free home security systems
It can sense motion, glass break, temperature, humidity, light, mold, and noise. It can even turn your regular old smoke or C. O alarms into smart alarms, as it can hear them go off and notify you via the mobile app. Throw in some tamper protection and a built in siren, and you’ve got an entire security system in one convenient package. If you’re not looking to pay a monthly fee for professional monitoring, then abode is a great option that lets you self monitor. Their abode Essentials Starter Kit is pretty minimal, with only a Gateway, a door/ window sensor, a motion sensor, and a key fob plus the abode Cam, which I couldn’t resist adding. Installation is DIY, saving you more money, and abode has pretty good app and customer support ratings. Plus, abode has
tons of integrations with Google Assistant, Amazon Echo, Nest, Philips Hue lightbulbs, ecobee, LIFX, Yale, Kwikset, Z wave, First Alert, and IFTTT, so you’ll be able to create home automations galore. Nest Secure is a great option for apartments for a few reasons. One, they offer month to month contracting, which is awesome because you might not be there forever especially if the dryers don’t get fixed soon— sorry, that’s just me projecting a little. Two, the installation is super easy and won’t require any drilling or hardwiring in your rented space, and three, you can
choose to self monitor if you’d like.
Sharing lists online: Shopping trips can take a lot of time during the week, but the process can be simplified by sharing lists via online spreadsheets and smartphone apps. Organize the lists by categories such as grocery, pharmacy or pets to ensure both parents conveniently have access to the list the next time they make a trip to the store. Not only does this save parents time, it’s also a great way to earn brownie points with their spouse. The tip also works for organizing the family chores. Create a to do list assigning each family member a job, and have them check off the task when completed. Soup can be a quick way to have dinner on the table in minutes – and it allows you to use up vegetables that may be near the end of their shelf life. Try a Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe follows, a classic favorite that the whole family will enjoy. There’s minimal pre cooking required – simply steam the broccoli, measure the remaining ingredients, put them in your Vitamix Professional Series 500 blender and start the Hot Soup program. When the program completes, pour into bowls and garnish with extra steamed broccoli florets and bit of grated cheese. For a heartier meal, chop and add grilled chicken chunks. Serve with crusty bread and a salad for a complete dinner.