5 Ways to Make the Transition into a New Home Feel Easier

This is a Partnered post.

Moving into a new property is always exciting as it signals the start of a new chapter in your life. However, the transition from one home to another can be very stressful too. Thankfully, though, you can make life a lot easier for yourself by building a clear action plan.

Focus on the five simple steps below and it will hugely help your mindset throughout the process. 

1- Know The Full Financial Implications

One of the many reasons that moving home becomes stressful is that most people underestimate the costs. This is particularly common for first-time renters and buyers but can impact others too. Property taxes, legal fees, and other hidden costs soon add up and can cost you thousands. Even as a first-time tenant, you may not realize just how much running a property costs in 2024. Conducting the necessary research in your city is vital.

Otherwise, you will be left playing catchup even before you move in. It will inevitably send stress levels through the roof.

2- Get Help With Moving Day

Moving day is one of the strangest days in your life. On the one hand, it is the most exciting part of the process as you get to step into the new home for the first time. On the other hand, though, the logistics of moving your possessions across town (or the country) can be a nightmare. Professional movers make the process far more convenient. Moreover, they have the vehicles and equipment to move goods efficiently and without risk of damage. 

When combined with the fact you won’t have to pay for a truck or other equipment, it is a fantastic investment for the big day.

3- Manage Your Storage Needs

When looking to stamp a little personality on your new home, it’s vital that all items have their place. With this in mind, getting the storage needs under control should be the top item on your agenda. The move is a great chance to declutter while self-storage unit services are available if you still need help. But most homeowners can create extra storage by utilizing alcoves or using the space behind doors. Adding internal organizers to cupboards also helps.

Try to take control of the situation ASAP. Otherwise, you can easily fall into the trap of never addressing it.

4- Upgrade The Garden 

If you are blessed with a backyard, this is one of the best places to update early on. It is an area of the home where you can stamp your personality in a very big way. Outdoor entertainment essentials and furniture are a great example. Even if you have a modest space to work with, there is an opportunity to have a big impact and add a new dimension to the home. It’s often one of the more affordable renovation projects too.

Likewise, the fact that the works take place outside means that you can avoid disruption. So, you’ll be free to add the internal touches to make the home yours.

5- Add Security Features

It’s hard to enjoy a home that leaves you feeling vulnerable. Therefore, you should also go the extra mile to add security features. Surveillance cameras, alarms, motion lights, and robust gates or perimeter fencing all help. It does help if you have a good relationship with the neighbors too. Of course, you should ensure that all doors and windows feature strong locks. This will stop unwanted access to the property and put your mind at ease.

Finally, on a side note, you're moving into a new location. Familiarize yourself with the roads and surroundings ASAP. You won’t regret it.

Stress-Free Ways to Keep Your Home Clean

This is a Partnered Post.

It can be a bit tricky to keep your home clean, especially if you get stressed easily or have no energy. However, there are many benefits of a clean home, and poor conditions can impact your health. So, from making a routine to getting some help, here are some handy suggestions. 

Active Pest Prevention

Pests can create a lot of problems in homes. From ants to rats, there are many ways in which pests impact the house and create problems for you. Their dropping and sheddings are toxic, and they contribute to dust. These can cause breathing issues, and they can also bite. An exterminator can help when it gets out of control. But you can keep most away with active pest prevention such as clearing cobwebs, decluttering, dusting, and vacuuming regularly.

Come Up with a Routine

A routine can help almost anything in your life, and the home is no different. A routine for cleaning keeps you on top of things and ensures your home is kept as clean as necessary. A good rule is to dust and vacuum on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You can then clean the bathroom and kitchen on Saturday morning. This is harder if you leave it. But it becomes much easier if you keep up with the routine as there is much less to clean. Then Sunday is yours!

Keep Your Home Clean Organically

Cleaning the house can be fun. But some of the chemicals found in common cleaning products are harmful. One study found that of 30 common products tested, only one did not release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These are harmful chemicals found in solvents such as paint. Fortunately, you can switch to non-VOC organic and natural products. These are much less harmful when used or breathed in but do the same job or better when cleaning.

Get Others to Chip In

Stress comes from all sides of us these days, and just having to do the housework is another added stressor. You can also make things worse when you try to do everything yourself. If you live in a home with others, then enlist some help when you find it too much. Your flatmates, partner, and even the kids are a great help in getting things done. It also helps to teach the kids to clean up after themselves, such as bathroom hygiene and picking up their clothes.

Take Pride in Where You Live

Okay, so you may not live in a mansion. But your home is your home, and not being proud of it can have a massive negative impact. Maybe you live in an apartment building that’s a little run down, and people don’t care. But thinking this way about your one apartment only adds to the stress. Keeping your home clean is beneficial to your mental health. Outside is outside. It’s the condition inside that matters, and you can always make the most of any home you live in.

Summary

Actively keeping on top of pest control can help keep your home clean, tidy, and safe. Using organic cleaning products is less harmful, and it always helps to take pride in where you live.

How to Keep Your Home Neat from The Inside Out

This is a Partnered Post.

Taking care of your home is something you have always tried to prioritize, even when life gets extra busy and you have a lot on your plate. Having a neat and tidy home from the inside out helps you to feel more relaxed, calm and stress free, so why not get ahead and make things easier for yourself? When it comes to keeping up with repairs and maintenance for your home, you need to get certain preparations in order so that each aspect of your home runs smoothly without a hitch. With that being said, here are a handful of ways to get started so that your home is always neat from the inside out.

Keep Up With Landscaping

One of the first things you will notice when pulling up to your driveway is the landscaping on your front garden. Keeping your lawn in neat condition and maintaining your hedges is very important if you want your home to look aesthetically pleasing from the outside. If you are struggling to keep on top of landscaping, you may want to hire a professional to help you on a weekly basis.

Clean Out Your Gutters

There is nothing more unsightly and frustrating than clogged outdoor gutters. Over time debris, leaves and dirt can build up and cause long term issues with your guttering. When you invest in professional  routine gutter cleaning services, your home will not only look much better from the outside, but it will also help the day to day running of your home run much more smoothly and you’re avoiding more expensive and wasteful issues from occurring in the future.

Go Minimal Inside Your House

If you often struggle to stay on top of the day to day organization of your home, you are certainly not alone. Over the years it’s very easy to accumulate belongings that don’t necessarily have a place in your life anymore. You may receive gifts from family members or build up clothing that you don’t even wear anymore. This can lead to a very untidy and disorganized household, which can be extremely stressful when you don’t enjoy the chaos. When it comes to creating a minimalist home, you need to gradually reduce all of your essentials and learn to live with less stuff. Whether you donate some items to charity or sell unwanted furniture online, there are so many effective  ways to go minimal.

Take a Zero Waste Approach

A zero waste approach fits in perfectly with a minimalist lifestyle, as it means you’re not overcrowding your home with unnecessary items. Always be mindful when it comes to shopping and try to avoid making purchases that you know will cause unwarranted waste to the planet and your home.

Hopefully, some of these ideas will provide you with some much-needed inspiration to get on top of your home organization and tasks. Whether you’re booking in a gutter cleaning specialist or tackling the clutter that’s gradually built up inside your home, you can make your home look clean and appealing from every angle with just a little bit of preparation!

Custom Cards and Invites from Basic Invite

“This is a sponsored post from Basic Invite. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on my own.”

Spread some holiday cheer with Basic Invite! Basic Invite is the place to go for invitations and greeting cards. And with the holidays coming up Basic invite is a great place to go formula for holiday cards. They also offer free address printing and peel and seal envelopes with the holiday cards and with a variety of designs you can create the perfect card for your family.

Basic Invite does something that is rare, they offer their customers almost unlimited color options, and they offer instant previews online. The customer can select the color of each element on their card. Basic Invite offers over 180 colors! You have the power to get exactly what you want. This makes Basic Invite the standout from other online stationery companies.

Not sure if you will like it when you see it? Basic Invite has Custom Samples! Customers can order a printed sample of their invitation before placing their order. You can see the paper quality in person and know how it will print. This ensures your card is perfect.

Basic Invite offers over 40 colors of envelopes. So your envelope matches the invitation. All the envelopes are peel and seal. Basic Invites envelopes can they can be closed quickly and securely.

And Basic Invite offers and Address Capturing Service. Customers can share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media to request their addresses. The addresses are saved to your account and can be chosen during the design process. Basic Invite offers recipient address printing at no cost on all card orders.

And if you really want your card to stand out, Basic Invite offers foil. Foil cards are available in gold, silver, and rose gold. Customers can choose flat or raised foil on all of Basic Invite’s foil designs.

Right now Basic Invite is offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51 use the coupon and order ASAP, so you have your Christmas Cards sent out on time.

Leave a comment and let me know if you have ordered your Christmas cards yet.

Melons House Party Season 2

Can you believe it’s already fall? It feels like yesterday I was talking to you guys about season one of Melons House Party!

What I really loved about Melons House Party was it was it fun screen free way to entertain my daughter.

And I’m so glad you announce that season two is coming! There are going to be new episodes every Wednesday. And they’re about 30 minutes! Melons House Party is perfect to put on when you’re in the car with the kids, or to entertain the kids while you’re trying to cook dinner or do some chores.

Melons House Party is family friendly. So I can turn this on and listen to it and enjoy it myself. My daughter can enjoy it. Melons House Party is perfect for children aged 5 to 12 years old. If you’re wondering what Melons House Party is, it’s about a dog named Melon. The premise is that the objects in your house can actually speak, but only dogs can hear them, which means we follow Melon as she communicates with her new friends.

So Melon is friends with us seeing record player, a souless computer, the bookshelf is her personal therapist and she has any more friends. But her best in the entire world is a couch.

One of my favorite things about Melons House Party is it teaches the value of friendship and family. The music is so entertaining. I love listening to Melons House Party with my daughter.

It’s important for me to spend time with my daughter. I love playing Melons House Party on through my Bluetooth speakers and sitting down and listening to Melons House Party with her with zero distractions. I love the conversations that take place after we listen to Melons House Party. We love talking about the music and we love talking about adventures that Melon has had this week.

Have you heard of Melons House Party? Will you be listing? I know I we sure will. Comment below if you love Melons House Party too!

Morning Routine: 6 Activities That Will Keep You Energized All Day Long

This is a sponsored guest post.

Many people find it difficult to start the day with enthusiasm and take a while to fully wake up. If you wake up and follow a routine that helps to energize you, you are likely to maintain your energy levels throughout the day. Drinking too much coffee can leave you jittery and anxious. There are better ways to deal with morning tiredness. Here are some activities to help you start the day the right way. 

1. Drink water

Your body is made up largely of water, so staying hydrated is very important if you want all your bodily systems to function correctly. Fatigue is a common symptom of dehydration, and you may get dehydrated overnight. Drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning can help start your day the right way. Add ice, cucumber or lemon if you prefer or just drink it straight up. It also gets your metabolism going because your body needs water for digestive processes to run properly.     

Sometimes you need more hydration than usual, and IV therapy can help. For attending an event or festival, for example, you may need more fluids than usual to maintain your stamina. Drip Hydration, Drip IV Therapy and Your CPR MD offer mobile therapy wherever you are and even offer group IV treatments for you and your friends. After attending Coachella, IV therapy may be what you need to hydrate your body. 

2. Do stretching exercises

When you’ve been lying in bed for hours, you need to stretch out your limbs. By stretching, you stimulate blood circulation and warm up your muscles. When you reactivate your muscles after a night’s sleep, it releases hormones that give you energy. 

You can relieve any stress built up in your neck or back during the night by stretching. Stand tall in a full body stretch and reach your arms up to the ceiling. Do some head and shoulder rolls. When you roll your shoulders backward, try to draw your shoulder blades together. When you roll them forward, try to stretch them apart. Performing some simple Yoga poses is a good way to start the day. 

3. Eat a healthy breakfast

Eating a healthy breakfast is important if you want to have energy for the day ahead. You are more likely to reach your daily nutrient requirements if you eat breakfast. You can also avoid fluctuating blood sugar levels if you eat fruit, grains, and lean protein in the morning. When your blood sugar levels are stable, you have more of a mental edge and you can focus better. 

Eating a healthy breakfast also revs up your metabolism, so you will burn more calories throughout the day. Skipping breakfast tells your body it must conserve calories, which can make you gain weight rather than lose it. Your body needs fuel if you want to feel energetic, and a healthy breakfast gives it the fuel it needs.   

4. Get some fresh air and sunlight

Exposure to some fresh air and sunlight can quickly wake you up and make you more ready to face the day. When you’re out in the sunlight, the short wavelength blue light helps to stimulate your brain and tells your body clock it’s time to wake up. It suppresses melatonin, which is the hormone that makes you sleepy. It also pushes up your serotonin levels when you’re outside, so you feel more invigorated. 

5. Do breathing exercises

While outside in the fresh air, it’s worth doing some deep breathing exercises. Take in a deep breath, fully expand your stomach, hold it in for 5 seconds and then slowly breathe out for 10 seconds. Repeat this ten times and make sure your stomach is rising instead of your chest. If your chest is rising, you are still breathing shallowly. You need to breathe through your stomach for breathing exercises to have the right effect on you. 

6. Avoid sugar at breakfast

Some breakfasts are not as good as others. Sugary items like sweet breakfast cereals or pastries can give you instant energy, but they will also lead to a drop in blood sugar that leaves you feeling worse than you did before. Try to pay attention to labels on breakfast foods to see how much sugar they contain. Stay away from processed foods that often contain sugar and stick to whole grain and minimally processed foods. Trying to reduce the amount of coffee you consume in the morning can also help you to feel less tired because you often experience a caffeine slump when it wears off.