Home Protection 101 – What Do You Need To Guard Against?

Home Protection 101 – What Do You Need To Guard Against?

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I’m sure that like me, you consider your home your personal pride and joy. It’s your own haven where you can relax with your family away from the stresses and worries of the outside world. Plus, more often than not, it is a work-free zone where you can forget about your troubles in the office as soon as you walk through the door. As our homes are so important to us, there’s no wonder that so many of us want to ensure that our property is well protected against any threats that could cost our own security or cause damage that is extremely expensive to repair.

Are you happy that your home is well protected? There are a few different things that all homeowners need to put into place to ensure peace of mind when it comes to their property. Read on to find out more.

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Burglars And Intruders

One of the main things you will need to protect your home against is burglars. If your home isn’t quite as secure as it should be, it could be at an increased risk of being robbed. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can improve your home security, including by carrying out the following:

  • Add a burglar alarm. First of all, it’s worth adding a burglar alarm to your home if you don’t already have one. Whenever you leave, you can set the alarm. Then if it detects any movement, it will go off. This should then scare the intruders and it might also alert your neighbors who can always wander around the property to make sure everything is ok.
  • Install CCTV cameras. CCTV cameras can act as a deterrent. As soon as a potential burglar spots them, there is no way they will want to risk getting any closer to your property or else they’ll face being caught in the act. If someone does break in, then at least you can take the CCTV footage to the police to use as evidence.
  • Remove valuables from sight. Of course, if a burglar can’t spot anything of any value in your home, there is a lot less chance of them trying to break in in the first place. So, make sure that anything expensive and valuable is hidden from sight. It’s also worth closing your curtains when you leave your home so that no one can peek through the window and see large electrical items, such as your TV or washing machine.

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Pests And Vermin

Robberies aren’t the only thing that you need to protect your home from. In fact, there are some other kinds of intruders that you might need to guard your home against. I’m talking about pests and vermin. After all, you don’t want to come downstairs one morning and find a family of rats or ants have moved into your home, do you?! To ensure that this never happens, you need to take the following precautions:

  • Keep your home clean. One of the best ways to keep the pests at bay is to ensure that your home is always as clean as possible. If your home isn’t quite as clean as it should be, there could be crumbs all over that attract pests and vermin inside. So, make sure to clean up regularly and remove any possible food sources.
  • Remove foliage. Tree limbs and bushes that rest up on the house, windows and roof can give pests a super easy path into your home. It can be daunting work to find the path, so calling professionals for rubbish removal brighton way, or somewhere more local to you, can come and clear the foliage, and break the pattern of pests.
  • Fix any leaks. Similarly, you need to remove any sources of water that pests and vermin might be drinking. To do this, you simply need to make sure all of your kitchen and bathroom pipes are tight and that there are no leakages at all. Water could drip from these and gather in small puddles, which makes it easier for pests to survive.
  • Take out your garbage regularly. Did you know that your garbage is a great food source for pests? It’s true! And that’s especially the case in the summer. All of the food and leftovers in the garbage will start to decompose quicker and the pungent smell could attract a lot of mice, rats, and bugs. So, be sure to take your garbage out as often as you can.
  • Find a local pest exterminator. It’s always a good idea to know the name and contact details of a local pest exterminator who can help you in the event that you do ever find some pesky pests in your home. This is especially important if you ever find any dangerous animals in your home as some exterminators now offer pest control snakes now as well.

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Weather Damage

Unfortunately, we aren’t able to control the weather and so your home could be at risk from suffering some very dangerous weather damage. This is especially the case during a bad storm when the wind and rain will be beating the property. Thankfully, there is plenty that can be done to protect your home from this kind of damage.

  • Maintain Roof Shingles. Keeping an eye on your property’s roof is very important as this will give you the chance to spot any broken or missing shingles. It’s crucial that you fix and replace these as soon as you can. If you don’t, then they will probably end up falling off during a bad storm, and that will increase the chance of your roof leaking.
  • Trim Back Trees. If you have any trees in your garden that are quite close to the main property, it’s necessary to trim these back. That way, there is no risk of the branches causing any damage to the windows of your house during high winds. Don’t worry if you don’t want to trim the branches yourself, you could always hire a professional gardener to take care of this for you.
  • Keep Gutters Cleaned Out. When was the last time you cleaned out your gutters? If you can’t remember, it’s probably time to do it right now. Unclean gutters are prone to blockages. Those blockages won’t allow rainwater to flow through and down the drain. This will result in water running down the wall of your home which could cause significant water damage to the property.

So, now you know what to protect your home against!

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is 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 or Instagram.

Relationship Milestones That You Should Document

Relationship Milestones That You Should Document

When you are in a relationship, there are certain events that are going to be worth documenting. While you know they are a big deal when they happen, some couples don’t take the time to really document these milestones with pictures, or even little notes. But, this is something that you should definitely do so that in those years to come, you can look back and see how far you have traveled from that moment. You might be wondering what some of these milestones are, and we would be happy to share them with you.

 

First Kiss

 

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The first kiss in a relationship is something that you and your partner are going to remember for the rest of your lives. But, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t make some sort of commemorative thing anyway. Once you’ve had your first kiss, one thing that you can do is to write each other a little note about how you felt. You can keep this to look back on as the years go by, and as you share many more kisses.

 

The First Time They Say ‘I Love You’

 

It is a big step to tell someone that you love them and that is why a lot of people feel like they need to make sure the time is right. The truth is, there is never really a set time for this, it is just when you feel it and know it’s true. It’s going to be weird if you start trying to take a picture while someone is telling you that they love you, but after they have done this, you can take a quick picture to remember the event. If you want to start keeping a scrapbook of all of these events, that’s a good idea.

 

Moving In Together

 

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Whether you are moving into a place that your partner already lives, or if you are both moving to somewhere completely new, you need to make sure that you have something to remember this. We know that you are going to have this day in your memory for a long time, but a picture of your first home together is always going to be important. You don’t even have to be in the photo if you don’t want to, just a photo of the house/apartment door would do here. We’re not talking anything fancy, just something to remember the first place that you two lived together.

 

Your Engagement

 

The day that your partner proposes to you is likely to be one of the happiest days of your life, but sometimes you get so wrapped up in the moment, that you can forget to document it. If you don’t think you are going to have time, you should get your partner to make sure someone is there to capture the beautiful moment for you.

 

One last piece of advice is to try to make sure that your partner knows what kind of ring you would like before the event, we don’t want you to look at it as something you would rather forget. So, if you like the flashy rings, you could get your partner to take inspiration from celebrity engagement ring trends 2018 has thus far provided.

 

We hope that you find this article helpful and know some of the important milestones that you should be documenting in your relationship.

 

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is 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 or Instagram.

Can You Use Your Home To See The World?

Can You Use Your Home To See The World?

The world is a big place. There’s so much to see, and so little time to do so.

Needless to say, unless you’re living a backpack lifestyle with your family, you’ll be lucky to explore many of the magical spots on the planet. Traveling is, after all, expensive. More importantly, it can be tricky to organize when you’ve got young children in tow. If you’re like most parents, you know that you’ve made a conscious choice when to decided to have children to put your travel desire on hold – or to slow down the travel frenzy a little. Indeed, school terms add a layer of limitations, forcing parents to book their holidays when the travel costs are at their peak – and, quite honestly, nobody is ready to spend that much money on a handful of days abroad.

However, you can find tips and tricks to cut down your travel expenses and challenges by using your home as a strategic starting point.

A alpine holiday hut in Bavaria, Germany

Nothing like a holiday home somewhere nice

Investing in a new property when you are already a homeowner can seem unnecessary, at first, but it is, in reality, an excellent investment strategy. Indeed, the property market is likely to deliver a regular source of income from rental activities. You can maximize your rental revenue by picking a popular destination for your holiday home with a specialist realtor with international properties such as Sotheby’s Realty. A holiday home has not only the potential to pay for itself through rental income, but it also provides a destination for your next vacation. If you’ve fallen in love with the south of France or a cozy chalet in Bavaria, why not invest in a holiday home in the region?

Have you considered a home swap?

If you’re new to the principles of home swapping, you’ve been missing out on a fantastic travel option. Home swapping websites https://www.lovehomeswap.com/  let you exchange your home with another traveler. Imagine looking for a holiday in Tuscany. You could swap your home with a Tuscan family for the duration of the holiday. You can save a lot of money during school holiday breaks, for instance! More importantly, swapping sites ensure high security, so that you only engage with trustworthy homeowners. If you are planning to list your home, make sure to proceed to all the necessary improvement works. Get a reputable Airbnb cleaning service. Additionally, childproof properties are preferred to guarantee family-friendly vacations.

Rent out and explore the world

Finally, if you can afford to homeschool your kids, why not embrace a new adventure and travel the world? You can easily rent out your place on a site such as Airbnb to secure regular income while you travel. You will need to check your local rental rules, as in some areas, it might be illegal to rent out your home for short-term periods only! Once you’ve arranged for the legal aspect, you can rely on a host management company to take care of your property while you’re away. Ultimately, you can finance your travels using your home; surely that’s the most cost-effective solution for someone with itchy feet?!

The bottom line is that it’s time to stop saying you can’t travel. Traveling is expensive, no doubt about that. But you can make it more accessible with the right approach.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is 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 or Instagram.

5 Tips for Booking a Trip to the UK

5 Tips for Booking a Trip to the UK

If you want to visit the UK, you can be certain there will be a range of treats in store. However, you want to spend your vacation. The United Kingdom is a country that can be bustling, quiet and serene in equal measures. The weather can sometimes be challenging, but there are also times when it is considered balmy. Whether you want to hike the mountains of the Scottish Highlands, or Snowdonia National Park, try your hand at an adventure sport, soak up the culture in one of the UK’s historical cities, or enjoy the beauty of the wild coastlines, the UK has something for everyone.

 

  1. Plan Ahead

The best advice for anyone wanting to book a trip to the UK is to plan ahead. This snippet of advice serves you well wherever you’re planning to go. Spend time doing your research, and you’re more likely to have an enjoyable time. Choose the destinations you want to visit, plan your route and the way you’re going to travel, and make sure you check out where to buy tickets.   

 

  1. Book Early

The UK is a popular destination for visitors from all over the world. The winter tends to be quieter, however, whatever time of the year you visit you’re not going to be alone. Many of the best hotels book up quickly, so you need to make your reservations early, or you might be disappointed. Most bookings or reservations can be made online, well in advance. Even London musical tickets can be purchased online, and you can make bookings to exclusive bars and restaurants so that you don’t become disappointed once you land.

  

  1. Budget Realistically

When it comes to prices, the UK is not known for being a cheap destination. It really depends on our travel plans, but you can expect to pay upward of £50 per day. There are options to suit all budgets, including a range of accommodation and transport options. Public transport is relatively cheap although you might not be able to use it to get to the remote locations. Walking and cycling are popular ways to get around, but you’ll have to plan your route carefully to avoid the busy roads.

 

  1. What Are You Going to Eat?

The UK might not have a reputation for fine dining and haute cuisine, but there are some national dishes you really have to try. No trip to the UK is complete without sampling fish and chips and the famous roast beef dinner. A full English breakfast is a plate full of greasy goodness that will keep you full until supper time. Bangers and mash is another hearty meal to warm your insides.

 

  1. Where are You Going to Stay?

If you wait until the last minute to book your accommodation you may find the prices on the high side. Book well in advance and prices tend to be more reasonable. There are plenty of options to choose from including camping, hostels, BnBs, hotels, and Airbnb. A range of different comparison sites can be used to check prices and facilities.

 

If you’re heading to the UK anytime in the future, these 5 tips are sure to help you on your way.

 

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is 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 or Instagram.

 

Singles Everywhere Can Benefit From This Savvy Dating Advice

Singles Everywhere Can Benefit From This Savvy Dating Advice

Love it or hate it, being single is the reality for many of us, and that often means dipping our toes into the water of the dating sea. Of course, the experience we can have while doing this can be at best variable, and at worst, …disastrous. Luckily, there is some advice that will help you make the most of the best dates, and make quick exit from the bad ones. Read on to find out more.

 

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Do give people a chance.

 

It’s easy to think that we know exactly what we want from a partner before we even meet them, and this can lead to eliminating people before we have ever really got to know them.

 

Now I’m not saying that if someone is behaving poorly on a first date, you should just stay and let them get away with it. However, if you really want to have a more successful dating life, you should try and not let things like dress sense, or even hairstyles become deal breakers if they don’t need to be.

 

Don’t agree to a whole meal on a first date.

 

One of the smartest things you can do to improve your dating life is never to agree to go for a full meal on a first date. Yup, that right go for a drink or for coffee only.

 

Then you can make a sharp exit if they turn about to be someone that you know you’re not interested in, and you can avoid all that nasty awkwardness of sitting through a meal when all you really want to do is bolt from the room.

 

Do say what you really want.

 

Online dating has only increased the number of game players in the dating pool. In fact, despite specific sites geared towards no string attached hookups, you will still find a considerable proportion of people on genuine dating sites that are much more interested in the chase than actually settling down, even if their profile says they want nothing more than to get married.

 

Of course, you can’t control the behavior of others, and it might be best to steer clear of mentioning in any specific wedding details that you have in mind on a first date. However, there is nothing wrong with stating precisely what you are looking for including a long-term serious relationship if that is your ultimate aim. Who knows you might get lucky and find someone else that genuinely wants the same!

 


Don’t get distracted by your phone.

 

One of the most annoying things about modern dating is the preoccupation most people have with their phone. In fact, using a smartphone constantly sends a terrible signal to the person they are on a date with that they aren’t as important as whoever is messaging.

 

Therefore, it’s wise to put your phone away and try to truly listen to the person that was in front of you. After all, if this is a human that you will potentially be spending the rest of your life with, isn’t it worth giving them at least an hour of your time to get to know them and assesses whether you would be a good match?

 

Do try different ways of meeting people.

 

When you are single, every social event can seem like a grueling trial you need to get through to meet ‘the one.’ However, you don’t have to be always on the lookout for a potential soul mate in your social or work life, because there are so many other ways of meeting people available.

 

In particular, you may wish to try online dating, group meetups, or even chat lines instead. In fact, you can even get free gay chat line numbers online and try out this type of service to see if it suits you. All without having to invest any of your own money, or make the rest of your life one long obsessional quest to find a partner.

 

Do remember that there is more to life than finding ‘the one’.

 

The thing with modern society is that we are all so obsessed about finding that one single person that will be our soulmate for the rest of our lives. However, life doesn’t always work out that way, and that is OK too.

 

After all, some people meet their soulmate, and then things change or tragedy strikes! Others meet the right person for a particular time in their lives, and others still have a happy and fulfilling time alone. Just remember that life is much bigger than just finding ‘the one,’ so don’t let yourself be completely caught up on dating and do other fulfilling things as well.

 

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is 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 or Instagram.

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