All posts by Tia

Little Ways To Treat Yourself Before Christmas

Little Ways To Treat Yourself Before Christmas

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December is here, and now the countdown to Christmas is truly underway. With this also means that you’ll likely be in a mad dash to buy tons of gifts for family as well as sort out food and drink for the mob. But did you ever think about giving something back to yourself this Christmas season? There are lots of things you can do during the festive season to help you feel more relaxed and ready to celebrate, and here are just a few of those ways to treat yourself before Christmas comes around.

 

Have a break

 

We are all rushing around at this time of year. Whether it be getting those last sales in at work, making sure we have everything in order or anything else, the last few months of the year are always hectic. To give yourself a chance to reset and refresh it is a good idea to have a little break. You can either have a staycation and do nothing for a few days, or you can go and book a spa weekend with your other half or friends. This can be an awesome way to treat yourself and get rid of all that niggling tension before the festive season.

 

Get some ‘me’ time

 

Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to truly be alone. There aren’t a lot of times in life where you’ll be able to be on your own completely and just enjoy the silence, but we all need this now and again. To make your life a little bit less stressful think about kicking everyone out of the house for an hour or two and just breathe. Enjoy being in your own company and it can really be a treat in itself.

 

Try a new hobby

 

We all need a hobby outside of our work and Home life, and it is a question of what hobby we choose whether we have that release from the rest of our life for a little while. Think for example of trying something totally new. Maybe you’ve always wanted to try yoga… go and book a class! Taking yourself to do something fun and new can be a great gift to yourself and it can help you to find out new things about yourself.

 

Have a shopping spree

 

Retail therapy is something you’ll likely need after buying gifts for everyone in your family, and there’s nothing wrong with buying yourself a gift or two also mug the way during your shopping trips! But let’s take a day out of your diary and spend it shopping in your local city centre. Buy some festive food from the market, walk around and enjoy the sun and just bit whatever you want. We don’t treat ourselves often enough.

 

Treat your body

If you have any insecurities which are making you feel a little bit down, a good idea could actually be to treat them or change them and make yourself feel more confident. For example you could use medical aesthetics to give yourself a little lift or a tuck, you could cut your hair and colour it, or you can simply change your fashion style. Have fun and do something truly for you.

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 Things You Should Never Borrow Money For

5 Things You Should Never Borrow Money For

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There are times when borrowing money is a wise decision. Most people wouldn’t be able to go to university or buy property without a loan. Meanwhile, when it comes to emergencies such as pet treatment or fixing plumbing leaks, loans can also be an option for those that wouldn’t otherwise have the funds.

 

Unfortunately, there are also many times when borrowing money isn’t so wise. Here are just a few examples of things you should never get into debt for.

 

Clothes shopping

 

Personal treats such as clothes aren’t worth getting into debt for – and yet many people are all too willing to go on a shopping spree the moment they get a credit card. As soon as you start having to pay back your debts, you’ll immediately regret spending money on these clothes. Only buy personal treats with your own money so that you feel as if you’ve earnt them.

 

Going on holiday

 

Holidays can cost some families hundreds if not thousands. Few people have this money stashed away, which may make it seem like a suitable time to borrow money. However, a holiday is still a treat and you could similarly regret it afterwards once you start paying back the debt rather than looking back on it fondly. Always try to save up money for holidays rather than paying for them with a loan – look into the best online banks to find the highest interest rates and you may be able to save up more quickly. The only time you may want to borrow money for a holiday is if an emergency comes up and you’ve already paid your deposit and would have otherwise been able to afford it.

 

Funding a gambling habit

 

You should never gamble with borrowed money. If you lose, you’ll have got yourself into debt for no reason at all. Borrowing to fund a gambling habit could be a sign that you can no longer gamble responsibly and that should probably quit gambling altogether. Borrowed money should similarly never be used to fund other bad habits such as smoking, drinking or buying drugs.

 

Taking out a loan for someone else

 

If somebody else asks you to take out a loan for them, it’s probably because their credit score is so low that they can’t get accepted for a loan themselves. A poor credit score is usually the result of not being able to make payments on time – whilst this person may promise to pay back the debt, there’s no guarantee that they will keep to this if they’ve previously struggled with making payments on time. Don’t let other people drag you into debt and potentially ruin your credit score too.

 

Paying off debts with more debts

Taking out a loan to pay off existing debts can be done strategically – you may be able to consolidate lots of small debts with one big loan or you may be able to refinance a debt so that you pay lower interest. However, most people simply aren’t savvy enough to do this and so instead end up getting into a vicious cycle of paying off debts with debts and then trying to pay these debts off with more debts until eventually the overall amount due is huge. You’re best only paying off debts with loans under the guidance of a debt advisor.

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.

3 Reasons To Have Counselling Before You Get Married

3 Reasons To Have Counselling Before You Get Married

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Seeing a counsellor before you get married may sound bizarre. Surely if you need to see a counsellor, you shouldn’t be getting wed? After all, counselling is only for couples with problems, right? Actually, you would be surprised by how many people have premarital counselling, and experience many benefits from it. Read on to discover why this is something you should consider:

Prevent divorce – Quite simply, by investing in counselling before you get married, you can reduce the chance of divorce in the future. In fact, it is predicted that counselling lowers the risk of you needing to contact divorce attorneys by roughly 20 per cent. You are more likely to have a happier relationship from the offset, as you will identify your desires, needs, beliefs, values, and fears, and you will learn how to communicate them to your partner. This means you will be able to deal with them in the best manner for your relationship, as you will be prepared.

Effective communication – There is no denying that effective communication is the key to any marriage. A marriage will eventually fall apart when a couple stops talking to one and other and stops caring. An expert counsellor will teach you how to listen and understand the wants and needs of the other person. Keeping an open line of communication and expressing your love and appreciation for the other person is important, yet it is very easy to take someone for granted when you live with them every day.

Face issues – Last but not least, not all couples enter a wedding in sheer bliss. Life doesn’t always work this way, and there may already be some problems you are facing, for example, religious differences. A counsellor may help you if your parents are interfering or if you have differences over what religion to raise your future children. Perhaps you have money issues? Learning about your spouse’s spending habits is imperative before you get married. There are many different issues that couples face, and something may seem like a small matter now, but it could easily turn into a major problem later down the line. This is why it is better to see a counsellor sooner rather than later. Don’t feel embarrassed; a therapist sees several people every day, all with their unique issues, and he or she will be completely objective and empathetic.

 

As you can see, there are a number of benefits to be gained by deciding to see a counsellor prior to getting married. After all, seeing a counsellor is not something you should do when your world is falling apart. Counsellors can help you to enrich your life and prevent any potential problems further down the line.

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.

How to Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally and Easily

How to Get Rid of Dandruff Naturally and Easily

Don’t you just hate dandruff shampoos? If you are battling with a dandruff problem, your initial reaction might be to reach for a dandruff shampoo. And there is nothing wrong with that. But the problem is, some dandruff shampoos make matters worse. They can dry your hair, make your scalp skin itchy and irritated, and generally worsen your condition. Natural ways for how to get rid of dandruff, on the other hand, are a much better option. For one, you know you are getting an antifungal and antimicrobial solution.

Why we get dandruff?

Dandruff can be a result of many things. The most common causes of dandruff include dry scalp or a condition that is medically known as “seborrheic dermatitisâ€. Another common cause of dandruff is sensitivity to hair products. Just think of all the hair products you use on a regular basis. Do you know how harmful they can be to your hair? All those gels, creams, sprays, and so on.

Last, but not least, and this is where natural remedies for hair will help, is the growth of a specific type of fungus. There are many over the counter products that can treat dandruff, but we firmly believe in natural products. If you want to get rid of the itchy scalp and flakiness, here are a couple of solutions that work wonderfully in eliminating dandruff.

Aspirin

The first association of aspirin is a “headache remedyâ€. Well, aspirin can do much more than help you with your migraine and headache problems. Aspirin contains salicylic acid, an ingredient found in many dandruff shampoos.

For this remedy, all you have to do is crush two aspirins to a fine powder. Add the aspirin to the normal amount of shampoo you use to wash your hair. Leave the mixture on your hair the next time you wash for one to two minutes, and then rinse well.  Wash again with plain shampoo.

Tea tree oil

One of the best antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial natural remedies is tea tree oil. This has been proven over and over again. Just a pinch of the oil is more than enough to combat any bacterial infection.

To use tea tree oil, just add a few drops of the oil to your favorite shampoo. Wash your hair normally, and you will notice results within two weeks. In addition to treating dandruff, tea tree oil can help with many other skin and hair conditions, like greasiness, unpleasant smell, itchiness, and more.

Apple cider vinegar

Many people around the world swear by apple cider vinegar as their go-to dandruff remedy. It is all thanks to the acidity of the vinegar, which changes the pH value of your scalp. That makes harder for yeast and fungus to grow.

For this remedy, you need to mix ¼ of a cup of apple cider vinegar, and ¼ cup of water. Mix them in a spray bottle, and spritz on your scalp. Wrap your head in a towel, and then allow the solution to work for 15 minutes. Wash and rinse your hair as usual after that. Repeat the treatment two times per week.

Baking soda

Baking soda and apple cider vinegar are widely known as the cheapest remedies in your household. And both help with dandruff. We explained how you can use apple cider vinegar.

For baking soda, you need to wet your hair and then rub a handful of the remedy vigorously into your scalp. Do not apply any shampoo. Just rinse your hair and baking soda will help eliminate all of the dandruff-causing fungi in your hair. Fair notice: in the beginning, you might notice your scalp and hair is a little dried out. But that will sort out in a few weeks, as your scalp will start producing natural oils. After that, your hair will be softer and free of flakes. Of course, you can apply conditioner if you want to speed up the process.

Garlic

Now, the thought of applying garlic to your hair might be a bit repulsive. We understand that. But you have to remember, garlic has more potent and powerful antimicrobial properties than antibiotics. This is what makes garlic a superfood, and a great dandruff remedy.

Just crush some garlic and rub it into your scalp. You can add some honey to avoid the potent smell of the garlic. Massage the remedy for a few minutes, and then rinse and wash as usual.

Mouthwash

Why do we use mouthwash? Well, to get rid of bacteria in our mouth. So, with that logic, you can use it to get rid of bacteria in your scalp.

Wash your hair with a regular shampoo, and then rinse with an alcohol-based mouthwash. Apply conditioner afterward.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is one of the more tested and well-proven remedies for dandruff. Bonus points: it smells nice when you apply to your hair.

To use coconut oil, massage 3 tablespoons of the remedy into your scalp before showering. Let it sit for one hour, and then apply shampoo and wash your hair as you normally do. You can even wash your hair with a coconut oil based shampoo, which gives you more powerful results.

Olive oil

Another oil you can use for getting rid of dandruff is olive oil. It is a well-known folk remedy. How to use it? Just massage 10 drops of olive oil into your scalp, and then cover your head with a shower cap. Leave it to stay overnight. In the morning, wash your hair as you normally do with shampoo.

Of course, you can also buy a shampoo that contains olive oil for maximum results.

Lemons

If you have lemons on hand, you might have the best dandruff remedy in your kitchen. Squeeze some lemons, and then massage 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice into your scalp. Rinse with water. Follow with stirring 1 teaspoon of lemon juice into 1 cup of water, and rinse your hair with that as well. Repeat the treatment on a daily basis until you get rid of dandruff completely.

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, TikTok, or Instagram. 

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.