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…

If you're running for the first time or running again after a long break, it can be hard to know where to start. There are many running tips and routines you can try, but not every technique or routine is best for every person. Let's discuss five ways new runners can improve their runs. 1. Set Realistic and Attainable Goals If you're running for the first time, it's important to set realistic running goals. These goals can be short-term (a goal for every run), long-term (running goals over a period of time), or any combination of the two. If you're just starting out, begin your runs at a slow, comfortable pace, and take walking breaks when you need them. It may also be helpful to set goals regarding consistency, such as running three…

We’ve all heard the expression ‘the money is in the list’. We’ve all heard it because it’s true! Growing your list of prospects and customers is one of the most important investments you can make, and businesses should always be on the hunt for ways to capture more leads. But you don’t necessarily have the budget to spend more money on ads, right? We hear you! The following strategies will help you capture more leads without spending more on ads. 1. Add a Web Chat to Your Website If you don’t already have a web chat on your website, go ahead and add one. This can help you gather leads and deliver customer support. As a small business owner, you may be hesitant. After all, you may not think you have the …

Have you seen the leaves changing? Fall is just around the corner, and with it comes cooler weather, the return of school for some, and fun seasonal activities. Looking for family-friendly fall activities to do this season? Look no further! Here are a few of our favorite ideas. 1. Visit a Pumpkin Patch Going to a pumpkin patch during fall is a classic activity for many reasons. First—and most importantly—pumpkins are in season from September to November, which means there will be plenty of nearly every size and variety to choose from. You and your family can choose the pumpkins that are perfect for carving or decorating! Many pumpkin patches also have additional activities like hayrides, corn mazes, and/or small petting zoos! If …

Nothing beats visually appealing content online. Regardless of how detailed your content is or how much value it provides to the reader, the vast majority of visitors would prefer it to be visually appealing. That’s why graphic design is so important for marketers. There's ample research to show that your online audience takes mere seconds to decide whether or not it wants to stick around. One research found that visitors only take 2.6 seconds on average to focus on a specific area of the website. So marketers only have one opportunity to capture the attention of their audience. If they're unable to do that, or if they end up leaving a bad impression, chances are they might not see that visitor again. Good graphic design is key,…

It's no surprise that proper car maintenance is important to keep your car in good shape. A car that is not cared for will break down and may eventually end up costing you more money than if it were properly maintained. Luckily, there are several car care tips that you can do on your own to keep your car running smoothly between regular maintenance visits. 1. Check Tire Pressure Properly inflated tires will improve gas mileage and reduce wear on other parts of the car. Most experts recommend checking tire pressure monthly, or at least before long road trips. If your tires are low, you can add air at most gas stations or call your local tire shop to see if they will fill your tires for free. 2. Check Oil Checking the oil in your…

Painting your own home is a DIY project that can be both rewarding and cost-effective. It often saves money, gives you the satisfaction of completing a project yourself, and can be an enjoyable experience. However, there are some important things to know before you start painting. Let's talk about them! Plan Before You Paint Paint can be an expensive investment, so it's important to plan ahead. Hopefully, the more you plan beforehand, the smoother it will go for you later on. First, be sure to swatch which paint colors you want in your home (or outside your home, if you are painting your house exterior). Next, you'll want to plan to move your furniture away from the walls or into another room so it will be out of the way. Make a list…

August 26th is National Dog Day, which is a holiday that celebrates the love we have for our dogs. It's an opportunity to spend time with your dog and show them how much you care. In this blog post, we're going to share six ways you can celebrate this year's National Dog Day with your furry friend! 1. Take them to the dog park or set up a pup playdate One great way to celebrate National Dog Day is by taking your pup to the dog park or setting up a playdate with one of their dog friends. They'll have a chance to interact with other dogs and you can connect with fellow dog owners! Dog parks or playdates can help strengthen your dog's social skills and lead to more opportunities for playtime in the future. If you plan on going somewh…

Choosing a carpet cleaning service can be an overwhelming task. There are so many options, and it can turn into a headache if you don't know what to look for. However, we are hoping the information in this post can make choosing the right carpet cleaner easier for you. Let's discuss how to select a carpet cleaning company based on your needs and budget, as well as a few tips for getting the most out of your carpet between cleanings. Why Should You Hire a Carpet Cleaning Company? Carpet can become the perfect home for dust, dirt, bacteria, pet fur, and other allergens. Without regular carpet cleaning to remove these allergens, your home's air quality can suffer significantly and you may experience breathing problems or allergies witho…

Meal prepping is a great way to save time and money by preparing your meals ahead of time and eating them gradually throughout the week. While meal prepping takes a little bit of planning, it doesn't have to be hard! Here are 6 tips for meal prepping for those just starting out. 1. "Don't Bite Off More Than You Can Chew" The key when meal prepping for the first time is to start out small. Don't overwhelm yourself with all your options. Since you have to cook and prepare multiple servings at once, it can be a lot of work at first to get comfortable in the kitchen. Start by prepping a few days at a time, and then move up to a full week. As you get more comfortable with the process, expand your horizons to more recipes or more variation…

Do you feel like your home is too cluttered? It is important to keep your home neat and organized, but many people do not know where to start. That's why we're providing 11 small ways that you can organize your home in one day! From organizing a closet to cleaning up the kitchen, these are small changes that will have a big impact on how clean and orderly your home feels. 1. Pick Up and Put Away Clothes One of the easiest places to start is with your clothes. If you have clothes lying around your home or waiting in the dryer to be folded, pick them up and put them away in the hamper, dresser, or closet. This little thing can make a world of difference! 2. Clean Out Your Fridge and Pantry Another area that only needs about 15-30…

Day hiking is an excellent way to get outside and enjoy nature. It can also be a great opportunity to exercise, explore new hiking trails, and spend time with friends or family. If you are planning a day hike soon, we've compiled a list of 10 must-haves that will make all the difference! 1. Good Shoes or Hiking Boots This one might seem obvious, but many hiking beginners simply forget to wear good footwear. It's important that you have a sturdy hiking shoe or hiking boot with adequate ankle support and enough tread on the bottom for any type of terrain—whether it be dry dirt trails or rocky mountain paths. 2. Backpack If you don't have a backpack for your hike, you'll want to find one. A hiking backpack should be large enough…

Entering the search for a new job can be an overwhelming and difficult task. You may find yourself spending hours on job sites, applying to job opportunities that you are not quite qualified for, or feeling like there are just not any good jobs out there. But before you start doubting your own abilities and giving up, take some time to read this post about six tips to help you confidently approach the job search. 1. Set a Goal Before you start job hunting, set a goal or multiple goals for yourself. This can be anything from "I will apply for 5 jobs today" to "I will make a list of 10 things that are important to me in a job." Take the time to think about what your ideal job would look like. It can be helpful to write down your goal a…

Privacy is an important part of any outdoor space. There are plenty of ways to create more privacy outdoors, whether it's for your backyard, patio, or even an apartment balcony. In this post, we'll cover some simple solutions that will help you get started! Grow Ornamental Grasses Ornamental grass is a wonderful option to create some privacy around your outdoor space, and it's also relatively easy to maintain. Some ornamental grasses can grow to be over 8 feet tall! Pair these with some tall wildflowers or shrubs and you'll be good to go. Utilize Tall or Hanging Plants Strategically placing plants that grow tall on trellises or arbors can help increase your privacy from the general on-looker. Hanging plants can also be a great …

Finding a new primary care provider can be tough. There are many factors to take into consideration, and the "right" primary care provider looks different for every person. Here are a few factors you should consider when choosing a new primary care provider for yourself or your family. Location How far away is the potential primary care provider from your home or work? Do they take appointments after hours or on weekends in case of emergencies? If you have kids, what do their office hours look like for sick visits and routine checkups? Having a primary care provider near your home or workplace removes the barrier of inconvenient travel time and makes it easier to regularly prioritize your health. Primary Specialties Primary…

Many people are unaware of the benefits public libraries provide to communities. From free Internet use to library programs for all ages, the library has something for everyone! Let's discuss 6 great reasons why you should visit and support the library in your community. 1. Free library cards It's true—most public libraries offer free library cards! Supporting your local library means supporting the love of reading and learning for people from all walks of life. Most library cards are free and offer access to thousands of books, magazines, and even DVDs. Libraries also typically offer free library cards for children, which can help foster an early love of reading. 2. Library programs and events for all ages Many libraries hav…

Do you find yourself with clothes overflowing out of your closet and dresser? Are you frustrated with the lack of storage space in your home? If the answer is yes to either of these questions, these tips are for you. Let's discuss 5 ways to help maximize your closet space in order to keep everything organized and looking great. 1. Add Shelves Adding shelves inside your closet can greatly expand your storage space. You can install shelving on the walls of your closet or simply add a bookshelf. Stacking upward can utilize any empty space you have between the ceiling and the floor. 2. Utilize Bins or Baskets Bins and baskets are great for storing smaller pieces of clothing such as socks, underwear, or jewelry. These will allow you…

You jump in the car and turn on the lights only to discover that one of your taillights is out, or maybe a headlight or blinker light? Not only is it annoying, but it is also unsafe and you could be pulled over and perhaps even fined. This is why it is important to replace non-working bulbs as soon as possible. But getting around to replacing a burnt out bulb or knowing how, often prevents drivers from taking immediate action. Jackson's Body Shop located in Salem, Oregon, has been serving the local community's collision repair needs since 1958. In addition to excellence in collision repair and customer service, the friendly folks at Jackson's Body Shop keep drivers safe on the roads by offering a free courtesy inspection of your vehicle…

Fire season is in full swing in the United States and Canada, and it's never too soon to take action. Even if you're not in an active evacuation zone, the air quality outside can become unhealthy in a matter of hours. Your home should be a refuge from the smoke, but what if it isn't? Here are a few easy ways to help improve air quality inside your home during fire season. Inspect and Upgrade Your HVAC System One of the best ways to prepare for potentially unhealthy air quality this fire season is to have your HVAC system inspected by an HVAC professional and upgraded if needed. An HVAC system that is not working 100% can cause smoke or debris to get inside your home, which can be very unhealthy for you and your family. Contact you…

Back to school season may be coming right around the corner, but summer break isn't over yet! To ease your kids back into school mode, we came up with a list of five educational summer activities you can squeeze into your schedule before your child returns to the classroom. 1. Summer Reading Club or Reading Challenge A summer reading club is a summer program that keeps children engaged with books and can get children back into the mindset of learning. You can visit your local library to see if they have a program to join, or you could create your own "club" in your home or neighborhood! Make a tiered list of fun rewards or achievements for the amount of time, pages, or books your child reads through the end of the summer. 2. N…

Plastic is a very common material found in our everyday lives. From grocery bags to plastic containers, this material can be upcycled and reused in many different ways. If you have any old plastic containers that you want to reuse instead of toss out or recycle, read on for a few clever ways to upcycle them! 1. Plastic Bottle to Self-Watering Bulb Why buy a new self-watering bulb when you can reuse old plastic bottles? You can upcycle any size plastic bottle to make self-watering bulbs for your garden or potted plants. Simply empty and clean the bottle, use a pushpin to make five or six small holes in the lid, and voila! Fill up the bottle, put on the lid, and place your new self-watering bulb lid-down in the dirt by the plant(s) you…

Swimming is a great form of exercise that is often overlooked, but it can be an excellent way to stay fit, strengthen your body, and relieve stress. Let's discuss a few benefits of swimming as a form of exercise! Swimming is Easy on the Joints Swimming is considered a low-impact exercise, which means it puts very little pressure on your joints. Compared to running or other high-impact cardio, swimming puts less stress on your body while still giving you a good workout. The buoyancy of the water If you have any injuries or joint pain, swimming can be a great exercise option for you. Swimming Engages the Whole Body Swimming engages all of the major muscle groups in your body, which helps build strength and toning. The swimming mo…