Home Help Thursday Archives - ThePhillyFiles.com

January 21, 2021

5 ways to design with authentic materials

Creating a welcoming and relaxing space may be easier than you expect when you give natural materials a leading role in your design. Elements…

January 14, 2021

5 ways to make your home eco-friendly

An earth-friendly approach to your home isn’t just good for the environment. Making minor adjustments with sustainability in mind can enhance your enjoyment and…

January 7, 2021

Find inspiration in award-winning home design

Award-winning renovation projects aren’t just a way to identify top-notch contractors, they’re a chance for homeowners to gather ideas and learn from other home…

December 31, 2020

Get organized for an envy-worthy garage

A garage may not be the focal point of your home, but it likely plays a significant role in your family’s everyday life. Keeping…

August 13, 2020

5 ways to save big on everyday essentials

With many Americans spending more time at home, they are also using more common household items such as cleaning supplies, pantry items and snacks,…

August 8, 2020

On-trend kitchen and bath upgrades

Kitchens and bathrooms remain among the top picks for homeowners looking to upgrade because their functional contributions to the household can’t be overstated and…

July 30, 2020

5 tips for creating a low-maintenance home

Because most people are spending more time at home than usual, ensuring your living spaces are clean and uncluttered can make being home more…

July 23, 2020

Keep safe with home upgrades this summer

Extra time around the house this summer may be welcome for avid DIYers. With lists of upgrades and renovations to tackle, homeowners can rely…

July 16, 2020

Safe grilling tips for a sizzling summer

When temperatures soar this summer, many American families may be seeking a break from the monotony of their everyday routines. To make the most…

July 9, 2020

8 tips for safely operating battery-powered tools

Battery-powered power tools make it convenient and efficient to tackle chores around the house and job site. While batteries eliminate the risks associated with…

June 25, 2020

Upgrade your home, downgrade energy usage

7 efficient home improvement projects The best home upgrades not only make spaces more livable and energy-efficient but are also cost-effective. Making energy-efficient improvements…

June 4, 2020

Find inspiration in award-winning home designs

Award-winning renovation projects aren’t just a way to identify top-notch contractors. They’re a chance for homeowners to gather ideas and learn from other home…

May 21, 2020

Weather the storm: Prepare early for power outages and other impacts

Surging spring temperatures can bring volatility that translates into major weather events. The 2020 storm season could see above-average probability for major hurricanes hitting…

May 14, 2020

Upgrade your outdoor living space

Home improvement projects aren’t limited to indoors. In fact, not only can upgrades to areas outside the house expand your livable space, they can…

April 30, 2020

Video: Identify your ideal kitchen design style

While you may see kitchens in a variety of styles and find them all beautiful in their own way, finding inspiration for your dream…

April 23, 2020

Get away without going away

5 family staycation ideas that won’t break your budget Family vacations are a great way to bond and take a step back from the…

April 16, 2020

Video: 4 home improvement ideas

Whether you’re thinking about a bathroom update, kitchen overhaul or any other type of home improvement project, these tips from the experts at the…

April 9, 2020

Video: 5 tips to get organized

Getting organized and making the most of your home’s storage space can be a daunting task. To help keep clutter at bay and streamline…

April 2, 2020

Seasonal home supplies for spring

Between spring cleaning and spending additional time outdoors (or both), the spring season can bring a lot of changes to your home. From insect…

March 26, 2020

Video: Reimagine spring home upgrades

Spring is an ideal time to reimagine your home and make upgrades to help create a fresh, welcoming vibe. Freshen up your space with…

March 19, 2020

Energy-efficient ideas to upgrade your home

Energy bills are likely among the largest expenses for homeowners, but you can take action to lower those costs. During a remodel, a certified contractor…

March 12, 2020

Sustainable home upgrades for better health

When you’re on a quest to create a home environment that promotes wellness, it can be difficult to know where to begin. One easy…

March 5, 2020

7 tips for starting a home remodeling project

How do you choose a qualified contractor? Outside of the home itself, remodeling is typically one of the largest investments you can make as…

February 27, 2020

Video: Break free from costly streaming services

Monthly subscription fees for streaming video services can really add up. That’s my television, film and music stars — such as The Pussycat Dolls…

February 20, 2020

Some over-the-air TV frequencies are changing

What cord-cutters and others who rely on an antenna may need to do If you rely on a rooftop or indoor antenna for your…

February 13, 2020

Remodel your way to a bigger return on investment

Homeowners and renters remodel, redesign and restructure their homes for a variety of reasons. Even a newly constructed dream home needs improvements over time….

February 6, 2020

How to create a more functional laundry room

A laundry room may be one of the spaces that you use the most, but cramped quarters and clutter can hinder your productivity. Eliminate…

January 30, 2020

5 not-so-obvious winter home safety tips

When you see frost on the windows in the morning, feel the crunch of leaves underfoot and hear the roar of fire in the…

January 23, 2020

Tech gifts that can turn New Year’s resolutions into realities

While many people who make New Year’s resolutions drop them within a couple weeks or months, pulling those newly received tech device gifts out of the…

January 16, 2020

Understanding medical ‘sharps’ and localized safe disposal options

If you’re among the millions of people in the United States who suffer from a chronic illness, you may use “sharps” to manage your…

January 9, 2020

4 tire tips to safely prep for a winter getaway of any distance

Among the many daily necessities that tend to take a backseat during the cold days of winter, driving is one of a handful directly…

January 2, 2020

New Year, new home: 5 tips to refresh yours

Each new year gives you the chance to reset and start new routines. When you’re considering new approaches to healthy living – whether eliminating…

December 26, 2019

Prepare your family for severe weather, power loss

While the impact of winter weather varies across the country, nearly all Americans are affected in some capacity each year as temperatures drop, from…

December 19, 2019

Keep your family safe and warm in winter weather

Winters with heavy snowfall can be magnificent, but they can also be challenging for homeowners. Accumulated snow and ice have the potential to damage…

December 12, 2019

Make decorating your home for the holidays easier

Chances are good that at some point during the holiday season, you’ll welcome guests into your home. Whether you lease or own your home,…

December 5, 2019

How Streaming Can Make Watching Favorite Shows Easier

At home, you have ultimate control over your entertainment environment. Now, with today’s technology, you can create the same viewing experience wherever you are,…

November 28, 2019

Spruce up your guestroom for the holidays

Happy Thanksgiving! The holidays are typically a time for lots of merriment and cheer. They also often include an abundance of guests visiting your…

November 21, 2019

5 professional tips to prep your home for winter

Before blustery winter days arrive, there are plenty of home improvement projects contractors can tackle for homeowners. Many cooler weather projects focus on cost…

November 14, 2019

Reduce your residential risk

Advice to make your home storm-ready In the United States, more than 100,000 thunderstorms occur each year. These storms — which can be accompanied…

November 7, 2019

Easy ways to improve your home’s health

Maintaining a healthy home is a goal most Americans share, but not all are confident they’re doing the best job they can to protect…

Presidents DayMonday, February 15, 2021

Presidents Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. It was originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, but the holiday became popularly known as Presidents Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.

PurimThursday, February 25, 2021

The jolly festival of Purim starts tonight, on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day,” as recorded in the Book of Esther. Purim means “lots” in ancient Persian, and Haman had thrown lots to determine which day he would carry out his diabolical scheme. One of the observances is a feast, which often includes wine or other intoxicating beverages.

Daylight Saving TimeSaturday, March 13, 2021

“Spring forward” tonight at 2am, the second Sunday in March. The idea of daylight saving was first conceived by (who else? Philadelphian) Benjamin Franklin to reduce electricity usage by extending daylight hours. People in about 70 countries observe Daylight Saving, but they don’t in Hawaii and most of Arizona. It’s also a good time to change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and flashlights, and remove expired items from your refrigerator and first aid kit.

St. Patrick’s DayWednesday, March 17, 2021

The Feast of Saint Patrick is both a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17, the traditional date of death of the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick lived from about 385 to 461, but the day was only made an official Christian feast day in the early 1600s. It commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Also, the Lenten restrictions on eating, and drinking alcohol, are lifted for the day.

Beginning of SpringSaturday, March 20, 2021

At the spring (or vernal) equinox, days and nights are approximately 12 hours long, with day length starting to increase and night length starting to decrease. As the season progresses, the Earth’s axis increases its tilt relative to the sun and the hemisphere warms significantly, causing new plant growth to “spring forth,” giving the season its name. “Springtime” can also refer to the ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal and regrowth.