As a pet-owner, you know that pets are an important part of the family. But what is the best way to make your home safer and more welcoming for them? Here are five tips on how you can make your home more pet-friendly and make life easier for both you and your companion. 1. Keep Flooring in Mind It's important to keep your home's flooring in mind when it comes to your pet. Carpeting is generally not recommended for pet owners as it can be difficult to clean and maintain. Hardwood and tile floors are easier to keep clean, but hardwood is more prone to scratching. If you have carpet, be sure to vacuum thoroughly and regularly to keep it from collecting hair or foul odors. If you have hardwood, be sure to keep your pet's nails trimmed so…

The sun is one of the most beautiful things in life, but it is also dangerous. Thousands of people suffer from skin cancer every year due to overexposure to UVA and UVB rays. You may not notice any symptoms at first, but the effects of sun exposure can sneak up unexpectedly. There are plenty of ways to protect yourself while enjoying time outside on sunny and cloudy days alike! In this blog post, we will discuss some best practices to follow year-round so your skin stays healthy and protected from sun damage. Wear Proper Sunscreen Wearing sunblock is the best way to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays that can lead to premature aging and skin cancer. There are many brands of sunscreen on the market, but not all offer iden…

If you're holding a yard or garage sale to get rid of some things you don't need anymore, it might take a little more thought and planning than you think at first. Let's look at a few of our favorite tips on how to prepare for a yard sale by deciding what you're going to sell, pricing items appropriately, picking the right day/time for your event, and more. We hope these tips help make your sale a success! 1. Decide What to Sell You can't have a yard or garage sale without anything to sell. However, choosing what to sell can be the reason someone decides to browse (or not browse) through your items. Just because you need to get rid of something doesn't necessarily mean you should sell it at your yard sale. Make sure you're only selli…

If you have a houseplant and are noticing yellowing or wilted leaves, don't give up just yet! There are several reasons why your plant might just need a little bit of TLC, and every plant is different. Let's discuss the three main reasons why your plants might look like they're dying to help give you some ideas on how to care for them properly. Over/Under Watering One of the biggest reasons why your plant might be struggling is due to the amount of water it's getting (or not getting). While it may seem like more water = healthier plant, it's actually quite the opposite. Giving plants too much water can cause root rot—especially if their containers don't have drainage. If you notice your plant's leaves are yellowing, turning brown a…

One of the best things you can do to reduce eye strain and fatigue when working on a computer is to take better screen breaks! Taking proper screen breaks will help reduce eye strain, fatigue, and headaches by giving your eyes a regular chance to rest. In this article, we'll talk about why taking breaks is important as well as how often you should be taking them. We'll also give some helpful tips on what to do during these breaks so they're not wasted time. Why Are Screen Breaks So Important? Taking breaks when working at a computer are important for multiple reasons. First, your eyes are in a fixed position for hours at a time, and regular breaks give your eyes the chance to focus on something different, which will help reduce eye s…

Planting a butterfly garden can be an exhilarating experience. It will bring beauty and fragrance into your life and can act as a natural mood booster. Here are the steps to successfully start your own butterfly garden. Devise a Garden Plan The first step in the process is to identify which plants will draw butterflies to the garden you create. Ideally, the garden should have spots where eggs can be laid. It also pays to use plants that caterpillars will want to eat. You'll want to make sure the garden has shallow areas where rainwater can be held. All of this will help provide a safe environment for metamorphosis to take place. Choose the Right Spot You will want your garden to be in an area where it is exposed to sunlight but…

Volunteering in your local neighborhood is a great way to give back to your community and develop closer relationships with the people you live around. If you are in search of a volunteer opportunity, here are some steps that will help you find the perfect one. 1. Identify Your Skills The first step in finding the right volunteer experience is to take stock of your skills and strengths. You should know exactly what you have to offer in regards to each particular volunteer role you consider. It may be helpful to write down an actual list of what you are good at, as well as the skills you would most like to use while volunteering. You can then use this list to narrow down the available volunteer opportunities that match your skill set.…

Whether you want to start eating healthier or have been told that you need to follow a medically prescribed diet, the right dietician or nutritionist can help you reach your goal. An appropriately qualified and experienced nutritional science professional can help you determine which changes you need to make in your diet and how to incorporate these changes into your life most easily. The following tips can help you choose a local professional who is right for you. Look for the Right Credentials The first criteria for a nutritionist is to have an appropriate credential. The specialist you choose should be either a Registered Dietician (RD) or a Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN). These professionals have completed a bachelor's d…

When you hear the phrase "bathroom renovation," do you cringe and see dollar signs? If you do, you are definitely not alone. All too often, when buying older homes and apartments, bathroom renovation prices can mount up quickly, replacing this fixture and that appliance until your wallet can't take it anymore. Luckily, bathroom reno does not have to break the bank, and in this article, we will be breaking down the four easiest and most affordable ways to renovate your bathroom. DIY This first tip is simple—do it yourself. Unless you are revamping an entire plumbing system, you can likely do some of the heavy lifting yourself and save some cash. Installing toilets and vanities, for example, are fairly simple tasks that can be comple…

Renting a house or apartment means you must adhere to certain standards. Other things are optional, such as renter’s insurance. Some landlords make renter’s insurance mandatory, but even if yours doesn't require it, it’s wise to have the coverage. Here are three reasons why you need renter’s insurance. Protect Your Belongings You never know what might happen in your home. Natural disasters can occur without a moment’s warning, meaning you can be affected by a flood, hurricane, wildfire, or other natural weather event. Fires are also common in homes and can cause significant damage to your property. Unfortunately, your landlord’s standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover damage to your personal belongings⁠�…

Your child is constantly growing and needing new clothes almost every year, but don't be too quick to toss their old clothes. While one great idea is to donate the clothes to your local thrift store or clothing drive, you can also repurpose a few things with one of these three creative methods. 1. Turn Old T-Shirts Into a Quilt Consider sewing your child's old T-shirts into a quilt. This is a creative option to help your child be able to keep their old favorite shirts and think of the memories they made when wearing those shirts. If you can't make one yourself, a friend or relative may have a knack for quilting—and if you do not know anyone that can make you a quilt, consider taking your child's shirts to a local craft business or …

If you're like most people, you dread the sound of your alarm in the morning. In fact, you might be guilty of hitting the snooze button to steal a few more minutes of blissful slumber. Although it's tempting to sleep in as late as possible, studies show that there are benefits to waking up earlier.Some of the most productive people in the world, including CEOs and world leaders, use an "early to bed, early to rise" strategy in order to get more done and enjoy higher levels of energy throughout the day. Here are three benefits to waking up earlier. 1. Ease Into Your Day If you're rushing to get to work in the morning because you slept in as late as you possibly could, you're beginning your day with a nervous, anxious energy that might…

If you've spent any amount of time online, you probably know how frustrating it is to create a secure password. It can feel like nothing you enter will ever be good enough, except for a random string of letters and numbers that no one can possibly remember. And yet, strong passwords are a must if you do any business online. Creating a strong password is harder than people think, but it's something you need to do if you want to protect your private information. Here are some tips that might help. The Proper Password Length Experts are unsure as to how long a secure password should be. Longer passwords are obviously more secure, but they're also harder to remember. Most experts believe that a strong password that is still easy to remem…

Hardwood and laminate flooring are two of the most popular flooring options for modern homes. There are pros and cons to each option, so you'll have to weigh them before you make a decision about what you want in your home. Here are a few tips to help you choose. The Pros and Cons of Hardwood Hardwood has a beautiful natural texture that can give a classy look to practically any home. There are plenty of varieties and stains to choose from, so you won't have to worry about not being able to find something that suits your decor. However, one downside to hardwood flooring is that it can get expensive. Depending on the kind of hardwood flooring you get, you can expect to pay between $5 and $10 per square foot, including installation. Ha…

Roughly 20% of adults experience dental anxiety. Whether these fearful feelings stem from negative childhood experiences, reduced personal space, or some other factor such as the sound of the drill, they should be addressed so you can have successful visits with your neighborhood dental professional. The following tips can help you remain calm at your next dental appointment. Bring a Friend or Family Member When you're faced with a potentially stressful situation of any kind, bringing someone familiar can help. They can provide you with a conversation partner while you wait, and they can also take valuable notes on follow-up care. If your companion does the driving, you also have one less worry on appointment day. Talk to Your Den…

Spring is full of rain, flowers, and sunny afternoons. If you live with spring allergies, you might also live with symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. These symptoms can make spring seem like a much less beautiful time of year. The following tips can help you reduce the symptoms of spring allergies so you can focus on the more uplifting aspects of the season. Minimize Outdoor Allergen Exposure Since spring allergies are often triggered by pollen, reducing allergen exposure can help reduce your symptoms. You might consider saving neighborhood walks for after it rains or inviting someone else to complete allergen-intensive gardening chores, such as mowing the lawn or weeding the flower bed. When you do go out, show…

Moving is—without a doubt—stressful. The process can become even more stressful when you're moving to a rental or an apartment that desperately needs some flair but doesn't allow basic decorating necessities like a coat of paint or, well, nails. Don't fret just yet—we're serving up three ways to spice up the dull walls in your rental without breaking the bank or the rules. Painting Isn’t Allowed…Now What? Nearly all rental spaces outlaw painting, and while the rule is reasonable, it can also be irritating when the white walls have faded to gray or blind you during an otherwise-enjoyable sunny afternoon.One easy and clever workaround to the "no painting" conundrum is to cleverly hang curtains or tapestries with push pins or …

Safety is the biggest concern when taking anyone on a hike, but especially children. They have different needs and expectations that you will have to take into account when planning your hikes. Choose a Child-Friendly Trail Some hiking trails are easier to navigate than others. It's best to start with a local trail that is suited for those who are new to hiking. Steep inclines and rocky terrain can wear children out and put them in danger of getting injured. The older the child is, the longer the length of the trail they can handle. If this is your child's first hike and they are no more than 2 or 3 years old, one to two miles is the ideal length to start with. Choose Appropriate Clothing The most important part of a child'…

It should come as no surprise that consistently getting enough sleep can come with many health benefits, but it can often be difficult to get the rest our bodies need. Being busy with work, school, or family can make it harder to set aside the time for a proper night's rest on a regular basis, and many people also have trouble falling or staying asleep. While it's not always an easy task, here are our top three reasons for why we should all be getting more sleep. 1. Regular Sleep Can Improve Mental Health and Brain Function Many people recognize how their body reacts to constant bouts of sleepless nights. Most individuals who suffer from sleep deprivation will note mood instability, lack of focus, irritation, and general feelings o…

Planning your vacation can be an exciting experience when you keep a few important details in mind. Here are three important things to consider before you make your travel arrangements. Trip Duration The duration of your trip is the first thing you'll need to determine before you begin to plan your itinerary. How much available time you have allows you to choose whether you'll be able to visit just one location or multiple destinations, in addition to whether you'll have enough time to travel domestically or internationally. The more time you have, the more flexible your vacation plans can be. You can likely squeeze more into a week's trip than you think if you manage your time well. Knowing your trip's duration is also useful for ma…

Getting started on a homegrown herb garden is a breeze when you have the right materials and a little bit of know-how. By deciding in advance if you want to grow seeds or starter plants, as well as what types of herbs you want to learn to grow, you'll be on the road to harvesting a beautiful, flourishing herb garden in the comfort of your own home. Seeds or Starter Plants? When starting your herb garden, consider whether planting seeds or starters will work best. Often, for beginners, using starter plants is a better choice that cuts growth time down by two to three weeks and increases your chances for a successful harvest. Once you get the hang of how growth and harvesting works with starters, it'll be easier to learn how to grow he…