Category: Home

Only one thing beats the thought of retirement, and that is retirement with enough money to live life your way! If the conundrum of how to get some extra cash into your possession during this time is a current thing for you, keep reading for more about help in the form of a reverse mortgage! Also known by its other name, a retirement home loan, it is a great financial solution for the retirement years. For once, something that sounds too good to be true, is realistically true!

Let’s talk about the basic concepts

To be clear: a reverse home loan is still a loan, and every loan still comes with its own set of terms and conditions. It also means that standard legal conditions will be valid, and that interest on the money you borrow is an inescapable factor. Although this particular kind of loan lets you forego monthly payments, you will be obligated to pay back the full amount at the end of the loan period. If you find that you are unable to do so when the time comes, the house will be sold to make up the costs to the lender. This is standard, and you should be clear that you understand this upfront.

This is where the value of the reverse mortgage calculator comes in. This handy tool is used by lenders to determine the value of your house when you apply for a reverse home loan. Factors like the age, condition and location of the house all come into play during this evaluation process. Bear in mind that there are laws in place that cap the amount you are legally allowed to borrow, so the reverse mortgage calculator is also useful in calculating what percentage of your home’s value you may borrow, based on your current financial standings.

Show me the money!

Once the reverse mortgage calculator has done its thing and your lender has approved your application, you will have to choose in what form you would like to receive your money. You do have options! The first is to have it all paid over in one lump sum, with no further claims to payouts. How you manage the large amount will then be your responsibility. You could also access smaller amounts you need, as the need for them comes up, in a line of credit, or you could arrange for regular monthly payments, which is the most popular choice. The latter allows for budgeting and predictability, which is what people like about it.

Payment terms

The one major thing that sets reverse home loans apart from regular loans, is the fact that you do not have to make regular monthly paybacks. The very design of the loan is intended to help you supplement your finances during retirement, and you will not need to pay any money back, as long as you live in the house full-time. People love a reverse home loan for its flexibility, as they often feel that they have more control over the loan period and their liquid cash.

Are you trying to downsize? Is your home full of clutter? It’s time to get organized.

Let us help you tackle the need to get organized. If you have too many items or more space than you can manage, this piece is for you.

Do not get overwhelmed! This is how to downsize and declutter your home:

Step 1: Assess your Needs

First things first. Take inventory.

What is your goal? What do you need to accomplish that goal? If your goal is to downsize or declutter, you have a lot of work to do.

Think of items you use every day or things you might want to repurchase in the future. It is best to keep those items that are useful to you. Get rid of old paperwork or those boxing gloves you never used.

If you have not used it within the last six months, it’s probably time to get rid of it. Ask yourself, “does this spark joy?” If not, its time to toss it!

Step 2: Donate or Sell Unused Items

Get all your things out and in the open. That way you can see everything you own. It might surprise you how many things you have accumulated over the years.

If you forgot about an item or rarely use it, its time to donate! Use this method to go through your entire house and your belongings. Keep only what you need and regularly use.

If you’re downsizing your home, consider what rooms you will not have in the new house. If there is not a place for it, get rid of it!

Make three piles, one to sell, one to donate, and one to trash. This is a great way to downsize without feeling guilty! Make some extra cash or donate old items, in good condition, to a charity you love.

Step 3: Get Organized

Downsizing means everything should have a place in your home. There is no need for clutter or forgotten items.

If your goal is to downsize or declutter your home, make sure you can visualize where a particular item will be placed. Take into account what you need AND what you have space for.

There are many storage solutions for your home to help you get organized in your new space. Tip: use clear storage boxes so you can always see what you have and what you need!

Do you have things you are saving or cannot bear to part with? Then its time for hide-away storage. Use a storage space to keep your items safe and out of sight, keeping your home clutter-free.

Step 4: Use Multifunctional Furniture

If you are downsizing your home, your old furniture is probably too big for your new space. Use multifunctional furniture to keep your space open or designate rooms for duel purposes.

Keep a futon in the office space in case you have guests. Or, get a bed or coffee table that doubles as storage. All your furniture should serve a purpose in a small space.

As a plus, buying multifunctional furniture will save you money!

Step 5: Go Digital

Digitize what you can. That means paperwork, photos, and important paperwork.

You can upload your photos and documents to an external hard drive or save them virtually on Google Drive. Going paperless will free up space in your home without getting rid of important papers.

When you go digital you minimize your clutter and create a long-term solution. Your documents or old photos are safe and easy to access when you need them.

Step 6: Maximize Vertical Space

Vertical space often goes unused. When you maximize the use of vertical space, things become less cluttered.

Create vertical space in your home with shelving units, storage solutions, and taller furniture. The use of vertical space will ensure that every item has a place. Your home will feel less bulky and cluttered with slim furniture.

Think of your closet space; shoes quickly get cluttered on the floor. Use the back of the door or hang shelving systems up the wall to store shoes or purses. Bring this mentality to the rest of your home.

Step 7: Organize as You Unpack

When you only keep the items you have space for, it will be easy to decorate and organize your new home.

Instead of dumping boxes out all over your home, pack up the boxes by room and space so you know what goes where. When you begin to unpack in your new space, you will be able to organize as you go.

Set an organized precedent in your new home. Ensure that every item has a place in a visible location.

Step 8: Enjoy

Your new home or decluttered space is finished. All your hard work is done!

Enjoy the minimalism and clean feel of your home. Everything has a place and day to day life is easier when you always know where to find things.

Do not forget to make organization a habit!

This is How to Downsize!

Embrace minimalism! Keep only what you need, love, and use regularly. Minimalism is a lifestyle choice, after all.

If you are moving into a smaller space or are looking for a cleaner, clutter-free home, these tips will help you achieve your goal. Do not forget to stop accumulating items that will clutter your home.

Keep this article in your favorites so you remember how to downsize! For more tips on cleaning or home organization, check out our site.

Carpets can bring a nice and comforting atmosphere to a house.

However, when you have kids, the chances that the floor becomes a playground rises drastically. While crawling, walking, and playing, toddlers and kids can leave various stains that get into the carpet fiber and damage the carpet in the long run. The stains as well become a perfect place for germs to spread.

Moreover, not all carpet cleaners are baby-friendly, that is why it is important to find a solution that will not only remove stains but as well will not affect the health and safety of your children.

This article intends to help parents that are searching for an effective carpet cleaning method for common kids stains like markers, dirt, food, and others.

Types Of Carpets

The cleaning solution varies depending on the material. To avoid the damage of the fibers or the dye of your rug, it is crucial if your carpet has synthetic or natural fiber.

Such synthetic materials as nylon, polyester, or triexta are usually easy to clean and do not require special treatment. Simple steam cleaning or spot scrubbing will do the job. However, DIY cleaning does not disinfect the surface.

Wool, silk, jute, sea-grass, and other organic materials are prone to staining. Moreover, incorrect treatment might cost you a new rug. To avoid such unpleasant situations, we recommend it to use professional detergents and equipment.

According to pressurized hot-water extraction (PHWE) professional Dmitri Kara, the method archives up to 99% of dirt and grime removal from fabrics that can withstand the pressure and suction cycle, which is the perfect solutions for your toddler or infant bedroom.

Various companies offer equipment rental, however, the equipment is complex in use. It might take you more time to understand how to use the machine rather than clean the carpet.

Consider Professionals

They train tradesmen to remove various types of stains and know what detergents to use. Most commonly, they use the water extraction method that not only removes stains but sanitizes the rug. Besides, they can use a stain repellent that will protect your carpets from further staining. All the detergents they use are kids-friendly.

If you still consider cleaning the natural carpets yourself, then you should know several things:

• Before cleaning, test cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous section of your carpet;
• The stains should be treated immediately, otherwise, there is a chance of permanent staining;
• Do not scrub the stains. That way you only rub the spot in, which makes the cleaning process even harder;

What Cleaning Products To Avoid

The effectiveness of the carpet cleaning detergents is explained by the high contents of chemicals that “dissolve” stains. Yes, they are effective but they can be extremely harmful to kids in different ways, like skin and eye irritation, respiratory problems like allergies and asthma, eczemas. Similarly, the team at We’re All About Cats explains that these products can cause harm to our furry friends too: “Cleaning products containing bleach or ammonia can burn our pets’ paws if they come into contact with them, and they can even be fatal if swallowed.”

To ensure your kids’ and pets’ health, we recommend:

• Avoid detergents that have such warnings as “hazardous,” “dangerous,” “highly flammable,” or “irritating”. This is a clear sign that they do not include baby-friendly ingredients.
• Avoid detergents that have hydrofluoric acid, butane, propane, glycol ethers, quaternary ammonium chloride, and sodium hydroxide in the ingredients list.

As an alternative, you might buy green or eco-friendly products based on natural ingredients.

Use regular products that you can find in any household, such as lemon, baking soda, white vinegar, club soda, borax, and hydrogen peroxide. More on those in the next part.

Common Stains And How To Remove Them

Food Stains

What you need:

• Vinegar;
• Water,
• Sponge;
• Soap.

In the situation with food stains,

1) Use a mixture of water and vinegar on your carpet.

2) Keep in mind the material of the carpet. If it is a natural fiber, then the proportions are following – ¼ cup of vinegar and ¼ cup of water. For synthetic fibers – ½  cup white vinegar with 1 cup of water.

3) Apply the solution on the spot with a sponge, wash it off with soap and let it dry. If the stain doesn’t come off, try applying hydrogen peroxide.

Chewing Gum

What you need:

• Plastic bag;
• Ice cubes;
• Knife;
• Lemon juice;
• Soap;
• Toothbrush.

1. Put ice cubes in a plastic bag and let it harden the chewing gum for around 30 min.
2. Remove the gum with the knife using a pulling motion. Hardened gum should come off in a solid piece.
3. If there are any small pieces left, squeeze some lemon juice to remove them with a piece of cloth.
4. Use the toothbrush to collect the leftovers and finish cleaning the area with soap and warm water mixture.

Glitter

What you need:

• Vacuum;
• Sticky roll.

Vacuum the rug thoroughly and use the roll to collect the leftovers. You can as well use a tape.

Mud

What you need:

• Vacuum cleaner;
• Sponge;
• Towel;
• Soap.

1. Collect the dried mud with the vacuum cleaner.
2. When you have collected all the hardened pieces of mud, you would want to remove the remaining dirt that is clinging to the fiber. To do that, make a bubbly mixture of soap and water and apply it to the stain. The remaining mud should lift off.
3. Carefully blot the area with a dry towel.

Permanent Markers

What you need:

• Rubbing alcohol;
• Cotton balls.

1. Apply some alcohol on a cotton ball and dab it in the stained area. You would want to do it in small sections, to avoid further staining.
2. When the marker comes off on the wet cotton ball, take a dry one and start blotting the stain.
3. Repeat the process until the stain fully comes off.

The kitchen is one of the most crucial places in the house. Some designers refer to it as the heart of the home. People not only eat there, but minds congregate and trade ideas and stories.

That’s why this is the one room that should never be dirty.

Healthline recently published the kitchen as becoming the dirtiest room in the house. People often think that spaces like the garage or living room are the dirtiest.

But the National Sanitation Foundation insists that any room that stores food is a risk. And these rooms-kitchens-require frequent cleaning.

If you’re looking for ways to tidy up the kitchen, read on. We take a look at some kitchen cleaning tips that get the job done.

Clean as you cook

It will help if you discipline yourself when it comes to cleaning. This may be challenging at first, but it will only get better as you move along.

The next thing you know, you will be doing it without much thought.

Clean your fridge regularly

A good rule of thumb is to be diligent every day to prevent cross-contamination and ickiness in general. Clean up any spills that occur right away with a cloth moistened with food-safe antibacterial spray.

And what we usually tell our clients at Planet Maids Cleaning Services NYC is to ensure that their meat packaging is not leaking. Please put it in a sealable storage bag or container until such time that you’ll cook it.

Take the grease off kitchen walls

How often you’ll give your backsplashes and cupboards a deep clean usually depends on how often you cook.

It is common for the oil to splatter on the wall when you’re cooking. But that doesn’t mean that you should let it be. The grease and grime can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which could lead to food poisoning.

What you can do is soften the grease and grime using a clean sponged that is soaked in warm, soapy water. Use it to wipe away the grease and then dry it with a clean dish towel.

Stubborn stains may call for a baking soda spot treatment or a spritz of distilled white vinegar.

Remove the grease on your stove

Kitchens can get pretty messy if you don’t have the time to stay on top of them. And nothing seems to build up more quickly than grease on your stovetop and stove eyes.

Even if you don’t cook that often, grease somehow manages to appear.

However, you don’t want the room you prepare and eat your food to be covered in spatters and grime. Learn how to remove grease from your stove and its eyes.

Don’t neglect your microwave

All it takes is one round of leftovers or burnt bag of popcorn to turn a sparkling clean microwave into a grimy, smelly mess. The key to having a clean microwave is regular maintenance.

Unlike other kitchen appliances, you can clean a microwave using everyday pantry supplies. This includes baking soda, dish soap, and vinegar.

Wash the dishes right away

When it comes to dishes, which is easier?

A lot of things are happening in the kitchen – cooking, frying, throwing the food away, so it’s no wonder that smells are a natural occurrence there.

If you ever felt (and you most certainly did) that you want to leave the kitchen immediately due to some horrible smell, then you need to check out these tips on how to get rid of the smells fast and how to reduce them to a minimum.

Reduce trash odors

Of course, you shouldn’t wait for too long until you take out the trash from the kitchen – the more it’s inside the room, the stinkier it will be.

However, sometimes it’s not the actual trash that stinks – it’s the trash can. From time to time, sprinkle it with baking soda, and then spray it with a disinfecting spray to get rid of bacteria.

You can also use lemon or orange rinds to refresh the trash can. Use a few pieces every two weeks and run them through the can. The acid inside this citric fruit will break up the grease and leave a fresh scent.

Dry the sponge

Wet sponges can stink a lot, so it’s best to give it a good squeeze after every use. Store it in a place where there’s good airflow – it will not only prevent the smells but it will also prolong the sponge’s life. And don’t forget to clean the sponge in the dishwasher every once in a while. 

Microwave odors

You cook almost everything in the microwave, so it’s no wonder it could start giving off various unpleasant smells after a while.

To get rid of the lingering smells, boil one-quarter of water together with lemon slices in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Wipeout any remains of the wood inside the microwave and leave the microwave door open to let the inside dry completely.

Exhaust fan

You should use your exhaust fan whenever you cook to prevent unnecessary smells coming from cooking. It’s even better to switch the fan on every time you use the oven or even the cooktop. In case you don’t have an exhaust fan, think about getting one – it’s a great help in preventing odors from filling the kitchen and even spreading through your home when cooking.

Dishwasher smells

The dishwasher gets filled with various smells – just think about how many different food remains find their way inside the dishwasher and give off smells while you’re waiting to fill in the dishwasher so that you can turn it on. Even the dishwashers of the highest quality can give off smells because sometimes food particles find their way inside the dishwasher parts and stay there to rot and smell.

To give your dishwasher a proper clean, you first need to empty it – remove even the bottom rack. Use a clean microfiber cloth to remove any debris. Then place a glass cup of white vinegar on the top rack between the prongs for glasses. Rin the dishwasher through a single cycle and set the highest possible temperature. After the cycle is finished, leave the door open for one hour so that the dishwasher dry out completely. White vinegar inside it would have broken up grease and neutralize the odors. Still, if you don’t like the scent of fresh vinegar, you can mask it later with a few drops of essential oil. Repeat this cleaning process for times a year.

However, sometimes a dishwasher part breaks or cracks, allowing the food particles to get inside the cracks – there’s not a lot you can do about it but to look for dishwasher spare parts. It’s the only sure way you will get rid of the smell and that your dishwasher will continue functioning properly.

Refrigerator odors

The refrigerator can give off truly horrid smells if there’s food that’s gone off or if you don’t store the food properly.

The obvious thing is to make sure every meal or any type of food is stored inside a container with secured lids or at least wrapped in material that doesn’t give off smells. Every couple of days, check your fridge to see if there’s any spoiled food you need to get rid of.

Also, baking soda is a great tool in fighting fridge odors – place an open box of baking soda in both the fridge and the freezer. It will neutralize the smells.

When you’re cleaning the fridge, be very thorough – clean the cracks and crevices on the shelves, side doors, and crispers. You wouldn’t believe how many crumbs or spills stay there causing unpleasant smells.

Cutting boards

You use cutting boards every day to chop and cut various types of food, so all of that remains on the cutting boards. Sometimes even sanitizing it can’t remove the strong smell of garlic or onion. To freshen up plastic cutting boards, put them in the dishwasher. As far as wood cutting boards go, scrub them with a lemon half that you previously dipped in salt.

The kitchen sink

A lot of gunk ends up in the sink, resulting in a very specific smell coming from it. First, scour the drain by pouring a cup of salt, then pour a cup of baking soda. Next, boil water in a kettle and pour it into the drain – that will activate the salt-baking soda mix. Leave it for a couple of minutes and then run cold water for a whole minute. It will wash away the residue and leave the drain clean and odor-free.

Freshen up the kitchen

In case you don’t like the smell of yesterday’s meal you cooked, a spritz of homemade air freshener could help. Pour three-quarters of water in a spray bottle, add two tablespoons of vodka or rubbing alcohol to it, and add 10 or more drops of essential oil of any scent you like. keep it under the sink for a quick fix.

Bottom line

Kitchen odors can have various sources – only regular and thorough cleaning and maintenance can prevent the odors from spreading.

The staircase of a house not only provides the solution in the form of vertical circulation but also the essential indication of the overall design of the home. The modern-day staircases comprise first-class features and you can get extraordinary staircase designs with little effort. In this article, we will discuss a few designs you can consider for your staircase.

The trending list of designs

Every summer, many people put aside their work, daily stresses and responsibilities and escape on a vacation, somewhere far away from reality. It may be a secluded retreat in the mountains, a camping trip with the kids, an arranged tour in another country, an Alaskan cruise, or days relaxing at an exotic beach or resort.

However, with the current pandemic including travel restrictions, along with financial constraints for many, those plans may have to be temporarily shelved. But the desire to escape reality – for just a bit – is very much alive. So, with many people remaining in their homes, how can that off-work journey happen? We have some tips for making the best of the situation and creating cherished vacation memories without ever leaving home. It’s called a staycation.

What’s a staycation?

A staycation is, quite simply, a vacation at home. How realistic, how exciting, or how relaxing you make it is up to you. Theme it up for a more authentic “away-from-home” experience.

What makes a great staycation? Well, that depends on what you consider a vacation. Some people want adventure, while others like relaxing with a drink in their hand. Still others use vacation time to unwind by tackling DIY projects such as renovations. So, what would you enjoy doing if you could craft your own staycation? (Which, by the way, you can.)

Commit to it

Once you’ve decided to schedule a staycation – whatever it ends up being – commit to it. Mark it on your calendar. Plan for it. Make concrete plans. If you’re working, ask for those days off of work. Don’t just say you’re going to have a vacation and spend the weekend lounging on the sofa, noshing on Cheetos and surfing the internet, unless a week of rest is the staycation you’ve planned.

Whenever you’re going for vacation in your home, try to unplug so your mind’s not on work and responsibilities. Set your work email to the “out of office” setting and write an auto-reply message. Then, don’t check your work emails unless absolutely necessary. Consider NOT telling your boss that you’re vacationing at home. Turn your cell phone off or on silent, and set a small window of time each day to check for messages.

Skip the news. The idea is to get away from stress, away from reality. Just concentrate on your vacation experience. The news cycle can wait for a week. Really, it can. This is the time to be good to yourself.

Prepare

Prepare for your staycation much like you’d  prep for any other vacation. Create your itinerary. Decide what kind of activities you would like to do each day of your vacation. What kind of staycation would you like? Cultural learning, straight-up fun, pampering, relaxing? Write your vacation goals down, and then make a game plan. Don’t want to cook while on vacation? Gather menus from local restaurants that deliver, and have them on hand. You could even incorporate different restaurants into the theme of your vacation.

Before your official vacation start time, do all the necessary prep work. Complete all chores in advance. Wash the dishes, dust, pay the bills, scrub the toilets, empty the trash. Do the laundry BEFORE your staycation begins. You don’t really want to be sorting and folding while on vacation, do you?

Set the Mood for your Staycation

Many people have saved money in anticipation of an annual vacation to pay for things like hotel rooms, meals, plane tickets and a rental car. Why not channel some of those funds into your at-home vacation paradise?

Create your staycation space – really, truly, set up a space that exudes the theme of your vacation. Move the furniture, change the lighting, order pillows, fairy lights or scented candles – whatever your theme is, run with it. Look at magazines or online trip websites for inspiration. Think about the destination you want. Paradise under the palms? Set up a piña colada or margarita station at home. Roll up the rugs and go barefoot like you’re on the beach. Set up a hammock between backyard trees or on your back porch.

Dreaming of a mountain retreat? Set out pine-scented candles and decorate the room with cottage home decor. Plan for any purchases you’ll need for your staycation. Does your week require some relaxing pillows, aromatherapy candles, a tent or hammock?  Dreaming of an overseas vacation? Hit the international foods section of your grocery and stock up on items from that region to set the mood. Planning a spa retreat week? Buy a set of high-thread-count sheets, a couple of luxurious pillows, scented bath salts, essential oils, and a super-soft robe.

To make your staycation ambiance even more realistic, you can make a vacation soundtrack with music that reminds you of that particular place, or perhaps a past favorite vacation that you’d like to recreate. Going to the beach in your mind? Ramp up some Jimmy Buffet music. Missing that trip to Brazil this summer? Make your own compilation of Brazilian favorites including the likes of Roberto Carlos or Anitta. Or, queue up some internet music mixes.

Think about your favorite luxury hotel amenities and try to replicate some of those special touches at your own staycation. Love peppermints or chocolates on your pillows? Do it. How about a fruit basket, or a water pitcher of cold spring water infused with the subtle flavor and inviting look of cut fruit? Make it happen. This is all about helping you feel like you’re somewhere else.

Self-Care Weekend

How about a pampering week, helping you release all the stress that’s built up this year? Consider a self-care “getaway” with a spa day, a YouTube yoga session, or a self-manicure. Start a journal of self-discovery. Draw a warm bubble bath, adding some calming essential oils like lavender or chamomile. Slip into the welcoming suds as you relax your mind and body. Soft music and candles invite you to soak away the stress. Then, wrap yourself up in the soft hug of a luxurious robe. This vacation is all about being good to yourself.

Retail Therapy Weekend

If you have money saved up that you won’t spend on a vacation this summer and miss shopping, you may want to arrange a retail therapy staycation. Curl up on the sofa with a glass of wine and start online shopping. You could budget what you had already set aside for your anticipated actual vacation, and spend some of that money, or just “window-shop” and dream from the comfort of your favorite recliner.

Plan Future Vacations

You can’t travel much right now, but the future is wide open. You’ve been staring at your walls for quite a while now, longing to escape. Why not start that escape, at least in your mind? Begin planning your post-pandemic road trip (or plane trip). There’s no time like the present to ponder where you’d like to visit – start with the continent or country, and narrow it down from there. Search online for destinations, hotels and fun activities. Jot them down and start planning for next year.

Look online for interesting destinations and then start searching for places you can stay, like at hotels or bed and breakfast inns. What kind of activities can you participate in while there? Take notes, plan your budget, and work out the details so when it’s time to fly the pandemic coop, you’ll have all your ducks in a row for your next adventure.

Cook a fancy dinner

The internet is filled with how-to-cook videos. Zero in on one and cook that meal and impress your spouse or family. See if you can find fanciful foods that fit into the theme of your staycation. Or, ask your family to pamper you and cook (including doing the dishes.). You can also sign up for delivered meal preparation kits. These kits arrive at your doorstep with all of the ingredients, already prepped, along with step-by-step directions. You’ll feel like a professional chef in no time.

Chill

You may be someone who just needs to chill for a vacation. Vacations don’t always have to be about excitement and activity. Sometimes, you just need peace and quiet to de-stress from life.

Create your zen vacation in a quiet place of your home – make it off limits to the children (perhaps you have someone who can take care of them). Then, unplug your clocks or put them in the closet so you can’t see them. Turn off your phone, put on earphones (if there’s house noise you can’t block out) and just…chill.

Fun for the Whole Family

If you’re quarantining with your family and yearning for a vacation, build a staycation with a family-friendly theme or activities. Although you have been in each other’s space for months, there are ways you can spend quality, vacation-esque time as a family and build beautiful bonds.

Camping out

Go camping for your staycation – for a night, a week, or somewhere in between – you choose. Set up a tent in the backyard, complete with sleeping bags and camp lights. Don’t forget the mosquito repellent or citronella candles. Pack up snacks in bags for a more authentic experience, and string lights in the trees or at the top of the tent for some extra ambiance. And don’t forget to check this guide for camper brands to avoid.

Snag a couple of bags of ice from the store and fill a cooler with food and drinks to keep with the campout theme. Cook your meals on a grill, or have a fire pit if regulations allow. Roast marshmallows or craft s’mores. Tell stories around the fire. Stay up too late and laugh too much.

If your idea of camping is closer to glamping, or you don’t have a backyard, then move things indoors. Set up a tent or have your kids create a tent by hanging sheets and other fabrics in clever ways. Unleash your children’s creativity with tent-making – they know how to make the best tents and forts. Set up your indoor camping ambiance with flashlights and flameless candles for light sources. Eat from paper plates and make s’mores in the microwave. Search for a campfire video to play on your TV.

Have a family costume night or a themed party during your staycation. Challenge your kids to dress up as their favorite movie character, singer, or superhero, using clothes, props and supplies already in your home.

Love watching movies? Build a staycation around that. Have a themed movie marathon. Each family member picks a movie that you all watch, or you could categorize movies, like comedies, animation, action or another genre. Don’t forget the popcorn. Plan ahead and surprise your “movie audience” with their favorite movie theater candy and sodas.

Music or Karaoke Party

Use some of the money you would have spent on lodging, meals, attraction fees and more – and buy a karaoke machine. You may find your family singing until they’re all hoarse and falling down in laughter. Learn a new song on an instrument you play, and hold a “recital” in your living room. If more than one member of your family plays an instrument, work on a performance together.

Virtual Travel and Games

You could also spend the summer vacation money on virtual reality headsets. This marvelous technology is a fantastic way to virtually leave your house and go on vacations together, using 3D travel apps. Want to walk the streets of Paris? Climb mountains in the Himalayas? You’re only a VR headset away.

Backyard Water Game Day

Beat the summer heat on your staycation with a day of water games in your backyard. Ask your kids to plan games and gather the necessary accessories like water hoses, kiddie pools, sprinklers, soaking guns, water slides, water balloons (be sure to pick up the broken balloon pieces) and plenty of sunblock. You can go all out renting an inflatable water play set, or you can keep it budget-friendly. Bring on the popsicles and laughter.

Night in for the Parents

Parents may just need a vacation from their kids. Try to set up a cozy, romantic room or patio area for your loved one. Group candles around your backyard. Flameless candles4 are great and there’s no fire hazard. Set up a hammock or pillows or some other way to relax. Chill a bottle of wine, soda or whatever happens to be your favorite beverage. Make up a cheese tray. It can be fancy, or it can be laid-back. Pour a bag of chips into a bowl if that’s your style. Set some mood music, relax and kick back.

Learning Vacation

Many people love to travel to new locations and learn about culture, architecture, art, languages, food, and more. The opportunity to learn something new during your staycation is limited only by your imagination.

Because of the pandemic, many museums now offer free virtual tours. Spend days in the Louvre, or take an interactive tour of Mark Twain’s house. Visit zoos virtually, or set up Zoom meetings with friends or relatives in different countries so you can practice conversing in a foreign language.

Travel the world for free using your local library card. Libraries have a wealth of e-books available to download from the library’s website onto your own device. Just pick them out and download, prop your feet up and escape into a mystery, thriller, romance, fantasy, or whatever genre you enjoy. Have your favorite beverage and snacks near your reading haven.

Take an online class on cooking, digital art, sewing, or something that intrigues you. This is your staycation. If your goal is to spend more time outdoors, consider starting a new flower or vegetable garden or a compost pile. Set up a rain barrel water collection system, making use of the rainwater rolling off your roof.

You can even make it a learning vacation for your pet. Learn how to teach your pet tricks or a new skill, like sniffing out smells. Or, just chill with your cuddly cat on your lap. For some, that’s a heavenly vacation.

For those who would rather “do” than chill, spend your staycation time learning a new craft. Clear out your schedule and spend that time really digging into whatever it is you want to learn. Use budgeted summer vacation money to order acrylic or oil paints, modeling clay, mosaics or stained glass supplies, whatever strikes your fancy, and learn a new skill you’ll maintain long after your staycation is over.

Renovate a Space in your Home

For those who need to be active during vacations, think about a renovation vacation. Since you’ve been home so much the last two months, no doubt you’ve zeroed in on a corner or a room of your house that’s begging for an update or a redo. Repaint the kitchen and add a backsplash or replace the flooring. Update your bedroom, adding new curtains or blinds. Turn that depressing basement into a new game room, guest room or home office. Browse among the DIY articles from professionals for inspiration and guidance.

Whatever your stay-at-home vacation fantasy is, try to make it happen. This pandemic won’t last forever, and the vacation you take this summer, at your own home, may just spark some of the best memories ever. Don’t forget to take photos!

This article was originally posted on Porch.com.

The house needs to look pretty always and so the most important thing is to protect it. The painting is considered to be the most essential factor that will help to preserve the beauty of your house. Painting a house in indeed a stressful task and so it has to be a planned project. It is important to paint both the interiors and the exteriors to find surprising benefits.

The concept of House painting is basically to give a fresh look to the house and transform it from old to new. This is possible if one uses a fresh coat of paint that will give a wide range of benefits apart from aesthetics. You may plan to make your house ready as a part of the real estate project or you may be just interested in the home improvement project. In both cases, House painting does make a huge difference. This definitely adds value to your home, especially when handled by professionals.

1. Painting improves the curb appeal of your home

The House painting is the best way to give dramatic results to the exterior of the house with a fresh coat of paint. This has to be done when you find that your house is showing signs of aging. The idea of repainting should be your prime project within an affordable budget.

2. The surfaces of the house can be protected.

The advantage of House painting is that it will help to cover the stains and the marks of the walls. It also is a wonderful way to protect the walls from being damaged. You will find that both exterior and interior walls are constantly subject to the detrimental effects of weather. Smoke is also one of the dangerous effects on the walls of the house. You can give your house a complete makeover that is healthy with House painting that will help to control the progression of wear and tear. The exterior paint of the house will also save the house from expensive repairs in the near future.

3. The value of the property increases

The idea of House painting is a smart way to find a cost-effective solution in increasing the value of the property. This is a great way to impress your buyers by giving your house a renewed look. The House painting is a cosmetic repair of the structure and so you need to invest well for this project.

4. Is a complementing factor in designing the home

The environment of the house should be such that it makes you feel not only safe but also very comfortable. The furniture of the house does complement the look of the house but over and above it is the color of the walls that plays an influential part. There are varied tones and color schemes that create an energetic and warm ambiance.

The best thing about painting a house is it promotes the quality of air in your home. If you have chosen to use eco-friendly paint, then it works wonders to keep the pollutants away from your home. The use of high-quality paint is the only way to keep the moisture away from the walls and this would prevent the growth of mildew and molds. The only thing that has to be given importance is the use of a new coat of paint that protects your home but has to be done in the right manner. You have to remember that you have invested to transform the look and the feel of the house, so it is wise to hire the best professional painting contractor. You can then rest assured about the minute details required for painting the house.