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Credit cards are helpful and convenient.

Unless you use them wisely, though, you could find yourself in financial trouble.

Charge responsibly by using a credit card only for items you need, rather than want, and for emergency situations.

Dont max out cards, or risk jeopardizing your credit score and future loans.

Try paying your full balance every month to avoid wasteful interest charges.

Always pay credit card bills on time. Missed payments could hurt your credit score for several years.

Take advantage of cards that offer rewards like frequent-flyer miles and hotel points. But dont spend more just to earn perks.

Ultimately, smart charging will help you avoid financial missteps.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Bringing little luxuries into your home can elevate your space and daily living far more than you might expect. You already work hard to keep your home decluttered and well decorated, so make certain that your home truly feels like an inviting oasis by adding a few items to take your home to the next level. Youll wonder why you didnt spring for these affordable luxuries sooner.

Kitchen Faucet With a Pull Down Sprayer
Cleaning your dishes is always a chore, but a new faucet with a pull-down sprayer could be just what you need to stop dreading doing the dishes. New spray faucets have an industrial design and a lot more power than the spray nozzles of old. As an added bonus, a new faucet can lend a modern look to your current kitchen aesthetic.

Robot Vacuum
A robot vacuum is the perfect investment for the homeowner on the go. If your busy life prevents you from keeping your home clean as well or as often as you would like, there are few things more soothing than arriving home to find that your home is spic-and-span. A good robot vacuum can remove dust and dirt throughout your home without you needing to lift a finger…talk about a feeling of luxury. With a range of prices depending on their features, youre likely to find one that will fit within your budget and lifestyle.

New Artwork
Just like fresh flowers, new artwork can elevate your space and bring life and a pop of color into your home. Whether you opt to frame a large family photo or go on the hunt for a painting that fits your style, there are many tricks to keep artwork affordable while having a big impact on the aesthetic of your home. Estate sales, yard sales and overstock home stores are an ideal place to find inexpensive artwork. Dont be afraid to find a sale piece just to keep the frame. This can be an inexpensive way to frame your favorite painting or photo.

Dual Shower Head
You probably know that a good shower head can make all the difference in your morning routine, but a dual shower head can offer additional benefits. The top showerhead can provide a relaxing stream of water for a tall adults shower needs, while the bottom spray shower head is ideal for a childs shower or to rinse a pet during bathtime. Alternatively, for added luxury during your shower, both heads can be used at once.

Affordable upgrades for your home can have a large impact on your comfort and dont have to empty your pocketbook.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

The following characteristics will help you design a swoon-worthy farmhouse kitchen.

Stone and Wood

Natural materials, especially stone and wood, are always at the center of the farmhouse style.

Open Shelving

Both fashionable and functional, hang pans from a ceiling rack and use a magnetic strip to keep your knives handy.

Copper Accents

Wherever its implemented, copper adds a metallic touch thats in tune with the rustic ambiance.

Reclaimed Materials

A farmhouse kitchen should feel like its been lived in. Reclaimed materials give your kitchen a distinguished character that comes with age.

Appropriate Appliances

Stainless steel is popular in a rustic cooking space, as it works well with the overall aesthetic.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Renovations can be expensive, even for seemingly simple projects. If youre thinking about making some home improvements, it may be tempting to try to keep the costs as low as possible, but spending a significant amount of money up front could result in much larger long-term savings.

Make Home Improvements That Will Lower Your Heating and Cooling Bills
Utility bills are among the largest expenses for homeowners, aside from a mortgage. If your house has drafts, replacing the windows and/or siding may solve the problem. Each of these projects would be expensive, but you could save a bundle on your heating and cooling bills throughout the year.

If your remodeling project will involve removing an outside wall to build an addition or to change the layout of a room, that could be an opportunity to make your home more energy efficient. The contractors should install insulation, but you could pay more to have them install extra. That would help keep your utility bills under control, especially in an area where it gets cold in the winter. You could also ask the contractors to install more insulation in the attic, basement and crawlspace.

Controlling the temperature in your home could cut your utility bills. A programmable thermostat is a simple solution that would quickly pay for itself. You could program it to keep the house cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer when no one is home, and then automatically adjust to get the house to a more comfortable temperature before you return.

Look for Ways to Reduce Your Energy and Water Usage
If youre planning to remodel your kitchen, you may be thinking about replacing some of the appliances. This is a perfect opportunity to save money on energy costs. A new ENERGY STAR refrigerator, stove or dishwasher could use less energy than the models you currently have.

A more efficient dishwasher could also use less water than your old model, which could result in significant savings, especially if your family runs the dishwasher several times a week. You can look for other ways to lower your water bills, such as installing a more efficient water heater. Insulating pipes could save you money since you would not waste water by letting it run to heat up.

Think About the Big Picture
Products with a higher price tag tend to be of higher quality, and when it comes to appliances and building materials, they can make your home more energy efficient and save you money in the long run. If you plan to stay in your house for several years, these improvements could pay for themselves and could also increase your homes future resale value.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.