Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 31)
,
Six Ways to Modify Your Home After an Accident
Accident injuries can be severe to the point of causing permanent disability to those involved. If you were in a tragic accident that left you with limited movement, you might need to modify your house for easier access as soon as possible. Doing these renovations might be challenging, considering the time it takes to get your compensation.
Fortunately, you do not have to wait that long. By seeking Money First Funding pre-settlement loans, you will have the financial freedom to make your house more accessible for you. Here are six ways you can modify your home after an accident.
How to Modify Your Home After an Accident
1. Widen Your Doorways
One of the first modifications you should consider is wider doors. If you use crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair, your entryways will need to widen. Although this may be costly, it is a good way to prevent any further injuries that may occur from forcing your way through narrow doors.
2. Ramps Instead of Stairs
If you have any problem moving around naturally on your feet, then ramps are a must-have modification. They will help you move about in a safe way that you can not achieve by using stairs. There are different types of ramps you can choose from. You can select one that blends perfectly with your house decor and general architecture. If your house is relatively small, you may consider a collapsible ramp, which is more portable.
3. Install an Elevator
As extravagant as it sounds, elevators maybe your best modification in the house. They not only portray elegance and class but also increase the value of your home by leaps and bounds. The only limitation with elevators is that you can only install them in big houses. They are also very expensive and will require a huge chunk of money for you to install. The pros of installing an elevator outweigh the cons.
4. Get Rid of Door Knobs
Using door knobs can be frustratingly cumbersome for people with various disabilities. For instance, people whose hands are not fully functional may find it challenging to use doorknobs. You may want to replace them with more practical solutions such as pull and push bars, or even automatic doors. Automatic doors may prove to be the best solution if you can afford them.
5. Rearrange Your Furniture
You may have to rearrange your house soon after the accident to ensure easier accessibility. If your furniture was arranged in a particularly limiting way, you might have to rearrange it. If you can afford it, you might consider replacing your inaccessible furniture with more accessible choices. A low table that accommodates your wheelchair, for instance, can be a significant modification that improves your quality of life.
6. Modify Your Toilet
Of course, you need bathroom facilities, so it’s only wise to make a few alterations there, also. Ensure that the whole facility is slip-proof. Install bars on various parts of the toilet and bathroom for adequate support. The bars should be effective and leave no room for accidents that may occur. You may also want to modify your floor and get rid of slippery tiles that may cause you to fall.
Let Safety Be Your Priority
Making all these alterations will undoubtedly be costly. Making them by yourself may be impossible. Do not let any of these hold you back. Remember that your safety is the most important thing. Take a pre-settlement loan if necessary and request your loved ones to help with the installation. You could even get professionals to do all the technical work for you. Whatever the means, ensure that your house is both accessible and safe.
,
3 Industries to Open a Business
I’m constantly on the hunt for new business ideas, offline and online, so I thought it would be fun to share some new industries that you could open a business in if you’re looking to build a profitable company from the ground up. Here are my top 4 industries to open a business in.
1. A Franchise
Have you ever considered opening a franchise? As long as you have a decent amount of money available, then you should be able to get started pretty quickly. Opening a franchise is an easy way to get started because you’ll be handed everything from the contacts to the formula for sales. It’s a great starting place for someone without a ton of experience, as you’re going to be operating something that’s tried and tested. The type of franchise you can open will vary, but fast food is one of the most common franchises. Whether you fancy opening a KFC or a Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar and Grill, the principles are very similar. Bear in mind that operating a franchise can come with a number of rules and regulations in order to maintain the same standard across the board. Some people might find that restrictive, I personally feel that it makes it easier to get things off the ground faster as you have a clear blueprint.
2. Construction
Construction is always going to be an important industry because not only do we need new builds for our growing populations almost everywhere, but many people also choose to renovate their homes making them more modern. Over the past few decades, there has been a shift in what kind of careers people lean towards, with many trade based careers such as construction (check out Rochester Stone), mechanics, and electrician based careers becoming less popular. This has resulted in a pretty good pay increase for these trade-based positions after all, pay scale often follows a supply and demand correlation. If you’re looking for a different type of construction, check out the best modular clean room manufacturers.
3. An Online Business
I obviously love online businesses, but you might wonder why. Here are some of the reasons that an online business is an excellent type of business to start. Firstly, there are low start-up costs, depending on the type of business you want to start there could be close to zero start-up costs. For example, if you are looking to start a beauty business, look for help from a private label lip balm manufacturer, or a more varied skincare manufacturer, and get started! If you want to get into Youtube, it’s free to sign up and you can use your smartphone as your camera for filming in the beginning until you’re ready to invest more. If you want to start with a blog, or something more website focused, then I would say it’s worthwhile paying for a domain name and hosting, which in total might set you back around $60-70 for the first year, depending on what company you go with. Compared to a traditional business, these starting costs are extremely low, meaning that almost anyone could get started online if they wanted to.
If you’re looking to start a new business, take a look into these three industries and you’ll b starting in the right place!
,
7 Unforgettable Motorcycling Destinations
The best way to see the world is arguably on a motorcycle. While you can do it on a bicycle or even on foot, you get to see so much more when you get on a motorbike. You have unparalleled freedom.
But where, exactly, should you go? In this post, we find out. These are the top motorcycling destinations and circuits around the world that will provide you with an utterly unparalleled experience. Read on to learn more.
Che Guevara Highway, Cuba
The Che Guevara Highway is the product of the communist regime, but that doesn’t matter for tourists. They’re free to cruise down it like they’re in a Hollywood movie.
If you want to go on a motorcycle tour in the country, you’ll need to do it through a licensed company. Cuba has strict rules about who can come and where they can go.
All in all, the Che Guevara Highway offers around 1,240 miles of the route to explore, encircling the vast majority of the island.
Anatolia To Istanbul, Turkey
Western tourists to Turkey explore the country’s major cities and tourist resorts, particularly Istanbul. However, Asia Minor offers considerably more than that. The majority of the country is a rural wilderness, offering stunning landscapes and numerous beautiful villages to explore.
The Anatolia to Istanbul circuit takes you past Byzantine landmarks and unusual troglodyte houses built into the rock. You can also explore the Black Sea coast and Taurus mountains along the route.
Yorkshire Dales And Moors, UK
The Yorkshire Dales and Moors aren’t quite as epic as Turkey, but they offer their own unique charm. They’re quintessentially English and offer excellent accommodation, plenty of campsites, wild scenery, forests, and hiking trails. As you make your way through them, you’ll come across many attractive market towns, including Pickering in the Moors and Grassington in the Dales. For a coastal experience, head east of the North Moors National Park to Whitby, one of the country’s most famous and picturesque seaside towns.
Andes Circuit, Chile
Chile is perhaps the most picturesque country in South America, and that’s saying something. The mountain nation is cut off from the rest of the continent by the mighty Andes mountain range and is incredibly well protected.
The Andes circuit runs parallel to the great mountains themselves – and it goes on for thousands of miles. Most tourists like to begin their adventure in the south of the country and then slowly make their way north, stopping off at various features and landmarks along the way.
Fjordland, Norway
Norway is biking heaven for motorcycling enthusiasts. Not only is it one of the wealthiest countries in the world, offering all kinds of amenities for bikers. But it is also one of the most spectacular. The Norwegians have the money to carve great roads through the landscape that seem to effortlessly snake their way through the most challenging terrain.
Practically any road in the country will provide you with a breathtaking experience. However, if you want to make the most of your trip, start in Bergen and then head to Gudvangen. Here, take a ferry to Naerlandsford where you’ll encounter the world’s deepest and longest fjord.
The American West, USA
The American West is a vast area for motorcyclists to explore. There’s so much to see that you’d require a lifetime to do it all.
Expert motorcycle accident attorneys recommend being careful though. The American West is a potentially dangerous place, particularly because drivers do not expect other people to be around.
If you begin your adventure in LA, pick up Route 66 and then follow it inland to Arizona. Here, you can get close to the Grand Canyon for a bit of sightseeing.
Heading north, you can visit the Natural Bridges National Park, as well as Zion and Bryce. Those feeling brave can also head on down to Death Valley and experience the highest temperatures in the mainland USA. Just make sure that you pack plenty of sunscreens.
Pyrenees Loop, Spain, And France
The Pyrenees is a mountain range that splits Spain from France. The roads that serve it are exceptional and offer more than 1,500 miles of scenic driving. Expect plenty of hairpins along the way.
The route usually starts from Bilbao. From here, you take the N260 which meanders its way up into the Pyrenees. Then you’ll reach La Seu d’Urgell and head to the tiny mountain kingdom of Andorra. From there, you’ll drop back into Spain, heading for Ripoli. Along the way, be sure to stop off on the Mediterranean coast and also check out the Salvador Dali museum.
,
How to File Real Estate Taxes
If you’re a real estate property owner, you’re required to pay tax on the property’s income. Every state, city, county, and even local jurisdiction have their own list of what type of property is taxed and specifications on how property owners should determine a property’s taxable value. You’re required to file an annual tax return to report the tax you owe.
If you’re wondering how to file real estate taxes, here’s a simple guide:
How to Pay Your Taxes
Property taxes are paid to the state or other local jurisdiction — make sure to check your state’s rules on real estate tax filing. The local government accesses your property to determine its worth and how it should be taxed. The filing process is different in every state, so make sure to check that you’re using the correct forms. Consult a tax professional if not sure.
Property Tax Deductions
Like many property owners, you’re probably asking yourself if you can deduct property taxes from your federal tax return. The truth is, you can deduct your real estate property taxes that you paid on your property in the financial year you file taxes. The taxes are deductible if they’re:
- Based on the market value of your property
- Levied uniformly throughout the local community
- Assessed and paid before the end of the tax year
- Used for a general or governmental purpose
Real estate owners can deduct up to $10,000 of state and local real estate income taxes, including personal property taxes, or $5,000 if married and filing your taxes separately.
What To Keep in Mind When Deducting Property Taxes
It’s crucial to differentiate between deductible real estate taxes and non-deductible property charges. Expenses like fees charged for delivering services like water and flat fees for paying fines and assessments and costs that benefit the property like the construction of a sidewalk can’t be deducted. Check your local tax authority’s bill to see if you can deduct maintenance and repair costs.
Real estate taxes may also be divided where a property was sold or bought. The seller can deduct the property taxes up to the date before the actual sale, while the buyer can deduct taxes starting on the sale date. If you sell or buy a home during the tax year, your settlement statement also reports real estate and property taxes. +
Timing Is Important When Taking Deductions
The timing of your real estate property tax payments is critical when taking deductions from your federal income tax return. If you want to claim a deduction, the IRS requires that you make the payment during the same year you report the property tax deduction. For instance, if you’re filing your 2020 tax return in 2021, you can only deduct the property taxes paid on or between Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2020.
Report on Schedule A
Before paying real estate taxes online, ensure you itemize your deductions to take your property tax deduction. You should claim this on Schedule A. If you pay real estate property taxes through an escrow account each month as part of your mortgage payment, don’t treat the entire payment as part of your property tax deduction.
If you need a consultation about real estate taxes, deductions, and tax breaks, or you need help with your tax return consult TFX, your tax professionals, so you can get back as much money as possible.
,
I’m Not Invincible: Dealing With Travel Anxiety
I wish I could say that travel was all sunshine and roses. That nothing bad will ever happen to you. That every day on the road will be the best day of your life and you’ll be transported from country to country on the back of a magical unicorn. But that would be doing both of us a disservice, I think.
Sometimes travel sucks. Sometimes you’re scared. Sometimes you’re injured. Sometimes you’re burned out. And sometimes, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be anxious.
It’s the crummy days on the road that make the good days – and trust me, there will be plenty of them – taste so sweet.
From the very first solo adventure I set off on, I was anxious. That first flight from Australia to Thailand was terrifying. It was the first place I was going where I knew absolutely no one, and perhaps worse still for someone who suffers from anxiety, I had no plan.
I think of anxiety as a spectrum, not an on and off switch. I think we ALL suffer from a little bit of anxiety here and there. Some more strongly, some less so. While I think I suffer from not so much anxiety, I hope that these tips can help minimise some of your anxiety no matter where on the scale you are.
But first, a little story.
I was supposed to come to Guatemala in November. But when I was in Panama I met two guys who had been on a bus that was held at gun point in Guatemala and everything was taken. It reminded me of when I was stabbed in Indonesia and made me REALLY anxious. I couldn’t shake that anxiety. As the flight got closer and closer, my anxiety rose. It got to the point where, for some reason, I was terrified to take that flight. So I just didn’t. I was lucky I was in the financial position to skip the flight and ended up going to Peru instead.
Now that I’ve been in Guatemala for almost 2 months, I can easily say that I love this country. There are lots of issues and challenges here, but I think the fear and anxiety that surrounded my original plans to come here in November was unfounded. It was certainly a challenge for me to come here, but I’m so grateful I did, otherwise I might not be dating my fantastic boyfriend, wouldn’t have fallen in love with Antigua and my life would be on a completely different course.
Tips for Dealing With travel Anxiety
Visualise Your Worst Case Situation:
Whenever I feel myself freaking out, I ask myself what my likely “worst case situation” is. That way I can deal with what is worrying me, head on. For example, with my apprehension about coming to Guatemala, I was scared I might be robbed somewhere. That I’d lose my phone, all my cash and maybe my passport. After realising this was what I was afraid of, I decided to mentally walk through the steps I would take to move forward.
I have travel insurance so I’d get a new phone (sounds kind of like a win), I made sure to back up my phone just in case it would happen. In terms of the money, I don’t carry more cash than I’d be OK to lose. I’ve minimised my “worst case situation” into basically no problem, and my anxiety around that situation has all but got. Isolate what you’re afraid of and then planning steps to minimise it, is a great way to help reduce your anxiety about travels.
Talk to People:
If you’re worried about somewhere you’re headed, ask around. Get in touch with friends or family who have travelled to where you’re going. Better yet, ask if anyone you know has friends or family living there. If neither of those two options bring any light on the situation, I turn to Couchsurfing and I’ll message locals questions about safety, how to be properly prepared and so forth. I find that the more I know about a place I’m visiting, the less anxious I feel.
Seek Help:
If you suffer from anxiety to the point where it’s stopping you from living the life you want, whether it’s travel or normal day-to-day life you might want to seek help. The type of help you opt for can vary from talking to a friend, getting some medical attention, looking into a supplement from somewhere like goldbee.com, or even going through therapy. A little anxiety is manageable, but if it’s preventing you from living your dreams then maybe it’s time to do something about it. You could look into one of the more popular strains of kratom, red bali, which has great anti-anxiety properties, among other things. Just make sure that you do your research and get as much information you need before making your decision when it comes to kratom, or any sort of treatment you are considering. In addition to kratom, there are plenty more treatment options available to help with anxiety can be really discreet – you could vape this delta 8 cartridge when out and about and, since vaping is so common these days, no-one would bat an eyelid!
The truth is, every time I jet off somewhere new alone I have this nervous feeling in my chest. It’s a mix of excitement and freaking out. I think it’s normal to be apprehensive, a little scared and a bit worried. I think it’s also a sign that you’re challenging yourself, which should be acknowledged and appreciated. Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone is a great way to learn more about yourself and the world around you.
Do you suffer from anxiety when you travel? How do you manage it? Share in the comments below.
,
5 Tips for Building a Gallery Wall with Photo Prints in Your Home
Gallery walls have become popular recently in many modern homes. They provide an easy way to update your home designs, transform those barren and empty walls, build a focal point in your space, and incorporate some character and personality into your home. There is nothing as beautiful as building a gallery wall to showcase your most cherished memories and fill those blank walls in your home.
A gallery wall can add a story to your home because every photo tells a story. On a gallery wall, you can tell that story in deeper detail. If building a gallery wall in your home is a task you’ve been putting up for a long time, now is your chance to get it done.
These five practical tips will help you build a gallery wall that is most suitable for your home. Explore them!
1. Look for a Perfect Wall Space
That vast blank wall in your room is a hot spot to showcase your gallery wall. However, you can display these gallery walls in other areas of your home, such as near a fireplace, above your bed, around windows and doors, and even near your kitchen cabinets.
A gallery wall is a beautiful addition to your, making your space infinitely more interesting.
2. Select the Right Photo Prints
In choosing the appropriate photos for your gallery wall, you need to ask yourself some questions. You need to ask yourself, what theme do you intend to use with your print? How many pieces do you want to hang?
Thus, apart from answering these questions, you need to know maybe you want to add other décor items like clocks and mirrors aside from your colorful photo prints.
3. Choose a Hero Piece
In any quality home design, there should always be a hero piece. Make sure that you have a hero piece from the selected photos. You can make the hero piece your starting point and pull in other elements that work together with it.
In addition, as the most prominent photo in the arrangement, ensure to hang it first before you build your wall around it.
4. Choose Your Layout First
Before hanging your prints, try to put them on the floor and have trial and error with the layout until you like it. You may take a photo of it so that you can refer to it while you’re hanging them on your wall.
Another method you can employ for your trial and error is cutting pieces of paper the same size as your prints and sticking them to the wall according to your desired layout. Then, hang each of your images over its paper template.
5. Go for Corner Gallery
Do you have a series of little artwork or a set of framed family photos? If yes, congratulations! You can build a gallery wall in the corner of your room, which is a beautiful way to create a focal point. You don’t need to spread it up and down the wall, but ensure to make it at eye level.
Wrapping Up
You can’t underrate the impact of a gallery wall on home decor. It’s a great addition to your space, and it may add color and make your room more interesting. A Gallery wall will also fill up those boring walls and make them come back to life. Get ready for a new adventure in your home décor and feel free to explore.
,
5 Factors That Lead to a Car Accident
An automobile accident is among the worst events that can occur to you. It harms both your physical and mental wellbeing. You may have to spend a significant amount of money on medical costs and vehicle repairs. Even though most road users are aware of the safety standards, there is a lot of laxity surrounding them.
In the event of car accidents, you should contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible, as they will be in a position to help you with your case. No matter how careful and experienced a driver is, sometimes accidents become inevitable. Below, we discuss some of the leading factors that contribute to a car accident.
What Are the Leading Causes of a Car Accident?
1. Faulty Equipment
Not all vehicle accidents result from negligent driving; some accidents are caused as a result of faulty pieces of equipment from the manufacturing companies or poorly maintained roads. Regardless of how you think the accident happened, contact a personal injury lawyer to investigate the cause of the accident. If your lawyer determines a manufacturing company or government entity is responsible, they can fight in your best interest to see that they compensate you fairly.
2. Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol is one of the leading factors contributing to road accidents. Alcohol and drugs can distort reality and reduce reaction time—drinking and driving cause impaired vision and judgment.
The legal consequences to drunk drivers can be pretty severe, as they knew better than to drive while intoxicated. But, the physical consequences of an impaired automotive accident are much worse and often deadly. The guilt can be hard to deal with, which may lead to a person experiencing mental and psychological illnesses.
3. Distracted Driving
Driving when using a phone can be very dangerous as it causes unnecessary distractions, and as human beings, multi-tasking has proven to be quite a difficult task. Being on a call can cause distractions, leading to a head-on collision. Do not operate your phone or even your car radio while driving; ensure you stop if you have to answer the phone.
4. Unfavorable Weather
Driving during poor weather conditions can cause car accidents. Weather conditions such as heavy rains, snow, fog, and mist are contributing factors. The roads can be slippery and cause drivers to lose control and drive off the road.
Fog and mist can be a distraction as you cannot see clearly while driving. When driving under these conditions, ensure you slow down regardless of the posted speed limit and how open the road is.
5. Speeding
Driving fast offers a thrilling feeling, especially on the open road, but it has the most devastating impacts in the event of an accident.
When traveling at fast speeds, you may not have enough time to respond. When stopping becomes necessary, you will need to travel a bigger distance. A slow car, on the other hand, can come to a complete halt.
If a speeding car is involved in a collision, the effect of the crash will be more significant. As a result, more people will be injured and to a greater severity.
Do I Need a Car Accident Attorney?
The answer is yes. Contact an accident attorney to help litigate your case as soon as possible, as they will gather the required evidence to support your claim. They also know the best hospitals you can visit to ensure you get top-notch health care.
Although it is difficult to avoid accidents, there are several measures you can take to increase road safety. Tiredness, careless driving, distracted driving, and other risky practices cause the majority of auto accidents. Following the regulations will protect you and other road users.
,
Kitchen Talk: Clever Hacks to Keep It Clean
Kitchens are the heart of every home, a place where family and friends gather to share meals, laughter, and conversation.
Yet, although it is one of the most important rooms in your house, many people dread cleaning their kitchens because they feel like they end up with more work than before!
Most homemakers agree: that a clean kitchen is a happy kitchen, where you can relax and spend some time with your family.
But, if the kitchen is dirty, it’s like spoiling your whole day. Kitchen dirt may cause various diseases to your body, and yes, may even affect the whole family’s health — a reason for everyone to keep their kitchens clean.
And if you’re a fan of cooking and baking, then there is no doubt that your kitchen gets messy pretty quickly. It’s important to not let this clutter pile up when you can easily organize it.
One homemaker’s lament: “People spend a lot of money on buying cleaning products or services from a professional cleaner, but they don’t know how to use them properly.”
True, and even if you say you’re a very good cook, yet your kitchen is cluttered with dirty dishes, food scraps, and the remnants of last night’s dinner party, that kitchen clutter is still within your department, and so you need to take charge of those cleaning chores in the kitchen.
One homemaker tip is to be organized, just like being the Kitchen CEO.
“It’s important to create an organizing system that keeps the kitchen tidy while still allowing for efficient preparation of meals. Keeping your kitchen clean is one of the most important things you can do in order to keep you and your family healthy,” says Chelsea from North Carolina, mother of six-year-old girl twins.
The kitchen, as most homemakers say, is one of the most important rooms in any home.
This room serves so many purposes: meal prep, food storage, and so keeping this space clean can be a challenge since it’s used so often. And when guests come over, you want to make sure they’re impressed by your great taste in decorating!
Decluttering The Kitchen
As you check the kitchen for items which need to be thrown away — such as expired canned goods, stale food, or broken dishes — you start decluttering the kitchen and sorting out your things.
You can start by gathering all the items which do not belong there, such as your kid’s stuff toys, or dirty clothes which should be tossed straight to the washing machine.
Start sorting those items in the kitchen which need repairs, such as the kitchen cabinet, or broken doorknobs, and set a schedule for repair day for these.
And yes, during your first Declutter Day, keep it light, just first skimming through things that you believe should go straight to the garbage, or need to just be given away.
Don’t be distracted by rearranging cabinets and drawers, and simply organize and place the items where they belong. Another day will be for repairs and possibly deeper general cleaning for the kitchen.
Create a “family clean up playlist”
With your family members, make kitchen cleaning something that the whole family can work on together.
Kitchen cleaning can be a family affair, as each member cooperates with their own task, to make kitchen work so much easier and fun, and also can be a family bonding idea.
And if your kids are big enough to clear, wash and rinse their own plates after each meal, what’s stopping you from allowing them to do the task?
Yes, these are simple acts that do not take much time, making the job of dishwashing so much easier.
And yes, we are able to train our kids with home chores, giving a little taste of home discipline even at an early age.
There you go, just a few of our tips to keep your sanity and make kitchen cleaning a fun experience not just for you but for the whole family.
And for those of you in San Diego, California, if you’re a beginner in your decluttering journey for your home and most especially for your kitchen, feel free to check out some experts who are more than willing to help you out to make sure you keep your home clean and clutter-free: Dumpsters in San Diego.
Make sure to follow our website as well for more tips on beautifying the home and making it your personal sanctuary of joy and relaxation.
,
Top Road Trip Checks Before You Head Off
Is there anything more fun than packing up the car and heading off a road trip? I don’t think so. It’s a wonderful way to travel with your family because you can take a few more things with you than when traveling by plane or train, such as a comfortable pillow or a few extra toys for the kids. However before you head off on your next road trip, you should be sure to give your car a quick check over to ensure its safety and reliability on your next road trip adventure. With everything that’s going on this year with Covid, the truth is there’s no better time to get out on a road trip and explore nature. If you’re looking for more info, take a look here: https://thriveglobal.com/stories/reconnecting-with-nature-in-america-during-covid-19/
Here are my top road trip checks before you head off:
1. Car Safety
There’s nothing more important to me than car safety and that’s why, before every long road trip, I like to give my car a good check over. Defective tires are among the most common car accident causes, so I’ll take a look at the tires to check how the tread is and whether there are any obvious tire punctures. I’m really lucky in that my car has sensors on the tires to let me know when the air pressure dips too low, so it’s usually easy for me to know if I have a puncture well before there’s a problem. Likewise, I always check my car service history and if it’s due for a service or oil change, I prefer to book it in before the road trip. kwik-fit.com have great inexpensive servicing options that will suit a range of budgets and cars. It’s a good idea to have a #CarSafetyChecklist that you check off before every long trip.
2. A Good Playlist
While this isn’t quite as important as the car safety checklist, a good music playlist rates pretty high up on my road trip checklist. If I’m traveling with friends, I like to have a few good podcasts downloaded in case we get bored and want some stimulation. Otherwise, I’m always sure to keep two playlists on the go: one that has all the latest hits we can sing along to and the other is all the 90s hits. Ask your friends or other family members to each choose a playlist too, so you can share the music and each enjoy at least a part of the trip listening to your favorite songs!
3. Healthy Snacks
Have you ever been stuck in a confined space with someone who’s hangry? Trust me, it’s not fun! Prepare properly by bringing a range of healthy snacks, think fruits, nuts, cereal bars, even some sandwiches. Don’t forget to bring a good amount of water for the entire journey as you don’t know how often there were be places you can stop along the way. Garages also tend to be quite overpriced so grab as many of your snacks at a supermarket before you leave.
These are my top 3 road trip tips, do you have anything else I’ve forgotten? Let me know in the comments below!
,
What To Do With Your Home When You Go Travelling
So you’ve decided to take an extended trip around the world, but what do you do with your property when you’re gone. For homeowners, it can be a little more tricky, as there’s a lot more to consider.
Sell your home
If you’re planning to travel indefinitely, or plan to settle in a different place when you’re finished. Then you might want to sell your property and use the funds to travel or to put towards a new place when you’re ready. When you come to buying again, there are a number of home buyer assistance programs that can help you.
Before you sell, take into account the housing market, property prices and the area you’re looking to move to.
Rent it out
If you still have a mortgage to pay on your property, then renting it out makes a lot of sense. You can still cover your payments while you’re travelling. Check with your mortgage company if you’re allowed to do this first, or you could invalidate your agreement with them.
Make sure you take out the relevant insurances and make the necessary checks on the people you are renting to. You will also need someone who can act on your behalf if there is an issue with the property. This can be a friend, relative or professional letting agency.
Short term rentals
Property owners can make a very good living by listing their properties on sites like Airbnb. You could potentially make an income from it. If your property is in good condition and is in an area that gets a lot of tourists or business travellers, then you should consider this option.
If you’re going to rent out your property like this, you’ll need to make sure that it’s up to standard and complies with any necessary health and safety regulations. You’ll also need someone to manage the property on your behalf. They’ll need to be able to be contacted by the people staying at the property and ensure that the place is cleaned in between guests. Again, you can have used a friend or family member or there are a number of independent property managers who can do this for a fee.
Use a housesitter
You can get a professional housesitter to stay on your property while you’re away. Depending on the particular type you use, they agree to look after the property and do regular cleaning and maintenance in exchange for staying there. Make sure you agree in advance about what they’ll be expected to do and pay for while they’re there.
Final thoughts
Travelling is exciting, but having a property means that you have a few more things to consider before you can head off on an adventure. There are a number of options, but you have to decide what is better for you financially and in the long term. Knowing your property is safe and secure can mean you can travel with fewer worries and just concentrate on enjoying yourself.
