STIMULATE YOUR PACKAGE

President Obama's plan to revive the economy cleared its first hurdle yesterday when the House members passed their version of an $819 Billion dollar stimulus package, which includes tax cuts for individuals and businesses and money for highway construction and mass transit. The members of our House, however, did not approve the inflated budget for reviving a few of the depressed rooms in our home. We arrived nine months ago to our beautiful new White House with high hopes and big ideas for change, but when the economy took a nose dive so did our renovation budget. However, we haven't let that get us down, instead we came up with our own economically feasible plan. Phase 1 will include all projects we can attack right now; painting, patching and any and all construction with minimal impact to our budget. Phase 2 will include the bigger budget items like gilded bidets, warming drawers and heated floors. If the majority in your house has overruled spending, think of creative ways to make your space better. In our kitchen (The fantasy picture is above), the biggest dream project on our list, in the immediate future we can paint, change fixtures, add shelving, remove cupboard doors, etc. Just because we're in tough economic times doesn't mean you can't stimulate the members of your house by making simple, inexpensive changes!

TIME TO COMPLETE TASK: Depends on project: Patching and painting kitchen: One day

COST: Under $20

STRESS LEVEL: Happy house for little money: LOW