Jewelry is among the most prized possessions for several households owing to its sheer elegance and value. Unfortunately, FBI estimates suggest that approximately $100 million worth of jewelry gets stolen each year nationwide. Although security systems can help detect and prevent such crimes, one should still exercise caution while leaving jewelry at home, as failure of such systems can increase the risk of jewelry theft. Here are some places to avoid hiding jewelry at home: In the freezer It is estimated that over one in four people hide their jewelry in the freezer. Therefore, burglars are typically well-versed with this tactic and may remember to check the freezer while trying to steal jewelry. Under the mattress The mattress is a seemingly safe place to hide precious items, as it can easily conceal the belongings kept underneath it. Unfortunately, since most individuals have discovered the effectiveness of this hiding place, hiding jewelry underneath the mattress has become common in households, and one of the spots burglars would be sure to check. The toilet water tank The toilet tank is a risky place to hide jewelry as it may be easily discovered. Also, there is a high chance of the jewelry to get tarnished due to moisture.

Bedbugs are among the peskiest pests and quite hard to get rid of. If they hang on to a person’s clothing or personal belongings, they can easily infest their homes, cars, etc. So, steering clear of bed bugs is crucial to avoid their bites and prevent one’s personal space from getting infested. One way to avoid catching bed bugs is to stay careful at a few hotspots where these insects usually lurk. These include the following: 1. Public transport Public transport seats, such as subway cars, cabs, and buses, are among the most common lurking places for bed bugs. They can easily hop on one’s clothing or personal items, like bags. One can avoid this by keeping their belongings carefully, not on the cushions, and checking their belongings properly upon reaching home. 2. Hotels Even though hotel beds are cleaned and disinfected before every check-in, the seats in a hotel’s waiting areas and lounge areas are usually not; chances are, these seats might be concealing bed bugs. So, it is best to avoid using these seats and keep luggage away from them when visiting hotels. 3. Office break rooms Bed bugs can thrive in office environments, especially in areas like break rooms where many people gather at once.

Moving into a new home can be exciting. It provides individuals with an opportunity to explore a new neighborhood and meet new people. However, the entire process of moving out and moving in can be pretty complex and chaotic. As a result, many people make mistakes that cost them more money and lead to hassle. Here are five such mistakes one must try to avoid when moving into a new home. Packing at the last minute One of the most common mistakes individuals make when moving is procrastinating packing. Packing at the last moment can lead to chaos and disorganization. For convenience, individuals should pack early, starting with the rarely used items and gradually moving to the essentials. Beginning early gives one enough time to label the boxes and organize their belongings well. Not hiring professional movers Seeking help from friends and family for moving may seem cost-effective, but it can be more stressful and chaotic. Professional movers can perform this task more efficiently. They transport delicate items using the appropriate equipment and expertise, providing peace of mind. Not keeping a checklist It is easy to misplace or lose items amid the hustle and bustle of moving. Hence, when packing, individuals must keep a checklist.

Moving to a new home is an exciting, albeit challenging, process. While many people are attracted to the idea of starting anew in a different place, the actual move requires a fair amount of planning and organizing. To get a head start on one’s move, packing well is crucial. However, many people continue to make packing mistakes during this process. This article sheds light on four common packing mistakes one can avoid while moving. Waiting until the last minute to pack Packing is an art and a science. Beginning this process too late can lead to unnecessary rushing on moving day. It is also likely to be more disorganized, making setting up one’s new home difficult. Ideally, one must start two weeks to a month before the moving day. Begin packing less-used items and wrapping them up properly. Recognize items that are no longer needed and donate them to charity, give them to friends and family, or set up a yard sale for them. This process will help declutter and make space for new things in the house. Mislabeling or not labeling the boxes Labeling the boxes correctly is an essential part of the packing process. Skipping this step or doing a shoddy job can create a lot of confusion and lengthen the unpacking process.

Bad lighting can break the functionality and ambience of a home, while good lighting elevates it. Some common home lighting mistakes can be addressed by simple research and maybe some advice from a professional. It is important to consider the three types of lighting—accent, ambient, and task—when choosing lighting options for the home. Here are six mistakes that are quite common when it comes to choosing home lighting and should be avoided. Installing recessed lighting High ceilings are impressive enough; cramming them with recessed lighting is unnecessary. It tends to make the room look dull and uninviting, not to mention it only serves the purpose of ambient lighting, making it quite non-functional. If creating a warm, cozy, and functional vibe is the agenda, don’t depend on recessed lights alone. Use scones for the walls, floor lamps for corners, and chandeliers or pendant lights for the ceiling to give the room character. Not considering task lighting While ambient and accent lighting add to the allure and feel of the room, task lighting is the more functional aspect of lighting. Illuminating the kitchen or workspace with direct lights, bright enough to avoid shadows or dark spots, is called task lighting. These can be achieved in reading corners by adding floor lamps and pendant lights, and under-cabinet lighting or track lights for kitchen spaces.

Dealing with a trash bag can be messy and annoying, especially when it bursts at the seams with trash and constantly slips. That said, there are quite a few effective and simple ways, such as using everyday things like rubber bands, binder clips, velcro strips, and hooks, to keep a trash bag from caving in. These tips will help save a lot of time and mess and keep trash bags secured in bins. 1. Try the double knot technique This one does the job well. The double knot technique involves tying an initial knot and securing it with a second one. This simple approach adds an extra layer of reliability, significantly reducing the likelihood of the bag slipping into the trash can. The double knot technique is a quick and foolproof method suitable for everyone. What’s best is that one doesn’t need additional things to secure the bag. 2. Use rubber bands This tip involves positioning a few rubber bands around the top rim of the trash can before securing the bag. The rubber bands add an element of grip, preventing the bag from sliding down the sides of the can. This cost-effective and readily available solution is a go-to for quick fixes.

Renting out one’s vacation home is an excellent way to promote tourism while earning some income on the side. Vacation homes in popular tourist sites are usually in demand throughout the year, as people often enjoy brief stays and sleepovers on long weekends or holidays. But while renting out a holiday home, one should take certain measures for safety and to maximize profits. Here are some common mistakes to avoid while renting out a vacation home: Not considering overhead costs Often, landlords overlook additional costs they should be charging visitors and tenants of vacation homes, such as maintenance costs, utility costs, property management fees, and any other unplanned expenses. Maintaining and managing property at vacation sites is not easy, so one needs to ensure that tenants pay all the required dues. Overlooking local rules and regulations Every locality or town has its own set of rules and regulations. For example, there may be different laws regarding move-in and move-out inspection, new tenant processing fees, and security deposits, among others. So, landlords should know and comply with these laws when they let out their property for use. Not estimating the correct price Sometimes, landlords may underestimate the amount that their property deserves.