Category Archives: SEX & LIFE

Tips on sexual health, mental health, relationships, and everyday healthy life.

Protecting What Matters Most: How To Keep Your Home Safe From Any Disaster

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Your home is the place where you should feel the safest and most secure. Itâ€™s more than just bricks and mortar, it’s your own little bubble to escape from the stress and pressures of the world no matter what is happening. You should never feel as though you or your family are unsafe in your own home. Which makes it all the more horrible when something does happen to disrupt that safety. Whether it’s a flood, fire or break-in, anything that makes you feel less safe in your own home can have devastating effects on you and your family. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that you can do to keep your home as safe as possible.

Lights

It might sound overly simple, but lights can be one of the best possible defenses against an intruder. Darkness is an intruder’s number one ally. If they have a way to slip into your home undetected, then that’s what they’re going to use. The best thing that you can do is to invest in floodlights for both the front and rear of your home. Not only do they keep your children safe as they ensure you can always seem them, even if they’re in the garden at night, it stops intruders having anywhere to hide. Go to Strictly LED’s for more information; they have a huge stock of LED flood lights to choose from.

An alarm system

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The funny thing about an alarm system is that, if you’re lucky, you’ll never really need it. But nothing is better for giving you and your family the peace of mind that you need than the knowledge that no one is able to get into your home without you knowing. The worst thing about a break-in is often the knowledge that someone else was in your home and you didn’t know it; an alarm system helps you avoid that feeling and will make it far easier to get a good night’s sleep.

Insurance

If something awful does happen, it’s important to make sure that you’re protected. Not only do you need home insurance but it’s a good idea to take out contents insurance as well. Make sure that you’re covered no matter what happens to your home. The last thing you want is for something to happen and then to find out that you’re not covered.

Be prepared

The most important thing to keep safe in your home is, of course, your family. The best way that you can ensure that they are safe is to have clear plans in the event of any problems. Make sure that you all know exactly what to do in the event of a fire or flood. That way you won’t have to worry about everyone panicking and making the situation even worse than it needs to be. This doesn’t mean you should make your family constantly afraid but it’s always better to be prepared than to be caught unawares.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.comÂ is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If youâ€™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, SEX & LIFE

What Are The Best Short-Term Borrowing Options?

January 23, 2017 TipsfromTia

What Are The Best Short-Term Borrowing Options?

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We all know what itâ€™s like to be stuck in a tough situation financially. Even if you are someone who is extremely careful with their finances, it can be relatively easy for the wrong thing to happen, and before you know it you are in real trouble. Financial concerns like this are enough to worry anyone, but it is good to know that there are at least ways out which you can take advantage of. If you are in a tough financial position, then you will want to have a variety of possible options to choose from, so as to get out of that place as quickly as possible. The good news there is that there are many decent short-term borrowing options which can help you out. In this article, we are going to discuss which are the best, so that you can make a more informed decision if you are ever in such an unfortunate situation yourself.

Overdrafts

When it comes to short-term borrowing, the overdraft has always been one of the best options. There are a number of advantages to the overdraft. To begin with, it offers a low interest rate most of the time, meaning that you wonâ€™t be paying back any more than necessary. It is also true that overdrafts tend to be relatively straightforward to secure – and that can be a real blessing for someone who is in deep financial trouble. Whatâ€™s more, when you apply for bank overdraft, it is likely to affect your credit rating much less than many of the other borrowing options that are out there. You also have the ability to pay back an overdraft over a much longer time, without necessarily paying too much.

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Credit Card

If you do not have a credit card, then getting one while you are in financial trouble is not the best idea. However, if you already have one, it can be a useful short-term solution to a sticky situation. So long as you only use it to borrow an amount you can definitely repay, and in good time, it can be one of the easiest and best solutions of all. Just be careful that you donâ€™t get carried away with it, as this could quickly land you in even deeper trouble than you were already in.

Interest-Free Loans

Next we come to one of the best possible short-term borrowing options. There are actually many interest-free short-term loans out there, which are well worth considering if you are having difficulty getting through the month financially. While you want to avoid payday loans as much as possible, these loans are much more financially viable, and could end up saving your skin if you go about it in the right way. There are many ways that you can go about getting an interest-free loan, so this is well worth considering if you are struggling. If you do go down this route, remember to be careful and take it slowly, otherwise you might end up borrowing too much, or at a higher than zero rate.

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ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME, SEX & LIFE

The Case For Buying: Why You Need To Stop Renting

January 20, 2017 TipsfromTia

The Case For Buying: Why You Need To Stop Renting

Buying versus renting. It’s the age old debate that’s afflicted generations since the housing market became what it is today, but there’s no group of people it affects more than generation Y. Those of us who are what is known as ‘millennials’ are finding it harder and harder to keep track of our finances and thus get onto the property ladder. More people than ever are renting well into their thirties, with the average age of a first-time buyer now up to 33 years old. This is mainly to do with the amount of money needed for a deposit, and the fluctuating job market means that many people have to move cities frequently to chase the jobs they want. In this respect, renting can be great as it is so flexible – great for a wandering soul, or perhaps for people who don’t quite want to commit to a specific location for too long. But with so much emphasis being put on getting onto the housing ladder, why exactly should you? Here are some reasons why it can benefit you.

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You end up with a valuable asset

Property is an asset. In fact, it’s probably the most expensive asset you will ever have. The initial investment you make in your property will probably be quite a lot, but the benefit is that you then have the opportunity to make it back or to expand on it. If you see your house as a ‘fixer-upper’, you could buy cheap and sell for profit, leaving you with a nice sum or money to either spend or reinvest. Or maybe you will end up wanting to capitalize on your home’s equity, either for a renovation project or again, another kind of investment..

It works out cheaper

The initial deposit aside, owning a house rather than renting one generally tends to work out cheaper than renting. For example, you may be wondering whether affording a house payment is something you will feasibly be able to do. In reality, your monthly mortgage repayments will probably be around the same kind of price as your current rent anyway. Plus, landlords can be notoriously difficult to work with. The person you are renting your property from may try and avoid paying you back your deposit by charging you for minor repairs and/or wear and tear. The money you pay towards paying off your mortgage ultimately helps you end up with a house of your own at the end of it, whereas renting is often regarded as simply ‘throwing money down the drain’.

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You can make it your own

Another significant benefit to buying your own property is that it gives you the opportunity to decorate it how you wish. There is a limited amount of decorating you can do with a rental property – some landlords won’t even let you put pictures on the walls, in fact. But with a house of your very own, you can paint, hammer and drill to your heart’s content, until you have your dream home.

BEAUTY, SEX & LIFE

Baby On The Way? Time To Up Your Health Game!

January 20, 2017 TipsfromTia

Baby On The Way? Time To Up Your Health Game!

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Youâ€™re pregnant? Congratulations and welcome to a whole new way of life! Thereâ€™s no denying that being pregnant is an amazing feeling. Whatâ€™s better than the knowledge that youâ€™re carrying life? Thereâ€™s also a lot to get your head around. Youâ€™re no longer just responsible for you. Keeping your baby safe is now your priority. But, how do you go about it? Thereâ€™s plenty of information out there about how to stay healthy during your pregnancy. Here are some of the basic tips!

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STOP SMOKING AND DRINKING

The moment you found out about your pregnancy, you should have stopped putting harmful things into your body. That includes alcohol and cigarettes. Everything you put into your body for the next nine months will go straight to your baby. If you continue with harmful behaviours, you put your baby at risk of all types of birth injuries. If youâ€™re struggling to give up, thereâ€™s a lot of help out there. Donâ€™t be afraid to admit youâ€™re finding it hard! Take this opportunity to kick those habits for the long run. Youâ€™re going to need to quit smoking for good. Even once your baby is born, you put them at risk if you start up again! Not to mention the risk you put yourself at if you continue. Stay fit and healthy by cutting out the bad stuff!

GET TO GRIPS WITH VITAMINS

At most times in life, you shouldnâ€™t need to take vitamins. When youâ€™re pregnant, that changes. Learn what vitamins you should take to ensure you and your babyâ€™s health. Growing a life is going to be a huge drain on your vitamin supply and could leave you feeling under the weather. Not to mention that you need to ensure your baby is getting everything they require. There are many pregnancy specific vitamins out there. Do your research to find out which you should take.

TAKE IT EASY

Overdoing things while youâ€™re pregnant puts you and baby at risk. You may want to keep going until youâ€™re unable, but itâ€™s not a good idea. People wonâ€™t think any less of you for taking it easy. Get someone else to do the heavy lifting. Theyâ€™ll be more annoyed to find out youâ€™ve done it on your own! Donâ€™t be afraid, too, to sit down when you feel the need. Itâ€™s important that both Mum and baby stay healthy! This is the one chance in your life where youâ€™re free to be lazy. Make the most of it.

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LOOK AFTER YOUR EMOTIONAL HEALTH

Being pregnant is an emotional time. Though itâ€™s a joyous occasion, thereâ€™s also a lot of fear involved. Not to mention the fact that your hormones will be going mad. You may be experiencing emotions that you donâ€™t understand. Take time to look after yourself. Get to grips with deep breathing, and try a little meditation. Remember, too, to treat yourself when you feel the need. Take an evening to yourself if you need to. Itâ€™ll make all the difference.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME, SEX & LIFE

3 Tips to Keep Comfortable in 2017

January 20, 2017 TipsfromTia

3 Tips to Keep Comfortable in 2017

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Comfort. It is something that we all desire. Thankfully nowadays we live in relative bliss compared to what our ancestors were in the last century, but are you missing out on something which could be massively contributing towards the life of luxury that you crave?

Keep warm

If you havenâ€™t replaced your radiators in a while, or havenâ€™t even considered that they might need replacing for efficiency, take a look at the current deals around. If you are constantly having to turn the heating up and leaving it on for a long time, it could be that your radiator isnâ€™t the right size for your room, or isnâ€™t pumping around as much hot water as it potentially could due to old age. It also pays to keep your furnace well serviced throughout the year so that you know it is providing the best possible heat management throughout your home. With heating service and installation becoming something that wonâ€™t even take up an afternoon, itâ€™s definitely worth doing to provide comfort in the long run.

Keep cool

The great thing about seasons is that they provide us with different types of weather. If youâ€™re lucky enough to live in a Southern state, they donâ€™t affect you as much – but it is imperative that you have something to keep you cool. Comfort in warm weather is a necessity, and you shouldnâ€™t skimp on getting an air conditioning unit or fan which provides you with the blast of cool air that you need. Not only will it keep you comfortable in the day, but a cooler room at night is better for your health and wellbeing.

Keep snug

There are some days when you just cannot leave your bed. Just you can not do it. Eventually we all have to, but itâ€™s more a case of not wanting to move as itâ€™s just so cozy. The recommended age for mattress replacement is just eight years – think about the last time you purchased a new mattress for yourself. A lot of us canâ€™t. There are so many benefits to getting a new mattress, from better sleep patterns to helping improve your posture. Add to the comfort of it all by investing in a new duvet and pillow set, and adding some more cushions and throws for good measure. The added bonus of this is that theyâ€™ll look good as a decorative effect too – of course, you can say that this was the intention all along rather than extra coziness for naptime!

Whatever you choose to do in order to stay comfortable this year, make sure that it is an investment that lasts. This means that money spent on things which provide temporary comfort are completely moot; thereâ€™s no point in buying a cheap hand-held fan if you know that itâ€™s going to break within a week. When you think about it logically, the big expense now may just prove to be frugal in the long-run (much better for your pocket, and better for the environment, too!)

Everyday Tips from Tia