Outdoor Spaces: Why Summer In A House Beats Apartment Living

In the eternal battle of what is best - simple apartment living or having a house - there are so many differing viewpoints. Those of us who favor an apartment point out that it's more self contained. You're more insulated from the outside. And if you live in a high-rise, you're way above all the noise. Meanwhile, Team House will point out that they don't share a mailbox and their sitting room isn't up some stairs.

Pressing home their advantage, House people will point out that they have gardens. Feeling they've spotted a glaring error, Apartmenters will say "Good! I don't want to have to weed, plant, water and mow. I win!". And if you're a House person, you might momentarily agree. Until you reach into your bag and pull out the winning card. "Summer", you say with a grin. And you have won. Summer in an apartment sucks. In a house with an outdoor space, it's wonderful.

Social Life: Garden Parties Make Summer Worth It All

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If you've hosted an event in an enclosed space in summer, you'll know how quickly a party can become a hellscape. A lot of bodies close together means body heat. An enclosed space means it accumulates. C&C Music Factory may have announced they were "gonna make you sweat", but they should have admitted that's not a good thing. Take the party outside, however, and as the sun goes down it gets cooler. You can party for longer if you aren't dehydrated.

Relaxation: Better If You're Not In A Big Glass Box

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We all like to take time in the summer to just sit and enjoy the sun. In an apartment you can throw the windows open and maybe let a breeze in. Then you realise it's just recycling warm air, and your apartment still feels like a furnace. Meanwhile, in the garden, you could be reclining in a chair reading a good book with a glass of something cold next to you. With a parasol, you can even get a bit of shade.

Working: Fresh Air Makes Everything Better, Even Work

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Being hunched over a laptop in the summer, you start to think unreasonable things. Like "my grandparents worked twelve hours a day in a factory, but I bet they were never this uncomfortable". Yes, we've all been there. We're wrong, but the heat does things to people. Take your laptop out on to the porch, and with help from The Rocking Chair Company you can enjoy the breeze and shade. If you're in an apartment? No porch, no fun.

Sure, sometimes the garden will feel like it's the source of more stress than it's worth. Having an outdoor space can mean more tidying to do, as people's litter has a way of finding you. But in the summer months, sitting rocking outside or welcoming friends for a party, you'll be glad you have it. With the right furniture and accessories, getting out of the house in summer can be bliss. And it doesn't mean you have to lose the comforts and convenience of home.

Is It Ever Too Early To Plan For The Holidays? Shopping For A Big Family Made Simple!

I know what you’re thinking. It’s summer. But before we know it, the temperature will drop, the afternoon sun will vanish, and we’ll be on a Christmas countdown. When you’ve got a big family, time management is everything! If you’re eager to get ahead of schedule, here are some holiday shopping and planning tips to prevent last-minute meltdowns.

Budgeting

If you don’t already draw up a monthly budget, now is the time to start! Budgeting is a useful way of keeping track of your finances and helping you to save. Some months may be more costly than others. You can adjust your budget accordingly, and plan ahead. With the holidays not far away, sticking to a budget is even more important. Work out how much you can afford to put in the pot each month in the run-up to the festive period. You may want to save and then do your shopping closer to the time. Alternatively, you could start putting gifts away now. Planning ahead enables you to spread the cost, rather than taking a massive financial hit in December.

If you’re not used to budgeting, there are loads of tools you can use. You can download templates online, or use spreadsheets. If you’re a fan of old-fashioned techniques, you can get a pen and a notepad out. When you’re doing your budget, write down all your usually monthly outgoings, such as bills. Add any one-off payments you’re expecting, such as birthdays or vacations. In another column, jot down everything you’ve got coming in. Work out how much you have available once you’ve done your sums. This will help you to determine how much you can spend.

If you have a large extended family, have a chat about gift budgets. Are you buying for your kids, as well as siblings, parents and nephews and nieces? If so, this can be incredibly expensive. To make life easier for all of you, you could set a limit or create a Secret Santa style system? You could buy for one sibling each and then join forces for your parents, for example.  

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Making savings

All of us want to make savings wherever possible. Christmas begins early in the retail world, so look out for offers and deals. If you spot potential gifts, hang fire. Sign up for mailing lists and register your email address with discount websites. If you’re on the mailing list, you’ll receive offer codes, coupons, and news of flash sales. When you’re catering for a large party, or buying a lot of gifts, the odd saving here and there soon adds up.

At Christmas, we tend to push the boat out when it comes to food and drink. If you shop at the same supermarket, make sure you take advantage of loyalty offers. Are you enrolled in a scheme? Do you collect points every time you go to the checkout? Are you receiving the coupons you’re entitled to? You may also notice that as the holiday season approaches, popular items are offered at lower prices. If you buy the same things every year, make sure you take advantage of deals. If there’s a half-price offer on, or a 2-for-1, stock up.

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Coming up with gift ideas

Finding the best gifts is perhaps the most important goal for every parent at Christmas. You want your kids’ little faces to light up when they tear off the paper on Christmas morning. If you have lots of kids, buying gifts requires thought, organization, and imagination. If you’re looking for ideas, here is a mini gift guide to get you thinking.

Gifts for babies

Buying for babies can be tricky. They don’t really have any concept of what’s going on at Christmas, but you still want to make a fuss. Classic toys are always a good idea. They never go out of fashion, and children can play with them when they get a little older. Soft toys, train tracks, and books are popular options. As babies grow, they become more responsive to noises, lights, and colors. Look out for sensory toys that will stimulate them. Bath toys are another good option. If your baby is starting to get up and about, try and encourage them to crawl and walk by buying push-along toys and ride-ons.

Buying for toddlers

Toddlers usually have a pretty good idea of what they like, so use their interests as inspiration for your search. Do they love animals or are they crazy about dinosaurs? Is space a big hit at the moment, or have you got a mini racing driver on your hands? Toddlers to be very active, so invest in games and outdoor toys. Many toddlers also enjoy engaging in role play. Fancy dress outfits and toy kitchens, houses, and shops are all fantastic choices. These kinds of presents promote imaginative play. They’re also great for encouraging bonding between siblings. If you buy a house, for example, you could ask your family and friends to buy furniture or accessories to go with it.

Presents for older kids

As kids get older, they tend to present you with a ready-made list of things they want. This can make shopping easy, but it’s always good to throw in a few surprises too. For older children, buying presents can be challenging. Why not add a personal touch to make your presents extra special? You could invest in a personalized t-shirt or a backpack, for example? You could buy initialed jewelry, or design a sticker for a skateboard? You’ll find some amazingly unique gift ideas online.

Ideas for teenagers

Teenagers are notoriously difficult to buy for. Many just ask for money, but it’s nice to have something to open on Christmas Day. Think about your teen’s interests and hobbies when you’re tracking down gifts. Do they love sport, or are they a massive fan of computer games? Do they collect gadgets or spend all their time watching YouTube makeup tutorials? Think about what they spend their money on and listen out for hints!

Family gift ideas

Sometimes, it’s lovely to treat the family as a whole to a gift. There may be something you’re all desperate for at home, such as a new TV or a tablet. You could buy some new board games to play together or update your DVD collection. Alternatively, why not spend some quality time together? You could book a weekend away or a day out somewhere. Go camping, take a trip to the beach or visit a theme park. Time flies and time together is often much more precious than material presents.

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Embracing online shopping

Does the thought of traipsing around busy shopping malls with heavy bags fill you with dread? Are you keen to avoid last-minute dashes to the store and queues of stressed-out shoppers? If so, there’s a solution. Internet shopping is a blessing for every parent looking to do their shopping with minimal stress. If you have a laptop, smartphone or tablet, you can buy everything you need from the comfort of your living room. You don’t need to worry about carrying heavy objects through the streets, queuing for hours on end, or moving through crowds at snail pace.

Shopping online is also an excellent way of saving money. If you have ideas, you can use search engines to compare prices online. You’ll often find that retailers sell the same products, but the prices vary significantly. If you save on every item you buy, this could make a massive difference to your total spend.

If you’re new to online shopping, it can take a bit of getting used to. But persist with it. Before you know it, you’ll be navigating the Internet with ease. Search engines will become your new best friend. From the search page, you’ll find everything you need just by typing in some keywords. You can browse to your heart’s content, or track down specific items.

The Internet is also an excellent resource if you’re looking for inspiration. You’ll find ideas for festive decorations, recipes or activities to do with the kids.

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There are weeks to go before Christmas, but it’s always good to be prepared. If you have a large family, shopping can take ages and become incredibly stressful. If you start thinking about ideas now, you’ll save yourself time and effort. Before you start shopping, do some simple accounting. Set a budget for the next few months, and work out how much you want to spend on Christmas grocery and gift shopping. You can either set aside a sum each month or start shopping early. Collect vouchers and coupons, and use the Internet to find out about discount codes. If you see things you like, sign up for the website’s mailing list. The emails that you get often contain special offers. If you hang fire, you could buy the items you want with 10 or 20% off, for example. If you get to grips with online shopping, you can also find incredible gift ideas, and save yourself the hassle of braving busy malls.

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Don't Let Your Kids Drift Apart From Their Grandparents

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The relationship between your kids and their grandparents is a very special one. It teaches your kids how to respect their elders and lets them learn more about their family history. Your parents can also benefit from seeing their grandchildren. It can stop them from getting lonely, and their presence can make them feel young. Being part of their upbringing will also mean the world to them. But as wonderful as this bond can be, it can also be easy for your children and their grandparents to drift apart. So whether there are miles between them or not, here are some fun ways to keep their relationship strong.

Communicate via letters

Most kids might see letter writing as old fashioned. But it’s a brilliant way of corresponding with their grandparents. Your kids can draw pictures and inform their grandparents about school and their friends. Your parents can write back and tell your kids about their senior companion program or a hobby they’ve started. This is a fantastic way for them to learn more about one another by asking questions. Your parents might want to know what your son’s favorite sports team is. Or your daughter might want to ask what life was like when your parents were her age. The letters can also be used as mementos and keepsakes to look back on in years to come. Whether they write once a month or a week, it will give both parties something to look forward to.

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Introduce them to video calls

If your parents live far away, and your children don’t see them often, phone calls might seem like the only way they can communicate. While this is an option, video calling can be even better. If they don’t already have one, you could buy your parents a smartphone or tablet which they can use to video call your kids. You can organize for them to call multiple times a week during family activities. Your parent might want to help homeschool their grandparents by video calling during their lesson. Or your kids might want to them to read them a bedtime story. Video calling bridges the gap between relatives who live far away and helps everyone stay more connected.

Encourage them to start a project

Encouraging your kids and your parents to start a project is a fantastic way of helping them bond. This gives them a chance to learn a lot from each other. Your Mom could teach your kids how to sew or bake a cake. Or your Dad could help them build a treehouse or fort in your garden. Your kids could also teach their grandparents the words to a song or how to play a board game. During these major or minor projects, they have endless opportunities to talk and have fun together.

So don’t let your kids and their grandparents drift apart. Use these ideas or come up with some of your own to help build and maintain this special bond. Even the smallest activity can create a lifetime of memories that your family can treasure.

Looking For A New Property? Make Sure You Get The Most Important Decision Of Your Life Right!

Today's guest post could not be more timely since we have been house hunting online for ... well, seems like FOREVER! We've been seriously looking for at least 3 months but nothing in our price range with what we want is coming up. It's true that this is one financial and life decision that you have to get right! Read on ...

It’s unlikely that you’ll ever spend more money on a single transaction than when you buy a house. If you’re moving, or you’re buying your first home, it’s important to choose the right property. Here are some hints to make sure you get the most important decision of your life right.

Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/106574022@N04/10489414535

Before you start looking

Before you start scanning websites for brochures or contacting agents, get your finances in order. It’s essential that you know how you much you have to put down, and how much you could borrow. Most people take out a mortgage to buy a home. The amount you can borrow will be subject to your income and the value of your deposit. There are various factors, which may affect your ability to take out a mortgage. These include a bad credit score, a poor financial track record or criminal convictions.

If you want to apply for a mortgage, do some research first. Find out what different providers and lenders can offer you. Work out which terms suit you best. Seek advice from financial experts. Arrange an appointment or call California mortgage advisors, for example. Always make sure you have a concrete offer in place before you arrange any viewings.

It’s always wise to work out your budget before you buy a house. Once you have some mortgage offers on the table, calculate what this means for your finances. Would your mortgage be more or less than the rent you currently pay? Can you afford to spend more to secure your dream home? Do you earn enough to cover your mortgage, bills, and additional living costs? Sit down with a pen and paper, or a spreadsheet, and work out exactly what’s going in and what’s coming out. When you have a solid budget in place, you can decide which offer is best and start your property search.

Image credit https://www.flickr.com/photos/68751915@N05/6757849129

Searching for properties

It’s rare just to stumble across the home of your dreams when you’re driving by. This is possible, but most people find their new home through real estate agents. Perhaps the most important factor in your search is location. Where do you want to live? How big is your search area? Is there any flexibility? Once you’ve got an area pinned down, contact local agents. Look through their brochures and keep an eye on their websites. Keep in touch, so that you hear about new properties and developments as soon as possible. As well as contacting individual agents, you can also use specialist property websites to view homes for sale in specific areas. If you like the look of a property, you simply click on the details, and you’ll find contact information to book a viewing.

When it comes to location, you may need to compromise. If you’re desperate to live in a specific village or town, you may be waiting a long time for the right home to become available. If you’re not in a hurry, this may not be a problem. But if you’re keen to move or get on the property ladder sooner rather than later, you may have to change tact. Expanding your search area can give you a much wider range of options. It’s also worth bearing in mind that prices are likely to be higher in places where properties aren’t widely available.

If you’re flexible when it comes to location, think about practical matters when you’re looking for suitable options. How close do you want to be to work? If you have kids, are there good schools in the areas you’re considering? Are you near transport links.

Other factors that may influence your search include the age and style of the property, the outdoor space, and of course, the price. When you’re using online searches, set a budget. There’s little point in wasting time looking at fantasy homes that are way out of your financial league. Focus on homes that fit your criteria. You may have a vision of your perfect home, but don’t write everything else off. You may be surprised at what you actually like when you start looking around houses. You may have always wanted an old house packed with character and charm, but you might end up falling for a modern, spacious home. Keep an open mind, especially in the early stages.

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What to look for when you view homes

Viewings enable you to have a good look around and think about whether properties tick the boxes and suit your lifestyle. You can get an idea of what a house looks like from a printed guide or website. But you don’t get a feel for it, and the dimensions can be deceptive. A house may look completely different in real life to the way it looks online. For most of us, a property also has to feel right. Sometimes, within seconds, you just know whether this is the right house for you or not. It’s always a good idea to use your instincts, but there are practical matters to consider too.

When you arrange a viewing, take your time to go around the house and look properly. Don’t just fly around the main rooms and then take a look at the garden from the back door. Go into every room, check out the size and think about how it would suit your family. Is there enough space? Are you happy with the layout?

It’s essential to look for warning signs when you’re searching for a new home. You don’t want to fall in love with a house to then find numerous issues flagged up in a survey. Look out for signs of damp, such as wet patches on the wall or an unpleasant smell. Keep an eye out for cracks in the walls or ceilings and damaged roof tiles.

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Arranging a second viewing

It’s impossible to take everything in the first time you visit a property. This is where second viewings come in handy. Arm yourself with a list of questions and queries. Sometimes, you’ll feel differently the second time you see a home. You may notice things you didn’t see last time, or you might find faults. If you saw the house on a lovely sunny day and you return in wind and rain, and you still love it, this is a good sign. If you don’t get that same positive feeling when you pull up outside, maybe it’s not the house for you.

There’s no limit to the number of times you can view a property before you decide whether or not to make an offer. If you feel like you need another nosey around, don’t be afraid to call the agent and ask. It’s essential that you’re certain about the decision you make. The only time you can’t afford to take your time is when the house has already attracted a lot of attention. In this case, when there are other parties interested, it may be wise to act quickly.

Image taken from https://www.flickr.com/photos/106574022@N04/11415768965

Making an offer and getting the best price

If you decide you want to make an offer, think carefully about the figure you put forward. If you can, try and negotiate a saving on the asking price. Has the property been up for sale for a long time? Are the owners keen to sell quickly? If so, you could put in a lower offer. If it gets rejected, you can then increase it. If the property is under offer already and there are other people interested, it may be best to go in high. If your offer is accepted, ask your agent to contact the seller and take the house off the open market. Maintaining a good relationship with your agent will come in handy when you make an offer. They can give you an insight into the expected sale price and give you information about other offers on the table. They will also take charge of the negotiations for you.

Be prepared to be patient when you’re buying a house. The process can take time, and there may be a lot of waiting around.

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A house is probably the most expensive thing you’ll ever buy. If you’re looking to move or buy your first home, don’t rush into anything. It’s easy to get carried away and start looking at properties before you’ve even worked out a budget. Try and make sure you have your finances in order first. Work out what you have available, and how much you can afford to borrow. Try to avoid overstretching yourself. You don’t want to be struggling at the end of every month. Plan your search, and don’t rule anything out just because it’s not your dream home on paper. Go and see some houses, and then make a decision. You’ll get a much better idea about what you’re looking for once you’ve seen a few different options. If you think you’ve fallen head over heels for a home, arrange a second viewing. If you feel the same, and it’s a winner for both your head and your heart, consider making an offer. Think carefully about the price you want to pay, and try and be patient.

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Choosing a Luxury Cruise is as Easy as 1, 2, 3

I have travel on my mind for sure and I have always been in love with the ocean! Today's guest post talks about luxury cruises!!!

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There are many ways for you to experience luxury travel. Some people like to take to the skies in a private jet and spend some time on a hot tropical island. Others prefer a more nautical adventure and opt for a luxury cruise.

If you fancy going on a cruise, then you have a big decision to make. You must figure out which cruise is best for you, and the most luxurious! Here are some tips to help you make this choice:

Decide How Long You Want To Go For

If you want to go on a cruise, you have to think about time. How long do you want to go away for? Understandably, some people may be unable to go away for long periods. Maybe you have work commitments that restrict you to a week or two away? Or, you’ve got enough time in the world and can go for a month? The fact is, your decision is going to affect the cruises that you’re looking at. If you can only go away for a couple of weeks, then you won’t be able to journey too far. You’ll end up restricted to cruises that go to places within that timeframe. So, some of the big luxury cruises that take you around continents are out of the question.

But, if you can go away for a long time, then your options are wide open. You can choose a cruise that’s as short or long as you like. Personally, if you have the time to go away for a month, you may as well make the most of it. One of the best things about cruises is that they let you see so many cool places on the journey. I’d pick one that takes you around as many countries as possible, so you get more bang for your buck. Plus, the longer cruises tend to be on the most luxury cruise ships out there. So, you’ll have an extra element of class to your trip as well.

Check What Others Think

Before you spend lots of money on a luxury cruise, it pays to see what others think about it. To do this, you have a couple of options. Firstly, search for the cruise online and look at any reviews. If a cruise is good or bad, people generally let the world know. In fact, if it’s really bad, then everyone will be made aware of it. Remember, we’re talking about luxury cruises here, the best of the best. So, you imagine that all of them should be good, right? This means that if a cruise you’re looking at gets anything less than five-star reviews, you should shy away from it.

The second option you have is to look at some forums online. There are plenty of sites out there, like Bolsover Cruise Forum where people come together to share their views. Look for any posts about the cruises you’re considering, and see what people say. Typically, a forum is where you get the most detailed analysis. Plus, you can ask people what they think about a cruise and what they recommend you do while on it. All of this can help you make the right decision, and go on the best luxury cruise ever.

Find Out The Special Features Of The Cruise

Every cruise will have a few special features that set it apart from the rest. It’s your task to find out what features are on different cruises. Then, you can work out which one is best for you, and will provide the most entertainment. This depends a lot on personal preference. For example, someone that enjoys fine dining will want a cruise with loads of top-class restaurants. That’s the main feature they’ll be looking for above anyone else. People that want to be entertained and like going out at night will want a cruise with plenty of late-night entertainment. You can already see that certain cruises might suit certain people more than others.

Also, some cruises have special events on at different nights. Pay close attention and see if your cruise has any special parties or events during your trip. This could be what pushes one luxury cruise above the others. Of course, you have to look at other features too, like accommodation. Find out what the rooms are like on each cruise ship, and choose the best one. After all, you want to be comfortable during your stay. When you’re paying a lot of money for a luxury cruise, you want the basic and special features to be as good as possible.

By following this advice, you’ll soon find the best luxury cruise for your tastes!