At this time of year, she is media ubiquitous – appearing on TV shows and radio programs, in newspapers and magazines and on social media posts across the country.

To anyone who could benefit from spring cleaning tips from someone who has been in the professional cleaning business for nearly 40 years, she is a go-to resource even for home gurus like Bob Vila. You might even call Debra Johnson the merriest of maids, because as the curriculum manager of Merry Maids – the largest home cleaning franchise network in the United States – she is known to scatter dust with a smile.

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Nevada is one of those states where certain shapes have made a home for themselves. You're probably used to seeing plenty of aces, spades, hearts and diamonds on a regular basis, but the Las Vegas Strip isn't the only place where diamonds come by the dozens. If you've ever used a tape measure, you were holding onto a treasure trove of these four-pointed-shapes and you may not have even noticed.

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 You might remember the last time you shopped for a car – or rather, the last time you set out to shop for a car.

You set a budget and swore there was “no way” you would exceed it. But once you were at the dealership, you saw that if you spent only “a little more” money, you could buy something even nicer than you planned.

So it was decision time – a time to reconcile what you really needed with what you really wanted and if you could afford to satisfy both objectives.

Budgeting for home improvements follows a remarkably similar trajectory. So if you're feeling adrift, anchor yourself with the knowledge that your experience -- meaning your research skills, persistence and common sense -- will serve you well.

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