pizza in Brooklyn. It's called Campañas, it is right by the Verrazano bridge in Bay Ridge.

Take a look at some of Nick's renovations below and check out his portfolio for more photos of past work.

(1 & 3) Kate and Daniel's bathroom in Jackson Heights (2) Gloria's kitchen in Queens

Nick has been a Sweeten general contractor since March 2017.

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Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project's location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you're ready to renovate, start your renovation on Sweeten.

The post Meet Sweeten General Contractor Nick appeared first on Sweeten Blog.

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3 Ways To Put Fall Leaves to Work on Your Commercial Property

At times, Klausing Group's goal of leading the landscape industry means returning to an old practice rather than inventing a new one. Fallen leaves are a valuable resource, and the industry's practice of removing them is often not the most practical or economical approach. Instead, we utilize fallen leaves whenever possible to improve results in the landscape.

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A Look Back at the Best of Garden Therapy in 2018

Looking back on the best of Garden Therapy in 2018. Sharing the big and small changes as well as the news and highlights. Read on to see the most popular articles from the year.  Last January, my... Please see the full article on https://GardenTherapy.ca

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Start the New Year with a Clean House

The start of the new year is a time of resolutions, goal setting, and a fresh start.  With 2019 now upon us, one of the best ways to celebrate this fresh start is with a fresh and clean home!

Out with the old!  Dusty furniture, musty linens, and grimy countertops have GOT to go.  A great house cleaning service will rid your home of cobwebs, dust and dirt, and other unwanted remainders of time gone by.

In with the new!  Take advantage of the new year and fresh start to create some new healthy habits, such as scheduling routine house cleaning!  Most of our house cleaning customers want us to come clean their homes regularly, whether that means once per week or once per month.  Regularly scheduled professional house cleaning helps ensure your home is clean, sanitary, and ready for your family and guests to enjoy!

Kick off the new year with the help of a great professional house cleaning service.  Here are some things a good maid service can do for you in the new year:

Sanitize the surfaces in your bathroom and make them sparkle.

Deep clean the kitchen, including appliances, to get back to a clean kitchen after all the holiday cooking.

Scrub all sinks and tubs.

Clean the toilet (every homeowner's least favorite job!).

Vacuum the carpet and clean the hard flooring.

Dust, vacuum, and clean all bedrooms and guest rooms to reset the house after holiday visitors and company.

Put clean sheets on the beds.

Dust picture frames, shelves, and bookcases.

...and much more!

First Coast Home Pros is the best cleaning company Jacksonville FL homeowners call on throughout the year!  We are the cleaning experts and it shows – we are highly rated and have countless happy customers throughout Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, Riverside, and Mandarin.  We'll get you off to a sparkling clean start for the new year!