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5 At-Home Financial Options To Remember with Neon Funding

This post is sponsored by Diamond Bloggers. All opinions expressed are my own.

Starting any new business can be daunting. Especially when its an at-home business. And nothing can derail the best of plans like the initial missteps taken when creating your business, particularly surrounding the realm of finances. This is why you will want to keep the following five financial options in mind when starting your next at-home business this season at home.

Decide Which Products or Services Your Small Business Will Offer

Before you can start a home business, you have to know what products or services you want to offer. And when deciding what business strategy will be most viable for you at home, consider these questions:

  • What do you have to offer?
  • What makes you an expert in this field?
  • Do you have all of the education and skills you’ll need to compete successfully in the marketplace or will you need to get training?
  • Does the product or service you’re thinking of marketing meet a need for your target demographic?
  • Is this a seasonal product or service, or can you market for business throughout the year?
  • How sensitive is marketing this product or service to general economic conditions?
  • Do you have a passion for this business idea?

While money is great to earn, it’s not enough to propel you to success. You need to be enthusiastic about your offering to the public as well. Making one of the first financial options to consider for your at-home business whether or not you will be able to maintain your personal drive and enthusiasm when it comes to the day-to-day operations of your business. After all, if you cannot stand behind your idea it doesn’t make sense to invest in a business, training, marketing, and product production.

Your business is going to be your livelihood, so it should be something you believe in, enjoy, and would gladly promote to others. Which is why so many find success in turning hobbies into business structures. Because when you choose an idea you’re not excited about, it will be difficult to get motivated at times. It’s all about the mindset of remembering to “Do what you love, and love what you do.”

Know Your Market and Your Competition

While having a great product or service is required to start a business, without buyers, you still don’t have an equitable business. Which makes knowing your market paramount. Including being versed in what your demographic wants, needs, and what inspires them to continue to buy from you. All points are necessary for at-home business success. This means investing money in identifying your target market and determining your unique selling angle. This will help you to be able to set your business apart from others that are similar in your field. Here are a few things to consider when investing money in marketing or acquiring the services of marketing firms:

  • Who Is Going to Buy Your Product or Service?
  • What characteristics or traits will your typical customer or client have?
  • Will you market to businesses, to consumers, or to both?
  • What Is Special About What You Offer?
  • How does your product or service meet the need of your target market?
  • What is your competitive advantage?

Use these questions to create a marketable point of reference when it comes time to invest funds into crafting a marketing plan. This will help you when it comes time to outline how you’re going to let your target market to advance your business and business finances in the season to come.

Do the Tasks That Need to Be Done

There is a lot that goes into starting a home business. Along with the legal tasks of starting a business, there’s also the day-to-day tasks that can make or break our business. Such as the ability to deal with hassles and frustration of repairs, personal and employee health care, and costs of technology and upgrades. All expenditures that will require future financial planning and cash reserves to make these daily, weekly, or monthly tasks possible. If you can’t accommodate these costs or tasks, then a home business may not be for you.

To make sure you have the financial reserves to succeed, answer this question honestly: Can you handle the day-to-day general tasks that starting a small business requires, like:

  • Supplying products/service
  • Distribution of product
  • Invoicing/billing
  • Ordering supplies
  • Bookkeeping expenses
  • Marketing Costs
  • Filing Costs
  • Formation of LLC Costs
  • Deal with temporary financial disappointment
  • Manage financial overwhelm

While some of these tasks can be delegated to virtual assistants, many others will fall to business owners themselves to resolve. This can be hard when home business owners are solopreneurs, starting on a shoestring budget and having to wear all business hats simultaneously. It will behoove you to plan to start planning your cash reserves now. As well as how much of your net income you will reinvest in your business moving forward. Steps that will help financially and emotionally give you the stamina to carry you through until you can hire help or have a better footing in your own business in the seasons to come.

Make a List of What Needs to Be Paid

It’s much easier to complete any task or project if you have all your supplies ready and at-hand to start working. Which will make dishing out funds for the following crucial in starting your at-home business this season, including:

  • A Home office. A dedicated, separate space with a door is recommended if you plan to take the home office deduction. This space will need to be used regularly and exclusively to run your business and will require funds to get this space up-to-code.
  • Converting space: If your home office will be in a room, garage, or attic that requires building or altering the space, funds will need to be diverted to this expenditure.
  • Space for inventory, supplies, records, and/or equipment. Remember to consider whether or not this space will need to be climate controlled.
  • Power usage. Such as the installation of extra outlets, power strips, and the like.
  • Secondary phone, fax, or internet lines. While many today use a cell phone, a second business phone line creates a separation from personal and business and allows you to have other business-only connectivity such as fax and Internet. Which may or may not require additional funding for installation as well.

As you determine what you’ll need, keep track of your estimated costs, and make sure these figures are properly accounted for in your initial cost projections as you start your at-home business.

Find Out the Legal Requirements are Necessary to Run Your Home Business with Neon Funding

While it’s tempting to set up shop and start selling right away, there is a protocol that must first be met before running an at-home business. Failure to comply with these rules can often result in fines and being forced to close up shop. Here are some legal issues to consider you will need to finance before starting your at-home business:

  • Check your zoning laws before starting a small business. If you won’t have a sign, you can usually get a waiver. Also be sure to check with your homeowner’s association’s covenants and restrictions, as well as your lease agreement if you rent your office space, for any restrictions on-at-home businesses.
  • Contact your city or county regarding a business license. Most areas have a business license requirement. Usually, it’s affordable and is generally under a few hundred dollars to obtain.
  • Check with your state’s occupational regulatory agency to see if your business requires additional permits or licenses. For example, most businesses involving grooming (people or pets), financial help, child care, or food services are regulated by the state and you may need an additional on-site examination before a permit is issued.
  • Get a sales tax license from your state’s taxation or comptroller’s office if you sell tangible goods. This allows you to collect and pay sales tax.
  • Open a business-specific bank account. The IRS frowns upon the co-mingling of personal and business funds in tax filings.
  • The costs associated with professional services such as Neon Funding, a lawyer, or an accountant.
  • Get an employer identification number. While not required in a sole proprietorship, it is necessary if you employ people. It’s free and the advantage is that you can use it, instead of your social security number on business-related paperwork, you’re provided extra indemnity assurance when filing paperwork online.
  • Protect your intellectual property by filing for a federal patent, trademark, or copyright. The costs of filing or minimal but will pay dividends in the years to come.

There are also costs that come from protecting your business. As when you go into business, you’ll potentially be exposing yourself, your home, and your family to a variety of risks. You need to think about how you’ll manage those risks and find out if you need small business insurance to help handle them before it’s too late. Which will require your business to require better personal insurance, property insurance, and liability insurance?

Remember, your homeowners’ and auto insurance policies weren’t designed to cover your home business. Small business insurance can be a major expense, but less expensive than a lawsuit or recovering from a loss due to a fire or other catastrophic event.

While you can start a home business on a budget, it’s not likely you’ll build a profitable one without incurring some expense. Which makes taking the previous five elements into consideration as you are calculating your startup costs. Everything from the amount of money you need to open up shop to daily petty cash funds. While it’s okay if you don’t know specific costs, but you want to get as close as possible, perhaps even over-estimate expenses.

Once you have your financial cost list in-hand, look for ways you might be able to cut costs and fund your business without going in debt. And always remember to factor in expenses such as how much will you need to pay your bills until the money starts coming in from your home business. Will you be keeping your full-time job or is there another breadwinner in the family that can help you until you develop an income stream? As you move closer to starting your business, keep a tally of expenses you didn’t anticipate and add them to your list.

Finally, since it takes money to make money, look for funding sources for your business that ideally won’t put you in debt. All important factors to financially consider when starting your own at-home business this season at home.

Friends, not only do you need money to start, but you’ll need money to stay open. The goal is to earn enough to cover your operating expenses and make a profit. With this in mind, how will you better financial plan for your own at-home business at home this season? Leave your plans and tips in the comments below!

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7 Must-Do Chores This Winter At Home

While the majority of cleaning gurus will lay claim to the idea that when it comes to cleaning, spring is the time when the vast majority of your household chores should be completed. The truth is wintertime, with all its environmental muck, the mud and dirt brought in from the outside, the soot of the fireplace, and less-than-ideal indoor air. All of which makes cleaning in winter just as important as any other season.

So with this in mind, here are 7 cleaning chores you should be doing this winter to keep your home in its healthiest and cleanest shape:

brown wooden surface

Protect your floors:

To keep as much dirt and mud outside of your house as possible, place mats at all entry points. This will encourage people to rub the mud off their shoes using your mat, and not your carpets! Placing mats inside the house can also help reduce indoor dampness.

Performing regular vacuuming sessions, twice weekly at a minimum, can help to get rid of dirt on the floor and things being trucked in as well. It’s also a good idea to have a different pair of house shoes or slippers for each member of your household to wear while indoors.

This will help keep your floors from marring and prevent foot oils from transferring to newly cleaned floors. A Tip: Placing a boot tray, filled with river rocks, by each entrance will encourage others to remove their soiled, stained, soaked boots before coming further into your home.

two brown spray bottles on brown table

Cleaning your home more often:

During the winter season, people spend most of their time indoors, so it’s best to maintain the cleanliness of the home daily rather than weekly. Maintenance is especially important when you have children and pets at home as they love to play both outdoors and indoors, making it essential that you regularly sanitize countertops, wipe out bathroom sinks, and sweep and mop high-traffic areas with disinfectants such as white vinegar with a few drops of organic citrus essential oils each day.

yellow knitted bag

Carpet cleaning even in winter:

Having your carpet thoroughly cleaned helps protect your health. While everyone wants clean and beautiful carpeting in their home, they also should want a carpet that is not saturated with the chemicals common in ice melt and from rubber boots. Helping to remove this dirt building up, by sprinkling your carpet with baking soda, and vacuuming up the debris, will help to refresh your home and health!

air tight jars

Perform a pantry audit:

Start by removing all the cans and boxes from your pantry and storage shelves, and then vacuum away any lingering dust or crumbs that may have accumulated since spring. Then, inspect each item before putting it back in its place, tossing anything that is expired in compost, and donating anything you will not use within the next two seasons to a local food bank. You may be surprised at all of the soup-building staples you may already have on hand at home.

Test and clean your smoke detectors:

You already know to put fresh batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on the days you change the clocks for Daylight Saving Time, but you also need to clean your units as well. Since dust accumulates on each unit, it can cause them to underperform. Use your vacuum cleaner’s soft brush attachment to clean in and around the detectors’ openings, and if any are more than 10 years old, replace them.

white bed by the window during daytime

Flip your mattress:

When you turn back your clocks, you should turn your mattress over, too. But I also recommend rotating pillowtop mattresses a full 180 degrees to prevent body impressions from causing certain spots to slump. Also, sprinkle your mattress with baking soda to neutralize odors, and then vacuum it up monthly.

white and black device

Vacuum all upholstered surfaces:

You think your couch is clean until you plop on it, and a haze of dust appears around you. Give sofas and chairs a good vacuuming, making sure to hit both sides of the cushions, the back, sides, arms, and even the platform underneath the cushions.

Don’t forget the exterior of your home after your 7 chores:

While interior upgrades should take priority, it’s also important not to overlook exterior projects. Start by clearing out gutters to protect against water damage and ensure proper drainage. Your foundation should be clear of debris to reduce pest infestation and water damage. Power washing the siding, deck, and patio will remove mildew, grime, or accumulated dirt over the seasons. Additionally, inspect the exterior walls, windows, and doors for cracks that might allow drafts or moisture in. Furthermore, examine your roof to look for missing or damaged shingles that might require repair. Hire a roofer if needed to make necessary repairs. Trim any overgrown bushes or trees near your home that could provide access for pests, as they could provide entry points for them and cause exterior damage. Don’t neglect to give some attention to the exterior during winter cleaning.

So, friends, those are the 7 Must-Do Chores To Do This Winter. Chores that will help to keep your home in tip-top, healthy shape. So now I have to ask, do you have any chores that you perform at home to help keep your home healthiest each winter? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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Have You Seen the All-New Bosch Counter-Depth Fridges?

Please note, this post is sponsored by Best Buy. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

A smart connected refrigerator can tell you when its door has been left open or if you’re running out of milk, but are these conveniences worth the premium?

In my opinion, yes. Imagine if your refrigerator could tell you if its door has been left open, or it’s running out of ice? What if you could ask it, while you’re at the grocery store if you need to get more eggs or milk? Those are some of the features available with “smart” refrigerators that are connected to your smartphone via the internet. 

What Is a Smart Refrigerator

A smart refrigerator is a major appliance, a refrigerator, that’s connected to the cloud. Depending on the features built into each fridge, you’ll be enabled to do things such as using your smartphone to see what’s inside, send and recipe notes, add dinner entries to online digital organizers all on your fridge’s front panel door screen.

Who Makes Smart Refrigerators

Currently, several manufacturers make smart refrigerators. My suggested model? The All-New Bosch Counter-Depth refrigerators. Their state-of-the-line features, including the revolutionary FarmFresh System™ that combines four innovative technologies to keep your food fresh up to 3x longer, for less food wasted,* make this unit a must-have for any new seasonal kitchen upgrades.

Other features include:

  • VitaFreshPro™ offers preset settings that automatically balance BOTH temperature and humidity
  • FreshProtect™absorbs naturally occurring ethylene to slow ripening, so produce stays fresher, longer.
  • MultiAirFlow™ evenly circulates cool, fresh air to maintain consistent temperatures throughout the entire fridge cavity, from the door bins to back corners.
  • AirFresh® Filter absorbs even the toughest food odors, keeping your refrigerator and freezer air fresh.

*As compared to a Bosch refrigerator without FarmFresh System™. Results may vary among different foods.

Busy families will quickly appreciate the FreshProtect™ features. As they can reduce the number of groceries runs you need to make each week in order to stock up on fruit and necessary produce. Especially organics. As we all know how quickly they expire if left unprocessed or attended when ripening. For larger families, you’ll have the added benefit of 21 cubic foot capacity and a three-tier layered freezer drawer system and three wide gallon door bins. Perfect for fall freezer prep sessions at home!

Other necessary upgrades include the FlexBar™, removable shelves, and door bins, and sleek, internal stainless steel back wall, that provide the All-New Bosch Counter-Depth refrigerators eye-catching, lasting durability. These units, built-to-last with three wide gallon door bins easily accommodate two large side-by-side gallon containers, ingenious three-tier layered freezer drawer system creates extra storage for frozen items, from pizza boxes to frozen waffles, and full-width chiller drawers. Perfect for storing oversized platters with ease until you’re ready to serve them, or store snacks for quick access and easy visibility game day all season long. 

In terms of aesthetics, this Bosch Counter-Depth refrigerator is simple, classy, with a minimalist design. Perfect for slower living homes and modern eclectic homes, too. Its as pleasing to the eye as it is tech-savvy. With it’s with the touch-sensitive controls and the Home Connect™ featuring The Home Connect™ app, that allows you to remotely monitor and control your Bosch refrigerator from your smartphone or tablet. To control the temperature, adjust lighting, run diagnostics—wherever you are,** for ultimate convenience. Connected refrigerators from Bosch are designed to provide modern homeowners and home chefs alike with the peace of mind, customization, and simplification you’ve come to expect from Bosch.

Connectivity and speed varies based on network and Wi-Fi levels.

Another not-to-be-missed feature of the Bosch Counter-Depth refrigerators is the Bosch UltraClarityPro™ water filter that reduces >99.9% of sediments that may be found in your water. (Including harsh elements like chlorine and chloramine.) 

Should I Get a Smart Refrigerator

Refrigerators have been around for 100 years, units like the Bosch Counter-Depth refrigerators, are in my mind, a necessary kitchen splurge for your next kitchen update. So, for more details and pricing visit your local Best Buy store or BestBuy.com. Friends, have you invested or upgraded to a smart fridge recently? Share your opinions on your purchase below. 

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The Reviews Are In: BISSELL Cordless Max Is A Must-Buy For Pet Owners

If you are online looking for BISSELL CrossWave reviews, you’ve come to the right site. As a pet owner of three, I’m always on the hunt for the right tools to keep my home cleaner and safer for my pets too! This is why I’ve been doing my research and found that the BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max is not just the right multi-surface vacuum but the better option for multi-pet homes as well. 

I do my due diligence to give my pets all the love and attention they rightly deserve for all that they freely reciprocate to me with all their hearts, giving me their all each day. With a little, or lot of pet hair. As in Great Pyrenees level tufts of hair. Or as I like to call it, little tumbleweeds of love. So it goes without saying that sometimes our homes may not always look their best when you fill it with tons of fuzzy love.  As a dog, cat, and small mammal mom for over two decades, I understand what tools and cleaners it takes to keep a sprawling home clean. And let me tell you, not every cleaner work the same for multi-pet homes. This is why I’ve been seeking out the best multi-surface vacuum cleaner, with our pet needs in mind.

That’s why I’ve been reading BISSELL CrossWave reviews. To make sure that this product can stand up to my home’s four-legged cleaning stress test. And I’m proud to say, it makes the cut.  As the BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max can go from the carpet to the kitchen tiles to your hardwood floors and not skip a beat. Or leave residue behind on flooring strips and dividers alike.

Other great features include:

  • Multi-surface cleaning.
  • Safe and effective for use on tile, sealed wood floors, laminate, linoleum, rubber floor mats, and more.
  • With improved edge cleaning, you can easily pick-up pet hair that gathers along baseboards and in corners.
  • A self-cleaning cycle that maintains the machine’s cleaning performance by cleaning the brush roll and inside of the CrossWave.
  • A two-tank design system that keeps clean and dirty water separate, so you never clean with dirty water.
  • Filling and disposing of water can be done easily. 
  • Bagless technology saves users time and energy.
  • There aren’t any bags to buy or replace.
  • A cord-free design that produces up to 30 minutes of cordless cleaning power with a 36V lithium-ion battery.
  • BISSELL Connect app provides helpful alerts, maintenance tracking and usage tips using a Wi-Fi connection.

The BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max, now at Best Buy, vacuums and washes your floors at the SAME time! Talk about multi-tasking. And with its cord-free design, you can freely move from room-to-room or surface-to-surface. Saving you time, energy, and hassle along the way. And thanks to a 36V lithium-ion battery, you will enjoy up to 30 minutes of cordless cleaning. Which may vary based on model and usage. Making the BISSELL CrossWave the most effective way to clean tile, sealed wood floors, laminate, linoleum, rubber floor mats, pressed wood floors, and refresh area rugs.

The Self Cleaning Cycle

This unit self-cleaning cycle provides the user with extra cleaning performance thanks to a Two-Tank Technology that keeps clean water and formula separate from dirty water and dry debris. If your home is anything like mine, you are digitally connected to the max, and as the BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max, with Wi-Fi connectivity, will provide users the ability to receive notifications from the BISSELL Connect app. Including helpful alerts, maintenance tracking, and usage tips to keep your machine always working at full capacity. Which I love. 

And don’t just take my word for it. Other users on Best Buy love the BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max too:

I love the CrossWave Cordless Max Multi Surface Wet Dry Vacuum! I am able to vacuum and wash everything I need without having to worry about plugging in a cord or running out of battery! It works on carpet, tile, wood floors, laminate, linoleum, and area rugs! It displays the battery level so I know how much is remaining! My favorite feature is the Two Tank Technology! This keeps clean water and formula separate from dirty water! The Bissell app alerts me when the filter needs to be cleaned! It has a self-cleaning cycle that cleans the brush and tank! It also keeps track of the cleaning history and the formula! I am incredibly impressed!

Social Good Campaign

What’s better than this machine’s performance power? Currently, if you purchase this product, BISSELL will donate $10 to BISSELL Pet Foundation®. That is for each CrossWave® Cordless Max purchase upon activation. Just visit BISSELL.com/pets to register your device. For more information, visit Best Buy.

Friends, will you be checking out the new BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max for yourself at home? Which features are your favorites? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. 

Please note: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Best Buy. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.
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13 Zero-Waste Ways To Prepare Your Home For Fall

Disclosure: This post contains my personal affiliate links. All opinions are mine alone.

 

With the kiddos back in school and the autumnal equinox only one month away, now is a good time to start preparing your home for fall. By spreading these necessary home tasks over the next few weeks, you’ll ensure your home is ready for cooler weather when it happens. And more importantly, you can plan how to do these tasks in as zero-waste a way as possible.

With that in mind, here are 13 Zero-Waste Steps you can take to Prepare Your Home For Fall:

 

Declutter

Organized Linen Closet Shelves Post Kon-Mari

Before you haul out your best throws, blankets, and fashionable fall finds you should always start by making sure everything that you already have out is in its rightful place.

This is where decluttering comes into play. Clearing clutter from your home makes deep cleaning easier and will give you cleaner surfaces for fall decorating, baking, entertaining, and the like. Remember my minimalist mantra at home: Evaluate, donate, and everything will be great!

Start High

Whenever I start a seasonal clean I make sure to tackle all the big, hard-to-reach surfaces in this order: ceiling, ceiling trim, ceiling light fixtures, walls, chair rails, and lastly, the baseboards. This will allow any falling dust and allergens to be cleaned as you go, without the need to re-duct surfaces later on.

Tackle Your Light Sources

Next, tackle your light sources. Including windows, lamps, sconces, and outdoor lighting. It’s not that bad, and the payoff is huge. Start by vacuuming the sills and tracks. Then spritz the window with cleaner from top to bottom. Let the cleaner sit for a minute to disinfect your glass surfaces. Instead of opting for paper towels, try a reusable cloth or a squeegee to wipe your windows down.

You won’t believe the mold, dust, and allergens that get stuck to your glass surfaces. Contaminants that could remain trapped in your homes until spring!

Pro Tip: Remove light fixture covers, including domes, mason jars, and pendulent lights and run them through the china, crystal, or delicate cycle on the dishwasher to get sparkling clean fixtures.

Seal Up Your Windows

Save yourself the aggravation of removing your blinds and shades this fall. Opt to vacuum your window covering instead of using your brush attachment. And instead of laundering and ironing curtains, just fluff them in the dryer for a few minutes or shake outside, sprinkly your drapes with witch hazel, and let them sun bleach on a clothesline. Once dry, just hang them back up! Including your shower curtains too! Finally, make sure to seal any potential air leaks you may have, indoors or out.

Don’t forget to seal your windows to prevent drafts. Due to preventable drafts, money would literally fly out the windows as heat costs escalate each cold-weather season and you would be left with drafty windows on cold winter nights. To do this, just grab a tube of color-matched interior or exterior caulk seal around your home’s inner and outer windows.  Just remember to caulk your windows on a day that’s above 50 degrees so the caulk flows easily!

Refresh Your Floors

Start this process by moving each room larger furniture out from its natural, usable home. Then vacuum under each piece. If you have hardwood floors, clean them with a microfiber mop head and an all-natural, zero-waste cleaner, such as my Zero-Waste Floor Cleaning Recipe. I use my homemade cleaner along with my Pure Cane Home Microfiber Mop with Telescopic Handle. I love microfiber mops for tile and hardwood floors as they allow me to clean dirt and grime while maintaining a natural shine to my floors at home.

If you have carpets, disinfect your floors with a mixture of 3 cups baking soda to 30 each of clove and orange drops essential oils. Add your blend to a mason jar, making sure to shake well. Apply to carpets before going to bed and wake to sanitized carpets. To finish up, just vacuum floors as you normally would! Remember, everything your vacuum picks up can be composted!

Stow Your Mower

Once you’re finished mowing your lawn for the year, it’s time to give your mower a good clean. Wipe down your mower and if you’re not familiar with fuel stabilizer, get to know it.

If your mower sits for months with gas in its tank, the gas will slowly deteriorate, which can damage internal engine parts. Fuel stabilizer prevents gas from degrading, so be sure to add stabilizer to your gasoline tank. Finally, run your mower for 5 minutes to make sure the stabilizer reaches the carburetor.

Be sure to also check your mowers spark plugs. Finally, ensure your mower’s bottom deck is free of grass and debris before retiring your unit for winter!

Address Your Water Sources

Start by removing garden hoses from outdoor faucets. Leaving hoses attached can cause water to back up in the faucets and in the plumbing pipes just inside your exterior walls. If freezing temps hit, that water could freeze, expand, and crack the faucet or pipes.

Make this an early fall priority so a sudden cold snap doesn’t cause your home unnecessary property damage. Next, turn off any shutoff valves on water supply lines that lead to exterior faucets. That way, you’ll guard against minor leaks that may enter the faucet.

Drain and store your hoses, smaller outdoor fountains, and solar fountains for winter in a shed or garage. Finally, drain your irrigation system. And, of course, if you have a pool, now is the time to winterize it for the season.

De-Gunk Your Gutters

Clogged rain gutters can cause expensive repairs. After the leaves have fallen later this fall, clean your gutters to remove leaves, twigs, and gunk. Make sure your home’s gutters aren’t sagging and trapping water. Making sure to tighten gutter hangers and downspout brackets.

Replace any worn or damaged gutters and downspouts before the start of winter. Remember to clean off and recycle those replaceable parts, where applicable!

Check Your Heat Sources

Before the chill of winter sets in, be sure to your heating system checked. Change your furnace filter. If your HVAC includes a built-in humidifier, give that filter a change too! Give your fireplace a once over. Also, make sure to check your home’s heaters to make sure they are properly working.

Finally, weatherize your patio gas heaters, chimineas, and fire pits to make sure they are working well for the upcoming cooler months ahead.

Prune Your Perennial Plants

Late fall is the best time to prune plants and trees. Your goal is to keep limbs and branches at least 3 feet from your house so moisture won’t drip onto roofing and siding. This can also help prevent damage from winter ice storms. This is also the time when you can turn under gardens, flower beds, and plant spring bulbs too!

Make sure to compost any trimmings and turn your leftover leaves into zero-waste mulch. The perfect way to winterize your flower beds before winter!

Create A Seasonal Capsule Wardrobe

The end of the summer season is a great time to pull out your cool-weather duds. But before you return everything to your closet, take the time to declutter your closets at home. Look for pieces that can be donated.

Take the time to mend pieces that may need addressing. Launder pieces that are going into storage and refresh clothing that needs to be used within the next season ahead. Make note of gaps in your wardrobe and replace these pieces with slower fashion that is organic and sustainably made.

Each season I create for myself a functional 33-piece minimalist capsule wardrobe. A wardrobe where each piece makes me feel like a million bucks each time I have them on! To see my past capsules, click here.

Clean Your Compost Bins

Before the start of Autumn is a great time to make sure that both your indoor and outdoor compost bins are in working order for the colder months ahead. This is particularly important for your countertop compost bins.

While flies and insects getting into your produce may not be as big an issue each winter, having a secure, sealed bin to collect cold and flu-related items, the influx of tea, coffee, and beverage items, and a place to put the larger scraps from fall produce, including pumpkins, butternut squash, and spaghetti squash is a must!

I have recently switched to the Cooler Kitchen Oversized 1.3 Gallon Kitchen Compost Bin with EZ-No Lock Lid. I love that this compact is easy-to-clean, dishwasher-safe, and fits in well with my minimalist kitchen at home. I also appreciate that it came with two thick activated-charcoal filters to trap and absorb odors and the bins carbon steel that will not rust, stain, or retain odors like plastic or stainless steel bins.

The best part? The Cooler Kitchen came with a 45-day Money Back Guarantee, for savvy savers like myself. This bin is as zero-waste and practical as it is beautiful in design. A must-have for zero-wasters and plant-based eaters at home this fall season. To find out more about this bin, click here.

5 Tips For Zero-Waste Cleaning at Home

Finalize Your Indoor Cleaning

You’ll want to finish up your indoor cleaning with a few seasonal must-dos. Start by sanitizing your cabinet handles and doorknobs. This is also a great time to vacuum refrigerator coils, clean out your oven before fall family feasts, and flip and rotate all your mattresses at home. You’ll also want to wash your bed pillows, vacuum any pet beds, and change out your bathroom shower curtain liners if needed.

5 Tips For Zero-Waste Cleaning at Home

This is also a great time of year to properly rid your home of caustic chemicals and to replenish your home with a stock of awesome DIY Fall-Scented Cleaners! A few of my favorites include:

Fall-Scented Air Freshener:

  • 2 Cups Warm Water
  • 2 Tablespoons Witch hazel
  • 30 Drops Cinnamon Essential Oil
  • 30 Drops Clove Essential Oil
  • 30 Drops Anise Essential Oil
  • Mix together in a spray bottle for use.

Fall-Scented All-Purpose Cleaner:

  • 2 Cups of Warm Water
  • 1 Cup White Vinegar
  • 30 Drops Fir Essential Oil
  • 30 Drops Rosemary Essential Oil
  • Mix together in a spray bottle for use.

Cold & Flu Disinfectant Spray:

  • 1 Cup Rubbing Alcohol
  • 1 Cup White Vinegar
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 30 Drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
  • 30 Drops Rosemary Essential Oil
  • 10 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
  • 10 Drops Orange Essential Oil
  • Mix together in a spray bottle for use.
  • Please note, vinegar should not be used to clean granite countertops.
  • For cleaning cutting boards, peroxide is a better disinfectant choice to use.
     

5 Tips For Zero-Waste Cleaning at Home

It’s also a great time to invest in good zero-waste cleaning cloths. I’m a firm believer in using the right tool for the right job. This is especially true for fall cleaning. You should always invest in good cleaning cloths to clean, polish, and sanitize your home. You will also need a few to get started.

  • Bar towels: Great for drying dishes without lint.
  • Drying mats: Used to air dry non-dishwashable items.
  • Shammy towels: Used to clean electronics without scratching.
  • Microfiber towels: Used to clean heavy spills, countertops, general cleaning, and more.

5 Tips For Zero-Waste Cleaning at Home

My favorite microfiber towels for fall cleaning? e-cloth. Because with e-cloth you can clean many surfaces in your home with just good old tap water! My favorite thing about e-cloths? They are also reasonably priced. My 8-piece home cleaning kit cost under $40.00. This is nearly a 1/4 of my annual cost for paper towels just a few short years ago!

This is such a small cost for what you get, making e-cloth my go-to zero-waste cleaning cloth brand at home. If you’d like to learn more about the e-cloth 8-Piece Home Cleaning Set, click here.

So, friends, those are my 13 Zero-Waste Steps To Preparing Your Home For Fall. I hope they will challenge you to rethink the way you clean your home. Also, be sure to download a copy of my fall cleaning pdf below. You’re just a click away from zero-waste cleaning success this fall!

Now I have to ask, do you already use any of these tips at home or do you have zero-waste cleaning tips you’d like to share as well? I’d love to hear about them below!

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Why I became a vegan

 

My feelings of weariness towards animal products have occurred my whole life. Ever since I was little, I remember struggling with this internal conflict.

I remember attending the winter birthday party of a young schoolmate wearing the rabbit fur coat I received for Christmas a few months before. Only to witness the unveiling of my friend’s birthday gift, a new pet rabbit. Within moments of touching the rabbit, who would come to be known as Hops, I felt a pang of anxiety that I had never known before.

The moment I realized I was wearing my very own little Hops too! It was a pain that haunts me to this day.

But like most children, we quickly learn coping strategies to help us get by. Especially those who live in a non-plant-based home.

Because in our home, meat was king. Family dinners and gatherings always included meat. The meat was the main staple. The reason others came for the meal. From Sunday roasts to Chicken potluck meals, meat-centered meals brought people together. The meat was the lynchpin of every gathering. It was cultural. Which explains why over time I cultivated a belief that dinner had to include meat in order to feel satisfied.

I also didn’t grow up knowing any vegetarians. My grandmother loved meats of all kinds. Particularly meat in tube form. She was nothing short of a connoisseur of expensive sausages and cold cuts. The woman knew her way around the butcher shop. From finding just the right cut of brisket to knowing exactly how thin her corned beef and capicola should be cut, she treated the purchasing of meat like the sculpting of fine marble. With love and precision.

And her brother, my uncle, drank cow’s milk with dinner every night. Because milk had calcium. Because it was what you are supposed to drink in order to grow big and strong, right?

My parents believed what most parents are led to believe. Although cow’s milk is intended for baby cows, its great for kids and infants too. Weird to say, but the concept just makes sense.

The word vegan was also never a term I heard growing up. In fact, this term wasn’t part of my regular vernacular until I took an ecology elective’s class my sophomore year in college, Animal Ethics. I chose this class not realizing the sadness it would entail, and the emotions it would stir up. For which, I am grateful. Because this obscure night class that started my mental ball rolling on not just animal rights but issues delving into non-consumerism and ecological advocacy too.

But despite all this newfound college knowledge, I consumed meats. Tons of them. I somehow allowed myself to believe that being a consumer of meats and animal products while being a fuzzy parent, was okay. It was just part of the hypocritical compartmentalization I allowed myself to believe.

Afterall, I was an adult. A married adult. A woman whose husband and family also loved meat too. A woman who owned a cat, who consumed meats. So if my family wants it at dinner and my pets need it in their diet, it was okay, right?

Then came the night a few months ago when it all clicked for me. After a nasty bought of food poisoning caused by eating hotdogs at a local bulk shopping chain, the ideas came crashing together. Meat consumption was killing me.

For a long time, I knew I needed to lose weight. To be healthier. Like 100 pounds healthier. But for a long, long time I loved my processed pizza bites more. But in that moment of having my head hanging over a toilet seat in the twilight hours of the morning, after falling asleep in my bathroom, while throwing up for hours on end, I knew my road with meat was coming to a crashing end.

Then came the sobbing. Thinking about what our world has come to. Feeling disgusted with society. Disgusted with myself as well, that I had been so ignorant and oblivious to what was happening behind slaughterhouse walls and behind big corporations. That the big name meat and dairy brands are powerful, full of lies, are guided and funded by deep-pocket lobbyists and super packs. Each seeking to convey to the masses that consuming beings that had once flourished with a life of its own was more than okay.

The worst part? The marketing and labeling. That I allowed myself to believe that there are happy cows and even happier chickens roaming the world ready to self-sacrifice for my Sunday best meal.

When in reality, there are no happy cows or free-range chickens. That cage-free doesn’t mean what we think it means. That we don’t know any better because we are swarmed daily with happy dairy ads, commercials, and marketing schemes. That factory farming is very much existent, including backyard homesteaders and farmers too!

Not to mention all the hormones and antibiotics pumped into the animals to keep them from getting sick, to speed up the growth process, and to advance the bottom line of every dollar generated by processing centers throughout this nation. Food that has become so processed and nutrient-lacking, we are becoming sicker by the bite. Labels such as “got milk?”, are more properly posed as “got cancer, heart disease, and stroke?”

But this mess isn’t all our fault. Or completely of our own making. It’s just what we have been told to believe. The reality of the situation is that we don’t need animal products to thrive. Animal protein consumption is causing disease left and right due and plant-based eating can resolve numerous ailments in millions of people. Including me. From my acid-reflux to PCOS to my MTHFR gene mutation, the eliminating of meats and dairy products from my life can help elevate and irradicate these symptoms.

Because there are no healthy meats. Because there are no ethical animal farming methods. Because we can all sustain our bodies without the exploitation, mutilation, and degradation of other living, breathing creatures. There is a great deal of hope in that message!

So how has my journey of living a plant-based life been? I’m happy to say, four months into my plant-based journey, these results are true. While I’m not cured, my blood pressure is lowered, I’ve lost an additional 16 pounds, my acid reflux is all but non-existent, and my energy levels are higher than ever before!

Because of all this, all that I’ve mentioned, my life will never be the same.

Since that night of sitting on my toilet for six-plus hours in agonizing pain, I have not eaten any animal products whatsoever. I made the connection that a plant-based lifestyle is what my body needs in order to thrive. This realization was pretty empowering.

Then there was the issue of my husband. The poor guy who had no idea what emotional blindside he was coming home to the next day.

He walked in the door to a ready-to-galvanize-the-world wife. He asked for a cold Dr. Pepper before my rant commenced. For which, he kindly nodded and obliged my newfound views. He figured it was just a phase. He was wrong. Because I’m happy to report, he has come around and is also now eating a plant-based diet as well.

Though he is a vegetarian, and not a vegan, its a start. An awesome start. Of which, I am beyond proudly and hold have a great deal of respect. For his willingness to listen. To find his own journey to change. He also helps us advocate these changes to the rest of our family as well. He and I both know now that this was no phase, this was a major life change. Plant-based whole foods are the only way out family’s diet will ever truly thrive! And we’re ready to take this journey as far as it can go!

We no longer purchase meat products. I no longer consume dairy products and my family member’s who do drink milk have switched to organic varieties. Our family also has limited our processed food consumption greatly too. The three of us have done amazing as a result!

Our pets have made the change as well. My dogs, though natural carnivores have adapted well to a plant-based kibble and organic grain-free pet treats. Our beta eats a plant-based flake brand of fish food, and our cats, who still consume meat-based foods because its what is ideal for their health and nutrition, now eat a better quality organic food. By eating a better quality food actually eat less food overall. Which means that fewer meat products are consumed in our homes, even by natural carnivores.

This was also just the beginning of my vegan advocacy journey too! This past season, I’ve watched numerous other documentaries, read books, articles and immersed myself in learning everything about plant-based nutrition. I’ve become a nutrition junkie, wellness addict, health guru, and plant-based advocate.

I’m also realistic. I recognize that for many, living a vegan lifestyle is a major turnoff. That the plant-based lifestyle can come off as having an heir of expensive, exclusivity, and entitlement associated with it and the people who ascribe to the lifestyle. I hope to help dispell that myth. There are tons of vegans and plant-based folks of all backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, socio-economic levels, religious, and cultural backgrounds. My perspective is just one of the millions!

Which is why I have committed myself to changing how I blog on this platform.  New meal plans, printables, and food hauls will reflect my plant-based lifestyle. I want to use The Lady Prefers 2 Save as a place of positivity and to shed light on this heated yet growing topic. To spread awareness and inspiration. To create deliciously vibrant recipes. And most importantly, offer encouragement to others.

Going vegan doesn’t have to be scary or difficult. It’s actually the most budget-friendly food plan I’ve ever been on. It’s simple. It’s delicious. It’s real. It’s not processed. It’s whole foods from nature. It’s what we are meant to be enjoying on the daily! It’s also helped me to lower my grocery bills and add in more organic produce too!

Now I know what some of you are thinking. You don’t want to picture the process of how your food gets to your plate – I get it.

Most people would just want to enjoy their cheeseburgers and milkshakes. Humans stick to what they know and don’t want to go through the extra trouble. But as we all know, true growth starts when we step outside our comfort zones each and every day.

Veganism may seem new and unfamiliar, that’s all – but it’s just like anything else. It’s not about deprivation, dieting or counting calories. It’s about adding in foods your body will love and will recognize as actual food that it can use. Real, whole foods found in nature. No more, no less.

This lifestyle has impacted my life in so many ways! After feeling so healthy and alive, I could never go back to animal products. The biggest benefit for me was the feeling that my clothes fit better than ever as well as clear, glowing skin with a healthy tone that I’ve never had before. My skin is no longer dull. I don’t have to wear as much makeup as I used to. Energy has been another major plus. I feel stronger. So for me, strong is the new sexy!

I want everyone to experience these positive changes. My mindset is more positive. I believe that’s because I am no longer consuming foods that are filled with anxiety, fear, and pain. Following my intuition is my driving force, and my intuition is crystal clear. For the most part, I feel well and energized every single day. Except Monday’s. But, yeah. Even veganism can’t fix that dichotomy.

Whether you want to take baby steps and incorporate more vegetables into your daily life or go full throttle as I did, that is up to you. There is no right way to transition. There’s also no judgment from me in your life choices. Ever.

Though I do think you would live a healthier life is you started incorporating non-dairy milk, more fresh vegetables, fresh fruit and grains like oats and quinoa into your diet, while slowly eliminating the animal products. But still, no judgment. Remember, it’s a journey and a learning process. So if you would like more reasons to take the plant-based plunge, here are 5 tips to help get you started.

1) Try new recipes: Look online for new vegan recipes! Check out Meatless Monday options too! Check out vegan cookbooks from your local library or free ebooks online. Remember to stick with real, whole foods and stay away from processed meat substitutes and frozen dinners. Just because it’s vegan doesn’t automatically mean it’s good for you. With the exception of Oreo’s. Which are vegan. And needed. Remember, Mondays are coming!

2) Consider your proteins: As a vegan, you can get more than enough plant protein from foods like quinoa, tempeh, organic tofu, lentils, black beans, chickpeas, hemp seeds, almonds, pumpkin seeds, kale, spinach, broccoli, peas, oats, potatoes, sunflower seeds, and edamame to name a few. I use the Cronometer app to measure all my nutrient levels to make sure I get enough essential vitamins, minerals, proteins each day. I also take B12, vitex, and kelp supplements each day.

3) Start slowly: Every fruit and vegetable offers different vitamins and nutrients for your body. Try them all at least once. Replace dairy milk with almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, hemp milk, cashew milk, or hazelnut milk. That’s an easy, delish swap. Make just one healthy choice a day. The changes in your life will be immense!

4) Educate yourself: Read books, articles, and documentaries. A few of my favorite documentaries are Rotten, Forks Over Knives, Earthlings, Vegucated and Food Inc. – all on Netflix. Find out why you personally want to incorporate more plant foods. You are likely to stick with this healthier lifestyle if you have a driving force.

5) Allow your body the time it needs to detox:  The detox process can take several weeks, months, even years. So be kind, patient, and nurturing to your body. Eventually, you will benefit from this lifestyle. You may feel kinda crappy sometimes, too! That is your body trying to flush out years of built-up toxins and chemicals from animal products. It’s truly a good thing! Self-care is key!

Small changes in your life can make a difference. I promise. Stepping out of your comfort zone is liberating. It opens new doors. It adds life to your years.I can’t tell you how much positivity this lifestyle has brought me. I wake up eager to work on this blog every day and connect with all of you. Becoming vegan has taken my health to the next level and was hands down the best decision I have ever made.

As mentioned above, I will be including new plant-based menu options and recipes on this blog and printables as well. And if you have any questions please leave me a comment, or send me an email at nicole@theladyprefers2save.com. I would love to hear your thoughts and personal stories. Your health is all you have at the end of the day. Take control of it. Today!

 

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6 Ways to Treat Anxiety Naturally

6 Ways to Treat Anxiety Naturally

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health issues in the US and can have a devastating effect on a person’s ability to function. Whether it’s caused by a physical condition such as an overactive thyroid, is brought on by trauma or develops gradually over time, anxiety should not be left untreated. Symptoms include tension in the body, difficulty breathing, agitation, an increased heart rate, nervousness, and even chest pains. To cope with anxiety and work towards a recovery a person may need to try more than one type of treatment before they find the right one for them. 

While chronic anxiety should be treated by medical and/or mental health professionals, there are some natural ways that you can ease the symptoms of anxiety at home. 

1) Exercise

Exercise is often effective when trying to alleviate anxiety for several reasons. It can burn off energy which is fueling our anxiety, relieve tension in our muscles and promotes the release of endorphins which improve our mood. In addition, if we manage to find an exercise we enjoy, the simple act of keeping ourselves busy can prevent us from dwelling on issues which can worsen our anxiety. 

2) Self-Expression Through Art

Keeping our anxiety pent up inside will only amplify the problem in the long run so it’s often useful to find a way to express our anxiety. This can be through any form of communication or art, but some research has found that keeping a journal or writing creatively can help people to cope with anxiety. Writing music, creating art or hand-crafted pieces can also act as forms of self-expression if you are not a fan of the written word.

3) Cannabidiol Extract

The cannabis plant is most heavily associated with its psychoactive effect, i.e. getting a ‘high’ from smoking or ingesting it. However, the cannabis plant is actually made up of lots of different chemical compounds. The THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) compound in cannabis which creates the ‘high’ is not present in another of the plant’s derivatives: cannabidiol (CBD). This substance has been shown to ease the symptoms of chronic pain and anxiety and is available without a prescription. You can buy CBD as an oil or a distillate, or as a powder which has created been through CBD isolation. 

4) Herbal Supplements and Aromatherapy

Herbal supplements, teas, and plant extracts have been linked to relaxation and calm for many years, although there is a lot of debate around the claims in the scientific community. There is some evidence that the scent of certain plant oils can relieve anxiety, sleep problems and stress, such as lavender. 

5) Meditation and Mindfulness Exercises

Meditation and mindfulness techniques are becoming more and more popular as a treatment for anxiety. This can help to clear the mind of negative thoughts and refocus your attention on positivity while relaxing tension which you may be unconsciously holding in your body. 

6) Spending Time with Animals

Interacting with and caring for animals can have a significant impact on both our emotional and physical wellbeing. Our pets provide us with unconditional love, a sense of purpose and a structure to our lives which can help people with a range of mental health issues. Having a pet can alleviate anxiety as there is evidence that suggests the physical act of grooming or petting of an animal such as a cat, dog or horse can relieve stress, slow our breathing and lower our heart rate. 

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