jacobj865200017-blog - Tumblr blog

[jacobj865200017-blog]

GARLIC CONFIT

I am forever and always a proponent of having sauces, dressings and condiments in the fridge to make something out of pantry staples or the end of the vegetable bin. I got into garlic confit after I had a surplus of garlic sometime last year and now I plan for it. It makes a delicious oil that can be used a number of ways. It's delicious smashed into toast or some of the fragrant oil stirred into soup or a bowl of grains. I have a list going below of the ways I've made good use of it - it just makes quick, simple things taste like you spent more time than you really did. Garlic and olive oil are both great for immunity, so cooking aside, it's legit health food during cold and flu season.

You start with a few heads of garlic and send them for a warm bath in some good olive oil in a low oven. I use the Rich and Robust olive oil from the new Destination Series from California Olive Ranch. You can read more about the Destination Series in that link above. We were able to taste the new blends and learn more about these forward thinking partnerships on our trip with them last month. The olive oil has an assertive and noticeable flavor which works great here. Seeing as I use this confit to flavor otherwise super basic dishes, the great tasting oil is noticeable here. The confit is mostly hands off time, just enjoy that incredible smell wafting through your house. You let the garlicky oil cool down then transfer it to jars so it's easy to use. It will firm up in the fridge, as olive oil does, but just leave it at room temperature for 10 minutes for it to return to it's liquid state. It will save for a few months and also gifts beautifully along side a jar of soup.

This post is made in partnership with California Olive Ranch. Thank you for supporting our partners so we can continue to create recipes here. All opinions are my own.

What do I do with it?

- Spread on crostini (before or after toasting)

- Smashed and stirred into a bowl of beans or grains

- Pasta or zucchini noodles

- Sautéed greens

- Flatbread topping

- Smashed into potatoes

- Cauliflower mash

ingredients

3-4 heads of garlic, peeled Sprig of fresh thyme and/or rosemary 1 bay leaf Sprinkle of red pepper flakes 1.5 cups California Olive Ranch Rich & Robust extra virgin olive oil

instructions

Preheat the oven to 325'.

Open and peel the garlic cloves and place them in a small, oven proof baking dish. Add the thyme, bay leaf, sprinkle of pepper flakes and then cover everything with the oil. Pop the dish in the oven for 45 minutes. It can be used immediately after this, or cool completely before transferring it into jars and storing it in the fridge.

Note: this is not salted, so when you add it to dishes or crostini, you will want to season it with salt to your taste.

Sara Forte 2019-01-15

How to make garlic confit

12

A delicious, garlic infused oil that can be used to dress everything from bread to salads to soups.

3-4 heads of garlic

Sprig of fresh thyme and/or rosemary

1 bay leaf

Sprinkle of red pepper flakes

1.5 cups olive oil

261 calories27 grams fat5 grams carbohydrate1 grams protein

Preheat the oven to 325'. Open and peel the garlic cloves and place them in a small, oven proof baking dish. Add the thyme, bay leaf, sprinkle of pepper flakes and then cover everything with the oil. Pop the dish in the oven for 45 minutes. It can be used immediately after this, or cool completely before transferring it into jars and storing it in the fridge.

PT5M

PT45M

PT50M

italian

Side

condiment, sauce, side, herbs, dipping

[jacobj865200017-blog]

Winter Decorating Tips + Inspiration Monday

Welcome to Inspiration Monday! We are so excited to have you here!

This week's Winter Decorating Tips were chosen by Meegan from What Meegan Makes.

Please be sure to PIN below from the original source.

Winter Decorating Ideas from Bringing French Country Home

Simple Winter Sitting Area Décor designed by Cherished Bliss

DIY Cathedral Window Tutorial created by Snazzy Little Things

Simple Winter Living Room Ideas from Farmhouse 40

Above the Bed Decorating Tips designed by Cedar Hill Farmhouse

  SO, BE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AS WE LOVE TO FEATURE YOUR LINKS THERE:

I Should Be Mopping the Floor | Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

Refresh Restyle | What Meegan Makes

Our Southern Home | Inspiration for Moms

Please keep in mind:

*Be sure to mingle with other party guests.

*Link up all of your creative fun…including recipes, crafts, printables, DIY projects and other fabulous things you've been up to on YOUR blog.

*Please DO NOT link Etsy stores, giveaways, or other link parties.

*And by linking up to the Inspiration Monday Party you are giving the six blogs, listed above, permission to feature your project and/or photos on our social media outlets and blogs.

*In addition, DO NOT LINK ANY stock photography. Links will be removed without notification.

An InLinkz Link-up

The post Winter Decorating Tips + Inspiration Monday appeared first on Refresh Restyle.

[jacobj865200017-blog]

Keeping Your DC-Area Home Rodent-Free in 2019

Long before spring of 2019 arrives, rodents could decide to enter your home. If they do, they'll be more than happy to stay in your home throughout the winter and well into the new year. So, now is the time of year to really consider how those rodents act and think, what drives them inside a home and, most importantly, how to keep them out.

How Rodents Think

Do you know how you feel on a nice summer day? That's how rodents feel on a gloomy day or in a day that doesn't have a lot of sunshine. This is because rodents prefer the cover of darkness. They are primarily nocturnal in nature. That means that in the fall and early winter rodents are going to be more active than they are in the summer months. This will give them more opportunity to enter your home as they explore your yard and landscaping.

What Drives Rodents Into Homes

Cold is a strong motivator for a rodent. While a nest of rodents all huddled together can stay nice and warm, a rodent exploring your property can be lured into a home by the promise of heat. As they're out exploring, they're cold. If they walk past a dryer exhaust that comes out underneath a porch or deck, they may decide to create a nest in this sheltered and warm location. If they sense heat leaking out of a gap in a door frame, they may chew on that gap to make it large enough to squeeze in and explore the warm space beyond. It only takes a hole the size of a nickel to give mice access to your home.

How To Keep Rodents Out

The process of keeping rodents out is multi-tiered. It starts with an alteration of the conditions around a home that promote rodent activity. When rodents come into your yard, there are some things they look for.

Still water pools near your home will give rodents a drink.

Objects stacked near your home will offer them a hiding place or harborage.

External structures that they can get under will provide cover and the dimly lit environment they prefer.

Tall grass and overgrown areas feel safe to rodents.

Accessible trash can provide a meal.

Correcting and altering conditions that provide food, water, and hiding places, will help reduce the number of rodents that are near your exterior walls and foundation.

The second tier is to seal up holes and gaps. When you seal up holes, gaps, and cracks on the outside of your home, not only do you keep the heat from attracting rodents to chew their way in, it also makes your walls feel less breachable. A rodent isn't likely to chew through a sound window or door frame without a good reason. It is impractical. Rodents are opportunists that take advantage of vulnerabilities. And our homes provide many opportunities for them to get in.

The third tier is monitoring and control. It is impossible to make your yard completely uninviting to mice and rats without making it uninviting to you as well. That is why ongoing monitoring and control is important. It bolsters your defenses and makes your barrier complete. This is best performed by a pest management professional. Professionals like American Pest use state-of-the-art rodent control devices placed in strategic locations to ensure effective results.

At American Pest, we're pretty proud of the technologies we employ to stop rodents. Anticimex SMART devices are cutting-edge, electronic traps that have digital sensors and cameras that track rodents and eliminate them without the use of pesticides. It is like having an intelligent system around your home that keeps a watchful eye on things you don't want to see. When rodents are captured, your American Pest technician removes them and takes appropriate measures to counter rodent pressures around your home. We don't wait for rodents to get into your home and spread illness, and parasites, or do damage to your belongings and your equity.

If you want to keep your DC-Area home rodent free in 2019, now is the time to reach out to American Pest and get your rodent protection in place.   

[jacobj865200017-blog]

Choosing An Insurance Policy To Meet Your Needs

Nothing is guaranteed in this life. Around any corner, some accident can occur.

While accidents differ in their severity, it's always a good idea to be prepared. Insurance is one way to future-proof yourself against the worst and to make sure you aren't taking a financial hit out of the blue.

Consider the below to be the primary type of insurance policies you may need.

Home Insurance

If you own your home, then this is a legal requirement. Even if you don't own a property, there are other types of home insurance that you should know about.

Home insurance offers unexpected benefits including that it can cover you against an injury that someone else suffers while on your property.

Depending on the coverage you pay for, you may be able to claim the following:

Damage to your home 

Loss of property due to theft

Damage due to fire

The expense of temporary housing due to repairs leaving your home uninhabitable 

These are some of the standard options, but there are others that generally cost extra. You can also claim any damage that might occur to your personal belongings. For example, with the right coverage, if you spill water on your laptop and it stops working, you would be able to claim that through your insurance.

One thing that doesn't always come as standard is natural disaster insurance. However, if this is something that you are concerned about, then speak to your insurance company to see if it can be added.

InsuranceJournal.com reported, of 2017's 330 natural disasters, insurance losses were over $134 billion showing the importance of being covered.

Life Insurance

Some companies will offer a level of life insurance as part of their care package for employees, but outside of that, there are a couple of options.  

Term life is the most common. This covers you for a selected period. This is the more cost-effective option.  Whole life, as you might expect, covers an individual for a lifetime. This type of insurance often comes with money guarantees and is continuous as long as you keep making payments.

There are some things to remember with life insurance. If you have suffered from a life-threatening illness, then it can be harder to find coverage. Still, some providers tailor policies for such individuals.  Some will require a medical exam, while others can include other family members.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance coverage can be taken out to insure individual trips. There is also accident insurance that can protect you in the event of baggage loss, injuries, and even accidental death. Your health or life insurance is unlikely to cover you when abroad, and medical bills can be expensive.

To save money on your travel insurance, you could choose only to get travel medical insurance. However, most of the time, this will not cover you in the event of delays, cancellations, or anything other than health-related claims.

Annual travel insurance protects you all year round. If you travel often, then this might be the most relevant type of travel insurance for you.

If you are embarking on a holiday that involves extreme sports, such as snowboarding, skiing, or surfing, then you may wish to check if you need to an extra layer of insurance as you may not be covered in the event of an accident.

Medical Insurance

Depending on what health plan you choose, you can expect to pay a percentage of any medical costs. The percentage gets lower the higher the level of coverage.

Here are the four levels of coverage. The individual pays the remainder of the medical costs:

Bronze – Covers 60% of medical costs

Silver – 70%

Gold  – 80%

Platinum – 90%

Below are the five most common types of medical insurance plans

Health maintenance organizations – You don't get as much freedom to choose your care provider should you need it with this type of policy.

Preferred provider organizations – You'll have more freedom to choose a provider, but this can cost more money.

Exclusive provider organizations – You can choose the care provider, as long as it is within the insurance company's network.

High deductible health plans – Often combined with a health-related savings account. The money you pay with is free from taxes.

Point of service plans – Expect a limited choice of provider, but at a lower premium.

Car Insurance

Most states require auto insurance before you get behind the wheel. There are a few types to remember.

Liability coverage – covers other people and their property in the event of an accident that you caused.

Collision coverage – coverage for any road accident, whether it's your fault or not.

Comprehensive coverage – this helps to cover damage caused by a third party, fire or theft. Sometimes even natural disasters are included as part of the coverage.

Personal injury protection – this is a requirement in some states that can cover your medical expenses that are the result of a road accident.

As with many types of insurance, a deductible will often be required. The lower the deductible, the higher the overall price of your insurance is likely to be.

Of course, everyone hopes that none of these are ever needed, but it is always best to protect yourself against the unexpected.

[jacobj865200017-blog]

Scenes from a Nursery Trade Show

The Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show is happening in Baltimore this week, and garden communicators (formerly “writers”) were there in droves! Here we all are at the breakfast event for media. Well, here they all are – I'd already started canvassing the vendor booths for familiar faces and interesting stuff to post about.

GardenRanter Scott Beuerlein was there, too and he's actually in the photo – back row, right of center.

So who should I spot right away but these titans of the plant world greeting each other like the old pals we know them to be. That's Dr. Michael Dirr on the left with Dr. Allan Armitage, both of the University of Georgia.

What followed was the taking of lots of posed photos like this one, but the one I wish I'd gotten included a guy I later learned was UGA Coach Vince Dooley, who's famous for his garden.

I visited Carolyn Mullet and her Carex Tours booth to chat a bit and give me an excuse to recommend her European garden tours with their emphasis on great design.

I stopped here to ask the succulent expert how to keep alive the succulent houseplants I got for Christmas, which are suffering already. More on that in an upcoming post.

I have recycled Adirondack chairs like these in a wonderful color and was pleased to see all sorts of other furniture options now available in similar materials and colors. They last a lifetime with no maintenance and are comfy.

I caught up with Mark Highland of Organic Mechanics (right) and was happy to hear business is good.

This fabulous booth introduced me to a garden center not far from me – so yay!

Best Bees is an urban beekeeping service that's exhibiting at MANTS for the first time. I hope they're having a great show!

I stopped at Terra Nova Nurseries in Oregon hoping to see owner Dan Heims, who's been having health problems. He wasn't there but I learned that he's planning to attend an IPM conference in Germany soon, so his spirits seem to be good.

This is what even moderate-size trees look like when wrapped for moving and planting. I was told it weighs 3,800 pounds. Do not try this at home.

The Kurt Bluemel booth is always attractive and a reminder of how much the founder is missed. (See Alan Bush's lovely tribute in memoriam.) I learned that the fellow in this shot is Kurt's grandson.

Author David Culp was manning the booth for Sunny Border Nurseries and whatever they're paying him, he deserves a raise because the man can SELL. I left feeling guilty that I'm not interested enough in snowdrops (galanthus) to attend a whole conference about them (while applauding plant geeks who specialize in them, or really anything).

I'm a fan of Sandy's Plants in my home town of Richmond, VA. Visitors get to drive around the nursery in individual golf carts! And it's just five minutes from Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

I was hoping to see the super-fun Lloyd Tavern at his Peace Tree Farm booth but he was busy working the floor.

Now THIS was interesting – these magazines about the green industry include Cannabis and Dispensary. They serve the fastest growing segment of the hort biz, the growing and selling of cannabis. (If you've seen a book store lately and they have a gardening section at all, it's probably filling up with pot-growing books.)

Kudos to Southern Living Plant Collection for a gorgeous display.

At the large Knock Out Rose booth I asked a bunch of questions about rose rosette disease and will be posting about the answers soon.

The National Arboretum booth was a sad reminder of the political storm brewing in nearby D.C. It's closed for the shutdown, with only friends-group volunteers available to man the booth.

Lots of garden-communicator pals were stopping at the GardenComm booth (formerly Garden Writers) to greet president Becky Heath and let her talk them into speaking on camera about the organization. Here's Pat Stone of Greensprints Magazine stepping up to the challenge.

This Halloween-packed booth was one of many selling nonplant-related STUFF that's so important to the business of independent garden centers.

So what's missing from this photo-packed post? Shots of the vast majority (maybe 98%) of the booths that sell products of no interest or relevance to home gardeners at all. This show is for the trade, not us. So I just breezed by all the nursery irrigation systems and the dozens of Christmas tree growers and made it home before dark.

Wait! I found one more shot of a bunch of garden communicators lunching together that doesn't include me – because I'd just left the group. I'm sure that wasn't deliberate.

Until next January, that's all from the show (unless Scott has his own report. It was his very first MANTS.)

I love this event and the three media events and parties that come with it (thank you, event people!). It's an emotional lift in the midst of winter. And it makes me really happy to be part of the wonderful this world of plant people. I found my peeps.

For our Feedblitz subscribers, the author of this post is Susan Harris.

Scenes from a Nursery Trade Show originally appeared on GardenRant on January 11, 2019.

[jacobj865200017-blog]

The Biggest Textile Fair in The World – London Textile 19

The Biggest Textile Fair in The World – London Textile 19: Today ends one of the largest fairs in the world of textiles, do you know London Textile? From 9th to 10th they had together a lot of textile companies, that came there to observe new technologies, trends and more about this sector. Stay with us and find out more about what happened in these two days!

    Committed to entering new markets and increasing their volume of exports, textile companies continue to bet on the main world fairs to strengthen their international presence.

Continue reading The Biggest Textile Fair in The World – London Textile 19 at Maison Valentina Blog.

[jacobj865200017-blog]

It's Time To Clean This One Neglected Thing In Your Living Room

There are few things I love in this world as much as a soft, fuzzy throw blanket. I have a small collection of them that I keep in a basket by my favorite recliner chair in the living room. That way, whenever the urge strikes, there's always a cozy blanket within arm's reach. :-) (It's a good thing I've never been a big fan of taking naps, because those cozy throws could put anyone to sleep!)

And it seems that my son's girlfriend's dog Kona loves a good throw blanket as much as I do! Kell brought Kona up with him when he visited over Christmas, and I was happy to let Kona snuggle up next to my blanket for a while. Once they had gone back home, I thought I'd wash the blanket to make sure it was free of any lingering dog hair. And that's when it hit me-I couldn't remember the last time I'd cleaned any of my throw blankets!

That obviously wasn't a great sign, so I decided to brush up on my knowledge of exactly how to clean throw blankets. And that's what I'll be sharing with you today! I'll tell you how often we should all be cleaning our throws, and I'll share exactly how to do it safely. With proper care and cleaning, you can ensure that your favorite throw blankets stay clean, soft, and cozy for as long as possible! :-)

How Often Should I Wash My Throw Blankets?

On average, you should aim to wash your throw blankets about once a month. But if your throw blankets frequently come into contact with food or pets, you might want to do it more frequently. (Once every two weeks should do it!)

How To Wash A Throw Blanket

The safest route for cleaning your throw blankets is to follow any care instructions included on the tag. If your blanket doesn't have a tag, or the tag doesn't include care instructions, try this:

Wash your blanket alone.

Select a short, delicate cycle along with cold water.

Use a small amount of normal liquid detergent in the wash cycle. (If you use too much detergent, it's unlikely that your washer will be able to rinse it all out of the blanket. You can always run an extra rinse cycle to be safe, if your washer has that option.)

Don't use fabric softener. Many delicate and synthetic fibers aren't meant to be used with fabric softeners, and it may actually make the blanket less soft over time.

This method is gentle enough for most types of throw blankets. (And yes, that includes minky blankets too!)

How To Dry A Throw Blanket

The safest way to dry a throw blanket is to just hang it out to air-dry. This is the only way to guarantee that your blanket maintains its shape and stays snag-free. But keep in mind that it could take a LONG time for your blanket to dry completely this way!

A speedier option is to dry it partway in your dryer. Use a no-heat or low-heat setting, then take the blanket out when it's about 80% dry. Hang it up somewhere out of the way and allow it to dry completely.

Do you have a favorite throw blanket at home?

[jacobj865200017-blog]

7 Stupid Easy Ways To Fix Your Finances In 2019

With 2019 just around the corner, you may have a resolution to fix your finances. If 2018 left you in debt, stressed out, maxed out, freaked out or just ready for a change, read on.

You would be AMAZED at what you can change in a year. The person you are today, does NOT need to be the person you are 12 months from now.

There are so many ways to go about doing this: loans, refinancing, a second job, starting a blog or becoming a freelance writer, transferring credit card balances, seeing a financial counselor, etc., etc., ETC.! But those aren't particularly easy and they certainly are not a way to get quick cash.

That's why I've created this list of 7 stupid easy ways to change your finances. Each option is a simple and fast way to start on the path to financial health.

Survey Says- Make Some Extra Cash

You can pinch pennies aplenty, but if you're not making a lot to begin with, you'll find it's challenging to get ahead.  If you can squeeze in some extra time in nights and weekends, earning a few extra bucks can be a game changer.  Enter, the survey side hustle.

Online surveys are an easy and convenient way to earn a few bucks from the comfort of your couch. Keep in mind, though, that they do require you to pay attention and actually read each and every question. The company can tell if you just fibbed your way through the survey and will not pay you for it. They may even remove you from their program.

While there are numerous survey sites you could try, they're not all created equal. Some rarely have surveys for you to take or make it extremely difficult to cash out. Luckily for you, we've sifted through all the survey companies and have come up with a list of programs where you can *actually* earn some money. They include:

Pinecone Research

Survey Junkie

Global Test Market

Ipsos

Examine Your Credit

If you are suffering from low or even no credit, it's important to keep an eye on your credit score. Not only will this allow you to see your progress, it can also help you catch any errors or inconsistencies.

While you are entitled to a free credit report from each credit reporting company (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax), Credit Sesame is my preferred monitoring program. Not only is it free, but you can check your credit report and score as often as you like. Pretty snazzy, ey?

It be totally scary to look at your credit score, I get it.  But knowing what's negatively impacting you NOW can help you in a year's time when you go to make a big purchase.  Follow these steps to earn some money and trim expenses, but also make sure you understand your score and how to improve it!

Trim and Sift It

Money-saving apps and programs are a dime a dozen these days. I've even written about some in the past. But as of December of 2018, my two favorites are Trim and Sift.  Using apps on your phone to simplify and optimize your spending habits is a great way to save without breaking a sweat!

Trim

Trim is an online, desktop based program that automates ways to save you money. After you securely connect your accounts, Trim will inspect each one to determine if there are any potential money saving options. Specifically, Trim excels at examining and notifying you of your recurring subscriptions, discovers if you can save money on your cable, and allows you to automate your savings. You can even request account alerts via text for things like overdrafts, low-funds, or large purchases. Best of all, it is free.

Trim takes security very seriously and therefore they have implemented 256-bit SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and read-only access. Your account info is not stored of their servers. To learn more about Trim or to sign up, pop on over here.

Sift

Sift is an app that focuses on your credit cards and their purchases. Named as one of Google Play's Best Apps of 2018, it maximizes your cashback and rewards, while tracking all the benefits available for each of your cards. It will automatically update you on any perks that may be available to you due to using a specific card. For example, theft and damage and warranties, time left to return, and price protection. The latter is my favorite perk, as it will help you save money on previous purchases if you used certain cards when buying an item that has decreased in price.

As for Sift's security, information is transmitted securely via SSL (TLS 1.2) bank grade encryption. All of their servers and databases have very strict access control and all data transmitted and stored is anonymized. To give Sift a try, check it out here.

Save and Earn

When was the last time you evaluated your savings accounts? Do you know what kind of interest you are earning on your funds? If you use a big bank, with lots of brick and mortar locations, it is likely you aren't getting as much as you could. Solve that problem by considering an online bank. My favorite is Capital One 360. Not only will you receive up to a $100 bonus when you open an account, but because they don't have any physical locations, you get a higher yield interest rate. They have a large network of ATMs and offer mobile deposit, allowing you to get most of the benefits of a typical bank with less fees and a higher rate on your savings.

Surf's Up

As mentioned above, online surveys are a nice way to change your finances by earning some quick cash. But the internet has more to offer than that. For example, Swagbucks is an easy way to earn gift cards. Swagbucks offer the typical surveys, but they also reward you for watching videos, shopping online, and more. It's totally free and you can redeem your points earned for pretty much any gift card out there, including MasterCard.

If you want to earn some major cashback on your online purchases, you've got to give Ebates a try. Depending on which merchant you buy from, you can get up to 50% back. As a good example, when I switched from AT&T to Verizon for my mobile service, I got $75 cashback just for shopping through Ebates. That was a pretty outstanding month, but I typically reel in at least $20 a month just for shopping at online stores I already planned to buy from using Ebates.

(Re)Build Your Budget

You can't change your finances for the better if you aren't sticking to a healthy budget. I talk a lot about budgeting here at Frugal Beautiful, but my post How to Fall in Love with Your Budget is particularly useful.

Alternatively, there are several books on the subject that have helped me, and others like me, to create a budget and not deviate from that plan. A few of my favorite include:

The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness

How to Manage Your Money When You Don't Have Any

All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan

The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money

Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You'll Love (I absolutely love the authors, who run the fabulous finance blog Club Thrifty.)

Once you've read up on the subject, consider an online budgeting software like Mint or Personal Capital. It is easier than using pen and paper, especially on the go.

I use both of these apps.  I love that Mint has a little doughnut chart that shows me how much I'm spending in each category (sometimes it's horrifying!) and that Personal Capital shows me the overall picture of how I'm doing to track my net worth.  It's super motivating!

Hustle Hard

My personal favorite way to improve one's personal finances is to find a side hustle. I've written extensively on my most profitable side hustle: Airbnb. Seriously, without the money I make hosting travelers on Airbnb, I'd be in a world of hurt. Owning a home has been a much more expensive endeavor than expected, specifically due to a major increase in taxes and numerous repairs not found before closing. Airbnb has helped me stay on track with my budgeting and retirement goals.

As of this writing in late 2018, I'm earning over $750 a month just renting out my spare room with minimal work as an Airbnb host. 

Another quick and easy option is to drive for Uber or Lyft. It's simple and fast to get started with either company and can bring in some significant cash quickly. Cha-ching!

Start Saving With Just $1

One of my most popular posts is the Mason Jar Money Method .  If you're a fan of the envelope system from Dave Ramsey or have cash on hand, this is for you.  You start with a giant mason jar, and start with $1.

Each week your savings grow from there and you begin to build better habits to make those bigger weeks work- you have about $1300 by year's end.  What could you do with $1300 more dollars in the bank?  Maybe put it towards next year's Christmas gifts and travel? New tires?  A vacation? You will be $1300 ahead by this time next year.

So, what are you waiting for? It's never too late to get a handle on your financial life. Hop to it, friend, and best of luck!

Additional Reading:

Top Ten Articles to Read When You Want To Invest

How to Balance Debt Repayment with Holiday Expenses

What You Need to Know Before Going Car Shopping

7 Things to Do at Work to Help Pay Off Your Loans

4 Ways To Detox From Overspending

How I've Lived On An $800 Monthly Budget In The City

[jacobj865200017-blog]

Develop Your Landscaping Plan

It's cold outside, and most of our landscapes are quiet and at rest at this time of year. But like many,, you probably always have landscaping plans in your head. Winter is the perfect time to do some dreaming and planning and put those thoughts on paper. It's also a great time to start making plans with your landscaping company. Well-thought  landscaping plans can help achieve successful results and save money.

How Can I Put Together a Landscaping Plan?

Start with a list. Write down the features you currently have in your outdoor space and landscape. Then write down the additional things you want; anything from a patio to a pool, a storage shed or a playground, or simply adding some plants.

Map it out. Think about the layout of your property and where different features might go. Sketch out a rough plan, leaving room for suggestions from your landscaping company.  The University of Missouri offers some great suggestions for making a plan, including separating public areas like the front of your house from private areas for family activities and service areas like trash cans and storage sheds. Think about where things should go in relation to your house; asking how each area would effectively function. Then draw your landscape as is and overlay the features you'd like to see. It's an exciting process.

Here are just a few features to consider as you sketch your map:

Plantings

Walkways

Patios and entertainment spaces

Privacy features and shade trees

Vegetable and flower gardens

Sheds and outbuildings

Pools, pergolas and pavilions

Fire pits and grilling areas

Outdoor lighting

  Think long-term. When you talk with your landscaping professionals, share your long-term goals and ideas even if you can't make them happen right away. This helps us develop your property in a more holistic way. For example, if you think you might want outdoor lighting down the road, it's best to go ahead and add conduits for electrical lines  now. Saving you from tearing up hardscapes or plantings later just to install the lighting. Once your landscaper has the big picture, they can help you break things down into bite-sized chunks and move forward step by step, as your budget allows.

Find The Right Partner. As you consider your long-term landscaping goals, be sure to find a partner who is ready to work with you to make your ideas become a reality. You want a company that will listen to your goals, desires and concepts while at the same time bringing their extensive professional experience into play. It's important to find a partner who can look at the big picture but also make things happen in the short-term by helping you prioritize and work out a schedule.

Think About a Budget and Payment Plan.  At Epling, we encourage clients to think big, but we also understand the role that budgeting plays when designing a landscape. We work with clients whose budgets vary, from wanting to get it all done at once and fast track multiple projects to those who need to take things one step at a time, phasing the project. Our experienced staff will help you find the approach that works best for you.

  Create Your Landscape Plan with Epling

At Epling, helping clients plan and achieve their goals for their outdoor space is one of our favorite parts of the job. From beating back the jungle and getting on a routine lawn care schedule to decorative plantings for a perfect entryway to attractive, family-friendly patios and play areas, our team can help you take your landscape from a dream to a reality on the schedule that works best for you.

[jacobj865200017-blog]

3 Paper Organization Systems for 2019

The following is a guest post about 3 paper organization systems for 2019 from regular contributor, Kristin at The Gold Project.

Happy 2019! Two years ago, I shared a post about my Top 3 Organization Systems for 2017. Guess what? They are still my top 3 organization systems for 2019. So, I am definitely not going to talk about them again in today's post. Make sure you check that post for all of the details about my monthly bill planner, receipt organization, and emergency binder.

In today's post, I am adding three more organization systems that I have implemented and that have stood the test of time. Sometimes, we can try an organization system and it just doesn't work. But, those times when we find the right one, you just know it. I hope you find these three paper organization systems helpful and can use them in your household.

Incoming Paper Organization

I tested out several different systems for papers until I purchased the Kvissle wall magazine rack from Ikea. It was a total game changer for me.

It has five different sections to organize your paperwork. I went to Wal-Mart and purchased a set of file folders for under $2.00 and I labeled each one with the category I needed. The five sections include:

To File – Anything that needs to be placed in a home binder

Receipts – Any receipts that that need to be placed in my receipt accordion file

Coupons – Current coupons

Nathan/Kristin – Anything for me or my husband that needs to be placed in our personal binders

Kate/Derrick – Anything for my two kids that need to be placed in their school binders

I have used this incoming mail system for five years and it has worked perfectly. I was able to eliminate all of the paper piles that once accumulated in my office (see Laura's similar system below).

Taxes Binder

Tax time is right around the corner, which means it is time to get those documents ready to turn in to the IRS. For me, it is pretty simple because I have created a dated Taxes Binder where everything from previous tax seasons gets stored.

When I put this binder together, I knew it was going to work. I keep 8 years of tax documents in this one binder. When the new tax season arrives and I have new papers to add to the binder, I will shred the oldest forms. Then, I will add a new section with the current year on the tab.

I highly recommend getting a tax system together for your household. Even if the binder system does not work, try something else. It will save you so much time and frustration during tax season.

Greeting Card Organization

This may not be the first thing that pops into your head when you think of top paper organization systems, but it is one that I created several years ago and has never been changed.

When I say greeting cards, I am talking about new greeting cards that have never been given to a recipient. I will admit, I am a person who almost refuses to purchase a greeting card in a store. Why? Because I feel they cost way too much, unless we are talking about some dollar stores. Some of the detailed cards cost over $5.00 for a single card. You can get a meal at some restaurants for that price. And, let's be honest, a lot of greeting cards are not kept by the recipient.

Instead, I like to purchase bulk cards from places like Amazon. You can get beautiful cards for a fraction of the price. Then, I sort and store them until I need them.

For the organization, I purchased two of the greeting card cases from The Container Store. I labeled the tabs as follows:

Her Birthday

His Birthday

Kids Birthday

Neutral Birthday

Get Well Soon

Thinking of You

Thank You

Congrats

Sympathy

Wedding

New Home

The labels have worked perfectly. I haven't had to change any of them.

What paper organization systems are working great in your household?

My name is Kristin and I am a middle school career education teacher by day and a mommy/wife/blogger by night. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have two loving children. We recently made a life-changing move to Arkansas, so our new house is always under construction. I get excitement out of finding new creative, functional, and cute ways to organize things! I also enjoy writing and documenting life as it happens. So, I put these loves together and created The Gold Project. With the help of my husband, I am attempting to turn our house into a home. So, check out this special place of mine and take this journey with me!

You may also like:

Create an Organized Command Center

Organized Solutions for Easily Managing Daily School Papers

If you're seeing 3 Paper Organization Systems for 2019 anywhere other than on I'm an Organizing Junkie (or via my email list or a feed reader) it is being used by someone else without my permission. Please let me know, thank you!

[jacobj865200017-blog]

Your Personal Checklist: 10 Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a New Car

When buying a new car, it's easy to let yourself be entrapped in the dream of cruising down the beach street while the sun sets down. You can almost see it turning into reality with the keys in your hand and the sales clerk telling you how much your life is going to change for the better. However, if you don't want to regret your decision later on, you should never purchase a new car on impulse. Instead, it's best to the following 10 principles:

google_ad_client = 'pub-0651490792264013'; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; google_ad_format = '336x280_as'; google_ad_type = 'text_image'; google_ad_channel = '4164280925';

1. Give it a spin first

Going for a test drive will give you a better feel for how well the car really sits with you. Maybe you like its looks, but after driving it for a couple of blocks, you might find that it's not really that comfortable or just doesn't feel right. Most, if not all car dealerships, will let you do this without raising an objection.

If you're planning on buying a used car, testing it out becomes that much more important, as you want to make sure there are no rattles, scratches, funny noises or anything out of the ordinary. Obviously, this is not going to be a concern when buying new, but to put your mind at ease, be sure to check how long the insurance you're getting with it covers you.

2. Compare prices online

According to www.car-buying-strategies.com, comparing prices online is one of the most important things you should be doing. You'd be surprised how often the same model can be found at a more affordable pricing somewhere else. Oftentimes, you'll see online price comparison tools, which is what you should be looking for; these have been designed to make your search as simple and time-efficient as possible.

If you're just scouting the marketplace, these types of engines also make it incredibly easy to search for a specific brand, model, year of production, etc. Furthermore, many sellers are willing to match the prices if you can show them that another dealership is offering the same car for way cheaper. Therefore, knowing the cheapest prices will give you a good leverage when negotiating.

3. Discuss the purchase with your insurance agent

Before making the purchase, you should probably discuss it with your insurance agent first. The reason being is that no two cars are the same and the costs are different when it comes to insuring each individual one. You don't want to find yourself in a situation where you've already purchased one, only to find out it costs much more to insure than others.

While you're there, you can learn many useful things such as knowing the options which car insurance types are available to you, as well as vehicle service contracts. Don't forget to make some price comparisons here as well; only that way will you be able to secure the best insurance deal possible.

4. Don't get pressured into buying what you don't need

In order to make more money, the dealerships will often try to sell you expensive add-ons you don't really need. Despite being valuable in their own merit, you shouldn't just take everything bundled with your purchase. Instead, evaluating everything they offer you separately is the right way to go about it.

Ask yourself this: do you really need paint protection or key insurance? Even if the answer is affirmative, you might not be offered the best deal out there. In case you feel the salesman is trying to pressure you into it, you should be varied – this is often a red flag. Some of them try to hide the real cost of the product behind monthly payments; don't get suckered into it. Bring a calculator and determine how much it's going to cost you in a year or so.

5. Decide on the type of transmission

What do you prefer – automatic or manual? If you're unfamiliar with how to drive a car with the latter, now might not be the best time to make the switch (unless you're willing to go the extra mile to learn the ropes). Those who find themselves driving their car often might prefer the automatic transmission, since it's much less of a hassle to operate. In fact, those who used to drive cars with manual transmission and upgraded to the automatic ones, later on, are seldom willing to go back due to getting used to the extra comfort.

There is a drawback, however; cars with automatic transmission are known to consume more fuel, so if you're traversing longer distances often, they might not be the best choice. If you tend to get stuck in traffic often, on the other hand, they can be a true life-saver. So always make the choice based on your preferences, level of experience, and the intended usage of your car.

6. Petrol or diesel?

google_ad_client = 'pub-0651490792264013'; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; google_ad_format = '336x280_as'; google_ad_type = 'text_image'; google_ad_channel = '4164280925';

There are notable differences between these two main types of cars. While covering every single detail is beyond the scope of this article, knowing the main differences between them could potentially be the single most important thing you're going to learn today.

For starters, diesel cars are a more cost-effective solution if you're traversing long distances. If you're driving for less than 50 kilometers a day, however, the opposite may be the case, especially since diesel cars are more expensive to maintain in comparison. Also, try to keep in mind that most people find petrol cars easier and more comfortable to drive; their diesel counterparts feel a bit stiffer in comparison. Finally, diesel cars produce more toxic emissions, which is detrimental to the environment.

7. Safety is a consideration

In case you live in a dangerous area with a ton of reckless drivers, it's of utmost importance that your car is fitted with the latest safety technology. This is also true if you often find yourself driving on highways where the speed meter can reach mind-numbing heights. Having a good safety system installed can be the difference between you surviving a potential accident or not.

Make sure that the car you're eying has a good safety bag. If you want to take additional steps to guarantee your safety, make sure that the car has rear set airbags installed as well. Modern safety systems like ABS are also a must; luckily, the cars that you can find nowadays pretty much have it installed by default.

8. Don't succumb to the sales consultant's pressure

Yes, buying a new car is an experience packed full of emotions and excitement. We get it. Allowing yourself to be emotional for a bit is fine, as long as you don't compromise your best judgment in the process. So if you're feeling pressured by the sales consultant, take a step back and re-evaluate the situation, because chances are they're trying to do what's best for the interest of the company they're working for and not yours.

Don't be too kind and submissive, but there's no need to be rude either. Simply walk a fine line between being kind and assertive. A smile will get you quite far. Do know, however, that you always have the option to walk away if you believe you've been offered a bad deal. Not being confident enough to do so is the only way you can be defeated (but this can be prevented as long as you keep your senses focused).

9. How strong does the engine need to be?

Don't believe that picking a car with a smaller engine will lead to money savings. This is a myth! Yes, a smaller engine will consume a smaller amount of fuel… in theory that is. The fact of the matter is that in order to make them withstand the workload that's being thrown at them, they need to be heated more, which leads to not-so-economic fuel economy.

Higher displacement engines mostly remain idle, which sort of averages out the fuel economy. In order to get them performing their best, there is no need to put excess pressure on them. So what's the takeaway? Without making it too complicated, you should always pick the engine based on what you're going to be using the car for and what type of environment you'll most often encounter.

10. Check the resale value

Generally speaking, new cars are not that great of an investment, since their value quickly goes down after the initial purchase. However, cars produced by certain manufacturers have higher resale value than others. In the end, you need to be the judge – do you quickly get tired of your vehicle and feel the need for some fresh air? Then this might be more relevant to you than the other drivers.

In general, bear in mind that European cars are not the best when it comes to preserving value. Japanese cars, on the other hand, are the complete opposite. Those who cannot bear the notion of seeing their cars lose so much value in so little time should consider buying a used car instead.

Conclusion

While this is by no means the end of the story, these 10 guidelines should be more than enough to cover the most important things you need to know when buying a new car. And when you finally do, you'll be able to treat yourself to a good night's sleep, knowing that you've made a choice that you won't regret anytime soon.

google_ad_client = 'pub-0651490792264013'; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; google_ad_format = '336x280_as'; google_ad_type = 'text_image'; google_ad_channel = '4164280925';

The post Your Personal Checklist: 10 Things to Keep in Mind When Buying a New Car appeared first on Punch Debt In The Face.

[jacobj865200017-blog]

IKEA PAX hack: Hands down the most stunning walk-in closet

After getting stuck on an image of a blue, custom walk-in closet on Jenny's Wolf's site, I decided I was going to figure out a way to get a similar look in my own house with a non-custom budget.

In my search, the IKEA PAX kept coming up as the most common, highest-rated, and budget-friendly closet system.

Lots of people have hacked the IKEA PAX to create a built-in look and we thought we'll use the PAX core, with some critical upgrades for a full custom cabinetry look.

View slideshow of IKEA PAX walk-in closet

IKEA items used for our walk-in closet:

PAX Wardrobe Frames (29″ and 13″ deep)

KOMPLEMENT Shelves

KOMPLEMENT Drawers

VARIERA Cover Plates

Other materials and tools:

Baseboards

Crown Moulding

Shoe Moulding

1/2″ Poplar Plywood Sheets

Miter Saw

Table Saw

Nail Gun

Construction Adhesive

Puck Lights

Paintable Faux Grasscloth Wallpaper

Painters Caulk

BIN Zinsser Shellac Primer

Paint

Spray Gun

Laser level

Drawer Hardware

Unfinished Wood Hanging Rods

Instructions for our custom IKEA PAX walk-in closet

The Planning

1. First, we cataloged how much space we each needed for our clothes (High, Medium, Low) and storage type by clothing category in a spreadsheet.

2. For the next step, the PAX Planning tool on the IKEA website came in handy. Using our spreadsheet, we created each of our sides of the closet. We ensured we had enough space for our existing wardrobe items and our storage preferences. eg. folded or hung.

For reference, the room is 14.6′ long by 6.5′ wide. We opted for the deeper IKEA PAX units on one side (29″ deep) and shallower units on the other wall (13″ deep). This allowed for a wide walkway between the two units.

Assembling the PAX units + light installation

3. Then, we built the units and made certain they were level. We only have standard 8” ceilings, so we had to build the units in the room. Because of our ceiling height we also couldn't build a platform for the wardrobe units to sit on.

We shimmed under the units to ensure they were completely level to one another, so when we ran the baseboards across the front of them, everything looked flush.

4. Installed the puck lights ordered off Amazon and hardwired them into an electrical box.

In order to make the lights look very custom, we recessed them into the front of the top shelf in every unit. To recess the lights, we used a router to trace a template we made in a scrap piece of wood.

Installation of Baseboards + PAX floor

5. Next up, we ran the baseboards all the way around the walk-in closet space for a fully-built in look. The top of the baseboard profile is flat horizontally. It allows the wood that we applied later on to the fronts of the cabinetry to flow seamlessly.

We attached the baseboards to the front of the wardrobe units with construction adhesive. And added nails where the baseboards sat flush with the vertical sides of each individual wardrobe unit.

We set up our laser level to keep our baseboards level, which is critical for the creation of square openings for your drawer fronts later on.

6. The next step was to build up the bottom of the unit. Using some spare PAX/ KOMPLEMENT shelves, we installed them on top of the interior base of the units to bring it up to flush with the baseboards.

Fixing the wood trim

7. Installed the wood trim. We used 1/2 inch thick Poplar boards that we cut down into strips. The strips were used to cover where the wardrobe units met and the filler boards on the sides. Also applied to the top where the wardrobe units didn't quite reach the wall.

We then added horizontal poplar strips that aligned with the bottom of the crown moulding. This is so the bottom edge of the crown would look properly built onto the units and not recessed into it. (In the above photo you can see that there's some wood behind the crown moulding).

Finally, we added the smaller horizontal strips to the front of the PAX shelves. The shelves in the PAX units don't sit flush with the sides of the PAX units, so the depth of wood needed here was thicker than the 1/2 inch Poplar we used everywhere else.

Turns out they don't sell 5/8 inch Poplar, and we ended up finding stain grade flat pine board at Lowes that worked like a charm.

Once all the wood was installed, we used Bondo to fill all the holes and seams where the wood strips met. We also used glue to add shoe moulding to cap off the space between the baseboard and the floors.

Crown moulding goes up our walk-in closet

8. Installed the crown moulding along the top edge of all the wardrobe units. This really capped off the built-in look and totally hid the gap from the top of the wardrobes to the ceiling. We then caulked all the seams.

9. Next, we created drawer fronts, opting for a flat front, which is a nice streamlined look and also lower effort than a shaker style. We used the same 1/2 inch Poplar board and just cut it down to size. Then, we left an 1/8 inch gap around the drawers and sanded the drawer fronts down.

After cutting the fronts, we tested them on to the drawers themselves to ensure the drawers lined up throughout the room horizontally in each unit.

Once we had test fit all the drawer fronts, we used tape to label the drawer and the drawer front, so we could match them up later once they were painted, and then separated the drawer fronts from the drawers.

Wallpapered the backs of the built-in wardrobe units

10. One of the tell-tale signs of an IKEA PAX is the seam that runs down the back wall of the wardrobe unis. Because the MDF comes folded 1-2 times, there's an unsightly seam that definitely screams low quality.

I didn't want to put all this work into making the PAX look like a custom walk-in closet only to have a seam give it away that these are indeed IKEA!

So, I tracked down paintable faux grasscloth wallpaper and installed it on the back wall of the wardrobe units. I wanted a paintable wallpaper so it looked seamless with the units and I also love the hint of added texture.

Plugged up the holes

11. We using the VARIERA plugs from IKEA and went through at least 12 packs of these plugs. You can see in the above shot that we had installed the plugs.

As a note, we didn't add in the plugs on the side where we have only shelves, since we wanted them to be adjustable long-term.

Prime and paint the built-ins

12. Then, we primed everything with a shellac based primer (specifically this one) with a high-density foam roller. In spots that were most difficult to reach, we used a paint brush.

We actually did two coats because the primer dries really fast and we're a little bit neurotic.

13. We painted the room using a spray gun, which allowed for a super professional look. For the paint, we used Farrow and Ball Inchyra Blue in the Modern Eggshell finish, and it's one of my most favourite moody colours of all time.

Finishing touches to our walk-in closet

14. Allow the paint to cure for a day or two before installing the drawer fronts. Once the drawer fronts were ready to go, we installed each drawer front one at a time.

15. Almost there. We installed gorgeous, super heavy unlacquered brass cup pulls. They were attached through the drawer front and onto the drawer itself. We used our favourite laser level to ensure all the drawer pulls were aligned horizontally on both sides of the closet.

16. The last thing we did was to add the wood hanging rods. We painted the original IKEA hanging rod hardware to match the closet paint. Finally, cut down the basic wood hanging rods to fit each wardrobe.

And that's it! Now the walk-in closet looks super custom. You can see how all components came together in a space that feels much more high-end than a basic IKEA hack!

This is an abridged version. See the full tutorial of our custom walk-in closet where we lay down more tips and details here.

~ by Erin

The post IKEA PAX hack: Hands down the most stunning walk-in closet appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

[jacobj865200017-blog]

Poinsettia Care after Christmas

If you purchased or were gifted a poinsettia this holiday season you may be wondering how to care for it after Christmas. Most people will keep their poinsettia until the flowers die off a few weeks into the New Year and then throw them away.  Did you know that you can actually keep your poinsettia alive all year long and force it to bloom the next Christmas? It is possible if you learn how to properly care for it. Check out these tips for poinsettia care after Christmas.

Poinsettia Care after Christmas

Poinsettia Care after Christmas

Quick Poinsettia Care Tips:

Put the poinsettia in a well-lit area away from drafts and heat vents.

Water the poinsettia when the pot becomes lightweight or when the soil becomes dry to the touch, about once a week.

Water the plant thoroughly in a sink, letting it drain before putting it back where it was.

Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae or Spurge family. Botanically, the plant is known as Euphorbia pulcherrima. Poinsettias received their name in the United States in honor of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who introduced the plant into the country in 1828. Poinsett was a botanist, physician and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. He sent cuttings of the plant he had discovered in Southern Mexico to his home in Charleston, South Carolina.

Want to learn more about houseplants? Check out the ultimate houseplant guide

Poinsettias are not frost-tolerant. They will grow outdoors in temperate coastal climates, such as Southern California beach communities. In the ground, they can reach 10 feet tall.  In nature, poinsettias are perennial flowering shrubs that were once considered weeds.

The showy colored parts of poinsettias that most people think of as the flowers are actually colored bracts (modified leaves). The yellow flowers, or cyathia, are in the center of the colorful bracts. The plant drops its bracts and leaves soon after those flowers shed their pollen. For the longest-lasting poinsettias, choose plants with little or no yellow pollen showing. 

Are Poinsettias Poisonous?

Despite rumors to the contrary, poinsettias are not poisonous. I always tell  people this and they always argue with me because they think they are poisonous.

A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50-pound child would have to eat more than a pound-and-a-quarter of poinsettia leaves (500 to 600 leaves) to have any side effects. The most common side effects that have been reported are upset stomach and vomiting. Apparently the leaves taste awful (not that I've tried them) so it's highly unlikely that kids or even pets would be able to eat that many! But be aware that the leaves can still be a choking hazard for children and pets.

Poinsettia Fun Facts:

Poinsettias contribute over $250 million to the U.S. economy at the retail level.

California is the top U.S. Poinsettia-producing state.

Poinsettias are the best selling potted plant in the United States and Canada.

Poinsettias are the most popular Christmas plant. Most Poinsettias are sold within a six-week period leading up to that holiday, representing some $60 million worth.

You can keep your poinsettia alive after Christmas and make it bloom next year!

  How Long do Poinsettias Last after Christmas?

A quality plant in the right location that is well-cared for can stay in bloom for up to six months. But that is unusual. Most poinsettias will last for 4 to 6 weeks before the bracts (flowers) begin to fall off.

Outdoors, these cheerful tropical plants can be cultivated year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11.

You may also like: 10 Best Herbs to Grow Year Round

In cooler climates, poinsettias need to be kept indoors, as freezing temperatures will kill the plant. Poinsettias are known to be temperamental plants. Dropped leaves are common, but with proper care, poinsettias with fallen foliage will recover their health.

How do you Keep Poinsettias Alive after Christmas?

Poinsettias like lots of direct light. Place your plants near a southern, eastern or western window and keep the soil moist while they are still in bloom. Don't let them sit in water. Instead, gently remove the plant from its container, soak it well and place it back in the pot.

Check out how to keep your plants alive while you are on vacation:

  How do you get a Poinsettia to Re-bloom?

Turning Poinsettias Red Again

 Restoring a healthy green poinsettia plant from last year back to its original red color is no problem if you follow a few simple rules. Poinsettias need total darkness, for 14 hours each day, starting about eight weeks before you want to display them.

The colors of the bracts are created through “photoperiodism“, meaning that they require darkness  to change color. On the other hand, once Poinsettias finish that process, the plants require abundant light during the day for the brightest color.

From October 1 to December 1, (or for at least 40 days) a poinsettia will need a strict light / dark regimen to produce color. Provide 13 to 16 hours of complete and uninterrupted darkness daily. I recommend sticking it in a closet or cabinet where it is totally dark and forgetting about it until December. Then, bring it out of the closet and use a grow light to give it sunlight for 12 hours a day until the leaves are red.

Poinsettia Care after Christmas

In your home, put the poinsettia in a well-lit area away from drafts and heat vents. Water the poinsettia when the pot becomes lightweight or when the soil becomes dry to the touch, about once a week. Water the plant thoroughly in a sink, letting it drain, before putting it back where it was.

What is the Best Fertilizer for Poinsettias?

After the holidays, keep poinsettia plants in a warm, brightly lit area. Cut off the flowers once they begin to fade and either add a pelleted slow release fertilizer to the soil or fertilize plants twice a month with a water soluble fertilizer or compost tea.

Poinsettia plant food:

buy it now

Have you managed to make your poinsettia re-bloom? Let me know your best tips for poinsettia care after Christmas in the comments!

The post Poinsettia Care after Christmas appeared first on Crafty Little Gnome.

[jacobj865200017-blog]

How Gratitude Helps Finances

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's about family and being thankful. And food. You might be surprised, too, when you find that gratitude helps finances.

I love Thanksgiving. Instead of exchanging gifts, family and friends come together to share a meal, make memories, and be joyful. (At least, that's the theory.) To me, it's always been the final day before we plunge into the crass commercialism that often marks the holiday season.

Gratitude in your life isn't just nice for one day, though. The act of being thankful and practicing gratitude can actually help your finances. I actually wrote about it for The Balance, and here some of the takeaways from that article.

Contentment = Less Desire for More Things

First of all, gratitude tends to come with feelings of contentment. When you're content, the desire for more things is lower.

I know that when I am content with my life, retail therapy isn't needed.

Gratitude helps us recognize what we already have, and it encourages us to be thankful. When we recognize what we have, and we are happy with it, there isn't as a great a need to spend money in an attempt to fill that void.

It's easy to see how gratitude helps finances when you aren't spending on fripperies that end up costing you a lot more in the end.

Better Health = Lower Costs

Gratitude can also result in better health outcomes. Gratitude lowers stress levels and can improve your wellbeing.

And, as we know, healthcare is a huge cost in this country. By adding thankfulness to your life, you can improve your health and save money on healthcare costs. There's a practical way gratitude helps finances!

Plus, you have the bonus of a higher quality of life.

Generosity = Smarter Spending

Giving away money can actually make you better at managing it?

It's true!

When you're grateful, you're more likely to live generously. And I've noticed in my own life that when I live life generously, I tend to have better finances.

Some folks might say that it has something to do with a Law of Attraction or Karma, or something similar. And maybe it does.

But on a boring, practical level, I know that because I prioritize charitable giving, it forces me to look at my finances, manage my money, and make sure I can do what I want with my money. Understanding my values, and making sure my financial priorities match up, leaves my finances in better shape.

When you spend according to your values, when you have a plan, your finances are almost always helped.

Gratitude helps finances in ways that are very real.

Have you noticed this in your own life? How has gratitude helped your finances? 

  How Gratitude Helps Finances appeared first on Planting Money Seeds.

[jacobj865200017-blog]

My honeymoon in India

I always talk about living my version of a Rich Life, and I'm so excited that I get to share a small window into that with you in the form of my six-week honeymoon. There were multiple stops.

My wife Cass and I got to share an experience of a lifetime with our parents in Rome, Italy. Then…

We'd always dreamed about going on a safari. And now?

This was a really special part of the trip for me. I always knew that I'd take my wife here on a honeymoon (even before I met Cass). It's where I went with my parents to visit when I was a kid, and it's where I learned about seeing a different part of the world, a totally different culture, about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. I couldn't wait for Cass to experience it with me - and for us both to see a different side of India that we'd never seen before.

We started in Amritsar. As I walked around, I noticed families and friends standing around and catching up. I loved how warm it all felt. It reminded me of my family visits to our Sikh temple every Sunday when I was a kid. A couple of interesting things I'd like to share with you about Indian culture:

A “langar” is a free meal that every Sikh gurdwara serves to anyone - no matter what religion they follow - everywhere in the world.

Here in the langar hall, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and gender - rich, poor, men, and women - sit together and eat the same food that is served for free by volunteers. About 50,000 people eat here on an average day - 100,000 on a busier day! On my visit to the langar hall, we got to take a peek in the kitchen where I've never been before:

Cass had the chance to help make roti as well.

By the way, they actually have a roti-making machine that makes 6,000 rotis per hour (!), but people still make them by hand because they want to volunteer. It's as simple as that.

What an amazing testament to the power of community service.

This experience made me realize that I had been eating this food all my life and am just now getting to appreciate them in a whole new light.

This was an amazing part of our Rich Life - to be able to share culture and food and religion together.

And that was just the first day!

Now … allow me to introduce you to my new favorite hotel in the whole world.

Fun fact: Many top hotels in India were actual palaces that kings once lived in. This one is different: it was intentionally created to be a hotel.

WOW. Plus, something amazing happened when we checked into our room the first night…

I love it. At every hotel we are getting the royal treatment because they know we're on our honeymoon, so they send us champagne and gifts, and put us in a secluded part of the hotel - amazing attention to detail.

On my Instagram stories, I showed some of the behind-the-scenes amenities at these hotels. I used to skip the things they offered because it was too expensive, they were ripping me off, I could do it myself … etc. I ended up not doing them at all. Now, if I know there's something I want to do and they'll create an unforgettable experience, I do them - even if they cost a little more.

Put another way, I had someone write me and ask, “How do I find deals on a luxury trip like this?” My answer: If you're taking a luxury trip, you're not looking for a deal.

And of course, let's not overlook all the amazing food I had here. Here are a few of the specialty Indian dishes I want to share with you:

The way you eat golgappa is to take one of the crunchy fried balls, fill it up with the chutney, and eat it - it's sweet and spicy at the same time. Most non-Indians haven't tried this, but you'll love it.

And one of my favorites…

So good that I was getting delirious! If you watch my stories, I could barely talk.

I mentioned we wanted to balance luxury and local culture. One of the things we did in Udaipur was visit a local woman's home for a Rajasthani cooking class (we call her Auntie out of respect, though we're not related).

Rajasthan is a northern Indian state that borders Pakistan. Because of the climate and for historical reasons, Rajasthani food was often traditionally made so it could last for days and eaten without heating.

We sat with this Auntie for hours and had a chance to hear about her life - how she arranged a marriage with her daughter, how life in Udaipur is different from Delhi (where I'm used to), how they eat. It gave us an awesome insight into her day-to-day life.

One thing I want to show you is the crowds in India. Your first reaction might be overwhelm or chaos. My take: If you look closely, there is charm in the chaos and throngs of people.

During my time here in India, I showed you a juxtaposition of having absolute luxury against bustling local street culture. Why?

You can decide what your Rich Life is. If you want to stay in a luxury hotel, you can. If you want to eat street food, you can. If you want to do BOTH, you can.

I want to show you that a Rich Life can be multi-dimensional and complex … because it's YOURS. YOU get to define what your Rich Life looks like.

If you enjoyed this, I'll be posting the last of my Honeymoon Diaries in Thailand next. You can also follow along in real time on Instagram (@ramit).

One of my goals is to show you how I live my Rich Life - and to encourage you to decide what your Rich Life is. Maybe it's a long honeymoon, or working from home, or starting a business. You decide.

Let me know what you think by posting a comment below or DM'ing me on Instagram (@ramit).

My honeymoon in India is a post from: I Will Teach You To Be Rich.

[jacobj865200017-blog]

Today I Love You Because

When I was planning out my life and decorating my Barbie dream house and waiting for my first pair of stirrup pants and first swipe of liquid black eyeliner…

….I never imagined I'd have four children.

Ever.

In the history of ever.

Four just seemed like it was approaching Brady Bunch level.

It seemed overwhelming.

It seemed too much.

It seemed like I was never going to make it in the successful mom department.

Ever.

In the history of ever.

Teaching life lessons to the next generation is hard.

So much harder than it looks.

You begin with the standards.

Be kind to others.

Open the door for your mother.

Be nice to your sister.  Hold your fork properly.  Don't wear white after Labor Day.

You ask for a please and tell someone to say thank you and remind them to take their plate to the sink and assign chores and follow up on their homework and discourage bullying of any kind and you cross your fingers and ten toes and hope that it all sticks.

You wonder if you are making a difference as a parent.  You wonder if anyone is listening.  You wonder if the chicks will fly when they leave the nest.

And then?

One day you see a glimpse.  A glimmer.  A spark of the adult they will become.

And it makes all the trying worth every word.

This Christmas this showed up under the tree.

My oldest son, Denton, made it for me.

This was his entry in the handmade gift department.

He made it himself.

He attached two frames together and placed a piece of paper between the frames that read, “Today I love you because.”  Then he attached these hooks to the bottom of the frame-one on each side.

Then he handwrote 99 reasons why he loved me, punched a hole in the top of the notecards and threaded them through a jump ring.

Every day for 99 days I'm supposed to flip the reasons over to show a new one.

Each reason handwritten by him in beautiful wonderful Denton cursive.

And when I'm done?

I go back to the beginning and start it all over again.

Just in case I was wondering that day if you were loved?

I'd know I was because I'd read things like:

You recognize our strengths

You love to surprise us

You listen to our stories

Your grilled cheese is amazing

You always try your best

You saved a piece of my hair when I cut it

You're concerned about me

You celebrate my accomplishments

And on and on and on

But the most amazing thing?

The thing that made me hide my head in my elbow and sob until my sleeve was wet?

All those life lessons?

All those things I had been trying to teach and instill and explain and communicate.

All the times I thought I was never going to make it as a mom.

All those times I thought no one was listening.

There they were.

99 of them.

Written in black and white and cursive.

Teaching me right back.

And the life lesson that's the hardest to learn?

One day they grow up.

One day they leave the nest and take on the big wide world.

One day they spread their wings and fly.

And you?

You have to let them.

And Denton?

Today I love you because…

…you are you.

The post Today I Love You Because appeared first on Thistlewood Farm.

[jacobj865200017-blog]

5 New Year's Resolutions for My Home

5

It's January, which means many of us are making New Year's resolutions. While exercising regularly and eating healthier are definitely on my list this year, I'm also making some healthy resolutions for my home.

    One of the easiest resolutions I'm making is to continue ordering my cleaning products through Grove Collaborative. I save time and money. It's a win-win! Grove makes creating a healthy, beautiful home effortless and affordable. They hand-select the best green products and deliver them (carbon offset) right to my doorstep, on my schedule.

  A BOWL FULL OF LEMONS SPECIAL:

Right now, when you place your first order of $20, you'll receive a free Mrs. Meyer's trio of cleaners, Grove caddy, two walnut scrubber sponges and free shipping to help you kick off the New Year strong. Get this amazing deal today! Click below to order.

      Here are my top 5 resolutions for a healthy, beautiful home in 2019:

Stay organized: When you don't have to dig around for a bottle of cleaner, it's much easier to stay on top of quick day-to-day cleaning tasks. The Grove Collaborative caddy helps me stay organized. I store my most-used supplies at my fingertips. I keep it under my sink for easy access.

Use things up: So often I forget what products I have on hand and buy something new instead. This year, I'm trying to use up all those half-empty bottles of shampoo and Grove cleaners under the sink before I go out and purchase more.

Upgrade to better versions of my everyday products:  As I finish up old products, I'm planning to replace them with alternatives that are better for my family and for the planet. For example, the Grove walnut scrubber sponges are made from walnuts and vegetable cellulose, and are a great substitute for the usual synthetic sponges.

Use less plastic: Whether that means storing leftovers in glass containers instead of disposable bags or refilling my hand soap (instead of purchasing a new bottle), I'll be on the lookout for ways to eliminate single-use plastic in our home. I love that I can order refills through Grove so I can reuse the dispensers instead of tossing single use bottles out.

Stick to a budget: Between laundry detergent, dish soap, toothpaste, and paper products, household supplies can get expensive. One thing that's helping me stick to my budget is using Grove Collaborative. The prices are usually lower than my grocery store, and as a VIP I get free shipping, free gifts, price matching, and exclusive sales! Once you've submitted your order, you'll be signed up for the free 60 day VIP trial so you can check it out for yourself.

Bonus tip: If you spend $39 today, you'll get a beautiful stoneware tray for free (in addition to the Grove caddy, Mrs. Meyer Trio, and sponges)! It's perfect for corralling dish soap and a sponge to keep your countertops tidy.

    Grove offers a wide selection of natural household cleaning and personal care products. As a regular Grove Collaborative customer, I have several favorite products. One of my favorites is Grove's Wool Dryer Balls-you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils on them to scent your laundry naturally rather than using dryer sheets.

If you use my link, you also get a free 60-day VIP trial and you get FREE shipping on all your orders as a VIP no matter how often you order. They also have a 100% Happiness Guarantee, what's not to love?

      Don't miss out on this amazing deal! You will absolutely love Grove Collaborative and their products. Click above to claim your free cleaners & caddy today.