The price of energy is going up all the time, and you're probably looking for ways to save on your house bills. As it turns out, your least favorite room may be one of your biggest energy hogs. I'm talking about the laundry room.
Now, you can save all sorts of money if you're willing to stop washing your clothes, but I'm guessing you're not looking to go that route (and all the folks you work with appreciate that). Let's take a look at some more practical ways you can save money in the laundry room.
1. Avoid washers and dryers with lots of fancy features.
If you're shopping for a new washer and dryer, stick to the basics. More expensive machines may have extra cycles, electronic control panels, and other fancy features, but they don't wash clothes any better than basic units. Those perks usually just add to the operating cost of the machine. (Not to mention, more doohickeys means more doohickeys that can break, requiring the hiring of a repairman...)
2. Use cold water.
A hot water load uses four times as much energy as a cold water load. You may want to do your whites in hot, but towels and linens are fine in cold. Actually, the majority of your clothes are fine done in cold water, unless they're very dirty (just make sure to use liquid detergent, as some powders only dissolve in very hot water).
3. Don't use "warm-rinse" cycles.
Many of the washers on the market today feature warm-rinse cycles. According to experts (yes, there really are laundry experts), you never need warm water to rinse your clothes, and you can waste $50+ a year on this feature.
4. Nice day? Dry your clothes outside.
Hanging a clothesline between two trees won't cost you anything beyond the initial investment of a package of clothespins from the dollar store.
5. Clean the lint trap.
Assuming suggestion #4 didn't fly for you, and you're sticking to your dryer, at least make sure you clean out the lint trap after every load. The dryer actually has to work harder, thus using more energy, when the trap is full.
6. Don't use the maximum dryer setting.
Unless you're doing a load of towels or other hard-to-dry items, don't use the dryer's maximum setting. A middle setting (between minimum and maximum) works fine for most clothes. In addition, it saves you pennies a load, which adds up to hundreds of dollars over the life of your dryer.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Is a Lift Chair Right for You?
If you are currently debating on the decision to purchase a lift chair, there are a few determining factors that may help you to make your decision. Deciding if you need a lift chair does not have to be an overwhelming choice. If you think you may benefit from a lift chair, you should think about the many ways that it could help you in your everyday life.
If you currently have trouble standing from a sitting position without help from others, then a lift chair can assist you in gaining your independence. By slowly raising you to your feet, a lift chair takes away the need to have someone with you when you want to get up. It takes the strain off those who would help you, and lets you be more independent and mobile, because when you want to get up from your chair, you simply push the button to raise the seat, and you are slowly raised into a standing position.
You may also benefit from a lift chair in the aspect that it helps you to sit without help. If you are normally off balance, or have a fear of falling while trying to sit, then a lift chair can alleviate those worries. When you are ready to sit in your chair, you simply back up to the seat and push the decline button. Your lift chair will then slowly lower you into a sitting position. You will not need help from others to sit, and you will not have to worry about becoming off balance or potentially falling back into the chair. The lift chair does all the work of sitting you down slowly and without fear.
Some people even use their lift chairs for sleeping. There are models available that fully recline into a laying position, so that you can sleep very comfortably. When you are ready to get up, you simply push the button to sit up, and the back of the chair, as well as the footrest, will lower you back into a sitting position. From there you can push the incline button to raise into a standing position, and get up if you wish.
Lift chairs have given millions of users their independence again. Those who once thought that they would always need help in sitting and standing have been pleasantly surprised at the mobility that they have received in using a lift chair. No matter what the reason that you normally need help, whether it is due to age, arthritis, or injury, a lift chair can help you to regain your confidence and your independence. With the many styles and colors available, a lift chair can be found that will match any home décor, so there are no worries of it looking out of place.
Lift chairs are designed to help you regain your independence and your mobility. If knowing that you can get up without help is important to you, then a lift chair would be a great benefit.
If you currently have trouble standing from a sitting position without help from others, then a lift chair can assist you in gaining your independence. By slowly raising you to your feet, a lift chair takes away the need to have someone with you when you want to get up. It takes the strain off those who would help you, and lets you be more independent and mobile, because when you want to get up from your chair, you simply push the button to raise the seat, and you are slowly raised into a standing position.
You may also benefit from a lift chair in the aspect that it helps you to sit without help. If you are normally off balance, or have a fear of falling while trying to sit, then a lift chair can alleviate those worries. When you are ready to sit in your chair, you simply back up to the seat and push the decline button. Your lift chair will then slowly lower you into a sitting position. You will not need help from others to sit, and you will not have to worry about becoming off balance or potentially falling back into the chair. The lift chair does all the work of sitting you down slowly and without fear.
Some people even use their lift chairs for sleeping. There are models available that fully recline into a laying position, so that you can sleep very comfortably. When you are ready to get up, you simply push the button to sit up, and the back of the chair, as well as the footrest, will lower you back into a sitting position. From there you can push the incline button to raise into a standing position, and get up if you wish.
Lift chairs have given millions of users their independence again. Those who once thought that they would always need help in sitting and standing have been pleasantly surprised at the mobility that they have received in using a lift chair. No matter what the reason that you normally need help, whether it is due to age, arthritis, or injury, a lift chair can help you to regain your confidence and your independence. With the many styles and colors available, a lift chair can be found that will match any home décor, so there are no worries of it looking out of place.
Lift chairs are designed to help you regain your independence and your mobility. If knowing that you can get up without help is important to you, then a lift chair would be a great benefit.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Inspiring home designs
So when you redesign your home, what exactly should you do to it? If you’re short on inspiration, here are a few ideas to get you started.
The place where many people like to really go to town with their design ideas is in babies’ and children’s rooms – you can paint them bright colours, do imaginative pictures of fantasy environments, draw pictures of the child’s favourite characters from books and TV, and so much more besides. If you do this, why not let the child join in with the painting and show you what they want, with you just being there to help make their decoration dreams come true. However, one thing to be careful of is to keep redecorating their room as they get older – you don’t want them to be embarrassed to bring around friends when they’re a teenager because of their babyishly coloured room.
Another idea could be to make an ‘outdoors’ house, taking inspiration from your garden in how to design your home. This means lots of greens and blues, lots of plants, outdoor fragrances, lots of windows – a real outdoor feel indoors.
Indeed, the best way to design a home yourself is often to just pick a theme and take it as far as it will go. I know a couple with a ‘space house’, complete with portraits of rockets and black ceilings with painted stars – it sounds silly, but it’s really interesting to look at. Whatever you’re passionate about, make your house show it.
Don’t forget, though, that redecorating doesn’t have to be all about tearing things down and buying new stuff. You can get a long way with a few posters, ornaments, or just reorganising or repainting your furniture. You really don’t need to break the bank and hire a handyman to get your ideal home, as a little work can go a long way.
The place where many people like to really go to town with their design ideas is in babies’ and children’s rooms – you can paint them bright colours, do imaginative pictures of fantasy environments, draw pictures of the child’s favourite characters from books and TV, and so much more besides. If you do this, why not let the child join in with the painting and show you what they want, with you just being there to help make their decoration dreams come true. However, one thing to be careful of is to keep redecorating their room as they get older – you don’t want them to be embarrassed to bring around friends when they’re a teenager because of their babyishly coloured room.
Another idea could be to make an ‘outdoors’ house, taking inspiration from your garden in how to design your home. This means lots of greens and blues, lots of plants, outdoor fragrances, lots of windows – a real outdoor feel indoors.
Indeed, the best way to design a home yourself is often to just pick a theme and take it as far as it will go. I know a couple with a ‘space house’, complete with portraits of rockets and black ceilings with painted stars – it sounds silly, but it’s really interesting to look at. Whatever you’re passionate about, make your house show it.
Don’t forget, though, that redecorating doesn’t have to be all about tearing things down and buying new stuff. You can get a long way with a few posters, ornaments, or just reorganising or repainting your furniture. You really don’t need to break the bank and hire a handyman to get your ideal home, as a little work can go a long way.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Inspecting A Home's Sprinkler System-Before You Buy
Many homebuyers know to thoroughly inspect a home's foundation, electrical system and plumbing before agreeing to buy a house. But experts say it's important to check out what's outside a home's walls as well.
For instance, taking a few steps to inspect a property's sprinkler system could keep you from waking up to a problem down the road. Old sprinkler systems or systems in ill repair are vulnerable to a variety of problems-from leaks to blockage. These problems can harm the health of your lawn and even cause serious damage to your yard and landscaping. To help homeowners avoid buying someone else's outdoor irrigation issue, Dave Johnson, an irrigation expert at Rain Bird, offers these tips:
• Find and check the automatic sprinkler timer and make sure it is plugged into an unobstructed and visibly safe power supply in a weather-safe environment. An improperly placed electrical timer box is more susceptible to an electrical short, which can wreak havoc on an automatic irrigation system.
• Test the timer to make sure that each individual sprinkler zone can be turned on manually from the timer itself.
• After the system has been turned on for a few minutes, stroll around the yard to check for any moisture in unusual spots: exposed pipes that may be prone to cracking, major brown spots around sprinkler heads, saturated turf or soil, sick and diseased plants.
• Open and close each individual valve, checking for moisture caused by cracks or broken seals in the pipes or exterior casing. Most valves contain a screw or knob on top that can be easily turned by hand.
• Turn on each watering zone and check each sprinkler head. Any head that does not pop up or otherwise operates improperly may need to be replaced. It is also possible that a sprinkler head that does not pop up is a sign of a problem with the water pressure, and may indicate that there is a leak in the system somewhere.
• If the system is connected to a rain sensor, test the sensor by first turning on one of the zones, and then giving the rain sensor a good soaking with a garden hose. If the irrigation system does not stop, there may be a problem.
• Ask the sellers if they have a maintenance record, or a receipt from the last time they had the system winterized by a professional.
• If you are not comfortable conducting an inspection of the sprinkler system yourself, find an area landscape professional to do a routine inspection.
For instance, taking a few steps to inspect a property's sprinkler system could keep you from waking up to a problem down the road. Old sprinkler systems or systems in ill repair are vulnerable to a variety of problems-from leaks to blockage. These problems can harm the health of your lawn and even cause serious damage to your yard and landscaping. To help homeowners avoid buying someone else's outdoor irrigation issue, Dave Johnson, an irrigation expert at Rain Bird, offers these tips:
• Find and check the automatic sprinkler timer and make sure it is plugged into an unobstructed and visibly safe power supply in a weather-safe environment. An improperly placed electrical timer box is more susceptible to an electrical short, which can wreak havoc on an automatic irrigation system.
• Test the timer to make sure that each individual sprinkler zone can be turned on manually from the timer itself.
• After the system has been turned on for a few minutes, stroll around the yard to check for any moisture in unusual spots: exposed pipes that may be prone to cracking, major brown spots around sprinkler heads, saturated turf or soil, sick and diseased plants.
• Open and close each individual valve, checking for moisture caused by cracks or broken seals in the pipes or exterior casing. Most valves contain a screw or knob on top that can be easily turned by hand.
• Turn on each watering zone and check each sprinkler head. Any head that does not pop up or otherwise operates improperly may need to be replaced. It is also possible that a sprinkler head that does not pop up is a sign of a problem with the water pressure, and may indicate that there is a leak in the system somewhere.
• If the system is connected to a rain sensor, test the sensor by first turning on one of the zones, and then giving the rain sensor a good soaking with a garden hose. If the irrigation system does not stop, there may be a problem.
• Ask the sellers if they have a maintenance record, or a receipt from the last time they had the system winterized by a professional.
• If you are not comfortable conducting an inspection of the sprinkler system yourself, find an area landscape professional to do a routine inspection.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Injury Prevention For Parents: How To Prevent Injuries to Your Kids
The first step to preventing injuries to your child is to take general preventative measures. For instance, to prevent your child from falling out of your house’s windows, install guards on all windows higher than the first floor. In addition, children must never be unattended in or near a bathtub, swimming pool, ocean, or any other body of water. Not only water, but also its nemesis—fire, can pose a threat to children. Therefore, smoke detectors should be tested once each month, and fresh batteries placed in them a minimum of once every year. Accidents happen. To prepare for emergencies in your home, post emergency numbers nearby your phones, and keep stocks of first aid supplies in your home. To prevent the likelihood that you would need to phone those emergency numbers, consider buying child safety products from a child safety store.
In addition to taking preventative steps to safeguard your child, you can also keep dangerous objects away from him or her. Every day in America, a handgun kills a child, so you could consider keeping all guns out of your home. Furthermore, youngsters should never be capable of reaching tiny objects. Also, tiny food items, hard candies and balloons can pose threats to children’s wellbeing, so keep them away from your infants and toddlers. Lastly, children should be unable to reach products such as medicines, matches and lighters, cleaners and cosmetics. Child safety products from a child safety store can help you to keep these products outside your child’s reach.
Lastly, injuries can be prevented when your child leaves the house and becomes mobile. Whenever you son or daughter rides in a vehicle, it should become automatic for him or her to buckle the seatbelt. Secondly, when riding a bicycle, skateboards or inline skates, your child must always wear a helmet. When skateboarding or inline skating, safety gear such as wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads can further help to prevent your child from becoming injured. Even when your son or daughter travels on foot, safety measures should be followed. Teach your child to look left, right, and then left again, before crossing any street.
While pain can be beneficial in telling our brain that something is amiss with our body, it is never enjoyable. Injuries can be particularly traumatic for children, as they oftentimes cannot determine how serious an injury is. Nevertheless, taking specific
In addition to taking preventative steps to safeguard your child, you can also keep dangerous objects away from him or her. Every day in America, a handgun kills a child, so you could consider keeping all guns out of your home. Furthermore, youngsters should never be capable of reaching tiny objects. Also, tiny food items, hard candies and balloons can pose threats to children’s wellbeing, so keep them away from your infants and toddlers. Lastly, children should be unable to reach products such as medicines, matches and lighters, cleaners and cosmetics. Child safety products from a child safety store can help you to keep these products outside your child’s reach.
Lastly, injuries can be prevented when your child leaves the house and becomes mobile. Whenever you son or daughter rides in a vehicle, it should become automatic for him or her to buckle the seatbelt. Secondly, when riding a bicycle, skateboards or inline skates, your child must always wear a helmet. When skateboarding or inline skating, safety gear such as wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads can further help to prevent your child from becoming injured. Even when your son or daughter travels on foot, safety measures should be followed. Teach your child to look left, right, and then left again, before crossing any street.
While pain can be beneficial in telling our brain that something is amiss with our body, it is never enjoyable. Injuries can be particularly traumatic for children, as they oftentimes cannot determine how serious an injury is. Nevertheless, taking specific
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Infidels And The Cheaters Who Love Them
Copyright 2006 X & Y Communications
Have you ever happened across the Jerry Springer Show (I know this group can't actually be Tivoing it or anything…too high class a crowd) and noticed how people who are cheaters can’t seem to venture too far from home? I mean, the “other partner” always seems to be drawn from a very shallow pool of best friends, sisters, brothers, father-in-laws, etc. All the time.
If you are going to cheat, at least get far enough from the nest that you at might have a fighter’s chance at not getting caught. Right? And good grief, does anyone ever think about how awkward the family time at Thanksgiving is going to be when all of the dust clears?
For the record, no. Cheaters don't think about any of this stuff. There is no thought process there. Just the occasional adrenaline rush.
Whatever.
Practically speaking, cheaters are by definition non-thinkers. Consideration of details like process and consequences generally cannot be bothered with at all, let alone managed effectively in these situations. So then, it’s not surprising that cheaters tend to get found out…and lose.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not discounting the concept of someone wanting out of a dismal relationship so badly that they may actually want to get caught cheating, just so the burden of ending the relationship is on the other person. I'm sure that enters into it often, actually.
Heavy stuff. Or should I say, pathetic stuff.
Obviously I ruminate upon this sort of thing a good bit. I should, after all it’s my job to. But still, the concept of cheating on a partner in a committed relationship always causes me to rehearse the line, “what goes around comes around” just one more time.
Why?
Well, it’s simple. We as human beings have a pattern. Whether we like it or not, we tend to be painfully predictable. At the very fiber of our being, what makes up our moral core is going to dominate…every time.
So it follows logically that if you choose to cheat, you are going to live the life of a cheater.
Somebody reading this just said, “Duh.”
I couldn’t agree more. “Duh.” So what is up with all the cheating? There are clear consequences to living that lifestyle, and they basically involve getting what you deserve…infidelity. Essentially, if you build a relationship upon the premise of cheating, how can you possibly expect anything in the future but...more cheating? It has been said that after the first time cheating happens, it is forever easier thereafter to repeat the offense. I think there is decidedly some truth to that concept. Once conscience is breached, the proverbial Pandora's Box is opened.
Suppose for a brief second that you are feeling bored, sick, unattracted and/or flaky toward you committed partner. You have an affair with someone who "floats your boat" more buoyantly. Yeah, well, both you and your new, apparently exciting friend are CHEATERS. And should you choose to leave your committed partner for your new friend, you will both still be CHEATERS.
The takeaway here is that both YOU and your PARTNER will have built whatever you build together upon CHEATING.
Did you get that? And guess what? You’ll do it again.
Like it or not, cheaters indeed keep cheating. Yours will be a relationship built upon dishonesty and lack of integrity. How do you expect such a union to last? Rest assured it will not.
Meanwhile, your spurned ex will be out deserving what he or she wants. A faithful partner is a good catch.
Will you be left wallowing in the error of your ways? Not if you deserve what you want today…and stay true to the partner you say you love. If there are issues, work them out. If you need to get out more together, make it happen. And if you need to break up an exclusive relationship, do so before heading on to "greener pastures". The proper thing to do is break off one committed relationship before starting another. This is the only way around the cheating issue. And yes...if you are "separated"...consider thoroughly the importance of waiting until the divorce is final before dating other people. You are still married until that happens, and dating under these circumstances generally raises subtle doubts in the mind of those you go out with.
But for Heaven’s sake…whatever you do, don’t sleep with your brother-in-law just to make a point, okay? It’s not going to lead to happiness.
Have you ever happened across the Jerry Springer Show (I know this group can't actually be Tivoing it or anything…too high class a crowd) and noticed how people who are cheaters can’t seem to venture too far from home? I mean, the “other partner” always seems to be drawn from a very shallow pool of best friends, sisters, brothers, father-in-laws, etc. All the time.
If you are going to cheat, at least get far enough from the nest that you at might have a fighter’s chance at not getting caught. Right? And good grief, does anyone ever think about how awkward the family time at Thanksgiving is going to be when all of the dust clears?
For the record, no. Cheaters don't think about any of this stuff. There is no thought process there. Just the occasional adrenaline rush.
Whatever.
Practically speaking, cheaters are by definition non-thinkers. Consideration of details like process and consequences generally cannot be bothered with at all, let alone managed effectively in these situations. So then, it’s not surprising that cheaters tend to get found out…and lose.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not discounting the concept of someone wanting out of a dismal relationship so badly that they may actually want to get caught cheating, just so the burden of ending the relationship is on the other person. I'm sure that enters into it often, actually.
Heavy stuff. Or should I say, pathetic stuff.
Obviously I ruminate upon this sort of thing a good bit. I should, after all it’s my job to. But still, the concept of cheating on a partner in a committed relationship always causes me to rehearse the line, “what goes around comes around” just one more time.
Why?
Well, it’s simple. We as human beings have a pattern. Whether we like it or not, we tend to be painfully predictable. At the very fiber of our being, what makes up our moral core is going to dominate…every time.
So it follows logically that if you choose to cheat, you are going to live the life of a cheater.
Somebody reading this just said, “Duh.”
I couldn’t agree more. “Duh.” So what is up with all the cheating? There are clear consequences to living that lifestyle, and they basically involve getting what you deserve…infidelity. Essentially, if you build a relationship upon the premise of cheating, how can you possibly expect anything in the future but...more cheating? It has been said that after the first time cheating happens, it is forever easier thereafter to repeat the offense. I think there is decidedly some truth to that concept. Once conscience is breached, the proverbial Pandora's Box is opened.
Suppose for a brief second that you are feeling bored, sick, unattracted and/or flaky toward you committed partner. You have an affair with someone who "floats your boat" more buoyantly. Yeah, well, both you and your new, apparently exciting friend are CHEATERS. And should you choose to leave your committed partner for your new friend, you will both still be CHEATERS.
The takeaway here is that both YOU and your PARTNER will have built whatever you build together upon CHEATING.
Did you get that? And guess what? You’ll do it again.
Like it or not, cheaters indeed keep cheating. Yours will be a relationship built upon dishonesty and lack of integrity. How do you expect such a union to last? Rest assured it will not.
Meanwhile, your spurned ex will be out deserving what he or she wants. A faithful partner is a good catch.
Will you be left wallowing in the error of your ways? Not if you deserve what you want today…and stay true to the partner you say you love. If there are issues, work them out. If you need to get out more together, make it happen. And if you need to break up an exclusive relationship, do so before heading on to "greener pastures". The proper thing to do is break off one committed relationship before starting another. This is the only way around the cheating issue. And yes...if you are "separated"...consider thoroughly the importance of waiting until the divorce is final before dating other people. You are still married until that happens, and dating under these circumstances generally raises subtle doubts in the mind of those you go out with.
But for Heaven’s sake…whatever you do, don’t sleep with your brother-in-law just to make a point, okay? It’s not going to lead to happiness.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Hurricane Season Safety Lessons
With meteorologists forecasting a very active hurricane season, you may want to learn how to best prepare for an oncoming storm.
Here are tips from Geico, the National Hurricane Center and the Insurance Information Institute:
Hurricane Preparedness
• Determine escape routes and places where your family can meet.
• Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
• Locate a safe room in your home or the safest area in your community.
• Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact.
• Plan what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
• Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones. Teach your children how to call 911.
• Check your insurance coverage; flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.
• Trim trees to remove un-healthy or dead limbs or branches.
Emergency Supplies
• water-one gallon daily per person for three to seven days
• food-enough for three to seven days
• nonperishable packaged or canned food/juices-foods for infants or the elderly
• nonelectric can opener
• cooking tools/fuel
• paper plates/plastic utensils
• blankets/pillows, etc.
• clothing-seasonal/rain gear/ sturdy shoes
• first-aid kit/medicines/prescription drugs
• special items for babies and the elderly
• toiletries/hygiene items/moisture wipes
• flashlight/batteries
• radio-battery-operated radio and National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio. Replace the batteries every six months.
• cash-banks and ATMs may not be open for extended periods.
• keys
• photographs
• computer hard drive or laptop
• toys, books and games
• important documents-in a waterproof container including insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, etc.
• tools-keep a set with you during the storm
• vehicle fuel tanks filled
• pet care items
• proper identification/immunization records/medications
• food and water
• a carrier or cage
• muzzle and leash
Added Preparedness
• Take first-aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.
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