Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

Moving is among the most stressful life events you will ever experience, right along with losing a job, losing a loved one, or divorce. But why is it stressful? The general disruption, the packing, the scheduling, and mostly the moving costs. 

When you live somewhere, you get attached to the four walls, and it becomes your comfort zone. And disruption of this attachment can become stressful. 

However, relocation cost is the major stressing factor. On average, a local move costs about $1,250, and long-distance is about $4,900. These evaluations are based on a simple two or three-bedroomed house. 

Fortunately, you can cut down the expenses by following these tips:

1. Declutter

Fewer items mean fewer belongings to relocate. Moving companies charge you based on the weight of your items. When you declutter, you minimize your stuff in volume and weight. 

One of the best ways to have a hassle-free move is by donating or tossing items you don’t need. Take time and move room to room, evaluating items you need versus those you no longer need anymore. 

Decluttering will also give you an easy time when packing. And if you hire a moving company for packing and unpacking, you can be sure they’ll charge less due to fewer items. 

You can also sell some items to get extra money for other expenses. 

2. Source Packing Materials from Local Shops

Packing materials can be another nuisance expense you can easily cut down. You don’t have to spend a fortune on them. Get boxes for free from local shops or friends and relatives. 

The usual spots like liquor or grocery stores can be a great source of free boxes. 

Alternatively, you can search for websites that give boxes at a low cost or free. 

Remember your zip-top bags, sheets, and pillows can be packing materials. You can also save money on packing supplies by utilizing containers or laundry baskets for packing breakables or smaller items. 

3. Rely on Professional Movers

Moving your stuff from one place to another is unnerving. It can also strain your wallet, and you risk breaking your valuables. Hiring a reliable moving company like Allied Van Lines saves you the trouble. 

Moving companies are insured to cater to any liability. It means if your items get lost or break while on transit, you’ll get compensated. 

And as you pick movers, verify if they’re paid based on your load or hourly basis. For a local move, hourly movers are the most ideal. Paying a flat rate on your load will save you some bucks on a long-distance move. 

4. Choose a Season and Mark Your Calendar

Summer is usually the moving season. Movers tend to charge high due to high demand. But if you want to save some money, plan your move during winter. 

Relocation rates also tend to be extremely high on the weekend. Therefore, schedule your move on a weekday. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are ideal days for relocating. 

The Bottom Line

There is a lot that happens during a moving process. But some common sense, a bit of planning, and creativity can go a long way. These relocation tips are designed to help you keep your sanity and more money in your pocket during the transition. 

Buying a dog is an exciting process. That said there are many things to consider before purchasing, such as do you have enough space for a dog? Have you factored in the costs of owning a dog or what type of dog you would like? Before committing to purchasing a dog, you should always do your research to make sure it’s right for you – after all, pets for life. And after you’ve done your research we are sure you will love your new furry friend. Below are 4 things to consider before buying a dog. 

Image from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-in-gray-jacket-holding-brown-and-white-dog-4422100/ 

Do you have enough time for a dog? 

One of the first things you should be asking yourself before getting a dog, is do you have enough time? Owning a dog requires a lot of dedication and attention. Not only do you need to take them on walks every day but you can’t leave them on their own for too long either. Dogs are great fun, and beneficial to most families but if you have a busy social life, then you may not have the time for a dog or will need to make sacrifices. 

Costs of owning a dog

Dog’s don’t come cheap. First off is the cost to buy a dog. After that is the monthly running costs of owning a dog. These can include buying the best natural dog food, monthly vet bills and dog toys. Although it does add up, dogs are still affordable but the last thing you want to do is overstretch yourself. Before purchasing a dog, it’s always worth putting a spreadsheet together to work out the overall costs of owning one. 

The type of dog you would like to own

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Depending on your preference you can find a dog to match your lifestyle. Some dogs are bigger and require longer and more frequent walks, whilst others are smaller and can get away with one walk a day. If you have smaller children you may want a smaller dog or one that has more patience. Some dogs are easier to train whilst others enjoy running around and being more active. 

Is your home dog friendly? 

Something that you need to consider is how dog-friendly your home is? A major part of owning a dog is making it’s surroundings safe. Is your garden safe and secure for them to run around in or do you need to get some fencing put in? What type of furniture do you have within your property and is it dog proof? Remember dogs can jump up on the sofa and cause a mess. If you are thinking of making some changes to your garden, Pinterest is great for some inspiration. There are many pet goodies that you can get to put around your house if you want to make some changes at the same time. 

Have you recently got a dog and what things did you consider before purchasing one? Did any of the above points come to mind? What type of dog are you looking into getting? Let us know in the comment box below.

Source

One thing that a lot of people seem to have trouble with when it comes to turning their home into the most enjoyable possible space is finding some way to really give it a sense of unique style that sets it apart from everywhere else. After all, there are few things worse than showing up to someone’s home and it essentially feels like a showroom. The best starting place when trying to make your home feel more unique is to figure out what kind of style you want to create in the first place. After all, different homes lend themselves to different aesthetics and the kind of tone you create in your home is going to depend on your personal sense of style. With that in mind, here are some ideas to help you create a unique style for your home.

Rustic chic

People tend to assume that a stylish home is one that has to be ultra modern and sleek but that’s not the case at all. In fact, one of the most effective styles for a lot of homes is to embrace a rustic style that brings a touch of vintage class into any home. The best thing about this kind of home style is that it’s often on the cheaper side since so much of that style can come from things like log burners, reclaimed furniture and second hand pieces. 

High class

Of course, if you wanted to go in the complete opposite direction to the rustic style of home then you can’t go wrong with embracing some sleek, modern, high-class style. This kind of style is one that emphasises clean lines, simplicity, and function over form. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t embrace style and make some serious statements. Things like Murano chandeliers are a real tone setter that fit into this style perfectly. That way you can be sure that your home still has that, all important wow factor.

Bohemian

If you’re looking to throw caution to the wind and really let your unique style shine out then a bohemian style to your home might well be perfect. It’s actually a lot trickier than many people think to create a style in your home that looks like things have just been tossed at random and just happened to land in the perfect place every time. But it’s the kind of style that really can make your home feel like nowhere else if you get it right.

The reality of creating a style for your home is that it has to reflect something about the people who live in it. If you want to make your house really feel like a home then don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. After all, not only is that going to make it a lot easier to make the place feel dynamic and lived in but it’s going to allow you to feel much happier in it for much longer than a home that looks great but doesn’t have any real life to it.

Log burners are among the most attractive accessories you can add to your home. Nothing else has such power to make you feel comfortable and cozy, particularly in the winter. 

In this post, we take a look at several attractive log burner styles you could install in your living room. 

Classical

Unsplash – CC0 License

This is a classical log burner that works with regularly-sized dried woodblocks. You can see that it has tools at the bottom for adjusting the embers, plus a flue from the top to remove the smoke. 

You can place wood burners in a hearth, as the owner of this one does. Or you can install them as standalone units with a surrounding shroud. 

Inset Fireplaces

Unsplash – CC0 License

This log burner is very different from what you traditionally see in most people’s homes. Here the owner has built the furnace itself back into the wall and then constructed a hearth surround made of baked bricks. 

The overall feel of this design is rustic. But if you build one yourself, you could create a more contemporary finish. 

Wood Effect

Unsplash – CC0 License

What if you don’t want to collect and burn wood. In that case, you can get heating installers to fit a gas equivalent that creates a similar effect. This example is shaped very much like a typical widescreen television and is inset into the wall. The heat from the flames escapes through small vents at the top. 

The great thing about this burner is that the electric version doesn’t require a flue. So you don’t have to modify your home in any way to fit it. Plus, when you move, you can bring it with you easily. 

Modern

Unsplash – CC0 License

Some property owners prefer modern-styled wood burners. These work in precisely the same way as traditional versions, except they have a modern aesthetic. This example, for instance, features a round chamber instead of the more common rectangular versions. 

The great thing about this furnace is that you can put it in any room with an outside wall. In this example, the owner has put it in a mudroom, but there are plenty of other locations you could use, including boot rooms, utility rooms, and even bedrooms. 

The burner can stand alone without a shroud because the body of the unit features substantial insulation. Theoretically, you could touch it without burning your hand. The heat from the flames escapes through vents in the top of the unit passively, with all the toxic fumes leaving via the vent. C

Built-In

Unsplash – CC0 License

The owners of this furnace have actually built it into the room itself. It sits in a kind of brick alcove with a concrete floor separated from the main body of the room. This approach is popular among property owners who want to get the benefits of a stove without risky it damaging the rest of their furniture. 

So which of these attractive stoves, furnaces, and log burners will you choose for your home? 

Have you decided to sell your home? Are you wondering whether you should do some maintenance before placing the house on the market? Selling a home can be a daunting experience for anyone, especially if you’re unsure what should be done beforehand – but it doesn’t have to be! There are plenty of ways you can ensure your house is market-ready, and there are many people you can ask for assistance regarding the matter. That said, here are three things you can consider attending to firstly to ensure that you not only have your home ready for selling but will boost your home’s resale value and get you the best price possible in your pocket.

via Pixabay

Roof

Before you start looking at a moving company and getting all your things packed away, you need to ensure that the roof is in tip top condition. A roof is one of the first things potential buyers look at and inquire about when viewing a home, so it should definitely be the first thing you do some maintenance on before selling. A leaking roof is a big issue for buyers, seeing as leakages can cause structural damage that can be costly. Start by checking your roof for any damages or sagging. If your roof is older than twenty- to twenty-five years, odds are the entire roof will need replacing, seeing as a roof doesn’t usually hold up longer than that. You can also check for any cracked or chipped shingles on the roof; that will be the first place water can seep through to the ceiling. If you would rather not risk your safety on top of your high roof, there are specialists in the field that can assist you with a complete roof inspection and then advise on what needs maintenance afterward. Studies also show that a new roof can boost your home’s resale value by an average of $12,000!

Air-conditioning system

An air conditioning system is a big bonus to a home, so it should definitely be in working conditioning when buyers view the property. Many homeowners who don’t use their air conditioning system have simply discarded them, but selling a home with one that isn’t in an optimal condition will definitely drive down the offer the buyers will put on the table. Luckily, it is also a straightforward and affordable feature of your home to repair and can be done swiftly and without any hassle. There are also many 24 Hour Air Conditioning Repair specialists that will be able to assist you no matter the time of day you’re available for them to come over.

Plumbing

 Plumbing is an essential factor of a home – it’s what ensures that water gets everywhere it should and that the house has proper drainage. A house’s plumbing is usually not something that acts up quickly, but make sure that all the pipes are still working correctly and that all the drains are unclogged just to be safe. This will give you peace of mind when buyers come and view your home, and you’ll feel more assured to give the green light when buyers ask if all the plumbing is in order.

By checking, maintaining, and ensuring your home’s above features are in mint condition, your home will be more than ready for the market. Afterward, the only thing that will be left to do is to sit back, relax and watch your home sell in no time!