Archives for September 2016

Preparing For a Baby: How You Can Cut the Costs on Baby Items

September 19, 2016 By
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When it comes to preparing for a new baby, there are a lot of things out there. Some people recommend some items; some people will recommend other items. Whatever you choose to go for, the cost of it all can add up. There are some things, like a stroller and car seat, that you just can’t go without. So how can you save money when buying things for your baby? Here are a few ideas and tips.

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Use Coupons or Voucher Codes

One great way to save money anytime you shop is by using coupons. So it makes sense to use them when shopping for your baby things. Coupons are more for use in an actual store. If you prefer to shop online, then look out for voucher codes. There are plenty of websites that offer these, so make sure you check around. Plenty of baby and children’s websites have codes online. So you can get codes for places like FirstCry, Target, and Kindercart. The best places to look for physical coupons are in stores and in magazines and newspapers.

Shop Second Hand

Some things for your baby won’t be good to get second hand. Some things work perfectly fine, though. You might not want to get a pre-used car seat. However, you might quite like the idea of a good quality second-hand stroller or crib. You can save quite a lot; usually getting more than half off the retail price. So it is certainly worth looking into. You could just replace things like stroller wheels and get your own crib mattress. Buying these things separately will still help to save money.

Check Reviews

One of the ways to make sure that you don’t have to rebuy any items is to check product reviews. If you are buying quality items, then they won’t have to be replaced. Saving you money in the long term. So don’t just buy something because of it’s price. It might break, and then you’ll have to buy twice. Check reviews and get recommendations from family and friends. Then you will know that you are going to be getting items that are built to last.

Avoid Big Designer Brands

When it comes to baby clothing especially, it is a good idea to stick to smaller brands or store’s own brands. Babies grow out of their clothes really quickly. So it can be almost a waste to spend lots of money of designer or brand name clothing. It will also make things easier if your baby makes a mess all over the clothes and stains it. There is no need to go overboard with children’s clothing.

Have a Registry

It might be a good idea to set up a registry. There will be a quite a few people that might want to help out with baby items. Having a registry means that you will get all of what you want, and not just a bunch of random items. So it is always a helpful thing to do; for yourself and others.

 

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Simple Tips To Look Amazing When You Are A Mom

September 19, 2016 By
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It’s often hard for moms to feel confident about their appearance once they have a child. They feel like their body changes and never goes back to its original form. In fact, over 70% of moms worry about their appearance every day. It is much more than a woman who is currently childless. But there are some ways moms can look good even when they are busy with the perils of having kids. Here are some simple tips to look amazing when you are a mom.

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Dress to flaunt the best parts of your figure

It’s common for moms to start worrying about their body after they have had children. After all, it’s gone through a major event of carrying a baby for nine months. However, it’s time to start focusing on the best parts of your body that you still love. Dress to embrace your favorite parts of your figure and you will soon feel amazing. For example, if your legs are still fantastic, show them off in a shorter style dress. Or if your breasts have doubled in size since giving birth, it’s time to wear a top which will show off your new curves. You need to make sure you are buying clothes that fits you comfortably if you want to look great. Even though it might pain you to go for the next size, you will find the clothes will look better if they fit more comfortably.

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Make sure you are completing a daily beauty routine

Although it can be hard to find time to complete your beauty routine, it’s best to try and make 10 minutes to take care of your skin. After all, if you stop looking after it every day, your appearance will be affected, and you will lose confidence. Therefore, make sure you make time every morning to wash your skin and use a moisturizer. Finish off with a toner to help give yourself a glow, even though you may feel tired. Completing a daily beauty routine will also ensure you delay aging for as long as possible. If your skin is getting you down, you could look for a more permanent way to reduce the signs of ageing so that you feel good about how you look.

Cut out the bad food and drink from your life

You need to make sure you are being careful about what you eat if you want to look fantastic when you are a mom. If you start eating more junk food and fizzy drinks, you will put on weight and your skin will age prematurely. Therefore, make sure you are drinking plenty of water every day and eating a healthy balanced diet. That way, you can ensure you stay a healthy weight and will still have young looking skin so that you feel and look amazing.

Have a great haircut

It might surprise you how much a good haircut can make moms feel good about themselves. After all, when your hair is always dry and greasy, it will alter your appearance, and you will lose confidence. Therefore, it’s time to book in to get those dead ends cut off and get a new look. Talk to the stylist about a hair cut which is easy to maintain in your daily life, but will make you look fantastic. Once you have a good haircut, you will instantly feel a lot happier about how you look!

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Don’t be afraid to add some colorful makeup to help you look fantastic. A bright lipstick and eyeshadow will instantly brighten up your face and take years off your age!

 

Filed Under: Beauty
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Trollify Yourself With DreamWorks Trolls

September 16, 2016 By
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trollsCheck out the new Trolls trailer. Trolls is coming to theaters November 4th.

After watching the trailer, be sure to Trollify Yourself! With fun tools you can create and share some hair-raising Trolls characters!
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Trollify Yourself HERE: www.dreamworks.com/trollify
From the creators of Shrek comes DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls, a smart, funny, and irreverent comedy about the search for happiness, and just how far some will go to get it. This hilarious film transports audiences to a colorful, wondrous world populated by the overly optimistic Trolls, with a constant dance in their step and a song on their lips, and the comically pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have trolls in their stomachs.
After the Bergens invade Troll Village, Poppy (Kendrick), the happiest Troll ever born, and the overly-cautious curmudgeonly Branch (Timberlake) set off on a journey to rescue her friends. Together, this mismatched duo embark on a rescue mission full of adventure and mishaps – trying to tolerate each other long enough to get the job done.
Utilizing music to further the film’s narrative, the Trolls soundtrack is produced by Justin Timberlake and features five original songs including songs by Justin Timberlake and Gwen Stefani in addition to a number of classic hits from the 60’s – 80’s.
TROLLS Official Channels
HASHTAG: #DreamWorksTrolls
Filed Under: Movies, Movies Tagged With: , ,
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Marvel’s Doctor Strange – New Featurette

September 16, 2016 By
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image003-2Marvel fans the time is almost here. The next Marvel film, Doctor Strange hits theaters November 4th. Here’s a little featurette for your viewing pleasure:

Like DOCTOR STRANGE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoctorStrangeMovie
Follow DOCTOR STRANGE on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrStrange
Follow Marvel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvel/
Visit the official DOCTOR STRANGE website here: https://marvel.com/doctorstrange
DOCTOR STRANGE opens in theatres everywhere on November 4th!

Filed Under: Disney, Marvel, Movies, Movies Tagged With: , , ,
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New Moana Trailer

September 16, 2016 By
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image005-3I seriously can’t wait for this movie! It looks so good and um, Dwayne Johnson. Need I say more?!?!  Check out this new trailer:

Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows exactly why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli‘i Cravalho) meets the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), who guides her in her quest to become a master wayfinder. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”), produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Opetaia Foa‘i, “Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23, 2016.
image006-3Like MOANA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/disneymoana
Follow MOANA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneymoana
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Visit Disney Animation on Tumblr: http://disneyanimation.tumblr.com/
Visit the official MOANA website here: http://movies.disney.com/moana

MOANA arrives in theatres everywhere on November 23rd!

Filed Under: Disney, Entertainment, Movies, Movies
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The Dark Night: The Importance Of Sleep For Your Entire Family

September 16, 2016 By
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The importance of sleep cannot be overly emphasised. Yes, it’s something that we all need to do. But it’s necessary for a reason. Your body doesn’t punish you with a nodding head and heavy eyelids for the fun. During sleep you never completely shut off. Your body undergoes physical and mental maintenance. Sufficient hours of sleep also ensure that you have a good quality of life and are safe. Here’s why you should value your much needed shut eye.

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Babies

Babies grow rapidly. In the first couple of years of your life, you grow at a rapid rate. It’s not surprising that babies are tired a lot of the time. They might make a lot of noise but a healthy baby is often asleep as regularly as he or she is awake. Sleep triggers a natural growth hormone in babies’ bodies, which promotes normal growth.

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Children

In children and teens, sleep takes care of supporting growth and development, both physically and mentally. When children get to a school age, sleep helps them to pay attention in class, make decisions more easily and improve their problem solving skills. Sleep also contributes to higher levels of motivation, which is essential for your little ones to achieve their long term goals, whatever they may be. So if you want your kids to get good grades as they grow up, set an early bedtime. As well as taking in facts, children need to learn how to function properly in society. It is important that your kids have social skills. Sleep deficient children often tend to throw temper tantrums. They often feel angry, irritated and impulsive. These aren’t personality traits that often lead to popularity. It is important for your child to have peers, or they could become unsociable, reclusive and isolated.

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Adults

Mental Wellbeing

During sleep, your brain prepares your body for the next day. It builds new pathways which will enable you to learn and remember more information. This is important. You might not think you have much to learn, but you need to be able to take in a process information on a daily basis. Each day your brain will work out more ways to make the things you do easier. Certain routines or ways of doing things that result in less stress and more time, for example. As well as creating these pathways, prioritising sleep will ensure you have a healthier mental wellbeing. Brain scans of sleep deficient people show a higher susceptibility to sudden mood swings and consequent irrational behaviour. These individuals also show much more difficulty in coping with change, which is an inevitable aspect of adult life. Sleep deficiency in adulthood has been directly linked to risky behaviour, depression and even suicide.

Physical Wellbeing

You can’t afford to get sick as an adult. You have children to look after, a job to do and a home to upkeep. Days in bed can throw your routine completely off schedule. Sleep is essential to maintaining a healthy immune system. In short, the more you sleep, the stronger your immune system will become. This will result in a lower susceptibility to common illnesses and infections.  Now we don’t propose spending your entire day off in bed. But make sure you get the recommended eight hours.
As you can see, sleep is important at all stages in life. So it’s important that you and your family get enough of it. This is easier said than done though. Anyone trying to get little ones off to the land of nod will be able to tell you that. Even if you don’t have children, many of us end up tossing and turning for most of the night. This is frustrating. However that can really help your entire household get a full night’s kip.

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Lights Out

We sleep best in the dark. We are, after all, diurnal creatures. We sleep at night. Way back in the day, once the sun was out, people had little other option than to go straight to bed. After all, things are a lot harder to do when it’s pitch black. Nowadays, we not only have lights, but we have a whole range of distractions. Major cities are often said to no longer sleep at all. There’s always something to do, or watch, or play. Set a routine and go to bed at a specific time. This will set your body clock and you’ll soon grow used to it. Now for the important part. Once you’re in bed, make sure it’s as dark as possible. Most people recommend black out blinds. These are the best option for ensuring the glare of street lamps don’t reach you or your family as you try to get to sleep. In spring and summer, when the sun rises ludicrously early, they also ensure a nice dark atmosphere, so you can continue to snooze until the alarm goes off. Sleep masks are an alternative, cheaper option. But they won’t be as effective.

Double Glazing and Earplugs

No matter where you live, there’s often non stop noise around us. In the countryside? Sheep bleeting, cattle causing a ruckus and pigs snorting through the night can be pretty off-putting. In the city, it’s even worse. Traffic, aircrafts, arguments, drunk people in the streets on a Friday and Saturday night. Double glazing does a good job of blocking out all of this unwanted sound. If it’s really loud, order a pair of earplugs for extra protection.

Heating and Fans

Your body temperature needs to be stable to avoid waking up constantly throughout the night. In summer, temperatures soar and no matter how far open you push the window, only warm air ends up circulating the room. In these climates, invest in air conditioning or even a simple fan. In winter, you’ll have the opposite problem. Nobody wants to leave a fire or blow heater burning through the night though. That would be absurdly dangerous. Ensure your heating is working before the cold seasons hit and try out alternatives too. Extra blankets, thick socks, electric blankets, hot water bottles and microwavable teddy bears are all brilliant options.

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A Winter Ready Wardrobe In 4 Easy Steps

September 16, 2016 By
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If your mind is turning towards cozy jumpers and knee high boots, then you’re probably getting ready to plan your winter wardrobe for this year. The problem is when it’s time to update their wardrobe, too many people just go out with a wallet full of cash and buy things that look nice on the rack. Getting a successful wardrobe takes a bit more planning than that. So read on for a step by step guide to getting your winter closet ready.

Plan

First of all, you need to plan your closet. Your wardrobe shouldn’t just be a mish mash of random items of clothing that you hope will look ok combined with one another. In fact, you should put some serious thought into what you will need for certain occasions and what pieces will compliment each other.

A good rule of thumb when buying new pieces is to check that they will go with at least two other items you have in your closet. If not then, they are probably not the best investment, and you should leave them on the rack.

Review

Next, you need to take a look at what you already have that can be used for the upcoming season. Things like winter coats will last for more than one winter season, so make sure you get them out of storage and have them dry-cleaned for use.

You’ll probably have other items like a favorite pair of jeans or black trousers that can be paired with this season’s looks to update them. At this point, it’s worth checking that they fit and are in good condition. There is nothing worse than basing an outfit around an item to realize it has an unremovable stain or hole it in.

Style

So the styling part of your wardrobe prep is where you get to have some fun. It’s here that you combine the items you have from previous seasons with the new things that you have seen in the stores.

It’s best to pick colors that are current but also go with your skin tone. For example, while rust is popular this FW 16, it won’t suit those with a coolers skin as much as those with a warmer skin tone.

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This is also the point to look at this seasons shapes and cuts. The style of something, as well as the color, can show your fashion knowledge. So make sure to check out the top fashion magazine trend reviews before purchasing anything.

Buy

The next stage is to purchase the items that you have chosen to update your winter wardrobe.

Shopping Online is the best for this for two reasons. First, you can make significant savings on clothes and footwear internet shopping. Once you have found the item, you are looking for, make sure to check for a way to get a discount off the original price like this Payless coupon.

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Second, remember that you will need to try on each item with the thing to check that you already have to check that they go. This is why it is such a good idea to shop on the internet. Then you can have everything delivered to try on, in one go.

 

Filed Under: Fashion
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The Changing Face Of Family Entertainment

September 13, 2016 By
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Let’s take a little exercise in time travel.

20 Years Ago: When you want to watch a TV show, you first have to find out when it’s on. You go to your local listings, or you grab the sheet of paper you scribbled the time and date down on during an ad for the show. You write to remember it on a to-do list, or jot down the details in your planner.

800px-omroepgidsTV Listings: Image from Wikipedia

Soon, it’s the right time and the right date. You sit down to watch the show, irritated but accustomed to the advert breaks that crop up every so often. If you need to go to the bathroom during the broadcast, you have to miss a little and then hurriedly ask your companions what you missed.

If you can’t be there for the set broadcast time, you can program a recording – but it’s an arduous task that frequently fails. If that doesn’t work, then you’re going to have to wait for a rerun. You could be waiting for a long time.

Today: If you don’t know when a TV show is next on, you run an internet search. You have your answer in something ridiculous like 8.6 seconds. You can set a recording right then and there using a PVR like TiVo, and not have to think about it again. It’s going to record whether you remember it or not, and it can even record future episodes too.

You can watch it at your leisure. You can pause it if you need to do something, or watch it six months after broadcast.

If you somehow forget to set a recording, then that’s no problem. You have a huge selection of streaming options, meaning you can be watching it in a few clicks of your mouse. You don’t miss TV shows unless you intend to do so; all you need to do is find the time. The rest of it has been taken care of.

It’s somehow difficult to believe that the two above examples are separated by only two decades. The entertainment industry has been revolutionized, and those growing up now will have no idea what it was like beforehand.

We’re often told that TV is a bad thing, but this is a very modern notion. Back in the 18th century when novels for pleasure first became popular, there was uproar about them. They would distract people from their work and their religion, naysayers insisted. They would promote idleness! They were damaging people’s intellect!

If those arguments sound familiar, it’s because they’re identical to what people now say about television. Fast forward 200 years and all of a sudden books are promoted as the preference and TV is demonized. It’s hard not to wonder what will replace TV in years to come. “If only they were watching more episodes of Dora the Explorer…”

So long as the rest of your life is balanced – you spend time outside, you have hobbies and your kids have varied interests – then TV is fine. It’s a viable way of consuming an art form. For some reason, we’re comfortable describing movies and theater as art, but their small screen cousin gets a rougher ride.

People have always wanted escapism, from the early dialogue plays in Ancient Greece to the Globe Theatre in Shakespeare’s day. We can’t be serious all the time. It’s not going to inherently damage you or your children just because you watch TV.

With an eased conscience and the desire to get the most from your viewing, it can be tricky to keep up with the technological changes. There’s now so many different services, and it’s almost impossible to tell what’s offering the best deal. But never fear – there is a way through it, a guide that even busy parents can use to bring their viewing habits right up-to-date.

Tip 1: You’re going to need a good internet connection.

While this isn’t necessary for TiVo and similar systems, it is beneficial. It’s also a problem. Broadband – never mind fiber – coverage in the US is not the greatest compared to other countries. When you do have it, it’s also more expensive. A study found that for comparable speeds, USA customers could pay up to three times more than their British and French counterparts. Ouch!

The problem is scale. America is such a vast country, and it’s taking awhile to catch up to modern usage. Cities have generally good coverage, but the further out into the sticks you get, the worse things are. And if you want to get your TV pleasures, then that’s a problem.

3280328336_12b396fcce_oThe Old Familiar Buffering Screen: Image from Flickr

One of the most affordable ways of getting good coverage is to combine a package that covers your home communication needs. This means bringing your TV, broadband and home phone all under the same roof. There are a variety of different companies who offer this, and there are discounts to be had if you’re prepared to haggle and switch around.

Don’t think you have to go with the same old companies either. There are even ways you can get extras like home monitoring included if you go with the kind of company that can combine it all. The more that’s brought together, the higher the chance of a good deal. So keep an open mind, make sure you do your research; for example, view Suddenlink.com for more information.

Tip 2: Figure out what you need.

Most of the time, a combination TV deal is going to be the best option. It’s also one of the easiest, with just one company to deal with rather than juggling several. You’re also more likely to be rewarded for being a loyal customer, and if you have problems, there’s one central place to fix it all.

If for some reason that’s not an option, however, you can turn your mind to subscription streaming channels.

Think of three of the most popular TV shows of recent years: Breaking Bad, Mad Men and Game of Thrones. While you can combine these in a television package that provides them all, it’s going to be expensive.

One of most cost-effective methods is to use streaming services, once you’ve got your broadband sorted. These have the upside of being commitment-free, so if you’re a bit short one month, you can cancel and save the cash. But they also have the same problem: different channel providers for different shows. To watch the three mentioned above, it may be three separate streaming subscription services.

If you can afford that, go for it. But sometimes it’s wise to exercise a little caution. Sit down with your family, and equip everyone with a notepad and pen. Everyone should write down three TV shows they can’t live without then three they would love to have but aren’t essential. Then it’s time to compare and contrast, and see how many of the “must” shows you can get ticked off with one package.

There’ll be debating and arguments, but if you can find a package that brings two out of three essential for each family member, you’re on to a winner. Remember, going without doesn’t mean those shows will never be seen, as we explain…

Tip 3: Remember your options; tech isn’t always better!

So let’s say for the shows above, you’ve got two of your essentials, but you’re missing one. That doesn’t mean you never get to see it; it just means you have to be prepared to wait a little while.

You can still purchase a boxset on DVD or BluRay when it comes out. That might seem strange as it’s an additional expense, so why not pay a subscription cost?

5505566718_fc38b3c811_zTV Box Sets For All The Family?: Image from Flickr

Break it down and the answer is clear. A standard season of a TV show is usually 22 episodes, which is usually spread over around 30 weeks, with breaks for holidays. So if you’re paying $10 a month for your subscription service, it’s going to cost $70 and change. A DVD box set on the other hand is around $40, so it’s a massive saving, and you get to keep the physical copies.

Tip 4: Parental Lock

When you open up your viewing habits, the chance for kids seeing something you’d rather they didn’t opens up too.

Most PVR devices will allow you to configure a parental lock, meaning a PIN code has to be entered before viewing. Activate this, and change the code regularly – if your kid figures it out, they’re not likely to tell you! Switching it up means the protection stays in place. Do the same with your Wifi password if you’re concerned about them streaming, so you’ll always have an idea of what’s happening.

You’re not being a bad, helicopter parent if you do this – you’re taking sensible precautions. It’s always better to go too far than risk your child being exposed to something you’d rather they weren’t.

So with a few phone calls and a bit of research, you can drag your viewing habits right up-to-date. It’s been said we’re living in a golden age of TV, so go ahead and make the most of it.

 

Filed Under: Parenting
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Become A Whizz With A Toolbox: 12 DIY Tricks

September 12, 2016 By
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DIY can be a great hobby for both men and women. Whether you’re just looking to up your skill level or get some tasks done around the house, DIY can be very beneficial. But don’t jump in right away: there are some things you should know before you start expanding your skillset. Here are 12 DIY tricks that could very well make you a whizz with a toolbox:

Some Things are Better Left to Professionals

There are some things that are better left to the professionals. If something could have serious implications, then don’t touch it if you don’t know what you’re doing. For instance, problems with your pipes could result in a huge flood if you don’t know what you’re doing. A problem with an expensive appliance could be an issue too. Call up professionals and get quotes to find the cheapest one. Trying to save money by doing something unfamiliar on your own could end up costing you more money in the long run. That’s why this is the first and most important trick: if you don’t know what you’re doing and it could even be dangerous, leave it alone!

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YouTube Is A Godsend For Beginners

If you want to do something that isn’t so dangerous, try checking out YouTube for tutorial videos. You’re bound to find a video that will help you and give you invaluable tips. There are whole channels decorated to DIY’ers, some tips even come from professionals.

Your Tools Do Matter
Some say that your tools don’t matter, and that only a bad workman blames his tools. This isn’t exactly true. Your tools do matter to a certain extent. The better they are, the easier you’ll find the job and the better the result will be. It’s definitely worth investing in some decent tools, but tools you enjoy might be different to what the next person enjoys. You’ll usually find you get very attached to your tools. Once you’ve built up your kit, make sure you keep it under lock and key.

Rent Out Specialized Tools

Having great tools is a must, but there are some tools you probably only need to use once in a blue moon. See if there are any businesses or handymen who will rent out these tools to you for a small fee. You’ll save a fortune on actually buying them, and may even be able to pick up some tips from them.

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Read Through Instructions Carefully

I can’t stress enough how important it is to read through the instructions before attempting something (if applicable). Read through them carefully, and then again just to be sure. You can never be too clear on what it is you’re doing. You don’t want to miss an important step, or find you don’t have everything you need. This could be disastrous.

Don’t Give Up When Things Get Tough

If you don’t get something just right the first time you do it, it can be tempting to give up and never try it again. If something is really hard, you might want to give up and call in a professional. But don’t! Get away from the project for a little while and have a breather. When you’ve relaxed, you can try to get back to it. Don’t let little things dishearten you. You’ll feel so proud of yourself when you’ve completed your project. If you do decide to get help in the end, make sure you ask for tips so you can find out where you were going wrong.

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Take Things Slowly

Don’t rush things when you DIY. Take things as slowly as you need to. If you need to rush, you’re probably better off leaving this job to somebody who has more time. Rushing can cause simple mistakes and even injury! Take as much time as you need to get this right.

Don’t Let Mistakes Put You Off

Everybody makes mistakes, but you shouldn’t let it put you off DIY’ing in future. Learn from them and get better. You’ll improve your skills the more you do, so keep going.

Download DIY Apps To Your Tablet Or Phone

There are so many DIY apps out there that can help you to get better and improve your skills. There are apps that will give you tips, help you to save measurements, and even see what certain items look like in a room before you buy them. It’s like having a handyman in your pocket. Many of these apps are really cheap, and sometimes they’re even free!

Set Up A Rotation Schedule

If you have DIY tasks that you have to do fairly regularly, you can set up a rotation schedule to help you keep on top of everything and ensure things don’t slip your mind. When you have wooden furniture and other wooden items, for instance, it’s important to regularly protect them to ensure they can withstand different weather conditions. If you don’t perform log home maintenance, then your wood will whither away and won’t look as beautiful as it once did. Make sure you are doing it regularly and using the correct products.

Know How To Store Certain Items

If you’re wondering how best to store certain things, you can usually find a tip online to save your life. One thing many people struggle to store is paint. The lid can dry onto the tub. And it can be difficult to know what color is inside of the tub. Why not store your paint in glass jars instead? These are great for making sure your paint doesn’t dry out, and you can see what color it is right away. You can even use tape around the lid to make it even more airtight and stop the lid from sticking!

The more you practice DIY, the better you’ll get at doing things around the house. It won’t be long before you become known as a DIY king/queen amongst your friends. Have fun practicing and leave any tips that you’ve picked up below.

 

Filed Under: For The Home
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What Are The Best Options For Extending Your Home & Adding Value At The Same Time?

September 12, 2016 By
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If you’ve decided that you and your family need a more spacious home, it may be time to think about extending. While a lot of people tend to think that the answer to having a lack of space is moving somewhere new, it’s not always the best or most convenient option. If you’ve got enough land around your home and are able to get planning permission to extend the property, that may be the best option.

Obviously, if you’re going to extend your home, the first thing that you need to decide is how you will extend the property. To do this, think about what it is that you need the extra space for. For example, is it an additional bathroom that you family needs or is it simply more storage space that you require? To make the process of choosing the best extension for your home easier below is a list of your options.

Renovate an unused area of your home

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If you’re lucky enough to have a good sized basement or attic that is rarely used, consider converting it. The great thing about this is that it shouldn’t be as expensive as building a whole new section onto your home. However, it will still give you the space that you need. Not to mention the fact that this type of renovation will also add value to your home, especially if it allows you to add on an extra bedroom or bathroom. An attic or basement conversion is ideal for all sorts of things, from adding on an extra sleeping area to additional storage space. So whatever it is you need an extension for, this could be an ideal option.

Build a self-sufficient building in your yard

9498296808_7fe567f35e_bImage from Flickr

How about building a self-contained living area in your backyard? This type of extension is ideal if you need more space because you’ve got lots of people living in your home. Whether your kids have moved back in or you have an elderly relative living with you, a self-sufficient building could be a good option. That way everyone is able to have their own space, but you still all live in one place. The great thing about this type of extension is that it will add value to your home and won’t be too expensive to build. There are companies that you can use, like Backyard Granny’s, who create purpose-built houses for older people. Or, you could opt to create the building yourself. It all depends on whether you have the skills, time and knowledge to do so.

Add an additional section onto your home

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Lastly, how about adding an extra section onto your home? This could either be building upwards or outwards, depending on your planning permission. As well as what type of space you need to create. The fantastic thing about adding an extra area onto your home is that you can make your property feel much larger and more spacious. You can create the additional space that you and your family needs, while adding value to your home at the same time. Obviously, this kind of extension can be expensive. However, if you can’t afford to cover the cost, you may be able to get a loan to help.

So there you have it, the best options for extending your home and adding value at the same time.

 

Filed Under: For The Home
Cori's Cozy Corner Disclosure Policy

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