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If you’re like many people, you tend to do at least a little work from home. Whether you full on run a business out of your living space or simply need a nook to work on your finances or groom your Pinterest board, the following tips can help you upgrade that home office.

Splurge on something inspirational. Whether it’s an original piece from a favorite artist or a high-tech piece of equipment that makes working more exciting, splurge on something for your work space that makes you excited to be there.

Light it right. The right lighting can make all the difference. While low lighting can set a romantic mood, it can also make you sleepy or unmotivated”not the right vibe for a workspace. At the same time, fluorescent lighting can lead to headaches. Set up your work station by a window for natural light in the daytime, and set up a few good lamps around the room to ensure you can light the space adequately.

Upgrade your storage. Sick of those piles of paper that end of stacking up on your desk? Make sure you have a proper storage or filing system in place so everything can be stowed away in a place that is out of sight, but also easy to access when needed.

Create a “Do Not Disturb” signal. Whether you have a curious spouse or a gaggle of kids, creating a signal that says you’re in the zone is key. It doesn’t need to be a literal do not disturb sign on a door. A ribbon tied to a doorknob or a certain type of music you listen to when you’re working can do the trick.

Support your body. If you spend a lot of time at your desk, it’s extra important you shell out for the things that ease the strain of sitting for long hours. A kneeling desk chair can support your back, while raising your monitor to eye level can ease neck pain. You can also have a small yoga space tucked into your office where you can take a short break to stretch out before you get back to it.

Interested in more design and real estate tips? Feel free to contact me directly.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Utility bills seem to go up every year”and every year we hear the call to save our nation’s natural resources. Financial management site Quicken.com suggests seven savvy ways to save on electric, gas, and water bills while helping to save our planet in the bargain:

Pull the plug. Appliances that have a clock or operate by remote, as well as chargers, suck electricity even when not in use. In fact, of the energy used to run home electronics, 40 percent is consumed when the appliances are off”so pull the plug when not in use.

Insulate the water heater. The newest models have plenty of insulation, but if yours is vintage 2004 or earlier, wrap it in an insulating jacket and save 10 percent”about $30 a year”on your water heating bill.

Set the washer to cold. Use cold water to wash clothes and save 50 percent of the energy you would use for hot water. Also, set your dryer on the moisture sensor, not the timer, and cut energy use by 15 percent.

Go low-flow. Older shower heads send as many as 5.5 gallons per minute (gpm) down the drain. The new fixtures go as low as 1.5 gpm, saving 7,300 gallons and $30 – $100 a year.

Run full loads. Run full loads of clothes and dishes. Most of the energy used is to heat a set amount of water, so running smaller loads wastes both energy and water. Also, air-dry dishes for added energy savings.

Retrofit your faucets. Consider faucet aerators, which screw into your faucet threading and cut the water flow from 3 – 4 gallons per minute. Aerators blend water and air, reducing the flow without sacrificing pressure. At $0.50 – $3 apiece, the devices are some of the cheapest green gadgets available.

Go drip. For gardens, consider installing a drip irrigation system, which maintains moisture in the soil. Drip irrigation can reduce water loss by 50 – 60 percent when compared with hand-watering or sprinkler systems.

Interested in more real estate tips? Feel free to contact me directly.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Many companies offer attractive discounts to customers who bundle their homeowners, auto and life insurance policies.

If you had bundled policies and an accident damaged your home and car, you could pay one deductible.

Getting all your insurance from one company could help you avoid gaps in coverage.

If your home is difficult to insure, you could have more luck getting coverage from a company where you already had an unrelated policy.

Its easier to handle billing and make policy changes when dealing with one insurer.

Bundling might not make sense if you have a high-end car or if one company offers you low rates but inadequate coverage.

Published with permission from RISMedia.