A Guide to Redesigning Your Kitchen

Your kitchen should be somewhere that you find pleasant and inviting. However, unfortunately, not everyone’s home comes with a picture-perfect kitchen. The good news is that you can create such a kitchen, primarily by maintaining the one that you have. It is also true that even if you do have what you see as the perfect kitchen, there are times that you may want something different. Below, you’re going to find a guide to redesigning your kitchen if it’s something you aim to do now or in the near future.


Set a Budget

Before feasting your eyes on design ideas, you should start by setting a budget for yourself. Take a close look at your finances and see how much you can logically afford to spend on a redesign. It could cost you anywhere from hundreds of dollars to hundreds of thousands, so be realistic about what you can afford. Be sure to include a contingency budget in the event that unexpected expenses arise. There are financing options, such as obtaining a home-equity line of credit. Alternatively, try getting a home-equity loan in which you’ll get a lump sum upfront.  

Decide on Renovations

When you make the decision to redesign your kitchen, it is often because you want a new look and feel. With that in mind, make a note of what about the kitchen you want to change. Below are a few renovations or redesigns you could try.   


Custom Cabinet Doors: To give your kitchen a fresh look, replace your cabinet doors. To create an even more personal feel, you could get custom cabinet doors. This is something that you can do on your own as a DIY project, or you could get someone to come and install them.


Replace Countertops: Your kitchen countertops are something you often use, so you may want to replace those as well. You should also keep in mind that you don’t always have to replace your countertops and could repair them instead, especially if you’re on a budget. Some countertop ideas that you could try are white and grey colors or a Grecian white interlocking tile.                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Upgrade Appliances

Your kitchen has a number of appliances that you use on a daily basis. This could include things like a dishwasher, refrigerator, and stovetop. Make a note of the appliances in the house that are old and need to be replaced. You should also check for energy-saving appliances that will help you save money or energy. Some of the best kitchen appliances include an AmazonBasics Microwave, a SmartThinQ fridge, or a Brava Oven.


Plan a Kitchen Layout

The kitchen is somewhere that should be functional. Think about how you use your kitchen and what areas, as well as appliances, are a priority. The things that you use often should be close by so that they’re easier to access. The three things that tend to be used the most are the sink, refrigerator, and stove which are commonly arranged as a work triangle. 

A kitchen remodel can significantly increase the value of your home. Think carefully about what you want to do, plan it out, and remember to stick to a budget.

The Best and Worst Times to Take Out a Loan

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Taking out a loan has never been easier. Some lenders can put money in your bank within minutes, whilst others won’t even run a credit check. However, just because taking out a loan is easy doesn’t mean that you should rely on it as an option. Debts end up becoming extra bills to keep on top of and you should avoid them unless absolutely necessary. To help you determine the necessary from the unnecessary, here are just a few of the best and worst time to take out a loan.

The best times to take out a loan:

Paying for emergency costs

Sometimes life throws unexpected costs at us that need to be addressed right away. Such emergencies can include car repairs, home repairs, funeral bills, medical bills and vet bills. You can save costs on these loans by considering specialist schemes like CareCredit (which is interest-free). It’s worth noting that emergency costs can sometimes be avoided by having an emergency savings fund set aside or by using insurance schemes such as pet insurance and health insurance.

Investing in property/education/a business

Borrowing money can sometimes allow you to invest in things which can offer a return in the future. This includes mortgages for property, student finances for college tuition fees and business loans for launching a business. Funding these investments with savings isn’t easy and sometimes it can be practically impossible, making loans a sensible option. To save costs, try to look for specialist lenders such as this company BSF that specialise in funeral home loans. Loan advisors may also be worth talking to.  

Refinancing/consolidating an existing loan

Some people claim you should never pay off one loan with another loan, but in some cases it can be a healthy thing to do. If you’re unable to pay off a high interest loan, it may be possible to pay the whole thing off by taking out a low interest loan, allowing you to save yourself money in the long run. Paying off multiple debts with a consolidation loan could also be beneficial, helping you to keep track of your debts more easily. They key is to avoid high interest loans at all costs.

The worst times to take out a loan:

Paying for personal luxuries

Ideally, you should avoid taking out loans to pay for personal luxuries such as vacations, clothing, sports cars and new furniture. None of this stuff is necessary to your life and you should therefore view these luxuries as treats. Save up for these personal luxuries and you will feel more rewarded when you obtain them. If you choose to take out a loan, you could live to regret spending money on them as you have to pay off the debts each month.

Funding a gambling habit

Taking out a loan to gamble with is a dangerous move. If you get lucky you could make a lot of money, but if you lose your bet you’ll have just lost a load of money for nothing – money that you still have to pay back. Overall, you should never gambled with borrowed money.

Borrowing money for other people

You should also avoid taking out loans for other people, unless you 100% trust them to pay you back. Someone that can’t take out their own loans is likely to have a bad credit history – which could be a sign that they’re not good at meeting payments on time. If they fail to pay you back, you could then be stuck with a loan that you never wanted and it could even affect your credit score.  

Top Tips For Improving The Appearance Of Your Home

Taking pride in your home is something that you can do regardless of whether you own the property or whether you rent. The more you spend not just money but in time and effort will end up turning your home into a place that you can enjoy to the fullest. Here are some top tips for improving the appearance of your home.

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Focus On The Smaller Things

It’s surprising, but the biggest differences when improving the appearance of your home can be the smaller things. Everyone has that list of things to fix in the home that just get put off or put on a number of to-do lists that never actually see the light of day again, remaining crumpled up in the back of a kitchen drawer. However, if you can fix these odd jobs around the home, it can end up transforming the home, even if you’ve ended up doing very little work in the process. These small things might be cleaning off the limescale build-up around taps and shower glass. It could be removing old grout from bathroom or kitchen tiles and replacing it with a fresh one. From loose screws that need tightening in the cupboard to broken furniture, work on the small things that don’t cost that much to fix before attempting to spend more money.

Replace Worn Windows And Doors

Doors and windows can get pretty worn down over time as it’s these fixtures in the home that tend to get the most usage. If you get yourself quality doors and windows, they can end up lasting you a lifetime, so this is one area of home improvement that is worth splurging on. When looking for a window replacement company, it’s a good idea to do your research. Some will be good, and like any other business, some will be made. Look at their website carefully and seek out the review section of previous customers. Take bad reviews with a pinch of salt, but if they are mostly negative or look like they’ve not been written by a customer, then it might be a good idea to look elsewhere. When it comes to the type of window pane, you should aim for triple glazing or double glazing at least if triple is out of your budget range.

When it comes to your doors, you want thicker doors where possible so that it helps retain the heat in your home. Go for paint and finishes that are going to be durable against everyday use and the more fireproof they are the better. No one would wish for anything to happen that could damage their property, but safety should always be considered when purchasing things for your home.

Add A Splash Of Colour

Colour can really impact the feel of your rooms, and over the years, paint can chip, scuff and fade to a shade that might not be as bright or bold as it once was. Painting your walls or adding wallpaper can certainly be a cheap and easy way of completely changing your room’s look, and it’s also a fun thing that you can do with your partner or household. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colours and always do a patch test before you start painting the whole wall. Shades can tend to look different both in the day and evening, and you don’t want to go ahead and spend all that time painting a colour that the next day in the light looks completely different. Take your time with painting, and when it comes to working with wallpaper, be precise in applying it so that you don’t create too much of a mess.

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Choose A Theme For Every Room

When decorating your home, every room should ideally have a theme. This gives you the opportunity to get creative, but it also allows you to create a different vibe and atmosphere to every room in the property. For example, you may want a rustic living and dining space but a more modernised kitchen area. Your bedroom might have blackout blinds, low-level lighting while your office space has a lot of natural light and warm, bright lighting. The decision making is down to you but the more variety you add in your home, the more you’ll enjoy living in every room of your house.

Soft Furnishings Add A Cosy Atmosphere

Soft furnishings can certainly had a comfort feeling to your home. From throws to cushions, adding these little touches in each of your living spaces can elevate it to a new level of cosy. Having the right atmosphere in each room is important, so make sure you reflect that with plenty of furnishings. You can keep the walls bare and inject some colour through the cushion covers. These can save you money if you have different covers that you can change over each season. By doing this, you also give that refreshed look that can make your space look brand new again with very little effort on your part.

Incorporate Some Indoor Nature

Indoor nature has certainly become a feature in many people’s homes over the past few years. There’s something about plants and flowers in the home that can boost your mood and to lift the energy in a room. They also make for a really nice decor! When it comes to picking out the right plants for the space, think about what that plant needs to survive. Some of your rooms like the bathroom may not have a window and therefore, you need a plant who can survive in the dark but will be ok with a lot of moisture. Think about the size and how much care and attention you can give to it. You can get plenty of indestructible plants that take a very little amount of time to tend to.

Remember The Exterior

One thing that many of us can forget about with the home is your exterior. It’s the first thing your guests see, so why not spend some time on boosting it’s kerb appeal? Focus on the space that you do have, rather than wishing you had something different. No matter how big or small it may be, there’s always something you can do with it. Plant some new flowers or create a more defined outdoor space using bushes, planting trees or installing some fencing. These all create more privacy for you to enjoy your outdoor space. Fix or replace any broken outdoor decor and splurge on some new outdoor furniture so that you can entertain your guests.

Give Your Home A Name

There’s nothing more personal than giving your home a name. It might mean that you need to change your address for your mail officially, but there’s something special about giving your home something that reflects you and your household. Whether that’s your last name or something that’s personal and that means a lot, design a plaque that can go on the outside of your property for the neighbors and the rest of the world to see as they walk or drive past.

A home is always a work in progress, and there’s probably plenty around your home that you can do to improve it and to make you fall in love with it all over again. So look at your home and start jotting down ideas of what you can do for your own home to improve its appearance. Remember that it’s not all about the interior but the exterior too!

Studying and Parenting: It's Possible, But How?

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The idea of going back to school to build on your knowledge has been pestering you recently. To the point, you can no longer think of a reason why you shouldn't set yourself up to go back. There is a lot of talk and pressure put on young people to get their education while they're young and free and for obvious reasons. A lot of younger people don't have any responsibilities. The roof over their heads, and the food on the table is paid for. They can focus on one thing - their books. And still have ample time left over to explore their other interests and have fun in between. 

Compare this to a moms/dads life, and it's a whole different ball game. Your life is completely different. You're not only looking after yourself but tiny being(s) too. Maybe you're a single mom, and/or perhaps you have a home, a car, and a cat to take care of too. The point to make here is, you're not as free as you once were. And so jumping back into studying an MS MIS degree at the University of Alabama Birmingham can't be achieved on a whim. It takes time and planning, but it's absolutely possible. Think about the skills you've adapted while being a mom, you are the multitasking machine, battling to-do lists and keeping your babies alive, well and happy. It's not a question of whether you can do it! It's a question of how you will do it.

Passion And Your Reasons

Will the course that you are thinking about be enough to propel you to compartmentalize your life? Is it enough to draw you away from your babies for a little while each day? Is it something you think about a lot, or have been aching to start for years? Passion is what fuels motivation in people to do things against the odds. When things get tough, your desire to study a particular subject is what will help keep you going. But it's not just your love for the course that's important. It's why you are doing it. Establishing your why(s) is something you should do to remind you; why you began the course you chose, whether to study how to fight cyber crime, to start a successful blog, or to become a vet. Why you'll complete it and why you'll put in your best effort every day. Is it to provide a better life for your family? To prove something to yourself? Or to start a career you've always dreamed of doing? Because, when you are thinking of going back to college or university, the opportunity for a bigger payout at the end of your studies isn't always enough. You need more substance, as this is what will give you momentum and willpower to do the course do it well, and do it against the odds.

Plan Ahead - For Everything!

You might have a calendar set up with all your essential bill dates, birthdays, social events already, but for the sake of your studies, you need to step it up a little. The whole premise behind this being, mental notes are not enough for you to remember every important thing that's going on. Your to do's for the weeks ahead should not only be on your calendar at home, but they should also be on your phone too so that you can access them wherever you go. Keeping tabs like this will help keep you one step ahead of your study life and parenting life. For example, if you can see in December you'll have an extensive revision/exam period, you could preempt this by starting to buy and wrap presents away late summer to autumn in preparation for Christmas time. Planning ahead in advance will relieve you of any unnecessary stress when your December exams come along.

You Time

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You're already well aware of how important it is for you to spend time on yourself while parenting alone. And when you're studying your time should in no way be sacrificed or replaced! You should keep your self-care regime whether you attend the gym, coffee chats with your girlfriends every other week, or a pedicure at the local salon. Caring for yourself will allow you to better juggle the strain both parenting and studying will add to your life. Maybe your finances will be slimmer because you'll be investing in your studies, and you may have to cut out a few expensive treats. But that's okay, you can just swap them for cheaper or even free alternatives. For instance, you don't need to buy your fiction books brand new, you could head to the local Goodwill store and source some new reading material for a fraction of the cost. Maybe you won't be able to afford your facials and manicures, but you could buy some face masks from the drug store and pamper yourself at home. Studying and parenting is much more feasible as long as you find time for you.

Ask For Help

Thinking you can do everything alone while you're parenting and studying will lead you on a one-way track to a breakdown. It may sound harsh, but it's true. You need help, in fact, everyone needs help when they’re studying and parenting! There are billions of people in the world, you just need to reach out to some of them. Some will be your family, others your friends and some you can pay for to take the load off your juggling act. And so, ask for help with childcare from your family.  Ask your children to muck in with the housework and assign them chores. Or book in a cleaner to help you keep on top of the housework. All of this should be set up and ready before you begin your studies so that you can tackle your learning with ease.

The theme remains the same for all parents who are hoping to dip back into education and can even be applied to other areas like starting a business or heading back to work. Forward planning, asking for help, and always creating time for you are the ingredients you will need to be successful in your multidimensional life.

In Sickness & In Health: What That Should Mean

When a couple gets married, they've spent months focusing on a wedding and not the life that comes after it. Adjusting to married life after you've made some big promises? Not always easy, but it doesn't mean it can't be done. Plenty of people marry their sweethearts and live a long and happy life together without much of a hiccup. Others? Others aren't that lucky.

Some marriages just don't work out in the end, and that's just life. There are also those marriages that are hit by storm after storm, and most of the time it's due to stress. Stress puts a lot of strain on a relationship. The bonds that people have together are pushed to the limits by health concerns, career concerns, children, and more. Life is hard enough to balance as it is, but when you have to consider the experience and feelings of another person, there's an additional pressure that you don't feel prepared to handle - particularly when health is concerned.

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You say the words, "in sickness and in health," when you say your vows. It means that whether you are super healthy and fit, or living with an illness, you are there for the person you love in spite of the disease they suffer. You learn more about what they are going through. You endeavor to make their life easy, and you support them through every moment of pain or sadness - for them. When you make your vows, you say them sincerely and openly, meaning every single word that you utter. What you don't expect is that you might have to abide by the sickness part. Marrying someone is a leap of faith, and staying by their side while they can't do things for themselves, or they're recovering from a scary illness? That's born of love, respect, and adoration for the person that they are.

Health is just one area of a marriage that can fail sometimes, but does that mean that the marriage itself fails? No, it doesn't have to. You make a choice in marriage to stay by the side of the person that you promised yourself to, and you push through the storms and the stress to come out of the other side fighting. Pressure can drive a couple apart, though it doesn't have to. If your spouse were sick at any point in your marriage, you wouldn't leave them for a cold, would you? You'd stay by their side and make it work as a team, a solid unit who can be together forever as you promised years ago.

A marriage is supposed to be until death you do part, and health can come in the way of the longevity of the life that you anticipated having. The key here is to look at the love you have and keep on keeping on. In sickness and in health? It's not just a phrase you say to get to the wedding reception. It's a promise and one that you should always endeavor to keep.