The Shaker of Salt

Disclaimer: Though this post was written as part of the Best Buy influencer program all thoughts about the product are my own.

I was recently introduced to a great new product that would be a great addition to your kitchen. I have been tempted to buy an airfryer and a convention oven, but don’t want to give up the counter space. The Breville Combi 3-in-1 Microwave seems to be the perfect answer to this problem.

Available at Best Buy this product lets you air fry, bake, roast or simply microwave with even heat distribution.

The Combi has a 80% quieter soft close door. It’s also 50% quieter while in operation. It has a child lock, which is great when the little guys are around.

Smart Cook, Smart Reheat & Smart Defrost preset buttons make cooking easy.

The “Fast Combi” function sounds like the perfect way to cook your favorite dishes faster. It allows you to use a combo of the Microwave, Convection Oven and Grilling fucntions to cook your favorite meals perfectly.

Powered by the Element iQ system, smart algorithms steer power to where and when it’s needed to create the ideal cooking environment.

The Power Smoothing™ Inverter gives you precise & even heat distribution, reheating & cooking dishes evenly for more delicious results.

I would love to add this product on my Christmas list. If anyone owns it now, or recieves it as a gift, please come back and tell us what you think about it in the comments below.

Disclaimer:  This reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

This is an item I believe will be on many Christmas Lists, mine included.
Sennheiser’s New MOMENTUM Wireless allow you to listen to superior sound and look great at the same time.

Avaiable in both black and sandy white these headphones come with the following features:

Auto On/Off and Smart Pause

Never miss a beat with seamless On/Off and Smart Pause functionality.  Simply fold the earcups, open or close to turn your music on or off. This is great for those of us who are forever forgetting to turn their electronics off.

Active Noise Cancellation (3 modes) and Transparent Hearing

MOMENTUM Wireless adapts to your environment wherever you find yourself allowing you to experience your audio world on your terms.  The advanced Active Noise Cancellation offers three modes that are tailored to different environments.

3 Modes:

Max: The Max mode offers Maximum Mode Cancellation Perfect when your on a plane or other just want to tone out your coworkers.

Anti Wind: Provides noise cancellation optimized for outdoors

Anti Pressure: Softer noise cancellation for at-home use. This is also great for when your at work, but still need to hear your coworkers

Three Button Interface

This makes it really easy to switch between your music and making calls in an instant.  At the touch of a button you can control volume and link to voice assistant technology immediately.

Automatic Pairing Mode

Makes setting up easy on first activation.

Smart Control App

Build-in equalizer, Noise Cancellation and Transparent Hearing modes mean you can tailor your sound to your situation.

Smart ‘Tile’ Technology

Track your headphones, so the only time you feel lost, is in the music. This is perfect for someone, like myself, who is always losing something.

Soft Earpads and Headband

A genuine leather head strap and premium earcups deliver superior comfort for those who like to enjoy endless listening.

What’s in the box?

• MOMENTUM Wireless
• Audio 3.5mm cable
• USB-C to USB-A adapter
• USB-C Charging cable
• Case
• Quick Guide
• Safety Guide

You can check these out on Facebook

Sennheiser M3 Momentum Wireless Headphones  are available to purchase now at BestBuy.com

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.