Category Archives: Responses from Tips

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME, Responses from Tips

7 Ideas to Help You Stick to Your Budget

By Guest Blogger Maricor B.
7 Ideas to Help You Stick to Your Budget
Are you all too familiar with the challenges of budgeting? Sticking to a budget is not something that comes naturally to all of us. But if you’re looking to pay off debt or save more cash every payday, learning to budget is a must.
Photo Provided by Guest Blogger, Karleia S.
Photo Provided by Guest Blogger, Karleia S.

Luckily, budgeting is a pretty straightforward process that gets easier over time. And living more frugally is simply a matter of making the right decisions moneywise.

The following 7 ideas should help you succeed at budgeting.
1. Know your goals
Is there something you have been saving up for? Do you want to purchase a new HVAC system? Are you planning on finally going on that cruise you’ve always dreamed about? Big expenses like these are the perfect goals. Keeping them in mind will help motivate you to avoid overspending and be smarter about spending.
2. Plan for everything
How will your income be spent? Aside from the essential expenses like food, utilities, transportation and housing, you also have to take your savings and loan payments into account. Creating a weekly or monthly plan can do wonders and help develop healthy spending habits.
3. Keep track
It certainly helps to know where your money goes. You may find a lot of areas for improvement in your current plan when you start tracking your weekly spending for the first time. Once you become completely aware of how your money is spent, you can be more effective at cutting expenses and saving money.
4. Be prepared
Aside from maintaining an emergency fund, you should also set aside some cash for surprise expenses. Make sure you have enough money to take care of inexpensive unplanned expenses so you won’t have to touch your personal savings and the fund you’ve set aside for personal financial dilemmas.
5. Don’t be tempted
Temptation is everywhere. Both online and brick-and-mortar stores have many ways to make their offers more tempting. Every now and then they will try to lure you into spending your money on stuff you don’t actually need. Since you’re sticking to a budget, it’s best to avoid gimmicks such as flash sales or once-in-a-lifetime offers, especially if it’s for stuff you have no use for in the first place.
6. Welcome debt
You shouldn’t avoid debt like it’s the plague. In fact, there is such a thing as good debt. Acquiring some debt right now can actually yield financial benefits in the long run. Taking out a loan and paying it off in time will improve your credit score and help you save money. Plus, the best types of debt such as mortgages and student loans have the potential to increase in value and generate income.
7. Have some fun
Being on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to something nice once in a while. If you keep making the right choices and continue to stay one step ahead of your expenses, you deserve a reward. A little positive reinforcement can certainly do wonders for your budgeting efforts. Don’t forget to have fun.
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.
ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME, Responses from Tips

Design Tips for Your L-Shaped Kitchen

By Guest Blogger, Marie N.

Design Tips for Your L-Shaped Kitchen

As the name itself suggests, this type of kitchen is in the shape of the letter L due to the cabinet organization. It can vary in sizes and lengths, but all such kitchens can sometimes be hard to organize and decorate. In order to avoid claustrophobic cluttered feeling in your kitchen, here are some tips to follow.
Position of the Units
If your kitchen has different-length runs, you should place the upper cabinets above the longer run. Such placement will provide you with more storage space, while the glasses and cooking condiments will be easy to reach. However, if the window is placed here, too, it will prevent you from continuing the cabinets; but if there’s no window, you can easily keep placing the cabinets around the corner and onto the shorter run. On the other hand, you can install floating shelves or glass-front doors to provide an airy open feeling in the kitchen and make it look bigger.
Separate the Cooktop and the Sink
add-chairs-and-tables
Kitchen with the same-length runs layout offer a bit more flexibility. In this situation you can and should separate the cooktop and the sink and place them on different runs. This separation allows you to create a distinction between the cook zone and wash zone, while the preparation zone should be between the sink and range. Such organization leaves you with plenty of space on the countertop and you can freely prepare each meal without making too much mess.
Go All-White
go-all-whiteL-shaped kitchens usually look small and claustrophobic, so you will need to extend the space with bright colors. The best choice is going all-white. Opt for white cabinets, countertops, shelves and appliances. Make sure the windows are bare in order to provide enough natural light and place under-cabinet lighting fixtures for more light while preparing the food. This airy and light atmosphere will instantly open up the space and make it look big, but you will need a soft transition towards the dining room. You can achieve this with some darker flooring or, as the experts from DecoRug recommend, with a simple weave rug in complementing colors of the dining area.
Create an Island
No matter what are the proportions of your kitchen, an island will make a nice useful addition. With this addition you can house the sink or the cooktop, thus providing more free space on the counter. Also, you are allowing more storage space for all the utensils and you can even make the wine rack you always wanted. However, an island can also be used for socializing, and you just need to add a few stylish tall chairs for your wine sipping with friends and family.
Add Chairs and Tables
Grey kitchen featuring Greystone color hardwood floor (Maple-Greystone) For more information, visit www.miragefloors.com
Grey kitchen featuring Greystone color hardwood floor (Maple-Greystone)
For more information, visit www.miragefloors.com

If you don’t like adding an island or it simply cannot fit, you can easily add a table with chairs at the end of the kitchen. It’s a perfect spot for casual meals, wine tasting or snacks with friends and it extends the kitchen space. Also, it can function as an additional area for meal preparation or for a simple chat with your neighbor. Simple table and chairs can serve any purpose you need and they make a subtle transition towards the next room.

L-shaped kitchens can sometimes be awkward if you don’t know how to utilize them to the maximum. Extend the space with colors, make subtle transitions towards the dining room and provide yourself with plenty of storage and workspace. Don’t be afraid to invest into an island or a table, they only provide more flexibility and don’t forget to make use of every small corner of your kitchen.
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.
BEAUTY, Responses from Tips

5 reasons why you should use essential oils

By Guest Blogger, Kristy B.

5 reasons why you should use essential oils

You may or may not have already heard about essential oils, but as more research is conducted and more people talk about their incredible benefits you might want to jump on the bandwagon and start taking advantage of them!

Essential oils can be incorporated into your routine in a number of ways, but you must remember not to drink them!
A popular method is to incorporate them into your skincare routine, you can also inhale them as part of aromatherapy, use them in massage, in a diffuser and also as a compress.

But why would you want to use essential oils?

1. Glowing skin.

If you want a radiant glow, try adding some essential oils into your skincare at night. Popular essential oils to incorporate are frankincense and myrrh.
Adding a couple of drops of these oils into your moisturizer can help in a range of ways, from reducing inflammation (meaning it’s good for acne), to premature aging and wound healing it’s hard to stop using it once you’ve started!

2. Mood-boosting.

Mental health is just as important as physical health and it’s important we give attention to how we are feeling inside. When applied topically, ylang ylang essential oil in particular has been found to relieve stress, calm people down and has an overall relaxing effect on the mind.
Finding or making your own ylang ylang blend and taking some with you as you travel about your day could be a simple remedy to help stay relaxed and focus on your mental well-being.

3. Beauty sleep.

A good night’s sleep is incredibly important for your health; from improving your memory to staying in shape, you should try and attain the best nights sleep you can. Certain essential oils can help you get the better quality sleep more of the time. Interested? Try lavender oil. Lavender has been shown to improve quality of sleep and also shown to reduce anxiety.

4. All-rounders.

When you buy essential oils, make sure to buy high quality and organic, or you might not get the full benefit of the oil. If an oil isn’t organic you might get some unwanted effects from traces of pesticide residue concentrated in the oil. Buying the highest quality oils can sometimes be quite pricey, however, you don’t have to buy every essential oil there is – even though it can be quite tempting when you realize each of their benefits!

A good idea, particularly if you’re new to essential oils is to purchase an essential oil that is versatile and possesses a wide range of benefits. Tea tree oil is one of these great all-rounders to add to or begin your collection. The infographic below demonstrates some of tea tree oil’s benefits.

Benefits-of-tea-tree-oil

5. Immune boosters

Not feeling so great? When you’re feeling run down, different essential oils can combat different symptoms. Eucalyptus oil is antibacterial and can help clear your sinuses. It also stimulates your immune system, which in turn is going to help you feel better, faster.
The “flu fighter†oregano oil can also help you when you’re not feeling 100%, from helping with sore throats to it’s antiviral properties, it might be a suitable one to add to your collection if you’re prone to colds.

As you can see, the myriad of benefits essential oils can potentially provide are worth looking into and trying for yourself!

 

BEAUTY, Responses from Tips, SEX & LIFE

5 Tips For Getting Skin That Glows. By Guest Blogger Beth M.

By Guest Blogger Beth M.

5 Tips For Getting Skin That Glows

 

beauty portraitIn an idealistic world, every woman would have perfectly even-toned, glowing skin. Which is not only wrinkle-free but also free of any pesky acne scars and blemishes, without any effort at all whatsoever. But unfortunately for me, and a whole bunch of women around the globe, there are little elements of the world that may make it ideal at the moment. Hence effort is needed, especially to maintain beautiful looking skin.

Beauty is considered to be skin deep and goes way further than just that. For adequate nourishment, it is best to not only pamper your skin externally but also internally. Mentioned below are five effective tips that help achieve glowing skin, without having to empty your wallet time and again.

CreativeCommons images
CreativeCommons images

 

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Our body along with all its organs, especially the most prominent—skin—rely heavily upon water intake for efficient functioning. Drinking an average of up to 7-8 glasses of water a day is considered as being essential. It boosts the immune system which itself purifies our body from any toxins that may negatively affect our body.

Dermatologists and medical practitioners all across the globe pay an extra amount of emphasis on their patients consuming an appropriate amount of fluid intake. With a calculated of 15% of our skin being formed by water, hydration is hence necessary for glowing and supple looking skin.

2. Amp up your diet
We are what we eat. Consumption of healthy, fresh and clean foods helps enliven our skin making it look fresh. It has also been established that problems in the digestion of food can also lead to skin impurities hence it is of the uttermost importance to consume the right level of micronutrients as well as vitamins.

Processed food, especially those that contain artificial sugars must be avoided or minimized. While intake of a natural protein food such as vegetables, white meat, fish, beets, and nuts should be increased for effective results. A substantial amount of fruits and vegetables should also be consumed to achieve completely spotless looking skin by keeping breakouts at bay.

3. Get those facial muscles flexing
Facial yoga is considered as one of the most efficient ways of increasing blood circulation and relaxing the facial muscles to achieve forever young skin. It may make you seem a bit absurd while carrying the Facial yoga poses but the results which are obtained are worth all the effort. Inexpensive, quick and all natural, Facial yoga should be conducted on a regular basis to achieve sustainable results.

4. Get the scrubs stocked up
Our skin sheds off dead cells on a daily basis which is replaced with newer skin cells. However, dead skin cells that are not removed can leave your skin looking dull and aged. Hence a lot of importance is emphasized upon the regular exfoliation of our skin for removing the layers of the expired cells.

Ready made scrubs are also available at drug stores with never-ending choices. A more natural method should opt where ingredients like lentil powder mixture or orange peels can be used instead.

5. Get sweating

“Fit Woman In Gym Working Out With Dumbbells†by stockimages
“Fit Woman In Gym Working Out With Dumbbells†by stockimages

Exercise and any physical activity have been categorized as being essential for the purpose of losing weight and staying fit. What is unknown to most is also the fact that it helps the skin rejuvenate as well. By increasing oxygen and blood flow to the skin cells, exercise flushes out any cellular debris via sweating as well as eliminate any oxidative stress.

One of the best ways to rid yourself of acne, breakouts, and dull looking skin, Physical activity is of immense importance.

Every girl wishes to have beautiful looking skin, and as difficult as it may seem, it is not that hard to achieve. A few lifestyle alterations do need to be made and maintained, but with the future effort of following the earlier mentioned tips, Supple, and beautiful looking skin can be achieved.

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.
Author Bio:
beth-martelThis post was written by Beth Martel. She is a mother of two, a medical professional and a humanitarian. She blogs at www.HealthyRecharge.com and manage Thesmartlad.com as well.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME, Responses from Tips

“Sweet” Back In “Home Sweet Home”

“Sweet” Back In “Home Sweet Home”

Most us of have something we don’t like about our home. Maybe it’s the bathroom door that never stops squeaking, no matter how much you grease the hinges. Perhaps it’s the fact that you never have enough space for all your stuff. Or maybe you’ve promised yourself a new kitchen for years, but it’s never arrived because of one thing or another.

home-sweet-home-1414676696q7gwww.publicdomainpictures.net

We all have gripes. But that doesn’t mean we’re powerless to put things right. Here’s how to put the “sweet†back in “home sweet home.â€

Fill Those Spots You Loathe With Stuff You Love

There’s a place in all of our homes that it would be fair to say that we hated. Perhaps for you, it’s the utility room, complete with all its mechanical ugliness. Or maybe it’s a drab hallway, with skid marks along the skirting. Here’s a pro tip for all you haters out there: fill those spaces with stuff you love. One idea is to hang pictures of pets or family next to the spaces that you hate. Another is to place trinkets and knick-knacks to cover up problem areas. Whatever it takes, make sure that you reclaim your home as your own.

Fix A Damp Bathroom

There’s nothing worse than having a damp bathroom. The thought that all those mould spores going everywhere: it’s enough to make you sick. More often than not, the problem is coming from your shower unit. But it’s not an issue you can’t resolve. Shower pods are fully contained units, from floor to ceiling, let a wet room. And, as a result, they’re almost certainly more hygienic than the bog-standard shower you’re using at the moment.

Design Your Home Around Conversation

If you can’t do anything about your home, you might as well design it to suit your family life. Don’t just have all the furniture in the room facing the TV. Instead, think of ways to design the space that will draw everybody into a conversation. Who knows, with a close-knit family, you might not need to move after all.

Get Your Bedding Right

One of the main reasons people hate their homes is because they’re a permanent mess. A little bit of tidying is usually all that’s required to make a world of difference. But the problem is that too many people start off on the wrong foot. People who have spotless houses also tend to be those who make their beds in the morning. So make yours, and don’t start the day on the wrong foot.

Focus On All The Stuff That’s Good About Your Home

Marriage advisors will often tell couples who are having difficulties to focus on the best aspects of the relationship. The same goes for our homes. We can get so bogged down in all the negatives that we fail to see the ways in which our homes are great. If you don’t have a dishwasher, just think about how hand washing is better for your kids. If you can’t afford a great TV, regret not. Just reflect on how much more time you get to talk to your family.

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.