Category: House and Home

Are you looking for an affordable air purifier?

An air purifier has become necessary in many households. Americans spend around 90 percent of the time inside, including at home.

Every day, you’re exposed to air pollutants that can impact your health. An air purifier has been proven to help people breathe easier and have a higher quality of life.

Read on to learn why you need this device and how to chose one.

Why Air Purifiers Are a Must-Have

There are several reasons why you want to have an air purifier at home.

First of all, it can help reduce pet dander in the air. Pet dander happens no matter how often you groom your pet because it’s made from skin particles that get in the air.

If you or anyone in the home has allergies or asthma, pet dander can aggravate their symptoms. That can make it hard to breathe in the house.

An air purifier equipped with a filter made for pet dander can trap those skin particles, making it easier for you to enjoy your home.

Clean air is also important for the most vulnerable: kids and the elderly.

Buying an affordable air purifier can minimize the exposure to air pollutants and flu-causing germs. Cold and flu symptoms can turn into bigger health issues for the elderly and kids because they have weaker immune systems.

You’ll want to make sure that the filter you use can kill flu bacteria in the air.

Did you know that there’s a correlation between air pollution and school grades? Even a moderate exposure to air pollutants can lower school grades.

Since kids spend more time indoors more than they ever have, an air purifier can reduce the air pollutants they’re exposed to.

If you want to know more, check out A Fresher Home. It’s a good place to find out more about air purifiers and how they impact your health.

Affordable Air Purifiers for Your Home

Now that you know why you need an affordable purifier, this list shows you what the top 10 purifiers you need to consider before buying.

1. Holmes Tower Room HEPA Air Purifier

You can get a quality tower air purifier for only $75. This model from Holmes has three speeds, so it can handle most air pollutants.

It also comes with an optional ionizer, which keeps your air fresh and clean. This model works well against smoke too.

2. Hamiton Beach TruAir Room HEPA Air Purifier

This is a great option for rooms up to 160 square feet, such as bedrooms and home offices. Since it’s compact and portable, you can take it from room to room.

It also features a permanent filter that you can wash and reuse. That makes this model very affordable since you don’t have the added costs to replace the filter.

3. Home Labs 3 in 1 Ionic Air Purifiers

Ionic purifiers work differently than standard purifiers. Instead of sucking air in and trapping particles in a filter, they use a negative charge to neutralize the air.

This model is good for personal spaces as it only works in 20 square feet.

4. Germ Guardian AC4100

Germ Guardian is a well-known brand, and this model has an excellent reputation. The AC 4100 is an affordable air purifier that offers a HEPA and charcoal system to clean the air.

It also has a UV light to kill bacteria.

5. Holmes Desktop Air Purifier

Holmes makes this list again with its desktop air purifier. With a purifier that can easily fit on a desk or table, you can have clean air wherever you are in the house.

This device makes it easier to get rid of smoke, odors, pet dander, mold spores, and more.

6. Envion Therapure Room HEPA Purifier

Envion’s Therapure purifier retails for $150, making it one of the more pricey models on this list.

However, it’s worth the cost. This model can work in medium to large sized rooms, making this a good choice for families.

It’s rated well for pollen, dust, and smoke removal.

7. HomeImage Room True HEPA Air Purifier

Do you need to cover a large space with your air purifier? The Room True HEPA purifier from HomeImage has you covered.

It can handle rooms as big as 200 square feet, which is another great option for families. This model comes with a remote control and is programmable, so the air is clean before you enter the room.

8. Levoit LV-H132

The Levoit LV-H132 is only good for only 89 square feet, but it’s very silent. The quiet motor and its price point are the reasons why this is on the list.

This air purifier also has a modern design, which makes it a great fit for most office spaces.

9. Germ Guardian AC 4825

Germ Guardian is on this list for another model – the AC 4825. While the 4100 is a small model that’s good for small spaces, the AC 4825 can clean the air in rooms up to 155 square feet.

The HEPA filter traps pollutants such as smoke, dust, mold, pet dander, and odors. This device is also equipped with UV light, which can kill bacteria to protect you from cold and flu viruses.

10. Gideon Electronic Plug-in

The last affordable air purifier on this list is the most portable. It’s good for small spaces, so you’ll want to consider this for bathrooms and pet areas.

This model uses only eight watts of energy and is hardly noticeable because it’s so quiet.

Ready to Buy an Affordable Air Purifier?

A home air purifier can have a great impact on your home and your health. It can remove impurities, smoke, and pet dander.

It can also improve the quality of life for you, your kids, and the elderly. With the right filter, air purifiers can help you breathe easier.

Are you ready to breathe in fresh air?

To make your purchase even more affordable, check out our site for giveaways, coupons, and hot deals!

When it comes to kitchen cabinets, the smartest way to find the best choice for your kitchen is to merge form with function. If you don’t like the way they look, you’ll be less likely to appreciate and use your kitchen properly.

Yet, if the cabinets can’t function like you need them to, you’ll run into the same problem. But since kitchen cabinets make up about half of the entire budget for your kitchen, you need to create a system to find affordable ones.

Which is why we’ve developed this guide to help you buy affordable kitchen cabinets. Keep reading to learn more.

Determine Your Kitchen Needs

Everyone uses their kitchen in a different way. Some people think of themselves as amateur chefs and utilize every single inch of their kitchen.

Others are on a first name basis with the staff at their local restaurants. They barely even notice they have a kitchen. Most of us are somewhere in between.

Figure out how often you use your kitchen. Then determine how you use your kitchen. Take a week to use your kitchen normally and take notes.

Notice what you don’t like about your current kitchen. Write down what you feel it’s lacking. Next, write down exactly what you love about your kitchen.

This will help you find affordable kitchen cabinets that will ensure you have the exact amount of space you need.

Don’t forget to consider how much storage space you’ll need. For a person living alone who tends to order out delivery, there’s usually not much of a need for storage space.

For a family of five with three active teenagers, their needs for storage will be much greater. Find kitchen cabinets that make the most out of the space you have.

Pick a Style You Like

While function is hugely important, style is too. No one likes walking into a kitchen to see ugly kitchen cabinets staring back at them. If you’re going to invest in affordable kitchen cabinets, you might as well like what you bought.

However, when it comes to affordable kitchen cabinets, you might not always get to merge form with function perfectly. Choose which one is most important to you if your budget won’t allow for both.

If aesthetics are more important, choose the style. If the function is, choose form. If you do choose a style, here are a few choices.

Eco-Friendly

Many people are becoming aware that wood is a natural resource that isn’t easy to replace. They’re also concerned with their health and the safety of their families.

There are many options today for affordable kitchen cabinets to be made using eco-friendly materials. From glass to bronze and wood like bamboo, the choices are seemingly endless.

You can also rest easy knowing that your cabinets are free from toxic chemicals like VOC’s and formaldehyde. Ask a kitchen cabinet expert like those found at RTA Depot to help you find the best eco-friendly choices for your home.

Choose a Wood

When you choose a wood, you’re really choosing form and function once again. Not all wood is the same. Some of it is cheaper and prone to swelling if you live in a particularly humid area. Some of it comes from a more durable wood which will last longer.

Choosing the right one depends on your needs, timeline, and of course, your budget.

Most cabinets are from a hardwood tree. Oak, maple, cherry, and birch are all popular choices. Keep in mind that today, to keep costs lower, most affordable kitchen cabinets are plywood that has a hardwood veneer.

Choose a Finish for Your Wood

Of course, the next step is to choose the best type of finish for your wood. You can choose the exact grain, color, and construction of your affordable kitchen cabinets.

Veneers will give you a better grain-matching wood quality than solid wood cabinets. As for color, you don’t have to go with the wood’s natural color. A good stain can give you the color of maple on a birch base.

Select a Budget

Choosing a budget is a very important element of selecting the best and most affordable kitchen cabinets. Create a budget so that you can find the best options at your price point.

Cabinets fall into three categories. There are stock cabinets which start at a $70 per linear foot price point. A typical kitchen has 25-30 linear feet of cabinets. There are fewer styles and sizes available at this price point.

Semi-custom cabinets range from $150-$250 per linear foot. They fit your kitchen more precisely because they come in more configurations.

Meanwhile, custom cabinets will cost $500 or more per linear foot. That’s because they’re crafted to your exact specs. They also usually include many personalized features.

A Few Ways to Save Even More on Your Affordable Kitchen Cabinets

If your budget is too low to even consider investing in stock cabinets, have no fear. There are still some options to choose from.

You can reface your kitchen cabinets. Refacing means re-skinning them with new wood or a laminate veneer and replacing their doors. This option is less expensive and will take less time than replacing the existing cabinets.

You can also opt for replacing your doors and hinges. That will create a new look and style to the existing cabinets. It can be done at a fraction of the cost that replacing them entirely will.

Lastly, you can just replace your knobs and pulls with new ones. These are all great options especially if you’re just tired of looking at the same cabinets but there’s nothing technically wrong with them.

Look Where You Can Save Money

It’s important that you’re happy with the end result of your kitchen cabinets. But they shouldn’t break your bank.

Don’t be afraid to ask which materials are the most affordable. Ask how you can save as much money as possible.

Lastly, visit other sources to learn as much as you can about kitchen cabinets. We love sharing tips on how to get more with less money. After your kitchen renovation, come back to visit us for some tasty recipes.

What if you could make one of the worst parts of home ownership so much easier?

Driveway resurfacing is a task that no homeowner looks forward to. It takes a lot of time and it eats into your hard-earned money.

Fortunately, there are a few easy tips you can follow in order to save money on any resurfacing that you do.

Driveway Resurfacing or Driveway Repair?

Before you get started, you should determine if you really need to resurface the driveway. It’s possible that the damage is minor enough that you only have to repair the driveway instead.

Inspect any and all cracks you see in the driveway. If they are less than a quarter of an inch wide, they can simply be sealed instead of resurfaced.

You can repair such cracks very easily by using liquid crack refiller. If those cracks are larger than a quarter of an inch wide, you must resurface instead.

Keep reading to discover ten ways to save money on resurfacing your driveway!

1. Buy a Kit

Special kits are available for anyone who wishes to resurface their own driveway. These kits are typically available at your average home improvement stores.

The main downside to doing this all on your own is that it takes a lot of time and effort. However, it also saves a lot of money that would otherwise go towards paying a professional.

You can find much of the equipment you will need to buy on Pavement Planet.

2. Everybody Chips In

Part of what makes driveway resurfacing so expensive is the cost of buying the individual materials you need. You can potentially save money on these materials by buying them in bulk.

Begin by asking around in your neighborhood and in your family to see who else might want to resurface their driveway. This lets all of you put in a single bid to a single contractor.

This saves the contractor money in terms of storing and transporting all of the necessary materials. Contractors are often willing to pass some of those savings on to you, reducing the overall cost of your resurfacing.

3. The Power of Concrete

One stealthy way of resurfacing is to camouflage the driveway damage. You can do this by first creating a grid pattern on your driveway by using chalk.

Next, you use a power saw to cut along these lines. You should definitely hire a professional to do this if you’ve never used a power saw before.

The final result is a driveway that looks very modern and stylized. And any cracks that you had in it have now been effectively masked b the design.

4. Creative Materials

Most people use asphalt or concrete in order to resurface their driveway. It is possible to use gravel in order to save money.

You can also use a combination of rocks and tar to resurface your driveway for a fraction of the cost of traditional asphalt. You may also consider using bricks and concrete that have been recycled from previous projects.

Ultimately, using less traditional maters can be a key to major savings.

5. Get Free Estimates

Most people hire a professional for driveway resurfacing. The amount that these professionals typically charge is what makes resurfacing so expensive.

Contact multiple professionals in your area before committing to one of them. Have as many of them as possible come out, inspect the driveway, and then offer a free estimate for how much it will cost to resurface.

This simple act can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars off of the job by allowing you to find the cheapest rates in town.

6. Asphalt Repair

One interesting alternative to the traditional resurface or repair options is to hire professionals to repair the asphalt. They have special equipment that makes such a repair quick and easy.

This technique usually involves working on the driveway in patches. This means you could have them focus only on certain areas instead of doing the entire driveway.

This option represents a great compromise between trying to repair everything yourself or having a professional resurface all of it. Ultimately, it can save you a lot of money.

7. Check Property Lines

Some basic advice that many people forget about is to doublecheck where your property lines begin and where they end. Otherwise, it is possible to accidentally resurface onto property that belongs to your neighbor.

Damaging your neighbor’s property could lead to costly legal action. This dramatically adds to the cost of the project. However, doublechecking property lines cost nothing and can save money!

8. Negotiate Your Needs

Part of the cost of a professional job comes from all of the things they do as part of a standard job. You may not need every one of these “standard” services, though.

Try to negotiate your specific needs with any professional that you hire. If you need fewer services than they typically offer, it may mean you can get a discount on the job.

9. Do It Sooner Rather Than Later

Whether you repair or resurface, it’s always better to fix things sooner rather than later. This allows you to fix cracks before they expand or to simply reduce the cost of a complex resurfacing job.

Keeping the driveway looking good also enhances the value of your home. This gives you the flexibility to more easily sell your home if you want to.

If you suspect you may need the drive repaired or resurfaced, you should call a professional for a free consultation immediately.

10. Phone a Friend

Many people opt to repair or resurface their driveway themselves to save money. The only real downside to this is how much time it takes to do this on your own.

You can cut this time in half by getting a friend to help you out. This is especially advisable if the friend has a lot of experience using the complex tools involved in resurfacing.

The Bottom Line

Everybody wants to save money. After all, driveway resurfacing isn’t the only thing that often costs way too much!

To find more info about how to save money in your house and around town, come check out our coupons today. All of these little savings add up and put hard-earned money directly back in your pocket!

Kitchen cabinets are the true face of your kitchen. Sure, they serve a practical function to store our pots, pans, and plates. The truth is very few people will ever see the chaos on the inside.

The overall style, color, and hardware have a direct effect on how your kitchen’s style is perceived. Beautiful cabinets can even increase the value of your home.

As always there is a cost for style. It’s said that 30% of your kitchen budget should be allocated to cabinets.

There are some fabulous ways of saving money and making an impact at the same time. Choosing kitchen cabinets should be a fun experience.

Follow our tips and you’ll see what an impact new cabinets will have on your kitchen space.

The Value of Your Home

Perception is such a large part of determining a home’s value. That’s why home staging has become so critical to selling a home for it’s highest price.

Buyers want to see themselves living their best life in the new home. That often includes saying goodbye to the outdated ways of their previous home.

Hardware

Replacing hardware will increase the value of your home. It gives the impression of custom cabinetry, without the full replacement cost.

Choosing hardware doesn’t have to be boring. Take it as a design opportunity and feel free to add antique handles or interesting pulls. Buyers love the idea of having something unique. Making this simple change can affect their perception of your home’s value.

Looking for some cool ideas? Check our these hardware styles.

Choosing cabinets wisely will guarantee your investment comes back in property value.

Paint and Finishes

Don’t forget that a fresh coat of paint goes a long way. New buyers are often making a large purchase and therefore want a home as close to new as possible.

Take the time to put on a new coat, fix cracks, or any damaged panels. Simple flaws can make a bad impression on the buyer.

Semi-gloss paint will add an attractive sheen to your cabinets without allowing small stains and fingerprints to show.

Cabinets with an antique finish adds charm to your kitchen. But that finish can add significant cost to your project. Sometimes going with something clean, and timeless is the best decision.

Wondering what your options are for finishes and materials? Check out . Exotic woods, unique finishes, and colors are all available to explore.

Don’t Be Afraid of Color

When choosing kitchen cabinets color is an important choice. The decisions you make can have an effect on the overall look of your kitchen, as well as the budget.

Did you know that buying pre-painted white cabinets is often cheaper than hiring someone to paint them later on?

Determining the overall color scheme of the kitchen in advance can save you time and money. A mood board with images of your ideal kitchen will help to narrow your choices.

Natural wood stain and white are definitely the most popular cabinet look. However, cabinets that have a bold color can spice up your kitchen.

When choosing kitchen cabinets two-tone cabinetry color is a great look. If you’re having a lack of inspiration, check out these popular cabinet color combos.

There are some basic color rules to consider when choosing kitchen cabinets.

• White: This color will open up the space

• Black: Very sleek and modern, but can make the space close in

• Red/Yellow: Research shows these colors are the most appetizing

• Blue/Green: These colors have a calming effect on the space

Another clever idea is DIY chalkboard painted cabinets. How many times have you arrived at the grocery store only to find out you’ve forgotten what to buy?

Keeping a running list on one chalkboard painted cabinet is a fun way to stay organized. Write down the item you need to buy as soon as you realize it. Simply snap a photo every time you leave for the grocery store and never miss an item.

As well, every parent knows that small children need constant entertaining. Allowing them to scribble and draw on a lower cabinet in chalk keeps them occupied and keeps them close by while you’re cooking.

Choosing kitchen cabinets can be fun for the whole family.

Here are some other great ideas to inspire your kitchen design.

Budget

When choosing kitchen cabinets you should aware of your budget at all times, costs can quickly add up. It’s important to note that cabinets, appliances, tiles, and countertops are often left out of a contractor’s quote. This can lead to a deceptively low price for the kitchen remodel.

The cost of demolition, walls, floors, and windows is often included in this initial quote but only account for one-third of the budget.

A detailed quote is a must. Does their price for cabinets cover installation only? Or does it also cover the cost of the cabinets themselves?

You can even ask to see a sample of the cabinets they will be installing. It’s important to be specific when choosing kitchen cabinets. If not, you might run into a conflict with your contractor.

Don’t be afraid to ask for specifics when choosing kitchen cabinets. So often contractors just say things are included but give no indication of the quality.

In cabinetry, good quality means:

• Dovetail joinery
• Solid wood sides
• Plywood bottoms
• Over-travel slides (allows the back of the drawer to open beyond the face of the cabinet)
• Typically higher-end products have longer warranties

Check out some additional tips on how to get a chic kitchen for less.

Choosing Kitchen Cabinets

Choosing the perfect kitchen cabinets is like giving your kitchen a facelift. You will notice the home looks more modern, clean, and valuable. There are options to simply refinish what you have or go all out and get brand new ones.

Either way, if you follow these expert tips you’ll be sure to make the best decisions. Choosing kitchen cabinets should be fun and painless.

If you have questions about more ways to save on everyday goods, contact us.

The holidays are an exciting time to decorate the house and fill it with a little extra joy.

But, a poor organization can sometimes turn this into a stressful task.

Thankfully, there are few simple holiday storage tips every mom can master. These include the best-kept secrets for anything from messy wires to tricky trees.

Check out the top five ways to keep all your holiday decor in order.

1. Separate Your Storage

As you’re pulling things out, or packing them up, try to think about where to store them in your home.

Group all the big, outdoor decorations together. Do the same for tree decorations versus tabletop details. Lastly, make a separate group for stockings and trimmings you may have hanging around the house.

This takes a little extra time as you’re setting up or breaking down.

But, once you have everything separated, you’ll be saving plenty of effort in the years to come!

2. Cut Down on Packaging

There’s no reason to keep using the bulky packaging everything comes in when there are closet organizers and simple holiday hacks available.

This is as simple as wrapping lights around pieces of cardboard so they don’t tangle. It also means taking the time to wrap fragile ornaments in tissue paper, which is less bulky than bubble wrap.

Don’t forget to keep all the hooks in one place, either. Consider putting them in a small pencil case or makeup bag.

3. Get Rid of What Is Old and Broken

If an ornament is cracked or a set of lights isn’t working anymore, you won’t have a use for it next year.

Make a little trash pile as you take everything out at the start of the holidays, and when you’re going through it all again at the end.

This makes a significant difference in the amount of space decorations take up.

4. Go Green

Trade the old fake tree you have to pull out every year for a family outing to get a fresh tree.

Or, consider getting festive holiday flower arrangements instead of putting little reusable decorations everywhere. This is a bit pricier, but nothing is worth more than your time.

Getting fresh, natural decorations each year means there are fewer things to store.

5. Wrap with Care

The less you worry about holiday storage, the more you can focus on buying gifts and wrapping them! Unless your festive packaging materials aren’t organized.

Don’t leave this out of your cleaning process. Go through all the old wrapping paper you have, as well as tape, ribbons, and tissue paper.

Designate one drawer or bin to keep everything together – big families might need a little more space.

But, the point is to only keep wrapping materials you will actually use, and to keep them tidy in one place.

Holiday Storage, Hosting, and More: How to Relax This Holiday Season

Storage is just one thing to worry about when the holidays roll around.

Between cleaning the house to have guests over and preparing big, fancy meals, it can be hard to take everything in.

We know you want to create special memories for your family, but you should be able to enjoy them too!

Click here to discover how to relax during this year’s holidays.