Canadian Mom Blogger - Product Reviews, Travel, Food and Parenting
It’s an idea that’s been bubbling under for a while, and all the time you’ve spent at home or trying to juggle family and work commitments has only made that idea stronger.
You’re considering starting a business from home. A job that you can do in your home office that allows you to indulge your passions and career goals and lets you spend time with those who matter most to you. But where to begin? [Read more…]
If you’re trying to save money, analyzing the cost of your utilities is a great place to start. Paying your electricity bill is essential, of course, but you may be paying more than you need to! To try to lower your bill and save money, try these five tips that can help you conserve electricity.
The cracks around your doors and windows are leaking your money away. It’s a good idea to seal them with caulk and weather stripping. Not only do cracks and gaps waste money by causing your heating and cooling system to work harder maintaining the temperature, they can eventually reduce the life of your furnace too! Proper insulation of your home can lower your energy costs by 15 to 30 percent. Check out Electricity Monster for more ways to save on your electricity bill.
Using appliances with thought is very helpful when trying to reduce your electric bills. Everything from dishwashers to washing machines can be “gamed” to reduce their energy consumption. For instance, you can dry loads of your clothing consecutively rather than waiting between loads. This reduces energy consumption as the unit remains warmer and dries clothes faster after multiple loads.
In summer, avoid using a dryer if possible and put up a clothesline to let Mother Nature dry your clothes. Cold water detergent for washing machines is now often the same price as other varieties, so switching to doing your laundry with cold water is also a great way to save money. And remember to load your dishwasher fully before starting it to ensure you’re cleaning as many dishes as possible with each cycle!
Air conditioning can use a lot of electricity in the summer, so cut down on your air conditioning use by using blackout curtains or blinds on the sunny side of your house. A tinted window film can save you even more money by making your home energy efficient.
And consider landscaping your home to help keep it cool as well! Strategically planted trees will shade your home from the direct sun, keeping it cool for the maximum time possible so that your air conditioning will not have to work as hard to keep your home cool.
Sometimes saving electricity is as simple as thinking about the light bulbs in your home. They may be sucking change from your bank account. The most energy-efficient lighting option is LED bulbs. They use 75 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs and can last about 25 times longer. Also, unlike florescent bulbs, they do not contain mercury.
Regardless of the light bulbs you’re using, though, make sure to turn off the unnecessary lights during the day when you can make use of the daylight. Also, remember to turn off extra lights before going to bed at night!
Your HVAC system can sometimes be the cause of an elevated electricity bill. Get it checked and cleaned at least once a year by scheduling an HVAC maintenance service. Proper maintenance will ensure that your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is working optimally and efficiently.
As an added bonus, regular maintenance also ensures you’ll have cleaner air circulating in your house. And don’t forget to change or clean the filter of your HVAC system at least once every season to keep it running at peak efficiency!
With a little care and inexpensive maintenance, trimming money off your monthly electric bill can be surprisingly easy. And using these tips to save electricity means more money in your bank account for fun!
Home ownership has its challenges, from unexpected bills if something breaks to seemingly endless house maintenance to keep your home looking its best. But home ownership is also rewarding, and one of the best things about it is having a green space outdoors to call your own!
Though, after the costs involved in buying a new home, you probably don’t have tons of extra money to create the garden of your dreams. Between insurance, legal fees and new bills, the costs of a new home can add up quick.
That means you need gardening ideas on a budget. So, use theses tips to create the garden of your dreams for less! [Read more…]
When it comes to home renovations, the bathroom is often an overlooked room. After all, time spent in the bathroom is generally pretty minimal compared to the rest of the house!
But an updated bathroom brings new life to a house, and can turn the simple bathroom into a haven. Of course, some of the most common bathroom renovations can also be pretty pricey!
Luckily, there are ways to renovate a bathroom without spending thousands of dollars. And small changes can have a surprisingly big impact! Check out these three easy bathroom renovation ideas that won’t break your budget.
An economical way of renovating your bathroom is replacing the fixtures. Broken and outdated fixtures, once restored, can give your bathroom a new look. Start by replacing items that are a must have for your bathroom. The most used items are also the ones that will be the most corroded and depreciated items.
Once done, consider items that can be added as décor. Consider hunting for used items that are new to you on your favourite online shopping sites. If you prefer new items, go for low-end pieces that fit well with your overall look; luxury fixtures can be incredibly pricey.
Updating fixtures not only makes a space look better, it also helps reduce clogs, spots, leaks and damages. You can install some fixtures on your own to further reduce costs; only call in professionals for tasks you cannot handle. However, exercise a considerable amount of caution when handling the pieces to avoid any accidental damage.
Painting any space helps improve its appearance, and the bathroom is no different. Before painting, clean the walls and get rid of the dry paint freckles. This helps increase the uniformity of the walls and reduce rough edges. Wherever possible, remove the paint entirely and start the work afresh.
In a bathroom, painting isn’t just a way to brighten the room’s look; it also helps protect the walls from mold and rot. Consider oil-based paints or satin finishes, which are waterproof. Paint also helps reduce the effort needed during cleaning. Professionals can do the painting, or you can do it yourself. You also have the choice of sticking to your original color or using a different color.
Bathroom materials are pricey, but there are always cheaper alternatives to be found. Consider using some of these alternatives to help reduce costs. You can add items without spending a dime by repurposing pieces available within your household.
Instead of tiles, consider more affordable vinyl floors. Also look into locally-available materials instead of imported pieces; imported material tends to cost more. For showers, use shower curtains instead of rails, sliding doors or glass walls. Instead of replacing your bathtub, look into the cost of simply refinishing it.
If you’re dreaming of renovating your bathroom, remember that even something as minor as replacing a faucet can make a big difference to the room’s look. So make a list of your top bathroom renovation ideas and then start replacing items one by one until you have the bathroom of your dreams.
When a child reaches the teen years, traditional themed birthday parties tend to lose their appeal. But that doesn’t mean you should skip the party altogether! Teenagers love to have a good time and they love to share those experiences with others. A great party just means coming up with some ideas that are a little more grown-up. Here are some fun and fresh teenage birthday party ideas your kids will love!
Escape rooms have become all the rage globally, so you should be able to find one in any city from Vancouver to Raleigh! Wondering just how escape rooms work? At Amaze Room Escapes, for example, players have 60 minutes to use clues and hints to solve riddles, puzzles and problems before time is up! [Read more…]
