The days of gas guzzling behemoths are slowly drawing to a close as cars become leaner and greener. Consumers too are changing. Just getting from A to B is no longer the only concern of the modern motorist. Nowadays we expect our vehicles to have standards, to be far less harmful to the environment and to drive on innovative new fuel systems. We look at some of the more modern methods car manufacturers are employing to bring about a greener future and sustainable present. And if you drive a petrol car, we explore some tried and tested methods of making your drive a more efficient one.

Hybrids

This decade’s winning innovation in the battle against pollution has to the hybrid car. Although initially greeted with suspicion over performance, the hybrid has become an increasingly popular choice with drivers looking for a decent drive but with greener credentials. With the ever increasing hike in fuel prices, the hybrid car can also be a money saver, but for more reasons than just petrol alone. With lower road tax, free parking and charging options and ultimately lower running costs motorists are surprised at how cost effective it can be to own a hybrid. Models such Mercedes electric cars are becoming increasingly more performance driven and competing well against their petrol counterparts. With ultra low emissions, the electric hybrid looks set to be the car of the future and its petrol predecessor may soon be a distant memory.

As homeowners, we all want to be proud of our gardens. After all, this is the space where we've honed our gardening skills, admires the fruits of our labour and felt close to the mother nature. With the winters approaching, there is no reason why your garden should lose its charm and colour. If you keep it well-groomed and take some easy prep steps, you can be sure of enjoying a vibrant landscape right through to spring. It is time to add some zing to your garden so that it keeps looking fresh and colourful all through the winter. Here are five upgrades that are well worth doing. 

Maintain the lawn

Go for evergreens and winter flowering plants 

The garden looks vibrant because of the stunning colours from plants and flowers. With the winter fast approaching, go for winter blooming flowers that can light up the garden when everything else has died back. Put evergreens in your planting scheme, and choose shrubs with pretty foliage- such as purples and reds that last right the way through to spring. Dwarf evergreens work best as foundation plants, and one can find them in many forms, colors, and sizes. The mini shrubs look perfect near front entries or under windows. Some good options are Pixie Dust and Super dwarf evergreens. Bobo and various forms of Thuja look good all year. If you need some extra cash to handle your garden expenses, just click here to learn how you can get some easy and quick cash. 

Some of those bugs and insects out there can be harmful, but others are a useful addition to your garden. Not all of those creepy crawlies or wrigglers out there are here to harm your garden or the flowers. Some of these bugs can help beautify the landscape as they serve as soil aerators and plant pollinators. So, attract the right kind of bugs and insects for your garden. Use natural pesticides, and make sure you're only tackling the ones that will eat your plants such as slugs. They're plentiful at this time of year as they love the wet weather!

Put your tools away

Over the summer, it didn't matter too much if shears or other garden equipment got left outside now and again. But now with all of the rain and frost, it's a quick way to damage your garden tools. Gather them all up, and keep them dry in the shed until you need them again. 

Gardens might be the most usable in the summer months when the weather is nice, but if you're lucky enough to have outside space it's crazy to neglect it for the rest of the year. While you're not going to be doing much sunbathing or barbequing over the winter, there's plenty you can do outside to reinvigorate your garden; keep it looking nice and making it a usable space to spend time in all year round.

If you have a four-legged friend or two (and we’re not talking to you this time, crazy cat ladies), then there are some things that you just understand to be part of life now. And that’s fine, because you can’t imagine life without your dog after sharing such a bond with them since you two met each other, which may be many moons ago. Aah, dogs. We’ve made a list, just because talking about them makes everybody happy. Sounds great, right?

You can’t say 'walk' out loud, ever again 

Get some synonyms ready, because saying ‘walk’ is out of the question. As soon as your dog hears this, it's the end for you, and he won’t rest until you’ve taken him outside to play. If you’re one of the lucky ones, he’ll even bring his lead to you, and then you really can’t look him in those big brown eyes and say no. If you’re a lover of a w-a-l-k, getting your dog a beautiful dog collar and lead set is a must, to make you (and him) stand out from the crowd.

If he wants to jump in the pond, he’s jumping in the pond

Unfortunately, your dog couldn’t care less about your cream carpets, and making his mark on them as he strolls back inside with those muddy paws. Sometimes as a dog owner you just have to accept the inevitable; your dog is in control most of the time, because they just want to have fun. As long as you make sure you keep an eye on what they’re doing, you can only really spectate. Sigh.

Was that your bed? Oh, maybe not… 

You could buy your dog the dog bed of all dog beds. Like, a dog bed that costs a million pounds and is made of the finest Egyptian cotton. But you know where he really wants to be, and that's right next to you. Good luck trying to remove that idea from his mind, because what's mine is yours, right? Say hello to your 3am alarm clock (hint: it’s your dog licking your face. Sorry).

You care about them more than most people

Dogs aren't just animals, they really are part of the family. We connect to them in a way that we connect to people, although every dog owner knows that they're so much better than most humans. They don't pass judgement, they're always happy to see you and just being in their presence can make you feel better!

You tell them everything 

The best thing about dogs is that they can’t speak English (correction, they can’t speak at all. Your dog is not French). This means that you can tell them all of your problems, who you hate at the office, and why everything in the world is really annoying sometimes. They won’t say anything back, but they just know when you need them. We don’t know how, but they are mind readers. Weird.

If you’re a dog owner, you know all of these things, and much more. Whilst they leave their fur behind everywhere, sometimes (most of the time) have smelly breath, and always have to throw themselves into that muddy puddle, you wouldn’t change them for the world. Because they are your best friends, they know you better than most people, and they never judge you. And what more could you ask for than that?

£15 a week for food for two people, it really is such a meagre amount. But living this way is the reality for many people in the UK, with this little to survive on- week in, week out. With zero hour contracts, failing companies, benefit cuts and a high cost of living, many people in society are seriously struggling. Food banks are more widely used now than ever before, which really gives us a clue as to the state of of the system. The problem is, not everyone is entitled to use a food bank even if they are in need. And other people refuse to use them out of pride, despite the fact they have no other option. If this is the case for you, you'll want to use the money you have as carefully as possible. Planning, preparation and portioning things are key- there's no denying that living this way isn't much fun but it prevents you from running out of the things you need. Here's how I'd spend £15 on food to last me for the week, and the meals I'd make using it for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. All products are from Asda as it tends to be the cheapest supermarket, and are linked below.

Portioned correctly, this could feed two adults, or an adult and one or two children. The big bags of oats, rice and vegetables would likely last more than a week.

Breakfasts

There are a couple of breakfast options you could make from the above ingredients. All of these are healthy and balanced, and would help you to start your day right. Remember, eggs are versatile, high in protein and can be served lots of ways; scrambled, poached, boiled or fried in a little of the spread. Based on the ingredients it would make sense to have porridge most days, but there's enough to switch it up every few days so that you don't get too bored. 

-Porridge with milk (optional add sliced banana on top)

-Baked beans and/ or egg on toast with spread

-French toast

-Toast with spread and an apple or banana

-Yoghurt with an apple or banana

Lunches

All of the below options could be enjoyed with a piece of fruit, plus a yoghurt depending on your breakfast choices. It could be helpful to cook and chill a few pieces of the frozen chicken ahead of time, so you have instant access to it when you prepare your lunch. 

-egg mayo sandwich 

-chicken mayo sandwich

-banana sandwich
-chip sandwich

-baked beans and/ or egg on toast

-soup and bread

-plate of chips with mayo
-chips and gravy
-leftovers from dinners

Dinners

The meals below are hearty and filling, so you shouldn't feel hungry. They're fair nutritional choices for eating on such a small budget. With the pasta and rice dishes, these can be cooked up in bulk and enjoyed again later in the week, or as a lunch the next day.

-Oven chips, egg and baked beans
-Omelette and chips

-Chicken and rice with curry sauce, and peas from the vegetable mix

-Chicken and pasta with pasta sauce and tinned tomatoes 

-Chicken, chips, mixed frozen vegetables and gravy

Snacks

-fromage frais

-apple/ banana

-toast

-soup

Conclusion:

Variety is of course the spice of life, and all of us should aim to eat lots of different fruits, vegetables and mix up our meals. But if you're not in a position to do so, following this menu plan gives you peace of mind that all of your main food groups are covered. There are also a number of different options so you shouldn't get too bored. When you don't have much money, it's easy to walk into the supermarket and walk out with whatever looks tasty but do this and you'll almost certainly run out.

If you're ever in a position to stock up your storecupboard then always do so. Having some herbs and spices, big bags of grains like pasta and rice and tins of beans can really come in useful when times are hard. Until you're able to do that, careful planning will prevent you from running out and being left hungry. 

Topiary is the art of clipping trees or shrubs into beautiful ornamental shapes. Dating back to Roman times, this is a practise that has long been popular. However, back then topiary was considered only suitable for formal gardens. This is definitely not the case anymore! Shrub shaping offers an effective way of updating any outdoor space. With the wealth of shapes and designs available, there is something for everyone. You can easily bring a classic and elegant feel to your garden, or you can go for an urban contemporary edge. The choice is yours. Nevertheless, no matter what shapes and styles you choose, your garden will command attention for all of the right reasons. Topiary definitely brings a five star edge. If you have never practised this gardening technique before, this post is just for you. Read on to discover all you need to know…

What shape are you going to go for?

The first thing you need to do is decide what form you wish your topiary to take. This is undoubtedly half the fun, as there are so many options to choose from. This includes everything from simple shapes, such as boxes and cones, to animal topiary, such as dogs and hedgehogs. The choices for your garden are endless. However, it is recommended that you opt for simpler shapes to begin with. Once you become familiar with the art of shrub shaping you can then experiment with different designs. Considering where your topiary is going to be displayed is important as well. For example, a lot of people opt for a matching pair of topiary to decorate one of their property’s entrances. If this is something that appeals to you, you should opt for an elegant and slender shape, such as a pyramid. Anything too bulky will be overpowering.

Choosing the right container 

One mistake a lot of people make when practising topiary for the first time is choosing the wrong plant container. This is because people simply underestimate the importance of choosing this item carefully. However, your pot needs to be appropriate for the scale and size of the topiary, otherwise it will detract from the overall design. Generally, it is best to opt for a container that is one third of the height of the topiary. It is also important to ensure the plant pot you select is made from a good quality material. You have plenty of options to choose from. Terracotta and metal are both good choices, as is wood. Stretton oak tubs are popular because you can use these for containers, as well as being decorative items placed around your garden to bring the whole look together. Most people tend to opt for a simple and classic container design, as the topiary is the main attraction, and then more decorative oak items for other spots in their garden.

Making your own topiary frame

If you take a look on the Internet you will see that there is a wealth of topiary frames available to purchase. However, a lot of people like to create their own. In order to do this you will require some chicken wire and some wire cutters. It will also be beneficial if you have something you can use as a mold for your first topiary, such as a football. Begin by cutting the wire into pieces that are big enough to wrap around the mold. You should then wrap the wire around the object with a one inch overlap. Don’t forget to wear gloves for this! Once you have done this you will need to secure each overlap. The best way to do this is by using short lengths of garden twist tie. Your frame is pretty much finished. Easy, right? Well, wait until you start experimenting with animal topiary…

Securing the frame into the soil

The next thing you need to do is get your hands on two or three garden stakes. Run these through your topiary from bottom to top and make sure they protrude out of either end. After all, you will need at least six inches of garden stake to secure the frame into the soil. What about the stake sticking out of the top of the frame? This can easily be trimmed once you have completed the project. However, it’s unlikely you will need to do this, as your choice of vine will grow and cover the tip. One handy tip is to fill your finished frame with Spanish moss. This is an excellent source of moisture.

Assembling your topiary 

Last but not least, the only thing you need to do now is assemble your topiary. Take your container and fill with soil and water until damp. You are then going to plant your chosen vine. Ivy is a popular choice. After this, stick your frame into the pot. Be gentle when doing this as you will need to carefully ease the plants in. The weaving of the plant tendrils through the chicken wire is something you will need to do on a regular basis as your plant is growing. And finally, if you notice your topiary is growing lopsided, simply rotate the plant pot. It may simply be because one side is getting more sunlight than the other.

So there you have it, all you need to know to get started on some stunning topiary! Classic cones or bold boxes, what will it be? No matter what design you go for, there is no denying that topiary can add a fun yet elegant touch to your garden. Plus, you will gain a great sense of pride once you make your own!

If you find that your family home seems to be missing a little something, but you are not sure what, then that can be a very frustrating situation to be in indeed. The truth is that there are many things you might want or need to make usb that your home feels much more complete, and this is something which you should look into if you are hoping to be able to be as happy as possible in your own home. In this article, we are going to take a look at a few of the things that can really complete any family home, and which you should therefore consider in your own home if you are feeling a little as though you're missing out on something. Consider the following, and you should find that it makes a huge difference to how it feels to be in the home for everyone.

A Family Portrait

One of the great ways to make a home turyl yours is to hang up a portrait of the whole family somewhere. This can be somewhere prominent if you like, or it can be something subtle if you prefer that, but in either case it is necessary to make sure that you at least consider this. If you do decide to go for this, you will want to of course make sure that it is as well done as possible. That means sourcing a good photographer and making sure that it is done as professionally as possible. You might want to also think about framing it well so that you can ensure that you are going to be happy with how it looks in the wall - and finally, make sure you choose an appropriate spot for it in the home.

Pets

If you don’t already have any pets, this is something you might want to consider if you are hoping to take the family home feel even more special and unique to you. What pets to go for depends entirely on what you and your children want to have, but if you want to keep it simple you can go for the classic choice of a dog or a cat. If you do go down this route make sure that you first get everything you need to look after them properly - whether that is rope dog collars, food bowls, beds, or whatever else might be necessary. This is also a great chance to encourage your children to look after something living, and it can be a great addition to any family home.

Often we don’t look at our home like it were a building just like any other. We see it as a familiar zone, somewhere we feel at our most comfortable. For years and years you might not know there is a problem somewhere in the home because you have a mental connection to the aesthetics. Talk about skin deep, you can get so used to the same old walls that you don’t look past them or through them. Then subtle things like a drip leak from a water pipe, or green mold growing on the inside can take hold with anyone knowing. This is why it's so important to know what structural integrity means and what it is in your home. If you should ever decide to sell your home and buy a home, you will need to understand it thoroughly. You don’t have to be building expert, you just need to know what the weak points of homes are and how to fix them when things go south.

Bulging walls

Can you see a slight bend in your own home? The walls may look as one single piece due to the paint job and scheme as well as the finish of the wallpaper but they’re not. Walls are made up of individual bricks, and each one of them needs to support the neighbouring bricks around them. However over time if the mortar or cement are slowly eroded again, it can mean that bricks become loose. The weight of the ceiling and the wall can cause bricks to slip out, just like a herniated disc in the spine. And just like the bulge in our spine, the walls will have a bend outward. If this is something you can spot, you should call in an expert to assess the dangers right away.

The system of veins

Every home has a system of veins, which is the heating and water pipes. Both are interconnected as the boiler needs to heat up the water and circulate it through the pipes which go all around the home. If you can hear or feel pressure being released or trying to release itself when you turn the taps, you may need to call in an expert. When you sell a home, you’ll need to call in an expert such as Allcott Associates who will check the quality of the drainage system and the heating system. They will also check the gas, oil and electric systems to see how they function and what their true costs are. Moreover, they can assess where something in the pipes is going wrong. 

Bowing ceiling

White ceilings often cover up faults pretty easily. The way the natural light hits them, from certain angles the ceiling can look like it's brand new at times. However, no ceiling should be sagging or bowing. This is clear sign that there is some kind of structural damage happening to the floor. It could be water damage, or could possibly be the support beams giving way but it could also be the weight of something taking its toll on the flooring.

You might have learned your license, but that doesn’t mean your driving education should end just yet. When it comes to road safety, there are few skills more effective than defensive driving. Here, we’re going to look at what it is, as well as the benefits, including how it might even save you money.

What is it?

Defensive driving isn’t a single technique, but rather a series of strategies that allow drivers like you to identify potential risks and hazards on the road. By being more aware of your surroundings and keeping your awareness sharp, you’re much more likely to spot the potential causes of accidents before they happen. As safemotorist.com shows, this includes looking at what kind of vehicles are on the road, recognizing blind spots, paying attention to the habits of other drivers, and more. It requires a lot of focus, but it can make your driving significantly safer.

Eliminating your worst habits

We all have bad habits, and some of us take them onto the road. You might not be entirely aware of them and, even if you are, you may not notice when you’re committing them. Some bad habits you might have could include failing to stop at signs, driving aggressively around trucks and larger vehicles, or drowsy driving. Defensive driving makes you much more mindful of the situation on the road around you. This also makes you a lot more aware of your own driving. The level of focus you need to maintain means you could also catch yourself before you put you and your car into risk.

It could help you save money

Nowadays, insurance companies offer more ways to reduce your costs based on your driving. Sites like cheapautoinsurance.co can help you scan the market not only for the best deals but can help you find insurance providers who offer schemes for safer drivers to reduce the cost even more. For instance, some will allow you to submit dash cam footage for a discount. Others use black boxes to capture data based on your driving to adjust your rates accordingly. Pair a defensive driving lesson and a black box and it could mean serious savings.

Avoiding the biggest risks on the road

Even if you are a responsible driver that avoids speeding, running red lights, or driving under the influence, there is still one major risk on the road you have to be careful of: other drivers. For instance, teen drivers are amongst the riskiest and most aggressive on the road. Defensive driving is your only real defense against other motorists. By being more aware of your surroundings and their behaviour, you can apply the techniques that can help you extradite yourself out of an unsafe situation.

The one reason to learn defensive driving above all else is to make the road a safer place. You’re much less likely to be the cause of a collision, but you can also become better at noticing the red flags of other drivers, as well. It might be time to look into a defensive driving course.

If you love leading an organic, eco-friendly and all-natural life, then you most probably want to encourage your kids to do the same. When it comes to your home, you most probably like your home to be as at one with nature as possible, which is where eco-friendly bedroom design comes in. A great way to not only ensure that your entire home is as environmentally friendly as possible but will also encourage your kids to lead greener lives is to create them a bedroom that is completely eco-friendly. The question is, of course, how can you go about doing that? Read on for everything that you need to know to design the most amazing space! 

Use all-natural paint 

Paint is often toxic, packed full of all kinds of chemicals that not only harm the environment but can also be damaging to your health. That’s why it’s far better for you (and your carbon footprint) if you opt to use all-natural paints to decorate your children’s bedrooms, as this ensures that they are as eco-friendly as possible. There is a great range of eco-friendly paints, which means that you have plenty of choice in terms of the kinds of colours that you opt for, so don’t let a lack of choice put you off.

Be mindful when choosing furniture

When it comes to picking furniture for your child’s room, ensure that you are picking sustainably sourced pieces that are recycled or completely natural. A great place to find old pieces of furniture that you can breathe new life into is your local junk yard, as there are always some amazing pieces in there. 

Some dogs have thick coats, so while you will still need to adhere to some of the tips on this page, you won't need to dress them in winter thermals when the temperature is cold. However, should you own a dog with a thin coat of fur, you should dress them up in something sensible to protect them from the chill. Check out these winter dog coats as examples.

The best times of day to walk your dog in the winter are either late morning or early afternoon. These are the hours when the temperature will be at its highest, and you might even get a little bit of sun. Try and avoid those other times of day when the temperature is at its lowest, such as very early morning and into the evening. However, in all cases, use your common sense. If the temperature is too cold for you to go outside, then it's probably too cold for your dog. And when you do go for a walk, don't prolong any exercise, as your dog is at risk of those winter health issues we mentioned at the beginning.

Your dog needs to be as snug as a bug in a rug, literally, as now is the time to add more dog blankets to your dog's bedding. Make sure you place their bed away from any cold spots in the house too and ensure they don't sleep on tiled and uncarpeted floors, as the cold flooring can be both uncomfortable and harmful to your dog.

Your dog will be exercising less over the winter, so they will have less opportunity to burn off any calories. Speak to your vet for advice on your breed of dog, and then adjust their diet accordingly. And with Christmas around the corner, don't be tempted to let your dog indulge as much as you do. Treat them with food that is made especially for them, and avoid giving your dog any of those Christmas foods that are particularly bad for them.

Your dog will love playing in the snow almost as much as you. However, dangers await. For starters, extended time in the white stuff could lead to frostbite on your dog's paws, so you need to limit time outside, and then paws for thought with the advice given here. You should also take time to clear your garden or yard of any sharp objects. In the event of a snowfall, your outdoor area could become a minefield of danger, so ensure there is nothing harmful outside that could be stepped on. And if you intend on removing any ice and snow around your property with deicer, don't use anything toxic. Look for pet-safe brands, or use sand and gravel as natural alternatives.

In the event of a snow-blizzard, your dog may become lost when out on a walk. He/she may also go walkabout if your fencing is damaged by the wintry conditions. In both cases, your best course of action is to confine your dog's movements, such as keeping them on a leash when on a walk, or inside your home if the temperature is too cold to venture outside. However, mistakes can happen, and your dog can go walkabout for any number of reasons. Getting them microchipped is a must. Not only is it a legal requirement in the UK, but it also increases the chances of your dog being found.