A Quick Guide to Creating Insta-worthy Decor

 If there’s something most modern homeowners have in common, it’s that they would like to own an Insta-worthy place. Being able to take amazing pictures of your décor might seem like an insignificant benefit of homeownership, but you could actually develop a big Instagram following, and you might even be asked to advertise certain products. Your amazing home could bag you freebies and money if you are consistent! So, if this is something you’re interested in, how can you go about creating Insta-worthy décor? Read on to find out!

Utilize Mixing Patterns

Mixing patterns can be a lot of fun and can help your space to look much more textured. Mixing patterns can seem scary, but it’s actually quite easy when you get the hang of it. Here are some pointers if you’re a first time pattern mixer:

• Pick 3 patterns to start with. Odd numbers are best.

• Use 60% of one pattern, 30% of another, and 10% of another. 

• Use different pattern sizes, for example, thick stripes, small polka dots, and florals. 

• Pick a monochrome pattern to avoid mixing too many colors in your scheme. 

image

Incorporate Different Textures and Textiles 

As well as different patterns, make sure you select different textures and textiles. For example, shiny, metallic surfaces like the luxury sinks from places like Allora can look great with granite or marble countertops. You can also mix a variety of materials by getting creative with your throws, rugs, cushions, and other décor elements. 

Avoid Visual Clutter 

Visual clutter just uses up space and looks messy. You can still include accessories without cluttering up your space too much, but you need to be smart. Make the most of pieces of different heights. Remember, leaving some breathing room is always a good idea. 

Let In Natural Light

Natural light always looks better in pictures, and it’s a great mood booster! 

Get Green Fingered

Add plenty of leafy plants for both texture and air purifying benefits. You’ve probably spotted many décor Instagram profiles with an abundance of leafy plants. They always look good in pictures, and it’s easy to start small and then work your way up to being a full on plant-parent. There are no limits to the amount of plants you can have as long as you can look after them!

Make The Most of Your Vertical Space

Shelving is a good way to make the most of your vertical space. You can get really creative with the things you display on your walls. Books, smaller plants, and little trinkets often look great, and you can play around until you find an arrangement you really like. 

Mix and Match Your Furniture Sets 

You don’t need to buy matching furniture. You can select the same color pieces from different sets and get creative. 

Have Fun With A Gallery Wall

Gallery walls allow you to show off pictures and artwork you love, alongside quotes and even family images. Use different frames and sizes and just have fun with it! 

How will you create your Insta-worthy décor? 

Why You Can & Need To Get A Car In Debt

 In many ways, being in debt is a financial wake-up call that encourages you to streamline your lifestyle and reduce your expenses. It would be unfair to pretend that debt recovery is as simple as creating a list of the things you can and can’t keep. However, it makes no doubt that a frugal approach can significantly contribute to your financial recovery. 

But the definition of frugality can seem too obscure. How do you figure out what you truly need? Simple choices, such as buying a cheaper food brand, can cut down your grocery shopping costs without compromising nutrition and health. Additionally, reconsidering expensive hobbies to lessen the impact on your budget will also make a difference. But there’s a thin line between what you need to keep and what you should discard in your debt recovery journey. 

Indeed, car ownership, for instance, comes at a cost. You need not only to consider the cost of purchase but also insurance, maintenance, and fuel expenses. Therefore, you may wonder whether a vehicle is necessary when you’re in debt. However, before you decide to ditch the car for now, here are the many reasons why you can and should have a vehicle while you recover your financial stability. 

Unsplash - CC0 License 

Money lenders understand the meaning of cars

When debt gets out of control, financial advisors can recommend filing for bankruptcy. However, most people assume that going bankrupt means you will lose all your belongings. In reality, the bankruptcy trustee will work closely with each individual to define whether or not they will lose their car. Depending on the value of your vehicle, it may be a good idea to sell it and opt for a cheaper car. In most bankruptcy cases, if the car is essential to maintaining your job, financial advisors recommend keeping the vehicle. 

Unsplash - CC0 License 

While expensive and valuable cars can be sold to repay your debt, it doesn’t mean you can’t purchase a new vehicle. Many financial options, such as New Roads Auto Loans, are specifically designed to support people with bad credit history. 

A car is essential to maintaining your health

Your car is also an essential part of your health routine. For instance, if you need frequent medical appointments, you can’t afford to go without a vehicle. Your car makes essential health-related commutes possible. Skipping medical appointments is a false economy. Health issues can make it hard for you to maintain your performance at work and pay off your debt. 

Your car also plays a significant role in preserving your social network. Debt can make you feel isolated and alone, which contributes to depression. Unfortunately, depression is one of the most commonly overlooked causes of debt. In other words, it is a vicious circle. You feel depressed because you are in debt, and your debt becomes less manageable because you are depressed. Keeping your vehicle means you can reach out to friends and relatives and maintain a supportive social network. You need to stay healthy, both physically and emotionally, to recover from debt.

In conclusion, a car is an investment in your debt-free future. Being able to own a vehicle even when you are in debt is a no-brainer. You need to have a car to secure your income and protect your health. 

Retaining Your Independence If You Have Mobility Issues

 Many people have mobility issues, whether that is due to an injury or simply down to the natural wear and tear that your body experiences as you get older. Living with mobility issues is so difficult and it can sometimes feel as though you are missing out on things because your body is holding you back. A lack of independence is one of the things that people struggle with most and it’s not a good feeling when you have to rely on others to help you do everyday tasks. However, there are some simple ways that you can maintain your independence and live a full life, even if you have mobility issues. 

Image From Pixabay CCO License

Adapting Your Home 

Many people find that, as they get older, it gets harder to move around their home and do simple things, like climbing the stairs or taking a shower. If your mobility issues make these things difficult, it is dangerous to push yourself beyond your natural limits. However, if you make some simple alterations to your home, you can make life a lot easier for yourself and maintain your independence. Things like handrails, for example, allow you to steady yourself and move around the house safely. Stairlifts and walk-in baths are another great addition to the home for people with mobility issues. By adapting your home, you can continue to live a normal life without relying on others for help. 

Mobility Products 

Taking trips outside the house can be daunting if you have mobility issues. If you are unable to walk very far, you are seriously limited in terms of where you can go and what you can do, and that can feel very isolating. However, if you invest in mobility products from companies like Ergoactives, you open up a whole world of new possibilities. Simple items, like canes and walkers, provide the support you need so you can stay on your feet for longer. 

Social Groups 

Maintaining your independence isn’t just about staying physically active. A healthy social life is so important for our mental wellbeing, but if you have mobility issues, it can be tough to maintain. Many people worry about being a burden and they don’t want friends and family to make sacrifices because of their mobility issues, so they often withdraw from social groups. It’s also harder to get out and meet people, which means that many people with mobility issues are missing out on social interaction. However, there are plenty of groups that aim to help people stay active within their community and meet new people, even if they are unable to engage in a lot of activities due to their mobility issues.

Volunteering 

If your mobility issues make it difficult for you to work, this can have a big impact on your self-esteem. However, volunteering is a great way to stay active, meet new people, and give something back to the local community. Local charities are always looking for people to help out, so get in touch and see what positions they have available. 

Mobility issues don’t have to define you and they don’t have to hold you back. If you follow these steps, you can retain your independence and live a full life. 

Should Parents Care About What Their Kids Are Doing Online?

 When it comes to technology, there is often an asymmetry between what parents and kids know. 

Being older, parents are much less likely to be the first to hop on the latest apps, while children tend to use them much earlier. And that means that adults usually only discover the dangers of various platforms well after their kids have begun using them. 

Pexels - CC0 License

The reasons for this are sociological. For kids, social status is everything. They want to be the most popular person in school. And modern technology provides a route for doing just that. Kids are jumping on whatever platforms they can so that they don’t miss out. 

These developments, however, are worrying for parents. Many simply can’t keep up with the changing online environment. And the vast majority have no control over the type of content that their kids view. 

The strangest part of the entire process is how the digital world is fragmenting identities. Teenagers can often wind up with multiple personas, depending on the platforms that they use. That’s leading to a range of unexpected behaviors that parents might struggle to manage. 

For parents, concerns usually fall into the following categories: 

• Reputational: Parents are concerned about how their children’s behavior will affect their prospects in the future. They already know that many companies trawl people’s social media accounts, looking for more information on the type of person they are. If they find something they don’t like, they’ll flat it up, potentially denying that person a job.

• Criminal: Enticing a minor by computer might be illegal, but that doesn’t stop thousands of people from trying to do it every year. Parents worry that criminals will use new apps and platforms to hoodwink their kids into meeting up with them. 

• Search risk: Once something is on the internet, it appears to stay there for life. Thus, once you say something, it can potentially follow you around for decades to come, potentially impacting everything you do in the future. 

In general, parents understand the risks that the internet poses. Things hang around for a long time, anything you post is highly visible, and messages can often go viral. We’ve seen dozens of examples of young people’s lives being destroyed by mistakes that they made online, and we don’t want it to happen to our own offspring. 

Pexels - CC0 License

The good news is that most teenagers are managing all of this rather well. Most understand the risks of posting with reckless abandon. They know that it’ll likely follow them around for years to come if they do something controversial. And it could land them in serious trouble at their school. 

If they do post something contentious, they need to go into it with a full understanding of the drawbacks. Sometimes they might want to say something they think is true but other people will not like. 

Parents need to bear this in mind too. The internet is a forum to act disgracefully and heroically. And young people need the opportunity to do both when exploring their characters. 

The Honest Truth About Improving Your House Satisfaction

 Next May, the world's elite are set to meet at the World Economic Forum to discuss the major issues facing the globe. And on their list of priorities is to convince the general public that we should make do with smaller homes as part of their climate change battle. 

Why they're focusing on properties isn't obvious to most people. But it's all to do with the amount of resources that homes use. Put simply, the bigger the house, the more resources it requires. 

Pexels - CC0 License

This question has led the media to focus on what makes people enjoy living in their houses. Their agenda is, what you might expect, to convince you that smaller is better. 

The truth, though, is that most people don't like living in cramped accommodation. If they did, they wouldn't keep demanding larger and larger homes.

So what's the truth about improving your house satisfaction? What basic things do you need to do before you finally settle down and enjoy your surroundings? 

Have Sufficient Space For All Your Vehicles

Governments worldwide are trying to discourage the use of private motor vehicles as part of their plan to fight against pollution. But it turns out that the average homeowner would still prefer a property with access to a driveway and space to keep their vehicles. Curb-side parking isn't ideal and increases insurance premiums. 

Have Home Features That Make You Proud

Living in a property that looks the same as everyone else's is no fun. Most homeowners want something that they can call their own. 

Fortunately, you have a lot of options here. If design is your thing, you can look at some of the staircase options on sites like Designed Stairs. Many of these act as a focal point for your property. You can also experiment with features like outdoor rooms, wine cellars, home studios, and even beauty salons - something that makes you feel proud to live in your property. 

Be Content With Less

Sometimes, money can't buy home satisfaction. In some cases, you need to find ways to become content with less. 

One way to do this is to focus more on your inner life. Instead of deriving value from your possessions, you could try to meditate and find out more about yourself. 

Improve Your Lighting

Pexels - CC0 License

Sometimes you have a big house already, but it doesn't feel like home. It's too dull, dingy, and cavernous to make you feel all warm and cozy. 

Fortunately, simple improvements in your lighting can make a massive difference to the lived experience of your property. By opening up windows and installing LED spotlights, you can make your home feel like a brighter and more joyous place to live. 

Be Close To People You Like

Sometimes, we almost forget about our homes' features when we feel like valuable members of the community. We know we like where we live because of all the connections that we have with other people. In many cases, we stop thinking about what our homes lack and focus entirely on what they possess instead,