All posts in Life

Maintaining a functioning HVAC system is important for the safety and well-being of your family. Many may believe that ignoring the system entirely until there is no choice but to have it serviced or repaired is best, but this can actually do more harm than good. Preventative maintenance is one of the best methods of saving yourself from costly repairs later. The following is a list of maintenance tips to perform now, in order to help prevent you from needing costly repairs later. 

Clean The Outdoor Unit

Image source: Flickr by Michael Casey

One maintenance method to help you avoid costly HVAC repairs is to keep your outdoor unit clean at all times. While it can be easy to neglect this unit, doing so will only work to the detriment of your HVAC system. Outdoor units can be clogged with things such as dirt, leaves, trash, dust, pollen, and more. The failure to keep your unit clean may result in a sluggish, malfunctioning system. However, if you take the time to carefully clean your outdoor unit (temporarily disconnecting the power may be necessary), this can save you from paying for costly repairs to your system later. 

Replace Air Filters

Another commonly neglected method of maintaining your HVAC system is the checking and replacing of air filters. This is because dirty filters can cause your system to become sluggish and malfunction. Whether you are noticing issues with your system or not, you should be changing your filter every 30-90 days. Additionally, if you have furry pets or tend to keep your windows open for long periods of time, you may need to replace them more often than that.  

Remove Pet Hair and Dust 

Speaking of furry pets, you should also be checking your vents for visible pet hair and/or dust on a daily or weekly basis. Sometimes pets have a special issue with shedding and there can also be various things that can quickly cause dust build-up. If you noticed either of these substances are visibly building up, you need to remove them as quickly as possible to avoid costly damages. 

Seal Door and Windows

Lastly, you need to make sure your doors and windows are properly insulated. Doing so will not only help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, but it will also help reduce excess dirt, dust, and debris from entering your home. Whether you choose to do this yourself or contact a professional, sealing your doors and windows is an excellent method of keeping your HVAC system well maintained. 

Overall, the best method of maintaining your HVAC system is by having it serviced by a professional every 6-12 months. Although it may seem tempting to complete more difficult maintenance methods and repairs on your own, this will only have an adverse effect.  While DIY maintenance can help reduce the need for costly repairs, calling a qualified HVAC expert is the only way to ensure your HVAC system is operating efficiently at all times.

Whether you realize it or not, the summertime makes it easy to indulge. Social events seem to happen daily, and eating out at the nearby restaurant is more enticing than getting flustered in the kitchen. But as the cooler weather pushes people back home, the realization of the money you’ve been spending all summer long starts to settle in. 

Fortunately, there are ways to recoup. Here are some tips to help you save money this fall and get you prepared for the holiday gift-giving season.

Less Take-Out

Cooking at home saves money, plain and simple. With the fall season here and the number of social events declining, you have to admit, it just got easier to stay in. However, if the thought of being in the kitchen more seems overwhelming, begin slow. Plan to cook a few days out of the week instead of doing it daily. 

Another tip is to start by using your favorite childhood recipes. In case dinner doesn’t taste good the first time, you can always keep adjusting things until you get it right. For those who can, set aside time to prepare lunch for the following day. Leftovers work just fine, too. The amount of money saved from cooking dinner at home versus eating out will soon be quite noticeable in your bank account.

At-Home Device

Nothing compares to the feel of soft, silky skin. But, when you’re going to the salon regularly to maintain that feel not only can it get pricey, it can also be inconvenient. 

At-home devices are the solution to that. They come in affordable prices, and the results are the same. In some cases, it may even be better than in the salons. Permanent hair removal is easy when laser hair removal devices are made with the same clinically-proven technologies spas and dermatologist’s offices use. So, skip the spa bill and invest in an at home permanent hair removal device. The best part is that you can use it at your convenience, whether that’s early in the morning or late at night. 
Staying In

Saving money doesn’t have to be a total sacrifice. Instead of heading out to pricey hangouts every weekend, invite your friends over for a few hours. Ask your guests to bring their favorite dish (everyone loves a potluck!) and have a game night. With classics like Settlers of Catan or Pandemic, you’ll have a great time without spending a penny.

Or, you can host a binge-watching party. Pick a classic television show or watch movie trilogies back-to-back. Whatever you watch, it’s guaranteed that you’ll enjoy the company and the savings. 

Home Makeover

Some people turn on their heat as soon as they feel the first gust of chilly, fall wind on their skin. If these people pay for their own heating, they are going to spend quite a lot during the winter months. For that reason, cover up any bare windows with curtains. Better yet, swap out thin curtains for heavy-duty ones that block out any drafts. 

Public Transportation

Taking public transportation every once in a while is a simple way to save money that some people assume couldn’t make a difference. Yet, it does. So, if your job is on a bus or subway line, hop to it. Not only does it alleviate home expenses, but it also helps to reduce your carbon footprint. These days any small bit of action towards green-living is better than none.

Consider these money-saving tips this fall and you’ll be looking at a reduction in stress and greater savings all the way to the new year.

Bad hair days can soon be a thing of the past when you have hair extensions in place. Quality extensions were once the accessory exclusive to the wealthy and the celebrities after a new look. Today, hair extensions have never been more available and popular. You may be surprised at just how many people are using extensions as a part of their daily hairstyling routine.

Together with CommonCents Mom, we’ve gathered the top fun and flirty reasons that you need hair extensions in your life.

Adding lovely length and vibrant volume

Have you had a bad haircut? Perhaps your hair is just slow to grow? Your hair extensions can give you back your lost length, and allow you to once again style your hair with the looks that best suit your mood. Are you planning your look for an upcoming event? Perhaps an engagement party or wedding? You’ll have so much more by way of styling choice when you have gorgeous length and the volume you’re looking for. 

Look your flirty best in your bridesmaid dress and add a romantic glow with long curls that cascade down past your shoulders. You’re sure to turn heads when you walk down the aisle or hit the dance floor.

They’re affordable, for most budgets

While good quality hair extensions can be pricey, they are available in a number of price ranges that will make them accessible to most. Some of the costlier retailers offer solutions to allow you to make payments on your extension investments. According to EH Hair Extensions, programs that allow consumers to pay their extensions off in a reasonable amount of time make these fun hair accessories so much more accessible to everyone looking for fun new hairstyle options.

New color, highlights and more

There’s something fun and flirty about adding new color to your hair. You may not yet be ready to commit to the permanence and chemicals needed to add color to your hair. Extensions offer you the ability to add highlights a few shades lighter than your natural color, without the need to rely on chemical applications. You can also add fun flirty colors like blue, bright pink, green, purple and more. If you use clip-in extensions, then you can use your extensions to add a pop of color to any event or occasion. Perhaps you’re attending a concert with friends and want to add an edgy hairstyle to your look? Add dark blue streaks to your naturally blonde hair and make the right impression.

Turn back the clock with extensions

Hair can be hard to grow out as we grow older. It can also start to thin, through no fault of your own. By adding extensions that boost your length and your volume, you’ll look and feel so much younger. You’ll be able to pull your hair back and up into a fun flirty ponytail or style your lengthy locks into a chic bun that accentuates your cheekbones. Your options are almost endless with extensions.

Change can be fun

You know that extensions can allow you to experiment a bit with color, without the commitment. They can also give you so much more freedom to experiment with looks that might just suit you more than you’d anticipated. Perhaps you’ve had a pixie cut or a should-length style for many years, but you’re curious about how you’d look with hair that drapes elegantly down to your waist. Hair extensions can allow you the opportunity to play around with new looks, which is definitely fun.

Perhaps you have stick straight hair? Adding curly extensions can allow you to add a flirty new look to your repertoire.

As an affordable and fun hair accessory, you’re sure to fall in love with your hair extensions each and every time that you use them. Invest in a few key pieces that will allow you to change up your look every so often, for a bit of extra fun.

When you begin shopping online with The RealReal to find the best clothes, you can start digging through Louis Vuitton styles that look amazing in any style. Plus, you will find that you can buy many things that will work for your when it is warm outside. Consider how you can buy versatile clothes that will work in all situations. Also, remember that you are trying to fill your wardrobe with things that will be exciting to wear when you leave the house. You want to remain warm, but you also need to find something that is stylish.

Basketball Shoes

Gucci has basketball shoes that will stun you when you are trying to dress up for the cooler fall weather. You can get some nice shoes with the Gucci logo, and they even come with a strap around the ankle. Wear these shoes much like you would wear a low boot, and remember that the shoes have a modern style that will work with denim and dark leggings. Plus, you can match these shoes with things like sweater dresses and skirts. The basketball shoes are very casual, but they are extremely stylish.

Straight Leg Jeans

Straight leg jeans are still in-style even though it is getting colder outside. You could still wear white even though you will be far beyond Labor Day, and you can wear the skinny jean style with any of your formal tops, sweaters, and sweatshirts. Plus, your jeans work well with the basketball shoes that are listed above. When you begin to wear sweaters with your skinny jeans, you can wear bright and cold colors that will stand out in any situation.

The Pouch

The pouch that you are using during the day will be very exciting because it allows you to pull something out of your big bag that has all your essentials in it. You were wise to invest in a big bag for the fall because you can carry a lot of different things in those bags. However, you need to consider that putting your cards, license, and a lip gloss in a pouch will help you leave the big bag behind when it gets too heavy. Perhaps you will carry the whole bag with you when you leave the house, but you can carry the pouch around when you go shopping.

Breezy Sandals

Breezy sandals are still acceptable in the fall because there are many sunny days when it is not too cold. You want to give your feet some relief from shows and socks when it is very cold, and these sandals could be worn when it gets warm, when you go to the coast, or when you go to an event that is inside. Plus, you can wear these sandals outside when you get those few days during the fall where it is quite warm. You might even keep these sandals in your car so that you can something to fall back on if it gets too warm.

Conclusion

You must take a look at all your fall fashion option when you are shopping Vuitton and The RealReal. There are several ways hat you can use denim, a pouch, and basketball shoes to look your best. You may also want to be sure that you have things that you can wear for all occasions when you leave the house. It is simple to get ready when you have the skinny jeans, the pouch, and the sandals in the car. Plus, you can wear your basketball shoes like boots if you ever want to bring your style up a few notches.

Whether you’re longing for waist-length locks, beach-ready summer waves cascading around your shoulders or just want to get the perfect ponytail, hair extensions offer an instant solution to every look on your long hair wish list. There’s just something about loving the way that your hair looks and feels. Clip-in hair extensions can give you a boost in your confidence, along with transforming your style in just a few minutes.

Adding hair extensions to your already long hair

If you have long hair, you’ll find that clip-in hair extensions can give you added fullness and body to your existing locks. Extensions can make your limp and thin hair appear to be healthier and also add volume to locks that may appear lifeless. Extensions can be cut and styled just as you’d treat your natural hair, click for more details about the versatility that extensions give you when you’ve already got lovely long hair.

Each of the individual extensions can be easily slid in and out of your hair, to get you a bouncy full look that you’ll love.

Giving texture a try

If you’ve always had straight and fine hair, you’ll find that human hair extensions can give you the opportunity to try out new wavy or curly looks. Instead of altering your natural hair with hot styling tools or chemicals, simply add in a few extensions and try out a new texture that differs from your own natural hair. Human hair extensions can be heat styled, washed and trimmed, so you’ll be able to experiment with a variety of new looks.

You’ll find them available in a wide range of textures, so that you can get an instant style upgrade without the need to spend hours in the salon.

Versatility in length and styling

Clip-in extensions can instantly transform your look by giving you the fabulous hair that you deserve. If your natural hair is cut in a shorter style, whether pixie or shoulder-length, you’ll be able to transform your look with longer cascading locks that’ll have you going from drab to fab in seconds.

Enjoy your natural shorter hair during the day at the office and then get instant glam for a night out on the town.

Risk-free color experimentation

It can be risky coloring your natural hair. If you are looking to go from a darker brunette to a blonde, your hair will have to endure a lengthy and harsh chemical process that will strip it of its natural color. If you are not yet sure that you’re ready to put your hair through this drastic process, you’ll find that colored hair extensions offer a great solution. Extensions can be found in a range of colors, including honey blondes and fire engine reds. You can also find them in fun colors that include pink, purple and green. To get these colors in your natural hair, you would ordinarily need to undergo the color stripping process, which can fry your hair.

Not all hair extensions are created equally. Be wary of retailers that offer extensions that seem priced too low to be true. Clip-in hair extensions are quite often the better affordable option but there is definitely a quality difference to be aware of when you’re comparison shopping.

Technology has changed dating in immense ways as well as staying safe online, as dating can be as simple as swiping left or right then exchanging messages to set up a date. Not all people are doing as well as others when it comes to online dating and this can be for a variety of reasons. For some they are much more engaging in person and cannot keep up with the large number of pickup lines or puns that grab the attention of some potential dates. Trying different approaches can be a huge help as everyone has a different style and might be looking for something different. Below are tips to help succeed in online dating as well as to participate in this form of dating in the safest way possible.

Create A Profile That Stands Out/Matches What You Are Looking For

Create a profile that lists what you are interested in and what you are looking for. If you are looking for a conservative partner then it is probably best to avoid scantily clad pictures. This is more for those looking for a hookup. Take the time to examine whether your profile expresses what you desire from being on the dating site or app.

Stick To Your Deal Breakers

Everyone understands what their deal breakers are or those attributes they refuse to accept in a partner. Sticking to these can help you avoid bad dates that you knew were not going to work out. This could be somebody’s religion or lack there of or something like whether they eat meat. Age is a deal breaker for many people as well as they do not want to get involved with someone, they will need to care for in a matter of 10 or 20 years. List these deal breakers out and assess whether they are legitimate then stick to them. Many people choose online dating due to being busy so this will help reduce time wasted on potential relationships that will never work out.

Always Meet In Public The First Couple Of Dates

Meeting in public is important for safety reasons as not all dating websites require users to confirm their identity. Even those that do might have a fraudulent card used by someone out to hurt someone or possibly rob them. Treat the first few dates carefully as a person’s true intentions can be hidden.

Background Checks Save Lives

The last thing anyone wants to do is go out with someone that has been convicted of rape or charged with murder at one point or another. Take the time and spend the money to background check someone or at the very least look up arrest records in the state or places they have lived. There are certain things like DUIs that can allow you to know whether a person has a substance abuse problem.

Online dating has made the dating world more fun as it has made it more connected. Take the time to use these tips to succeed and staying safe online as you can.

Relationships that are long-term take work with every relationship regardless of how healthy hitting a rough patch from time to time. The best thing that any couple can do is to communicate how they are feeling at a specific time instead of bottling it up only to explode during the next heated argument. Hardships can make a couple more resilient depending on the circumstances. Taking a proactive approach at solving problems is far healthier than sitting and letting them create resentment between yourself and your significant other. The following are tips for couples running into the below issues as well as strategies to help solve the issue.

Infidelity

There are a large number of relationships that end due to infidelity regardless of the couples’ individual definition of cheating. With all of the dating apps it is easier than ever to meet someone in today’s world regardless of what you are looking for. This has become a temptation that some people cannot refuse so be honest about it but do not compromise if you cannot deal with cheating. Infidelity is the ultimate betrayal so only stay in a meaningful relationship if you think it can recover as many times it will not survive much long into the future.

Serious Injury Or Illness

A person in a couple being seriously injured or ill will take strength on both sides. Being supportive constantly can be hard especially if a person needs a lot done for them during this period. The person injury/ill needs to realize this is difficult and not to lash out due to their overall frustration with the situation. Take back power and find a lawyer in case of a car accident causing the injury. Finding a car accident attorney in Jackson MS or your area is the first step in being compensated for your time and suffering. In the case of an illness stick to your recovery plan as long-term illnesses require time to get out of the body.

Emotionally Abusive/Controlling

Emotionally abusive or controlling people are abusers but in a different way than those that use physical violence. Domestic violence is never acceptable regardless of the situation at hand. Talk about how controlling behavior impacts the relationship and take steps to stop. There are times where a person that is emotionally abusive is only that way as they are modeling behavior from what they saw growing up. List out behaviors both parties do that could be destructive to the relationship and create a plan to start improving this!

Addiction…..It Comes In Many Forms (Sex, Drugs, Gambling, or Social Media)

Addiction can range from drugs/alcohol to something as seemingly harmless like that of social media. The first step in any addiction is admitting there is a problem as a couple that has substance abuse issues are in danger of a few things. Bringing the other party into the addiction is one aspect that could happen turning the couple into a codependent juggernaut of a combined addict. Financially and mentally this can be draining so address this immediately instead of allowing an addiction to worsen as recovery become far more difficult.

The above situations will test a couple and if they make it out they will be stronger than ever!