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If you’re a first-time homeowner, you likely have a list of renovations.

Address these three areas in your first year:

Your appliances
Insulation, and
Landscaping

Appliances with the Energy-Star rating can save you on your utilities.

According to one study, one energy-efficient machine can save you $50 a year.

Check your insulation.

If you have an attic, check for gaps, and fill in where needed. This can make you more energy-efficient, leading to more savings.

In most cases, insulation pays for itself.

Lastly, evaluate your landscape.

If you can, plant trees in your yard. This can cut your energy expenses, and boost your home’s value.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When working from home, its important that your work space gives off the right vibe to help you focus and separate your personal life from your career. From creating as much privacy as possible to having all the necessary tools at your fingertips, how you outfit your home office will have a big impact on your productivity.

One of the most important, yet overlooked, places to start is with the right paint color. The tone on the walls that surround you while youre working has a direct impact on your state of mind. But not all shades provide the same impact. According to Sherwin Williams, to make the right paint selection, think about what you need most to be productive for your particular job, then choose your shade accordingly.

A sense of calm. If your work is somewhat on the frenetic side, youll need a color that helps keep you calm, such as soft shades of blue or dusty shades of beige, green and gray. These muted tones help ease your mind and prevent stress from building up.

A creative spark. If your job requires creativity, youll want a shade of paint that inspires you and activates your right brain. Colorful paints will help get your creative juices flowing. Consider vibrant shades of yellow and orange that provide a boost of energy and raise your spirits. If that sounds a little too bold for your entire office, paint just one wall with a bright color or use it in accents around your room.

Maximum concentration. Is your work very detail-oriented? Then boost your concentration and productivity with low-wavelength colors such as green. Green is easy on the eyes when youre working long hours and also adds a sense of balance when youre multitasking. A deep shade of blue will also have the same affect, or consider using the two in tandem.

Within each of these color palettes are a variety of shades to choose from in order to reflect your personality and coordinate with your homes style. The right paint selection will help make working from home a positive and productive experience.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Housekeeping is an art as much as it is a science, and while there are some of us that are more naturally gifted in this subject, we all can stand to learn a few neat tips and tricks when it comes to caring for our home. Whether you are a self-proclaimed slob in recovery or happen to be the tidiest person you know, extra cleaning hacks can go a long way to making your chores faster and easier to manage.

Clean Your Windows in Code
A streak-free shine is all we want when it comes to our windows. The last thing you will want to do is rewash the inside and the outside of your window to address a mystery streak. Instead, clean your windows in code. Clean the inside by wiping horizontally and the outside by wiping vertically. The next time the sun illuminates those pesky streaks, youll know exactly where to go.

Toss Cold Water on Grease Spills
Wood floors are beautiful and timeless, but they can be stained or damaged if you dont care for them properly. If your wood floor comes into contact with a grease spill, immediately toss cold water onto the problem area. The congealed grease wont soak into the wood, allowing you to easily and effectively clean up the mess.

Let Your Dishwasher Do Double Duty
Put your dishwasher to work by cleaning plastic childrens toys and glass lighting fixtures. The next time you have to clean a set of plastic blocks, dont worry about using a spray cleaner or hand washing them. Just stick them in the dishwasher and wait for them to get safely sanitized and ready for your germ-making munchkin to use them again.

Use a Lint Roller on Your Lamp Shades
Lamp shades accumulate dust easily, and since theyre often lit up, its very visible. The combination of plastic and fabric material may seem difficult to clean, but its a snap if you use a lint roller to collect the dust.

Keep Your Mirror Fog-Free
If a foggy bathroom mirror bothers you, rub in a small bit of shaving cream the next time you clean your mirrors. Youll be amazed to find a steamy bathroom with a clear reflection.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Help protect your family with these home fire safety tips:

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and inside bedrooms, and test alarms monthly.

Cooking causes most house fires, so dont leave the kitchen with the stove on.

Keep flammable materials at least three feet away from fireplaces, wood stoves and radiators.

Never use frayed or broken power cords, and dont overload electrical outlets with too many plugs.

Place candles in sturdy holders out of reach from kids or pets, and blow them out before bedtime.

Create a fire escape plan for your family, and agree on a place outside where everyone can meet.

To stay safe and avoid house fires, keep these tips in mind.

Published with permission from RISMedia.