Get Ready to Garage Sale

I realize it's January and thinking about a garage sale might seem a bit 'off season' for you, but it's never too early to start planning. Now is the time when you can be preparing for spring cleaning, setting aside things you know you want to sell and getting ready for good weather and a garage sale.

 A well-planned garage or yard sale can make room in your home, get rid of unused items and make some money but it needs some planning to be successful.

Start early to research and plan

Promotion is key

Display items attractively

Price items right

Organize checkout

Saturdays are generally the best day but there may be some exceptions.  Experienced garage-salers believe that a well-planned one-day event will do as well as a multi-day event.  Serious purchasers will look for the “new” sale and most people don’t come back multiple days.

Advertise in local newspapers and free online classified sites like craigslist.  If several families are going together for the sale, mention that in the ad; it will be a big draw.  Mention your bigger-ticket items like furniture, equipment and baby items.

Garage sale signs can be purchased or made at Staples, Fedex Office or Kwik Signs.  Signs need large lettering so they’re easy to read while people are driving. Most important info: Garage or Yard Sale, address, date and time.  Directional signs are also important.  Balloons and streamers to attract attention to the signs are very helpful.

Consider using the service Square so that you can take credit cards. The cost is 2.75% per swipe and can be done on your smartphone or iPad.  You’ll need to sign up at least two weeks in advance to receive your card reader. This is a very useful tool, because even with the fee you pay per swipe, you make a sale that you wouldn't otherwise make if people don't have enough cash on hand.

People will want to bargain; it’s the nature of the game.  Consider this strategy: less negotiations early in the sale and possibly, more toward the end of the sale.

Happy early spring cleaning!

Tips to Save Energy & Money

Saving energy in your home can be easier than you think. By completing these two energy-saving tasks, you may be surprised by the amount of money you can save.

Turn Down Your Thermostat
Did you know that you can reduce your home’s energy consumption by over 5% just by adjusting your thermostat down to 1 degree less? You won’t notice the difference in temperature but you will notice the difference in your savings come end of the month. A great thermostat to consider is Nest.

Lower Your Hot Water Temperature
If your water temperature is set too high (around 140ºF or higher), your water heater could waste anywhere from $36 to $61 annually in standby heat losses and more than $400 in demand losses. To avoid this, set your water heater thermostats to 120ºF. This temperature will also help slow mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes.

Minimize Phantom Loads
The term “phantom load” refers to the energy that an appliance or electronic device consumes when it is not actually turned on. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), “In the average home, 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off.” A report from the University of California Berkeley says that phantom loads account for about 6 percent of all national residential electricity consumption. You can eliminate phantom loads by unplugging appliances and electronics when you are not using them, or by plugging them into a power strip, and turning the strip off when they are not in use. Visit here for more information.

Seal Air Leaks
You should also look for any small cracks and gaps where air is leaking into and out of your home. Energy Star says that between improving insulation and sealing leaks, homeowners could potentially save 10 percent on their annual energy bill. If searching for leaks sounds like a daunting task, you can hire an energy auditor to assess your house and find problem areas.

Here's a list of 100 ways to save energy at home.

How a Paper Clip was Traded for a House

This isn't new news... but, I was fascinated when I read the true story about a man who started with one red paper clip and traded his way up until he owned a house. Have you read his story?

Happy 2015 Colorado!

Happy 2015!

May this year be filled with hope, dreams and success.

New Year's Eve Celebrations in Colorado Springs 2014

Well, Christmas 2014 has come and gone and in just a few days it will be 2015! Wow! Hard to believe. Just in case you have no New Years Eve plans and are looking for something fun to do, here's a few ideas.

• Broadmoor's New Year's Eve Gala Celebration
• New Year's Eve Studio 54 Package
• Academy Hotel New Year's Eve Package
• Ring in the New Year at Hotel Elegante
• New Year's Eve Gala at Glen Eyrie
• New Year's Eve Dinner Royal Gorge Route Railroad
• Skating at Acacia Park (anytime on December 31st from 11am - 9pm)
• Electric Safari at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo 

You can check out more events for New Year's Eve around Colorado Springs by visiting the Gazette's list here.

The Pikes Peak AdAmAn Club has had a tradition since 1922 of climbing Pikes Peak and Igniting fireworks to usher in the New Year. 

Merry Christmas

A very Merry Christmas to you and all those you love. I am grateful for you. Enjoy your day and every day as 2014 comes to a close (can you believe it?) Blessings to you!

Some Different & New Holiday Traditions

Here are some UNIQUE and fun Holiday Ideas to do with your friends and family.

1.  Christmas Lights Awards Night.  Most of us drive around town and look at Christmas lights. This year, do things a little different. Before you go, make treats and awards. Yes, awards! Such as “Most creative house”, “Best Christmas Lights in Town”, “Most Beautiful Nativity Scene”, “Best Santa.” You get the idea. As a family, come up with the awards, write them on tags and put one tag on each plate of treats. As you drive around looking at lights, secretly/or not secretly deliver your awards. It is so much fun. To make the trip even better, make everyone hot chocolate and take it with you to drink as you go. Put the hot chocolate in the “hot cups” with the lids to avoid spills in the car.

2.  Family Picnic Under the Christmas Tree.  Grab your picnic basket and pack it full of all your family’s favorite foods and eat dinner under the tree. Lay out a blanket, dim the lights, and chat while you eat. Use paper plates and silverware and don’t forget the treats. You can even make these INDOOR S’MORES to eat, no fire needed.  To add to the experience, ask each other fun questions about Christmas’s past. Share a favorite Christmas memory, etc…

3.  Holidays Around the World.  Read about holiday traditions around the world. Teach your children where their ancestors came from and learn about the traditions there. You could even make a traditional treat from the country. It is very easy to find recipes on line, as well as stories on traditions. You could even call family members and ask them to tell their traditional stories personally!

4.  Indoor Snow Making.  No matter if you live in cold climate, or warm, everyone loves playing with snow. Time to bring the snow inside for a little family fun. And all you need is a large box of Corn Starch and a can of Shaving Foam. Get a large bowl or container, and mix the two ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and then play! Make mini snow men, mini igloos, mini anything. Parents and kids will all love this one.

5.  Freeze Dance: Christmas Version.  Turn on some holiday music and play Freeze Dance! You kids will love it. You control the music. When you turn it on, your kids dance around the room however they want. When you stop the music they have to freeze and stay in the position. Have everyone look around and laugh as they look at the silly faces and positions everyone has found themselves in. It doesn’t matter the age, all kids “feel” music and will move with it. Our kids could play this for hours. You can get active also. Instead of sitting while they play. Get up and dance with them.

What is your favorite thing to do with your families during the holiday season?


Original Blog Post from Heather Johnson at Family Volley

25 Homemade Candy Recipes

I just LOVE homemade sweets, don't you? The holidays have me enjoying baking and hunting for new recipes to try. I came across this GREAT blog post from Amy @ The Idea Room. Can't wait to try out some of these Christmas goodies. Leave a comment and let me know what delicious recipe you tried! I can't wait to try the dark chocolate salted caramels and the microwave caramels. Can you tell I like caramel?
And, Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

Looking for the perfect gift for family and friends? Try one of these gadgets and gifts for the home:

Matching Mornings – Give the couples on your list a set of matching or personalized mugs.

Tune Tech – Be the life of the party with a music docking station or wireless speakers.

Wine Accessories – Impress your sommelier friends with a gift for their wine cellar, like this red wine decanter and aerating funnel.

Endless Entertaining – Give the gift of entertaining with a cheese board and knife set.

Breakfast Basics – Make cooking up a batch of pancakes and bacon easier with a set of pancake rings and a cast-iron bacon press.

Coffee Caddy – Help keep your coffee connoisseurs organized with a Coffee Pod and Flatware Caddy or a K-Cup Carousel.

Vintage Charm – Give a piece of Americana with the iconic Fiesta Ware. Now back in vogue, this colorful dinnerware takes you back to Thanksgiving dinner at grandma's house.

Coffee To Go – Make rushing out the door with a java in hand easier with a single cup coffeemaker that brews coffee directly into a reusable go cup.

Personal Touch – Add that personal touch with a monogrammed wooden cutting board made from bamboo or maple.

Bathtub Bliss – Give the gift of relaxation with a bathtub reading caddy, like this one with a reading rack to hold your book.

Whatever gift you get ~ make it unique and special and have a WONDERFUL Holiday Season!

Original Blog Post from Matt Pickett

Brass Door Knobs Could Improve Your Health

Did you know that brass (an alloy made of copper and zinc) has antimicrobial properties and is believed to suffocate germs, not allowing them to spread? Some hospitals are even outfitting rooms (including hospital beds) in antimicrobial copper. So, if you are upgrading or renovating your home, consider changing out your door knobs to be all brass.