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COURTESY OF MCC 5 OUTDOOR PROJECTS THAT ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME

Exterior renovations can enhance the appearance of a property and make it more enjoyable for homeowners. Certain renovations have the potential to add value to a home, while others may do the opposite. Learning which ones have the largest return on investment can help homeowners select features that will have the most positive impact.

Curb appeal goes a long way toward attracting potential buyers. According to the National Association of Realtors, first impressions of a property have a strong influence on buyers. Landscaping and external features can do much to influence such impressions.

Lawn Care Program Investing in a lawn care program that consists of fertilizer and a weed control application and can be transferred over to a subsequent homeowner is an attractive feature. NAR said such a care program can recover $1,000 in value of the $330 average cost, or a 303% ROI.

Low-Maintenance Lifestyle When choosing materials for projects, those that offer low-maintenance benefits can be preferential. These include low-maintenance patio materials, composite decking, vinyl fencing and inorganic mulched beds.

Fire Pit A fire pit can be used for much of the year. In the spring and summer, the fire pit is a great place to congregate to roast marshmallows or sip wine and gaze into the fire. In the fall, the fire pit can make for a cozy retreat. A fire pit that has a gas burner is low maintenance, and the National Association of Landscape Professionals says that most can recoup about $4,000 of their $6,000 average price tag.

Softscaping Hardscaping refers to structures like outdoor kitchens or decks. Softscaping involves the living elements of the landscape. Hiring a landscape designer to install trees, shrubs, natural edging and rock elements can do wonders toward improving the look and value of a home.

Pool or Water Feature In certain markets, particularly hot climates, a pool or another water feature is a must-have. However, in other areas where outdoor time is limited, a pool or water feature can actually lower the value of a home. Speaking with a real estate professional can give homeowners an idea of how a pool will fare in a given neighborhood.

Outdoor improvements can improve the marketability of a home, as well as enhance its appearance and function. ■

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DEAR KERRY,

I think the change in the seasons has affected me because I have been feeling so down during the recent winter months. This started before COVID-19 hit. I actually have a good life and outside of this new situation with the pandemic, nothing was really causing me stress or sadness. I wonder if I am suffering from depression. What can I do to bring myself out of this funk?

It is not uncommon for people to feel down during the winter months, so please know you are not alone.

It is not uncommon for people to feel down during the winter months, so please know you are not alone. While the exact cause of seasonal affective disorder is unknown, it is widely suspected that less sunlight and more isolation are largely at fault. People tend to thrive off interacting with others, and many studies have confirmed the positive effects of sunlight’s vitamin D. Should you suspect depression, do not hesitate to contact a licensed therapist for an evaluation; however, if this is a seasonal issue, there are many natural and behavioral ways to combat seasonal depression.

These can also apply to those suffering from depression as a result of COVID-19.

Start your day off strong and soak up the morning sunshine, as the blues tend to be the most powerful in the morning. Enjoy a fantastic stretch, then open your curtains and bring in that natural light to lift your spirits. Speak with your doctor about having your vitamin D levels tested or about whether purchasing some supplements might an option.

Now that the weather is nice, don’t be afraid to get outside. A brisk walk in cooler weather can be healthy for kids and adults alike. Plan for next year. If you are able to swing it, plan a winter vacation. You can go somewhere warm, find an indoor waterpark for the kiddos or hit the slopes for some winter sports — do whatever you think you would look forward to the most.

Come up with reasons to be around others so you can get in some much-needed social interaction to combat any isolation that naturally comes with being closed in the house. Get a workout in to get your endorphins pumping. Plan a date night with your honey, either in or out of the house to keep the core of your family strong when the going gets tough. Create traditions with family or friends that will give you something to look forward to. Saturday night could be board game night, or make Friday night your regular movie night. Plan a monthly party with friends where you get all bundled up and have some snacks and drinks by the fire pit while the kids play outside. Whatever you decide to do to beat the winter blues, keep in mind this is only for a season.

Spring has sprung, the weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer. Hopefully those factors will lift your spirits. ■

Kerry Hart is a couple and family therapist with a private practice in East Lansing. The only thing she loves more than saving relationships is writing about them. See more of her musings at kerryhartcounseling.com.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR ACCOUNTS SAFE FROM FRAUD

Saving, budgeting and planning are all important components of financial security. However, we often overlook how financial security applies to how we protect ourselves and our money. Here are some ways to keep your accounts safe.

Common Types of Fraud When it comes to your financial accounts, the most prevalent types of fraud are identity theft, online scams and phishing.

• Identity theft is the use of your personal information, credit history or other identifying characteristics to make purchases or borrow money without your permission.

• Online scams are communications where someone uses deceptive tactics to persuade you to provide your confidential information so the fraudster can access your finances.

• Phishing happens when a fraudster poses as a reputable company via email, text message, phone call or social media in an attempt to obtain your sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords and account details, as well as access your identification and money.

How to Protect Your Accounts If you believe your financial accounts have been accessed without your permission, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself:

• Report lost or stolen debit or credit cards and checks immediately to your financial institution and/or credit card issuer.

• Monitor your account transactions regularly, and report any unusual activity and suspicious charges immediately.

• Create strong passwords and PINs with long, nonsense phrases using numbers, symbols and uppercase and lowercase letters.

• Only interact with websites you know and trust to avoid possible online scams

Let Financial Institutions Help Many financial institutions have services that protect their members’ accounts against fraud. These include text or email transaction notifications, eStatements, and more. Michigan State University Federal Credit Union offers its members:

• A free mobile app for 24/7 monitoring, secure bill payment, and money transfers

• Free eStatements

• Two-factor verification for digital logins

• Card Lock to lock or unlock your debit or credit cards

• eAlerts for text message or email account notifications

• Travel notes and more

You can protect your accounts by being attentive and prepared to take appropriate actions in the event fraud occurs. If you have concerns about your accounts, contact your financial institution. ■

Deidre Davis is the chief marketing officer at Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. MSUFCU’s headquarters are at 3777 West Road, in East Lansing. Contact Davis at deidre.davis@msufcu.org or (517) 664-7877.

"Butter Makes it Better "

3003 E. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48912 (517) 337-CAKE

With 19 years of experience serving successful women and their families in the Lansing area, Stephanie uses her comprehensive approach to financial planning to provide advice for women who want to be empowered and informed as they make complex decisions about their future. Call me today at 517.253.8563 for a complimentary initial consultation.

As the only Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™) in Lansing*, she believes that freedom and independence are core values of successful women, regardless of marital status.

Stephanie Milosavlevski CFP ® , CDFA TM Financial Advisor

2139 Commons Parkway Okemos, MI 48864 • 517.253.8563 stephanie.j.milosavlevski@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com/stephanie.j.milosavlevski