Home Articles Posted by Izy Berry (Page 46)
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Top reasons why UK travelers will choose an island destination for their next holiday
Ahhh, an island vacation. Is there anything more relaxing? Opodo asked me for my opinion on the company’s recent research findings, and it turns out that the answer to that question is no- at least for UK travelers.
The search for Vitamin D is always a top priority for Brits, particularly around this time of the year, with 75% of British holidaymakers admitting that this is a key part of their decision-making process. 61% said they consider the culture of each potential destination, while 57% are all about the food. 25% of people don’t want to stray too far from home (which makes sense if you’ve got limited days off left), while 18% are interested in the music they’d be listening to at their destination.
There are also a number of major calendar events throughout the year that help influence our decisions. 21% of respondents said they’re looking at music festivals, while 16% said they consider annual events like cultural gatherings or events involving food or drink. 15% said they look for a chance to enjoy local music, while 12% choose their destination based on seeing their favorite band or artist perform.
I like the sun as much as the next girl, but did you know that the average Brit will sunbathe for 3 hours while away on holiday? They’ll also read between 2-4 books which I can get behind, and 78% say they’ll have fun tasting some of the local food. 53% will enjoy cocktails, which, let’s be real, is one of my favorite things to do on vacation, while 29% have even planned out a chilled playlist to help them relax.
That’s why my next holiday will definitely be an island destination. At this stage, I’m interested in an island in Panama, since I also love scuba diving. With more than 100 islands waiting to be explored, I could easily spend a week alternating between a day lying on the beach and a day of diving. I also want to consider Isle of Man for an island holiday, where I can explore the amazing beaches, caves and coves. I’m also super interested in Fuerteventura, and if you’re also considering visiting this incredible destination, you can find inspiration on island holidays to Fuerteventura with Opodo.
There’s no doubt that an island destination is the best option if you’d like to truly relax. While a city break is a great way to explore a new culture and see some great sights, nothing is more relaxing than lying on the beach with a drink in your hand and a great book.
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Ways to Fund That Summer Family Vacay
It’s been a very long and cold winter. As school is coming to an end, you’re probably envisioning sandy beaches, wearing flip flops, and feeling the sun warm you. If you’re planning to take a family trip this summer, first you need to know how you’re going to fund it. Summer vacations can easily cost a few thousand dollars, and if you aren’t prepared, it can break your budget. If you’re nervous that you may not be able to take that trip this summer, here’s a few tips that can assist you with planning and budgeting for it.
Loans
If you’ve left it too late to budget for it, you can always try to get an online loan at sites like https://www.bluetrustloans.
Savings Account
It’s difficult not to spend money. If you know that you have it available, you’ll more than likely spend it. It’s one of those unfortunate side effects of having a materialistic culture. But, if you set aside some of your money in a savings account set up specifically for your summer holiday, and make it inconvenient to access, it will just be unavailable to you. Remember that out of sight often equals out of mind.
Automatic Transfer
How can you get your money into your savings account so that you don’t spend it first? Use the automatic transfer feature offered by most banks. Typically, you can designate an amount of money to automatically be transferred into your savings account from the checking account you get your direct deposit in. Another way, if you have direct deposit, is to find out if your employer will split your pay into multiple accounts.
Determine the Cost Before You Go
If you want to save the right amount, figure out what it’ll cost before you go. This way, you’ll have a target to focus on so that you won’t run out of money when you need it. You’ll also keep yourself from saving more than you’ll need and deprive yourself of money that can be used elsewhere. Keep in mind that you’ll need to include prices for things like souvenirs, food, parking, and hotel stays. Then all you must do is to take the entire cost and divide it by however many weeks you have until you leave to figure out exactly what needs to be saved each week.
In Conclusion
Keep in mind that you’ll want to combine these strategies if you want to maximize your funds for your trip. Additionally, you can think about methods of saving money while you’re on vacation, like going to an all-inclusive destination or visiting vacation spots that are not as well known.
If you don’t think you have the time to save for that summer holiday of your dreams, go on one that’s not as expensive for now and start saving now for next summer. The sooner you begin to plan and save, the more likely you’ll be to reach your goal.
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Bored this summer? Read this post for some great ways to stay entertained
It may be a long, hot summer, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not facing boredom. If your friends are off travelling, or you simply have no idea what to do, here are a few ideas to keep you entertained:
Learn a language
How long have you been saying you’d like to learn Chinese or Spanish? Maybe your grandmother speaks Russian and you’d like to surprise her, or you’re planning to travel through Latin America? If you’ve been wanting to learn a language for some time, but you’ve been putting it off, now is the time to make it happen.
Not only is language learning great for your brain, but it’s more accessible than ever. With apps like DuoLingo, courses on YouTube, and lessons via Skype, you can improve your abilities right from your couch.
Play online
Hoping to earn some money while also having fun at home? There are many different online casinos to choose from, although the best ones are secure, have great customer service, and a wide range of games. One of the great things about playing online? You save all of the money you would otherwise spend actually going out to a casino. And you can play whenever you like- in your own time.
Learn a skill
How long have you been planning to learn to cook? If you’re anything like me, it has probably been years of burnt toast and runny eggs. Or maybe you’d like to learn how to write creatively? Perhaps you’ve been wondering if you could be an actor? Or you’d like to expand your career and learn how to code? Whatever you’d like to learn, there are a number of excellent websites available, including Masterclass, Udemy, and more.
Get fit
If you’re like most people, you may have gotten a little…fluffy this winter. Luckily, summer is the perfect time to get back in shape- with excellent weather making it easy to workout outside or hit the gym. Exercise doesn’t have to mean hours on the cardio machine. Consider getting a personal trainer and learning how to lift with excellent form, or find an exercise you’ll love- from kickboxing to pilates, barre class to crossfit, there really is something for everyone.
To make it more fun, join forces with a friend and commit to getting fit together. Join a group fitness class, go for some power walks and make it a catch up, or hit the gym together for some extra motivation.
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4 Simple Tips for Managing Your Money
Managing your money is an important life skill, I personally think it’s a big shame that it’s not taught in schools so that everyone leaves high school with a decent foundation in money management. Whether you’re new to managing your own money, or just wanting to make a drastic change to how you keep your cheque books in line, I hope these 4 simple tips for managing your money help you achieve your financial goals.
1. Be Realistic About Your Spendings
It can be easy to spend with little regard to how much we’re spending, or where we’re spending it. I personally love tracking my spending because I can know where my money is going, and what my biggest expenses are. If you have no idea how much money you spend on drinking, eating out, or even shopping, then it’s probably about time you sat down and audited your own spending. I have created a budget of what I can spend in each category, and use a money tracking app to ensure that I’m keeping within these boundaries. Tracking my spending also allows me to save more each month, which is important in order to reach all my other financial goals.
2. Look to Invest
One of the best ways to ensure your own financial freedom and comfortable retirement is through investment. There are a few types of investment that can be helpful to you and it may even be a good idea to spread your savings across different types of investments, to minimise risk should one industry be affected. The three main types of investment are considered to be investing in real estate, investing in stocks/mutual funds/bonds, and then of course investing in precious metals such as gold and silver. You may prefer to invest in just one type of investment, or you might prefer to spread all your savings across the board. Whatever you do, do a decent amount of research before choosing anything, whether it be a property or mutual fund.
3. Reduce Unnecessary Expenses
Cutting down on spending that doesn’t really contribute to your happiness or financial future is a big task, but it’s very worthwhile. There are plenty of jokes going around about how younger generations cannot afford properties because they’re off spending their fortunes on avocado on toast. While the situation is obviously much more complicated than that, there is some truth behind this. When else in history did we spend so much money on eating and drinking outside the home? Maybe this is a priority for you, only you can decide, but I think reducing unnecessary expenses is a wonderful way to cut down on spending so you have more money left to put into savings. Click here to learn more about different payment types, so that you can learn about how to better make transactions.
4. Set Aside Savings
Setting aside savings is extremely important. One of your first savings goals should be setting up an emergency fund that helps to give you a buffer for emergencies and when anything goes wrong. Once you’ve reached a few months expenses in your emergency fund, then you can start saving money to invest. I suggest saving at least 20% of your income, but more is better. Obviously, the actual amount you can save will depend on your financial commitments, expenses and income, but be ambitious with the amount you want to save as it will make a world of difference.
Money management is an important skill which can make or break your future. Please use these tips to keep ahead with your finances and ensure that you’re constantly moving forward.
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Thoughtful Gifts For That Special Woman
Whether you’re searching for the perfect gift for your mother, girlfriend or even sister, I’ve got some wonderful gift ideas for you. It can be hard figuring out what the best gift is, but if you choose any of the following gifts I’m sure she will be delighted. Here are some thoughtful gifts for that special woman in your life:
1. Jewelry
I personally love receiving jewelry because it’s something I can use often, it can add a pop of personality to an outfit, and it also is sentimental. If you’re completely lost where to start with some jewelry, why not consider some earrings? Obviously, it’s important to make sure that the special lady can wear earrings, but most women have their ears pierced and love donning a little bit of bling on their ears. Check out the beautiful range of earrings available here: https://www.erwinpearl.com/collections/flowers/earrings. If you want to get something else, another thing I suggest is a Pandora bracelet, or a charm if she already has one. I personally have one and love adding charms to it for special occasions or receiving them as thoughtful gifts. The lovely thing about jewelry is that it lasts and it’s something she can reuse over and over, constantly feeling reminded about how much you care for her. That’s why jewelry will always be at the top of my suggestions for thoughtful gifts for women!
2. Coffee
As a coffee lover, there’s nothing else that gets me up in the morning! You can surprise the coffee lover in your life with a coffee delivery service, like NatesCoffee.com. It’s a monthly delivery service that ensures that you have a regular stash of coffee at all time. You can also buy a gift that’s coffee related, such as a cute tumbler or reusable coffee cup that she can use instead of polluting the environment with paper cups. Likewise, you can even get her a Starbucks gift card that she can use whenever she has a coffee craving.
3. A Massage
I haven’t met a woman who doesn’t love a massage – I’m sure there’s one or two out there, but for the most part, most women love being pampered and having an opportunity to really unwind. If it’s in your budget, I always suggest going for a 90-minute massage because a 60-minute massage just flies by. If she has a specific massage place that she frequents, then it can be nice to get a voucher for there, but otherwise, a quick Google Search should come up with some good options but be sure to check out the reviews. If you want to go “all out” then you can even look for package deals that include a massage and another treatment, such as a facial, body scrub or a pedicure and manicure combo.
You’re already on the right path of searching for a thoughtful and special gift for that woman in your life. I’m sure if you pick any one of these wonderful gift ideas she will be thrilled to open your present.
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4 Tips for Moving Houses
Moving houses is often considered as one of life’s most stressful events, after all there’s the financial aspect to moving, as well as all of the hassle packing up your things, and then the logistics of moving. I have moved countries numerous times, as well as moved within the same country before. I’ve developed a system for moving that helps ensure it’s stress-free and goes as smoothly as possible. If you’re looking to move in the future, here are some tips to make it go as smoothly as possible.
1. Use Moving Services
If you’re in a financial position where you can afford help with the move, I say go for it! Once you add up the cost of hiring a trailer and taking time off work, sometimes it may be more economical to get the professionals in https://www.bciworldwide.com/portfolio/ and Bekins Moving Solutions have a range of moving services that will suit a wide range of budgets.
2. Pack in Advance
Packing your things up always takes so much longer than you would expect. I suggest starting a month before you plan to move to take some of the pressure off you. There are probably plenty of things in your home that you don’t use frequently that you can begin to pack up, such as off-season clothing, sporting goods that you rarely use and any family momentums like photographs. It might seem like an early time to start packing, but you’ll be so glad when moving day comes along and you have already packed up almost everything! Don’t forget to label all your boxes so you know where in the new house they need to go.
3. Clear Out as You Go
Moving can be the perfect time to downsize on your belongings – after all, many of us end up with hoards of things we’re not really sure why we have them or if we will ever use them. I always take moving house as an opportunity to clear through my baggage, literally. Ask yourself when the last time you used something and whether it’s worth carting with you to the new place. If it’s not, donate it, give it away to a friend or family member who might use it, or even sell it. There’s something so refreshing about starting in a new home without too much extra fluff.
4. Ask for Help
Moving can be really stressful and it’s a good time to call on your support network. Offer your friends some pizza and beers to help you move. Ask your family if they have any spare time to help. I personally find it better to have everything packed up so it’s just more the logistics of moving, rather than the packing and the moving which is obviously much more time-consuming. Just be prepared to be on call for the next time someone in your group moves. A few extra hands, or cars, can make a huge difference in terms of how long a move takes.
Moving can be very stressful, but with these tips it will be easier than ever!
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4 Ways to Make Extra Money
Chances are you have something you’re saving towards, maybe it’s remodelling your home, a trip overseas or even preparing for a new child. Whatever your incentive to save, one of the best ways to save more money each month is to increase how much money you’re making. Finding big and small ways that you can increase your monthly income is a great way to be able to increase how much money you’re saving each month. Here are 5 ways to make extra money:
1. Investing
Investing can be a great way to make more money. You have a ton of options for what you can do to invest, you might find that spending a little money investing in your spare room to rent it on Airbnb can be a great way to create an additional income source for your family. Likewise, you might want to look into shares or mutual funds as a longer-term way to make extra money. It’s important to do proper research before beginning to invest, and be sure to ask around friends and family to see what they’re doing. Some people prefer to invest in precious metals such as silver and gold if this is something you’re interested in why not check out Sprott Inc. silver bullion.
2. Freelancing
Working online is a great way to have an easy home based side hustle. You can work around your current commitments, as many online jobs provide great flexibility as to when the work needs to be completed. If you’re not sure what you can freelance in, here are some popular suggestions: freelance writing, consulting, social media management, virtual assistant, data entry and design work. You can even take on jobs and outsource the content creation to Rex Originals allowing you to focus on other aspects of the workload.
3. Garage Sale
It can be the perfect combination of tidying up and also making a little bit of extra cash. Go through your home and look for things you haven’t used in a long time. Why are you holding onto it? Is it something you’re sure you’ll use at a later date, or are you keeping it because you spent money on it and you don’t want to give it up? At the end of the day, the money you’ve spent is long gone, so now it’s just about whether you’ll use it or not. I suggest going through each area of your home and clearing out what you’re not using. You can either host a garage sale, clothes swap, or even list the items online such as Craigslist or Ebay.
4. Babysitting
If you like children and want a bit of extra cash, babysitting can be a great way to make extra money, especially if you’re at university or college. Check out local advertisements in supermarkets, online and even on Facebook to see if there are any opportunities that you would be a good fit for. You may also have friends or family members who need a little extra support with their children and are happy to pay for it!
Making extra money is an excellent way to boost the savings fund up fast.
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Top 4 Things to Order Online
I personally love online shopping – who doesn’t? There’s nothing better than sitting in your pyjamas while you order your week’s groceries. Logistically it can also just make a ton of sense, as you don’t have to spend your time driving to the shops, browsing the aisles and so forth. If you’re new to online shopping or wondering how to start, here are my top 4 things you can order online.
1. Groceries
I personally loathe grocery shopping – it takes me about 2 hours all up, which I just think is time that could be better spent on work or around the home. So I really appreciate ordering online and having it delivered usually the following day. Now with things like Amazon Pantry you can get things delivered extremely fast depending on where you live. The great thing about doing online shopping is that you can set up regular deliveries so that you don’t even have to think about it. It’s also easy to reorder the same shipments, making it so easy to have healthy food you can cook each week.
2. Supplements
If you’re anything like me, then you’re always trying new supplements to help you sleep, have more energy or feel less stressed. I regularly use magnesium for sleep, which I find helps me relax at night and sleep deeply through the night. Sometimes if I’m feeling a little lower in energy and mood, I like to take melatonin to help boost my energy. Of course, you should talk to your medical provider before trying any new supplements, but I prefer to order mine online as there’s more range and also there are reviews that you can read to see what other people prefer. I’ve also started taking a probiotic and found that it makes a huge difference to both my energy levels and bathroom habits. There are other supplements you can find online such as https://westcoastex.net/category-shop/ and Ignite Digital.
3. Pet Food
With everything I have going on in my life, I sometimes find myself forgetting to get my dog’s food. I feel like I almost need to repurchase it every week when the reality is we go through two bags a month. As such, I’ve set up a regular monthly pet food delivery system so that I don’t have to think about it and we have their food coming in before we get close to running out. I’m sure there’s a local pet food delivery service in your area.
4. Subscription Boxes
I love receiving mail, but unfortunately, most of the mail I get is just bills or junk mail. That’s why I like signing up for subscription boxes. I also really love giving them as gifts, as I think they’re something fun and different that most people would enjoy. There are so many different types of subscription boxes available, from pregnancy boxes, through to pet boxes like the BarkBoxes or even fitness and beauty boxes. It means that each month, or each season, depending on the subscription service, you’ll have an exciting box arriving in the mail filled with lots of goodies.
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3 Dramatic Ways You can Improve Your Life
If you’re feeling like you’re in a funk and have been for a while, then you might need a dramatic change to happen. Sometimes we find ourselves in a rut, not really moving forward and not really living the lives we want to live. If you feel that you’ve hit that point in your life, then I have three tips for dramatic ways you can improve your life, read on to learn more:
1. Contemplate Religion
Maybe you’re already sure about your religion so it might be good for you to invest more time and energy into your chosen religion. Learn more about it, get involved in your community and see how you can help out and make a real difference. This is a great way to make a dramatic change in your life. If you’re not religious, why not consider learning more about different religions to see whether any of them resonate with you. While you don’t need to be religious, many people take a lot of comfort in religious principles guiding their lives. http://BuddhismNature.com is a great resource if you’re interested in learning more about Buddhism and the main principles.
2. Upgrade Your Home
Whether you’re renting or currently own your home if you’re feeling like you’re in a major funk, why not consider moving? Does your neighbourhood have what you’re looking for, in terms of good schools for children, good gyms and sporting facilities nearby and good parks? Maybe your commute to work each day is long and draining, so logistically it might make more sense to move closer to your workplace so you can spend less time in traffic and more time enjoying your life. No matter your motivations, moving can be a great way to feel extremely refreshed and energized. It’s obviously not a decision you should take lightly, I suggest doing a lot of research to see what’s available within your budget. It can also be overwhelming browsing through real estate advertisements if they’re outside your budget or don’t meet your needs. That’s why I suggest working with an agent because it allows you to only focus on properties that are pre-screened to meet your criteria and budget. Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Signature Service provides a comprehensive real estate service that can help you find your dream property!
3. Go On a Big Overseas Adventure
I feel very lucky to come from a country where an “overseas experience” (usually referred to as an OE) is expected and often encouraged. This means that a large majority of my friends have also travelled overseas for an extended period of time. There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a new country as a wonderful way to find yourself and to figure out what’s important to you in life. If you’re already established in your career, then it might not be possible to take an extended trip overseas, but even a two-week trip is a wonderful way to refresh and inspire yourself.
Please let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions of dramatic ways that you can improve your life!
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4 Ways to Modernize Your Home
While you might be sometimes tempted to sell your home and buy something newer, you can easily add in some updates to your home to make it more modern and better suited to your current stage of life. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to make your home feel more modern, so here are 4 ways to modernize your home without breaking the bank:
1. Update Your Railings
If your home has a balcony or railings, you might want to go for the ultimate modern look by implementing glass railings. You might be surprised by how affordable they can be to instal, and how dramatically they can improve the aesthetic of your home. GlassRailings.ca have a great range of glass railings to suit every budget so that you can find something that works for your home. The thing I love about glass railings is that it almost looks like you don’t have any railings, without compromising safety.
2. A Fresh Coat of Paint
This is one of the easiest ways to update your home without spending a lot of money. The other thing I like about updating the paint in your home is that you can focus on a certain area, such as the living area, or you can go through and do the entire house. Updating the exterior paint can be an amazing way to improve your curb appeal, as well as make you feel differently about arriving home each day. You can also use paint creatively inside the house, for example creating a feature wall to brighten up your spaces.
3. New Pipes
If you have a really old home, then a real concern could be old pipes that are prone to leaking or freezing over in winter during the cooler months. You might want to look at replacing your pipes before they get really bad, so you can ensure you have a constant supply of water – it’s pretty important! https://heatline.com/retro-line provide some excellent solutions to prevent pipes freezing over and ruining the risk of exploding!
4. Get a Dishwasher
If you don’t have a dishwasher and live with other people, then you’re missing out! I personally find that having a dishwasher is one of the greatest investments. It allows dishes to get squeaky clean – cleaner that I feel you can get washing them traditionally as dishwashers use extremely hot water. This is especially helpful if you’re living somewhere without the best quality water or if you have young babies or children in your care because you can sterilize all their bottles, pacifiers and everything else in the dishwasher which is so much faster than traditional sterilizing methods. If you have older children, a dishwasher is a great way to get them involved with household tasks, while knowing that the dishes will be done well!
If you want a more modern home, why not update your home instead of leaving and getting a new one? These are four simple ways that you can modernize your home, to make it more comfortable.
