Would you like to spruce up your home but are not sure where to find the funds? Read this post to get some funding ideas. It’s that time of year again. This time of the year is the time where most of us are starting to plan out what we want to do with our homes. It could be a lick of paint, a new floor or a whole reshuffle. Home improvements can cost a pretty penny so it is important that you know exactly what you want before diving in to it. The first question to ask is how will your fund tour renovations?
Pension You might think that once you out your money into a pension that you won’t see it again until you are old and grey, but this isn’t the case. You can cash in on your pension fund at any time and because of this it means you can use it for whatever you need. If you think you need to take the money out for a large renovation project, you can do this, just bear in mind that you are ripping into your fund for the future. Savings and Investments The most common way that people fund any project in their lives is through saving up for it. If you currently have a large chunk of money in a savings account, then this is the perfect time to start planning what jobs you want to do and also think about the budget you have to work with. It might be that you have enough to to two rooms in the house, so you need to choose which are the most important. If you don’t currently have a huge chunk of money waiting to be spent, you might want to take a look into investment. By investing your money in the stock market or somewhere else, you can bring back a hefty return to use for any upgrades you want to complete on your home. Loans If your home is a dire need of restructuring, you may start to think about taking out a loan to complete the work. Bear in mind before you jump in that taking out a loan can be an expensive affair, and it could affect your credit score if you are unable to pay it back. If you currently have a bad credit score you might be under the impression that you cannot take out a loan at all, but there are companies out there who will allow you to take out signature loans no credit check. This means you won’t need to worry about the lender checking your credit report before offering you the loan. Just make sure you are able to pay it back. Mortgage Another option if you are looking to carry out substantial work to your home is taking out a mortgage. A lot of mortgage lenders have now increased the age you have to pay off a mortgage to 85 in line with people working for longer and living longer. Because of this you may be able to take out a mortgage in order to help you pay the fees for your project.
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Would you like to own a dog? Learn important questions for you to see if it's the right choice for you and your family. Deciding to add to your family is a big decision that should never be taken too lightly. Children and pets, they all require you to ask yourself certain questions to ensure that you are ready for the commitment. While owning a pet may not impact you as much as having a child would, it’s vital that you still consider the decision carefully. After all, you are taking on a living thing. This is because owning a dog, or any other pet for that matter, is something you have complete control over. You decide whether you are ready and want to embark on this new journey. Sometimes children don’t give you that luxury. But how do you know if you are truly ready for a pet dog? What should you do to ensure that you can truly commit? Sometimes just going with your heart isn’t always the answer and you need to think about the decision logically and explore all the angles. So I thought I would share with you some of the most common questions to ask yourself when considering getting a dog. Do we have space for the dog? One of the main things to consider when getting a dog is the space you have in your home. Do you have enough space to accommodate a four legged friend who can bounce around your home and have an abundance of energy? Sometimes you don’t realise in advance what impact having another member of the family can do to the space you have in your home. You will need to ensure they have a place to sleep or stay during the hours you are not there. You need to think about whether there's any toilet training that needs to take place, especially if you are getting a puppy. Space is a big factor throughout the decision making process. Can I even have a dog in my home? It is all well and good considering whether you have the space, but honestly, is a pet dog even an option for the property you live in? If you own your home it is different, but if you rent, you may need to check your contract to ensure that you have the right to have a pet in your property. If there are no guidelines then you may need to seek permission ahead of time. Secondly, if your property a house with outside space, or is it a flat or an apartment. This again could have a big impact on your decision making as having a family pet dog in an apartment might not be as easy as if you have a house where a dog can roam around the garden if it needs a little fresh air. Do we have enough time to give a dog? A dog needs your time, there is no hiding from that fact. Time for playing, affection and most of all training. Considering dog training is important to ensure they obey your orders and behave well. The last thing anyone wants is an unruly pet causing havoc in your home. Dog training especially will take time and it will require your commitment and effort to remain consistent. But you also need to think about whether you can commit the time to walk a dog and exercise them each day. So make sure you consider whether you have that free time to give. Can we afford to keep a dog healthy and happy? There is no hiding from the cost implications of having a pet dog. They need your attention, yes, but they also need food to eat, a place to sleep, and regular treatments to keep their skin and gut healthy. Thankfully, brands like PetAction are around to help dog owners keep their pets in tip top condition. But you also need to consider the option of vet bills should an accident happen or your pet dog becomes unwell. These things cost money. Some regular, some might be one off payments, but however you look at it, a pet dog will always have an impact on your monthly budget. Can we maintain a dog schedule? In all honesty, it doesn’t take much to look after a dog. If you are an animal lover, the general chores won’t be an issue to you at all. In fact, you will probably take great enjoyment out of cleaning them up and taking good care of them. But a dog does need to have regular exercise each day. Walking tends to be the most popular way and most dog owners will do this twice a day. While some may use this as an opportunity to be more active in their own lifestyles, sometimes, you may find that this isn;’t always something you can completely commit to. What if the weather is bad one day? It doesn’t mean that your dog shouldn't be exercised. You have to ask yourself whether you are around for those regular exercise jaunts. The feeding schedules and of course have time to offer affection. Will you be able to fully commit? Of course, if you do have a busy job, there are local services you could look into, such as regular dog walkers who can happily take your dog out each day for a fee. What happens when we are not there?
Finally, not everyone is fortunate enough to stay at home each day. So there is bound to be times where your dog will need to be at home without you, it’s unavoidable. So it is important to ensure that you ease your dog gently into this to avoid causing issues with separation anxiety in the future. You also need to workout how long they may be potentially left for. It’s unfair to keep a dog locked away for long periods of time. Not only do they need some form of exercise, or at least be able to stretch their legs, but they may also need to relieve themselves at some point. Factoring this into your schedule is vital. I hope this helps you come to a decision of owning a dog easily. Are you considering adding a pet to your life? Be sure to read this post which covers many areas related to pet ownership. This year it might not be such a bad idea to bring a new family member into your home. Getting yourself a pet cat or dog can be great for your health. Concentrating your focus on taking care of your new companion can bring about a real sense of purpose and fulfilment. Not to mention playing with these little critters can massively reduce your blood pressure and anxiety levels. Some universities and colleges have even decided to fill a room with puppies and kittens so that they're students can play with them when they're experiencing high levels of stress. Just looking at cute pictures of small animals on line can bring peace and calm into your life. If you get yourself a dog you'll be fitter than ever from taking them out for daily walks and could be making great new friends in a whole new community of animal livers. But you'll have to remember that these pets have needs to and just there to bring happiness to your life. They are come as package containing responsibility and commitment. Here's what you'll need to consider before you offer up your lovely home as a place to stay. Share the love Where are you going to get your new best friend from? There's so many animals just now living in shelters that need your help. Do you really need a purebred? Consider adopting before purchasing from a dog breeder. If you decide in the end that it's all just a bit too much to take on then you could still look into the option of sponsoring an animal. That way you know your money will be going towards a great cause helping to fund the upkeep and happiness of those poor animals and you won't have to dedicate so much of your time. You may even want to look into specifically sponsoring a guide dog that way you'll be giving a great home to the dog as well as helping someone with sight difficulties. Another great thing about going to a shelter to collect a little kitten or pupper is that it could be free. Getting yourself a purebred can be an extortionate option. Taking care of your pet As a human you're going to have different needs from your pet. Just like having a child the wellbeing of your pet is going to be on your mind constantly. There's a few things you could be doing to give yourself peace of mind. Get pet insurance. It could save you so much money if anything tragic was to ever happen to your little buddy. There's lots of options online to choose from and signing up is as easy as clicking a button. Get a vet. Find out where your local vet is and take a visit with your pet so everyone can get to know each other. This will be like a doctor for your pet and the stronger the relationship they have with each other the better the advice for help will be. Look out for bugs! Nasty little creatures like ticks and fleas will want to make themselves a home in your pets fur. Don't let them. If you discover this has happened then you could use products like Advecta flea meds for cats and dogs which should solve your problem. Going on holiday? Pets are going to take up a lot of your time. Almost all of your time. If you have a busy work schedule or aren't home often then you may want to reconsider if a pet is the best option for you. It makes going on holiday difficult but not impossible. If you want to go without your pet then you'll need to find appropriate care whilst your on vacation. Do you have any family or friends you could trust with your pets whilst you're away, or are they even willing to do the work. If not then you'll have to seek out professional help which can be costly. If you want to bring your beloved friend with you then this can be tricky. Your pet needs to be healthy and up to date with check ups so that they are safe to travel. What's your destination? Do they have all of the appropriate facilities needed to take care of your pet? If your pet needs medication then you'll have to check it's acceptable to bring into another country. This can all be a bit complicated making the decision to leave your pet at home the better option. Friends forever After pets have been fed and watered all they pretty much want to do is love. They can be extremely loyal companions. Although they can't talk back they will always be there to listen and you can unload all your problems of the day by sharing them out loud. If you take care of them and treat them well then they really will be your friends for life. This often works in the real world with people too. Pets can also be very funny creatures. They all have their own personalities and quirks that they're always willing to share with you. You may find yourself laughing out loud at some of the antics they get up to. As mentioned before there are giant communities of animal lovers. Don't be surprised if your stopped more than once on a dog walk by a friendly face. People love talking about and often too your pets. It's a great way of meeting people, socialising and making new friends. You might find your spending more time out of the house than ever before. Of course pets can be a nightmare at times, they can be expensive, hard work and take up a lot of your time but the joy you will experience in return will be tenfold. Bring it into your life by bringing a pet into your home. If you think you're up for the challenge then why not give a home to a furry little friend today. How do you know if someone is your soulmate? Continue reading to learn some of the signs It is often said that before you are even born, your spiritual half is already decided for you. Everyone in the world has a perfect match and this person is known as being a soulmate. A lot of people believe that their soulmate is going to give them a lifetime of harmony and bliss, but in reality, your soulmate is designed to help you through your life while also helping you to feel complete. So how do you know if you have found your soulmate? You Have Crossed Paths Soulmates often meet each other before they connect. If you want to know how to get your ex boyfriend back or if you feel strongly towards a specific person then there is a high chance that they are your soulmate. They are the one who makes you want to let go of everything and give yourself up completely for them. The truth is that you never connect until the time is right, so if you have met someone who you believe could be your soulmate, don’t give up just because the sparks don’t fly right away. Give it time, and take things slow. Things will happen on their own. The Ultimate Connection Every person has to be ready to receive their soul connection. When it comes to your soulmate, your connection is everything but so is your timing. When you meet someone, you should feel as though you are being wrapped in the most comforting blanket you have ever felt. It doesn’t matter whether you are driving together, just sitting in the same room or even going out for a walk, because they somehow make you feel safe and secure. Silent Thoughts When you have met your soulmate, you may find that there is a depth to your relationship that you never thought possible. You will feel and hear what your partner is thinking and this is even if they don’t verbally express it. You may find that sometimes in a relationship, you have a difficulty in expressing how you feel when you are in a conversation. This can lead to many different problems in the future and you may even feel as though you are not as connected to your partner as you think you should be. When you have met your soulmate on the other hand, you’ll quickly see that you connect with them on a basis you have never felt before. You Feel Differently About Them Have you ever met someone, only to find that you feel completely different about them when compared to the other people in your life? It may be a co-worker or it may even be someone who you have met in the street. Either way, you may feel as though you get a feeling when you are around them that just can’t be explained, or you may even feel as though they make you feel happy in ways you never thought possible. This is the ultimate way to know if you have really met your soulmate, but this may not be 100% evident at first. Three Coping strategies for anxiety are explored in this post which reminds us to take care of ourself too. The modern world we find ourselves living in has never been more stressful. With the advent of emerging technologies, social media, and a faster-paced working environment, it can be hard to find time for ourselves. You may constantly be thinking about that meeting you have to attend at work, the conference you need to organize and the performance management review that’s coming up. All the while you have a pal who’s going through a drama that you need to support, your kids are running riot, and all of your so-called ‘friends’ on social media seemingly live perfect, awe-inspiring lives. It’s time to give yourself a break and try and relinquish some of the anxious feelings that have been invading your headspace. Take a look at these strategies that can help keep anxiety at bay. Take Time Out For You. And Only You It can be all too easy to think that having some winding down time involves taking the kids to the beach or going out for a meal with your partner. While these are great activities to partake in, you also need to find some spare time, even if it is ten minutes a day, solely for you. Head out for a walk on your own, read another chapter of the latest novel you’ve been reading, or watch an episode of your favorite show on TV. While it may seem insignificant, chilling out on your own can allow you to switch off from everything going on around you and allow you to escape into a more positive frame of mind. Instead of cogitating over the impending visit from your in-laws, think about your next family vacation. Find What Works For You Some people find that anxiety can manifest in physical ways. You may find yourself suffering from heart palpitations, tension headaches, tingly hands and feet or digestive issues. You could try an alternative remedy such as acupuncture, hemp supplements like those available at canabidol.com or even reiki massage. Relieving anxiety symptoms is as bespoke and as personalized as the condition itself. What works for a friend may not work for you so pay attention to your body and explore all the options available to you. Get Physical
The easiest way to relieve anxiety symptoms is to do something to take your mind off the intrusive thoughts that can manifest as anxiety. By doing something physical like the exercise ideas explored at webmd.com, you are giving your mind something else to focus on that may involve a challenge. If you used to jog but haven’t done for a few years, strap on your running shoes and get training for a 5k park run. If you’ve always fancied having a go at rock climbing, now is your chance. By joining a club, you’ll meet like-minded individuals and find that your motivation to succeed in your new hobby far outweighs the burden of your anxiety. Anxiety isn’t simply feeling a tad nervous - it can be a debilitating condition that negatively impacts on all aspects of your life. Follow these strategies in an attempt to banish anxiety for good. |