Collaborative post Boilers: we tend to take them for granted, don’t we? I know I only really think about ours when it stops working, or when the energy bills arrive! But if you’ve ever suffered through a boiler replacement in the colder months of the year - which is when they tend to break - you’ll know just how vital a boiler is to the comfort and function of your home. The reason boilers tend to break down in winter is because ...
Tool Hire: why renting the right tool for the job makes sense
Collaborative post Are you working on a renovation project or creating your dream home? Having the right tools for the job can make all the difference; if you've ever tried to make do with a tool that isn't quite fit for purpose, you'll probably know only too well just how quickly it can take the joy out of your project. Having said that, buying all the equipment you need can often be very expensive. This is where tool rental could be ...
The Non-Parent’s Guide to Birthday Gifts for Kids
Collaborative post If you’re a parent and your child’s birthday is coming up, the chances are you’re already quite organised and clued-up when it comes to presents. Whether they’ve left you one too many hints to ignore, or you’ve seen something you’d know they’d love, you’ve probably got it sorted. But what about all the uncles, aunties, friends-of-friends, godparents, and network of wider family members? Obviously you can ask the ...
Do you know how much your home energy is costing?
Something a bit different on the blog today, but still very relevant to family life. This guest post takes a look at energy costs in the home, and has lots of tips and ideas for how to stay in control of your energy bills. According to Ofgem, the amount you spend on energy could account for as much as 8% of your outgoings, and that’s a lot of your money to part with if you don’t fully understand what you’re spending it on. Understanding ...
The best DIY Hacks to Sell Your House Fast
Looking to move house in a hurry? This guest post has some great ideas to help you sell your house fast. If you need to suddenly sell your home quickly (for example, due to a new job, or to get into a school catchment area), one of your main worries will probably be ‘is my house sale ready’? Beautifully decorated houses with new fittings and features are more likely to be snapped up quickly. But if you’re short on time, there are services ...
How to prep your heating system for winter
Is your home's heating system ready for winter? We’ve only just waved goodbye to summer, and temperatures are still mild enough to avoid flicking the heating on, but now is the ideal time to check your heating system and make sure it’s ready for the colder months. The colder seasons of the year place the greatest strain on your heating system, which is why most boiler breakdowns happen during winter. Our old combi boiler packed up during a ...
Five ways to make moving house easier
Moving house. When it comes to stressful life events, it’s pretty close to the top of the list. Given that it usually involves lots of admin, dealing with various experts, uncertainty around prices, competition for property, and completely uprooting your life and all your possessions, it’s no wonder we find it tough! Add kids into the mix, and the whole process becomes even more challenging. As well as dealing with all the logistical ...
Ways to Ensure Your Home Sells Fast
Looking to move house? This guest post has lots of house selling tips for making the process as speedy as possible. There are some circumstances in life that mandate a move, whether you want to or not. For example, imagine you just received news that you’re in line for the promotion for which you have worked so hard. There’s only one caveat: the job opening is in another location. You have to move, and you have to move now. Can you sell your ...
How to use the help to buy scheme
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 ...