CES 2018 - LG ThinQ Instaview Fridge
While InstaView refrigerators are not new, this LG ThinQ InstaView Fridge shown at CES 2018 has a twist. You’ll be able to add expiration dates, memos, reminders, and notes right on your fridge. With cameras inside your fridge, you’ll be able to open the app on your phone while at the store and see what you are missing so you never forget the milk again. ThinQ technology allows all your appliances to work together. If you use your fridge to look up a recipe, you’ll be able to “send” it to your oven and get the oven preheated without moving. Even Alexa is included! Check out how it works below.
Watch all the CES 2018 videos here.
Do you think this fridge would be useful?
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CES 2018 - Sony Extra Bass Bluetooth Speaker
Sony has created an Extra Bass Bluetooth Speaker they introduced at CES 2018 that looks awesome. Not only is it capable of delivering surround sound from a little speaker, it has neon lights and is fully waterproof. Not just splashproof, but take it-into-the-pool-to-swim-proof. One of the coolest features if the Party Booster feature. You’ll be able to party chain up to 100 units to create a full surround sound feel.
Watch all the CES 2018 videos here.
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CES 2018 - The Butterfly: Kodak’s 360 degree + 180 3D Camera
Another cool thing we’ve seen at CES 2018 is the “Butterfly.” Kodak has created a new 360 camera that films 4K resolution 30 frames a second. You’ll also be able to make your own 3D movies with the 180 3D filming abilities and watch them at home using a VR headset. Expected price is $500, which is not nearly as expensive as I thought it would be! I love how it folds together and the overall look of the camera. Watch our video to see it for yourself.
Watch all CES 2018 videos here.
What do you think of this camera? Would you love to own it?
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Exercise Bike Benefits
There are so many health benefits that come from using an exercise bike. If you’ve had the chance to go to a cycling class and loved the intensity of your workout, or if you’re just starting to exercise and looking for a place to start, consider getting your own exercise bike. Once you start riding, you’ll never want to stop! Check out 5 exercise bike benefits below. 
Exercise Bike Benefits
- STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART: Exercise bikes are a great way to get your heart pumping. Like any muscle, your heart needs to be strengthened and kept in shape. Riding an exercise bike helps your heart become stronger, which helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, lower high blood pressure, and regulate your blood sugar.
- GAIN MUSCLES AND STRENGTHEN YOUR LEGS: One great feature of an exercise bike is that you can change the level of resistance depending on the type of workout you want. The more resistance you have during your ride, the more toned your legs, thighs, and buttocks will be! Just be careful you don’t overdo it right off the bat. You may need to work up to the highest level of resistance.
- LOSE WEIGHT: Working out on an exercise bike is one of the fastest ways to burn calories, which will help you lose weight. Just like gaining muscles depends on the level of intensity, so does burning calories. The more intense your workout, the more calories you will burn!
- LOW IMPACT AND GENTLE ON JOINTS: Unlike running or jogging, which has a high impact on your ankles, knees, and hips, exercise bikes are smooth and gentle. If you are concerned about your joints or are recovering from an injury exercise bikes provide one of the gentlest workouts.
- CONVENIENT: With an exercise bike, you won’t have to check the weather or wait for the next nice day to get your ride in. Regardless of the weather or the time of day, you’ll be able to fit in your workout.
Have you used an exercise bike? How do you like it?
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CES 2018 - Sony Aibo Dog
We are so excited to be at CES 2018! CES is the place where the latest and greatest technology is shown to the public. We wanted to show you some of the coolest things we’ve seen so far - like this Sony Aibo Dog!
The Aibo Robot Dog responds to your voice. It will come, pick up a bone, and sit just like a real dog but without the mess or allergies. True, it’s only available in Japan right now, but check out how cool this robot is!
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5 Simple Ways to Save Money
By the time January rolls around, most of us are sick of spending money. It's physically and emotionally exhausting! If spending less and saving a whole lot more sounds like a nice way to live, read on! Here are 5 simple ways you can help yourself and save money this year...
1. Shop With a List
If it's not on the list, DON'T BUY IT! How many times do you go to the grocery store for milk and eggs, and then you end up spending $80 and leave with a cart full of groceries you didn't even need! Make yourself stick to your list (ordering groceries online helps!), and you won't spend more than you plan on.
2. Think Before You Buy!
Questions to ask yourself:
- Who can I borrow this from or share this with?
- What do I already have that is like this item?
- Where will I store it?
- Why do I need this item?
- When will I have time to use it and maintain it?
- Will I love it in a year from now?
3. Reward With Experiences Instead of Things
This might take a little creativity, but it's totally do-able! Instead of rewarding yourself or your children for good behavior with money or toys, choose experiences instead. A picnic at the park, a visit to the beach, or a trip to your local art museum! Focus on making memories with the people you love instead of buying things.
4. Use Cash
Stop using credit cards! I've never actually done this, but many people who do a cash only system swear by it. You won't spend more than you have, and you'll most likely be a lot more discerning about where you spend your hard earned cash!
5. Set up a budget, and stick to it!
It can be intimidating at first, but sit down and go over your monthly expenses and needs, and set a rough budget that will work for you and your family. Do it for a month or so to see how it works, and make changes as needed. If you're like me and have a hard time being consistent with a budget, there is help out there! It's incredible how many apps there are out there that help you set, and achieve your financial goals! Whether you are aiming to save more for retirement, cut back on eating out, or just lower your electric bill, you'll find it!
"We don't need to increase our goods nearly as much as we need to scale down our wants. Not wanting something is as good as possessing it."
- Donald Horban
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How to Organize Your Office
How to Organize Your Office
Whether you work from home or not, chances are you have an office that needs to be organized. What better time to clean out your desk and get organized than right now? If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the job of organizing your office or you didn’t know you wanted to clean up until right now, I’ve listed some ideas on how to get organized below.
Step 1: PURGE
No matter how daunting, get rid of anything you don’t need! This includes your paperwork. It may take you quite a bit of time to go through all your files but do it. You won’t be truly organized until you’ve gotten rid of papers you don’t need.
via The Decor Fix
Step 2: CREATE SPACE FOR INCOMING ITEMS
You’ll need a place for mail and important documents, like this metal file holder. Trash and junk mail need to be tossed so have a recycling bin and a trash can handy. You’ll also need a hook for your coat, bag, umbrella, etc. If you have space to hang something like this metal hook bar you won’t ever run out of space for your things.
Step 3: COME UP WITH A FILING SYSTEM
This is a tricky one because every person has a different preference for how they like their papers organized. Personally, I like a color-coded system where each color represents a different category - Financial, Medical, Personal, Insurance, House, etc. Experiment with how you like things filed until you find something that works for you! A nice filing cabinet will help you keep things in order and easily accessed.
Step 4: OFFICE SPACE ORGANIZATION
Get drawer dividers and containers for the drawers of your desk. Keep all your things separated and in easily accessible containers. Paper clips, staples, post-it notes, pens, pencils, etc. should be kept in their own containers. It may seem excessive, but remember how annoying it is to dig through a drawer full of junk until you find what you need?
Step 5: STAY ON TOP OF IT
At the end of each day, clean off your desk and sort everything into its proper space. That way you’ll be able to keep your desk cleared off and organized long term.
How have you organized your desk? Have you figured out a system that works for you? Let us know!
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Workout At Home
Getting to the gym can be tough. Between work and kids, social lives and things that need to be done at home, it can be easy to slide the gym lower and lower down your priority list. Exercise is too important to ignore though! Not only does exercising help control your weight, it boosts your mood, helps you sleep better at night, and increases your energy level. Even without going to the gym there are some simple, at home workouts you can squeeze into your day whenever you have the time.
At Home Workouts
If you have space, an at-home gym will help you get an effective workout in. You’ll be able to strengthen your muscles and, with some machines, get a good cardio workout as well. However, not everyone has the room or budget to bring in their own equipment. Don’t worry! There are plenty of at home workouts you can do without any equipment at all.
You can combine upper and lower body exercises to get a full body workout. Pick four or five exercises and do one movement after another. Try to do 20 reps per exercise for the best results!
UPPER BODY:
Push-Ups
Pike Walk/Pushup Combo
Commando
Tricep Dips
LOWER BODY:
Lunges
Jump Squat
Low Side-to-Side Lunge
Wall Sit
CORE:
Plank
Mountain Climber
V-Up
Reverse Crunch
These are just a few at home workouts you could do. There is so much more online! What are some of your favorites?
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Foods to Eat to Lose Weight
With the start of the new year, many people have resolved to be healthier and eat better. Diet plans and weight loss programs are everywhere and chances are you’ve tried lots without a lot of success. While I’m no dietician,
Foods to Eat to Lose Weight
Paige Smathers is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist whose nutrition philosophy is that all foods can fit into a healthy lifestyle. There are just some foods we eat more of and some foods we should eat less of. Her goal is for people to feel in healthy by having a good relationship with food. Eat when you’re hungry and stop before you feel stuffed. Make sure you are never starving throughout the day. Listen to your body while you eat and make smart choices when you snack.
While this way of thinking might not necessarily help you drop the pounds, it is the way to become healthier, which should be our goal. So what foods can you eat? All of them! As long as you’re making smart decisions on how much and when you’re eating. This year, rather deciding on the newest diet, think about deciding to be a more mindful eater.
Oh! And if you’re curious Paige Smathers has a podcast all about health as well.
Have you tried being a mindful eater? Has it worked for you?
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Storage Organization Ideas
It seems like no matter how much stuff I try to get rid of, I spend quite a bit of time coming up with storage and organization ideas. Granted, I do live in an older house where closet space didn’t seem to be a priority. We’ve had to really be creative when it comes to finding storage space and if things aren’t kept organized, everything becomes a disaster real quick. I’ve listed some storage organization ideas that I’ve used in my home, as well as some things I hope to incorporate this year, below!
Storage Organization Ideas
Get a nightstand that has drawers. You’ll be able to store your books, glasses, phone charger, and anything else you want close at hand out of sight when you aren’t using them. It could even become your sock drawer if you’re really running low on storage!
Use interesting baskets that are not only beautiful but also great for storage. You’ll be able to keep blankets hidden but handy in your family room or hide shoes by the front door.
Make use of your doors! A door rack will keep cleaning supplies, shoes, food storage, and almost anything else you can think of off the floor and out of your way.
When picking out furniture, try to find things that have storage capabilities. Games, toys, electronics, and even holiday decorations can be hidden away in plain sight! Something like this metal cabinet or this modern sideboard would be perfect!
Pegboards are amazing ways to keep things organized. Hang your pots or pans up or organize the tools in your garage. You can also include a pegboard in your drawers to help keep pans or plates organized.
What are some storage organization ideas that have worked for you?
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