At Home Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy in the Fall

At-Home Activities to Keep Your Kids Busy in the Fall

Fall is here and that means it is time to start planning out those seasonal activities. If you haven’t started brainstorming or are stuck on ideas for your fall fun, no worries – we’ve got you covered with these tips to keep your kids busy! Whether you’re planning for the sitter, your own kids, grandkids, or just need something fun to do, take a few minutes to add some activities to your fall to-do list.

Fall Slime 

With the unpredictable fall weather, the best activities can be done in or outside. Slime is a kid favorite, so why not make it fall-themed! This slime recipe will keep them engaged for hours!

How to create Fall Slime: https://bit.ly/3B1HhNH

Sidewalk Chalk Murals

If you get a nice fall day, be sure to craft your very own sidewalk mural before they are covered with snow! Whether you create designs or some games with chalk, you are bound to have a fun time. Sidewalk chalk is a good way to not only have a blast coloring but incorporating some learning. Encourage your kids to write letters, words, and names, as well as draw items to count!

Pumpkin Sensory Bag 

Sensory bags are a blast! Create your own sensory bag by adding in the guts of a pumpkin and allowing your kiddos to engage in sensory play! To create yours add squishy pulp, juice, and pumpkin seeds into a plastic bag. You can even dye your pumpkin seeds with food coloring for additional fun!

Homemade Autumn Playdough

Kids love playdough so you’ll most definitely want to try out making your own – especially when it smells like fall! Check out this helpful recipe to get you started. Don’t wait until Halloween to decorate your pumpkins, use your playdough to craft pumpkins, ghosts, apples, and more!

Milk Carton Boats 

Milk carton boats are a fun craft that gives your kids an opportunity to brainstorm. Use an old milk carton and craft a boat. You can even go as far as painting and decorating it! Once your boat is crafted, pick a nice fall day to put it in water to see how it floats. You can even have a competition and add weight to see who’s stays afloat longest.

Paint Kindness Rocks

Painting rocks can be a colorful craft and an act of kindness. This idea is as easy as finding some rocks and painting them. Paint inspiring words, quotes, or designs so once they are dry you can deliver them to family or place them around your community. Add a fall twist to your rocks or even decorate pumpkins instead to deliver around your town!

Glow in the Dark Mason Jars

Crafting your own glow in the dark mason jars is a must! They are great to keep in the backyard throughout the fall to enjoy.  Here’s what you need to know about this craft to light up your backyard.

Organize Your Own Nature Scavenger Hunt

Get out and about to soak up the fall with your very own nature scavenger hunt. This can be as easy as creating a fall themed list for your kids to get out and find. From leaves to pinecones, this scavenger hunt will keep your kids busy! Keep your fall findings and incorporate them into your next craft!

Bob for Apples

Keep your kids cool and engaged by bobbing for apples. This activity is as easy as filling up a bowl with apples and water and let them bob away! Use this activity to work on counting and sorting. For young kids use this as an activity to improve their motor skills – here’s how. 

Pumpkin Potions

Put on your aprons it’s pumpkin potion time! This wouldn’t be a fun fall activity list if there wasn’t at least one messy idea. To create this messy fun start with the first potion – a typical baking soda and vinegar experiment, which is always a big hit with the kids. Then add shaving cream for an added squishy element.

These ideas are easy to achieve and budget-friendly to keep the kids having fun and engaged this fall!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

How to Effectively Teach Your Kids Online Safety

How to Effectively Teach Your Kids Online Safety 

Having our kiddos grow up in a world that becomes more and more digitalized can be a scary thing. The best thing you can do for your kids is to teach them about cybersecurity and implement safe online habits early on. With summer coming up, there may be more people online when your kids are on their devices. Here are some tips to outline with your kids to ensure safe cybersecurity practices. 

Educate Yourself First 

There is not a one size fits all approach to teaching your kids cybersecurity at a level they understand. Each kid is different and wants different things from their online experience. If you can educate yourself and implement good habits both when you are and are not with your kids, you are on the right track. Having gadgets is great, especially for you to connect and communicate. 

Set Up a Routine

Having an enforced device routine is important to safe cybersecurity. A great way to monitor their device and usage is to have a charging station out in the open. It’s also great to set the times of the day they can have screen time. Having these times already enforced make it that much easier for your kids to follow and can work as a token for good behavior when the kids have earned some extra screen time. 

Set Up Basic Rules

It is very important to set basic rules, such as downloading apps, searching the internet, where they can use their device, and more. It is crucial to have a clean device, so be sure your kids understand the importance of having their apps and device updated. Apps are a great learning tool for kids, but they also can be very dangerous. It is important to teach them the importance of asking before they download and if the download is requesting access to anything. 

Basic rules can be easily monitored with parental controls to set rules within the device. It may be worth passcode protecting everything so only you can let them into a device and app you want them using. Rather than allowing them to use their device on their own, it can be of value to create a space where they can use it out in the open when you are able to monitor their usage. 

Use Child-Friendly Resources and Examples

As you teach your kids more and more about online safety, it is important to use examples they can understand. When instances come up, rather than getting upset, use it as a time to learn and walk through the correct way to handle the situation. Learning safe online habits should be continuous. Explaining to your children about hacking, phishing, identity theft, cyberbullying, etc. is important for them to thoroughly understand technology as they grow up.

Good cybersecurity habits are crucial to keeping ourselves, our information, and our kids safe. Summer tends to be a time where kids are on their devices more and more, sometimes when you are not home or with another adult. Creating a routine and expectation for them will only make it easier to implement your rules and continually educate them.

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

6 Ways to Cut Expenses this Fall

6 Ways to Cut Expenses During the Fall  

We all can probably agree that we’d love to have additional savings to go towards our holiday expenses. Whether you need to save extra for an upcoming vacation, want some Fall fun, or are trying to get your budget in-line before the holidays we’ve got some easy tips for you to reduce expenses for sweet fall savings. Shift your mindset to fall savings with these simple tips. 

Track Your Spending 

The first way to cut expenses is to see where your money is going. Maybe it’s time to hard-core track your spending and find the key expense that is busting your budget. Grab a piece of paper and write down every expense for 30-60 days to see what your money is going towards. Sometimes this tip alone is a great way to drop unnecessary spending because you see it and acknowledge how often you’re spending money on it.

Another tip when tracking your spending is to identify purchases as a need or want. Sometimes we need to think through our purchases to see how often we are spending money on things we need or want because that could be a key factor that maybe your budget is off. 

Comb Through Your Budget 

If you are already tracking your spending, you probably have a budget in motion. When you are looking to save extra, you need to comb through your budget to ensure it is accurate for your financial situation and the season. Create small goals to meet within your budget to reach. Monitor your spending categories to see if there is an area you don’t necessarily need as big of a budget for and can add that extra chunk to your savings instead. 

Remember these budget tips: 

  • Determine your monthly income. 
  • Determine your fixed expenses each month.
  • Determine your monthly budget for needs. 
  • Determine how much you need to set aside for your holiday expenses to stay within your set budget.

Scratch the Subscriptions 

Cleaning through the subscriptions is a great way to have some additional savings. When looking through your subscriptions it is important to ask yourself how much you use them and do you really need them. Gym memberships are great to cancel in the summer and fall because you can get your exercise outside or in the comfort of your home. Cancel those subscriptions sooner than later and you will see a great income for your savings. You may even realize you don’t need them back. 

Reduce Energy-Use

Fall is the best time of year to save money at home by reducing your energy use. Here are some ways to reduce energy at home to save on the energy bill:

  • Open the windows
  • Shut the fans off when you’re not using them
  • Run full loads of laundry and dishes
  • Shower in the early morning or night when it’s cool
  • Allow the sun to naturally heat your home
  • Use natural lighting
  • Manage your AC usage – shut it off completely when it cools off and open the windows

Love a List 

When you’re out shopping, particularly at the grocery store or on that unnecessary Target trip, bring a list and stick to it. This is a phenomenal way to control what you are buying and to plan how much you intend to spend. Learn to love a list this fall and challenge yourself to follow it.

Eat-In 

We all enjoy the ambiance and convenience of a meal out, but those most definitely add up. Rather than eating out too many times a week, stick to that grocery list and plan out meals and snacks to eat at home or bring with you on the go. Budget and plan those meals out to avoid overspending. 

Fall is here and we want your savings to be sweet! Start tracking your spending and finding a few things to cut to make saving easy.

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

What is a Credit Score and Why is it So Important

What is a Credit Score and Why is it So Important?

We have all heard we need to have a good credit score, but many people do not know what a credit score is – this is ok, we are here to help! Having a good credit score is a lifeline for your future, so it is very important to know what a credit score is, how it can be positively and negatively impacted, and why it is so important to everyone. Take a few minutes to brush up on your knowledge of credit and how you can have a good credit score. 

What is a Credit Score? 

Credit scores have the ability to affect a lot in your life, so it is crucial to know what a credit score means and what yours is. Credit scores are a financial tool that determines each individual’s creditworthiness. A credit score is a number between 300 – 850 that is determined by your credit history. A high credit score means you are a responsible person who will repay your debts. 

Your credit score moves as you use and repay debts you have incurred. A bad credit score could result in a higher payment due to a higher interest rate or missing out on a purchase you’d like – such as leasing an apartment, obtaining a loan or credit card, purchasing insurance or a vehicle, etc. You may be asking – What if I do not have a credit score? Not having a credit score means you have not tied anything to your credit profile. This can often be a bad thing as you have no history of good credit or debt payment to a lender. 

What Does Your Credit Score Impact? 

Your credit score essentially affects your financial life. There are many good and bad ways to affect your credit. Your credit score plays a huge part in a lender’s choice to offer you any sort of credit. A credit score may also impact the amount of the deposit you have to pay for utilities, phone services, rental properties, and more. Your credit score impacts your interest rate or credit limit. 

What Impacts Your Credit Score?

Your credit score is impacted by five main factors that are evaluated when you take out credit. Your credit score is reported and updated by credit reporting agencies in the United States. The five factors that affect your credit score are: payment history, the total amount owed, the length of credit history, the types of credit, and new credit you use. 

How to Improve Your Credit Score

There are many ways to improve your credit, so if your score is on the low end, do not worry! Here are 4 ways to increase and improve your credit score:

1. Pay your bills on time – on-time payments for six months will positively affect your score. 

2. Use a credit card – contact Peoples Bank & Trust to open a credit card today!

3. Don’t close your credit card account – stop using the card rather than closing it as this could negatively impact your score. 

4. Take out a line of credit and make consistent payments on time. 

Why is Your Credit Score Important?

As you can see, your credit score is very important to be able to do the things you wish financially. Having a good score can affect you in many ways, so if it is low, it is important to work on growing the number. An excellent score ranges from 800 to 850 while a poor score is between 300 and 579. The middle range can be considered very good to fair and can affect the terms of the credit you are offered quite a bit, even if you are a few numbers off from the next range. 

As we have you thinking about your credit score, please reach out to Peoples Bank & Trust to discuss where you are at and how our services can positively impact you.

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

How to Save When Eating Out

How to Save When Eating Out  

Eating out is sometimes more than just giving our body the nutrients it needs, it can be fun, different than the norm, and be a social outing. We all need to eat to live, but for those who live to eat out, here are some tips to lower your bill but still enjoy that meal out here and there.  

Change Your Drink Order 

As much as we all love a good fountain soda here and there, the extra money spent on coffees, tea, and soda adds up. Most of the time, water is free so if your goal is to save extra, try out water instead. A tip is to carry a water enhancer with you to add flavor or to order your water with a lemon for a citrus flavor. We all love a good cup of coffee or tea but remember you are there for the food. Specialty coffees over time add up to be just as much as a light meal.  

Lunch Over Supper  

This is probably a given, but we all know restaurants that have both a lunch and supper menu. Supper tends to be a much larger and more pricey meal. Lunch tends to be a lot cheaper, and you also get some extras like soup or a salad to fill you up.  

Opt for an Appetizer and Share  

If you are ordering off the main menu, scratch the appetizer for additional savings. If you are looking to save, sometimes splitting one or two appetizers with your lunch date can be more cost-effective than the main dish. Also peek at the side options, if you are looking for something light opt for a few sides for a low bill.  

Go Out During the Week Over the Weekend 

Restaurants tend to have some deals or specials they run during the week rather than on the weekend when more people tend to eat out. Earlier in the week may be your best bet for a steal as most places are looking to fill their booths. Some even have nights where the kids eat free.  

Go During Happy Hour 

Happy hour is a lot of fun and can be the best time to catch a bite or meet up with a friend and get the biggest bang for your buck. Many restaurants will have their happy hour menu set on their website. Whether you eat some appetizers (a great option for a large group) during happy hour to get your fix or start with something light to hold you over, try out a happy hour instead of going during mealtime.  

Prioritize Your Meal Plans 

If you are someone who enjoys eating out, it can be very hard to avoid it at all costs. Most people tend to really enjoy it here and there. The better you can make plans in advance and do your research, the more you will save on those one-off meals when you are truly in a rush.  

Summer is right around the corner, and we tend to get busier and busier with activities and often take the easy way out for meals. Save a little extra this summer and put some thought into your eating-out routine. Try out these seven tips and tricks to avoid blowing your budget on food this summer! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

How to Teach a Teen to Save

How to Teach a Teen to Save 

Teaching a teen to save can sometimes be a struggle as they do not necessarily understand the benefit. Whether your teen is years away from getting a job or heading off to college, teaching them the benefit of saving now and how to effectively do so will hopefully help them avoid learning tough lessons later in life. Enjoy these tips on how to effectively teach a teen to save!  

Make Saving an Expectation 

Learning about saving is one thing, but implementing it as soon as possible is the key to their financial success and habits moving forward. If your child is under 18 and living under your roof, you still make the rules and have the opportunity to show them good savings skills.  

Your child may be very involved in schooling or extra-curricular, so having much of an income could be a struggle. Creating your own saving rules to give them an opportunity to choose how they spend and save their money is great practice. Some parents have found success making a rule that a percentage of their earned income (chores, gifts, etc.) go into their savings that they do not touch.  

Incentivize Your Kids to Save 

We all feel more open to meeting a goal when there is an incentive involved, and this can be a great tool to use as building their savings is a reward in itself. As you create and implement your savings rules, consider what you are willing to do to incentivize them to stay on track. Here are some incentive ideas:  

  • Match what they save each month. 
  • Match a percentage of what they save each month. 
  • Track their savings over time and match when they hit a goal.  
  • Give them chores to earn more to save.  

Introduce a Budget  

Teens can often have a lot of wants and feel restrained as they do not have much of their own to spend. This is a great opportunity to allow them to earn their wants but also prioritize their savings. Introduce a budget and give them a chance to be in control of their spending. This allows them to allocate what they feel is reasonable to spend on wants, but also see that if they spend it all they have nothing to set aside to save.  

Push them to track their weekly spending. If your child earns an allowance or money through household chores – this is not all for wants to encourage them to determine their budget based on income, expenses, and what they allocate to save. They will also learn to budget for the fun stuff or wants they have coming up, rather than spending it all at that time.  

Push Your Teen to Earn Their Spending Money  

We all can agree that kids most definitely cost us money, but you are in control of how easy it is for them to obtain it from you. Incorporate ways for them to earn money to spend. When teens are given money freely, they often do not see the benefit of saving in the short and long term. As they begin to save and earn their spending money, they will see the reward when things come up they want in the future and will feel much more in control.  

Let Them See Your Saving Habits  

Your kids tend to learn habits from their parents as they grow up, so it is important for them to see your savings habits. Sometimes it is beneficial for them to see how you save with real-life examples, whether that be from your budget, retirement account, savings, etc.  

Get your teen excited about saving with these helpful tips! Peoples Bank & Trust is here to help you throughout this process to get them the checking or savings account they need to be successful. Start teaching your teen the benefits of saving today so they make it a priority throughout their own lives.  

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

What is a Zero Based Budget

What Is A Zero-Based Budget?  

Summer can bring fun and spendy opportunities. Whether you need additional savings or a good challenge to get your budget back in check, it may be time to push yourself with a zero-based budget. What is a zero-based budget? If you need a good budgeting hack, check out this blog for all you need to know about a zero-based budget and how to get it going for you.  

What is Zero-Based Budgeting?  

The name is very fitting for a zero-based budget as it is as simple as your income minus your expenses equal zero. Easy as that! The takeaway of a zero-based budget is to teach you that every dollar has its purpose and is accounted for. A zero-based budget is a great challenge for someone who mindlessly spends on wants here and there. This is a great way to notice the amount you spend on coffees or extra meals out.  

Why You Should Try a Zero-Based Budget  

There are many wonderful benefits to a zero-based budget. Compared to other budgeting methods, a zero-based budget is one of the most customizable. Some people do not have a set income, preference to put towards their savings, or idea of month-to-month expenses. A zero-based budget allows you to have a preference to customize each month how you would like, but still allows you a simple structure to follow. Every dollar is working for you, and it forces you to see it like that instead of looking at it as here and there expenses on unnecessary items.  

How to Create Your Zero-Based Budget 

Check out the step-by-step guide below to create your zero-based budget.  

1. List out your monthly income – any money you bring in during the month would be added to the income list to get your total.  

2. List out your expenses – any expense you incur during the month will be added to your list of expenses. Expenses will include set expenses, what you are setting aside for your savings, essentials, any extras you spend money on during that month, and any month-specific holidays or activities. It is also a safe idea to create a miscellaneous category as you get started for unexpected problems.  

3. Subtract your total expenses from your total income to reach zero – you may not get it totally correct the first time. If you have leftover money, put it to work! Whether you put more into your savings or more towards any debt, that is absolutely great. 

There are wonderful benefits to incorporating a budgeting method to follow. A zero-based budget forces you to put every dollar to work. This is great for someone who has variable expenses and irregular income. This could be a great budget method for someone who is in school, a freelancer, someone with many jobs or an extra side hustle. Give a zero-based budget a shot this summer to get your budget in check! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

Most Common Money Mistakes to Avoid This Summer

Most Common Money Mistakes to Avoid This Summer  

We all tend to want to relax, let loose, and have a little extra fun in the summer months. Don’t let that summer fun lead to overspending or big money mistakes. Maintain your budget by reading up on the 12 most common money mistakes to avoid this summer.  

1. Not Setting Your Summer Budget 

A huge mistake we all tend to make during the summertime is not adequately planning out activities – especially the pricey ones and setting an accurate budget for them. Overspending on activities is a huge factor that may take you over budget. We know fun tends to happen out of the blue in the summer, so be prepared for that and do as much planning prior.  

2. Not Budgeting for Gifts  

Summer is the prime time for celebrations such as reunions, weddings, graduations, etc. You’ll thank yourself later if you start budgeting for those gifts now rather than later. Keep your celebration expenditures within your budget.  

3. Keeping Your Home Too Cool 

Your air conditioner is probably the most expensive item on your energy bill. When you are gone or the weather is cool, don’t run it! Saving energy here and there will help lower the bill for some additional savings and keep you from a hefty bill.  

4. Keeping the Blinds Open During the Daytime 

We all love the summer sunshine, but during the summer it’s worth it to keep those blinds closed. If you are running your AC and have your blinds open during the day, you are heating your house up and your bill is likely to soar.  

5. Spending Too Much on Summer Activities for the Kids 

Whether it be for a babysitter or day-to-day activities, map out your plan for summer. All parents want to keep the kids occupied and allow them to have tons of fun this summer. Map out your plan for childcare and make sure it meshes well with activities for them, so you aren’t paying for both every day. Look into day camps or babysitters that also help with your kid’s friends, that way you can get the biggest bang for your buck. 

6. Buying Out-of-Season Produce 

We all tend to want fresh produce during the summer as it is refreshing and a great treat. Make sure you check the prices, especially on out-of-season produce to avoid overspending on produce that may not be the best. Check out the farmers’ market to grab produce for less. 

7. Choosing Vacation Over Staycation 

A vacation may be a huge chunk of your summer budget and it may take even more if you haven’t booked the details yet. Rather than rushing to plan, push for a staycation to take a break but vacation close to home.  

8. Not Waiting for End-of-Season Sales  

Summer purchases in season can be spendy. Look to purchase towards the end of the season to save hundreds on those big-ticket items when you upgrade the grill, patio furniture, pool accessories, etc.  

9. Not Canceling Subscriptions and Memberships 

Cancel those subscriptions and memberships you can live without during the summer. Get rid of your gym membership and exercise for free outdoors! Challenge yourself to go a few months without streaming subscriptions or narrow down to keeping just one.  

10. Not Taking Advantage of Lower-Priced Activities 

There is a lot going on in the summer, so before you spend your summer savings on activities, do your research for lower-priced or free activities to enjoy and layer those with outdoor activities. Take advantage of outdoor carnivals, festivals, water activities, sports, parks, and recreational activities.  

11. Overspending Too Much on Summer Fun 

For some activities, rather than purchasing a day ticket, you can get a summer membership or a month-long membership to enjoy the fun longer and get some sort of deal. Take advantage of these opportunities that have a set cost to budget for. 

12. Not Making a Meal Plan  

Meal planning is huge in the summertime. Go to the store with a list and meal options in mind to work seamlessly with the week you have ahead. It is great to plan for snacks on the go as well to avoid mindlessly spending money on food out.  

Take some time to plan out your summer expectations, events, and budget to save yourself from making one of these money mistakes. Make your summer fun and financially efficient with these tips! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

Top Cybersecurity Practices for Your Cellphone

Top Cybersecurity Practices for Your Cellphone

We use our mobile devices for just about everything these days – work, social, personal, etc. If we do not proactively take steps to protect ourselves on our devices, we are allowing ourselves to be vulnerable to phishing, hackers, and compromised data. Take a minute to read up on some top cybersecurity tips as a reminder to make sure your cellphone is secure.  

Educate Yourself on Best Cybersecurity Practices 

Effectively educating yourself on the top cybersecurity practices frequently will ensure your privacy and safety on your device. When your phone is not secure data leakage is extremely common. We all use our mobile devices to browse the internet, apps, and most commonly email. Email phishing and spam attacks are huge and can be a huge breach of your data if you are not addressing them immediately. 

Secure Your Phone 

Accurately securing your phone is crucial to good cybersecurity. Having a password is key to ensuring your phone’s security. Creating a good password, whether that be a combination of numbers and letters, your fingerprint, facial recognition, or even eye recognition will boost strong security. It is very smart to also have your apps password protected to add another layer of security.  

If possible, incorporate a two-factor authentication. This is a great option for apps you use less frequently or that have a lot of personal data in them. When using two-factor authentication you will first enter a password. You then will receive a code via email or SMS to enter to get into your account.  

Avoid Public or Open Wi-Fi Networks  

I know we all have times where we are reliant on a good internet connection but try as much as possible to not connect to public or open Wi-Fi networks. Public and open networks bring many threats to your device as they are visible to anyone on that network. 

If you absolutely need internet, utilize your data plan, or install a VPN to keep your phone secure and hidden from open networks. This is a reminder if your home internet or hotspot isn’t password-protected, do it now!  

Update Your Applications and Device 

It is very important to frequently update your applications and device software. If you get a notification something needs an update, do it as soon as you possibly can. When you install an application, read through the user permissions to know what it needs access to. Only give permissions when you are running the app, not at all times. If there is an app you are not using, be sure to shut off those permissions or delete the app altogether. If you don’t intend to use the app for video or photo use but it asks for it, it may not be the best app to install.  

Our lives are on our mobile devices, so it is important we have good practices in place to combat cyber threats. Incorporate these tips or use them as a checklist to ensure your device and your data are secure. 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

On-Trend Home Renovations

On-Trend Home Renovations for 2022

Most homeowners would agree that home renovations and projects seem to be never-ending. For those who love to have a nicely decorated, modern, and aesthetically pleasing home, this blog is for you. Check out these renovation tips on trend this year! Whether you are looking to spruce up your forever home or get your home ready to sell, these tips are worth a read.  

Spice Up Your Walls 

An extremely easy and affordable way to change up the look of your space is to switch up your  

walls. Whether you re-paint a new color, create an accent wall with paint or wallpaper, or swap out your artwork, this is a super easy and fun tip. Spicing up your walls can be a great way to change up your home’s color palette with a bold color or a unique textured wallpaper.  

Kitchen Facelift  

Your kitchen is a space you use on a daily basis, so give it a facelift it deserves to be a fun, functional, and beautiful space you can enjoy. If your kitchen is feeling dull, here are some tips to bring it back to life without a spendy remodel.  

  • Paint your cabinets a bold color (dark green, blues, purple tones)  
  • Add a backsplash 
  • Switch out your accents with new knobs and handles (matte black and gold are super on-trend)  
  • Add in some new barstools or dining chairs 
  • Switch out your lighting for a bold chandelier (match to your fixtures) 
  • Clean off the countertops of appliances – add in pottery and functional storage  

Luxe Up Your Bathroom 

A bathroom refresh is always a good idea. To give your bathroom a luxe feel add in some matching bath towels and rugs to add a clean pop to the space. Replacing the mirror(s), faucet, shower head, light fixtures, and towel bars are a great way to modernize the space. Coordinate your bathroom accessories to add storage and act as gorgeous counter décor. Greenery or florals give a refreshed feeling to a bathroom almost as if you were at a spa.  

Beautify the Backyard 

Spring and summer are great times for those backyard projects. Renovating your backyard space to be a functional place to enjoy can be an ongoing project you do more and more to each year. Consider adding on a patio or a deck. Outdoor kitchens have become wildly popular. Whether you add the full kitchen or a small firepit and hosting area, if you enjoy spending time outdoors this will be well worth the cost and labor.  

The backyard is also a great space to enjoy your hobbies. Raised flower beds and gardens are always on-trend, they add so much color and liveliness to your yard. Your backyard is a great place for yard games or sports you enjoy such as a putting green or a multi-purpose court.  

Accentuate Your Fixtures 

As we have pointed out some key areas to renovate this year, you’ve probably noticed a common theme of swapping out the fixtures. This is an incredibly easy thing to do that makes the biggest difference. You can do this in just about every area of your home, from outlet covers to curtain rods, accentuate your space with your staple preference of fixtures. Keeping your preference of fixtures to match and work in unison will pull your rooms together and give you a base for your overall aesthetic.  

As you begin to choose your next home improvement project, consider these trendy tips to apply to your renovation. Tips and trends change over the years, but these top renovation tips for 2022 will keep your style and design modern and functional for years to come.  

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender