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A well-organized pantry can make it easy for you and your family to find what you want and can help avoid wasting food. You should create an organizational system that works for you based on the size and design of your pantry as well as the foods and other items you want to store in it. Here are some general ideas to get you started.

Create a Game Plan
Before you start organizing your pantry, think about what you want to store in it and problems you currently have, such as not being able to find certain foods or having things spill. Then, brainstorm ways that you could arrange items and use containers to save space and make food easily accessible.

If you have large items or small appliances that you want to store in the pantry, first think about where to put those and then organize the rest of your pantry around them. You may need to get creative to figure out how to fit everything.

Choose Appropriate Containers
Putting dry goods such as flour and rice in glass decanters or plastic storage bins can protect them from insects and mice. Depending on the layout of your pantry, you might find that glass jars would work better, or you might decide to go with tall and narrow plastic containers or stackable flat ones. Whatever type of containers you decide to use, label them with the date you bought each product or its expiration date.

Baskets can help you organize pantry items in categories. Pull-out drawers can make it easy to find items that might otherwise get pushed around and lost in the back, such as jars of spices. If two shelves meet at a right angle, a Lazy Susan can help you avoid having things get lost in the corner.

For some items, it may be helpful to borrow storage ideas from other parts of your home. For example, you might find that a shower caddy or a shoe organizer is the perfect way to take advantage of space in a corner or on a door, to make commonly used items easily accessible and to prevent them from spilling.

How to Avoid Wasting Food
When you buy more of something, put it behind what you already have so older foods will get used up first. That can help you avoid having to throw away food because it has expired.

Some foods should not be stored near each other in a pantry. For instance, you should keep potatoes away from onions and garlic to prevent premature spoiling. Dont store flour near anything with a strong smell, as the flour could absorb the odor.

Think of Organizing Your Pantry as a Work in Progress
You probably store a wide variety of foods and other items in your pantry, and figuring out the best way to organize them may take some time. These suggestions can help you get started, but you might come up with other ideas later and decide to make some changes.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Keeping your home looking its best can require learning a lot of new skills. If you want to boost your curb appeal without breaking the bank, here are the top DIY outdoor projects you should know.

Reseeding the Lawn
You dont want to go through the expense of installing sod simply because your lawn became slightly patchy. Instead, learn how to grow grass that will make the whole neighborhood envious. The grass truly is greener on your side.

Building a Raised Garden Bed
Whether youre hoping to create a prized vegetable patch or simply want to grow your favorite blooms, theres no better way to create structure for your curb appeal than a few raised beds in your yard. Select the wood, stone or brick of your choice and get to work to create a cohesive feel.

Build a Window Box
You dont have to be a master builder to ensure that this simple project turns out well. Give the exterior of your home a facelift with a few well-placed window boxes and some vibrant flowers. This easy project is sure to make your home look great for years to come.

Make a Trellis
A garden trellis is a must-have for any plants that need to climb. They add needed structural support for those plants and also give your outdoor space visual interest in the form of additional height. Go simple and make a garden trellis of wood and lattice or shoot for a more elaborate mixed-medium trellis.

Power Wash Your Driveway
A good power wash can do wonders for the appearance of your home. Power washing your homes siding or your driveway can take years off the look of your exterior. Removing dirt and grime can be just as visually impactful as a new coat of paint, for far less cost.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are a few tips to better organize your living space.

One Room at a Time

Decluttering your entire home can be a daunting task, so its best to tackle one room at a time.

Identify the Nonessentials

Consider whats essential and whats not. If you can live without it, toss it, or better yet, donate it!

Curate the Surfaces

Countertops, tables and shelves tend to bear the brunt of a disorganized living space.

A Place for Everything

Once youve identified a designated place for everything, make the effort to develop good habits to maintain organization.

Hide the Wires

Whenever possible, go with wireless technology to keep the ambience feeling streamlined.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Before you list your home, you must figure out your asking price. Real estate markets go up and down frequently, and many local factors and characteristics specific to individual properties can affect prices. A comparative market analysis can help you set a reasonable list price so your home will be more likely to attract a buyer.

Why Is Setting the Right List Price So Important?
Overpricing your house could cause it to linger on the market for months with little or no interest from potential buyers. You could lower your asking price later, but by then, buyers may have already shifted their focus to other properties.

If you list your house for a price that reflects its fair market value, you will have a good chance of attracting a buyer. You may even receive multiple offers and sell your home for more than the asking price.

What Is a Comparative Market Analysis?
A comparative market analysis can examine houses in your area that are similar to yours in terms of size, location, age, number of bedrooms and amenities. It can also take factors such as the school district and property taxes into account.

Your real estate agent can use software to perform a comparative market analysis. The agent can provide a report with information on comparable homes that are currently listed for sale, houses that are under contract but have not yet been sold and homes that have been sold recently. It will also include homes that did not sell because they were priced too high or that were taken off the market for some other reason.

A comparative market analysis can also provide information on the features that buyers are looking for in their next home. If your house lacks something that many people consider a must-have, such as an updated kitchen, you may be able to invest some money in home improvements before you list your house, giving your home a better shot at appealing to buyers.

Seek Your Agents Help So You Can Make an Informed Business Decision
When selling your home, its easy to let emotion influence your decisions, but you should do your best to keep that out of the equation. Set aside the fond memories you have made in your home and take a dispassionate look at how it compares to others in the area. Your real estate agent can perform a comparative market analysis, explain the details in the report and give you more information on your local housing market so you can set a list price that will help you sell your home as quickly as possible.

Published with permission from RISMedia.