28 June 2021

3 Big Expenses Made Cheaper

Expenses are undoubtedly unavoidable in your personal and professional life. Rents, utilities, food, transportation, and cell phone bills are some of the most common costs everyone incurs in their daily life.

However, there’s always the need to spend less to save cash as money is scarce. Therefore, it’s always prudent to find clever ways to save on some huge expenses. Here are three main expenses in life and how you can save money on them.

1. Housing


Housing costs are easily the single most significant monthly expense in many peoples' budgets. Mortgage payments, rents, and homeownership's associated costs can eat up your rent, so looking for ways to save on your rent is essential. As such, if you’re renting your place, consider renegotiating your rent with your landlord as a possible way to lower your housing costs. Also, you can get a roommate to save you money on rent as well as utilities.

Furthermore, you can shop around in the neighborhood for more affordable accommodation and relocate. On the other hand, you can refinance your mortgage if you have one to lower your monthly payments. Additionally, consider renting a room if you have extra space to earn additional income. You can also downsize or move further from the city as your last resort to enjoy lower housing costs. The right moving company is undoubtedly essential to enjoy a seamless move. Dependable movers such as Muscular Moving Men can assist with your relocation needs, especially if you're moving within AZ.

Muscular Moving Men are full-service Scottsdale movers, offering homeowners and businesses in AZ a broad selection of helpful relocation services. These movers assist with local, long-distance, and commercial moves. Additionally, they provide packing services to help you pack up your belongings, whether just a room or your entire home. Also, they offer state-of-the-art storage units, so clients can store various possessions at different stages of their move. What's more, this professional moving company's mover athletes undergo background checks, rigorous training and are courteous and friendly. In addition, they have years of experience in the moving industry, helping many Scottsdale residents with their moves for many years.

2. Transportation

For many people, transport is the second biggest expense after housing and probably food. However, with some careful planning, your transport cost needn't be a massive drain on your monthly budget. Therefore, you can buy a bicycle to use for short distances, and consider walking more often to spend less on gas. Also, public transportation is worth considering since it saves you money on gas, maintenance, insurance, among others. In addition, you can explore carpooling with friends and coworkers to split fuel costs, saving you a significant amount of money annually. Furthermore, consider investing in a less expensive used car to save money on your transport costs. Trusted online auto auction sites such as Auto Auction Mall will come in handy when seeking cars for an affordable price in Ghana.

Auto Auction Mall is the largest dealer car auctions online platform for salvage and insurance, used, and pre-owned vehicles. You can find some great cars for sale in Ghana from some of the world's best automakers, like VW, Toyota, and Nissan, at great prices. In addition, Auto Auction Mall helps Ghanaian buyers purchase their preferred passenger cars from dealer-only auctions like Copart and ship to Accra. To purchase and ship clean cars to Ghana, you can start with a simple search of your preferred model on their website. Some of their cars are "buy now," meaning you can readily buy them after making full payment. However, you’ll have to deposit and schedule an auction for vehicles and bid a minimum of $600 on your preferred car to get started.

3. Building Costs

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Building your home from scratch is another high cost for homeowners who choose to build their own house over paying mortgages. While this is a good idea for several reasons, constructing a new home is still a costly endeavor that requires proper financial planning. Leading home builders such as Interiorly.ca can help you arrive at an accurate calculation for your home building.

Interiorly.ca is a Toronto-based home builder specializing in interior design work and homebuilding. Their website's blog offers helpful articles on various topics to assist homeowners with renovations, remodels, and interior design. One of the frequent questions they receive in their line of work daily is "how much does it cost to build a house in Ontario?" Most builders provide accurate estimates to clients on a price-per-square-foot basis. This way, you can have a fair idea of how much the final building will cost. However, several other factors like your building permit costs, shape and size of the house, general contractor choice, location, and quality of building materials can also affect your home's final price. Therefore, you can consider less expensive material alternatives, using space creatively, and reducing your number of walls as some key ways to reduce your construction expenses.

Expenses are a normal part of living that everyone must plan for adequately. The points above are some three common expenses and how you can save on them.

The 5 Best Remodeling Methods to Upgrade Your Church

Church upgrades are a fantastic way to energize your congregation and get the feeling of community back on track after a long time away from in-person worship. Yet bringing back your ceremonies and meetings will require a revamping of the physical space that you all share in these functions.

Time away and the powerful weathering effect of time itself have created the need for many chapel upgrades and overall maintenance work within churches all around the United States. With these five tips, remodeling your church and getting back on track can be made easy.

1. Start with the roof.


Your roof is one of the most important components of the building itself. A new roof installation or a roof repair is best done by professional roofing contractors. Hiring one of many Northern Virginia roofing contractors to complete any repair work that you may need on your building is crucial for success in this space. It’s the best way to ensure the safety and health of the people who will once again rely on the structural integrity of the church’s physical presence on a weekly or daily basis. A contractor who can provide references and samples of their past roof repair work is a great choice in this industry.

The truth is that roofs have a shelf life just like anything else. The average roof—commercial or residential—will often last for about twenty years before needing a replacement. Take this aspect of your building seriously and continue to provide the physical shelter that your congregation has relied on for many years.

2. Consider other external needs as well.


Beyond the roof concerns that you may have, there are a number of other important upgrades and repairs to make around the exterior of the property. Gutter cleaning, Siding replacement, and landscaping are all important steps to take when working to renovate your church for an imminent reopening. Gutters and siding are particularly important because without proper maintenance in these areas the building can become susceptible to mold growth, rot, or insect infestation. Take care of the building itself and it will pay you and your congregation back in spades.

3. Landscaping


While still focusing on external components of the church grounds, it would be a mistake to discount the importance of great landscaping. Quality work in this area can provide you and your faith-based community a fantastic worship space that can flow out into the fresh air during the summer months or on a nice autumn day.

Studies have shown that time spent in green spaces can reduce stress and promote overall health and wellbeing. Coupling the power of communal spirituality with these benefits can be a great boost for your community.

4. Bring in a new slate of amenities within the church in order to boost attendance.


Church supplies—banners, envelopes, communion supplies, and everything else you use on a daily and weekly basis must be replenished after a long stretch away from community events. The church equipment that you rely on to manage mass and the various needs of your community is crucial to a great service. Make sure you’re up to date on these staples.

5. Consider an interior overhaul.


An overhaul that sees a totally new interior could be the perfect way to welcome back your congregation after a long time away. Putting down new flooring, revamping the pews and altar, and adding new decorative flair that gets worshippers in the spirit of faith and community can be a game changer for any church.

Going all out on your renovations can perhaps give you the spark you’ve been looking for to restart your community’s engagement.

The Ultimate Guide to Womanhood

Your womanhood isn't defined by the work you do, your body parts, or the relationships you have — you define your womanhood. Womanhood involves a ton of milestones, most of which are life-changing. From finding the perfect bra to finding out what no one tells you about menopause, here's a quick guide on how to navigate some key milestones in your womanhood.

Know your bra size

If you've ever worn the wrong bra size, you know how uncomfortable it can feel. Worse still are the resulting backaches and occasional breast pain. The solution to this is to find a bra that's the right fit, but this isn't always easy to do. This is because bra sizes vary significantly across lingerie brands. What qualifies as a B-cup at one store can easily be a different size at another store. To avoid this, get measured to find your correct bra size. Most lingerie shops can measure your bust for free, but if you're an avid online shopper and are wondering, "How do I measure bra size?" the first step is to have a measuring tape on hand.

To start, wear a non-padded bra or go braless. Next, grab your measuring tape and guide it around your torso, directly under your bust. Make sure that the measuring tape is level on all sides—standing in front of a mirror can help with this—and that it has a snug hold. Whatever figure you get, round it off to the nearest whole number. If you get an even number, add four inches to this figure, and if you get an odd number, add five to it. Your band size should be the total of this calculation. For example, if you measured 30 inches, your band size is 34, and if you measured 31 inches, your band size is 36.

To get your bust measurement, find the fullest part of your bust and run your measuring tape around it. Whatever figure you get, round this off to the nearest whole number. Finally, to know your bra size, subtract your band size from your bust size, and for every inch count a cup size like this:

  • 1 = A
  • 2 = B
  • 3 = C
  • 4 = D
  • 5 = DD (E)
  • 6 = DDD (F)

For instance, if, from your measurements, your bust is 37 inches, and your band is 34 inches, 37-34=3, so you're a 34C. You don't need to be a pro bra size calculator with this easy bra size method.

Wear the right bra for your needs.


Hormone fluctuations, weight gain, pregnancy, and age can affect your bra size. If you're a new mom, for instance, and you intend to breastfeed, your regular bra may not be the most comfortable fit for you during this time. Luckily, nursing bras and pumping bras offer comfortable bra options to match your body's changing needs.

Most women experience a change in breast size around the time when they are five months postpartum. If you're in this stage, you'll need a comfortable bra that you can easily adjust to support the changes you may be having in your breast size. Simple Wishes' Reversible Sleep Lounge Nursing Bra is a great option for this time because it allows you to easily slip your breast out when nursing or pumping. Their Supermom Bralette is another great alternative because of its drop-down cup feature. Besides being a great nursing bra, their nursing bralette can also double as a t-shirt bra.

Alternatively, you can also try Simple Wishes' Adjustable Hands-Free Pumping Bra. What makes this bra so great is the fact that you can wear it over any nursing bra. Considered their most supportive pumping bra, it's designed to wear only when pumping. As you transition from postpartum to breastfeeding, your main priority when it comes to finding the perfect bra is comfort. Knowing this, allow your body the time it needs to recover and stay away from underwire bras.

Understand your cycles.


In most women, estrogen levels begin to fluctuate once they reach 35. At this time, the effects of these hormonal changes are mild. It isn’t until most of these women reach their 40s that they start to experience symptoms of perimenopause. During perimenopause, your body produces lower levels of estrogen. The average length of perimenopause is two years, after which you enter menopause. Your doctor will confirm that you've reached menopause when you haven’t had a menstrual period for a period of 12 consecutive months.

Going through perimenopause and menopause can result in uncomfortable symptoms such as fatigue, hot flashes, urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, night sweats, mood swings, sleep problems, gut problems, and more. Tracking your perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms is a great way to understand your cycle to help you find relief. Some more severe symptoms may require you to seek medical treatment, and tracking your symptoms can help your doctor understand your symptoms.

Midlife health tracker apps offer the best option when it comes to helping you understand your cycle. This is because they can help you gain a proper understanding of your overall health while offering insight into some questions you may have, like: how long does menopause last?

Please note that the insight offered by menopause health tracker apps shouldn't act as a substitute for any recommended course of treatment suggested by your healthcare provider.

24 June 2021

Simple things to make your garden more attractive

Photo by JR Harris on Unsplash

With summer now underway, you are probably spending more of your leisure time in your garden than you usually would. Perhaps you enjoy relaxing in your pool after a long day at work, or having a few friends over for a barbecue and a few chilled drinks. However, you may not fully enjoy your garden if it is less of a tranquil paradise and more of a neglected junk yard. Here are some simple things to make your garden more attractive.

1. Flowers

Your garden might currently be very low maintenance, with a cement drive way and perhaps a patch of scrubby lawn for the kids to play on. While concrete flags and untended lawns do remove hours of garden maintenance, they are less aesthetically pleasing than a garden that is bursting with color. Flowers are a simple way to add some color to your garden. Simply take a trip to your local garden center and choose the flowers that you find most pleasing and plant them in your garden. Use flowerpots if you do not have flowerbeds; these also have the advantage of being moveable, so you can take your colorful flowers with you if you move properties.  

2. Pond

Adding pond water features into your garden will bring you many benefits. A pond will attract insects and other wildlife to your garden, such as frogs and dragonflies, who thrive in an aquatic environment. Furthermore, ponds and other water features, like fountains, provide your garden with an air of tranquility in which you will love to sit in to relax and unwind at the end of a stressful day. Ensure that your pond includes a water filter to keep the water moving and prevent it from stagnating, ensuring that your pond is a clean and healthy environment in which plants and wildlife can thrive.

3. Maintain garden furniture

If left exposed, your garden furniture can experience a battering from the snow, wind and rain of the harsh winter months. It’s unsurprising, then, for them to be in poor condition when you are ready to use them again in summer. Chipped paintwork, weakened wood, and faded colors all make for garden furniture that is less-than pleasing to the eye, as well as possibly being unsafe for use. Take some time to maintain your garden furniture by adding a fresh coat of weatherproof paint and carrying out repairs, and remember to use a tarpaulin cover when not in use to protect your furniture from the elements.

4. Garden ornaments

Garden ornaments are a quick way to brighten up your garden and make you and your guest smile. Garden gnomes are outside ornamentation classics, but you could also shake your things up a bit by looking at other types of garden ornaments. For example, you could have some flamingo statues for a tropical touch, or perhaps some tasteful figurines of woodland creatures to create the relaxing vibe of a mysterious pine forest. 

Implement these four tips and you’re bound to boost the attractiveness of your garden.

6 Big Reasons to Hire a Professional Plumber to Fix Your Leaking Toilet

Photo by Gabor Monori on Unsplash

According to EPA statistics, most Baltimore residents experience plumbing leaks that result in over one trillion gallons of waste water. Many homeowners understand that house appliances do not remain in stellar conditions for an extended period. You might encounter numerous plumbing issues such as a leaking toilet, a clogged bathroom, or cracked walls. When you encounter such faults, you might be tempted to carry out a DIY project on your plumbing system. Such repairs can cause further damages and extra costs because you are not a certified plumber. Therefore, you need to hire a professional plumber to sort out all your plumbing issues, especially a leaky faucet.

Below are reasons why you should call a licensed plumber to handle your leaking toilet.

1. Plumbing Equipment 

Professional plumbers have special equipment for specific repairs. Hence, when you opt to fix your toilet with any tool, you might not achieve the desired results. Most homeowners do not have these plumbing tools, and trying to compromise with other equipment might result in further problems that were not present. Moreover, one needs the required expertise to repair a leaking faucet successfully. Thus, hiring a certified plumber is the best decision, and you will not have to worry about purchasing the right tools for the DIY job. 

2. Service Warranties

Using an unlicensed plumber to fix your leaking faucet is a huge blunder since they do not provide any service warranty. Conversely, professional plumbers have this option as a mandatory policy. Hence, experts will always do a perfect job and ensure you get real value for your money because they do not want to return in case of any faults. However, if you encounter a faulty component, the professional plumbing company will offer free repairs. Instead of repairing the leaking toilet or getting an amateur, it is always wise to call expert plumbers to handle your plumbing repairs and enjoy the insurance cover. 

3. Reduces Damages

Leaking toilets often occur when you least expect, and trying to solve the problem immediately might result in further damages. You might puncture the pipes or destroy the faucet beyond repair. Most homeowners try to do DIY repairs, not knowing they might escalate the problem. More plumbing problems mean you will spend extra cash on repairs. Therefore, it is imperative to avoid such situations by hiring a skilled and certified plumber to handle the issue. 

4. Comprehensive Diagnostics

Another significant benefit of calling an expert plumber is thorough inspection and evaluation of the plumbing problem. The professional might identify other underlying issues that you did not know existed before. Homeowners usually get detailed diagnostics of the entire plumbing system. This prevents impending plumbing disasters from occurring. In addition, an expert will dig further to establish the cause of the leaking toilet and offer practical advice to the homeowners to avoid such problems from recurring. 

5. Professionalism

Certified plumbers often operate with a sense of professionalism and integrity. The experts often undergo training to establish various plumbing issues and how to fix the repairs. Amateur plumbers can use the wrong tools to fix faulty components. Without any warranty, you can’t claim any free maintenance in case the issue is unresolved. Therefore, professionalism is a fundamental aspect that homeowners need to look out for in plumbing companies to get permanent solutions. 

6. Health and Safety

Plumbing might seem like an easy DIY project when you encounter a leaking toilet. However, the repair is beyond the leaky faucet and malfunctioning system. You can get exposed to harmful contaminants and health hazards while trying to fix the issue alone. Apart from puncturing water pipes, you might mess up the entire sewer line and contaminate drinking water. Therefore, it is much safer to hire a certified plumber to handle all the plumbing repairs.    They have the expertise to follow health and safety regulations. Ultimately, professional plumbers prioritize the safety of your home and community while carrying out efficient services. 

When it comes to plumbing, it is advisable not to gamble with your home. Whether it is a leaking toilet or a broken pipe, make sure you call a professional plumber to fix the repair. While it may be cheaper to handle the issue, you might cause further plumbing problems that will cost you money to repair. Thus, before hiring a plumber, carry out due diligence to know more about certifications, warranties, and professionalism. You can also read customer reviews to find out if the plumbing company has positive ratings. Do not use your home as a DIY project; seek out experts to come and fix your leaking toilet.