Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you need help paying some bills or taking care of your family, the government can sometimes help. Many state and federal programs exist to help not just low-income families, but people of varying income levels. Many programs are meant to help homeowners.

Here are some of the various types of government help available:

Down Payment Assistance
If you can’t afford a down payment on a home, many states offer down payment assistance. To find such programs in your state, start at the Federal Housing Authority. Many states offer multiple programs.

Nevada, for example, helps with a grant of up to 5 percent of a mortgage to be put toward a down payment and closing costs. It’s available to anyone with an annual income below $98,500.

Utility Bills
Low-income households can get help paying heating and cooling bills from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance, which is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. The grants are issued by individual states, which set their own eligibility requirements.

For discounted landline or cellphone service, the income-based Lifeline program provides eligible customers at least $9.25 toward their bill.

Childcare
Annual costs for infant care range from about $5,000 in Mississippi to $22,600 in Washington, D.C., according to the Economic Policy Institute…a big cost for any family.

The Child Care and Development Fund helps low-income families by giving money for childcare for children under 13.

Unclaimed Money
Not exactly free money, unclaimed money is money owed to you because you either forgot about it, lost it or didn’t claim it. It can be a deposit paid to a utility company that you never got back, a lost savings bond, unclaimed life insurance benefits or an uncashed paycheck.

The funds are turned over to the state when the owner can’t be contacted, such as through clerical errors or companies having old addresses on file. The website unclaimed.org is a good place to start checking to see if you’re owed unclaimed money.

With any of the above programs, be wary of anyone who says they represent a government agency and are contacting you with an offer of free money. The government rarely reaches out to people with such offers.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

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For many of us, moms use-it-up, make-it-last, wear-it-out mantra was our introduction to thriftiness”a traditional value that has largely been kicked to the curb due to a more materialistic lifestyle.

But the truth is, most of our common throwaway items have not yet reached their full potential. Here are a few smart re-uses that will help keep junk out of landfills and make our life a little easier:

Banana peel as silver polish. Run the peel through the blender with enough water to make a paste. This makes a great silver polish when applied with a washcloth and rinsed off with water.

Citrus peels as freshener. Burnt smell in the oven? Freshen the air by baking a few orange peels for a few minutes at 350 degrees. Or throw a few peels in a jar with some white vinegar. In a day or two, youll have a great-smelling and effective all-purpose cleaner. Lastly, lemon peels that are run through the garbage disposal not only neutralize odors but clear out any greasy build-up.

Ketchup bottle as bakers aid. Clean out that empty ketchup bottle with a plastic squeeze tip and use it as a frosting dispenser. Its a great way to decorate a cake and a lot more stable to use than cutting a corner off a plastic bag.

Toothbrush as kitchen helper. Disinfect an old toothbrush by running it through the dishwasher and use it to remove those pesky silk strings from ears of corn. You can also use it to clean the grout in your kitchen or the dirt from any other hard-to-reach places.

Drycleaners bags for storage. Those big plastic bags over your dry-cleaned clothes are great for covering sweaters, blankets and comforters before you stow them away in the summer.

Cooking water for plants. Hard-boiled eggs and steamed vegetables leave nutrients in the water you use to cook them. Use the water for your indoor and outdoor plants”they will love it.

Aluminum foil as a pot scrubber. Crumple up that fairly clean, used sheet of foil and use it to scrub the stubborn food residue from pots and pans.

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Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is a Danish concept loosely translated as a warm feeling of happiness.

Heres how to implement the concept into your homes design.

Keep It Comfy

Your home should be personal and inviting rather than formal or trendy. Choose decor that you find calming.

Bare Necessities

Strip away all of the clutter and youll naturally feel more relaxed and at ease.

Sentimental Effects

Decorate with a few objects that have sentimental meaning to you. This will create a home that reflects your personality and lifestyle.

Neutral Colors

Shades of white, gray and beige contribute to a clean and soothing environment.

Warm Lights

Round out the setting and incorporate hygge with soft lighting.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are four of todays most exciting wellness features that are finding their way into high-end homes.

Cryotherapy Chamber
This treatment, which entails exposing yourself to temperatures as low as -250 F for a few minutes can relieve muscle and joint pain, rejuvenate skin and boost energy levels.

Himalayan Salt Room
Breathing salty air is said to help improve the immune system and relieve symptoms of certain respiratory conditions, like asthma and allergies.

Sensory Deprivation Chamber
While floating in total darkness for a few minutes many people experience a state similar to deep meditation that delivers relaxation and clarity.

Infrared Sauna
Using infrared lights, the body is directly heated, but the air is not, which some find to be a more pleasant experience.

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An illness, injury, broken appliance, car accident or job loss can occur at any time. Having enough savings to cover three to six months’ worth of expenses can help you avoid losing your home or going deep into debt to make ends meet.

Savings Strategies
It’s easy to set a vague savings goal, but you won’t build up an adequate emergency fund unless you make a consistent effort. Look at your income and expenses and set a savings goal that is both ambitious and realistic.

Some people have funds automatically transferred to a savings account each time they get paid, while others wait until the end of the month and transfer what they can. The problem with the second approach is that if you aren’t disciplined, you might overspend during the month, have nothing left to contribute to your emergency fund, promise yourself that you will save money next month, and repeat the cycle. Automatic transfers can help you stay committed to your savings goal.

Find Ways to Lower Costs
Housing and transportation are major expenses for most people. If you have a mortgage, see if you can refinance and lower your interest rate. If you rent, consider finding a roommate or moving to a cheaper place. If you spend a lot on gas, taking public transportation, carpooling, buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle, or moving closer to work could lower your costs.

Debt can make it tough to save. If you have student loans, consider refinancing. If your credit card balances or interest rates are high, look for a card with a favorable balance transfer offer.

People spend a lot of money for convenience. You could save by cooking at home more often and taking coffee and a lunch to work instead of eating out and going to a coffee shop.

Telephone and entertainment costs can get out of control if you aren’t careful. If your phone bill is high, see if you can switch to a cheaper individual plan or a family plan. You can also cut back on cable and go to movies and concerts less often.

Earn and Save Extra Money
If there isn’t much you can cut from your budget, increase your income. Look for a part-time job or odd jobs to earn some extra money. If you have any belongings you don’t use that are in good condition, sell them.

If you receive a tax refund, bonus or monetary gift, put it straight into your savings account. If you can normally get by without the extra money every month, then you won’t miss it, but it can make a big difference in the size of your emergency fund.

Start Saving Today
An emergency can happen at any time. Having money set aside can give you peace of mind and help you avoid a financial crisis. Even if you can’t save much at first, do what you can and make saving a habit so you can gradually build an emergency fund.

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Do you dread refilling your cars tank?

These tricks can boost gas mileage and save cash

Turn off your engine when parked for over 10 seconds, as idling wastes fuel.

Avoid aggressive driving”like rapid acceleration and braking”which can lower gas mileage by up to 33 percent.

Dont keep heavy items in your car. An extra 100 pounds could increase gas costs by up to $0.03 per gallon.

Combine errands. Several short trips, each taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one long trip with a warm engine.

Keep tires properly inflated to avoid slashing your gas mileage.

With these tricks, avoid pain at the pump!

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Here are a few stand-out ways to add a statement ceiling to your home!

Add a Pop of Color

Try a simple splash from the rooms existing color scheme or go bold with a hand-painted pattern.

Get Creative With Textures

From exposed wood to custom plaster ceiling treatments, textures add a new layer of depth.

Incorporate Unique Lighting

Dramatic chandeliers or pendants will take it to the next level while illuminating colors and textures more vividly.

Hang Wallpaper

Wallpaper doesnt just belong on the wall! Traditional patterns and custom-made designs can be added to any ceiling.

Published with permission from RISMedia.