The Shaker of Salt

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links

If you’re thinking of selling your home, you may get a higher price for it if you invest a little money in home improvements before putting the property on the market.

 While it may sound strange to invest time and money on a home you’re trying to get rid of, a few changes and updates to your property could give you decent bang for your buck in terms of resale value. These simple renovation ideas could help you add value to your property without breaking the bank.

Image Source: Pexels CC0 Licence

Get Repairs Done

 While you may be tempted to start on bigger projects such as a bathroom remodel or loft conversion, don’t forget the basic structural and cosmetic repairs that will add significant value to your property. Getting those repairs taken care of might seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be amazed how many people rush to do order new living room curtains before repairing that leak in the second-floor bathroom. Not a great sign when the real estate agent brings your potential buyers through for a showing!

 Install Central Heating

Installing a new central heating system—or updating your old one—is a sure-fire way to boost the value of your house. Older houses are charming in many ways, but chilly hallways is not one of them. Even some more modern houses have out-dated heating systems that do not heat the home efficiently or cost-effectively. An extra plus that comes with updating the central heating is that even if you don’t sell your house immediately, you will save extra money on energy bills while you’re still living in your home. A new—and more importantly, energy-efficient—central heating system is a powerful selling-point, as buyers usually take future costs into account, in addition to the listing price.

 Furniture

 Of course, the furniture in your home has no bearing on its value on the property market. However, one of the most effective ways to increase your chances of finding a buyer, and the price you get for your home, is by displaying your home to its full advantage with the use of tasteful, stylish furniture. Of course, it’s not worth your while completely redecorating your home in order to sell. Even if your furniture is already tasteful and stylish, it may be a little too personal, which can alienate buyers. Consider Home Staging. Modern, tasteful furniture arranged to professional interior design standards lets your home’s true potential shine by showing potential buyers how amazing the house can look.

Image Source: Pexels CC0 Licence

Garden

 Your garden is not technically part of your house, but it will make a strong impression on a potential buyer. Not only is your garden a testament to the care you have put into the property, letting the buyer know that the property has been looked after, but giving your garden a fresh look helps the buyer to imagine the type of lifestyle that is possible if they buy your house. If you’re a keen gardener, you can do the landscaping yourself, or hire a professional to take your garden to the next level.

 Whether you’re putting your home on the market now, or you’re thinking of selling in the near future, these home improvement tips will help you fetch a higher price for your house.

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links

Going on vacation isn’t just about putting your feet up at a random beach you’ve never heard of. Yes, the sun is shining down and just lying down and getting a golden bronze tone is quite relaxing. But did you really travel all this way just to lounge around? You need to make every mile of your vacation count, it should be something you can look back on and really enjoy. That means coming out of your shell and doing things that you wouldn’t normally think about doing while at home. Taking risks and trying new things in strange foreign lands is what a holiday should be about. It’s easier said than done though because we’re not used to not being our normal selves. So you need a plan, a set of things to cross off your list as you go along while abroad.

NOT SO TOURISTY

You might not even notice but many of the tourist hotspots for food have been Westernized. This means that even when a restaurant says they do ‘authentic’ national cuisine, if it’s a tourist beehive then chances are it’s not really that authentic. The real deal is usually in the street food, something that the locals eat on a daily basis. If you would like to try something new and get the real flavor, then look for street food carts while on the road. If you’re shopping and enjoying the sights, avoid convenience by going where everyone else is going. Street food is not watered down, it’s not made less spicy, or less pungent. This kind of food is normally for the locals so nothing will be altered to suit a foreign palate.

Seek a thrill

Wherever you go in the world there will always be a number of thrill seekers in among the crowd. That’s why tourist industries in all nations have something to give you a shot of adrenaline. Rather than admiring a mountain, you should seek to conquer it. For example, Mount Kilimanjaro is a volcano in Tanzania. Instead of driving out to take a few pictures, look for mountain biking trails up and down it. The steep hills and the rough terrain make it a tough challenge for anyone. Be honest, would you rather say you saw the volcano or that you rode it down at high speed? Seek a thrill on the holidays you go to. Have a least one day dedicated to being an adrenaline junkie.

DOCUMENT YOUR EXPERIENCE

Rather than taking pictures when you’re at certain sights, document the entire holiday. When you get home you can use scrapbooking supplies to make a book full of diary passages, photos, things from the trip such as flowers, gifts, souvenirs, and recipes of food you enjoy. Keep with you a notebook and use your smartphone to constantly take snaps every half hour to document your journey for the entire vacation. 

When you travel abroad to enjoy a different way of life, don’t mull around on a beach. Go thrill seeking, taste the real cuisine from street food stalls and document everyday of your trip for your scrapbook.

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links

Giving a garden a new lease of life can be incredibly beneficial. You can treat it as an escape, or if you are very green-fingered, it can become a very satisfying hobby.

Today we are going to look at a few things you can add to your garden to give you a secondary sanctum that you can escape to, should the everyday stresses of life become a little too much.

WATER FEATURE

Having a water feature in the garden can give it a brand new look, unbelievably though it can also give you a new lease of life. 

 Owning a water feature actually has proven psychological benefits. The sound of a water feature alone can promote calmness and even increase focus.

The one painful thing about water features can be the price. If you are feeling up to the challenge, you could always try and build one yourself. Building a water feature, rather than buying one can be far cheaper and way more satisfying.

To build a basic frame, you only require CLS, featherboard, and a decent pond liner. Building an upstanding structure can also take away the need for days worth of digging.

DINING AREA

Having an outdoor dining area can be a fantastic little escape, even if that escape is right outside your house. There is something beautiful about dining outside and listening to the sounds of the world.

Getting the dining area just right is vitally important. You don’t want to be in direct sunlight, so outdoor sun shades are a great idea. You also want to avoid being too close to plant life. Given all the excellent pollinators that will be nearby. You don’t want bees and wasps flying around your head while you are having a relaxing meal with your family.

Another thing you could consider, especially during the winter months, is a firepit. There is nothing cosier than a firepit on a slightly chilly evening. You can sit outside toasting smores and watch the wonders of the night sky.

HOMEGROWN PLANTER BOXES

Having some homegrown planter boxes is just a fantastic idea. You want them to be sitting at around two feet above the ground as this will hopefully keep those ground critters away.

The next step would be to plant seasonal vegetables and herbs in your boxes that you can continuously replenish. One thing you shouldn’t do is buy the seeds. You should always try to recycle your own fruits and vegetables in order to grow more.

There are so many fruits and vegetables you can grow from your own kitchen scraps. This gives you long term satisfaction of watching your waste regrow into something wonderful. It not only gives your garden a new look, but it gives it a little more purpose. Finally, it also gives you a little extra cash in the pocket some new additions to your beautiful garden.

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links

When it comes to our homes, they are our biggest investment, and they cost us the most money each month. Not just with the mortgage or rent, but also with the bills and outlay. Not to mention the upkeep and maintenance side of things. So it is important that you remain on the ball when it comes to your home, but there can be secretly problems waiting to manifest. Here are some of them to help you be more aware.

Leaks in your home 

One of the first issues that you could find lurking in your home is leaks, and the potential hazards that they can cause. There are many different types of leaks, from holes and cracks in walls to slab leaks. This is when you may want to look online at How to Save Water & Money by Getting On Top Of Slab Leaks so that you can ensure that they don’t cause too many problems. Water damage can be hazardous because when left untouched, it can develop into a mold, which can cause health and allergy problems. It is always wise to check your home for potential leak problems. 

Pests infesting your property

Cracks and holes in your home are not just prone to water damage, but they can also invite unwanted pests into your home. Rats, mice, cockroaches and other bugs and insects can be a huge problem when it comes to your home. You may not even realize there is a problem until you start to identify evidence. This is when you may need to call in pest infestation experts. They can also habit the loft areas and attics, and things like wasps, flies and other creatures can lurk in the attic areas. Check them regularly. 

Damage to the roof

The roof is one area that you can ordinarily see that much, but it is always a good idea to check it especially when there has been a storm or severe weather with wind. Slates and tiles can move and that can cause a hole or damage to the roof area. If you are unsure if there is a problem, it might be worth calling someone to climb up and take a closer look to be on the safe side.

Mold and damp issues

We have already mentioned that water damage can cause mold and damp, but you might also need to be aware that this can be caused over a period of time and covered up with plaster or wallpaper before you even moved into the property. This is when survey checks can help to ensure that there are no issues with damp and mold that have been a long term progression. 

Appliances that are not energy efficient

Finally, you may not realize is, however, old appliances that are not energy efficient could cause you problems in the future. Not just with the amount of energy they use and the increase in costs to your bill, but also in terms of their operation. An old boiler may omit a gas that isn’t too good for you. Old appliances may spark at the plug and cause issues. It is always good to ensure that your appliances and fixtures are not past their best. 

Let’s hope this has made you more aware of some of the problems that could be lurking in your home.

This post may contain affiliate links

Sometimes quality really matters. It’s worth decorating your home on a budget in order to afford certain items that make a big difference to your quality of life. Here are three pricey purchases that will make you glad every time you use them. 

A Chef’s Knife

Cheap knives may start out sharp, but they very quickly become the source of daily frustration. Why squash your tomatoes when you could slice them, right? While you might need to save up to purchase a knife worthy of a chef, a decent quality kitchen knife will last you a lifetime. If you decide to take the plunge, it’s worth doing your homework on the best knives out there. Look at restaurant kitchen supply chains to see what knives chefs are using, and then look around for outlets selling them to the general public. Don’t forget to invest in a good knife sharpener and hit up Youtube to learn the art of knife sharpening. The upfront cost of your knife and sharpener setup might sting at first, but next time you carve the family feast, you’ll be smiling.  

A Comfortable Mattress

Given that the average human being spends twenty-five years asleep—or trying to sleep—it’s well worth investing in the optimal sleep experience. The princess and the pea needed hundreds of mattresses to get some shut-eye, but you may only need one quality mattress for a lifetime if you make a smart purchase. Finding your dream mattress is a personal choice. Soft or hard? Foam or spring? Prepare to spend a little time finding your perfect sleeping partner. Be that person in the mattress store: lying down on every mattress and pretending to be asleep. Not everyone has time to shop in person, however. Investigate options at https://shopdiscountdirect.com/ for convenience and quality.

Remember that what’s right for your spinal alignment isn’t necessarily going to suit your partner down to a T. Before you buy a pricey mattress for both of you, make sure you discuss your needs and preferences. With all the options out there, you should be able to find a good compromise. When in doubt, ask your chosen store if they’d be prepared to let you try the mattress out for a few nights before committing to this important—and pricey—purchase.

A Safe Car

Not everyone agrees that shelling out a fortune for a slick ride is a good use of your hard-earned cash. However, paying a little extra for a vehicle made by a manufacturer that has invested in safety is undoubtedly a good investment. Lexus and Volvo are famously safe cars, but you needn’t feel limited if these vehicles are too sensible looking for you. Do your homework to find the safest car that suits your style. Not only will you feel safer on the road, but the extra peace of mind will reduce your stress levels long term. 

How we spend our money is personal. Some people prefer to invest more in luxury goods than others. Some people take pleasure in being thrifty. However, there is general agreement that spending a little extra on these three items will improve your quality of life.

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links

So perhaps your kid wants to join a sports team but isn’t sure which one to try? You wouldn’t want your child getting burned-out by doing too much, what with school work also. That’s why it’s good to focus on one sports team that they are committed to. Basketball can be an excellent choice because it’s fun and has a wide range of different benefits for the body and mind. Let’s take a look at what those are.

Cardiovascular Health

 Basketball is a sport that will ensure excellent cardiovascular health for your kids as it’s a very high-intensity game! The running, dribbling and jumps will keep your kids incredibly physically fit and healthy, which will in turn aid their wellbeing too. Getting enough cardio exercise is vital to boost your brainpower, so you’ll be ensuring that your kids are set up well for their school classes too. 

Hand-eye coordination 

 Your kids can develop excellent hand-eye coordination via the practices that are involved in basketball. Perfecting these skills will help them throughout their other school classes and allow them to improve their levels of quick response and coordination. These abilities will give them cross over skills for sports that they might pursue in the future. 

Dexterity 

 Basketball players will develop excellent dexterity skills due to this fast-paced game that changes direction and requires dodging and thinking fast. The more skills that your kids have, the more that their personal development will grow.

Make new friends

 When you’re a child, it’s essential for your social development to meet lots of different children. Doing so will allow you to have those interactions where you learn about behaviour and different personalities. Joining a new team will increase your children’ social circles, and this, in turn, will allow them to develop confidence and independence too. As social creatures, we benefit greatly from lots of positive human interactions. Your kids will likely develop great teamwork skills and perhaps enjoy wearing some custom team uniforms, which make them feel special and part of a group.

Strengthens Bones & Muscles 

 The playing of basketball allows the strengthening of both your bones and muscles, allowing you to be healthier and fitter overall. You will want your children to get into good habits now, which will mean that they are aware of how to take care of their bodies as adults. If they know about these benefits that sports have, they are more likely to grow into adults who value their physical health.

 Independence 

 Practicing team sports like basketball will increase your independence because children will be taking responsibility for their practice and training. This is turn will allow them to be more self-disciplined, another excellent skill to carry into the rest of their school life. 
   Often it can be tricky to make decisions as a child; they will likely appreciate your advice on which kind of sports team is right for them. Having a basketball practice with them at home could be a good idea if they are thinking of joining a team. You could also have a chat with their teachers at school to determine which sports they have shown talents for in their fitness classes.

This post may contain affiliate links

Life is very rarely easy on a laptop. Whether you fly around the world or just take your device from room to room in your home, laptops are subjected to much more punishment than desktops. Regardless of how well you treat your device, it is going to have some problems eventually. If you’re relying on your laptop for school or work, this can spell disaster, costing you time and sometimes even money. Thankfully many common problems with your laptop can be solved relatively easily. With that in mind, here is how you can repair seven of these issues.

1. Won’t Connect To Wifi

Part of taking your laptop with you wherever you go is expecting to be able to connect to the wireless networks available, whether they be in hotels, cafes, or airports. The trouble is, wifi can be quite troublesome. Before assuming a serious issue, however, you should check that you’ve enabled wireless connectivity. Often there is an external switch or button that you must use to do this. If the problem continues, you can troubleshoot the network connections in the control panel.

2. Stuck Pixels On Screen

Stuck pixels can be frustrating on an otherwise functional laptop screen. These pixels tend to remain red or green and don’t light up properly with the other pixels on the LCD. The trouble is, most manufacturers won’t replace the display for just a few dead pixels. In fact, many require tens of them before they will take action. That being said, you can often resolve this problem yourself by using a soft material, such as a felt cloth, to massage around these stuck pixels.

3. Turning Off By Itself

It can be quite scary when your laptop turns off for no apparent reason. Most people automatically assume that something very serious must be wrong, but this is often not the case. Instead of going into a panic, you should lift up your laptop and touch the bottom of it. If the device is hotter than normal, then overheating is likely the issue. Dust is a common cause of overheating, which means that you can remedy this problem by opening up the laptop and cleaning every part of it. 

4. Rattling Noise While Running

Never disregard strange noises when your laptop is running. Even if your device seems to be working fine, there is a chance that the rattling you hear could be coming from the hard drive. Before attempting to fix anything, you should save all of your important files on an external drive. After you’ve done so, you should open up the device and turn it on, carefully observing the hard drive. If the noise is coming from there, it means that it is almost broken and needs replacing.

5. Unsightly Scratches On Lid

Modern laptops place a great deal of value on aesthetic appearance. However, that doesn’t change the fact that they’re made from plastic. This leaves them exposed to wear and tear, which can cause unsightly scratches. You can try to minimize these scratches using cases, laptop stickers, and skins, but it’s unlikely that you’ll avoid them altogether. A small amount of commercial plastic polish, however, should be enough to clear away any scratched on your lid.

6. Battery Won’t Hold Charge

Laptop batteries don’t last forever. In fact, after just a few years, the lithium-ion battery in your device will provide power for only a fraction of its rated runtime. The good news is, replacing your battery is fairly simple. All you have to do is pop out the battery from the back or bottom of your device and put in a new one. These can be quite expensive, but it is possible to save money by shopping around. Many computer repair experts offer much better deals than manufacturers do.

7. Water Damage From Spills

Laptops are much more vulnerable to liquid spills than desktops are. The reason for this is that, when you spill tea, coffee, or water on a desktop, it’s usually only the keyboard that is affected. This can be replaced easily and relatively cheaply. When using a laptop, however, the liquid can seep into vulnerable parts of the computer. Once you’ve spilled a liquid on your device, you must shut it down right away. You will also want to remove the battery and leave the laptop to dry. 

Fixing a laptop isn’t nearly as difficult or expensive as people often think. If you don’t know what to do, however, it is best that you seek out professional help.

This post may contain affiliate links

It can be exciting and it can be stressful, but one thing is for sure, property hunting is never easy! It is a huge decision as we need to work out where we want to be and the place that we want to live in. Whether this ends up being your view 24/7 or just a base as you work and play for long hours, you will want to get this one right. Sometimes it can be difficult to even know where to start your search, which is why we have come up with a few suggestions to help you when you are struggling to work out how to find the perfect property. 

Thoroughly research the location

If the area is new to you, then you will need to spend some time doing your research. 

You will probably want to look into the local amenities available and commuter and transport links, and potentially check out the schools in the area. Try to visit at different times and on different days to get a really good feel for the neighborhood. Read any local newspapers and check out any reports as finding an affordable place is much easier when you have access to reports for your specific city. 

If it’s possible, get talking to people already living in the area, using online forums if you are unable to get there and do it in person. 

Stay in touch with realtors

The best properties tend to come on the market and then get snapped up really quickly. You need to be consistently checking real estate websites and it is worth building relationships with realtors in the area. Let them know what you are looking for, share with them how great a buyer or tenant you would be and contact them regularly. You are then likely to be the first person that springs into their mind when the right property comes on the market and they will give you a call. 

Is there work that needs to be carried out?

You might be very lucky and find your dream location with your dream tick list and it is exactly as you would want it to be inside, you can literally just move your belongings in. But this is rare! 

The chances are that you will need to make some changes. You might go for some remodelling work such as a kitchen makeover or new bathrooms, you might even look to add a full extension to the property. It might be more about adjusting things to your taste, so redecorating and cosmetic changes are all that you will need. If you are renting, ask the landlord about making changes like this and you might find they have a budget for it if it hasn’t been done in some time and could do with freshening up. The point here is that when you are viewing properties, don’t rule one out if it doesn’t meet your exact criteria, you might find that with a little work it could be the perfect home for you. 

May Contain Affiliate Links

Who doesn’t love to invite family and friends around in the summer and enjoy some Outside gatherings? Of course, entertaining can be hard work, especially for the host, as they often end up spending more time in the kitchen than they do chatting to guests. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to make throwing a get together in the summer a little less hassle. Read on to find out what they are.

Decorate the easy way

If you think that you need to spend all of your time getting your home and garden to throw a successful party, you will be relieved to find out that you don’t. In fact, for summer parties people really don’t need to be inside at all apart from to use the WC, so that means you only have the garden to deal with.

Luckily,  there are some speedy things you can do to your outdoor space to dress it up that won’t take up too much of your time. One of these is to string battery powered white lights in the trees and over the patio, and simple bunting can work well to enhance this as well.

You can also use empty containers and jam jars that have been washed out and fill them with a little water and some flowers for the garden, which is super quick and straightforward too. Something that can really make your space even prettier for your guests.

Set up a drinks table

Next, if you want your party to be as easy as possible, it’s a good idea to set up a drinks table where guest can help themselves then you don’t have to be on duty the whole day serving them!

The easiest way to do this is to use a long table and have non-alcoholic drinks at one end along with paper cups for the kids. Then you can add a cooler with beer and wine at the other end. You can even use disposable wine glasses to save on the washing up later on!

Fire up the grill

The easiest way to cater to the food needs of your guests is to use the grill at a summer party. After all, everyone loves BBQed food, and you only need one person to keep an eye on it. The key to an easy BBQ rather than a hard one, however, is not to do too many options. After all, each different type of meat your offer will need separate preparation and will take varying times to cook.

Instead, it can work a lot better if you choose one or two really tasty and popular grill favorites such as St Louis style spare ribs and homemade burgers. In fact, by doing this, your BBQ will be much easier to manage, and you can be sure that every guest will get a plate full of delicious food.
Of course, it is also a good idea to put on some side dishes as well such as macaroni salad, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and even some rice dishes like you will find in my post here. All of which can be created beforehand and so will save you loads of effort and time on the day of the celebration.

Put on some entertainment

When it comes to making summer parties as easy for the host as possible, it can be a fantastic idea to include some entertainment for everyone to get involved in. In fact, by providing this focus for your guest, you can be sure they are having fun and mixing with each other, without having to flit from one group to another all day!

In particular, using simple household objects like Dixie cups, chopsticks, marshmallows, and balloons to create some ‘minute to win it’ games can be a laugh riot! Just check out the video below for some inspiration.

Cleaning up

For many that entertain its not the preparation but the clear up that take the most time and effort. Happily, there are some statistics you can use to minimize this and get everything back to normal with the minimum of work.

One is to use disposable cups, plates, and cutlery, which can then be thrown away instead of collected and washed up. You can even get biodegradable versions now, so you won’t have to compromise your values concerning the environment to do so.

You can also make things super simple for yourself by providing plenty of trash bins and recycling that people can use during the party too. After all, if the containers are right there in front of them all marked up with what can and can’t go in, people are much more likely to use them. Something that means you will have a lot less work to do once everyone has had their fun and going home!

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links

A basement is an excellent addition to any home, offering extra space for the kids to hang out, a home office, or even a games room. To keep your basement as a useable space, you will need to make sure that it is properly maintained. Basements have the potential to receive all sorts of damage caused by water if the rest of your home isn’t properly maintained.

Sump Pump

If your basement is lower than the water table, you will probably find that groundwater naturally finds its way into your basement. Obviously, this is something that you won’t want to leave, as it could eventually damage your home. In this situation, a sump pump is an ideal solution. A sump pump will pump away the water that has gathered in your basement, and allow you to drain it off elsewhere, where it won’t be able to cause any damage to your home. You will find that sump pump prices vary so you should be able to find one that suits both your needs and your budget.

Keep Your Gutters Clear

Cleaning your gutters may seem a little strange when talking about maintaining basements, especially as they are at opposite ends of the house. However, a blocked gutter can quickly cause problems throughout your home, and in particular in the basement. As the lowest point in your home, your basement is especially susceptible to damage from a blocked gutter, or from downpipe that’s not doing its job correctly.

Blocked gutters can cause water to leak down the side of your home instead of being channeled away from it along the gutter and then down through the downpipe. Over time water leaking down and gathering at ground level could penetrate through to your basement. Even if an actual leak doesn’t occur, if left unchecked it could lead to damp and mold forming on the walls of your basement. Damp and mildew are not only unpleasant to look at it, but they can also cause your basement to smell of damp, and the mold could spread to your furniture and other items in your basement. Black mold can be harmful to your health and can be responsible for a range of health problems, so avoiding mold forming by preventing the cause of it is the best course of action to take.

To prevent problems with your gutters, they will need to be cleaned at least once a year, and maybe more depending on how clogged they get. If trees surround your home, you will find that the guttering gets blocked up by leaves and twigs more quickly, so a more regular clean is a good idea.

Keep it Dry

Aside from water leaks, smaller amounts of water and moisture can also have an impact on your basement too. Make sure that you don’t dry your laundry in the basement, as this will add extra moisture to the air. If moisture still seems to be a problem, you may want to use a dehumidifier.