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Green and healthy floor refinishing: 5 tips from the pros

2021-11-22T10:01:00

(BPT) – As many homeowners prioritize natural beauty and ease of maintenance in their living spaces, hardwood floors have become a popular flooring option. And for many consumers, that means refinishing existing wood floors that need a little help to regain their original luster.

If you’re considering sprucing up your floors, you may want to pay close attention to the environmental impact of your plans. It’s important to factor in the processes and products that will optimize your family’s health and wellness instead of exposing them to potentially harmful chemicals.

Happily, today’s new hardwood floor refinishing systems and products offer better options for a safe and efficient process. Here are five steps you can take to ensure your floor project ends with a gloriously lustrous, durable, beautiful floor that won’t adversely affect the inhabitants of your home.

1. Choose a credible contractor.

Shop around for a professional who understands how to work with the specific floors you’ve installed without introducing toxicity into your home environment. The best alternative may be a Bona Certified Craftsman® who’s been trained on how to revive, recoat and refinish wood floors of all kinds without using potentially harmful chemicals.

2. Make a joint plan.

Instead of simply handing the entire project over to your contractor, work with him or her to create a refinishing plan that specifies how, when and where the work will take place and what kinds of products will be used. One way to make that easier is by using Bona’s Floor Visualizer, a new online tool that can help you visualize how different flooring choices will look in various rooms of your home.

3. Go dustless.

Insist that your contractor use a certified dust containment system that will eliminate virtually all floating dust particles from the floor sanding process. OSHA advises that airborne wood dust is carcinogenic, which can lead to respiratory issues or even cancer.

4. Opt for a waterborne finish.

While some contractors offer less expensive options such as acid-cured varnishes, conversion varnishes or “Swedish” finishes, those varieties contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can adversely affect your home’s air quality. The formaldehyde in acid-cured finishes can agitate respiratory illnesses and/or cause nausea, dizziness, headaches and irritation of the eyes, nose or throat. Another problem? Those harsh finishes can keep emitting problematic chemicals for up to 90 days as it cures.

In comparison, water-based finishes are lower in VOCs, emit minimal odor, dry much quicker and are overall safer and more convenient for people, pets and plants. Further, they’re durable, beautiful and clear-drying on all kinds of hardwood floors.

5. Know best practices for maintenance.

Once your waterborne finish is cured, you can best maintain your newly gorgeous wood floors by avoiding the use of vacuums, steam cleaners, vinegar-and-water solutions, oil soaps, paste waxes, furniture polishes and other harsh cleaning products formulated for other surfaces. Instead, look for cleaning solutions like Bona’s Hardwood Floor Cleaning solutions that are developed for wood floors, are biodegradable, use plant-derived ingredients and are Safer Choice certified.

With today’s technology, there’s no reason to settle for hardwood floor renovation techniques that are harmful to the environment and your home. Choose wisely when it comes to the health of your family. For more information on safe and environmentally sound care of your hardwood floors, visit US.Bona.com.

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The most decadent chocolate treats to enjoy this holiday season

2021-11-22T07:01:00

(BPT) – Dark or milk chocolate? Caramel or cream? Seasonal or classic flavors? When it comes to the best chocolate confections, everyone has their favorites. As the winter chill sets in, it is natural to crave those timeless moments of togetherness and celebrate with melt-in-your-mouth treats.

If you live in the Midwest, you’ve come to expect the best confections from Fannie May, maker of premium chocolates for over 100 years. Now available nationwide online, everyone can indulge in delicious chocolates that will add to any occasion.

Explore these top sellers for the holiday season that are sure to make your chocolate dreams come true:

Indulgent Milk Chocolate Pixies

The Fannie May Pixie is a beloved classic. The buttery caramel and fresh pecans covered in rich milk chocolate are irresistible. Now available in a beautiful red snowflake wrapping paper, it’s the perfect present. Send them to loved ones across the country or stock up as gifts to neighbors, friends, teachers and more.

12 Days of Christmas chocolate variety

Forget a partridge in a pear tree! If you love chocolate treats, you’ll delight over the 12 Days of Christmas Snowflake Gift Box. This impressive selection features an assortment of eggnog creams, dark chocolate truffle Trinidads, buttercreams, milk chocolate Santas and more, all arriving in a navy snowflake box fitting of the season. Buy one for yourself or gift to loved ones for a season full of chocolate joys!

Mint Meltaways for seasonal savoring

Beautifully designed for holiday get-togethers, mouthwatering Mint Meltaways feature a cool, creamy mint chocolate center coated in sweet white confection and sprinkled in red and green sugar crystals. Available for a limited time in a green snowflake gift box, 1-pound Holiday Mint Meltaways are ideal for a hostess gift or simply as a gift for yourself.

Cool and delicious Peppermint Bark

Peppermint may be the quintessential flavor of the holiday season, but if you want something more refined than candy canes, you must get some Peppermint Bark. Made with Fannie May’s own special blend of rich dark chocolate and creamy white confection layered together with crunchy bits of cool peppermint in a giftable tin, it’s the gift that keeps giving all season long.

Solid milk chocolate stocking stuffers

Holiday Foil-Wrapped Chocolate Gables are this year’s must-have holiday extra. This three-pack features chocolates in three different holiday-themed designs — presents, Santas and snowmen — each wrapped in colorful foil wrappers for a festive presentation. Unwrap each festive piece to discover melt-in-your-mouth solid milk chocolate that is sure to send taste buds dancing.

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4 expert tips to protect yourself from credit scams

2021-11-22T07:01:00

(BPT) – While credit scams have been around forever, they’ve recently exploded in number. According to Mint, from 2019 to 2020, the number of identity theft reports went up by 113% and the number of reports of identity theft by credit cards increased by 44.6%. The amount of fraud by new credit card accounts saw a 48% increase from 2019.

As more information is digital today, on top of the increase in health and financial stressors, scams designed to access your credit accounts or personal information are on the rise.

Having financial or credit accounts hacked can have long-lasting implications, beyond financial loss and inconvenience.

Here are tips to help protect your credit and personal information.

1. Practice good cyber hygiene

Use long, strong passwords unique to each account or website — or use a password manager to help create better passwords and keep track of them. Change the password on your home’s router. If you’re using the same password for several accounts, or haven’t changed passwords in a while, now’s the time to clean up your digital act.

2. Back up your data

Having digital and physical backups for your data protects you from not only losing important information, but also from ransomware attacks — when a hacker freezes or destroys your data unless you pay them in bitcoin. While this is more likely to happen to businesses, it can give you peace of mind to have your data backed up.

Consider both a Cloud backup as well as on a physical hard drive — and/or printing out vital information or documents.

3. Monitor your credit reports

Keeping an eye on your credit reports alerts you to attempts to steal your identity, such as someone opening an account in your name. You can check any of the major credit reporting companies for free once a year. However, because identity theft is becoming more frequent, you should check your credit score more often. One tactic is to rotate which company you request a report from, requesting one every few months.

You can also check your credit with VantageScore, which uses credit scoring models that provide lenders and consumers with highly predictive credit scores that are easier to understand and actually score more people. Access yours for free through the providers at VantageScore.com.

Check your credit reports for:

  • Credit accounts/debt that isn’t yours.
  • Inquiries indicating a company accessed your report without your permission.
  • An address where you’ve never lived. This could be a sign someone’s tried to use your identity to open an account.

If you see items like these on your report, contact the credit agency right away. A change to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in 2018 allows consumers to put a freeze on their credit reports for free, so credit reporting companies will restrict access to your reports, not allowing lenders with whom you do not have an existing relationship to pull them. This can help prevent fraudulent credit applications from being opened. Then you can choose when to “unfreeze” the credit reports and put them back into circulation.

4. Be alert to common scams

You may receive an email saying one of your credit accounts has been blocked or suspended. It may look like an email from a legit company. Never click links within the email, as they may take you to a fake website (that looks real). Instead, access your account from the website you always use to see if there’s a problem. Contact the company directly, not through the email. Most likely it’s a phishing attempt to get your personal login or financial information.

Scammers may take advantage of current crises, claiming to be COVID-19 contact tracers, or referring to government stimulus checks. Never give personal or financial information like your birthdate or Social Security number over the phone or via email. Other common scams involve taxes or unemployment compensation.

View any email or text asking for information or to reply with an account login or other personal information as suspect, and contact the supposed sender directly.

Learn more about tips and credit strategies at VantageScore.com.

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Making your bathroom work harder for you

2021-11-22T07:01:00

(BPT) – The bathroom tends to be the easiest space in the home to clean, spruce up or decorate. Buying the perfect shower curtain is way less frustrating than choosing the right couch or countertop. But while the aesthetics of the bathroom can be simpler to pull off, the importance of designing a bathroom that balances easy living and functionality is often overlooked.

Choosing the right bathroom mats

Bathmats come in different colors, textures, fabrics and sizes, which make them fun to shop for. They can be a good starting point for decorating as they tend to determine the color scheme and mood for the rest of the bathroom. However, it is important to also choose floor mats for their durability. Bathroom floor mats get wet once to twice a day between showers and often people find they must replace their rugs sooner than expected for cleanliness. When picking the bathmats that will add flair to your space, consider if the material is absorbent, water resistant, machine-wash friendly and grips firmly to the floor for safety.

The ultimate shower experience

Having a quality bathroom equipped with functional décor is a crucial step. A versatile shower head that provides strong water streams, like the Peerless SideKick Shower System, is essential for achieving the perfect shower experience. The system installs onto the existing shower arm in minutes and does not require any additional tools for setup. It offers up to five different spray patterns that vary from relaxing, massage-like pulses to uplifting pressure and comes with multiple attachments designed for cleaning, washing your pet, and gently washing a child. Its sleek design naturally fits into a shower space at an affordable price.

Bathroom essentials for guests

There’s nothing worse than visiting someone’s home and their bathroom is not up to par. To ensure your bathroom is working for you while you’re busy entertaining, make sure it is always stocked with essential items. Keep fresh towels in an easy place to spot so guests can grab when needed. Plug in air fresheners around the toilet to maintain a fresh aroma. The guest bathroom should always be equipped with accommodations that make your company feel comfortable in your home.

More storage, less clutter

It’s easy for the bathroom to become cluttered with toiletries, especially in smaller spaces. While it may seem like the only option for storage is the sink cabinet, a simple installation of an additional storage unit can bring peace of mind. Try installing a shower caddy unit in the shower or an open shelf rack over the toilet. Building wall shelves is also an easy DIY project. These simple additions can make it so that everything you need for your daily routine is within reach without sacrificing space, organization and cleanliness.

Pulling off the right aesthetic with the proper functionality is sometimes just about updating a variety of small things that together give a lasting impression. These quick and doable ideas will help you, your family and guests love your bathroom even more.

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How much time does it really take to search for your next home?

2021-11-19T09:01:00

(BPT) – This year has been challenging for first-time homebuyers, and a new survey reveals the time, effort and money they’ve invested throughout their home-buying process. This new data from digital real estate platform Opendoor revealed that an overwhelming 79% of first-time homebuyers who missed work while immersed in the homebuying process had to take off an average of 14 hours — equal to nearly two full workdays. The average spikes to 19 hours among those homebuyers who purchased a new home over the past month — which equates to over $845 million worth of work time missed while looking for a home. This is one of the main reasons homebuyers are seeking to gain more control of the homebuying process by using online real estate services such as Opendoor.

Nationwide, about 3 out of 5 first-time homebuyers found the real estate market to be more competitive than they expected, and over half felt that the entire process was much more time-consuming than anticipated. Why is the process of searching for and nailing down that new home so time-consuming? The survey offers some insights into the challenges of the process.

Searching

Since the pandemic began, much of the initial home searching and touring of homes has gone virtual. While you might think that would save time normally spent driving around to view homes, the search is still extremely time-consuming — especially because current home inventories are much lower than the demand. The study found that the average first-time homebuyer toured 15 homes virtually or in person — and 33% of them toured 20 or more homes throughout the process.

Making an offer

Here’s where most of the survey respondents found a surprising amount of time went — and where most of the stress originated. In fact, 85% of first-time buyers cited offer-related challenges as the toughest part of the entire homebuying process.

Here’s a look at some of the reasons why:

  • Almost all first-time homebuyers — a whopping 98% — said they lost at least one home they were interested in before buying their current home.
  • Nearly 3 in 5 (56%) made more than 5 offers on homes before purchasing their current home, averaging 10 offers apiece.
  • 40% said that the stress of waiting for an offer was the most difficult part of the process.
  • 39% were challenged to come up with money for a down payment.
  • 37% struggled with being outbid by another homebuyer.

And interestingly, another source of stress was due to the inexperience of these homebuyers, as 33% noted they were unsure how much to offer. For new homebuyers, some of this stress can be reduced by using a virtual platform such as Opendoor, which provides support from industry experts to help you make decisions every step of the way.

Starting over

Homebuyers who had multiple offers rejected by sellers may have felt like they were caught in an endless cycle, having to start from the beginning each time. As a result, more time was wasted as frustrated homebuyers vainly searched for new inventory to appear: Over half (52%) checked for new listings once a day or more — with the average being seven times a day.

Hindsight is 20/20

What did homebuyers learn as a result of going through this difficult challenge? Most first-time homebuyers (92%) say they would do something differently if they were in the market for a new home as a result of their experience.

  • 33% said they would bring family or friends along to tour homes in the future, to serve as an extra set of eyes.
  • 35% wished they had done more research.
  • 37% said they would get a home inspection next time.

Finding an alternative to the traditional homebuying process

To make the home-buying process less difficult as well as less time-consuming, digital real estate platforms like Opendoor are offering an attractive alternative to the traditional way of buying and selling your home. Opendoor is a one-stop shop that gives people a simple and convenient way to buy, sell and move.

Whether you’re buying or selling a home (or both), learn how you can take more control of the process at Opendoor.com.

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Retinal disease can steal your vision, but it doesn’t have to

2021-11-19T13:43:34

(BPT) – For decades, Glenroy Washington happily worked as a professional musician, a passion that led him around the world. Then while on tour in Europe, he noticed something was wrong with his eyesight, and that’s when his life began to change.

Washington has diabetes and tried to keep his A1C, or blood sugar, under control. However, his hectic travel schedule affected his ability to manage his diabetes and he experienced symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, a retinal condition that occurs when diabetes damages blood vessels in the retina.

Retinal conditions like diabetic retinopathy as well as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition caused by a deterioration of the retina that leads to a loss of central vision, are among the leading causes of blindness and vision loss in the U.S. Diabetic retinopathy affects 7.7 million Americans. AMD impacts as many as 11 million Americans. Both numbers are expected to double by 2050 due to longer life expectancies.

Retinal disease can steal your vision, but it doesn’t have to. The American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) launched the “See for a Lifetime. See a Retina Specialist.” campaign to elevate awareness of retinal disease as a major public health threat and prompt people at risk and their families to act. More information and resources can be found at SeeforaLifetime.org.

“Incredible advances now allow us to successfully treat conditions that just a generation ago typically led to legal blindness,” said ASRS President Dr. Carl C. Awh. “The fact that we have these effective treatments makes it more important than ever to educate patients and their families about ways to recognize, prevent and treat retinal diseases. By doing so, we should be able to preserve, or even improve, the vision and quality of life of many.”

As part of the campaign, there are three things America’s retina specialists want you to know:

1. Knowing retinal disease risk factors and symptoms can save your sight

Common adult symptoms of retinal disease include blurred central vision, distortion or straight lines appearing wavy, and sudden onset of floaters or flashes of light. Common risk factors for retinal disease include older age, family history, smoking, high blood pressure and cholesterol, or diabetes. Seek care immediately if you experience sudden changes in vision.

2. Early detection is a game changer

Many retinal diseases have few noticeable symptoms in their early stages. With regular dilated retina exams, your eye physician can help preserve your sight by detecting signs of a retinal condition early, before extensive damage occurs. During a dilated retina exam, your eye physician takes a very close look at the back of your eye to check for any problems and will refer you to a retina specialist if there are signs of a retinal condition.

3. Retina specialists can help

Innovative treatments developed and delivered by retina specialists can prevent vision loss, allowing patients to maintain active, independent lives. Retina specialists are among the most extensively trained and highly skilled eye care providers, with mastery of the newest and most sophisticated tools and surgical techniques available to diagnose and treat retinal diseases. With the right screening, and ongoing monitoring and treatment, almost all patients with retinal diseases can avoid significant vision loss.

If you’re at risk for retinal disease because of family history or underlying conditions such as diabetes, or if you experience symptoms of a retinal condition, see a retina specialist as soon as possible. That’s what Washington did. After returning to the states, he met with a retina specialist who determined that diabetic retinopathy had affected both of his eyes.

She immediately developed a personalized treatment plan to improve his vision that included laser treatments and intravitreal injections, also known as eye injections. With ongoing treatment, Washington is back to performing, driving and can read even small text, which is helping him as he works on his next two albums and travels for shows.

“If you have a family history of retinal conditions or experience symptoms, make an appointment with a retina specialist right away because delaying care can lead to vision loss,” said ASRS Foundation President Dr. Timothy G. Murray. “Your retina specialist will use advanced retinal imaging and early treatment, if needed, to help preserve your vision.”

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How to enjoy the holidays without overloading your New Year’s resolutions

2021-11-19T07:31:00

(BPT) – Face it, everyone’s done it — abandoned wellness goals over the holidays, hoping to make up for it with New Year’s resolutions. According to a recent study, half of Americans have broken a diet due to the holidays. In the fifth annual “Writing Off the End of the Year” survey, commissioned by Herbalife Nutrition, the average respondent expects to gain eight pounds over the holiday season. But most aren’t worrying about the weight gain, and instead plan on enjoying the season without sticking to their diets. What’s their solution? More than 60% say they will wait till the new year, making that extra weight next year’s problem.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Putting those extra holiday pounds on your New Year’s resolutions just makes it harder down the road. And unfortunately, the pandemic has compounded the problem. For 40% of respondents, the extra weight they anticipate is in addition to weight they’ve already gained during the pandemic. The stress of the past year and a half has spurred many to overeat, with 65% feeling like they “deserve” treats this year more than previous years. Between the pandemic and the holidays, how can you avoid piling on the pounds — and overloading your 2022 resolutions?

“Holiday celebrations don’t have to destroy your healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Kent Bradley, chief health and nutrition officer, Herbalife Nutrition. “Focus on your long-term goals, so you can make more thoughtful choices.”

Here are tips for staying on track over the holidays — and making resolutions you can keep all year.

Plan ahead.

Don’t arrive hungry. Eat a high protein snack, to give you energy and keep you from overindulging at a party. Snack on hard-boiled eggs, lean lunch meat, low-fat cheese, yogurt or a handful of nuts. Other great options are Herbalife Nutrition’s protein Shakes or Protein Bites, a bite-sized protein bar.

“By focusing on proteins over carbs, slowing your eating pace and making sure you don’t go to the party hungry, you can enjoy yourself and minimize weight gain,” adds Bradley.

Stay hydrated.

The body can mistake thirst for hunger, which may lead to overeating. Staying hydrated with plain or sparkling water also helps you feel fuller. Sip on a glass of water between snacks to slow down and enjoy the day.

Pace yourself.

In the survey, 48% admitted they’ve eaten so much during the holidays, they had to undo the button on their pants or loosen their belt, and 45% have eaten more than one of the same meal in a day — such as multiple lunches or dinners. Others said they’ve eaten until they feel sick, unwell or full to bursting — or they deliberately wore stretchy clothes to accommodate overeating (both 39%).

If you’re hosting a gathering, start a holiday singalong, set up a fun craft or suggest a walk outside. If you’re at someone else’s shindig, take breaks from eating treats by talking to people or playing games. Food doesn’t have to be the centerpiece of every get-together.

Make your resolutions count.

In the survey, 2/3 of respondents (64%) said they’re actively delaying attempts to be healthy over the holidays — and of those, 56% said they’ll begin postponing their wellness efforts by mid-November. But many said they’ll pick healthy habits back up in the New Year. The study found that 39% plan to make a New Year’s resolution for 2022. The top goal? Exercising more (27%), followed by eating healthier (25%) and focusing on self-care (22%).

Make your resolutions concrete, realistic and attainable — so you can keep them well past January.

“The most successful New Year’s health resolutions combine nutritious balanced diets and exercise, have specific, achievable goals — and activate a community of like-minded supportive people,” added Bradley.

Here’s how to make effective New Year’s resolutions:

  • Make them simple and concrete: “30 minutes of exercise per day” or “Add 1 vegetable to meals,” for example. If you’re starting an exercise program, check with your doctor first.
  • Don’t overload yourself: Start with only 1-2 goals, or you can feel overwhelmed.
  • Use the buddy system: Find a friend or group of like-minded people to support you and help keep each other accountable.

Don’t give up on your wellness before New Year’s, and use resolutions to focus on small, reachable goals, so you can build on that success all year long.

Learn more about Herbalife Nutrition products to support your goals by visiting iamHerbalifeNutrition.com.

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What are IT administrators most thankful for this year?

2021-11-19T06:01:00

(BPT) – In many companies, IT administrators are the unsung champions — and this has never been more true than it is today. With the sudden switch to remote work due to the pandemic, IT systems have coped with a huge variety of stressors — from the increased connectivity burden as employees work from home to the urgent need for heightened cybersecurity. While you might expect IT admins to experience burnout from these increased demands, a new survey shows how grateful they are for their jobs — and for what they’ve accomplished against overwhelming odds.

The study, conducted by JumpCloud, reveals how thankful IT administrators feel. Almost two years into the pandemic, IT teams responsible for securing remote work feel plenty of gratitude for their jobs, for remote work, and for their ability to secure their workplaces into the new hybrid models.

Here are top things IT admins are most thankful for today — and what they’re confident about moving forward.

Appreciation for their jobs overall

When asked what they were most grateful for, the IT administrators surveyed expressed gratitude for these top three things:

  • Their jobs (27%)
  • Cybersecurity (21%)
  • Remote work (20%)

One IT admin reported feeling gratitude primarily for “the hard work of the IT staff in learning to expand our network,” while another was thankful that “there were no major breaches, and for overall continued productivity in a hybrid environment.”

Confidence in meeting the challenge

The overwhelming challenge of the past two years has been ensuring that all remote employees have everything they need to be productive from home, while also ensuring cybersecurity for the business.

Fortunately, 79% of IT admins surveyed in the U.S. agreed or strongly agreed that they’ve been able to meet or exceed employee expectations for ongoing support in remote or hybrid work environments. And while more than half (57%) reported feeling somewhat or very overwhelmed with the job, 86% said they were as happy as or happier than they were a year ago.

Job satisfaction comes from contributions they’re making

This satisfaction with their work isn’t coming from raises. Since the start of the pandemic, 43% of IT admins reported their salaries remained the same, while 37% saw an increase — but for those who got raises, most were 5% or less.

Instead, IT admins may feel more job satisfaction because their roles have become so critical to every business. Overall, 83% of U.S. IT admins reported that decision-makers in their organization listen to their recommendations, especially when it comes to enhancing cybersecurity.

For example, one IT admin was grateful “that we have senior leadership who actually understands the threat of ransomware and how it targets healthcare, and are willing to expend capital on the tools to combat it.”

Gratitude for the technology to do their jobs

Many IT professionals surveyed expressed appreciation for innovative software and applications that enable remote work and keep it secure.

“Thanks to the increasingly mature network technology, the vulnerabilities of my system have been repaired in time without causing losses,” said one IT admin.

For example, the JumpCloud Directory Platform, built for remote work, allows IT admins to connect remote users to virtually any resource and configure and secure their remote devices.

“We’re thankful for the herculean efforts IT admins undertook to get users connected to what they need, and to secure company resources in the face of increasingly sophisticated threats,” said Cate Lochead, chief marketing officer, JumpCloud. “That these admins report being happy in spite of their increased responsibilities speaks to their creativity and resilience, and we’ll continue to develop the JumpCloud platform to meet the evolving challenges of new workplace models.”

Holiday gifts for your IT admins

How can you celebrate your IT team this holiday season? Apart from making sure they have the technology they need to succeed, what else can you do to show your appreciation?

The survey discovered top items on IT admins’ holiday gift wish lists:

  • Gaming gifts (23%)
  • New laptop (17%)
  • New phone (17%)

Other holiday requests from IT admins included: an airplane simulator, a self-driving car — and not surprisingly, “just rest.”

Survey methodology: JumpCloud surveyed 1,012 U.S. and U.K. IT decision-makers across a variety of industries. The survey was conducted via Propeller Insights, Oct. 21, 2021 to Oct. 25, 2021.

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Boosting your home’s curb appeal? What to know about sealing your driveway

2021-11-19T05:01:00

(BPT) – Homeowners nationwide are making improvements on their homes, both to better enjoy them and to protect the value of their investment. If you’re one of the many people going the DIY route, you’ll be glad to know there’s an easy way to boost your home’s curb appeal by focusing on one of the things first noticed — your driveway — and ensuring that it’s clean, well-kept and in good repair.

Heading into the harsh winter weather, protecting and sealing your concrete driveway will help keep it looking great. Having a driveway in good shape not only ensures safety for the cars and pedestrians using it daily, but also sends the message that your property is well tended, inside and out.

But before you seal your driveway it’s crucial to do the right preparation, or the seal won’t work. Here’s what you need to know about prepping your driveway, then sealing it to look great through the winter.

Step 1: Clean it up

Before using a sealer on your driveway, you’ll want to get the concrete slab as clean as possible, not just to help it look its best, but also to ensure that the seal will bond. “Bond breakers” like dirt, grime and oil will prevent your sealer from adhering properly.

Use a 1500 PSI pressure washer to get your driveway as clean as you can. Most home improvement retailers and some rental companies will rent pressure washers for a reasonable cost.

Step 2: Repair any cracks

While you’re washing your driveway, make note of any cracks, flaking or other surface damage that needs repair. Once the surface is fully dried, you can use QUIKRETE Concrete Repair or QUIKRETE Gray Concrete Crack Seal to quickly and easily patch up the concrete as needed. Here’s a quick video to see how to use these products to repair cracks in your driveway.

Step 3: Remove stains

You may also notice stains caused by motor oil, rust or efflorescence (crystalline salt deposits) on the concrete. It’s a good idea to remove as many stains as you can before you apply the sealer, using one of these products:

Your driveway’s surface should be completely rinsed and dried after using one of these products, before applying sealer.

Step 4: Seal your driveway

Applying ready-to-use QUIKRETE Acrylic Concrete Cure and Seal will help to seal and protect your concrete driveway from acids, grease, oils, food stains, salt and more.

  • Check the forecast. You’ll need to be sure the temperature is above freezing for 24 hours before applying, and it should be 50 degrees F (10 degrees C) or warmer when you’re applying it. If it’s too cold, the product will be slow to set or could even freeze, rendering it ineffective. Do not apply if rain, heavy dew or temps below 50 degrees F are expected within 24 hours of applying.
  • Read and follow all instructions, precautions and safety guidelines on the product packaging. For example, you should wear impervious gloves and prevent skin contact with the product. Remove any of the product that may get on your skin or clothes promptly, while wet, with soap and water. Also, clean application tools with water immediately after use.
  • Make sure you have the tools you need such as gloves, a garden sprayer and brush.
  • Apply evenly for best results. For sealing finished concrete surfaces, apply using a broom, brush, roller or garden sprayer to dry concrete or masonry.

Ready to get started improving your home’s value and curb appeal? Learn more at QUIKRETE.com.

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How to save money, shop securely and win cash this holiday season

2021-11-18T23:01:00

(BPT) – ‘Tis the season to go shopping. Whether online or in stores, you probably have a list and are checking it twice as you cross off to-do’s. All this merrymaking can quickly add up, not to mention make you vulnerable to digital Scrooges looking to steal your financial information.

Fortunately, with some smart strategies, you can save money, enjoy the best of the holidays and shop securely on the go. Just follow these expert tips for seasonal shopping:

Budget: Before you start holiday shopping, set a budget for yourself. Knowing ahead of time how much you can spend can help direct your shopping and reduce temptation to go overboard. Then, regularly review your budget to ensure you’re in a good place financially for a merry holiday with no big bills looming in the new year.

Shop safely and securely: Help protect yourself against scams, phishing and other security issues while shopping online. The PayPal wallet securely stores credit card, debit card and bank account information in one place so you can safely pay at millions of retailers around the world without sharing full financial information.

“This year’s holiday shopping season is set to be one of the biggest yet, and we’re here to help ensure that our customers can check out safely and securely, with the added benefit of a chance to win rewards or cash prizes to bring joy to their holiday shopping,” said Bob Rupczynski, vice president of Consumer Marketing, PayPal.

Look for ways to save or win a little money: When shopping with PayPal and spending $10 or more on purchases or donations, you will be automatically entered into the weekly drawing for a chance to win prizes ranging from $25 to $250 to spend on future purchases or donations using PayPal at millions of merchants or charitable causes. Plus, you could win the weekly grand prize of $10,000. In total, the company will give away $20 million to customers this holiday season. Terms apply. Learn more at Paypal.com/US/Giveaway.

Uncover deals: Watch for sales at favorite stores or use a tool like Honey that automatically notifies you if an item you’re interested in drops in price. Honey also searches for discount codes when shopping online, plus you can earn cash back. Utilize free shipping options. Use digital apps that offer exclusive deals, such as PayPal’s new app which provides shoppers access to discounts and offers on hundreds of popular brands. Customers can shop through the in-app browser.

Save receipts: Whether it’s a traditional paper receipt or a digital copy, save all your receipts. It’s always wise to crosscheck charges made against money coming out of your financial accounts. What’s more, if an item you purchased recently goes on sale, you can reach out to the retailer and inquire to get an adjustment for the sale price by referencing your receipt for proof of purchase.

Check out safely in stores: Try touch-free and secure ways to pay when shopping in person this holiday season. QR Codes offer the ability to pay in person with PayPal and Venmo. To use the seamless payment option in store, simply head to a cashier and open the PayPal or Venmo apps, click the “Scan” button, select the “Show to Pay” option and have the cashier scan the QR code at participating stores.

Split payments: Explore options to split costs into smaller, digestible chunks so you can spread out payments, especially when there are no-interest options. For example, look for the option to “Pay in 4” when checking out with PayPal at millions of online retailers. This is the option to break purchases between $30 to $1,500 into four interest-free payments.