Home + Family

You're absolutely not alone if you're looking to reduce your energy bills. We've all fallen prey to the unanticipated and monstrously hefty energy bill. It's the worst kind of financial blindside. One moment you think that you've budgeted like an absolute champion, and then the next moment, you're getting an electric bill that sends your stressed heart leaping outside of your chest. The last thing you want to do is have to pay that electric bill late and jeopardize your credit score. Now more than ever, with so many of us doing our best to muddle through a historically volatile job market due to the Coronavirus, it's of the utmost importance that we find ways to cut costs where we can. Getting a firm grasp on your electric bill is a surefire way to set yourself up for peace of mind and ...

Figuring out how to regulate temperature effectively indoors is a challenge every homeowner has to deal with, and managing heating and cooling needs can be more complicated than you might think. Calculating and understanding your home's cooling load and what factors contribute to it is a good place to start if you want to take control of your energy usage at home.   Once you understand what drives up the cooling load of your residence, you can make changes to reduce it and save yourself money on your energy bills at the end of the month. Whether you're new to being a homeowner or you've just never had to deal with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning on your own before, read on to learn more about what a home cooling load is and why yours matters. What influences my hom...

Introducing new installations to a home you've just bought might sound like a bad plan for protecting your cash flow. Home upgrades are often thought of as an older homeowner's game. The truth is, investing in your home straight away is a great way to create the perfect space for you and your family to live in comfort and ease right away. Rather than waiting to reimagine your home, after you've begun to leave your mark on the space, home improvement for new buyers aims to take a home that is nearly perfect and bring it that slight bit farther. This is done in order to create the home of your dreams right away, and can often lead to greater cash assets down the line. Buying a home that offers the right layout or square footage, yet lacks the amenities that you would like in your home,...

Whether it's your first time talking to a car salesperson or you're trading in your vehicle for a newer model, you're always looking to find a good deal. Buying a car should be an encouragement to make smart financial decisions. If you want a completely new car you can go to a car dealership, although they don't always have your best interest at hand. At a dealership, a salesperson will always try to use the market value to define your purchase price. The salesperson will tell you about all the gizmos and gadgets that a new vehicle comes with. You'll always want to try to get a lower price, but, chances are that at a dealership and with a new car the salesperson won't budge–even with your best negotiation skills. If you're okay with a used car then you can find cars for sale at Auto Auc...

Ah, it smells like love is in the air—if you pull your mask down to take a sniff. Who would have thought that, by this time of year, we'd still be facing crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic? Although life is a bit different at this moment, there's still the classic holiday of love to look forward to. Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, and, fortunately, Galentine's Day is right along with it! Galentine's Day is a little twist on Valentine's Day—this is the time we take to cherish and show gratitude for our lovely sisterhoods and friendships that have kept us afloat this year. If this will be your first time celebrating Galentine's Day, keep reading. We have a few sweet ideas for you and your special group of girls. Girls' Night Out A fun way to celebrate Galentine's Day i...

In the summertime, warming your home is the last thing on your mind. When the nights turn chilly, though, you'll wish you'd started thinking about it sooner. Fortunately, maximizing the warmth of your house doesn't require a lot of work or an unlimited budget. A few repairs, home improvement efforts, and other adjustments can make your home warmer, both in temperature and in terms of the emotions it elicits. Consider upgrading your heating system. If you've done all you can to maximize the warmth throughout your home but still aren't seeing the results you'd like, a heating system upgrade might be the final push it needs. Consider any appliances that warm your house and whether any might be outdated or in need of repair. Consult an HVAC technician and, if necessary or simply beneficial...

For many dog owners, pets are family, so it's only natural to want to include them in a big moment like a proposal. Whether you're including your pet or trying to find a way to incorporate your significant other's furry friend, there are plenty of ways to include a dog into a unique proposal. You're going to want to do some planning though, and keep in mind that it isn't always easy to get an excited pup to behave. It can be tricky to keep your proposal smooth when you've got a pet involved, but if you and your partner are pet people, it'll just make the moment that much more memorable. If you're considering involving your pooch when you pop the question, read on for some basic tips on how to incorporate your pup into a marriage proposal. How do I prepare for a pet-friendly proposal? T...

Buying a house is an exciting step in your life, but it can also be a lot to think about, especially if you’ve never done it before. You want to make sure you find the best neighborhood for your needs, whether it is schools or being in walking distance to the local train station. Not to mention applying for a mortgage and making sure you have the financial where with all to afford the exact house you want. Try not to let the stress of being a first time buyer overwhelm you, since you still want to enjoy the process as much as you can. 1. Decorating Your New Abode When searching for your new home, it is always important that you can envision your furniture inside. Will your Sealy mattress fit? Where will all those clothes go? If you are looking to upgrade your Sealy mattress or other...