“House ordering is my prayer, and when I have finished my prayer is answered. And bending, stooping, scrubbing, purifies my body as prayer doesn’t.”
– Jessamyn West
Week 31 summer begins to wind down. For home care, continue with seasonal maintenance tasks to prepare for the upcoming fall. Check and clean air conditioning units to ensure they’re running efficiently for the remainder of the warm season. Inspect windows and doors for drafts, and consider sealing them to improve energy efficiency ahead of cooler months. This is also a great time to organize storage areas like attics or sheds, making space for fall items and discarding unused or broken items.
In terms of personal finances, Week 31 is ideal for a mid-year financial check-up. Review your budget and spending habits from the first half of the year to identify areas for improvement. Begin planning for fall expenses, such as back-to-school costs or holiday savings, ensuring you allocate funds accordingly. Reassess your financial goals, like saving for a vacation or increasing retirement contributions, and adjust your plans to stay on track. Additionally, review recurring expenses to find opportunities for savings, such as renegotiating bills or canceling unused subscriptions. By focusing on home efficiency and financial planning, Week 31 can set a strong foundation for the rest of the year.
Family Finances
Poor Charlie’s Almanac
Almanack of Naval Ravikant
Research and review based college rankings – college planning and prep
Updated since 2/7/2018. Looking for more perspective on a college then check out Niche.com. Using comprehensive data available on U.S. colleges and universities, Niche.com analyzes data from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of…
Net price calculators – college planning and research
Updated since 1/3/2018. Calculation of the net price of colleges and universities is key to understanding what it will cost your student to attend any particular school. Googling “Net Price Calculator” with the College/University Name will likely…
Minnesota residential propane prices
Monitoring Residential MN Propane Price. Updated since 3/11/2017 Monitoring residential propane prices is crucial for cost-effective purchases. Keep an eye on market trends through online platforms, local suppliers, and government energy agencies. Track seasonal…
Online car sites for comprehensive car research
Online car research provides comprehensive tools and resources for comparing prices, features, and reviews, helping buyers make informed decisions when purchasing a vehicle. Online car sale sites are valuable tools for researching cars to…
Guardianship financials – ABLE accounts
Being a guardian for an adult with disabilities is a profound responsibility that blends care, advocacy, and love. It involves ensuring their safety, managing their healthcare, and making decisions in their best interest while…
π Day
π (Pi) Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14) to honor the fascinating mathematical constant π (pi), which is approximately 3.14. Pi (π) is a mathematical constant representing the ratio of a circle’s circumference…
Learning about parimutuel markets
Benefit from understanding parimutuel markets. While it’s not an endorsement by me to participate in them, studying parimutuel markets can provide insights into human behavior and market dynamics, enriching our critical thinking and analytical…
Arithmetic for a good year
Basic math for a well-rounded year. The five yearly math tasks—tax preparation, vacation planning, insurance, annual goals, and major purchases—were selected for their significant impact on long-term planning and financial stability. Tax preparation ensures…
Arithmetic for a good month
Basic math for a well-rounded month. The five monthly tasks—bills, savings and investments, health, vehicle maintenance, and social plans—were chosen for their essential roles in managing personal life. Bills ensure timely payments and financial…
Arithmetic for a good week
Basic math for a well-rounded week. The five weekly math tasks—entertainment budget, saving, household chores, exercise routines, and grocery planning—were selected for their impact on managing our personal life. Entertainment budget ensures fun within…
Arithmetic for a good day
Basic math for a well-rounded day. The five daily math tasks—budgeting, cooking, time management, fitness, and shopping have universal application and impact on daily life. These activities are essential for maintaining personal organization, health,…
Measured thinking on life insurance
For me, integrating life insurance into the overall family financial strategy complements a philosophy of balancing risk management and growth. It offers essential protection, ensuring a family’s financial security in unforeseen events. By choosing…
Contemplating the Roth IRA
Long-term growth, tax benefits, financial security. I did some research to gain a more updated comprehensive understanding of Roth IRAs today and their benefits, so I can continue to make informed decisions about my…
Freeze your credit now
Freeze your credit to prevent identity theft. Identify theft remains a significant issue in the U.S. and thanks to our current corporate and world cybersecurity situation seems to be getting much worse quickly. Freezing…
Car insurance
When shopping for car insurance in Minnesota, it’s important to consider various factors to ensure you get the coverage that meets your needs. Here are ten things to consider: Remember to review and update…
Any Wage
By Jessie Belle Rittenhouse I bargained with Life for a penny, And Life would pay no more, However I begged at evening When I counted my scanty store. For Life is a just employer,…
Home
Hearty olive oil spray
An olive oil spray gives you complete control over the quality of oil you use and eliminates the propellants and additives found in commercial cooking sprays. A light, even…
Hearty orchid misting spray
Orchids are epiphytes in their natural habitat, meaning they grow on trees and absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and rain rather than from soil. They love humidity…
Bloom pillow mist for sleep
A pillow mist is one of the simplest and most effective sleep aids you can make. Lavender has been extensively studied for its ability to reduce anxiety, slow heart…
Bloom flea deterrent spray for dogs
Apple cider vinegar creates an acidic environment on the skin and coat that fleas find inhospitable, making this a gentle and effective preventive spray for dogs. It also helps…
Bloom linen spray
A beautiful linen spray transforms the simple act of making the bed or folding laundry into something sensory and pleasurable. Lavender is the classic choice for linens because of…
Hearty aphid spray
Aphids are one of the most common garden pests and can devastate plants quickly if left unchecked. This simple soap spray works by coating the soft bodies of aphids…
Hearty stain pre-treatment spray
Catching stains early with a targeted pre-treatment spray dramatically improves the chances of complete removal. This spray uses hydrogen peroxide as the primary stain fighter, which is especially effective…
Pothos
Easy to take care of vining houseplant and versatile water plant for water features and ponds. The pothos plant, also known as Epipremnum aureum, is a popular houseplant admired…
Lucky Bamboo
Growing and propagating Lucky Bamboo Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is not actually bamboo at all but a tropical plant related to the Dracaena family, native to the rainforests of…
Hearty DIY cleaning slimes & putty
These are fun, practical projects that actually works great for cleaning keyboards, car vents, remote controls, and other hard-to-reach crumb-filled surfaces. I’ve included a few versions here. Depending on…
Phalaenopsis Orchid
Natural habitat and geographic range Phalaenopsis, commonly called moth orchids, are native to a broad swath of tropical and subtropical Asia and the Pacific. Their natural range spans: The…
Cat safe plants
Cats are natural explorers, and for most of them, that curiosity extends straight to our houseplants and herb garden. While many common plants pose a real danger to cats,…
Determine your furniture preferences
Updated since 10/24/2023. Determining your furniture preferences is one more piece in the puzzle to defining your interior decorating style. It involves introspection, research, and a deep understanding of…
Exploring art preferences
Infusing your living spaces with a unique and personal sense of artistic style. Updated since 11/6/2023. Exploring your art preferences is a vital aspect of defining your interior decorating…
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