Non-profit organizations provide valuable services to their communities as well as the country at large. On an annual basis, these organizations contribute $666.1 billion to the United States’ economy as well. Every year, approximately 70% of the United States’ population makes some type of donation to charities of their choice. While some individuals may make monetary donations, others will give of their time and expertise. Still others will donate used clothing, household textiles, and other items that can be worn again, repurposed, or recycled.
It’s interesting to note that on an annual basis, Americans will purchase 20 billion pieces of clothing and shoes. When averaged out, this is the equivalent of every person purchasing 68 garments and seven pairs of shoes a year. Even though many of these items may be worn on a regular basis, the Environmental Protection Agency reported that Americans literally throw away a substantial percentage of their clothes. This amounts to an aver Continue Reading →
It makes sense to wonder whether you’ll need to seek out urgent care or visit the emergency room. Luckily, you’ll find that many types of medical situations can be treated within an urgent care facility. In fact, recent statistics found that the main types of illnesses diagnosed at urgent care locations for 2015 were respiratory infections, sinusitis, and bronchitis. However, other types of medical situations will be much more severe. While dealing with these situations, it’s best to visit the emergency room instead of an urgent care facility. With that in mind, here are five reasons to go to the emergency room.
- Breathing Difficulties
If you’re experiencing difficulty breathing, it’s time to visit an emergency room. There are many reasons that someone may experience breathing difficulties including allergic reactions or possibly due to having a heart attack. Therefore, it’s b Continue Reading →
The old saying that goes “a house is not a home” should say”until you get your sofa inside”. We can claim our own space, say something about our tastes, and even make a bold statement about what guests can expect when they come to our home simply by our choice of furnishings. In 2016, home furnishings sales in America topped 111 Billion dollars in sales. Worldwide sales for purchases of sofas, living room furniture, dining room sets, bedroom furniture sets and other home furnishings are expected to nearly reach $700 Billion Dollars. A market this big gives the consumers a lot of choices Let’s look at some basic rules to keep in mind.
1. Decide on a Realistic Budget based on Your Needs
Knowing in advance much money you can Continue Reading →
Mold – and the subsequent mold remediation – is certainly not something that the vast majority of people in the United States ever want to deal with. But, unfortunately, mold happens – and happens relatively frequently, at that. There are a number of causes for mold growth, and some of them can be prevented. The first step of mold remediation is that, of course, of preventing the mold from growing in the first place. However, if this cannot be done, or if the potential for mold growth is noticed too late, after mold has already been made a presence and begun to grow, it is important to walk even further down the path of mold remediation towards a mold free home.
So how does mold happen in the first place? One place where mold commonly grows is that of the carpet. If a carpet becomes wet, either because of flooding or for some other reason, the door to mold opens up, particularly if the carpet is wet for an extended period of time. It is recommended – and essential, even – that you Continue Reading →
There are senior living communities all over the United States, and American Senior Communities estimates that by 2014 there will be over 14 million people living in one. While nine out of 10 people in America who are over the age of 65 want to live at home for as long as possible, independent living is truly possible in today’s senior living community.
The Need for Independence
Just because someone has reached retirement age or more does not mean he or she is ready to live a life of inactivity. A Pew Research poll done in 2016 found that almost 20% of senior citizens are still working full time. A similar study by Pew Research done the year before found that 12% of seniors are actively using dating sites and even mobile dating apps. Amazingly, 50% of all people over 65 are actively participating in volunteer work in their communities. Clearly, America’s seniors have a lot to contribute to society and are interested in maintaining their independent living habits.
Where’s the ideal location for you and your family to live? When you look at homes for sale, you definitely want a desirable location, but how do you go about choosing? Here are seven tips for finding the ideal neighborhood for your home and family.
- Consider what you might save in taxes. State and municipal taxes can be punishingly high, so it’s worth knowing that Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Alaska, and Delaware have no sales tax. In addition, Alaska, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Washington, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Nevada, and Wyoming don’t take income tax from their residents. Overall, New Jersey residents pay the most tax and Alaskans the least. Of course, living in a place like Alaska there’s a lot of other things to consider, so don’t make any decision based on taxes alone. Also, know that 40 of the states allow for tax credits and exemptions under specific situa Continue Reading →
Your living room can make or break your house. Grab anything you see at the furniture store and throw it in the living room thoughtlessly and you can end up with a room people instinctively avoid. Go with purpose to the furniture store and know what you’re looking for in sectionals, a side table, or fabric sofas, and you can make a place that the whole family will love to spend time in, that welcomes friends and makes them want to stay a few minutes longer, or that helps you relax at the end of the day. Here’s some tips on creating just the right look.
Go Neutral
Neutral colors are inherently cozy and warm. Avoid anything that’s too bright or too dark, as well. Soft greys and light browns are some of the best tones you can choose for helping everyone relax.
Intimate Seating
If you get enormous pieces from the furniture store and stick them all around the edges of the room, you’re creating a sp Continue Reading →
Water damage can quickly ruin your property, and even a small leak can escalate quickly and become a major problem. Wet housing materials can develop mold in as little as 24 hours, and dry rot–which loves warm, moist environments–can disintegrate your wood before you know it. If you’re looking to renovate your home, redo your siding, or do some siding repair, chances are you also need to fix water damage. Here are five tips on how to fix water damage: and when to know it’s time to call a professional.
Identify the Type of Water
Before you can do anything other than turn off any electricity to the affected area, you need to tell whether you have what’s considered “clean” water. That’s water from rain or condensation, or even from leaky pi Continue Reading →
According to a U.S. Department of Commerce report, furniture and home furnishings store sales totaled $9.51 billion in June 2017, up from $9.27 billion in June 2016. And as spring approaches, many homeowners are shifting their focuses from their indoor furniture setups to their outdoor furniture setups. This is especially the case with porches, which often need revitalizing after a long winter of disuse. But with a few quick an easy steps, you can make sure your porch is ready for the spring season as well as the influx of guests and company. Here are just a few ways to add some pizzazz to your porch and prepare for springtime.
Evaluate Rug and Flooring
Before you take a look at your current patio furniture or call an outdoor furniture company, take a look at your patio’s current flooring. Ideally, your patio flooring should be comfortable enough to stand on while barefoot, so don’t hesitate to invest in a new rug to add some comfort and style to the area. In most cases, it’s best to look for rugs that can be used both indoors and outdoors, but don’t neglect your personal style either. In a survey of over 2,000 consumers, 72.7% of respondents agreed that, “The design of my furniture reflects my personality,” and 67% of respondents agreed with the statement, “A lot can be said about a person from the furniture s/he owns.” With that in mind, if you can find a rug with a unique pattern that speaks to your personality, go for it!
Choose Comfortable Furniture
When you’ve adequately prepared the surrounding area, you can then shift your focus to the furniture itself. The key is to find pieces that have the perfect balance of functionality, durability, style, and affordability.
“Think: sturdy pieces with deep and cushioned seats. Double check for wonky dining chairs and tables… Don’t worry about having a fully matching set if you’re on a budget. Look for similar color and finish options and remember that comfort is your priority,” writes Zoe Gowen on Southern Living.
The Freedonia Group forecasts household furnishings demand to reach $34.9 billion in 2021.
Plumbing is hugely important – even integral – to society in the United States and in most developed countries all throughout the world. The vast majority of people living in the United States have indoor plumbing, and always have. In fact, very few of us have lived without plumbing for a considerable period of time and the most of us would not even be able to picture what that life would be like. Plumbing is a convenience in life that we take for granted ninety nine percent of the time – until something goes wrong. When a problem occurs with your plumbing system, the issue can feel catastrophic. However, by having the problem swiftly repaired and providing your plumbing system with regular maintenance from a skilled and experienced plumber, you can mitigate that chances that a plumbing problem will develop in your home.
From drain cleaning to toilet repairs, plumbing companies find themselves busy all throughout the year, rain or shine, sun or snow. It is such a prevalent and im Continue Reading →
Hi, my name is Alice Jennings. I am a working mother of two young boys, Jim and Joey. My husband travels a lot for work and I handle most of the household "stuff". I created this site to share my ideas for family dinners. At first that's all that it was, but over time I have had requests and questions about other family issues and products. This is very much a work in progress. I plan to let this site grow and continue to help all my readers and contributors.
