As a society it's clear that we consume too much, and produce too much waste. This is evident in the sheer amount that we send to landfills on a weekly basis; every year, hundreds of thousands of tonnes of rubbish is deposited and left to create an eyesore on the landscape. Not only does this destroy the natural beauty of our land, but it damages land, harms wildlife, and can produce all sorts of awful emissions as it slowly decomposes. It’s time to take action and be more mindful about what we buy for our homes and how we dispose of that which we no longer need.

Cut Back on Plastic

Plastic can stick around for over five hundred years, it doesn't break down readily and therefore there are billions of tonnes of plastic waste across the globe. In fact, an 'island' made up of washed up waste plastic in the ocean still exists. This includes things like natural goods packed in plastic wrap for the sake of convenience. Fruit and vegetables come in their own natural packaging and can simply be washed before eating to remove any dirt or residue. However, more and more companies are offering these goods in plastic packaging or preparing them (chopping or slicing them so that they are ready to use) meaning that they then have to be wrapped to preserve their freshness. Avoid these at all costs, take the little extra time and make the little extra effort to prepare the goods yourself. No matter what you’re buying, you should source it from a company that takes active steps to help the environment. Instead of using plastic carrier bags, purchase some reusable totes and take these shopping with you. Buy refillable pens and razors instead of disposables, and paper straws instead of plastic. All of these things add up. 

Favour Environmentally Friendly Packaged Products

Take Fuelbox as an example. We already know that fossil fuels are bad for the environment, but considering right now they are still necessary for most of us, we are still need to buy them. But why add to the damage by purchasing them in packaging that proves even more detrimental to the planet? Fuel box, as a company, reduce packaging waste in landfills by up to 86% and reduces plastic consumption by up to 90% compared to the standard rigid 20-liter packaging offered by its competitors. Their packaging is instilled with an anti-glug system to reduce spillage and wastage, has a lower cetane rating, cleaner combustion, and prevents microbiological growth. It also has improved storage stability, reduces deposit and varnish build-up, and slowly disperses existing sludge. If a fuel company can take steps to reduce the negative effects that they have on the environment, any company can. So, keep an eye out for environmentally packaged products, no matter what the contents. After all, a little positive change is always better than nothing.

Try Out Minimal Living

The key to producing less waste is to purchase fewer goods that we are likely to throw in the bin. This means minimal living: a lifestyle choice where you consciously reduce the number of products that you buy for your home. Work on only purchasing items that you genuinely want and need, instead of going on unplanned shopping sprees always work to a list. Having a list for a few weeks before making a purchase gives you chance to mull it over, and decide if you really do want it or not. Where possible, buy second hand, reuse and upcycle. That way you're giving items that may have been thrown away a new lease of life, you're not adding to consumer demand that means more factories are being produced (which burn through fossil fuels) to churn out items. Not only does this reduce your waste production, but minimalism an extremely desirable aesthetic. Your home will be clear and tidy at all times. Perfect!

The winter weather means you have one thing on the mind: a holiday. Yep, sun, sea, and cocktails are the perfect antidote to the snow, wind, and rain. And, with spring fast approaching, now is a fantastic time to book a couple of weeks off work. The urge to go away is strong, especially if it is somewhere exotic. However, this country right here, the one we call home, has lots to offer. Yep, that goes for its citizens as well as international tourists. Seeing more of the UK is harder than it sounds because it feels like a waste. These tips will help you understand that a British holiday can be a great one.

Forget About Europe

Not to be anti-Europe in these tough times, but the reason temptation to visit over staying home exists is the perception. The idea of walking the streets of the Basque region in Spain or the South of France whets the appetite. Once you have the idea in your head, it’s almost impossible to see the rest of the world. So, don’t even consider leaving the country as an option. Instead, tell yourself that you are going to tick off the bucket list items that exist in the land of your birth. People choose to visit the north, others south and some close their eyes and point to a map.

Lose The Stereotypes

Human beings judge people within seconds and the same goes for towns and cities. There are places in the UK which you will never visit because of preconceived cliché. Oxford and Cambridge are two hotspots that have to deal with this mentality on a yearly basis. “Average” families don’t want to visit as they feel it’s too snobby and rich for their tastes. However, Oxbridge is relatively modest and a mix of two beautiful cities. Plus, it has hidden gems such as The Wood Norton Hotel in Evesham which is less than an hour away. Seeing a place in a new light makes it more appealing and opens up the possibilities.

Choose An Activity

Okay, so British beaches might not be quite like the sandy dunes of mainland Europe. The United Kingdom isn’t a place to top up your tan by the coast. Let’s face it – the weather is too cold! But the beaches are still incredible in their own right- they're an excellent place for hiking, walking, and cycling and camping. Pack your climbing carabiner, ropes, quickdraws and climbing shoes and go rock climbing- you can stay active while getting a buzz of adrenaline and seeing some amazing views! For the people that are into these activities, Britain is one of the best holiday destinations in the world pound for pound. Firstly, there is the Cotswolds, and then there is the Peak District in Derbyshire, without mentioning the Cairngorms. However, the pièce de résistance is the Lake District in Cumbria.

Be Frugal

Would you rather have one holiday every twelve months or twelve holidays every month? The latter is not a pipedream, not when you're frugal with money. For example, you can pack the car and head off to the nearest tourist attraction at the weekend. Or, you can book a cheap flight and enjoy a city break in London, Manchester or Edinburgh. Staying at home means saving money, which should mean extra holiday time.

One of the most simple and enjoyable pleasures of home ownership is being able to step outside and enjoy your garden space. There you can take in the fresh air, stretch your legs, immerse yourself in nature, and truly relax. That is why it is always worth your while to make sure that your garden space is as enjoyable as possible. To find out some uncomplicated tactics for doing this, read on. 

Shade and cover 

One of the most vital factors in enjoying your outside space is having some protection from the elements. That means being able to sit in the shade if it's particularly sunny and hot, or being able to shelter from the cold and rain if the weather isn't so good. To do the former there a range of options to consider. Some folks like to create a shaded area with a veranda. This is a permanent structure that is open on all four side and still provides cover from the sun. Others, choose the more flexible option of a Sunsail or portable gazebo. Items that can be erected when the weathers hot, but can also be taken down to free up space during the rest of the year. For the latter, built structures such as conservatories can work best. The reason being that they can be attached to the main house and so heated to provide a warm and pleasant environment no matter what the weather. 

Privacy 

Privacy is another factor that is important for enjoying your outdoor space. After all, it's hard to relax if you feel you neighbouring are always nosing in on what you are doing. Luckily, there are several options you can consider to create a more private space in your garden. One is to plant trees and bushes around the board of your outside space. Then as they grow, they will start to screen off your garden from the outside and create a private, peaceful space in which you can spend your time. Another workable option is to consider fence panels like the one available at sites like Oakdale Fencing that are made of wood. The advantage of using panels such as these is that they will screen your garden as soon as they are installed and you don't have to wait for your trees and shrubs to get to high before you start to see the net benefit. 

Seating 

With most folks using their garden as a space to relax in, it’s pretty vital that you include an area for seating. Traditionally, people have used wooden tables and chair sets for this purpose, but it isn't actually that hard to create a space that is a bit more interesting. For example, a seating area situated around a fire pit looks much more dramatic and provides warmth on cold nights. Alternatively, mobile waterproof seating option like outdoor bean bags or things like these inflatables couches allow you to convert your garden into space for lounging and relaxing when the mood takes you. Then just pack it all away when the weather changes and you have the full garden space back to enjoy until the weather improves again. 

For a lot of people, gardening can be much more of a chore than something to be enjoyed. Of course, you love the end result of your work, and will probably enjoy the time you spend outside, too. This doesn’t always tick all of the boxes, though, making it hard for gardeners to keep on top of their game. Thankfully, this is easy to solve, and a lot of it will be down to the tools you’ve been using to keep it together.

If you have a large lawn, mowing will probably take up most of your Sundays during summer and springtime. Pushing something around your garden gives you the chance to be alone with your thoughts, while also giving you the opportunity to soak up some nature. A ride on mower, though, will change this game entirely. This can be perfect for anyone looking for a fun way to take over this job. Along with keeping your grass short, a lot of gardeners will also work hard to keep the wood in their garden treated to make sure that it can survive the harsher months. A big part of this job can be handled for you with a simple paint sprayer. Unlike canned paint, these pressure operated devices can create a very even spread on any flat surface. This makes it nice and easy to perform a professional job without any of the effort.

Like the paint you use in your garden, it’s always nice and easy to take a similar approach with the way you fertilise your plants. Along with this, there are loads of tools out there which are designed to make planting your garden much easier. From electronic tilling machines to devices which can lay your seeds down perfectly, there are loads of options to make this part of your outdoor life much easier. One of the biggest challenges people face when gardening with power tools is the cords that come with them. Extension cables can do the job, but will be a big hazard, and aren’t easy to work with. Instead, mowers, cordless leaf blowers, and other garden tools you use can make a real difference when it comes to the quality of your time in the garden, check out this cordless leaf blower review for more information. While making things easier, this sort of approach could also make your work safer.

Finally, as the last idea in this post, it’s time to consider the ways that you can take this work out of your hands entirely. Robotic mowers can handle the lawn, constantly working to keep it at the right length. Along with this, sprinklers can water the garden for you, and an array of other devices can handle your other jobs. While this may seem lazy, it gives you the chance to enjoy a perfect garden all the time, and you don’t have to put any time into it. Hopefully, with all of this in mind, it will be a lot easier for you to start working on the time you put into your garden. The tools you use in an area like this can make a massive difference to the experience you have, with some making your life a lot easier.

Moving home is a stressful business, and it can cost a huge amount of money. Bearing in mind you will have already paid for the deposit, solicitors fees and everything else involved- and so by the time you come to moving day it's not uncommon to not have much money left at all. Thankfully there are ways you can move on a budget, here are a few points to bear in mind.

DIY vs. Professional Services

It is not obvious that renting a van is going to be cheaper than professional movers. You will want to do your research when coming to deciding how you will move you things. Take a look online at your options and you will see the difference in prices between different moving companies as well as types of van you can hire. You could firstly go for a Grange Removals man with a van or even borrow one from a friend or family member, but you could also hire a van from a company such as Hertz. 

Get Quotes

When you are looking at hiring a professional moving company, you will want to make sure that you can collect at least three quotes to compare against each other. It is super important that you do not just pick the first company you come across because this will not work. If you can move during the winter season, you will be able to save as much as 30% on our moving costs because companies always lower their prices during the colder months. 

Is your home looking dull, drab and tired? Perhaps you've been staring at the same four walls for longer than you'd like to admit with same colour scheme and same boring homeware items. Maybe everything is starting to look dated and past its best, and is desperately in need of modernisation. Our homes should be both comfortable and pleasing to look at- after all, this is a place where we spend a lot of our time. We want to be able to kick back and relax as well as enjoy our surroundings. Here are a few of the ways you can go about it. 

Improve the level of comfort

A home wont feel homely if it isn’t a comfortable place to live, and one way you can make it more comfy and cosy is with the right furniture. Your sofa for example should be both pleasant to sit on as well as looking good, since it's such an important feature in the room. Something like a classic brown leather chesterfield sofa is a classic, it will look good year in year out and work with just about any decor changes. A plush armchair and footstool will finish the look, you could go matching with brown leather or you could choose less expensive 'statement' pieces in a cool colour or pattern. That way when you redecorate later on, you only need to replace the less expensive statement pieces and not your main sofa. 

Make it more spacious

Accessorise

Finally, it's the accessories and finishing touches that will give your home style, personality and take it from tired to modern. Replace your soft furnishings like curtains, rugs and cushions- you could bring in an exciting new accent colour with these things. Purchase a large house plant along with a couple of smaller ones for some greenery, and display a big vase of seasonal flowers on a table or sideboard. You could create a gallery wall to add interest, and either buy new lamps completely or simply change the shades for a new look. Scour sales, bargain homeware stores and eBay for all of these kinds of things. 

Running a house is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. Anyone who disagrees obviously hasn’t owned a property before! There are too many jobs to do and not enough money to go around. Plus, a girl’s got to find time to relax and catch up on her favourite box sets. It used to be easy to let the self-pity and stress wash over the body and believe the term that “all is lost.” However, life is a weird and wonderful thing, and so are applications. It turns out the best apps can revolutionise a home, and these are the ones which are worth considering.

eBay

There isn’t a property on the planet that doesn’t need a spruce up at times. To keep costs down, many people shop on eBay as it has everything a homeowner needs at affordable prices. From light fixtures to kitchen utensils, soft furnishings, furniture, decorative accessories and more- if you feel like giving your home a makeover eBay is well worth browsing. You can either bid for items and snag yourself some real bargains, or you can simply buy like you would from a regular shop. Because many things are made overseas they're cheaper and often a little different than you'd find on the highstreet. 

Shiply 

If you've never heard of Shiply, this is an online courier service which brings together buyers and sellers. Shoppers will know that the average store has a delivery option, but they'll also know this can be expensive. Take Ikea for example, their standard delivery on furniture items is a whopping £35. As a reverse auction, Shiply merges couriers and shoppers for both parties’ benefit. For one thing, it reduces the price of delivery for customers, while maximising profit for the couriers.

YNAB

You Need a Budget is probably the wisest words a homeowner will ever hear. Running a home means splashing the cash on a weekly basis thanks to energy bills and mortgages payments. The constant outflow of money can be difficult to keep up with, which is why homeowners end up in credit card debt. YNAB allows you to “give every dollar a job” to avoid overspending. And, it’s free to use at the moment due to the trial offer. After that, the price goes up to £60 but it’s a one-off which will pay for itself in a matter of weeks.

Whether you've gone back to work, or your lifestyle has changed and you need some additional help with the children, you might be considering hiring a nanny. Introducing a new caregiver into your family dynamic can be very stressful, but with a little planning, there are ways to make the introduction and transition much smoother. Here's how you can go about it!

First, always make sure you're finding a candidate through a nanny agency that has a solid reputation. Not only do most reputable organisations, such as Irving Scott, do all the legwork of vetting candidates for you and doing background checks, but they can also help you create a contract to govern the relationship and terms between you and your nanny, which can be a critical document.  From there you will need to interview any candidates thoroughly. Ask them specific questions that relate to your family and listen to the answer. Find out what their past duties were and make sure they are willing to do the specific tasks you are looking for help with. Your parenting and discipline styles are essential, so the prospective nanny will need to agree to follow your lead. Get at least three childcare related references. These should be references from people other than their family or friends. Insist they are from people who were your candidate’s Manager, parents of children they previously looked after or failing that, then co-workers in daycare or similar centre. If a recent reference cannot be provided, then you need to be concerned that it could be a huge red flag. 

However, when checking references, you need to be smart. Think like a detective, and look at gleaning as much honest information as possible. Do this by asking the reference to give you the dates worked, the candidates duties and working pattern, the ages of the children and such like. If any information has already been provided by the prospective nanny or manny, you need to be sure that information matches what the reference is telling you. Arranging a trial day with your family is a good idea too.. If you’re not using an agency, it would be a great idea to organise a playdate or request your prospective shadows what you do you for a day before you consider offering a position. This is the best way to see how they interact with your children and other members of the family as check their personalities gel.

Run a background check. Any reputable agency will already have run a background check for you so if you are not using an agency; then it would be advisable to run your own. The minimum most agencies do is a criminal check and a sex offender database check, so you ought to consider at least that. Check the potentials driving licence is valid if you are considering allowing them to transport your children around. How would the candidate respond in an emergency? Find out if they are certified in Pediatric First Aid or is Defib Trained.  Trust yourself and the instincts of your partner. In general, if you are unsure of someone, have a negative gut feeling, despite how wonderful they may appear on paper or their glowing references, then simply don’t hire them. The same goes for whether the candidate is inconsistent in communication consider that a red flag also.

Sometimes when dealing with your finances, unexpected costs can ruin the whole plan. Something like a hospital bill or a car maintenance fee can leave you with a hole in your pocket, making it harder to come up with the money when you need to cover your other outgoing costs. In this situation, you need quick methods to make sure you’re ready; else you can land yourself in an even worse position. For some people, it can be quite hard to find that kind of money, as they’re already dealing with a poor financial situation, and don’t have the tools or talent to make something extra.

Taking out a loan

If you find yourself in the position of needing some money right here and now, then you might consider taking a loan. It’s not a bad option if you know you’re going to be able to make up for it a little sooner, and this way you can avoid any balance bumps that you would get from missing a payment. In this case, you might want to take out short term loans, which basically means you’re confident in your ability to pay it back. With this kind of loan, you have a much smaller time in which you need to come up with the money, and you risk a much higher interest rate; with that said, you also have a smaller limit with what you could borrow. It’s a great choice if you’re not looking to have a long-term debt, which makes it out of the way and out of mind in a much shorter period. Your finances aren’t the only factors that may take a hit; you also have to worry about your credit score. Your credit score determines your reliability when it comes to making certain payments, which can overall make a dent in future financial help. Some lenders will be less likely to deal with you if you have bad credit, as they don’t want to risk the money that they’re lending out. 

Cashing assets

While you might see it as counter-productive, selling assets can be a quick way to cover any costs, you just have to be willing to part with them. Sometimes, when people are struggling with debt, they tend to sell off some of their assets to give them a boost in their finances, but it works as a great way to prevent it too. Whether it’s a car or expensive jewellery, sometimes parting with them has a greater benefit than keeping them. It’s not always the ideal choice. However, many people have unwanted goods laying around that they could make a lot of money from; it’s just a matter of making that extra effort to sell them. It’s also a quick method to make a lot of money at once; you don’t have to worry about the slow income.

Finance and mental health

Falling behind on your payments can be a huge detriment to your life. Not only do you start to gain interest in certain debts, but you also begin going negative with your balance. For many, a negative balance can have an effect on your mental health too, which is why it’s so important to be careful with your money. Many people in debt report feeling extreme anxiety, stress and depression- it can lead to family breakdown and is generally something to avoid if possible. Ensure you have backup methods in place to stay on top, for the good of your credit and wellbeing.

The January blues: the depression people feel after the Christmas period. It’s just one reason people tend not to put their house on the market. Who would buy it when they can’t be bothered to get up off the couch? Plus, there’s the money situation to consider. In the New Year, the average buyer doesn’t have enough cash to fund a move. All of this can make it seem as if wintertime is a terrible period to list a house, but that isn’t the case. December, January and February are three great months to sell up, and these are the reasons why.

The Price Is Right

There are fewer buyers so there’s no need to drop the asking price. Yet, people are reluctant to buy as soon as possible which is why the value can’t be too high. However, the right asking price will get interested parties thinking about making an offer. Quite simply, they will understand that January and February are two of the quietest months in the calendar and that the listing may be a one-off. As soon as spring and summer roll around, the value is bound to increase. Make sure the cost is in line with other properties in the area and you could make a quick sale.

Banking On A Mortgage

Is money tight, or do you need time to revive your credit score? If so, you should understand that there are ways to free up the coffers instantly. Just take a look at http://repair.credit for more info. The even better news is that your credit score may not inhibit you as much as you think. Banks are companies like any other, and they need new revenue. The winter is a bad time for them as families and individuals cut back. So, applying for a loan now might work out as their guidelines are less harsh.

The Cover Up

The experts at http://time.com point out buyers are interested in cold weather issues. When the mercury drops below zero, it’s natural to want to know you will be warm inside the house. Don’t see this as a negative but a potential opportunity. As long as the boiler works well and there are no drafts, the property will tick all the boxes. Of course, there might be other issues which come to light, but they will seem insignificant. As a result, there will be less to turn buyers off in the winter months.

The Colour Of Walls

The right shades can have a psychological impact on a person. Now that the temperature outside is cold, the hues inside can make the property feel warm and cosy. Straightaway, this makes people feel good about the house as it denotes happy emotions. The next time they consider the property, the right colour scheme could encourage them to put yours at the top of the list. Negate the drab and gloomy weather by using strong, vivid colours such as purples. The same goes for the exterior, too.

When you think about adding technology into your home, you may instantly think of some kind of futurist look, which can be quite off-putting if that’s not really your style. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Because these days, home technology is so modern and exciting, that it can actually add to your home, not take away from it. When it comes to your home improvements, you’re always going to want to make sure that yours create a look that you love - and you can definitely do that with modern technology. So if you’re ready to up your interiors game and even improve your quality of life, here’s the home tech you need to know about.

Smart Home Hub

First up, we have the smart home hub. And these little things are super clever and generally make your life better! With the right home automation system in place, you can do things like put the heating on in different rooms, put the lighting on remotely - and even close the curtains too. Cool, huh? Yes, you have to get the tech in place for said heating, lighting, and curtains too, but this is a great idea if you love to be efficient around the home. And if you want to preheat your oven on your way home from work, the remote setting will let you do that too! Genius, right?

Surround Sound

Slightly related to the idea of that is installing surround sound - but not just in your living room, in the entire house. Yes, this is something that can be controlled remotely - often from a smart home hub - but it’s much cooler than that. Because you’ll be able to play music in whatever room you want. So if you want your music playing around the whole house as you clean between rooms, you can. Or if you just want your own stuff playing in the bathroom as you relax in the rub, you can do that too. See, life is instantly better.

CCTV

Maybe you're about to purchase your first property, or perhaps you're about to move for the tenth time- but either way, we're all guilty of forgetting a few basic things in the budget when it comes to moving home. It's easily done in all the excitement of having your offer accepted and finding a buyer for your current home, but it can really throw a spanner in the works financially. Below are three common costs involved in moving home that are well worth remembering!

Solicitor

It seems such an obvious expense, but when you’re dealing with hundreds of thousands for buying the property, the cost of a few hundred for the solicitor can easily be overlooked. You will need to set aside time to find a quality property solicitor who can ensure that all paperwork is in order in a speedy fashion. Sometimes a sale can fall through, or an offer is withdrawn because the solicitor took too long or was incompetent. Don’t let this happen to you; do your research. Ask your friends and family to recommend a good solicitor that they have used in the past.

Surveyor

Some people may forget about this entirely, or they may try to save a little bit of money by not getting a property surveyed, this would be a huge mistake. It is a good idea to hire a buildings surveyor to inspect a property after you’ve made an offer and had it accepted. This could end up costing you a significant amount over time if you are unfortunate enough to make offers on a few properties that turn out to be in need of extensive structural work. You could negotiate a lower price to take into account the work needing to be done, or simply walk away. The choice is yours. As with the solicitor, you should search around for a trustworthy and reputable surveyor to hire.

Moving

This is another one that is very easy to underestimate. Depending on whether you are going to pack everything up yourself, or simply hire a company to pack everything for you, could impact your budget heavily. Companies like eco movers have thorough and extensive criteria you need to fill out to receive a quote, making it far more accurate and allowing you to plan better. But the cost of moving goes far beyond actually hiring a moving company. You should allow room in your budget for packing materials. Boxes, tape, and bubble wrap may seem like small costs, but they will all add up. However, the biggest cost of moving is your time. You will need to take time off from work to pack, to move, to redecorate your new home, and to unpack. If you are particularly efficient and well-organised you may manage to complete the whole process in a week, but that is still a week off of work, and if you are self-employed or are a business owner, that is time you won’t get paid for.

Generally, the place you call home should be the place you feel safest. It’s where you go to channel your creativity and feel truly comfortable. We spend most of our time there, and there’s no reason we should feel unwelcome, so why do so many people neglect it? For some maybe their cash doesn’t stretch quite far enough, others might just never get around to it. It’s important to know how much your home can affect you; many people spend most of their time there if not all! The mood you wake up in and the mood you go to bed in make up a large part of your day, it shouldn’t be ruined by discomfort and low temperatures.

People want to improve their home for many different reason. This might be they want to improve its value to sell on, or they just want to make it more enjoyable and a luxury to live in. These are both great reasons, and there are lots of ways you can improve your home, in many different ways. This could be anything from insulating it, to make it warmer and more efficient to heat, or making aesthetic changes to it to make it look like a welcoming place. Whatever kind of changes you want to make there are loads of options out there, to help you achieve the outcome you want. Here are just a few ideas to get you started, so you can start thinking about what kind of changes you want to make to your home, to improve it for the better.

Improve The Kerb Appeal

The front of the house is the first thing you see when you come in, and if you are making improvements to increase the value of your home, this can be a great first impression. Making a good first impression can make all the difference for buyers, and can get them intrigued, so you can show the rest of your home. Anything from a lick of paint, to a whole new front door would be a great improvement. You don't need to have bright colours, unless you are very sure of what you are going for. Even investing in a new knocker, or making sure the door bell works, are all great ways to make sure your house gives off a great first impression.

Upgrade The Fixtures and Fittings

When you think about redecorating your home, chances are you think of the big things like paint colour and wallpaper, floor coverings and furniture. However the smaller things really can make a difference, and fixtures and fittings are one way you can give your home a more luxurious feel. Fit new ceiling lights in each of the rooms, upgrade the taps in the kitchen and bathroom- even things like plug sockets, door handles and light switches can all be replaced with sleek metal versions. It all makes much more of a difference than you might realise!

Make it Warmer

Making your house warmer, or more energy efficient, is a fantastic way to improve it. Making your house warmer in the winter months is a great way to make it far more enjoyable to live there, and there are lots of ways to do it as well. You could try insulating your house, and get insulation installed in either the walls, or in the loft or attic. This means that your house will keep in the eat it produces, meaning it will be cosier in the in the months, and it will ultimately save you money. Alternatively you could try getting solar panels or infrared panels to keep your house warm for less. Solar panels are a bit more of an investment, but they could end up making you money in the long run. Heating your home using electricity you produce is fantastic to make your home more energy efficient and self sufficient.

There are lots of ways you can improve your home to increase the value, or just make it a better place to live. Changing the front of the house can make a great impression for potential buyers, or for you each time you come home. Making your house warmer and more energy efficient, also makes it a really pleasant place to live too. 

Want to make your home a more pleasant and inviting space? Sometimes switching things up is just what you need, and if you're bored of looking at the same surroundings and same four walls then why not make a change? There's only one snag- the price. Buying furniture and remodelling areas of the home don't come cheap, however you don't need to give up just because you don't have a large budget. If you’re good with your hands and know your way around a hammer, this is your time to shine! Maybe you never thought of seriously undertaking a DIY hobby, but if you can make quality products from a bit of wood and a sheet of metal, you could in fact outfit your entire home with your own pieces. Here’s some places you could do well for yourself by digging the toolbox out of the shed. 

In the Living Room

Usually considered the reception room, if you’re looking to update some of your home pieces with a bit more flair and fire, target the living room first. Once you get a whole room out of the way, the rest of the house is a lot easier, and there’s no bigger project than where we lounge on the couch. Buy wood for this room, as it’s the most versatile material for you to consider when you’re building your own tables, chairs, and accent pieces. Buying raw material in bulk often sounds like a fruitless expedition, but you can buy up wood planks cheaply from a lot of suppliers. Mostly you’ll want to visit the home depot section of your nearest DIY store, as this has everything else you’ll need to put your crafts together, but also check the online world too. 

For the Kitchen

The kitchen is often a tricky place to deck out, but by investing in some tiles and paints you can have a whole new wall in an afternoon! Designing around what you can’t move is hard in practice, but put down some sheets to protect your glossy countertops and then get going. You can also easily replace a lot of fixtures, such as the taps and cupboards you were saddled with when you moved in! 

In the Garden

Making your own conservatory space is one thing, but outfitting it with cute and homely pieces to make it more relaxing is another. A lot garden furniture pieces are made out of wicker, and come with cushions we’d never want inside the house; that usually makes them an immediate turn off! So, it’s time to build your own summer umbrella to stick in the table, and make the chairs surrounding it a little more hardy. There’s a lot of materials you can use, all with their advantages and disadvantages. However, some of the best crafting pieces to use is metal! Head to the Aluminium Warehouse if you’re looking to coat something in metal that can withstand the test of the weather. No rust and no need to polish it off either; it’s incredibly low maintenance if you’re just looking to have a sit down in the scarce sun we’re getting these days!

Even for the most financially savvy people, the start of the year can be a bit of a struggle when it comes to money. Even if you’ve saved all year and bought gifts in the months running up to December, chances are you will have had to spend at least some money from December’s budget. Things like Christmas dinner and extra food, cards, forgotten gifts, even postage and travel costs can all catch people off guard and can mean spending money you hadn’t accounted for. Plus in the new year, resolutions to live better can mean money spent on gym memberships or exercise machines, workout clothes and diet food. Most of us feel the pinch at this time of year, however with some careful planning you can set yourself up for financial success later in the year. And when you think about it, now is the perfect time to do it. We’re all partied out from Christmas and spent a month stuffing our faces on delicious food. Now is the chance to be a little boring, stay home and make savings so that spring and the rest of the year is a little easier. Here’s how you can go about it!

There is no denying that your home is at its most vulnerable when you are in a different country. If you are planning on going on holiday, you need to put steps in place to protect your home during your absence. After all, we have all heard about the numerous burglaries that have happened at footballers’ homes while they have been enjoying a lavish vacation (and posting it all over social media). You may not have a footballer’s house, but you will still be a target if you let everyone know that your property is going to be left empty.

Don’t broadcast your absence

If you already have a love for your own property, then that’s great. But do you think you can find a love for actually dealing with properties. What we’re talking about here is an investment idea, and a very good one at that. There’s plenty of money to be made in the property market, and it is one of the easiest ways to invest your money safely. If you do it right, you’ll often make a return pretty quickly which always comes in handy when money feels a bit tight. But a lot of people don’t actually know how to get into the property market through investment, this is where we’re here to help. Follow the tips below and see if you can make some money.

To get into property investment, you first need to like the properties you’re looking at. It is hard to know what to do, or what route to go down with a property you don’t even like yourself. So make sure you shop around and think about what you’d like to be showing to people, and most of all, whether you think it would actually be able to sell. Once you’ve decided that, you need to think about what area you’d actually like to invest in. This often plays a big part in how much of a return you’re actually going to get. Some areas just aren’t going to make it for you. There will be areas that have such bad selling rates, and you can often lose out on money if you don’t play your investment cards right.

Sometimes you just need a little bit of a helping hand. Although you’ll have most likely of gone down the property route before, it is not always the easiest to understand when it comes to investing. The last thing you want to be doing is losing out on money as well, so sometimes a helping hand is just needed. Get in touch with a property investment company who will give you all the advice you need, and will often become partners in your investment. They can offer the best properties for you to invest in, and guide you in things such as how much to rent it out at, how long for etc. You also want to talk to financial advisors before you make any decision to make sure the one you’re making is going to be the right one. One thing you need to consider is whether you’ll actually have the money in the first place. Or whether you’re going to have to take out a small loan to cover the initial buy and other costs. This is where it does become a little risky. You do need to make sure your investment is going to pay off so you can pay any borrowed money back.

You also want to make sure you’re mentally ready for investing your money. You need to have a fair bit of spare time, and the mentality to take on some stress. If you know you’ve got this, then this route is definitely the one for you. Property investment more pays off more often than not.

We all want to live long and healthy lives, and we can easily picture ourselves doing absolutely nothing starting from the day when we are granted the retirement we have been waiting for so long. With a world whose population is becoming older every day, and natality rates having significantly decreased over the last few years, it will be hard for us to enjoy the retirement we had envisioned if we don’t put pen to paper and start making plans around it soon. If you would like to live a life that is free of money worries by the time you reach 65, you should read the below tips on how to plan for your retirement appropriately so that tomorrow brings no nasty surprises.

Open a pension plan

With governments around the world pushing for companies to set up their own pension plans for employees, work has already started trying to make pensions the responsibility of the individual and his or her boss rather than that of the authorities. In the future, there just won’t be enough public money to share between the entire retired population, and as a result, you should start thinking of opening a pension plan that will see you accruing your private money to fund for your retirement. If you are unsure as to how you can go about this, you should do some research online and find the most suitable option for you and your family. Aviva offers some sensible opportunities that could be beneficial for you.

Take everything into account

Retirement is the time when you will be able to wake up at a sensible time and have breakfast before you immerse yourself fully in a hobby of your choice, but it will also be a time when the worst that could happen should have been taken into account. Don’t leave ugly aspects unattended as these are as important as the rest. You might be a healthy individual who is not in the slightest concerned about not being able to make it past your 70s, but death is a reality we should all be aware of. As a result, it is worth planning for it so that we don’t find ourselves or those around us having to make payments we could easily have made when we were fit and healthy. Yourfuneralchoice.com provides you with comparison funerals services that you could make use of without having to conduct endless research on the subject.

Pay our mortgage off

It might be easy to delay paying further money into your mortgage instalments but as we know, nothing in this life can be taken for granted and the sooner you pay off your mortgage, the freer you will be from its constraints. Increasing your monthly payments by even a small percentage will help you pay your mortgage sooner, and this will result in you having more money when you are finally ready to retire. This could not only mean better and longer holidays but also having extra money to put towards any other dream that remains to be fulfilled. Contact this mortgage broker today, and he will help you put everything in order so that you can pay off your home earlier than initially thought.

Moving properties is like reading a story – it has a start, middle, and an end. The beginning is finding the right house and selling your old one and the finish is moving in and getting settled. But, what about the middle? This is the in-between period where homeowners have to deal with a variety of issues. Sadly, lots of people don’t understand how important it is to plan or ignore it altogether. And when disaster strikes, there is nowhere to turn and it can cause serious stress and financial difficulty. Avoiding a sticky middle is possible as long as you understand the tricks of the trade. Here are the basics.

Synchronise Buying And Selling

To afford a new home, you will have to sell the current one. Often, homeowners don’t sync the process and end up with nowhere to stay while the deal is completed. The last thing anyone wants is to be homeless, so both transactions have to go through simultaneously. Because you’re not in control, it can be a daunting task but there are solutions. One is to use the same bank for buying and selling to limit confusion and speed up the process. Another is to ask the estate agents to work together and not waste time.

Have A Plan B

Even when you try to finalise both deals as quickly as possible it doesn’t always work. A contingency plan is the only way to ensure there is a place for the family to stay while you can move into your new home. Hotels are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but they are costly. If money is an issue, and it will be, a costing cutting measure is a must. Don’t dismiss it out of hand, but living in a static caravan on the property is something lots of owners do in this modern age. Alternatively, you can ask family for help.

Some of us are fortunate enough to have a generous section of land adjoining our humble abode. You may have purchased your property because you adored the perfectly coiffed back garden, the established orchard groves and the giant patch of fallow ground surrounding the house. Now that you are master of all you survey, it can be a little overwhelming knowing what to do with your acreage. While you could have one enormous area to flex your green fingers and adorn every inch of land with gerberas, hydrangeas and primroses, you want to explore other options. Take a look at what you can do with your plot of land.

Outbuildings

If you fancy dipping your toes in the holiday let market, you could choose to build a couple of log cabins, cottages or yurts upon your land. You may need to get planning permission and have building regs involved, and the bureaucratic process can be long and arduous, but you could end up with a money-making tourist industry on your doorstep. If you love meeting new people, cooking up a decent breakfast and promoting the area in which you live to your guests, you could find yourself the queen of the hospitality industry.

Hobbies

If you’ve ever wanted to pursue your love of all things equine, why not consider using some of your land to build some horse stables, a paddock and a generous area for grazing. If you are fortunate enough to live in the countryside, you could go for gentle treks around your local area sticking to the designated bridleways. If something a tad more adrenaline-inducing is more your thing, think about setting up a racetrack in your grounds. We’re not talking Silverstone, but a little go-karting loop could enthuse the kids to get outdoors more, rather than being glued to their TV screens and Xboxes. Let’s not forget the ultimate luxury - a swimming pool. If you’ve always loved the idea of having one and you know that you will use it, why not draw up some plans and start excavating?

Small Holding

If you’d rather utilise your land for what it is truly for, then you should consider setting up a small holding. Depending on the size of your land, you could set up zones to explore the different areas of horticulture that you want to become more proficient at. You could have an apple orchard, a winter vegetable patch, a brassica section, a large greenhouse and a more ornamental garden. The possibilities are endless. Growing your own fruit and vegetables is fun and can be hugely rewarding when you bite into your favourite apple, and you realise it came from your very own tree.

Ensure that your land has a purpose, whether it’s for crown green bowls, cricket or cauliflower. There’s nothing worse than having a large patch of land to call your own, only to see it going to waste. You never know you might even make a handsome sum of money from using your land in an entrepreneurial way.

Getting your new home can often be a real high point in your life, whether it is your first, third or twenty third home, getting the keys for a place that you have afforded to buy creates a feeling like no other. Many people take on the idea of making home improvements to their new place in order to put their own stamp on it. Simple things like redecoration is more likely, but some actually seek out properties that require intense modernisation to make it a liveable and happy place to be. So when taking on home improvement shave you really considered all that is involved? Whether it is a small job or a big renovation here are the things to think about before taking on the DIY projects you want to do. 

Make plans for what you want to do

First of all, it is important for you to make some solid plans for the home improvements you want to make. A simple redecoration like painting and wallpapering will still need you to think about what you want as you need to consider colour palettes and themes for different living spaces. Bigger plans for things like new bathrooms and kitchens may need plans drawn up so that the right materials can be bought ahead of time. Extensions and additions to properties may need planning permission which requires a whole host of other considerations. The point I am trying to make is doing make any changes until you know for sure what you want to achieve. You will be thankful of your planning process in the long run. 

Do you have the right gear and skills for the job?

While you may not like the idea of recruiting experts to do the jobs, especially if you are trying to make the savings on labour and keep the costs down, you do need to seriously consider whether you can do the job in the first place. Trying something and then getting it wrong might end up costing you more to have a professional fix the mistake and complete the job. If you do feel confident, then having the right gear and tools for the job is essential. This is when looking online at things like Bryson products could be good idea to make sure you have what you need to complete the job. Additional purchases could be factored into your budget, if certain tools are needed. 

January is always going to be a time of the year where you feel more motivated than ever to make plans and changes to your life. It is a fact, and whether you embrace new year’s resolutions or not, you might certainly at least agree that a new year gives you that opportunity to make some plans for the future. Which is why I thought it would be an ideal time to share with you some of the ways you can start to think about your future and making some plans right now. Let’s strike while the motivation iron is hot. 

Could you be thinking about future finances?

No one likes to consider their financial situation at the best of times, but sometimes you really need to face up to facts about the future, because before you know it, you will be living it. People like to think that buying a house is one way to protect your financial future. Often it can be the only nestegg you have, and using equity you have built up is a great way to fund retirement and to ensure you still maintain a good lifestyle. However, you may want to think about paying into pensions plans to ensure that you can stay on track and maintain the life you have grown accustomed to. Most workplaces have pension options, and it is easy to pay into from your salary. So you don’t tend to miss the money. Thinking about this sooner rather than later makes you better off in the future. Which means you have the money to do all the things you want to do like traveling and hobbies. 

Should you be protecting yourself and your assets in the future?

Buying a house is one thing that many of us have on the to do list for life, don’t you agree? But others might like the idea of investing in others things, such as jewelry, pieces of furniture and even savings investments for cash lump sums. Maybe you have an expensive engagement ring or wedding band. It’s the everyday things that often can be forgotten, and so it is so important to protect the assets you have for the future. Getting a will from experts like Ronald Fletcher law firm could help you to secure your financial future, and ensure that property, money and important pieces are left to family and friends in which you would want them to be left to. It might not be a nice subject to think about when you are gone, but once it is done, then it is done. 

Could you be doing something right now to impact your future life?

Finally, is there anything you could be doing right now that could secure your future? Maybe a change of career is what is needed for a better quality of life? Perhaps taking the plunge to do something different that could benefit you in the future? Now is the time to make those important changes and think about what you might want out of life. After all, we hear far too often that life is so short.