Daily Archives: June 7, 2017

Hotting Up! Prepare Your Home For The Warmer Weather

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If things are hotting up where you live, you might be ready to make some changes at home to feel more comfortable with a warmer temperature. The summer brings about plenty of opportunities as well as some occasionally unbearable heat. With the warmth and open windows, you can expect that fresh paint to dry quicker without too many unbearable scents. And you can make the most of that freshly mown lawn to enjoy a few barbecues too.

 

Bedroom Blues

 

No matter how big or small your property is, we all need to adjust to the change in temperature. You might start by changing your bedroom so your nights are more comfortable. Losing sleep in the heat is awful as you toss and turn all night. Stay cool by investing in a service for your air conditioning. If you have solar panels, you might find it cost effective to cool your room during the hottest part of the day when the sun shines. That way you shouldn’t need it on quite as much after the sun has gone down.

 

Make sure you still air your home. It’s tempting to keep windows closed when the air outside is hotter than the temperature inside. Try getting up a few minutes earlier. When it’s close to dawn, the air is cool and fresh and it’s quiet outside. Open all the windows to create a good through-breeze, if only for a few minutes. Stale air isn’t healthy. Both you and the whole house needs to breathe!

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Bedding changes can also help you feel more comfortable. Most of us love having a duvet wrapped right around us. You can still enjoy an ultra light down comforter for summer that will help you to avoid becoming too warm. Choose cotton sheets that breathe well, and experiment with pillow coverings that feel cooler to the touch. You might even choose to move your bed under the window so you can enjoy that light breeze in the night.

 

Changing the decor can also help psychologically. Go for cooling blues and fresh greens to help you feel a little cooler in the bedroom. Remove all the fluffy pillows and change out the winter rug for something a little more summery. Finally, install some Venetian blinds or shutters to keep the sun and the heat out of your room during the day.

 

Backyards and Balconies

 

If you’re lucky enough to have some outside space, now is the best time to prepare it for the summer. You want to make the most of it so you can be outside in the fresh air as much as possible. Of course, you should always stay safe in the sun. Make sure you have prepared a shady area that stays shady throughout the day. This will be much cooler than other areas of your garden or balcony, so it will be more comfortable for you and your kids or pets.

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Cooking and eating outdoors are one of the best things about summer. You might have an outdoor kitchen or just a barbecue. Make sure everything is thoroughly cleaned and safety checked before you begin. You might need to buy a new grill if the old one has rusted or weathered. Alternatively, grab that scrubber and get scrubbing!

 

If you are ready to install a new kitchen area, look for a spot in your yard that can be protected from the wind. You need it to be well ventilated so keep at least one side fully open. There are roof specialists that can provide you with a permanent covering that could still allow plenty of light into the area. It can be handy to pick a space that is big enough for your grill as well as the full dining set.

 

You may also want a separate patio or dining area in another part of the garden. This might become a bistro style patio or your entertaining area when you have family and friends come over. Make sure you can cover it with a gazebo, awning or parasol. Many gazebos come with lightweight netting to keep the direct sun and insects away from your food. It’s important to protect any food that is out in the open to avoid food poisoning.

 

Relaxing in the garden is a wonderful way to spend your evenings and weekends. If you haven’t done so already, consider landscaping your garden. You can enjoy hedges, shrubs, and bushes in the border areas of your plot. These can attract local wildlife if you’re fond of bird watching too. Sculpting a small lawn into a pleasing shape can take quite a lot of work. When it’s done, though, a quick outing of the lawnmower once a week can keep it looking great.

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Water features are very popular for gardens that are big enough. You might choose a cascading waterfall or fountain. If you have the space, you could even have a pond, complete with fish and lily pads. There should be railing in place if you have small children at home. Why not install a small zen garden and some decking nearby? You can enjoy Tai Chi or Yoga while relaxing in your beautiful garden.

 

Swimming pools can be expensive to install and maintain. But they can also be incredibly refreshing on a very hot day! As always, safety is paramount. You will need to install safety railing and gates so children and pets are unable to access the water unaccompanied.

 

Lovely In The Living Room

 

Back in the house, life can be sticky and uncomfortable without air conditioning. You don’t have to install it if you’re not keen. Instead, make the use of through-breezes. Two open windows at opposite ends of the house can facilitate this. Ceiling fans are not always energy efficient so check yours before relying too heavily on it. If you have leather furniture, a thin cotton throw can relieve the discomfort of leather contact on bare skin.

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Ice chips, popsicles, and cold drinks are very helpful when it comes to cooling down. If you’re planning a night in front of the TV, you might choose to turn the lights off to help you feel cooler. For the most part LED bulbs don’t emit any heat, but darker spaces do tend to make us feel less claustrophobic and hot. It can be a good idea to clear the clutter from rooms before the weather becomes too hot. This too reduces that awful claustrophobic feeling the heat can give us.

 

Before it gets too warm, why not have a big clear out? You can reclaim some of that valuable storage space, and declutter the cabinets and surfaces in the living room for a more minimalist style. You might even change the decor to lighter colors and less textured fabrics. All these little things may not make it cooler, but they can help you feel less hot. Move your favorite arm chair closer to the window, and install blinds to reduce the amount of direct sunlight entering the room.

 

Dangers

 

Do you have a shed or garage that contains dangerous liquids or chemicals? Now is the time to make sure they are tucked away in a cooler space with no direct sunlight. Wooden structures like sheds can become incredibly hot in summer. Gas cans and pressurized canisters can explode and even catch fire in extreme conditions. Make sure your barbecue gas is also secured away somewhere safe and never used in the direct sunlight.

 

Sunscreen and sun hats are an important part of enjoying the weather responsibly outdoors. Even when you’re indoors, it’s important to stay hydrated and slow down a little bit. Stay safe this summer.

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6 Things No-One Tells You When Getting Your First Car

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So you’ve just passed your driving tests and are now a fully licensed driver. Hooray! The next step is to buy your first car so that you too will have the freedom to drive around whenever you want, and not need to rely on others for your transport needs.

 

There is no denying that the Web is full of articles that tell you how to buy your first car. The thing is, have you ever noticed how they seldom tell you about the stuff you actually need to know about?

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In today’s article, I’m going to share with you six of the biggest points and facts of first car buying that you’re unlikely to read about elsewhere on the Internet:

 

  1. It’s okay to be honest with a car salesperson

 

You often hear about the tactics that should be employed when negotiating with car salespeople. But, have you ever considered that simply being honest about your position and needs is a better strategy?

 

If you’re upfront with information on what you can afford, and the types of autos that interest you, it will save both you and the dealerships time when negotiating deals.

  1. There’s more than one way to fund your first car

 

Just because a dealership offers auto finance doesn’t mean you have to use it. You may not realize it, but there are many cheap car loans out there to suit everyone’s budgets! So, whether you want to buy a Ford Focus or a Ferrari 488 Spider, there’s plenty of finance options available to you.

 

  1. The cheapest car isn’t always the best option

 

You might think that it makes sense to spend as little as possible on your first car. But, you need to consider that the auto you buy must be reliable and fuel-efficient. The last thing you want to do is purchase a vehicle that soon becomes a depressing money pit!

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  1. Your lifestyle needs will change

 

Okay, so you might have your heart set on a coupe or convertible car. But, if you’re planning to start a family with your significant other soon, how practical is such a vehicle going to be? Before you decide on a particular model, it’s best to think about how likely your lifestyle needs will change in the next five years or so.

  1. Don’t buy a car you can’t afford to maintain

 

These days, there are plenty of high-performance sports cars on the market that are now affordable enough for most people to purchase. The thing is, many would-be owners don’t realize that maintenance costs could be quite high and even exceed the purchase price of the vehicles in question!

 

With that in mind, make sure you only buy a car that you know is cheap enough to service and repair.

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  1. Sort out your finances before you borrow money to buy a car

 

One final thing to bear in mind is the financial aspect of buying your first car. If you’ve got some cash saved up, you can probably avoid this tip. But, if you need to borrow some money to pay for your vehicle, ensure your personal finances are in order first.

 

By having a healthy credit score, you’re more likely to gain access to the best finance deals on the market.

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