Outdoor Living

August 7, 2023

Tips to Try

With summer upon us and the weather warming up, is your outdoor space ready to enjoy? We have a few quick and easy tips to upgrade your patio and backyard!

1. Versatility

Whether you’re a renter making a space of your own, or a family with kids looking to convert your daytime play space into an outdoor movie theater, versatility is important when designing an outdoor area. A great option to refresh your patio with versatility and no commitment is the RUNNEN clicklock Decking from IKEA®. It’s an easy and affordable way to make your space look like new! Plus, they have a wide array of color options to best suit your style and it’s durable for your kids and pets.

What makes a space most versatile is the ability to transform its purpose in minutes. A great way to entertain your family and friends in a fun, new way is to have a movie night outdoors! What’s the easiest way to do that? Use a projector screen that folds flat and takes up minimal storage space.

PHOPIK Projector Screen with Stand, $69.99, 120 inch, Amazon.com

RUNNEN Decking, $39.99/9 sq feet, IKEA.com

2. AMBIENCE

Creating ambience is an essential part of outdoor living. It’s the subtle glow of the string lights hanging above your outdoor sofa and the warmth coming off the fire pit at your feet. It’s what keeps your night memorable and gives a feeling of coziness to your patio. An outdoor space isn’t complete without a good set of string lights. With the option of different bulb shapes and colors, the possibilities are endless.

Outdoor Drop String Lights -Smith & Hawken, $28.00, Target.com

Stamped Steel Wicker Propane Fire Pit -Threshold™, $210.00, Target.com

If your space can accommodate a firepit, then it’s a must add for your deck or patio. It gives your family and friends a place to gather and creates a focal point for your backyard. Have kids with a sweet tooth? Check out the s’mores fire pit from Target for an easy way to make a sweet treat.

S'mores Basic Fire Pit - Terra Flame, $49.99, Target.com

3. COMFORT

SOLIG Net, $19.99, IKEA.com

One of the best parts of finalizing your outdoor space is selecting your favorite outdoor furniture and accessories. Opt for maximum comfort and don’t be afraid to bring some personality into the pieces you select. There’s no wrong decision if you decide to add a splash of color or keep things neutral with your textiles. For optimal comfort, don’t forget to add a canopy to protect you from mosquitos and other insects while you’re lounging outdoors. Creating a comfortable living space on your deck or patio will only entice you and your family to spend more time outdoors.

What makes a space most versatile is the ability to transform its purpose in minutes. A great way to entertain your family and friends in a fun, new way is to have a movie night outdoors! What’s the easiest way to do that? Use a projector screen that folds flat and takes up minimal storage space.

Stripe Outdoor Pillow, $64.95, Crate & Barrel

By Lesley Mann May 29, 2025
As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts
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