Launched in 2013, the help to buy scheme was created in order to help first-time buyers finally get onto the property ladder. The scheme was aimed at first-time buyers only and offered them bonuses when saving up for their first deposit.Over the last 4 years, the scheme has managed to help more young adults than ever to get their foot on the property ladder.With the cost of the average deposit being around £10,000, young people were ...
Kitting your kids out for spring adventures
Now that spring is finally here, a lot of you are probably getting busy kitting your family out for the warmer weather. We're in the process of going through the kids' wardrobes, checking what still fits and making a shopping list for spring and summer. All this organising means it's a good time to take a look at the type of clothing retailers like Fashion World have available for children. Here are some suggestions for what to go for when ...
Is vinyl flooring a good choice for family homes?
A new year often gets us planning lots of new projects for our homes: what’s on your list for 2018? We’re planning a big kitchen renovation and a new look for our lounge, and both of those projects will involve a flooring re-think. With two kids and a pet cat, the flooring we choose will most definitely need to cope with busy family life; think muddy paws and wellies, heavy traffic and indoor football, and you get the picture! Having looked ...
Tips on choosing a smartphone for kids
Does your child own their own smartphone? The age at which we introduce our kids to this particular gadget is, of course, a personal decision, but there's no denying that smartphones are one of the most coveted possessions amongst older children and teenagers. From a parent's perspective, a smartphone for kids offers the reassurance of being able to get in touch with your child when you're not with them, and as such can help support them as ...
Festive reading: A Christmas Tale from Joules
One of my favourite things about the lead-up to Christmas is sharing festive books with my children. We've built up a little collection over the years, and it's always lovely to rediscover our old favourites each year. The build-up to Christmas is inevitably hectic and exciting for kids, and I always find that sharing a lovely Christmassy story is a brilliant way to help them (and me!) unwind and spend some cosy quiet time together.This ...
Tips for choosing a real Christmas tree
Are you opting for a real Christmas tree this year? It’s hard to beat the impact of a real tree laden with all your treasured family decorations - even if those decorations are all in one small area thanks to the kids’ creative efforts!A real Christmas tree isn’t a cheap option, so naturally we all want to choose a really good one - but it can be quite bewildering knowing what to look out for and what to avoid when you make your choice. ...
How to increase your home’s kerb appeal
As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression - and that’s just as true of homes as it is of people! We form an opinion of a property within the first few seconds of seeing it, so the impression your home makes from the kerb plays a crucial role in that process for visitors and potential buyers. So how do we get that all-important first impression right? There are lots of things you can do to enhance your home’s kerb ...
Buying kids’ outdoor clothing: what to look for
Are you looking to buy some new outdoor clothing for the kids this season? I thought my two were all kitted out, but a recent check on their outdoor gear made me realise just how much they’ve grown this year! So we’ve got a shopping list to tackle before the weather really turns cold, and this got me thinking about the features that I expect when I’m buying outdoor clothing. It’s no secret that the right kit can make or break your enjoyment ...
The best flooring for a family home
When you decide to replace the flooring in your home, one of the biggest decisions is choosing the right option for the room in question. With so many flooring types available, getting it right first time can feel a little daunting. In this guest post the experts at Flooring Republic have done the hard work for us; read on to discover their recommendations for each room in a typical family home.Kitchen & Bathroom Possibly the most ...
Budgeting: top tips for getting it right
If you're looking to improve your money management skills, this guest post has lots of top tips on how to get budgeting just right.What is budgeting? Well, it's basically making sure that you are spending less than you’re bringing home, and it lays the foundations for every financial plan. Budgeting isn’t all about restricting what you spend money on and cutting all the fun out of your life. It's really just about understanding how much money ...