If you have a remodeling project that has been on your mind for a while, you may wonder if now is the time to jump in. There are a variety of reasons why you may feel that you need to make some home improvements. Whether you are looking at a huge undertaking, such as an addition, or something more manageable, like adding a deck, upgrades to your home can benefit you both financially and mentally. You spend a great deal of time at your home, it should be a place that you love.

It can be tempting to devote much of your budget to forward-looking goals, such as retirement and college education. While having a healthy savings habit is important, so is creating a living space that meets your needs and provides enjoyment at the end of the day. When your children are ready to go to college, scholarships, grants, and federal loans will be available to help. Regardless of income or intended major, your child can use private student loans to help cover costs.

When it comes time to decide on how you will pay for your home project, you may feel stumped. You have a variety of choices, and with some planning, you will probably find that your dream remodel is not out of reach. Working with a trustworthy, experienced, and affordable contractor is a great way to keep a handle on your costs. Once you have an idea of how much the remodel will cost, you need to determine the best way to pay.

Cash

Paying for work with cash is probably the best choice if it is possible. Of course, depending on the scope of your remodel, this may not be realistic. If your first thought is that it will take too long to save before getting started, there are some things you can do to help save money a little quicker. Take a hard look at your budget. Are there some temporary cuts you can make to quickly boost your savings? No one wants to live on a tight budget indefinitely, however cutting back for a short period, when you know there is an end in sight, can allow you to free up some funds to devote to your project.

Home Equity Line of Credit

If you are ready to get started on your project today and don’t have the money you need, a home equity line of credit, or HELOC, can provide the funds you need. A HELOC allows you to take out a loan against the equity you have in your home. The interest rates are typically very favorable, and it is a quick way to get a substantial amount of money. HELOCs are a great choice for projects such as additions or pools, which are pricey but add to the value of your home.

Lower the Cost of the Remodel

Regardless of how you plan to pay for your project, one way to make it more affordable is by lowering the overall cost. If you can do some of the work on your own, you may be able to make it much more affordable. Whether this means doing some of the demolition, prep work, or finish work, talk to your contractor about ways you could make the project more affordable.

There are those families that cannot do without a pet. It does not matter how many members of the family there are, but they want to have a pet or several for companionship. Although there are different types of pets, dogs are the most popular. A breed that most people prefer is the Miniature French Bulldog. Here are a few benefits of owning one:

1. They Are Not Noisy

A calm environment gives you room to relax and plan your moves. This environment can be affected by noise that comes from different places such as moving vehicles, barking dogs, loud music, and more. If you own a Miniature French Bulldog, you do not have to worry about the added noise. These dogs bark less than many breeds. They are ideal for families that embrace quiet environments.

2. They Are Friendly to Kids

Kids are fragile and cannot withstand aggression. Frenchies are an expensive breed but are a good fit for child companionship. They are gentle and playful, which makes them less scary to children.

They can keep your children entertained for a long time and their clown-like personality makes them suitable for children of all ages.

3. They Are Ideal for Apartment Dwellers

Apartments are not as spacious and involve sharing a building with other tenants, so everyone needs their space and privacy. If you live in an apartment and need a dog, this one is your type.

They are calm and do not go snooping around your neighbor’s property. Therefore, you do not have to worry about quarreling with your neighbors because your pet is ill-mannered.

4. They Do Not Shed a Lot of Hair

Some family members can be allergic to pet hair. A French Bulldog does not cause these problems because it does not shed their fur like long-haired dogs. Its short coat allows it to produce minimal hair that is easy to manage.

Other than causing allergy, it also helps in keeping your air filters free from blocks. However, always empty your air filter to avoid compromising the quality of air at your home.

5. They Are Ideal for Introverts

If one or many of your family members do not like exploring outdoors, these dogs are the best companions. They require minimal exercise to keep them healthy. This breed prefers relaxing and cuddling with the owner. If you love binge-watching or passive leisure, here is your perfect match.

6. They Provide Security

Frenchies have tiny bodies, but that does not imply they are helpless. They are loyal and protective of their owners. So, while training them, you should let them be acquainted with members of your family.

Otherwise, you will risk having them attacked by your French Bulldog. If they suspect a stranger in your compound, they are strong enough to attack and scare them away.

7. They Are Easy to Maintain

We all know about those expensive dog products needed to take care of a dog. Luckily, for a Frenchie, you do not have to worry about those. Minimal maintenance requirements are needed since you only brush its fur, and that is it.

Of course, you need to wash it weekly to make it look fresh and energetic. Its fur can be shiny even after brushing. The dog’s natural oils become evenly distributed when you brush.

8. They Are Sociable With Other Pets

If other family members have different types of pets, you do not have to worry about their co-existence. French bulldogs are sociable and can accommodate other pets without attacking them. This character leaves everyone happy because they are confident about the safety of their other pets around a Frenchie.

However, you have to expose them to proper socialization to ensure they blend in well with them.

9. They Are Smart

Miniature French Bulldogs are quick to learn and retain knowledge. When compared to their “bully” group of dogs, they emerge the smartest. They pick up tricks quickly, such that if you make a mistake during training, they will not follow.

They can be stubborn which some people may confuse with being dumb. Instead of forcing them to learn, be patient until they start cooperating.

Evidently, owning a miniature French bulldog is terrific. Families looking forward to owning a pet dog should consider having this type.

Damages to our homes can be stressful. It may leave homeowners with a sense of helplessness, feeling like they lost control of their home and space. If your home has suffered substantial damages, from a natural disaster, or someone causing damage- these are the main three steps you should take to get your house back.

Get Evidence

This step is vital to ensure that you can be reimbursed for the damages if they aren’t your fault. Catching evidence is better if you can film while the loss is happening. Don’t put yourself at risk for this footage, but if you can safely get a precise angle of it, film away!

Otherwise, wait until the damage has settled and then take pictures to document what happened.

Take as many pictures as you think are necessary to show the extent of the damage and any photos of the area surrounding the accident. If you have photos of the damaged pace before the incident happened, those could be helpful.

Ask anyone who saw what happened as it happened if they’d be willing to back up what you say happened if it comes into question.

Contact Insurance

Contacting insurance doesn’t necessarily mean your insurance if the incident wasn’t your fault. Contact whatever party would be liable or paying for the damages. If you aren’t sure who it is- ask your insurance.

From here, the steps vary based on what happened.

Be clear about the damage; don’t exaggerate because that could be seen as lying. If you feel like the insurance company’s quote to pay for the cost isn’t enough, counter it until you know you’ll be covered.

If you don’t have house insurance and the accident wasn’t someone else’s fault, you will have to pay out of pocket. At this point, look at the damage and figure out how much it will cost to fix it. If it’s out of your budget, but in extreme need of repair, you may have to ask for a small loan.

Fix The Damage

Don’t let this play out for ages. The moment you have the money to fix the damage, and the time available to oversee it, repair your home. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the cost will worsen or cause other problems. This problem varies based on where the damage is and what your budget is.

If something seems out of your comfort zone, and you’re not sure you can safely repair, don’t be afraid to hire or ask for help. Our homes are complicated things that take a lot of work to keep in good shape instead of ruining it and leaving you searching for Bellevue houses for sale. You don’t want to cause an electrical fire, or mold, by not fixing your home correctly.

The worst part of the damage to a home is fixing it, but don’t let this stop you from repairs. With time and work, your home will look at how it did before, and you can move on with your life with the incident behind you.

Gardening with your kids can be a fun and exciting journey for both of you. And giving your kids their own space to grow their own food is a great way for them to see where their food comes from whole teaching them about how to live a zero-waste lifestyle.

When gardening with your kids, you want to choose plants that germinate quickly. Not only do they have to germinate fast, but short attention spans also require the ability to see growth. And if there’s a reward at the end in the form of food, all the better.

Luckily, there are a lot of edible plants that you and your kids will have fun caring for. The best part is, they’ll learn the responsibility of tending the garden while reaping nutritious food they grew themselves.

Prepare Your Space

In order to have a garden, you need to have a little space. The good news is, if you don’t have a lot of space in your yard, you can still make room for plants. Think about using small raised beds or containers for your child’s plants because most of these plants don’t require a lot of room.

Then, just add soil to your space and map out where you want to grow your plants so they don’t crowd each other out.

Green Goodness

If you’ve ever had trouble getting your little ones to eat their greens, a good technique is to have them grow their own. A quick-growing plant with a deliciously sweet result is the snap pea plant. Snap peas begin to germinate in as little as 10 days, they grow quickly, and your kids can pick them off the vine in under 60 days.

Here are a few other green plants to try:

• Green beans

• Lettuce

• Cucumbers

• Zucchini

Edible Flowers

Growing edible plants doesn’t have to be limited to traditional fruits and veggies because flowers can be a beautiful and delicious addition to your child’s garden.

One flower that’s fun and easy to grow with your kids is the sunflower. The seeds germinate within 7 to 10 days and will tower over your little ones in under 3 months. The best part is once they mature, you can harvest the seeds to eat and to grow another crop.

A few other edible flowers to add to your garden are:

• Marigolds

• Nasturtium

• Johnny-Jump-Up

Underground Mysteries

Sometimes, when you are dealing with limited space, you might feel like you need to be an expert in logistics optimization to grow a healthy garden. However, if you’re willing to get creative, you’ll find you have all the space you need. One way to save space above the garden floor is to go below the ground.

And just because these edible plants grow under the surface doesn’t mean they can’t be just as engaging for your child. In fact, once they mature, pulling up and digging out the fruits of their labor will become an exciting treasure hunt.

The fastest underground edible plant for your child’s garden is the radish. They germinate in as little as three to four days and mature in less than a month. You won’t find a vegetable maturing any quicker than that!

Here are some other food choices for your child to add to their garden:

• Potatoes

• Carrots

• Beets

• Onions

Let Your Garden Grow

Giving your kids the responsibility of tending to their own garden can be rewarding. They’ll follow their plants from seed, and they’ll water and nurture it until it comes to full maturity. It teaches them the power of following through and gives them an appreciation for every bit of food they consume.

It can also be a powerful bonding experience for both of you because once they harvest, you can head to the kitchen and experiment with some recipes together. And all it takes are some seeds, commitment, space, and a little TLC.

Active kids are more healthy, happy, and energetic. But in today’s world, it can be difficult to break them away from their electronic devices long enough to get them moving. And as obesity and health issues continue to play a role within our youth, it is vital that kids are active on a daily basis. Consider these helpful tips to increase the level of fitness within your own children.

Cut Down Leisure Time

Sometimes you have to cut down in one area in order to make time for another. For example, if your child spends their days chatting away on the telephone, limit their talk time to one hour per day. Putting time constraints on electronic devices will also free up time for physical activity.

Enroll Them Into Sports

Sports teams are a godsend when it comes to keeping children active. Unlike professional sports, parents can get their children involved by simply signing them up and possibly paying a reasonable fee. There are various teams to choose from, including basketball, football, cheerleading, and tennis, and the list goes on. Each sport comes with a unique set of rewards, and children tend to take a lot of pride in becoming a part of a team effort. Organized play is also a great way for kids to learn social skills. What’s more, coaches are motivational by design, giving parents a break from having to force their children to participate.

Purchase Them a Bike

Bike riding is a genius method for convincing a child to work out as it is so entertaining that they could easily ride for 45 minutes without even realizing it. Biking is not only a strength builder, but it is also a means for getting a healthy dose of nature. Just remember to consult a bicycle size chart before buying bikes for your kids so that you don’t risk their safety.

Play Exercise Videos

Kids love a good follow along. Exercise videos are perfect for children who are shy, lack physical confidence, or feel more comfortable in private settings. It is also a budget-friendly option that allows viewers to get expert training from the comfort of their own homes.

Make It a Family Event

Child fitness is just as important as adult fitness. That said, combining workout efforts is like tackling two important chores at once. And as we all know, kids aspire to be like their parents and older siblings and will mimic them in various ways. Implementing a family exercise schedule is a great way to bond while achieving physical health. You can also sign up for classes together or become one of the coaches of your child’s sports team. Having you close by will encourage them to stick with it and try their best to gain your ongoing support.

Invite Their Friends

Most children are social butterflies or have at least one friend that they would travel to the end of the world and back with. This is why including their friends will make for a better turn out. You can simply make a trip to the local park, host sporting events, or even ask their friends to join them as they complete their activity session.

Kids are equipped with the energy levels that most adults would die for, and it is up to parents to introduce active lifestyles to their children, no matter how challenging the task may be. If your child doesn’t like basketball, try soccer. If that fails, try gymnastics. You can start your child out by looking at some gymnastics practice mats. Be willing to switch and bend until they find something that interests them as the reward for remaining active is invaluable.

A new build property is an enticing prospect. Everything is brand new, there are no repairs needed, you can personalise aspects, there is warranty cover, and being the first owners is an added emotional high. Still, the buying process should be meticulous and attention to detail supreme.

Why? Because, unfortunately, new build properties have their own share of horror stories ranging from poor construction to failed warranties. If you are set on buying a new build property directly from the developer, here are some questions you should ask:

1. What other properties are in your portfolio?

This should help get a feel of the previous homes built by the developer. The style of building construction and the state of them years down the line should educate you of their workmanship skills.

2. Can you provide references from your previous buyers?

Reviews are always enlightening whether it’s a product from Amazon or your next home. Scout around for opinions from present homeowners regarding their experience with builder, contentment with their homes, and process of handling complaints.

3. What does my new build property include?

It is very important to understand and document everything the property includes. Things like white goods, garden landscaping, parking space, etc. Make sure you know the basic features on the base price and what upgrades are priced additionally so that you can list the additions and calculate the cost.

4. What are the specifics of the warranty provided?

Asking the developer about the warranties available to you and on what things will clear the picture. New build property is ideally covered for the first 5-10 years of their life. This can differ for materials, fittings, utilities, etc. It is vital to understand the dynamics of the warranty policies including insurance, your maintenance obligations, etc.

5. Are modifications allowed?

In a property that is still in the construction phase, sometimes alterations are allowed with upcharges. However, in a ready-to-move-in new build the developer might not allow any extensions. On the other hand, minor modifications without structural changes such as fixtures, counter tops, etc. could be permitted. Clarifying this will avoid confrontations later.

6. How much will maintenance cost?

You need to have an idea about the running costs of your new home. Council taxes, energy bills, utilities bills, service charges, ground rents should be listed and accounted for in your final financial consideration. Clarify about financial incentives or schemes from the developer.

7. Who will help in case of complaints about property?

Just because it is brand new doesn’t mean it won’t have problems. If there are issues with your property, there should be someone to contact if only to clear out warranty limitations. Be sure about the clear chain of access.

It all boils down to one fundamental fact: The home should be right for you. This checklist help you ask the questions that matter to figure out if a property is indeed suited to your needs.  Highly regarded developer Frank Carioti understand that persistent questions are related to happy owners. They are courteous and thorough about all concerns related to new build property.

Are you proactive about your health? The healthcare industry has learned about the benefits of proactive care. It means they focus on preventing illnesses rather than just curing them. However, don’t leave it all up to the doctors. After all, if you make changes now, you won’t need as many doctor’s visits.

Instead of worrying about your life expectancy, be proactive about your health. Ditch the junk food for healthier snack options. Ensure you’re getting enough vitamins. To stress less about future emergencies, double-check your life insurance policy. Consider viatical settlements to avoid future financial hardships. Check your family history of chronic illness. Ask a financial planner to help you sort through your health and life insurance policy. And, if all else fails, research CBD and anxiety; perhaps CBD could help you to manage your stress and stay calm.  Here’s a Lazarus coupon. Read on for a few tips to a more proactively healthy life.

Pick healthy over health trends.

Are you staying healthy, or are you buying into health trends? Switching from one fad diet to another is as bad as no diet at all. And, a lot of those exercise trends may not be right for what you need. If you want to be proactive about your health, you need to be healthy all the time.

It’s not as difficult as it sounds. A few tweaks to your diet are better than a binge and purge routine. Pick natural ingredients and wholesome food. Cut out or balance your intake of junk food. Don’t cut out all your favorite treats—balance how much you consume instead. Get a little activity every day, rather than a few intense sessions of a trendy exercise. Make it a habit instead of thinking about it as a chore.

Don’t leave anything to chance.

Do you have the right health insurance? What about life insurance? Do you need a group policy? And is your insurance company the best one? Being proactive about your health means continually updating your records. And, of course, your insurance policy.

As you age, you may want to look into things like a viatical settlement. If you’re not particularly wealthy, the cash value of your life insurance can be valuable. A written agreement for a viatical settlement can help you out here. It can even help your family with a death benefit in case of sudden death or terminal illness. A good viatical settlement company or a broker of viatical settlements can help you negotiate the best viatical settlement contract. You can also check rates on a third party website.

Also, make sure that you have savings for health issues like a chronic illness. Check whether your premium payment on insurance will rise in such a situation. Try to negotiate instead of taking the insurance company quotes at face value. Read the yearly report from companies with which you have signed a legal document. To be the most proactive, double-check, and update policies every few years.

Get regular checkups.

Do you know if you’re at risk of certain diseases? When was the last time you had a cancer screening? It’s important to get checkups in any case. However, ensure that you know your family history and get checkups accordingly. Knowledge of family history alone won’t determine how long a person lives. It can, however, help you to prevent known risk factors. The best way to be proactive about your health is to take preventive measures. So, don’t skip doctor’s visits.

Focus on more natural remedies.

Do you know everything about all the medication you take? It’s easy to pop a pill every time you feel ill. However, some people can have an adverse reaction to over-the-counter drugs as well. And, taking too many prescription medications can be risky.

If you’re trying to cut out all the medication, but still need some remedies — try CBD. You can get the highest grade non-GMO hemp, oils, tinctures, and pills. Of course, pick a trusted company to buy it from, like seralabshealth.com. With a trusted brand, you can ensure you get the highest quality CBD and the purest organic CBD extracts. Why pick this over medication? CBD products have natural ingredients. And, they help with everything from mental health to physical pain.

And CBD has all your proactive skin health-related products covered too. Pick from CBD facial toner and CBD body butter. There’s CBD facial cleanser, and other CBD formulations made to target these issues. With the purest hemp and highest quality CBD, you can reduce anxiety, depression, and acne. You even alleviate symptoms of diseases like cancer.

Keep health records of your own.

It’s a good idea to visit a doctor instead of ignoring the symptoms of an illness. However, it’s an even better idea to record your symptoms regularly. If you have a chronic illness, you probably already do this. Keeping a record of niggling aches and pains can help in the future. Don’t become a hypochondriac—be proactive by listening to your body more.

Try not to ignore small signs of discomfort. You don’t have to run to the doctor every time you have a tummy ache. However, if you journal every change in your body, you will learn to control your health. You can track how food reacts to your system. Or, see if certain products you use don’t agree with you. Also, keep track of all your medication, vitamins, and treatments.

If you live in a rainy area, or have a young family and have to do multiple loads of washing daily, the chances are that your clothes dryer is one of the most important machines in your home. As a result, it’s essential to choose the right product for your household’s needs.

You must also care for the appliance over the years, so you get the most value for money from it. Doing this will help to ensure it continues to perform well every time you need it. Follow a few simple steps to set yourself up for warm, dry clothes today and beyond.

Your Family’s Needs

The first thing to consider when you buy a new clothes dryer is your family’s specific needs. The size of the dryer you choose comes down to how many people are in your family, how often you wash and therefore need to dry clothes, and also if you have access to an outdoor clothesline or indoor drying rack.

If you have a large family, it pays to choose an oversize dryer that is at least 29 inches wide and has a drum size of seven cubic feet or more. This sized appliance will dry your large loads nice and quickly and is also suitable if you regularly wash bulky, oversized items. On the other hand, if it’s just you, or yourself and a partner or housemate, you can probably do with a smaller appliance, such as a 24- or 25-inch model.

Available Space

The space you have free in which to position your dryer will also make a difference to which product you buy. If you have very little room in your house, you may need to opt for a single washer-dryer unit that both washes and dries your possessions. If you have plenty of space and a full laundry, you can select a freestanding machine that can be moved around as needed.

Another option, if you don’t have a dedicated laundry room, is to integrate your dryer into your kitchen or bathroom. There are integrated products designed to be installed within kitchen or bathroom units and hidden behind matching cupboard doors, for instance. These tend to be around the same height and width as traditional freestanding products.

There are also semi-integrated tumble dryers. With these machines, the drum gets hidden behind a door, but the control panel remains visible. When working out how much space you have to work with inside your home, keep in mind that you need enough clearance to open the dryer’s door. Plus, dryers also need some breathing space, so ensure there’s a couple of inches of space around your machine for air to circulate adequately.

Type of Dryer

The next decision is the type of dryer you want. Vented models pump air out from the drum to the outside via a flexible hose. They, therefore, must be positioned next to a window or wall with a permanent vent. Condenser models can be placed anywhere in a home that’s well ventilated as they don’t connect to any exhaust hoses. They instead condense internal steam and turn it into water that’s collected in a removable reservoir that needs emptying every so often.

The more expensive products, and also the newer ones and most user-friendly, are heat-pump dryers. These use modern technology to dry laundry via hot air that extracts water from the contents you place inside for drying. This water then evaporates in a tank.

Machine Features

Today’s clothes dryers also tend to come with a variety of features that you’ll need to consider when choosing your appliance. For example, think about your desire for the following:

– Energy efficiency

– Sensor technology and multiple programs

– Shoe-rack accessories

– Child locks

– Time-remaining displays and delayed-start features

– Reversible doors for more flexible positioning in your home

– Warning LEDs

– Reverse drums to aid drying and reduce creasing

How to Care for Your Dryer

Once you own your dryer, it’s essential to look after it properly. Install the machine correctly, so it’s level, and if you ever have any issues with it, call in a dryer repair person ASAP to examine the unit and make necessary repairs. On a day-to-day basis, always remove the lint regularly, such as after each time you use the machine.

Don’t store things on top of the appliance or let items go inside it that shouldn’t be there (e.g., coins or pens that might damage the drum). Also, keep the machine clean and don’t overload it as doing so will make it work harder than it should.

A clothes dryer is an excellent device to have on hand, especially when you have to do multiple loads of washing weekly. Follow the above suggestions to set yourself up in this area for the coming years.