Only in Wisconsin... Stories from 2023

 

Only in Wisconsin...

Here are 10 stories from 2023 that highlighted life in the Badger State and it's been a doozy.

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Final Tip Tip To Refresh Your Home And Get Ready For 2024!

Quickly And Easily Refresh Your Rooms for 2024!

Pulling out a new accent color from your existing decor can make the whole room seem fresh. Pick an underused color in the room and add more of it in the form of a new pillow (maybe just a pillow cover for under $10) or throw to update your look. A colorful rug or runner can also help anchor your space.

Take some time to rearrange your furniture so it is oriented in conversation groups and not just facing the television. That just might up for chances for real conversation and connection in the New Year.

New Year's Resolution #5 - Get Your Home Ready For Entertaining

 5: Get ready for entertaining

Each year most of us vow to spend more time with family and friends. To make you feel like inviting people in, why not give the areas you entertain in a little update?

You don't have go for broke here and invest in a new kitchen remodel. All it takes to get a fresh new look is a little bit of rearranging and a few updates.

One easy update that makes your home seem more "finished" is the addition of plants. They bring in new energy, help clean the air and it's a great way to decorate if you're on a budget. A couple of dramatic presentations like a larger flowering plant or a potted palm in a bright ceramic planter that complements your existing color scheme will do the trick.

Ready for 2024!

Pulling out a new accent color from your existing decor can make the whole room seem fresh. Pick an underused color in the room and add more of it in the form of a new pillow (maybe just a pillow cover for under $10) or throw to update your look. A colorful rug or runner can also help anchor your space.

Take some time to rearrange your furniture so it is oriented in conversation groups and not just facing the television. That just might up for chances for real conversation and connection in the New Year.

New Year's Resolution #4 - Set-up A Weekly Cleaning System

4: Set-up a weekly cleaning system

Here are a few tips for keeping the mess under control from the experts.

Baking soda paired with warm water and bleach will knock out stubborn grout stains on tile floors and walls. If you need a heavy-duty cleaning, amp up the bleach but wear gloves to protect that manicure.

Daily: Dishes go in the dishwasher every night - no excuses! Dirty clothes go in the hamper and jackets or clean clothes are hung in the closet. Bring everything back to its assigned place.

Weekly: Clean your entire house, using these tips:

• Keep all of your cleaners, as well as rubber gloves and spare cleaning cloths - in a portable carryall that moves with you from room to room.
  
  
• Stash cleaning implements such as a toothbrush, scraper, sponge, a few cleaning cloths and plastic bags in a builder's apron that you wear when you clean. Hook your glass cleaner and all-purpose cleaning spray on the loops to keep your hands free as you work around the room clockwise, cleaning from high (cabinets) to low (floors.)
  
  
• Focus on one type of cleaning at a time. Wipe down fingerprints on all of the cabinets, for instance, before moving on to spraying and wiping counters. Then move on to windows and mirrors and appliances. Once that's done move on to sweeping and then mopping floors.
  
  
• For optimum efficiency, enlist the help of your family. If you can, divide the jobs among at least three parties: One of you can do the dusting/vacuuming and changing beds, the other can do the bathroom cleanup, leaving only the kitchen and trash emptying for you to handle. The upside? You can get the whole house done in approximately 45 minutes, leaving more time on the weekends for fun. 

New Year's Resolution #3 - Shrink Your Bills

3: Shrink your bills

By shrinking your bills, you can shrink your carbon footprint in the process. When people think of going green, they often think it takes solar panels or a hybrid car to make a difference.

The best place to start is by cutting your energy usage in your home:

• Remember your mom's advice and switch off the lights when you leave a room.
  
  
• Turn off your air conditioner when you leave the house and dial your heater down to 55 degrees at night.
  
  
• Install LED bulbs and low-flow showerheads.
  
  
• Try drying some of your clothes on the line and wait for the dishwasher or washing machine to be full before you run them.
  
  
• Turn off your power strips and/or set your home computer to revert to sleep mode when not in use.
  
  
• Water your yard less. Put in drought-tolerant landscaping if necessary.
  
  
• Give composting a try. Your garden will thank you.

New Year's Resolution #2 - Make Your Home Safe And Sound

2: Make it safe and sound

Your home may be beautiful, but is it safe? There are a few things that every homeowner should do to ensure that they're not living with a potential health hazard or fire risk.

First, check your house for radon. This colorless, odorless gas causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year from the radioactive particles it traps in your lungs as you breathe, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One in every fifteen homes has elevated levels. And with test kits costing as little as $20 at your local hardware store, there's no reason not to get right on that.

While we're on the subject of deadly gas, make sure you install a carbon monoxide detector on every bedroom floor in addition to fire detectors. If a chimney flue or furnace vent gets blocked or leaks, carbon monoxide could back up in your house and kill you. Like a radon test, this is a small investment — $40 or more — for such an important safeguard.

Watch out for dryer lint. We know you clean the little trap inside the door, but most people neglect to clean the vents and ducts behind the dryer. Lint may seem innocent, but it's highly combustible, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, accounting for more than 15,000 building fires a year.

New Year's Resolution #1 - Streamline The "Stuff"

 1: Streamline the stuff

One of the best and least expensive ways to feel better about your home is to clear it of clutter.

Each year most of us acquire a mountain of stuff. Without some regular purging, cabinets and drawers get jam-packed and it becomes hard to find the things you use and enjoy the most.

This year resolve to go room-by-room periodically clearing anything that you don't use, wear or love and donate it to charity. After that, think twice about what you bring in.

Stash useful (but not beautiful) items such as DVDs, remotes and those kicked-off shoes in simple woven baskets.  Clear your counters of everything you don't use on a daily basis. And get ready to breathe a little easier in your own home.

2024 New Year's Resolutions for Your Home

Every year when January rolls around you vow to lose weight, save money or spend more time with family and friends. But what goals do you set for your home?  In the spirit of new beginnings, the experts have come up with some resolutions that will make your home more beautiful, efficient, clean and enjoyable in the coming year. Our next few blog posts will share specific resolutions for you to consider this year.

Happy New Year 2024 from Team Hoffmann

 

Wishing everyone a safe, prosperous and happy 2024.

Team Hoffmann