Saving Money The Victorian Way

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header1Now we’ve rung in the New Year, many of us will be looking at our bank balances and feeling twinges of regret about our overspending during the holiday period.  According to Forbes Magazine, consumers who took on additional debt this holiday season added an average of $1,003 to their balances. The burden of debt can have a huge impact on both our emotional and physical wellbeing, leading to stress, anxiety, and sleepless night.

If you’re struggling with debt, or have simply overspent and would like to tighten your belt in order to get your budget back under control, then why not look to our Victorian past for a huge wealth of fun ideas on how to save money? Frugality and resourcefulness are both key buzzwords for describing the lifestyles of most Victorians, regardless of their class and social status. Victorian people made do with what they had and were incredibly resourceful when it came to finding what they needed without expense.  Here are some ideas on how you can adopt this philosophy to suit your own lifestyle:

Repair Rather Than Replace

Victorians didn’t have wardrobes overflowing with clothes in the way that so many of us do: they certainly didn’t feel the need to wear a new outfit for every social occasion they attended. Clothes were not purchased off the rack: each gown worn by a woman, for example, would be made either by a professional seamstress or (if finances didn’t allow) hand sewn at home. As a result, dresses were often repurposed and updated to suit changing fashions, and repaired when they were showing signs of wear, rather than simply discarded. Modern money savers can learn a lot from this Victorian model: why not learn some simple sewing techniques? It is much more cost effective to replace a button than buy a new coat, and small holes in garments can be repaired very simply with minimal skill and technique. By repairing rather than replacing clothes, and other items around the home, you’ll be amazed at how much money you can save: that money would be much better spend on removing the burden of your debt and living a debt free life than on continued consumerism and things you don’t really need .

Ditch Your Car

Very few Victorians had their own personal transportation: the Victorian era was the era in which public transport became more easy and convenient to use than ever. Regular buses, trams, and even a rudimentary underground railway system (which would later become the subway) were all established during the Victorian era. Taking public transport is easy, cost effective, and what’s more it’s also great for the environment. Contrary to popular belief, nearly all forms of public transport pose less of a cost to the average commuter than driving and, thanks to increasing congestion and traffic, you can often reach your destination much faster if you are travelling by public transport too. Why not ditch the car (at least for a couple of months) and see how much money you could save on gas, parking, and car maintenance expenses? You might even find that taking public transport is so convenient that you never want to jump in your car for simple journeys again!

Grow Your Own Vegetables

Why not make like a Victorian and use your backyard space to grow something useful, such as vegetables? No matter how big or small their outdoor space, the Victorians often utilized this to grow vegetables in order to ensure they had access to a nutritious meal without having to spend any more. What’s more growing your own vegetables is a fun and inexpensive hobby that you can involve the whole family in, and it provides a great lesson for children about where food comes from, as well as encouraging them to spend more time outdoors. Carrots, tomatoes, potatoes and cucumbers are all very simple to grow for a beginner, and you will soon be able to eat and enjoy the fruits of your labour, whilst watching your grocery store bills decrease as a result. Have a large yard and enjoy the idea of growing your own food? Why not consider buying some chickens and a small chicken coop: much cheaper to own as a family pet than a cat or dog, when you own chickens of your own you will always have a ready supply of eggs for breakfast!

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A Great Place For Your Business To Buy Your Silk Plants

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silk2I came across a great website for those of you who have a business and need help decorating the front of your shop, shop window, accessories on your retail floor and so much more. The website is www.commercialsilk.com and they have just about anything you can imagine to allow your creative juices to just go wild.

This website also works great for hotels, motels, lobbies, offices and many other spaces. If you are looking for something to make your clients or guests feel more comfortable and take them away from a ‘sterile’ environment then this site can help you. They even can do the installations and help with the designs if you are just not sure what to do or where to start.

silk1I purchased several of these wreaths (shown above) and am going to design them for gifts for family and friends but buying in bulk allows you to buy – create – and resell as well. These wreaths are so nice and fluffy – not like the standard Christmas tree wreaths – they are more of an ever green product which will allow the final design to work just about anywhere with any design. I might not give them to family after all, I think they would work well designed for different times of the year. I think I might be selfish and keep them myself.

They have selections that are a bit unusual that I didn’t even know you could buy. Of course everyone knows about the average silk plant s you can buy but did you know you can actually buy a boxwood that can go in the outdoors and look like it has been growing there for years? They have a selection of cactus, trees, backdrops that could be used for a presentation at a trade fair or behind a display of garden items you are selling.

silk3I have had the opportunity now to buy a couple different items from this great company and I will tell you I am very happy with the quality and the fact that they were shipped to make sure the product looks as good as when it was made. The items are not made of cheap materials which means they didn’t come bend or molded in shapes that are not appealing to the eye. Cheap materials can easily change shapes when in boxes for a long time or change with the heat or cold. You will not have to worry about this problem with product from this company.

The set of six wreaths I ordered this last time came in a sturdy box reinforced with cardboard with an insert. The box was tight enough to support the product but not enough to squish the wreaths. This is a concern when buying silk plants because I have received Items I have bought from other companies and the items came with notes that said the items need to be allowed time to fluff up. What? If the product is made from good material and the shipment is given priority then this is never going to be a problem.

silk4So if you are in need of some sprucing up with some decorations for your facility do not hesitate to check this website out. If you have any questions call and ask – they are extremely helpful and will make your purchase smooth even with the nice website they have setup which allows for a quick easy purchase – that is once you decide on what to buy. I searched and searched and found all kinds of cool things I wanted. Too bad money doesn’t grow on silk trees, huh?

Check out this cool video for ore information:

You can check out their website by visiting: www.commercialsilk.com

Check out their FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/commercialsilkplantsandtrees/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/commercialsilk

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/artificialitems/artificial-trees-plants-installation/

How To Prep Your Garden For Cold Winter Months

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Having a nice and healthy garden requires certain effort on your part, especially when colder months are as good as here. Of course, your outdoor garden has to get proper sleep so that it can flourish during the spring season. With some changes and a little bit of work, you’ll give your lovely garden perfect conditions for quality winter sleep. So, if you’re unsure about the basic needs of your plants and trees during this cold period, keep on reading.

image-5Some cutting is necessary

Take a good look at your plants and bushes. There will undoubtedly be some dry foliage and stems. It’s very important to cut those back so that you can avoid further decomposition. Also, make sure to collect all the seeds that plants have to offer for the following season.

Remove the weeds

Any type of weed and debris should be removed from the plants’ surroundings before the ground gets too hard. This will allow them to get enough nutrients even during the winter months so that they can look healthy in spring. Also, weeds and debris can attract different pests, so your garden will definitely benefit with them gone.

Add organic compost

With dead plant debris, leaves and other organic waste you can make your own effective and protective compost soil that will keep the plants warm and provide them with nutrients. Make sure to add an extra layer of protective soil once the ground hardens completely. Snow will act as a good protective layer from the cold, but you also need this alternative since you cannot count on snow throughout the whole winter.

image-2Protect the trees

Trees also need adequate protection during winter months. Make sure to add tree-guard products. You can make these yourself or purchase the premade ones. This will significantly reduce the possibility of hungry critters munching on the bark. Also, don’t forget to prune the trees properly. Even though snow will act as a protective layer, drier branches can break under its weight which can be very dangerous.

What about Christmas tree?

If you plan on having a live Christmas tree, make sure to tend to it properly beforehand. This includes digging the hole in the ground for the tree before it gets too hard. Also, make sure to keep the soil somewhere safe in order to prevent freezing. Your garage can serve this purpose perfectly.

image-4Turn off all water sources

Removing water from your garden will actually prevent the soil, plants as well as garden props from freezing. Therefore, make sure to turn off your garden pipe and store the hose in the garage. If you have garden sprinkles, don’t forget to turn these off, too. Moreover, drain the fuel from any of your garden machinery such as lawn mowers.

Rake the leaves

Don’t leave the fallen leaves scattered around your garden. Instead, make sure to rake them and gather them on your pile for organic compost. Still, there will always be organic material that’s too decomposed for this purpose. Don’t try to make it work, but get the organic waste removed in JNS skip bins and similar services.

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Some plants will require more specific work compared to others when it comes to prepping for the winter season. In that respect, make sure to do a thorough research so that you know how to deal with every type of plant, herb, vegetable or shrub in your garden. The above-mentioned steps are the ultimate basics for effective winter garden prep, but you still need to pay special attention to tenderer flora that you want to take care of.

7 Budget-Friendly Curb Appeal Makeovers

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Our parents always told us that beauty comes from the inside, but when we talk about houses, it’s what’s on the outside that counts, too. No matter how cozy and stylish your interior design is, you need to invest a bit into the exterior as well. Such investment will pay off since it can bring many benefits for you and your house, while its curb appeal can add to its value. However, you must know which projects will pay off.

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Landscaping

A lush and green front yard will completely change the atmosphere of the whole house. While dry and neglected yards exude emptiness and a bit eerie atmosphere, great landscaping can give a fresh look and healthy feel to the entire property. You can plant a lot of plants and perennials that will provide color and depth to the whole yard. Also, you can decorate the yard more with a few stone paths and even a smaller fountain.

Windows

If your windows are quite old, chances are that they waste energy and heat. Plus, they probably don’t look very nice from the outside, either. That is why you should consider replacing the old ones with new, energy-efficient windows, which will save you plenty of energy and money. Additionally, you can always repaint the new front windows to match the exterior design and keep the atmosphere of the whole façade.

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Façade

The façade is the face of your home and it should shine. For a start, you will need better insulation in order to preserve energy in your home. This can easily be done by updating or replacing your cladding systems and resolving all the insulation problems. Additionally, you can improve the curb appeal by repainting the façade. If the paint has started peeling off, or you just simply don’t like it anymore you should find a new, neutral color that will save the day. It’s best to stick to such neutral colors, because you can later add contrast with details and still keep everything classy.

Entry Doors

Entry door replacement will certainly pay off in the long run. It is a chance for you to provide more security for your home, while at the same time you are working on the curb appeal. If you like wood, custom made doors are vastly available, but if you want more security, you can always opt for a steel front door. Moreover, if you choose an unusual color, or simply repaint the existing doors into a bolder shade, you will provide contrast and an amazing wow factor for your exterior design.

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Garage Doors

Replace the garage doors to match your home’s age, style and enhanced look. New, shiny and functional garage doors will provide the needed security and they will contribute to the curb appeal. While you are at it, you can upgrade the material of the doors and opt for wood, steel, aluminum or fiberglass, depending on your set budget and style of the entire design. Also, make sure you opt for the sturdiest material that will protect your car and other belongings, while it should be easy to maintain as well.

Deck Addition

Decks are always popular addition to a home and they can bring plenty of benefits. They expand the existing living space because they can serve as an entertainment, dine or relaxation area. Also, they are always appealing to potential buyers and can greatly increase the value of your property. Additionally, if you choose to add a wooden deck, it will perfectly blend into any design and it will contribute to the overall curb appeal and your neighbors will envy you.

Owning a home is a lifetime commitment and there is always something to improve. However, you shouldn’t despair over it. Rather choose projects that will pay off in the future and that can add value and curb appeal to the house.

How To Decorate Your Kids’ Room

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Adequate room décor is a really important part of child’s developing personality. Like the rest of their peers as well as adults, kids also love to have their own corner that will properly represent their individuality and creativity. What’s more, when they feel comfortable in the environment of their room, they will be able to concentrate on different tasks better as well as rest with ease. In that respect, make sure to approach the kids’ room décor with them as main guides and advisors.

Specific themes

Always make sure to discuss the possible décor options with your kids. If there is a certain hero, movie, TV show or book that they especially like, they might express the wish to have their room décor done accordingly. Matching the colors and adding details that would suit the chosen theme is not at all difficult, but it can make for a very happy and satisfied child, so be sure to ask these questions and work together before you start doing anything else.

Functionality and comfort

Even if you go by certain theme for décor, the room still has to be pretty functional with enough space for both work and play. In that respect, try not to overstuff your child’s room with furniture and accessories that they won’t use or benefit from. Try out different layouts until you reach the conclusion what would be the perfect organization for your child’s room. Remember, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice comfort over functionality or vice versa.

Think ahead

When you start your décor and room equipping, you can consider the essentials for a few years ahead. This is a pretty useful approach especially if you don’t have to use really bold thematic colors and special furniture. For example, buying a bigger bed for your kid can serve them for many years, in the future as well. When it comes to study area, you can check out adjustable chairs and desks. That way, you can change up the height to suit your child’s growth properly. Of course, if your kid is still very young, you should expect some drastic changes again in the future, but you should still try to be frugal and future-oriented, even if it’s just for a couple of years.

Essential accessories

Kids’ rooms still need more than a simple bed, wardrobe, chair and desk. Think of some effective storage solutions for toys and such. If you want the wardrobe to be for clothes only, some decorative trunks that agree with your child’s liking can be a great storage solution for toys when they’re young, and other bits and pieces when they get older. Also, you can play with different types of affordable lighting you can find online and make the whole room brighter so your youngest can play and read. Do not forget to leave a small light near the bed in case your child is afraid late at night. Find some great lamp in shape of their favorite hero and make it look funny and usable.

Make it all about your kid

It’s essential that you don’t forget whom you’re decorating the room for. It shouldn’t be about you and your wishes when you were young, but your child’s. In that respect, always listen to your kid’s requests and use your ideas as suggestions. If you want to inspire creativity and confidence in your child even more, think about creating an interesting DIY art wall display that will feature some of their best drawings, crafts and even poems and stories.

Kids’ rooms are usually smaller compared to the rest of the rooms, so make sure to assess the space you have at your disposal properly. Remember, kids need their own room to spend time in and have fun or relax, not live in it. So, make it as creative as possible but refrain from introducing too many things that they don’t need in their own little paradise.