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Adulting For the Home Home How To

How Can You Keep Your Home In The Best Condition Possible?

Keep Your Home In The Best Condition

Keeping your home in the best condition possible is important for a number of reasons. The first is that it means you aren’t going to have to spend a fortune and a bunch of time sorting it out later on. This will be helpful if you want to move or if something gets damaged. The second is that it will make your home a much nicer place to live.

Keep Your Home In The Best Condition

While it may seem like a daunting task that you would rather ignore, it is best not to. You’ll be happier that you have a nice home, and it won’t be such a headache later on. Luckily, there are some easy things you can do to keep your home in the best condition possible.

How to Keep Your Home In The Best Condition

Fix What Is Broken

Keep Your Home In The Best Condition
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If something is broken, you need to fix it. It might not always be possible to do this right away, but there should be some kind of solution in place. For example, if there has been some flooding or other water damage, a company such as Delta Restoration Services will be able to provide the solution that you need.

Or, it might be something else such as a problem with the roof. You might be able to fix it yourself, or you may need to call a professional depending on the extent of the damage.

The same goes for things such as the washing machine or dishwasher. As long as you have a plan in place, then you’re on the right path to keeping your home in the best condition possible.

Keep It Clean

Keep Your Home In The Best Condition
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Another thing that you need to do is to keep your house clean. You never know when you are going to have unexpected house guests, so your home should always be clean.

It might feel like a nightmare in the beginning, but once everything is clean, you will feel better. Make sure you keep up on it to avoid having to spend hours on it again later.

Clean up often, make sure nothing is left lying around, and vacuum or sweep once per day. Of course, there are other things like shampooing the carpets that can be done less frequently. 

It’s the little things that are going to make a big difference. When you keep up on the little things, you are doing yourself a huge favor.

Make sure that everyone who lives in the house is helping out, though, and this includes the kids. When only one person does it, this is where the downfall usually happens. One person cannot be responsible for keeping everything clean.

Make Cost-Effective Improvements

Finally, one of the best ways to keep your home in great condition is to improve it in a way that keeps things efficient. Using a Solar Panel Company is a great way to do this. Generating your own energy can help you to run your home at a better cost, and you’re doing your part to be renewable too.

How Can You Keep Your Home In The Best Condition Possible

If you follow these tips, you are sure to keep your home in the best condition possible. By fixing things when they are broken and keeping your home clean, you are sure to have a home that you love. If you have already done these things and are looking for decor options, check out this blog post for home decor lovers.

What are some of the ways you make sure that your home is in the best condition possible? Tell me in the comments!

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Adulting Decor For the Home Home How To

6 Easy Tips for a Happy, Healthy Home You Will Love

happy, healthy home

We all want to create a comfortable and relaxing home for our families, whether it’s interior design hacks or eco-friendly changes. There are many ways to create a happy, healthy home, to enhance both physical health and mental well-being. All of these tips are simple and inexpensive changes that you can use to improve your lifestyle.

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

Tips for a Happy, Healthy Home

1 . Cleanse the Air

To create a happy, healthy home, the first thing you should do is improve the quality of your air. First, keep your home well ventilated, opening doors and windows often.

Next, invest in an air purifier or Air Scrubber, which can remove harmful toxins and allergens from the air. There are many different types of air purifiers out there, which is why it’s best to check out a few reviews, such as this Bissell review.

Alternatively, house plants can also cleanse the air inside, removing chemicals such as trichloroethylene and benzene.

2. Remove Excess Clutter

A little clutter never hurt anyone, but an overwhelming amount of clutter can contribute to feelings of stress. This makes it difficult for you to relax at home.

To banish the clutter from your life, go through your items, and keep only things that you actually need or love. To embrace the minimalist lifestyle, these resources may come in handy:

3. Recycle Food Waste

To create a healthy and environmentally friendly home, try recycling your food waste by creating a compost pile. When you recycle your food waste, you’ll be contributing less waste to landfill sites.

Any efforts you make to go green can help you to create a healthier home for you and your family. Whether you shop second-hand or use water-conserving devices, every little bit helps.

4. Create a Vegetable Garden

Growing your own vegetables can help you live a healthier lifestyle. You’ll learn new skills and get nutritious food. Plus, gardening is very therapeutic.

To help you learn how to create a lovely vegetable garden, try using apps like Veggie Garden Planner, or Garden Plan Pro. 

5. Banish the Chemicals 

To make your home a little bit healthier, take a look at the products you use, and banish the chemicals from your life. Choose non-toxic eco candles, or replace conventional cleaning products with eco-friendly cleaners.

You should also pay attention to the products you use on your skin. Many of them contain chemicals, which should be avoided.

When choosing your cosmetics products, use apps like ‘Think Dirty’, to help you make healthier and greener choices.

6. Decorate to Boost Well-being 

When you’re decorating your home, try to make changes that will boost your well-being. Choose artwork that depicts the natural world, helping to create a calm atmosphere.

When painting your rooms, choose calming colors such as muted greens or rustic greys. Hang up photographs of your family and friends, and choose soft furniture for maximum comfort.

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Taking these steps to ensure a happy, healthy home for your family will make all the difference. Even if you can’t implement all of the ideas, trying a few of them will help immensely.

What are some of the ways you create a happy, healthy home for your family? Tell me about it in the comments!

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For the Home How To

5 Cost-Effective Ways To Insulate Your Home

Insulate Your Home

It is winter once again, and the heating bills will soon be staring you in the face. Insulating your home for the winter season is a sure way of spending less on heating, plus it can protect you and your home from other issues, too. Luckily, there are ways to insulate your home better to keep the heat inside and the bills lower.

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Tips to Insulate Your Home

Insulate Crawl Spaces

Crawl spaces are a cause for great concern for homeowners. This is because it is prone to moisture and can deteriorate easily.

Because crawl spaces are close to the ground, they naturally become damp. This dampness creates a thriving environment for pests, and that makes your home a potential breeding ground for them. The dampness in crawl spaces may cause mold, which can easily spread all over your home. 

In cold climates, dampness can lead to the destruction of floor joists and other supporting constructions that keep your home together. You should seriously consider insulating your crawl space and installing a vapor barrier to provide a safe and healthy environment for your home. Improve the natural airflow of your home; you can visit https://www.insulatekansascity.com/crawl-space-insulation/ to find out more.

Use Weatherproofing to Cover Air Leaks

Using weatherproofing strips and caulking to cover and seal air leaks is a great way of insulating your home. Pay special attention to doors and windows. Check for the slightest sense of draft, and use weatherproofing material to seal up air leaks.

Use Thick Curtains

Thick curtains can help insulate your home, especially if you do not have modern windows that help with insulation. Also, consider going for darker colors as they keep warmth longer than lighter colors.

Another option is to use cheap liners and add them to the curtains you already have. Remember to keep the curtains open during the day so that natural sunlight can stream into your home and add some heat. Then, close the curtains at night to maintain the warmth.

Use a Door Snake for Drafty Doors

Door snakes are anything used to seal off the small spaces under doors. They can be made easily with things you probably already have.

Your home has an abundance of materials that can be transformed into a door snake. Old socks, popcorn kernels, and even pillow stuffing can be used to make door snakes.

Or, if you aren’t very good at DIY, you can buy one that is already made. There are many options, and you can get one to fit any door.

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

When Not in Use, Plug Your Chimney

Plugging your chimneys when they are not in use is another cost-effective way of insulating your home. According to a study, the heating bills of homes increased by 30% if there was a fireplace damper missing or damaged.

You may be losing a lot of useful heat through your chimney if it is not blocked, and you can easily plug it using a chimney balloon. You can create a simple chimney balloon by covering a large-sized balloon with laminate and inflating it once it is inside the chimney. This should provide an adequate seal and keep the heat in your home.

Of course, you can purchase a chimney balloon, instead. There are different sizes and types, so you’re sure to find one that works for you.

Seal Attic Air Leaks

Hot air rises, so your attic may serve as an escape route for hot air. You should consider sealing air leaks in your attic or redesigning it.

You can use regular reflective foil material as a cheaper alternative to using foam as insulating material. Staple the reflective foil sheets to the rafters in the attic, and the heat will stay in your home and reduce your heating bills.

Follow these simple tips to reduce your heating bills and keep your home safe and warm during the winter season. It can help with other issues, too, as mentioned in the section about the crawl space. What are some cost-effective ways you reduce your heat bill? Leave a comment and let us know!

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Big kid fun Family Activities How To Infant/Toddler Learning Learning Parenting Toddler and Preschool Age Fun Toddler and Preschool Age Learning Toys Toys and Games

What Are Some Of The Ways You Can Encourage Imaginative Play?

imaginative play

Encouraging your child to use their imagination is very important. After all, this is an essential step in their learning process as it helps them develop skills and learn. The best way to get your child’s imagination working is through imaginative play. After all, if something seems fun, then your child will instantly be more responsive and involved.

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Luckily, there are quite a few imagination-based toys available in stores and on the internet. Even better, many toys for imaginative play are popular with young children. You’ll be able to find the perfect one for your kiddo that they will love.

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

Click these links for a few ideas for pretend play that your kids will love:

There are also online play options and virtual school assemblies. This means that you are not faced with a shortage of options to choose from.

This blog post aims to give you a helping hand with this by simply providing you with some tips and suggestions regarding the promotion of imaginative play.

Figure Out What Type of Imaginative Play Your Child Likes

The key is to try out a few different things to discover what type of imaginative play your child likes. Stick with things that let them use their mind to unlock the door of their imagination.

There are lots of great toys available that are based around role-playing. One of the most popular options to go for is a kid’s kitchen. This gives your child their very own area of space where they can pretend to cook and create different meals.

This helps them because they will be able to become more familiar with different kitchen activities. Plus, they can use their imagination to create different scenarios.

Buy a Dollhouse

Another good option is to buy a dollhouse. These are great because they promote creativity as well as imagination. Your child will be able to decorate the rooms in the house and think of different scenarios between the dolls. Plus, this helps the child learn about family dynamics, the roles of different individuals, and the makings of a household.

Encourage Imaginative Dress-Up

There are lots of different dress-up costumes available from toy stores, and it is another good option to go for. After all, what better way to let your imagination run wild and get into true character than dressing up as something? The choices for dress-up are never-ending, and it is a good idea to let your little one pick which outfit they likes best.

Consider Other Play Home Items

If you are looking for something which is smaller or more affordable than a play kitchen, then there are lots of scaled-down sets. These sets encourage kids to learn different life skills. You can get cake baking sets, laundry sets, coffee making sets, and much, much more.

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As you can see, there are several different ways in which you can get your child’s imagination working. Hopefully, the tips to promote imaginative play given in this article will have provided you with some ideas and inspiration. What are some ways your kids enjoy imaginative play? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Adulting Decor For the Home How To Life

5 Easy Ways to Create a Cozy Living Room You Will Love

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There are certain times of the year where you just want a cozy living room to enjoy. The winter is one of those times, but how can you make your living room as cozy and relaxing as possible, with minimal effort? Well, here are some quick tips for making your living room as cozy as possible.

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How to Quickly Create a Cozy Living Room

1. Clean Up

No one can be genuinely cozy in a place that needs to be decluttered. Most people tend to clean during the winter and again in the springtime. So if you’ve been putting off your winter clean, it’s time to get it started. 

Declutter as much as possible, though you’ll likely do this to make room for a Christmas tree or some sort of festive decorations, anyway. The more you eliminate, the better you will feel as you cuddle up on your couch to read a book or watch your favorite show.

2. Add Texture

Some textures are super comforting during the winter months. Look for textured fleece blankets, chenille sweaters, or warm fluffy socks to keep nearby. If you already have them, it’s time to grab your most comfortable blankets and have them ready on the couch. This is one of the most important things you can do to get that cuddly, cozy feeling in your living room.

Having a soft fluffy rug will also help to keep your living room warm and insulated, as well as add extra texture to the living room too.

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

3. Consider the Lighting

If you want to create some specific atmospheres, then lighting is the way to do it. One of the best things you can do is to add fairy lights to the space around your living room. Wrapping fairy lights around shelves, around your Christmas tree, or around windows to add a festive twinkle to your living room. 

Then, when the sun sets early in the winter months, you can turn the sparkle up. For an extra cozy feeling, you might want to keep the overhead lighting off and let the rest of the twinkling lights work their magic. 

4. Make Sure It’s Warm

Part of being cozy is being warm, so make sure your living room is well-heated. If you haven’t had your boiler checked out for a while, now is the perfect time to do it. Many people find themselves in need of a water heater repair just as winter hits. 

Plan ahead so that you don’t get stuck in this situation. If you have a fireplace, consider getting that checked out, as well. There is no way to be cozy if you aren’t warm, and you don’t want to get stuck this way in the middle of the night.

Before switching on the radiators in every room in the house, read this handy guide and how you can save money on your heating over autumn and winter.

5. Fragrances

Some fragrances just remind us of the winter. Spiced apple, cinnamon, pumpkin and Christmas cookies are all great scents that can make a room feel extra cozy. If you don’t want to have open flames, then reed diffusers can help bring comforting smells to your living room. 

Many fragrance brands have brought out specific holiday-themed fragrances, which means you can recreate that cozy Christmas feeling all year around. You can also opt for a simple plug-in. 

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So, once you have created a cozy living room, it’s time to get settled in. Put on your favorite comfy clothes, get a cup of coffee, and grab a blanket before hopping on the couch.

I always like to watch Gilmore Girls when I have a chance to get cozy on the couch. What do you like to do when you’re cuddled up on the couch in the winter? Tell me in the comments!

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Big Kid Home How To Life Our Family Parenting Teenager

How to Handle Family Issues Positively in 2020

positive family, positive parenting

It’s no secret that 2020 has been a real struggle for most of us. With so many unknown situations occurring and life constantly changing, it’s been hard. Unfortunately, this causes many issues for families. Luckily, however, there are ways to handle family issues positively.

handle family issues, handle family problems positively, family conflict, family problems, positive family, positive parenting
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Challenging situations will affect everybody, be that in our jobs, or physical and mental health, and in our relationships with our friends and families. 

While it is natural in all relationships to experience rough patches, placing a global pandemic that leaves us all trapped inside all the time into the mix makes it worse. The feeling of wanting to escape or take it out on others around you increases dramatically.  

In challenging times you will need the support of your family to get you through. However, family relationships can be complicated at times, and conflict within the home is hard to escape from. 

Here are some of the things you can do to help to restore your family (dis)agreements during one of the most challenging global crises in the 21st Century. 

How to Handle Family Issues Positively

 1. Stop playing the blame game

Relationships, particularly within a family unit, are about more than just one person. Attempting to, or even suggesting changing any family member can invite defensiveness. Nobody likes to be told that they are doing things wrong or need to change.

When dealing with issues, it is vital to come at them from a place of wanting to fix them, not of wanting to come out on top. This may mean coming to tackle an issue by starting with your role in the disagreements or tensions within family relationships. By admitting your fault in it, the other person will be more likely to accept your suggestions.

If all of you seek to facilitate your own changes individually, the family unit will flourish as you all try your best to be a good mom, dad, husband, wife, son, daughter etc. Each person in the family unit has a responsibility to uphold, so it is important for everyone to work together.

Quite often, problems in relationships are just that: problems that need addressing. Stop blaming yourself or others and think about what the issues are that cause tensions. 

2. List all of the things that spark disagreements 

From not completing chores, to harsh tones in communication, small things can build up to a pretty big deal when managing family relationships. If you’re constantly asking your kids to clean their rooms, or your partner to give you some space in the mornings and these requests are ignored, you can feel disrespected and lacking in value.

That said, it may not just be you that ends up feeling that way and tensions may be high from a number of reasons. 

Have everyone in the family write out what they feel causes tensions within the household. Create a safe space in order to allow them to do so. The key is to not get offended by some of the responses you get. 

The lists should include all of the things that each family member fears talking about due to not wanting to run into any disagreements. Doing so will help to identify any potential issues within the family unit.

You may notice several family members will identify similar areas of concern which will make it easier to deal with the issues – especially if you can come to an agreement as to how they can be dealt with. Do this collectively and each of you will feel responsible for the rest of the family unit. 

However, if it seems impossible to write just a few things on the list because you argue about everything, then this determines that the issues run deeper than simple misunderstandings. 

3. Express concerns constructively 

It’s easy to come into addressing concerns with accusation, but as previously mentioned, issues are rarely to do with an individual and precisely to do with a root cause. 

Take the pandemic, for example. The outbreak wasn’t anybody’s fault. How it was dealt with and the things that have happened as a result have sparked a whole load of discontent and disappointment that certain things haven’t gone according to plan. 

Having each of you expressing your concerns constructively will open the doors to honest and open discussions. Ensure that any comments are not accusatory comments, but comments that demonstrate how you feel. Here are some examples of ways to open up a dialogue which limit the potential for conflict.: 

  • My concern is….
  • I feel/felt  (one word eg- sad, anxious, scared) …when/ that (what it’s about?) 
  • What are your thoughts about….?
  •  I would like to (and never use I would like YOU to…) 
  • How would you….?
  • I love it when… 

Attempt to move away from unhealthy, accusatory comments which go nowhere and more often than not end up causing further fights. 

4. Seek outside help 

Sometimes it feels impossible to deal with things on our own. This means we need a neutral, outside perspective to give us the clarity that we need to get through. Going through some family counseling together will help you all to work through any issues that you’re facing as a family unit. 

Family issues can occur as a result of traumatic experiences, so having a professional is necessary to help you to navigate them as a collective and deal with them head on. 

Their job is to help you all identify which behaviors are a direct response to the trauma and to give you the tools to work through them.

5. Prioritize family time 

Pre COVID-19, many families would struggle to find evenings to do things together. Now, forced time together isn’t always the blissful time together you had hoped for. Especially if you haven’t quite been as informed about the goings on in your family’s lives as you would have hoped. 

There may be tensions due to people feeling ‘misunderstood’ and ‘unheard’ which can cause friction. Even while at home, your teens may wish to spend more time in their rooms speaking with friends. However, it is important to try and figure out the things that most of you enjoy doing together and make those things a priority.

Find the joy in getting to know your family again. While going out at the moment comes with additional risks, there are plenty of things you can do at home. Small things done together can make the world of difference to everybody’s emotions during this incredibly challenging time.

6. Recognize The Right Decision For Everyone Involved

When you become emotional due to a domestic issue, it’s easy to do what you think is right without focusing on anyone else’s point of view. Once you calm down, you must swallow your pride and lose your ego. When you work together properly, solutions become so much more apparent.

Whether it’s something that leads to the contact of custody attorneys or something much less significant, be sure to talk it out and understand all angles. You’ll be a lot more content and issues will be handled so much more positively.

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Family conflict is impossible to avoid. Luckily, there are ways to handle family issues positively. The key is to work together as a family unit and figure out what the issues are.

Once you have determined the issues, figure out how to solve them. Involving everyone in the solution will make it easier, and it’ll make everyone want to do their part.

Do you have any other tips for handling family issues positively? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Adulting For the Home How To Organization

Organization Tips You Can Learn From The Home Edit

the home edit, tips to learn from the home edit, home organization

If you have already watched The Home Edit, chances are you have made some changes within your home. There are some incredible organization tips that you can get from watching this show. The color-coordinated plastic containers that are carefully labeled, for example, can make your life much more organized.

You can test these organization tips on your messy drawer, a cupboard, or even your closet. Any room or area of your home could benefit from these organization tips.

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Organization Tips Based On The Home Edit

Follow The Home Edit on Instagram

The first tip is to follow The Home Edit on Instagram, as this can be a constant source of inspiration for you. They post often and the images are so meticulous that it will make you want to get up and start organizing.

It Will Get Messier Before It Gets Better

One thing to remember is that you are most likely going to make a big mess before you have everything organized. It is essential that you don’t get overwhelmed by the chaos and that you push through this part of the organization process.

You should take everything out of your cupboard, your messy drawer, or your wardrobe first. This will give you insight into what you have, what you use, and any junk you are storing.

As it does get quite messy, you might choose to do multiple projects at once. For example, you might want to replace your kitchen windows as you reorganize the entire room. When everything is going back into your new cupboards or along your new window sills, it can feel more organized and more beautiful almost immediately. The new windows will add an extreme change that will help you enjoy your newly organized space.

You can click here to read more about Pinehurst Windows. In the meantime, you can also check out Pinterest for some great kitchen cupboard design ideas. Find ideas that you can do relatively quickly from home and on a budget. 

Declutter 

As you move through the process, it is a good idea to declutter as you go. If you see things that you don’t use or need, this is the perfect opportunity to sort them into piles to get rid of. 

Have a pile of things that are in good working order and can be donated or sold. Plus, you should have a pile of things that are more likely to go into the trash. 

It is essential to approach this with recycling, reusing, and selling mentality. Where something can be recycled, you must try to do so.

Always Use Containers 

Plastic container sales have increased incredibly during 2020. And most likely will continue to do so. These are the easiest way to sort things into easy to reach categories. For example, if you are cleaning out your food cupboard, you can label a clear plastic box with the word tins and place tins inside it. 

You can take this one step further and separate your tins into categories too. You can have soup cans, vegetable cans, and sauce cans. Buy as many containers as you need, plus a few extra, just in case.

You can use this method for any room in the house. I have done it with the kids’ toys and noticed a huge difference immediately. When everything has a home, it tends to get put away more often than before.

Set Up Stations

If you drink a lot of coffee, it makes sense to have an area set up just for coffee. Make sure you set this station up somewhere easily accessible since you will use it often.

Put all things you will need (or will potentially need) for making and preparing coffee at the station in bins. This will make the things you need easy to find, and you will be more likely to use them this way.

Stations also work wonders for specific periods during the year. For example, during the month of December, you might create a hot chocolate station and have everything you need to make delicious hot chocolate placed in a basket. In the fall you might choose to add some pumpkin spice syrup or other delicious things to your drinks, and this can all be placed in an easy to find container.

This also works for things like Easter, snack nights, game nights, or crafting. Whatever you feel needs to be organized, get a container for it.

Label Everything

Labels will be the saviors of your organization. They will allow you to quickly find what you need. Plus, even better, it will be easier to put things away since everyone will know where it belongs.

When you label something and always put it back in the same space, it makes it quick and straightforward to grab things. There will be no searching around or opening 10 different boxes.

Group Similar items

In the case of a messy drawer, you should try and sort similar things. If your messy drawer is mostly filled with utensils but has some ‘other’ items in it, then try to eliminate the ‘other’ items. Keep only utensils in that drawer. 

The same goes for any other items, too. By grouping similar items together and eliminating other items, your home will be significiantly more organized. This means there is always a single logical place for you to find what you need.

Make it Functional 

Although it is essential to have a space that you find beautiful, ensuring that everything in a specific area is logical can be more critical. 

You might want to have all your shelves looking lovely, but they still should have the items you need to use regularly.

But for example, if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it always pays to make sure that your kitchen is well organized. This can make cooking an absolute pleasure. 

Don’t worry if some areas just look more aesthetically pleasing than others. The whole point of the exercise is to make sure that everything is just well organized. With organization, the aesthetics will quickly and surely follow.

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The Home Edit is one of my favorite TV shows. I learn so many organization tips from them, and I am continually inspired to re-organize my home. As I do one room at a time (hey, I have kids, I can’t do it all at once LOL), I notice an immediate difference. I hope these tips work just as well for you as they have for me! If you have any other tips, leave a comment and let me know!

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For the Home How To Life Parenting

How You Can Make Your Home Perfect For A New Arrival

Make Your Home Perfect For A New Arrival

If you have a new baby on the way, you need to make your home perfect for a new arrival. First things first: congratulations!!

There are things you can do to ensure you bring them into the best possible home. Plus, you can ensure that the rest of you can operate happily in the home while taking on the huge responsibilities.

Well, fortunately, it is easier to do than you may think. Most of it will quickly become a habit if you just practice them a few times.

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Make Your Home Perfect For A New Arrival

Create The Perfect Nursery and Consider Other Spaces

This goes without saying, but you’re going to want to ensure that your baby’s nursery has everything it needs and has enough space. Babies may be tiny, but they have lots of stuff and require a ton of space. Plus, they’re going to grow quickly and accumulate more toys and possessions.

If you’re looking for home additions, then you could do something with a spare room you might have. Your baby might need an extra playroom if you currently have no space anywhere else, for example. We didn’t do home additions, but we are constantly feeling like we don’t have enough space.

Unfortunately, my husband and I didn’t plan ahead and now that we have five kids in the house, I am seriously regretting it. Don’t let that happen to you, because now I am eager to move into a new space with more room. Whatever you do, make sure you consider the space you will truly need for a child.

Keep The Home Neat And Tidy  

The job you’re going to have is going to be difficult enough, so you’re going to need to ensure that your home is in good condition. You want to give yourself every advantage as you head into parenthood (even if it’s for the second or third time).

If you start ahead of time, then you’re going to be in a much better position to take care of your child. Likewise, if you have a messy home that needs to be cleared out, then you’re going to have extra work while worrying about and taking care of the baby. Make things easier for yourself and get this gritty job out of the way.

Make Sure Everything Is Safe 

This is another point that goes without saying, but you’ll need to make sure that you’ve checked every corner and analyzed every single situation around the entire house. You never know what issues a small child can run into, so you need to double and triple check. Sharp edges, loose items, wires, electrical products, and so many other areas need to be looked at.

Go through your entire house and make a list ahead of time. This isn’t something you will want to do once the baby is already home. There are many safety products on the market that will make things easier. These things include:

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

Prepare For Visitors

For the first few weeks and months, you’re going to receive lots of visits from friends and family. They’re going to be interested in what your life is like now with the small child in your home, and they’re going to want to wish you all the best.

So, with that being said, it’s best to make your living room a little welcoming at the very least. Prepare for lots of people and make a little extra space.

If you’re always prepared for someone to stop by, you won’t be so anxious about it. Prevent every bit of stress that you can so you can fully enjoy your new baby. 

Shop For Food

A lot of these have been obvious tips, but with the overwhelming event of giving birth and welcoming a human into the world, it’s easy to forget some fundamental tasks. You’re going to need to do a big food shop and tailor your grocery shopping around the child’s life for a while.

The way you operated before is no longer. Frequent visits to the grocery store may not be an option anymore, and you probably won’t want to take your baby out for a while anyway. Make sure you get more than enough, just in case.

Focus on shopping for meat that you can freeze, canned goods, and non-perishable items. If you’re feeling up to it, you can even prepare meals ahead of time and freeze them for a quick and delicious dinner.

Make Your Home Perfect For A New Arrival

Having a new baby is such an exciting experience, and making your home perfect for a new arrival will make it even better. Don’t cause unnecessary stress for yourself after the baby is home. Use these tips to plan ahead and make the transition easier for everyone.

Categories
Adulting Home Life

Top 5 Things To Do Before Moving Out of Your Home

before moving out, things to do before moving, prepare for moving

If you had to use one word to describe moving out of your home, it would more than likely be ‘stressful.’ However, it doesn’t need to be that way. There are things you can do today and in the coming weeks leading up to moving day to make your relocation much easier.

Earlier on the blog, I explained the 8 Signs That It Is The Right Time To Move Your Family and the 4 Steps You Must Not Forget When Moving Into A New Home. Well, this post explains what you should do before moving out of your current home.

before moving out, things to do before moving, prepare for moving
Picture by Karolina Grabowski from Pexels – CC0 License

Things to do Before You Move

Hire a Moving Company

Removalists offer various services to suit your budget and needs when moving home. You will want to do this as early as possible to make sure they are available on the dates you need them. Otherwise, you could be stuck figuring out another, less reliable option for moving your things.

If you think you’ll need transport and help to move and pack your things, contact reputable businesses like Two Men and A Truck to see how they can help take the stress out of your moving day.

Start Clearing Out Your Home

No matter how far away your moving date is, it’s never too early to start clearing out any unwanted or irreparable things in your home.

Cutting down the amount of stuff you own is beneficial when moving because:

  • You can hire a smaller moving truck, which will cost you less
  • There will be fewer things for you to pack and organize
  • You can make a fresh start in your new home, with less junk and clutter. 

Keep it simple by decluttering one room at a time. You may want to give things you no longer need, such as clothes or old toys, to family or friends, sell them on eBay, or donate them.

before moving out, things to do before moving, prepare for moving

Call Important Contacts

Call your bill providers to let them know you’ll either be leaving their company or want to use their services in your new home. You will want to tell them which date you need to end service in your current home, as well, so you don’t continue to get charged after moving out.

Here are a few other contacts to call when you are moving:

  • Employer
  • Bank 
  • Dentist and physician
  • Insurance provider
  • Pension
  • Tax agencies
  • Post office
  • Loan providers
  • Subscription services 
  • Social Security Administration

Making contact in advance of your move date will give you ample time to work through each provider and ensure they can process the address change on their end.

Other essential contacts to tell your moving address are your family and friends.

Overnight Essentials

Before your moving date, pack one bag to keep with you during the move. This bag will have essentials to see you and your family through the first night and following day. These essentials include:

  • Non-perishable snacks and water
  • Pajamas
  • Change of clothes
  • Toiletries and towels
  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • Clean bed sheets
  • Phone and phone charger
  • Purse with money and cards
  • A couple small toys for the kids

Keeping a bag on you with everything you’ll need will save you from searching through endless boxes on moving day. 

before moving out, things to do before moving, prepare for moving

Arrange Child Care

Moving is a lot more challenging to do when you have little ones around. For this reason, asking a family member or friend to take care of them while you move everything will be extremely helpful. Alongside the kids, if you have any pets, it may be worth thinking about finding a sitter for them, too.

By following the tips above, there will be no important mail sent to your old address. Plus, you’ll have a moving company ready and waiting on your moving day. Taking time to plan for your move will make a world of difference and make what is likely to be a busy day much more manageable.

Categories
Adulting How To Life

Improve Your Life With These Simple Changes

Improve Your Life With These Simple Changes, changes to make your life better
Improve Your Life With These Simple Changes, changes to make your life better
Pexels

Life may be going okay for you right now, but you might feel a bit uneasy knowing there’s more out there for you. You don’t have to settle for mediocre, and the power to improve your life for the better is in your hands.

There are simple changes you can make that will improve your life and put a smile on your face. You can have it all when you put your mind to it and are committed to finding happiness.

Let these ideas inspire you to want more and to be more so you can rest easy knowing you’re giving it your all each day. Enjoy the newfound freedom that comes when you realize you’re in the driver’s seat and control the outcome.

Learn A New Skill

You can improve your life by learning a new skill. You’ll be challenging your mind and body and may even be able to start a new career from it. At the very minimum, you’ll have a fun hobby to do in your free time.

It’s an opportunity to stretch yourself and step outside your comfort zone. It’ll provide you with a fresh perspective and get you out of your normal routine. Think about what you’ve always wanted to learn but have never made the time for in the past.

Save up to Purchase A New Home

Improve your life by saving up your money to buy or build a new home. It’s especially important if where you live currently isn’t suitable. You want to feel comfortable and happy at home.

While moving is a big undertaking, you’ll be glad you did it once you’re settled into your new space. Consider using moving storage services so you can keep your belongings safe and protected as you make the transition. It’s also your chance to declutter your life and belongings and start fresh.

Improve Your Life With These Simple Changes, changes to make your life better

Cook for Yourself & Commit to Exercising More

Take better care of yourself, and you’ll be on your way to improving your life. Practice self-care, and you’ll soon experience a boost in your health and happiness. Cook for yourself at home so you can control the ingredients you use and the portion sizes.

In addition to eating healthier, also commit to exercising more frequently and shedding unwanted pounds. You’ll have fewer health issues to deal with, and your clothes will fit better.

You’ll love who you see in the mirror and will have more natural energy. Plus, you will experience less anxiety when you eat well and exercise.

Have A Positive Mindset & Attitude

Your mindset and attitude also play a role in your health and happiness. Improve your life by changing your outlook and the way you react to situations.

Embrace the unknown and learn to go with the flow instead of trying to control all that happens in your life. Focus on the bright side when things don’t go your way, or you face obstacles and challenges in your daily life. Avoid always being the victim and learn from your mistakes and mishaps to do better the next time around.

Improve Your Life With These Simple Changes, changes to make your life better

Even when your life is going great, you should still work to improve it. By simply picking up a new hobby, you will be opening new doors for yourself. Don’t limit yourself just because you’re happy, instead make yourself happier by pursuing further opportunities.