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 ...
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 ...
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 year ...
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 ...