Tag Archives: money

Jan8

3 Types Of Insurance That You Need To Have

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3 Types Of Insurance That You Need To Have

There are a lot of different types of insurance, but it isn’t always clear why you need them. Insurance can feel like you are paying a lot of money each month or year for something that ‘might’ happen. You might feel like insurance isn’t worth getting, but you would be wrong. Here are three types of insurance that you simply need to have:

Car Insurance:

It is illegal to drive and operate a car without insurance. That is a simple truth. You need to get car insurance, but how much coverage you get is up to you. You might feel that you only need the minimum and that you will never get into a car accident. But what if you do? What if you are in an accident and then have to make a huge payout either to fix the car or to somebody else? What if your car breaks down by the side of the road and you have to pay extra or can’t get a road site pick up? What if you lose the only key to your car and can’t get into it? The same rules apply to various other vehicles too, like vans and motorbikes. Don’t just consider van insurance, get van insurance! You need to be protected when driving, whether it’s from other drivers or from your vehicle.

There are so many things that can go wrong when driving and owning a car and the above are only a few possibilities. You want to ensure that you are covered for a myriad of problems. They might just be something that could potentially happen, but you will be kicking yourself in the behind if it does happen and you aren’t covered. Instead, you want to make sure that you have roadside assistance, key coverage, breakdown coverage, and decent all around insurance. It also might be wise to find a car accident attorney near you should you need one because you just never know. All of this will help to make sure that you can drive safe in the knowledge that you are properly insured and ready for emergencies that may arise.

Medical Insurance:

Medical insurance is something that you might not need to use for years, but then you are suddenly ill, and it becomes the most important thing in the world. If you have a health & medical insurance plan, then you are ensuring that you will be taken care of should you become ill. This might be something as simple as needing to have your appendix removed or something as serious as having cancer. You need to make sure that you have decent medical insurance. It might be costly, but you need it.

If you become ill and need to go to a hospital without medical insurance, then your standard of care will be far lower, and you might not be able to get treatment for certain things without paying incredible sums of money that you cannot afford. The amount that you get back if you need to claim your medical insurance dwarfs the amount that you would be paying each month or year. To learn more about health insurance plans that would be a good fit for you, simply enter a search for “Health Insurance Florida” (or your local area) to get started. Be sure to research multiple different plans and ask any questions that you have – your good health depends on it.

Home & Contents Insurance:

Home and contents insurance cover your house in case you are burgled or if something else happens to your home such as a flood, burst pipe, or anything that will damage your property or your items within. If you own a lot of expensive goods such as electrical items, then you should get the insurance to cover them and make sure that if they get stolen or break, then you aren’t left having to pay out of pocket for new ones. Home and content insurance is just another cost of living that you need to factor in, because if you don’t have it and something happens, then you might be left with nothing.

Paying for insurance is an admitted hassle, but can you imagine the trouble you would be in if you went without it?

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep28

Can I Trust My College With My Student Loans?

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Can I Trust My College With My Student Loans?

Congrats! You’re going to college. All of those years of studying hard and living at home have finally paid off. Within a couple of months, the bags and boxes will be full and you’ll be ready to meet your roommate. What a time to be alive (lol). Well, it is as long as you make it that far. If there is one thing that we know about higher education, it’s the price. According to The Economist, the average student loan debt is $37,172. It doesn’t matter how many weekend jobs you have because you ain’t going to save that money.

So, this is where the government comes in handy and finally pulls its weight and lends you the money. And, you gladly hand it over to the college of your choice without a second thought. Wait a minute, though. What if that was a mistake? These are the signs that you can trust a college with your student loan, because things can go south very quickly:

Retail Price:

Career coaches won’t tell you to do this, but what’s the point of being a teenager if you aren’t going to rebel (YOLO.)? Think of a college like property. Before you make an offer, the savvy thing to do is check the prices throughout the neighborhood. That way, no one gets conned over the price. Universities are the same because they will try and charge extra for a course which is no different to its competitors. They might have an “excuse”, but it has to be a good one. As a rule, the majority of the courses throughout the major colleges are the same, barring a feature or two. An establishment that is trying to milk you for as much as possible isn’t a trustworthy one.

The Paper Trail:

The foundations of a con doesn’t change from the bottom to the very top. Whether you’re dealing with a petty criminal or a rogue college, they all require trust. Not to be cynical, but keep your cards close to your chest. Again, not something a counselor would advocate, yet an important piece of advice, nonetheless. Fake unis and colleges attempting to improve their bottom line act like butter wouldn’t melt. So, the idea of education fraud doesn’t even appear on a potential student’s radar, not unless it’s on Call of Duty. However, it’s a problem which is impacting the school systems around the world. The good news, is that a receipt of payment is a simple fix. I know you wanted something a bit more James Bondish, but there are no fancy gadgets here. Nope, it’s just a piece of paper with the time, date, and a total amount.

Their Reputation:

Universities aren’t exempt from the rumor mill. Whether it’s Oxford and Harvard or a community college, campus gossip is something that you shouldn’t always take with a grain of salt. There will always be rumors and experiences from previous students. If you hear anything that sounds sketchy in the murky underworld that is higher education, don’t be afraid to investigate. A little piece of gossip can be the difference between tens of thousands of good debt, and a fraud case.

Keep in mind that all colleges aren’t the beacon of morality of which they claim. Some are dishonest and unreliable, plain and simple. Do your research, because your student loans are going to impact you until you finally pay them off.

Featured Image By: Flickr via CafeCredit

Sep1

DIY Lies That You Should Never Listen To

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DIY Lies That You Should Never Listen To

DIY work is something that everyone has tried at some point in their lives. Perhaps you have tried to put together a fence in the garden or maybe attempted to repair something in the kitchen. Some are successful…. some aren’t. DIY success depends on a number of different factors, but there is one major source of information that everyone attempts to follow when they’re presented with a broken appliance or issue: the internet.

The internet is full of useful facts, information, and tutorials that can teach us everything from how to dance to how we can use cardboard boxes as furniture. It goes without saying that the internet is a valuable learning resource, but there’s one problem that far too many people overlook; is the information even credible?

With so many articles and blogs on the internet, it can sometimes be hard trying to discern if something is true or false. In this article, we’ll be going through some of the most common lies that people tell you about DIY and why they’re false. This is to prevent you from making bad decisions when it comes to home repairs and also to alert you about the dangers of false information on the internet.

DIY Is Cheaper Than Calling A Contractor:

Perhaps the biggest flaw in this way of thinking is that DIY is the cheaper option. This assumes that you already have all of the tools and materials to do whatever repair or renovation that you want. And we all know that this can be expensive! Let’s assume that you want to repair a leaking pipe in your bathroom. Not only do you need to purchase the right tools for the job, but you also need to purchase the materials, such as piping, and it needs to be cut to size and shaped appropriately. Add in the additional cost of delivery and you’re going to be paying more than it would cost to hire someone to repair it for you. If you look at plumbing services, such as www.alltex-plumbing.com, you’ll find that it’s actually fairly cheap to hire a contractor. Compare this to the cost of learning something, purchasing the tools, and getting the materials and you’ll see how much cheaper it actually is.

DIY Is Easy to Learn:

DIY is never easy to learn. Among all of the articles that you might read and tutorial videos that you can watch, there’s going to be some information missing. Most of those people usually aren’t qualified teachers, which means that they aren’t exactly the best at explaining things. In addition, experience is what makes a good contractor and unless you have a large supply of broken appliances to fix, it’s difficult to get enough practice in. Small DIY projects can be fun and fulfilling, but larger repair projects should be left to the pros.

In short, DIY is not easy to learn and it’s not cheap, either. If you’re absolutely certain about learning DIY, then you can check websites, such as https://www.familyhandyman.com/skills, to get more information. Just be warned; you need to dedicate yourself to DIY if you really want to get something out of it. And all of the Pinterest projects will be waiting for you when you’re ready!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug18

Understanding Reverse Mortgages

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Understanding Reverse Mortgages

A reverse mortgage is a way to increase the money that you have during your retirement by accessing part of your home’s value in the form of actual money. You can borrow up to a certain percentage of the value of your home, and you won’t have to pay it back in the same way that you would a regular home loan. The only monthly installments involved will be the ones that the lender pays to you, unless you request to borrow a large amount at once. You can pay back a reverse loan whenever you want, as long as you don’t move away.

As soon as you leave, the lender can exercise their right to call in the loan, and they can also sell the home to get their money. But, as long as you plan to stay in your house for a while, a reverse mortgage can provide a much needed financial boost in times of trouble.

Who qualifies for a reverse mortgage? There are certain requirements in order to qualify for a reverse mortgage. An individual must own their home outright. If there is still a mortgage balance owed, it must be low enough that it can be paid off at closing. The homeowner is still required to pay property taxes and insurance, so they must have the finances to do so. The individual must be at least 62 years old or, if there are multiple owners, the youngest must be at least 62 years old.

When does a reverse mortgage become due? The reverse mortgage becomes due when the homeowner sells the house, moves out of the property, or becomes deceased. If there are multiple owners, the mortgage does not become due as long as at least one of them still remains in the home as a primary residence. Once the reverse mortgage is due, the balance of the loan must be paid back within six months. If you are nearing retirement, for instance, then you may want to think about how else you can pay your mortgage. You will want to find out the latest RIO mortgage rates from the Halifax Building Society, or a similar company, as you decide if this option is feasible or not for you and your family. You never want this to overextend your budget.

What happens with the estate? In the event that the homeowner or owners are deceased, beneficiaries of the estate can choose to place the property for sale. If the estate sells for more than the amount of the reverse mortgage, the proceeds become the property of the beneficiaries. Should the house sell for less than the total amount of the reverse mortgage, the lender must take the loss. The debt cannot be passed along to the heirs of the estate.

The estate beneficiaries may, instead, choose to pay back the reverse mortgage in order to retain ownership of the property. In this event, they must pay back any balance remaining on the mortgage. This can be done either by using financial assets or by refinancing the mortgage.

What if I change my mind? If a senior citizen obtains a reverse mortgage and then reconsiders, they have the option of paying back the loan early. Prior to September of 2012, lenders could charge a penalty for repaying the loan prior to term. Since then, penalties for prepayments are illegal. However, lenders may charge other administrative fees for processing the early discharge of the loan.

Reverse mortgage counseling: Deciding if a reverse mortgage is right for you depends on many factors, and consumers need to understand all of the pros and cons. An impartial reverse mortgage counselor can fully explain exactly what the loan entails. They will also be able to inform you of other mortgage solutions that you can consider. This is a big decision and you must know all of the facts before making your choice. This counseling is mandatory in order to protect consumers. Counseling may be done face-to-face or over the phone. After providing counseling, the counselor must sign an HECM Counseling Certificate and mail a copy to the homeowner. The copy is presented to the lender along with the reverse mortgage application.

Let’s be honest, any type of financing when it comes to your home can be confusing. It is always best to handle your affairs with the utmost care and to consider how each of your options, like a reverse mortgage, fits into your current lifestyle.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Jun5

Money Management For Summer Fun

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Money Management For Summer Fun

The summer season is unquestionably the greatest time of the year. It offers the opportunity for non-stop fun through a wide array of activities. Sadly, though, those ventures can hit your wallet hard. So, needless to say, finding the right balance between amazing summer adventures and not breaking the bank is essential.

Summer is the perfect time to start generating savings at home because with vacas and day trips, you won’t be there as often. However, you will still be there sometimes, which is why you need to have some entertainment features on hand. You could probably cut down your TV package without noticing the difference, I’m sure there’s countless channels that go unused! Try downloading the Cinemabox movie app for access to the latest films and shows. Not only does it save money, but it also gives you the option to watch from the back yard hammock or on the move.

Speaking of the back yard, that could be one of your greatest assets throughout this part of the year, too. Nothing beats relaxing on the patio with rattan furniture. Whether it’s a relaxed evening with a book or spending family time together in the evening doesn’t matter. Those joys are better than anything offered during the colder months. Best of all, enjoying the garden is virtually free. Your lush back yard could even become your new place for social activities. Invite friends over for a summer BBQ or garden party, and it’ll be far cheaper than heading out to the local bar. And, let’s be honest, this option sounds like a lot more fun!

There are many other ways to save money at home during the summer. This is the ideal opportunity to complete various home upgrade tasks for long-term rewards. Increasing the home insulation will work wonders that will truly pay dividends in the winter. Meanwhile, looking for cheaper energy quotes can help decrease the bills even further. Growing food and generally living a greener life should bring ample rewards, too. Of course, it might be a bit late in the year to start with certain fruits and veggies. But that’s okay! Do your research and learn what types of produce grow best for this time of year and in your area and you’ll be well on your way to delicious summer salads in no time!

You will still inevitably go out on various occasions – it is summer, after all. The key is to make smarter choices. Leave the expensive internal activities for the autumn through spring. The summer months should be filled with hikes, sports, and exploration. I’m sure we’ll all be longing for those opportunities once the weather gets worse.

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Pretty!

Vacations are another crucial part of the summer. Most families have their big trip of the year during this time. Be sure to follow these ideas for a non-budget breaking holiday so that you can score the best deals during your big vaca. Money shouldn’t dictate every decision that you make in life. But maintaining a greater sense of control over your finances will enhance the summer and the rest of your year. If you can generate those savings without sacrificing your enjoyment, then you’re in for a fabulous summer, for sure!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jun3

Summer Travels On A Budget

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Summer Travels On A Budget

Hello everyone and welcome to my darling friend, Amy’s, post for my Salute To Summer guest bloggers series. Amy is the author of the blog, An Ambivert Lifestyle, and it is AMAZING so definitely take a look and give it all the love. As you guys know, my life motto is “ballin on a budget” so, naturally, Amy’s post about embracing a travel lifestyle while being smart with your cash speaks to me on a spiritual level. Take a look at Amy’s how to guide on how to make the most of your moolah on your summer vaca:

Summer Travels On A Budget

Traveling isn’t an easy task. Planning and preparing for the trip is one of the most stressful things that you can do to yourself. From working more hours and skipping nights out to save up to unexpected costs before your trip also contributes to this stress. Personally, as a full-time student and a full-time employee, it is extremely hard, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve to traveling on a budget and finding great deals. Being a college student and a frugal spender, I like to explore deals on flights on the internet, books, personal experience, and word of mouth.

Finding Deals on Flights

  • Student Universe – This company provides less expensive flights for students. They work with 80+ airlines to get cheaper flights listed than anywhere else. This site is truly magical. Not only do they provide deals on flights, but they also offer deals on tours, hotels, and group travel. For members, they provide even more deals for special rates.
  • Private Browsing – This is super important! Whenever you are searching for flights, go on “Private Browsing” on whatever internet browser you use. Airline companies pay big money to know what consumers are searching, so if you visited a certain flight over and over again, they increase prices so you can buy faster.
  • Skyscanner – This helps you scan flights of your choosing through all the different airline companies. You can also see prices on different dates, as well, for convenience.
  • Booking flights on Wednesdays! – This is such an easy trick. Almost all of the time, flights will be consistently lower than the rest of the weekdays since they consider this day to have the most amount of seats available, so prices are lowered to fill the planes.
  • Check social medias and your email! – Usually, airline companies will email deals and promo codes for flights for a period of time. These have saved my bacon many times.
  • Get a refund! – No, really! If you purchased a ticket and the fare has dropped since you bought it, call/email them to ask for a refund for the difference. It may not always work, but the fact that it has worked with certain airline companies is amazing! Websites such as Yapta and Orbitz track your purchased flights and let you know. Easy.
  • Champ through several stop flights – It isn’t easy and most of the time it isn’t fun. The majority of the time these stops are red eyes. It sucks, but being able to spend a couple hundred dollars to be able to buy that souvenir for you girlfriend’s cousin’s mom is worth it. Just make sure you pack a couple of books to beat boredom or play online games while you wait. If you are a fan of casino style games, look into some blackout bingo reviews because it’s a fun game to pass the time with.
  • Airfare Errors – This is your best friend. Websites such as AirFare Watchdog and Secret Flying can be used to allow you to beat the system and stalk for mistake fares.

While Traveling Do’s

  • Research ahead of time – If you travel to a foreign land, it’s best that you research where you want to go first instead of winging it. I have spent so much more money than expected when I have winged it.
  • Look up places that do not charge admission – You’d be surprised at how many museums do not charge admission fees throughout the world. I always do this when I go on vacations because it gives you something to do that’s fun, while keeping money in your pocket.
  • Foreign Exchange at your bank – Some people don’t know this but some banks will actually let you exchange currencies right there. Sometimes the rates are cheaper than when you’re traveling and it’s convenient to have the currency of the destination before you even get off of the plane.
  • Carry cash & don’t use your card – Having a fixed amount of cash on you helps BIG time with budgeting on a day-by-day vacation. It helps you not over spend and prevents binging on those miniature Eiffel Towers or flower shaped gelato. Plus, if you use your card, chances are that your bank will charge you an international fee.

Places to Stay Without Breaking the Bank

  • Air BnB – This is already a given, but I love them so much that I had to put them on this list.
  • Hostel World – Hostels are the cheapest way to travel. You get to meet different people traveling that will probably become your international long term friend. Hostel World allows you to look up every single hostel in the area that you’re traveling to. You get to compare between different hostels, prices for a private room and dorms, and amenities. They have a Best Price Guarantee as well, so they will provide the cheapest rates for every hostel.
  • Home To Go – Not too many people know about this page. It’s a very user friendly site where you get to look up Bed and Breakfast type places. They provide last minute deals and discounts up to 75% off for their members for certain places.
  • Tripping – This is a sight that lets you look up vacation rentals, hostels, rooms for rent per night, hotels, etc. Similar to Air Bnb.

Extras

  • Lonely Planet – Unique site that provides travel books and videos about different countries and their activities such as beaches, food and drink, art and culture, and adventure travel. They also provide services such as travel insurance, adventure tours, car rentals, flights, hotels, sightseeing tours, and airport transfers and shuttles. Another perk of this website is that they provide tips, as well.
  • Like A Local – This company is so great! This site allows you to be able to contact locals in the area that you’re traveling to be able to get suggestions, tips, and even ask to meet up. They provide suggestions for tours, food, nightlife, shopping, and sightseeing all at your fingertips. On top of that, you can also pay a local to be your tour guide for CHEAP. I’m going to be traveling to Munich at the end of May and a local posted that they charge 2 euros an hour to be your guide. I’m SHOOK. But it gets better, you are also able to download their phone app and purchase an offline, no internet, and no roaming charges map for $1.99 per city that can also use your GPS to locate where you are. If you’d like to be a guide as well in your home town, you can also sign up with them and be paid!

The most important part of traveling, of course, is that you have fun and enjoy! Only be on your phone to take pictures and make a new friend and take in every opportunity that you can to soak in and appreciate your new surroundings.

Wow! Thank you so much to Amy for such fantastic, invaluable tools to use while traveling on a budget. For more on Amy’s upcoming travels, be sure to check out her blog! How do you ball on a budget? Where are you traveling to this summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May22

How To Stay In Control Of Your Cash

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How To Stay In Control Of Your Cash

When you’re just starting out in the world of work and education, you’ve got a big shot at life. No matter your circumstances, your relationship with money will define your future, your level of stability and security, and, of course – the rest of your life. We’re sorry to say, but money really does make the world go round, and you could lock yourself out of a future and enter a world of financial insecurity if you are not careful with your cash. If money makes the world go round, you can easily find yourself lost in that same cycle.

cash

Say “money”!

The good news, though? You’re young, you’re just starting out, and you have the internet. This means that you’ve got time, opportunities, and knowledge on your side (if you choose to read up and learn, that is!). With some valuable tools, you can avoid making financial mistakes and you can – for the most part – develop a healthy relationship with money quite easily. The key? It’s to never let your spending outweigh your earnings. Major shopping sprees, vacations, and spending with reckless abandon? It’s an easy path into pointless debt. It’s an easy path to financial misery.

People will get into debt. When you take out a loan to fund a car purchase after passing your test, you’ll be in debt to the provider of the finance. When you get your mortgage, you’re in debt with the lender. When you take out a loan to fund a business venture, you’ll be in debt. This, for the most part, can be seen as “good debt”. It’s debt that is acquired for a purpose. What’s bad debt? Well it has a different definition in business, but to us, it’s the debt that you acquire with high-interest values because you can’t hold yourself back from spending. It’s payday loans; it is credit cards.

Debt is a real danger and for a number of reasons. Debt, of any size, will affect our credit rating. This can affect the future of a young person quite drastically. It can mean that you are rejected from having a mobile phone contract. It can mean that your mortgage is turned down. It can seriously affect any future decisions that you choose to make.

Debt also creates emotional stress and worry. Debt isn’t the end of the world, we all get into debt – it’s how we pay it off that matters. Getting out of debt might include asking for a few extra hours a week at work or asking family or friends for some help. It may be awkward – a lot of us don’t know how to ask a friend for money but it will definitely help give you some peace of mind about your overdue payments.

Being in debt isn’t a bad thing – it is when we choose to live in debt that things turn nasty. There are always methods to paying off debt and anyone that you owe will prefer that some attempt at paying can be made. When you are in debt, you will always have options like student loan forgiveness. Getting stressed about being in debt can quickly lead to one avoiding paying for their way out of it.

To stay in control of your cash, you need to manage debt and your spending. This can be hard for youngsters – because they are explicitly targeted by those who seek to profit from debt. However, control of cash is an invaluable skill for anyone and your bank account will be thanking you! Not today, debt. Not today.

Featured Image By: Wikimedia

May7

When Bargain Hunting Gets Serious

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When Bargain Hunting Gets Serious

We all love a bargain and nothing beats finding the perfect thing on sale. It gets your heart pumping and makes you feel GOOD! And, the invention of online discount code sites has changed the way many of us shop, too. Shopping also releases endorphins. It may not be scientifically proven yet, but most of us would agree that finding a bargain releases even more. But sometimes, there’s more to getting a deal than that feel good buzz. We’re stepping away from finding the dress that you were looking for at half price. Instead, we’re going to look at when finding a deal can make a difference to your life. Believe it or not, some things are more important than clothes (though it may be a small, select few!):

Food: We can all agree that food is an essential. But, finding food when you’re working on a tight budget is far from easy. For some of us, clothes shopping is far from our minds. When we can’t afford to feed our families, life can get on top of us. So, how can you ensure that you can always buy food? The first thing and a point we’re going to return to again and again is the importance of shopping around. Knowing where you can get the best deals is important.

Despite what you might believe, prices on the same products vary a huge deal from store to store. When money is stretched, you can’t afford to buy at the shop closest to you. Instead, look around. Go to a few different stores to see which one has bargains on certain things. It’s also important to have a set meal plan for the week and only buy the ingredients that you need. People who shop per meal are sure to spend more than those who plan ahead and shop once a week or so.

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The chip aisle is SO beautiful.

Health: Healthcare isn’t cheap. Those with enough money can afford to pay for health care to cover costs. But, people on a tight budget don’t have that luxury. Instead, they have to cross their fingers and hope nothing happens. Frankly, a big health bill would be enough to cripple the best of us. It may seem strange to consider bargain hunting where health is concerned, but it’s important. Few people realize that you can get discounts on prescriptions if you need them. It’s even possible to find deals on health insurance if you know where to look. Again, shopping around is key.

sale3Wikimedia Image

Bills: Most of us would agree that our bills are the largest monthly expense that we have. So, it makes sense that we would want to find deals where we can. Sorry to sound like a broken record, but again, shopping around is your best bet. If you don’t look at each company’s prices, you could be paying well over the odds. Once you’ve done your research, you also have the opportunity to return to your current company and see if they can offer a competitive price. Playing companies off against each other is sure to knock costs down.

As you can see, the secret to saving money on important costs all comes with doing your research. Check the ads, apps, and websites for the best deals as well as keeping up with the promotions certain companies may be offering for new customers, etc. and you are sure to see savings!

Featured Image By: Public Domain Pictures

May5

How to Add Value to your House Without Having to Remortgage

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How to Add Value to your House Without Having to Remortgage

We all know the importance of taking pride in our homes. We work hard to keep our dwellings spick and span and looking its best. We constantly strive to make sure they are cozy, comfortable, and a happy place for our families. But, sometimes we need to really up our game and whip our houses into shape with some serious elbow grease. However, that can be easier said than done as it can be tough to know where to start.

So whether you’re looking to add value to your house because you’re wanting to sell or whether you’re just looking for the best ways to really make the most out of your home, here are our simple tips on how to do just that:

Start From the Top: Looking at our attics as a potential area for extending our living space is one of the top ways to add significant value to our homes. If you think your property would benefit from an extra bedroom or if you think that your home needs an amazing game room, your attic could be just the ticket. Get a builder to take a look at your attic and see what possibilities are open to you. Although attic conversions take money and time, the return on the investment is usually really high. A £15,000 attic conversion, can add an extra £30,000 to the value of your house, so it’s well worth considering. Or if you’re staying put and just looking for extra room for your family, this really is the best part of your house to consider opening up.

Extend Into Your Garden: Extending your property into your garden is another great way that you can expand your living space and subsequently add value to your home. Be cautious when taking on conservatory projects, however, as sometimes they can look like an afterthought. An extra unit just bolted onto the side of your home doesn’t look so attractive. Work closely with an experienced builder to see how your conservatory can create a natural flow from your internal home and out into your outdoor world.

Make sure that the style fits well with the existing decor of your house and consider putting the same flooring down from the connecting room so that you give off that natural flow. A full build conservatory can cost as little as £4,000 and can add as much as 9% to the value of your home so, again, this option is well worth looking into.

A Lick of Paint Works Wonders: There’s nothing that drags down the overall appearance of a home more than dull, tired, and old paint work. Look at the paint both internally and externally on your house and get to work. This is a job that you can take on yourself, but to make it as easy as possible for you, you should consider investing in a paint spray machine. It will quarter the amount of time that you spend painting and provides really even coverage. Try shopping around for the best paint spray machines at Tool Nerds.

Before rolling those sleeves up and going in, all paint guns blazing, take some time to consider the most attractive colors for your home. Think of how to cleverly mix neutral with statement colors and plan each individual room and living space accordingly.

When considering the outside of your home, you will need to look at the bigger picture. Look at the houses on either side of you and along your street. Look at the general color palette on the street and think about a color for your house that would not only make it look fantastic, but will also compliment the colors of your neighbors’ home. This will not only give your home an instant facelift, but it will also help make your street look more desirable in general.

Windows are the Soul to Your Home: Windows can be so easily overlooked when sprucing up and renovating homes. Whatever plans you may have for your windows, make sure that they are cohesive with the age and style of your house. Replacing old, tatty, and even moldy or rotting windows will instantly lift the look of your home and provide some much needed sunlight and fresh air into your quarters. This transformation is sure to boost your curb appeal if done right so take the time to explore several different styles before making your decision. You could go eclectic with some stained glass fixtures, classic with custom timber windows, or rustic by adding quaint wooden shutters. The possibilities are endless!

First Impression: The smaller details are just as important as the big when it comes to adding value to our homes. Dingy, faded, and old front doors are certainly not the first impression that you want to give off to any potential buyers or guests coming to your home for the first time. Make sure that you get your new paint spray machine out on your front door, too. Once you’ve painted your front door and it’s looking shiny and new, think about elements such as doorknobs and the sign to your house (if you have one) or your house number.

Look into solid, decadent looking doorknobs and stainless steel house numbers to really have your front door looking in tip top condition. These little extras are incredibly affordable and can make all of the difference to visitors getting excited about stepping inside of your much-loved home.

The Hall: The hall is your second opportunity to make a lasting first impression. Keeping the kids’ shoes stored away and all coats and scarves neatly hidden out of site is the first thing that must be done. Then, take a look around the space. How can you improve the overall feel and style of your hallway so that people instantly feel warm, welcome, and inspired by your home? It all starts with mirrors and lighting.

Hanging mirrors on the wall will open up small hallways and give the impression that they are larger than they are. Natural light will also give off a feeling of spaciousness. For evening lighting think of low, mood lighting that will create a soothing and calming ambience to the entrance of your home. Avoid harsh overhead lighting and invest in interesting lamps or low-lit floor lights for a warm and inviting atmosphere that beckons visitors into the heart of your home.

Ready, get set, and get to work on making your home look brand new and beautiful!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Apr28

How Much Money Can You Really Make In Your Spare Time?

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How Much Money Can You Really Make In Your Spare Time?

It is only the very privileged few among us who are able to say that they are happy with their income. For most of us, we can be happy enough – but that doesn’t mean that we wouldn’t accept an additional boost or two if it were to come along. As a result, the industry for providing people with a means of making money “in their spare time” is a booming one. It always has been, to an extent, with catalog sales and the ability to sell products to friends and family. However, there is no doubt that this is an industry that has found its home amidst the wild west of the internet.

Have a quick browse for money making ideas online and your first impression will probably be sheer horror. How can you possibly figure out which one of these is going to work for you? If you’re a keen gamer, you may be interested in sites and apps that allow you to play games for real money so that you will know you will be having fun with your time, as well as boosting your finances. However, while there are plenty of sites offering various methods to make money online, many of the options are versions of the same thing. Sites offer points for simple tasks such as completing surveys or watching videos. When these points (different sites may call their ‘points’ different names) accrue to a certain level, then you can redeem them for either gift card vouchers or money.

Upon viewing the sums available, a lot of people will wonder if it’s worth it. So maybe it’s time to examine this closer and see if it’s a viable way of bringing in extra cash for you – by examining the pros and cons. Because who doesn’t love a good pros and cons list?!

PRO: You Can Do It When You Want, For As Long As You Want

There’s no boss, there’s no management, there’s no scheduled hours that you have to be present for. You have got complete control of what you do and when you do it. If you don’t need as much extra cash one month, you can give yourself the month off. If you need more, then you can knuckle down that little bit harder. The flexibility makes these sites incredibly attractive.

CON: You Have To Control Your Expectations

The key to making money from these sites is, according to this review, managing your expectations. Don’t think that you’re going to be able to quit your job and work from home in your pajamas all day – it’s not going to happen. You have to have a robust grip on what’s happening and how much money you’re going to earn, or you could find yourself bitterly disappointed. Super bitterly disappointed. Ugh, I love that word.

PRO: You Don’t Have To Qualify

If you wanted to, you could head on over to your computer and start working right now. There’s no interview, no qualification process, nothing of that nature at all. In fact, just being you is all that’s required, especially when it comes to filling out surveys about your opinions.

Taking a survey, perhaps?

CON: The Returns May Not Be Worth It

If you calculate the amount of time you spend on these sites and then factor in your hourly rate, it might not be pleasant reading…Seriously, I have spent a half hour doing a survey that claims to take ten minutes and received a meager fifty cents from it. It was a BITTER disappointment!!

PRO: It’s (Almost) Passive Income

However, you can keep in mind that these tasks can be done while you’re occupied with something else. For sites that allow you to earn points from watching videos, you can just play the videos in the background while you are making your evening meal. The surveys may take more attention, but you can do them from your phone while you’re waiting for the bus. Being able to pick and choose when you participate can be really helpful.

CON: Sites Can Shut Down Unexpectedly

Let’s say you join a site and accrue a huge amount of points. You’re waiting to reach a certain cash out threshold, which will allow you to obtain a voucher to a certain financial value. This is a dangerous way of doing it. These sites don’t owe you anything; if they suddenly fold or go offline, then all of your hard-earned points are going to vanish with them. There’s not a chance that you’ll get them back.

So, be safe and smart with how you use your points. Cash out as soon as you meet the minimum payment threshold, even if you’d get more for your points by hanging on to reach a higher voucher target. It’s better to actually have the money in your hand than relying on the site to keep it safe for you!

PRO: The “Big” Sites Are Well Established, With Users You Can Talk To

If you’re confused about anything that you find regarding the website, you can talk to other users. Most sites will have some kind of forum system or their social media pages will allow users to connect with one another. And, more often than not, there will be someone to explain things further on any questions that you might have.

So online money making websites might not be the best way to earn some extra cash BUT if you control your expectations and manage your time wisely, you could end up with some gift cards and money for the movies in your pocket!

Featured Image By: Pexels