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With the warm seasons in full swing, it comes as no surprise that gardeners and green thumbs out there are ready to pick their plants. For those who have a furry friend at home, you want to be sure that each and every ingredient to make its way into your garden is safe for your pet, as warmer weather means more time spent outside. Heres how to make your garden a safer place for your pets.

Research Pet-Safe Plants
If your pet is a digger, or simply likes to eat anything growing out of the ground, you want to ensure that anything they can get to is non-toxic. Harmful plants, like lilies, tulips and irises, can cause vomiting, drooling and, for those who really like to dig deep, the bulbs of these flowers can even cause kidney failure. Check with your local veterinarian or garden store, or visit the ASPCA website, for a complete list of poisonous plants.

Fence Off Vegetables
For those who like to cultivate their own vegetables and herbs, be sure to put your edible garden behind a fence or in a raised bed, out of reach for your pet. Edible plants, like garlic, chives and even onions, can be harmful to animals. Even tomatoes, a seemingly non-toxic plant for pets, can cause heart failure. Hanging planters is also another great option to keep your fur babies away from danger.

Avoid Cocoa Bean Mulch
When deciding on which type of mulch you want in your garden, consider the damage certain ingredients can cause to your pet. Cocoa bean mulch, much like chocolate, is incredibly dangerous for dogs to ingest. Because of its appealing scent, many animals will be attracted to this sweet choice. However, it can cause seizures, heart failure and even death when ingested. Look for an all natural, pet-safe option at your local garden store.

Keep Pets Away From Fertilizers
If you choose to fertilize your yard, keep your pet inside during this process. Always be sure to read the label and follow precise watering and care instructions. Even organic fertilizers can be hazardous to pets. Ingesting the ingredients, such as blood and fish, or a compost of toxic food like onions and grapes, can cause your pet muscle and joint pain as well as clogging up their gastrointestinal tract. Be sure that when it is time to let them out, the treated area is safe.

Avoid Rodent Poison
Even if your lawn or garden suffer from an infestation of moles or mice, steer clear of any poisonous bates. It will be just as easy for your pet to ingest or inhale these products, as they too are close to the ground and will usually eat anything they can find. Find natural remedies for dealing with rodents. Also be sure to keep your pets out of neighbors yards, as you never know what sort of rodent treatment they may be using.

With careful research and a smart gardening plan in place, you can ensure that your pets will stay safe and healthy while enjoying the beauty of a landscaped garden.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre planning to remodel your master bathroom, you may be thinking about installing a double vanity. It might make it easier to get ready and prevent some arguments with your partner, but it might also take up too much space or be too expensive.

What is a Double Vanity?
A double vanity usually consists of two sinks placed side by side. In most cases, each sink has its own cabinet or drawers for storage. Each sink may have a separate mirror or one long mirror may extend above both sinks. You could choose a prefabricated double vanity or have one custom made to suit your preferences and your bathrooms design.

Pros and Cons of a Double Vanity
A double vanity can be helpful for couples who get ready for work at the same time, who get frustrated taking turns in the bathroom or who get in each others way when both are in a hurry. Having separate areas can also be a good idea for couples who have different standards in terms of cleanliness. If each person has multiple hygiene and grooming products, having individual counter and storage space can make it easier to stay organized and prevent clutter.

Two sinks take up a lot more space than one. Depending on the size and layout of the bathroom, a double vanity might work, or it might make the bathroom feel cramped and leave you with too little counter space. If there was not enough space between the sinks, you and your partner might bump elbows.

Having two sinks could limit the amount of storage space available. Two drain pipes would take up twice the amount of cabinet space, which would mean less room to store toiletries and other items.

Cost is another important factor. The price tag for two sinks, counters and cabinets, plus the additional cost to hook up plumbing for both sinks, might be prohibitive.

Other Options to Consider
You might want to install two separate pedestal sinks. They could be placed side by side or put on separate walls, depending on the layout and dimensions of the master bathroom. The downsides of pedestal sinks are the lack of counter and storage space.

Another possibility is installing one long sink with two faucets. That could allow you and your partner to use the sink at the same time, but you would only have to pay for plumbing for one drain. With a single drainpipe, you would have more storage space than you would if you were to install two separate sinks. You would also have more counter space with one sink, and cleaning one sink would be easier than cleaning two.

Talk to Your Contractor
A double vanity sounds ideal to many couples, and it can be in some cases. For many homeowners, however, space and financial constraints make it impractical. You have numerous options when it comes to designing your master bathroom. Discuss your needs and goals with your contractor so you can choose the right design for you.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Looking to attract homebuyers? Boost your curb appeal.

The first thing buyers see is the yard, so spruce up the landscaping and make necessary repairs.

Prune overgrown bushes and trees to avoid looking neglectful.

In flower beds, remove weeds or dead plants, add flowers in sparse areas, and apply fresh mulch.

Line your walkway with potted plants to make the property feel more inviting.

Ensure water fixtures, such as fountains, ponds and sprinklers, are clean and operating properly.

Have your patio and walkway power-washed to get rid of any dirt or grime.

As they say, first impressions are everything, so put your yard to work for you.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When youre comparing mortgage terms and looking for the best deal, you will come across two figures: the interest rate and the APR. Its important to understand the difference so you can avoid overpaying for a home loan.

What is the Interest Rate?
The interest rate is the amount the lender will charge in exchange for loaning you the principal amount. The interest rate is expressed as a percentage and is based on market rates when you take out a mortgage, as well as your credit score. Your monthly mortgage payments will be based on the amount you borrow and the interest rate.

What is the APR?
The annual percentage rate (APR) is a better reflection of the overall cost of a mortgage than the interest rate. The APR is also expressed as a percentage and is almost always higher than the interest rate.

The APR includes the interest rate, as well as other costs, such as loan origination fees, closing costs, mortgage insurance and discount points. Lenders decide which fees and costs to include in the APR. Before you compare loan offers, make sure you know what each lender includes in its APR.

How to Figure Out Which Mortgage Would be the Best Deal
The interest rate can help you figure out how much you would pay each month, while the APR can give you an idea of how much you would pay over the life of the mortgage. The APR is calculated assuming you will keep the loan for the full term. If you plan to stay in your new home for decades, look for a mortgage with a low APR, since it would have a lower cost over the entire loan term. If you plan to sell the house before you pay off the mortgage, you may be better off choosing a mortgage with a higher interest rate and lower upfront fees.

An online mortgage calculator can help you compare loan offers and figure out when you would break even so you can decide which loan would be the best option for you. The break-even point depends on the amount borrowed, the interest rate and all associated fees.

You may choose a home loan with a fixed or adjustable interest rate. If you select a mortgage with a fixed interest rate, comparing loan offers can be fairly straightforward. If you are considering an adjustable-rate mortgage, however, the APR cannot accurately convey the overall cost of the loan since there is no way to predict what the interest rate would be in the future. If you decided to refinance, you could have to pay thousands of dollars in closing costs, which could add to the total cost of the mortgage.

Get Professional Advice
Choosing the right mortgage can be confusing, especially since lenders offer loans with a variety of terms. A mortgage broker can explain your options and help you find a loan with competitive terms.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Family rooms are changing and becoming a more active space. A simple setup with a sofa and TV is fine, but if you really want your family to spend some quality time together, take your recreation room or refurbished basement to a new level with these ideas.

Home Theater
Movie nights at home can come close to replicating the movie theater experience”without having to leave home, waiting on long lines for popcorn or dealing with chatty audience members who kick your seat. If your family loves flicks, consider a giant screen, a projection system and stadium-seating.

Table Games
So much of what we do these days involves technology, but there are great joys to be taken by playing games that have been around for ages. A pool table is a great option, but its a game that requires a lot of skill. Other, more fast-paced options include foosball, shuffleboard, air hockey or dome hockey. One thing to keep in mind, these games can get expensive, so be sure to pick one everyone in the family likes and will get lots of use.

Bring the Arcade Home
Pinball machines are an absolute blast. Its a game thats simple to play (if hard to master) for everyone in the family. Or perhaps youd like a classic arcade video game like Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Galaga or Donkey Kong in your home. You can even find consoles that have multiple games.

Let the Music Play
Put the digital playlist aside and bring back classic ways to enjoy music. Jukebox machines are stylish and enhance the look of a family room while providing a fun way to listen to your favorite tunes. And vinyl records are back in vogue. Set up a turntable in your family room and have fun shopping for records. You can find lots of used disks at bargain prices at stores, yard sales and online.

And when youre done, youll have a perfect space for family fun”and great parties as well.

Published with permission from RISMedia.