Winter Money Saving Hacks Around the House
‘Tis the season to start saving! Temperatures are dropping more and more everyday as fall quickly passes by. Between the rising heat bill and future gift shopping, now is a great time to start saving some cold hard cash. Luckily, it only takes a few simple tweaks to your home to start making an impact on savings! Follow these 10 easy hacks you can do around the house to cut costs this winter: Program your thermostat to go up or down a few degrees when no one is home, and/or during the midnight hours when everyone is asleep. Keep your closet doors closed. Heating or cooling these areas is unnecessary. Use a clothesline to naturally dry clothes to reduce energy costs (if your climate allows). Wash your clothes in cold water. This will get your clothes just as clean and for half the energy of hot water. Check/install weather stripping on all doorways and windows to keep the warmth inside. Plug your electronics into power strips and unplug the power strips at night. Install low-flow fixtures to reduce water usage and save on your utility bill. Use fewer lights, energy-efficient light bulbs, and dust your light bulbs so they are brighter. Make your own household cleaners to save money and reduce chemical exposure. Insulate your hot water heater to keep heat from escaping and wasting money. It’s only going to get colder as we transition from fall to winter, so take advantage of these hacks now and watch the savings pile up this winter!
Staging Your Home to Sell in the Winter
If you’re planning to list your home this winter, we recommend staging it to maximize appeal. According to the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, staged homes average 23 days on market. 85% sold for up to 23% over list price. Luckily, there are a few simple tricks you can do by yourself to style your home’s interior. By swapping, complementing, and layering home accessories, colors, and textures, you can give your home a facelift at no cost. Here are a few ideas from the National Association of Realtors to get you inspired: 1. Coffee Counter Vignettes. With coffee being the most popular drink in the world, staging coffee vignettes are a no-brainer. Keep it simple by displaying a tray of 1-2 mugs, a sign, greenery, coffee press, and a pretty linen or book. This small vignette will become a focal point in your kitchen and can make a big impression on buyers. 2. Feature Fireplaces. Rearrange your living room furniture so that the fireplace becomes the focal point of the room. Help potential buyers envision themselves cozy in your space by adding a fuzzy fur rug or a knit throw blanket. 3. Warmer Color Palettes- Welcome warm color tones to set the stage. Colors that reflect nature will create a calming and inviting space. You can brighten up neutral color schemes by swapping out pillows and adding greenery. Use both light and dark colors to make the room come to life.
4 Outside-of-the-Box Ways to Cook a Turkey
It’s not Thanksgiving dinner without the star of the show at the center of the table- the turkey. Step outside-of-the-box this year with a less traditional turkey dish and opt for something more creative.If you’re looking for a unique Thanksgiving turkey recipe sure to stand-out, try one of these 4 cooking methods to put a surprising spin on your delicious bird! 1 | BACON-WRAPPED TURKEY Looking for an easy way to make any food better? Add bacon. When you add bacon on top of your bird’s skin, the bacon grease melts into the turkey, resulting in a combination of turkey, bacon, and maple flavors for an overall mouth-watering experience.Check out the full recipe, here. 2 | PUMPKIN SPICE TURKEY Incorporate the ultimate fall flavor into your turkey with this recipe for the perfectly pumpkin spiced flavored bird. This recipe requires coating the turkey in a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and more, then letting it sit overnight to really allow those flavors to soak in. Check out the full recipe, here. 3 | BEER CAN TURKEYThis technique ensures you’ll have the juiciest turkey possible! You’ll want to baste the outside of the bird in beer and prop the turkey up over an open can of beer, to baste the bird from the inside. The beer adds an abundance of flavor and tenderness to the meat! Detailed instructions available here. 4 | BRAISED TURKEYIt won’t look like a traditional turkey, but the flavors will definitely please the crowd! This method requires removing the meat from the turkey and letting it soak and absorb in a flavored broth. Add your favorite seasonings to pack a punch of flavor! Check out a recipe for herb roasted braised turkey, here.
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