What to Consider Before Getting Your Child their First Phone

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As a mom, there are a lot of things to worry about. One of the big concerns that many parents have is when to give their children their first phone. It can be a tough decision, and there are a lot of factors to consider. 

One of the first things you need to consider is your child's age. Most experts recommend that children be at least 12 years old before they get their first phone. This is because they need to be mature enough to handle the responsibility of having a phone and they should also be able to understand how to use it safely.

Another thing you need to think about is how your child will use their phone. If they are only going to use it for emergencies, then you may not need to get them a data plan. However, if they are going to use it for social media, gaming, or other activities that require data, then you will want to get them a well-priced data plan.

It would be best if you also thought about whether or not your child is ready for the responsibility of having a phone. This includes being able to follow the rules, such as not using their phone during class or at bedtime. If you think they are ready for this responsibility, then they are probably ready for a phone. And, speaking of responsibility, you also need to ensure they stay safe while spending time online. That said, have a look below at some valuable information that will help you ensure your child can enjoy some safe screen time once they get their first phone.

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A Great New Hoover on the Market - Hoover HF500 Anti-Twist PETS Model

{I received the Hoover HF500 Anti-twist Pets vacuum cleaner free of charge for the purpose of writing this review. I have not been instructed what to write and I remain honest}

If you ask me how I'm going to clean a floor, I'll tell you I'll Hoover it and truthfully that would be whether or not the actual product I'm using is made by Hoover. As Hoover is a brand I grew up with, it was the only vacuum cleaner my Nan and Mum would ever think to buy and I'm pleased to see that nearly fifty years later Hoover is still making excellent vacuum cleaners.

It was a very easy yes from me when I was asked if I'd like to review the Hoover HF500 anti-twist pets vacuum cleaner. It retails for £299 and is one of the modern stick-type vacuums, which I haven't used before. At just 2.5kg in its full upright form (or 1.7kg as a handheld) it is really easy to use and manoeuvre whatever your size, strength or ability. 

I really like the modern graphite grey and turquoise colouring of this Hoover and it feels robust for something so light. It was intuitive and easy to put together straight from the box and I didn't have to spend time going over a manual and wondering what goes where. 

When I first received the Hoover HF500 anti-twist pets, seeing how streamlined it is I thought I might let my son take it to uni when he goes in September but having used it, I don't want to let it go, as it really is very effective and so light.

It amazes me that a vacuum being cordless and light really encourages my teen children to use it. They won't even consider using the traditional vacuum as you have to unwind the lead and plug it in, but will happily grab my cordless and clean their own bedrooms. That is a big win as far as I'm concerned. 

What To Write In Wife Birthday Card

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Are you struggling with what to write on your wife's birthday card? Birthday cards for wife sold on Boomf are the loveliest, most romantic, and most special wife's birthday cards there are. You can pick out the most fitting card based on theme, colours, style, features, and filters to give your amazing wife the birthday card that she deserves. One she will truly love and cherish. 

 

Birthday Card For Wife Wishes

Gifts are surely a good choice of presents for your wife but she wants to hear you say words that mean the world to her. Happy birthday cards for wives should portray the endearment and appreciation, with love that every married woman wants to hear in her marriage, from her husband.

This is the perfect opportunity for you to wish your wonderful wife the sweetest birthday as she also makes your life the sweetest it has ever been. If you're having trouble coming up with the right words to show what you actually feel, here's a list of what you could write on your wife's birthday card and we hope that you see something that resonates with you and provides inspiration:

1. Thank you for showing me just how much I needed you in my life all these years. Happy Birthday!

 

2. To the most amazing woman in my life who makes it a fairytale I always want to live, have a fabulous birthday today.

 

3. As you have always been so selfless and effortlessly stunning, I wrote you this card to express my sincere emotions. How I am in awe that you are mine and how pleased I will be to be your husband forever.

 

4. There will never be a better yesterday as long as you're in my today. Enjoy your special day, Honey.

 

5. You deserve the best of birthdays for making sure everyone in this family is at their best, each day. Thank you, my dear wife, for this.

 

6. It is a blessing every day to wake up to you by my side. I always hate to leave for work and as soon as I get home today, I promise to make this the best birthday you have ever had.

 

What Not To Write

As you already know, many women are moved by words. A birthday card will lose its flavour if the words you choose to write are not genuine and personal. So take your time and make sure that the choice of words you select are really something you sincerely mean. There is nothing worse than receiving a card and it looks like the sender took the words and sentiments straight from the internet. By all means, use the above phrases as inspiration but try to make your greeting personal and special to both you and your wife. 

We hope you have a wonderful time celebrating together!

10 Years of Employee Ownership (EO) Day – What We Have Learned

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It has been an entire decade since the Employee Ownership Association launched EO Day, or ‘Employee Ownership Day’, in celebration of the benefits of employee-owned businesses.

There are, of course, a lot of benefits to celebrate. It is clear that, within the UK, there are strong economic benefits being felt not just by the individual employees themselves, but by the business and regional economies. It’s also clear to see that employee ownership represents one of the cornerstones of preparing for a future of increased automation and using artificial intelligence to streamline significant portions of the UK workforce.

In all likelihood, businesses opting to spread ownership throughout the economy are something we should see a lot more of over the coming years. But, to that end, what has happened already?

Businesses are ready and willing to explore the benefits

Since 2019, the employee ownership sector has doubled – a fact which is testament to just how ready shareholders and directors are to spread ownership and reap the benefits of a workforce that have a much more significant stake in the business – and its growth – than they did before.

This has been aided by the formation of the Employee Ownership Trust, or EOT, first established in 2014. Recent research into employee ownership in SMEs has already paved the way for further studies into the true extent of the benefits brought by employee ownership.  

Businesses that take on employee ownership are generally thought to be directed toward more meaningful roles and relationships 

One of the strongest examples of this stems from the impact of Covid-19, which coincides with the rapid surge in companies turning toward employee ownership. As everyone was forced to confront their own mortality – and the impacts of a global crisis – more businesses and advisors sought to instate strong succession plans for their business, and to create a meaningful path forward not just for the business itself, but for its employees, too.

Employee ownership gives employees a more meaningful say in the business, which tends to have a strong impact on their levels of happiness and satisfaction at work.

The emphasis on nurturing the workforce is very strong

A recent survey showed that 96% of employee-owned businesses say that looking after the workforce is key to the success of the business, and more than two-thirds claimed that employee ownership was a matter of social responsibility.

Obviously, as with any significant change to the business, there will inevitably be a period of ‘settling in’ as everyone gets to grips with the new order. For that reason, and despite the strong rewards waiting for businesses who can navigate this process, working closely with corporate solicitors on setting up or running an employee-owned business can only help as they have worked with similar clients and know how to handle a change of this proportion.

There are, of course, a variety of ways to instate employee ownership within a business, but utilising the EOT has proven to be the most popular so far, and is well worth exploring if you’re interested in your employees having a stake in the future of your business. 

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Parenting Hacks to Help Your Child Thrive

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Parenting in this modern world comes with plenty of ups and downs, and you'll spend too much time worrying about the down times. But don't, it's important to acknowledge all the things you are doing well as a parent, and if something isn't working for you, then don't give up, try something else. There is such a massive toolkit of strategies that we parents can draw upon.

Having a steady home life is so fundamental for any child and one of the most important things you can do as a parent is focus on the best ways of achieving this safe space. A child with strong foundations and known boundaries will have a head start towards thriving.

These are some of the best ways of being able to help your child thrive and grow as much as possible.

Be Patient

One of the key things to keep in mind is that you need to make sure you are as patient as possible with your children. Being a child and going through lots of developmental leaps and growths can be challenging for many children. It goes without saying that your child needs to feel your patience and feel able to have the room to make mistakes, deal with the resulting consequences and then grow as an outcome of what they've experienced.

Find a Routine

Finding a routine that works for your family is really important, and there are so many ideas that you can use to help you achieve this. Don't be tempted to copy your best friends routine, or one a book advocates, as every family is unique. So make sure you think about all the factors that matter to your family and incorporate those. Children like routine, and they often need it to help them acclimatise to changes and get used to things.  

Moms Should Know These Techniques for Calming a Sick Child

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Nothing is worse than when your child is ill. All you want to do is help them in the best way so they can recover quickly. Snot and dribble are sure to get on their hands, faces, and sleeves—and most likely yours as well—because kids are still learning the fine art of coughing into their elbows and wiping their noses with a tissue. 

Add to that the emotional challenges, a mother's heart is broken more than anything else by witnessing her child in such anguish. Then it is sod's law that having a sick child in the family inevitably results in the spread of germs and just as your child starts to feel better, you are aware that you're strating to get poorly yourself, and guess what? Sick days are not permitted for parents!

Prepare yourself with these easy strategies to help your child (and yourself) make it to the other side if you find yourself submerged in a sea of your child's used tissues and hose pitful puppy eyes.

Consider Hydration 

Keeping kids hydrated is essential at all times, but it's crucial during illness. Children who are sick with a fever, diarrhoea, or vomiting lose a lot of salt and fluids that they need to replace.

Try liquid-heavy foods like a warm cup of chicken soup if water isn't their thing. Cool drinks and popsicles will hydrate your child and help them feel better if they have a sore throat, and it still feels like they're having a treat. This is the one time that you don't mind what your child is eating or drinking, as long as they are.

Combining symptom relief with a mother's gentle touch 

Children's coughs and colds may be particularly challenging to treat because there aren't many solutions available to them. Children who have a persistent cough may also have trouble falling or staying asleep, which is a nightmare for everyone! Your presence with them can be very calming and a towel under their pillow can help to raise their head and relieve their cough a bit.

It's important to think about ways how to bring temperature down, such as taking medication, wearing fewer layers of clothing, or sponging them with tepid water.

Relax the limitations on screen time

For good reason, the majority of us worry about exposing our kids to too much screen time. But while they're sick is not the time to be a stickler for the rules. You want to take their attention away from how they are feeling and help them have a bit of light relief and feel better.

Your sick child needs to rest and falling asleep with a movie on their iPad is no crime.

Look after their skin

Children's noses are typically red, raw, and painful when they have recently recovered from a cold. This is because using regular tissues to clean their nose may irritate their skin, which is painful for them. Instead of using a dry tissue, parents can reduce this irritation by using a warm, damp towel and gently applying petroleum jelly around the nostrils can help to heal this sore area.

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Top 10 Tips for Living a Healthy Lifestyle on a Budget

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Living a healthy lifestyle can seem like an impossible task when you're on a tight budget. But with a little bit of creativity and planning, it's totally possible to stick to your health goals while keeping your finances in check.

In this post, Your Debt Expert shares top tips for living a healthy lifestyle on a budget. Through helping struggling individuals beat debt, Your Debt Expert provides everything from the latest solutions to everyday budgeting tips. If you or someone you know is struggling, make sure to visit HERE.

Check out their top tips below:

1. Eat healthy on a budget by Meal Planning

One of the best ways to save money and eat healthily is by meal planning. By taking the time to plan out your meals for the week, you can save money on groceries and eating out. Additionally, meal planning can help you make healthier choices as you will be less likely to make impulsive decisions when you are hungry.

2. Cut down on eating out

Eating out can be expensive and unhealthy. To save money, cook at home more often and only eat out on special occasions. When you do eat out, choose healthy options such as salads, soups, and wraps instead of high-calorie meals.

3. Buy in bulk

Buying in bulk can be a great way to save money on healthy food options. Purchase items such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains from the bulk section of your grocery store and cook in large batches so that you have leftovers for the week.

4. Invest in a slow cooker

A slow cooker can be a healthy and budget-friendly way to cook meals. Simply add in your ingredients, set the timer, and let the cooker do its job. Slow cooker meals are typically healthy as they are cooked with little to no oil.

10 Simple Steps To Raising A Well-Rounded Child: From Early Childhood To Adolescence

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Having well-rounded kids, who are intelligent, confident, curious, and friendly, is a challenge that many parents struggle with. How do you instil these qualities in your child? There’s no magic formula. The answer isn’t sending your kid to the right school or signing them up for every enrichment activity under the sun. The answer is small actions repeated over time that add to big results. You can’t leave it to chance or hope things will turn out okay. You have to work at it -- consistently! 

Why is Confidence so Important for Children to Have?

We all know confidence is a key life skill. And one that kids need to be successful in all areas of their lives. But how does confidence grow in a child? How do parents help their children become more confident? 

A lot of it comes down to the way that parents interact with their children on a day-to-day basis. Parents are their child’s first and most important role models. They are the first source of information about the world. And the first source of feedback for their child’s actions. As a result, parents play a pivotal role in how their child perceives and responds to new situations. As the child grows and develops, it’s essential to let them know that they are unique and capable of achieving anything they set their mind to.

The Importance of Independence

Raising a well-rounded, confident child means helping them with stress and self-esteem. And it starts young. But parents often worry that they’ll fall behind their peers if they don’t do everything for their children. They’ll be less successful because they’ll never learn to fend for themselves. 

Well, yes, that’s true. If you don’t do everything for your child, they’ll fall behind their peers. But that’s not a bad thing. If a child is constantly being coddled, never having to work hard for anything, never having to solve problems on their own, they grow up not to trust their abilities. They don’t know how to take control of their own lives. They become dependent on other people. They don’t know how to break out of that rut. It’s important to let your child try things on their own and be successful. They need to learn that they can always depend on themselves. 

5 Reasons Why you Should Buy a Greenhouse from Halls

 

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Are you green-fingered? Can you often be found outside chatting to your plants or sowing some flower seeds? I have to admit that nowadays I don't do any gardening and this is because I get to live in a magnificent 220-acre estate with a garden team to look after the grounds. And this may sound idyllic and of course, it is - the kids have three lakes to swim in, we have the most amazing formal and higgledy flower beds and there's a 2-acre kitchen garden full of amazing produce, but I do miss my own space.

I often find myself daydreaming of having a private garden again, so I can go out and tinker and feel the satisfaction of growing my own vegetables. The first home that my husband and I bought was a tiny one-bedroom house with a galleried second floor but it came with a super 180-foot south-facing garden and we inherited a fabulous Halls lean-to greenhouse. This was my first taste of the satisfaction that comes with growing your own food to eat and seeding flowers too. 

Before owning a greenhouse, I just thought they were for people like my grandad, who was a real gardening enthusiast but soon after I realised they are great for everyone as they come with many benefits so it is definitely worth looking for a greenhouse for sale near me. 

Here are my top 5 reasons why you should invest in a greenhouse from Halls -

1)  You can grow all year round

We all know how rubbish the British weather can be at times and it is super frustrating when it looks like Spring is here and you plant out and then a harsh frost reappears from nowhere. Well, with a greenhouse, you can start growing and keep your plants in there until you are very sure the climate is right for moving them outdoors. 

This, of course, means you can have veggies in the winter that you wouldn't normally as delicates like salad leaves can't bear the rain and wind outside in a British winter. And I'm a big fan of extending the strawberry season as long as I can too!

2) They look great and there are so many options

I've got my eye on the Halls Supreme, which is the greenhouse pictured at the top of this post. It reminds me of the glasshouses in Kew Gardens and I think I'd feel super posh with one of those in my garden, but if you only have a small space this doesn't mean you have to miss out. Halls Greenhouses have a great selection from a 2ft x 4ft wall garden right through to a full 138 sq foot garden room. 

The choice doesn't stop with the size either, as you can choose from a silver, green or even black frame on different models. Go for regular horticultural glass, or maybe toughened glass or avoid the glass altogether and opt for polycarbonate. And you can choose to buy a base with the greenhouse as well to raise the greenhouse itself by about 12cm to ensure that the doors open smoothly without the need for constructing a timber or brick base.

Top 15 Tips for Building Your Family's Savings Quickly

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Saving for your family's future can seem daunting, but with a little organization and some creative thinking, it's possible to bulk up your savings quickly. Don't be discouraged if you're starting from scratch - even small steps will add up over time. 

Young families sometimes run into money troubles by struggling to balance the family finances, often resulting in them exploring debt solutions and credit counselling. However, make sure to check out the below tips to ensure you can keep your finances on track and save for your family's future. 

Here are the 15 tips to help you get started. 

1. Make budgeting a family affair. 

There's no need to keep your budget a secret from your partner or kids. In fact, involving your family in budgeting can help everyone understand the importance of saving and be more mindful of spending. Get everyone on board by sitting down together to discuss your financial goals and how you can work together to reach them. 

2. Set savings goals. 

Saving money can seem daunting, but it's a lot easier when you have a specific goal in mind. Whether you're aiming to save for a down payment on a house, a family vacation or your child's education, setting a goal will help you stay focused and motivated. 

3. Automate your savings. 

One of the best ways to make sure you're saving money is to have it transferred automatically from your checking account to your savings account. This way, you'll never even see the money and will be less tempted to spend it. 

4. Cut back on unnecessary expenses. 

A great way to save money is to cut back on unnecessary expenses. Take a close look at your budget and see where you can trim the fat. For example, if you're spending $100 a month on cable TV, see if you can downgrade to a cheaper package or switch to streaming services like Netflix. 

Top 12 Budgeting Tips for Young Families

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Money is always a hot topic, especially when it comes to budgeting. For young families just starting out, it can be tough to figure out how to best manage your finances.

Check out this post for the top 12 budgeting tips for young families, provided by Your Debt Expert. Alongside helping families across the country beat debt each year, Your Debt Expert also provides advice on everything from everyday budgeting tips to Debt Management Plans and more.

 Check out the top 12 tips below:

 

1. Start with a budget

Family budgeting is the best way to get a handle on your finances. Sit down and figure out where your money is going each month. You can use a budgeting app or spreadsheet to help you track your spending. By starting with a budget, you will be able to see where your family's money is going and make adjustments as needed. This will help you save money and make ends meet each month. t really is the foundation of good money management.

 

2. Know your fixed costs

You will need to budget for your fixed costs each month, such as your mortgage or rent, car payments, and insurance. These are the bills that you have to pay no matter what. Once you know your fixed costs, you can then start to budget for your other expenses.

 

3. Track your spending

You need to know where your money is going in order to budget properly. Track your spending for a month or two so you can see where you are spending the most money. This will help you determine where you can cut back on your spending. I'm sure you'll be surprised to find out just how much money you flitter away on nothing in particular - the cost of magazines and coffees soon adds up!

How to Create a Luxurious and Functional Baby Room

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When you're a new parent, there are many things to think about and prepare for. One of the most important is creating a safe and comfortable space for your baby to sleep and play in. A luxurious and functional baby room can make all the difference in the world for both you and your little one. This blog post will give you some tips on creating the perfect baby room!

1) Make the Baby's Room Safe

The first and most important step in creating a functional baby room is to make sure that it is safe. This means ensuring that there are no sharp edges or corners, electrical outlets are covered, and potentially harmful items are out of reach. You should also childproof any doors and windows to prevent your little one from exploring too much.

2) Buy Functional Furniture

Once you have made sure that the baby's room is safe, you can start thinking about what furniture to buy. The most essential pieces of furniture for a baby room are a crib, changing table, and storage. You could also consider buying a glider or rocker to help soothe your baby to sleep.

When choosing furniture for your baby's room, it is essential to determine between functional and stylish items. There are many beautiful cribs, changing tables, and storage units available on the market today. However, it is essential to ensure that they are also safe and sturdy enough to withstand daily use.

And don't forget about yourself, have a look at this beautiful breastfeeding chair available at https://www.brosa.com.au/nursing-and-breastfeeding-chairs. Such a chair can make your nighttime feeds so much more bearable.

Invictus and the Natural Home Feel

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Should you be looking to embrace a more natural feeling for your home when you look to reorganise the look of your home, one option that can provide lasting appeal would be luxury vinyl flooring - which is a far cry from the old vinyl products of the early 90s.

If you are wanting the look and feel of a real hardwood floor without the hassle and expense of fitting the real thing, Invictus offers a perfect replica of real hardwood flooring with a guarantee of it lasting much longer and withstanding much more abuse, in fact, it's lifespan is over three times longer.

 

Light or Dark

Some people consider dark woods to give a dull or depressive appearance to a room but this doesn't have to be the case. It can add a different mood to your room whilst adding a sense of rich tones.

If you want to impress your friends and visiting family members, dark wood certainly attracts attention, but it really is a case of personal preference. On the opposite side of the shades, a light hardwood look brightens up the room and provides a more classical feel of the outdoor lifestyle within the home. 

Whether you choose a light or dark tone vinyl, one of the benefits of vinyl over hardwoods is that you won't need to sand it down to keep it consistent over the decades, so it makes this flooring much lower maintenance. 

Consistent Features

With many designs available from the Invictus flooring brand, you get the opportunity to match tones with any existing wood furniture you already have within your home. That can range from tables to doors to seating, or your cabinets and wardrobes.

Some people like the feel of a matching theme throughout the house and choose to have the same colour palette and flooring in all rooms. It can give a sense of your home being carved out of a giant tree, more than built from the ground up. Vinyl flooring has so many design and style options for you to choose from. You may opt for planks or tiles and all can be manufactured to size avoiding those tricky corners, borders, and fixtures.

Tips To Help Your Children Deal With Stress

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While we might think of stress as something that only adults deal with, stress is also very real for children. There are a host of things that kids can feel stressed about and when it happens you want to make sure you're there for them and can help them through the tough period in their life.

Whether they’re going through exam stress, or you’re splitting from your partner and going through divorce lawyers, any big change is going to impact them and you want to be ready. You want to ensure you’re on hand to have them feel cheerful and back to themselves in no time at all. Here are some of our top tips to help your children deal with stress. 

Ensure they know you're there for them

One of the most important things you can do during a stressful time in your child’s life is to let them know you’re there for them. Make sure they know that no matter how big or insignificant their stress might feel, it’s never too small to talk about and that you’re there for them. By having them open up and confide in you, you can rest assured they will continue to do so in the future and you can help them in the best way possible. After all, you know your child and will know how to help them get through this time.

Encourage them to have fun

Children are meant to have fun and it’s a great way to help them to deal with stressful periods in their life. Make sure they put aside time to go and play with friends and do things they really enjoy. No matter what the stress is, having time set aside to go and play or do something they love can help distract their mind and make them feel much better about the time ahead. This is equally as important for teenagers too, as they can become overwhelmed with stress, especially around exam time.

Choosing Between Moving Home or Extending

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Are you wondering if it’s better to extend your home or move to a new house? Choosing between moving home and extending your house can be quite difficult. Both processes can be very costly and disruptive. However, each of them also has various benefits.

As your family grows, your current home may start to feel cramped or not sufficient to suit your needs. So how do you know if an extension or a new home is the best option for you? This article will go over three of the most important questions that you should ask yourself if you are struggling to choose between moving home or extending.

 

Will An Extension Add Value to Your Home?

When making a decision to extend your home, you will have to consider if the extension is the right option for your specific home. If you get an inappropriate or poorly executed extension, this can actually reduce the value of your home if you end up wanting to move home in the future.

It's important to remember that any exterior extension work on your home will impact and reduce the land available on your property space. With this in mind, it’s important to consider what you will be gaining as well as what you’ll be losing.

Luckily, there are many different types of extensions, so you'll likely find one that benefits you and helps increase the value of your home. Adding an extra bedroom to your home can increase the value by around 15% onto the value of your home. Whilst, the addition of extra space in the kitchen or an added bathroom can add around 5% to the value of your home.

 

Do You Have The Budget For An Extension?

This is something that only you can answer, and it will depend on how long you are planning to live in your current property.

If you don’t see yourself staying in your current property on a long-term basis, then it may be worth considering whether an extension would be worthwhile for you. The average cost to build a one-storey extension on your home is around £1200 - £2000+ per square metre, depending on the location of your property.

In addition to the cost of the extension itself, you will also need to factor in the cost of planning permission, which is often over £200, and any additional costs such as the addition of fixtures, fittings and redecoration.

However, in most cases, it works out much cheaper to extend your property rather than move house – especially if the reason for the extension is for additional space. Buying a larger property than the one you're in now will usually work out more expensive due to all the lost costs like removals, solicitors fees and stamp duty. It’s important to think carefully about your budget and how much additional space you’re looking for.

Life's Changed: Reasons to be Cheerful

Hey friends, I hope you're well? It's been a long time since we caught up as life is changing for me and I just don't find the time or the enthusiasm to sit down and blog in the way I used to. I supposed it is to be expected. I wrote my first blog post in May 2008 and it is now April 2022, fourteen years later. That's a long time to keep a hobby going.

In truth, my hobby turned into a job. One that was convenient and allowed me to be available for my family and to do lots of volunteering, whilst earning some money. But I never loved it. Being self-employed and blogging has never given me the satisfaction of previous jobs, where I felt needed and fully immersed. 

I'm so glad to say that I'm back in a job like that, well more correctly, God has revealed to me it is a ministry rather than a job, as it is His work I am doing and His will I'm following. Back in January, I was appointed as the Project Manager for the Bexhill and Battle foodbanks and as the first paid member of staff for Churches Together in Bexhill I knew it would hold some challenges but since I started on March 1st I have fallen in love with my role, with my team, with my clients, with all the possibilities for a better future service, for serving Jesus in a way that is really needed.

I'm away at Spring Harvest at the moment, the Christian conference that I have gone to most every since (excepting Covid) since around 2005. This has been the best time for me, as God has revealed so much about the future and how I should manage and take forward the foodbanks. I now have a guiding bible verse and ideas for the future. Where I saw blockers before, I now see opportunities in His perfect timing. 

Choosing a Roofing Contractor

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When choosing to install a new roof or simply repairing the one you have, your choice of contractor is fundamental. It will determine the success of your installation as a credible contractor can use the proper and robust materials which will help to protect your house from weather and climate changes.

Chances are, you'll have heard from friends or in your local Facebook group about a certain local contractor as the credibility of their work means that people want to share their great finds and give a good reference for the work that has been done. A good and reliable contractor will have numerous referrals, and often be the first choice that you hear about in your area. Their credibility will not just be based on hearsay, but also on photographic evidence, and a good contractor will be able to show you their roofing portfolio that gives pictorial evidence of previous and ongoing projects.

Be wary of any roofing contractor that turns up at your door when they have spotted some damage as they might be storm chasers who approach clients at the first sign of a natural disaster, such as a storm - hence the name! These contractors move hastily from town to town and are often difficult to track down after a job is completed, therefore offering no reliability and credibility. You can check whether a contractor is a storm chaser or not by searching for 'roofing contractors near me', and looking for a physical address for the company. If you can't find a physical address that should be a red flag, and even if there is, you might be worth checking on Google earth to see if the address actually looks like it could be a roofing firm.

Specialisation

Roofing contractors have different areas of work specialisation. If you have a more complex job or require specialised services, it will be important to choose a contractor who understands your needs and can meet the job requirements. For example, some contractors focus on installing skylights while others specialise in creating customised roof features or loft conversions. Trying to find roofing installers near your area that offer speciality services may not be as hard as you think.

Can Learning a New Language Help Improve Memory?

Photo by Compare Fibre on Unsplash

{This post is written in collaboration with Emily Jones}

It's called digital amnesia: Nowadays, we are entrusting our phones with all the things we used to remember on our own, effectively diminishing our memory. One in two people can't remember their children's phone number, and one in three can't even remember their partner's phone number. me included and he has had the same number for around a decade, it's crazy!

How can we train our ability to remember? Learning languages can help the brain improve concentration and aid memory, as explained in the infographic below - "SOS memory: does learning languages help the brain?" by Babbel, the world's first language learning app.

From Plato's aversion to writing, the culprit of taking away some of our memory, to fun facts about polyglots and the language of space, this infographic will take you on a journey into our ability to remember, and the difference that learning one or more languages can provide.

Short lessons, a new routine and spaced repetition are all useful tips and practices to help one's memory not only with a new language but also in all everyday situations, as proven by a Swedish study: Those who take language courses are better at remembering names of the people they just met.  

The Ultimate Guide for Families Travelling on a Budget: Top 9 Tips

Photo by Weiqi Xiong on Unsplash

{This is a collaborative post}

 

If you're like most families, you're always looking for ways to save money. And when it comes to traveling, that can sometimes be a challenge. But don't worry – we've got you covered!

In this blog post, debt help experts Creditfix go over their top money-saving tips for families looking to travel on a budget. From everyday budgeting and savings tips to free advice on the latest solutions, Creditfix are financial experts and help thousands of people beat debt each year.

Check out their top tips below:

1. Plan ahead:

Your vacation is a time to relax and enjoy yourself, but it can also be a major strain on your budget. If you're not careful, the costs of travel, lodging, and activities can add up quickly. The key to any successful vacation, especially one on a budget, is planning ahead. By giving yourself time to research different travel options and compare prices, you'll be more likely to find the best deal for your family. You should also look for ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality. For example, you might want to consider renting a vacation home rather than staying in a hotel. 

Whilst you're away, you'll want to keep in touch with your loved ones, and a cost-efficient way to do that is with Holafly's esim for travelers.

2. Set a budget:

One of the most important aspects of planning a vacation is setting a budget. You need to know how much you're willing to spend on travel and accommodations before you start searching for deals. Keep in mind that vacation prices can vary depending on the time of year and the destination. If you're flexible with your travel dates, you may be able to find a better deal. It's also a good idea to consider the cost of activities when you're budgeting for your vacation. If you're traveling with family, look for vacation packages that include family-friendly activities.

5 Cost-Effective Tips for Creating a Beautiful Space

Photo by Spacejoy on Unsplash

{This is a collaborative post}

The aesthetics of your everyday environment can make a world of difference in our lives. Your house can be a reflection of who you are - your personality, interests, style preferences, etc. It may be a cosy comfort haven full of hygge vibes or maybe a geometric dream with sharp angels and a vibrant colour palette, whatever works for you, just make sure it encourages positive emotions.

Who doesn’t want to have a beautiful space, right? While at times, creating that beautiful space in a home can be costly, the fact is, it actually doesn’t need to be pricey at all. So these are some fabulous tips for creating a luxurious and beautiful space in your home, all on a budget!

Ensure that each space has a specific purpose

When it comes to decorating a space, you're going to want to think about practicalities and identify what purpose the room has. So wander from room to room and determine the purpose of each room, or maybe some need to be multi-purpose. Having a solid understanding of what the space will be used for and what atmosphere you want to evoke will make it easier to decide how to decorate and what key furniture pieces you need to invest in. You can make your playroom beautiful while still maintaining a pristine adult-focused living room.

Add some memories

Memories are what make a house into a home. Don’t be afraid to add something inspiring and original to your walls, shelf, or other pieces of furniture in your home. Something such as large photo prints is one of the best ways to get your space looking grand and to make it really unique and personal to your family. You can add family photos to these huge prints or something such as landscapes as well but memories don’t need to be limited to photos. Souvenirs such as postcards or knick-knacks are also a couple of great ways to decorate a space on a limited budget.

Declutter

A clean and tidy home is a happy home. One of the most affordable ways you can make a major transformation in your home, completely free, is by cleaning and decluttering. A little effort can make a real difference but a lot can go even further, so put some time aside and get ruthless with your sort out. Cleaning the house top to bottom, sprucing it up, and ditching most of the clutter will make your home feel breathable. This also allows other elements in your home to have a chance to shine as well. Decluttering and housekeeping are essentially free and this is going to be a sure-fire way to create the affordable aesthetics your space needs.