Property Management Blog

Indiana has been experiencing summertime temperatures and if you are not careful, this heat will wreak havoc on your electricity bill. The easiest way to save money is to set your air conditioner above 78 degrees. I know it seems pretty high, however, every degree below 78 adds 8% to your cooling cost. Making sure that your furnace filter is cleaned will also help the air flow through and will not overwork your a/c unit. The lower you turn your unit, the harder it works to stay caught up. Never set your air conditioner below 68*. Ways to help keep your home cooler is by getting a ceiling fan. This helps circulate the air in your house. Another way is to make sure that you have sealed up any leaks in your home from your window and doors. Last, but certainly not least, get proper blinds, shades, or curtains for the rooms facing the sun. If you are lucky enough to have the day off, pack a lunch and go to the park. Go creek stomping or to a splash pad. Nothing cools you off like the coolness of ice cold water. If outdoor isn't your thing, check out these indoor events. 

Many places have FREE MUSEUM DAYS. You can check that list out by clicking here 

Kids Bowl Free program is available. Check it out here

Go to the movies for just $1.00. Found out where by clicking here
Don’t let the rainy days deter you!  Check out “The Park”, a giant indoor playground, at Trader’s Point Christian Church. Click Here 

Here is a list of places where your kids eat free. Click HERE

Hope this helps you beat the heat. Until next time........

Well, July was a great month for us. Not only was it the 4th of July and we spent it with our friends and family celebrating with food and fireworks but, we were able to take our children on two nice vacations. It is GREAT having a large family that lives throughout the United States so you can have a place to stay for free. Makes for a cheaper vacation when you don't have to pay for lodging. 

The first one was to the Adirondack Mountains in New York. We stayed in a house that gave us the most beautiful view of a private lake. We were able to lounge around and enjoy the view. It was extremely peaceful. All you heard was the beautiful loons making the most amazing noise. It was unlike anything I had ever heard before. The kids got to go on a hike and go creek stomping. They swam and kayaked. We had the lake all to ourselves. We drove up to Gore Mountain and saw some stunning views. We drove into town and went shopping. We were able to make a lot of wonderful memories. I can't wait to go back. 

   

We were home long enough to wash our clothes, kiss our dogs, and go back to school shopping. We were off again for a long weekend to Michigan. We have been a few times before but, each time is even more wonderful. We go Jet-skiing, tubing, fishing, and we get to spend time with lots of family that we don't get to see and we get to eat the BEST ice cream. Oh and the view is breathtaking. From the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep. 
 

Now that I am finally back to Indiana and here to stay for awhile I really need to get some house cleaning done.  
Here are some quick tips to help you get a better looking home. 

1) If you have 1/2 of a lemon you can use it to clean stainless steel. 

2) Clockwise cleaning. Move clockwise around each room, putting away clutter and mislaid items. Stash any stuff that doesn't belong in the room outside the door to sort and put away later. Don't get side tracked. 

3) Change bedroom linens. Wash linens in hot water weekly to clean and disinfect them.

4) Prevent shower mold and mildew by simply keep your bathroom exhaust fan running while you take a bath or shower, and for 30 minutes afterward. You can also use your towel after you are done drying off to wipe of the walls. 

5) Spray down trash cans outdoors with a hose and a little dish soap. This will help prevent unwanted odors. 

I know some kids have already started school and I am waiting for mine to start. They don't start until the 15th of August. The last fun thing of the summer we get to do is go to the Indiana State Fair. I can't wait to try all the fall foods however, I think we will stay away from the rides this year. 

Until Next Time.............

Sooner or later it we all knew it would come. Those big Yellow School buses would begin to flood our streets, children standing on the corner waiting for it to come and pick them up, and parents rejoicing that they finally it to go back to a little bit of a normal routine. The last two weeks have been extremely busy with getting my kids registered for school, getting their school supplies, new clothes, doctor appointments, football practice for the boy and soccer practice for the girl. Tomorrow is the day. The BIG DAY. It is my daughter's first year in Middle School and it is my son's last year. Bittersweet in some ways

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Luckily for me, both my kids are very athletic, outgoing, and outstanding kids. They should be able to make friends fast.

Some say summer came and went too fast but not me. We took our vacation and the beginning of Summer and ever since I have been waiting for the kids to go back to school. Ali, my daughter, loves school. She is ready to go back as well. My son, Julian, not so much. He likes to hang with his friends and play sports but homework and teachers are not his thing. Luckily, the two go hand in hand. If he wants to play sports he has to get good grades.

Now, we have had an interesting summer this year. We took the kids to California and they rode on a plane for the first time. The kids got to go to the Monon Center and go swimming. They played baseball and soccer. Ali went to Kings Island a couple of times. The coolest thing was when my dad took Ali to the Indianapolis Colt practice on Tuesday of last week. They got really close. So close that Ali's phone with flying out of her hands and landing on Pat McAfee. He picks up the phone and starts taking selfies with her. She was on cloud 9. She would stop talking about it for days.

Afterwards he signed her hat. He is such a great trooper. He made Ali's day. She got a autograph from Matt Overton and Jack Dole.

A few years ago, right before school started I wrote and open letter and put it on Facebook. No matter how excited I am to put my kids on the bus that first day of school it is always scary. You don't know what will happen to them after those doors close. I wanted to share it with you:

There is nothing better than Family, Friends, Fun and of course FOOD! The best part of summers are spending it with the ones you love, doing awesome things, and eating great food. Every 4th of July we do just that. Our friend Stephanie and her husband Craig host an awesome 4th of July party. We all pitch in and bring food, the kids swim and we all sit around by the pool drink and get splashed by the kids. We always bring my husband's homemade guacamole and salsa. Everyone loves it. They are just so yummy.

Family: I love getting dressed up in our red white and blue as we show support for this great country. My nephews and children are just as much into the Holiday as we are. They always look so cute. Ali and JJ are two peas in a pod. They are the best of friends and love doing everything together. Julian and Jacob, well, they are more of the crazy bunch. They make you want to pull out your hair but when they are good they are soooooo good.

Friends and Fun: I love hanging out with Friends. They always make things more fun. Whether it is hanging by the pool, drinking at a bar, or standing across the street from each other talking on the phone because it is way easier than actually crossing the street and talking to them face to face.

Food: You can never have enough food and with the group of friends that I have you will never starve. They are all awesome cooks. We grill out, have all sorts of dips, a variety of fruits, cheese, and veggie trays, a wonderful amount of sweet sweet desserts. I made a red and blue velvet cake with cream cheese frosting!! There wasn't a piece left.

Last but definitely not least FIREWORKS: I love watching the fireworks soar into the sky and then explode into something so beautiful and magical. Sometimes they make me jump and other times I am just so enchanted with them it doesn't phase me. You can be like my nephew and be so extremely tired from the day filled of food and fun that you bundle yourself up and fall asleep before the fireworks even start and continue to sleep right through them. Sweet little boy.

Until Next Time...........

We are in full fledge summer-on-the-go mode. Schools out and the kids are bored of doing the same old thing day in and day out. So many things cost so much and sometimes you just don't have the extra cash to spend. Well good thing for you Indy is full of free and cheap things. Take a look at all these wonderful things I have found for you and your kids to do.

I found a few websites that have a list of free and/or cheap things to do with your kids.

http://indywithkids.com/category/outdoor-family-fun-with-kids/

http://indywithkids.com/kids-bowl-free-all-summer-indy-franklin-greenwood-greencastle-fishers-beech-grove/

http://indywithkids.com/category/indoor-places-to-play/

http://indywithkids.com/category/food-for-families-and-kids/

http://www.mykidseatfree.com/states/Indiana_City_Results.asp

What are some of your favorite things to do over the summer?

Until Next Time.........