Supplies for Seasonal Cleaning

I kicked off 2013 with a determination to conquer what I call a lost art in society, housekeeping.  My way of defining housekeeping is cleaning, repairs, decorating and organizing. January’s focus is on cleaning, which I blogged about the three main types of cleaning:  seasonal, deep and maintenance.  Last week I introduced you to a seasonal cleaning plan and today we are going to talk about the supplies you need. As a reminder, seasonal cleaning targets those areas inside and outside the home that you are likely to get to once-a-year.  Examples include washing windows and cleaning out the garage. … Continue reading

Should You Have More Than One Home Based Business?

One of the questions that may be on your mind as you set out to begin your home – based business is whether you will begin just one business or whether you will have multiple home-based businesses. There are advantages to each type of arrangement, and your final decision will have to be based upon your needs and the needs of your family. Some home-based businesses lend themselves better to being run alongside of each other than others do, so this is certainly one thing to think about before making a decision to have more than one business operating at … Continue reading

Seasonal Shoe Cleaning and Organizing

Tis the season for shoe purging in our home. Snow is in the forecast for the weekend, which means I have been frantically trying to dig out winter boots and put away summer sandals. Since our front entry closet doubles as a shoe and coat catch-all, I am very cognizant of my need to be as organized as possible, as one false placement could mean the unleashing of a flood of outwear. Before I store shoes for a given season I do a quick spot cleaning on the ones that need attention. For example, on my daughter’s summer canvas shoes … Continue reading

Seasonal Home Maintenance

Tis the season to thoroughly clean your entire house. While some homeowners reserve major cleaning projects for the springtime, fall is actually one of the best times of the year to purge and reorganize your living space. It’s a good idea to decontaminate your home when the weather is still decent and before you have to close it up for the winter. Fall is also an ideal time to complete major cleaning projects because typically the holiday season brings a litany of guests to your home and it’s nice to have a decluttered space to show off. With that said, … Continue reading

Spring Home Safety Check List

Just like a person, your home needs regular check ups to ensure that it is healthy, or at least safe for you and your family. Here are some things around your home that you should check in the spring. If you have an air conditioning system, have a professional air conditioning specialist (contractor) inspect your system. This specialist should also be able to clean and maintain your system. You don’t want to have any issues with it when summer comes. Replace the filter in your furnace (if you have one). Inspect your driveway and walkway, and repair any cracks or … Continue reading

Tips when Visiting Your Summer Home or Taking Extended Vacations

When traveling for extended periods of time or going away to a seasonal home, such as your summer home, for a few weeks or even a few months, you may wonder what to do about special concerns such as mail, other deliveries, maintenance, and security. When it comes to mail, you can simply put a stop on your mail delivery and rent a box to store your mail if you have someone available to check it for you from time to time. If you don’t have assistance from someone at home, you can rent a mailbox from a service such … Continue reading

3 Types of Cleaning

My first housekeeping blog for the year was sort of a challenge; in conquering what I feel has become a lost art in today’s society.  The care of the home isn’t always considered to be so important.  But I believe it’s one of the ways we show love to our family. I also mentioned how housekeeping has evolved into what we typically refer to as homemaking.  I suspect that some think of the word “housekeeping” in a negative light. No matter what you call it, my goal is to help you understand the importance of it and what it all … Continue reading

Getting Ready For Yard Work

It’s time for yard work and if you haven’t already, it’s time to drag out the lawn and garden tools. Now if you are like most people all of your yard equipment was carefully cleaned and prepped before it was stored away for the winter. If you are like me, you thought you had one more weekend to get to the chore. Then the cold and snow came and, if you are like me, you quickly shoved everything in the shed and locked the door. Now you have to open that door and deal with the mess. I find it’s … Continue reading

Now is a Great Time to Start One of These Businesses

Even though it is still winter, if you have been tossing around the idea of starting a home – based business in lawn maintenance, gardening, or landscaping, now is a good time to finalize your business plan so that you can open your business this spring. If you begin now, you will be able to get yourself organized and make a clear plan for what you want to do with your business. You can also take your time to search for the best prices on any equipment that you may need for your business. Even more importantly, you will have … Continue reading

Budgeting for Brand New

The lure of luxuriating in a brand-new home, vehicle or outfit is extremely enticing for many people. However, being able to pay for all that glittery, brand-new goodness can be a challenge, especially if you struggle with saving and budgeting. Financial experts recommend carefully evaluating your income, spending habits and credit prior to purchasing new. For example, if you are eyeing a new vehicle, it’s a good idea to save at least 20 percent for a down payment rather than borrowing the total amount due. If you don’t have the cash, then look at raising some by trading in an … Continue reading