Posts by : Izy Berry

When was the last time you heard of someone staying in a B&B? It’s become as uncool as it was to be seen with your mum in public when you were 13. This is a sad state of affairs though, since B&Bs are a great option and in my opinion, will ensure a better stay than the usual boring hotel every time.

As someone who does a lot of travel by myself, one of the things I really like about staying in a bed and breakfast is the fact that I can meet new friends. Because there are usually far fewer rooms in an AirBnb and more communal areas plus an intimate environment, you really can meet people from all over the place- which is great if you’re on the tourist trail since you can share advice and stories. There are few things lonelier than checking into a hotel by yourself after a long flight, eating that sad meal alone, and watching everyone else hanging out together before you go back to your room.

That doesn’t mean that B&Bs have no privacy though- in fact the opposite is true. I somehow always seem to end up at the hotels that are fully booked that weekend for a wedding or just have non-stop conferences the whole time. That means there’s always a baby crying, people are everywhere, the lobby is packed with people trying to get online, and it’s the worst of both worlds- you’re often lonely while giving up all your privacy at the same time.

Speaking of getting online in the lobby, I think it’s ridiculous when hotels don’t offer free wifi. This is something you never have to deal with at B&Bs, and they’re for sure a more inclusive option, usually including snacks, wifi, and parking. Hotels are the opposite and I’m continually surprised by how much extra I have to spend once I’ve already paid for a hotel- resort fees are especially annoying.

While there are definitely friendly people everywhere, I’ve noticed that you’re much more likely to have great customer service at a bed and breakfast compared to when you stay in a hotel. Often the front desk staff have been working all day, and they just don’t care about your problems. The opposite is true at B&Bs, and you’re often being served by the owner who will usually go out of their way to ensure that you have the best possible stay.

Since these owners are also locals, they can also give you the best advice about where to go and what to see. They usually take the time to ask where you’ve been already and find out what you like to do before they point you in the right direction, and they’re also more likely to help you get away from the tourist hotspots so you can eat where the locals are eating and hang out where they’re hanging out as well.

Is there anything better than a week spend on a beach, with friends and family? Or perhaps your favourite kind of holiday involves snow and racing down the mountain. Or maybe you’re more interested in six months spent backpacking around South East Asia. Regardless of the type of holiday you love, chances are you’re going to have to do some serious savings before you can book your flights and start getting excited. Saving for a holiday can feel overwhelming when you’re just getting started, so I’ve written these simple tips to save for your next holiday to get you ready to tackle this challenge.

1. Set a Clear Budget or Goal
For me, knowing how much I’m planning to save makes everything so much easier. If I’m hoping to save $3,000 for my next holiday in a period of a year, I can see that is $250 that I have to save per month. Breaking it down like this makes it easy to see the saving goals I need to hit each month in order to be able to take my trip. Knowing where you want to end up, will make everything else so much easier.

2. Get Serious About Saving
If you’re normally not saving anything, or not as much as you would like, you’re obviously going to have to make some changes so that you free up more of your money, or so that you earn more so you have spare cash to save. Picking up extra shifts or a casual part time job can be a great way to ensure you have some extra money spare to save.

3. Research
I love reading personal finance books and personal finance blogs as I feel there’s so many tips out there that can help you achieve your goals faster. I wanted to share this helpful money-saving guide by My Voucher Codes called: Your 2017 Money Saving Plan. It’s jam packed with helpful money saving hints, such as blasting debt and focusing on cutting down expenses. The more informational you absorb about money saving and achieving your goals, the more motivated you’ll be.

4. Get Excited
Whether your goal is a trip away, or maybe you want to first save for something a bit more practical like a new car or an apartment, getting excited about your goal will help you have more momentum to move forward. Some people really love to create vision boards, which are basically static boards with pictures of your goals stuck to them. That way you can see them each day, remember where your focus is and be reminded to stay on track. Personally, I have a Pinterest board with my goals and ideas added as digital pins. For me this is simply easier, more organised and easier to update as my goals change. Before I start work each day I spend 5-10 minutes browsing for new pins and looking through my existing vision boards, it really helps me to stay focused!

I hope these tips help you get excited and motivated for your next trip. With some simple changes you can be sitting on a beach sipping mojitos in no time! For more helpful lifestyle blogs, check out Flybyblog.com 

DIY can be a rewarding experience when it goes well, but it can also be an exercise in frustration if it goes poorly. It also carries a large amount of risk, since people who like to do it themselves are often using sharp instruments and power tools.

Slater & Gordon have revealed that a large percentage of people who are planning to do DIY are completely unaware of the risks involved with seemingly simple home improvement tasks.

An example? Many people think nothing of working with wood. But when you’re sanding or cutting, sawdust is released into the atmosphere and if you breathe it in, it can cause serious respiratory problems. MDF is a big risk, since urea formaldehyde is used as a bonding agent, which is known to be a carcinogen. That means that if you’re planning to work with it, it’s crucial that you wear a face mask.

Another harmful substance is asbestos, which is commonly found in homes and buildings that were built before the 1980s. This is also linked to cancer, and when it’s left alone asbestos generally isn’t harmful, but if it’s disturbed, the fibres within the asbestos can cause mesothelioma which is a particularly aggressive form of cancer.

One of the risks that many people forget about is the risk of being exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are found in alcohols, carpet, particleboard, acetone, cleaning products, adhesives, paint, and paint strippers. These can cause cardiovascular issues, along with neurological symptoms like lightheadedness, nausea, headaches, and irritability.

So how do you stay safe if you’re planning to do DIY this year? Firstly, you want to contain any dust in your work area, or make sure you have ventilation that goes outside. You’ll also need to protect the rest of your house so be sure to sweet and clean daily, and spray surfaces with a bit of water before you do any demolition or cutting to keep the amount of dust down. One thing that many people forget to do? Closing air conditioning vents which will prevent the dust from circulating through the rest of the house.

Safety equipment is a must. Before beginning any DIY projects, think carefully about the risks and hazards associated with the work you’ll be carrying out. Any time you’re working with wood or anything with airborne fumes or particles, you need to be wearing a safety mask. The same goes for eye protection, which will prevent things from flying into your eyes while you’re working, and if you’re going to be using loud equipment, hearing protection will mean you’re less likely to begin losing your hearing at a young age.

There are many benefits to DIY, and you’ll be proud when you’ve finished working on your home with your own two hands. However you need to make sure you’re doing it right if you’re going to do it yourself, so stay safe while you’re DIYing this year!

Moving to the country sounds great in theory. For many people they dream of fresh, GMO-free eggs, organic gardens, and kids running around outside as they explore fields and ponds.

But if, like me, you’ve lived in the city for most of your life, this move probably won’t go as well as you’re expecting.

Here are the main things I would miss if I moved somewhere remote:

People

Nope, not friends and family, just people. Imagine being out in the middle of nowhere, and you hear a weird noise. Every car that goes by late at night could potentially be an intruder, going outside requires a flashlight since you won’t find any street lights if you’re living somewhere super remote, and you also won’t have any neighbours to call on in the event that you need help. No thanks.

Convenience

You know those days when you get home after a long day of work, don’t have the energy to make dinner so you jump online or on the phone and order a pizza? Yeah, that’s not happening if I’m living somewhere remote. Instead, I’d be scheduling meals so that I would only need to buy groceries once a week since the supermarket is unlikely to be five minutes away. I also wouldn’t be enjoying high speed DSL, and sure, I could still get my gas bottles delivered, but what about when the electricity goes out and the water pump stops working? No thanks.

Not to mention, what do you do if you need a plumber or electrician? Trades people may be few and far between, and I would probably end up either having to fix things myself (not a good idea) or paying a premium for someone to come all the way out to the boonies.

Culture

Sure, you can absorb plenty of ideas by reading articles and books, exploring nature, and listening to music, but nothing beats museums, concerts, the theatre, and art galleries. Unfortunately, in the country you’re more likely to run into people who have been living in the area for a long time, and since we’re the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with, it makes sense that people who have all grown up together in the country will probably have pretty similar life experiences (and I appreciate diversity).

Friends and family

When you can simply pick up the phone and be hanging out with friends or visiting family within half an hour, it’s going to be a pretty big adjustment to move somewhere where you can no longer do those things. Personally, I find that everyone is so busy that actually scheduling in visits (and then having to drive) would probably mean that these relationships would suffer.

I’m not sure if the benefits of living somewhere remote would outweigh all of the things I would miss, so it’s a good thing I won’t be moving anytime soon!

One of the hardest parts of travelling is being away from the ones you love. You may be having the time of your life and experiencing things you could only ever dream of, but being apart from the people you care about most in the world is always going to be tough.

The only way to make it a little easier on yourself is by staying connected, and regular phone calls, emails, and Facebook updates can go some way towards sating that ever-present ache inside, so that you can carry on with your journey and not have to cut it short.

Of course, the problem is that most travellers will have a very limited budget, and staying connected can sometimes cost quite a bit. To help you keep your expenses down whilst still staying in touch, here’s what we recommend…

#1: Skype or FaceTime for Free  

When you’re apart from the people you love, there are a lot of things that you will miss about them, from the way they frown when they’re concentrating to the sleepy sound of their voice when they first wake up in the morning. The best way to capture these at once is by video messaging, and this makes Skype and Facetime your new best friends. Reliable, free, and easy to use, they’ll stop you from breaking the bank on those days when you just need to see a familiar face or hear your mum’s dulcet tones.

#2: Install WhatsApp 

When you’re travelling, you won’t always have the time or a strong enough internet connection for lengthy video conversations, so make sure that you and your whole family install WhatsApp as the next best thing. Although you probably have it already, older relatives often won’t, so encourage them to download it onto their phones for the occasions when a quick message is all that’s needed to brighten your day. Once they learn that it’s completely free to use, most will be happy enough spending a little time getting to grips with it.

#3: Choose a Cheap Yet Reliable Courier for Sending Presents Home

Another nice way to stay in touch is by sending the odd present home, especially on your relatives’ birthdays and at Christmas. It doesn’t have to be anything impressive; just something to show the people you love that you’ve been thinking about them and to give them a flavour of where you’ve been. Unfortunately, doing this can be incredibly expensive, which means that it’s important to choose your courier with care. We recommend a company like My Parcel delivery to limit your expenditure whilst still ensuring optimum customer care and a package that will arrive in perfect condition.

Follow these three top tips today to keep your costs down and make it easy to stay connected when you’re travelling abroad.

So, you’re getting ready for your big trip. You’ve booked the plane, know where you’re staying and have looked up places of interest in the area. Hopefully, having sorted travel insurance as well, you will be feeling excited and probably in that space where you’re constantly checking events in the area to find things to do. However, you need to have a think about travel essentials. What should you take with you? We’ve put together an essential selection below.

Footwear

Dependent on where you are going, you might need more than one type of footwear. For example, many countries have beaches and mountains and flip-flops aren’t great for hiking in! It’s worth investing in something that has been built for travel, such as Merrell’s selection. They are sturdy enough to cope with walking, and still look cool for evenings out.

Waterproof phone case

Whether you’re planning a trip to the beach, lake or even just pool, there is likely to be some water on your holiday somewhere. Most good quality phone cases these days will be able to enclose any phone in waterproof plastic that is sealed. It will have the added bonus of also protecting your phone from dirt, sand, and condensation, so even if you’re planning on trekking in the desert, it is a good idea to have some sort of protection for your phone.

Travel diary

From the people you meet to the places to eat, there is always something marvellous to document when you go travelling. Some of the best travel diaries include sealable pockets for tickets and other paraphernalia you might come across on your journey.

Keeping a record of everything in a travel diary will provide you with some amazing memories later down the line. Particularly if you are likely to complete more travels, this is a good way of chronicling events as they happen. Believe me, it can get a little hazy once you’ve been to twenty five countries. Also, if you ever decide to write your memoirs, this will be a nifty reminder!

Good playlist

Music is one of the things that connects us most, and helps to create memories. How often do you find yourself cast back to a different place and time when you hear the opening bars to a certain song? Irrespective of where you’re going and for how long, you will need something to listen to music on, and a decent playlist. These days, our phones tend to be our go-to place for music, photos and everything else at the same time, but it’s good to take something as backup when you’re charging your phone and to entertain you in communal space. Check out HMV’s wide range of CDs to create the soundtrack of your memories.

The best man has numerous responsibilities from giving a speech to remembering the wedding rings. While forgetting the wedding rings would be a catastrophe, there is an even bigger faux pas a best man can commit: a disastrous stag do.

When organising a stag do for the first time, it can be difficult to know where to begin. With so many aspects to plan and a lot of people to mobilise, there are lots of opportunities for things to go wrong. Not to worry, here is how to make sure you plan an unforgettable stag.

Guest Lists and Budgets

These are two of the hardest parts of planning any stag do. When deciding who to invite, talk to the groom. It is always better to ask rather than guess and leave out important friends or family members. In terms of budget, remember that everyone you invite will be in different financial circumstances. As such, aim to keep the price as low as possible, so that all guests can afford to attend.

Choose a Location

To plan the ultimate stag do, you may be tempted to jet off and go abroad. While there are many European destinations perfect for a raucous night out, consider planning your stag do in the UK, instead. As well as being cheaper and less complicated to organise at home, the UK has some amazing stag-worthy cities, from the obvious choices of Blackpool and Newcastle, to surfing in Newquay or camping in the Lake District.

Appoint a Treasurer

As the best man, you have a lot to organise to plan a legendary stag do. The good news is, there is an area in which you can afford to delegate: money. After setting a budget, appoint one sensible person as the treasurer, who will be responsible for collecting money from guests, keeping track of all expenditure and also for paying for the restaurant bill and the numerous rounds of drinks.

Plan a Main Activity

Many stags are moving away from typical all night drinking binges to include numerous day-time activities. Even if you are planning a clubbing marathon, booking an activity can be a great ice breaker for large groups. Before choosing an activity, consider what the groom likes to do. Choices could include anything from paintballing and go-karts to zombie experiences, festivals or even a spa weekend.

Get the Stag a Gift

It is customary to buy the groom a gift for his stag do. Usually, this takes the form of a humiliating and ridiculous costume, or else planning an elaborate prank. However, there are lots of useful items you can buy for the groom, too. You could consider a drinking game, personalised cuff links, a bottle of their favourite whisky, or a homemade hangover kit.

Keep Accommodation Cheap

You may be tempted to book an elaborate suite, but take warning from films like The Hangover. Rather than blowing your budget on an expensive hotel that the guests will spend little time in – or worse – opt for cheaper accommodation and keep some money for the more important things.

Remember the Food

Last but not least, as drinking is usually one of the main activities of stag dos, remember food. It is a well known fact is that drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea. To avoid having to carry the groom back to the hotel at 10pm, book a table at a restaurant to make sure all of the guests line their stomachs.

If you’re still wondering what to get your loved one for Valentine’s Day, we’ve got your back. It can be tricky figuring out exactly what to get your loved one, and there’s a fine line between thoughtful and romantic and over the top and mushy.

Here are some great ideas for Valentine’s gifts this year:

A new phone case

This is a great gift idea, since it’s both practical and romantic- that special someone will get plenty of use out of it but it’s also a gift that shows you’ve been paying attention to what they really need- especially if their old case has been knocked around and is all scuffed.

Consider the iPhone 7 card holder, which will allow your significant other to leave the house with everything they need held in one hand, or the JimmyCASE which is both attractive and functional. For more great options, check out http://thejimmycase.com/.

Jewellery

Jewellery makes the perfect gift for both girls and guys. Many guys will love a new watch, and if they’ve made you extra happy this year, consider the Apple iWatch to have them bragging about you to all their friends. For girls, Kate Spade New York is a great choice, and the Heart of Gold bangle is a must-have accessory that will have them thinking of you every time they glance at their wrist.

Camera

Sure, most people are taking photos on their phone these days, but for something a little cooler that’s a throwback to a simpler time, take a look at the Polaroid snap. This is the company’s latest spin on the classic Polaroid camera, and you guys are bound to have a great year making and recording your memories with this handy camera.

A trip

What’s better than spending Valentine’s Day together? Spending a few days together somewhere new and exciting. If you’ve been meaning to get away from it all and enjoy some quality time, consider surprising your significant other with a trip away. If you really want to splash out, check with their coworkers to see how long they can take off work and really go to town with international flights to a surprise destination (show them the tickets on Valentine’s Day so they can spend the lead up getting excited), or simply whisk them away for a surprise weekend trip somewhere local, or a staycation in a nice hotel in your town.

A pet

If your favourite person has been dreaming of a ball of fluff, maybe Valentine’s Day is the day to make this dream come true. While you may need to check if they’re allowed pets in their house or apartment, once you’ve sorted out the details you can go to the local shelter and pick out a friend to keep them warm when you’re not around. This is a great way to show that you’ve been listening every time they mention that they’d love to have a cat or dog to look after.

I’ve rarely met anyone who wouldn’t like to visit the Maldives one day, and it’s easy to see why. Jump on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, and you’ll see millions of photos of aqua seas, white beaches, and delicious food. In fact, on Instagram alone, the Maldives has been hashtagged close to three million times.

The Maldives is located in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and is known around the world for its turquoise waters and immaculate beaches. There are 1,200 islands to choose from, and you’ll find maritime towns, tropical jungles, and even luxurious private islands.

With so many islands to choose from, the hardest part can be deciding exactly where you should spend your holiday. Luckily, there are plenty of reviews and travel blogs available online which will allow you to choose the perfect island based on the type of holiday you’re looking for.

Ja Manafaru is popular, due to its local touches and secluded feel, and you’ll be kept entertained by Boduberu bands and can explore a cellar that’s made up of Indonesian lava rock. Social media is also one of the best ways to find the best holiday destinations, since most of us are likely to take many different photos when we’re on holiday, so you can search for the most instagrammed places in the Maldives and make your decision that way.

Search #wedding while looking at destinations in the Maldives, and you’ll find Kurumba, which is the original private island resort in the Maldives. The resort doesn’t look all that luxurious from afar, but once you arrive you’ll see why so many people are documenting their wedding and honeymoon memories here. This is a place that’s all about romance, and yet indulgent and slow-paced with snorkelling and sunbathing a must.

Niyama is another popular destination, and it’s known as “nature’s play area”. Here, you’ll find a luxury, five-star resort amongst tropical forests, with white and beaches and incredible restaurants- there’s even Subsix, an underwater restaurant where you can watch the ocean while dining on local dishes.

This resort is spread over two separate islands, and one is devoted to families, while the other is just for couples. Be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins, and keep your phone ready for the many Instagram opportunities.

Velassaru is the kind of place where you can hang out in your beachwear all day, and is both opulent and understated. You can get a massage in one of the state-of-the-art spas in the morning, before exploring the mesmerising reefs just a few minutes later. This is a great place for couples, since you’ll have plenty of time for romance, along with many exciting adventures to enjoy.

Baros is a coral island and one of the dream honeymoon destination. You’ll find hand-build villas on the water, with luxury pools and a traditional feel.

As you can see, there are so many amazing places within the Maldives, you’ll be spoiled for choice for your next holiday.