Building a better home is a goal shared by millions of homeowners. Whether completing your final prep before winter or planning your projects for 2024, going green should be a priority.
Aside from protecting the environment, many updates will have a positive impact on your health and finances. Focus on the following ideas to unlock the best results.
Energy efficiency should be at the top of any conscious homeowner’s agenda. Heat loss can be very problematic in the winter months, making this the perfect moment to improve roof and window insulation. However, improved efficiency levels can also be achieved through many other steps. Switching to LED lights, low-flush toilets, or eco-friendly kitchen appliances can all work wonders.
Building an energy-efficient home may require an initial outlay, but you will see monthly energy savings. Some projects also add to the value of the property.
Fix Faults To Prevent Waste
Making positive additions to the home is vital. Nevertheless, you should never overlook the need to rectify any problems that already exist in the home. A plumbing contractor can help detect and stop leaks from pipes or the boiler system. In turn, you will waste less water and electricity. More importantly, you will prevent escalating damage to your plumbing systems—and property damage attributed to leaks.
Aside from making the home more eco-friendly, it will lift a weight of stress from your shoulders. Until you fix these issues, they’ll continue to play on your mind.
Convert Rather Than Extend
When taking on home upgrades, many people look to extensions as a way to avoid the need for moving. However, rather than extending out or up, you could look to convert the basement. In addition to unlocking the potential of a space that is currently unloved, it will reduce your use of new materials. Similarly, there will be far less demolition work, meaning fewer items need to be disposed of by your builder.
As an added bonus, a conversion will cost a fraction of the cost compared to a two-story extension to the rear or side of the property.
Add Renewable Energy
Reducing your energy consumption is one thing, but turning to renewables will take things to the next level. A solar roof panel contractor can help you utilize sunlight to power your home. Meanwhile, air heat pumps and biomass boilers can work wonders for your home. Powering the home without requiring fossil fuels will reduce your carbon emissions. Likewise, it will continue to reduce your monthly bills.
In fact, you can often sell some energy back to the grid. When added to the fact it makes your home more attractive to prospective buyers, it’s no wonder sales are through the roof.
Choose Greener Materials
Working with organic materials and sustainable items will reduce your ongoing carbon emissions. This could mean using stone materials in your interior designs. Likewise, wood and organic fabrics should be incorporated where possible. Or, if you are building a deck, opting for a timber solution is probably the best bit. Aside from boosting the bid for a greener home, it will improve the vibe.
Smarter choices will require a conscious effort at the start of the process. In time, though, this will begin to come very naturally.
Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram.
Are you interested in buying gifts for your teens this Christmas? While it is often fun, if expensive, to buy gifts for younger children, getting presents for teens can be a tad more stressful. This is why it’s always going to be in your best interest to make sure that you have a solid plan that you can follow. With that in mind, here are some of our recommendations when you are buying gifts for teens this year.
One of the things you should try and avoid when it comes to buying for teens is clothes. Unless you know them exceedingly well, then you don’t want to get them an item of clothing they will never wear. This is not only a waste of your money, but you may feel bad that they can’t utilize what you got for them. If you are insistent on getting clothes for teenagers, then it is much better to find out where they shop and get them a gift voucher; that way, they can choose their own clothes with your money. Alternatively, placing some cash in their Christmas card is another way you can ensure they get clothes they are happy with.
Look At Tech
Teens can be incredibly difficult to buy for, especially if all they are interested in is playing on technology. You can use this to your advantage and invest in the latest tech as their gift. The teen recipient will love you forever if you get them something they are actually interested in. This could be the latest pair of earphones from Sony or the newest brand of iPhone. If they have mentioned wanting something then be sure to listen to them and try your best to get the right thing. One issue you can run into with technology is that the teenagers might never want to leave the house. There is technology that they can use outdoors. A great example of this is the Gotrax E-scooters. They can impress their friends by riding to school on it after the Christmas holidays are over.
Explore The Latest Trends
There will always be a list that is released before Christmas detailing all the latest trends that teens are interested in. These are fantastic if you are ever stuck for ideas, as they will tell you what people are interested in and what they might like. These trend-setter lists will usually have a range of budgets available, so don’t worry about needing to spend a small fortune. If you have a set budget in mind, then there will be something on these listicles for you. Alternatively, you can always rely on teenagers to inspire you with the latest trends. They will chat with their friends about what is coming out, or they may hint by sending you messages.
Check The Reviews
Before you buy anything for Christmas or otherwise, it is best to check out the reviews. Around special occasions, there are lots of companies that bring out toys that may not be as good as others. It is also extremely common for these cheaper alternatives to break quicker or malfunction. In order to avoid this, you can shop around for reviews, a simple online check can tell you everything you need to know about the products you are looking for. For instance, you might have been asked for a brand-new iPad for Christmas. There is nothing better than the top brands, especially if you want longevity with your gifts. Head into stores and speak to some experts if you are concerned about which ones to buy. They will be able to tell you about any common issues that crop up in reviews.
Pre-Order To Avoid Disaster
Another option we recommend you keep in mind is the concept of pre-ordering. While must-have gifts don’t always sell out just before the festive season, this has been known to occur, and that will leave you hunting across eBay for the ultimate tech that your teen wants. Everyone remembers the nightmare of the PS5 launch, and no one wants to relive it. So, keep an eye on pre-orders and make sure that you check whether anything your kid wants is going to be difficult to grab around Christmas time. It’s far better to secure a purchase and avoid disappointment instead of struggling with stress just before the 24th.
People often shy away from gifting money, but with teens, it can be one of the best options. Why is this? Well, there are certain things that you can’t buy for teens without risking a massive error in judgment. Remember what we said about clothes. Money is a safer choice, and you can still have fun with this. You can wrap it up in different boxes, and there will be some excitement as kids discover how much they have been gifted. Older children love this, and you can always mix in some great little presents that they might just adore.
You can even send them on a scavenger hunt for the cash. Do tread with caution here, though. Whether your kids love or hate this idea will largely depend on their unique personalities.
Remember Their Age
Do remember their age when you are purchasing presents. We’re not talking about whether a product is appropriate, but we’ll get to that later. Instead, it’s important that you don’t buy anything that is going to be embarrassing or awkward for your teen to open. Ultimately, this is all about knowing what they like and don’t like. It’s possible that they’ve grown out of something that you thought they were still interested in. This is a classic parenting mistake. If you have any doubts, then it’s always best to check the list and make sure that you are sticking to their requests as closely as you can.
Check If It’s Appropriate
Next, you should think about whether the items that they have asked for are suitable for their age or if there is anything that isn’t appropriate. This is always a major concern if you are purchasing games for younger teens. For instance, while the latest Spider-Man game may seem like it’s suitable for older kids, it does have a scene where a character taken over by an alien bites the head off a villain. As such, it may not be advised for 13-year-olds, but would probably be fine for any child over sixteen. This is another reason why it’s always best to check the reviews and make sure that you know exactly what you are buying before you commit to a purchase.
The biggest shopping event of the year is right around the corner. We’re referring to Black Friday, and you better believe that all the top brands are ready to give you great items at unbeatable discounts. However, while the marketing might seem enticing, it’s always worth shopping around. Some stores raise their prices a little earlier and then drop them for Black Friday. So, essentially, you’re paying the same amount you usually would on products. Alternatively, you could find that they only drop items that aren’t selling. This is why it’s always worth waiting to do a little more research before you commit to a must-buy purchase of a specific present.
Give Them A Gift Event
Next, you could explore options that are an alternative to the traditional gift. One option could be a gift event instead of a tech item or a similar present that they can unwrap. Gift events could include tickets to concerts or special activities, such as driving a sports car around a track. There are lots of choices like this available from different companies. The best part? They tend to go on sale around Black Friday, which means that you can always get the ideal choice for any teen at a slight discount.
Respect Their Wishes
Finally, you should make sure that you are respecting their personal wishes. Unlike younger children, teens will often know exactly what they want for Christmas, and it’s worth keeping this in mind whenever you are purchasing them presents or advising others what to get them. In other words, you need to stick to the list that they provide. This can help you avoid issues with wasting money and getting things that your children don’t really want or won’t appreciate. If you are worried about expensive items, then it’s important to make sure that you start buying early. September is often the best time to start planning Christmas shopping.
We hope you found this article helpful and that it gave you some amazing ideas on what you can get that troublesome teen in your life. Remember, you might think they are difficult to buy for, but if you think of their interests and hobbies, then you can’t go wrong. If you struggle for ideas, don’t be afraid to ask them what they would like. Nobody is ever too old to make a Christmas list!
Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram.
Moving abroad, either temporarily or indefinitely, is a big adventure. It gives you the opportunity to experience lots of new things and can often be a good way to advance your career. But some people decide to move away when they already own their own home. While selling up is an option, it’s not one that’s right for everyone. You might want to decide on another way to manage your home while you’re out of the country, especially if you’re planning to return. So how can you get your home organized before you move so it’s ready for whatever you want to do next?
Decide What to Do with It
First of all, you have to think about what you’re going to do with your home. If you’re planning on leaving permanently or long-term, perhaps selling is the best option. But if you want to hold onto your home, there could be a few things you do with it. You could offer it up to friends or family who may be looking for somewhere to live, or rent it to tenants. If you’d prefer to have more control over its occupancy, maybe you’ll think about renting it short-term. While leaving it empty is an option, it might not be the best one.
Unless you’ve chosen to leave your home empty, you’re probably going to have at least a few things you don’t want to leave there. Some stuff could be moving with you, but that doesn’t mean you want to take it all. The smartest thing to do might be to use a service like Ranchers Mobile Storage to declutter and store some of your things. Even if you’re planning to rent your home furnished, you could have personal possessions that you don’t want to leave for others to access.
You won’t be around to look after your home, so making sure it’s secure is a top priority. Whether anyone else is living in it or not, you should take steps to keep it secure. This could include making sure the doors and windows are secure or installing an alarm system. You might want to consider a smart security system with cameras that will alert you of any suspicious activity. Wherever you are in the world, you’ll be able to check up on your home. Of course, if you have tenants, you have to ensure they still have privacy too.
Whatever you choose to do with your home, it’s a good idea to have someone else help you manage it. They can check up on your property to make sure it’s secure or perhaps help you out with tenants or guests. It’s hard to manage a property when you’re not even in the same country, so it just makes sense to have help. It could be a friend or family member, but there are professional services available too.
Get your home organized before you move overseas and you’ll have greater peace of mind once you’ve left.
Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram.
Ways To Feel Healthier And Happier On A Daily Basis
We should all make it a priority to feel and be as healthy and happy as possible on a daily basis.
If you want to invest in a healthier life, you have come to the right place. The greatest methods to consistently feel happier and healthier will be revealed in this guide.
Photo by KoolShooters : https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-in-black-sports-bra-stretching-her-body-while-lying-on-the-floor-8520562/
See a medical professional to address any health concerns you may be having.
In order to restore your happiness and quality of life, it is critical that you address any health issues you may be experiencing.
For example, you may have been living with chronic joint and body pain for a while, which can lead to depression and poor health.
A chiropractor looks after the body as a whole and will guarantee that you can relieve tension and aches to help restore your happiness. It can be draining to live with physical tension. Consequently, getting chiropractic care will guarantee that you can rediscover your sense of calm and relaxation and that you consistently feel happier and healthier.
And it’s not only the outside that you’re supposed to seek experts on, you should also look inside your body! After all, what happens inside your body will affect how you feel and look on the outside!
For example, your bloating and fatigue may be caused by hormonal imbalances in your body. So, while you’re at it, visiting clinics with this specialization such as Huddle Men’s Health can let you take a deeper look at your well-being, eventually helping you achieve happiness and confidence!
Do what brings you joy.
Another tip to living a happier life is to simply do what makes you happy. When you have free time, you should use it wisely and pursue activities that bring you joy, even though you may have to dedicate the majority of it to taking care of your family and working.
You might enjoy hiking or upcycling furniture, for example. Make sure you schedule time for whatever it is that you enjoy doing. Increased happiness is guaranteed by this.
Make time for the appropriate people.
You can enhance your overall happiness and mental health by associating with the right people.
You should look for other people to spend your time with if the people you are spending it with are continuously depressing you and contributing to your poor mental health.
Consume healthfully and watch your diet.
It is a great idea to aim for a healthy and balanced diet to maintain the best health possible for maximum happiness and health.
Consuming an adequate amount of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and carbohydrates will guarantee that your body receives the maximum amount of nutrients and vitamins needed to maintain optimal health.
To optimize your health and happiness, it is a good idea to exercise frequently and stick to a regular exercise schedule in addition to eating a balanced diet and eating well.
Exercise on a regular basis can increase happiness because it releases endorphins, which can make you feel better all around. Additionally, consistent exercise improves your health and lowers your risk of a number of illnesses, including cardiovascular disease and others.
Break bad habits.
You will feel better every day if you break unhealthy habits and lead the healthiest lifestyle possible.
Many are unaware of the negative effects that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol can have on one’s happiness and health. Therefore, breaking these negative habits will enable you to continue living a happier and healthier life.
Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram.
Seasonal Reset: Revitalizing Your Home for a Fresh Start
It’s truly fascinating how nature has a way of timing things, isn’t it? Trees gracefully shed their leaves, animals prepare for hibernation and we find comfort in cozying up with a book and some hot cocoa. As the seasons change, nature subtly reminds us to make some changes in our homes.
Here’s your ultimate guide to navigating a home makeover– because sometimes, even the smallest adjustments can make a world of difference.
You know that exhilarating feeling when you put on a brand-new outfit? Well, imagine experiencing that excitement for your house. A seasonal reset isn’t about sprucing things up; it’s about aligning your home’s energy with the changing rhythm of the universe.
Boosting Psychological Wellness
Refreshing your space goes beyond aesthetics; it’s like treating your mind to a day at the spa. By revitalizing your environment, you breathe life into your surroundings and prevent any sense of stagnation that might weigh down your spirit.
Igniting Motivation
Imagine how energized you would feel in an environment that inspires focus and productivity. It’s not just simply thinking; studies have proven that our surroundings have a profound impact on our mindset. A renovated home sets the stage for a renewed sense of purpose and motivation.
Timeless Cultural Wisdom
Take a journey through history. You’ll discover that many cultures have long advocated for aligning our living spaces with the changing seasons. This practice has stood the test of time emphasizing the importance of harmonizing our homes with the rhythms of the world around us.
Declutter: Less is More
Decluttering isn’t about finding lost treasures; it’s therapeutic – like a breath of fresh air for your living space. By creating space both physically and mentally, you can achieve clarity and peace of mind.
Guided Decluttering
Have you ever tried tackling a room one item at a time? It’s truly transformative. Keep what you regularly use and let go of excess belongings. Suddenly your living space becomes simpler and more streamlined. It’s not about getting rid of things; it’s about finding purposes or parting ways gracefully.
Deep Cleaning Delight
Once you’ve brought clutter under control, it’s time for the finale – a cleaning session that revitalizes every nook and cranny. Think of it as giving your home a spa day. For those who find themselves overwhelmed by the task, considering deep cleaning services is a smart move. It’s not just about cleanliness but about rejuvenating your living space.
Add Some Flair to Your Environment
The Impact of Rearranging
Never underestimate the power of rearranging furniture. It’s not a task; it can completely change your perspective. Altering the layout of your room is like giving your living space a look with each piece contributing to a fresh story.
Embracing Ancient Wisdom for a Modern Home
Incorporate wisdom into your home. Whether it’s Feng Shui or other methods of harmonization, incorporating these principles can transform the flow of energy in your surroundings. It’s like a dance where positive vibes blend with your environment creating a sanctuary.
Unveiling Hidden Potential
Rediscover those forgotten spaces. That corner you overlooked? It could become your reading nook or even a mini home office. The excitement of reimagining these neglected areas is exciting when you can turn them into functional corners.
Decor That Reflects the Season’s Spirit
Palette Inspiration
Have you ever thought about letting the colors of each season become the voice of your home? It goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about aligning your space with the world. Finding inspiration from the colors of the season brings a sense of unity to your living space making it feel like an extension of the ever-evolving outdoors.
DIY Flair
Adding your touch to your decor goes beyond being a passing trend; it’s an expression of yourself that transforms your environment into a reflection of who you are. DIY decor projects are not about adding uniqueness; they bring joy through hands-on creativity. These projects enhance not just your surroundings. They also provide a satisfying outlet for your artistic side.
Sustainable Choices
Why not make decor choices that contribute to your home and the planet? Sustainable decorating is more than a passing fad; it involves conscious decisions. Opting for biodegradable items doesn’t just benefit your home; it also plays a role in preserving our environment. It’s a win-win situation for both your space and our planet, which we call home.
Ultimately, embracing change is what matters most. A seasonal reset isn’t about refreshing your home; it’s about embracing growth. It shows how adaptable, creative, and fond you are of the place you call home. So here’s to beginnings, fresh perspectives, and homes that resonate with the beauty of each season.
Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram.
Photo by KoolShooters : https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-woman-in-black-sports-bra-stretching-her-body-while-lying-on-the-floor-8520562/
