Cooler Temperatures Have Finally Arrived And We've Got the Ultimate Guide to Optimizing Your Garage Space

The garage isn’t simply where you park your car. It’s usually your tool shed, your excess storage room, and the unspoken designated space for your outdoors and sporting equipment. The garage is “stuff overflow.” Over time, these various tools, half-used cans of paint, and “I might need this again” items add up. This can lead to a real mess.  

It may seem like a daunting project, but there are several ways to optimize your garage space. The benefits make the effort worth it. Not only will your garage look nice, but you’ll once again have a functional space if you take the time to do it correctly. Best of all, your garage will be safer, which will give you peace of mind. You can DIY or hire professionals.

Clean up and Declutter

This is not a quick job and you should allot a few days for this step alone. Some people may prefer the solitude of a large project, but others may appreciate the help from their families. Let go of any icky feelings, such as guilt or frustration at the mess. For this job, you’re going to need temporary storage space. Consider using large plastic bins and keeping them somewhere outside the garage. Then, choose one side of the garage and start emptying it.

You’ll be doing two sorting processes at once. Decide what you’re going to keep and organize those items into sensible groups. Think sports, tools, summer yard maintenance, winter yard maintenance, and rare usage items. As you sort them, place them in your (well labeled) plastic bins. Specificity is good here, as you want similar items to be grouped together. Do soccer nets and inflatable kayaks belong together? They’re both outdoor activities, but it depends on you. You might need to separate sporting goods from water recreation if you have lots of both. Organizing them now may take time, and you may choose to separate broad categories into more specific ones as you go. Take your time in this step because it’ll make life easier later.

For everything you’re not keeping, you need to decide what to do with them. You can donate them if they work and you’ll never use them again. You can sell them if you think someone wants them and will buy them from you. Keep in mind that you may have to be willing to store it until that buyer comes along. You can also take junk that nobody wants and choose to throw it out. This is going to require hard honesty. You were probably stoked when you finally bought those kayaks, but have you actually used them in the last few years? If not, are you really going to change to justify keeping them? It may feel like a waste to get rid of stuff you don’t use, but once it’s gone, you’ll feel a weight lift off your shoulders. Remember that you can just toss things. It's freeing.

Take a look at everything you plan to keep. Do you still have too much? You could go through it again with an even more critical eye, or you can consider your options at this point. Is this enough stuff to justify renting storage? Once an item is in storage, it’ll be out of sight, out of mind, so question this option. You can also create your own storage shed, giving you the extra space you need to not only house your things but to do it cleanly. You’re also going to use the garage for this purpose, but it’s good to keep in mind. For additional ideas, please check out this article from Architectural Digest.

Plan the space

Now that everything is organized and out of the garage, don’t toss the bins back inside. Take this moment to plan your space.

What do you want your garage to be?

If you don’t want your garage to continue as a storage space, it doesn’t have to be. If you’ve been dreaming of building a new bedroom, in-home spa, home office, or playroom, this is the time to really consider what that will look like. A garage is a great place for a workshop. It can also continue to be your garage as it was, only much better. To accomplish any of these tasks, you’ll want to have a plan.

Start with the basics. Where will you park your car, if not the garage? How much space does the garage hold? Where will you store your stuff instead? If you have another storage option chosen and want to repurpose this room, you can now figure out the fun stuff. If it’s a home spa, where do you want the hot tub versus the sauna? If it’s a man cave, exactly how large of a television will fit against that back wall? If it’s still a storage space, how much room does your car take up?

What will you use the most?

One way or another, you still have to store all the garage stuff. To do that in the best possible way, you’ll need to know what items you use the most and what one you use the least. Just like in the kitchen, you want the items you use regularly to be the easiest to access. In the summer, you might use that kayak every couple of weeks, but your snowboard is gathering dust. The reverse could be true in the winter. If you keep your garbage and recycling bins in the garage, you’ll use those often and want to keep them in the easiest place possible.

The best storage plans involve making storage space where your organized items are stored together. Not all items are created equal, and you may use a hammer and nails far more often than your circular saw. Store what you use in quick reach. Store what you’ll use the least farther out of reach. If you live in an area that rarely receives snow, you don’t need your snow shovel stored at the ready. Leave that space for your rakes, weed wacker, and lawn mower. If your kids play soccer every day, don’t hide the ball behind the hockey sticks. Your stuff should go back into your garage in a place that makes sense for how it’ll be utilized, along with objects of similar types.

Optimize the space

Now that you have the vision and layout for what you want your space-optimized garage to be, you’ll need to invest in actually optimizing the space. This can be done as your own DIY project, or you can hire a professional. Here are a few different storage options:

Go vertical

One of the best ways to create space is to do it vertically. Your walls go from floor to ceiling, and so can your garage storage spaces. Consider shelving that mounts to the wall or the ceiling. This ensures you can still park your car. When storing vertically, you can take this concept even further. Store all your loose items in bins and ensure those bins have lids on them. This gives you further space to store more goods on top of the bins. A peg board is a great space to hang tools, golf bags, and anything else you may want to hang up. This not only looks professional and inviting, but it's practical. Don’t only think of tools and sporting goods. Recycling and garbage can be lifted off the ground as well.

Create space that is adjustable and easily customizable for maximum effectiveness. Space your shelves as far apart as is necessary so you can fit in more shelves. Bins you need easy access to can be put on wheels and tucked within the shelves to be pulled out with ease. Going upward instead of outward is the way to go.

Ceiling storage options

One of the most underutilized garage storage spaces is the ceiling. Your car sits in the middle of the garage, so all that space is wasted. It doesn’t have to be. You can hang metal storage, keep more of your items on it, and still park underneath the bins. Does your garage door require that space? Buy hanging shelves wide enough so the door can open between them.

Ceiling mounts come in a variety of forms. You can buy hanging shelves, which could be a great place for rarely used items such as Christmas decorations. You can get roof racks for kayaks and bicycles (though if you ride daily, you may want to hang your bike on the wall for easier use). Use wooden planks as tracks and slide your bins so the wood holds them by the lip, suspending them easily in the air. Your ceiling storage doesn’t have to be inaccessible, either. You can buy most of these with lifts attached, which will raise and lower at your command. Storing your stuff via the ceiling has never been easier than it is now.

Cubbies can be great for toys and sports gear

Your vertical or ceiling shelves will need the correct cubbies for all your toys and sports gear. A ball corral is the best storage for various basketballs, bouncy balls, and other sports balls. Kids can grab one from the bottom without displacing all the ones on top.

Build cubbies that conform to your needs. You can have them as tall as needed for your hockey sticks, tennis rackets, skates, and helmets. Each item has its own cubby, and the garage looks great when everything is put away in its designated home. Another version of these is garage storage lockers. You can design them with customizable shelving, and with doors if you prefer to keep things closed.

When utilizing cubby storage, organize it with the same principles mentioned above. You want what you use most within easy reach. The stuff you use less can go into the high cubbies. Cubbies are great because they’re easy to take things out of, so you can keep them loose and un-binned, ready to grab off the shelf.

Make things flexible

You’ve managed to store all your things in your garage, but maybe that’s not quite enough. If you’ve always dreamed of using your garage as a mini-workshop for projects or a sanctuary to get some work finished in peace, you may want a space that accomplishes that. You can do this with foldable workbenches or desks. They can be built into the space you already have or can fold up nicely to tuck away into your storage when not being used. By creating a flexible space, your garage becomes what you want it to be when you need it.

You’ll want to keep this same principle throughout all the storage you’ve put up. You might decide now that you’ll definitely use those paddleboards all summer, but change your mind later and sell them. You’ll want the option to organize that space for whatever you’re storing there next. The easier you can rearrange your shelves, cubbies, and workspaces, the more your garage will give you the maximum space available to do it. Some people build thin shelves on wheels, so they can move them in and out of the way or layer them behind one another. You can buy these, build them, or even hire a handyman for a customized job. A little flexibility goes a very long way when it comes to space optimization.

There’s a feeling of peace and serenity that comes with a clean, organized space. Once you have it, you’ll feel like a weight has lifted off you, and you’ll smile every time you see what you’ve accomplished. You’ll be able to open your car door without upending random piles of stuff. While it’s a change that takes time and effort, your garage will transform from a place where you store your junk into an organized storage facility for you and your family. 

A big thank you to Adriana Lopez for this fantastic article originally posted in Porch.com

Let Your Space BLOOM offers hands-on organizing, move preparation, unpacking, downsizing, rightsizing and everything in between. For more information, contact Amy. Again, special thank you to Adriana Lopez for this informative guest blog post.

How to Get Organized Before You Move

We are in the midst of a strong seller’s market. Real estate is booming as the pandemic has forced people to reevaluate their living choices. Whether you are the seller or the buyer, moves are stressful. The key to reducing stress is to be as organized as possible. I’ve invited guest blogger, Guy Fuchs, Chief Information Officer at Oz Moving & Storage, to share his strategies for how to get organized before you move. Enjoy!

It's easy to get lost in the excitement of moving, between finding the perfect new home, coordinating the move, and closing on a new mortgage.

But if you don't take time to plan out your move, you run the risk of making mistakes that could cost you time and money—not to mention a lot of unnecessary stress.

Part of the problem is that most people don't know where to start when moving. Before you even consider hiring a company like Oz moving & storage, you need to be organized. But when should you start packing? And what about all those things you've been meaning to get rid of but haven't yet?

Keep reading to learn more about how you can be organized when moving. Let’s roll!

9 Steps to Get Organized Before Your Move

Getting organized before a move can seem daunting at first. Fortunately, these nine steps can make the process a smoother and less stressful experience.

Start With a Plan

You will first need to decide on a plan of action before you begin packing. Start by making a list of tasks that need to be done as quickly as possible. Then, make another list that can wait until later in the moving process.

Organize your boxes according to each room of your house and label them accordingly. You don't want to get caught up in the chaos of a moving day, so it's best to know exactly where certain items are going ahead of time.

By taking some time to organize your belongings, you can save yourself from re-organizing everything later on down the road.

Start Early

While this may seem obvious, it is not always easy to do. The sooner you start getting organized, the less stress when moving. If possible, start planning your move at least six weeks in advance so that nothing sneaks up on you by moving day.

Keep in mind moving days can be stressful enough without worrying about packing everything up at the last minute!

Create a Budget

Moving is expensive, so having a firm budget before you get started will make it much easier to stay within your means. Make sure your budget includes moving supplies and truck rentals. As well, consider any costs associated with hiring movers or professional packers.

Don't forget other expenses either, such as setting up utilities and making travel arrangements.

Declutter Before Packing

Moving gives you the perfect opportunity to get rid of unused items—clothes, shoes, electronics, books. Anything that has been sitting in the garage or storage room for years.

While it might be tempting to pack everything up and then sort it all out later at your new home, this isn't the best approach. It will only cost time and money when unpacking at your new place.

Instead, go through all your belongings before packing them up. By being proactive, you may save on moving costs and make unpacking much easier when the time comes.

Create a Digital Inventory of Your Belongings

Before you get started packing, create an inventory of your belongings. You'll want a detailed list to know exactly what you have and what to pack. The format doesn't matter—it could be a spreadsheet, document, or even a long text file—but make sure that it's easily accessible and searchable.

Then, as you pack each box, add its contents to the list along with its location (e.g., "living room," "bedroom," etc.). That way, if any of your stuff goes missing after the move, you'll know where to look for it.

Pack Only the Essentials

The less stuff you pack yourself, the easier your move will be. Take out only what you will need in the days leading up to your moving day and pack everything else right away. Ensure that your valuables and important documents are easily accessible during the move.

Or, for added security, consider keeping them with you at all times during the move.

Packing Supplies

Have enough boxes for the items you will be packing away first (extra kitchen items, old clothes, etc.). Save larger boxes for heavier items such as books and framed pictures. Gather packing tape and tape guns, markers for labeling boxes, bubble wrap for valuables, and any other supplies you may need along the way.

Be sure to keep all of your supplies together so that when unpacking, everything is in one place! You can score free boxes from grocery stores.

Create a Moving Binder

You will need to track a lot of paperwork during a move, including inventory lists, moving estimates, and receipts for other expenses related to the move. Create a single place for all of this by making a three-ring binder with tabbed dividers for each document type.

Include printed copies of your moving quotes and make sure they specify what services are included in their prices. They should also provide an inventory list, including weights and measurements. With this information, they can't charge you more later.

Notify Your Utilities and Other Service Providers

Typically, there will be countless service providers that need to be notified of a move. Make a list that includes cable, internet, and phone companies; energy providers; school districts; banks and credit card companies.

Then go down the list, making calls to notify each provider of your impending move. In many cases, you'll be able to fill out an online form instead of having to pick up the phone. If you have time before moving day, call or log in online a couple of days after notifying utilities and other services to confirm the changes.

Bottom Line

Well, there you have it—the complete guide to the best time-tested ways for getting your stuff together and staying organized before you move. With these steps on hand, you will be ready to go come moving day.

After all, remember that the key to a successful move is preparation. If you haven't started working these tips into your life yet, then now's the time.

And, once you’re organized, you can make the big day even less stressful by bringing in Oz moving & storage. With a little bit of time and effort, you’ll be back to living, not packing boxes.

Let Your Space BLOOM offers hands-on organizing, move preparation, unpacking, downsizing, rightsizing and everything in between. For more information, contact Amy. A special thank you to Guy Fuchs, for this informative guest blog post.

How to Create a Wellness Space at Home

During these continued uncertain times, it’s critical to cultivate wellness in your home space. I’ve invited guest blogger, Sophia Young, to share her ideas on how to create a wellness space at home. Enjoy!

Living a healthy, happy life as much as we can is essential for our wellbeing. As children and teenagers, we spend half of each day in the classroom or at home with our families - so why not make this half of our day as healthy and fulfilling as possible? Here are some ideas on how to create a wellness space at home that will help foster healthier habits.

Set Clear Intentions

Intentions are a very important part of any project or activity, so it's always a good idea to have them in mind before you begin. Take some time to think about what exactly you want to achieve with your wellness space, and why this is important to you. You could have different intentions for different uses of the wellness space. Whether your intent is focused on creating a space that can accommodate your at-home workouts, another might be to give you enough space to really stretch out when you’re practicing yoga poses, or creating an area where you can enjoy organizing sports equipment, setting an intention is the first place to start.

Take a Look Around

Before you begin a project, take some time to look around your home. It can be a great way to get inspired by the layout of the room(s) and make sure that your wellness space will fit in well. Perhaps there's an unused corner of a room or empty wall that could be worked into your wellness space? You can make it work, so don't worry too much about this small detail.

Choose the Right Location

The location of your wellness space at home will affect how much you make use of it. Make sure that your wellness space is located somewhere that you can easily access every day - perhaps a corner of a room, right next to the door in one room, or in an empty room that's dedicated to this project. 

Also think about how many other activities are going on around the wellness space - if it's right in the middle of the living room, you might bump into other people and disrupt their activity too much. However, make sure that it's not so obscure that you will avoid using it. For example, if you place your wellness space in the basement - a weirdly dark and cold place - then you will probably hardly ever use it, and this defeats the entire point of making one!

Remove Any Distractions

A wellness space is about having a relaxing and pleasant time, so make sure that you don't distract yourself during your relaxation time. For example, if you have the TV on, you will be tempted to watch TV instead of following through with your intentions. This could be a problem with the TV being on, but it's also a problem if you suddenly realize that you have no idea what to do next. This is often why we turn on the TV or radio for background noise when designing a wellness space.

A good practice for removing distractions is to prepare everything needed for the activity before you start. This way, you will be able to focus fully on enjoying the wellness activity without any other things to distract you.

Craft an Inspiring Scene

The setting for your wellness space is very important for setting your intentions and creating a good vibe. Turn off the TV, drop any other distractions, and turn on some relaxing music. Make sure that your lighting is bright enough to see but dim enough to be comfortable - you don't want it so bright that it hurts your eyes or so dim that you can't read.

Place some inspiring pictures in the room (e.g. maybe of a place that has always fascinated you). Your room should have a relaxing atmosphere, but it shouldn't make you feel tired or bored.

Incorporate Natural Elements

The feeling of real wood can be really great for creating a wellness space, as it adds to the feeling of being at home. There are many types of wood that you can choose from - some are very natural and offer a good feeling, while others are more artificial and feel less authentic. The choice depends on what you're going for.

Be careful with any furniture that you buy, as some materials may contain toxic chemicals. This includes plastics, metals, and paints - and if they are not well-made or are old they could be emitting toxic fumes and gases that are dangerous to your health.

Wellness Starts at Home

Making your own wellness space can be a great way to help you to achieve a healthier lifestyle, and it can also make life more pleasant at home. The tips in this article will help you get started, but with a bit of thinking and consideration, you can come up with your very own ideas for how to create a new wellness space at home.

Let Your Space BLOOM offers hands-on organizing, move preparation, unpacking, downsizing, rightsizing and everything in between. For more information, contact Amy. A special thank you to Sophia Young for this informative guest blog post.

How to Find an Accessible Home When Looking for a New House

For most Americans, finding the ideal home is a very long and grueling process. There are numerous things to consider, from the location to the price to the amenities to the school district. And when you have an impairment, ensuring that the home is accessible is one of the imperative factors to account for when house hunting. So here are some tips from Let Your Space BLOOM to guide you on your way to the perfect home.

Finding an Accessible Home

If you've decided to relocate but you have no idea where to start to find an accessible home, you may feel a bit confused and lost. In case you're about to start house hunting, following these strategies will help you find, buy and modify — if needed — the right place for you.

List All Your Needs

When house hunting, you need to make a list of all your needs and wants so you know what to look for in a property and what might break the deal. People with mobility disabilities should look for a home with no steps and an open floor plan, as well as outside ramps if available. If you've found a place that might be ideal for you and you like it a lot, but something doesn't work in it, you can buy it and make a few modifications after completing the paperwork. Some remodeling options include accessible landscapes, ramps or lifts, durable flooring, and perhaps smart home technology to ease your days.

Again, it's not unusual for homes to require some modification, even with a thorough hunt. Bathrooms, for instance, often need to be upgraded. So if that’s the case, your best bet is to search Angi for “plumber near me” and browse their handy ratings and reviews to find a local professional to get the job done.

Set a Budget

Setting up a budget is a fantastic way to pin down the scope of choices. A budget will help you figure out the limit of how much you can afford and will also help you consider what you might need to spend for modification costs. You also have a number of different ways to fund your purchase, such as loans and grants. For example, you may wish to apply for FHA if you plan to make a down payment of less than 20%. An FHA loan is also ideal for buyers who don't meet the credit history requirements that come with a conventional loan.

Do the Necessary Research in Your Area

House hunting will require a lot of research on your part. Start by checking accessible homes in your area with the neighborhood that is most appealing to you first. If you have kids, consider the school districts as well and the proximity to hospitals and stores. 

By working with a realtor who has experience in helping other clients find accessible places, you can visit various properties to find the one that attracts you the most and fits your needs best. Don't forget to have your credit reports in a good state and apply for a mortgage or a special loan in time to ensure you get pre-approved by the time you want to buy.

Don't Forget the Value of the Location

As mentioned above, location is imperative because it helps decide your home's appreciation, value, and resale potential. Still, it's not just that — an accessible home is not just one that is accessible on the inside, but it also makes a variety of other things more available. The location can make or break the deal — it can make you comfortable or uneasy. You need to think about what you need to be close to, how your transportation method matches that, and then take all this into account when house hunting.

Knowing What to Do Eases the House Hunt

Finding a home to fit your needs will allow you to stay and feel safe and comfortable for many years, so you'll want to ensure that the house you'd like to buy has everything you need before purchasing it. If you need to modify it, look into local contractors and other help you need, including an architect or an interior designer. Having a good plan in place will help you find the right home for you and your needs.

Let Your Space BLOOM offers hands-on organizing, move preparation, unpacking, downsizing, rightsizing and everything in between. Call (443) 595-6704. A special thank you to Bret Engel for this amazing guest blog post.

Tips for Buying a Fixer-Upper as Your First Home

In 2020, 33% of homebuyers were first-timers, according to the National Association of REALTORS. Buying a fixer-upper can help you get into a home at a lower price. But understanding the process helps you make a smart purchase.

Buying Process

When you put in an offer, consider the home's value and required repairs. Having a home inspection helps you understand the extent of the repairs. Some homes are sold "as-is," which means the seller won't do repairs and doesn't guarantee the home's conditions. Home inspections are especially important for as-is homes. Consulting a lawyer and reviewing land records can help you spot red flags.

Additionally, you can look into setting up your flipping venture as a legal entity early in the process. This ensures that you enjoy tax benefits, as well as limit your personal liability. To start, get an EIN number. A formation service like Zenbusiness can take the task off your plate if you prefer not to do the legwork but also save on lawyer fees. 

Financing

Buying a fixer-upper can be expensive with the repairs. A mortgage calculator estimates the monthly payment based on the purchase price, down payment, mortgage rates, and loan length. Then, estimate repair costs.

You can finance the home like other purchases. You'll also need funding for renovations. If you want to finance the renovations, an FHA 203(k) loan lets you get one loan for the house and renovations.

What to Look For

Cosmetic issues are more affordable than structural issues. Foundation repairs typically range from $2,142 to $7,424 while a roof replacement runs $5,583 to $11,617, according to HomeAdvisor. Evaluate the extent of the repairs and get estimates to help decide.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Finding more issues once you start renovations is common. Save part of your renovation budget for surprise repairs. Unexpected issues also delay renovations. A total fixer-upper can take months to complete.

Prioritize Projects

Renovations often happen in stages when you're renovating the entire house. Unless you have a large remodeling budget available immediately, you'll need to prioritize the projects. Structural issues should be repaired first.

Next, consider which projects have the best return on investment. Garage door replacements offer a 93.8% ROI while an upscale master suite remodel only has a 47.7% ROI, according to Remodeling Magazine.

Once major renovations are done, hiring Let Your Space Bloom for organization helps improve your home's use. The services help you utilize the space well and unpack once you move into your renovated home.

DIY vs. Professional

DIY home renovations save money but can be dangerous and time-consuming. Figuring out how to do the repairs takes time, especially if you're doing it in your free time. Some jobs are dangerous if things go wrong. Doing wiring yourself can result in electrical shock or electrical fires if you make a mistake.

Low-risk tasks like demo and painting are good for DIYers. Projects that require a permit or specialty skills are better left to professionals. 

Stay or Go

Flipping the fixer-upper can be a profitable move. Calculate your investment and the estimated sale price to see if you can make a profit. Consider the pros and cons of staying. If the home is in your ideal neighborhood and has a good layout for your family, staying might be the right choice.

If not, selling and buying a better match is an option. Let Your Space Bloom offers pre-staging services if you sell.

Your First Home

Planning thoroughly helps you succeed in renovating a fixer-upper. Consider the organizing services from Let Your Space Bloom for the perfect finishing touch after the renovations.

And a big thanks to Mr. Bret Engle for this bodacious blog post. You may contact Bret at bret.engle@diyguys.net

Tiny Homes: Affordable Alternative or Passing Fad? A Study of the ‘Tiny Home’ Market in 2021

Tiny homes are usually under 600 square feet, though the average size of a tiny house for sale in the US measures just 225 square feet. Here are some key findings:

• The average tiny home in America costs $52,000, 87% cheaper than a regular home

• Per square foot, however, tiny homes are 62% more expensive than full-size homes

• Tiny houses are cheapest in North Dakota ($28,000), but Arkansas ($31,700) has the lowest price per square footage at $109 per square foot

• Hawaii has the most expensive tiny real estate, average home costing over $149,000 or $490 per square foot

• Tiny homes are most affordable in North Dakota, New Hampshire, and New Jersey where they cost less than 50% of an average annual household income

• Colorado (-4%) and Hawaii (-3%) are the only states where tiny homes cost less per square foot than regular homes

• In Massachusetts, tiny homes cost 91% less than regular homes, the biggest price difference than any other state

During the pandemic, a survey by IPX 1031 found as many as 86% of American first-time home buyers would consider buying a “tiny house” as their first home, citing affordability, efficiency, and eco-friendliness as their top considerations.

More recently, the post-pandemic housing boom has also manifested itself in the increased demand for these small living spaces. According to the Wall Street Journal, tiny house listings grew by an average of 8.6% a year since 2001. There are now more than 1.4 million homes that can be classified as “tiny”.

But what are tiny homes? How tiny are they actually? And are they really that much more affordable than their full-size counterparts?

What Are Tiny Homes and Who Is Buying Them?

Tiny houses probably reached their peak popularity when the TV show “Tiny House Nation” aired on Netflix in 2019. Small homes, typically under 600 square feet, are typically built on trailers (so they can be towed to wherever the owner’s heart desires). They are occasionally built on foundations like full-size, immovable homes.

Born out of the minimalist “less is more” narrative, the tiny house movement has popularized the idea that one can fit their life in a tiny house and enjoy it without the outsize expense of owning a full-size home. 

It’s also worth noting that like minimalism in general, the tiny house movement has historically struggled to differentiate itself from class privilege, due to its gentrification of lifestyles typically associated with poverty. Tiny homes are widely touted for their reduced carbon footprint and ability to serve as an affordable living option, both feats that smaller homes and mobile homes have always accomplished, yet which have never previously been socially linked to people not able to afford regular-sized homes.And yet it’s exactly this affordability which has in recent years attracted the attention of a greater number of Americans looking to buy a home. 

Statistically, Millennials are especially drawn to tiny homes due to their price, flexibility of location for remote work, and eco-friendliness. And for Baby Boomers, a tiny house is an opportunity to exchange a big empty nest of a family home for something more affordable with significantly less upkeep. These are the two demographics who are most active on the tiny house market, according to TechNavio.

For further details on this study, please click on the original article.

*Content posted with permission from Lorena Romo, Content Marketing - Porch.com

Organizing Children's Chores During Quarantine

With most school buildings still closed, kids will have to continue learning virtually and stay at home for a much longer period, especially if they live in areas where lock-downs are being implemented. Given their seemingly boundless energy, it’s easy to assume that kids will be bored being stuck at home longer than they ever expected. Then again, that doesn’t have to be the case. You can keep your kids occupied with activities the entire time. You can arrange for playtime, screen time, and most importantly, chore time to give them things to do while quarantined. An easy way to delegate chores is by using a chore app for kids, especially if you’re getting them to do chores as a way of teaching them about money management.

Before you can organize your kids’ chores, you will need to get them to agree to do them first. Without a doubt, many children would not be too keen on doing household tasks. If your kids like doing chores, then you can consider yourself fortunate. If they don’t, then you still have to get them to help out just the same simply because chores teach them responsibility, self-reliance, and money management skills if you’re giving them an allowance for tasks they do. Many kids may not be too enthusiastic about chores, but the life skills they learn from doing them today will help them later in adult life, and they could only appreciate your helping them out in that regard.

When assigning your kids tasks around the house while in quarantine, always keep in mind that they all should be age-appropriate. For 4 to 5-year-olds, age-appropriate tasks would include folding towels, wiping surfaces, dusting, and sorting laundry. Meanwhile, kids ages 6 to 8-years old can already do more labor-intensive tasks like sweeping the floor, watering the plants, and cleaning their room. More complex tasks like loading and unloading the dishwasher, making easy-to-prepare meals, raking the yard, and changing bed sheets are ideal for 9 to12-year-old children. Teenagers can do any of the above, as well as mowing the lawn, washing the car, preparing full meals, doing the laundry, and most other grown-up household tasks.

There is no better way to organize the tasks you expect your children to do than create a chore chart. With a chore chart, you should be able to list all tasks that need doing and break them down into individual lists for your kids, primarily according to their ages. You can set easy-to-follow schedules and deadlines, and if you’re giving them an allowance, a chore chart can also make tracking the money they make easier. Some parents go for printable chore charts and post them somewhere in the house for everyone to check on a daily basis. However, considering how tech-savvy children these days are, chore apps for kids can offer an easier way of creating and managing chore charts, especially if they receive an allowance for completed tasks.

Aside from making it easier to give out tasks and set schedules and deadlines, a kid’s chore app also gives parents full control when assigning a monetary value to every single chore and transferring funds to their kids’ accounts. All they have to do is check the app for a given chore, complete the task, and tap it as complete on their dashboard. The beauty of these apps is that they also teach kids financial skills like saving, investing, and giving to charity. The benefits they receive from doing well-organized chores during the quarantine, can help make the situation more bearable and manageable.

I hope these ideas help your quarantined space to BLOOM in Maryland and beyond. A special thank you to Samantha Green, Content Marketing Strategist for BusyKid, for this wonderful guest blog post.