Susie Skog knows Lake Norman Real Estate Inside Out

Do you have a room in your house that always seems dark no matter what? Perhaps it’s due to low ceilings or minimal windows. Maybe the walls are painted a darker color than you would like. Whatever the reason, don’t worry. Below are a few simple ways you can brighten the space.

Remove or minimize window coverings. A dark room will only seem darker with heavy window hangings. Choose something light and gauzy, or remove window coverings altogether to welcome the sunlight.

Paint it white. From the ceilings to the floors, painting surfaces a white or off-white color will brighten your space and make it appear larger.

Add mirrors. We all know the old mirror trick can make a space seem larger, but did you know it can brighten it, too? Mirrors reflect light, so the more mirrors, the more light you will have reflected. Try a mirrored wall or a mirror-topped coffee table.

Remove (some) furniture. The less crowded a room, the more space for light to bounce around. Nix any unnecessary furniture, knick knacks or clutter.

Trim the trees. Okay, so you’ve cleared the curtains, added a large mirror and painted your dark wood floors white. Does the room still seem dark? Head outside and look for any trees or shrubs that may be encroaching on your sunlight.

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Is your accessory building approved to be used as a living space? Here are four ideas for transforming it into a valuable feature.

Exercise and Wellness Space

Consider a small yoga studio or exercise area with a few spa-like features, such as a steam shower and a massage room.

Kids Space

From an art studio to a large game room, there are endless possibilities to transform this into a place theyll love for years to come.

Home Office

Converting your accessory building into a stunning office is sure to be a good use of this space, while also adding value to your home.

Guest Accommodations

Self-contained guest accommodations are one of the greatest luxuries that a home can have when friends or family are visiting, especially for extended stays.

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Credit cards can be used to buy almost anything, but using them for small purchases can seem like a waste of time when debit cards or cash are more convenient. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages to using a credit card for small purchases.

The Negatives

The ease of use of a credit card can lead to spending without giving it much thought, and can encourage you to make unnecessary purchases or spend more than you normally would.

Numerous studies have shown that credit cards cause people to spend more. McDonalds reports that it sells an average of $7 to someone using a credit card, compared to $4.50 to someone paying in cash.

States have been found to raise highway tolls more often when drivers pay through electronic toll collection instead of cash. An electronic debit isnt seen as real money until the credit card statement arrives.

Making a lot of small purchases on a credit card can lead to a long billing statement, requiring consumers to carefully go over them for fraudulent charges or mistakes. Criminals take advantage of this by making several small, unauthorized charges instead of large ones that are easier to spot.

Not paying your credit card bill in full each month is another downside to putting a lot of small purchases on a card. If youre paying interest on a credit card balance, youre essentially paying more for everything you bought with the card. This goes for items big and small.

The Positives

The upside to making small purchases with a credit card is that doing it regularly can eliminate the need to go to the bank or carry large sums of money. Small transactions can also add up in credit card rewards"though theyre only worthwhile if you pay off the balance after each statement cycle.

And in a small way, multiple small purchases on a credit card can show you how much youre spending on small things that you may be able to do without and save some money on. Those coffees, candies and other small expenses add up, and a credit card bill of several pages is an easy way to see them together.

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Saving for a home, retirement, a vacation or anything else can be difficult.

The median retirement savings of all working-age families in the United States is $5,000, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Given that many financial advisers recommend having about $1 million in retirement, that leaves many families far short of their retirement plans.

Don’t let such big goals keep you from striving for them. Many mobile apps help people reach multiple savings goals, often in painless ways that only require the change you’d normally get at the cash register.

For a retirement plan, home down payment or other large financial goal, you’re probably best off by maximizing automatic paycheck deductions or contributing regularly to a savings account. For smaller savings goals, here are some apps to check out:

Qapital: Set multiple savings goals and have money moved into savings based on rules you set. The service is free.

You won’t have to sacrifice the things you love buying. Buying an espresso every morning at your local coffee shop? Tell the app to save $5 every time you buy coffee. Or it can round up that coffee purchase by a lower amount, such as moving a $3.50 coffee to $4 and putting that extra 50 cents in your account.

Digit: This service has a different way of helping users save money. It connects to your checking account and analyzes your income and spending and finds money it can set aside for you. It never transfers more than you can afford, so you don’t have to worry about overdrafting your account.

Digit used to be free, but now charges $3 per month for its service. A 100-day free trial is available.

Acorns: This micro-investing app turns every purchase you make into an investment.

It connects your accounts and cards that you use to make everyday purchases and rounds your purchases to the nearest dollar. That spare change is automatically invested. You can also set up recurring or one-time investments.

Acorns costs $1 per month to use. For accounts of $5,000 or more, the fee is 0.25 percent per year.

SmartyPig: This online saving account lets you save for specific goals by making automatic transfers from your linked bank account. Want to save for a new TV? SmartyPig can help you set up an account for that.

The service is free. Up to six withdrawals per account can be made each month.

I hope you found this helpful. Contact me for more insights and info.

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Add a touch of luxury to your dressing room with these tips.

Motorized Closet System

A motorized closet system allows you to sift through your wardrobe with the touch of a button.

Secure Your Valuables

Installing a biometric safe that requires your fingerprint to unlock will keep your valuables safe and deliver ultimate peace of mind.

Add a Steamer

If you want to skip having to constantly iron or go to the dry cleaners, then a steam cleaner might be your new best friend.

Smart Mirror

A smart mirror can help you get caught up on the news, check your emails and make sure youre dressed appropriately for the weather.

Published with permission from RISMedia.