LIFESTYLE
September 2024

After a summer of running around, fall is the time to conserve and protect your energy. Making simple adjustments can save money on utilities, enhance your home space, and help your daily school routine run more smoothly. Let's take a look at some ways to optimize your energy.

Energy Efficiency

Air conditioning bills took a toll on budgets across the country this summer. Here are some smart ways to save energy on utilities this fall:

●      Have the HVAC unit serviced to find any problems early, and to fix and improve the unit's performance after months of being on nonstop.

●      Consider a smart/programmable thermostat that sets and regulates the temperature for daytime, evening, and at night while everyone is sleeping. Just make sure the temperature is always comfortable for pets!

●      Install or replace damaged weatherstripping around doors and windows to reduce air leaks that make the HVAC work harder.

●      Inspect ceilings and outer walls for cracks and caulk as needed.

●      Clean leaves out of gutters to prevent leaks and flooding.

●      Keep the fireplace damper closed to prevent warm air from escaping.

●      On mild days, open the windows and use fans to create a cool, fresh breeze.

●      Use LED or ENERGY STAR certified holiday lights!

And with wildfire season coming up, take time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries if needed. Ensure that any fire extinguishers are in working order, and review escape routes for the family and pets. Be safe and prepared!

Cozy Decor, Seasonal Colors and Warming Fall Foods

 For many of us, autumn is synonymous with "cozy" - soft neutral colors, pumpkin spice everything, and nourishing, comforting meals. It's a great time to pack away and store seasonal summer gear and make simple updates to embrace the season. Let nature inspire you with throws, pillows, and area rugs in oranges, browns, dark greens and purples. Bring in colorful mums and seasonal, multi-hued gourds. Whether out shopping or looking through your closets, seek out colors that brighten your mood.

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Autumn decor trends, according to Etsy trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson, see "shoppers entering their 'heirloom era' this fall, a trend that represents different ways to bring retro and inherently unique items to homes and wardrobes." Browse vintage shops for textured artisanal trays, woven tablecloths, and one-of-a kind pieces that speak to your unique sense of style.

While fall comfort foods are delicious, incorporating in-season vegetables like squash, apples, beets, and carrots add both nutritional and environmental benefits. Colorful, hearty soups and stews warm the body and the soul, eating local, seasonal produce helps the environment by reducing water use and soil degradation. Warming spices like turmeric, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander and cumin, key to holiday dishes, also have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immune-boosting properties. Healthy eating doesn't need to take a break this season!

Organize Your Home and Schedule for a Fantastic School Year

Being as organized as possible will help ease the stresses of going back to school, maintaining an efficient morning routine, and finding things that are needed at the last minute. Here are some simple tips that make a big difference:

Organization:

●      Clean out the car and stock it with snacks, water, and a first aid kit.

●      Label school & sports uniforms, backpacks, books, etc.

●      Designate ONE place for sports equipment and/or instruments at home.

●      Have an in-box for kids' papers that need to be signed.

Positivity:

Preparing kids for back-to-school goes beyond shopping for clothes and buying school supplies. Starting a new year can be overwhelming, so parents speaking positively to their kids can help alleviate their anxiety, and help them feel more focused and motivated. Ask your child which friends they are looking forward to seeing, what skills they're excited to work on, and a few goals they want to achieve in the coming semester.

Morning Routine:

If mornings are rough in your home, create a family schedule to determine when people shower, get dressed, and eat breakfast. Adjust it as needed. Make sure everything that needs to go to school the next day is set out the night before, and set an agreed-upon bedtime/screens off time to ensure good sleep.

Engagement:

Engage with your child's teacher. They can keep you up to date on your student's strengths and areas for improvement and encouragement. Your involvement can really help your child's learning. When your kids come home from school, instead of asking them, "What did you learn today?", ask them to tell you one way they showed kindness to others and others showed kindness to them.

Keep A Manageable Activity Schedule

Sonia Couture, a special educator and family coach, suggests the following questions to keep activities from taking over your schedule:

●      What do we get out of this activity?

●      What are the pros and cons for the children/parents?

●      Will it mean running around as soon as we get home from work?

●      Do the kids actually want to do it, or will they complain all the time?

This helps to weed out unnecessary and unrealistic activities. As the weeks go along, remember to check in with your family regularly. The important thing is to make sure that what you’re doing works for the whole family. Make time to have conversations with your children, and let them help develop solutions for systems that could go more smoothly.

When everyone feels organized, comfortable, prepared, and heard, energy is conserved for fun family activities, we enjoy our home lives more, and a new school year becomes infinitely less daunting. Take small steps toward energy efficiency with household utilities, healthy comfort foods, and an organized daily routine, and you will reap the rewards in multiple ways this fall.

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