Kirk and Terry Blog

• No More Soggy Pizza - Heat up leftover pizza in a non-stick skillet on top of the stove. Set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This will keep the crust crispy.
• Say Goodbye to Mosquitoes - Place a dryer sheet in your pocket.  It’ll keep the mosquitoes away.
• Bed Sheets Trick- After drying your sheets, fold neatly in a square.  Put both sheets and one pillowcase in the other pillow case. When you change your sheets, just take the one pillow case everything’s inside.  No more searching for matches.
• Broken Glass Hint – Use a dry cotton ball to pick up little broken pieces of glass. The fibers catch the little pieces you can’t see.
• Fruit Flies Be Gone – Get rid of fruit flies by filling a glass with ½ c. Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid, mix well. The flies are drawn to the cup and gone forever!
• Great Beach Tip - Keep a small bottle of baby powder in your beach bag. When you’re ready to leave the beach sprinkle yourself and kids with the powder and the sand will slide right off your skin!

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Learn valuable secrets for saving thousands and avoiding costly mistakes when buying, selling or refinancing a home. Best of all, it’s FREE.  See my “Free Resources Page” at www.MarcsHomes.Com

• To loosen a rusted bolt: apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.
• You can remove grease from clothing by adding a can of Coke to a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The cola will loosen the grease stains.
• To bake a moist ham add a can of Coca-Cola into a baking pan, wrap in aluminum foil, and bake until 30 minutes before the ham is finished cooking. Remove the foil and allow the drippings to mix for delicious gravy.

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Can fat actually be good for you?  In a recent study, scientists at Ohio State University found that a little fat can be good for you. Many of the healthy compounds found in vegetables are fat-soluble.  Researchers found that the body is unable to absorb these unless fat is present at the same time. When you add an avocado to salads the absorption of the nutrient lutein (good for heart and eye health) is 18 times greater. Add a little butter to your veggies, or salad dressing to your salad and the level of absorption of nutrients increases.

A handful of nuts can protect your health.  Scientists at the University of Barcelona found that eating a handful of walnuts every day helps the body maintain the arteries elasticity and protects against the damage of harmful fats that can damage the arteries. 

Rest, don’t nap. Close your eyes and allow your mind to relax for 5-10 minutes. You’ll be more alert than if you’d taken a nap.

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Saving money is easier than you think.  In fact, you can find “66 Ways You Can Save” (from transportation, mortgages, banking, housing, energy, to insurance and more) at www.ftc.gov - Facts for Consumers. Here are a few simple ideas you’ll find:

1. Skip the ATM.  It’s amazing how many people burn up cash in a short time using the ATM. 
2. Track Your Monthly Spending.  When you know where you’re spending your money, you can make adjustments where necessary.
3. Pay Cash. You’ll save money by not paying interest on credit cards, and when you’re out of cash…you’ll stop spending.
4. Reduce Your Debt. Pay off your smallest balance first, then move to the next smallest debt, double the payment, and continue on until you’ve paid off your debt.
5. Lower Household Expenses.  Combine trips to save on fuel, and eat more meals at home.  Turn the thermostat down in the winter to save on home heating bills and you can save a bundle.
6. Look for the Deals. Shop discounts and closeout sales, and keep an eye out for coupons and rebates on items you plan to purchase.

More Free Real Estate Tips! 

Find TONS of free information about our local Richmond real estate market. Visit my site at:

www.MarcsHomes.Com

Most of the team members here on the Marc Austin Highfill Team are parents. We all love our families, but its not always easy to know if we're doing a good job. Helping kids grow up successfully is every parent’s goal, especially with such a bright and amazing future ahead of them.  Here are 7 valuable tips we found to help parents prepare their children to reach their fullest potential and enjoy that future:

• Let your child work things out without your help. At an early age, let your child find solutions to challenges he or she may face.
• Support your child’s interests and passions.  Praise your child for who he/she is becoming…not what you want them to be.
• Teach your child how to manage money. Teach them about saving (start with piggy banks and savings accounts), allowances, and earning money from doing household jobs.
• Let your child learn how to deal with disappointment.  Playing sports and board games teach kids how to handle disappointment.
• Teach your child how to negotiate conflicts. Teach your kids how to negotiate using words and how to resolve conflicts.
• Encourage your child’s dreams.  Be supportive of your child’s dreams, but help them set achievable goals along the way.
• Support their independence.  Increase your child’s responsibility a little bit each year. It’ll build a strong foundation for their lifetime.