Tag Archives: pro tips

Aug19

Cleaning Check List

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Cleaning Check List

When people think of cleaning their homes, they often think about the usuals of dusting, vacuuming, and clearing clutter. However, there are surely some things that most people forget when it comes to cleaning up their property so let’s discuss a few key areas to tend to during your next cleaning day:

Your Car:

Cleaning up your car isn’t an obvious choice when you are tidying up your home. But, if you’re like me and are constantly throwing Diet Coke cans into the backseat, then it might be time to give your car some love! Purchase some car cleaning products and get to work so your vehicle looks just as nice as the day you took it home. After having a massive clear away in my car, I realized that the incessant rattling of pop cans was something that I could do without!

The Lawn:

Paying extra attention to your back and front yards is another thing that people might breeze past on cleaning day but I promise it is worth the effort. The exterior of your home gives people an instant first impression so why not let it be a great one? Pull weeds, mow and fertilize, and try cleaning the windows you can reach while you are out. A well maintained lawn is some people’s pride and joy. If nothing else, it will be nice to spend some time outdoors. 🙂

Nooks & Crannies:

If all you do when you clean is tend to things on the surface level, then it might be time to engage in a deep clean because there could be a lot of yuck that you are missing. Crumbs and fallen food under appliances or furniture is a welcome smorgasbord for pests. Even forgotten remnants of dinner on the inside of your garbage bin can attract bugs, which would be a horrible surprise when you open the trash can. Pay attention to nooks and crannies as well as hard to reach places. Hard to clean? Somewhat. However, it is imperative to keeping a safe and sparkling clean home.

Frequently Touched Surfaces:

If you have been somewhat lax about cleaning frequently touched surfaces, then there is no better time than the present to start that up again – especially with the rise of the Delta variant. Wipe down doorknobs, telephones, and light switches and don’t forget the TV remotes, computer keyboards, and buttons on appliances. This is a chore that can be completed quickly and is paramount for keeping yourself and family safe.

Of course, cleaning can be a hassle but you will feel so good once all of the tasks are complete, especially the ideas above!

Aug19

Looking To Move? Here’s Some Advice

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Looking To Move? Here’s Some Advice

Moving house is an exciting, albeit stressful, event in your life. There are so many odds and ends to take care of and it is easy to get overwhelmed. Today, we are going to explore a few areas to help get your moving process started and, hopefully, make it a lot easier on you! Let’s get to it:

Work On Your Credit:

If you are thinking of moving house in the future, then it is important to start working on your credit now. Poor credit can make or break you when applying for a house or a loan. This doesn’t mean you have to go hog wild on making purchases on a credit card. However, it will help if you begin using one for specific things like groceries or filling up your car. And, this should go without saying, but never spend more than you can afford to pay back when your bill arrives.

If you have poor credit, Loan Ridge provides quick loans for Missouri residents even with bad credit and can be an invaluable tool if you use it wisely. Do some research and see if there are similar programs in your area.

Buff Up Your Application:

It is important that your application for a home makes you stand out so what can you truthfully add to yours that will achieve that? Perhaps you just got married and are looking for a starter home. Or, maybe, you have small children and want them to go to school in an excellent district. You could even be running a business and need the additional space. Whatever it is, it should make you seem like you are going to add value to the neighborhood and that is crucial.

Research Moving Companies:

Spending time researching moving companies prior to your move will save you time and a whole lot of hassle. Make sure you select a company with excellent reviews so that you don’t have to deal with damaged property when you are settling in. The movers should be well equipped to handle everything from large pieces of furniture to delicate and breakable items. Be sure to schedule well in advance so you are completely covered on your moving day.

Tour The Property:

Virtual tours of a property really don’t do it justice so do be sure that you are scheduling in person property tours. This gives you a chance to get a good look at your potential home and any repairs or work that might need done on it. A poorly maintained home could end up costing you a lot of money in the long run and you don’t want any unexpected surprises once you are already settled. Talk about a nightmare!

Ease some of the stress of moving with the tips above and best of luck!

Aug18

Planning The Most Amazing Road Trip

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Planning The Most Amazing Road Trip

Gaining the chance to plan an amazing road trip is an opportunity that should not be missed. Road trips offer an experience like no other kind of travel or vacation. Figuring out how to organize a memorable road trip doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might expect, as there are several simple tips and tricks that you can make the most of to ensure you and your passengers can enjoy the adventure of a lifetime. So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then read on to uncover some of the most important planning recommendations that you can utilize today to plan the best road trip ever:

Choose The Right Vehicle:

Choosing the right vehicle should be your first priority when heading out on a road trip. If you want to experience ultimate comfort throughout your trip, then you’ll likely prefer a camper of some kind, since these are well equipped with living quarters, hygiene facilities, and more. For those who are aiming to camp outdoors and need space for equipment, a 4×4 SUV truck is going to be the best bet – you’ll have enough storage space to pack up everything you need, whilst having the off road capabilities to travel to hard-to-reach spots.

If you want to live life on the wild side and experience your road trip in a totally different manner, finding a local KTM dealers garage will give you the chance to ride on the back of a top quality motorcycle. Obviously you’ll be exposed to the elements on a motorbike and this could be a blessing or a curse depending on the weather! Traveling the open road on a motorcycle is a dream for many and if it’s one of yours, why not go for it? Start by taking lessons, getting your permit from Permit Bike (or a similar company in your local area), and plan your trip. As soon as you feel the breeze rushing by, you will know you made the right choice!

If you’re opting for using your own car, make sure you get any major repairs taken care of with time to spare. Don’t forget to get your oil changed and tires rotated too! You can get your car looking brand new again with Car Detailing Brisbane so you can ride in style during your trip. Whatever vehicle you are using, you will want the proper accessories as well for comfort and convenience. Neck pillows, device chargers, speakers, and a backup form of GPS are an absolute must. You might also want to use a phone holder for car so you can chat away with loved ones hands free during your long drive.

Pick Your Destination:

Going on a road trip allows you and your friends to make a ton of memories and create an unforgettable experience. It doesn’t necessarily matter where you go, it’s what you make of the entire adventure. However, if you really want to turn your road trip into a success, you may want to choose Europe as your destination. Not only are there so many beautiful sights to see, but you will also discover so many incredible group tours to Europe. From visiting Big Ben in London, to The Eiffel Tower in Paris, you can plan your ultimate road trip around your planned sightseeing tours.

No matter where you go on your trip, you will surely end up at countless of cool locations and maybe some fancy ones too. How great would it be to get out of the car for the day and go to a gorgeous restaurant or a Broadway show? You will certainly want to look the part and the same goes for your car. A mobile car detailing in San Diego (or wherever your road trip takes you) can refresh your ride so you can pull up to your event in style.

Pack Your Bags Properly:

Throwing in a couple of pairs of underwear and some trail mix to see you through until the end of your road trip is one of the worst mistakes that you can make. Start off by packing your clothing, considering all situations such as exploration, swimming, sleeping, and even dramatic weather changes – you don’t want to find yourself stuck in a surprise heatwave with nothing but jumpers and sweatpants to wear.

Next, think about what food you can pack inside your vehicle because you need to have enough food to last your entire trip with a couple of days backed up for safety. Find foods with a long shelf life that don’t need to be stored in a fridge or freezer and be sure to bring some cooking equipment with you even if it’s just a saucepan to hold over an open fire! Don’t forget to bring some form of first aid kit to tend to any wounds or illnesses that you might encounter during your road trip. Something as simple as a migraine could halt your journey if you don’t have immediate access to pain relief.

Summer is not over yet and now is the perfect time to head out on an adventure with your family or friends!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug17

Taking Care Of You, Too

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Taking Care Of You, Too

Between work, cooking, maintaining your household, and social engagements, making time for you can feel impossible. This can lead to burnout, break downs, and even more stress! When you are starting to feel the side effects of a constantly on the go lifestyle, it’s important to take a step back rather than push yourself harder. Today, we are going to look at a few simple things that can be done to make sure you are taking care of you, too. Let’s get to it:

Beauty Sleep:

A restful night of sleep is so crucial in so many ways. Not only does getting your full eight hours give your body time to rest and heal, but you will feel so much more active and alert every morning. It’s nice to start your day with some pep in your step rather than dragging your feet just to get out of bed. What is preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep and what can you do to improve it? Perhaps, your bedroom needs to be a more soothing place to lay your head after a long day, which can be achieved with these ideas.

Schedule Appointments:

While scheduling appointments for various things like the eye doctor, dentist, and general practitioners isn’t the most fun thing, it will help keep you feeling your best and that’s what is important. A professional dental lab in your area is a great place to start and don’t forget to tend to your mental health, too. An appointment with a counselor or therapist can be especially beneficial if you have been feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and over stressed as of late.

What Does Self Care Mean To You?

Self care won’t look the same for everyone and that’s okay! I, personally, love doing a face mask after a long day at work to unwind but that might not work for you. So what does self care mean to you? Is it going to the gym? Going on a long hike? Buying yourself some beautiful flowers for your kitchen table? Once you narrow down what makes you destress, you will know what options are best to turn to when you are feeling some type of way.

Positivity, Please:

Thinking positive thoughts is so important even if you aren’t feeling very positive. Do you have a mantra that you like to repeat to yourself? What about some positive affirmations on sticky notes to look at throughout the day? What’s that old saying – fake it till you make it? Sometimes you just have to give yourself the mental push for good vibes and, eventually, your positive outlook will become second nature.

Doing for others is an amazing thing but don’t forget to do for yourself, too! ❤

Aug16

Dating During The Pandemic

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Dating During The Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it hard to do just about anything, let alone date! This has resulted in a lot of people feeling lonely with not many viable solutions to easing the problem. Luckily, there is much that can be done both virtually and in real life to get yourself back out there in the dating world. Here we go:

Check In With Yourself:

If you have been unlucky in love or have just gotten out of a long term relationship, it’s important to check in with yourself before dating again. What went right in your past relationships? What went wrong? And what are you looking for now? These are all key things to consider if you are looking for an actual relationship and not just a fling. Be honest with yourself because, only then, can you be honest with potential partners.

Chat Virtually:

If you are participating in online dating, then chatting online is a great place to start for meeting with potential matches. You could email, instant message, text, make phone calls, try video dating, or do things old school style with snail mail! The best thing about chatting prior to meeting up is that you can better determine if you have a connection or if they could just be good friends. That way, no time is wasted on awkward first dates because a connection has already been established prior to.

Narrow Down Your Options:

There are a plethora of different dating websites and apps for specific things that you are looking for like if the person is religious, is a senior citizen, or enjoys a more laid back or high end lifestyle. If you have something really specific in mind, then this could be a great way to go because the dating pool has already been narrowed down for you. For example, if you would like for the person to be of a certain faith any deal breakers will be eliminated from the jump.

Venture Out:

If you are fully vaccinated, then why not venture out and mingle a little? Speed dating could be a fun, different option to try. Or what about a dance club where you need to find a partner to cut a rug on the dance floor with? Don’t forget that confidence is key! Strike up a conversation and put your best face forward. This doesn’t mean cheesy pick up lines or flooding someone with compliments – just be your best self and go from there!

It can be scary to enter the dating scene at any time, but it is a whole different ballgame during a pandemic. Consult the tips above and you should be just fine. Best of luck!

Aug14

Get In The Writing Zone

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Get In The Writing Zone

Hi! I am quickly approaching a 1,000 post streak of writing on lifewithlilred and it is incredibly exciting! As promised, I will be sharing all of my favorite tips and tricks when it comes to writing as we continue on with the countdown to 1,000. The tips shared today and in the linked post have been essential in making such a long streak of daily writing possible and I am happy to fill all of you in on them. Let’s get started:

Stick To A Schedule:

I follow a very strict schedule when it comes to my writing and it is almost painful for me to stray from it! I wake up extra early before leaving for work to have time to write and get ready for my day. While I love being able to sleep in a little bit longer, I love being all done with my blogging so that I don’t have to do anything once I return home even more.

This is the schedule that works for me but it might not work for you and that’s okay. Figure out the best time to write for you whether it be before work, after, or even in the middle of the night and stick with it. Daily writing is so rewarding and despite almost 1,000 days straight of it, it still feels really good to check it off of my to do list!

Create A Writing Nook:

It’s important to have somewhere comfortable and distraction free to write so that you can keep your creative juices flowing. This is also why I like writing early in the morning because my husband has already left for work so it is just me and my laptop. Create a space in your home that is designated just for your writing. I, personally, thrive by having my own home office. However, if this is not possible for you, then a cozy spot on the couch, some space cleared on your kitchen table, or your favorite coffee shop will work just fine.

Play Some Tunes:

Although I don’t listen to music very often while writing anymore, I used to do it all of the time and it definitely served its purpose. Now, I tend to play some tunes if I am struggling with writer’s block. Some people work and focus better when they have a bit of background noise. If this sounds like you, then create a playlist to write to. Once the music is on and you’re in the zone, there is no stopping you!

Practice Makes Perfect:

Daily writing can seem like a daunting task but just like anything else, practice makes perfect. Writing every day will help you grow exponentially in your craft and you will be amazed at the difference in your posts compared to last years’ or even last months’. Like any new hobby, you might feel shaky in the beginning but continuing to try writing daily will help your confidence in your skill soar as you start to get the hang of it. 🙂

As a seasoned blogger, it is exciting to me to enter the Writing Zone every day and the tips above have all played their part in getting me to that level. I hope they do the same for you! ❤

What are some of your writing tips and tricks? Do you have any questions for me? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug13

House Flipping: A Lucrative Opportunity For Creative People

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House Flipping: A Lucrative Opportunity For Creative People

House flipping is a term for house renovations and resale. House-flippers are house renovators who intend to sell a house after renovating it. The house flipping process can be lengthy, but it can also be lucrative if done correctly. These house flippers will do minor repairs like Drywall Repair, plumbing upgrade, cosmetic repairs, all the way to complete house renovations, including adding additional features or even building an entirely new house.

Flipping houses is not a new concept, it has been done since colonial times. It operates on the principle of house resale value > house renovation expenses. Many house flippers will buy distressed properties with the help of a specialist in property bridging finance and the intent of quickly renovating and reselling them at a higher price. Some house flippers specialize in specific skills which can make house renovation more efficient, such as plumbing or electrical work.

To learn more info about house flipping, it is helpful to brush up on the fha flipping guidelines. After all, you want to start a major project off on the right foot! Now, let’s learn some more about what goes into flipping a house:

Tax rules:

House flipping can be a great investment, but house-flippers need to be aware of the house flipping tax rules before they invest. House-flipping is not different from house investing in that house flippers must pay taxes on their income earned by flipping houses.

House flipping is generally viewed as an attractive investment, especially for those who know construction and renovation. It generally requires a house flipper to have these skills if they are planning on doing major renovations such as adding or removing features of the home.

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House flipping can be done by both individual investors and business entities, but it is generally more profitable for individuals due to the tax treatment of house flipping income. Individuals who earn house flipping income are taxed on the expenses which are used for improvements and renovations. A house flipper can increase their profit from house flipping by taking deductions for renovation expenses on the federal tax return. If a house flipper uses their residence as a rental property or second home, they may also be able to deduct house flipping expenses on their house income tax return.

All of this tax talk can be extremely overwhelming and we recommend not only consulting with a tax specialist but an accountant too. House flipping involves a lot of money management and it is so easy to make mistakes with that. You will want to look for an accountant that specializes in construction and real estate like the team at CharCounting (or a similar business in your local area). You can never have too much help during a project like flipping houses and a trusted team can be invaluable.

Increase value:

House flippers are not the only investors who can benefit from flipping properties. Property managers and real estate agents can also gain a great deal by house flipping because it benefits property management. House renovations will often increase the value of houses, which increases property values for property managers, house flippers, and property owners. If you are looking for property management for your newly flipped homes, simply enter a search for “residential lettings doncaster” (Or your local area). The experts will be able to make this form of income as valuable as possible.

House-flipping is not for house hackers who are looking to do renovations on the cheap. House hackers can house flip, but it may be more difficult for them because they do not have the skills or construction tools necessary to complete larger renovation projects. On the other hand, house hackers will have house hacking skills which can make the renovation cheaper and more efficient. House hackers may also use flip tax deductions for improvements done on the property they are flipping.

House flipping isn’t just for HGTV. If you have the knowledge and skills, this could be a new business opportunity for you!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Aug10

Keeping Safe At Home During A Heatwave

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Keeping Safe At Home During A Heatwave

When a heatwave strikes, everything becomes more dangerous. Spending too much time outdoors can lead to an array of serious issues, and many activities become off limits as a result of high temperatures or water limitations. It can be hard to figure out how to stay safe during a heatwave, especially if you haven’t had much experience with extreme weather in the past. Thankfully, there are a few key tips and tricks that you can make the most of to protect yourself despite the unrelenting sunshine. Read on to uncover some of the most effective steps that you can follow to keep cool and calm this summer:

Protect Your Property:

Your home should act as a safe sanctuary during a heatwave and there are many different ways that you can create a cool, refreshing environment in which you and your family can stay refreshed and healthy. The color of your home’s exterior can contribute massively towards its overall temperature as dark colors are more likely to absorb the heat whereas light colors like white can reflect it.

It’s a good idea to invest in a set of shutters that you can install outside of your windows because once closed this will act as a barrier between your home and the intense sun outside. You will be able to keep your windows open to benefit from a breeze without filling the room with sunshine, so it’s the perfect solution for a hot day. Installing an air conditioning unit may be something that you want to consider, but it’s important to note that the unit itself will emit a lot of heat which can intensify under the harsh summer sun. Stick with a simple fan if you want a cooler breeze, which is also far more environmentally conscious.

Adapt Your Garden:

It’s absolutely vital that you make an effort to adapt your garden to better suit the heatwave and its risks, as there are certain features that can pose a serious danger in the event of severe sunshine. For example, leaving piles of old branches, leaves, and grass cuttings out to dry may have been an acceptable activity during the winter, but this can easily lead to a fire if you make such a mistake during a heatwave. You don’t need to read a property damage restoration FAQ page to know that a fire in your garden could spread to your house in less than a couple of seconds, so you must be vigilant and adapt your outside space to suit the extreme weather that’s headed your way.

Heatwaves can come with a few benefits, as it’s a great time to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables that thrive on the intense sunlight. Extra spicy chilies, sweet melons, and juicy tomatoes will be great in your garden, so you may as well make the most of the opportunity to get some home grown vitamins to power you through the heatwave!

Stay cool this summer by adapting your property to the extreme heat!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug10

Level Up: Improve Your Lifestyle & Mindset In 2021

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Level Up: Improve Your Lifestyle & Mindset In 2021

Do you ever feel like you are stagnating in life? Do you want more out of your daily routine but don’t know where to start? It is time for a change. This blog post will help guide you through the process of improving your lifestyle and mindset as we draw closer to another new year:

Eliminate Instant Gratification:

The phrase ‘instant gratification’ is so prevalent in society that you don’t even recognize it, so you’re quick to want the short term payoff. But, what would happen if you slowed down, took your time with life, and savored every moment? Start living your life intentionally this year by being mindful of what matters to you the most in all areas- health, relationships, work, money. Don’t let instant gratification get the better of you. Instead, take time to think about all of the wonderful things in your life.

Reduce Codependency:

Codependency is a natural part of life and healthy relationships are full of it. But too much dependency can be damaging, especially if you get used to relying on others for everything in your life. The best way to avoid codependency is by taking care of you first, before thinking about others (or even worse, always putting them first). This shift will not only benefit you but your loved ones, as well.

Even if it’s just for a few minutes every day or week, spend some time alone. The time spent alone does not need to be boring; it can be fun and fulfilling. For example, you can care for your pet and give him his veterinarian prescriptions treatment. Afterwards, a trip to the park is definitely in order!

Exercise:

What is your exercise routine? What do you think it takes to be fit and healthy? Exercise has a significant impact on your quality of life. Exercise benefits include increased muscle tone, improved cardiovascular health, weight loss, and decreased stress levels. Exercising can also help improve your mood by releasing endorphins into the bloodstream.

Don’t Take Things Personally:

The first step to change your mindset is not taking things personally. It also helps to have a positive outlook on life, no matter what you face. To get there, start by not taking anything too seriously and avoid over-thinking everything that happens to you. Unfortunately, it’s so easy to take loved ones’ actions personally and get frustrated or even angry with them. However, learn how to let things go when this happens by detaching from your feelings and knowing that it isn’t about you.

Eliminate Distractions:

The first step to a better life is eliminating distractions. Frequently, you get so caught up in the day-to-day that you don’t notice how much time and effort your routine is costing you. To eliminate distractions, try minimizing your time on social media accounts. When you delete or limit these distractions from your life, you have more time to do other things like tending to your own self care.

Successful people don’t just reach their goals, they exceed them. So can you! Set higher standards for yourself and use the tips in this article to achieve those increased expectations. The last essential direction of succeeding is never to forget to have fun! You should enjoy life so go out there and take on the world!

Featured Image By: Los Muertos Crew from Pexels

Aug9

1,000 Post Countdown!

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1,000 Post Countdown!

Hello!!! In thirty-nine short days, I will have reached a 1,000 post streak for writing on lifewithlilred. That’s 1,000 days of writing in a row and, my goodness, has it gone by quickly! I had no idea where I was at in terms of a streak until WordPress started notifying me daily and I get more and more excited every morning when I sit down at my computer to write. 😀

Today, we are going to discuss some of my favorite writing tips and tricks that have made this over two year streak possible. And, of course, keep it locked on lifewithlilred for more Countdown posts and one (or more) giveaways! Let’s get to it:

Go With The Flow:

Let’s be honest, we have all had those days where we experience writer’s block in some form or another. It’s easy to think that you have nothing to say but we all know that’s not true at all! If you are feeling stuck, remember that you are writing for your blog and you can write about anything. Go with the flow of it and remember that short and simple posts are A-okay… Did you have a crazy dream last night? What kind of mood are you in and why? Have you tried cooking a new recipe recently? It’s okay to not have groundbreaking posts every day so take a breath, relax, and go with the flow.

Take Notes:

I am constantly taking down notes for potential posts because I know that if I didn’t, I would forget my ideas in five seconds! Use a physical notepad or use the one on your phone whenever you have inspiration for a new post. Having a backlog of things that I can write about really comes in handy when I am struggling to come up with content. In fact, the Old School Rulez post featured recently has been on my notepad for ages until I finally wrote about it!

Content Won’t Create Itself:

If you are hurting for more exciting content on your page, remember that it is not going to create itself. I know firsthand that it can sometimes be a chore to create bigger posts like OOTDs, MOTDs, or travel based pieces – but, man, do I feel so good once I have a more time consuming article that I am happy with. Schedule some time throughout the week to dedicate yourself to taking pictures or visiting local events. When writing prep is planned, it makes it so much easier for me to follow through with it.

It’s Your Party:

People are visiting your page because they are interested in what you have to say and want to know more about you. Recommendation posts are amazing for that reason! What have you been binge watching? Which products can you not live without? What is one of your fondest memories? How about some gift guides if you pride yourself on being an A+ gifter? Review style posts are great for when you have writer’s block because picking your favorite thing and writing about it is easy to complete and effective to read.

I keep the above tips and tricks in the back of my mind constantly and they have all helped me get to the point of an almost 1,000 post streak. I hope they help you too! 🙂

Do you have any questions for me? What are some of your writing tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah