This is a guest post by Jakob Berry.

The long winter months can sometimes make us feel depressed because so much time is spent indoors.

This is especially true if you are the type of person who loves warmer weather activities such as hiking, a stroll on the beach, or simply sitting out and enjoying a few rays. However, there are several ways in which you can prevent feeling down this winter simply by instilling a more lighthearted atmosphere at home.

The path to achieving this will be different for everyone, as each person has their own definition of how being upbeat should look and feel. The bottom line is that creating a homey home over the winter months will in fact keep you feeling positive and energy infused.

5 Simple Ways to Liven Things Up This Winter

Here are five easy ways that you can add a little life and color to your home over the upcoming winter months:

1.  Breathe Easier

With the windows being shut most of the winter, one’s breathable space often becomes filled with re-circulated air. To improve the air in your home,consider opening the window for 5-10 minutes on a day where the temperatures aren’t sub-zero. This little bit of fresh air can make a world of difference.

Other ways to improve the indoor air quality include: Keeping clutter to a minimum (it will reduce dust), checking and replacing heating and cooling filters to make sure they aren’t re-circulating dirty particles, and vacuuming carpets and rugs regularly.

And one of the most important tips for fresh air is to get outside!  Force yourself to take a walk around the block or a light stroll through your neighborhood. Not only will it refresh you, it will also give you the chance to socialize with neighbors who you would otherwise not see over the winter months.

2.  Add More Life

When winter arrives, the presence of living things around us temporarily decreases.  Increasing life inside your home can boost your feelings of happiness during winter. To accomplish this, try adding small plants around your home. Herbs like lavender, mint and rosemary are excellent choices because they add vibrancy and lovely scents. Place larger plants in locations where you spend the majority of your time like the dining room, home office, or even a small plant on a bedroom window sill or nightstand.

Purchasing a pet is another way to add life into your home. From a goldfish or bird to a small puppy or cat, an animal can help brighten the short winter day.

People are a further way to add life to your surroundings. Whether it is for tea, to watch a game, or to host a book club.  Invite a few good friends over to meet once a week as socializing in your home can be a great lively activity.

3.  Color Your World

Updating the paint on your walls is a quick and easy way to renew the décor in your home and revitalize your mood! Painting just one accent wall in a bold, fresh color is inexpensive and can add warmth and feelings of freshness to your home.

If that’s not enough, frame some pictures of loved ones or great memories that will warm your heart every time you see them.

4.  Let There Be Light!

On an average sunny winter day there are about 8 hours of natural sunlight. Be sure to take advantage of this by opening the blinds and curtains. Using the proper type of light bulb in your home can also help keep your mood positive. Soft light bulbs in place of harsher fluorescent bulbs are a good choice.

5.  Be Entertaining

A little home entertainment can go a long way in the winter. If it’s time to update your stereo system or television go ahead so you can listen to all your favorite songs in pristine sound and watch your favorite movies over and over.

If there’s a hobby you enjoy or need to revive or you want to reread some of your most adored books that have been sitting on the shelf, now’s the time!

Give Yourself an Upbeat Home This Winter

The possibilities are endless but it’s up to you to take advantage of revitalizing your indoor space so you can reconnect to yourself before going back out into the world in the spring.  These tips are a great way to truly appreciate the Great Indoors!

About the Author: Jakob Barry is a Hometalk writer.  Read more articles like this one or get help with your home projects on Hometalk.com.

Sometimes we can get into the habit of staying home too often.  We become urban hermits.  We hide in our homes and gradually our lives grow stale.  We need to break this nasty habit!

Reflect for just a moment with me.  When was the last time that you did something outside your normal routine?  Well, it has been too long!

10 ideas to help you break the habit of staying home

Getting out of the habit of staying home takes a little effort at first, but with just a little taste of adventure, you will break free!  Soon you’ll be living and enjoying your life with a full calendar of fun activities.

Here are a few ideas to help you get out of the house:

1.  Buy a new toy

New toys that require us to get out of the house to use them are great catalysts for breaking the habit of staying at home.  I recently bought a Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera. 

Photography is a fantastic hobby that gives me a great reason to get up and go do something away from home.  Of course, buying toys is a privilege you earn by becoming debt-free.

2.  Go for a swim

Plan a trip to your local public pool or lake.  Swimming is a fabulous way to get some exercise and gliding through the water gives you a sense of freedom that will expand your sense of adventure.

3.  Take an adult education class

Enroll in an adult education class at a nearby community college or technical school.  This is a great way to jumpstart a new hobby and to meet interesting people at the same time. 

For example, if you buy a camera as a new toy, then you may want to take a photography course to help you expand your skills.

4.  Camp in the woods overnight

Plan a camping trip to get yourself out of the house and into nature.  There is something about sleeping out-of-doors that enlivens and invigorates my soul.

Camping is an inexpensive way to get yourself out of the house for a few days.  This will surely go a long ways toward helping you to break the habit of staying home!

5.  Take a hike

I love to hike in a scenic area.  The trees, the breeze and a good sneeze will make you feel more alive than you have in months of staying at home.

You can combine hiking with a well-planned camping trip or make it a standalone adventure.  Either way it will get you out of the house and get your blood pumping.

6.  Meet a friend for lunch or dinner

Not quite ready for camping or hiking?  Well, an easy way to get yourself up and moving is to call a friend and schedule a lunch or dinner out.

The conversation often leads to more ideas for how to get up and out of the house.  Your friend might even invite you to go do something afterward.  Be prepared to say yes!

7.  Make a date

After your lunch or dinner out, you may feel bold enough to schedule a date with the opposite sex.  It doesn’t matter if you are single or married.  Ask your spouse or that attractive person at work out for an evening of fun!

One good thing can lead to another and soon you’ll be free of your habit of staying at home, if you make the point to make a date.

8.  Join an interest group

Birds of a feather flock together!  Find a like-minded group of people all with a common interest and start participating.  This is a great motivator to get you out of the house.

For instance, using our photography example, you can join a photography club.  Use Google to find such clubs in your area. 

Another way to find interest groups is to search Meetup.com.  You can find groups of people in your local area interested in just about anything! 

9.  Visit a list of restaurants

Make a list of restaurants that you’ve never been to but always wanted to visit.  You can ask friends for their suggestions.  Who knows?  You might even gain a companion in the process of making up your list!

Once you have 5 or 10 restaurants named, then start working your way through the list as your budget permits.  I love eating out so this is a great way for me to get out of the house.

10.  Take a full-blown vacation

When was the last time that you took off a full week from work and went on a real vacation?  This might be just what the doctor ordered to break your doldrums.

If you need a little inspiration, take a look at my articles on the trips I took to Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta.  These should help you muster some ideas for getting out.

Break free of the habit of staying home!

Admittedly, these are baby steps, but once you learn to put one foot in front of the other you will find yourself free of the habit of staying home.  You might even start to live life to its fullest!  What are you waiting for?  Get up and get started finding your new freedom today!

Are you in the habit of staying home too often?

Photo by SAMAEL TRIP

Insurance costs a lot of money!  Of course, we need certain types of insurance to protect us and our assets from damage or loss.  Living without insurance all together is just too risky, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be smart about what we are paying for it.

With just a little knowledge, you can save a ton of money on insurance!

Insurance buying tips from frugal living experts!

Many people feel overwhelmed at the thought of shopping for insurance.  I understand these feelings, however, the opportunity to save money is worth educating yourself a little and taking the time to re-examine your insurance purchases.

In an effort to help, I’m going to offer you some very practical advice for ways you can save yourself a ton of money on your insurance.  Trust me, these are easy and anyone can use them to cut their insurance costs. 

These tips could easily save you hundreds of dollars a month!

Ways to Save on Home and Car Insurance

1.  Get multiple competitive quotes

This may seem obvious, but when was the last time you checked your rates to be sure you are getting the best deal?  I recommend locating an independent insurance agent in your city to help you with this.  Independent agents represent multiple companies and can shop the rates for you.  However, you still need to check with more than one agent because they may represent different insurance companies.  Also, different agents can offer different rates based on their standing with various carriers.

2.  Ask for all the discounts you can get

You should double-check to be sure you are getting all the discounts possible.  There are a ton of possibilities here.  The agent should be able to run you through a checklist to verify you are getting all the discounts you are entitled to receive.  These can often save you quite a bit of money.  A few examples include:

• Air bags, anti-lock brakes & daytime running lights
• Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers & deadbolt locks
• Multi-policy: buying auto and home policies at same carrier
• Anti-theft devices & burglar alarms
• Multi-car, low annual mileage & over 50 years of age

Don’t leave a rock unturned here!  The discounts add up.  If you knock $50 a month off both your home and auto premium, then you are saving $1200 a year!

3.  Look at different coverage and deductibles

Once you locate an insurance agent that you like, discuss your coverage with them.  Don’t do business with an agent that won’t explain it to you plainly so you can understand exactly what you are buying!  Adjusting the coverage and deductible so you have enough insurance without overbuying is one of the best ways to save a ton on your insurance.

More home and car insurance resources to help save you money:

• 11 Ways to Save on Car Insurance
• New Ways To Lower Your Car Insurance Bill
• I Just Saved A Bunch Of Money On My Insurance
• Insurance Information Institute (checklists under auto & home)

Ways to Save on Life Insurance

1.  Only buy term life insurance

Term life insurance pays the policy benefit when the covered person dies.  You should have term life insurance to cover expenses and provide for your family should you die unexpectedly.  Not having this basic coverage is very financially irresponsible!  All other kinds of life insurance are bad investments.  Don’t go anywhere near them.  Term life insurance is generally very affordable.  Eliminate everything else!

2.  Only buy as much life insurance as you need

As you mature financially, if you have done the right things, you should be able to self-insure which means you don’t have to buy insurance from someone else.  In other words, you should have enough assets and investments to take care of your family if you meet an untimely demise.  Until then, buy only as much term life insurance as your family would need to live the lifestyle desired.

More life insurance resources to help save you money:

• Should I Buy Whole Life Insurance?
• How Much Life Insurance Should You Buy?

Ways to Save on Health Insurance

1.  Shop, shop, shop!

Apply the same techniques you used above to lower your car and home insurance when shopping for health insurance.  You can save a lot of money just by comparing quotes and coverage offered by different companies. 

2.  Exercise and eat right

One of the best ways to save on health insurance is to take good care of yourself.  The fewer health issues you have, the less your insurance company will charge you.  If you display risk factors like obesity, smoking or generally poor health, then you are going to pay more.  Get in shape to save money!

3.  Consider a health savings account

Have you heard of a health savings account (HSA)?  If you are disciplined with your money, then this might be an option for you.  Basically, you contribute to a tax-advantaged savings account that you use to pay the majority of your healthcare expenses.  As a safety net, you also have a high-deductible, major medical plan to cover anything catastrophic.  This might save you a bundle!

More health insurance resources to help save you money:

• Top Ways To Lower Health Insurance Premiums
• Tips For Getting Low Cost Health Insurance

Follow these frugal living tips to save money on insurance!

I can almost guarantee you that you can save some money on your insurance if you will just try these tips.  I used them myself a couple of years ago and was able to save several hundred dollars a year!

When was the last time that you reviewed your insurance coverage and cost?

Photos by stevoarnold and pedrosimoes7 and snorp