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The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of a home, where families gather to eat, converse and entertain guests. A place in the home where not only good food is made, but also memories. As families grow and time moves forward, styles and necessities change. But remodeling or upgrading a kitchen can get costly, quickly. Here are some budget-friendly upgrades you can do on your own, all for under $100:

Install a New Faucet
The sink is usually the centerpiece of a countertop and the right faucet can make a statement and set the tone for the overall style of the kitchen. Modern, country farmhouse, old world or any other theme you shoot for will have a variety of faucets to match. Though you have the option of having them professionally installed, with some research and the right tools, this can easily be a DIY project. Starting as low as $25, upgrading your faucet can be an easy and cost effective change to enhance your kitchen.

Swap Out Hardware
Details are what give a space its true character. Cabinet knobs and pulls may seem like an insignificant aspect to your kitchen, but by changing them out, whether to fit with a central theme or simply add a touch of flair, you can create harmony. Add darker handles to natural wooden cabinets for a rustic look, or install silver knobs that match your stainless steel appliances to tie the entire kitchen together. At less than $1 a knob or $30 for a set, changing out you cabinet hardware is a cheap and easy upgrade.

Add Color to Cabinets
Before replacing your cabinet hardware, consider adding a pop of color to this room in a big way. A fresh coat of paint, especially in a unique, bright or interesting color, can add an element of quality and taste to this central meeting place. Even a coat of the existing color can freshen up the room. Most kitchen cabinets will require two to three coats of paint, and starting at around $25 per gallon, this is an inexpensive project.

Create a Backsplash
A more subtle, yet still impactful way to add flair to your kitchen is to design a backsplash. Though this can get expensive, there are many options regarding materials and placement that can keep this a low-cost upgrade with high-class style. From stick-on metal and ceramic tile to chalkboard paint and wallpaper, the possibilities for adding color, patterns and texture are endless. To keep costs low, pick one area, such as behind the stove or behind the sink, to feature the backsplash in an artistic way, creating a focal point for your kitchen.

Remove Cabinet Doors for Shelving
One of the most important aspects in a kitchen is storage space – the more cabinets the better. However, inside some of those cabinets are beautiful dishes and bowls hidden behind a door. A simple way to display your dishware, aside from a glass front cabinet door, is to remove the door to create open shelving – at almost no cost! Remove the hardware, including hinges. Give the inside a fresh coat of paint or put in wallpaper to add dimension and add a stylish element.

Add Under-Cabinet Lights
Lighting is an incredibly important part of a kitchen. Bright lights are best when youre cooking, but having ambiance for entertaining or an evening conversation with the family is a nice touch. To achieve this look, you can add LED lights under your top cabinets, casting a glow around your countertop like no overhead light could do. There are many styles to choose from, including remote controlled lights that can change color! This low-cost upgrade will brighten up the look of your kitchen for as low as $35.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Now that the dust has settled and your belongings are put away, its time to get a lay of the land. Whether you moved a few houses down the street or across state lines, settling into a new location can be a fun adventureso long as youre ready to put in the work it takes to get acquainted with the area you now call home.

Having trouble taking that first step? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Get the Family Involved. Exploring a new place may feel like a monumental task, so divide and conquer by getting the whole family involved. Task one person with finding good places to eat, another with compiling a list of places to visit”and so on”and before you know it, youll have plenty to keep you busy.

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone. Sitting on the couch binge-watching your favorite show with a pint of Ben and Jerrys may be all you feel like doing, but you cant fully immerse yourself into your new community until you commit to getting off the couch”and out the door.

Dont Neglect Your Interests. Are you an avid Zumba fan? Love to do yoga? Dont neglect your interests as you continue settling into your new locale. Taking the time to scope out a yoga studio or indoor rock climbing facility will go a long way toward keeping your heart content.

Do Some Research. While you most likely spent the days and months leading up to your move getting things in order, now that youre in your new space, dedicate some time to surfing the Web. In addition to doing a Google search of your new location, peruse the town/citys website as well. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can also serve as handy resources.

Talk to the Neighbors. Next time you see a neighbor out walking their dog, take a second to introduce yourself. While you might not become fast friends, if theyve lived in the area long enough, theyll be a good source of information as to whats happening in and around the area.

Maximize Connections. Thanks to social media, were more connected than ever before, making it easy to connect with individuals who may currently live in the same town you just moved to, or have lived there previously. Take advantage of these connections and ask questions to get a better understanding for what its like to live and play in the area.

Get Lost. This may sound a little counterintuitive, but getting lost in your new town/city may be the best possible thing. Next time you head out for a drive, turn off the GPS and see what you find. From parks you never knew existed to hole-in-the-wall restaurants with rave reviews, youll be surprised at what you find once you take a moment to get off the beaten path.

Keep an Open Mind. Fitting in to a new place is all about being open to new opportunities that arise. Make the most of your new living situation by getting out there and embracing everything the area has to offer. While a fun run to the beach may not be your cup of tea, be willing to try new things.

For more tips on settling in to your new home, contact me today!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When the weather gets cold, homeowners rely on their heating systems to stay warm. If the system breaks down, especially during a big chill, it can be dangerous. Plus, repairs or replacement can get very expensive.

Is your heating unit on its way out or in need of attention? The pros at Massachusetts-based 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric offer these warning signs to look out for:

Age of the system. The average lifespan of a heating system is 15 to 20 years. As a heating unit ages, it falls behind in terms of efficiency. A high-efficiency system uses less energy to run, which typically means a lower monthly gas or oil bill. Band-Aid repairs on old units can easily waste money.

Strange and unusual noises. Noises, particularly metallic or scraping sounds, can be an indicator that a service call is needed for repair. If you detect such a sound, turn off the unit immediately for inspection to prevent further damage.

Uneven heating of the home. This can indicate a number of issues, some of which you can solve on your own. Furniture blocking vents can obstruct air flow, and dirty filters can restrict flow to the entire home. However, if these are checked and the issue still exists, a service call may be needed to clear obstructed ductwork or repair the unit. When you have one room that gets too hot while another doesn’t heat, there is an unbalanced distribution of heat that could be very costly depending on the location of the thermostat.

Increasing energy bills. Once your energy costs increase without a reasonable explanation, chances are your heating system isn’t working as efficiently anymore. This is usually the case with older heating systems, but newer systems can also start to fail and become less efficient.

Increasing runtime. If your heating system runs constantly, beyond adjusting for winter temperatures, it can be an indication of loss of efficiency or a thermostat issue.

Excessive repairs. If repairs are becoming more frequent, expenses are increasing and the same problems are reoccurring, its most likely time to replace the entire unit. Replacing it with a current model will not only cut down on time and money spent on repairs and service calls, but also help save on monthly energy bills thanks to newer energy-saving standards.

Some issues can be minor, while others might require a full unit replacement. Of course, the best way to protect your home heating system is to have it regularly serviced and maintained by a professional.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

So, you have a souped-up smart home thats supposed to make everything in your life more efficient and stress-free. The one catch that many luxury homeowners are now experiencing, however, is that these cutting-edge devices could be compromising their privacy and security. From cyber-attacks to unwanted data collection, these concerns are understandable, but with a few easy steps you can ensure that your smart home is safe from any potential threats.

Create a Separate Network
Its always a good idea to have a separate wi-fi network for your smart devices to run on, which can usually be done without having to purchase an additional router. This way theyre kept entirely separate from your regular home network, which youre probably using for sensitive activities, like online banking, storing personal information or sending work-related emails.

Review Privacy Settings
Most of us dont usually take the time to read the painstakingly long terms and agreements that can sometimes give consent for a company to collect personal information. If youre not going to read it, you should at least do some research on the devices that you own to get a better sense of what the manufacturer or service provider is collecting. You may even learn theres a way to change the default privacy settings and prevent your data from being collected altogether.

Change Default Passwords
When you get a new smart product, be sure to change the default password, otherwise you might as well not even have one. While it can be tempting to use the same old password for every account, thats really not a great idea if you take your digital safety seriously. Get creative with your login information and always keep it written down somewhere rather than storing it on your computer or smartphone.

Install the Latest Updates
In addition to introducing new functionalities, software updates usually include improved security features. This can be a result of the manufacturer finding a potential vulnerability that theyre worried hackers can take advantage of, so its certainly a good idea to have your devices set to automatically update.

Consider a VPN
If youre going to control your devices from a public wi-fi network while youre out of the house ” and lets face it, thats very likely to happen at some point ” you should be using a VPN, or virtual private network. For example, if youre using the wi-fi at an airport and want to check your smartphone to see whos ringing your doorbell, a VPN will encrypt your connection and ensure that its not being picked up by anyone else on the network.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A healthy lawn can make your home appear inviting to guests and can help you attract a buyer if you decide to move. Keeping your grass green requires commitment and an understanding of what your lawn needs and when.

When and How to Water Your Yard
Water the grass in the early morning so the water will be able to penetrate the soil, rather than evaporate, and so the lawn will have time to dry out before evening. Watering late in the day will leave the grass damp overnight and encourage the growth of mold and fungi.

Water your lawn deeply, rather than a little at a time. A thorough soaking will allow water to penetrate the roots and will make the grass stronger and healthier. The amount of water required will depend on the species of grass, type of soil, region and season.

The Right Way to Cut Your Grass
Before you cut your grass, make sure the lawnmower blade is sharp. A dull blade will tear the grass, and your yard may turn yellow and become diseased. The grass will then require extra water and nutrients to return it to a healthy condition.

Mow the lawn when the grass is dry and when it isnt too hot. Cut off only the top third of the grass, and leave the clippings on the lawn so they can decompose. They will provide the lawn with nitrogen, slow the evaporation of water and prevent the growth of weeds. If you cut more than one-third of the length of the grass, the roots will be shocked, the stems will be exposed to the sun, and they will likely burn.

How to Fertilize Your Lawn and Prevent Weeds
Fertilize the lawn in early spring and fall to help it grow green and lush. Be sure to follow the directions on the package. Keeping your lawn thick and healthy can prevent weeds from growing by not giving them the space and sunlight they need.

If you notice weeds growing among the grass, use a weed killer appropriate for the particular species of weeds. If you dont know the species youre dealing with, ask someone at a local garden center for guidance.

How to Aerate the Grass
Aeration is the process of removing small amounts of soil from a lawn. This allows air, water and fertilizer to penetrate deeper into the soil. Aeration also reduces soil compaction to create more room for roots to grow and removes thatch. You can rent an aerator at a home improvement store.

Get Expert Advice
Maintaining a healthy lawn requires a lot of work, but itll be far less overwhelming if you know what to do and when. Find out what species of grass you have in your yard if you dont already know, follow these tips, and ask employees at a local garden center or nursery for advice specific to your region.

Published with permission from RISMedia.