While major home problems will require the help of a professional, there are many around-the-house problems that can be fixed by anybody with just a few tools and a few spare minutes. Problems in windows are a clear example: they happen often but rarely require the help of an outsider.

Cracks in the glass can be temporarily fixed with masking tape place on both the inside and the outside of the house. Always make sure the crack is completely covered so it can’t chip and extend. Larger cracks that can be dangerous if left alone can be fixed by removing the entire pane of glass and placing a piece of clear hard plastic in the its place. A heavy-duty garbage bag also works in a cinch. Tiny holes and cracks can be fixed with clear nail polish. If they’re not big enough to compromise the whole glass, you may not even need to replace the pane at all.

Windows that can’t open can be caused by a series of reasons. If you recently painted the frame, the paint may have stuck on the side railings, causing the window to seal in place. To fix this, simply run a thin blade or piece of metal where the panel and the frame meet to remove any dry paint or debris. If the reason the window is not opening is humidity, try using a hair dryer to warm up the wood, then lubricate the channel so the window can slide back and forth without effort.

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Moving out of a rental place is a lot different than selling your house and moving. For starters, moving dates are usually not flexible. This means you will have to much of the prep work in advance and ensure that everything is packed in moving boxes and out the door by the time you’re meant to turn the keys in. Not doing so could result in penalties or problems with the landlord. Depending on your lease contract, you may need to give advance notice about the move. The requirement is usually 30 or 60 days and you may have to forgo the security deposit if you’re moving before your lease is officially over.

When packing household items in boxes, keep your camera out. It’s always a good idea to take photos of any damage you caused, so they are properly documented in case of a disagreement. This is especially important if you had previous run-ins with the landlord and have a reason to believe he may try to keep the deposit. If possible, arrange for the landlord to tour the place with you after you’ve finished packing all your boxes. That way there’s no mistake about what’s going and what’s staying.

Before the tour, make sure you clean the apartment. You don’t have to shine the floors or shampoo the rugs, but make the place presentable. And always place all the cardboard boxes (already sealed with tape) in a single room, so you can move around freely and inspect every corner.

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Some small changes or additions can turn a plain house into the stuff of dreams. Whether you’re going for romantic cottage or charming country styles, sometimes it’s the little touches that can make all the difference.

Picket fences scream cottage, even if you live in the middle of the city. Stick to white if you want something obvious or mix pastels and bold colors for a major impact.

Turn your porch into an outdoor room. Use vintage furniture (from benches and chairs to a hatch) as much as possible to add character. Choose weather-resistant materials and don’t be afraid to buy things at garage sales or discount centers –After all, these items will stay outside and probably end up damaged after a while. Add touches of color and charm by using pillows, eye-catching accessories and lots of potted plants.

Hang stuff from the walls. Old pots and pans, dried flowers and vintage collectibles (such as mirrors, watering cans or other small items) all scream cottage charm.

Take the doors off the shelves. This works particularly well in the kitchen. Get rid of a few cabinet doors and use the open space to display cookbooks, vintage cooking utensils or well stacked china.

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Ultimately, what your kid’s room will look like depends on personal taste (yours and eventually your child’s), although there are some basics to keep in mind when designing and decorating one:

Choose colors, furniture and décor that will grow with the child. If you go overboard with the cutesy designs, things will have to be changed as the kid becomes a toddler or a pre-teen. A way around this is to paint the room itself a neutral tone and then use bedding, curtains and rugs to provide personality and details.

Pick materials that are durable. Washable fabrics are a must, as are darker colors (whites and beiges will get dirty too quickly). Low-maintenance that are machine washable and will withstand wear and tear will make your life a lot easier.

Get plenty of storage at kids’ eye level. Trunks, large drawers and bins are great to help kids get organized. At the end of the day, if you don’t feel like picking up things, they can just be thrown into containers to be sorted out later. If you want the kids to do the organizing themselves, don’t choose furniture with high drawers or pegs they can’t reach or open.

Provide plenty of insulation. If you have hardwood floors, cover them with thick rugs or rubber mats, to prevent injuries when kids fall or play on the floor.

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Moving doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, moving can be done for just a few dollars if you plan it well and are willing to creative when it comes to packing boxes, organizing and delivery.

1. Go through your stuff before you buy moving boxes and packing moving supplies material. Discard everything you don’t plan on taking along, decide what needs to be boxed and what can be wrapped or shipped as-is and then make a list of the moving supplies you need. That way you won’t buy more than needed.

2. Throw away and discard as much as you can. Only take along things you love. It will save money on moving and storing. Donate, sell or give away what you can replace for little money.

3. Do not use a storage unit. Make sure movers have a place to deliver your things to. Either wait a few days longer so the lease is already running or get there in advance so you can wait for it to be delivered.

4. Ask friends for help. Don’t abuse their generosity, but do ask for help if you’re running out of time or simply can’t afford to pay somebody to help you pack. If you ask for help, be specific. Tell the person what you need and make it easy for them to get on it.

5. Drive your own truck. Hire or borrow one if possible. Avoid the all-included moving experience, in which professionals come around to help you pack. It’s comfortable (and a must if you have antiques or valuable objects) but also expensive.

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Unless money is not an issue, there are some home improvements that just don’t pay to be made.

Don’t turn a bedroom into anything else if you plan on selling your house soon. A home office or a workout room may look good, but your home will be listed as having one less bedroom, lowering the selling price.

Don’t get a concrete patio. Deal with the grass or have a section covered in stone or a wood deck. Concrete increases temperature, reflects sunlight and will usually crack in hot climates. Also, it doesn’t look that appealing and you’re stuck with no garden, even if you change your mind.

Avoid bold finishes around the house. If you want bold, choose a striking wall color or bright curtains or rugs, which can be changed easily. Avoid carpeting, counters and other finishes that are too bold or too different. They may look great now, but chances are you’ll get tired of them at some point and then it will cost you a small fortune to replace them.

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It’s not only the packing boxes that can be a nightmare. Getting stuff out of moving boxes and into their right place can also make things difficult on everybody, unless you keep a few tips in mind.

As soon as the packers are done taking everything into the house, make sure there are no boxes missing. If you have a box inventory, make sure everything has been placed where it’s meant to be and that nothing is broken. If it is, show it to the driver right then and there, so making a claim later will be easier.

Move the moving boxes to the rooms where they’re supposed to be. Resist the temptation to start unpacking in the living room. You’ll end up with stuff all over the place and it will take longer to get organized.

For the first day in the house, unpack only the cardboard boxes that contains all the essentials, such as personal bathrooms stuff, linens and maybe a couple of cups and dishes. Leave everything else to be unpacked over the course of the next few days.

Every time you finish unpacking a box, close it flat and put it out of the way (in an empty room or against a wall) so you can get through the room without bumping into empty moving boxes.

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While making a completely green house would probably require a major remodeling project and thousands of dollars, there are tons of small things you can do to better your home and protect the environment in the process.

Insulating the basement, attic and crawl spaces will ensure that you spend less money on electricity and gas to maintain optimal indoor temperatures. This also means less emissions going into the environment.

Installing lots of windows. One structural change that won’t cost you much but will save electricity is to have more windows put in, so you can take advantage of the light and the warmth of the sun coming in. Make sure you choose windows coated to protect against temperature changes.

Leave surfaces unfinished whenever possible. This will reduce the amount of formaldehyde and other chemicals in the area.

When possible, install containers outdoor to capture rain water. You can do this using a 50-gallon barrel, a cistern or even a fountain. You can use the water to water plants or to clean outdoor spaces. It will save on your water bill and conserve energy.

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Packing your moving boxes for a smaller place.

Downsizing has become increasingly popular, as people are trying to live more simply, save more money or buying their own (small) space. If you’re moving from a large place to a much smaller one, packing boxes and getting ready is essential for a smooth transition. 

Don’t pack anything moving boxes until you are completely sure it will fit into your new home. If the house is smaller, chances are the spaces to fit furniture will also be. Measure walls, windows, floors and ceilings to know what you can still use and you will need to leave behind.

There are certain items that fall into the “maybe” category, as in “maybe you should leave them behind.” These are: modular seating, love seats, pillows and rugs and glass coffee tables. These are all difficult to place in a home with a different floor plan, are cheaper to replace than move or have too much of a chance to break during transport to be worth the effort.

When it comes to packing items inside moving boxes, be ruthless. Unloved books, big potted plants, appliances you never use, artwork (unless it’s valuable or you really love it) and old, worn up bric-a-brac should be donated or discarded.

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Real estate is going through a tough time and selling a home may not be as easy as it was once was. If you can’t seem to find a buyer and you can’t afford to keep waiting, there are things you can do to reduce losses. One example is to rent the house on a short-term basis. If the furniture is still inside and the house is ready to be used, you could rent it week by week to business travelers or people vacationing in your city. With the prices of hotels as high as ever and people struggling financially, home renting is a popular alternative, as it allows families to shop at local markets (rather than spend lots of money at local restaurants) and to save money on multiple hotel rooms.

If selling is urgent, you can always lower the price. Look to what other houses in the area are selling for and try to match their prices. Or offer things others don’t, like leaving furnishings or major appliances behind as part of the deal.

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