Make Your House a Home with Maximum Energy and Budget Savings

Business owners are all up on their toes in exhausting all efforts to save up on utility bills and other expenses in order to keep their business afloat and profitable. Wise ones make use of a scrolling LED sign to make their messages eye catching. Great advertising usually comes at a steep price, but not when you’re using energy-efficient LED Signs.

Dreaming to make your home attractive but budget-friendly? The U.S. Department of Energy has got some tips for you in their Energy Savers Booklet. Here are a couple of ways on how you can start saving energy and money for your home:

• Programmable thermostats are great. This versatile instrument can adjust the temperature within in your home to keep warm and cozy during winter or cold when summer comes along. Since it’s flexible, you’ll have better control not only of electrical consumption but also utility bill amounts.
• When choosing light bulbs, opt for LEDs or compact fluorescent ones label with an ENERGY STAR
• Doing chores manually can save you a ton. Instead of using the dishwasher’s dryer, just allow the air to dry them out. This tip can also work for clothes. Hang a clothes line in your backyard if the space allows it.
• Power strips can help regulate the electrical consumption of appliances on stand by. You got that right – even appliances on standby mode consume electricity. To avoid paying for electricity you didn’t use, conveniently turn off power strips and start saving.
• If it’s not too cold, turn down the thermostat of your water heater to 120F
• Warm long baths are always wonderful after a full day. But if it’s not necessary, opt for short frequent showers instead of long baths to save on water.
• When it comes to washing clothes and dishes, makes sure to make it a one time big time affair. Gather everything that needs to be washed before starting. Cleaning them together will not only save you time but soap as well.
• Start exercising your thumb. Landscaping your backyard or growing a couple of trees back there can help provide shade for your home. Trees can generally make home temperature cooler by catching all the sunlight before it even reaches your home. This can certainly lessen your need for air conditioning units. You can also expect a cleaner and cooler breeze with plants around.

Do you live in an Earth-friendly home?

I’d love to know how manage a full functional home that Mother Earth loves. Hit me up with your experiences, tips and comments below.

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Do-It-Your Way: Spruce up Plain Old Boring Lamps to Make Them New

Sick of that lamp collecting dust bunnies in the corner of your room? Though a scrolling led sign is every bit more interesting than that ancient lighting fixture you’re keeping, there’s hope!

Today, I’m sharing with you a couple of ideas on how to turn something drab to fab without spending a fortune. Use materials you already have or purchase inexpensive ones from any craft store. Don’t forget to make use of energy efficient bulbs to turn your new lighting fixture green.

Are you ready for the big transformation? Here we go:

1.Buttons: Have a couple of pieces lying around from other DIY projects? Or maybe you’ve managed to fill a box to the brim by collecting ones that fell from your clothes. It doesn’t matter how you got your buttons because you can definitely use them to liven up any lamp. Using a hot glue gun, you simple stick them over the prepared lampshade. After filling all the spaces, you now have a funky new lamp that’s one of a kind. New buttons can also be used. Just make sure that each one of them is flat so that you can easily glue them in place.

2.Old newspaper or book paper with prints: To get that vintage look, you may wrap the prepared lampshade with these papers. You can do a papier-mâché style of keeping them in place. That is coating the newspaper or book paper with a water and glue mixture which you’ll just let dry. Gluing the ends inside the lampshade is also an easier option.

3.Bows and laces: Want to create a very feminine lampshade that reflects the real you? These materials will definitely do the trick. Bows and laces surely spell dainty with a lot of fun. Just like the other two materials in this list, a hot glue gun should be your best friend in putting these decorations in place. The creative possibilities are endless when you’re using laces and bows. You can create checkered patterns with your ribbons or just a simply line your lampshade with those pretty laces. Using both materials in one lampshade can create a sweet and girly look.

Super DIY Idea: You can also use apply the technique I shared in one of my previous posts. Warp your lampshade with treated warn to create a rustic designer inspired lamp. To do this, check out my DIY project on doing your own designer pendant lamp here.

Craving for more DIY projects? Just let me know what you’re looking for by leaving a comment below. I’d be more than happy to share more tips and trick with you.

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Make a Team Out of You

Working in groups is unavoidable. Be it in school or in the work place, teams are generally formed to hasten the achievement of common goals. Though it may seem like a second nature to anyone, there is actually a science in thriving in groups. Human resource books are great resources to know more about groups and teams.

Today, I’m sharing with you 4 characteristics common to the most valuable team players. Help build any team by having these traits:

1. Thinking member

The strength of a team rests on the individual capabilities of members. When these competencies are pulled together, the results are surely greater than what members can achieve on their own. Be an asset of the team by bringing valuable attitudes and skills to the group. Though any technical know-how is a valuable contribution, it may turn out to be a frustrating disadvantage if not used well for the achievement of group goals.

Always be aware of yourself and the environment within the group to be able to respond accordingly at all times. Remember that being in a group means bringing in your personal expertise to help achieve common goals.

2. Exceptional

Showing reliability, sincere commitment and flexibility all at once may not seem easy. Being an exceptional member is in fact a difficult task. Individuals who are able to demonstrate the said traits at the same time really work hard. But I say you can achieve the same results by working smart.

To be a stellar team player, you may follow this exercise. Take reliability, commitment and flexibility as separate traits that you have to demonstrate. Write these words down on a clean sheet of paper allowing them their own column. Afterwards, think of the circumstances within in the group and write down concrete ways on how you can best demonstrate them.

3.Active

Do you recognize something different with your high performing team mate? In reality, he or she is truly different. Valuable team members are hyper in several ways. They take on a proactive perspective and support the dynamic development of the group. Doing so allows them to thrive and be a cut above the rest when placed in a group set-up.

In a group, before letting your voice be heard, it is always wise to listen first. Collaborating with others is basically a give and take relationship.

4.Maintain an Openness

Groups are always composed of individuals who are working together to achieve a common goal. In this sense, joining a group entails one to leave his or her comfort zones in order to be a significant part of a whole. Being receptive to new ideas, processes and personalities is important to allow members of the group to work in harmony.

Ready to be a better team player? Share these tips with your family, friends and colleagues to help other groups become better. Let me know of your experiences in groups by leaving a comment below.

Check out: Talk Your Way through Workplace Conflicts

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Do-It-Your Way: How to Recreate Sophisticated Designer Pendant Lamps for Much Less

Giving your personal space that homey feel should never be expensive. You deserve it! Here is a simple DIY project that can help you recreate designer pendant lamps for less than $20. This bargain is definitely as eye catching as any scrolling LED sign but with more finesse. So let’s get it on!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A bottle or two of fabric stiffener 
• Yarn Bath towel Inflated ball (It could be a beach ball or any other ball that you can deflate afterwards) 
• Large plastic bowl 
• Plate (preferably same size as the diameter of the yarn ball you’ll be creating) 
• Cutter or a pair of scissors 
• Chalk 
• Tape measure 
• Extra yarn about 6 inches long 
• Electrical wiring Light bulb

Here’s what you’ll do: 

1. Line your working area with the bath towel for protection
2. Place the yarn inside the bowl and soak it completely in fabric stiffener. Make sure to massage the stiffener on to the yarn to get it on the insides as well.
3. Once the yarn is soaked, get your inflated ball and tie the string once around the center. Leave an excess yarn of about 8 inches before knotting it. This excess thread will be used to hang the finished product for drying.
4. Then, randomly spin the yarn around the ball to create a unique pattern. Continue on until your ball of yarn is finished and the ball is entirely covered with it.
5. When you get a hold of the yarn’s end, insert through another yarn and make a knot or two to secure the structure. 
6. Now, you are ready to hang the ball for drying.
7. Check if the ball is dry by knocking on it. Expect to hear a sound when you knock on the hardened material. 
8. Find a wide spot not covered by yarn. This area will serve as the path way for your electrical wiring.
9. From the spot that you’ve chosen, measure at least 5 inches away from it. Set your plate on top of this area and mark around it using a chalk. This will serve as the entry and exit point of your light bulb in the future.
10. Now, you are ready to deflate the ball. Use the eraser part of a pencil to help release the air. 
11. Once the ball is deflated half way, you can now go back to the plate marking that you did. Cut around it. 
12. Use your extra yarn to this small part onto your pendant lamp to create a simple door.
13. Insert your electrical wiring on the spot you’ve chosen earlier which is about 5 inches away from the small door. 
14. Place your light bulb inside the pendant lamp through the door and fasten it tightly.

Liked this project? Share this idea with your family and friends. Start prettifying your home anytime, on any budget.

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Make It Bright: Indoor Lighting 101

A scrolling LED sign can surely lure customers into trying in a new restaurant. This catchy means of posting announcements or information spells fun big time.

But do you need an LED sign to make your own home attractive?

Here’s what you need to know about indoor lighting for your home. (If you have a restaurant or a café, you can use these tips too)

Indoor Lighting Types

Natural As the name suggest, light from this type of lighting comes from natural resources such as the sun. Bulbs and other lighting fixtures are rarely involved in this type of lighting. Among all options, natural lighting is the most simple and most cost-effective means of lighting any room in your home. Usually, windows, skylights and other open designs are utilized to allow natural light into a room.

Artificial This type of lighting makes use of light bulbs to brighten up a room. Bulbs and lamps come in different forms. Incandescent, halogen, fluorescent and LEDs are some of the most popular forms of lighting fixtures.

• Ambient or mood lighting. This lighting method is used to heighten the mood projected within a room. Bulbs are usually placed on the ceiling to bring down a soft and subtle glow. 
• Accent or object lighting. This type of lighting highlights a focal point through the use of light. Accent lighting is best used when wanting to draw attention to paintings on the wall. The light’s direction plays an important role in accentuating the desired piece.
• Task lighting. This is the most commonly used lighting method. Private and commercial spaces make use of this lighting to carry out regular tasks like reading, writing, cooking and other activities. This also provides the least glare and eyestrain.

General Tips

1. Consider the function and purpose of your room before installing any lighting fixtures. Incandescent bulbs give off a yellow glow that instantly creates warmth in any space. Halogen lights, on the other hand, are clear and clean. For a modern feel, fluorescent bulbs are best because of their blue or full spectrum light projection.
2. LED bulbs are the most cost-effective offerings in the market today. Though these bulbs may be more expensive than its other counterparts, it will certainly save more in the long run with its longer life-span and energy saving capabilities.
3. Lighting fixtures can also serve a decorative purpose. Choose lamps or chandeliers that make a statement for that instant transformation in your room. You can either go for a piece with a bold color or unique style.

Nothing needs to be just ordinary anymore. Play with lighting styles and fixtures in your home to make it more inviting.

Check out our Energy Saving Tips

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