Telltale Signs Your Home Is An Unhealthy Place To Live

Hi lovelies,

We tend to believe that our homes are places that support our health and wellbeing. Living inside them certainly feels better than being in the office or walking down a diesel fume-filled street. 

Unfortunately, homes can be hazards. There are multiple factors that can make them unhealthy. Here’s a rundown.

You Are Using A Non-HEPA Vacuum
We like to imagine that vacuuming improves the condition of our homes and makes them better places to live. But that’s only true if the vacuum itself is capturing all the particles that it sucks up. And, many times, it isn’t. Standard vacuums actually suck up tiny particles from the carpets and then distribute them into the atmosphere when you empty them in the bin. The solution? Use HEPA-based vacuuming. 

You’re Neglecting To Clean All Your Vents
Here’s another issue that could be affecting your health: failing to clean your vents. It turns out that vents harbor all sorts of dust, bacteria and other nasties. When you turn on the air conditioning, it releases them into the atmosphere - bad for anyone with allergies or a weakened immune system. 

Fortunately, cleaning vents is easy. Just take off the front cover, remove the grill behind and dispose of it outside. You can also wash it if the model allows. 

Your Bathroom Has Poor Ventilation
Why do building regulations insist that all new bathrooms have extractor fans? It’s because without them, moisture can build up inside the room, leading to mold. 

Mold causes all types of problems. Not only does it damage your paintwork and walls, it can also be hazardous to your airways. You don’t want it in your home. 

If you don’t have an extractor fan in your bathroom, get a professional to install one for you. They’re not expensive.

Your Water Is Contaminated
Water contamination is a significant issue, particularly in older houses with lead pipes. Heavy metals and pollutants can get into your water and make you sick. If you think your water might be contaminated because of your piping, call a plumber. Get them to report back to you about your current plumbing system and how you need to modernize it to make it safe. 

Your Gutters Are Full Of Debris
Guttering full of debris is another reason your home could be an unhealthy place to live. When gutters can’t do their job they tend to overflow during storms. This excess water then seeps into the walls, causing damp which then, naturally, leads to mold. 

Your Bedroom Smells Bad
A bedroom that smells musty and nasty is usually a sign of two things: 

1. You aren’t changing your sheets enough

2. You’re allowing junk to accumulate under the bed

When you sleep, your body produces a lot of sweat. This then travels into the bedsheets, causing a buildup of bacteria that causes bad smells. 

Junk under the bed can also accumulate. Worse still, if your bedroom is close to the kitchen, you might notice a buildup of oil-like residue on top of the carpet which can turn rancid. 

Keeping Safe When You Live on Your Own

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Hi lovelies,

You can get a great sense of freedom from living on your own. It's not necessarily the right choice for everyone, but many people enjoy having their own space and not having to share with anyone. When you have space for yourself, you don't have to keep anyone else's needs in mind. You can enjoy your own company, except when you feel like inviting people over, and maybe have space for a pet or two. But living on your own can also have some challenges, and one is making sure that you feel safe at home. It can feel a little frightening to live alone, but there are steps you can take to be and feel safer.

Make Your Home Well-Lit
Lighting is important if you want to make your home secure and create a feeling of safety in your home. Good lighting helps to keep intruders away because it's a lot harder to approach your home unseen if there are bright lights shining on them. If you want to install security lights outside your home, use lights with motion sensors. They'll turn on at night if motion is detected, stunning and hopefully scaring off any would-be intruders. They'll also let you know if anyone (or anything) might be outside because you'll see when they come on.

Check the Windows and Doors
Obviously, the security of your windows and doors is a vital part of a secure home. If they're not sure, it's easier for someone to break in. Some people choose to replace the locks in their home when they move in, just to make sure no previous owners or anyone else can use a key to get in. You can also check the integrity of all locks on all windows and doors to ensure they're secure. Of course, there's no point in having locks if you don't use them. Be sure to lock up at night and when you're away from home.

Set Up a Security Camera
Security cameras will record anything suspicious around your home. They also act as a deterrent, discouraging people from trying anything when you display them clearly. Smart security cameras will even allow you to watch a live feed and will send alerts to your phone (or another device) if they pick up on any movement. As well as strategically placed cameras outside and perhaps inside your home, you can consider a doorbell camera. These are useful for checking who's at the door, like a modern peephole.

Install an Alarm
A security alarm is another great way of ensuring you're warned of any suspicious activity. It's also excellent to scare people away if they do try to break in or trespass. If you install an alarm, you can set it at night or when you go out to protect your home. You can often combine alarms with other security devices too. With smart technology on the rise, you can connect your security alarm with other security tech, such as cameras. You can also install an alarm that will automatically contact a monitoring center for you, which will confirm any incidents and can call the police for you too.

Keep a Good Flashlight
Sometimes it's the seemingly small things that can help to keep you safe. In a similar way that security lights will help to keep you safe at home, having a good flashlight will also help you to stay safe. A powerful LED tactical flashlight from EcoGearFX is ideal to keep at home. You can use it in case of power cuts or if you need to check anything outside at night. It's also useful if you want to walk the dog, take a walk on your own, or go for a run in the evening. Not only do they light the way, but you can use them for self-defense too.

Use a Personal Safety Alarm
A personal safety alarm is also a useful item to carry when you're out and about on your own. You can use it if you ever feel like you're in danger, and it will make a loud sound and might have a light on it too. Some alarms and apps also allow you to send a distress message to someone and let people know that you're in trouble.

Get to Know the Neighbors
Living alone doesn't have to mean that you're isolated or lonely. In fact, one of the best things that you can do if you live alone is to get to know your neighbors. There are several advantages to doing this. By getting involved with your local community, you can all watch out for each other. If you need help with anything, you'll have people nearby to ask. You can give a spare key to a trusted neighbor too. It's also useful to know and recognize your neighbors so that you can spot someone who might not be local to the area.

Keep in Touch with Family and Friends
Similarly, be sure to keep in touch with your family and friends. Letting them know your whereabouts and what you're up to can help to keep you safe, even if you're home alone. When you have people who are expecting you to be in certain places at certain times, you have people who know where to look for you. They can check in with you and make sure you are where you're supposed to be and that nothing has happened.

Create Security with Landscaping
For another way to create more security around your home, you can plan your landscaping strategically. By keeping bushes and trees neat, you can prevent people from hiding in them and make sure they don't block your line of sight. You can use thorny or sharp plants to help keep people away too. Planter boxes below your windows are also a smart idea, helping to make windows less accessible so that people can't climb through them.

Living on your own doesn't have to be or feel unsafe. You can make the experience safer with the right steps to secure your home and yourself.

Tips For Better & More Modern Curb Appeal

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Hi lovelies,

Part of keeping up with and maintaining your home has to do with how it looks on the outside. You want to make sure you love the way it appears when you pull up to it and that it stands out in the neighborhood for the right reasons.

You may know it needs some attention but aren’t sure where to start. In this case, review tips for better curb appeal that will put you on the right track and ensure your home looks beautiful. In no time at all, you’ll be proud to show off the new and improved exterior enhancements.

Spruce up the Exterior Structure

Your home’s structure and how it looks overall make a big difference when it comes to trying to boost curb appeal. Therefore, consider sprucing up the exterior by following through with making some major structural changes. Think about replacing or power washing the siding, adding shutters, and replacing an old roof. Make this project easier on you by choosing the right residential roofing contractor to help you. Your home will look brand new once you make these types of updates.

Clean up the Landscaping

Another tip for better curb appeal has to do with upkeeping your landscaping. Spend some time outside cleaning it up and taking care of your lawn and yard. It includes cutting and fertilizing your grass, trimming back trees and bushes, and having colorful and vibrant plants and flowers around the front of your home. It may help to hire a landscaping company or designer to come out and rearrange some things if you’re unhappy with how it looks currently.

Decorate Your Front Porch

You want to make a good first impression on people when they enter or pass by your home. If you want better curb appeal then decorate your front porch and make it look beautiful and inviting. For instance, you can get some tall planters to put next to your door, paint your front door an attractive hue, and place out an outdoor rug and some chairs on your porch. Switch and change up your décor by season so you always have a new and improved look going on. It may also help to hang a wreath from your front door.

Replace an Old Mailbox

An old mailbox can drag down the entire look of your home on the outside. Therefore, consider replacing it with a brand new style. Be sure to check with your homeowner’s association first if you have one to see if there are any rules and restrictions. It can be a fun DIY project to tackle or you can buy and install one that you find online.

Add Lighting

Brighten up and spruce up your home’s exterior and enhance the curb appeal by adding lighting. It’ll especially help improve the look of your property when the evening hours roll around. Install modern light fixtures by your garage and front porch and consider adding solar lights in the ground along your walkway. If you have a big tree in your front yard then you can also think about putting a spotlight on it for another way to boost your curb appeal. 

Follow this Guide if you Want a Clutter-Free Home by the End of The Day

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Hi lovelies,

If you often find yourself looking at clutter-free spaces in magazines or even on the web, then you may be wondering if it is even possible for your home to look like that. The truth is that it can, and sometimes a few simple changes are all that you need to make in order to reap the benefits.

Live within your Means
This isn’t a new idea at all, but it is a fantastic place for you to start if you want to live a life that is simpler and less cluttered. Let the size of your home dictate how many possessions you have, rather than the opposite way around. If you know that your closet is bursting at the seams, then don’t start dreaming about having a bigger closet. Instead, try and pare down what you have. If you are having a hard time, then it may be wise for you to invest in a storage unit. It’s a good idea for you to explore the storage unit cost in your area so that you can get an average price. Either way, most units will give you the keys that same day, so you can begin to clear out your home right now.

Purge
You also need to make sure that you purge often. If you find that stuff is always accumulating, then set aside a time in the day to just throw stuff away. Go through all of your things and try and get rid of anything that you don’t need anymore. If you have a pile of mail, then shred it. If you have some old cardboard boxes lying around then get rid of those too. If you can do this, then you will soon find that you can make your home look fantastic.

Put Things Away
This is quite possibly the hardest part of the list. You probably know that everything has its place, so you have to make sure that you do what you can to use it. Put your bottle opener in your drawer and also hang your shirt up when you get home from work. If you can do this, and get in a real habit, then this will work in your favor far more than you realize. You may even find that your home looks instantly better as a result and that you are able to find things too.

Clean
Believe it or not, if you clean your home on a regular basis then you won’t be as tempted to dump clutter. You may find that you end up being more respectful of your space and that you are also able to really keep track of things more. Of course, if you aren’t sure about where to start then look at your dumping grounds. This can include the coffee table, dining table or windowsill. Clean down these areas, and you’ll be way more tempted to avoid dumping things there in the future. This is a great way for you to take action starting today.

How To Feel Safe After A Break In

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Hi lovelies,

One of the most traumatic experiences that could be had is the experience of having your home broken into.

It’s a violation of privacy but it also makes it feel like someone has been too close to you; a break in is a rather intimate experience. It can be traumatic to find your things rifled through and your windows smashed, and it can make you feel apprehensive about walking into your home again. Many people use this experience as a catalyst for taking self-defense classes and learning how to use their hands, batons, and other weapons in order to protect themselves effectively in the future.

Should you ever find yourself needing to call in a window replacement service to help you to get your home back to feeling secure again, you need all the help that you can get to make sure that your home is back to its best. A home break in can be traumatic, but with the tips below, you can feel safe after it occurs once again. With the tips below, you can ensure that you keep a safe home at all times.

1. Get to a safe zone. When you realize that your home has been broken into, you should think about ensuring that you have a safe zone for your family to go. You should always have a place to go just in case you come home and find the house broken into again. 

2. Call the police. If you get home and you notice that the windows have been broken into, you should always call the police and let them clear out the crime scene. The police are going to be your first port of call should you ever see anything wrong like that - as your home is your castle. 

3. Make a list. You should have a list of things that have been taken from your home because that list is going to matter to your insurance company. You will also need to hand this list to the police because they will need to know exactly what’s been taken. You can then ensure that you can keep up with any websites that have your things being listed for sale! 

4. Help. If you have any security cameras or anything that could assist the police in the investigation into who took your things, you should contact them and help them with it. The police will need as much information as possible to catch the people who took from you!

5. File a claim. Your insurance company will need you to file a claim so that you can get covered on the things that have been stolen. Contacting them should happen ASAP so you’re not waiting too long to get your money. The insurance will also want to know about the police report we mentioned, so hand that over to them, too.

6. Repairs. Calling in the window services and repairing the glass as well as anything else in the house that has been smashed or damaged. You have to clean up the place and make sure that you are feeling safe in the house once more. This way, you can make a plan to prevent anything further happening and reinforce the things that were broken.

4 Ways to Juggle Working from Home while Managing a Household

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Hi lovelies,

Since the pandemic began, there have been more people than ever who are working from home. While working from home has many benefits such as working in your PJs, sleeping in, or skipping the commute, there are some downsides to it. It can be a challenge to stay productive while juggling all the demands that your household has such as chores, caring for children, and other home concerns. These tips will help you in managing your tasks at home while meeting your deadlines at work.

Create a designated workspace
While the idea of working from your couch or bed is incredibly tempting, it’s best to not do that.  If you’re sitting in an area that’s meant for relaxing, you’re going to struggle to keep at work because your mind will wander and will want to relax. Instead, try to look into creating an official setup. This could be something such as working from a dining room table, having your own desk, or maybe getting yourself a home office.

Whatever you do, you should have a door in this workspace so you can close it and lock it. It’s important that you block out any distractions that come your way. Your workspace should also be well equipped with items that you need for your jobs such as a computer or laptop, stationery, printer, a good microphone, webcam, and headphones. You’ll want these things within arms reach so you won’t have to constantly get up to get these.

Figure out a good schedule
Is your partner working from home as well? Are your kids old enough to go to school? Are they old enough to make their food? There can be struggles if your children are still too young for school or are doing school from home. You’ll need to make a clear schedule with your family, especially your partner about this. You all will need to accommodate each other. This includes accommodating child care, chores, errands, and many other things. This also needs to include quiet time. If you or your partner will be in a lot of meetings, then boundaries need to be set on who needs to be quiet as All Clean Pressure Washing LLC can be quite loud. Just in general though, you and your household will need to figure out a balance.

Multitasking
While it’s not fun to do, one way to handle work and doing things around the house would be through multi-tasking. This could include walking your dog while you’re waiting for a client to get back to you, running to do a load of laundry before a long meeting, or maybe putting dishes in the dishwasher during a phone call. You could always try to outsource some of your home chores if you and your partner are just far too busy to get any work done.

Meal prep
Meal prepping can be wonderful, but there are downsides. If your spouse and children rely on you to make food, you can always meal prep the day before or maybe even on the weekends. However, since meal prep can be a lengthy process on its own, you’ll still be glued to the kitchen. The plus side would be the fact that you’re not having to worry about it during work. A downside to meal prepping would be feeding yourself or your children something that none of you were in the mood to eat. 

5 Things You Must Consider Before Purchasing a Houseplant

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Hi lovelies,

Who doesn’t love houseplants? Thanks to the pandemic, houseplants have become super trendy. If you go on Instagram or TikTok, you’re bound to see many homes being decorated in gorgeous lush greenery. You can now find them anywhere, including markets, grocery stores, florists, and even department stores. These are excellent for replacing gardening or even give you a feel that you have a pet. If you’re looking into getting a houseplant, these are some things you should consider before making a purchase.

What are the benefits of houseplants?
Houseplants are natural air purifiers. They absorb CO2 and release oxygen. Plus the presence of being around plants makes you feel close to nature. This has a positive psychological effect on interior space for this reason. Plants are usually quite affordable and can easily elevate any space.  

First, figure out what level of plant care you want
It's very important to know how much you’re willing to care for a plant and how much experience you have. You need to think about how much time you’re willing to commit to taking care of a plant. If you’re lazy or always have a hectic schedule (as in, you’re not home too often), then it’s best to purchase something that’s extremely low maintenance such as a spider plant or cactus. However, if you’re home often and you love to see things nurture and grow, then maybe you can manage high-maintenance plants much better.

Figuring out how much light a plant needs
Nearly all plants need light in order to grow. Sunlight or even some form of artificial light is needed so plants can do the photosynthesis process. There are things that you should really keep in mind when selecting a plant. How much airflow does your home have? What is the average temperature in your house? How humid does it get? Where are the windows? These all need to be taken into account for your environment. Artificial heating and lighting are both going to affect the growth and wellbeing of your plant. It doesn’t mean that a tropical plant isn’t going to thrive in a dry or cold environment, but it does mean that there will have to be some kind of change. This could include purchasing something such as a humidifier or maybe even a small greenhouse.

Suitable container
This is fairly easy, you just need to make sure you pick a good container for your plan. There are plenty of fun and cute pots you can buy in-store as well as online. Just make sure there is enough room in it to allow your plant to grow.

What’s important when picking out a plant?
Once you have given yourself a reality check with what type of space and conditions you live in, you can then begin to think about why you want a plant and what type would be best.  So why do you want a plant? Are you wanting these for aesthetic purposes? Is it due to the ever-growing trend of owning plants? Do you want it due to making your home look nicer? How about your pets, do you own any cats or dogs? Some plants are very toxic to animals, so these need to be kept into consideration as well. Some plants are caused by mites, so in that case, you’ll need an exterminator in Gainesville, GA. It’s very important to think of all of these factors before purchasing a plant. 

Spruce Up & Improve Your Home With These Tips

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Hi lovelies,

Your home is a big investment and part of your life. It makes sense that you want it to look nice and be presentable.

You may have been busy lately and let updating your home slip through the cracks. On the other hand, maybe it’s older and you just haven’t put much work into it over the years. No matter the reasons why you haven’t kept up, now is the time to take action. Learn about ways you can spruce up your home and tips for improving it over time.

Enhance the Windows & Lighting
Dirty, old, and broken windows are unattractive and not energy efficient which can begin to get expensive over time. In this case, it might be time to look into following through with a whole home window replacement project. You’ll not only be better at regulating the temperature in your home but the windows will draw in more natural light as well. The brighter and airier your home the better it’s going to look. Once the new windows are installed you can dress them up with blinds or curtains. Also, add lamps and candles and put lights on dimmer switches so you can adjust the lighting accordingly.

Replace Old Flooring
Another tip to help you spruce up and improve your home is to look into new flooring. Replacing old flooring will make your home look more modern and can make dark rooms brighter. It’s especially important to do if you have old and stained carpet that’s been around for a while. Consider new and updated flooring options such as luxury vinyl planks that not only look great but are also good for pets and kids. Remember you can always place down an area rug to keep your feet warm and make your rooms cozier.

Apply Neutral Paint
New paint can quickly transform your home from dark, dreary, and outdated to modern and beautiful. Spruce up and improve your home by applying neutral paint colors to the walls throughout your property. You’ll not only enjoy having new paint but your home will be ready to sell when you decide to put it on the market in the future. If you want to save some money and are feeling motivated then you can even tackle this project yourself. Consider also painting wood trim white and bathroom or kitchen cabinets as other ways to bring your home into more contemporary times.

Declutter & Keep it Clean
If you want to spruce up your home and make it look and feel nicer then declutter it and keep it clean. Get rid of any items you no longer need or want and clear them out so you can make room for new pieces that you love. Go through old boxes, closets, and your basement, and make sure all you own has a place to reside. Come up with a practical cleaning schedule that helps you stay on track and tackle each room one by one throughout the week. Your home will look lovely and feel comfortable and cozy when you commit to keeping it clean, tidy, and organized.

Create Spaces for Entertaining
You never know who will be stopping by or when it’ll be your turn to throw a party or gathering. Therefore, it’s worth it to create some spaces for entertaining. For instance, you may want to have a sitting room with comfortable and unique furniture and have a dry bar set up for when guests want to visit indoors. You can also finish your basement and turn it into an entertainment center where you and your visitors can gather. Consider adding a big screen TV, pool table, and speakers so you’re all set when it’s time to host a party. Also, update your outdoor living space and backyard by preparing a grilling and sitting area so you can have a cookout and hang out outside when the weather is nice.

Install A New Garage Door
A new garage door can do wonders for your home’s appearance and increase its value. You’re sure to get a return on your investment and your home and belongings will be better insulated and protected, especially in the wintertime. There are many styles and designs to choose from so do your homework and see what’s trending and what will look best with your home’s style before deciding on a final garage door. A new garage door will keep your family safe, help you save energy, and boost your curb appeal so it’s definitely worth looking into.

Keep up with Your Landscaping
Your landscaping is another aspect of your home you should pay attention to and take care of. You want your yard to look well-kept and inviting so it’s important that you maintain it. This includes pruning your trees and bushes, cutting and fertilizing your lawn, and planting colorful plants and flowers to enjoy. Think about what other features you can add to your front or back yard too that will make it look better such as a fence, a garden with water features, and mulch or stones in the beds. You want your home to stand out in a good way, so make sure you don’t have a patchy or overgrown lawn or oversized bushes.

Perform Regular Maintenance & Make Repairs
You can spruce up and improve your home by performing regular maintenance and making repairs right away. You don’t want to leave important fixes for another day or they may soon add up and not only be costly but also impact the look and safety of your home. Make a seasonal maintenance checklist and be sure to keep up with it each year. Walk around your home and create a list of all items that are broken or need repair. Put the to-dos in priority order and then begin to tackle them one by one. Decide which repairs you can make yourself and which you’ll need to hire a handyman for. While you can teach yourself many skills from watching how-to videos online, some tasks are best left up to the pros. 

Stylish Secrets that will Help to Make your Home Look Amazing

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Hi lovelies,

If you love to buy things for your home but you just don’t know where to start, then you have come to the right place. Here you can find out everything you need to know about home design and décor, as well as finding out if it is possible for you to completely transform your home for the better.

Color Blocking
Color blocking is really popular right now. Painting an entire room in a single color is not easy at all, but the results can truly be stunning. One great way for you to start would be for you to match your paint color to a piece of furniture. The key to making your space color-blocked would be for you to look around the room and try to find patterns that complement each other. This will help you to create a truly stunning display. If you want to stop the color from being overwhelming, then it may be a good idea for you to adopt a softer wood tone for the floor. You can also add a different pop of color from the rug as well.

Fresh Flowers
If you have ever looked at a photogenic house tour on the internet, then you will know that creating good vignettes is easily a skill for an interior designer. One of the most important parts of this skill would be for you to try and buy some fresh flowers. Fresh flowers are ideal if you want to try and finish the room and you may even find that it helps you to add a pop of color as well. Flowers are wonderful to have in any space and they add a natural element to the space as well. This is always refreshing. Visually they help to add a lot of color, and this brightens even the darkest of rooms.

Painting the Door Trim
If you want to give your home an artsy or sophisticated look then you need to try and do the unexpected. Try and take people by surprise by trying to mix up various patterns and colors. If you can do this then you will soon find that things come together nicely. Painting the trims of your doorways will help to give you a nice dynamic entrance and you may even find that it gives you a subtle yet unexpected way for you to bring color into your home.

Fish Tank
Having a fish tank is a fantastic way for you to make sure that your home is brought to life. When you have a fish tank you may find that you are able to add a variety of color to the room and you can also play around with different themes too. If you want to try and benefit yourself then it may be wise for you to buy some custom plastic tanks. When you do, you will then be able to transport water easier.

Hang Drapes
Hanging drapes is another way for you to bring your home to life. You can hang them high from the ceiling, and this will add an element of luxury to your property, helping your roof to look higher while also adding visual space.

Your Ultimate House-Hunting How-To Guide

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Hi lovelies,

Buying a new home is an incredibly emotional process. It might be because you’re stepping onto the property ladder for the first time. Maybe you’re house-hunting for a forever home with your closest loved one. Or you’re moving on from a place already full of joy and memories.

But these emotions can sometimes get in the way of doing it right. There are things you need to check and boxes to tick. And overlooking even the tiniest issue could leave you with bills to pay way into the future that wasn’t accounted for.

To help you find your dream home with as little stress as possible, here’s your one-stop-shop guide about hunting for your dream home. And the common mistakes people make.

Common Mistakes To Avoid
Making mistakes and then learning from them is a part of life. But thankfully, in the house-hunting game, other people have made those mistakes for you. So here are 5 mistakes you need to avoid. 

Not Knowing Your Budget
When it comes to finding your dream home, once you’ve seen it, there’s no going back. You’ll fall in love with everything about it, including the lifestyle. But if the house you now love is way over budget, you’re just hurting yourself. Make sure your budget is clearly defined, and you only search in that strict price bracket. It’ll save you the pain of finding the perfect home that you just can’t afford. Plus, it’ll stop you from going into debt. 

Not Shopping Around
Similar to falling in love with a dream home that’s too expensive, you can fall in love with the first house you view. And the temptation just to take the plunge and put an offer in can be too great to fight. But for a good house hunt, you must resist! Not shopping around enough means you just don’t get a good enough idea of what’s on the market. And you may miss out on something that ticks more boxes than the first. 

Ignoring The Neighborhood
You can’t predict the future, so you won’t know what’s in store for your chosen neighborhood. But you can do some research. Make sure to check if there are any major plans in the pipeline for the area. And if you’re visiting on a quiet day, check out the site at rush hour. It can make or break a place if busy streets are an absolute no-no for your family. 

Skipping The Inspection
Once you’ve found a home, it can be tempting to rush through the paperwork and miss out on things like home inspections. But skipping it could cost you. Inspections show you possible problems or issues with the property that the average joe wouldn’t pick up. Of course, you can still go ahead if the problem isn’t a deal-breaker. But having an inspection puts you on a better footing in the buyers’ game. 

Rushing Into It
In the housing market, it’s sometimes necessary to make an offer quickly if you want to snap up a hot property. But you still need to ensure the house works for you long-term. So try to avoid getting caught up in the whirlwind that purchasing property can be. 

Before You Begin The Search
Now that you know what not to do, there are some key things to consider before you start to view properties. 

Define Your Lifestyle
Figure out what makes you tick. Defining your lifestyle will help you narrow down search criteria for the house and the neighborhood that’s right for you. 

Consider What Matters Most
Make a list of what means the most to you. It can be anything, from a huge garden for your dogs or having your workplace within walking distance. Anything that you can do without should be top of the list. 

Be Realistic
When searching for a new home, it’s tempting to have a huge list of requirements. You want it to be perfect after all. But be realistic about what you want. Especially when it comes to budget. If you don’t have a lot of cash, some things might need to be sacrificed. 

Separate Your Wants From Your Needs
Knowing the difference between your wants and needs will help you separate the wheat from the chaff. Especially if you have a small budget and some wants need to go. It also helps when you have 2 houses that tick all the needs boxes. You can use the wants list to decide which house does more for you. 

It’s Time To Start Viewing
The time has come to take the plunge and view some properties. While you’re in the homes, there are a few questions you should be asking yourself and the realtor.

• Is The Building Structurally Sound?

• Are The Rooms Big Enough?

• Is There Storage Space?

• Can You Extend Onto The House?

• How Old Is The Roof?

• Do The Windows Look Good?

• How Many PowerPoints Are There?

• Is There Damp?

• Have You Looked Past The Staging?

There are many more things you can ask, but these are often forgotten. They’re all geared to figuring out if the space works for you. And whether you’ll have to do any work once you get in or in the future. Asking questions gives you a fuller picture of the property, so you know exactly what you’re getting into. 

The Next Step
Your next big step will be whittling down choices and making offers. For the best advice when you get here, talk with your realtor. They’ll have all the lowdown on the houses and may even know the sellers well. Having a good relationship with the realtor makes the whole process simpler. And they’re the ones with the experience. So use it to your advantage. 

How Location Services Can Save Your Life

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Hi lovelies,

Mobile phone location services are often viewed with a (healthy) degree of skepticism at times.  We’ve all been warned about scammers that use seemingly unobtrusive ways to track our movements and then sell that data to companies who target us with unsolicited offers and pestering phone calls.  We find ourselves directed to websites that seem to come out of nowhere but are suspiciously in line with what we’ve been doing, where we’ve been going, and even who we’ve been doing it with.  But there is another side to location services and when used honestly, these can go a long way when it comes to improving our personal safety.  We’ve looked at ways to improve our safety in life, so now we’re going to look at ways that location services can actually save our lives.  As women, it’s becoming increasingly important to take responsibility for our own safety and this is where location services become important.

LET’S START BY UNDERSTANDING WHAT LOCATION SERVICES ARE
“A location-based service (LBS) is a general term denoting software services that utilize geographic data and information to provide services or information to users.” With thanks to our friends at Wikipedia.

Location-based services use GPS (global positioning satellites) technology to pinpoint a near-exact location of a specific site or object.  In this case, we’re looking at how our cell phones make use of this technology to enable potentially lifesaving scenarios.

SO HOW DOES IT WORK?
Utilizing a network of in-orbit satelite systems, our mobile phones can be tracked based on which cell phone tower we’re currently using in a specific area and then using GPS technology to “triangulate” that location.  Without getting too technical, the amount of time it takes between signal transmissions tells the system where we are within a hugely impressive level of accuracy.

CORONAVIRUS TRACKING
In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re in the throws of a global pandemic, and using location services has dramatically changed how we track the spread of the Coronavirus and is helping the authorities understand where breakouts happen and effectively, who is the “patient zero” within particular circles.  But what it also means is that authorities can also let you know when you’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive so that you can take the appropriate measures.  These systems have saved many lives the world over.

PERSONAL SAFETY FOR WOMEN
So this type of service can be useful for anyone, but we’re focusing on why it’s important for women as we tend to make up the larger pool in terms of gender-based violence. This is especially true if you happen to be out walking at night, whether from a night out or on the way to or from work, enabling location services on your cell phone could mean the difference between getting help fast, or not.  With various apps and devices, you can instantly transmit your location to emergency contacts or 911 operators, so that in the event of an emergency you save precious minutes that would have otherwise been spent trying to explain to someone where you are or fact is, you may be unable to provide that information.

Location-based services are also crucial for when you’re driving long distances and find yourself lost or experience car trouble.  Without having to fold out a map and then trying to figure out where you are, you can allow live tracking of your location so that help can get to you when you need it, faster than ever before.  There are various options to track Android phone location if you don’t have an iPhone and practically, these functions could be used for finding the location of a friend at a festival who has gone missing or even for when you’ve misplaced your phone or it’s been stolen.

Keeping your children safe is also a wonderful way in which location-based services can help.  No one wants to curtail the fun that their kids could have when visiting friends or staying away from home but in these times, it can be a nerve-wracking experience for parents who otherwise would have no idea where their kids were or what they’re up to.  

If you’re out hiking or camping and you get lost or you need urgent assistance for a medical emergency or when your personal security is put at risk, then having these services at your disposal could be the singular difference between life and death.  So even though our natural inclination is to be wary of location services (and you should know the risks), you can counter these by knowing how to activate and deactivate this feature on your cell phone so that you get the benefits while minimizing your exposure.

Are You Missing Out On These Home Essentials?

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Hi lovelies,

We all want to have a home that we love. So when you feel as if your home doesn’t really speak to you any more, or that maybe it’s just not styled to your taste, it can feel a little bit overwhelming. Maybe you just don’t feel at home where you are because of it. And as much as you might be thinking about selling your home, you may find that just making some home improvements could be better. That way, you’ll feel like your home is more suited to you. Plus, if you do then go on to decide to move, having already done these improvements, your home value should go up too.

So, to help you make sure that your home feels more complete and add value to it, here are some essentials that you might want to work in.

Reliable Systems
Okay so this first point isn’t going to be the sexiest of them all. But if you know that some of the basic home essentials aren’t really working or that you feel as if they are old and in bad shape, it’s frustrating. Instead, you need a reliable heating and air conditioning service as well as good electrics and other utilities. When you’ve got all of this serviced, replaced or improved, you’ll feel so much better.

Kitchen Storage
From here, you might want to think about your kitchen space too. Of course, we all want to have the dream kitchen. However, it doesn’t always work out that we have the room. If you do, and you can renovate and extend to get your dream space, go for it. It’s important to have all the room you need. But if you don’t want to do this, why not focus on the storage instead? It could be the case that having more room for all of your cooking equipment and better organizing the kitchen space can make a huge difference.

A Relaxation Space
For this point, we’re not talking about a meditation room or a zen space (although they could work too). The idea here is to have somewhere in the home where you can unwind and relax after a busy day at work. This is a huge part of having a good life. Ideally, it’s going to be your living space. So make sure that you have a comfy sofa to lounge on, your TV set up so you can watch movies, and bring in home comforts too. Even a stunning fireplace, lots of cozy blankets and great lighting can make such a difference here.

Now that you know what essentials to book in, you may find that your home starts to feel more complete. It can also be fun to take this one step further and to add in some of the design trends that are going around at the moment. Just make sure that you’re investing in things that matter most to you and you’ll feel like it will all be worth it.

Living Expenses You'll Need To Make Sure You Can Cover

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Hi lovelies,

Depending on where in your life you are, you’ll have a set amount of living expenses that you’re used to. Your bills, rent, and much more will be accounted for, and you’ll have your budget put together nicely. An unexpected bill could put you completely off track.

By nature, these are costs that you wouldn’t see coming. While you can’t exactly plan for these things to happen, you can mitigate the impact they have on your life. Not being able to pay for it means that you might have to do without.

You can’t avoid some unexpected living expenses, however, so you’ll need to plan on having money set aside in case they come up.

Expenses You Should Know About & Plan For

An Emergency Room Trip
Healthcare costs may be the largest unexpected costs that you can come across. Even an emergency room visit can cost much more than you’d think. The alternative to spending this money is to not get much-needed treatment, which naturally isn’t recommended.

You can minimize this by having health insurance, although that mightn’t remove all of the cost. To keep these as low as possible, make sure to have comprehensive insurance. That’ll be especially helpful if you end up needing surgery or any other kind of treatment.

These will add up quickly and could reach into the thousands.

Repairing Your AC & Other Appliances
Your appliances, alongside electrical and HVAC systems, will put up with a lot of wear and tear over time. Though that won’t be an issue if you live in a recently-built property, it can be a problem in older homes. Appliances and systems only last a certain amount of time before needing maintenance.

Though 24 Hour AC Repair and other firms can fix these for you, it’s a cost you’d rather not have to pay. Thankfully, these costs should be relatively spaced out, so you shouldn’t have to pay for them too regularly.

Funerals
Nobody wants to prepare for a funeral. They’re an unfortunate part of life, however, and they can be relatively expensive. Though this can be paid for either entirely or partially by life insurance, that won’t be the case every time.

Funerals can vary in cost significantly, depending on what’s involved. Though there are ways to keep these low, it won’t be the most affordable expense. If you have older or sick relatives, then you might need to prepare for them passing on.

Though most of this will be emotional, finances should also play a certain role.

Wrapping Up
You’ll never be completely prepared for unexpected living expenses. You don’t need to ruin your finances just to pay for them, however. By knowing what you could have to pay for, you can minimize the impact that these costs will have.

It can be relatively simple to do so; put some money aside every month for these costs. Even if you don’t use it, you can build it up over time. Though that’s easier said than done, every bit can help. At a minimum, these savings can cover a large portion of any unexpected costs.

How To Prepare Your Home So That It’s Ready for the Market

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Hi lovelies,

Selling your home can be one of the most daunting tasks that you’ll ever face. The housing market has been fairly busy over the past couple of months and it’s going to continue getting better thanks to the pandemic slowly subsiding. If you’re planning on selling your home, downsizing, or even going to a much larger property, then there are a couple of important things that you should keep in mind if you want to get the most value out of your property.

In this post, we’ve put together some helpful advice on how you can prepare your home so that it’s ready for the market. Whether it’s doing a bit of DIY work to add a bit more home value or finding the realtor to list it with, it’s a good idea to take your time before you put your property on the market.

Perform repairs that you’ve been meaning to do for a long time
There are probably a large number of repairs that you’ve been meaning to do over the past few months or even years. While they might seem small or insignificant to you, there are plenty of good reasons to fix things up even though you might not use them. For example, if you don’t own a car then things like garage door repairs probably don’t mean much to you. However, for someone that does drive and will use the garage to store their car, it’s a good idea to get that door fixed so that they can actually use it.

Similarly, you’ll want to fix up small issues that you’ve just grown accustomed to. For instance, there could be a water pressure issue in your home that causes the shower to run very slowly if another faucet in the home is on. You may have grown accustomed to this because you live alone or because people rarely use another faucet when you’re in the bathroom. However, other families might find this inconvenient and will try to lower your home value once they realize the issue. Get these problems fixed with help from a professional to ensure that there is nothing that potential buyers can complain about.

Do a bit of research on your local housing market and find a good listing agent
Listing agents can help ensure that your property is seen on the market by as many people as possible. Professional real estate agents are essential if you want to make a fast sale. Even though they’ll take off some of the value of your home as a commission fee, it’s still worth the expert advice because they’ll give you insider insights into how the market is doing and what kind of audience you should be targeting.

The advice that you get from a professional means that you have an easier time accessing the local housing market too. Most people perform a lot of research before trying to sell their home so that they know exactly how much their home is worth and what to ask for. But with a professional by your side, this entire process becomes much easier to handle and is a fantastic way to ensure that you get the best price for your property.

Do a bit of light decor work to help refresh your home
You may have gotten used to the paint peeling off certain rooms or the amount of clutter that you have laying around because you’re planning to move soon. But this isn’t going to look nice whenever someone comes in for a viewing, so it’s a good idea to do a bit of decor work to get your home looking brand-new.

You can start small with repainting rooms, giving your house a deep clean, or even staging it so that it looks much more attractive to buyers. However, you can also go the extra mile and start replacing windows that look outdated or even replacing furniture with something a bit newer.

Hopefully, this article has made it a little less daunting for you to sell your home. Preparing a property for the market is a lot less work than some people might first assume, but that doesn’t mean you can be lazy with it. It’s a good idea to do your research and prepare your home so that it can attract buyers and get sold a lot faster. After all, a house that stays on the market for a bit too long is usually a sign that you’re doing something wrong.

Decorating Your Home: A Straightforward Guide

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Hi lovelies,

Considering a home overhaul? You’re not alone. The majority of us have spent a whole lot more time in our own properties over the past couple of years. The coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic saw times when we couldn’t leave our homes, and even with vaccines rolling out and restrictions easing, many of us still prefer our own properties where we can guarantee cleanliness and compliance with CDC recommendations. By decorating, you can tackle any problems you may have noticed in your home over recent months, or can simply make the space feel fresh and new. Here are some steps that can help you with this!

Plan In Advance
When you settle on decorating a room, it can be tempting to jump in the deep end and go straight ahead with it. Many of us get excited and want to see results as quickly as possible. But really, what you should do is plan each room out in advance. This will help to create more flow throughout your property, helping rooms to match together or to flow into one another more seamlessly. On top of this, planning in advance can help you to properly budget for all the changes you want to make, spreading your available money out and ensuring you don’t overspend to begin with, cutting your projects short. Pinterest boards, as well as a budget spreadsheet, can help you to get started in the right direction. Look at bedroom ideas, Laundry Room Decor Ideas, kitchen ideas, bathroom ideas and more.

Take Things One Room at a Time
Generally, it’s best to tackle one room at a time when decorating your property. All too many people partially finish one room, grow bored, move onto the next and so on. But this results in a mismatched property where nothing is truly complete. Instead, it’s much easier to place all your focus on one room, complete it properly and then move on. So, come up with a schedule that will allow you to dedicate sufficient time and care to each room you’re working on.

Prioritise Repairs
Noticed elements of your home that need some repair work carried out? Alternatively, you may discover some as you go along with your decorating process. Either way, if you do spot any repair jobs, it’s important that you tackle these head on. All too many people try to sweep them under the carpet, seeing them as a nuisance, something they’d rather not spend money on or deeming them “not that bad”. The issue is that, left long enough, small repairs can cause major damage or even prove to be hazards. Instead, call out relevant specialists with good reviews and recommendations to resolve the problem sooner rather than later. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.

These are just a few steps to help you get the ball rolling in the right direction with your home decoration. Now is a great time to get started, so why wait?

Picture-Perfect Outdoor Living Space Ideas For Exasperated Homeowners

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Hi lovelies,

Getting your outdoor space right is a challenge. That’s because you have to want to spend your time there in all weathers. Sure - it’s good for the summer. But what about the rest of the year? 

Get Outdoor Heaters
With fall on the way, temperatures are going to come down and going outside will feel a little chilly. When it comes to outdoor seating areas, most people don’t want to sit in big coats, shivering in their seats. They want to enjoy themselves, as if the weather is still warm. 

Fortunately, you can get infrared heat lamps that help to keep your spaces nice and toasty. These emit a kind of red glow that warms the skin and allows you to use your outdoor areas year-round, without the need for a fire. 

Add Alfresco Dining
Being able to eat outdoors is one of the perks of having an outdoor space. But it’ll only happen if you buy a suitable dining table and chairs set. 

If you really want to entertain outside, you might also want to add a top-of-the-range stainless steel grill and under-counter refrigerator, plus a prep sink and plenty of cabinets. This way, you can cook and entertain your guests outside at the same time. \

Install Beautiful Furniture
Outdoor furniture has a bit of a reputation for being bland and dull. But it doesn’t have to be. Today, there are countless designers on the market, bringing the style of indoor furniture outside. Many modern options actually look similar to the tables and chairs that you’d find indoors with the exception that they can withstand the elements. 

Use Torches As Your Lighting
If you want to keep the mosquitoes away on warm evenings, regular spotlights won’t suffice. You need real torches or mosquito repellent candles to keep the area insect-free. 

When you keep insects away, your guests will appreciate it. They will spend more time enjoying their food and drink, and less time swatting annoying insects. 

Keep Your Pool Clean
A pool full of leaves and debris isn’t attractive for anyone, so getting a pool service can help. By keeping your pool clean, you’ll encourage your guests to use it more, and you’ll make your entire outdoor space look more attractive. 

Add A Hammock
Going to sleep on a regular outdoor sofa can be a little uncomfortable. But getting some shut-eye on a hammock is a totally different proposition. Adding a hammock gives you every excuse you could ever possibly want for spending all afternoon gently napping. 

Build A Stone Oven
Stone ovens are a wonderful alternative to BBQs and allow you to cook all kinds of dishes, from pizzas to fish. 

Usually, people custom-build their own stone ovens. They begin by making a sturdy base and then they create an oven space at around chest height. Then they add a chimney to the top, providing the fire inside with a fresh supply of oxygen. 

The great thing about stone ovens is how hot they get. You can easily cook pizzas at 600 F, so long as you understand how these ovens work. 

Add A Spa Bath
If you have a pool, you might also consider adding a spa bath section to it. Usually, this takes the form of a ring where you and your guests can sit down, relax and enjoy the sensation of bubbles. 

Jacuzzis are also a great way to get you out into the garden more often. Water features enhance the appeal of your outdoor spaces. 

Build A Garden Around It
Too often, outdoor living spaces look like building sites. You frequently see patios in the middle of lawns without any surrounding garden features. 

This minimalist approach is a mistake in the garden. It makes your outdoor areas feel uninviting, encouraging you to stay away. 

If you can, try adding colourful flowers and plants around the perimeter. Add a mix of shrubs, perennials and annuals. Stick with local flowers suited to your climate, otherwise you’ll have to work much harder to keep them alive and in good health. 

Make It More Private
Lastly, you’ll want to look for ways to make your outdoor space more private. Adding a parasol is a cheap but effective option that keeps you out of sight of prying eyes. More elaborate solutions include putting up a privacy wall or installing a permanent roof. 

Even if there is nobody around and you live in the middle of nowhere, creating privacy can help to make your outdoor spaces more appealing. You’re much more likely to feel cosy and relaxed when you have shade. 

Want To Improve Your Net Worth? Here's How To Increase Your Home's Value

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Hi lovelies,

Most people have thought about renovating or upgrading their homes in some way. That could be for various reasons, such as wanting to increase their net worth or simply to have more space. Regardless, the process can be more complicated than you’d think.

If you want to increase your home’s value but want to enjoy any renovations you have, then you could wonder what your options are. There are a few things that you should focus on if you want to tick both checkmarks.

How To Increase Your Home’s Value

Add Some Extra Spaces
The larger your home is, the more you can expect it to sell for. That doesn’t just mean adding a few extra rooms. That’s because different types of extensions can bring in more interest from buyers. It’s one thing to have an outdoor shower enclosure, it’s another to have a patio that goes completely around your house.

If you have an unfinished attic or garage, then it’s worth finishing these off. When you’re doing so, you could consider turning them into another room. An extra bedroom or living room will lead to a sizable bump in your home’s value. That should be enough to justify the cost of the renovations.

Invest In Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency has become increasingly prominent in the home market. Potential homebuyers put a lot of emphasis on this for multiple reasons. Being environmentally friendly is one of the more notable. If your home isn’t energy efficient, then it’ll sell for much lower than you’d expect.

To overcome this, switch to energy-efficient appliances. While these used to be expensive, they’re now quite affordable, as they’re much more commonly bought than they used to be. Any old electricals should also be replaced, while any cracks or holes in your walls should be filled.

Your windows, doors, and other areas can also be something to look at and should be quite affordable to bring up to certain energy-saving standards.

Upgrade Your Bathroom & Kitchen
There are certain areas that homebuyers pay attention to when inspecting and comparing homes. The most common of these are the bathroom and kitchen, which makes them prime areas to focus on.

Upgrading your bath, cooking equipment, and other features can make a large difference in your property’s value. Even upgrading the small finishes could be enough to increase your home’s value.

Wrapping Up
Renovating your home, especially to increase its overall market value, can be a stressful process. It’s one thing if you already know how to increase your home’s value. It’s quite another to implement these changes, as you’ll need to hire contractors and look after many other areas.

Once that’s done, however, you should feel a lot of relief, alongside some excitement for using your renovations and extensions. If you can’t afford all of the above, try doing them over the long term. That approach can be seen as more of an investment in your retirement, as you can sell the property for a sizable profit before retiring.

What isn’t to love about increasing your home’s value?

Ways You Can Be More Eco-Friendly In Your Everyday Life

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Hi lovelies,

Being eco-friendly means living in a way that is not harmful to the environment. This lifestyle is becoming more important. It is essential for us to protect our planet from as much man-made damage as possible. There are many ways you can make sustainable changes to become more eco-friendly in various areas of your life. 

It can be anything from a small change such as using a reusable water bottle, to a bigger investment, such as looking for a solar installer near me and making the switch to renewable energy in your home. If you don’t know where to start, it can be hard to make meaningful changes. So, let’s have a look at some of the ways you can be more eco-friendly in your everyday life: 

Making Your Home More Environmentally Friendly
While your home may not contribute as much pollution as a corporation, there are many ways a homeowner can make their house more eco-friendly. It is essential for us all to make changes wherever possible. Your home is something you have control over, so it’s easier to make some changes including: 

• Investing in renewable energy for electricity

• Switch your heating source

• Use eco-cleaning products to clean your home 

• Use eco-friendly toilet paper 

• Recycle as much as possible 

• Create a compost bin for your food waste 

• Use water conservation tools

• Reduce your water waste 

• Change your lights and light bulbs 

• Turn off any unused technology 

• Never use standby mode 

Making changes like the ones above can have a huge impact on your and your family’s contributions to pollution into our natural environment. Now that living a greener lifestyle is more important than ever for many people, you may find that making these sorts of changes can also add value to your home. If you are worried about investing in your home becoming more green make sure you look for any grants or green schemes that are running in your area or country at the moment. You may be able to get some or all of the cost back for the changes you need. Not only this but using solar panels, changing your electricity and heating supplies can all help to reduce your utility bills. 

Being More Eco-Friendly In Your Everyday Routine 
Your usual routine will be jam-packed with subconscious actions that are part of your everyday life. Most of these actions aren’t always the most environmentally-friendly option available. It only takes a few small changes to make your habits more eco-friendly. They will also be sustainable throughout a longer period of time so that the change can easily become a new good habit including: 

• Using a recyclable eco-friendly water bottle

• Reusable and portable water bottle

• Reusable coffee cup for your morning coffee

• Environmentally friendly shampoo and conditioner

• Environmentally friendly deodorant 

• Use recyclable paper for printing and for gift wrapping

• Replace your petrol or diesel car with an environmentally friendly electric or hybrid

• Buy from brands that use recycled and sustainable materials

• Use a reusable straw

• Use biodegradable products 

• Eat less meat in your diet 

This list is by no means extensive, however, these are all great places to start if you want to start being more environmentally friendly in your everyday life. It’s becoming easier to make these changes too. Long gone are the days where you would have limited choice for the type of water bottle you would like or only have one or two choices of cleaning product. Instead, you can now see many different options on the market, and more are being added all the time. 

How To Be More Eco-Conscious At Work
Your eco-friendly effort doesn’t need to be limited ot your home. There is a variety of things you can do as an employee to minimize environmental damages in their workplace. Many of them such as using a reusable water bottle, eco-friendly cleaning products for your desk, and recycling as much as possible are similar to what you will do in your home. Some of the things you should consider include: 

• Watching how much you print on paper - do you really need to use it or can you use a digital copy?

• Less driving on your daily commute - could you walk, cycle, or use public transport instead of using your car? 

• Be mindful of your electricity consumption- make sure you turn off your screen and turn off lights if you are the last to leave a room. 

• Reduce, reuse, and recycle wherever possible

• Use reusable food containers for your lunch and snacks

Traveling More Sustainably 
More people than ever before are traveling across the globe. There is only one downside to frequent traveling, the increase in air pollution. Travel may have become more attainable, but we need to do as much as we can to make sure it is sustainable and travel as green as possible. You should: 

• Unplug anything not needed before you travel

• Donate your perishable foods 

• Be mindful of how many times you use housekeeping and change your towels

• Think about alternative transport such as a coach or car

• Pack Light

• Research the hotels view to being green

• Use eco-friendly travel products such as reusable water bottles and reusable toiletry bottles. 

• Think about the activities you do while on your trip

• Use local shops 

How To Make School More Environmentally Friendly 
There are many things that parents can do to ensure that their kids are environmentally friendly at school. Whether it’s walking to school or ensuring that they are given environmentally friendly school supplies. Inspiring kids, while they are at school, could lead to them being more likely to do it as an adult. 

• Donate old uniforms to other families or reuse them for younger children

• Use containers, not paper bags 

• Use reusable lunch boxes 

• Invest in electronic devices and get rid of the paper

• Think about the transport to and from school - could you walk or cycle on the school run?

This short guide should help you to become more eco-friendly in your everyday life. Do you have any other tips that could help? Please share them in the comments section below. 

Keeping Your Relationship Strong Through Thick & Thin

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Hi lovelies,

Whenever you are in a relationship of any kind, it is always best to approach it in a manner where you are trying to put as much personal effort into it as possible. If you can do that, you should find that it radically alters and improves the manner in which you go about things in that relationship, and ultimately it is going to make it easier for you to get along, and keep things going strong.

In this post, we are going to take a look at just some of the things you can do to ensure that you are keeping your relationship strong through thick and thin. As long as you do the following, that is going to be a lot easier and simpler, and you should find that you can get so much more out of it, together.

Know Your Love Languages
You have probably heard plenty in recent years about love languages, and it really is something that you are going to want to be aware of if you want your relationship to grow and flourish. A love language is simply a way of understanding how you approach the many aspects of love, and it is something that can help you to improve how you communicate with your partner and how you spend time with them.

There are many love languages, and it’s all open to interpretation, but you should at least try to know about the major ones that are out there, so you can work out which you might be and which your partner might be. It is best if you do this all together, of course. Once you think you have this figured out, it’s the kind of thing that you can start introducing into your relationship by degrees. Over time, it could save the both of you a lot of trouble, and bring you closer together.

Do Things Together & Do Things Apart
Most people these days realise that it is actually very healthy to have some things that you do with your partner, and some things that you do alone or with other people like your friends. If you ever find that you have an imbalance between these two types of activities, then that can drastically alter how you experience your relationship, and you’ll probably find that you are going to want to look into getting this right wherever possible.

It doesn’t really matter what you are doing together and what you are doing apart, but having both in your life is going to make it so much easier to enjoy being in a relationship while also having enough of your alone time. It breathes fresh life into the relationship while also encouraging you both to be independent people, which is itself an important feature in any strong relationship too. If you think you might be lacking with one or the other of these, it’s time to take matters into your own hands and start planning some activities. Soon enough, it will pay off.

Buy Each Other Gifts
At the start of a relationship, gift-giving might happen quite frequently. But over time, this will inevitably lessen, until you find that it has been ages since you last received or gave a gift with your love. Gifts are actually a very powerful and important thing for you to try and make use of, however, because they are a way of showing each other that you both still care very much about the other person.

The best gifts are those that are very thoughtful, in that they show how well you know the other person, and that you know what they might be in need of - especially if it’s something they don’t feel capable of buying for themselves. For instance, you might know that your partner is partial to the occasional cigar, in which case you’ll want to find a montecristo no 2 review and go from there. It’s all about getting them something meaningful and special, so that they can see how much you appreciate them.

You can’t control whether or not your partner buys you gifts, of course, but in a healthy relationship, this will happen organically at least some of the time.

Keep Money Out Of It
Generally, relationships which focus on money too much only end up making this a central aspect to their relationship, and that is something that can only really lead one way. You will find that your relationships are so much more fulfilling and enduring when you leave money out of the equation altogether. In other words: don’t allow money to determine your value to the other person, and do all you can not to make it the central point in any argument. It’s necessary to talk about money when you live together and share a life, but treat it as something different to the actual relationship itself.

While it can take a while to get this attitude down, it is well worth doing so for the huge benefits that it brings. You’ll find it’s a much more satisfying life altogether, and that you and your partner are much happier together on the whole.

Relax Around Sex
Most of us have some kind of hang-ups when it comes to sex and sexuality. If you want to have a relationship that lasts, however, you are going to want to relax around the whole sex issue altogether as best as you can. The more effectively the both of you do that, the more likely it is that you are going to be able to keep things going strong, and that is something that you are certainly going to want to aim for. Have as much or as little sex as the both of you desire, and never make it the central point of the relationship - unless that is explicitly what you are both in it for, of course.

If you can do all that, your relationship should last a lot longer and should be much more satisfying as well.

How to Sell Your Home for More Money

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Hi lovelies,

When the time comes to sell your house, then one thing that you are going to want to do is ensure that you can sell your real estate for as much money as possible. This is likely to feel like something that you don’t have much control over, but the truth is, you do. 

The internet is full of tips to sell your home that are useful at getting people interested, but it’s also important to know that you can do many things to make sure that your property sells for the maximum money possible, and here are some top tips to help you with that aspect of the sale:

Work with an expert 
While you may want to try and sell your home yourself (especially if this means that you can save yourself some money), this means that you are going to have a lot more work to do. Not just that, but when you work with an expert, you will also be able to ask them how you can maximize your sale and make sure that you get the most money possible for your home.  

Price is key 
One key thing that an expert can help you with is pricing your home. Figuring out the right price that you can sell your property for is more complicated than you realize. You are going to want to get the best price possible, but this needs to be balanced with a price that people will be tempted by.  

Not only can a high price put off potential viewers and buyers because it is out of their price range, but a lower price can too. They may wonder what is wrong with it and not even take a look. Not just this, but if they do and they offer the property, it may be too low, and you risk losing money.  

Repair as best you can 
While you are selling your home as it stands, this doesn’t mean that you should ignore some of its issues. Especially if they are things you can fix, take the time before you start the selling process to think about the key things you can repair within your home.  

The chances are that if you notice that there is something wrong, then so will a potential buyer, and it could be the smallest of things that then either put them off buying or want to reduce their offer. This is particularly true if you have some aesthetic issues within the property.  

Sell at the right time. 
You may not realize it, but the time of year you are selling your property can impact how much money you can get. The best time to sell property is in early spring, as this is when you are likely to see the quickest sale and get the best price possible for your property.  

It is also worthwhile knowing when is the worst time to sell, which is usually around key seasonal events (think Thanksgiving and Christmas) and during the summer break.  

Learn to negotiate 
An essential technique that you need to learn when selling your property is negotiation, as this can help you get the best offer possible. Negotiation is a delicate balance to try and achieve as you will want to make sure that you get the best price, but you always want to keep the buyer interested. 

You need to realize that there will be several backward and forwards conversations when it comes to selling a property, and this means that you need to be as patient as possible.  

Curb appeal is key 
While you should never judge a book by its cover, it is hard to ignore some cosmetic issues when looking at a potential house to buy. Curb appeal is one of these things; essentially, it covers how your home looks from the outside.  

The outside of your property is the first thing people will see when they come to view, so you want to make the right first impression. Make sure that your lawn is presentable and that your door looks as good as it can. These simple touches can make a difference and increase how much you can ask for the property too. 

Be patient 
Selling a house takes time, and while you will want to move through the process as quickly as you can, it pays to be patient. With patience, you can wait for the right price to come in for your home, which, more often than not, is not going to be the first offer that you receive.  

You may even find that if you can wait a little longer, you may get two interested parties (or even more if you are lucky), and you can make the most money possible.  Compare this to rushing in and accepting a much too low offer just because it is the first one that you receive and it makes sense to wait. 

Tidy and organize  
One of the simplest things that you can do to maximize the price you can receive for your property is to take the time to tidy and organize the space. There are two key benefits to this. The first is that it ensures that your home is presented in the best light possible, that the people who are coming to view it are going to see it as a place that they want to live.  

It also means that your home will be much neater and more organized when moving, making the moving process that much easier to get through, especially when it comes to packing and ensuring that everything is boxed up and ready to go.  

No matter the house that you are trying to sell or how much you are going to want to try and make, there are plenty of things that you can do to maximize your profit. Some of them are more straightforward than others; however, every one of them is worthwhile doing and can make all the difference to how much money you can expect to receive for your property when the time comes to sell up and move on.