Collaborative post Whether you own or rent your home, a toolbox is an essential piece of kit - even if you're not a huge DIY fan. Having a basic DIY tool kit will allow you to tackle small-scale repairs and home projects effectively and safely. The right tools can also make the job much easier and quicker. This article has a detailed list of essential items for a home toolbox. But if you're just getting started with your toolkit, ...
Tips for replacing your garage door
Let's be honest: replacing your garage door isn't the most exciting of home projects. However, no part of your home is going to function indefinitely, so it's probably a job that you'll have to tackle at some point. With this is mind, it makes sense to be prepared! Some garage doors are quite small and relatively easy to replace, while others will definitely require some help. You could probably manage something simple like garage door ...
How to make Christmas less stressful: easy ways to save time
Collaborative post Getting ready for Christmas. If those words fill you with a sense of panic, you’re not alone! Whether you’re super-organised and have it all planned and prepped already, or always end up doing everything last-minute, there’s no denying that preparing for Christmas takes a lot of time and effort. Add in the usual demands of a busy family home, and it’s no wonder we can quickly feel frazzled! Easy ways to make ...
Family finances: six ways to create good habits
Collaborative post When it comes to your family finances, do you feel in control, or is there room for improvement? Developing good money habits is the foundation for achieving your financial goals. Whether you’re aiming to reduce debt, move home, support your children or secure your retirement, you need to be able to manage your money effectively. Here are six ways you can take control of your family finances, improve your money ...
Basic family car checks you need to do regularly
Collaborative post If you've got a family car, the chances are you're pretty reliant on it. We try to walk whenever we can, but our family car is vital for ferrying the kids around, picking up the weekly supermarket shop, visiting relatives, and even going on holiday. And that means we need it to be reliable, and safe. Why it's important to service your family car In order to perform well, keep us safe, and be as fuel efficient as ...
Why a food processor is a great addition to your kitchen kit
Collaborative post Even if you believe that your skills in the kitchen are less than amazing, the right appliance can make the world of difference to your cooking. In a busy family home, they can also save you lots of time. But with the market flooded with options, it can be hard to work out which is the right appliance for you. If you're looking to add a good all-rounder to your kitchen kit, a food processor is a great option. How ...
How to choose wood flooring for a family home
Collaborative post If you live with children or pets, you're probably well aware that your home needs to be able to endure a certain amount of wear and tear. And when it comes to areas that suffer the most from the impact of busy family life, floors are usually top of the list. The right choice of material can make all the difference to the durability of your home flooring, and also how easy it is to take care of. In busy areas of ...
Practical alternatives to wood flooring
Collaborative post There’s no denying the appeal of real wood flooring; solid oak boards have a timeless, authentic charm. They’re ideal for traditional interiors, and they can also work surprisingly well as part of a more contemporary interior design. But hardwood floors don’t look after themselves. Not only do you have to make sure you’re cleaning your floor with a suitable cleaning agent (since using the wrong chemicals can rob the ...
Retirement planning: a quick guide to reverse mortgages
Collaborative post Have you given much thought to the level of income you'll have once you retire? The answer to this question will probably depend on your age, but the fact remains that there is a tendency to experience a drop in income once you stop working. This situation understandably causes worry, but avoiding the issue definitely doesn't make it go away! A much better approach is to start planning your post-retirement finances. ...
Easy ways to make your house feel like a home
Collaborative post With most of us spending more time at home right now, it’s no wonder our living spaces are under pressure. They’re multi-tasking hard to provide a practical place to live and work, as well as a relaxing sanctuary that helps to boost our mood. Feeling at ease in our homes can have a huge impact on our mental health and sense of wellbeing. I definitely feel the stress levels rising when our house is messy, for ...