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If you’re environmentally aware, you’re likely already doing several things at home to help the planet. Recycling, using less water and fuel and making smart purchasing choices can all help reduce your carbon footprint. Composting is a fantastic way to help out mama earth, and with many convenient options, it’s no longer just for those living in the country.

Below are 4 reasons you should consider composting.

It gives back. By composting your food scraps, you’re helping to keep hundreds of pounds of food waste from rotting in landfills. Instead, it will turn into healthy, nutrient rich soil right in your yard or compost space. If everyone composted, sources show we could divert roughly 36 million tons of waste from rotting away in landfills.

It creates healthy plants. If you have a yard or garden you tend to, composting is one of the top ways to help yield a healthy harvest. Compost feeds your plants a top notch diet and helps them grow big, strong, and more pest resistant.

It can save you dollars. If you’re used to purchasing fertilizer for your garden or yard, using your own composted soil can save you money, and nix the need for the harsh chemicals found in many store-bought fertilizers.

It’s convenient. Many city-dwellers don’t compost because they believe they don’t have the space for it, and who wants a rotting pile of scraps in a tiny apartment? However, there are many programs that support composting in cities. In fact, over 90 U.S. cities and communities offer municipal food-waste collection in a fashion similar to recycling programs. Some cities, like San Francisco, even require composting. The hilly city has a compost and recycling pick up routine that keeps a stunning 75 percent of trash out of their landfills. Do some research on your community to find a compost system.

Interested in more housing and sustainability tips? Feel free to contact me directly.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Keep these safety tips in mind before putting your home on the market.

Communicate With Your Agent

Your agent should have a process in place to vet any potential buyers before bringing them into your home.

Be Careful With Photography

Removing family pictures from the space will help maintain your privacy.

Secure Your Valuables

Be sure to put away any small valuables you might overlook like keys or important documents.

Consider All Privacy Options

Some sellers choose to withhold their address from print and online marketing materials or have their agent keep it as a pocket listing.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre looking to add a bit more green to your design scheme, youre not alone. House plants are a popular way to add fresh beauty, and clean up your air while youre at it. However, keeping a house plant healthy is a responsibility, even if its a small one. Consider the following plants that are both beautiful and easy to manage.

Aloe. You really cant go wrong with succulents, and these cool plants can also help ward off sunburn. Just strip off a leaf, open it up, and rub the ooey-gooey insides on your sun-kissed skin.

Orchids. These sweet blooms are beautiful and low maintenance. Just keep a small misting bottle beside your plant and give it a gentle spray once a week.

Peace lily. These graceful plants dont need a lot of light, so theyre perfect for perching in your living room.

Snake plant. Dont let the slithery name fool you. Another succulent, this interesting upright plant can deal in bright or low-light settings, and can survive with minimal amounts of water.

English ivy. If you want a hanging plant, this vine is for you. Place this ivy on a shelf or mantel and let the vines hang down. You can let the plant run wild, or prune it back for a more manageable look.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When you apply for a mortgage, a lender will decide how much money its willing to give you to put toward the purchase of a house. That doesnt necessarily mean that you should take out a loan for the full amount. In some cases, borrowing the maximum a lender will allow could leave you overwhelmed by debt.

How Lenders Decide How Much You Can Borrow
Lenders base their mortgage decisions on several factors, including credit score and length of credit history, but the most important factor is a borrowers debt-to-income ratio. This is the sum of all debts, including a mortgage, credit card minimum payments, and vehicle, student, and personal loans.

Most lenders want borrowers to devote no more than 28 percent of their gross income to a mortgage, property taxes, and homeowners and private mortgage insurance. They also want total debt payments to be no more than 36 percent of gross income. If your debt-to-income ratio is higher than these limits, a lender may reject your application or approve you for a loan at a high interest rate.

Reasons Not to Borrow as Much as You Can
A lender may approve you for a mortgage up to a high amount, but it might not make sense to borrow the full amount if your other, non-home-related debts are high. For example, if you have credit card payments that, when combined with home-related expenses, would put your total debt payments over 36 percent, you could find yourself struggling to meet all your obligations. You might have other expenses that take up a significant portion of your income. For instance, daycare costs, college tuition and medical bills could make it impossible for you to afford a high mortgage payment, even if a lender offered it.

Consider your long-term financial goals. If you have credit card bills you want to pay off quickly, you can pay more than the minimums due each month, but that might make your total debt payments too high to manage with a large mortgage. If you plan to buy a new car sometime soon, a car payment plus a high monthly mortgage payment could be hard to manage. If you want to set aside money for retirement or for your childrens college education, take those goals into account.

Dont Take on More Debt Than You Can Handle
When shopping for a home, its easy to get in over your head. Just because you can borrow a large sum of money, that doesnt mean you should. You probably have several other current and future expenses that could affect your ability to manage mortgage payments. Look at your entire financial picture and make a responsible decision that will allow you to cover all your bills and live comfortably.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are a few ideas for a memorable camping trip seconds from home…

Cozy Accommodations

Fill your tent with blankets and pillows to ensure no one gets cold in the middle of the night.

Camping Vibes

Hanging lanterns and making smores around a fire will make it feel even more like camping.

Evening Activities

Plan out a few activities, like a card game, charades or even a scavenger hunt. Afterwards, star gazing is the perfect way to let everyone wind down before bed.

Remember the Essentials

Dont forget to stock up on bug spray, check the weather forecast and make sure to have working flashlights.

Published with permission from RISMedia.