Check out a few of our favorite and clever household gadgets that may make your life a bit easier! You may be surprised that some of these actually exist and how helpful they may be.

The Pasta Pot - ditch your old strainer and get your hands on this pasta pot with built in strainer right in the lid!

The Batter Dispenser - whether your baking or making pancakes this kitchen gadget helps avoid the mess.

The TrackR - always losing your keys, cant find the remote? The TrackR is a brilliant gadget to help you keep track of the things your always losing around the house!

The Kitchen Tablet Holder - always using recipes on your smart phone or tablet in the kitchen? Take a loot at this convenient holder to keep your electronics out of the way but still in sight!

Motion Sensor Lights - perfect for dark stairs, hallways or closets all you need are batteries! Detects motion up to 10 feet away!

The Cutlery Cleaner - this sink mounted scrubber is a fast and easy way to clean your utensils after cooking! This one is a true time saver and very versatile!

The Draining Dishwashing Rack - this self-draining dish rack provides lots of space for your dishes and simultaneously drains all that extra water back into the sink!

The Broom Groomer - this one is especially useful and smart! No more cleaning the bottom of the broom with your hands, ew!

The Dual Shower Curtain Rod - talk about saving space, this curtain rob also offers space for you towels etc.

Rubbermaid Paint Buddies - no need to drag out the old paint cans when you just need to touch up a small spot. Put your leftover paint in these "Paint Buddies" and retouch anytime you want!

The Cutting board with Storage - for the organized brain, this cutting board it one of a kind and takes your food preperation to the next level!

Now that we are into those chilly winter months it's time to make sure you are thinking and acting efficiently when it comes to keeping the heat in your home!

Follow the tips below for keeping your home warm this winter.

• Leave your faucets dripping slightly especially the ones that are served by exposed pipes, this will help prevent pipes from freezing.
• Disconnect water to hoses or lines from your outside spigots as well as any outdoor sprinkler systems!
• Lay down rugs over your wood floors during the winter, not only will it be cozy on bare feet but it will help to keep you room warmer, by trapping heat!
• Float your furniture away from walls that may have heating vents!
• Insulate unfinished rooms such as garages and sunrooms if they contain exposed pipes
• Keep your house warm – at least 60-65 degrees! Or install a programmable thermostat, which will help to keep you bill low and efficiency high! This Old House suggests the following:
• 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. = 68 degrees
• 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. = 60 degrees
• 5:30 to 11 p.m. = 68 degrees
• 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. = 60 degrees
• Check to see if your ceiling fan has a winter or revere setting. By moving your ceiling fan in the opposite direction, clockwise spinning will push heat back down that is rising. Try this at a low speed!
  • Keep your garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage
  • Open your cabinet’s doors in the kitchen & bathroom under the sink so allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing.
  • If you have radiators put tinfoil on the back of the radiator – this reflects heat back into the room – but make sure to monitor closely. This helps to trap the heat and let it spread evenly throughout the room versus up towards the ceiling.
• Stay warm this winter by trying these tips, and before your know it spring will be upon us!

• Create A System: simplify the moving process by making a packing plan and schedule
• Choose Wisely: you will want to make sure your transportation has enough room for all your things, especially if the move is far and you are not planning on taking 2 trips. Generally the contents of a 1 bedroom apartment will fit in a 16-foot cube truck, while 2 or 3 bedrooms usually will fit in a 24- or 26-foot truck.
• Make a plan: before you start packing or contact movers, create an itemized list of everything that should be done and follow it as you go. This will make the move easier for yourself and others who are helping you. If you are using movers, make an inventory as you pack and check it when you unpack to make sure none of your items were lost.
• Communicate: once you have a plan, make sure your movers are aware of your requirements. The more communication there is the more prepared everyone will be. For example if you are moving into a condo or apartment, contact the landlord and ask if there is anything you should know about moving into the building
• Get Rid of It: Before you start packing, get your junk under control! Go room to room and decide what you can live without, what you can sell, donate or just toss.
• Label Everything: this will help make unpacking simpler by giving each box a label and a number.
• Save a box to ship: Once everything is cleared out, you still may stumble upon a few forgotten items. Keep an extra empty box so when it's time to lock up and leave you can simply ship the forgotten items to your new home.

Hopefully all these tips from thenest.com will help you with your next move, maybe into a new house for the New Year? For more tips on how to make your move as stress-free as possible, view our moving checklist!