In this economy more and more people are trying to do what they can to save money on home improvements but really want to improve the space where they live.  Even though people want to save money they also want to make sure that they are getting what they pay for and are hiring the most competent and reputable contractors they can.

Finding reputable contractors is very difficult and trades like electricians and plumbers require the best so you need to make sure that you are doing your homework.  To me the plumbing and electrical are essential and having it done properly is a must. No one wants to hire someone and then have their pipes burst or back up or have their house catch fire.  I can’t stress enough the importance of doing your homework when looking for contractors.

When I am looking for a contractor I typically ask around and see who my friends and family have used in the past.  If they give them a passing grade I then will look them up via the Better Business Bureau and make sure they have no complaints against them and last thing I do is ask the contractor for references. I know you are thinking this may be over kill but this is your home we are talking about and there is no reason to let anyone who isn’t qualifies work on it.

I remember when we lived near Washington, DC the pool of qualified contractors was plentiful but I still needed to do my homework especially since I didn’t have any family or friends in the area.  I was able to get references from co-workers which helped out a lot and I am glad I was able to use them as a resource.   Remember if you live in an area and have no friends or family in the area it is extra important to get references from co-workers, the contractor and even the Better Business Bureau.  I know the process is a extremely time consuming but in the end you will be glad you did.

When looking for a contractor or someone to do work on your home what step do you take to be sure you are getting the best?  I would love to hear your thoughts.

These days we are living longer than we were ten to twenty years ago and we are seeing a lot more people using in home care more than ever.

I am not really sure what the average life expectancy is these days but I know my grandparent are in their 80’s and so is Melinda’s grandfather.  As people and parents get older they are more interested in home health care and I can understand why they are.  Elderly people need assistance with every day life like getting dressed, eating and taking daily medication.  As you get older you aren’t able to get around as well as you did in the past so having a healthcare professional come to you seems to make perfect sense.  Another reason is people tend to be more comfortable in their own home and if you are able to get someone to come to you that is a really cool thing.

I am seeing a lot of places that are now offering more than just in home health care.  They are helping with daily tasks such as preparing meals, running errands, opening mail, caring for the pets and are even providing companionship and conversation.  I really like the companionship option because if you are elderly and alone you would really benefit from this type of service.

Melinda’s grandfather for instance would really benefit from a companionship service as his wife passed away over two years ago and is lonely and rightfully so.  When you have someone in your life for fifty to sixty years and then you are alone that is a real shock to your system and could really just use someone to talk to.  Unfortunately family isn’t always available so it is nice to have this kids of service available.  

Home health care isn’t only for elderly people it is also being used more by expecting and new parents.  Having a new born is stressful and a TON of work and parents just need an extra hand around the house with various chores and baby duty so they are tapping into these kinds of services that are now offered. 

What are your thoughts on these kinds of services?  Do you feel old and young could benefit from them?

Every month when the electric bill comes I get instantly annoyed because typically is it higher than I would like.  It also doesn’t help knowing there are alternative energy sources like solar available that we aren’t utilizing that we could be and that would help us save a ton of cash.

I started looking into solar and found Vivint Solar and learned a few things that I didn’t know.

Vivint Solar has a power purchase agreement.  What that means is they retain ownership of your system, but agree to design, install, and maintain your system for free and you agree to purchase the power your panels generate from them.   A PPA ensures you can enjoy the benefits of clean, renewable solar energy without having to recoup your investment over 10 to 20 years. A PPA helps you enjoy the benefits of solar without a large, up-front investment as well as offers you stable electric rates by allowing you to lock in your rate for the next 20 years.

I have looked at the solar option in the past and the costs have been crazy expensive but Vivint makes solor affordable for everyone.  They walk you through the whole process step by step from the initial process to obtain all necessary permits and completing the installation.

Solar is really that easy and can be installed in one day.  Crazy.

Technology has come such a far way and has really become affordable for almost every one

Vivint is more than just solar and they are  dedicated to enhancing security, convenience and energy efficiency.

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In our house crafts are done almost daily and it feels like our house is filled with tons of craft supplies for kids. I am always coming home to new things hanging on the wall or from the light over the kitchen table.

The other day Melinda was serching online for craft deals and luckly found Factory Direct Craft and took advantage of their great prices and stocked up on craft supplies for a few projects that she wants to work on with Shae. Their selection of craft supplies for kids is crazy and I am amazed that you can find just about anything you need for that special project.

I like when Melinda and Shae do crafts because she is so excited and proud of her work and she loves showing me her final product when I walk through the door. I love looking around the kitchen and seeing all of Shae’s art work displayed. I can remember when Shaun and Sabreena were younger and were always doing crafts.  They used to love doing crafts and were so proud of their work just like Shae is now.

Kids love crafts and I am glad Shae enjoys it because I enjoy seeing it around the house.

Do your kids love to do crafts? Mine do.

Men and women are different in so many ways and one of the biggest ways in my opinion is appearance.

Men typically put less than five minutes worth of thought into their daily outfits and typically don’t care what they look like when they go out in public. Now before men start emailing me in anger I know not all men are like this but if I had to guess I would say 70% if not more of men are like this. Women on the other hand are the complete opposite. Women need to have just the right outfit including shoes picked out to wear and that is just to run to the grocery store. On the weekends Melinda and I will have to run a few errands to places like Wal-Mart and the fish store and I see her putting on makeup and I also ask her why because we are only going to Wal-Mart. I on the other hand go out in sweatpants and a sweatshirt, LOL. This right here shows how different men and women are.

I do see products on the market that help prevent hair loss in women and men and that might be the one thing men and women do have in common when it comes to their appearance. No one wants to have bad hair or no hair for that matter if they are able to control it so men and women will do just about anything to prevent that from happening. I look at my grandfather at the age of 80 and he has a full head of hair so I am hoping I follow suit because I can deal with a lot of things when it comes to my appearance but not sure how I would feel if I had a problem with my hair.

I know that you are thinking that is a superficial way to think and you are 100% correct but that is just how I feel and I am sorry if you don’t agree.

What is one thing that matters most to you when it comes to your appearance?

When the weather is cold and the days are short, most of us prefer to stay indoors. And when most of us think of cozy nights at home, we crave comfort foods. If you’re looking for a tasty macaroni and cheese recipe, you’ve come to the right place. From creamy classics to cheesy twists, these homemade mac and cheese dishes give your taste buds what they want. Find your family’s favorite and make it on the nights that call for comfort foods… like tonight!

1) Red Pepper & Velveeta Mac and Cheese
Whether you’re stressed out from deadlines at work, rowdy kids at home, the holiday season or even Tax Day, cheese is a classic comfort food. What’s more, it’s the ultimate American comfort food. This delicious macaroni and cheese recipe includes Velveeta for extra creaminess and red pepper for a nice kick.
Servings: 6

Ingredients
1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. ground red pepper (cayenne)
1/2 lb. (8 oz.) Velveeta, cut up
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups (8 oz.) elbow macaroni, cooked, drained

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix milk and eggs in large bowl. Add butter, red pepper, Velveeta and cheddar cheese. Stir in macaroni; mix lightly.
Pour into 1-1/2-quart casserole.
Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.

2) South of the Border Macaroni and Cheese
Even comfort food deserves a (small) change every now and again, and this macaroni and cheese recipe includes a few adjustments to the traditional dish. From corn and onion to cilantro and zucchini, the flavors are complex and addictive. In fact, you’re likely to forget it’s mac and cheese!
Servings: 12

Ingredients
1 pkg. (16 oz.) elbow macaroni
1 can (14.5 oz.) tomato sauce
2 cups frozen corn
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small each green and red pepper, finely chopped
1 small zucchini, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
3 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
12 American cheese singles

Directions
Heat oven to 350ºF.
Cook macaroni in large saucepan as directed on package. Meanwhile, combine tomato sauce, vegetables and cilantro. Blend evaporated milk and chipotle peppers in blender until smooth.
Drain macaroni; return to pan. Add chipotle mixture with mozzarella and 4 singles; cook and stir 5 minutes or until cheeses are completely melted. Spoon half into 13×9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with layers of half each of the vegetable mixture and remaining singles. Repeat layers of macaroni and vegetables; cover.
Bake 25 minutes or until heated through. Top with remaining singles; bake, uncovered, 5 minutes or until melted.

3) Home Sweet Macaroni and Cheese
Nothing offers comfort on a cold night like mac and cheese, especially this macaroni and cheese recipe. The seasoned bread crumbs and flour provide additional bulk to keep you satisfied longer. Word to the wise: Make enough for your family to enjoy second and third helpings—they’re expected!
Servings: 6

Ingredients
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
2 Tbsp. seasoned dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups fat-free milk
1/4 lb. (4 oz.) Velveeta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 pkg. (8 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked, drained

Directions
Heat oven to 350ºF. Melt butter in large saucepan on low heat. Remove half of butter; mix with bread crumbs. Set aside. Stir flour and salt into remaining butter in saucepan; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually stir in milk until well blended; cook and stir until thickened. Add Velveeta and 1-1/2 cups cheddar; cook until melted, stirring frequently. Stir in macaroni.
Spoon into 1-1/2-qt. casserole; top with remaining cheddar and buttered crumbs.
Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.

4) Bacon & Spinach Mac ‘n Cheese
While mac and cheese is a favorite amongst many individuals, it’s also very predictable. Why not surprise your loved ones’ taste buds by adding a touch of spinach and bacon to an ordinary macaroni and cheese recipe? The bacon enhances the flavor, and the spinach is a subtle way to sneak in a leafy green veggie for the little ones.
Servings: 6

Ingredients
3 cups medium shell macaroni, uncooked
1 pkg. (6 oz.) fresh baby spinach leaves
4 slices bacon, chopped
2 Tbsp. flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
Cook macaroni as directed on package, adding spinach for the last min. Cook bacon in large saucepan. Remove bacon; save drippings in pan.
Add flour to drippings; cook and stir until bubbly. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until thickened.
Stir in 1 cup cheddar and Parmesan; cook and stir until melted. Add bacon and macaroni mixture; mix well.
Spoon into 1-1/2-qt. casserole; top with remaining cheddar. Bake 20 minutes.

5) Oldtimer’s Favorite Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese conjures up warm and fuzzy feelings, including this macaroni and cheese recipe. Melt the hearts of many—both young and old—with cheesy pasta and baked goodness. Does it make your mouth water just thinking about it? If so, take that as a sign: make this delicious dish tonight!
Servings: 6

Ingredients
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine
2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 pkg. (7 oz.) elbow macaroni (1-3/4 cups), cooked, drained

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter in large saucepan on low heat. Add flour and salt; mix well. Cook 2 minutes or until bubbly. Gradually add milk, stirring until well blended. Cook on medium heat until mixture boils and thickens, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low; simmer 3 to 5 minutes or until thickened. Add 1-1/2 cups of the cheese; cook until melted, stirring constantly. Add macaroni; mix lightly.
Spoon into 1-1/2-quart casserole; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.

It is almost the end of January so you know what that means don’t you? If not I will tell you what it means, it means tax time which some enjoy and some don’t.

Usually I enjoy doing our taxes because we typically get a refund but this year I am not sure that is going to happen which I am ok with as long as we don’t have to pay. Every year there are so many unfiled tax returns which blows my mind. Ever hear the saying “there are only two things you have to do in this world, pay taxes and die”. Well, filing your taxes should be another saying because when the government hits you with penalties for not filing taxes you will wish you had. Having to hire a tax attorney is going to cost you so much more then what you might have had to pay in taxes so just do the right thing and file your taxes.

You see in the news all of the time famous and rich people who haven’t filed their taxes in years. Really people, years? They make so much money they don’t know what to do with it so what is the reason for not filing and paying taxes? Their excuse is always my accountant didn’t file them which to me is total BS. Step up like every other hard working American and pay taxes. They had no problems when they were making millions of dollars in income during the year.

So the moral of this post is FILE YOUR TAXES so that the government doesn’t come after you. Who needs that aggravation anyway? I know I don’t.

Are you looking forward to tax time? Are you expecting a refund or will you owe Uncle Sam?

Sleep overs are like a necessary evil for parents that come with having kids. They will happen so you’d better start prepping your home now rather than scrambling at the last minute.

Get some twin twin bunk beds to put in your kids rooms rather than standard beds. even if you only have one kid or if they their own individual rooms, this is a great option for increasing the sleeping space without taking up too much extra space. Using bunk beds for kids rooms will help them have a little privacy as well. You should keep checking in on them but this will clear up your living room and you won’t have to sacrifice your entire home for the entire night.

If you already have beds for your kids and don’t plan to replace them anytime soon then you should prepare your living room for invasion. Large futons are an awesome option here. Depending on the age of the kids you can pack a surprising number of them onto a large futon and, like using bunk beds for kids rooms, they offer a great sleeping space without taking up any more floor space than you would with a normal couch.

Lastly, now that you have sleeping arrangements out of the way, it’s time to kid proof your house. Your kids are probably perfectly behaved little angles but I promise that once a bunch of them get together they are like a whirlwind of destruction. Something will get broken so make sure that everything breakable and sentimental is put away in a safe place, well out of the reach of candy covered fingers before you open your doors to them. Spending time around kids gave me a great sense of respect for elementary school teachers.

We are twenty four days into 2012 and my New Year’s resolution is to pay off credit card debt. This process is going to take more than twenty four days but I feel like we are on the right track this time.

The first thing we did in 2012 to save money was stop eating out. We would eat out at least one to two times a week and over a month those trips out to restaurants added up and added up big. If I had to guess I would say we were spending $300-$400 a month eating out which was not helping us get out of debt. Even though we were eating out a ton we still needed to go food shopping on a weekly basis and spent another $100-$200 week so that is $400-$800 a month. So between grocery shopping and eating out we would spend anywhere between $700-$1,200 per month.

I am ok with the expense associated with having to go grocery shopping because my kids need something to eat but eating out isn’t going to help me pay off bills faster. With the money it costs to eat out just twice I could buy a week’s worth of groceries.

Most people eat out a couple of times a month and cutting that out is probably the easiest way to save money. We have a long way to go in order to be debt free and other than our food expense we have a few other things that we can cut out to save money but I went to the easiest thing first and eating out was it.

What do you do in order to save money in order to pay off credit card debt?