Love Your Home
Most of us long for a place to call home, a place to come home to at the end of a long day.
My wife and I started our marital journey in a tiny little apartment on the grounds of a retreat center. It was humble but it felt like a mansion to us and we loved it. Over the years we've rented a house, owned half of a two-family, lived with family, had a couple of new construction homes built, moved out of state and back again, lived in a new development, an urban setting, and made our home in the country.
I've been in homes that are tiny and some that are breathtakingly palatial. We've enjoyed meals in homes furnished with thrift store treasures as well as those thoughtfully outfitted by top interior designers.
love and laughter.
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Living Large in a Small Space: Downsizing Tips and Tricks
When our son Lorenzo was born, keeping him asleep As urban living becomes more popular, many people are embracing the art of downsizing. Moving into a smaller home or apartment often means adjusting how you live, what you own, and how you use your space. Downsizing can be liberating and even fun, as it gives you the opportunity to prioritize what truly matters and get creative with your space. Here are some tried-and-true tips for making the most of a small home without sacrificing comfort or style.
1. Embrace Functional Furniture:
In a small space, every piece of furniture needs to pull its weight. Look for multifunctional items that serve more than one purpose. For example:
Sofa beds or futons are great for hosting guests, allowing you to create a guest room without dedicating a separate room to it. Ottomans with storage provide a place to sit or rest your feet and offer extra space for blankets, books, or other essentials. Fold-out tables or wall-mounted desks are ideal for dining or working areas that can be packed away when not in use.
2. Maximize Vertical Space:
When floor space is limited, look to the walls. Utilizing vertical space helps create the illusion of a larger room and gives you plenty of options for storing items:
Floating shelves are perfect for holding books, plants, or decorative pieces without taking up floor space. Tall bookcases provide a functional way to add storage and display items you love. Hanging organizers on the backs of doors or inside closets can add extra storage without cluttering up your rooms.
3. Choose a Light, Neutral Color Palette:
Using light colors can make a small space feel airy and larger than it actually is. Neutral colors like white, beige, or light gray give rooms a clean, open look. Don’t be afraid to add splashes of color with your decor — throw pillows, rugs, or wall art in vibrant colors or patterns add personality without crowding the room.
4. Think Beyond Closets:
Small homes often come with limited closet space, but you can create your own storage solutions that look chic and keep things organized:
Under-bed storage boxes are perfect for keeping out-ofseason clothing or extra bedding.Rolling carts or utility racks can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, or hallways for added storage on the go. Baskets and bins work wonders for items like shoes, hats, and bags, giving a cohesive look to open shelving and reducing visual clutter.
5. Use Mirrors to Create the Illusion of Space: Strategically placed mirrors can visually double the space in a room. By reflecting light and creating a sense of depth, mirrors are a go-to trick for making a small room feel more expansive:
Try placing a large mirror opposite a window to reflect natural light. Use mirrored furniture, such as a console table or cabinets with mirrored doors, to add function and elegance. Smaller mirrors in groupings can create a stylish focal point and add light to dark areas of your space.
6. Stay Organized with Minimalism in Mind: Downsizing is a great excuse to embrace a minimalist mindset. Here are some practical ways to keep clutter at bay:
Purge regularly: Evaluate items regularly and let go of things you don’t use, need, or love. Create dedicated storage zones: Keep similar items together to save time searching and reduce the urge to buy duplicates. Adopt the “one-in, one-out” rule: For each new item you bring into your home, donate or discard an old one.
7. Invest in Clever Storage Solutions: Innovative storage solutions can be the key to making
a small space livable and enjoyable:
Hidden storage beds often come with built-in drawers, allowing you to keep clothes, linens, or even small decor items under wraps. Wall-mounted hooks and racks can be installed just about anywhere, perfect for keeping items off the floor and accessible. Pull-out pantry shelves or cabinet organizers make the most of kitchen space, giving you easy access to items without crowding countertops.
8. Create Zones for Different Activities:
Even in a small home, you can create separate zones for specific activities. This makes your space feel more organized and purposeful:
A reading nook with a cozy chair, a small side table, and a lamp creates a calming retreat. A kitchen workspace with a compact cutting board and wall-mounted knife holder keeps cooking essentials within reach. Even a small office area can be created with a fold-out desk and a comfortable chair tucked in the corner of a room.
9. Let Natural Light Work its Magic:
Natural light can make any space feel larger and more inviting. Opt for sheer window treatments that allow light in while providing privacy. Avoid heavy drapes that can make a small room feel more cramped, and keep windows clean to let the maximum amount of light fill your space.
10. Add Your Personal Touch:
Just because you’re downsizing doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice personality. Add your unique style through carefully chosen decor and personal touches:
Display a few sentimental items that make you smile, like family photos or souvenirs. Choose statement decor — a single bold art piece or a distinctive rug can anchor a room without overwhelming it. Incorporate plants to add life and a natural element to your space, which can make any home feel cozy and inviting.
Downsizing is about creating a space that feels intentional, comfortable, and functional. With these tips, you can make the most of your small home and find joy in living large — even if your square footage says otherwise!
Source: Penelope Graves, LifeandHomes Columnist
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9 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions and Credits
Each year, tax time rolls around before you know it. A great way to prepare is by being proactive and keeping track of any potentially tax-deductible items throughout the year. A great way to do that is by gathering your receipts now. Making sure you don’t miss any potential deductions will help you increase your tax refund or lower the amount of taxes you owe.
To help you plan, here are 9 money-saving tax deductions (and credits) to keep in mind as you gather your receipts for tax time.
Education Expenses
There are two education credits available — the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. The American Opportunity Tax Credit is a credit worth up to $2,500 for the expenses you paid for the first four years of college. The Lifetime Learning Credit, worth up to $2,000 per tax return, is available even if you aren’t pursuing a degree. Make sure you count books and lab fees. This includes the books you rent on sites such as Chegg and others.
Camp for Your Kids
You may be entitled to the Child and Dependent Care Credit if your children are under the age of 13, and you took them to a before and after school care program, daycare, or day camp so that you can work or actively look for work. However, overnight and sleepover camps are not eligible for child tax credits.
For tax year 2024, the maximum amount of care expenses you’re allowed to claim is $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more children. The percentage of your qualified expenses that you can claim ranges from 20% to 35%, so you can claim up to $1,050 (35% x $3,000) for one child and up to $2,100(35% x $6,000) for two or more kids. The American Rescue Plan made some major changes to the Child and Dependent Care Credit for tax year 2021 only. For 2021, the expense limit increased from $3,000 for one qualifying individual to $8,000 and from $6,000 for more than one qualifying individual to $16,000. For tax year 2021, the credit was fully refundable, meaning you could get the credit even if you didn’t owe any taxes.
Health Insurance
If you are self-employed, you can take a tax deduction for the health insurance premiums you pay for yourself and your family. If you are not selfemployed, health insurance premiums paid after
taxes may be tax deductible, but only if you can itemize your deductions.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses, including miles driven for medical reasons (at 21 cents per mile), may be taxdeductible if they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income in 2024 and only if you can itemize your tax deductions. The cost of exercise equipment or purchasing and maintaining a spa or swimming pool may be tax-deductible as medical expenses, but only if your doctor recommends them to mitigate a medical condition.
Charitable Contributions
If you made any donations, no matter how small, remember to have your receipts ready since you may be able to deduct them. It’s easy to forget the smaller amounts you contributed to various walks or races, but they add up quickly. You can’t deduct the value of your time when you volunteer, but you can deduct your travel at 14 cents per mile as well as any parking and tolls you paid. Only charitable contributions to qualified charities are tax deductible.
State Income or Sales and Local Tax Deduction
You are permitted to deduct either the state income tax paid or the state sales tax paid, if you itemize your tax deductions. If you live in a state without a state income tax, you would choose to deduct the state sales taxes paid during the year. TurboTax will choose the option that gives you the biggest tax deduction based on your entries. The amount you are able to deduct is capped at $10,000, including property taxes, state income taxes, or sales tax.
Home Office
If you use part of your home regularly and exclusively to perform administrative or managerial activities for your self-employed business, you can claim a home office deduction for a portion of home expenses
such as utilities, rent, mortgage interest, depreciation, and maintenance. The deductible amount will be based on the square footage of your home that is used exclusively for your business. Many people who are employees worked from home in 2024 and wonder if they can deduct at-home expenses. Following tax reform, you can no longer deduct athome expenses on your federal taxes if you are an employee.
Other Dependent Credit
If you are caring for someone other than a child dependent, you can take advantage of this tax credit which equals $500 per non-child dependent that you support.
Mileage Expenses
If you use your vehicle for business and you are selfemployed, you can deduct your mileage at 67 cents per business mile driven in 2024. If you work for multiple clients, the cost of traveling between job locations is tax-deductible as well. Be sure to keep a log of your business mileage throughout the year to help ensure you take advantage of this deduction.
Keeping track of these expenses throughout the year will ensure you don’t miss out on any tax deductions or credits when it comes to filing your taxes.
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