When we're driving down the road, we don't want to think about potential car emergencies. It's a scary idea that something could happen to your car and leave you stranded on the side of the road or in need of roadside assistance. However, car incidents do happen and it's best to be prepared for any situation ahead of time so you can avoid being stuck without help! Let's go over 11 things you should always keep in your car in case of an emergency. 1. Spare Tire and Tire-Changing Supplies Having a spare car tire is one of the most common things to keep in your car, but you should also make sure that you have the supplies to be able to change the tire on the side of the road—if nothing else, at least a car jack and lug wrench. …

Smart light bulbs have been growing in popularity for a few years now, but they can still feel pretty new and uncertain to those who have never used them. While they may seem unnecessary or complicated to some, they can add ease, accessibility, and customization to a home that traditional lightbulbs do not offer. Let's go over what smart bulbs are, how they work, and what things you might want to consider before making the switch. What Are Smart Bulbs? Smart light bulbs are wirelessly-controlled devices that allow you to manage the lights in your home with a remote or smart device. Most smart bulbs are connected to the internet through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and offer a wide range of features. If you have a voice-controlled smart hom…

Do you tend to hit the snooze button in the morning for "just five more minutes" of sleep? If so, you're likely doing more harm than good to your sleep cycle. While it can be tempting to want to get a few more zzz's, let's go over why it's typically better to get up right away, along with a few tips to stop pressing snooze. Why Shouldn't We Snooze? Despite the idea that pressing snooze will give you a few more refreshing minutes of sleep before starting your day, snoozing in the morning can actually throw off your natural sleep cycle, confuse your body, and make waking up more difficult. The amount of time your snooze button gives you is typically not enough time for your body to go through a whole sleep cycle, which means there's a …

Has your computer been giving you trouble lately? Before you make the decision to buy a new one, it might be a good idea to contact a computer repair company. The life of many computers can be extended with just a little tune-up! Let's go over 4 reasons why you might want to opt for computer repair over a new PC. 1. The Problem May Be Minor or Easily Fixable What may seem like a huge problem in the moment could turn out to be an easy fix for a computer repair professional. If it's a software issue, they will try to determine what is triggering the error and suggest a resolution for you or offer a software patch if available. For hardware issues, they may provide troubleshooting steps that you can try yourself, or they'll look deeper …

If you haven't already done so, November is the perfect time to take care of your yard and garden preparations for winter. There are many ways you can prepare your outdoor space upcoming colder weather, so let's go over five of them here. 1. Rake Up Fallen Leaves As annoying as it can be, raking up fallen leaves on a regular basis is one of the best things you can do to take care of your yard in the fall. If the leaves are left alone, they can create thick layers or mats that may damage your lawn. If you get large amounts of rain or snow in your area, the fallen leaves can also be difficult to remove after they get wet. Do your future self a favor and remove the leaves regularly to avoid this problem! Raked leaves can often be lightl…

It's that time of year again! Daylight Saving Time is about to end, which means most of us are about to change our clocks and "fall back" one hour on November 7th. While the fall time change means we gain an extra hour of sleep, it can still affect your body's routine (and it will be dark outside before the traditional workday is over). Let's go over four ways you can prepare for the time change and make the adjustment a little easier. 1. Gradually Adjust Your Sleep Schedule One way to prepare for the time change is to slowly adjust your sleep schedule the week before. This is undoubtedly easier to do for the spring change because you are preparing to wake up earlier, but it's not always possible to wake up later than usual in prepar…

If you go trick-or-treating with your children on Halloween, you may have started noticing bright teal pumpkins on your neighbors' doorsteps. What may seem like an interesting decoration choice is actually a nationwide movement called the "Teal Pumpkin Project," which aims to make Halloween a safer and more inclusive holiday for all kids! Let's go over what the teal pumpkins are all about and how you can participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project this year. What is the Teal Pumpkin Project? The Teal Pumpkin Project began with the goal of making Halloween safer and more inclusive for children and families with food allergies. Halloween candy or other food treats are often dangerous for trick-or-treaters with life-threatening food all…

If you're looking to sell your house in the future and want a strong return on your investment, you're likely trying to figure out how to increase its value. There are a lot of factors that can go into increasing the value of a home, from something as big as a kitchen remodel or as small as repainting a room. Let's go over 6 tips for increasing your home's value! 1. Have Your Home Inspected Getting your home inspected by a professional can help you become aware of any non-cosmetic issues that should be fixed before selling, such as leaky pipes, foundation issues, or outdated electrical wiring. While it might be a pain to get these things fixed, they will greatly add to the value of your house when it's time to sell. 2. Add a Fresh…

There are many reasons why dermatology should be considered an important part of your healthcare. A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in the study and treatment of skin conditions, such as dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, and rosacea. A dermatologist can also help diagnose skin cancer or other serious conditions that can occur on the skin. Let's go over 5 reasons why you might consider visiting a dermatologist. Acne Acne is a very common skin condition that can affect people of all ages. While it's not dangerous, acne can be uncomfortable and may leave scarring if not treated properly. Because everyone's skin is different, acne treatment is not a one-size-fits-all situation—but a dermatologist works with each individual…

Even if your child is not a musical prodigy, music lessons are a great extracurricular activity that can complement any child's education. In addition to having fun and learning a new instrument, let's explore four reasons why you should consider signing up your child for music lessons. Improve Physical and Mental Skills One great benefit of music lessons—no matter the instrument—is that they can help build and improve your child's physical and mental skills. Music lessons can improve hand/eye coordination, general motor skills, and timing, which are skills that can be applied to almost any other situation or activity! They can also improve a child's focus, short-term and long-term memory, and recognition of patterns. Music lesso…

It's starting to cool down outside, and it's time to take a look at your heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system if you haven't already. HVAC systems usually don't get the attention they deserve until the first signs of cold weather start to hit, and it's important to take care of them now so you can be prepared for colder days ahead. Let's take a look at a few HVAC maintenance tips that will help you prep your system for winter. Change the Filter Believe it or not, the air filter in your HVAC system should be changed every 90 days, if not more frequently. If the filter is clogged with dirt and debris, your HVAC system can become much less efficient at heating and cooling your home. A dirty HVAC system will not only reduce the amo…

At the end of a long day, you're probably looking forward to some rest. While you might not consider winding down before bed to be crucial, it's actually an important part of your sleep routine! Get ready for a good night's sleep after your busy day with these six tried-and-true ways to wind down before bed. Turn Off Screens The bright light from your phone, computer, and TV can have a negative impact on your sleep quality and keep you up at night. Try to limit your screen time in the last 30-45 minutes before bed to let your eyes and mind rest and get ready for sleeping. Read a Book Reading from a physical book or e-paper device (such as a Kindle) is a great way to wind down before bed. Turn the lights low, pull up your co…

It's no secret that water is a limited resource in need of conservation—not to mention residential water bills can be expensive and become a big strain on the household budget. Let's go over 7 ways you can save water and reduce your water bill! 1. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. We've all heard this tip before, but it's time to implement it if you haven't yet. Running the water while you brush your teeth wastes water that can add up in coins over time. Turn it off while you brush and just use it when you need to rinse! 2. Wash dishes more efficiently. Did you know that washing dishes by hand can use up to five times more water than running the dishwasher? If you do need to wash a load of dishes by hand, conside…

When the leaves change colors and the days get shorter, it's not just your mood that can be impacted by seasonal changes. Your vitamin D levels are also at risk of dipping during autumn and winter, which can lead to fatigue. Vitamin D is an important nutrient for bone growth, immune system health, and other functions in the body. Luckily, there are a few ways you can intentionally boost your vitamin D intake during this time! 1. Take Advantage of the Limited Daylight One of the simplest ways to keep your vitamin D levels up during autumn and winter is to enjoy as much natural light as possible. This means taking advantage of daylight hours by getting outside—yes, even when it's cold. Taking even a 10-15 minute walk can help boost y…

Fall is a wonderful time of year to use your imagination and enjoy fall crafts with the kids. Here are five fall craft ideas that will keep the little ones entertained and provide some handmade fall decor for your home! Pumpkin Painting Pumpkins are a fall staple and perfect for kid-friendly crafts. However, carving pumpkins can be quite messy, time-consuming, and hazardous (since knives are involved). An easy alternative is to paint pumpkins instead! Pumpkin painting is fun and safe for kids of all ages. Simply pick out the perfect pumpkins at the store or the local pumpkin patch and wipe them down or wash them before painting. You can use any size of pumpkin for this activity. You'll likely want to set up a designated space for …

You might not think about washing machine maintenance very often, but washing machines are one of the most-used appliances in your home. Even though you run detergent through it regularly, that soap residue can build up (in addition to dirt and other gross things) and make your machine less efficient. To keep it running smoothly, you'll need to clean your washing machine regularly. Let's go over how often you should do this and how to clean the parts that need attention. How to Tell it's Time to Clean There are two main ways to tell it's time to clean your washing machine: by looking at the amount of grime or soap residue built up on your machine, and by noticing your clothes are not getting as clean as they used to. However, it is u…

Fitness and exercise are for everyone, no matter someone's ability level or range of mobility. If you are experiencing limited or reduced mobility, you don't have to give up on fitness and the benefits of exercise! Whether you've been living with limited mobility for a while or are newly adjusting, there are many great exercises and exercise modifications you can do to stay active, relieve stress, and boost your mood—let's go over eight of our favorites. Remember, it's always important to stretch and warm up before exercising to help prevent injuries. Seated Twists Seated twists are a great way to stretch out tight muscles, get the blood flowing, and work out your abdomen while sitting in a chair. You can choose to do this with or …

It's time to declutter your car and finally get it organized! It might seem like car clutter is inevitable, but there are three easy steps you can take to declutter your car in an afternoon and keep it organized moving forward. 1. Remove and Toss Any Trash If there is trash in your car, now is the time to remove all of it and throw it away. Grab a garbage bag and go through your glove box, center console, backseat pockets, and other nooks and crannies to make sure you are getting everything! Getting any and all trash out of the way will make it easier for you to reorganize and have a clean space in your car. 2. Remove Items that Have Other "Homes" Whether it's a box of old things you've been meaning to donate, some random s…

Do you feel like your home is feeling a little dark and gloomy these days? If so, there are some simple fixes you might want to try! Let's go over six simple ideas to make your home feel lighter and brighter. Add More Lighting It may seem too obvious, but adding more light sources can really help brighten up your home. If you're lacking natural light from your windows, consider adding an overhead light or wall sconce to illuminate the area where it's needed, or try installing brighter bulbs for lamps and other fixtures throughout your home. Lights that are higher up will better imitate natural lighting, as will most "Daylight" light bulbs. Utilize the Power of Mirrors Strategic mirror placements are a quick and easy home de…

Every day, your digestion system is working hard to break down the food you eat and absorb the nutrients it needs. However, for some, easy digestion and good gut health can be more difficult. Let's talk about seven foods that are great for improving digestion and promoting good gut health. 1. Yogurt Yogurt is a great source of digestion-boosting probiotics, which you may hear referred to as "good bacteria." Yogurt is a great food to eat if you are looking to improve digestion or maintain healthy gut health. Eat it on its own as a snack, add it to smoothies, or eat it in some other way! Some yogurts have high sugar contents, so be aware of the nutrition facts on the label. 2. Whole Grains Looking to introduce more fiber into you…

Do you love art and want to support the local art scene in your neighborhood? If your answer is a resounding "YES!" we have four ideas to help you do just that. Attend Local Art Shows or Pop-up Art Gallery Exhibits A great way to support the local art scene is by attending art shows or art gallery exhibits in your area. You will be able to view a variety of different types of art from local artists and creators, as well as have the opportunity to support their work directly through donation or purchase! Visit a Local Art Museum Another way you can show your support is by visiting a local art museum, such as one operated by the city or a nearby university. Art museums often include some historical or cultural exhibits pertai…

Are you looking for ways to save energy in your home and reduce your utility bills? If the answer is yes, there are a few simple things you can do. Replace Your Lightbulbs One small thing you can do to make your home more energy-efficient is to replace your old lightbulbs. Replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient lightbulbs—like CFL (compact fluorescent lights), LED (light-emitting diode) or halogen bulbs—will help you save energy and money. They also last much longer on average than traditional bulbs, which means they are cheaper in the long run. Check Your Window and Door Seals Your heating and/or cooling systems have to work harder (and cost you more money) when doors and windows in your home ar…