Three Things To Know Before Buying That Fixer Upper

Getting onto the property ladder is tougher than ever. With rental costs spiraling each year, it makes sense to buy instead if you have a way of getting a deposit together, but the cost of moving and buying a house is a huge obstacle for many. One route into home ownership which saves many first time buyers is purchasing a ‘fixer upper’ property - a home that needs some serious TLC to bring it back to its former glory. Not only can this significantly lower the purchase cost, but it can also provide a huge amount of satisfaction seeing your home go from decrepit to designer! However, it is definitely a serious undertaking to take on a fixer upper, so many sure you’re assessing the property you're considering buying carefully to make sure it’s worth the financial risk.

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Check Your DIY Skills

First of all, one of the factors which costs a lot in a complete home renovation is labor. The costs of paying for contractors are a huge outlay, so work out what you could do yourself to save costs. If the house is structurally sound but dated cosmetically, you should be able to remove wallpaper, polish up floorboards and repaint yourself. For anything more drastic, you might need to call in the professionals, and that quickly adds up. Anything such as fire and water damage repairs will need careful attention to get your home up to standard again, and if you plan to do anything structural, such as removing walls to create an open plan layout, you’ll need to get it done properly by a qualified builder.

Price It Up

Having the vision to see what a house could become is a skill, but that only gets you so far. It’s a separate skill to be able to accurately price up the cost of a renovation project. If you’re really interested in a house, aim to get a contractor to do a walk-through with you before you make an offer, to weigh up the cost of any potential work. Be aware that they may not be able to be 100% accurate without detailed surveys as to the condition of the building. Any offer you make needs to take into account your costs in bringing the property back to a liveable standard.

Be Sure On Financing

You need to know from the outset exactly where the money is coming from to pay for the work you need. With funds to find for your down payment and moving costs, any savings you have will be taking a hit anyway. There are Federal programs designed to help house buyers finance the purchase of a property which needs renovation work that you can look into. Similarly, take the advice of a mortgage broker who will be able to scan the market for deals where you can borrow the purchase cost of the house plus a loan to cover renovation works in one go. Money can be an extremely stressful issue when purchasing a home, so understanding everything down to the pennies is an absolute must before signing on that dotted line.

8 Tips on How to Transform Your Home Workplace

Working from home can be an indicator of freedom or formula for interference. If you work from home regularly or just occasionally, you should know that it is essential to design your home workplace. The right workplace should not be too comfortable and should encourage productivity. A lot of research has shown that your workplace can significantly impact your mood and productivity. Research has also shown that the type of light you choose to use in your workplace can either make you drowsier or more alert. Working from home is a fantastic benefit; however, you have to create a workplace that will increase your productivity.

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Tips to Help You Create the Perfect Home Workplace

Get rid of distractions

Even if you are ready to have a home office, decide whether it is the best place to create one. If you are a family person, it can be effortless to get your table all piled up with your kid’s homework, or get them playing around your computer. Such distractions make it hard to create a professional atmosphere. You are lucky if your home is big enough to get an entire room devoted just for your office. To avoid distractions of sleep, steer clear of the bedroom, and also make sure that there is nothing that can compete for your attention, for instance, laundry baskets, kitchen sinks, among others. The best way to get rid of distractions is by first acknowledging their presence. Ignoring any non-work distractions will not do you any good. Instead, the opposite happens; you will just become more aware of their existence and spend more time trying to get rid of them. Keep in mind that distractions like kids are there to stay; therefore, it would be best if you choose more than one designated home workspace, and make sure that your family members are aware whenever you are working.

Embrace natural light

In order to really make the most of your home workplace, you need to focus on having as much natural light as possible. There are many ways to achieve that, but one of the easiest is to simply ensure you have the right custom home windows. You ideally want windows which are going to allow plenty of natural light to the area where you work, so you can be sure that you are going to get enough each day. The right windows will often make all the difference here. But there is more to think about too when it comes to light.

It is not a new thing for people to put their desks into a home workplace and automatically put it against the wall in the shadiest part of the room. True, your desk and chair set-up in your office is essential, but you have to take care of your eyes too. You can achieve this by choosing the right lighting for your home office. Choosing the perfect lighting for your home office is an important task that is often ignored. Regardless of the time you use your office, an ideal lighting plan makes all the difference. Start by taking a look at how natural light affects the room at various times of the day and note where the shades fall and think about how you plan to use the workspace. Remember that the direction of light can produce a shine on your computer screen. So what is the best way to arrange your office furniture with the guidance of light in your mind? Just below your window.

Overhead lighting

Overhead lighting cannot be the best office lighting source but is a sure way to help fill in places that other sources of light seem to miss. Switch your overhead lighting with something distinctive and cool. If you work in a compartment, it might seem like your overhead lighting woes will never leave. However, don’t be afraid, there are some tips to lighten up your day and keep your eyes healthy and attentive, for instance, getting out and incorporating your own task and ambient light.

Keep the home office cool

Being too cold or too hot is the perfect recipe for disruptions. Air conditioning keeps your home office cool in the warm summer months. With a little planning and creativeness, you will be able to keep your office cool during summer. During the winter, try using thermal backed curtains to help keep the cold out. These curtains can also be used during the hot summer months to help block the sun’s rays. If your home office air conditioner is not properly functioning, consider looking for a dependable air conditioning repair to fix the problem.

Additionally, if you don’t have one, you can create your own. Start by getting a basin of ice and a desk fan. Blowing the air from the fan over the bowl of ice will give you the cool breeze that you want.

Green up the office space

The best way to green up your office is to add green plants. Besides, incorporating live plants in your workspace is a sure way to have a hygienic office. Plants refresh oxygen and suck up the common toxins like carbon dioxide. Additionally, plants increase efficiency and lower anxiety. The main downside of bringing live plants into your workspace is that you will have to water them daily. 

However, many plants require less care and irregular watering. Get yourself one, besides, caring and watering the plant is a good break from the computer screen and is an excellent way to help you focus more when you get back to work.

Invest in a good chair

Various reports have shown that slouching and similar seating positions can result in headaches, backaches, poor concentration, and fatigue. A healthy posture promotes general comfort, including improved concentration, and stamina through long working hours. If you want to invest in the right office chair, make sure that you look for one that has modifiable features.

Paint the wall

Consider surrounding yourself with colors that motivate you. You will need a color that gets your work engine humming. Some people will prefer a bright, crimson color, for instance, orange or emerald green, and others will prefer a soothing color like sea form blue or green.

Get everyone involved

When working from home, you can get distracted very easily. In that case, you will need the support and cooperation of the whole family. Call a family meeting and explain to the little ones that you need to concentrate during your working hours. Ask your partner to keep the kids occupied and entertained to keep them busy. By asking every member of the family to do their part to help you stay productive, you are showing them the importance of teamwork.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, creating a home office is a good way to use your empty nest. When creating a home office, make sure to avoid visual clutter. Try to keep your desk as clear as possible and put all the needless things in an ornamental object. Your home office should be a place that you would like to go to every day. So, put in more energy to create one that meets all your precise needs and encourages you to get everything done.

A Bit of History: How Old Glory Came To Be

A country's flag is symbolic of their journey to independence as a nation. Citizens are always so proud to display their flag during national holidays. Just the sight of the flag strengthens the sense of patriotism in the citizenry. 

In its 244 years of independence, the United States flag has undergone so many modifications. The current flag with 50 stars is the 27th modification, which was ordered by President Eisenhower in 1959. It became official in 1960. 

The U.S. flag is commonly called "Stars and Stipes," "Star Spangled Banner." and "Old Glory." The first two "nicknames" are for obvious reasons, because the flag has indeed stars and stripes and is a banner. But why is it called "Old Glory?" 

The name "Old Glory" has an interesting story to it. In 1824, Captain William Driver hoisted a flag on his ship before he set sail on a voyage around the world. He exclaimed, "I will call her Old Glory!" This was the flag that accompanied Captain Driver in his sea voyages until 1837 when he retired and moved to Nashville, TN. 

Image source: https://nashvillepubliclibrary.org/offtheshelf/nashville-and-old-glory/

The flag Old Glory had 13 stripes in alternating red and white color, 34 stars and an anchor to symbolize Captain Driver's voyages at sea. However, during the civil war, Captain Driver feared that Old Glory would be desecrated so he had it sewn inside a quilt for safeguarding. It was not until 1862 when Nashville was taken over by the Union headed by Ulysses Grant that Captain Driver revealed the flag and was granted permission to hoist it over the dome of a former Confederate state capitol. 

That's a bit of American flag history there for you. 

Every year on June 14, we celebrate U.S. Flag day. It is a day dedicated to commemorate the adoption of the first flag on June 14, 1777. We usually decorate our front porches with the colors red, white and blue, and proudly display American flags on our windows and front yards. It is a day we spend with family and be thankful for the freedom we so enjoy. 

How will you be celebrating Flag Day? Will you be displaying our flag on your window, porch or front yard? Let me know in the comments below.

Safety First: How To Be A Better Driver

If you had to give yourself a score out of 10, how highly would you rate your driving skills? Many of us think that we are good drivers, but over 90% of road accidents are caused by human error. Safety is crucial when heading out onto the roads. Even if you think you’re a great driver, it’s worth taking these tips on board to minimize the risk of injuries. 

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/transport-traffic-auto-accident-3146193/

Don’t drive if you feel tired

Many of us have days when we feel lethargic and our energy levels are low. If you’ve not been sleeping well, or you work shifts, and you’re tired after a busy night at work, avoid getting behind the wheel. Driving tired puts your safety at risk, but it could also have implications for others. When you’re exhausted, your reaction times are slower, and you might not notice hazards around you. Instead of trying to battle through and keep your eyes open, take a nap or get out of the car and stretch your legs in the open air if you’re already on the road. Listening to music and having a cup of tea or coffee can also help to make you feel more alert. A National Sleep Foundation survey revealed that 20% of drivers have fallen asleep at least once in the last year. 

Keep your eyes on the road at all times

We tend to be multi-taskers these days, but when you’re driving, trying to do more than one thing at once is a bad idea. Keep your eyes fixed on the road at all times. The environment around you can change in an instant, and hazards can appear from nowhere. If you’re not looking at the road, you might not notice a cyclist traveling alongside your vehicle or a child run out from behind a car parked on the side of the street. If you can’t react quickly enough, the consequences can be devastating. If you need to make a call, use a voice-activated system or pull over in a safe place. If you injure somebody through negligence, you could face legal charges and the injured party may seek advice from serious injury attorneys. It can be tempting to pick up the phone and send a quick text, but you could end up regretting that action for the rest of your life. Wait until you stop or reach your destination to respond to messages, or find a safe place to park. 

Be patient

Road rage can get the better of even the calmest and most measured driver. If you’ve had a bad day, or you’re desperate to get home and there’s a huge line of traffic, it’s very easy to get frustrated and lose your cool. Try and stay calm and don’t take your anger out on other drivers. Driving aggressively can make others feel threatened, and it will also increase the risk of accidents. 

Take the conditions into consideration

Driving on a clear, warm day is very different to trying to navigate your way to a destination in snow showers, fog or torrential rain. If you’re driving in the winter, or there’s a storm coming, take extra care and alter your speed. Even if the speed limit is 70mph, it’s unwise to drive at this speed if conditions are treacherous. Slow down, stay well back from the vehicle in front and give people plenty of notice if you’re stopping, pulling over or changing lane. If there are weather warnings, postpone your journey. 

Most accidents are caused by drivers making mistakes. Take these tips on board to stay safe and protect other road users. 

Essentials for the "New Normal"

This is the third time the Enhanced Community Quarantine or ECQ has been extended in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces. We have named it "Season 3 of ECQ" to make it sound less stressful.

Everyone seems to be calling this "the New Normal," but honestly, I cringe when I hear people mentioning that term. This thing isn't normal at all!  Public transportation has been suspended and since I don't own a car, I have to walk 1.6 miles to get to the supermarket. Walking back home with two heavy bags of groceries is not easy. So I decided to buy myself a trolley.

This is a big help for when I need to go to the wet market for meat, fish and vegetables. The wet market is only half a mile from home, so that's easy peasy for me. For the first few weeks of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, I also used this trolley when I needed to get stuff from the supermarket. However, this trolley can only carry about 55 pounds (25 kilograms), and if I bought items that would weigh more, then I would still have to carry another bag over my shoulders.

Although it has been my family's goal to live frugally during this uncertain time, I took out part of my savings and bought a bike.

Yes, I did. And I named it "Quarantino." I made sure that the bike I bought was sturdy but light weight. It did cost me quite a bit of money, but now, it is easier for me to get the stuff I need, when I need it.

My bike is a Clifton 27.5 rim, alloy frame, Shimano 21 speed mountain bike, and I am glad that I chose this model. I can just shift gears to adjust to the inclination of the road to make pedaling easy. I now can go to the supermarket, get the groceries I need, stuff it in my backpack and ride home. It is good exercise too, so it is a win-win for me.

I also added a bike rack rear carrier if in case my groceries won't fit in my back pack. I just put them in a reusable bag, strap it down, and off I go!

I have no idea if there will be a "Season 4" of this Enhanced Community Quarantine. Hopefully not. But if we do get another extension, I am ready for it.

Giving Your Children The Best Start In Life

If you ask parents what they want for their children, this is what most people will say: that they want them to have the best start in life possible. But it is one thing wanting that, and quite another knowing how to actually make it a reality. If you are keen to try and ensure that your child has the strongest start in life, then there are many things that you might want to consider. In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the things that you can do to ensure that this happens. That way, you can have faith that your children are going to have much better lives.

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Show Them Honesty

Children are very attuned to dishonesty, more so than a lot of adults seem to think. It is important that you are attending to your children with absolute honesty if you want them to feel loved and secure. If you are constantly dishonest, they will never quite know where they stand with you, and that will mean that they are going to grow up with a feeling of insecurity that they find hard to shake. If you can show them a good deal of honesty, however, you will find that you are going to have a much better chance of allowing them to grow up happier and more secure in themselves.

Keep Them Out Of Your Relationship Battles

It can be easy or tempting to draw your children in to your battles with your partner, whether or not that partner is the other parent of the child. But this is never a fair thing to do, and it runs the risk of making the child feel as though they are at fault if there are any problems in the relationship further down the line. That is the last thing you want to happen, and you will find that you will want to do everything you can to avoid that happening at all. You might sometimes need some outside help to make that a bit easier, such as using child custody lawyers if you are divorcing. With the right help you can avoid making your children feel that they are the problem when they are not.

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Encourage Their Strengths

If you manage to identify a strength that your child has early on, then you can work towards encouraging that strength as much as possible, and in so doing you will find that you are going to have a much better chance of letting them develop and grow as they should. By encouraging their strengths and not ignoring them or trying to make them good at other things, you will ensure that they are happier with who they are, and that they understand that they are able and allowed to pursue whatever dream they might want to pursue. That also means that they will be much more successful in terms of their career and related elements too.

3 Quarantine Gifts That Invest In the Future

What is your idea of a gift that keeps on giving? 

More often than not, you’d come across such a description underneath the photo of a particularly funny t-shirt or a cupcake that – oh miracle of culinary technology – hides another cake in its heart. Perhaps, we tend to rely too much on clichéed sentences to fill our conversations and minds. At the end of the day, the gift that keeps on giving becomes a meaningful piece of junk, at best. 

However, in challenging times such as during a lockdown situation like now, gifts that go above and beyond and that are looking toward the future can brighten up someone’s day significantly. Why does it matter? Because in uncertain times, a present that can make both today and tomorrow better can be a life-changer. Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas to fit every budget and help you create a meaningful present: 

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Start gardening with your relatives

Children are the first to struggle with self-isolation. Now that the weather’s getting warmer, you can seize the opportunity to spend an afternoon in the garden. Indeed, gardening is a breath of fresh air, both figuratively and literally, under lockdown. Spending quality time with your children and your partner to prepare your quarantine garden is guaranteed to boost your mood and your pantry! With this in mind, you can also visit relatives who are self-isolating and offer to prepare a vegetable plot for them. In an afternoon, you can plant plenty of veg and fruits that will give delicious and fresh crops in the weeks and months to come. It’s a nice way of being there for them without putting their health at risk. 

Forget jewelry, settle for gold

Is someone’s big birthday coming? As tempting as it can be to buy a beautiful piece of jewelry, you can break up with traditions and consider purchasing gold directly? You can find exquisite nuggets By Grant Gold Nuggets, which come primarily from Australia, Alaska. But you can also find exotic gold locations around the world. Gold can act as a good luck talisman. It is a reminder for someone who struggles during the pandemic isolation that things can get brighter once this is over. While you can find gold pieces to suit all budget sizes, it’s fair to say that your friend may not be able to replace their pre-pandemic income through your gift. But it can be a source of motivation. During the Wild West conquest, finding gold nuggets was a lucky sign. It could do the same thing today!

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Give time as much as you can 

Spending time with the people you love is a gift that doesn’t cost any money. You can make distant relatives feel valued and help them cope with isolation. All it takes is a little planning, as per The Financial Diet. People who are self-isolating can rely on digital meetings to come together and even plan common activities online. You could play games or have a family video chat. Don’t let other technologies distract you as you do – aka no checking your text messages when you’re in a Zoom meeting with your cousins. 

Meaningful gifts can help someone cope with self-isolation pressures. It doesn’t have to be much, from fixing a vegetable garden in a relative’s backyard to scheduling video chats with friends, you don’t have to break the bank to give someone that will be a token of love and appreciation during those challenging times. 

A Few Tips for Fuelling Creativity at Home

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Currently, a huge number of people from all around the world are being forced to exist in a state of more or less 24/7 homebound quarantine, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

For many people, this time spent at home – while being stressful and filled with uncertainty in various ways – is also a potential opportunity for working on side projects and business ideas, investigating various hobbies, and checking in once more with dreams, chores, and plans that have been lurking in the background for some time.

If you have a decent plot of land at your disposal during this period, your circumstances likely seem more upbeat and promising. But even if you are confined to a small apartment, there are various ways that you can use this time in a positive way.

For many different potential projects, it would be a great help to fuel and enhance creativity while stuck at home. Here are a few suggestions on how to do that.

Allow enough leisure and “fuel” for your creative fires

Creativity is an interesting thing, because on the one hand it typically happens, or at least as expressed, through “work.”

On the other hand, though, you can’t exactly “grind out” creativity on demand. Rather, creativity needs to be fuelled by a series of internal motivations, interests, and the ability to engage with ideas and projects in a relaxed and “fresh” way.

One mistake that a lot of people make when they’re trying to be as productive as possible with their businesses, is to simply not allow enough time for leisure. And yet, there is evidence to show that when people do allow for sufficient leisure time – such as by taking their full annual vacation allowance, for example – they are more productive, and perhaps more creative as well.

Work hard when you’re working, but ensure that you also have plenty of time for simply relaxing, having fun, and building your motivation and interest in an array of different manners.

Work on several different projects and hobbies at a time, that interest you

It can be very easy to fall into a state of “tunnel vision” when you are too focused on one project, for long stretches of time without any variation.

One solution that has been suggested by several entrepreneurs and public figures is to always be working on several projects and hobbies at a time, all of which interest and motivate you in a significant way.

That way, when you start to run up against a dead end with a particular project, you can draw insight and inspiration from the other projects you’re working on at the same time. Or, you can switch over for a while and focus your energies on something else – and when you return to the original project, you will often find that new approaches and solutions have occurred to you that you hadn’t originally foreseen.

Generally speaking, your creativity is likely to be higher when you have a greater variety of experiences and information sources to draw on when tackling problems and coming up with approaches to things.

Try things out in a spirit of play

The famous Nobel prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman argued that his great breakthroughs were only possible at all because he had been allowed by his employers to essentially “play” in an undisturbed manner, which might have seemed like time-wasting to casual observers, but which ultimately ended up providing him with invaluable insights.

Creativity largely comes out of a spirit of play – and the ability to try different things out, experiment with different ideas, and simply have fun with the process of discovering what might be possible, and what might be interesting, without being held ruthlessly to various performance metrics such as KPI’s.

So, try things out in a spirit of play. In other words, try taking a more light-hearted and “fun” approach to your various projects and interests, with no pressure or expectations – or at least as little as possible – that you will actually have to churn out a finished project by a set time, or that you will have to share the results of your experiments with anyone else.

The thing about “good ideas” is that you only discover which ideas are good through a process of trial and error, which involves generating many ideas that may not actually work for your original intended purpose.

That’s fine. Just play around and see where your own creativity takes you after a while.

Get Your Adventure Going!

Driving a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience. You don't get into so much traffic and parking is never a problem. It is also great for driving along country roads, especially in places where larger vehicles, like cars, cannot. 

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It doesn't also cost much to own a motorcycle. Should you consider owning one, choose one from the leading manufacturer - choose a Yamaha. It is a favorite choice among motorcycle enthusiasts. I am positive you have also noticed that this Japanese company also manufactures other top of the line products - musical instruments, off road vehicles and sporting gear, just to name a few.

If you are an owner of a Yamaha motorcycle or any other sporting vehicle (watercraft, snowmobile, or ATV) you may think of where to source authentic parts and accessories for it. As a rule of thumb, you must only purchase from reputable sellers, and Yamaha Parts Nation is the place to go to for all your needs. They not only offer genuine Yamaha parts, they also have sporting gear and other accessories to level up your game. 

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One of my future goals is to move out into the country and enjoy a laid back lifestyle. Should that become a reality, I would most certainly purchase a motorcycle and an all terrain vehicle. It would be so nice to explore the great outdoors on trusted off road vehicles that would not give out on me during those adventures. 

Personally, I do not think age would be a factor. For me, it would be the experience that would count. As long as I am a responsible driver, and remember to wear safety gear while riding, I will be fine. Oh did I mention safety gear? Yamaha Parts Nation has them too! Be sure to check them out and recommend them to your family and friends.

Worried About Your Aging Parents? 4 Care Options That Can Help

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As your parents get older, your relationship will start to change. Shifts may be small at first but, over time, your roles may reverse. You have become the caretaker. The responsibility and extra work that comes with caring for aging parents are things that you may take on willingly. However, you don't have to do everything yourself. Learn about services that are available so that you can help your parents live their best lives. 

1. Companion Services

Social withdrawal and isolation is a big problem for older adults, especially those who are largely homebound. Combat loneliness by having someone come in to offer companion services on days you can't physically be there. Trained professionals like those from a home care agency Westchester County can play games, prepare meals, offer medication reminders and serve as a friendly face to brighten your parents' days. 

2. Housecleaning Assistance

Physical housekeeping tasks like changing sheets, scrubbing bathrooms and washing floors can be difficult for some older adults. They can also pose safety hazards that might result in a fall. Limit risks and take some of the burden of home care off your parents by tackling the larger jobs for them. If they don't want to put you out, offer to hire a service as a holiday or birthday gift. 

3. Respite Care

Are you a primary caregiver for a family member? Avoid burnout by seeking respite care. This gives you a chance to head out and practice some self-care without worrying about leaving a frail parent home alone. Look for resources in your community that support and assist caregivers. 

4. Transportation Assistance

Sometimes all an aging parent needs is a ride to and from the store, senior center or doctor's office. Offer a ride yourself, or connect them to an area church or senior services organization that can help. 

The best way to know what your parents need is to ask them. If they aren't forthcoming, or if they are unable to communicate their needs, take the time to observe them and the situation before rushing in to help. You'll be better prepared to meet their needs and possibly avoid a confrontation.