Notepad Corner

moving into a new home Moving into a new home is often one of the most stressful events that a family can go through. With so much to keep track of and expenses that continue to add up, some may even feel hopeless about getting through a move with their sanity intact. For those who are preparing for one of these major life events, here are four hacks that help you steer clear of overwhelming stress. The Three Pile Method In the earliest stages of moving, one of the easiest ways to start off on the right foot is to use the three pile method. This is a method in which everything that is pulled out of messy garages, cabinets, closets, or rooms is placed into one of three piles for easy separation. One of these piles contains trash such as broken kitchenware or toys that no family member will need. The second pile contains anything that the family does not need but that can be sold or given away such as old electronics. The final pile is absolute necessities that will need to be

In the past, an average home was surrounded by nature. However, the world has undergone major change, and tens of millions of trees have been cut down. Modern homes don’t come with enough green in them, which is why many people wish to change them. In today’s environment, most people find that their home is boxed in by large, rigid structures, which are completely artificial. image courtesy of Stuart Miles - freedigitalphotos.net While there are many exceptions, it’s very difficult for most people to remember what it was like to live alongside nature. If you’re wondering how to make your home more green , you’ll be happy to learn that there are four simple ways to add a touch of green to your home. Add a Wreath When looking for ways to add a touch of green, most people would never think to add a wreath. However, adding a succulent wreath to a home serves as an excellent touch of green. The best part is that it doesn’t require significant investments in time and effor

A drain clog is perhaps one of the most common plumbing issues. There is no sure-fire thing you can do to prevent your drains from getting clogged. However, you may be able to unclog your drains yourself. Below is a list of things, courtesy of Amyotte's Plumbing & Heating Ltd. , you can use to unclog your drain: Baking Soda And Vinegar Baking soda and vinegar are two natural remedies you can use to unclog the drain. The first thing you will need to do is boil some hot water and then pour it down the drain. After that, you will need to pour 1/3 cup of baking soda down the drain. Allow it to sit for five minutes. After that, add vinegar to the drain and let it sit for 20 minutes. Pour some boiling water down the drain to remove the vinegar and baking soda. Salt And Baking Soda You will need a 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/2 table salt. Pour it down the drain and allow it sit for 10 to 20 minutes. Pour the boiling water after 20 minutes. The chemical reaction f

For most people, getting ready for winter is a considered a burden. The days are shorter and bleaker, you feel like you’re sleeping outdoors, and there’s never any good light in which to read, sew, or do anything that requires basic vision. However, what winter does do is encourage you to be more creative with your space, and to see the charm in the less obvious areas of the house. It also encourages you to rejuvenate your home altogether, something that should be done whether the season is changing or not. Here are a few essential ways you can prepare your character home for winter. winter in-door garden via pixabay.com Inspect Exterior The most important part of making your home cold-proof is to inspect and repair its exterior, because this is obviously where the cold originates. For starters, remove any rubble from the roof gutters (dirt, leaves, moss, etc.) so that they remain unclogged,and seal any air leaks that could make ventilation more difficult to achieve. Now

Few industries in the world have as many implications on society than energy. Staying on top of the trends and developments that occur in the world of gas, oil, and electricity is an important job of many consultants and investors. However, realizing what is going on in the energy industry and how events led the world to a specific point is always important and compelling information for everyone. While news reports, podcasts, and some websites can be helpful in getting updates, energy books are one of the best ways to get some in-depth information and little known details related to the field. News Reports, Podcasts, & More Getting information via a number of electronic sources is a quick and efficient way of glossing over the highs and occasional lows of any type of industry. Because of limited time and page space, topics are introduced and reported on quickly. These types of informative sources are designed to be hard hitting and easily consumed. The downside of thes

Everyone deserves to live in the home of their dreams, but making that dream a reality can be harder than it sounds. Whether you imagine yourself relaxing in a beach front condo, or roaming the halls of a large country estate, your dream home is out there. When you decide that it’s finally time to take the plunge, consider these tips to help make the process as satisfying as possible. Organize Your Finances Whether you’re willing to pay the price for your move-in-ready fantasy, or are ready to put your personal touch into a fixer upper, you’ll need to balance what you want with what you can afford. Go through your finances and check your credit score before you apply for a loan. The industry standard for a down payment is 20%, but remember that the more you pay upfront, the less your monthly mortgage will be. CNN Money tells prospective buyers to build up credit, find professional financial advisors, and consider the quality of the schools in the potential new neighborh

If you're in the process of selling your home or you want to plan for renovation projects that update the property, it is important to choose improvements that will raise your home value. The best projects do not necessarily involve demolition. The best projects are more focused on how they will improve aesthetics and function while still offering a return on investment. If you are looking for tricks that are sure to bump up the value of your home during an appraisal, here are five ideas. image credits: Mr GC - freedigtalphotos.net Create Space in the Kitchen More people than ever are looking for a home that has an open layout . If you have a non-structural wall or an island in your kitchen that is separating the room from the living area, removing these elements can make a major difference. Creating space will make your home flow better, and this added flow will attract potential buyers. Wide open floor plans mean larger value. You can also create space by getting a