Spring is officially here! The weather may not feel like it’s spring just yet (depending on your location), but March 20th was officially the first day of spring this year. And with spring comes warmer temperatures and spring cleaning – which is the annual practice of sprucing up and deep cleaning your homes during the springtime. Most people use this opportunity to maintain areas of the home that aren’t regularly cleaned. And especially for areas with colder climates, spring is the perfect time of year to get that fresh start and finally clean out all the dust and grime that may have accumulated during the wintertime.

Below, we listed 10 spring cleaning tips to make your home sparkling clean:

1. Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures

Your ceiling fans and light fixtures may be out of reach and may be neglected when it comes to routine cleaning. However, these two tend to get very dusty, so make sure to add these to your spring cleaning list. A great cleaning hack for your ceiling fans is to spray the inside of an old pillowcase with a mixture of water and distilled vinegar and slide it over each fan blade to capture all the dust.

2. Clean carpets and area rugs

Vacuum and spot clean your carpets to rid them of dust mites, dander, and other allergens that may have gotten trapped in its fibers. You can bring your smaller area rugs outside to hose them down (if they cannot be thrown in the wash) and revitalize them with the fresh outdoor air. For larger stains or more delicate rugs, you may want to consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner to help tackle trickier stains.

3. Dust blinds and wash windows

Windows and their coverings are often neglected, however they should be cleaned at least once a year. So while you’re doing your spring cleaning, make sure to machine-wash or vacuum your curtains, dust off your blinds, and wipe down your windows and window sills. This is a great way to refresh your home and welcome in all the bright sunlight after enduring all those dreary winter months.

4. Deep clean the fridge

Deep cleaning your fridge is essential for preventing the growth of bacteria that can contaminate your food and in turn, make you sick. So make your fridge a part of your spring cleaning routine and toss out old food, clean up any food stains, and disinfect all its walls and shelves. Make sure you’re also cleaning the exterior of your fridge and wipe down grease and grime, disinfect the handles, and clean out the condenser coil.

5. Reorganize the junk drawer

You probably have a junk drawer at home filled with random miscellaneous items. This is a great time to go into that drawer to reorganize and declutter any items you no longer need – this can include old batteries, receipts, dried up pens, old chargers to cellphones you no longer own, etc.

6. Declutter closets

If you store away your seasonal clothing, it’s the perfect time to rejig your closet and replace all your winter clothing with your springtime clothing. While doing so, you can also take this time to reassess your wardrobe and declutter all the items you no longer wear or need.

7. Hose down your garbage cans

Both your indoor and outdoor garbage cans can get dirty and hold onto unpleasant odors over time. So make sure to take them outside to hose them down with warm soapy water and scrub away with an extendable scrubbing brush to remove any gunked-on residue. Follow up with a disinfectant and use a sprinkling of baking soda as your final step to deodorize any foul odors.

8. Clean your microwave

Your microwave may not get cleaned out as often as other kitchen appliances, so make sure to also add this to your spring cleaning list. Microwaving a bowl of water mixed with vinegar and using its steam is a simple and effective way to loosen up any gunk and make it easier to wipe away tough food stains. And if you don’t have vinegar on hand, you can also use a lemon in the same manner to clean your microwave.

9. Wipe down patio furniture

It’s time to dust off all your outdoor furniture because patio season is quickly approaching. Wipe all the dirt and cobwebs off your patio furniture so they’ll be ready for any outdoor bbqs, gatherings around the fire pit, or for when you want to sit outside and enjoy your morning coffees.

10. Replace air filters

Getting into the habit of routinely changing out your HVAC filters can greatly improve the air quality in your home. Dirty or clogged air filters aren’t as efficient as clean filters and can actually put more strain on your HVAC system (potentially leading to higher utility bills). So remember to check your air filters and replace any as needed.

The post 10 Simple Spring Cleaning Tips For 2022 appeared first on CatchyFreebies.

Sleep is a crucial component of maintaining good health. However, nearly 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep issues. So whether you’re staying up late to finish up some work, your thoughts are keeping you up at night, or you’re watching some late night TV and lost track of time, you’re far from alone if you have a late bedtime or experience some type of sleep deprivation.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends getting 7 to 9 hours of shut-eye every night. However, at least 40% of Americans get less than this recommended amount of sleep. And research shows that regularly getting insufficient amounts of sleep could potentially put you at a higher risk of developing a number of health issues.

Below, we listed 5 reasons why it’s important to get an adequate amount of sleep every night and why you should be getting more sleep:

Helps with muscle recovery

Sleep is very crucial for muscle repair and recovery. The two main stages of sleep are REM and non-REM sleep, (otherwise known as “deep sleep”) which is when blood flows at an increased rate to your muscles and tissues, delivering extra amounts of oxygen and nutrients to facilitate healing and growth. And the repeated lack of adequate sleep could increase your chance of injury during exercise, especially if you’re an athlete.

Improves memory

Sleep has been known to improve the ability to learn and recall information. It also plays a major role in forming long-term memories. Memory processing and consolidation occurs during sleep and the lack of sleep can make it more difficult for your brain to absorb and recall this information. And researchers suggest regularly getting inadequate amounts of sleep can put you at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia later in life.

Improves thought processing and mental health

Sleep is closely related to mental and emotional health. Studies showed the consistent lack of adequate sleep can take a severe toll on a person’s psychological state and increase their likelihood of developing mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. REM-sleep has also been shown to help you better process your emotions and abstract thoughts. It’s also been known to help boost creativity and problem-solving abilities.

Regulates blood sugar levels

Your sleep habits have an effect on your blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels naturally fluctuate during your sleep cycle and getting an adequate amount of sleep is crucial for maintaining these levels. Studies showed sleep deprivation can contribute to an increase in obesity and diabetes. And one study showed people who got less than 6 hours of sleep were twice as likely to have cells that were more insulin-resistant or to have full-blown diabetes.

Lowers risk of heart-related issues 

Sleep also plays an important role in your heart health. Your blood pressure normally drops during sleep (known as “nocturnal dipping”), however a lack of sleep can disrupt this process and lead to an elevated blood pressure. Regular sleep deprivation can lead to a number of heart-related issues such as hypertension and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart failure.

The post 5 Reasons Why You Should Be Getting More Sleep appeared first on CatchyFreebies.

In this day and age many people are choosing to exercise at home. Whether you don’t want to pay those hefty gym membership fees, can’t find the time to make it to the gym, or simply don’t feel comfortable working out in public, it’s not obligatory to use a gym’s high-tech fitness equipment to get a good workout.

In fact, you don’t need any gym equipment at all! You can still work up a sweat and get a full body workout at home using your own bodyweight. However, if you want to challenge yourself further and increase the intensity of your home workouts, you can use items you may already have laying around the home as substitutes for gym equipment (if you don’t already own any.)

Below, we listed 5 gym equipment alternatives you can use for home workouts:

Dumbbells and Kettlebells

Hand weights are an extremely versatile piece of workout equipment. They’re available in many incremental weight options so you can find the right one for you (according to your fitness level) and they can be used for a large variety of different exercises. However, if you don’t own any hand weights, you can do exercises using water bottles, soup cans, or even your baby or toddler.

Slider Discs

Slider disc exercises are excellent for improving your balance and strengthening your arms and core. You can also move at a faster pace to get a good cardio workout in. However if you don’t own any slider discs, using dish towels or paper plates (for carpeted surfaces), or wearing fuzzy socks (on hardwood floors) will give you that same “glider” effect.

Workout Bench

Chairs or couches are great alternatives to workout benches if you’re trying to do exercises such as tricep dips, leg raises, incline push ups, and more at home. Just make sure your chair is sturdy and won’t slide around during your exercises.

Stair Climber

A stair climber mimics walking up a flight of stairs and tones nearly every muscle group in the calf, thigh, and gluteal regions. So if you love using a stair climber at your gym, using regular stairs in your home will give you a similar effect. Though regular stairs aren’t “endless” and you’d still need to walk back down at some point, you can still do cardio and get a good leg workout in your own home.

Medicine Ball

A medicine ball is a great addition to any workout to tone your muscles and build arm and core strength. However, if you don’t own a medicine ball, any sports ball will do the trick. This can include a basketball, soccer ball, or volleyball. These sports ball alternatives may not have much weight to them, but they’ll still be great for helping you work on your balance and to use for exercises such as squats, lunges, Russian twists, and more.

The post 5 Clever Gym Equipment Alternatives You Already Own appeared first on CatchyFreebies.

Selecting your fruits at the grocery store may not be an easy task. If you’ve even bitten into an unsweet and flavorless fruit and been disappointed, you’re not alone. Luckily there are a few good rules of thumb you can follow to help you choose the best fruits when grocery shopping.

Below, we listed 10 popular fruits and how to select the best ones when shopping at the grocery store:

Apples

In terms of color and its indicator of ripeness, they may vary according to different apple varieties. In general, apples that are firm and crisp, consistent in coloring, and don’t have any cuts or bruises are great to look out for when choosing the best apples.

Avocados

Avocados that are dark green (but not too dark) and soft to touch are usually your best pick. Also if there’s a stem, try to give it a pull – if it comes off easily and the color underneath is bright green, it’s another indication your avocado is perfectly ripe.

Bananas

For ready-to-eat bananas, look for ones that are firm and have a medium yellow coloring. Some brown spots are ok if you’re looking for sweet bananas, however avoid ones that are mushy and have large bruises. And a great tip for using up all your overripe bananas is to bake them into a delicious banana bread!

Grapes

The best grapes are firm, plump and unwrinkled, and firmly attached to their stems. Coloring may vary according to different grape varieties (green, red, dark purple). And if you see a powdery-white coating on your grapes, this “bloom” is safe to eat and is a naturally occurring process that protects your grapes from moisture loss and decay.

Mangoes

Don’t focus on color when choosing the right mangoes. Instead, give your mangoes a squeeze; ripe mangoes will feel soft to the touch, but not overly soft and mushy to where your fingers will sink in. Also give your mangoes a smell; ripe mangoes can also have a fruity aroma around their stems.

Oranges

The color of an orange peel doesn’t matter too much, as it’s not an indicator of flavor or ripeness. Instead, look at an orange’s feel and texture – steer clear of ones that feel soft and spongy, and also ones that are wrinkled or shriveled.

Peaches

Slightly firm peaches are great picks if you plan on eating them throughout the week, but if you want to eat your peaches right away, choose ones that are soft (but not overly mushy). Also, reddish peaches with golden hues tend to be ripest, so avoid ones that look green. In addition, avoid choosing peaches with any bruises or wrinkly skin as these are indicators that they’re overripe or have been refrigerated for too long.

Pineapples

Avoid pineapples that are overly green and instead, look for ones that have a light or medium yellow shell. They should also feel firm, but soft when given a light squeeze. Also, ripe pineapples are fragrant and tend to smell sweet and fruity, so make sure to give the bottoms of your pineapples a good sniff.

Strawberries

Berries that are bright red or darker in color are usually sweeter-tasting. Look for berries that are firm and also make sure to look through the bottom of the container to ensure none of the berries are mushed or spoiled.

Watermelons

Elongated oval-shaped watermelons tend to be watery and unsweet, so instead look for melons that are rounder, heavy for their size, and make a deep hollow sound when you give it a tap. Also, look for dark melons with larger webbing. And avoid choosing melons with white spots; properly ripened watermelons should have a yellow or orange patch (the darker the better) – these melons tend to be sweeter and full of flavor.

The post How to Pick the Best Fruits at the Grocery Store appeared first on CatchyFreebies.

It may be difficult to establish a good workout routine – with busy schedules and no time on your hands, no way to get to the gym, or simply being too tired. Luckily, there are a number of small things you can try that will make a big difference and enable you to stay active in your everyday life.

Below, we listed 5 easy ways you can get more movement everyday:

Take the stairs

Instead of taking an elevator or escalator, take the stairs! Stair climbing can burn 5-11 calories per minute, which may not seem like much at first but it can add up over time. Plus it can also be a timesaver by helping you avoid long elevator lines during peak times.

Ditch your car

If you’re planning on running a quick nearby errand, if possible, try walking or biking there instead of taking your car. This is an easy way to get your daily steps in and it can also be a great mood booster.

Multitask 

A great way to incorporate more movement is multitasking while doing your daily activities. This can include getting up and doing quick stretches and light exercises during TV time – you can even limit these to your commercial breaks. Other great ways are to sneak in some simple leg exercises while working at your office desk, doing some toe taps or calf raises while waiting in line to checkout at the grocery store, or taking dance breaks while cooking dinner.

Use household objects

Don’t have any equipment but still want to get a quick workout in? Do some quick exercises that don’t require any equipment, such as lunges, squats, push ups, etc. You can also use your everyday objects to enhance these workouts such as heavy water bottles as weights, towels as sliders, or a chair as a bench for triceps dips.

Use a shopping basket

Instead of grabbing a shopping cart, use a basket or bag. Carrying your groceries will help you burn extra calories while also getting a subtle arm workout in. This can also help prevent you from buying lots of junk food since you’ll feel the weight of your items and be more conscious of your purchases.

The post 5 Easy Ways To Get More Movement in Your Everyday Life appeared first on CatchyFreebies.

Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend and like millions of other football fans, you may be hosting a small get together to tune in and watch all the excitement. Apart from the game itself, many people would agree other exciting parts of the Super Bowl experience include watching the halftime show performers, the witty commercial breaks, and eating lots of snacks!

Below, we listed 10 delicious bite-sized snack ideas to serve during your Super Bowl watch party:

1. Mini Pretzels

Mini soft pretzel bites are a great snack that can be either savory or sweet – you can salt them and serve with classic condiment dips such as cheese or mustard, or you can add powdered cinnamon or a sugar glaze on top for a sweet twist!

2. Nachos

This simple, yet delicious snack is quick and requires minimal prep work. Load up your crunchy chips with all your favorite toppings such as minced onions, black olives, beans, corn, jalapeños, etc. You can also add chicken or steak and generously sprinkle shredded cheese on top, then pop it into the oven for cheesy goodness.

3. Chicken Wings

This finger-lickin’ snack is a crowd-pleaser. It’s super versatile and you can choose from different flavoring options such as buffalo, hot sauce, sweet and sour, garlic parmesan, and more. You can also use cauliflower instead of chicken wings for a healthier alternative.

4. Sliders

Sliders are a classic and tasty Super Bowl snack. And though they’re traditionally thought of as being mini burgers, you can change it up to serve mini chicken and biscuit sandwiches, mini cheesesteaks, mini meatball subs, and more – the options are endless!

5. Pigs in a Blanket

This yummy appetizer is super easy to make and is a crowd-pleasing party favorite. Simply cut your hot dogs or sausages into bite-sized pieces, wrap them in crescent roll dough strips, pop them into the oven and voila, your delicious snack is ready to be served.

6. Tacos

A little self-serve station with a number of different filling options such as seasoned ground beef, chicken, or fish, lettuce, shredded cheese, corn, salsa, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, limes, etc. is great so your guests can pick and choose their ingredients to assemble their tacos to their liking.

7. Veggie Platter

Having an assortment of sliced cucumbers, peppers, celery, cherry tomatoes, and baby carrots surrounding a dipping sauce is a great healthy option to accompany your other savory snacks.

8. Mini Chicken and Waffles

Mini frozen waffles (or waffles cut into smaller pieces) with fried chicken tender pieces and a drizzle of honey on top makes for a delicious sweet and savory bite-sized snack your guests will surely enjoy.

9. Chips and Dip

Serving tortilla chips and dip is a quick and easy snack. You can either get a store-bought dip or make your own. And if you can’t decide on what dip to serve, serve all of them! Have a dipping station with multiple dipping options such as 7 layer, spinach artichoke, buffalo chicken dip, assorted cheese dips, guacamole, salsa, etc.

10. Potato Skins

Crispy potato skins are another crowd-pleasing appetizer. They’re also easy to make; simply hollow out russet potatoes, fill with your favorite ingredients (we recommend grated cheese and yummy bacon bits), and once they’re baked to crispy perfection, add a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of green onion on top to serve.

The post 10 Best Super Bowl Snack Ideas appeared first on CatchyFreebies.

Whether you received them as a gift or simply bought them for yourself as a treat, anyone can enjoy an assortment of fresh flowers. Flowers look beautiful, can brighten any room, and are sure to be a mood lifter and bring a smile to anyone’s face. However, flowers don’t last forever. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to keep your flowers fresher for longer.

Below, we listed 5 tips to help you maintain your flowers:

Dip your hydrangeas in water

Hydrangeas absorb the most water through their petals instead of their stems, so misting them daily is a great way to maintain hydration. However, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to revive wilted flowers, turn them upside down and completely submerge the petals in cold water for about 20 minutes and they should come back to life within a few hours.

Cut your flower stems at an angle

Cut your flower stems at a 45-degree angle and avoid letting them touch the bottom of their vase. This is the best way to cut your stems because it increases the surface area and allows your flowers to absorb water more efficiently.

Change your water often

Maintaining fresh water in your flower’s vase is arguably the best way to keep your flowers fresh for as long as possible. Avoid having cloudy or murky water (often caused by bacterial growth) and be sure to change it out every 2 days or so.

Remove the extra leaves

Leaves sitting in water cause bacteria to grow and are more susceptible to rot, thereby shortening a flower’s lifespan. So make sure to remove any leaves that sit below the water line in a vase. It’s also a great tip to remove dying leaves from plants, as it allows your plant to focus on new growth instead of wasting energy on trying to maintain the dying leaves.

Place ice cubes on your orchids

Orchids are fickle plants that can be difficult to keep alive. Placing 3 ice cubes a week on top of your orchid is an easy way to water and care for these plants. This ice cube method is a great way to avoid overwatering your plant and ensures your orchid receives the right amount of water each time. The slow melting of the ice also allows your orchid to absorb water more efficiently.

The post 5 Tips for Keeping Flowers Fresher For Longer appeared first on CatchyFreebies.

Apartment hunting can involve copious amounts of time searching through online listings, contacting realtors and agents, and touring multiple potential homes. All of this while being on a deadline according to when your current lease is ending, factoring in competition so you’d have to submit applications quickly, and most of all, finding the right place for you. Suffice it to say, this process can be pretty stressful.

Your home should be your sanctuary, so you’d want to do your due diligence to find the right one for you. However, amidst everything going on, there may be a few things that slip your mind. Below, we listed 5 things to keep in mind while searching for your next apartment:

Check your phone’s signal

When viewing a new potential home, make sure to check the reception on your phone. If staying connected is a big priority, you may not want to rent a home with weak cell reception and frequently dropped calls.

Check the electrical outlets

Take notice of the electrical outlets in a room and make sure they all work. Bring something small to plug in, such as a phone charger to test every outlet. The last thing you want is a kitchen with nowhere to plug in your small appliances or a room with outlets in inconvenient spots.

Check the water pressure and temperature

Turn on all the sink and shower faucets to see how hot the water gets as well as checking for good water pressure. And if you happen to notice any issues, these can be brought up to the landlord to be fixed before moving in.

Make sure there are no signs of pests

Unwanted pests in the form of rodents or roaches are never appreciated and trying to get rid of them is a nightmare. To avoid this, make sure there are no signs of infestations. Thoroughly inspect all the cabinets and check for any cracks or holes in the walls and baseboards.

Scope out the neighborhood

Consider visiting the home again at night to get a good feel of the neighborhood. Places can really differ depending on the time of day you visit. It’d also be a great idea to check out the parking situation if the home doesn’t already come with a designated parking spot for you.

The post 5 Important Things to Look Out For While Apartment Hunting appeared first on CatchyFreebies.

If you dread deep cleaning your home or simply don’t have the time or energy for it, there are easy tasks you can accomplish daily to streamline your housework and maintain a clean and tidy home. Taking a few minutes out of each day and incorporating these small tasks into your daily routine is an excellent way to save time and cut down on your deep cleaning routine. You could also create your own cleaning schedule and target different areas of the home for each day of the week to break up a big routine and prevent yourself from feeling too overwhelmed.

Below, we listed 7 simple cleaning habits you could practice daily to help you maintain a clean home:

Wipe down your shower door

After every shower, use a squeegee to wipe away excess water from your glass shower door. This simple task allows your shower to dry off quicker and can drastically help with preventing soap scum and the need for any harsh scrubbing in the future.

Scrub your kitchen sink

Research showed that kitchen sinks are one of the dirtiest places in a home and can harbor many harmful illness-causing bacteria. So at the end of each day, give your kitchen sink a good scrub with soap and vinegar to disinfect and keep germs at bay.

Don’t let your dishes pile up

It’s common to have a big pile of dishes sitting in your sink at the end of a long day, but try not to let your dishes sit in your sink overnight. Cleaning as you go and washing as many dishes as you can while you’re cooking is a big time-saver and great way to stay on top of your dishes.

Wipe countertops and surfaces

Wipe and disinfect any frequently-used countertops and surfaces on a daily basis to remove bacteria and debris. This can include your kitchen and bathroom countertops, dining table, stovetop, and more. Also be sure to immediately wipe away any food splatters, spills, and messes to prevent grease and grime build-up.

Tidy up clutter

Put things back in their designated spots after each use and toss away any trash to prevent clutter from building up. This is an excellent habit to practice daily to maintain a clutter-free space and keep your home in tip-top shape.

Make your bed

Your bed likely takes up a good portion of space in your bedroom, so making your bed every day is a simple way to instantly make your room look neat and tidy!

Sweep your floors

Doing a quick sweep of the home, especially in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen, can eliminate any dust, dirt, or crumbs that accumulate daily. Regularly sweeping your floors is also a great way to reduce the risk of any bugs or critters in the home.

The post 7 Simple Daily Habits to Maintain a Clean Home appeared first on CatchyFreebies.

The start of a new year is the perfect time to take control of your finances and get them in order. If you’ve been meaning to get organized and make better financial decisions, we listed 5 budgeting tips below to help you reach your financial goals.

Create a spreadsheet

It helps to see where all your money’s going when everything is laid out before you. Create a spreadsheet and list your income along with all your expenses. This list should include all financial obligations such as your: monthly rent or mortgage, loan repayments, subscription services, utility bills, insurance premiums, transportation fees, and more.

Set a realistic budget

Once you’ve listed everything out, it’s time to create a personal budget. Make sure to prioritize any monthly expenses, retirement accounts and savings, then make allocations for food, groceries, and any other personal supplies. The goal should be to pay off your debts and maximize your savings, however try to set a realistic budget that doesn’t feel overly restrictive – allow for any surprises and factor in fun things such as entertainment, shopping, travel, eating out, etc.

Review monthly subscriptions

Monthly subscription service fees may seem small at first, but they can seriously add up when you total the amount for an entire year. Review all your subscriptions and pause or cancel any services you no longer need. This can include: fitness memberships, streaming music and video services, subscription boxes, delivery services, and more.

Start an emergency fund

If you haven’t already set up an emergency fund, there’s no time like the present. An emergency fund is a safety net that can cover any unexpected moments such as: the loss of a job, expensive car or household repairs, medical bills, and other emergencies. Financial experts recommend saving anywhere from three to six months worth of your basic living expenses in your emergency fund.

Cut back on unnecessary spending

Try to be more mindful of your buying decisions and avoid making impulse purchases. If you’re thinking of making any considerable purchases, delay it and ask yourself if it’s really necessary and if your budget could allow for it. Reducing unnecessary spending could also mean brewing your own daily coffee at home, limiting dining out and takeout food, and cutting back on alcohol.

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