It may be tempting to hide under the covers on the next cold winter day and binge movies. But it’s also a great time to get things done at home. In fact, it’s easier to be productive when you don’t want to be outside. Plus, checking off your “to do” list feels great. Follow this guide for some ideas of productive things that you can do at home on cold winter days.
Declutter
It’s time to pick your favorite waffle iron and set the rest free. Go through your home and collect items to donate. Include gently used bedding, warm clothing, shoes, books, and even canned goods for the food bank. Clean up and give back at the same time. Check out our guide on Easy Ways to Declutter Your Home for more tips.
Throw things out.
It goes without saying but you probably have single socks that you’re hoping will eventually find a mate. Now is the time to part with them, too. Go ahead and throw out your extra socks, your worn-out underwear, half-used candles, orphaned Tupperware (bottoms without lids or vice versa), expired food, and half-empty, fully expired beauty products.
Organize
When is the last time you took a good look at your closet? Or your kitchen cabinets? Now is a great time to go through them. Start with one space. Pull out everything and assess whether you use these items or not. For your closet, put together outfits for various occasions to determine what you will wear and what you probably won’t. For closets, cabinets, and other storage areas, it’s always helpful to put similar things together so that they’re easy to find for future use.
Listen to a book.
You can curl up on the couch and read the latest bestseller—or you can listen to the audio version while you’re cleaning, organizing, and decluttering. Not only will it provide the perfect soundtrack, but it will also engage your brain and you will feel extra productive.
Workout
Getting up and moving is just what you need on a cold winter’s day. Luckily you can do that right inside. Find an inspirational YouTube workout video or turn on your favorite tunes and have a private dance party. If you have a jump rope or hula hoop, channel your inner child and have some fun!
Try a new recipe.
Cold winter days are perfect times to bake cookies, make soup, make pet treats, and enjoy the time you might not otherwise have to try out new recipes. You can also take some time to cook and freeze meals so you’re ready for the week ahead. Tools like Recipe Radar help you find recipes based on ingredients that you already have on hand.
Do a craft project.
Indulge your creative side with an arts and crafts project. It’s a great way to relax. Choose something practical, like making birthday cards or holiday cards to have in stock for the future. Or try something whimsical such as a sock bunny. The Internet has lots of ideas; do a search based on your interests and the supplies at hand.
Explore a hobby; learn a skill.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn a second language or brush up on your knife skills in the kitchen. There’s so much free content online that it’s easy to find videos about your areas of interest. Take a makeup tutorial. Try meditation. Not sure where to start? Sites like Skillshare offer a free month of classes on a variety of topics.
Enjoy a spa day.
You don’t get a chance to pamper yourself nearly enough. Make time for a long, hot bath. Do a beauty treatment. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure. Don’t forget to hydrate. Make yourself a glass of cucumber water for that extra spa touch.
Organize your photos.
If you’re like most people, you have albums of photos – on your phone, in print, or both. You just don’t always have the time to cull through them. Organizing your photos is the perfect indoor activity for a cold winter’s day. Sort your digital photos into albums so you can more easily find them. Save them to the cloud to free up space on your phone. Delete any photos that you don’t want anymore. For printed photos, follow a similar process. Decide which ones you will keep and in what format (e.g. scan to digital, place in a photo album). Consider giving away or throwing out photos to keep your collection manageable.
Catch up with friends or family.
If you haven’t had a chance to chat with friends or family in a while, give them a call. Chances are that they’re stuck inside too and would love to hear from you. Not only can you catch up, but you can also plan your next get together. Don’t feel like talking? Write a letter. Everyone loves a handwritten note.
Plan your summer vacation.
What better time than a cold winter’s day to dream about summer? Do some research and plan your next vacation. You can often find a better selection of vacation rentals by planning so far in advance. You may find money-saving deals on flights, accommodations, rental cars, and activities. Plus, you’ll be able to set a budget with ample time to save up for your trip.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Get your gear ready. It may be winter, but it’s a great time to go camping. Not only will you find comfortable temperatures, but you’ll also enjoy spectacular scenery, lower costs, and fewer crowds. Here are some of our favorite destinations for winter camping.
Cost: Starting at $20 per night plus a $25 entry fee into the park
Average winter temperatures: Daytime highs in the 60’s to low-40’s at night
What you need to know: This is the main campground for the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The area is surrounded by desert plants and cacti and has numerous hiking trails.
Average winter temperatures: Daytime temperatures average 60 degrees with freezing nights
What you need to know: There are several campsites at Joshua Tree National Park. The Jumbo Rocks is centrally located and offers beautiful views of the rock formations. The park is known for hiking, climbing, and stargazing. Pets are not allowed on trails. Make your reservation early; the park is busiest during February and March.
Average winter temperatures: Range from high 50’s to high 70’s
What you need to know: This park features towering Cyprus trees and an abundance of animals who call the Everglades home. Choose from front country and wilderness back country campsites, the latter reached mostly by canoe, kayak, or motorboat. Reserve early as this park is busiest from November through April.
What you need to know: This park features a 375-acre lake, and there are rentals for canoes and kayaks. Visitors also enjoy fishing, birding, and hiking. There is abundant wildlife, including tortoises, snakes, alligators, and nesting bald eagles. During the winter, thousands of black vultures and turkey vultures make their home here.
Cost: Starting at $18 per night plus $3 per person admission fee
Average winter temperatures: mid-40’s to mid-60’s
What you need to know: This park offers fishing, birding, crabbing, hiking, and boating throughout the lagoons and the Gulf shore. There is a toll bridge to get to this state park. While the park is open, the boardwalks are currently closed due to damage from Hurricane Ida and campsites are limited.
Cost: $20 per night for Nevada residents and $25 per night for non-Nevada vehicles, an additional $10 for utility hookups (WiFi for an additional fee)
Average winter temperatures: Can range from freezing to 75 degrees so pack accordingly
What you need to know: This 40,000-acre park is known for its bright red Aztec sandstone and its ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years.
Cost: Starting at $20 per night for residents (non-residents pay 25% more)
Average winter temperatures: Mid-50’s in the day to low-40’s at night
What you need to know: While winter is not beach weather, this park includes a beautiful beach for strolls, as well as walking paths and hiking trails. There are tent sites, RV sites, and yurts. Some of the campsites are closed during the winter so please check before you book.
Cost: Starting at $35 per night campgrounds and cottages are available
Average winter temperatures: Mid-40’s to low-60’s
What you need to know: The 643-acre park features open meadows and miles of paved trails for walking, biking, and skating. While the Splash Zone is not in operation during winter months, there is a climbing wall and disc golf course. Not only is the park pet-friendly, it also features a dog park.
Cost: Starting at $14 per night plus a day pass fee of $8 per person; no RV or vehicle camping
Average winter temperatures: Daytime highs of mid-60’s to nighttime lows of low-40’s
What you need to know: The park features a huge pink granite dome that gives it its name. There is 1,600 acres of desert landscape, including opportunities for hiking and rock climbing. Pets are limited to one trail, and there is no bike riding on any trails.
Cost: Camping starts at $0 in the backcountry and ranges from $6-$40 at other sites plus an entrance pass ranging from $15-$25
Average winter temperatures: Elevations in the park may influence temperatures which can fluctuate from 0 degrees to 30 degrees in January. Pack accordingly.
What you need to know: This is your chance to camp where dinosaurs once roamed. The park covers 210,000 acres at the intersection of Utah and Colorado, and offers hiking, river rafting, and petroglyph viewing. Six campgrounds provide a variety of options. Not all are open in the winter. There are places where pets are permitted and where they are not.
Do you have a favorite winter camping spot? Share it in the comments.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Your best friend wants to borrow your car. He wouldn’t ask unless he really needed it. So even though you know about his past fender benders, you give in. What happens if your friend gets into an accident in your car? Read on to find out.
Car insurance follows the car, not the driver.
You may assume that your friend’s insurance will cover him, since he got into the accident. That’s not the case. Car insurance covers the car rather than the driver. You don’t even have to be in the car. If your car is in an accident, and the driver is at fault, your insurance will be used to cover damages to the vehicles involved. If you carry collision coverage, it will take care of damage to your car, less your deductible. If your coverage isn’t enough to pay all the damages, your friend’s auto insurance may act as secondary coverage.
Interesting sidenote: While car insurance follows the driver, that’s not the case with tickets. If your friend gets a ticket while in your car, that only affects his record.
Permissive use vs. non-permissive use
The fact that you gave permission to your friend is important. Most auto policies allow you to lend your car to a person for occasional, short-term use. If they are driving your car on a more regular basis, you need to add them to your policy. It’s worth noting that coverage limits may vary under permissive use.
Sometimes a family member or friend borrows your car without permission. If they cause an accident, you are not responsible for the damage. However, it can be difficult to prove that you did not grant them permission. Plus, you will still need to get your car repaired and file a claim with your insurance company. A good tip is to keep your keys secured away from others if you have concerns with them taking your vehicle.
When insurance won’t pay
There are very few instances where insurance will deny coverage of an accident. These include:
If the person is specifically excluded from your policy
If the person was intentionally breaking the law
If the person borrowed your car to offer a commercial service, like a rideshare
How coverage works
For those times when insurance does pay, here is a breakdown of the coverages that typically apply in a car accident:
Collision: Your collision coverage will pay for repairs to your car minus the deductible. Collision coverage is not required unless you’re leasing a car or paying off a loan on a vehicle. However, it may be good to have, especially in the event of an accident.
Liability: Liability covers damages to the other vehicle. This coverage is required by law in most states. The two main types of liability coverage are bodily injury and property damage.
Bodily injury: This coverage helps pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering for the driver and passengers in the other In no-fault states, your own injuries are typically covered by your auto policy through a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) claim. (It differs from state to state.)
Property damage: This coverage helps pay for repairs for the other vehicle or for repair/replacement of property, such as a fence, that is damaged or destroyed by the collision.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Property Damage: If the other driver is at fault and is not insured or is underinsured, UMPD coverage will help pay for repairs. These are optional coverages in most states. In some states, you are not allowed to carry collision and UMPD at the same time. Also, sometimes UMPD has a policy maximum, or cap on the amount it will pay.
Lending your car can be an expensive favor.
Think carefully before you lend your car to anyone. Even though you didn’t cause the accident, your insurance rates can go up at the next policy renewal.
Before you lend your car, it’s a good idea to review your auto policy and the policy of your friend or family member. Your insurance provider can help to answer any questions you may have.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
It’s the Houdini of winter, the slippery vanishing act that turns a simple stroll into a slip-and-fall. We’re talking about black ice, that invisible coating that has us spinning out of control on the roadways. When it appears on our driveways and sidewalks, pedestrians beware.
Not only don’t you want to slip on black ice, you also don’t want to injure someone on your property. That might lead to legal problems. It is your responsibility as a homeowner to keep your property safe.
Read on to find out how to remove black ice from your driveway and sidewalk.
What exactly is black ice?
Black ice is a thin, almost transparent layer of ice on the surface of a roadway, driveway, deck, or other surface. It forms when a surface is wet and then temperatures drop below freezing. What makes it so dangerous is that it’s hard to see. It blends in with the surface and you don’t realize that it’s there until you’re slipping and sliding on it.
If you’re looking for black ice, there are some telltale signs. Sometimes you can notice a glossy or shiny appearance. However, if an area looks dry while surrounding areas are wet or have snow, there could be black ice present. Whether or not you see it, there are steps you can take to remove it, and even prevent it from forming.
Ways to Remove and Prevent Black Ice
Put on protective gear.
To keep yourself from slipping and sliding, you will want sturdy boots with good traction. Water resistant winter gloves will help protect your hands. When spreading chemicals, you also will want to wear safety glasses to shield your eyes. Remember that stairs leading down from your house could be especially slippery and covered in black ice. Use handrails.
Clear the snow and ice.
Shoveling the snow and breaking up the ice will help prevent it from melting and reforming as black ice. Use a snow shovel and ice pick. Finish off with a broom with stiff bristles to sweep away the loose ice. Toss snow and ice away from driveways and walkways. Make sure that when the snow and ice melt, they won’t run back onto the driveway and sidewalk.
Pro Tip: Sometimes you cannot smash the ice or shovel it away. In those cases, use a spade to scratch the surface in several places. This will make the black ice visible to others.
Salt, sand, or de-ice.
You want to prevent slipping, and you can do that by creating traction with sand or sawdust. Alternately, you can use an ice melting product. Use a spreader or bucket to spread these products. Note that salt and chemicals can be harmful to pets, plants, and young children. They also can damage your surfaces and the environment, so use them carefully.
Rock salt lowers the freezing point of water, causing ice to melt. Spread a thin, even layer of salt. Allow it to penetrate and melt the ice. Use a shovel or broom to remove any ice and salt residue.
Sand provides traction. While it doesn’t melt the ice, it creates a gritty surface. Spread generous amount of sand, gravel, kitty litter, or sawdust. Leave it in place until ice melts naturally. After the temperatures warm and ice is no longer a danger, be prepared to clean up the mess that results.
De-icers (deicers) are chemical compounds. They come in many forms including liquids, pellets, and granules. Choose ones that are pet safe; even if you don’t have a pet, chances are your neighbors do. Sprinkle or spread the deicer evenly. Remove any remaining ice with a shovel or broom.
Use heated mats.
While heated driveways aren’t an option for many of us, we can use the more affordable alternative: snow-melting mats. These heated mats are made of slip resistant, waterproof rubber with a built-in heating system. If you turn on the mats before the snowfall, your walkways could stay dry and clear. They make larger ones for driveway use that cars can drive on. Snow melting mats aren’t cheap, but they are less expensive than installing radiant heat under your driveway and sidewalk.
Try rubberized stair treads or tarps.
Rubberized stair treads provide a high traction surface for your shoes, so it’s less likely that you will slip. You also may try a winter weather tarp to cover the surfaces that would typically get ice and snow. They are like a carpet for your driveway. You put them down before a snowfall and lift them up afterward.
Unblock drains and gutters.
Blocked drains can cause water to build up and surfaces to ice over. Clogged gutters also can divert water to places where it shouldn’t go, such as driveways. Make sure that these areas are clear ahead of storms.
Finally, protect your home and property with the right insurance for added peace of mind. After all, it’s one of your greatest investments.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
We love the idea of decluttering. Doing it, however, is another story. Luckily, there’s help. Follow this guide for inspiration and ideas on easy ways to declutter your home this season.
Benefits of decluttering
The older you are, the more stuff you accumulate, from mugs and books to clothes and souvenirs. Holidays and birthdays bring in even more items. After a while, you run out of places to put things. They go into boxes where they often are forgotten and certainly not enjoyed. Getting rid of the clutter not only frees up space. It reduces stress. There is less to clean and organize, and more time to relax. Plus, decluttering helps you enjoy the possessions that you have in a space that feels clean and comfortable.
Set your expectations.
Remember that the clutter didn’t arrive in a day. Don’t expect it to be gone so quickly. Schedule time each week to focus on this task until it is done. Try to incorporate the habits from the decluttering process to keep your home clutter-free in the future.
View your home as if you were a first-time visitor.
You need a game plan. One easy way is to walk your home as if you’re seeing it for the first time. Use that perspective to decide what spaces you would like to declutter.
Draw a map of all the rooms. In each room, mark the clutter hotspots you want to tackle.
Give each spot a grade from 1 to 3, where 3 is the most cluttered and 1 is the least. This will help you allocate the right amount of time to those areas.
Use the map as your decluttering guide.
Throw out the trash.
Tackle the easiest part of decluttering first. Grab a trash bag and throw away anything that is obviously broken or that is actual garbage. Do this step before you dive into decluttering.
Set aside the time.
Set a timeline for what you will tackle first. It’s fine to start small so that you will feel accomplished. Looking at one cleaned space can inspire you to do more.
Choose a timeframe that is doable. You will be able to adjust as needed, once you figure out how much time it really takes to declutter.
Take a “before” photo so you’ll know how much you accomplished.
Set a timer and begin work.
Applaud yourself when you are finished the session.
Don’t forget to take an “after photo” so you can see your progress.
Use the organizing triangle.
Separate your items into three piles: keep, trash, or donate. Some people add a fourth box for “undecided.” For paper, the piles are slightly different: file, trash, or recycle. You can use boxes to organize the piles.
The “keep” pile should have the things that are meaningful to you and/or things that you use.
The “donate” pile should include things that are useful but that you no longer use or that do not fit you anymore.
The “trash” pile should be the items that you no longer need and that are not in good enough condition to be donated.
Don’t keep something in case you need it in the future. Give yourself permission to buy it again if you might need it. (This may not apply to seasonal items and special occasion wear.)
At the end of each session, immediately find a place for the items you are keeping. Consider storing similar items with each other.
For documents or other paper products that you’d like to keep, consider a digital filing system. Block out time to do that as part of the decluttering process.
Sort your clothes by what you wear.
You can use the organizing triangle for your clothes, or you could use the following system that naturally sorts the clothes in your closet by whether you wear them.
Face all your hangers in one direction.
Every time you wear something, face the hanger the opposite direction.
Check after a few months and you’ll easily see what you don’t wear. Donate those clothes.
For drawers, you can fold your clothes a different way when you place them back (e.g. roll them vs. folding them flat).
After a while, you’ll see which clothes you don’t wear and can donate them, too.
Tidy up by category.
It might be easier to declutter by the type of item versus by room or space. Gather all the similar items into one area. This is an easier way to get rid of duplicates and determine how many items you really need.
Start with clothes. Decide how many pants you need, choose your favorites, and donate the rest. Repeat with tops. You’ll want to account for work and casual wardrobes, and special occasions.
Repeat the process with your shoes, boots, and footwear.
Next look at your books. Organizing expert Marie Kondo recommends keeping less than 30 books. Choose the ones that inspire you, your favorite stories, and the ones you want to reread.
Go through your kitchen tools. If you can’t remember the last time you used a kitchen item, it’s time to donate it.
End with sentimental items. By now you’re used to the decluttering process, which could make it easier to distinguish which special items you truly want to keep. Make sure you have a place for them. If you’re keeping them in a box, then you’re not enjoying them.
Enlist some help.
Getting help can be the inspiration that you need. Not only do many hands make light work, but you can also get another person’s perspective.
Get help from a friend or family member. Ask them to suggest some big items to throw or give away.
You can hire a professional organizer. This could be useful if you’re not making progress or if you’ve gotten to a point and can’t get past it.
Rent a dumpster. You can get rid of larger household items that way.
Cut down on future clutter.
Here are some ways that you can continue to keep your home clutter-free.
Use those Amazon boxes that bring new things into your house to donate the same number of things to go out of your home. Do it as soon as you get something new: one in, one out.
Sort through your mail at the recycling bin so you can immediately toss what is not needed.
Keep a box in your closet. Every time you try something on, and you don’t feel good in it, toss it in the box for future donations.
Give away one item each day. By the end of the year, you’ll have given away 365 things.
Set a timer and commit to 20 minutes each day, or week, to stay on top of the clutter. You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish.
Finally, make sure your home is covered by the right homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to protect your possessions now and for years to come.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
