Outdoor decor requires lights and extension cords that are manufactured for outdoor use. Look for this information on the packaging or tag at the end of the cord. Heavy-duty extension cord plugs should have a three-prong ground plug. 
 

Do not use lights that have stayed out since last year! Non-commercial light strands are only safely exposed to the elements for 90 days. Any longer, and deterioration of the insulation will begin. 
 

Outdoor receptacles should be ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets which will shut off power in case of electrical overload. If your home does not have enough outdoor outlets, purchase a portable outdoor GFCI plug. Safety outweighs any extra cost.
 

As you unpack the decorations, inspect older lights for frayed wires, nicks, or cuts along the outer cord, as well as broken bulbs. Broken bulbs can be replaced but toss the strands with damaged cords in the garbage. 
 

Use clips or hangers that are UL-approved--never nail, tack, or staple lights to any fixture. 

Before adding lights to tree branches or tall fixtures, make certain no power lines run through the branches, and keep all lighting at least ten feet from power lines. 
 

Only connect strands with the same number of bulbs--in other words, do not connect a 100-strand with two 25-strands.  
 

Avoid using a metal ladder if you are having to get up high with your lights--use wooden or fiberglass instead. If metal is your only choice, do not plug the lights in until installation is complete.
 

LED light strands should never be connected to incandescent lights. Now may be the time to think about using all LED lights. The start-up cost will be higher, but it will save money on your power bill as well as in replacement costs--LEDs can last up to twenty years! 

If you have a room that needs painting, have the children paint the sample swatches on the walls. These areas do not have to be perfect, but this small job is the perfect way for them to learn beginner painting techniques. 
 

Furniture kits are a great way to have children learn about using tools and following step-by-step plans. Reading is not always required as there are many instructions that feature symbols, numbers, and diagrams that children can easily follow. 
 

Installing wall-hanging hardware or window treatments are excellent ways to teach school-age kids about using a level or measuring tape. 
 

Children and gardening go together naturally! Not only can they assist with planting projects, but building raised beds or trellises as well, and even preschoolers can be handy with a rake or help with weeding. 
 

Teach children that some repairs do not require a service call. Replace faucets, door knobs, or cabinetry pulls yourself, and let them in on the action when smaller tools are involved. They will not only learn valuable skills, but they will also learn about saving money! 
 

Creating outdoor spaces for the kids such as a pallet playhouse, a swing set kit, or simple soccer/street hockey goal will give them a sense of accomplishment if they help! 

- When purchasing a mat or rug to place in front of the hearth, be certain it’s certified fireproof. 

Wood shouldn’t be brought inside until it’s ready for use.  Find out why you should keep it outside and other great tips about storing firewood here. 
 

- Gas fireplaces require a little less maintenance, but it’s important to be familiar with the operation.  If you can’t find an owner’s manual for your type of fireplace, see if online editions are available, or call the company to have one mailed to you. 
 

- If you see dust and cobwebs, turn off the gas off, and vacuum using the hose attachment. 

Ceramic logs or lava rocks inside a gas fireplace may need sprucing up as well. How to Clean Stuff.net guides us through this process in a few simple steps. 
 

- Soot can collect on the glass doors, and it’s best to keep them clean.  When the doors are cool, spray them with window cleaner, (have newspaper or old towels under them to catch dripping grime), and use a cleaning brush or crumpled newspaper to remove as much of the soot as possible.  Follow up with a soft cloth dampened with clean warm water to remove any film left behind.   

All of the entryway locks and/or keypad codes should be changed. Get a security system set up, and if there is one in place, reset it to default settings and customize it to your needs. 
 

If you are a family with small children, have safety measures in place before everyone goes into the house.  
 

Deep clean the new house, even if it looks clean. Save money by doing this yourself, or have a professional take care of this before move-in. 
 

With a copy of the home inspection in hand, walk through the house and check for minor things that did not require repair by the seller. Have those minor things taken care of before they become major (and costly) things. 
 

Painting, removing textured ceilings, and other small improvement jobs will be completed faster if done before all your belongings are in place.  
 

Turn on all the appliances, familiarize yourself with the breaker panel, and locate the shut-off valves for utilities. 
 

Measure windows and purchase blinds or shades if window treatments were not included in the sale. 
 

Get to know your neighbors! Once you have moved in, introduce yourself by hosting a “front porch social” with simple snacks. Hang a banner or place a sign in the front yard asking them to stop by and say “hello.” 

A new roof could lower your premium, especially when upgraded to the latest standards of protecting your home from natural disasters. 
 

Whenever you increase square footage by way of a home addition, your policy will need to be upgraded, increasing your premium. 
 

Converting already-existing space into a master suite or a media room may not require changes to the policy if the square footage is already covered, but since the replacement value has changed, it would be wise to increase your coverage. 
 

When making upgrades to your home, whether using top-quality building materials for a renovation or finishes or installing state-of-the-art appliances in the kitchen, increasing your policy’s replacement value for these items would be worth the additional amount in the premium. 
 

Improving home systems, i.e., the electrical or plumbing, can lower your premiums, as upgrades can make your home safer from incidents relating to fire and leaking pipes. 
 

Installing a pool or hot tub in your backyard will add to the replacement value of your home, and liability coverage will need to be increased to protect yourself in case of any accidents. 
 

According to Safewise, adding a home security system could lower your homeowner’s premium by 20%.   
 

Depending on how they are mounted, adding solar panels may require a policy of their own, which would add to your budget.  

“Weekends are the only days I can have the house available for viewing.”  Setting limits on when an agent can bring potential buyers to the house is like putting up a Not For Sale sign in your yard. If you want the house to sell, it must be accessible even when it’s not convenient for you. 
 

“I’ll wait until I get a few more offers.”  Rejecting the first offer for a wait-and-see can leave your house on the market longer, which can lead to fewer offers.  Buyers will wonder if something is wrong with the house when they see the length of time it’s been for sale, leaving your home overlooked in their house hunting. 
 

“Hiring a real estate agent is going to cost too much.”  When you contract with a REALTOR®, you’re getting a professional that knows the market, handles the listing, marketing, showing, knows legal aspects of selling a home, and much more.  Taking the risk of selling your house on your own could cost you much more than an agent’s commission in the end. 

- Planting large shrubbery and plants with heavy foliage on the sunny sides of the house not only makes the landscaping attractive, the plants help block the heat, making the outside cooler, thus, the inside will stay cooler. 
 

- Permanent awnings and shutters are easy ways to block sun, as are retractable curtain awnings.  
 

- Allowing all interior doors to stay open will help the air circulate fully and helps keep hot spots from forming.  Leave air registers open, even in unoccupied rooms, to avoid putting a strain on ductwork over time. 
 

- Using a dehumidifier will, obviously, reduce the moisture in the air, making the house feel cooler. 
 

- Time your clothes-drying and dishwashing for nighttime hours and keep the house cooler in the daytime and save on your electric bill. Most energy companies have off-peak consumption hours at night and early mornings. 
 

- Cooking will heat up the kitchen, so learn how to cook plan your cooking early or later in the day and make use of a toaster oven creates less heat than turning the oven on. 

Before hitting the road in the family vehicle, schedule a check-up–for the car! Have a reputable mechanic to check the engine and parts thoroughly, including all fluids, belts, and the battery, and make sure your tires are in good condition and properly inflated.   

Pack items that you will need for emergencies where they can be easily accessed. Purchase one of the many emergency car kits that suits your needs or make your own kit and keep them in a storage tote. A small first-aid kit should be kept in the glove compartment, especially when the kids are traveling, too. 

Check the forecast for all of your travel days. Summer heat means afternoon thunderstorms, and you will need to know where you can safely pull over if rain and wind become too heavy for driving.

When using electronic navigation, be sure that the destination address is correct, and that the map is routed correctly. Print or purchase a paper map to consult in case you pass through areas where there is a poor signal is a must.  

Air travel means added time to your day. Once at the airport, distribute the kids between the adults and go to different security screening lines, and your wait will be shorter. 

Before getting comfortable on the plane, using alcohol-based disinfectant cloths, wipe everything down, giving extra attention to the food tray and the back of the seat pocket area. 

If possible, leave your cell phone at home and opt for a prepaid cell phone to stay in touch.

When you are not using Wi-Fi, disable it on your device, as well as the Bluetooth signal. Public connections can give hackers easy access to your stored personal data. 

Upon arrival at your hotel or rental home, ask for the official Wi-Fi router name and password, and see if there are other networks available throughout the property. Fake wireless connections can be created by hackers, leaving your personal information at risk of being breached.   

If paying for something online is your only option, disable your cell's Wi-Fi connection and use your cellular data as a security measure. 

Probably the most important thing to do is to pay all of your bills on time and in full. This will get your credit score climbing back up to a number that will look good to lenders. 
 

The bankruptcy process begins and ends with required financial courses.  Ask for a fee waiver so the added costs are not a burden. 
 

If your last home went into foreclosure, there are waiting periods for applying for a mortgage: three years for FHA loans, seven years for Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac loans, two years for Veterans Affairs loans, three years for USDA loans, and other lenders have different waiting periods. 
 

The homebuying process is different for those above-mentioned agencies when it comes to past bankruptcy. It simply depends on the type of bankruptcy filed. 
 

Going through a short sale may be a different situation, but this process has a waiting period as well. The average wait time to apply for a mortgage is two to seven years. 
 

Some financial institutions may ask for an explanation–in writing–about the situation that led to the foreclosure or short sale, as well as what you learned during the process.   
 

Extenuating circumstances, such as a major illness or job loss, can make a difference in how long you have to wait to apply for a mortgage.  Be prepared with any paperwork that shows your loss of income or increase of debt.