We help people buy houses so they can create a home. Here we share more than mortgage finance tips (although we do that too). We aim to help you make your house a home through DIY projects, pet care, hosting tips, yard maintenance, and much more!
I can’t believe the holiday season is already here! I feel like this year has flown by. As my family continues to grow and kids get older (and more expensive ) I find myself stressing out about how I’m going to pay for the all gifts I want to give. I decided to take control of my stress (and my spending) a few years ago by making a list of everyone I had to buy for and creating a budget for each person. For example, I would set a ten-dollar limit for adults and a five-dollar limit for kids. “Savanna, that’s a crazy small budget! How do you do it?” Don’t worry friend, I’m going to share all of my secrets. The key is to make it personal, even if it’s for someone you barely know. Whether you’re buying for your loved ones or just want to make your co-workers day a little sweeter, there is a perfect gift for everyone. I’m that girl that loves to give gifts and that includes gifting my acquaintances. In those instances, I think about inexpensive gifts that can make that person’s life easier. Typically those are things they wouldn’t buy for their self. One year I bought my cousin a new purse. Sounds simple but to a single mom who puts her children first and NEVER buys anything for herself outside of the necessities, it was a grand gesture. Not to mention that I found it online for TEN DOLLARS! Still questioning my methods? This particular cross-body bag had great reviews and two years later the purse still looks fantastic! Read on folks, I’m going to give you some great gift-giving ideas that fit every budget.
Tips to Stress- Free, Last Minute Hosting With the holiday season upon us, there are lots of opportunities to get together with friends and family. We love this time of year, so cozy, so full of fun… but let’s be honest, it can be so stressful!!! I wish I could write all the tips and tricks for having a stress-free 25-person extravaganza of a party at your home but that is not what I am doing here. Because, if I’m being honest, that is not my style. Of course, I want my guests to be able to talk to everyone, but I want to enjoy the time we spend together too. So, for me this means small get togethers that often are impromptu. I’ll share with you some of my favorite tips and tricks for hosting a last minute, casual shindig.
The Best “Good for the Soul” Chili Recipe Is there any other food that can divide people like chili? If you are not sure, try this: put yourself in a group of people and mention that some put cinnamon in their chili then sit back and let the fireworks begin! I mean honestly, no one is hosting a chicken pot pie cooking contest. People have a definite opinion about what is good chili. Even if someone doesn’t think their chili recipe is the best, you can be sure that they could point to someone they know who “makes the best chili!”
It’s that time of year again and I want to help you save a little bit of money. Every year I stage and photograph my own Holiday card and I want to pass my DIY skills onto you. Don’t be intimidated, all you need is some holiday décor, a camera (your smartphone camera will work), and your loved ones.
Let’s start at the beginning. According to Webster’s dictionary, Hygge is a “quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” Think of it as cozy meets minimalism. The idea is to make the coziest space with the least amount of items. So in other words, DECLUTTER. Hygge is an idea brought on by the Danish and Norwegians and has become popular around the world. Follow along with my easy recommendations and you’ll feel cozy and relaxed in no time!
When a DIY Becomes a DI Why?
If DIY stands for Do it Yourself, then DDIY should stand for Don’t Do it Yourself. The internet is littered with DIY fails, from elaborate make up to homemade wreaths to ornaments with a pet’s paw print. Some of them are hilarious but some are relatable, albeit still hilarious. What is it that causes a project to become a DIY fail? For me, its when I get a bit too cocky and a little too ambitious; I start thinking, “I can do this. All I need is a little…”—it’s bad news from there. But isn’t that what the internet is great for? It may give you an idea for this “great DIY” project but when you crash and burn, it can provide comfort, knowing you aren’t alone, as you scroll through other’s failures to DIY. That’s what my goal is here. I’ll be that person that you can relate to as you read about my DIY’s that turned into D.I. why’s.
Ah, fall. The absolute best time of the year. A time to refresh your mind, body, and home. Lucky for you I have some budget-friendly, easy to create fall décor to help get you in the spirit of the season. These DIY’s are pretty much foolproof. Seriously, there are no rules. So, read on and take a few notes. We’re going to have some fun!
5 Tips to Create a Safe and Happy Home for your Pet!
Buying a house can be stressful enough but the real challenge comes when you actually move in. Giving your house that warm and inviting feel is most likely number one on your list, but what about making a happy home for your pet? I’ll be sharing my five best tips and tricks on how to keep your pet happy, comfortable and safe so you can focus on the important stuff
Expiring Soon: Down Payment Assistance in Christian County, Kentucky If you found out that you could receive $10,000 towards your down payment and closing costs would it be a game changer? For many first-time home buyers in Christian County, KY –271, to be exact—it was. These individuals and families were able to realize their goal of home ownership with the help of Kentucky Housing Corporation’s (KHC) down payment assistance program, Hardest Hit Funds (HHF-DAP). This program has been available since 2016 but is set to expire at the end of this year. If you are considering buying a home or know someone who is, now is the time to make the call and see how you can take advantage of this wonderful arrangement from KHC, just like Zirconia and Jon did—continue reading for their stories.
For Sale by Owner Wasn’t Worth the Hassel: A True Story In the world of social media, online marketplaces, and instant communication, we have become so accustomed to selling our own things to consumers. Speaking as someone who regularly sells their gently used clothes at a reasonable price *wink*, it is easy to adopt an attitude of “give me a platform that performs well, and I can sell anything!” But is this true for selling your own house? My co-worker, Bill thought so but quickly had his mind changed.
