You probably have some specific ideas about what your dream home looks like and the features it might have. You’re definitely not alone here and a lot of people are keen to find a home that matches the image that they have had in their heads for years. You might assume that to get your dream home, you need to spend a lot of money. But this is not the case. Here are some tips to ensure that you can pay less for a property that you will love. 

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See The Potential

One option would be to think about investing in a fixer-upper. You can do this if you can see what a home could be rather than what it is right now. There are lots of fixer-uppers on the market that will just have aesthetic issues. These will be easy and affordable to fix. It’s a matter of finding the right contractor for the job and ensuring that they do deliver the full support that you need. 

Build It From Scratch

Another possibility would be to build the home of your dreams up from the foundations. To do this, you need to think about buying a plot of land rather than a property itself. If you take this step, then you will be able to guarantee that your home has everything that you ever wanted included. You don’t have to worry about it not living up to the image in your head. If you are building your home, it’s important to speak to a few different home builders. You need to check out different rates as well as the case studies of companies. Building your home might seem expensive but it can be more cost-friendly than buying an existing property on the market. 

Search Far And Wide 

If building your home isn’t the right option then you need to make sure that you are completing a wide and thorough search for your dream property. It’s important to make sure that you look at lots of different locations. For instance, you might want to look at rural locations as well as beach properties. Living luxuriously near the beach is a dream that a lot of people have and finding the right home is always going to be the start. Looking at lots of different locations will also mean that you know how much you should be paying so you don’t get gouged on the price. 

Understand Owners

Finally, you need to make sure that you understand owners who are selling homes and the signs that they are looking for a fast sale. One example would be a property where the furniture has already been moved out. 

We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you should consider to ensure that you get your dream home for less than you might imagine. Don’t forget, buying a home at a lower price shouldn’t negatively impact your quality of living. You shouldn’t give up on your dream of having a luxurious home because it might still fit into a more modest budget that you could be working with. 

If you are trying to be frugal with your money, you should start by looking at the amount you spend on clothes. Some people fall victim to impulse buying and waste a huge chunk of their budget on clothes. But it’s easy to go too far the other way and avoid buying clothes at all. The problem is, wearing worn out clothes can knock your self-esteem and it can cause you a lot of discomfort. You need to buy new clothes sometimes, but you also need to avoid overspending, and this can be a difficult balance to get right. 

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Often, people don’t really know how much they should be spending on clothes. So, how much of your budget should you spend on clothes? 

The 5% Rule

There is no exact answer to how much you should be spending on clothes but the 5% rule is a good guideline to follow. On average, you should aim to spend no more than 5% of your monthly budget on clothes. This is a good rule to follow because it is proportionate to your income, which means that you can afford to splash out a bit more if you are doing well and you have a bit more in your budget, but when things are a bit tight, you don’t risk overspending. 

However, you should consider other factors and adjust the rule slightly. For example, it may be worth spending a bit more than 5% of your budget if you are buying good quality clothes that will last a long time. A good winter coat that will last you 5 years is going to save you money in the long term, so don’t worry about spending a bit more on it. It’s also likely that you will go over budget on clothes at certain times of the year. If you are a family and the kids need school uniforms, for example, that could push you over the 5%. 

Where Should You Spend Your Budget?

Knowing how to divide up your clothing budget will help you avoid overspending. The key is knowing which items to spend more on and when you can go for the cheaper option. Shoes, for example, usually make up a large percentage of people’s clothing budget. Although you could go for very cheap shoes, the quality will be bad and they won’t last, so you will end up spending more overall. So, always go for quality when buying shoes. Jeans and coats are also worth spending more on because quality items will last for years to come. However, you should still look for ways to make savings on these key items. If you are looking for the best place to buy shoes, check out this post for a list of places to make savings. Waiting for sales and buying off-season is another good way to make savings, especially on things like winter coats. If you can save on the big items, you will free up more of your budget for other things. 

Once you have bought the key items that are likely to cost more, you should try to stretch the rest of your budget further. Things like t-shirts and basic tops, and underwear and socks can all be picked up cheap, there’s no need to go for the most expensive options. That doesn’t mean you should go for the cheapest option because you still want quality, but look for mid-range prices and always try to pick things up in a sale. 

Also, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to spend the full 5% every single month. Some months, you might not need anything new, so don’t buy things for the sake of it just because the money is there. In months when you spend less than your allotted 5%, put that extra money aside so you can spend more later on without going over budget. 

How To Make Your Clothing Budget Go Further

If you want to make your clothing budget go further, there are a few key things you can do:

• Use Overstock to get big discounts on a range of clothes (they have lots of other great items too). 
• Always wait for clothes to go on discount and track online prices to get the best deal. 
• Buy second-hand clothes from thrift stores or on eBay. 
• Go for quality pieces that will last instead of buying lots of cheap items. 
• Sell old clothes that you don’t wear anymore. 

If you can stick to the 5% rule and use these tricks to stretch your clothing budget, you can keep your spending under control. 

The coronavirus pandemic has halted lots of activities due to government restrictions, such as lockdowns and social distance rules meant to curb the spread of the virus. However, self-isolation does not have to affect your relationship with your furry friend. COVID-19 is likely to have limited the fun you have with your dog. However, there are still many games you can enjoy together, even when self-isolating.

You do not want to leave your dog bored. When this happens, your pet may start showing undesirable characteristics, such as chewing your stuff. In contrast, playing with your dog keeps them away from destructive behaviors. Hence, it is a great way to have fun with your furry friend.

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Here are excellent indoor games you can enjoy with your dog during the COVID-19 period.

Fetch it

Does your dog like fetching stuff around the house? This can be an excellent opportunity to have fun together. You need a small ball or any other object that fits in the dog’s mouth for this game. Alternatively, you can use a big ball, which your pet can roll. You will need to throw the object some distance then ask your dog to fetch it for you.

Additionally, if your dog knows various stuff by their names, consider asking him to fetch them one by one. This can also be a great way to train your dog in some basic commands. For instance, if your dog does not love fetching, try training first. Use phrases such as “pick it up,” “bring it here,” “drop it,” etc. You may want to give granola to your dog or any other treat as an encouragement after a successful fetch.

Treat/treasure hunt

Dogs have 45 more scent receptors than humans, making them one of the best animals when it comes to smelling objects. This is an excellent opportunity to train your furry friend to sharpen his sniffing abilities. All you need for this game is to collect some containers and have them placed upside down. Buy your dog’s favorite treat and place it beneath one container. Lastly, ask your dog to find which container has the treat. If he finds it, congratulate him by letting him have the food.

Equally, you can play the treasure hunt with different objects. Moreover, you do not need food for all kinds of the hunt. Try using a different object and see if your dog can identify it. For instance, you should consider using a snuffle mat to sharpen your dog’s sense of smell.

Obedience training

Training your dogs on basic commands can also be an enjoyable game for the two of you. Besides, obedience training is one of the best ways to have fun with your dog indoors during this period of Covid-19. Whether it is for pleasure or enhancing your dog’s skills, this activity is so engaging.

Consider using simple commands such as sit down for starters. If your dog is more advanced on such matters, try more complex commands such as fetching objects around the house.

Obstacle course

Another enjoyable indoor game for dogs is the obstacle course. With this game, you need your dog to jump over obstacles. It is also a great way of training your dog to keep him physically fit.

The obstacle course will help you drive away boredom. For this game, you will want to plant obstacles around the house then ask your dog to follow the trail with obstacles. When he reaches where there are obstacles, he will jump over them. You can use a stack of books or pile boxes up.

Alternatively, you can use a set of cones for the obstacle course. However, you will need to consider the size and abilities of your dog.

Tug of war

If your dog loves a game of tug, this will be a great way to exercise indoors. Accordingly, this can be an opportunity to teach your dog some self-control. For instance, you can add rules to the game to determine when your furry friend pulls and when to stop.

Fun with toys

Teach your furry friend the names of his toys. After the dog has mastered them, ask them to pick them up as you name each. You can make it more challenging by hiding the toys and asking your dog to find them.

The Bottom Line

There are no shortages of engaging indoor games to enjoy with your furry friend. Ensure you make the most of every activity and use it to train your dog. You need your furry friend in his top condition because exercise can strengthen your dog’s immunity. So, why not use these games to improve your dog’s overall health and have fun.

Buying a home is a significant achievement that everyone wishes to attain. While buying a house is not an easy task, this shouldn’t deter you from making this decision. Sure, you will face challenges such as gathering enough money to make the purchase. In addition, the thought of responsibilities of a homeowner may overwhelm you, and you might face the dilemma of buying or renting.

But once you decide to buy a home, you should embrace everything about homeownership and find ways to protect and maintain your investment. One thing you must do is protect your home from various things such as natural calamities, burglars, and pests.

To protect your unit from theft, you need to incorporate the best security systems. This can be having functional door locks, security cameras, outdoor lighting, or sensors. To protect your home from pests, you can take measures such as calling a pest control service company, seal your windows to keep away bugs, or you can install siding to block exterior crawl space.

There are many ways to protect your home from natural calamities such as floods, storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, and fire. For instance, to protect against floods, you can raise it on stilts or install foundation vents. To protect against hurricanes, you can install impact-resistant roofs from RPS Metal Roofing & Siding, Inc. and many other ways.

If you’re interested in this phenomenon, please take a look at the following infographic. It shows the latest research on how to protect your home against hurricanes. The infographic makes it easy to understand this tricky concept and provides a more detailed insight into fortifying your home against storms and additional safety measures to take. Check it out below.

Infographic designed by RPS Metal Roofing & Siding, Inc.

When you are working from home, it’s important that you look after your health. Mental health can be a problem because you don’t get much interaction and you can start to get a bit of cabin fever. However, there are a lot of physical problems you need to tackle too. 

Leg pain is very common when sitting down all day, and it can be worse when working from home because many people stay at their desk for lunch and work longer hours. When you are in a static position all day long, it can cause stiffness in the muscles. There is also the potential for fluid to build up in the veins and that can cause pain as well. 

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If you work from home a lot, you need to make sure that you take preventative measures to reduce your leg pain. There are some great exercises you can do and thinking about the way that you set up your workstation is important too. Here’s how you can combat leg pain when working from home. 

Take Regular Breaks 

The main reason that people experience leg pain is that they don’t move around enough. Your legs are in the same position for hours on end, so the muscles get stiff and start to hurt. Taking regular breaks to get up and walk around is the easiest way to prevent this. Every hour or so, get out of your seat and walk around for 5 minutes to stretch your legs. Having regular breaks will improve your productivity at work as well as reducing your leg pain, so it’s very important. 

Do Some Simple Stretches 

Even if you take breaks, your legs will still get stiff from time to time. Doing regular stretches can help alleviate the tightness in your muscles and give you a lot of relief. Whenever you get up to take a break, do a few simple leg stretches for a couple of minutes. Try to do them when you get up and before you go to bed too. You don’t need to spend too much time on it and once you incorporate it into your daily routine, you will see a big reduction in leg pain. 

Exercise Your Legs

Strengthening your lower body can help to support your spine and alleviate pain from sitting. Activating your leg muscles on a regular basis will also stop them from stiffening up, so try to do some simple exercises like squats from time to time. You can also do some great glute workouts from South America to strengthen those muscles too. Between regular exercise and stretching, you can prevent stiffness in your legs and increase your strength so you can take the strain off your joints and your back. 

Get The Right Office Setup

The way that you set up your workspace and the furniture that you choose makes a huge difference. If you are using an old chair that doesn’t offer much support, the pain you feel in your legs will be much worse. When you are setting up your home office, it’s important that you invest in high-quality ergonomic office furniture. Consider the position of your desk too because if you are hunched forward and the desk is too low, your legs will be in a less stable position and the muscles will get much tighter. If you are particularly concerned about leg pain, you should try a standing desk. These are much better for you because you are in a more active position and your muscles are engaged at all times. However, be aware that standing all day in the same position can still cause leg pain because you are still in a static position. So, you still need to take breaks to move around. If you have an adjustable desk, you can switch between sitting and standing. 

Consult Your Doctor

Often, leg pain is caused by sitting for too long while working. However, there are other potential causes and it could be a symptom of a wider health issue. So, if you have tried making the other changes we have already discussed and it still doesn’t make a difference, you should consult your doctor. In many cases, they won’t find anything wrong and you will just have to keep up with your stretches. But it’s better to be safe than sorry, so get yourself checked if you are concerned. 

Leg pain is very common, especially in people that work from home. But you can avoid it if you follow these simple steps. 

 

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If you’re lucky enough to have a garden space you’ll want to keep it looking beautiful. Whether you’re a keen gardener or a novice, these apps have got plenty of useful tips and tricks.

1. Moon & Garden

Moon & Garden can help you to create the perfect organic garden. The idea is that plants depend on natural lunar phases. The app guides you to base your gardening activities on these phases of the moon. There are many different activities to focus on including repotting, sowing, harvesting, and transplanting.

You can use the app to learn about the current zodiac sign and the moon phase. Check out the weather forecast, and keep your garden in the best condition. You can take pictures, make notes, and organize your gardening tasks. There’s a reminder feature that can help you to stay on track.

2. Gardenize

The Gardenize app is the perfect tool to improve your garden. Using the app you can monitor your plants, whether indoor plants or an outdoor garden. The app includes lots of tips that will help you to take care of your plants. Store your photographs and notes, and check out the educational news feed. The news feed has lots of advice that will help your garden to thrive. Topics covered include harvesting, fertilizing, raising beds, or flower breeds. Using Gardenize you can monitor the condition of the soil, and keep a useful garden diary.

3. Gardroid 

If you’ve always wanted to grow vegetables, Gardroid is the perfect app to get started. You can use the app to learn about harvesting and sowing. The app will give you lots of plant care tips, and info about the correcting sowing temperatures. With Gardroid you can track the progress of plants, get notifications, and save into. You’ll learn all about plant spacing and depth. There are so many benefits of growing your own vegetables including:

• Improve your health by eating more nutrients.
• Save money by reducing your grocery bill.
• Live a greener and more sustainable lifestyle.

4. Smart Plant 

The Smart Plant app can teach you everything you need to know about looking after plants. You can use the app to identify plants, browse for plants, and much more. There are lots of cool features to check out, including:

• Info to identify diseases and pests.
• Experts to answer plant-based questions.
• Organize the plants in your garden.
• Scan new plants to find out what they are.
• Get gardening tips to improve your skills
• Personalized recommendations about your garden.

5. Grow Flowers Guide

If you’re looking to grow some beautiful flowers for your garden you need the ‘Grow Flowers Guide’. The app will help you to learn about lots of different types of flowers, plus all the growing tips you need. Here you’ll get to understand what flowers need to thrive. Growing a flower garden can be tricky, but with this app, the process just became a whole lot easier.

Boosting your curb appeal

Improving your garden isn’t just about plants and flowers, it’s about maintaining the exterior areas of your home. If you neglect your fences, your garage, and your driveway, this will really bring down your curb appeal! If you need maintenance work on your garage, check out this quality garage door repair service. Perhaps it’s been a while since you’ve updated your driveway? Once you’ve replaced cracked paving stones your outdoor space will look far more impressive.