3 Reasons Why You’ll Want to Prepare for the Holidays Earlier Than Ever

October 13, 2020 by

Think you have all the time in the world to prepare before the holidays arrive? Think again! 2020 is a year that moves fast. Once the malls decorate with candy canes and pump carols over the loudspeakers, it may already be too late. Here’s why you should prepare for the holidays as early as you can manage. 

1. It’s a Regular Expense

A regular expense is a bill you can count on to arrive on a consistent schedule. Housing costs like rent or mortgage payments are your biggest regular expenses, and they’re often the first ones you think of because they’re due every month. 

Monthly due dates are top of mind, but an expense doesn’t have to have this regularity to fit the bill. A regular expense is anything that you can predict.

By this definition, the winter holidays are most definitely a regular expense that you should plan for in advance. 

So, the next time you look at your budget, treat the holidays like a recurring expense and ensure you set aside enough cash to celebrate. The earlier you do this, the less you’ll have to save each month to meet your target. As a general rule, you’ll want to limit your spending to one percent of your income.

2. Your Budget Will Be More Stable

Saving small amounts over the course of the year will make it easier than ever to foot the bill on your own without feeling the crunch. Come the big day, you’ll feel less financial stress because you prepared in advance.

You won’t have to syphon money from other expenses at the last minute to afford the festivities. Neither will you have to take out money to make sure your kids have the best holidays possible. 

While an installment loan may be a reliable safety net in an unexpected emergency, you shouldn’t use them to afford the holidays. Reserve these loans for when disaster strikes, like when your pipes freeze right before your family is due for the feast, and you need to pay holiday premiums to get a plumber out in time to save the day.

If you still aren’t sure what qualifies as an emergency, check here to learn more about when it’s a good idea to borrow cash quickly online with short term loans. 

3. You’ll Pay Lower Prices

Black Friday and Cyber Monday may seem like the natural start to the holiday shopping season. As some of the biggest shopping days of the year, you’ll find some good deals to help you save.

But to save even more, join the 60 percent of people who start their shopping before Thanksgiving weekend. The earlier you begin, the more time you have to shop and think mindfully about your purchases. You also be able to take advantage of seasonal sales throughout the year to find what you need at the lowest price.

The festivities may unfold in what feels like no time at all, but don’t be fooled. They can have a long-lasting impact on your finances if you don’t prepare in advance. And when it comes to the holidays, there’s no such thing as planning too early. Kick-start your plans early this year to save without feeling like a grinch!

Filed Under: Handy Tips, Home Improvement, House Matters Tagged With: , ,

Stunning Cowhide Rugs

September 28, 2020 by

Cowhides are sophisticated, timeless, and trendy design pieces that make a space more inviting and attractive, while never compromising on style and elegance. Cowhide is at home in any décor space whether it be living, dining, or surprisingly a children’s playroom. A cowhide possesses natural beauty, is versatile, exceptionally hardwearing, and hypoallergenic.

Natural Beauty

Cowhide has been used for centuries due to its ability to fulfill a functional need and due to its durability. Cowhides now are statement pieces that naturally come in a plethora of colors, patterns, and prints, which add to the visual interest and statement that it makes in any space. The natural hues of cowhide include lovely shades of white, beige, black, brown, and red, which can blend in with any design and add a touch of natural beauty and charm. The abstract patterns are unique and can include speckled, spotted, and solid patterns making each carefully hand-stretched and cut cowhide rug one of a kind.

Versatility

There are no limits to the stunning ways in which cowhide’s versatility can add value and natural beauty to a room. It is so versatile that its organic shape can serve as a focal point that adds soft lines to a room with bare floors while maintaining its rugged profile. Cowhide can also be layered by placing it atop a natural fiber rug, which can serve to provide more depth and texture to a space.

Hardwearing and Hypo-allergenic

Cowhide is hardwearing enough to last in any area. The natural oils present in a cowhide make them resistant to most stains. The toughness of the cowhide makes them essentially indestructible and often they will last longer than synthetic rugs. These beautiful qualities make them perfect for spaces with heavy traffic, pets, and children. Unlike synthetic rugs or traditional carpets, cowhides are great in homes with allergy sufferers because cowhide does not release fibers into the air or trap allergens such as dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander.

Cleaning and Care

The best way to maintain the natural luster and beauty of a cowhide rug is to immediately clean up any spills before they reach the suede. A damp cloth and the use of a mild detergent are also a great way to maintain a cowhide rug. Rubbing a stain or spill in the direction of the hair will restore the rug to its natural beauty. Shaking out the rug or cleaning it with the hose attachment of a vacuum is a great way to get out dust and other surface particles that occur from everyday use.

Filed Under: Home Improvement, House Matters Tagged With: ,

Tips to Makeover Your Room on a Budget

March 17, 2020 by

Room and home makeovers are undoubtedly fun and trendy, but they can also be expensive. If you have a space in your home that feels like it’s in need of a revamp, there are ways you can make a difference in your room without splurging or changing everything in it. A quick example is sprucing up your door handles with an FSB Plugin Handle or a similar type, to give your doors a bit of a flourish. Here are a few more options.

Redo the Walls or Floors

The surfaces in your space significantly impact the way it makes you feel when you’re in it, and they can add to its design as well. Simply repainting your room a different color is a great way to make it feel brand new, or you could consider painting only one wall in an accent color to make a statement. For the floor, you can add a stylish area rug to cover up a floor you don’t like. If you need to change your flooring, go for a budget-friendly option like Provenza floors.

Update a Focal Point

Every room typically has one or a few focal points that catch your attention when you walk in. For a living room, this could be the TV stand or fireplace; for a bedroom, this would likely be the bed. Or if you think your wardrobe draws more attention in the bedroom, then you could consider getting some replacement wardrobe doors with sleek finishes and your choice of color. If you update these items, it will change the feel of the entire space. You could either buy a new item, such as a new TV stand or a new bedspread, or makeover your focal point, such as by repainting a fireplace mantel.

Add or Change Accents

Decorative pieces such as wall art, vases or pillows are often the last elements put in place when redoing a space, but they can make a big difference in the design. If you’re used to minimal accents, try adding more or simply adding art to a wall that’s usually empty. If you want an overall face-lift, you could swap out some of your current pieces for ones in a fresh accent color. If you’re concerned about damaging your walls, you could visit a website like sugru.com to learn about the benefits of mouldable glue. Wall art is definitely the way forwards though!

A room makeover doesn’t have to break the bank to be both fun and effective. Try out these tips to breathe new life into your space.

Filed Under: Home Improvement, House Matters

[Jade Writes] Novel Coronavirus: 2020 zombie apocalypse?

February 4, 2020 by

2019 Novel Coronavius or nCoV. More than 200 deaths. What exactly is this horrid killer?

nCoV is a strain of coronavirus that caused an epidemic of respiratory disease that started in Wuhan, China. It probably started from an animal and seafood market which meant it started from animal-to-person spread, then it turned into person-to-person spread.

How does it spread?

Usually, it is transmitted when people are near each other and an infected person sneezes or coughs. It is very contagious for old people, children, and sickly people.

What are the symptoms of nCoV?

nCoV symptoms are usually fever, shortness of breath, and cough. It’s quite similar to the typical flu symptoms.

How to avoid coronavirus?

  1. Wash your hands often for 20 seconds, especially before and after eating, after going to the loo, after coughing or sneezing, and after going outside. If you cannot use soap and water, use alcohol.
  2. Clean regularly used objects using a household wipe/spray.
  3. Stay away from places with a lot of people.
  4. Boost your immune system by eating lots of fruits rich in vitamin C and other needed vitamins and minerals and also take multivitamins.

If you want to know more about nCoV, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

Jade is an 11-year-old homeschooled bookworm. She devours books by Roald Dahl, Lois Lowry, Rick Riordan, and JK Rowling. She plays the guitar, bakes sweet and savory goodies, and tinkers with cool stuff when she has some spare time.

Filed Under: Jade Writes

4 Dressing and Styling Tips for Moms

January 27, 2020 by

With so many responsibilities between the house, kids, and work, being a mom is a busy and often thankless job which will take up the majority of your time and energy. By the time you have got your little ones out of bed, fed, washed, and dressed each morning, finding the time to style your own outfit can seem impossible. Subsequently, most moms find themselves reaching for their sweatpants most days, simply out of convenience. 

However, it is important that you make the effort where you can with your appearance so that you can look and feel great. Taking the time to plan a stylish outfit is going to make a huge difference to how you feel about yourself and will help you be the best mom you can be for your children. So, we have put together 4 dressing and styling tips that are perfect for busy moms.

Accessories Are Your Best Friend 

Even the simplest of outfits can be transformed by adding the right accessories to complement your look. From a pair of statement earrings to a chunky bracelet, you can quickly dress up a look without having to try very hard. When you are a busy mom, it is important that you find quick but effective ways to style your outfits. For example, you may wrap a bold colored scarf around your neck to add a chic look to a dress. 

Add a Designer Shoe

When you become a mom, you find yourself spending less time and money on yourself, and instead spend increasingly more cash on your children. But it is important to remember that you should treat yourself from time to time. So, if you were used to the finer things in life before becoming a mom, it is important that you don’t stop treating yourself once you enter motherhood. 

Adding a designer pair of shoes to your look is the perfect way to add a bit of luxury to your outfit. You can choose from a varied range of different designers, including Gucci shoes from the online luxury fashion store SSENSE. The designer items available via SSENSE are the perfect addition to any mom’s wardrobe. Remember, you deserve the best! 

Go for Dark Denim  

While wearing jeans every day may seem like a distant memory, it is important that you pack the sweatpants away for a lazy day and get yourself a new pair of jeans. Even if you no longer feel comfortable in a pair of skinnies, you can invest in a new pair of boot-cut or pear style jeans that will really flatter your post-birth body shape. 

Invest in the Right Underwear 

A good outfit isn’t complete until you are wearing the right underwear, so it is essential that you get re-fitted once you have entered motherhood. Having children changes every area of your life, especially your bra size, so do yourself a favor and invest in a well fitted bra!

By following these dressing and styling tips, you can transform how you look and feel great, even when you are a busy mom! 

Filed Under: Beauty on A Budget, Mom's Corner
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