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● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

 AD| Managing your business' offices well is a vital role in the overall success of your team. This is because it can help manage your time more efficiently, increase your employees' productivity levels, and enhance the quality of work that is created on a daily basis. Using helpful office management tips and techniques can also help your business to develop and maintain administrative skills, create a constructive working environment and boost your employees overall morale.

work office

Decluttering and Organising Your Office Workspace for Better Productivity
For good office management, you need to ensure all equipment, work spaces and furniture in the office are arranged correctly for maximum productivity, efficiency, and safety. An unorganised, chaotic work space can have a huge effect upon the productivity of your team, and can upset the vibe of the whole office space. As well as this, it can portray the wrong message to your visitors, customers, and clients.

A few ways you can declutter and organise your office are as follows;
— Go wireless where possible
— invest in storage solutions
— Ensure paperwork is filed immediately
— Keep your desk minimal and clutter-free

Create Easy To Follow Routines for Office Management
Using daily or weekly routines in the office are vital for a productive working environment. By simply scheduling out your week for yourself and your employees can help your business stay on track, stay focused and keep motivation levels high. Office routines could involve filing away paperwork, sending invoices and responding to emails on a daily basis to avoid falling behind your work schedule.

Practice a Cleaner, Safer and More Hygienic Working Environment
Keeping your office clean and tidy will not only help productivity levels, but it will also help to keep your working environment safer and healthier for your employees. It has become more important for businesses to maintain good air quality in their offices, and to provide a healthy environment for their employees and reduce the risk of contamination and fire. Using professional services, such as duct cleaning services, can offer assistance for cleaning jobs such as ventilation, extraction, and a general deep clean, to ensure your office space disinfected and ready to work in.

Eliminate Any Unwanted Distractions
Whilst at work, there are distractions absolutely everywhere. Another colleague, your email inbox, your social media accounts, there's simply no escape. However, in order to have a productive working environment, it's essential that you completely eliminate these distractions from your work space. By doing this, you can remain focused on your tasks, improve your time management skills, and ensure you meet all your deadlines.

A few ways you can eliminate distractions include;
— Turning off your mobile phone during working hours to ensure you are not tempted to browse.
— Keep your desk clutter-free.
— If you work in your own office, try to keep your door closed to avoid hearing any noises from others.
— Set yourself goals and time deadlines throughout the day to help you manage your workload.

How do you stay productive at work? What other office management tips help you reach your goals and deadlines?
22:00 No comments
AD| Web developers are now in abundance and constantly throwing themselves at potential clients. However, there is a difference between a cowboy and a professional web developer who will devote as much time as is required to get your website into the best position on Google, whilst it looks and functions at optimum levels. 

Professional website developers are in great demand but can be found if you look hard enough. However, some companies get impatient and opt for an agency which charges a small fee but delivers them with budget-looking websites which don’t match their brands message and unfriendly user experience. In the current climate, don’t you think it’s worth hiring a professional to design and operate the most important aspect of your business?

website development

Be Prepared

It can be as simple as making a list of requirements for your website based on its purpose how it should serve your audience. Separating the needs from the wants on your list when it comes to designing a website is the most efficient way to make a start towards going live.

Professional web developers will go step-by-step with you through the design and programming stages to make sure all little errors, adjustments and additions are made before you go live. From there it's going to take a little research into the right developer for the job.

The Search Begins…

The best way to find a professional web developer is by reading online reviews about them. Just because a developer is near you, doesn’t always mean they are going to bring the best level of service to your online business. Looking at their geographic range, be it local operations or national services, can easily dictate whether they have achieved a profound reputation or are a one-stop wonder. 

Let’s not skip the financial aspect. Perhaps you’re working to a budget? Well, let’s get things straight now, the cheapest option can often mean that the quality of work and final product that you’re getting is of poor quality too. Investing in a we development professional may cost more at the time but will reap more sales than a budget friendly option could ever hope to.

website development

Only the best digital marketers will have an outstanding portfolio and testimonials ready and waiting to present to you via their website. Be sure to explore those websites too and question whether they run, look and function to the same standard you would expect yours to?

…and Ends Online

Stockport website design agencies have a consistent, flawless reputation for delivering effective website design alongside multiple SEO and social media management service. When paired with responsive web design, properly programmed by your web developer, means your user experience remains positive from the get-go and you climb up to the top of Google's search rankings.

When your business needs a boost, a professional website developer will put your online sales to record highs!
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AD - GIFTED | If you're a regular reader of my blog, you will understand that I am probably the worst at nails and nail art, and to be honest I am just lazy! I find nail painting and nail care such a laborious, messy task that I just don't have the time to do it, hence the lack of posts!

Spring Peach Nails
Spring Peach Nails
Spring Peach Nails

I recently received some gorgeous Violet Jewel nail art stickers* from Sparkly Nails, a business that began in 2004 by Ali, and has grown in to a successful business, stocking over 100 different nail art gems!" So I thought I would give the whole nail art another go, even though I am definitely not an expert, I hope that you get the idea and like what I have done!

So as we are heading into spring, ditching those berry and dark polishes, I thought it was time to use a gorgeous, pastel peachy shade on my nails, which is Mavala Sweet* is a perfect springtime colour! What I love about the Sparkly Nails range, is that they are so easy to apply, the products are so cheap and such good quality, as well as looking incredible!

The application of these nail stickers was so easy and quick, even an amateur like me could do it! Simply paint your nails in your desired shade and allow to dry. Carefully peel off sticker using a pair of tweezers and place onto nail and press down in your preferred place,  and seal with top coat.

Products Used
Nail Polish - Mavala 397 Sweet*
Violet Jewel Floral Nail Art Stickers - Sparkly Nails*
Sally Hansen No Chips Top Coat - Superdrug

So hopefully this short post has given you a little inspiration or something to think about when thinking of what to do with your nails next. If these Violet Jewel stickers aren't to your taste, Sparkly Nails has 100's of other nail art products for you to choose from, which are sure to not harm your bank account!

Have you heard of Sparkly Nails before? What do you think of my attempt at nail art? Would this be something you would be interested in doing? What other nail polish shades would you use these stickers with?
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AD| Over the years, artificial intelligence and robot technology has rapidly developed and is making its way into nearly every industry imaginable. Whether that's in factories, social media, manufacturing or other business types, it's use is steadily on the increase. Manufacturing is a vital industry in todays world and is making significant contributions to the UK economy. 

Collaborative robots or Cobots for short, are becoming increasingly more popular in the manufacturing industry, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly more important that these machines are constantly advancing with the new technology available to help shape our future. The implementation of Cobots is clearly intended to shift and change the nature of certain job roles in a wide variety of companies. The Cobot industry has seen a lot of innovation and is something that will be definitely more apparent in the future, as they become more wide-spread, more significant for many businesses. Cobots come with a whole array of benefits, and discussed below are 3 reasons why Cobots are the future of manufacturing.

Cobot technology

 Collaborative robots are a special branch of robotic technology designed to work with and around human employees. The concept of Cobots are to work with people and not to replace them. Collaborative robots are able to perform a number of tasks alongside human workers without any problems, due to their specialised technology programmed into them. This is mainly due to how Cobots are made, with improved sensor devices, programmed cameras, and embedded vision, most Cobots do not need any safety features as they are built to work with others in a friendly way.

Collaborative robots are great at taking over tasks when they become repetitive or dangerous for human employees. Tasks such as cutting, moving, lifting or transporting can be extremely tiring, and for human employees, will cause fatigue, but for Cobots, they can carry out certain jobs all day long. This allows humans more time to focus on more challenging or rewarding jobs that are necessary in their job role. Not only does this give them some extra time for other activities, but it can also increase productivity levels and boost employee satisfaction by not having to complete such dull and boring jobs in the company.

The use of Cobots provides a great opportunity for businesses and companies to upskill their employees and entire workforce, by allowing them to focus their time in more productive areas. Whilst not having to do more hard manual or repetitive work, this spare time can be used for employees to enrol training courses, learn new skills and adapt to new areas of the business, whilst Cobots deal with more technical jobs. It also allows businesses to move human employees to other areas or departments that may require more help and assistance, making the use of Cobots a great benefit for HR purposes or for those industries lacking a large workforce.

Where we will see Cobots next? What other things will be used in the future of manufacturing?

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  Lifestyle blogs are probably one of the most popular types of blogs you will find on the internet these days, and many bloggers/influencers are expanding their niches and building content on a more lifestyle-based theme, in order to grow their websites. The content featured on lifestyle blogs can be extremely versatile, as you can choose from a wide range of topics to feature and post articles on, which can help attract a large amount of readers. 

With my own lifestyle based blog, I like to create content on a variety of topics, and I regularly post on topics such as beauty, home, fashion, business and finance, and travel, to name a few. I feel that with having such a broad amount of topics, it can help you gain a wider audience, as well as keep your site up-to-date with current affairs, and keep it relevant and engaging for your audience. Throughout 2020 and so far in 2021, I have been putting a lot more time and effort into growing my lifestyle blog. I was placed on furlough from my regular job on and off until April this year, so this left me with much more time on my hands and I decided that it would be a good decision to go more full-time into my blog and expand my content further.

GIRL ON LAPTOP

Probably one of the main factors that has helped me to grow my lifestyle blog throughout lockdown has been increasing/expanding my content and starting to write about a number of newer topics to feature on my website. For example, I have now begun to include articles themed with subjects such as relationships, business and finance, and home and interiors. Not only have I focused on my written content, but I have also focused on the visual content of my website. To help improve my website further, I have also been working extremely hard on the overall appearance of my blog, including changing the theme and design, format and layout of my blog posts. I've opted for quite a bold and eye-catching theme, with quite a minimalist layout, to keep my website looking as clean as possible.

Over the last year and a half, I've been extremely lucky to form and maintain some great relationships with agencies, PR's and brands, which has helped me to expand the success of my lifestyle blog. I've recently worked on an increased amount of sponsored posts and collaborations, which has allowed me to begin to monetise my website and start to earn a second income alongside my main job. There are so may different ways you can start making money with your blog, from affiliate links, link insertions, campaigns, and sponsored/collaborative posts, you just need to find which works best for you. I've also signed up to a number of blogger/influencer websites that can help you seek paid work and assignments, which has also allowed me to work on a number of campaigns and collaborations on a number of different topics, that I may not have written about and published previously.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media plays a huge role in the growth of your blog, from gaining increased page views to getting new followers and readers. Throughout the lockdown period, I've been lucky to interact and converse with a number of bloggers and influencers, that have also helped me to develop and grow my lifestyle blog. By sharing blog posts and articles online, this allows you to target and reach a larger audience from all over the world, getting your content seen by people you may not even know. This is something that makes sharing your work online is absolutely incredible. 

From my own personal experience, the social media sites that helped me to generate the most readers/traffic to blogs include Facebook, Twitter, Bloglovin', Pinterest and LinkedIn. Once you start getting views from social media sites/organic searching, you’ll be able to analyse the traffic, I use Google Analytics to determine what your readers like, where your site is getting viewed from and what type of content is the most popular on your lifestyle blog. This helps you to plan ahead and schedule new content for the future, as well as produce articles that you know are going to be suited and popular with your audience.

What are your favourite lifestyle blogs? What are your favourite topics to read about?


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AD| While it's convenient to have a smartphone, it's better to use a laptop for work and school. It's easy to carry around with you as you travel to your next destination. You feel better when typing things down for a project instead of having a tiny phone screen. Here are some of the benefits of having a laptop.

laptops

Lightweight to Carry 
You can have a laptop backpack for carrying your notebook around different places to help you keep everything in order. A personal computer stays in one spot. You have no access to your documents on your desktop unless you have a USB card, email them to you, or put them in an online folder.

Whether you're stuck at an airport for a few hours or dealing with a long commute to work on the train, you take your laptop and take advantage of the WiFi access to catch up with emails and finish editing your work. Also, it's easier on the back if you have to move somewhere for a short time and don't need extra space to lug a desktop computer.

Easier to Power Up
When you have a desktop computer, you need electricity to run it. You never know if you're working on something and the electricity will go out. If you have a power outage while working on a document, you may lose the file or have to recover it from the last time you saved it. However, a laptop with a fully charged battery can last you for a few hours. Not to mention, it doesn't require so many plugs and adapters to get it to work.

A personal computer requires separate adapters for your monitor, keyboard, hard drive, and speakers. It takes up a lot of space and outlets in your room. However, a laptop needs just one adapter to plug into the wall, and everything else is built-in.

Better for Staying In Touch
When you're doing business, it's better to have a laptop. You never know if you need to get on a quick video chat call or go back in forth through instant messaging. You might have an interview, and the employer requests a video call. Laptops come with built-in mics and webcams. For most desktop computers, you need to purchase a separate webcam as well as a clip to hook it onto your monitor. 

Also, you can do teleconferencing from anywhere that has a quiet space with a reliable internet connection. Having a portable computer can make it much easier to move around and still handle business from anywhere.

What other advantages are there of using a laptop?
12:30 No comments
GUEST POST| Eating, sleeping and drinking can usually be found at the top of most student’s list of priorities. Students aren’t known for being flush with cash though, so although sleep is free, food and drink can make a big dent in their student loan or wages from a part-time job. 

There are ways to get free food though and below we’ll share five ways everyone can get free food, not just students. 

food buffet

Mystery Shopping/Dining
Have you ever fancied being a spy? Then mystery shopping is for you. Mystery shoppers go undercover to report back on a restaurant’s food, service and facilities and in return you’ll get your meal paid for and sometimes a bit of cash on top. Yes, that’s right - you’ll be paid to eat. You don’t have to limit yourself to mystery shopping for food - all kinds of companies use mystery shoppers to find out if everything’s as it should be but as this article is about free food, that’s what I’m concentrating on here. 

If you fancy giving mystery shopping a go and getting some free food, just Google ‘mystery shopping’ and you’ll find dozens of agencies you can sign up with. As an added bonus, if you take along one of your housemates in your student accommodation for a free feast, they’ll love you forever and maybe cook you something in return - meaning more free food for you! Just be aware though that you’ll be reimbursed for your food, not paid in advance, so remember to keep all receipts as you’ll need them for proof. 

Shopium App
The Shopium app contains a regularly-changing range of items for free or heavily discounted at all the major supermarkets. Download the app and have a look at what they’re offering in your local supermarkets either in-store or online. If there’s anything there you like the look of, buy it, scan the barcode, upload a photo of your receipt and Shopium will reimburse you within a couple of days. 

Olio App
The Olio app is like a Freecycle for food. People in your local community who hate waste give away their leftovers on Olio. When I say ‘leftovers’, I don’t mean you’re getting the scrapings from their plates but, for example, if someone’s got too many carrots in their veg box (which is every single person who’s ever had a veg box) and don’t have any horses nearby, they can offload them to a carrot-loving neighbour. 

It’s not just local residents who are using the Olio app though. Restaurants, retailers and bakeries are all getting on board with volunteers picking up the leftover goods from the stores and uploading them to the app for anyone to claim. A friend of mine got a whole case of Hellmann’s mayo on Olio. True story. 

Foraging
Foraging works better in the countryside rather than cities. You won’t find many blackberry bushes in central London, that’s for sure. But if you are in a more rural location or you fancy a day trip somewhere green, do a spot of foraging for free food that’s as fresh as fresh can be. 

Although some things are easier to spot than others, e.g. blackberries or wild garlic, some things you will need to know what you’re doing before picking them unless you want to poison yourself, so take someone knowledgeable with you. Also, it’s a good idea not to forage on busy roads that have spewed exhaust fumes all over the bushes or had dogs going about their business on them. 

Shoplift It
If you’re really desperate, you can always shoplift your dinner. This is obviously a joke. Do not do this. Do not steal your housemate’s food from the fridge either.

These are just five ways to get free food but, if you dig around, you’ll find plenty more. And, of course, there’ll be loads of restaurants, bars and cafes in your area offering student discounts as well as lots of ways to save money when you shop online. 

What other ways have you got free food before?
12:00 1 comments
Hey my lovelies! So recently I purchased a numerous amount of Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks from Vanity and Beyond , an Ebay seller, who has a whole range of these. I have previously bought face masks from this seller before and was very pleased with the service I had received, a very friendly and informative seller who I had the pleasure "doing business" with. Via this Ebay store, the majority of these masks are only £1, which is a very good price for the product you will receive, and some of the new masks are £1.30, which isn't too expensive either. 
Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks
One thing I was happy about buying from this seller, is the fact they will do a combined postage for all the items you purchase, for a very low price of only 99p for Royal Mail 1st Class Standard, which is great! I would definitely recommend buying from this seller, as they have a great range of face masks, very friendly and informative, and they also dispatch your items very quickly! So if you're wanting to get your hands on these soon, Vanity and Beyond is the place to go! 
Passion Peel Off Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks
Passion Peel Off 10ml - Deep Cleanse, Purify and Protect £1.00
"Pulped Pomegranate, Passion Flower, Raspberry, Grape, Cranberry and Vitamin E are anti-oxidants that help protect skin, while pores get a deep clean peel-off!" 
White Chocolate Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks
White Chocolate 17g - Ultra Deep Cleansing Masque £1.00
"Smells so yum please don't be tempted to eat! Allow the Cocoa Butter, Rich Cream and moisturising Jojoba to leave your skin deep cleansed and as smooth as the softest cream. Relax with this weekly treat!"
Very Berry Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks
Very Berry 15g - Ultra Moisturising and Cleansing £1.00
"Bursting with the juice of pressed Blueberries and crushed Cranberries our fruity beauty is packed with anti-oxidants. Nourishing Peach kernel oil and soothing aloe will leave your skin refreshed and cleansed!"
Blemish Mud Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks
Blemish Mud 20g - With Aloe Juice for Blemish Prone Skin £1.00
"Our special mud blend of Aloe Vera  Willow, Rosemary and Witch Hazel naturally target your problem areas for a clean complexion."
Pawpaw Peel Off Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks
Pawpaw Peel Off 10ml - Phenomenal Pore Blast! £1.30
"Picked from the tropics of South America, the Pawpaw aka Papaya (known as the 'Fruit of Angels') and Noni Fruit naturally help protect. This duo work harmoniously, revealing clean sensational skin, sent from the heavens..."
Lemon Zest Peel Off Montagne Jeunesse Face Mask
Lemon Zest Peel Off 10ml - Detox and Pore Cleansing Masque £1.00
"Re-energise your skin with natural uplifting Green Tea, healing root Ginger and reviving squeezed Lemon, to reveal deep cleansed, toned and radiant complexion. Use weekly."
Sauna Masque 15g - Anti Stress £1.00
"Cleanse to the core with rich red clay and plant extracts; feel the heat help open pores allowing impurities to be drawn out, clearing excess oils without the mask drying, so your skin is left smooth and deep pore clean."

Have you used any Montagne Jeunesse face masks before? Have you tried any that I've purchased? What ones are your favourites? Which do you recommend? If you haven't used them before, which ones would you like to try?
13:09 No comments
GUEST POST | In the dynamic landscapes of data protection and construction industry proficiency, the amalgamation of GDPR training online and CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) training courses emerges as a potent combination. This exploration delves into the pivotal roles each element plays, collectively contributing to enhanced data security awareness and the development of skilled professionals within the construction sector. 

computer training

1. GDPR Training Online: Navigating the Seas of Data Protection
In an era where data is a cornerstone of business operations, GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) training online becomes paramount. The advantages of online GDPR training include:

· Accessible Learning: 
Online GDPR training provides flexibility, allowing individuals to access training materials at their own pace and convenience. This accessibility is crucial for busy professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of data protection regulations.

· Real-World Relevance: 
GDPR training online often incorporates real-world scenarios and case studies, providing practical insights into how data protection principles apply in various contexts. This approach enhances the applicability of the training to diverse industries and professions.

· Certification and Compliance: 
Completing GDPR training online often results in certification, demonstrating an individual's commitment to understanding and adhering to data protection laws. This certification is valuable for professionals and organizations seeking to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. 

computer courses

2. CITB Training Courses: Building Excellence in the Construction Industry
CITB training courses cater to the unique skill sets required in the construction industry. The advantages of CITB training courses include:

· Specialized Skill Development: 
CITB courses cover a range of construction-specific skills, from health and safety to project management. These courses are designed to address the unique challenges and requirements of the construction sector, ensuring that professionals are equipped with the necessary expertise.

· Safety Compliance: 
CITB training places a strong emphasis on health and safety, a critical aspect of the construction industry. Professionals undergo training to adhere to safety regulations and best practices, fostering a culture of safety on construction sites.

· Industry Recognition: 
Completion of CITB training courses often results in industry-recognized qualifications. These qualifications validate a professional's competence and enhance their standing within the construction sector, facilitating career advancement.
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AD| Are you thinking of making improvements to your home in the future? Making improvements to your current or new home can be a difficult challenge to get correct, but with the right planning in place, the process can made be a lot easier and smoother. Home improvements and renovations are often expensive, disruptive and stressful, so it’s imperative and important that you take every possible step to suitably prepare yourself for the journey ahead.

Maybe you’ve got some home improvement projects of your own that you're currently thinking about and unsure where to start. With the warmer weather on its way during the spring and summer months of the year, many people start to think about decorating, transforming their homes and making their home dreams a reality. Whether you're adding an extension, rebuilding your kitchen space, changing your garden space, giving your bedroom a makeover, or even cleaning and repairing your home's guttering. There are a number of factors to consider before jumping straight in, and listed below are 6 things to consider when making future home improvements.

modern home furnishings

Have A Detailed Plan
Whatever the size and scale of your home improvements project, it can really help to get your layout thoughts and design ideas down on paper, to help plan and visualize your proposed suggestions. Having a number of drawn out plans and sketches can help you figure out what is best suited towards your needs, and will also help you work out how to get the most out of the space you're working with. It's also quite essential to make notes of the amount of space you have, so taking measurements will help you to figure out your future layout plans and what will work where. Another important part of the planning process is to keep a list of everything you're doing or planning to do, and tick if off once it's complete, as this will help you to keep on top of the overall project.

Cost And Budget
Many home improvements come at a high cost, so it would be best to have a reasonable budget/enough savings in place for your projects. The cost of home improvements will also be looked at during the planning stages of your projects, so you can estimate the costs of each step of the plan. If there isn't enough money to go around, you should prioritize the most significant or urgent improvements. For example, new gutters from a company like Clean Pro Gutter Cleaning Olympia in order to prevent roof leaks, or a new kitchen that replaces inefficient old appliances. Vanity projects can wait until you have the savings in place. You'll obviously be looking around to get the best deals, the best materials, and if you're hiring professionals, you'll want the best quotes for the job. Cheaper isn't always better, so do your research. By hiring well-reviewed professionals, you know that you will receive high-quality work at the best price. Whether your budget is big or small, the cost of your home renovation plans can quickly add up, so it's essential to make your future plans work in a way that is financially sustainable for you.

Consider Self-Storage
Whether you're only decorating one room of the house or making improvements to your entire home, self-storage might be something worth looking into to free up some much-needed space to allow you to get work started. Now Storage self storage in Reading offers self storage solutions for both personal and business use, and can tailor the cheapest quote for your personal needs, which could be very handy for keeping larger items safely stored during the home improvements process.

Do Your Research
Every home project starts with extensive research, carried out long before you commit yourself to spending any money. You can research your desired home improvement plans through various means, whether that's viewing houses for sale/your dream home for interior ideas, looking online on websites such as Pinterest, or even looking through home magazines and catalogues. Making sure to do enough research into your future home improvement projects can save you time, money and energy. With making changes into your home a reality, it's important not to rush into anything, as this is usually where things go wrong and complications happen due to poor planning and research. 

Have Realistic Timeframes
We all know that home improvements don't happen overnight. All building work, renovations and DIY projects can take a substantial amount of time, depending on what ideas you have in mind. Again, it could be worthwhile using your plan as a way to measure the amount of time each job requires and if you have any specific deadlines that need to be met.

Think About The Future
If you think that you may wish to sell your house in the future, it may be sensible to think about how the proposed home improvements you wish to make could affect that. There are many home improvements that you could plan for and implement that can really benefit and add value to your home. If you don't believe that your current space is your "forever home", this can change and impact the home improvement plans you currently have. 

What home improvements are you planning for the future?

10:00 No comments

AD| Can you imagine a world where you don’t need to stress about money? You know there is enough to cover your bills, and if an emergency was to crop up, you have savings to tackle it. As well as being able to live the lifestyle that you want? If you make the effort to become financially stable, you will be able to do just that. Let’s have a look at some of the things you can do to achieve it: 

financial business

Make Sure Finances Are Personal 

It essential to make your finances personal to you, and this doesn’t mean avoiding talking about them. To make your finances personal, you just need to stop concerning yourself with others and making a comparison. Focus on your own situation rather than concerning yourself with another financial situation. 


This is one of the most vital parts that will help you achieve the financial stability you’re after. We are all guilty of comparing ourselves to others, but it’s important to concentrate on your finances alone. Try not to concern yourself with the new car your neighbour has bought, or the holiday your sister is going on, chances are you have other things to spend your money on. Maybe you are looking for a house for sale and you need to save for your deposit, or you are paying off your debts to become debt-free. 


Make a Budget

Budgeting is likely something that you have heard before. And they aren’t as bad as they actually sound. It should be used as a tool not as something to restrict you or make you unhappy. It’s definitely the best way to manage your money and ensure things get paid when they need to be. There are always essentials that need to pay, so make a plan to do this on time every month. If you find that you are overspending on your essentials, you need to look for ways to increase your income or reduce your spending. However, the problem usually lies with other spending when it comes to failing on a budget. When you have a budget, you can also identify where you may be able to save money for a good financial future. 


Always Live Below Your Means

This is again, something that you have probably have heard before. You most definitely heard about people living to their means and then struggling to afford luxuries or extras. You should make sure you make a budget and create a living expenditure that is below your means instead of spending right to the mark. If you live below your means, you can almost guarantee that you are covered if you need to tackle any emergency, or if you want to save. 


Build an Emergency Fund

As well as thinking about your future such as retirement or paying off your debts, you should also make sure you build an emergency fund. Having an emergency fund is your way of protecting yourself against anything unexpected. You never know when something bad might happen, losing a job with a regular salary can really hinder someone financial security if they have no emergency fund. 


Pay Off Your Debt 

If you have any debt, it will likely stand in the way of you having financial security. Once you are aware of how much you are able to comfortably spend, using your budgeting, and when you have built an emergency fund, you can focus on getting rid of any debt. You should pay credit cards and other high-interest debts first, it’s best to avoid any future debt on these while you are trying to clear them. Bear in mind that if you have signed a contract for a term, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t pay it off sooner. If you want to keep on top of the debts that you have, it best to track your credit score. You can do this for free, and doing it can you the best chance of getting straight with your finances. 


Financial security is where you will have the freedom to live a life where you don’t need to worry about how you will pay the next bill that comes your way. For some people, this may seem like an unachievable dream but it is something that everyone is capable of achieving. 


These tips should help you on your way to becoming financially secure, just remember it does take a little effort but once you are in the swing of it it will become second nature.


Do you have any other tips that you are using to help you get you there? 

10:00 No comments

AD| Feeling slightly overwhelmed with clutter and don’t really know where to start? De-cluttering and deep cleaning your home is something most people often dread and put off for as long as possible, until the clutter becomes extremely unmanageable. 

Getting rid of old clutter doesn’t have to be a stressful process, especially if you use a waste removal service to take care of all the work. These are ideal for home projects, as they help to simplify your waste disposal, making it easier to maintain a clean and inviting property, saving you so much time and energy. By making sure you have a step-by-step action plan in place before you start and some time set aside, you'll be good to go and start your journey to a clutter-free and tidy home! 

MINIMALIST HOME INTERIOR

Unwanted Clothing Items
Our wardrobes, clothing rails and drawers are often filled with items that we are attached to and simple cant bare to throw out. However, sometimes it's really important to sell online or give clothing to charity that no longer fits, doesn't fit your fashion style or hasn’t been worn for a long period of time. Sometimes you need to be totally ruthless when clearing out old clothing, but when you get rid of bin bags full of items you no longer want, you'll definitely feel much better and a lot less cluttered. Plus, you'll have so much more space, you can treat yourself to a few new items of clothing as a reward!

Be Smart With Storage
Depending on the size of your home, storage space may be quite limited and you may not have the space to store large items. Using shelving units, under bed storage, drawer organisers and personalised built in wardrobes are some easy and creative ways to make more storage solutions for those with limited space. If you are limited with space in your home, looking at places like Magenta self storage could be a great solution for you, where you can access secure, all-inclusive storage for both personal and business use. As well as this, they have plenty of storage facilities across the country, and help to can cater for all sorts of storage requirements you may need.

Tidy As You Go
When you lead a busy lifestyle, it can be very difficult to keep your living space neat and tidy as you're always doing something more important. However, you should make it a daily habit to put things away you have been using where they belong. This will allow you to save yourself time and stress later, as everything will be kept away where it should be, and will help minimise any cluttered surfaces in your home. A few examples of this could be putting your makeup and beauty products away after use, putting away any clean washing or even making sure you to clean and store away cooking utensils whilst cooking meals.

Dispose of Old Electricals/Appliances
Got some old electricals or unused appliances lying around at home? I'm sure many of us have drawers filled with old electricals that we simply don't use anymore and have no purpose in our lives. Items such as mobile phones, cameras, battery-operated toys to games consoles can clutter up much needed storage space in our homes if not used regularly. Nowadays, there are a number of ways you can get rid of these and free up space in your home. You can either sell on to someone else, get your local council to collect larger items or even recycle the lot!

Expired Beauty Products
Makeup bags, beauty product drawers and bathroom cabinets are known for collecting an array of expired make up products, medication, old toothbrushes, empty toiletries and other products you will probably never use. It's important to ditch any dried up, broken or just old beauty products you've had lying around to help cut down on clutter, as well as avoid the potential spread of germs. If you have brand new unwanted gifts or unopened beauty products that you cannot simply throw away, why not gift these items to friends and family, or even donate them to homeless shelters, for those who might need them more than you.

How do you keep your home clutter-free? What other tips do you have?

10:00 No comments
GUEST POST| Sleep is as important to our bodies as food and water. It is good for the mind and soul as well as the body. Making an investment in your sleep is investing in you and your health. These five simple ways to invest in your sleeping and get a better night of rest should help you get more from the day.

sleep

Get a Better Bed
The support your body receives is a key component of a restful night of sleep. It is hard to get decent quality, deep sleep if you are tossing and turning when you should be resting.

Your bed is the base for your sleep. Worn or broken beds cost people dozens of hours of sleep a week and many days of sleep over a year. Making an investment in a better bed is worthwhile. It can also be an attractive way to revamp the decor of your bedroom. For designer beds that will help you rest easy at night, check out https://www.denelli.co.uk/. They are an Italian Furniture Store with a massive range of designer beds that can suit any space and style. Many have practical bedroom storage solutions that will help keep your sleeping space tidy.

Invest in a High-Quality Mattress
Once you have the bed sorted, it is time to upgrade your mattress. No matter how supportive and comfortable your bed frame may be, without a decent mattress, you will not get a good sleep.

Mattresses have become big business lately. It is a highly competitive market between online suppliers and traditional brick and mortar bedroom stores. You can reap the rewards of this healthy competition by bagging a great deal on a luxury mattress. There are some things you need to consider when mattress shopping. You should do some research on firmness levels to find the right one for you. People who suffer from joint pain or back problems may need a hard mattress to give their body the extra support it needs during sleep.

Some people prefer a softer mattress that they can sink into a little. This can give a coddling effect that can help soothe and relax you as you fall to sleep. It reminds us of being coddled like a baby and helps our bodies to get into sleep mode. Nothing improves the quality of your sleep better than a well-made mattress.

Make Sleeping an Event
Good sleep requires some thought. With a little planning and preparation, you can get more from your rest and feel energised throughout the day. Get your sleep right, and you will be happier and more productive.

Prepare yourself for sleep and make bedtime an event. Relaxing in the bathtub before bed can help put your mind and body in the mood for rest. Reading is another good plan. This can help clear your mind and push the cares and worries of the day away until morning. 

Try not to eat just before bedtime, as this can keep you awake or affect your dreams if you do get to sleep. If your stomach is still doing work while you are trying to rest, you will struggle to drift away. Stay hydrated, though, as this will help your body to relax. Keeping a glass of water or a water bottle by the bed is a good idea.

sleep

Add Exercise to Your Daily Routine
Physical exercise during the day will help you get a better night’s sleep later. Exercising just before bedtime is not recommended as this will energise the body and wake up your muscles. In the hours before bed, a walk should be the limit of your exercise.

Visiting the gym during the day definitely helps get better rest, though. Even if you cannot push yourself to do a full workout every day, some light cardio or lifting should set you up for a good sleep at night. Yoga can help you improve the quality of your sleep too. Many people do not see yoga as exercise, but stretching and working your muscles does strain the body a little. A few poses will get your muscles limber and ready to relax, so a ten or fifteen-minute yoga session before bed can be a worthwhile investment in your sleep.

Tidy Your Room
These three words could be a dreaded chore dished out by parents when you were younger, but they had your best interests at heart. Having a cluttered and untidy bedroom is bad for your sleeping pattern. It is hard to be calm when surrounded by chaos. Spend some time during the day to clear the clutter and organise your sleep space. This is where clever storage in your bed can come in very handy. Try to find a place for everything that needs putting away and create a clean and clutter-free sleep sanctuary.

Following these tips should help you achieve the dream of better sleep. A little time and money can go a long way when you invest them in better rest. Get your sleep sorted now, you will not regret it.

How do you get a better night of sleep?
12:32 1 comments
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