Matching shoes to an outfit is never easy. It’s even harder when you need footwear that will go with a variety of options. Otherwise, you’ll end up buying a selection of shoes, and that’s not very frugal!
Your budget only stretches so far, which is why it’s imperative to keep thrifty tips in mind. The more you save, the more you have to spend. Great! The thing is, where do you start? How do you find universal items? If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Of course, not everybody knows the following.
Continue reading to find out more.
Think Season & Occasion
These are excellent places to start as they often roll into one. For instance, pumps look out of place in the dead of winter when there’s snow on the ground. However, they are ideal for the summer when the sun is shining. The same goes for flip-flops as they are interchangeable (as long as the event is informal). Therefore, it’s important to consider when you’ll be wearing them and for what type of event. If the shoes can be reused, you’ve found a bargain as you won’t need to buy any more for a long while.
Add The Color
The color will play a significant role in proceedings. If it doesn’t match, the outfit will look wrong. On the flip side, you can’t choose an abstract shade that won’t go with anything else. As usual, neutral hues will help you out in a pinch since black, white, and cream, and the different variations, go with pretty much anything. However, if you want to be specific, you can opt for colors that go with multicolored items. For example, anyone who likes statement tees with blocks or stripes can pick the most common shade and match it to their shoes. Easy, peasy!
Go Online
It’s not all about being creative. You should also focus on cutting the cost of a pair of shoes. By doing this, you might be able to afford more than a single pair, which will allow you to match your footwear with more outfits. Finding shoes online is perfect since the rates are often lower on the internet than in-store. Plus, you can opt for used or second-hand items – if you’re not bothered about brand new accessories – to reduce the price even further. Sales and promotions might be online-only, which is why it’s smart to check your favorite eCommerce platforms before signing on the dotted line.
Switch Your Style
Everyone has more clothes in their closet than shoes. Tees and dresses are cheaper than footwear, making them easier to buy. Still, most women will obsess over matching their shoes to their outfits. Why not do it the other way around? After all, you can switch from black jeans to blue denim in the blink of an eye. You can do it with sweaters and tops, too. The incredible thing about this technique is that it encourages you to be innovative, which will make you even thriftier!
How do you match shoes to outfits? Have you found any techniques that work?
There is no denying the massive impact a beautiful garden can have on the rest of your home. After all, your exterior space is likely to be visible to everyone who walks or drives past your house. It is the first point of contact people have with your property. Therefore, if you landscape effectively, you have the ideal opportunity to make an incredible impression on everyone who passes by your home. This post is here to help you achieve that. You will discover the main products you require to keep your garden looking lush. Moreover, you will unearth the hottest landscaping trends for 2021, so that you can ensure your garden stands out for all of the right reasons.
First and foremost, achieving a stunning garden all begins with having the right tools to do so. After all, once your landscaping plans have been put into action the job is never complete. Your outdoor area is a space that needs constant attention. If you don’t have the tools to upkeep your garden it will soon deteriorate. So, let’s take a look at the top five tools every homeowner needs if they want to ensure their garden looks stunning for years and years to come…
Shovel – There is only one place to begin and this is with a garden shovel. If you take a look on the internet you will see that there is a wealth of different shovels to choose from. They differ in terms of size and handle shape as well. It is all about finding one that you can comfortably manage. When it comes to the handle you can choose between a ‘T’ shape and a ‘D’ shape. In fact, there are shovels with no handles at all.
Wheelbarrow – It is also advisable to purchase a wheelbarrow. Many people view this as an unnecessary expense. However, your back will quickly begin to ache if you carry everything. Instead, make your life a lot easier and gardening a lot more enjoyable by buying this essential piece of equipment.
Hoe – There is no way you will achieve a stunning garden to complement your property if it is covered in weeds. Therefore, this is why you need to buy a hoe. A hoe is a tool that is used to get rid of all gardeners’ worst enemies – those irritating, pesky weeds!
Rake – Another tool you should consider purchasing is a rake. This is a product that boasts a variety of uses. It is ideal for collecting leaves. Yet it can also be used for removing dead grass from your lawn, light weeding, levelling, and the loosening of the soil. This is a great all-rounder.
Trowel – Last but not least, the fifth and final tool you need to consider using is a trowel. What garden is going to look beautiful if it has no pretty flowers and consequently no colour? A trowel is essential to help you with the planting of flowers and trees. With this tool by your side, there is no way your garden won’t flourish.
So, you now know the five main tools you need to purchase if you want your garden to look stunning all year round. However, having the correct tools is not enough, you need to have a great idea as well. After all, if you just randomly place flowers and trees around the garden with little consideration for what they look like, your outdoor space is never going to achieve the optimum levels of style and beauty you desire. Instead of attracting people to your property for the right reasons, you will be doing so for all of the wrong ones. Keeping that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the top gardening trends for 2021…
Splashes of colour
2021 is all about vibrancy and energy, and what better place to bring these qualities to the fore than in your garden? After all, you want to create a place of fun – somewhere for adults to throw barbecues and gatherings, and an area for children to enjoy playing with their friends. Colour is a brilliant way to achieve the perfect atmosphere for these instances, as vivid shades can instantly uplift the vibe. From purple, to lime green, to yellow, to blue, to pink – the choices are well and truly endless. Not only are you free to select the colours as you wish, but there is also a variety of ways to incorporate bright colours. From flowers to paint, get creative!
Vegetable gardens
The second trend you should consider for the coming year is a vegetable garden. There are various different reasons why vegetable gardens are increasing in popularity. In terms of style, they help to emulate a rustic and traditional British theme. This is something that is very much in fashion at the moment. You can even get your hands on some vintage farming posters to finish off the look. Moreover, another reason why vegetable gardens are well-liked is that more and more people are embracing the opportunity to grow their own fruit and vegetables. This is because grocery prices seem to be rising by the day. Homeowners can cut their shopping bill and have complete control over the way in which their fruit and vegetables are grown if they go down this route.
Homeowners can cut their shopping bill and have complete control over the way in which their fruit and vegetables are grown if they go down this route. Unsurprisingly, over one-third of people in the UK grow their food for this particular reason. This practice is a beneficial aspect of frugal living, and it would be a great idea if more people bought into the concept. Having fruit trees and vegetables in your garden is a great place to start. Others have done it, and so can you, but you need more background information on creating a garden like that.
Simplistic garden designs
Aside from the points that have already been mentioned, another trend that is set to make a big impression throughout 2021 is simplistic landscape designs. Why? Well, there are two reasons why this is the case. The first reason is that minimalism is truly taking off at the moment. There is definitely a shift towards clean lines, no clutter, and focus on a few elements rather than lots of elements. This helps to create a more striking garden. In addition to this, simplistic designs tend to require less maintenance. This is important because more and more homeowners are looking for a low maintenance landscape. This is understanding. After all, the modern world is one that is extremely fast-paced and people rarely seem to have time to themselves. Therefore, finding the time for gardening is not a luxury everybody has.
Bring the outdoors in
Connecting your indoor environment to your patio for a seamless living is a big trend this year. Your choice of doors makes a massive difference here, opening up the space beautifully. Companies like SA Windows Doors can help with this.
Natural landscaping
Last but not least, a final trend you may want to embrace is that of natural landscaping. This trend came to the fore at the end of 2020 and it is certainly set to grow in popularity throughout the rest of the year. In simple terms, natural landscaping involves the use of native plants. This option is popular because not only are indigenous plant species aesthetically beautiful, but they are practical as well. After all, they are already very well suited to the growing conditions of your location, and thus your plants will survive for a lot longer.
Hopefully, you now have all of the information you need in regards to creating a stunning and luscious garden to complement your property. With the right tools and the right ideas, you simply cannot go wrong. Moreover, don’t underestimate just how important your outdoor area is. After all, this is the introduction to your home. It is the part of your land that people are likely to notice first, and therefore it certainly creates a lasting impression.
There are many reasons anyone might want an extension built on their home, and it’s worth the price no matter what, but there’s a lot you should know before you start looking at the numbers. This is a permanent change, and it can do a lot for your home, but you need to be sure it’s what you want. If you’re not a professional when it comes to construction work, you’re likely out of the loop of what it’s going to take to have your extension built, and you may have some inaccurate expectations of what’s possible for your home.
An extension is more than just an improvement on the house, it’s an investment that can help to raise the overall value of your home when it comes time to sell it. Prices can rise and fall through neighborhood development or lack thereof, and it’s important that you know how to control the value of your house if you’re aiming to sell it!
When it comes to your home, whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, you’re going to need someone you can put a lot of trust into. You want your construction to remain faithful to the plan, and that can be a difficult task for someone who isn’t an expert in the industry. It’s best to ask around others who have had similar work done if they can recommend anyone to you, else you may end up with something not quite like what you asked for!
Know the timeframe
If you’re in a rush to have your extension done before a certain deadline, you’ll want to know how long it’s going to take so you can plan your life around it. Of course, you’ll likely want to be out of the way a lot of the time when the builders are there, and it’s best to make sure that you won’t have your expectations ruined by poor planning!
Manage your expectations
Managing your expectations is important when it comes to any venture, so it’s extra important that you’re able to do it when it comes to something so significant. You need to be considerate when it comes to pricing, possibilities, and even design choices. Not everyone is a great designer, so investing in someone to design the exterior for you might be an even better choice! It’s hard to know what you want if you haven’t been given a second option!
The red tape
It all depends on where you live, but there’s usually a lot of red tape when it comes to getting planning permission for extensions or other construction, and it can be a nightmare to deal with. If you have a mixup with your paperwork, it can delay the construction for quite a long time, making the whole thing a lot more complicated than it has to be. Finding someone who can help you with all of the red tape is a good idea if you’re in a rush to get it done! Nothing is more frustrating than having to delay the construction for a few months just because of some small mistakes.
If you want to make sure you raise a happy dog, you’re going to need to put the time and effort into training them. While it takes a lot of effort and consistency, it’s so worth it. Your dog will better understand the hierarchy of the house, and they will know that you’re the boss. If they don’t receive the training they need to thrive, they could end up with issues like anxiety, as well as behavioural issues that make everybody miserable.
Here are some pointers to help you train your dog and keep them happy:
Consider Investing in A Pro Trainer
If you’re not sure you can commit to the training properly, it may be best to invest in a professional trainer. This will help your dog to get off to the best possible start – teaching them while they are young can make a huge difference. Look for somebody reputable. Even a few sessions could help, and they can take a look at how you are with the dog and give you pointers.
Use Treats The Right Way
Special treats, like those from Petness.com, are a great way to train your dog and keep them learning. Just remember that if you give them too soon or too late and they won’t learn, so timing is key.
Having a routine is important for both dogs and people. Feeding them at the same times each day and taking them out at similar times can be a great way to keep them happy and ensure they are in the best state of mind to learn.
Socialize Them With Other Dogs
Socializing your dog with other dogs can be a good way to get them used to behaving around other animals. Just remember that this can depend on your dog, as well as the other dogs. Some dogs don’t like being around other dogs/animals, so it’s important to keep this in mind.
Don’t Feed Them From Your Plate
Feeding your dog off your plate can make them prone to begging. They may even try to sneak food off your plate when you’re not looking!
Make Sure You’re Consistent With Rules and Ways of Training
You should be on the same page as the whole family when it comes to training, and this will ensure total consistency and the best results. Your dog should know the hierarchy if they are going to behave.
Invest In The Right Training Equipment
A good lead and collar are essentials. Just be very wary, as certain harnesses can be bad for their posture. Choke chains are archaic and very bad for your dog, and they teach them nothing, so avoid these like the plague, too. The right training equipment will ensure a happy, healthy dog for life.
Are you willing to put the effort in to train your dog correctly and ensure their happiness? If not, it may be worth reconsidering your decision to get one. Thanks for reading!
People often spend many years and a lot of money building their clothing collection. It’s easy to feel great pride in the wardrobe you have at home, with this part of life being used to express the aspects of your personality that you want people to see when they first lay eyes on you. Of course, though, it can be all too easy to let your clothing fall apart if you don’t take the right care when storing it at home. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the key areas you need to consider when you’re choosing how you store your clothing to keep them fresh forever.
Mold
Mold is a horrible issue to find in your wardrobe, with this sort of life finding it easy to re-propagate once you have cleaned it all away. If you find mold in your wardrobe or chest of drawers, this could mean that you need to clean the whole space, working to get rid of any water sources in the area. You can get special chemicals that can be applied to your furniture to prevent mold from returning in the future.
Creepy Crawlies
Most people associate creepy crawlies in their home with food or drink, rather than clothing. Unfortunately, though, certain insects, like moths, love nothing more than chowing down on your favorite garments, and this means that you need protection against these invaders. Sites like Moth-Prevention.com offer a range of products that are designed to halt moths in their tracks, giving you an easy way to keep your home protected.
Sunlight
Next up, it’s time to think about sunlight. The light that comes from the sun is extremely powerful, with the UV spectrum being one of the most damaging to humans. UV light can also damage clothing, though, breaking down the dyes and pigments that give your favorite outfits that color, while also weakening the materials that make the clothing. This makes it well worth keeping your clothing out of direct sunlight when it is being stored.
Chemicals
There are a lot of chemicals in the world that can damage clothing, and some of these are used in normal homes. Bleach is a great example of this, having the power to remove almost all of the color from certain materials. Your clothing should always be stored away from strong chemicals, ensuring that they stay fresh for as long as possible. The chemicals you use to clean your clothing can also have an impact on their lifespan, and this is a key area to keep in mind.
With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to take on the challenge of keeping your clothing in top shape when you store it at home. A lot of people struggle with work like this, finding it hard to know what steps they need to take when they are trying to improve the quality and lifespan of their clothing.
Every homebuyer knows that, far from being the money pit that it can sometimes seem, property is one of the best investments we’ll ever make. Time, alone, can add value if the housing market goes the right way, and, as we’ll discuss here, experts widely believe that home improvements can also more than pay for themselves.
The trouble is that, if you’re staring down the barrel of expensive renovations, it’s easy to get bogged down in the technicalities of whether an improvement really is going to prove lucrative. That’s an issue considering that, often, we seek home loan refinance for jobs like these on the assurance they’ll pay for themselves. If things don’t work out that way, you could end up owing more than you make, or at least failing to pull a profit.
That can come as a significant blow, and many homeowners feel deceived by misinformation when it happens, but that needn’t be the case. In reality, well-planned home improvements can certainly pay for themselves. All you need to do is consider the following to make sure of it.
Often, misunderstandings regarding how lucrative improvements can be stem from generalizations about the housing market. Quite obviously, a loft conversion isn’t going to offer the same money-making benefits in a remote country house as it would in a city property. There’s simply no way to compare the two, and trying to do so is guaranteed to lead to disappointment.
To make sure that doesn’t happen, always look at local properties with similar improvements for reference. It’s now incredibly easy to look at local houses on the market, and even to view past sales figures. Doing so should enable you to see first-hand how much a like-for-like improvement is worth in your particular area.
By checking this information before you commit to anything, you can judge whether a job is worth doing and, if yes, how much you can spend on it and still see your money back.
Understand the most lucrative solutions
While it’s true that home improvements can be lucrative, some are most definitely more worth your while than others, sometimes surprisingly so. For instance, loft and kitchen conversions will only add around 10% to overall house value, while bathroom renovations are even lower at 3-5%. These may still seem like large enough sums but, when you consider how much you’ll pay for them in the first place, they aren’t exactly big earners, if they’ll bring you any profits at all.
By comparison, popular additions such as a garage or cellar conversion can increase prices by as much as 30%. These jobs, ultimately, don’t cost a great deal more than those lower earning options, meaning that you’re almost guaranteed to see a much better return from getting stuck in.
And, of course, improvements such as decoration, which many of us make the mistake of investing in before a move, don’t offer any monetary gain at all, making them most often not worth your while from a financial perspective.
Factor for passing time
Before you assume that you’ll ultimately cover the costs of improvements down the line, it’s also worth bearing in mind how long you intend to stay in a property after the event. After all, even an addition or renovation that adds value now might not necessarily do so when you come to sell. And, if you’ve refinanced for the purpose, that’s going to leave you in hot financial water.
The good news is that the big earners mentioned (garage conversions, etc.) generally hold up well as they add a lasting room onto your property. By comparison, bathroom or kitchen conversions that already held questionable value can altogether fall out of favor over just a few years. After all, those shiny new fixtures won’t last unless you intend to sell tomorrow.
While you should never hesitate to invest in these changes if you think they’ll improve your living situation, it’s thus pointless to consider the ultimate impact on home value. As much as we hate to break it to you, there probably won’t be any.
Always consider the costs of your alternatives
As house prices generally continue on an upward trajectory, more homeowners than ever are considering supposedly value-adding changes over a complete move into a new home. This is, in large part, fantastic news, but as with everything, you should always consider the costs of all your options.
Admittedly, this isn’t as easy as just looking at upfront pricing which, as well as failing to represent real value where work is concerned, will always see a home move coming out on the bottom. The trouble is that this is ultimately unrepresentative as it doesn’t factor for anything other than the obvious.
To make sure that you’re gaining an accurate representation of costs across the board, you should instead consider essentials such as –
The square floor space on offer
Potential longevity of your investments
Whether you would need to move in the future regardless
Etc.
By asking these questions and studying the market vs costs quoted for the work you can say, once and for all, whether your chosen home improvement is really as lucrative as the experts have led you to believe.
A final word: to improve or not to improve?
As you can see, home improvements aren’t the cut and dry value-adding solution that many of us have been led to believe, but that by no means suggests that they aren’t still often worthwhile.
By doing your research and understanding the value you could add versus the state of the market on the whole, you’ll be in a much better position to make informed decisions, not only about the work you pursue but also about how you choose to pay for that work.
Ultimately, your goal here should be to ensure yourself a home that is exactly what you dream of. Simply make sure that you’re approaching that reality with the fairest possible overview to ensure that you don’t pay over the odds to achieve it.
