Inexpensive Home Decor Changes That Have The Biggest Impact

Be honest - who out there doesn’t want to spend a small fortune on upgrading their home? It would be nice to think money is no object. But the reality for most of us is that makeovers and renovations will have to wait until later in life, once we get a better-paid job, have less of a mortgage, and the time spare to implement our glamorous plans. 

However, don’t for a minute think you can’t change the entire look of your home decor inexpensively. The truth is there are a lot of small changes you can make that can result in an enormous improvement. So, whether you have just recently moved into a new house, or fancy freshening things up a little, read on - hopefully, these simple ideas will inspire you to get creative!

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Door knobs and knockers

First up, the vast majority of people don’t think twice about their front doors and see them as purely functional thing. As long as they open, close, lock, and have a lick of paint, who cares, right? But if you want to impress, consider looking around for a decorative door knocker. Wherever you live - be it a flat or country house - it will make a brilliant first impression for your guests when they pop round. 

Paint and curtains

Can’t afford that beautiful wallpaper you saw at your local Homebase? Don’t panic - why not freshen things up with some paint, and finish off your room’s look with some fancy prestigious curtains? You will give any room an extra lift, and the cost of covering your windows with fabric will end up far less than wallpapering - and if you’ve never wallpapered before, you’ll also get a better finish.

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Boards and floors

Panicking about your worn, moth eaten old carpet because you can’t afford the grand or so it will cost to replace? It’s OK - why not expose your floorboards instead? Hiring an industrial sander costs you peanuts, and it’s the same for buying the wax sealant you’ll need to finish your floorboards off to perfection. Place a few cheap rugs about the place and your room will look incredibly glam, and hugely impactful.

Dimmer switches

Lighting is another big issue for many people moving to a new place. Everyone is different, and some prefer brightness while others prefer low light. But a simple switch to a dimmer plate instead of your bog standard main lighting can give you the best of both worlds - and it means you won’t have to pay for ripping out the old and installing a whole new light system.

The natural touch

The next time you head down to the beach or take a walk in the forest, look around for anything you think might brighten up your home. Driftwood, for example, can make stunning pieces that bring a little nature into the home - just sand them down and varnish for longevity. Similar, bundles of long twigs can be placed in large vases to create a forest look in the corner of any room. Finally, you can also use twigs and vines to build an amazing and unique picture or mirror frames. It’s amazing what you might find if you keep your eyes open - and it’s all completely free! 

Big Boss Mom: What The Corporate World Teaches Parents

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“Don’t worry; you’ll take it to like a duck to water.” That is what people say to new moms who are worried about making the transition. It’s like being a parent is an innate skill which everyone in the world possesses. Although most people flourish, it isn’t like they don’t need help. The first couple of months are new and scary and evoke a sense of helplessness. But, where can a new parent turn if they need help? It isn’t as if there is a line of people with great advice. Weirdly, the best place to find help is in the world of business. 

Here are four things the corporate world teaches new parents.

Don’t Trust Anyone

When you work in an office, the mood is tense and the smiles are fake. The reason for this is a lack of trust. As soon as you turn your back, a colleague would happily stick a knife in it for their gain. Babies aren’t as malicious, but they are just as untrustworthy as employees with drive trying to climb the ladder. Leave them alone for one second and they will do everything from putting coins in their mouth to playing with the plug sockets. They need watching at all times like a hawk.

Teamwork Is Essential

Moms often get left to handle the bulk of the responsibility. Usually, it’s the dads who get to go back to work and interact with human adults. Still, it's not a good idea to take their contribution lightly. From coming home and playing with the kids to running you a bath, they have a significant role to play. Quite simply, moms and dads are a team that can take the pressure off each others’ shoulders. Just like in the office, teamwork is essential to keep home life running smoothly and productively. 

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Take Financial Opportunities 

Businesses are always looking to make money. Parents might not think this correlates, but that logic is flawed. Apart from attempting to keep them healthy, parents want to set their kids up for life. To do this, they need money as it makes the world go around. A savings account is an excellent start, yet it is only a foundation. To provide them with a superior lifestyle, you need to go further, such as opening up a line of home equity. With homeequitylineof.credit and their resources, it is possible to pick a perfect service. Then, you can use the money to renovate the property, add value, and provide a great place to live for the kids. 

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Management Is Key

Bornadragon.com has talked about coaching kids to success before. Well, forget about coaching because this is life management. In the early years, it will revolve around picking out their clothes and choosing their meals. Then, it will turn into how to convince them to do the right thing. Finally, there is the bargaining stage where you guide them through the pitfalls of their early and late teenage years. A former manager finds this stuff a breeze because the skills are transferable. 

It’s a dark and dingy world, but it has a softer, cuddlier side which parents can exploit. 

How Your Mindset Changes When You Become A Parent

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It’s obvious that having a baby changes the way you think about the world - nothing can have more impact on you than becoming a parent. From the second you walk out of the hospital doors to go home, the world will seem a little stranger - and more dangerous - than it ever did before. But it doesn’t just stop when you take the baby home for the first time. Those mindset changes will continue long into the future. Here are a few of the surprising things you might experience when you have children. 

Sleep patterns

It will be a while before your little one starts getting up at a regular time, but once they do it is likely, they will be set for many years to come. And that means that your alarm clock will become an irrelevance. Expect your body clock to start getting you up a lot earlier than you used to as a teenager or partygoing 20-something  - and the prospect of an early night becoming incredibly attractive.

Turning into your mom/dad

No matter how rebellious you were as you transformed into an adult, over the years, you will notice you are becoming your mother or father. It starts when you notice yourself using those little phrases they used to use when you were a kid. Then, you will start seeing little behaviors and decisions you make are exactly the same as mom or pop used to do. And, depending on your genetics, you could wake up one morning, look into a mirror, and see your parent looking back at you. 

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Being aware of the inevitable

As pointed out over at wholelifeinsurance.co, when you have a family, you have to consider their future when you’re not around anymore - what will happen if you pass away? As a hell-raising singleton, everyone would be sad to see you go, of course, but once you have kids, your mortality will play on your mind. There are lots of financial implications when you have loved ones that rely on you for income, and it’s vital for you to consider securing everyone’s future. Whether it's getting life insurance, sorting out a will, or setting savings accounts for your kids, it's important to start putting financial plans in place. 

Belonging to a club

Once you have had a baby, you will start sharing glances, smiles, and little nods with other new moms. But, as your kids get older, you will become a more senior member of this massive but unofficial club, offering your advice - but only when it’s needed, of course - and giving help to other parents whose experiences are similar to yours. In fact, barely a day will go by that you don’t see other members of this prestigious club and discuss issues, share stories, and describe shared problems. 

Minor Irritations

According to parents.com, belonging to the ‘club’ does have some downsides, though. When you’re enjoying your first child, everyone and anyone will offer you advice - and you’ll struggle with trying out all the different suggestions. However, over time you will forge your own path as a mother, and even start finding these know-it-all moms a little on the tiresome side!

What mindset changes have you experienced as a mother? Share your expertise in the comments! 

We're Going Through Changes: Adjusting Your Life To Meet New Needs

As we get older, we experience a variety of changes. When we’re young, these adjustments are mainly physical. Our bodies change, and sometimes our personalities, too. It’s all part of growing up. But, the changes don’t stop once you reach adulthood. They continue, under the surface, throughout your life. 

For the most part, these changes take place during major moments in our lives. Most notably after reaching adulthood, the majority of us experience becoming parents. Then, we reach the stage where the changes are more of a slowing down than the building pace we’re used to. And, those slower changes are what we’re going to focus on here. 

Getting older isn’t something any of us look forward to, but it is inevitable. Instead of ignoring the issue, focus on preparing and ensuring your lifestyle still suits you. Obviously, there will be physical changes, as outlined on sites like longestlife.com. But, that’s not what we’re going to focus on today. Instead, we’re going to look at the steps you need to take to prepare yourself for those changes.

Should you move house?

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None of us like to think of leaving our homes. They’re our safe places, after all. Often, we spend our lives making them what we want them to be. But, when your kids leave home, you’ll be left with an empty nest which may not even suit you for much longer. For one, you don’t need that amount of space anymore. It’ll feel increasingly empty as your family makes their way. For another, you may not physically be able to clean and care for a house of that size for much longer. It’s worth booking an appointment with an estate agent like kensingtonandco.com, who can at least make you aware of your options. 

Changing your policies

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As your needs change, so too should the policies you pay into. In some instances, you may want to increase the amount you pay into your pension scheme. This last attempt to boost the pot could help you in a major way down the line. And, as your health changes, you may want to adjust things such as your health insurance policy. By heading to sites like healthinsurancequotes.co, you can pick a plan which suits your new needs. The same applies to things like car insurance, life insurance, and much more. 

Adjusting your spending

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As you get older, you may also want to adapt to a smaller budget. This will allow you to save more when it matters. It’ll also give the chance to get an idea of money management before retirement. 

Once you retire, it’s also worth considering how to make your money last better. After all, you’ll be working with a limited budget. If you saved a decent pension pot, you shouldn’t struggle too much here. But, it’s important to accept that you won’t be able to spend the way you once did. Every penny has to be accounted for to ensure you have enough to last you the long haul!

Handling Your Personal Finances Effectively and Problem-Free

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You learn many things at school, but for some reason, it seems like we are never given practical information regarding how to understand, control and maintain our personal finances. It can feel like you reach adulthood, take on a job, are handed cash and are completely left to your own devices. This is relatively daunting, and an enormous consequence is that many people continue through adulthood and find themselves with mortgages, loans, and credit agreements while still not truly knowing the basics of lending and repayments. It’s not all too surprising that so many people slip into debt and even bankruptcy on such a regular basis. So, let’s take it back to basics. Here are the first steps you should take towards handling your personal finances effectively and problem-free.

Know the Value of Your Income and the Cost of Your Outgoings

As well as being aware of your credit score, you should know exactly how much money you have coming in and how much you have going out. You need to keep the first number larger than the second or your chosen lifestyle will plunge you into the red in no time at all. If you find that your outgoings exceed your income, it’s time to start cutting back on your spending. This can easily be done by setting out a budget which limits social activities and opts for cheaper brands or brandless products than you currently purchase.

Know Your Credit Score

First things first, it is essential that you know your personal credit score. It is essential that you engage with credit to be offered larger loans, such as mortgages or loans for vehicles, in the future. This essentially ensures that lenders know you can be trusted with repayments before handing you a lump sum of cash. Many credit score sites are now free to use, meaning that you can access your records free of charge and gain a thorough understanding of your finances. Most will also have a meter, rating your situation from poor to great. This will then give you an idea of what moves to make when it comes to applying for credit or finance.

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Know Who to Lend From

When building up your credit score, you should take out the best credit card or loan for your needs. You should look for the necessary credit limit as well as low-interest rates and reasonable repayment costs and intervals. Finding this information out is easier than ever. You simply need to check out GoBear credit card comparison, which will filter the best results to suit your credit rating and needs.

Consolidating Debts

If you already have debts, it may be time to consolidate them. This essentially means that you take out one large loan to clear all of your cards and then pay back the one source. This simplifies things, as you will only have one lender to remember, one repayment date a month to bear in mind and perhaps even a lower interest rate than you are currently being offered on your cards. Perfect!

This simple steps will give you a more clear overall view of your finances, allowing you to make more informed decisions and save yourself stress and cash in the long run. So get started today.

Prevention: Keeping Your Brain Sharp in Old Age

Although we’d all like to be happy and healthy for as long as possible, what’s the point if you’re not taking care of your brain? The signs of memory loss and a withering mind in a physically healthy elderly relative can be tough to witness - and it reminds us that the brain is also a muscle that should be exercised and attended to through all stages of life.

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Here is a handful of the best brain-boosting tips for elderly, helping them to stay sharp and focused for as long as possible, and making sure they’re around for longer.

Get moving

Let’s start with the most obvious one first; exercise is vital for both your body and your brain. If you’d like to maintain your grey matter the best you can - or if you’d like to look after your senior loved one, it’s best to get around thirty minutes of exercise every day. It doesn’t have to be intense, and a good walk can help you out on the days you don’t feel like sweating.

Regular exercise prevents memory loss by keeping diabetes, obesity, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol at bay - all the bad guys, in other words.

Did you know that the best exercise to boost your brain power is the humble sport of table tennis? Treat your older relative to one and entertain yourself with a match once in awhile and read more about it at mnn.com; it’s good for both of you.

Healthy fats

You probably know already that a healthy and balanced diet speaks volumes with regards to physical health, but a Mediterranean-like diet can actually prevent memory loss as well. 

Although it’s hard to pinpoint the exact ingredient that contributes to this effect, and it may very well be the combination of all, one study has found that diets rich in vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and fish were 20 % less likely to have memory and cognitive problems.

We’ll eat our olives and mackerel, in other words, and live to tell our great-grandchildren to do the same. 

Remember that if you have any concerns about the physical well-being of your older relative, rather than cognitive ones, it’s a good idea to have a look at medicalert.systems so that you can stress less even if they live by themselves. It will be good on their stress-levels as well, knowing that help is right around the corner. 

Socialize and play games

Enjoying a game of chess with your relatives is good for a lot of reasons. First of all, challenging your brain is alfa omega to keeping it healthy. It’s kind of like thinking you’ll gain muscles by eating the right foods but forgetting to lift weights - it’s just not going to happen. 

Engage in mind games such as chess, table tennis as mentioned above, reading, or a simple game of Sudoku to train your brain, and keep enjoying it for many years to come.

It’s sad to see a loved one affected by memory loss or Alzheimer’s and, although it’s tough to admit, we can’t always do something about it. The sharpest and most active mind may suffer from cognitive problems with age, so the best we can do is to keep interacting and be patient. 

Easy Savings Tips To Help You Pay Back Your Debts

Deciding to go debt free can help you to build a better financial future for you and your family. It can be difficult to find the money to pay back what you owe each month, but you can get there if you’re willing to make some changes. The following tips will help you make some easy savings each month that can help you pay back your debts and put you in a stronger financial position. This way, when it comes to buying a car or applying for a mortgage - you’ll be a much more attractive customer to your lender.

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Start dealing in cash

Paying for goods with cash as opposed to a credit or debit card could help you spend less. While paying with a credit card gives you extra security over your goods, when you pay with cash (especially for smaller items), you’ll have a much more realistic idea of what you’re spending. A good tip is to set yourself a budget, withdraw the cash each week and take it from there. You may even find that you spend less than your weekly allowance that you can put towards paying off your debts quicker.

Make a meal plan

Making a meal plan is a good idea for many reasons. It can help save you time in the kitchen by knowing what you’re going to eat each day, but it will also stop you from overspending in the supermarket. Plan out what you’d like to eat each week and make your groceries list based on that. This will stop you from adding unnecessary items to your cart and help you manage food waste too. If you can do your grocery order online, that’s an even better way to avoid the temptation of offers and ad-hoc treats, helping you save money each week. Set yourself a food budget that’s lower than what you’d normally spend and see if you can stick to it.

Slash your utilities

There are a lot of savings to be made by cutting your utilities. Most people never change providers, but with the rise of online comparison tools, you’ve got no excuse not to search for a cheaper deal. See if another provider could offer you a lower rate, and in many cases, your current provider will match it. This will apply to your energy supplier, phone network, and even your cable provider. Any credit accounts which have a high-interest rate could also be brought down so that you pay back more each month without having to up your payments. Finding a credit repair specialist through creditrepair.xyz could help you find a good deal to help you reduce your debts. Remember, if you don’t ask then you don’t get - so it’s always worth trying your luck to haggle for a better deal.

Being in debt can have a negative effect on your future, but by taking action now, you can stop that from happening. Make a plan to get yourself out of debt and find ways to save that little bit extra each month. Smarter spending habits now will benefit you in the future, so give the above a try and see if you have some extra change in your pockets at the end of the month.

Home Moving Mistakes You Have To Avoid

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Moving home, believe it or not, is one of the most stressful events in anyone’s life. It’s not too much of a surprise, really, given that it involves moving the entire contents - and maybe a lot more - into another house, possibly hundreds of miles away. If you can get through a home move without having a single argument, disaster, or breakage, you can count yourself lucky - at least two of these things will happen to most people!

However, by understanding the pitfalls, you can plan a route around them. So, today; we’re going to take a look at some of the most common - and worst - home moving mistakes that many people make. Let’s take a look and guide you through the potential disasters that could be waiting if you aren’t careful. 

Last minute packing

Here’s a fair warning: if you leave your packing to the last minute - or even the last week - you deserve no sympathy. Sensible folks start packing as soon as they know their moving date. It just makes the entire process more manageable, less stressful, and will ensure you are ready for the big day. Don’t keep putting it off - as much as you might want to believe in the packing fairy, we're kind of sure it doesn’t exist. 

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Early booking

Also, make sure you are booking your removal company well in advance. If you need to find a residential moving contractor, you can bet dozens of other people are too, and the only way to secure their services is to get them in the diary as soon as possible. Good removal companies are like gold dust and are booked weeks - maybe months - in advance. You don’t want to be left with Dodgy Dave’s Removals being the only company with an open slot.

Failure to declutter

Moving home is the ideal time to declutter your house - and your life. Be as ruthless as possible, or you will live to regret it. Every extra box, item, and bag will need a home on the other side and will take you longer to pack. You’ll be far better off dropping old stuff you don’t use at a local charity store or giving it away to those who need it in your community. Alternatively, you could always have a yard sale, earn yourself some cash, and perhaps put the money towards the cost of your removals.

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Failure to measure

Have you measured all your furniture to ensure it will fit in the new place? If not, https://www.popsugar.com/ suggests you do it - or the following few weeks are going to be a nightmare. It’s a good idea to sketch out a scaled plan for every room and make sure everything is OK.

Be ready for the day

Finally, make sure you are getting up with the cockerels on the day of your move. Honestly, every second counts, and it’s highly likely your removal contractors will arrive at some point during - or maybe even before - you have your breakfast. Why so early? Because they are experienced, and understand exactly how long it’s going to take. The last thing you want is to be unloading the van at the other side in the pitch black of a cold evening, so get up early and be prepared.

Hope this helps - good luck with the move!

Harboring A Hipster In Your Midst? You Don't Want To Miss Out On These Gift Ideas

Everyone knows that fashions come and go. One year, goth is in. The next, we’re taking a trip down memory lane with 80s style. For the most part, these stylistic choices have little more to do with the clothes we wear. And, when fashion shops change, so too do our tastes.

Occasionally, though, a fashion comes to mean more than simply clothes. In recent years, we’ve seen the ‘emo’ style sweeping across youngsters. It dictated everything from the way they acted, to the food they ate. More recently, we’ve seen the development of the ‘hipster’ fashion. 

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Anyone who’s anyone will have cottoned on to the fact that this fashion, predominantly in men, has become the latest lifestyle choice. With man buns, tattoos, and beards galore, hipsters are taking over coffee shops across the world. 

If you have a hipster in your midst, you may feel as though they’re another species. The behaviors of this fashion group are so distinct and alien that they can be baffling. While you may not understand the lifestyle choice, such a tailored choice does make hipsters extremely easy to buy for. So, if the person in question has a birthday coming up, it shouldn’t be difficult to find the perfect gift. To give you some idea of what you should look for, consider these items. 

A top-end coffee machine is sure to go down well. Hipster life and coffee shops go hand in hand. So, why not give them their own professional coffee experience, like that provided by Delonghi machines? Bear in mind that you may also want to stock up on some coffee pods, and perhaps even some espresso cups. 

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An electric razor is also worth considering. It may seem like a contradiction, as beards are all the rage. But, hipsters beards aren’t any old facial hair. Instead, they’re manicured and perfectly trimmed. While not any old razor would offer a trimming function, a little research into the best electric shaver on the market is sure to lead to you to one that does. Options with extra clips and so on are your best bet here. 

Beard oil goes hand in hand with shaving, and should be your next port of call. Did you ever wonder why stylish men had such shiny beards? This is the answer. You could accompany your razor gift with a bottle, or buy a gift set with a few different choices. Attempt to pick out scents you know the person in question will love. They will have this right under their nose, after all. 

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A record player would be another welcome gift. Vinyl has been threatening to reappear for years, and hipsters are making it happen. As such, there are a variety of affordable portable options on the market. Accompany this with a record from their favorite artist, and you’ll be onto a winner. Bear in mind that it’s worth doing your research here, too. Buying an option which is too cheap will see it breaking in no time. 

Home Comforts For Seniors – Does Your Property Boast The Necessary Features?

A happy home is important throughout all parts of our lives. The increased time spent at home during your retirement years means that it becomes even more vital during those vital stages. Ultimately, comfort is king.
 
There are many factors to consider as you transform the home into one that will leave you smiling for many years to come. Use this checklist for guidance, and you won’t go far wrong.

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Great Security: First and foremost, you won’t feel comfortable if the home isn’t safe. Being older can make you increasingly vulnerable, especially if your movement isn’t as good as it once was. Investing in the right surveillance facilities is essential for gaining that peace of mind. When combined with secured doors and windows, you won’t go far wrong. A safe home is a happy home. Do not forget it for a second.
 
Garden Beauty: Outdoor spaces become even greater sources of happiness when you have the time to relax in them. Sadly, keeping them in great health can feel a little difficult. Thankfully, incorporating ideas that reduce the need for maintenance will go a long way to overcoming those troubles. This means you’ll be able to enjoy this natural beauty year after year too.
 
Easy Accessibility: Moving around can become a little tougher as the body starts to suffer aches and pains. Unfortunately, this turn seemingly simple activities into very difficult tasks. A stairlift installation and bathroom refit can work wonders as they’ll enable you to maintain independence. Meanwhile, you could look at dropping the height of kitchen counters for easier daily use.

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Accommodating Tech: Technology can be used to improve the home in many ways. Most importantly, it has the ability to assist when your senses deteriorate. Thermostats for seniors can be particularly useful for those with poor sight. Meanwhile, vibrating alarms and sensors can provide alerts when you’re hearing isn’t great. Given that those health issues can be a huge source of inspiration, beating them can make a world of difference.  
 
Comfy Bed: Getting older does mean that the body might need a little more time to recover and recuperate. Therefore, it’s vital that you invest in a great mattress that allows you to do this. A good night’s sleep will leave you with more energy, increased happiness, and fewer aches. If that doesn’t improve your feelings towards your modern home, nothing will.
 
Simple Cleanliness: Keeping the property clean is one of the issues that cause major problems for millions of senior citizens. Opting for a minimalist approach to interior design is key. In addition to making it easier to clean, it removes some of the potential hazards. Special dusters and materials can be bought to further boost the cause. Otherwise, hiring a weekly cleaner should suffice.

Maintaining a happy home can feel tough during those retirement years. Still, it will become a lot easier when you take note of those simple suggestions. Ultimately, that comfortable and happy home life is the least you deserve.