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» Listings for November 2021

  1. Christmas is an exciting time of year, but it can also be a time of financial worry.  For many it’s the most expensive time of the year.  Heating bills are at their highest, there are numerous work parties and Christmas festivities to attend and that’s before we even get to the modern tradition of buying gifts for our nearest and dearest.  In hindsight it’s best to prepare by saving throughout the year, but what if there’s no money to save or we simply haven’t prepared at all.  Is it possible to get cheap but thoughtful Christmas gifts?

  2. Housing prices have been increasing rapidly in recent years making buying a house seem out of reach for so many.  And, even if it doesn’t seem out of reach, some people simply don’t want to spend such exorbitant amounts of money on a property if there are alternative housing ideas that provide the cheapest way to live.  

    After all, the costs of owning a house don’t stop at buying the house…. There’s often large monthly bills, taxes, insurances, maintenance costs to think about.  

    This is why in recent years there has been a boom in people seeking out alternative housing ideas such as tiny homes, off-grid living and other alternative ways to live a simpler and cheaper lifestyle when it comes to the place to call home.

  3. If you own a store, whether that is an online store or one that can be visited in person, there are some factors that you need to examine every so often. This can include your marketing strategies, the profits you are earning, any new product ranges, and even shipping.

    We have all had mail that is lost, delayed, or damaged. If you're running an online store, it's important to consider the postage and shipping options you're offering your customers as part of the customer experience.

  4. Car safety and how to choose a car seat is something you’ve probably given a lot of thought to as a parent. Being able to get around and easily go to places without the struggle of public transport is highly beneficial when you have children.

    As, let's face it, when you become a parent you basically become a taxi service for a tiny human! Between school, parties, play dates, days out and more having a car makes life so much easier.

    So ensuring your children safe and comfortable in the car is crucial. Car seats and booster seats are the best way to go about this, and it’s not a decision you should make lightly.

    Here are some tips to bear in mind when picking a car seat for your child.

  5. Having had two children I have spent a lot of money (and wasted a lot) on various baby equipment over the years.  In this guide I’m going to take a serious look at the baby equipment worth investing in and then a light-hearted look at the useless baby items you should save your money on and not bother buying at all.  Read on to discover the unnecessary baby items you don't need and save your money instead!

  6. Many of us adults require an instant boost of energy during the day. This can be during the early mornings or even in the middle of the day. Students hard at work pulling all-nighters may need energy that lasts for the next 4 hours to function. Yawning and having a pile of paperwork to check needs significant energy levels too. Whilst some people will turn to coffee to get their energy fix, others aren’t so keen.  This is where energy drinks can come in to play as an alternative choice to a hot caffeinated drink, but are these energy drinks actually good for you?  After all, we know drinking lots of coffee isn’t really that great for us, so what about energy drinks?  What do they contain and what are the pros and cons?

  7. It can be difficult when one or more of your family has moved abroad. You have limited opportunity to see them and when you do, it can be costly arranging flights to their country.

    Sometimes you will have to travel on short notice, but it’s always good to plan ahead for your trips abroad if you can. This ensures that you won’t forget to bring any of your essentials with you.

    Planning ahead is also important if you’re travelling to a country that has different laws from your home country. You won’t want to get into any legal trouble while you’re supposed to be enjoying time with your family.

    So, what are the important steps to take before you travel abroad? Here are some top tips to ensure you have a smooth trip from start to finish.

  8. Learning to ride a bike as an adult can feel daunting, but it doesn't need to be. Gaining confidence is usually just a matter of finding the right fit, practising the skill, and upholding safety guidelines.  Whether you're brand new to cycling or you've had a long break, here are some pointers to help you get back into cycling as an adult.

  9. How quickly will a coffee machine at home pay off

    Are you looking for that extra justification to buy a coffee machine for your home? It might surprise you to learn that it won’t take very long for the purchase to have paid off, especially if you’re the kind of person who is in the habit of spending money in coffee shops all the time!  But exactly how quickly will it take for you to recoup the costs of buying a coffee machine?

  10. Key considerations if you want to start a side hustle

    Key considerations for starting a side hustle in 2021 and beyond 

    Amid lockdown, many people have been forced to create additional streams of income, as a way of maintaining positive cash flow in the face of temporary unemployment or being furloughed.  For many, this has resulted in them pursuing a side hustle alongside their day job, often as a passion project with the hope of it becoming a full-time reality one day, but also as a backup plan to ensure an income source due to the current uncertain economic climate.

  11. New things to try in the bedroom to help you sleep better

    The problem with sleep is that many people don't get enough of it. Sleep is a critical component of achieving a healthy lifestyle, but for many people, it remains a struggle. That's because sleep has been treated as a luxury for too long, and we're only now starting to realise its true importance. If you struggle to get to sleep then some simple bedroom changes could be the answer to your problems. Here are a few new things to try in the bedroom to help you sleep better.

  12. How to stop overspending at Christmas

    If we’re guilty of overspending only at one time each year, then this has to be over the Christmas period and holidays.  It’s a time we allow ourselves to overindulge and overspend without the usual guilt.  However, this can cause some people to rely on credit and wind up in debt.  It can also have other consequences such as being bad for the environment through promoting consumerism and ultimately causing a bunch of goods to be produced that people might not even want.  How many times have you received a present you didn’t want or like?  Exactly.  

    If you’re guilty of overspending at Christmas and want to rein it in, read on for lots of tips to have a less expensive Christmas this year.

  13. How to create a blog that stands out from the millions

    Blogging has become one of the growing entrepreneurial opportunities for millions of people across the world. Today, the online space is filled with many blogs covering a wide range of topics. While the growing number of blogs is encouraging for an aspiring blogger, it can also be intimidating when considering the numerous competing blogs clamouring for the same target audience. But if you're an aspiring or new blogger, there are ways to make your blog stand out from the millions. Here are a few.  

  14. Financial planning for senior years + old age

    Why you need to start financial planning for senior years and old age

    You are never too young to start planning financially for when you are a senior or for old age.  We all plan to reach our senior years and it’s important we take care of financial planning for this era before we get there!  

    The need for financial planning is important for everyone. But, as we all know, it becomes more crucial as we grow older. The following article will address the importance of financial planning and the steps that one should take before retirement to ensure we each have a secure future.