Posts tagged with "home"

Money Saving Tips On Your Backyard Deck

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photo credit: Brazilian Wood Depot

Whether you are thinking of adding a new deck to your backyard because of so many of staying home or needing help to take care of your existing deck, there are several things that you’ll want to do to make sure you are properly doing the job well ( and even save money in the process ). Below are a few ideas to help you maintain your deck not only for its longevity but also to help keep its beauty as well as ideas on how to save money in the process of building a deck.

  1. Cleaning Your Deck Once A Year – Depending on what type of hardwood you have, the longevity and the color will vary. There are so many incredible hardwood options to choose from and all are rooted in the same basic principles as far as how to clean them properly. Tight grained natural woods are usually boasted being a watertight wood or water-resistant, however, they do have a surface that will need to be looked at it for any mold or mildew growth. Without cleaning them properly or having proper maintenance, they will rot away. The naturally occurring tannins and oils present in the wood do need to be protected and preserved if you want it to look new year after year. Check to see what type of deck you have and what you need to use to properly clean it. Some use a pressure washer to help get rid of old dirt and grime from over the winter months and also help spruce up your deck in minutes rather then days. 
  2. Deck Design: There are some deck materials are milled in lengths of 16, 12, or 8 feet. In the case of pressure treated wood, every cut not only wastes the wood but also can provide an opening for water to get in. This is essential when you are buying the wood in the milled length does save you money on wood but it can also shorten the time to build the deck as well. 
  3. Find A Quality Deck Company To Assist: Contrary to your design, you want to make sure that you find a quality deck company to assist you to build it if this is not an area of expertise. If you live in the Atlanta area, there is a company you must look into called Brazilian Wood Depot. They offer a variety of hardwoods for you to choose from including their popular ones like Ipe, Cumaru, or Garapa decking.  Garapa wood in particular or Brazilian Oak is a decking lumber with a lemon yellow color that becomes light brown or honey with age. This hardwood has a light ribbon-like natural design, appears water or wavelike similar to silk. Garapa is considered the highest quality, best natural wood decking material on the market right now. It’s also extremely popular with many benefits for those looking for issues including fire resistance, water-resistance, and bug resistant.
  4. Decorate With Existing Furniture: Once you have your deck the way you want it, another money-saving tip could be bringing out old furniture that you already have out to your deck. If you don’t have any furniture that you can use, try looking for any estate sales or check Facebook Marketplace to help find something that can also help your bank account too. See if neighbors are having garage sales or looking into getting rid of old furniture they don’t want anymore. There are plenty of DIY ideas to help you restore or make the furniture your own as well.
  5. Build During Off-Season: One way to help you save money building your deck is to build it during the offseason. With warmer weather during the spring and summer months, those are the busiest times for deck contractors. Everyone has been contemplating their deck over the winter and want to start building with the warm rays of the sun, which then results in a higher demand to hire. The price also goes up for both labor and materials. If you live in an area like the southern states, you can still build during late fall or winter which then leaves you no problem hiring a qualified contractor and perhaps give you a better deal with everything as well. 

There are so many other great tips to help you save on building your dream backyard deck. Have a budget and make sure that you try and stick with it every step of the way. Do your best to hire a qualified, highly requested, and sought out professionals to help you when you need it, ask questions and help you build the proper deck. 

4 Savings Tips to Help You Move

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(photo credit: Infinite Moving)

For many of us, moving is such an exciting time because you are able to experience new moments and memories for either yourself or with your loved ones. Of course, before you can enjoy those moments you have to move everything from point A to point B. This can cause you to become extremely stressed out as well as spend more money than you thought originally. There are many things you can do to make moving less expensive and when you feel that it might be too much, there are also ways you can limit these expenses as well. There are always costs involved when it comes to moving but below are a few easy saving tips to help you when the big day arrives. 

1. Take What You Need- We can all be a creature of habit and want to take everything that we own. The bigger your space is the more things you will want to collect and bring with you. One of the biggest things to help you save costs only takes the items that you think are worth moving, especially as you approach the big day. We accumulate a lot of stuff throughout the years and there is a good thing that you might not need absolutely everything that you have in your home. Consider then either discarding these items, having a garage sale, or donating them to a local charity or church nearby. If you have children, this is a great way to get your kids involved and have them fill a big trash bag of toys they haven’t played with in months, clothes they don’t wear or shoes they have outgrown. Have a system to categorize everything on what you want to sell or give away by either using post-it notes or writing them down on pieces of paper to help remind you what is going to go where. 

2. Look For Moving Supplies – When we decide to move, one of the biggest obstacles in trying to figure out how to move all of our supplies, belongings, and possessions and what you need to. Look to any family or friends who might have extra boxes that they are looking to get rid of. YOu can even have a few yourself that you forgot about from past birthdays or holiday parties. Every free box will help you save a bit of money. Packing breakable items with your clothing that you get from Amazon or any online shopping as well as newspapers can also help save you money. Think of what items you need to pack in these boxes. For instance, you’ll want to find a specific box to pack your stemware and fancy china in rather than an old cardboard box. 

3. Decide What You Need Help With – Moving involves a lot of decisions to make including how much time you have, the energy you’ll need to put in to move everything, and how many things you can move on your own or need assistance with Moving can be a lot different when it is just you in a studio apartment compared to a well-established family that is moving to a larger home with 4 kids. There can be a lot or a little to move so be sure to balance out the cost of what you can do yourself and what is needed to get it done. Packing your own things of course can lessen the cost of hiring movers but you don’t want to get hurt in the process of moving a bed frame or a bulky couch out of the door.

4. When In Doubt- Call A Professional – Once you weighed all the options, take your time but if you are really stressed, don’t have any time, or need help, it’s time to call the professionals to help take the anxiety and potential risk of you hurting yourself out of the equation. Begin by looking at various moving companies in your area that are eager to help you. This means that they can also have good deals when a company is looking to attract clients like yourself. Although the cost might be the primary concern, don’t forget to compare factors such as quality of service, looking at reviews, and speaking with former customers to help you make a decision. A quality and trusted moving company is called Infinite Moving and they are sure to assist you with your moving needs and questions. This Polk County labor movers also can store items and furniture for home construction projects, provide a truck during the move, provide boxes and tape, label and organize your boxes and deliver them safely to your new destination. Whether you need a truck or just need to use theirs, you can count on them to make the move as smooth and seamless as possible. 

When it comes to moving you can never be too careful with what you need, asking for help, and just doing your very best. Moving can be overwhelming for all involved so when in doubt, always call in help from trusted friends, family, neighbors or professionals to help you. The end result is a hopeful flawless move to get you experiencing and enjoying new memories in your new home and city.

Creating the Perfect Nursery

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Creating a nursery is so much fun, but no matter how prepared you feel, it’s hard knowing where to start. When I was creating Brady’s nursery, I had no idea where to start. There are so many things that you are supposed to buy, so many things that you are supposed to do, and it can be very overwhelming. If you are in the same boat when it comes to creating a nursery for your bundle of joy that is on the way, keep reading. Here are a few ways that you can create a special and perfect nursery for your bundle:

Consider Your Space

First of all, you absolutely need to consider your space. What do you have room for? When it comes to creating a nursery (especially if it is your first one), it is very important to crawl before you can walk, no pun intended. Make sure you are not getting too carried away with all of the crazy things that you see on Pinterest and instead, focus on what is practical and what you can fit in your space.

The first thing you need to consider, like I mentioned, is the amount of available space that you have. You do not want the room to look too cluttered, so you might have to cut back on some of the non-essentials and only choose essential items, such as a crib, a recliner or rocker, and a dresser/changing table.

My favorite way to help yourself out with this process is by creating a tentative floor plan. Draw a rough outline of the room and then pencil in each piece of furniture. Of course, sizing will probably be off, but this gives you a great start before you actually take the time to measure.

However, you do not have to consider your space if you are moving, which a lot of couples choose to do when finding out that they are having a baby. If this sounds like your situation, make sure that you are making sure that the home works for you now and in the future, as well. So, look at the nursery size, consider the number of bathrooms and what is in the bathrooms (is the tub safe, etc.), will the home have a playroom, etc. Tell your real estate agent that you are expecting and need a home that is safe for your baby-to-be. The reason why you need to be so specific with your wants and needs is because “purchasing a property is most likely the biggest financial decision you will ever make. Whether this is your first purchase or you are an experienced buyer, this decision must be made carefully,” according to Erin King with Jax Historic Realty. “Erin, who previously worked in financial services and holds an MBA with an economics focus, brings a deep understanding of buying and selling historic homes. He enjoys sharing that knowledge with clients, from how to fit a 21st century lifestyle into a historic home and where to seek financing for renovation with a home purchase, to accurately pricing homes in Historic Districts such as Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, Springfield, Murray Hill, and San Marco. Erin, who prides himself on close attention to detail and quick response to clients, has put together a support team of contractors and other professionals who help transactions go smoothly.” So, no matter if you are looking for old homes for sale in San Marco, or a new build, talk with Erin, or your personal real estate agent to make sure that you are getting what you need for your growing family.

Choose A Color Palette

Next up: choose a color palette! This is a really fun part. Do you know that you are having a girl? Maybe you will go with a blush pink color, or periwinkle blue with a hint of purple in it. If you are having a boy, consider a gorgeous light blue color, or maybe an emerald green accent wall. There are so many colors to choose from and this just makes the process very real and fun. When you do choose a color palette, consider the nursery furniture, your flooring, and any ‘unchangeable’ items first. Then, you can choose all of the colors for the walls and decor options. My friend, Alex, chose to go with all neutrals: white, cream, and light beige, with just a few pops of light blush. I think that is a beautiful color palette for her first baby girl. Plus, it is simple enough to last a while.

Know Your Needs vs. Wants

Any new mom or dad is going to go a little crazy and that is okay, but definitely take the time to consider what is a need and what is a want, or you will end up with a very cluttered room, which is not so great or practical and it will only make your life harder in the long run. Diapers? Obviously that is a need. Wipes? Same. A cute unicorn jumpy house? Uhhh… maybe that is not so practical, especially not for a newborn. You get the point! What is a need vs. a want is somewhat similar for everyone, but it is also based on what will make your life easier as a parent. There is no right or wrong way to parent and you just need to see what works best for you! 

Add Personalized Touches

Last but not least, add personalized touches. Have you picked out a name yet? Maybe consider adding it above her or his crib. Do you have a special blanket picked out? Maybe embroider his or her name on the blanket. This is not only a cute touch, but also a great keepsake to have in the future. There are so many ways to add personalized touches to a nursery and in my opinion, it is the best part, so have fun with it.

Macy’s: Gibson 42 Piece Dinnerware Set Only $39.99 Shipped! (Reg. $120) – 3 Style Options

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These Gibson Dinnerware sets are back at Macy’s! I purchased these several years ago when this offer was available and we LOVE this set! If you need new dinnerware get this set, you won’t regret it! It has been such an awesome purchase!

 Macy’s.com is offering the Gibson 42 Piece Dinnerware Set for only $37.99! (Reg. $120) And, you will score Free Shipping on orders of $25 or more.  There are 3 style options to choose from.

GO HERE to take advantage of this offer.

Add a Decorative Touch to your Home with These $5 Decorative Pillows from Walmart!

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If you are looking to add a few decorative touches to your home without spending a fortune, pillows are always a great accent. Over the weekend, I found these adorable decorative pillows at my local Walmart for only $5! The thing that I love about these pillows is the fact that they can be used both indoors and outdoors! Most of my home is done is navy accents, so I picked up 2 of the Family pillows. From what I can tell, these pillows are not available to purchase online, but you can see if they are in stock at your local store HERE.

In addition, Walmart also has these Better Homes and Gardens Navy and White pillows for just $12! These pillows also come in black, red, and gray if those colors are in your home. I love how these pillows combined are the perfect pieces for our couch!

Head on OVER HERE to see all the pillows that are available to purchase from Walmart.

Kohl’s: The Big One Supersoft Plush Throws Only $7.64 Each! (reg. $29.99)

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I am loving all of these Kohl’s deals! Use promo code GIVETHANKS to save an extra 15% off your purchase, AND, receive $15 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 that you spend!

I love to gift throws as they really are such an awesome product that can be used year round. Kohl’s has their Big One Supersoft Plush Throws on sale for $8.99 each (reg. $29.99) But, use promo code GIVETHANKS and the price will drop to just $7.64! If you buy enough to get to the $50 mark you will also receive $15 in Kohl’s Cash!

Kohl’s: Shark Ion Robotic Vacuum Only $152.99 Shipped! (reg. $349.99) Plus Receive $45 in Kohl’s Cash!

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Wow! This is such a great deal for a Robotic vacuum! Kohl’s is offering the Shark ION ROBOT R75 Vacuum with Wi-Fi Connectivity and Voice Control for only $152.99 shipped when you use promo code GIVETHANKS at checkout. And, you will receive $45 in Kohl’s Cash!

The Shark ION ROBOT is the perfect solution for everyday upkeep. The Shark ION Robot features Auto-Sense Navigation, a multi-surface brushroll, and two side brushes – everything you need to automatically clean dust, dirt, large debris, and pet hair on carpets, floors, edges, and corners. Use the Shark Clean App or voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant to start cleaning from anywhere.

Pyrex 12 Piece Storage Set or 8 Piece Mixing Bowl Set Only $14.99! (reg. $47.99)

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Macy’s is having a huge Home Sale! There are so many items on sale and you will definitely want to shop around, but one product that stood out to me was this deal on Pyrex! Choose from the 12 Piece Storage Set or 8 Piece Mixing Bowl Set for only $14.99! (reg. $47.99) You can also choose Free in-store pick up if available to avoid shipping charges.

GO HERE to start shopping.

Set of SIX 17-Quart (4.25-Gallon) Sweater Box Storage Only $12.50!

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Get organized for fall with this awesome deal from Walmart! Pick up a set of SIX Mainstays 17-Quart (4.25-Gallon) Sweater Box Storage in Clear for only $12.50! And, you can choose free in-store pick up to avoid shipping charges!

Free 11×14 Photo Canvas!

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Do you have photos from summer vacation that you want to treasure forever? Right now, Canvas People has an amazing deal! Get a Free 11×14 Canvas (or 65% off any other size canvas) just pay $19.99 shipping! I can tell you, that is a crazy good deal! I personally have a wall of canvases in my home and they are the centerpiece of conversation when people enter. These also make the best gifts for anyone!

GO HERE to take advantage of this amazing offer.