1. Add a few low maintenance plants or nearly natural flowers to add some greenery. Even looping beautiful vines around your seating and tables will add something special. 
2. Include a libation and snack area in your patio retreat. Get creative using hot or cold drinks, charcuterie board and other finger foods. Having a dedicated space will reduce the number of times that you are in and out, interrupting your Zen moments.
3. Drape your seating with warm throws. Step-up your décor with inexpensive pillows and throws to add a bit of warmth as the evening cools down.
4. Add colorful string lights overhead, or along your fence line. String lights will set the mood; colorful twinkling lights will make your evening festive.
5. Incorporating a rug (or a few of different sizes) under foot will increase your comfort level and add a bit of luxury. A rug in your outdoor space adds permanence to your set-up. You will find yourself using the space more often.
6. Get a patio heater, large or small to up your comfort level. Including a heater on your patio will also allow you to enjoy the space in early mornings as you have your coffee or power up with a green smoothie.

Let me just start by saying, moving around every 12 months is not a good financial move. Yes, I said it. In addition, although I earn money every time I help you move, financially it is a big fail if you are trying to build your wealth in today’s economic landscape. You may want to move because the rent increased by $30, or management is seemingly not as responsive to your request as you would like. Important reasons to move would be that your family expanded so you need an additional bedroom or you do not feel secure in your current home, otherwise moving too often can really affect your family financially for years to come. 

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​On average, a local move can range from $300 to $1,500 depending on the move's size. Long-distance moves can cost on average $2,500 to $5,000 depending on the move's size and the distance, and that is likely a conservative estimate because of the labor shortage's effect on the moving industry in the last few years. - Forbes

Think twice about your next move. Do you really need to move because that drawer in the kitchen is wonky and management hasn’t repaired it yet? Grab a screwdriver, go to YouTube and handle it. Maybe you need to spend $75 annually of your own money for a pest control treatment, use the Thumbtack App to comparison shop for a pest control company. Do you see where I’m going with this? Those little annoyances should not propel you to uproot your household financially every 12 months. AND…we didn’t even cover the stress involved with moving. Whew!
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I hope that changing your perspective slightly about your largest monthly expense can start you on your way to changing some of your other “money moves” in the upcoming new year.
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All the best to you,
Diana