Sprucing Up Your Home: Time for Spring Cleaning!
Now that spring is here, the birds are chirping and flowers are blooming, showing off their beauty. With the change of seasons, many residents in our community want to beautify their homes too. Your apartment will be spotless in no time with a little organization and the appropriate technique. Here are some tips to get you started!
Cleaning Supplies
~ If you haven’t done much cleaning since last spring, you might have run out of cleaning products. Make a checklist of items to replenish, such as rubber gloves, glass cleaner, sponges, dusters, and towels.
Eliminating Clutter
~ When it comes to spring cleaning, sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by clutter that has accumulated, break the project into a series of tasks. Focus on the kitchen one day, and then take care of your bedroom the next day, for example.
Change your AC filter
~ Put in a maintenance request and ask for a new filter.
Look Everywhere for Dirt and Debris
~ During spring cleaning, you want to check out every area inside your apartment. For example, remember to remove couch cushions and use the vacuum to get rid of dirt. Of course, clean under the couch as well as below the bed.
ASK THE MANAGER:
Q: How much should I budget for groceries and eating out every month?
A: Just follow your nose. It’s no secret that plenty of our residents love to cook. You may have been intrigued by the delightful aromas coming out of your neighbors’ homes and have grown inspired to cook more yourself. There’s not always enough time to prepare every meal in your apartment. Meals from restaurants (eaten there or delivered) help when your schedule is full.
So, a question that frequently comes up for apartment dwellers is how much to budget for eating out and buying groceries. Of course, the answer will vary from person to person, based on your income and desire or ability to cook. But as a rule of thumb, the average cost each year for groceries in the United States is $4,643, or about $387 per month, according to a recent article from U.S. News & World Report. Another way of looking at budgeting for food is to note that Americans spend approximately 9.5% of their “disposable income” on food, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The amount was divided by roughly 4.9% on groceries and 4.6% on restaurant meals. If you find yourself spending more than you intended on food, whether prepared at home or made in a restaurant, you can improve things by creating a budget and sticking to it. At the same time, you’ll want to write a shopping list, so you remember to get what you need. This will also help you avoid making impulse buys at the register!
SEASONAL RECIPE
The Easiest Spring Snack Mix
This could be the simplest snack mix you’ve ever made! It’s straightforward, yet very tasty. Spring gatherings, potlucks, family get togethers, and school parties will all benefit from this Spring Snack Mix. It’s the ideal balance of sweet and salty.
1 cup pretzel (any shape)
1/3 cup chocolate candies (M&Ms, etc.)
1/2 cup mini marshmallows
1/3 cup raw nuts (cashews, peanuts, etc.)
Take a medium-sized serving bowl and set it aside. Toss all of the ingredients together in a mixing dish until they are uniformly distributed. Serve and have fun!
FUN APARTMENT:
How to De-stress and Get More Enjoyment out of Spring
If you’ve been experiencing more stress lately, there’s no reason for you to let it get in the way of having fun this spring. Here in the manager’s office, we have our own share of stress, but we know it’s important to relax. Check out some fun ways to de-stress for more enjoyment this spring!
* Get plenty of rest. Proper sleep is essential for minimizing stress. It also gives you the energy to go outside and have fun.
* Join an exercise class that takes place outside. From tai chi to yoga to boot camp workout programs, there are plenty of opportunities to get your body moving to manage stress better.
*Study outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of springtime. Feel the fresh air.
* Play like a kid! Adults can have fun with coloring books too. Plus, you get the satisfaction of filling in the lines and seeing the picture take shape.
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We have lots of green space at Rock Canyon so get out and play a game of catch or frisbee!
* Hang out with friends and family. Taking advantage of the nice weather during spring, you’ll find stress diminishes when spending time with loved ones. Go to the park, enjoy a movie or concert or just relax at your favorite restaurant.
The world has been through a lot of stressful situations during the past year. If you find yourself experiencing more than usual stress, practice deep breathing exercises. Slowing breathing in and out helps you relax and push stress aside.
COMMUNITY LIVING TIP:
Practicing Good Laundry Room Etiquette in Our Apartment Community
We’re all in this together, sharing space with neighbors here in the apartment community. And as members of the community, we need to be kind and respectful to all residents. As a friendly reminder, here are some tips on practicing good laundry room etiquette!
* Clean up after yourself:
Pick up any trash, such as snack wrappers. When you clean out the lint trap between using the dryer, discard it in a trash can. Avoid spilling detergent, bleach or fabric softener on the machine.
* Leave people’s laundry alone:
Sometimes people are a bit late in getting back to the laundry room, resulting in no machines being available. Either they are in use, or someone has not yet emptied clothing at the end of their cycle. Please be patient. But if no one shows up after 20 or 30 minutes and you’re running late, you could remove clothes from a dryer and put them on a table or machine top.
* Keep track of the time:
To avoid making people wait for you to empty a machine, set an alarm on your phone to remind you that it’s about time for a load to finish.
* Use headphones:
When watching videos, listening to music, or playing games on your device, avoid disturbing other residents using the facilities. If you have any questions about using the laundry facilities, please get in touch with us in the office. We will be happy to help.
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