Month: March 2021

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Adulting For the Home Home How To Life

3 Easy Ways to Get Rid Of Nasty Smells In Your Home

get rid of nasty smells in your home

We have all been in a situation where there’s a horrible smell in our home but can’t quite seem to get rid of it. Where is it coming from? Why does it exist? More importantly, how on earth can you stop it from stinking up your home and making you uncomfortable?! If you’re currently suffering from bad smells in your home, use these tips to get rid of nasty smells in your home.

Get Rid Of Nasty Smells In Your Home
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How to Get Rid Of Nasty Smells In Your Home

1. Don’t try to mask the smell with air fresheners

Your first instinct is to pick up a can of air freshener and spray it everywhere when there’s a bad smell in your home. In reality, this does nothing. If anything, it makes the smell worse as it now mingles with the air freshener.

When you do this, you’re not dealing with the problem at all. The smell still exists, you’re just attempting to cover it up. It’s literally like seeing a crack in the wall and putting some sticky tape over it! So, save yourself time and money by not spraying air freshener everywhere. 

2. Identify the cause of the smell

The correct way to approach things is by identifying the cause of the smell. Here are a few of the most common causes of bad smells in your home:

  • Moldy food
  • Stinky trash
  • Pet poop
  • Dead animals
  • Clogged pipes

You have to start figuring out if any of these things are the source of the terrible smell in your home. It sounds like a hard task, but you can quickly rule out some of the potential issues. For instance, if you don’t have any pets, you know that they aren’t the cause of the smell!

Nevertheless, the best place to start is with the plumbing system in your home. Go to the bathroom and see if the smell gets stronger – particularly if you sniff near plug holes and drains. The same goes for your kitchen and any other areas of your home with pipes. If you don’t smell any strong scents coming from these areas, the chances are that you don’t have a plumbing problem. Of course, if the smell intensifies, it’s a pretty decent bet that clogged pipes or drains are the issues. 

If you check the plumbing and don’t notice any problems, your next step is to hunt around your kitchen. First, check the garbage – if it reeks, you know that it’s causing the smell! This is so common, and you can easily solve it by taking the trash outside. However, if the trash isn’t the issue, start opening cupboards and looking for any signs that the smell intensifies. If it does get worse, check that area for moldy food.

For most of you, these two steps will identify the source of your smelly problem. Plumbing issues and smells coming from your kitchen are highly common.

If you still can’t find the source, there’s a high chance a small animal might have died in your home. Particularly if the smell has gotten worse over time, and you see flies buzzing around areas of your home. Mice, rats, and birds can get into your home via the attic, ending up trapped. So, if the smell gets really bad as you go to your attic, you know this is the problem. Generally, it’s quite easy to tell if a dead animal is the source of your smell as they have a very distinct odor.

3. Removing the source

After identifying the source, you have to remove it. This is the only way to get rid of the smell for good, and then you can freshen up your home. For any plumbing issues, always get a local plumber to handle them as you want to avoid making the problem even worse. Thankfully, most issues can be solved within a few hours, so your home will start smelling better. After any blockages are cleared, it helps to pour some bleach down plug holes, further freshening things up. 

For smells in the kitchen, begin by removing any moldy food and throwing smelly trash out. Then, clean the area where the scent was found, using disinfectant to kill the smelly bacteria. This will go a long way to removing the scent from your home.

Obviously, if dead animals are causing the smell, you need to call a pest control provider to deal with it for you. They’ll help you find out where the smell is coming from before removing the animal for you. This should have an instant impact on how your home smells. If pet poop is the problem, remove it, clean the area, and teach your pet to not poop inside in the future.

Get Rid Of Nasty Smells In Your Home

Get Rid Of Nasty Smells In Your Home

By following all of these steps to get rid of nasty smells in your home, you will now have a clean and fresh home. Open all of the windows to air out your home and get rid of any lingering smells. Once the smells have disappeared, then you can use candles or air fresheners to make the rooms smell nicer.

Do you have any tips to add to this list? Let me know in the comments!

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Big Kid How To Kindergarten Age Parenting

4 Easy Ways To Get Your Kids To Drink More Water

Get Your Kids To Drink More Water

Water is great, yet so many of us aren’t drinking enough of it daily. As adults, we know that water is great for our energy levels, kidneys, and skin, but kids also benefit from drinking enough water. You can get your kids to drink more water without much of a fight if you use the following tips.

Drinking water is great for children’s energy and concentration, helping them achieve at school. It’s also great for their digestion and helps them to regulate their body temperature. Getting kids to do anything can be a struggle, but you can easily get your kids to drink enough water. 

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Get Your Kids To Drink More Water
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How To Get Your Kids To Drink More Water

1. Lead by Example

If you spend your days drinking soda, juices, and coffee, then you’re not showing your kids that water is important to drink. Telling them they need to drink water when you have something which is a lot tastier (if not good for you) then they’ll likely start to push back against the ‘do as I say, not as I do’ situation. 

2. Make it the Norm

By making water a part of everyday life, your kids will be more likely to accept it as a normal part of their everyday diet. Have water available at every meal, and always take a water bottle out with you wherever you go. That way, you don’t end up at shops and cafes buying sugary drinks when your kid is thirsty. This isn’t only great for your kids, but it’s also great for your weight control and overall health. 

Use a refillable water bottle that has a filter built-in, or get a filter fitted for your water supply at home. There are many to choose from, including the iSpring which is The Best Whole House Water Filter for Iron in 2021 and is great for filtering your water. 

3. Add a Little Flavor

It’s really tempting to start adding sugary syrup or juice to your child’s water just to get them to drink it. This is something you want to try and avoid as the sugars can damage their teeth. Instead, you can add a little lemon or lime slices to flavor the water. 

You can also infuse water with herbs or spices like ginger, lemongrass, or cinnamon. If you’re already in the habit of giving your kids a lot of juice or sugary drinks, then suddenly switching to water is probably going to cause a lot of pushback. Gradually start watering down their drinks until they are more water than juice, and then transition to water only. 

4. Include Water-Rich Foods

Another way to get hydration into your kids is to ensure you give them foods that are rich in water. Foods rich in water are often healthy, too, so they make great additions to any diet. The most common water-rich foods include: 

  • Melons
  • Cucumber
  • Tomatoes
  • Brocolli 
  • Apples 
  • Oranges
  • Spinach
Get Your Kids To Drink More Water

Is the Tap Water Safe?

There’s always the assumption that the tap water at everyone’s homes is safe, right? Usually, there only needs to be a boil water advisory on the few days of the year when it might be unsafe, but outside of that, isn’t it all safe? Well, not exactly. Sometimes, it’s the faucets, sometimes it’s the pipes, and it can even be the water company. 

So, your kids might not want to drink the water because it smells, or maybe it tastes off. It’s one of those natural survival instincts so you can’t really blame them there. So ideally, you should look into getting your pipes checked, and you might even want to look into a new water company such as American Water if you know for a fact that your water always looks or smells off. Your tap water needs to be safe, you drink it, you cook with it, and yes, this is a big deal!

Get Your Kids To Drink More Water

It’s easy to get into less than ideal habits with kids, especially if they are particularly picky eaters and drinkers. Ideally, you’ll establish a love of water early on, but there are still ways to encourage older children to drink more too. Use these tips to get your kids to drink more water and it’ll quickly become a habit.

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Big Kid Big kid fun Gifts How To Infant/Toddler Learning Kindergarten Age Parenting Teenager Toddler and Preschool Age Fun Toddler and Preschool Age Learning Toys Toys and Games

4 Tips For Choosing The Best Gift For Your Child

Best Gift For Your Child

In many ways, children bring joy and happiness into your life as a parent. When your child has been well-behaved and respectful, or when they are celebrating a significant milestone, you want to reward them. The idea of buying your child a gift sounds easy enough, but when the time comes, you might struggle to come up with the perfect gift. I’ve been there plenty of times, and along the way I have made note of some my favorite tips for choosing the best gift for your child. Perhaps for the last couple of months, your child has been attentive and obedient, or they attain a significant milestone in life.

Best Gift For Your Child
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How to Choose the Best Gift For Your Child

1. Prioritize Interest

While you always have a thousand responsibilities to attend to as a parent, making time for your child is essential to their overall development. Apart from bonding, you learn about your kid’s interests, allowing you to have better insight when choosing the best gifts.

Perhaps your child shows interest in dancing and is often making moves in front of the TV. When the time is right, schedule dance classes that will help your child approach dancing professionally. Likewise, if they are into art, sign them up for art classes. Some of the best gifts are experiences rather than toys and other items.

Ignoring your child’s interests will only deteriorate your relationship, and buying the wrong apology gift makes things worse. Your child wants you to have an interest in their life, and that means paying attention to what they truly love and find happiness in.

2. Ensure it is Age-Appropriate

Although to your eyes, your child will forever remain your baby, this should not mislead you into buying age-inappropriate gifts. Purchasing gifts that resonate with your child’s age increases the interest level and allows for better enjoyment.

For example, if your child is a toddler who can barely put two and two together, you should consider buying kids’ clothes instead of complex gifts intended for older kids.

Similarly, if your child is elementary age, you need to buy them something that will hold their interest. Buying them toys and activities intended for a preschooler will not be exciting for them.

3. Choose Educational Gifts

Educational gifts are always the best as they play a critical part in your child’s mental development process. With education being a never-ending process, there is no shortage of gifts to choose from in this category.

Think of rewards such as puzzles or other problem-solving material that helps sharpen your kid’s mind and taps into their problem-solving skills.

If you run out of creative ideas to educate your child with toys, opt for books instead. Buying reading material for your child ingrains a reading culture in their life that may stick even at an older age. Books are fun because you can buy books you loved as a kid and re-read them with your child.

4. Go For Durability

The best gifts last a lifetime and evoke positive emotions every time the receiver reflects on them. Your child deserves at least one gift that they will remember you by for years to come. Whether the memorable gift is a family heirloom that you pass down as a gift or something simple like a bicycle doesn’t matter, the essential thing is that it lasts.

5. Consider Sharing

If you have a small child who loves to play outside with other children, you should think about shareable gifts. Shareable gifts may include things like board games or multiplayer video games that they can play against friends. These types of gifts will help your child with socializing, too, which is a definite bonus.

Best Gift For Your Child

Choosing The Best Gift For Your Child

It is always hard to choose the best gift for your child. With so many options out there, it can become overwhelming. Use these tips for choosing the best gift for your child and you will have an easier time choosing something your child will love. Do you have any tips to add? Let me know in the comments!

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How To Parenting

Guest Post: 4 Amazing Factors To Consider Before Buying Toddler Clothes

toddler clothes Australia, toddler clothes online, Buying Toddler Clothes, Toddler Clothes

*4 Amazing Factors To Consider Before Buying Toddler Clothes is a guest post written by Kiara Waylen at Aussie’s Innovative Business Ideas*

Shopping for your kids must be a fun activity and the most exciting one for the new parents. The cute little shirts, frocks, and shoes look so attractive that you feel like picking every single one of them from the store. As your baby is the most precious gift, make sure that the clothes you buy are comfortable for the little one. The kids should be safe in toddler clothes, and you must be the responsible one for selecting the clothes. 

There are so many brands and options available in the market that it will be an overwhelming task to choose any one outfit. You can follow the following advice that may help in choosing the right clothes for the kid. Whether you have a baby boy or a baby girl, the care should be equal for the babies who cannot express the irritation even if the clothes are uncomfortable. 

toddler clothes Australia, toddler clothes online, Buying Toddler Clothes, Toddler Clothes

Pick the Right Fabric

When the chubby cheeks and dimpled chin baby joins the family, you cannot wait to deck him or her up in the colourful, stylish, trendy, and bright dresses. However, toddler clothes may cause skin irritation and allergies, and the baby may have rashes all over the body. It indicates that the material is not suitable for the toddler. 

When you buy clothes, remember that the child has overly sensitive skin. It is better to pick only the cotton materials for the dresses. You can also go for the equally good alternatives like the soy-based fabrics which have a gentle feel and smoothness. Organic cotton is undoubtedly the best option, although rayon from bamboo can work. But every child is unique, and you need to check whether any fabric is causing allergies to your baby’s skin. 

Size Factor

Children at the beginning stage grow so fast that they outgrow the clothes within a couple of months sometimes. But that does not imply you will buy a bigger size so that the child can continue wearing it for a few months. Babies feel uncomfortable if you make them wear big clothes that hang loose on their body. But you can purchase one size bigger, as it is not an exaggeration when people say that children grow faster than the weeds. These babies will fit in the one size bigger toddler clothes sooner than you expected. But also remember to check the fitting as kids are uncomfortable in too tight clothes. Moderately loose clothes are helpful in providing the breathing space to the body. 

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Functionality

Your baby will not walk the ramp that you will search for stylish clothes only. The toddler clothes should have the functionality necessary for the age group.

  • The onesies are ideal when your baby cannot move much and only loves to move the legs. It is also easy to change diapers. 
  • Kimono bodysuits are ideal for toddlers who stay comfortable in this style.
  • Front open shirts or frocks that you can easily put on or take off without irritating the baby.

Cost Factor

Buying expensive toddler clothes does not indicate that you are buying the best stuff for the kid. Also, do not opt for the ones that are low in cost with poor quality. You should not compromise with the quality for saving money and buy the top quality for the baby. If you like the quality, then only check out the price. The clothes should pamper the skin just the way you take care of your baby. 

toddler clothes Australia, toddler clothes online, Buying Toddler Clothes, Toddler Clothes

Conclusion

Finally, make sure you keep the above factors in mind while choosing the toddler’s clothing, also ask the toddler about their choice.

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Adulting Home How To Life

4 Helpful Ways to Overcome The Challenges Of A Long-Distance Move

Long-Distance Move

A long-distance move is something many people dream of. There are so many beautiful places in the world enticing people to move, and some people choose to move because they want to have better opportunities. While this idea can be exciting, the process itself can come with some challenges that you will need to overcome.

Long-Distance Move
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How to Overcome The Challenges Of A Long-Distance Move

1. Moving Your Possessions

Moving all of your things to a new place is hard, but it is especially challenging when moving long-distance. You can’t take things like furniture on a normal passenger plane, making it worth looking for companies like Sky Van Line to go through this process for you. Using vans, boats, and planes, you can move all of your possessions to your new home easily.

Another option is to sell your large furniture and buy new once you get to your new home. When deciding which route you want to take, consider the cost of each option.

2. Finding Work

Finding work in a different place can be a daunting prospect, especially when you factor in the cost of moving. You can find a job before you move, with options like online freelance work for those with the skills. If your move is a while away, you can consider starting a blog and monetizing it before moving.

Other times, you can get hired by a company before your move, with a start date after the move. Some employers will even be happy to help you move if it means that you can work for them.

3. Finding A Home

Looking for a home when you don’t speak the language or can’t visit the place can be tricky. It leaves you in the hands of your real estate agent. Thankfully, modern technology has solved this sort of issue, with virtual viewings being possible from a wide variety of companies.

You may need to look for options that offer this service, but it will be worth the search. With this service, it is easy to get a feel for a place before you decide to move.

Consider mortgages as well because getting mortgages in a different country can be difficult. It is worth talking to your bank about this ahead of time, too.

4. Keeping The Family Happy

Keeping your family happy through this process should always be a priority. It is important to make this decision with your partner and discuss it thoroughly. When it comes to your kids, the best time to move is before they have started school and made friends. You can still move if your kids are older, though, but you should enable them to maintain their old friendships.

Long-Distance Move

Overcome The Challenges Of A Long-Distance Move

A long-distance move should be exciting, so make sure you prepare to overcome the challenges. If you follow these tips, you will feel ready to take on the challenge of a long-distance move.

This process can be great, giving you new opportunities and a chance to enjoy a new life. It will also provide your family with experiences that can only be gained when you’ve lived in more than one place.

Have you ever moved long-distance? What are some of your best tips? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Big Kid Classroom Infant/Toddler Learning Kindergarten Age Learning Toddler and Preschool Age Learning

5 Cool Devices and Tools Your Kids Need for Virtual Learning

tools your kids need for virtual learning

COVID-19 quarantines and lockdowns have caused many disruptions to children’s education. It’s (hopefully) not going to be a regular occurrence because scientists have already developed Covid-19 vaccines, but in the meantime, it’s crucial that parents offer some form of home-based learning for their kids. With that in mind, you may be wondering what the best ways to engage with your children are. One answer is through the use of technology, and there are many helpful devices and tools your kids need for virtual learning.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

tools your kids need for virtual learning
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Devices and Tools Your Kids Need for Virtual Learning

1. Virtual Reality (VR) Headset

A cursory look on YouTube will reveal many VR-ready videos that allow viewers to enjoy an immersive viewing experience. The available video content ranges from rollercoaster rides and views of Earth from space to close-up videos in wildlife reserves.

VR headsets allow children to feel like they are at the heart of the action and enjoy a truly interactive and immersive experience. One fact about VR headsets is they are affordable. Inexpensive VR headsets start from $10 and can range up to around $500 for an Oculus headset.

2. Noise-Canceling Headphones

When your child has virtual school lessons via Zoom or Skype, they can learn and focus better in an environment free of distractions. Setting up your child’s computer in a quiet room is one way to do that. Sometimes, especially if you have a large family like we do, there are no quiet areas in a family home, though.

In these cases, it’s better to equip your child with noise-canceling headphones. They’re available to suit various needs, and it’s also possible to get headphones for autistic children who find it hard to concentrate when there are noisy distractions around them.

3. Tablet

It’s no secret that we all live in a digital age. Most people, even kids, have several electronic devices they use for communication and productivity. Tablets are essential for kids these days, and they’re easier for little ones to use than other computers. It’s smaller, cheaper, and more interactive to use than a laptop.

Your kids can use tablets as part of their virtual learning as you can download apps for productivity, video conferencing, and more with ease. Of course, you should moderate each child’s time on the tablet, so they cannot access online content unrelated to their learning.

Make sure your children are being safe online!! Check out my blog post, Keeping Kids Safe Online – 8 Simple Tips for tips and advice.

4. Touchscreen Pen

You will undoubtedly include creative learning as part of your child’s home learning curriculum. It’s for that reason touchscreen pens (also known as Stylus pens) make sense and are the perfect complementary accessories for their tablets.

With a touchscreen pen, each child can draw and color with ease on their tablet screen. Touchscreen pens help to foster your children’s creativity by letting them make artistic digital creations. Plus, if your child’s learning requires that they write words, sentences, or numbers, a touchscreen pen can help them do so neatly.

5. Activity Tracker

Finally, an activity tracker such as a smartwatch is ideal for kids who are taught physical education from home. Activity trackers are wearables that monitor a child’s physical exercise and give you and them an overview of their physical activity during a sports session.

Activity trackers are also useful for encouraging and motivating children during physical play as they can quickly check their progress. Plus, such progress can get reported via a linked fitness app on their tablet. It will help them get enough exercise and movement each day, and it can encourage them to set and meet goals.

If you choose a smartwatch as your child’s activity tracker, there are additional benefits, too. Many times, you can set up the watch to receive calls from recognized numbers (such as yours or a grandparent’s). Plus, you can track your child’s location in case you accidentally get separated from them.

Devices and Tools Your Kids Need for Virtual Learning

There are many devices and tools your kids need for virtual learning. You might already use some of these devices, and you can simply add the other tools to help your child out. This is an incredibly uncertain time and it is essential that we don’t let our children’s education suffer.

What devices and tools do you use for your kid’s virtual learning? Tell me in the comments and let me know if you recommend them!

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Adulting For the Home Home How To

5 Easy DIY Ways To Add Value To Your Home

Ways To Add Value To Your Home

Adding value to your home is something that can certainly benefit you financially if you choose to ever sell your home. There are a few reasons you decide to move, whether it’s for work, needing more space, or needing to downsize. Whatever the reason, it’s important to try and gain as much profit from your investment as possible. There are a number of easy DIY ways to add value to your home, making it easier than ever.

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DIY Ways To Add Value To Your Home

1. Convert The Loft Space Or Basement

Converting your loft space or basement is a great way to take advantage of space that’s already in your home. Most properties will have a basement, a loft space, or both. Before you decide to build an extension or an add-on to the property, focus on what you’ve already got.

It will be less expensive to convert the space you already have, and upgrading the space will make it easier to sell your home for a profit. Many buyers are going to like the fact that you’ve done the hard work for them, and they’ll be willing to pay more because of it.

If you spot potential in your basement space or loft, then try to convert them into liveable spaces. Whether that’s a bedroom, a dressing room, or perhaps a study or workout space, the new owners will be happy about it. There are endless possibilities and it’s worth doing something with it, even if it is a simple upgrade.

2. Build An Extension

An extension is something that many homeowners have the option of doing. You must have space on your land and get the go-ahead from your township or city. It’s a lot of work, but if you have the ability to do it, then it’s almost certainly going to add value to your property.

When thinking about doing an extension, make sure you speak to your neighbors beforehand. It’s good to keep them informed and to keep them on your side, in case there’s any early morning starts or building work that is likely to be disruptive to their living situation. 

Make sure you’ve given yourself a budget and that you don’t overspend as this can be a costly investment already. You don’t want to spend so much that you get less back on the sale because of it.

3. Fix Anything That’s Broken

Fixing things that are broken is another big improvement for any potential buyers. By fixing fixtures and fittings around your home, it will allow buyers to move in without having to do much to it.

In some homes, they may need to fix broken windows or doors and it can end up being expensive to do. If you fix these things before potential buyers see your home, it will set you apart from those who don’t bother.

If you’ve got old windows or doors that need replacing, then now is the right time to do it before you put it on the market. Renewal by Andersen is a great company to use and having new windows and doors will increase your property’s value.

4. Add-In Smart Features

Smart features are something that is worth adding to increase your home’s value. Technology and advancements in engineering are making us want more of it in our own homes, rather than only using it in public spaces. Your home has the potential to be more functional, and these simple upgrades can make all the difference.

Simple things like a hot water tap can be great for those who like to cut down any waiting time. You may want to install a smart thermostat to control via an app or maybe underfloor heating for that extra cozy feeling during the colder months.

5. Upgrade Your Bathroom Or Kitchen

Upgrades are often needed around the home and they are most apparent in rooms like the kitchen and bathroom. These rooms get a lot of footfall and usage on a daily basis, so they quickly become run down. It’s worth doing an update or upgrades to these spaces every few years to ensure they stay as new and fresh as possible.

For some, renovations might be needed to completely overhaul the space and design. This might only be needed every 15-20 years or so. Determine how out-of-date your space is before determining how large of an upgrade you need to do.

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DIY Ways To Add Value To Your Home

Adding value to your home is beneficial in a few ways. You can enjoy the upgrades and improvements, or you can list your home for a profit. Either way, these simple DIY ways to add value to your home can help you improve your living space. What are some things you recommend to add value to a home? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Adulting Decor For the Home Home How To Life

10 Common Tools To Help Make Your Home DIY Projects Easier

Home DIY Projects Easier

If you’re anything like me, you have some DIY projects planned for your home. Over the years, I have determined that it’s easier to get those home DIY projects done easier if I have the right tools. While you may think you can make do with what you already have, it would be better to invest in some common tools to help make your home DIY projects easier.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Home DIY Projects Easier
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Tools To Help Make Your Home DIY Projects Easier

1. Utility knife

Utility knives have small, sharp blades that are often retractable. These knives are sometimes known as box-cutters, but they have so many uses beyond cutting boxes.

When it comes to home DIY projects, they can be handy for cutting wallpaper, slicing linoleum, trimming veneer, and even removing staples. These tools can save you from struggling with scissors, and they’re a much safer option than trying to use a kitchen knife. 

2. Adjustable wrench

When it comes to loosening and tightening bolts, you could invest in an adjustable wrench. With these tools, you can adjust the clamp size to fit any size of bolt. This saves you from having to sort through multiple wrenches, and it will allow you to do things yourself.

Situations that would call for an adjustable wrench include doing your own plumbing, assembling furniture, repairing bicycles and possibly doing mechanics on your car. 

3. Glue gun

Glue guns can be useful for all kinds of fixes around the home from putting back loose trim to repairing broken decor. You can even use them for joining wood together when you don’t want to use screws.

There are clearly limits as to what you can use a glue gun for (you can’t fix a shelf to a wall with a glue gun), however, you would be surprised by the number of tasks that can be achieved with one.

A hot glue gun is the best option for heavy-duty DIY such as repairing furniture. Cold glue guns are safer but tend to be better for small crafts as they don’t offer quite as strong a bond.

4. Duct tape

Duct tape can come in handy during many DIY tasks. It can be a great tool for when you need a strong temporary fix such as repairing a broken shower curtain rail until you get a new one or patching up a leak on a pipe until the plumber comes.

There are various strengths of duct tape on the market that you can look into. Less adhesive tape such as masking tape is usually better suited for tasks like getting straight borders when painting or preventing paint from splashing onto a window frame or trim.

5. Circular saw

For times when you need to saw through things, a circular saw can take a lot of the time and effort out of cutting. Circular saws use a fast-spinning electric saw to make quick and efficient cuts.

There are lots of different types of circular saw on the market to choose from. Some are built for precision and have laser guides or rail guides to help cut in a perfectly straight line. Others are built for portability, and these tend to be lightweight and cordless. Consider which option you think is right for you. 

6. Electric sander

Sanding down rough surfaces manually can be a time-consuming task. Just as circular saws make sawing easier, electric sanders make sanding much easier.

These tools come in various shapes and forms. The most basic electric sanders tend to be orbital sanders with a single strip of sandpaper that rotates in a continuous motion, often around a square pad.

Random orbital sanders tend to be a little more expensive – these oscillate in a more random motion around a circular pad, which can reduce swirl marks. Some electric sanders are plug-in, while others are cordless. Some can be used with one hand, while others require both hands. 

7. Cordless hand drill

When it comes to inserting and removing screws, a cordless hand drill can be very useful. These drills are useful when a screwdriver isn’t enough to get the job done.

Cordless hand drills tend to offer a lot more maneuverability than plug-in drills and are the favored option. Most hand drills are built to hold multiple drill bits – you can buy these as part of a kit. It’s worth looking for a cordless hand drill that has a good charge for projects when you need to do a lot of drilling. 

8. Stud finder

When putting a screw or a nail into a wall, it’s important to avoid studs, pipes, and wires. Finding these without a stud finder can be done, but it’s not always easy.

By investing in a stud finder, you can easily avoid hammering a nail into a stud or pipe. There’s not much variation between different stud finders on the market, so don’t feel the need to spend a lot of money on one of these devices. 

9. Laser guide

Laser guides can be useful in a variety of settings. If you want to line up two light switches on either side of the room, you can do so with a laser guide. You can also use laser guides to make sure that you’re cutting in a straight line or to make sure two shelf screw holes are level.

Laser guides are sometimes fitted onto other tools such as saws. They can also be integrated into stud finders. Shop online to compare various brands on the market.

10. DIY apps

There are various apps that you can download onto your smartphone to help with DIY tasks. Spirit level apps for instance can be useful for checking that a shelf or a picture frame is level. Measuring apps meanwhile can be used if you don’t have a tape measure handy and you need to find the dimensions to a wall or surface.

Many of these apps are free and some may already be installed on your smartphone. Consider doing your research to see what other DIY apps are out there that you may benefit from.

Tools To Make Your Home DIY Projects Easier

DIY projects are great if you want to save money while updating your home. Having the right tools is essential to getting the job done correctly. What are your favorite tools to use for home DIY projects? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Holiday How To Recipe

Easy, Delicious and Fun St Patrick’s Day Trail Mix Your Kids Will Love

St Patrick's Day Trail, St Patrick's Day Trail Mix

St Patrick’s Day is coming, and it is one of our favorite holidays to celebrate. It is so much fun, and there are so many exciting things you can do. This St Patrick’s Day trail mix is the perfect snack to munch on while you do St Patrick’s day crafts and activities.

This trail mix is easy to make, delicious, and your kids will have fun eating it. Let them enjoy it as they play in a St Patrick’s Day Sensory Bin or while they make Leprechaun Finders. Whatever activities you have planned, this St Patrick’s day snack mix will go along perfectly.

St Patrick's Day Trail, St Patrick's Day Trail Mix

How to Make St Patrick’s Day Trail Mix

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups mini marshmallows
  • 3 cups Golden Grahams (I considered using Cinnamon Toast Crunch instead)
  • 3 cups fruit loops

How to Make it:

To make this snack mix, all that you have to do is add three cups of each cereal and two cups of marshmallows to a large bowl and mix it all together. Then, you can distribute it to your kids in snack bags or in smaller bowls. That’s it – it’s super simple!

More Ideas

Sylas (my 6-year-old) added mini-chocolate chips to his trail mix, too. It went along perfectly and, while the colors weren’t St Patrick’s Day related, it was well worth it.

You can switch this up to fit your child’s taste. Other things you could put in it include Lucky Charms, green M&M’s, white chocolate chips, or anything else. The possibilities are endless, so you’re sure to love what you create!

If you’re a super-parent, you could even take your child to the store and let them choose what they want to add. Use this trail mix as a fun activity that can be eaten when it’s finished.

St Patrick's Day Trail, St Patrick's Day Trail Mix

St Patrick’s Day Trail Mix

This easy St Patrick’s Day trail mix is so easy to make. Plus, it isn’t messy and your kids will love it. What do you have planned for St Patrick’s Day? Let me know in the comments!

Categories
Adulting For the Home Home

4 Helpful Pieces of Advice For First-Time Homeowners to Make it More Enjoyable

advice for first-time homeowners

Being a first-time homeowner is a lot of responsibility, but it can also be an enjoyable experience. Buying a home is a significant investment of your time and money so it makes sense you want to take your new purchase seriously and be a responsible homeowner. Luckily, there are a few pieces of advice for first-time homeowners that you can follow. This advice will help ensure you have a successful and smooth transition moving into your new home.

advice for first-time homeowners
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Helpful Pieces of Advice For First-Time Homeowners

1. Take Time to Get Settled

One piece of advice for first-time homeowners is to take the time to get settled into your space and neighborhood. Avoid putting off unpacking boxes and get your belongings in order right away. You want to create as much livable space as possible and see what you’re working with before you decide on what home improvement ideas and decorating you want to start.

The more organized you are and less clutter there is, the better you’ll feel and happier you’ll be at home. Also, go around and introduce yourselves to your neighbors and get to know the area.

2. Budget for Repairs & Trouble

You never know when an item or appliance in your home is going to break. You must plan and budget for emergencies and trouble to unfold. Make sure you have plenty of money set aside for repairs.

For example, if it’s summertime and your air conditioner goes out then you’ll need to call and hire an AC repair or installation service to assist you. You’ll want it fixed or replaced right away so you can ensure your home is at a comfortable temperature.

Not only that, but you need to make sure that you find reliable contractors too. Be sure to look for a trusted roofing company and other trades in the area. Don’t just look for any old company, it’s good to look at reviews and get recommendations from new neighbors too.

3. Tackle One Project at A Time

Another tip to consider as a new homeowner is to plan on tackling one project at a time. Give yourselves some time to live in your home and enjoy it before you decide what you might want to do with it.

Make a priority list and create a budget you can follow to help you stay on track and organized. Maybe pick a few large projects each year to complete and sprinkle in some smaller ones to address when you have some downtime. You want to avoid overwhelming yourself or spending more than you had intended right away.

4. Don’t be afraid to DIY

You shouldn’t be afraid to complete and tackle some of your house projects yourself. Deciding what you can DIY is what homeownership is all about. It’ll be fun to research and teach yourself new skills and you’ll save money by not having to hire a professional.

However, know your limits and never put your safety at risk. For example, you may not want to mess with anything that has to do with the plumbing or electrical. However, there are plenty of other projects you can do yourself such as making small repairs, sprucing up your curb appeal, painting your walls, and refurbishing old furniture.

advice for first-time homeowners

Pieces of Advice For First-Time Homeowners to Make it More Enjoyable

Owning a home is exciting, but it can be stressful if you don’t handle it well right from the start. Use these pieces of advice for first-time homeowners and you will see how enjoyable it all can be.

What piece of advice would you add for first-time homeowners? Let us know in the comments!