Splashing For Joy With These Bathroom Ideas

When it comes to renovating certain rooms in your home, we can all agree that there are perhaps two main rooms in the home that can add the most value and have the biggest impact. The kitchen and the bathroom. The kitchen is definitely one of those rooms in your home that are expensive to completely renovate, whereas the bathroom, albeit can be pricey, can be done more at a more reasonable price and can still make a big difference to how you feel in your home. So I thought I would share with you some of the ideas you can take on board to makeover your bathroom. 

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Think about going the whole hog 

If you are serious about making over your bathroom then you could go the whole hog and replace it in its entirety. A new bathrooms suite can add a huge amount of value and it also gives you the chance tomaybe rearrange the layout and floor plan to best suit the space you have. Or to add in added features like a standalone shower or roll top bath perhaps. However, when it comes to big jobs like this to avoid any issues with pipes it might be advisable to seek the help of local plumbers to ensure that the work carried out is correct and won’t cause future problems. 

Could you have an eco-friendly focus?

Maybe you like the idea of having a more nerdy efficient approach to your home and your bathroom can actually be a huge part of that. You could consider installing low flow toilets and shower units to ensure that you don’t waste as much water each time you use the appliance. Also things like motion sensor faucets can ensure that taps don’t get left on any longer than they need to be. Even changing the bulbs can make a big difference to how green your bathroom is. 

Maybe you want budget friendly changes 

Sometimes we just don't have the budget to do everything we want to do in our homes, and I understand that. So there are more budget friendly changes you can make to ensure that you get the makeover you want. Painting is a great way to change how a room looks and feels, and it can make a massive impression on anyone who hasn’t seen your bathroom for a while. A change of color scheme could also be achieved through changing accessories and even as simple as changing the color of your towels. 

Changing one area could make a huge difference 

Finally, just changing one thing in your bathroom could make the big difference in terms of looks and it can much be cheaper than replacing the whole bathroom. It could be as simple as changing the flooring, or lowering the ceiling so that you can install modern spotlights. Maybe it is adding new tiles to the floor or to the walls to make your current bathroom suite feel a little more indulgent. 

Let’s hope some of these ideas have you splashing for joy when it comes to changing your bathroom.

The Only Tips You Need To Keep A Busy Mom On Track

Organizing your family can feel like a tough task. There is always something to do, places to be or kids sports clubs to attend. To keep all of that information in your head would be crazy. It’s easy to forget things or become unorganized over time. So I thought it would be a good idea to share with you some tips for getting your family life on track.

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A good calendar or journal

The first tip for getting more organized would be to consider getting yourself a big wall calendar or journal. This will be an essential tool to keep you on track. It allows you to place all appointments and events in the one place. At a glance, you will be able to see what you have on that day and week. This avoids you double booking yourself or overcommitting. You will also be able to communicate with anyone else involved and organize the week ahead of time. This will help for pick and drop offs.

Meal Plan

Planning your meals in advance can save you time and effort during the week. Especially on those busy nights where you may end making something unhealthy or ordering in. Meal planning can save you money on a weekly basis as you tend only to buy what you need. You may also want to think about batch cooking in advance, meaning you save even more time at night when preparing meals.

Keep all your family health check up to date

It can be difficult to remember when you need to do what. Especially when it comes to family health check ups. From health checks at the doctors through to eyes and hearing tests, they all need to be kept up to date. You also need to be able to manage expectation of appointments like hearing, so you can find out more online on how you can do that. Health checks are essential to keep underlying problems at bay or to hopefully stop and resolve issues in the future. Eye tests, hearing and general health check ups should all form part of the yearly schedule for the family.

Organize your home to make life easier

You don’t need to be one of those super organized people with labels on drawers or color coordinated wardrobes. But you can make life a little easier for yourself. School bags can be kept in the same place, as can coats and shoes that you need each morning. Try and pack things the night before to save yourself the morning rush. All it takes is to think outside the box a little at what could make things easier. Then put a plan in place to implement it.

Keep a schedule

Finally, try and keep yourself to a schedule each week. This is for things like grocery shopping and chores. If you know what needs to be done each day, you will have a much better chance of getting it done. Rather than being busy doing a lot of nothing. Again it can be as simple or complex as you want it to be, but see how much more organized your life gets by doing it.

I hope this helps you get your family more organized.

Why Aren't They Taking Your Business Seriously?

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There are a lot of challenges that are going to face you when you start any kind of business. Whether it's getting the funds together or attempting to reach out to the largest possible audience, being a small business that's just starting out can often involve a lot of roadblocks. However, it's often the case that one of the most significant roadblocks that you have to deal with is the perception of your business from the outside world. This happens far more often than a lot of people realise but, in the internet age where anyone can set up their own business, it's often hard to get people to take you seriously. If you're not doing things exactly right, it can often be very easy for customers and investors to assume that your business simply isn't worth taking seriously. With that in mind, here are a few things that you can do to show the world that you really do mean business.

Improve your branding

The first thing that sets any truly professional business apart from the amateurs is their branding. The reality of the modern world is that customers are surrounded by so many businesses that it can actually be kind of overwhelming. Because of this, most customers end up having to focus on the most surface level aspects of a business when choosing between them. This might sound shallow but modern day customers just don't have the time to spend weighing up various different businesses. If your branding looks amateurish, then customers are going to assume that the rest of your business isn't going to be worth their time.

Use a virtual mailbox

It's a real shame, but a lot of the time, if a customer sees that your business is based out of your home, they will assume that you're not worth paying attention to. It won't matter how great your product or service is, they will assume that you're an amateur. Fortunately, there is a way around this. The use of a virtual mailbox from a site like physicaladdress.com can help to present your business as being much better established than it is. Customers can see that your business has a dedicated space and, regardless of the reality that your product was always high quality, will be much more likely to give it a chance.

Leverage your size

Of course, you don't always have to treat your business's size as a disadvantage. There are so many huge companies out there, and customers are actually becoming less and less interested in them. Instead, customers are becoming more engaged with smaller businesses that they can relate to on a personal level. You might not have considered it before, but one of the best things that you can do is to leverage the size of your business in comparison to bigger companies. You can show customers that you're far more connected with them than huge businesses could ever be. Creating this personal connection with your customers is something that is so valuable and far easier for smaller businesses to achieve.

Project confidence

One of the most common mistakes that a lot of new businesses make is that they act somewhat apologetic for their size. They often act as though customers would be better off going with a larger business since they simply can't achieve the same results. This is tantamount to business suicide. No matter what level your business is working at, you need to make sure that you project the kind of confidence that your customers are interested in. Be unapologetic in boasting the things that your business can provide. Your customers want to have faith in your business, and without that faith, they're almost certainly just going to end up going elsewhere.

It's easy to get discouraged when your business is first starting out, and you're surrounded on all sides by much larger and more well-established companies. It can often be enough to make you feel as though you're never going to be able to reach that kind of level. Just remember that even the biggest and most successful business in the world started out in the same position as you. Focus on what you're doing and the level that you're at rather than spending all of your time worrying about businesses that are way higher up the food chain than your own. Once your business reaches those heights, and you're in direct competition with them, that's when you can start to be concerned about what they're doing.

Why People Need To Apply For Loans

There are many reasons why people borrow money. In my opinion, people are forced to borrow money as a last resort when they could not raise the amount of money that is urgently needed. For those who are borrowing money for the first time, especially from family members or friends, it is not easy for them to open their mouth. They run the risk of their pride being hurt if their request is rejected.

In the old days, parents borrow money from rich relatives to put their children through higher learning but now we have study loans from educational ministry, association, etc. Once their children starting working, the loan will then be paid back in installments. There are advantages and disadvantages with borrowing money for their children education. With the loan, their children had the chance for better education and a better future. The disadvantage is that the children have to pay back the loan once they started working. 

These days, having your own personal transport such as buying a car is necessary when the young people joined the working force. In countries, where there is a good public transport system, owning a car may not be necessary. It is only when public transport is scarce that getting a car is necessary. When we don’t have the cash, we need to apply for a car loan before we can buy a car.

With an auto loan, we get a buy a car to commute to and from work but the disadvantage is that we are burdened with the repayment of the loan for the agreed period, sometimes for a minimum of 10 years. The same applies when we want to buy a house. We need a bigger loan to purchase a house. Applying for a house loan could burden us with many years of repayment.

One advantage of taking a loan e.g. housing loan from established loan lender is that the loan is covered with insurance and if the borrower dies before the full repayment of the loan, the next of kin that inherited the house need not have to continue with the loan.

Sometimes, applications for a loan can be rejected or disqualified for certain reasons when terms and condition were not met or complied. What happens is that people who need the money urgently will turn to alternative means to borrow money such as the California bridge loan lenders. Bridge loan lenders provide homeowners with residential bridge loans in California or commercial bridge loans for real estate investors. These bridge loan lenders offer fast approval and funding, competitive rates and reliable service for direct bridge loan financing.

Is It Necessary For An LLC To Have An EIN?

When choosing how you are going to operate your new business, you may decide that an LLC formation is the best structure to have. There is a lot of flexibility within an LLC, which can be beneficial for both you and any business partners you may have. However, what’s important to remember is that this entity type is not federally recognized. This means it varies from state to state. As such, you may have to apply for EIN online to get it registered with the federal government. Let’s take a look. 

How Does an LLC Work?

A limited liability company is designed to allow business owners to run their company in a few different ways:

First, you can be an individual and form an LLC. In some states, you have to have at least two partners, but that’s not always necessary. 

Second, an LLC has pass-through tax benefits, which means that your business earnings and wages are not taxed separately. The money you make is only taxed once, not twice. 

Finally, since it has limited liability, partners in an LLC are not responsible for business debts or financial burdens. This is one of the better benefits of having this entity type. 

Overall, you can run the business on a more personal level while still keeping your liability to a minimum.

What is an EIN?

An employer ID number is used to create a separate tax entity for business purposes. While you can start your LLC with your social security number, an EIN may be necessary for the following reasons: 

• You have employees
• You have more than one partner
• You wish to be taxed as a corporation or partnership (meaning you don’t want to use your SSN for business expenses)

To get an EIN, you can use a third-party organization to help you fill out the paperwork and get the number from the IRS. Fortunately, you can usually get the number in a day or so and start using it right away. An EIN is also helpful if you want to open a business bank account since most financial institutions won’t accept an SSN. 

Bottom Line

An EIN is not always necessary for an LLC, but it’s recommended. 

Moving Country: It's Expensive, But You Can Cut The Costs

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You’re probably excited and apprehensive about moving country in equal measure. The new experience is exciting, but the cost of moving can be stressful. Still, whilst moving your entire life to a brand new country was always going to be an expensive process, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation. There are lots of ways to reduce the costs of moving so that you’ve prepared yourself financially. And that’s important because you’re going to need a strong financial safety net. Here’s some advice to cut the costs of moving country.

Learn about buying property abroad.

We’ve talked a lot about the logistics of buying property abroad before because it can be confusing for anyone who doesn’t understand the laws of a foreign property market. Of course, investing in foreign property is tricky whether you’re looking to sell on that property or keep it. It’s important that you learn about the foreign property market before you purchase a new home in a new country. You need to know how the terminology works in a foreign country, for example. That isn’t just a matter of the language barrier - it’s just that the property market isn’t universal. Details differ from country to country.

You might even want to seek help from a specialist who can help you with your property purchase to make sure that you’re getting a fair and cost-effective deal. Otherwise, you could end up wasting a lot of money on a bad property; and the costs might continue in terms of maintenance or other expensive aspects of the property that you didn’t fully understand because of the linguistic and legal difference between your present home country and your future home country.

Prepare for the costs of becoming a citizen in a new country.

Unless this is only a temporary move, you’ll probably need to become a full citizen if you’re going to move to a new country. Of course, this comes with its fair share of costs. You should head here if you’re looking for a cheap option when it comes to the immigration medical examination. The technical side of moving to a new country can be costly if you don’t do your research first. You might also want to save money by learning about the difference in cost of living when comparing your home country to your future home country. You might want to rethink your expenses to make a new budget for your new life. This will help you to avoid costly lessons once you’ve already moved.

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Transport your belongings cheaply.

The final way in which you could save money when moving country is to make sure you transport your belongings as cheaply as possible. Obviously, your possessions are very precious to you; you want to make sure they reach their new home safely. However, speed doesn’t matter. And you can save a lot of money by choosing to ship your belongings overseas rather than transporting them via plane. Otherwise, you could be spending 4 times as much as money. Save yourself a massive expense.

From One Financial Extreme To Another

Money is not an object to some lucky people out there, but to others, it’s the biggest object in their life. So to go from one financial extreme to the other is pretty hard, and a lot of people actually never manage to do it. Once you’re stuck in a bit of a rut with money, it’s definitely hard to try and get out of it. But, there’s more to life than being stuck in a rut with money, so we’ve come up with a few tips that should help to take you from one financial extreme to another, see how the pointers below might be able to help you.

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Your Monthly Spendings

It can be quite intimidating listing all of the things that you have to pay for in one month. The list might seem small in your head, but once you write it out on paper and actually start putting prices next to the names, you’ve got a bit of a problem on your hands. One of the biggest monthly expenses is household bills, but luckily they’re one of the easiest to reduce. First, you’ve got the actual gas and electricity bills, they’re the worst. To get them down you just need to think smart, and even get a smart meter. That way you’re able to monitor exactly what you’re spending on both electricity and water each month. If you see it creeping up, you can take measures to make sure it stays down. Making sure you’re using energy saving light bulbs, only having the heating or air con on when necessary, and restricting shower times to ten minutes. It might seem a little strict, but if you’re looking to change your financial situation, then you’re going to have to take drastic measures.

Big Troubles

If you’re at the bad end of the financial extreme, then you could be going through some big troubles. One of the biggest is definitely bankruptcy, and it can often be intimidating for people to admit they’re going through that. If you are, chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers are the people you need to contact. They will do everything in their power to make sure you’re keeping as many of your personal possessions as possible. Recovering from something like this, or debt, is what will take you from one financial extreme to another. With bankruptcy, the first thing you need to do is find a job that will provide you with a good enough income to support the payments you’ll need to make. It’s also about staying mentally strong through the whole ordeal, especially if you have a family to care for. If an extra income is what you need to recover from either debt or bankruptcy, here’s one really easy way of earning some extra money.

Extra Income

One of the easiest and cheapest that you can do from the comfort of your own home is blogging. All you need to do is make the initial payment of buying a domain name and a server to host it on. Then find a great theme and something you wish to write about. All you need to do then is gain some followers and start contacting companies for collaborations. Within a few months, you should have a decent enough following to be able to make some big money!

What You Can Do to Help Look After Your Parents’ Health as They Age

It’s easy to take your parents for granted, and because they’re the parent in this relationship, you might forget that they often need your help and support too. That’s why you need to be ready to help them look after their health and general wellbeing as they get older. It doesn’t have to be a burden for you, but even helping them out in small ways can make a real difference to how they live their lives. So read on to learn more about the specifics of all this.

Start by Talking More

First of all, you’re going to need to get into the habit of talking more to your parents about the situation they’re in with their health. That means the conversation you have will be entirely dependent on what situation they’re in right now. Only when the dialogue is open is it possible for you to be truly helpful to your parents. Nothing gets archived when nobody’s talking.

Don’t Let Them Rely on Public Transport

One of the things that gets harder when you’re a little older is getting from A to B. It’s one of those things that seems so effortless when you don’t have to think about it. But getting around and trying to navigate public transport can be difficult for people who are a little older. So get into the habit of taking them to where they need to go as often as you can. That way, they won’t have to rely on public transport so much.

Ensure The Care They Receive is Up to Scratch

If your parent is already receiving care of one form or another, it’s important to make sure that they’re being cared for in the right way. Check up on them and get to know their carers. That way, you can be sure that nobody is mistreating your parents in any way. If you do find examples of mistreatment, visit Gray Law Group and get legal advice from there. You can’t just accept things like that.

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Listen to Their Wishes

They’re the ones who should be in the driving seat when it comes to how you help them. You shouldn’t assume that you know best because that’s not necessarily the case. It’s important that you recognise the types of roles that you’re going to have to assume. Being a good listener is where all that begins.

Take Steps to Help Them With Mobility

Mobility can be a big problem, and it’s often biggest in the home. Even simple modifications to the home can make it so much easier to get around for your parents if their mobility is faltering a little. It’s also a case of confidence. With the right support in place, they’ll feel much more confident on their feet, which has to be a good thing.

Looking after your parents in their older years is not always easy, but it’s a challenge that you have a responsibility to take on. After all, they were always there for you when you needed them most, so it’s only right that you should help them out in any way you can now that you have the chance to.

Here’s to You, Chef: 5 Ways to Cook Better Food At Home

We know that cooking at home isn’t always the most enjoyable activity. After a long day at work, it’s much more tempting to just look at the takeout delivery options available, and fill your stomach with delicious, unhealthy foods. If we do cook at home, it’s often something quick and simple - and not so tasty. However, once you get the hang of creating restaurant-worthy foods in your own home, you won’t look back! Below, we take a look at a few useful tips that’ll have you on the way to impressing friends and family - not to mention yourself - with meals you could eat and eat and eat.

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Do it More

No-one is born with talent; it takes time to acquire. Cooking is no different. If you’re not used to it, then the cutting, prepping, and cooking will feel like a chore. Yet there’s no great mystery to making delicious meals at home; indeed, it’s one of those things that you can get pretty good at, pretty quickly. If you commit to a month of meals at home, then you’ll be a whizz in the kitchen. Pick a few easy to make recipes, set aside the time, and you’ll notice an improvement in no time. 

Invest in the Best Ingredients

The key to making the best meals has little to do with chopping correctly or making it look aesthetically pleasing; it’s about using the best ingredients that you can find. Take your vegetables. There’s a huge difference, when it comes to taste quality, between pre-packaged supermarket purchases and the veg that you’d find at a local farmer’s market. It’s like most other things you can buy: the best may be ever so slightly more expensive, but it’ll taste significantly better. If you don’t believe us, try it: make the same meal with budget and quality ingredients. You’ll notice the difference. 

Stepping up Your Equipment

If you currently only have the standard issue pots and pans in your kitchen cupboards, then you might want to think about investing superior equipment. For starters, it’ll allow you to make better, more interesting meals. If you have a meat grinder, for example, then you can make your own hamburgers and sausages, which will be much better than the store bought options; if you don’t know what meat grinder would be appropriate for you, check out bestmeatgrinderreviewsguide.com. A food processor, skillet, and slow cooker will also be worthy investments. 

Taste and Improve

Practice makes perfect, as they say. Once you’ve made a meal, don’t automatically move onto something new the next time it comes to dinner time. Instead, really taste your food, and think of ways you can improve it next time around. After making a meal three or four times, you should have the taste down - and from there, it’s all about putting your own creative spins on the dish. 

Eat Out 

Finally, remember that eating out is good for your cooking too. Go out, see what’s on the menu, and use it as inspiration for your own meal ideas. 

Investment Advice That Makes You Think “Yes, Yes I Can Be Successful!”

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One quick look at an investment and you’ll think “oh my god, how does anyone understand any of this?!” To a layman, the idea that you can turn a couple of bucks into a million dollars is as easy as learning quantum theory. Sure it’s possible, but the chances of it happen are slim to zero. Anyway, that’s the attitude individuals have, particularly if there is a lack of knowledge and experience. Do you know this culture of fear is reducing your ability to make money?

No one expects you to take like a duck to water. Investments aren’t guaranteed and there are bound to be errors along the way. However, success is relative so there’s no reason to make as much as a Buffett or Musk. It’d be nice, but it’s important to stay grounded in the beginning.

With those words of advice ringing in your ears, below are the tips which should ease your fears. This is advice that makes people think “yes, yes I can!” 

Ride Winners And Sell Losers

Conventional wisdom dictates that you should buy low and sell high. Another good piece of advice though it is, selling at the right time is the key to success. Get rid too soon and you may lose money, yet keep hold for too long and the investment may tank. So, the simple equation is to sell the losers (obviously) and ride the winners until they begin to turn. Everyone wants to know the nuclear codes, and the truth is there aren’t any. What there are is a set of guidelines which any investor can use to their benefit. Take a loser as an example. Stocks underperform, and there’s a chance they will bounce back. Still, if it has been a while and it shows no signs of recouping its losses, it’s time to get out unscathed. Never let ego prevent you from making a savvy financial move. 

Cool Down On The Small Details 

Regarding the research that goes into choosing an option, the fine print is essential. This example, though, is talking about something else, something called short-term gains and losses. Using generic rules isn’t a smart move on the whole, yet this generalization holds true: investments fluctuate. Whether they go up or down, they tend not to stay steady for the first couple of months. In fact, it can take a year for a stock or share to plateau at a constant rate. Please don’t worry when there is a hike because it isn’t a clear indicator of the future. A feature of the market may make investors take a gamble or pull out, but they will be back. Short-termism hits new investors all of the time and it’s essential to stay strong and hold firm. After a year or two is when it will start to show its true colors.

Avoid Penny Stocks

Ever watched Wolf of Wall Street? If you haven’t, Jordan Belfort made millions from trading these stocks and he was a shady character. Not that a Hollywood movie should stop you investing, but the film does show you the risks. To lay it out plain and simple, there is as much risk with a penny stock as a high-value option. Imagine you invest $10 compared to $100 and it drops to $0. $10 may only be a small amount, yet it’s 100% of the total investment. By the law of percentages, if a $100 stock fell by 50%, you’d lose a small chunk of change in comparison. Also, you have to take into account the reliability factor. There is slight chance that the penny stock may boom into a winner and provide a huge ROI. The odds, however, are high that it’ll fall in value and you’ll lose the stake. A reputable option costs more but carries less risk.

Don’t Gamble On A “Hot” Tip

“Hey, do you want some advice? Cool, because this stock is about to soar. It’s 100% guaranteed.” Investors find themselves in conversations like this on a regular basis, and there is a sign it’s a scam. The glaring symbol is the fact that they advertise it as a sure-thing. Nothing is certain regarding investment, and you should remember this at all times. Gambling on a tip is a poor move because it neglects the legwork needed to be successful. Wealthy men and women don’t take advice based on random strangers in the street. Instead, they find the areas where they think there are opportunities and investigate. They may have more resources and more knowledge, but anyone can conduct a simple Google search without any hassle. Should you hear something and check it out, it’s a different matter because you’ve evaluated the pros and cons. Just don’t take a person at their word if they are unreliable and untrustworthy.

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Diversify

You’ll hear this term a lot because there is never a reason to put all of your eggs in one basket. Portfolios need to include a variety of investments as it lowers risk and increases the chances of making money. How you do it is the trick and it’s where the majority of people fail. Typically, beginners see diversifying as dipping into separate industries. So, as well as having gold and real estate, they’ll add stocks and shares. There; all done. Not quite because to be successful there has to be a range of risk too. Usually, a portfolio will have a majority of steady options, but it’s also important to include high-risk, high yield. Bitcoin may qualify depending on your position, and you can check out more investing info by following the link. The high-risk stuff should only be a small percentage of the overall investment, of course. Too much of it and you may end up doing the thing you tried to avoid in the first place.

Pick A Plan And Be Consistent

Last but not least, it’s best to choose a strategy and stick with it through the good and the bad times. Everyone has a personal style, and it makes the process easier which is why it isn’t closed-minded to stick rather than twist.

Do you think you can be a successful investor after reading this post?

Inexpensive Ways To Give Your Home A Facelift

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The appearance of your home can say a lot about you, so it’s no wonder that so many people spend thousands renovating each and every room of their house. Unfortunately, we don’t all have the cash to install a new kitchen or buy new flooring, but that doesn’t mean that we have to suffer with a home that we’re not happy with. There are lots of ways that you can refresh your home without breaking the bank. Here are four inexpensive ways to give your home a facelift.

Declutter And Clean

Giving your home a good clean and tidy will always make a huge difference, even if it’s the only thing that you do. Of course, decluttering your entire home in one go is no easy task, so pick a room to start with, get that done, take a break, and then do another one. You should start by getting everything together, and then separate it into piles of things you’re going to keep and things you won’t. Anything you don’t use should be in your “won’t” pile. This will take a while, but you’ll thank yourself for your hard work. 

Refresh The Front Door

Your door is the first thing that your guests are going to see of your home, so it’s essential that it makes a good first impression. If you don’t have the cash to buy and fit a new front door, you should just repair or replace the parts that are damaged, like a rusty knocker, for example. You could also update your door with a lick of paint, a new doorbell, and some fresh numbers, and add some flower pots outside for a homely touch. 

Add A Rug

If your flooring or carpet is looking a little worse for wear, you might want to replace it, but depending on your budget, this might not be possible. A much cheaper alternative is to buy one of the rugs at Modern Digs or another store. Of course, this isn’t going to have quite the same effect as replacing your flooring, but it will brighten up the room and will draw the eye away from any imperfections around it. 

Refresh Your Walls

If it’s been a while since you last painted your walls, you can probably tell. The paint on your walls very obviously reflects age, so it’s important to refresh it every year or so, to cover any scuffs or discoloration that has occurred over time. If you have had the same color walls for a while, it may be time to make a change and experiment with different colors. This will make your room look completely different, even if it’s the only thing you’re altering. 

A common misconception about home improvements is that they are always expensive. If you want to give your home a facelift, you shouldn’t let this misconception get in your way; There are lots of inexpensive (and sometimes even free) ways to refresh your home and give it a completely new look. 

If You’re Not A Fan Of Chores, These Services Will Save You!

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We all have to do chores in life. From cleaning your bedroom as a child to cleaning the entire house and then some as an adult, chores are a way of life. But just because we have to do them, it doesn’t mean that you have to like doing them! In fact, most of us will not enjoy doing a large portion of the chores that we have to do on a regular basis. Whether you’re a lousy cleaner or a lazy gardener, you’d probably be glad if you were able to bring in a little help, right? When you lead a busy life and you find yourself doing chores at midnight or first thing in the morning, this would be perfect for you. So here are the five main services you should turn to if you want to make that happen.

1. Gardening

Up first, there’s a gardening service to consider. When you’re just about keeping the house in order, it’s safe to say that you’ve probably not spent time sorting the garden in months! So you should look into a company that can provide maintenance services to help you keep your garden together. We all want beautiful yards to be able to enjoy during the summer months, but we don’t always want to take care of them ourselves. So this is why hiring a gardening service could be exactly what you need.

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2. Window Cleaning

Another outside service that you may want to consider is a window cleaner. When you have lots of windows high up, you may notice that they always seem to look dirty! And this can get on your nerves. But at the same time, you don’t want to get out there and climb a ladder to sort it yourself. By hiring a window cleaner on a monthly basis, your windows will always sparkle without you having to lift a finger.

3. Laundry Service

Now, we’re going to head inside and tackle some of your most dreaded chores there. And the first has to be laundry. Because when you have exponential amounts of laundry building up, it can really freak you out. At the same time, when you feel like you’re always doing laundry, it can drive you insane. So think about choosing a laundry service to take this off your hands. That way, it all gets done and you don’t have to stress over it.

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4. Weekly Cleaning

And what about cleaning? Do you have time to scrub your place from top to bottom to the standard you want? Or do you find yourself doing bits here and there just to keep the place in check? When that’s the case, you may benefit from hiring a cleaner to get your place up to scratch each week for you.

5. Dog Walking

Finally, there’s always the dog to walk! And when the weather sucks, you don’t always want to head outside to give Rover his thirty mins of exercise. So hire a dog walker that can take him out once or twice a day when you just don’t have the time!

Garden Maintenance For The Lazy Gardener

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Wouldn’t it be great if you could just leave your garden and it would always look fabulous? You wouldn’t have to lift a finger in it but it would always be perfect for you to sit in and enjoy all of the brilliant weather in summer. Unfortunately, though, a no-hassle garden is something of a dream. There is always going to be some work that needs doing out there, which can be a bit of a pain for those homeowners who just can’t be bothered with their outdoor areas.

Don’t worry if you are a bit of a lazy gardener, though. You don’t have to spend hours out in your garden to keep it looking ship shape. Here are some very easy garden maintenance tips that can keep your garden perfect with only minimum attention.

Switch Your Garden Fences

Even though you may not realize it at first, garden fences require quite a bit of maintenance. That’s because you need to keep them protected from the elements. So, if you don’t fancy spending a couple of days twice a year painting your wooden fences, you might want to swap them for fences made out of easy-to-maintain materials. One idea is to add composite wood fence panels to your garden borders. These require little painting and are much easier to maintain than traditional wooden fences.

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Attract Wildlife

Don’t want to do all the hard work out in the garden? If not, you should get all of the wildlife out there to do it for you! Attracting wildlife into your garden by adding food for the birds and bee-friendly plants is such a great idea. Birds often carry in seeds, which will end up in your flower beds and growing into all kinds of plants. That will save you sowing seeds yourself. Similarly, bees pollinate flowers to help them grow, so you won’t have to use fertilizers so often.

Plant Flowers That Don’t Need Much Attention

There are some plants that require a lot of attention from gardeners. They will need a lot of watering and feeding, for instance. So, as you can probably tell, if you plant these in your garden, you will need to do a lot of work to keep them healthy and looking good. Thankfully, there are also lots of plants that need minimal help. These are perfect for lazy gardeners, as you can plant them and leave them for long periods of time.

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Turn Lawn Into A Patio

Are you getting sick of needing to mow your lawn so often? During the summer months, you should mow it once a week, which is too much for some people. There is a way around this - just replace your lawn with a patio or decking area. That way, you won’t have any grass in your garden that needs to be mowed.

As you can see, even the laziest of gardeners can create a garden that they can enjoy. And it won’t involve too much hard work for you at all!

Is Following Your Dreams Worth It?

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From a very young age, we're all taught that the one thing that you should always do is to "follow your dreams." No matter what happens, you should never let anything get in the way of doing what you really want. At first glance, this seems like perfect advice. After all, no one wants to find themselves living a life that they're unhappy in. However, the reality is that "following your dreams" can often be a more complicated than idea than a lot of people realize and it can also be something that might not live up to your expectations. Here are a few things to consider when deciding if following your dreams is really worth it.

Putting all your eggs in one basket

One of the things that you generally need if you're going to follow your dreams is a totally single-minded approach that you never waiver from, under any circumstances. However, one thing that a lot of people fail to realize is that, if you spend your life with a totally one track mind and then something changes that leave you needing to go in a different direction, that can be incredibly difficult to deal with. Make sure that, even if you're pursuing your dreams, that you leave room for changes and adjustments in your plan every step of the way.

Risks

Following any kind of life or career path is going to come with risks, that's just something that you need to be aware of. However, you need to know how much risk you're willing to put up with. You might think, "I've moved to a new place, found fantastic storage near me for all of my belongings, and I'm ready to get out there and find my perfect career!" However, you need to think about whether or not you've got something to fall back on. After all, if you're not able to start following your dreams right away, the last thing you want is to suddenly end up in a position where you have no way to support yourself.

People change

This is something that a lot of people seem to forget. Just because you grew up wanting to do something with your life, that doesn't mean that you have to spend the rest of your life wanting to do that exact thing. People change and grow over time, and you may find that something that you were incredibly passionate about just a few years ago holds no real interest for you anymore. If you built your entire life around one specific thing, then you could end up getting trapped on that path even when it's not something that you're especially interested in pursuing.

Now, please don't think of this as somehow trying to tell you not to follow your dreams. Far from it. If you have an ambition in life and you want to follow it, then that's fantastic. Just remember that you don't need to spend your life on one single track if you feel as though you might be better off moving in another direction.

Everyone Can Be An Investor With These 4 Qualities

There is a common misconception about managing money. Generally, the social expectation is that you need to be born in a wealthy family to have an understanding of the financial market, and therefore be able to define which risks are worth taking to grow your income. Unfortunately, scientists all over the world have to admit that, despite their best efforts, they didn’t find the investor gene, nor did they discover a formula to grow such a gene. What this means is that investment know-how is not acquired by birth. It is a skill that you develop gradually, assuming you’ve got the right qualities to manage financial duties effectively. 

The smart investor rejects unnecessary luxury

Don’t waste unnecessarily

First of all, a good investor isn’t someone who can happily through money out the window with feeling a significant consequence. It’s a person who is acutely aware of the value of money and therefore ensures that there is no unnecessary spending. As successful investments are defined by their ability to get more return for your money, it’s natural for the investor to cultivate budget boosting tips. Getting more value for less money is the definition of quality investment. You may not be yet ready for the stock market, but you can certainly get used to maximize the value of your money by cutting down energy and grocery costs.

Don’t get less for less

Value is what investments are about. An investment that costs less but delivers less too is not profitable. Similarly, you can apply the same attitude in everyday life. Of course, you want to cut down your bills to maximize your wealth, but the process should remain reasonable. Choosing not to turn the heating up in winter might save you tons of money on your energy bills, but putting your health at risk is not a smart investment. In other words, paying less for what you need is not the same than ignoring your needs to reduce expenditure. 

Know when and where to invest

Nobody is born with a knowledge of the best investment solutions. As the finance market is always fluctuating, the smart investor needs to ensure a regular source of information to stay on top of the trend, whether it’s checking the stock score of Vanguard Healthcare ETF or identifying trend patterns in the market transactions in Asia. Similarly, if the stock market isn’t your kind of investment, it doesn’t stop you from learning more about other kinds, such as the property market for instance. 

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Stay informed of your situation

Last, but not least, the best quality of a good investor is to know how much money they can afford to lose. As there is always a degree of risk in investment, you need to be comfortable with a loss, and more importantly, you need to manage your budget closely. Using budgeting apps such as Digit bot or BUDGT, you can learn to keep track of how much you spend and earn. These apps can also let you know how much is available for a financial investment. 

The bottom line is that to become a successful investor; you need to establish a trust relationship with money. You need to understand and respect its value, and know how much you can bear to spend and invest. But there’s no beginner's luck: without educating yourself about the options available, you will burn your gains! 

The Art Of Thoughtful Gift-Giving

There is nothing lovelier than getting someone that you love a gift. You get to choose something that they would love, proving – in a way – how much you know them and how generous you are. Everyone loves getting a new gift, but it’s the thought behind the gift that really counts. Anyone can pick up a box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers, but the gift that you buy is going to really tell people what you think of them and how much you love them.

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Giving gifts isn’t entirely selfless, as you feel good doing it. You can bust stress by giving and you can lead a happier life knowing that you have taken time out of your day to make someone else’s brighter. There are certain things that a thoughtful gift-giver will get up to when they make a choice to buy for someone else, and if you adopt these habits then you will also be just as thoughtful!

Plan ahead. A person who is putting effort into giving a gift is planning ahead at all times to ensure that they get the best possible gift. If you’re going to buy collectors coins from somewhere like LPM.hk then you need to ensure post times and that they have the right gift in for you. Taking the time to think about the recipient’s personality and desires is important, and you can do that by carefully planning ahead.

Money DOES NOT matter. When it comes to the perfect gift, a budget isn’t always a consideration. Givers who are going for the most thoughtful gift shouldn’t focus on the price tag. Dwelling on the cost of the gift you want to give can take the enjoyment out of giving at all.

Make it personal. A personal gift given to someone often means more than something more generic. Giving a gift is a chance to let someone know how much you love them, appreciate them and want to see them smile. You don’t have to make the actual gift personalized, but you could gift wrap it perfectly to suit the personality of the recipient.

Get a little crafty. A thoughtful gift-giver knows the value of good glitter and wrap. Putting a little crafty effort into the gift wrap can really help the recipient to feel taken care of and wanted.

Presentation is everything. When you are getting a gift to someone, you can’t just chuck it at them with the price tag still attached. Giving a gift means presentation is important; you want the recipient to feel wanted by you and the effort that you put into that will help them to see how much you really care.

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Giving a gift has to be personal, beautiful and meaningful. If you want to practise the art of thoughtful gift-giving, you have to make sure that every effort goes into the present. Whether you gift a trip or gift something handmade, it has to have meaning. Make it count.

5 Tips To Make Caring for Your Car Easier

Using the best car cover material to put over your vehicle is an easy way to ensure debris does not accumulate in your car. The right material also prevents you from causing damage yourself. Preventing damage will make the actual maintenance of your vehicle so much simpler, and you can follow these additional tips to keep your car in great shape longer. 

1. Wash Your Car Often

Dust and other contaminants can eat through a vehicle’s clear coat. Over time, these materials will cause the surface to rust, but washing often keeps debris at bay. For the greatest advantage, wash your car by hand. Drive-through car washes tend to use abrasive materials. 

2. Take Car to a Mechanic

Similarly to how you go to a dentist every six months even if nothing feels wrong, you should take your car to a professional mechanic often to check for signs of wear and tear. Find a mechanic in your area who specializes in your specific make and model of car. 

3. Park in the Shade

Exposure to constant sunlight can cause your car’s paint to fade, the dashboard to crack and plastic to melt. Park under a tree if you can. If all else fails, then use a custom fit windshield shade to keep UV rays out of your vehicle. 

4. Store Car Safely

If you will not be driving your vehicle for a while, then make sure you cover it up. Hiding it in a bag or durable bubble will keep contaminants and critters away. You may also want to think about getting a battery tender, which prevents discharge. 

5. Prepare for Oncoming Seasons

Before winter and summer come around, you want to inspect your car’s antifreeze and engine coolant levels. You also want to inspect tire depth and pressure. 

California Car Cover has a number of covers, bags, and shades to keep your vehicle looking great. By being proactive, you will save yourself a lot of stress worrying about maintenance. 

Spring Cleaning Your Home for a Carefree Summer

If you cannot wait until the weather turns warmer, and you can hold those house parties again, you are not alone. We all get the winter blues, and the best way of getting rid of them is by getting busy and preparing our home for the summer. From cleaning your gutters to painting your fascia boards, and decluttering the basement and loft, there are so many tasks to complete before you can host your summer party. Below you will find a simple guide to spring clean your house to get ready for a stress-free summer. 

Attic Space Clearout

We all tend to store things in the attic, just to forget about them and find them years later. Whether you put your daughter’s doll collection in a box years ago, and they are now at university or still have your old blankets out there that you no longer need, it might be time to fill the trunk of the car and visit the local charity thrift store. You can donate clothes and blankets to your closest homeless shelter, and some organizations even offer a pickup service. If something broke during the winter that you have since replaced, it might be time to recycle them and free up space in the attic. More space means better air and a better chance of spotting signs of broken tiles or pest infestation in the summer. 

Basement Cleaning 

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Your basement needs more attention after a long winter as well. If you have your furnace there, you might be lucky enough not to have damp and mold. However, if you don’t have any heating, it might be time to get a portable heater or dehumidifier installed, and leave the doors or windows open during the first dry days of the Spring. Get your vacuum and pressure washer in, and deep clean your basement. You can treat the wood to prevent rotting and improve its appearance and performance. 

Checking for Gaps and Cracks

When you start moving furniture around for spring cleaning, you might want to check for small gaps and cracks on the wall and in the corners. If you find them, chances are the weather did its best, and you need to get the contractors in as soon as possible. Check your ceiling, the walls by the window, and get an assessment done if you find gaps, signs of dampness, or cracks. 

Pest Repellents

When the weather gets warmer, creepy crawlers will also become active. If you use pest repellents in the problem areas of your home in the spring, you can prevent the unwanted guests from turning up. If you see signs of bugs anywhere, including in the basement or the porch, you need to get in touch with Reynolds Pest Management the best termite company to take care of the issue before you get invaded by bugs and have no choice but watch your property being damaged. 

Steaming Is Your Best Friend

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The best way of spring cleaning your toilet, kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom is by using a portable steam cleaner. You can disinfect the tile floor and walls, and get rid of the nastiest stains you thought you had no chance of eliminating. Steaming your oven and microwave will get rid of burnt-on grease, and leave your kitchen sparkling for the summer. 

Garden Furniture Maintenance

When Spring arrives, you might also want to check out the condition of your garden furniture to get ready for the summer parties. Give the chairs and tables a good clean, and use a pressure washer to clean the patio and pavement. This will help you bring back the original color of your decking and tiles. Whatever is broken, get them replaced, and get rid of the dead plants in the garden, as well as damaged or broken planters. 

A Lick of Paint Makes a Huge Difference

Once it starts getting drier and warmer outside, you can check your roof tiles, gutter, drain pipes, and unblock whatever is full of fallen leaves or dirt. Next, you have to pay attention to your fascia boards, handrails, stairs, and porch. Getting rid of the cracked paint by sanding down the surface, and using a paint sprayer will help you complete this essential regular maintenance job in a few days. 

Washing the Ceiling and Walls

Once you have managed to move your furniture around and cleaned everywhere you usually don’t get to, it might be time to give your ceiling and walls a wipe. Use a damp cloth or white vinegar if you have white walls or a soda crystal solution for washable wallpaper and coverings. You will be surprised how much dust and grease can build up on the top of your kitchen cabinets and on your ceiling. Wiping your walls and ceiling will get rid of all the smells that built up in your house during the long months, and give your house a fresh feel. 

Descaling for Long Life Appliances

Lastly, as a part of your spring cleaning routine, you should start descaling your household appliances and your taps. The best way to go about taps is getting a plastic bag or balloon, filling it with a solution, and attaching it to your faucet, using a rubber band. You can get professional limescale remover tablets for washing machines, dryers, and water boilers. Get in touch with your local plumber to find out whether or not your water pipes have limescale buildup that needs to be cleared. 

The first bright days of Spring are exciting and might get you thinking about barbeques and summer parties. While you might be ready for the summer, chances are that your house is not. Get your spring cleaning gloves on, dig out the steam cleaner and pressure washer, and transform your dull and tired looking house into something bright and sparkly. Declutter and look out for problem areas, get your heating and cracks fixed, and pest-proof your home, so you can make the most out of next summer.