Is Your Garden A Tranquil Haven? It Could Be!

Everybody needs a place to relax in, and where better than in your very own garden. Unfortunately, it’s pretty hard to chill out if your outdoor space is full of weeds, unkempt shrubbery, and old bits of rubbish that are too big to fit in the trash and you haven't got around to getting rid of yet. Instead, you need an outdoor space that is a tranquil haven. Luckily, all you need to do is read on to find out how to get one.

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Balance

The thing about achieving a tranquil garden is that they need to be some sort of balance involved. That is the different elements need to work in harmony together, with neither the planting, shrubbery, seating area, or other space dominating. You even need to achieve a balance between the natural elements and the man-made structures such as furniture and ornaments. 

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To help you achieve this, it can be useful to plan out the garden first, ensuring that you assign enough space to each element. It can also be beneficial to use mirrored garden ornaments. This is because these are attractive and provide light, but also reflect the green around them so work very harmoniously in a garden space.

Planting 

When considering planting for your tranquil garden, you must prioritize things that give you a personal sense of calm. That means it can be quite a subjective process. However, do bear in mind that different shades and texture of green used side by side can work very well. In particular, things like grass, with shrubs like brachyglottis and then taller trees like conifer are a good choice.

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However, if you are looking to introduce some color to your tranquil garden space go for plants and trees in more subtle pastel shades. Orchid trees like the Hong Kong orchid and purple orchid can work well in this type of space, especially if they are complemented by lush green vegetation in the rest of the garden.

A space for relaxation 

Next, you will want to create a space in which you can enjoy all this harmony and balance from. To do this consider installing a sun lounger, or even a hammock in which you can recline and truly appreciate the tranquility of your yard.

You can buy these ready-made. Although you may wish to have a go at making one yourself by following the guidance you’ll find here.

Treat yourself to some relaxation in your tranquil garden
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Low maintenance 

Lastly, it can be very hard to relax in your garden if you go outside and all you can see are jobs that need doing. In fact, this can lead to you avoiding going outside at all, let alone spending extended and enjoyable amount of time there.

Consequently, it's important that the garden you create is one that is low maintenance. That is it only takes a little time each month to keep it in a neat and attractive condition. With this in mind, it can be helpful to pick plants that need little tending to, but still fit into your overall scheme such as sedum and hardy cyclamen.

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It is also a smart idea to invest in some garden tools that can help make the work a little easier to complete. Then you know you will be able to enjoy your tranquil garden haven with the minimum of effort possible. 

Finding Time To Take Care Of Yourself Whilst Balancing Work And Motherhood

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Adapting to your new bundle of joy and becoming a family doesn’t come without its challenges. Especially if you work from home, are self-employed, or have to return to work before the usual period of maternity leave, you’re not so much up the creek without a paddle, but up the creek without a paddle or a boat. Going back to work can leave you feeling so guilt-ridden that you spend as much time as possible with the baby - which is extremely common and something every mother does when having to leave their child at such a young age. However, it is important to also find some snippets of time just to check in with yourself, and make sure you’re taking care of you too, as well as the baby. Many new mums struggle to find time to eat, shower and keep up with daily care routines. Here are some tips on taking care of yourself whilst balancing your newborn and work.  

While Baby Naps

When you and your little one have finally settled into a routine, it is imperative that you use the time they are asleep to take care of yourself. Whether this is catching up on your own sleep (number one choice for many new mums), or having a quick shower, or eating lunch - make sure you are using the time wisely. Yes, it can be hard to tear yourself away from watching your precious one sleep - every mum has been there - but this will be the only time you have to ensure you are taking care of yourself. 

Mornings Are Baby Time, Evenings Are Mummy Time 

Even if you are not working, you will still be woken up at a bright and early time by your little one, no matter how many feeds you were woken by in the night. However, your little one will still drop off in the early evening, giving you a few hours before you have to go to bed to do a quick spot of housework, laundry, and all the things that fall to the wayside when your newborn arrives. This is slightly different to a nap, as baby will usually sleep for a few hours, so make sure your reserve any of the more time-consuming jobs to the evening, rather than when baby is down for a nap. 

Invest In A Baby Wrap

If you have very little time out of work, or have a lot on your plate and want to spend time with your baby, you could try a baby wrap. They allow you to carry the baby around with you whilst having both hands free. This is great for food shops, housework, and generally moving around the house doing jobs. Even if you are working from home and on your feet all day, this is a great tool that helps you to multi-task and not have to choose between work and spending time with your little one. Make sure you have The Right Hairstyles for when you swaddle if you have long hair - as you don’t want your hair to be constantly over baby’s face or in their eyes. 

There you have it, a few ways you can ensure you are still taking care of you whilst trying to balance time with your new bundle of joy. If you have just welcomed a new addition to the family, then congratulations, and hopefully these tips have helped you out a little bit. 

How Much Is My Car Worth?

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You find yourself ready for a new vehicle. You've found the car of your dreams. You've done your research thoroughly and your finances are in check. The only thing you have to do next is to find a good price value for your old car.

Before you put up your used car for sale, make sure you take some steps to bring your car up to shape. Thoroughly clean the interior and exterior of your vehicle. Check if there is a need minor repairs like windshield wiper replacements, brake fluid or engine oil change.   

Once your vehicle is picture perfect and mechanically sound, you now have to decide on a selling price. Then that question hits you - "How much is my car worth?"

Did you know that cars.com is the leader in online automotive classifieds where consumers like you are given access to resources and other information needed to make the best buying or selling decision? 

At cars.com, you can take advantage of a used car valuation tool that provides a fair resale value range for your vehicle. Simply fill in the details and click the "get estimate" button. You can now decide if you'd want to sell your vehicle privately, or to a dealer, or trade it in. 

So whether you're selling your car for cash or using it as a downpayment for a new vehicle, make sure you check out cars.com. You may be pleasantly surprised to find out what your car is really worth.

The Benefits of Being Financially Aware

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There are many reasons why you might want to write a financial plan. You might want to get a better grip on your own personal finances, or you might be thinking of starting a new business.Being on top of your finances will reduce stress, make you feel more confident and make you far less likely to unwittingly fall into debt.  With that in mind, here are the benefits of being financially aware.

Understanding Your Finances

The first thing that you are going to want to do is fully understand your finances. How much money is going in and how much is going out. What are you buying and what are you being paid for. A good thing to do is to start by making a list of how much you make and what you spend money on side by side. You don’t need to worry about how much each of these are at this stage, but doing so can save you time in the future. The idea here is to understand both sides of your finances and make sure that nothing is forgotten about. If you are running a business, then you should probably look up what net working capital is defined as, as this will helpful in the future. Understanding what you are spending money on will help you to see which purchases are unnecessary and which aren’t. You will see what is important and what isn’t. Make sure to do this step before jumping ahead.

Forecasting

Forecasting is planning out what you expect to make and what you expect to spend money on. It is often best done on an Excel spreadsheet, but it doesn’t have to be. What you want to do is put all of the spending and income that we mentioned above and work out the difference between them. You will want to do this for each month of the year. There are templates that you can find online that will help you to structure your forecast. Doing this will show you exactly how much money you have left after buying all the things you would normally buy in a month. It is always worth putting money into savings and having a space for this in your forecasting. Doing this will give you peace of mind that you are financially stable and let you plan for larger purchases such as saving money for a holiday or saving for a house. This will let you plan and let you know how much money you will have throughout the year. 

Budget Monitoring

Budget monitoring is like an extension of your forecasting. Instead of planning what you are going to make and spend, you are putting your actual income and purchases down on paper when they happen. If you make a food shop, then you mark that in the cost collum. If you do some extra work and get paid some more this month, then log that income. This way, you will be able to spot in advance if you are likely to go over budget for a month before it actually happens. If you follow all of these tips, then you can avoid debt and live a happier life.

Getting Rid Of Bad Smells In Your Home Is Easier Than You Think!

Do you often walk around your house or enter a particular room and get a face full of a bad smell? It happens to me from time to time, I smell things that just aren’t pleasant at all, and it ruins the overall way your home feels. 

No one wants to have a smelly home, but it’s hard to avoid certain scents from time to time. Places like the kitchen and bathroom are prone to smells that can stink up your house. Luckily, while you may be unable to prevent the smells, you can certainly cover them up effectively. 

Here are my top tips for getting rid of these smells and making your house smell a lot better: 

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Light Candles

Candles are one of my favorite ways to get rid of bad smells. This is because they’re very effective at covering up scents and filling a room with the smell of the candle. The fact they burn for a long time is a bonus too, so you can have hours of fragrance when the candle is lit. Plus, you kind of get the smell of the flame when it’s first lit too. There’s a slight smokiness that helps negate any other smells in the room and makes way for the lovely candle. 

Use An Aroma Diffuser

Some people like to use air freshener sprays to try and cover up different smells in their home. This may work a little bit, but these sprays are bad for the environment, and you have to manually use them. But, with home fragrance diffusers, you have a good alternative. These things can sit on a shelf or bookcase and automatically diffuse a nice scent into the air. There’s no aerosol cans involved or any harmful things; the fragrance comes from different oils. It’s a safe way to make your home smell nice, and it will provide constant fragrance at all times.  

Put An Odor Blocker In Your Fridge

This tip is specifically for the fridge in your kitchen. This is often the culprit when it comes to bad smells. People leave food in the fridge for days, and it begins to smell bad. Strong cheese smells are commonly found in the fridge, as are things like seasoned meats and curries. Regardless of what’s causing the smell, you can get rid of it with an odor blocker. These are little things you stick in your fridge, and they absorb the smells from all the different food. So, your fridge won’t stink, and your house won’t get any of the bad odors either!

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Leave Your Bathroom Door Open After Washing

One last tip for you; keep the door to your bathroom open after you’ve had a bath or shower. All this does is allow the lovely smell of your shower gel and shampoo to drift throughout your house. It’s a really clever way to fill your home with nice smells before guests come around. 

Say goodbye to all those gross smells that trouble your nostrils from time to time. With these tips, your home will constantly smell nice, and be more appealing as a result. I often find that improving the way your home smells is one of the cheapest, yet most effective, home improvements you can think of. 

How To Survive Being On Your Feet All Day

It’s a tough world out there, and sometimes you have to be tough to survive in it. If you’re a parent, then it’s doubly tough because of how much responsibility you have, and it can feel like you never get a break. If your job requires you to be on your feet all day it can feel like an absolute blessing when you get to come in from a hard day’s work and kick those shoes off. However, as a parent, your day doesn’t finish when you get in from work. You may still have errands to run, kids to pick up, jobs to do round the house. Your weekends are probably even busier than your working week. All this rushing around you do can start to take its toll on your body: Sore feet, aches and pains, lethargy, blisters, all will put a dampener on your day and leave you struggling to make it through the next one. Below are three fool-proof ways to make sure that having a busy lifestyle and being on your feet all day doesn’t leave you drained and dreading the morning anymore.

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Shoes

If you are on your feet all day, you are going to need to invest in quality footwear that is up to the task. You are also going to have to sacrifice some form in favour of function. Those stiletto heels may look great, but after an hour or two you’ll regret picking them out, and by the end of the day, you’ll be wishing you didn’t have feet. Pick something that is smart and stylish, but above all, comfortable. This may mean buying from somewhere that is more expensive than your usual shops, but when you can take your shoes off at the end of the day and feel fine, it’ll be worth the extra money. Invest in a good insole too. Companies like biopods.com offer sturdy insoles that will work with your shoes to provide comfort and support all day long.

Move around

If your job dictates that you are on your feet, but you are usually standing in one spot, like being a cashier or something similar, you need to move around once in a while to get the blood moving. Standing still for long periods of time not only makes your joints feel seized and sore, but it can cause the blood in your body to struggle to get around effectively and could lead to you fainting. Get your legs moving and your heart pumping every now and then to ensure that you don’t become fatigued by standing in one place all day.

Take breaks

Taking a break can be easier said than done sometimes, especially when you have so much to do. However, you can’t expect yourself to get through a whole day or work and activities without a break. Take some time every hour or two to sit down for five minutes just to relax and take the weight off your feet. Just a small break like this can help you to recuperate a little and help make the day all the more manageable.

Hopefully, these tips have helped to arm you in the struggle against tired feet and busy lives. Remember to take it easy on yourself and remember that you’re only human.

Has An Injury Turned Your Life Upside Down?

Has an injury turned your life upside down?

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When it comes to injuries, they can be downright life-changing. It can vary a lot based on the severity of it, but in most cases changes would need to be made in order to get you back on track. It can be hard to see clearly in these times because if the accident was someone else’s fault, you might be left with emotional effects too! There’s a lot that goes into your recovery, and a lot of it relies on you; as you may even be put out of a job. It’s not an easy journey to get back on your feet, but there are plenty of methods you can use to make that path a lot smoother.

Your income

If you’ve been put out of work due to your injury, you might want to look into different methods of making money. Sadly those bills are going to keep coming, and you may receive money from the government, but that doesn’t always cut it. There are many routes you can take when you want to make money outside of your job, and each of them has their own kinds of benefits. Some of them might even be more effort than others, but it all depends on your skill set and capabilities. 

Firstly, you can actually get by on creating media content. There are many content creators out there who produce to an audience and find different forms of payment from them. An example; https://mediashower.com/blog/how-content-creators-can-make-real-money/ digital artists often sell commissions and high prices to fans who like their style and want something of their own to be drawn. It can be quite a good income if you’re getting enough exposure as there are many people out there who can’t do that kind of work themselves; however, not everyone is suited for that kind of work! It can be a difficult talent to pick up, especially if you want to do it professionally, but it can be worth it if it’s something you enjoy doing.

Secondly, there are many jobs you can get online. Like before, this depends on your skillset too, and most of them will involve working with a computer and certain software. An example would be data input, where you essentially spend your time working with numbers and spreadsheets. These kinds of jobs mainly require a lot of writing and experience with their prefered software, so if you’re already a tech savant this might be the ideal role for you! There’s no specific line of work for working online; some will be easier than others; the main struggle would be the availability of jobs out there.

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Online courses

If you’re no longer able to do the job that you used to be working at, then it might turn to plan for something new. There are many online courses out there you can take if you want to start your life in another direction. While it might feel like everything is a mess right now, this could actually be a good opportunity to experiment and try new things. Many people seek these kinds of changes in life, and it’s not always because they’re forced to. Not just that, but online courses are usually quite flexible with times; which makes them a lot less stressful.

Compensation

Not all cases need legal action, but if you've had an accident that wasn’t your fault, it might be time to do something about it for yourself. Many people out there seek compensation for their injuries, and it can be quite a significant amount of money, which might actually be essential to help you put your life back together. You should see https://www.hupy.com/offices/madison-wi-personal-injury-lawyers.cfm if you feel you need professional help. There are many benefits when getting help from a lawyer, and it can save you a lot of time and effort. You get access to many different tools available, and their complete experience with similar cases; which makes you much more likely to build a compelling case.

There’s no good time or reason that you should suffer the consequences of someone else’s mistakes, and you shouldn’t let it go away unsolved. It can be hard enough to recover from your state without the extra money from compensation, and there’s no reason for you to go without it. You may even find yourself in debt from medical bills, which means working from home might not even be enough to keep your finances balanced. You don’t have to let your injury beat you, take the steps you can to get on top of the situation and don’t let your life fall away in the background.

Standing On Your Own Two Feet

When you’re becoming more and more of an independent adult, one of the main things you want to do is get your own place. However, that comes with a lot of considerations! Making sure you’ve taken everything into account may need a bit of double checking and then checking again, so here’s a list to help you out with the things you’ll need to keep in mind. Your would be party lifestyle depends on it!

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Making Sure You Pack Everything

Even if you don’t have all the furniture for your new place yet, that doesn’t mean you have nothing! If you can pack everything you know you own in a few boxes well before you move, you’ve got a good heads start on the seating, sleeping, and dining situation. The rest will follow suit when you get the money to have a shopping spree! 

Try and get the details out of the way first, as the small but essential items need to be taken over to your new place straight away. Your toothbrush and clothing for example, as you’re going to need them as soon as you get going, and you don’t want to be digging in the bottom of your cardboard boxes right before bed when you’re out of energy already!

Know Your Amenities

When you’re out of milk and it’s 2 in the morning, you’re going to need to know where the nearest 24 hour shop is. Waiting until the morning and then going for a look around is the last thing we want to do, so explore the area surrounding your new place before you settle in. 

Is there a supermarket nearby? Can you easily park your car near your house so you can run errands easily back and forth between the two locations? If not, get an action plan together! Only you know your own limits, so don’t trick yourself into thinking the 20 minute walk each way is always going to be fine. 

If the Money Matters Get too Much

There’s a lot you have to pay for when you’re looking to move, and that often puts up a huge barrier and stops us. However, when you can immediately get a ballpark figure over what you’re going to need to afford each month, you can immediately start budgeting. It’d also be a good idea to sock some savings away in larger amounts; the furniture won’t buy itself after all!

If there’s no other option for you when concerning finance, it’s not a bad idea to take out a loan. You can make the money back enough to pay small installments, or your can turn to  https://debtconsolidation.co/debt-relief/. This way everything is pooled together and made a lot more manageable as a result; it’s a great solution if you have nowhere else to go. 

Use this advice. There’s a lot to think about before moving yes, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it when you know you have the means to do so! 

Why Is Your Credit Score Important?

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What is your credit score?

A credit score is a value which is calculated by lenders to judge your credit at a certain point in time. It is used to assess how likely you are to repay any loan you are given, and therefore whether they should take the risk and give you the money. 

There are three different credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, and these each calculate the credit score slightly differently, but based on the same financial factors. There are five main factors which come into play when calculating your credit score and how likely you are to be accepted for a loan:

• Payment history: a record of all payments relating to credit which you have paid
• Outstanding debt: any debt you have which hasn’t been paid
• Length of credit: how long you’ve had credit, the longer the better because it shows stability
• New credit: any credit you are pursuing
• Types of credit: the type of credit you have

Can I improve my credit score?

There is always a risk in life that something will happen that makes paying back your credit near impossible, and due to this there may be a few bad records on your credit report. But don't fret: it could be a mistake on your report, which you can get a best credit repair service to help you with, or it could be something that you can change and manage. 

There are a few ways you can save yourself some money and improve your credit score:

• Cut back on your spending
• Pay off any existing debt which may be affecting your credits score
• Closing multiple credit cards
• Start saving and budgeting

Credit counseling

If you are really struggling with paying back your debts and managing your credit score you can always ask for help from a credit counsellor. These are non-profit companies and will provide you with different services depending on your needs. They will work with you and your lenders in order to find the best solution for your issue and the best way forward. Most lenders are willing to do this because they will receive some of their owed money back, so it is a win win for them to be involved and help you solve your issues. 

Monitor Your Credit

Think of your personal record and how that follows you all the way through your life, your credit history is exactly the same. Whether you have a high credit score or a low one, it is crucial that you take the time to monitor your credit situation so that you can either improve on your score or maintain it at a high level. You have the right to request your copy of you credit report for free, so take advantage of this and take a look through it to make sure that it is all in order.

Do you need perfect credit?

No. It is not a common occurrence for people to have a completely perfect credit history and score. Lenders are simply looking for evidence that you have paid off your credit most of the time and that you are likely to back what they lend you within a timely fashion. 

Your Car Accident Might Have Done More Damage Than You Think

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It’s pretty easy to feel you escaped your car accident with just a few scrapes, but how do you know for sure if everything inside is okay. It can be hard to identify any internal injuries straight away due to the shock of everything, but it’s always recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You may not know about any concussions or brain damages caused by an impact, and the sooner you identify them; the more there is that can be done.

It’s quite common in severe crashes that the victims seek more than just medical attention to help them get past it. If you’ve been inflicted with serious injuries while going about your daily life on the road, you’re not going to be so eager to get back behind the wheel of your car. Even thinking about it is enough to make some people anxious. Seeing a psychologist might be a good idea for you if you feel you’re suffering from similar symptoms. Counselling doesn’t promise a cure, but it can help you to ease the intensity of your feelings. Not everyone will experience these mental effects, but when you do, it’s not always obvious. Without consideration, these kinds of fears can stop us in our everyday lives; many might neglect the option to go out if they feel unsafe; which is a slippery slope to becoming reclusive!

Taking action

While it won’t help with your injuries, taking legal action against those who caused your state can help to cover any costs and inconveniences that they caused. There are specialists out there for anyone, as long as the accident wasn’t your fault, you should be eligible for a claim. Investing in the services of a personal injury attorney is the best option for you if you’re unaware of how to deal with the legal actions yourself. Not only that, but you’re opening up a variety of choices for you that could make the ordeal a lot simpler. Your lawyer may help you come to better and more suitable deals for both parties, meaning that everyone is satisfied with the outcome; therefore offering a solution. 

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While health should be the primary concern, there’s the matter of costs, too. The amount you might have to pay for repair fees, or medical expenses might drag you under in your finances; and if you’re seriously injured, you’re not in a position to work. Car accidents can ruin lives, so it doesn’t hurt to try and make the best of an unfortunate situation, even if it does mean claiming against the other party. Some accidents can be lethal, and may even leave the victim disabled for the rest of their life, that’s something you just can’t give back; no matter how much money is paid. There’s nothing you can do to compensate taking such an important part of their life away, but a claim is at least something that can be used for recovering!

5 Reasons Why Debt Can Sometimes Be a Good Thing

Yes, debt sucks. No one wants to be in debt because it usually means we owe someone money, and that means paying it back out of our own pocket. No one likes the idea of a bad credit rating either. If you fail to pay your bills on time then you might end up ruining your credit score or potentially landing yourself in even more trouble. It goes without saying that having a debt to pay off is a situation no one wants to be in, but there are some positives to debt that you may not realise.

To make it clear, this article isn’t made for the purpose of saying that debt is a good thing. It’s not going to tell you to take a maximum personal loan from Personalloan.co just to pay for a home renovation and it’s not going to tell you to splash cash you don’t own. Instead, these are reasons that will help you cope with debt and give you a light at the end of the tunnel to look forward to.

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1. Debt helps you repair your credit rating

Having debt doesn’t actually lower your credit rating unless you fail to pay it back. For instance, taking out a mortgage means that you’re technically in debt because you need to pay it back. However, you need a good credit rating to take out a mortgage in the first place. Don’t let people fool you by saying debt means you have a poor credit rating. Many people put themselves into debt for the sake of repairing their credit rating for the future.

2. Debt was probably an investment

Whether it’s buying a home or a car, having debt often means you borrowed money for a reason. This article from huffingtonpost.com actually goes through a couple of reasons why you’d want to take out a loan in the first place, and they’re all valid reasons because you're investing in something.

3. Debt can help you realize your situation

Being in debt and being unable to pay it off is a good way to remind yourself of your financial situation. Living a lifestyle that you can’t afford is a quick way to plummet into debt and end up with a poor financial record. Let debt be the wake-up call you need to break out of your bad spending habits and change the way you treat your money.

4. Debt means you can afford a home

If you’re in debt because of a mortgage then you’re actually in a much better situation than you think. The fact that you could pay a deposit for a home and even be approved for a mortgage means you’re in a good financial spot. This is one of the many ways that debt can show you that you’re in a good spot. Of course, a mortgage isn’t the only way to own a home, and it could be that you need mobile home financing. In that case, it’s best to speak to experts like Top Notch Mobile Homes Financing so you can work out what you need to do and what financial situation you have to be in. 

5. Debt can help you cover emergencies

And lastly, debt can help us cover emergency expenses. Whether it’s paying for a repair or fixing our car, if our savings can’t cover the expenses then we’ll be forced to take out a loan and plunge into debt. While it’s not pretty to be in debt, at least we solved our emergency.

Warm Winter Living Room Design Ideas

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Would you like to renovate your living room this winter and ensure it’s as cozy as possible for your family? Do you need some inspiration and ideas when it comes to creating your plan? Then you’ve come to the right place today. There are some excellent tips and suggestions on this page that any homeowner can use to ensure they’re snug and comfortable this winter. While you don’t have to use any of the recommendations below, they should serve to point you in the right direction. Most people have a couple of weeks off work during the holiday season, and so now is the best time to start work!

Thick and luxurious curtains 

Nothing says “class” like some thick luxury curtains made from some of the best materials on the market. All the final decisions are down to you, but you can always search online for specialist suppliers if you want the best outcomes. Ideally, you want curtains made from fabrics like silk, velvet, and satin. Those who know how to use sewing machines might think about creating something original. There are lots of websites that supply patterns that you can follow if you don’t have much experience in making those products. The goal is to get something thick enough to ensure your home retains heat, but stylish enough that your friends and holiday guests feel jealous. 

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Handmade rugs and carpets

You’re going to need something to keep your feet warm this winter, and that is especially important if you have wooden floors in your home. Adding some carpets or handmade rugs is a wise move because it will insulate your space and ensure you don’t lose too much heat. Also, you will never have to place your feet on the cold floor again. Some of the best handmade rugs you can purchase come from countries like Iran. For the best savings, it makes sense to check listings on online auction websites like eBay. However, there are lots of dedicated suppliers out there if you don’t mind paying the going rate. Just bear in mind that handmade rugs are expensive. 

A real wood fireplace

When it comes to creating a cozy atmosphere in your living room this winter, adding a real wood fireplace is a fantastic step. You might have to pay professionals to increase the size of your current fire so you can fit a wood-burning product into the living room. However, that shouldn’t break the bank if you shop around. There are also lots of options when it comes to the type of fireplace you select. Just head over to relevant sites and take a look at some of the designs those companies keep in stock. In most instances, you won’t have to spend more than around $600 to get something that works well and meets your criteria.

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Modern chandeliers 

You need to think about your approach to lighting if you want the best results from your home design job. Depending on the size of your living room; you might think about adding a stylish modern chandelier. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars and get something made from the world’s rarest crystal according to Lamps Plus. Instead, you should look for something new and affordable that will help to create a luxurious aesthetic. Modern chandeliers come in a range of different shapes and sizes, and they use various materials. So, you’re almost guaranteed to find something that tickles your taste buds. Just be careful when it comes to hanging the chandelier in your living room. Some items are somewhat bulky, and you don’t want to cause any damage to your home. 

Smart dimmer switches 

While these products don’t add anything to the design of your living room, they do help you to ensure the area remains as comfortable and cozy as possible. Experts from Sudden Link say people who use smart dimmers in their home will require a decent internet connection as most of the devices are controllable via your smartphone. However, there are some items out there that use remote controls, and so you just need to make the selection based on your requirements. Once you have those dimmers in your living room, you can determine how much light you want in the space. When you want to cuddle up on the sofa and watch a movie, just open your smartphone and turn the lights down without having to move from your position.

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Upmarket furniture 

Changing the furniture in your living room is an excellent idea if you want to create an upmarket theme that will blow your winter guests away. There are many specialist furniture makers and shops out there where you can get unique items that people can’t find elsewhere. So, you should think about visiting those places and taking a look at the products they hold in stock. You might also use online auction websites to buy furniture from old manor houses or something similar. The possibilities are endless and only limited by your imagination. Some people even like the idea of getting some used items and upcycling them to extend their life. That is a brilliant move if you want to do your bit to protect the planet and you have a reasonable level of creativity. You might want to get:

• Armchairs
• Sofas
• Coffee tables
• Side tables
• A mantlepiece 
• A drinks cabinet 

Now you know about some of the best ways to create a warm winter living room this holiday season; nothing should stand in the way of your success. It’s just a case of conducting some research, coming up with some ideas, and then setting your plans in motion. As mentioned at the beginning of this post; now is the best time to get started because you can get everything done while you take some time off work for the holidays. If you need extra inspiration; search Google for “luxurious living rooms.” Then, take a look at some of the image results. You are sure to find something that makes you feel excited. When that happens, you just need to replicate the elements of the concept you admire. 

Household Horrors You'll Want To Avoid This Winter!

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The winter can be a wonderful time of year. It's the time when everyone starts to feel festive, and you're finally able to bust out those gloriously ugly Christmas jumpers that you've been waiting to wear all year. Of course, that doesn't mean that winter is going to be all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, you're much more likely to end up with thunder and rain clouds! The changes in the seasons can take their toll on both you and your home. In order to make sure that life doesn't get any harder than it needs to, here are a few household disasters that you're going to want to avoid this winter.

Blocked drains

Blocked drains are an issue all year round but when you're dealing with the cold is can become even more of an issue. It can prevent you from being able to do the washing up, take a shower or bath, or do just about anything involving running water. It can be tough to prevent a blocked drain, though being careful about what you allow to go down the sink is a good start. Luckily, if you need to unblock a drain, there are always people that you can call on. If it seems like there's any kind of blockage in your drains then make sure that you call someone right away to deal with, don't just ignore it and hope that it'll go away.    

Burst pipes

A burst pipe is one of the most unpleasant and shocking things that you can end up dealing with at home during the winter. What tends to happen is that the water in the pipes freezes causing it to expand which puts a great deal of pressure on the pipes. Then, when the ice thaws the lack of pressure causes, even more, weakness in the pipe unlike eventually it breaks entirely and you're left with a flood all over your kitchen floor. The best way to deal with this is to make sure that you're constantly keeping the water in the pipes moving. That way you can prevent them from freezing in the first place.

Broken heating

Keeping warm is likely to be pretty might on your list of priorities during the winter. Which is why it can be such a frustrating turn of events when you come to turn your heating on, and nothing happens. Since you probably won't have used your heating at all during the warmer months, you're likely to be none the wiser if it's broken. That's why it's such a good idea to test your heating periodically, even during the summer, just to make sure that you're fully prepared for the colder months to arrive.

Of course, if you do end up dealing with any of these things, make sure that you get them dealt with right away. Leaving them is just going to end up making them worse, and the last thing you want is for things to start to add up one on top of the other. These kinds of disasters can be scary and stressful, but you shouldn't let them beat you down. Dealing with them right away is going to make it that much easier to get back to living your life the way that you want and making the most of the winter.

The Impossible Task of Buying Gifts For Guys

If you’ve ever tried buying a gift for a man, you’ll know it’s no easy task. They tend to be simpler in what they want than women, and if they do want something they’ll generally go out and buy it themselves. So when it comes to giving them a present, most of us find ourselves completely stuck. However, there are a few options that are pretty foolproof and make good gifts for most guys. Here are some ideas. 

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Alcohol

If the man you’re buying for doesn’t drink, you can obviously rule this one out. However if they do it’s an easy gift, as you can buy a nicer version of their favourite. Higher end boxed spirits, nice wines and champagne all make a great gift if you know what kind of alcohol they like and is something they’re likely to enjoy and appreciate. A personalised glass and a great quality box of chocolates along with the alcohol could make it extra special. 

Experience Days

Sometimes a material gift just doesn't seem right, and nothing you can pick from the shelves of a store seem suitable. Maybe you need an alternative because the guy you're buying for isn't materialistic, or maybe you're in search of gifts for the man who has everything. Either way, an experience day is a fun option which gives them the chance to try something new and make memories which in many ways is more special than a gift to keep. It could be a ride in a hot air balloon or on a steam train, a driving experience or even tickets to a concert or sporting event. Have a think about the kinds of things they enjoy and decide from there. 

Accessories

Smart accessories like leather belts, wallets, sunglasses and underwear are all good choices if you know the main well and their size and style. Ideal for a husband or boyfriend but could be an option for any male loved one you're close to. It's not advisable to go with clothes since these are such a personal choice, but accessories you could get fairly easily. Go with plain, safe designs which will appeal to just about everyone. 

Gadgets and Tech

We all love our gadgets, and these are often targeted towards men as gifts as they usually go down very well. If you have a bigger budget, anything from a pair of headphones to a tablet to a camera could all work depending on their interests. There are things like drones, hoverboards and VR headsets too. Smart home has become very popular, and if you have a guy that's houseproud or a new homeowner, something like this could be a great option. You could get them a voice-activated speaker, and everything else could be linked to this, they could build it up from there. 

New Year, New Start: Clearing Out Your Property Before January

We’re coming to the end of the year, and it’s around now that we start to consider New Year’s resolutions. One that tops many people’s lists is to make their home more comfortable or closer to their image of the ideal property. But why wait until the 1st of January to start making changes? If anything, now is a better time than ever to start making changes to your living space. If you make sure that everything is clear before you put your festive decorations up, your home will be a completely blank canvas when you take the tree and lights down in 2018. Here are a few things that you should prioritise over the next couple of weeks to allow this to happen!

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Waste Removal

We all tend to have a fair few unwanted bits and bobs by this time of year. So it’s around now that you should consider having a complete clear out. First, tackle day to day waste. This can include whatever is in the trash cans around your home. Separate plastics, tin, paper and card where possible. These items can be recycled. Next, onto the harder work. Start taking a look through all of your belongings and identifying the ones that aren’t worth the space that they take up. This can be difficult. Often we will look at things that we own and think how they’re nice and how we want to keep a hold of them. But if you’re not using them and they have no sentimental value then they’re just taking up room that could be clear. If the items are in good condition, donate them to a local charity store. Someone out there will love them and get much more use out of them. If not, use an ethical waste removal company such as dirtcheaprubbishremoval.com.au. Companies such as this reduce fly-tipping and its damage on the environment. All rubbish that they pick up is disposed of in an eco-friendly manner at approved waste recycling centres.

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A Fresh Coat of Paint

We’ve all been there: felt adventurous and painted a room bold colours… only to have some regrets about our choices later. Now is a better time than ever to give your walls and ceilings a fresh coat of paint. Keep ceilings matte white and opt for more neutral tones on the walls. Creams and magnolias are often the best way to go, as they aren’t imposing, yet aren’t as sterile or professional as white. Throw in a quick touch of white gloss on the skirting boards and door frames and your home will be looking like new. This will be great for the festive period, as it provides a blank backdrop for your decorations. Then in the new year, it’s almost like you have a completely new, fresh property to work with in terms of interior design.

Following this instructions will endow you with the perfect home to start afresh in January. You can just stick to the little touches once the new year comes, rather than worrying about clearing out and painting.

Don't Let The Cold Snap Cost You Cash

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It’s not a secret that winter is on the way. The temperatures are dropping, and the frosts are starting to creep across the grass. You can see your breath in the air when you walk down the road and you’re slowly reintroducing those winter togs you have had put away since last year. Winter is well and truly on the way and while you may be ready, your house may not be.

The damage that winter weather can cause isn’t always as obvious as shutters blowing off the windows or creeping damp inside the home. Sometimes, it takes dealing with a leak, a cracked pipe and water damage to realise that there was even a problem in the first place. It’s easy to call in Plumbing Diagnostics to help with the issues once they become issues, but the best thing to do is to prevent them happening at all! You can but prepare your house for whatever Jack Frost throws at you and with the tips below, you can make sure you’ve checked off the most important things to look for.

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• Gutter Cleaning. It’s a job that should be done at least twice a year anyway, but it’s time to get the gutters, well, gutted! Removing leaves, debris and clogs now will mean that the melted snow and rain will drain away properly. Hose the gutters down and get someone to help you by holding the ladder so you don’t have any gutter-related accidents.
• Pipe Wrapping. There is a surprising number of people who don’t wrap their pipes in the winter. Considering that a burst pipe can bring utter chaos to your property, it makes sense to wrap the pipes in these rubber sleeves. You can get any pipe insulation at a DIY store, really, but it’s good to use something easy to remove. You could also use heating tape if you can’t get the right rubber sleeves.
• Loft Insulation. Adding extra insulation to your loft can make a big difference to your heating bills. Heat rises in the house and without the right insulation, it’ll rise right out of your roof. This means your heaters have to work harder to keep the house warm enough to enjoy, and it also means your heating bill will shoot up.
• Avoid Draughts. Did you know that a draught in your home can lose you up to 30% of your energy? Adding curtains to the windows over the existing blinds, placing knitted draught excluders below outside doors and covering your windows in see-through plastic can all help to keep the heat in and the cold air out of the house.

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Getting a home ready for winter shouldn’t take you long, as long as you are doing it early enough. The more you wait, the more you risk water damage from the gutters, high heating bills from the lack of loft insulation and the possibility of frozen pipes that crack and leak all over the place! Get your house ready as soon as you can!

Ridding Your Home Of Pests

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If you have ever come home to find a cockroach running across your kitchen floor, you may have been tempted to burn your house to the core and move to a different state. Pests invading our homes can be an incredible pain in the neck, as well as causing damage to our homes, they can bring in diseases and other issues too.

Ridding our homes of these pest is something which we all strive to do because let’s face it, no one wants a giant wasps nest in their roof or a nest of mice in their basement. It’s unsanitary and unnecessary.

Before you go out to the shops and stock up on the bug spray, you need to know that bug spray is not good for your health at all. They contain chemicals which can aggravate asthma symptoms, cause seizures and even nerve damage in extreme cases. This means that if you have children in the home you may to be using this as your method for eradicating pests.

As an alternative, you could get in touch with your local authorities to find the best termite extermination service or a more humane way to deal with your mouse issue- this way you know that the job will be done with care and consideration, and in a professional manner. Failing that, you can try out some more natural methods for getting rid of the pests which reside in your home.

Clean Out Your Gutters

This tip applies to mosquitoes. Mosquitoes will often be able to breed in the most miniscule amount of water- this means that any place around your home which harbours a small amount of liquid could be a potential breeding ground for these critters. To prevent this from happening, you’ll want to get rid of any small areas of water around your house- one of the most common of these being the gutters. Make sure that you clean out your gutters regularly to make sure that even if the mosquitos have laid eggs, you can get rid of them easily. The same applies to small ponds in your back garden as well as bird baths. You don’t want to get around to the summer time and have a whole circus of them flying around your home.

Weed Out Invasive Plants

There are plenty of prime places for ticks to breed- and they often love to live in invasive species of plant in the garden such as large ferns and Japanese barberry plant. These plants are hardy and will take over any available space as they grow, meaning that your garden could be overrun with these plants- and with that your garden could also be the perfect place for ticks. Ticks are dangerous creatures because they latch onto their host: i.e. animals or you; and they feed on your blood. What makes these animals even more dangerous is that they carry Lyme Disease- which can be fatal in humans. Clearing out the invasive species in your garden where ticks thrive can actually reduce the risk of the ticks you encounter carrying the disease too.

Always Shower After Being In The Garden

A piece of advice which could save you from being bitten by ticks and carrying Lyme disease is to make sure that you shower within 2 hours of being in your garden. This can be the perfect remedy to knock the tick off your body and prevent it from biting into your skin. This of course doesn’t apply to every single time you go outside, it is more for when you have been spending time weeding or getting rid of invasive species as we talked about above.

Rosemary

Wasps are nasty creatures who seem to attack anyone and anything without rhyme nor reason, they are the hooligans of the insect world. Luckily, wasps hate strong herbs like rosemary, mint and thyme. By hanging a small bouquet of these herbs underneath where you think a nest is or has the potential to be; you will begin to drive the wasps away as they cannot stand the smell. The key to sensing whether your home is about to be scouted as a wasp’s home is to notice when you start getting wasps buzzing around your walls in the garden. If they start flying near your home, they are most likely searching out the perfect little nook or cranny to set up and call home. You can prevent them from making a nest by hanging up herbs in the places you think could be potential nesting spots.

Although you never want wasps anywhere near your home, you can still leave them in your garden. Although wasps may have some serious anger management issues when it comes to humans; they can actually serve as a useful form of pest control themselves. They get rid of small pets like flies and spiders, and will also help pollinate flowers just as bees do.

Armpits

No, we aren’t talking about shaving your armpits. However, could armpit hygiene can go a long way to preventing small insects like ticks from making their home under your arm. When you shower after being outside for a long period, make sure that you also check your armpits in case a tick has buried itself under your arm. If you do find that a tick has latched onto you, you need be very careful with how you remove it so that you don’t leave the legs inside your body. The correct way to remove a tick is to take tweezers and grab the tick as close to your skin as possible. Then pull up slowly and steadily so that the tick dislodges and is removed from your body. If the mouth piece comes away and stays lodges inside you, you will need to remove that too. Never ever use nail polish to drive a tick out of your body, because this can cause the tick to secrete toxins into you as it defends itself.

Use A Repellent

If you do decide to use a spray on an animal such as a mosquito, you must be aware that they are becoming immune to the main chemical inside these sprays: DEET. In order to effectively use a spray against a mosquito you will need to find one which is more natural than chemical. Sprays which are pepper based and contain eucalyptus can be great defences against these creatures.

Clean Out The Bins

You might be forgiven for forgetting to clean your wheelie bins or the bin in your kitchen- because it isn’t necessarily the first thing you think about. However, taking the time to clean these bins can prevent house flies from laying eggs in the bottom of your bins and your house being filled with these pests. One of the best household items you can use to stop flies from invading your bins is borax- which you can find in the laundry aisle at the supermarket.

Drown Them

Not in a mafia movie kind of way, but more of a passive aggressive one. Fruit flies will always become attracted to anything which contains fruit or sugar. So, if you place a small dish of fruit juice, sugary water or wine in your home, the flies will be attracted to the area and will drown in the liquid. It might sound extreme and a little cruel, but it is incredibly effective.

As with the mosquitos and water which we talked about earlier, silverfish are attracted to areas which are humid and moist. They thrive in wet conditions- meaning that if your home has a lot of damp or humid spots, they will make their home in yours. To prevent this from happening you need to take some measures to fully damp-proof your home against these creatures by fixing leaking pipes, improving your drainage system and increasing the ventilation you have around the house.

Cinnamon

If you’ve ever seen anyone try to complete the cinnamon challenge, then you’ll know that this spice can be incredibly intense and hard to swallow. The good news is that ants agree. Similar to wasps, ants hate strong flavours such as cinnamon and mint, and will stay away if you have a lot of this in your home. If you have ants in or around your home, simply sprinkle some of this spice in the area and you will drive the ants away.

Make A Trap

Cockroaches are perhaps one of the most hated among all of the pests you could encounter in your home, and it’s easy to see why. They are disease infested, they breed at a ridiculous rate- and they can survive without a head for at least a week! They are weird, alien creatures and no one wants them in the house. Making a trap for these pests by placing a piece of fruit such as banana inside a mason jar, and then lining the inside of the jar with Vaseline can be a perfect way to trap these beasts for good so that you can get rid of the infestation. The key is to place these traps near pipework, under cupboards and in nooks and crannies. You will eventually be able to pinpoint where they live and inject boric acid to get rid of them.

Knowing When To Stop

Although you might understandably want every single pest out of your home for good; sometimes the best thing you can do is leave them to do their jobs. Spiders are a creature which many people are afraid of, but they do perform a crucial role in our homes by hunting small critters and pests so that we don’t have to encounter them at all. If you do see the odd centipede or spider in your home from time to time, leave them to it. They aren’t harming you or your family, they are just hunting for food.