Simple Ways To Save Money In Your Home 
If you have the choice of turning on a desktop computer or a laptop, choose the laptop. You also may want to think laptop when purchasing a new computer. Laptops draw only 15-25 watts during regular use as compared to 150 watts used by a desktop.
- Plug electronics into a power strip, so you can turn everything off at once.
Preparedness
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security sponsers this month of preparedness to raise awareness about the different kinds of threats to our safety and their potential impact. NPM aims to encourage communities and individuals to support each other and to make plans for any possible disaster. The goal is to remind Americans to expect the unexpected, to get ready and to be ready no matter what. The "Steps to Safety" listed below are taken from the American Red Cross website on Preparing for Disaster. (www.redcross.org)
1. Be Aware of What Could Happen to You - Contact your local Red Cross chapter or emergency management office before a disaster occurs and find out what types of disasters are most likely to happen in your area. Request information on how to prepare for each.
- Learn about your community's warning signals: what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them.
- Ask about animal care after a disaster. Animals are generally not allowed inside emergency shelters because of health regulations.
- Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons, if needed.
- Find out about the disaster plans at the other places where your family spends time.
2. Create a Disaster Plan
- Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
- Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
- Pick two places to meet:
1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire.
2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
- Ask an out-of-state friend to be your "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact's phone number.
- Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.
3. Complete This Checklist
- Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.).
- Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services number for emergency help.
- Show each family member how and when to turn off the utilities (water, gas, and electricity) at the main switches.
- Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
- Train each family member on how to use the fire extinguisher (ABC type), and show them where it's kept.
- Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
- Search for hazards in and around your home and make these areas safe.
- Stock emergency supplies and assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit.
- Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
- Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
- Find the safe places in your home for each type of disaster.
4. Practice and Maintain Your Plan
- Quiz your kids every six months or so.
- Conduct fire and emergency evacuations.
- Replace stored water and stored food every six months.
- Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
Tips For Making Your Day Run Smoother: 
1. Daily routines:
Establish daily routines for your family and bring order into your home. Setup a time for homework, chores, and don't forget "down" time. Give each person responsibilities to help with the household duties. Communicate the routine and responsibilities clearly. Post them in a central location. Be realistic when setting your family's routines and responsibilities.
2. A space for each person's daily belongings (backpack, lunchbox...)
Make this a convenient place by the door as you come and go. All items that will be used the next day need to be placed in this spot each evening before bed.
3. Family calendar
Put a calendar in a central location, so it can be seen by everyone. Designate a time that everyone in the family will get together to fill in their activities/appointments/deadlines for the week. This is also a good time for the family to come together and catch up on what is going on with everyone.
4. Family communication center
Create an area to help manage the flow of papers that come into your home. This can be a file box or stackable trays that are marked for each family member and for the actions that are required. (To Do, To Go, To File...) It gives you a convenient place to put the papers that come home such as permission slips, papers that need to be signed and returned, report cards, school information. Set aside a time each day to file the papers and/or deal with them. Depending on your child's age, they may be responsible for putting their papers in the appropriate file for action or the folder marked with their name.
5. School or office supply area
Designate an area to keep school supplies. In the same location, keep a bin to house things that may be needed for school projects. (egg cartons, styrofoam vegetable trays, the tube inside of a paper towel or toilet paper roll) Don’t go crazy and create clutter, just keep a few things in a bin that you know will come in handy for a project and replenish as they are used.
Please give us a call (813-685-9986) or send us an email, if we can assist you with setting up routines, a calendar, or a paper flow system for your family.
Tools Every Kitchen Needs:
1. Knives: It is better to purchase a few quality knives than a whole set of less expensive knives at once. You can start off
with a chef's knife and a paring knife, then add to your collection later.
2. A sauté pan, a 3 qt. sauce pan, and an 8 qt. stockpot.
3. Cutting Board: (separate ones for raw meat and vegetables). Different colored boards can be a good way to keep track of
which is for what food.
4. Whisk: Great for mixing a multitude of things.
5. Different sizes of ladels and spatulas.
6. Tongs: You can use to stir things or turn over hot food.
7. A cast iron skillet.
8. Baking sheets with one inch high sides.
9. Colander: I especially like the Oxo Good Grips stainless-steel colander.
10. A set of good bowls in a wide range of sizes.
Top Ten Ways Every Home Can Be Organized:
1. A calendar accessible to all family members
2. Action files, readily accessible:
To Pay
To File
To Go
To Do
Phone Lists
Coupons/Gift Certificates
3. Message center
4. Laundry basket
5. Trash can in every room
6. A shredder
7. Gift-wrap center
8. Mail center
9. Bins for small items
10. Drawer organizers