As 2024 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the year behind us and set goals for the year ahead. While we can’t control everything life throws our way, creating a clear vision and actionable steps can set us up for success.

Have you thought about your goals for your home in the new year? Unlike spending on vacations or cars, investing in your home often comes with the potential for a significant return. If home improvements are on your 2025 to-do list, now is a great time to start exploring your options and finding a reputable contractor before their schedules fill up. Need recommendations? I’d be happy to connect you with trusted professionals.

Or maybe a move is in your future? If so, planning early is key. I’d love to help you navigate the process, whether it’s sharing market insights or providing a complimentary home valuation to help you make informed decisions.

Feel free to call or email me anytime—I’m here to help with all your home-related goals.

Keeping Kids Safe Online

Talk with your kids – Educate them on safe online practices, such as:

• Never reveal personal information such as their address and age
• Use screen names (not full names)
• Don’t share passwords 
• Never meet anyone from online in person
• For threatening or hurtful messages, stop, block, and tell (a parent or guardian)
• For older kids that post on socials, discuss how it can be shared with anyone, at any time.

Controls – A child’s online experience can be controlled in various ways, such as:

• Confine device use to common areas
• Install child-safe browsers 
• Set privacy settings to the highest level 
• Cover webcams when not in use
• Install parent controls that block certain sites and restrict personal information from being sent
• “Follow” them on socials to monitor their online activity.

Notice if your child is spending long hours online, especially at night, suddenly turning off their device when you walk into the room, withdrawing, or is secretive about what they are doing online, as these could be signs that they are being targeted by an online predator.

Planning for a Spring Reno

Bringing Nature Indoors: The Benefits of House Plants

• Reduced anxiety – One study used two groups that each transplanted a house plant and then did a computer task. Findings showed that at the end of transplanting, participants had a noted decrease in blood pressure compared to when they did the computer task.
  
  
• Improved productivity – Another study found that when plants were added to a windowless lab, college students worked 12 per cent faster.
  
  
• Increased happiness – People who spent 5 to 10 minutes in a room with a few house plants were reported in an experiment to feel happier than people who spent time in a room with no plants.
  
  
• Sharpened attention – When elementary-aged students were placed in separate classrooms, one with a real plant, one with an artificial plant, and one with a photo of a plant, a study found the students in the room with the real plant showed improvements in attention and concentration in brain scans.

So, if you are thinking of getting house plants, or adding some to your collection, check online for the many options available.

Holiday Events and Festivals