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3 Tips to Clear the Clutter

If just thinking about cleaning your home from top to bottom and getting rid of all the clutter you’ve acquired since the day you were handed the keys is enough to overwhelm you, you’re not alone. However, with a little planning, you can get your home back in shape while keeping the stress at bay. These three simple tips will help you say goodbye to clutter for good.

Make a plan. Decide which projects take priority. Does your closet need a massive redo? Are your kitchen drawers jammed with so much clutter they won’t open? Are you buried under an avalanche of assorted storage containers every time you open your kitchen cabinet? Once you decide what you want to tackle, put it on your calendar. Setting a date will keep you from finding excuses to put it off, and it will give you time to plan.

Be creative. You have a target date and a list of projects—now what? Before you begin, think about what storage features you are lacking. Be creative. For example, try using bins to create easy weeknight meals in a basket. A bin labeled “spaghetti night” would contain pasta, a jar of sauce, and a loaf of Italian bread.

Make some room. If you’re like most people, your closet might also be in serious need of attention. Shoe organizers and storage bins are always useful in the closet. Take everything out of the closet until you have an empty space. Sort everything you haven’t worn or used in the past year into two piles: toss and give away. Place items back into your closet by type (pants, skirts, suit jackets, etc.). If you have empty wall space in your closet, add hooks. The more hooks, the better—use these for belts, ties and scarves.

6 Smart Things to do with a Tax Refund

Getting cash back from Uncle Sam?  Here’s how to make the most of it!

1. BUILD YOUR EMERGENCY FUND.  It’s critical to have a financial emergency fund.  Experts suggest a three month reserve of all fixed expenses- mortgage, utilities, food.  But any amount will help handle a financial surprise.
2. FUND YOUR RETIREMENT.  If your employer doesn’t offer a retirement plan or you’re already meeting their match, you could use your refund to start an IRA.  It gives you tax benefits and more control over your investment options.  Always consult with a tax professional about tax matters.
3. PAY DOWN CREDIT CARD DEBT.  If your credit card interest rate is 15% or more, finance charges on your balance can double or triple the cost of every item you buy.  Your tax refund can reduce or eliminate that balance and interest expense  Why pay for yesterday’s dinner out for the next 10 years?
4. CATCH UP ON MAINTENANCE.  Use your refund to pay for home and office maintenance jobs you’ve been delaying.  Things can cost even more if you wait to fix them.
5. GET AN ENERGY AUDIT.  Good ones run several hundred dollars, but the information they provide can save you lots more.  Learning where to seal up leaks and add insulation will reduce your energy expenses for years.
6. INVEST IN YOURSELF.  Getting ahead today often means developing new skills.  Spending money on a weekend conference, continuing education classes or an online course can lead to a higher paying career.

Bob Vila’s “Must Do” Projects for April

Spring has sprung! While cool temperatures may not be completely behind us, it’s certain that April will usher in warmer days, making it the perfect month to get back to beautifying the yard and garden. The season is likely to bring rain, so be sure to clear your gutters of debris and resolve any water issues in the basement. Getting those tasks out of the way now will give you time to refresh your home’s curb appeal, tackle a DIY project or two, and sow some seeds for your summer vegetable garden.

Clean Gutters of Debris

Along with prepping the basement, spring showers also call for outdoor maintenance. Prevent flooding by clearing the gutters of debris and positioning the downspouts away from the foundation. Ideally, water should flow three feet away from the house, so consider running an extension or trough.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

A new paint job will transform the look of your exterior, and it makes sense to tackle the job before the dog days of summer. Think about using a contrasting color on trim or architectural details. For maximum curb appeal, factor in the color of your roof.

Tune Up the Lawn Mower

Before the grass gets too high, make sure the mower is in good working order. Clear away any old, dried grass clippings—if you failed to do so in the fall—and change out the filter and oil. If you left some gas in the mower over the winter and it doesn’t start up, try draining the gas tank and starting fresh.

Make a Planter for Your Deck

If you’ve got a green thumb, pick up a deck rail garden planter at your local garden center, or flex your DIY muscles by making your own. With a saw, drill, hammer, and a free afternoon, you can build a few planter boxes for about $40.

Sow Your Seeds

Once the danger of winter frost has passed, April is the best month for sowing many vegetable varieties outdoors.Plant your garden in raised beds for optimal drainage, or directly into the yard if your soil is arable. Choose your plants wisely and opt only for what you already like—no one wants to get stuck with a bumper crop the family won’t eat.

Keep Pollen-Free

April is peak pollen season across much of the United States, so allergy sufferers should take precautions now. Keep windows closed and clean or replace filters for air-conditioning units. While you’re at it, change the air filter in your car. To avoid bringing allergens indoors, those who love sun-dried laundry should wait until after pollen season to use the outdoor clothesline.

List the House

Thinking of putting your house on the market? Spring is historically the best time to do so. Before you list, put your best face forward with a few minor curb appeal updates. Simple staging tips can transform your interior too. For example, you’ll make it easier for buyers to picture themselves in their new home by packing away family memorabilia and knickknacks.

Do Something Fun!

 

Because you’re likely to spend more time outdoors this month, why not take on an enjoyable DIY project that will enhance the beauty of your lawn or garden. You can easily make a birdbath by stacking different-size inverted terra-cotta pots one on top of the other. Other great outdoor projects include building a fire pit, trellis, or raised garden bed.

Start Composting

The best gardeners know that compost is better than fertilizer when it comes to providing a nutrient-rich growing environment for plants. Composting is easy and inexpensive, and anyone can do it. For the best compost, you’ll need to know what not to put into the mix—and remember that your compost needs to stay warm and aerated.

Forget Cash – We Need Cupcakes!

Who doesn’t love a midnight snack, right? But what if your sweet tooth is in overdrive and there’s not an ounce of sugar to be found in your home? Well, just take a quick trip to the 24/7 cupcake ATM, of course! Yup, I said cupcake.

Called “cupcake automats,” these 24-hour cupcake ATMs from the popular cupcake chain, Sprinkles, are growing throughout the U.S. and are expected to be in every major city soon. The first one opened in Beverly Hills, Calif. earlier this year.

The company plans on opening multiple locations in New York City. “We’re looking at midtown, downtown, and the upper West Side,” reports company spokesperson Nicole Schwartz, “as well as automats in Washington, D.C. and Chicago this summer.”

According to Schwartz the cupcake automats will be stocked with the chain’s most popular flavors as well as the flavors of the day. The initial plan is for eight flavors overall, although the machines are designed to eventually hold more. The company serves over 30different cupcake flavors, including new seasonal flavors like Irish chocolate, green velvet and cherry blossom. “Each cupcake is packaged individually in a box that is held by an insert. The package is a really great gift option,” she said.

The cupcake automats will be stocked with hundreds of cupcakes at a time, as well as cupcakes for Fido, apparel and cake mixes. Each cupcake is packaged individually in a box, making it a great last-minute gift option as well.

And, adds Schwartz, don’t worry about eating a stale cupcake. The Sprinkles bakery is a round-the-clock operation with bakers commencing at 2 a.m. and closing shop at midnight. Now we can all have our cake and eat it whenever we choose!

Source: ABC News