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New Year’s Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Did your New Year resolutions make our top ten list?
1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of camaraderie at a favorite restaurant or someone’s home. Work shouldn’t always come first!
2. Fit In Fitness
The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape.
3. Tame the Bulge
Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year’s commitment to shed extra pounds.
4. Quit Smoking
If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you’ve tried to quit before and failed, don’t let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life
5. Enjoy Life More
Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that “enjoying life more” has become a popular resolution in recent years. It’s an important step to a happier and healthier you! Beyond considering a product designed to bring balance to your body, mind and soul, just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby. It can be as adventurous as trying your hand at skiing or more relaxing like collecting stamps. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa. Check local papers and websites. They offer a wealth of artistic and recreational activities to meet just about anyone’s wishes.
6. Quit Drinking
While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available. Alcoholics Anonymous offers meetings throughout the country. There are groups for Parents of Teenage Alcohol and Drug Abusers. There are also a number of treatment-based programs, as well as support groups for families of alcoholics.
7. Get Out of Debt
Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It’s a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead. Start by making small steps to save money. Look around your house and I bet you can find a few simple ways to cut back and save. Turn off light s you’re not using. Turn back the thermostat a few degrees. (Amazon: a great place to get an energy savings thermostat). Clean out the attic or basement and have a garage/yard sale. If it’s too cold for that this time of year, try selling select items on websites like Ebay.
8. Learn Something New
Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you’ll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year’s resolutions to keep. The local community college probably offers a wide variety of courses, and local YMCA’s offer great recreational training for beginners of all ages. Most local colleges and universities offer distance and adult education programs. Or if the arts are more your thing, places such as the local theatre or museum offer workshops or adult studio classes.
9. Help Others
A popular, non-selfish New Year’s resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. Many organization makes it easy by connecting volunteers with projects to fit practically any schedule. Or if your time is really in short supply, maybe you can at least find it in you to donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills.
10. Get Organized
On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life. There are professional organizers who can help you reduce the clutter in your life and find peace in your home or office if the task is too overwhelming.
Make Your Resolutions Stick
The holidays are here again. It’s that time of year when spending can easily get out of control. Gifts, gift wrap, greeting cards, household decorations, outfits for holiday photos and parties, and food shopping for holiday meals are at the top of everyone’s lists.
Unfortunately after Santa has arrived and New Year’s has been rung in, many of us are faced with credit card debt and a pile of bills. Here are a few ways to save during the holidays and start the New Year on the right foot.
- Planning ahead can save you in the end. Make a list of people, and then prioritize. This list will also be your gift shopping budget for the holidays. Note how much you are going to spend next to each person’s name. You can even share your holiday gift lists with family and friends online at KeepandShare.com. For budgeting tips, go to Mint.com and check out its easy budgeting tools. Now carry the list and budget with you on your shopping sprees, and stick to it!
- Focus on buying for close friends and family. Minimize the number of gifts for acquaintances and coworkers. Also consider buying one large gift that several people on your list can enjoy. Some people would rather get one great gift for the family than 10 little gifts. Groupon.com, with the slogan “collective buying power,” provides bulk discounts. You can sign up at Groupon.com for E-mail alerts of sales going on in your area, such as restaurant or beauty salon discounts, which make ideal gifts to share with family or friends.
- Pick a name out of a hat.Whether you come from a large or small family, buying for everyone adds up quickly. It’s been called Secret Santa, Grab Bag or Pollyanna. But the concept is all the same. You only have to buy a gift for one person. Set a limit on how much you are allowed to spend so everyone is on an even playing field.
- Online coupons are great. Consumers can simply point and click to find online coupons for the product of their choice. Most of these coupon sites provide a coupon code to be used on a retail store’s website. During the online checkout, type the code under the “promo” or “coupon code” heading to receive the discount. On most of these websites, you can register to receive daily or weekly E-mails of coupon specials. Sites like Coupon.com, SmartSource.com, and CouponMom.com are popular for consumers looking for a bargain.
- Comparison shop on line. Left with excess inventory last year, retailers are going to sell fewer items in stores this holiday season. As a result, more people are going to go online for research, price comparison, and convenient shopping. One way to do that is through sites like ComparisonShopping.com, which aggregates product search results from the 10 leading websites for price-comparison shopping, including BizRate, PriceGrabber.com, NexTag, and Shopzilla. These sites have vendor prices, reviews of vendors and items, and product descriptions. Also, visit FreeShipping.org, which provides free shipping coupon codes for more than 1,710 stores. Other websites have threshold free shipping, where shipping doesn’t cost anything after a minimum purchase; Amazon.com, for example, provides free shipping for members whose purchases are over $25.
- Homemade gifts, cards, and wrapping paper. Get crafty. Homemade gifts and cards are not only affordable but also fun projects for you and your friends or family to do together. Clip craft stores’ weekly coupons, or visit cheap art supply websites, such as CheapJoes.com, to save on supplies. Instead of buying expensive cards and wrapping paper, make them with colored paper and art supplies. You can put your kids to work with craft ideas from KidsCraftWeekly.com. If you aren’t so artsy, buy homemade artwork, jewelry, and clothing at Etsy.com, as well as unique art supplies, says Michelle Madhok, an online shopping expert and founder of shopping websites SheFinds.com and MomFinds.com. If you’re a baker, recipe sites like Epicurious.com have a plethora of seasonal recipes from cookbooks, chefs, and home cooks. Holiday-themed treats are tasty and inexpensive gifts for your friends and family members with a sweet tooth.
- Buy gifts the save money. You don’t have to be buying for the “Do It Yourselfer” in the family or even the frugal family member. Give gifts that people wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves. Energy saving lightbulbs, a showerhead that saves water, or a programmable thermostat makes a great gift or stocking stuffer. They’ll be thanking you every month when they see the savings on their utility bill.
- Re-gifting. Refer to re-gifting as “gift recycling”. It is easy not only on the wallet but also on the environment, as you are reusing items rather than throwing them away. Avoid the dreaded fruitcake this year, and go for gifts, preferably less personal and unused, such as gift cards, candles, picture frames, and homeware items.
- Budget for yourself. Now after all of your generosity, don’t forget to reward yourself. Along with your gift list, budget how much you’d like to spend for yourself. It’s best to decide what you’d like early on, so you can spend time looking for it at the lowest price. If you have a specific gift in mind, you can go to sites like ShopStyles.com, for clothing and fashion accessories, or PriceSpider.com, for electronics, and select items you like. Then the website will send you E-mail alerts whenever your selected item goes on sale.
Happy shopping. Remember to have fun. Shopping for gifts shouldn’t be a dreaded chore. Give yourself plenty of time. Enjoy the crowds and everything that comes along with it. It only comes around once a year.
HAVE A SAFE & PROSPEROUS HOLIDAY SEASON & A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!
Here we are……summer tans have long since faded, nightfall comes at 4:30pm, and waiting for the first real signs of winter to arrive. When winter rears it’s ugly head , so do the heating costs the come along with it. The web is full of great ideas on how to save money on energy costs, but more often than not it takes money to save money. For many, spending a lot money on major home improvement projects to make a home more energy efficient just isn’t in the cards this year.
Don’t panic! You still have options. Here are some tips on how to save money on energy bills without breaking the bank.
- Bundle up! Put on a sweater or sweatshirt. Wear socks and fuzzy slippers. Leave a soft, comfy blanket on the couch to cuddle up in while watching TV, reading or hanging out with family. Put area rugs on hardwood and tile floors to eliminate the shock of the freezing cold surfaces. It doesn’t cost anything to wear warmer clothes inside and by doing so you can keep the temperature inside the house a few degrees cooler and save big.
- Not all doors are used in the winter and neither are the windows. Plastic up the windows and doors that are going to go unused. There are window kits for sale for about $5 per window. These can help to eliminate drafts to keep in the heat! Can’t afford the kits or plastic sheeting? Hang blankets to help insulate! If you are creative enough, you can hang it to look shabby chic!
- Turn the heat down at night and when no one is home. This doesn’t mean turn the heat to 40 degrees, but turning it down to 60 overnight or while you’re at work or away can make a big difference. Think about it; why keep it 70 degrees when you’re either sleeping or out of the house for more than 12 hours a day? You can adjust the thermostat manually for free. If you want to spend a few bucks, a programmable thermostat is a great investment and you never have to worry about forgetting to turn down the thermostat. All the work is done for you. (A good place to buy a programmabe thermostat).
- After baking cookies or making dinner in the oven, leave the door open a crack. There’s a lot of heat in the oven, so letting it escape puts the heat to good use by warming up the kitchen and surrounding rooms so the furnace has to run a little bit less.
- Use a space heater only in the current room you are hanging out in. This will take the nip out of the air to make you feel more comfortable without heating all of the other rooms in the house and wasting energy. The perfect solution is a programmable thermostat for your space heater.
- Use silicone to fill any cracks in doors, windows, etc, including the basement floor and walls. You would be surprised at how much heat is lost through cracks that seem insignificant. A tube of caulk or silicone will only run you a few dollars and it’s an easy weekend project.
- Close any vents going to rooms that are not used regularly. That guest room that sits empty when you don’t have any guests? Close the door and the vents. Doing so can easily cut 100-200 square feet off of your energy foot print.
- Put weather stripping around windows and doors. Weather stripping helps quite a bit, especially in older homes. You’d be surprised how the seals around your doors and windows can deteriorate over time.
- Cover up the attic entry with plastic, pieces of insulation, old blankets, weather stripping, saran wrap, painter drop cloth, or even a few old shirts. Any of it will help to slow, if not, stop, the drafts and warm air from floating away through your roof. Heat rises and may be getting pulled right up through the attic so you may not notice a cold draft even though your expensive hot air is floating away.
- Let the sun shine in! Open up drapes and blinds during the day. Let the natural sunlight warm up the house. If the house hearts up from the sun, your furnace won’t have to switch on.
All of these tips are good, old fashioned, common sense ideas that won’t take a ton of time and maybe just a few dollars to implement. True these thoughts won’t save you thousands like new windows or a solar roof would, but they will help you to save as much as possible with what you have.
THANKSGIVING DAY is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. And now during such uncertain times, it is even more important to stop and think about how truly blessed we are. This is the perfect time of year to give to someone else (even if it’s just your time) or help someone in need. Even the smallest gesture could make a huge difference in someone’s life.
IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE!
Minute timers are simple and useful tools that have been around since 1935. They’re one of those items you see every day that and probably not think too much about it. But there are tons of things that a minute timer can be used for. And in a time of computers and complicated technology, it’s nice to have something that’s simple, helpful and reliable.
MORE THAN MAKING THAT PERFECT TURKEY!
Over the years a LUX Minute Minder Timer has been used for lots of things other than cooking.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Use it for getting the perfect tan. Set the timer for thirty minutes so you know when to flip to the other side.
- Use it when you have barbecues/pool parties to let the kids know when they’re allowed to go back in the pool after eating.
- Use it when coloring or putting a perm in your hair, so there’s no worry about over-processing
- Use it to limit time in the bathroom getting kids ready in the morning for school. Putting time limits on showers prevents morning chaos and saves hot water. It adds up to huge savings on the utility bill.
- Use it for timing how long to exercise. No getting off that bike to answer phones or check e-mail until that bell rings!
- Use it to time your parking meter. Set it when you put your money in the meter, so you don’t have to worry about getting a ticket. You’ll know when to put more coins in or move your car.
- Use it for testing children. Great for teachers in school, and great for allotting time to do homework.
- Use it for limiting your kids time on computers, cell phones and videos games.
- Use it for setting specific time to work on projects. It’s easy to procrastinate starting or even finishing a project if you keep checking voicemail and e-mails. If you set a timer, it will force you to get a chunk of work done without interruptions.
- Use it for setting specific time to return phones calls and e-mails so you’re not constantly being interrupted during work, meals, and quality time with family.
- Click here for more ideas.
Have a use for this old favorite? Let us know.
IT’S TIME TO FEAST
Whether hosting your first holiday feast or you’re a seasoned pro, it can be daunting: A menu of familiar dishes for which everyone will have expectations, plus the pressure of executing a complicated meal in a timely manner, can make even the most experienced cook wish someone else would take over (click here for more info).
A kitchen timer is a necessary tool for such a big meal (great place to get your timer). You not only need to know how long to cook the turkey, but how long to let it cool before carving
“We have many tips for a successful Thanksgiving, but our top recommendation is [to] rest your turkey. We [spend] weeks trying to decide how to cook the turkey each year—brine, roast, fry? How long should we cook it, and what’s the best turkey to buy? But if you don’t rest your turkey long enough [once it comes out of the oven], you’re throwing all your expert technique out the window. You should rest your turkey for approximately 40 percent of your total cooking time. So, be sure to rest it in a warm place and allow plenty of time for the whole process.”
Source: Karen and Quinn Hatfield
Chefs, Hatfield’s, Los Angeles
World Arthritis Day was established in 1996 by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) and is celebrated each year on 12 October.
Now, people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) from around the world can join together to make their voices heard on this day. World Arthritis Day is an ideal focus for organizations to raise awareness of issues affecting people with RMDs and for individuals to support campaigns.
Although 12 October is the official World Arthritis Day, this is a year round campaign.
The aims of World Arthritis Day are:
- To raise awareness of RMDs amongst the medical community, people with RMDs and the general public
- To influence public policy by making decision-makers aware of the burden of RMDs and the steps which can be taken to ease it
- To ensure all people with RMDs and their caregivers are aware of the vast support network available to them.
For more information http://www.worldarthritisday.org/about.
ARTHRITIS PAIN: EVERY DAY TIPS TO HELP GAIN COTROL
If you suffer from arthritis, you may not only experience joint pain and swelling, but difficulty functioning from day-to-day. Arthritis is not a walk in the park. Whether you are prone to spurts of pain or experience it all the time, going about a normal day may seem like an impossible task, but it doesn’t have to be. What can you do?
Make it easy to get around your home. If you suffer from arthritis of the toes, feet, hips, or knees, it is difficult to move. Walking from one room in your home to the next may trigger pain. Make it as easy as possible to move around. Is your home an obstacle course with furniture in the way? Enlist the help of a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor. Rearrange your furniture to create a straight path. The less turns and steps you have to make, the better.
Make sure all needed items are within easy reach. Regardless of what joints hurt, it can be difficult to reach for and grip. Do you find it too difficult to reach to the high shelf in your kitchen cupboard? If so, don’t use it. Place all foods and dishes on lower shelves or utilize your countertop. Do you find it too difficult to grasp dresser drawer handles? Instead, use your closet to hang clothes. With one simple tug, many fall right off the hanger. Make getting around your bathroom easier with conveniently located grab bars (good place to buy bathroom grab bars). Learning to prevent and manage the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis includes making your life at home easier.
Keep pain relievers handy. All arthritis patients suffer from pain. Depending on the type of arthritis, this pain may be constant or it may come and go. Either way, pain relievers are a lifesaver. They typically provide relief in as little as 15 minutes. Some over-the-counter arthritis creams provide pain relief as soon as contact is made with the skin. Since they do work, keep them on hand. Keep some pills and creams in your home, car, and purse. There are many ways to reduce the risk of arthritis pain, but there are no guarantees. Anything can trigger pain, so always be prepared. However, please be responsible when using medication. Always use as directed, and call your doctor if you have questions about any prescribed medications.
Rely on walking aids. If you suffer from arthritis of the toes, feet, hips, or knees, walking can be difficult and painful. With each step you take, pressure is applied to your already painful joints. What can you do is lessen the pressure with walking aids. These may include knee braces, crutches, or canes. Remember, the less pressure you apply to your joints, the less pain you should feel.
Ask for help. Arthritis patients experience times when they feel helpless. This is often when they cannot open a jar of spaghetti sauce, walk to the mailbox without experiencing pain, or even get dressed. It is very frustrating to be unable to handle daily tasks without pain. Yes, you are encouraged to try, but not it if will bring on pain. Although it can be hard, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ask your neighbor to deliver your mail to your home and save a heavy box until a family member can help you.
One of the many problems arthritis patients face is difficulty managing their pain. There are support groups for arthritis pain sufferers, ask your doctor or look on-line for a support group in your area. It helps to know that you’re not alone. Talking about the difficulties you face can help. It’s also helpful to keep a journal to keep a record of when pain is the worst or if something specific triggers the pain. It’s easy to get flustered in the doctor’s office and forget to mention important facts or serious concerns.
In short, there are many ways to treat and manage arthritis pain. Over-the-counter products can be a lifesaver for many arthritis patients, but they are not your only option. The first step should be focusing on day-to-day tasks. When these seem easier and less painful, the rest will simply just fall into place.
As the summer slowly winds down, hurricane and tropical storm season pick up. The damage that rough weather can inflict on your home and HVAC system can cause headaches in the aftermath, so it’s important to make sure your home is protected.
Most people who have ever been through a hurricane know the routine: bring in the plants and outdoor furniture, tape or board up your windows, stock up on candles, flashlights and non-perishable food. Quite often however, you HVAC system is overlooked.
Obviously, you can’t relocate your outside HVAC system, so it’s best to cover it securely to protect your equipment from harsh rains and falling debris.
Have a thermostat installed that has battery back-up power, this way you don’t lose all of your HVAC settings during a power outage .
If you’re close to the storm, don’t take chances and run any equipment that might burn out. You want your HVAC running long after the rains have stopped.. It’s best to simply shut everything down if you anticipate a power outage. This way, you reduce the risk of blowing out circuits and burning out the compressor when the electricity returns.
Once the storm is passed, check your outside equipment for any damage like dents from fallen debris. If you feel there is something obstructing your system and preventing it from working properly, call an HVAC repairman before you turn the system back on.
Here are some additional tips to ensure your HVAC system stays protected in the high winds, falling debris, and dangerous lightening.
HVAC To-Do List for Hurricane Preparation:
- Turn your AC unit off prior to a severe storm.
- If you have a window unit, unplug it entirely.
- Cover your outside unit and make sure it’s secure.
- Do not turn your unit back on immediately following a storm or hurricane.
- Inspect the unit and surrounding area first to ensure it’s in proper working condition.
Remember, as you make plans and prepare your emergency hurricane kits, take care to watch your heating and cooling systems. You’ve spent a lot of money having these systems installed and maintained. With the proper precautions you can protect your investment and avoid coming home to an unpleasant situation.
BACK TO SCHOOL!
It’s that time of year again. The pools are closed, the days get shorter, the alarm clocks ring earlier, and the schedules get crazier.
The hardest part is getting back into the swing of things after months off from hectic days of scheduled classes, sports practice, homework and other extracurricular activities.
Here are some tips to make this difficult transition a little easier:
- Prepare for the flood of paper. There are always tons of papers that seem to appear when the kids go back to school: permission slips, health forms, school supplies lists. Set up a filing system or scan them into your computer so things don’t get misplaced or are easily found when things get hectic.
- Post your children’s class schedule where’s it’s easily seen. Color code each child or specific activities so there are no conflicts when scheduling.
- Create a homework station. Have an assigned clean area with no distractions for the kids to do their homework. Put all the supplies they would need in a central location,so they’re easily accessible. It’s also good for you to be able to walk by periodically and check on their work
- Avoid morning chaos. Set the family table for breakfast the night before. Get lunches packed or leave lunch money out so you’re not frantic or forgetting when the kids are rushing off to school. Pick out outfits or lay out clothing in the evening so there are no arguments in the morning when you’re pressed for time.
- Plan a bathroom schedule. Anyone who is in a multi-child household knows how crazy the morning can be when sharing or waiting to use the bathroom. Get a timer and put a limit how much time each child has to get ready.
- Shop the closets. Before hitting stores,take a good look at what’s already there. Do an inventory and make a list, this way you’re not spending extra money on things your kids already have. There may be clothes that are trendy again, or even things you can donate.
- Keep receipts. Colored pens look cool in the store, but the teacher may request that students use pencil only. If you have to return anything, you’ll be able to get your money back.
- Start interviewing babysitters. Knowing there are people who your children are comfortable with will make it much easier when you have “Back To School” night, parent-teacher meetings and other events when you’ll have to leave the kids a home.
- Now that you’re not seeing your kids as much, make it a point to set aside quality time to spend with them. Don’t answer cell phones or watch TV. Ask about their day, friends and school projects.
- Take it all in stride. It’s easy to give advice, but things happen that throw the best laid out schedules into havoc. Knowing that this happens will help you cope better when it does. What is hectic now becomes fond memories later. Enjoy every moment,it goes by so fast.
HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GREAT SUMMER!
Summer’s end is fast approaching, but you still have some time to make it a memorable one! You’ll have to hurry if you want to squeeze in all of the hottest things about summer into the next few weeks, before the kids head back to school. Here’s a list of ideas for a late-summer rally of fun!
You don’t have to spend tons of money to have a great time, so here’s some great ideas that won’t bust your budget.
- Go backyard camping. Gather your pals, pitch a tent, grab some sleeping bags, and head out your back door. While you won’t be able to have a campfire, there’s no reason to forgo the traditional campfire songs and tales. Of course include S’mores! Have a blast sleeping with the kids under the stars while enjoying the indoor plumbing just a few steps away!
- Close out the summer with a day at the Beach! It will feel like a mini-vacation (especially if you didn’t get away this year). Build a sandcastle or have a sandcastle contest with friends. Build a giant fort or get buried in the sand. Actually go in the ocean! Nothing feels better than coming home sun bleached, sandy and smelling like Coppertone.
- Before summer ends, it’s required that everyone attend a festival! There are tons of festivals or County Fairs taking place between now and the start of September. They all have free concerts, games, crafts, rides & petting animals. Don’t forget to enjoy some great carnival foods which can only be found in the summer time: cotton candy, corn dogs, snow cones and roasted corn!
- Watch the sun rise and set in the same day.
- Make hand squeezed lemonade. Or help your kids set up and old-fashioned lemonade stand.
- Fly a kite. Or tie a secret or wish to a balloon and let it go. Do it alone or gather kids in the neighborhood for a fun colorful activity.
- Go to the nearest park and have a picnic. Nothing beats hanging out on a blanket with your pals. Have everyone pack their fave foods. Don’t forget the Frisbee! August weather is perfect for a late summer picnic.
- Pack your kids in their PJs, bring your favorite snacks and head to a double bill at a drive-in theatre. Crank up the volume on your car stereo… And, talking is allowed!
- Take outdoor photos. Take pictures of everything you love about summer and make a book or collage that you can look at and smile when “Old Man Winter” arrives again.
- Get inspired by being outside. Find a special place that you enjoy and feel peaceful. Tap into your creative writing. Write a letter to an old friend, write a love letter to that special someone, write a poem or even a song.
- There’s nothing more beautiful that a clear summer night with a sky full of stars. Enjoy a night of stargazing. Look up the different constellations on line and try to find them or point them out to your kids.
- Give your kids containers to run around and catch fireflies.
- I love fresh summer fruit and produce. Stop at a roadside stand or farm and buy fresh picked produce and make an entire meal from it.
- Start that book you’ve been meaning to read for a long time and actually finish it.
- Make your own popsicles. It’s a fun activity that doesn’t take a lot of time. Try different juices and mixtures. And if you’re 21 you can even try adding a little booze!
- Attend an outdoor music concert. There are always tons of free concerts in the summer. Check out what’s happening in your local area. There nothing better than chillin’ out on a summer night listening to great music.
- Go on a rollercoaster. Nothing says summer like the laughter & squeals of joys as you zip around a rollercoaster. Make a “bucket list” with your friends and go on the top 5 rollercoasters in the area.
- Organize a water olympics. Invite your children’s friends and the neighborhood kids to join together in the back yard. Have a water balloon toss, sprinkler freeze tag, water balloon relay race and other games to cool off on a hot summer day.
- Before it’s time for books and homework again, do a family activity – something outdoorsy before the nice weather is gone for the year. Tour the countryside on your bikes, go for a hike, explore caves. There are also farms, orchards, lakes and parks to enjoy.
- Have the best.summer.ever.♥
You can save money throughout the year, but the warm temperatures of summer provide a few additional tips that can help you save even more money. Here are some things to try during those warm months.
- Turn off the air conditioning. This doesn’t mean you have to suffer through sweltering heat, but you should be aware of the weather so that you can maximize efficiency and save money by using it only when needed. For example, if it is going to be a cool night, turn off the air before heading to bed and open a few windows.
- Get window wise. During those scorching days, or before you leave for work in the morning, close your curtains and blinds to prevent the sun from beating down into the rooms and needlessly warming your home. Bonus: It will reduce fading of upholstery and rugs.
- Get with the program! Installing a programmable thermostat will help save big bucks on your air conditioning bill . You can program your HVAC system to run less while you’re at work or on vacation and have it run more to cool your home just before you get home.
- Replace your air conditioner filters. This can be easy to overlook, but a dirty filter can increase cooling costs. Dirty filters restrict the airflow and the efficiency of the air conditioner, which translates into more run time and higher cooling costs. Filters are cheap, so replace them regularly.
- Insulate intelligently. You know the feeling — somehow, it always seems 10 degrees hotter upstairs than it does in your living room. Reduce the effect of the sun’s sizzling rays by insulating your attic. This will prevent the heat that builds up on top from filtering down into the rest of the house.
- Keep lamps and TV’s far from the thermostat. Sure, they provide light to read by and your favorite reality shows, but they also exude heat, causing your AC to run overtime. Plant the standing lamps and television across the room if you can and consider switching to compact fluorescent bulbs, which generate less heat, last longer and use less energy than incandescent bulbs.
- Make use of your microwave. Prepping dinner? Not only is it quicker and a lot more convenient, but four minutes in the microwave will generate much less heat than a half hour in the oven.
- Cook outside. Using the stove or baking in the oven can create a lot of excess heat that has nowhere to go except in your house. Consider taking meal plans to the barbecue grill outside so that you can keep your cool inside.
- Let your laundry dry outside. If you have the ability to hang up laundry outside, let the sun and warm summer breeze do the drying for you. Even if you can’t hang up clothes outside, try using your dryer on a lower heat setting or only partially drying your shirts and letting them air dry the rest of the way.
- Plan ahead for future home and garden projects. As summer begins to wind down, it is a perfect time to be on the lookout for season ending sales. Landscape plants, tools, and other outdoor project materials tend to go on sale as people begin to look toward autumn and spending less time outside.
- Plant a tree. Plant deciduous trees (those that shed their leaves in the winter, like a maple) by the south and west sides of your home to shade windows from heat. In the winter, their bare branches will allow sunlight to stream into your home for added warmth. Also consider planting trees or shrubs near your AC unit. It will use less electricity when operating under the shade.
No need to swoon from the heat, or your sky-high electric bill! Hope these tips help to stay cool and calm during the dog days of summer.
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Father’s Day is a day honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds and the influence of fathers in society. It is celebrated on the third Sunday of June in 52 countries around the world.
Father’s day was slow to catch on compared to the very popular Mother’s day until it became recognized as a national holiday in 1972 when Richard Nixon signed it into law.
I have no idea how the tradition of giving ugly ties started! It has become such a huge part of the Father’s Day tradition that there are contests and even Facebook pages devoted to the topic.
Let me know if you have any ideas on how the ugly tie tradition started or want to share your ugliest tie.
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