Did you know that nearly 82 million homeowners in the United States have gardened in the past 12 months? Gardening is considered to be a stress reliever because it promotes relaxation, and although the average gardener in the U.S. is female, 45 years of age or older, and has at least some college education, nearly anyone can garden. However, in order to produce the best gardening results, certain landscaping tips and tricks must be followed. 1. Prune trees and shrubs. Although vegetation is beautiful when it is fully grown, you must maintain it properly. This can be done by learning how to prune trees and shrubs, which involves trimming protuberant branches that appear cluttered or overgrown. Once you learn how to prune trees and shrubs properly, you can use this skill to preserve the natural beauty

Amish builders hard at work is really something to see. Unlike contemporary construction crews that use big, loud, and powerful machinery, they use just their hands and small tools that don’t require any electricity. In fact, some Amish built garages are actually made without even the use of nails. As a result, it might come as a surprise to some that the quality — both in terms of strength and aesthetics — rivals, if not surpasses, their contemporary counterparts. So if you are looking for more storage or an addition to your home that protects your cars and other items from the harsh weather, then hiring Amish garage builders might be the best option. Clutter is a major cause of s

More than half of Americans don’t sleep well during the workweek. Studies report that an estimated 62% of adults in the United States have issues getting enough rest at least two or three nights every week. And worse yet, a reported 30% are currently battling insomnia. But why? Doctors might point to a lack of exercise or poor dietary habits in your lifestyle. Scientists might tell you to quit using your smartphone so compulsively while you’re trying to fall asleep. Cosmic shamans might suggest an imbalance in the proclean levels inside your mind’s inner chamber. But the answer could actually be the thing resting right below you every single night — your mattress. Contrary to popular belief, the most comfortable mattress isn’t always the one that’s most conducive to a good night’s sleep. In fact

What are some simple — and free — ways to support our troops? Parents and schools are asking kids to write letters, Christmas cards, and Valentines addressed to our soldiers. The results are priceless. “Hi I’m Valerie and I’m eating a cupcake,” one Christmas card, published in The Huffington Post, reads. Another gem? “Dear Soldier, Do you know my cousin Michael Jordan? He is in the Oremy [sic]. Also, are you guys fighting the Germans? Because if you are, my cousin Colton has the video game of you guys.”

Help Injured Soldiers and Veterans

Many organizations that help military families focus on aiding soldiers or veterans injured in battle. Charities may, for example, host events to fund discounted housing for injured or disabled military. Oth

Historically, hanging Shoji screens were found in 16th century Japanese home, but these days custom Japanese room screens are featured in Wester interior designs thanks to their unique and international flavor. While hanging Shoji screens can be customized with nontraditional materials, even the traditional Shoji screens and doors can provide relative durability for contemporary homes. With some preliminary research, you can find the best Japanese folding screens and doors to complement any design. When it comes to finding the perfect Shoji screen styles, it could be likened to an artistic treasure hunt. When first beginning the process, you may want to use online bookmarking sites to browse through different samples of Shoji

Many Americans choose to grab a cold disposable bottle of water out of their fridge when they need a drink or before they step out the door. In fact, according to data compiled by Statistic Brain, the average American will use a whopping 167 bottles every year. With the average cost of a bottle around $1.45, consumers spend some $11.8 billion on bottled water every year. In addition to being costly, of course, using plastic water bottles contributes to pollution problems. Fortunately, there are bottleless countertop water dispensers and filters that you can use in your home to ease the burden on your wallet and the environment. Many people turn to bottled water because, thanks in large part to misleading marketing campaigns, they believe that it is cleaner and healthier than the water that comes out

Is America the most materialistic country in the world? Since capitalism thrives on materialism, and the United States is the wealthiest capitalist nation in the world, it is very possible that Americans are the most materialistic people on earth. Of course, there is no way to prove that, but various statistics can often be enough to back up such a contention. A good indication of a country’s materialism is the amount of used items that are discarded, given away, resold, or recycled. According to one statistic, American’s buy an average of 10 lbs. of used clothing annually. This means that a lot of people purchase a lot of clothing that the use for very short periods of time. This isn’t always the case, but there are millions of Americans who spend a considerable amount of their free time shopping for the lat

Furniture shopping can be a notoriously pricy endeavor. Sofas alone can cost anywhere from $600 to $6,000!

Luckily, furnishing your home no longer has to break the bank! Fortunately, there are a number of ways to find furniture of great quality at a great price. Taking time to look for discount furniture can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars on furnishing costs.

Furniture stores that offer furniture financing allow you to buy furniture for a fraction of its price, essentially loaning the rest of the cost to you to be paid back later. This way, you can

Many people will equate city living with luxury living, and while this actually is the case, it’s not quite in the materialistic way that they think. City living offers people more luxurious experiences–the chance to take in rich cultures, and meet amazing people. If unconvinced that the city is luxurious because of its advantages, here are a few of the biggest benefits that city living affords! Opportunities. Small towns simply don’t have the same opportunities as cities do. There’s more jobs available in more fields, better living spaces, and there are more options if you’d like to advance your education. You can also meet more people to network with and advance your ca

In the United States there are 629 public 4 year college institutions. Most schools have dorms on campus occupied predominantly by underclassmen. What about upperclassmen? For many the start of their junior year means finding student housing apartments on or off campus. If you are looking for an apartment it is important to find a roommate who matches your personality. If your student housing arrangements include a roommate sending a friendly email is a great way to break the ice before meeting. Make sure the roommate is close to your age and you keep a similar class schedule. Each student should make sure they have transportation to campus every day. According to StatisticBrain t