Too Busy to Work Out? Being active doesn’t have to mean going to the gym every single day. An active lifestyle can be as simple as going for a walk around the neighborhood for a few minutes a day. There are plenty of ways to exercise during daily activities like shopping, spending time with your kids, or hanging around the house. this time to be active. Get the family together for a walk around the neighborhood, take a few minutes to dance to some of your favorite tunes, or do some light cleaning around the house.
Put a spin on date night. Forget dinner and a movie. Instead, try taking your date out for a round of miniature golf, indoor rock climbing, an evening stroll, a bike ride, or dancing. You’ll have more fun while doing your body good. Grab a leash. Having a dog gives you plenty of opportunities to stay active. If you don’t have a dog, try asking a neighbor or friend if they would like their dog walked, start a dog-walking service, or volunteer at a local animal shelter. There are plenty of ways to make staying active a part of your daily routine! With enough creativity and motivation, you can turn any activity into an active one.
Park farther away. A lot of people will spend several minutes trying to find a parking space as close as they can to the entrance of a store. However, parking a little farther away will help you score a better parking space and make sure you get your steps in for the day. Do some yoga. You don’t have to push yourself to your absolute limit in order to stay active. There are other, gentler ways to exercise than running 5 miles a day. Tai chi or yoga are excellent low-impact alternatives to keep your body fit and healthy.
Reduce TV time. It can be tempting to plop down in front of the television after a long day at work or after dinner, but you can also use
IF YOU’RE BUYING A HOME ... Be Plumb Smart!
Plumb Smart questions to ask when buying your next home:
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Where is the whole house water shut off valve? Does it work? If it’s a gate valve, a home inspector will not close and open it, and there’s a 99% chance it doesn’t work. If it’s closed, there’s a 50/50 chance it won’t open again. Make sure you knowwhere this valve is!
1. Does the water line from the meter to the house go under a driveway? That’s not a good scenario! When a water line leaks under a driveway, it results in a very expensive repair or replacement. 2. Does the home have copper pipes? If so, the plumbing system can develop pinhole leaks caused by corrosion inside the pipes. Pinhole leaks are unique to copper pipes, and having a copper plumbing systemmeans you might have to get your entire house replumbed one day.
6. Has the sewer main has ever backed up? If so, find out why and how the problemwas corrected.
7. Has the sewer line ever been repaired/replaced and why?
8. Where is the outside sewer clean-out access pipe? Every home has one, so if it’s not visible, a plumbing company may have to run a camera down inside the line to locate it. 9. Where are all the fixture shutoff valves? Ask for the real estate agent to demonstrate that they work. If they are not ball valves, many of themmay not work, and I would ask to have them replaced.
3. What’s the age of the water heater? If the water heater is over 12 years old, you’ll need to replace it in 3–5 years.
4. Has the pressure reducing valve ever been replaced? If so, when? These valves generally last 5–15 years depending on the quality of the valve, so be sure you know how long it’s been since the previous owners got a new one.
10. You knowwhat? These tips are great even if you aren’t buying your next home!
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