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Managing Stress While Budgeting for Big Purchases

Making a large purchase like a car or home can be exciting. Perhaps you’re able to upgrade to a larger space or a newer model of vehicle, making your daily life easier and more comfortable. Maybe you’re getting a new appliance that’s more efficient and less noisy than the one you’ve been putting up with for years. You feel happy and relieved and can’t wait to make the leap. 




However, it’s also perfectly normal for stress and anxiety to creep in underneath more positive feelings. You may be concerned about buyer’s regret if your purchase doesn’t live up to your expectations or anxious about finding the best price. Some people simply get stressed over spending large amounts of money, whether the outcome is good or not. 


Though these worries and doubts are a natural part of the decision-making process, it’s unhealthy to let them consume you. Overwhelming stress can lead to panic attacks, insomnia, and other health issues, so it’s important to take care of yourself and find ways to regulate your anxiety. 

 

Understand Your Financial Big Picture

One of the best ways to alleviate financial stress is to understand your cash flow, savings, and expenses comprehensively. Knowing exactly how much money you bring in and how you allot your expenses can help determine how much you can spend without hurting yourself financially. 


Understanding your finances also engenders confidence, which is the opposite of anxiety. Instead of guessing how much you have to spend and save, you’ll have a concrete plan to get you where you want to go. 


Talk to a Financial Advisor

Speak to a financial advisor before making a big purchase, whether or not you understand your financial situation. If you need help understanding your finances, they can explain it in plain terms and help you gain better control over your money. Financial advisors also know about loans, financing, paying down debt, and discounted mortgage rates. 


No question is too small or frivolous when it comes to your money. “What ifs” are a huge contributor to stress and anxiety, so having thorough answers to your questions and a solid financial plan can go a long way toward alleviating them. 


Recognize Your Triggers

Stress around money can come from many different sources. While understanding your finances can relieve some of that stress, some individuals have trauma around money matters. This trauma can make any conversation about money stressful, no matter how innocuous. 


Once you recognize money matters trigger your anxiety, you can take steps to manage your reaction and set boundaries around these kinds of discussions. For example, you may ask your spouse not to bring up finances before bed, or you can set aside specific times to discuss them. That way, you have time to prepare yourself for the conversation so you can focus on the topic instead of your discomfort. 


If possible, it’s also a good idea to talk to a counselor or therapist about your trauma to learn to manage it better over time. 


Develop Healthy Coping Methods

When budgeting for a large purchase, those who experience money anxiety may find themselves more anxious than usual. You may have trouble sleeping, increased or lost appetite, unpredictable moods, or even experience panic attacks. All of these are normal physiological responses to stressful situations, but prolonged stress can take a toll on your overall health. That’s why we instinctively turn to coping mechanisms to regulate our bodies and minds. 


Some coping methods are healthier than others, so it’s important to develop habits that alleviate stress rather than ignore or exacerbate it. For instance, watching a movie with a bowl of ice cream may be relaxing, but it doesn’t help regulate your body or brain chemistry—it’s simply a way to ignore your problems. Instead, try journaling, taking a walk, or meditating to rebalance your stress hormones. Then you can indulge in your favorite activities to enjoy your time rather than hide from your problems.  


Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey. She writes for Klarity, an online ADHD diagnosis service.




Top Tips On How To Be A More Positive Person

 

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Positive thinking and conquering negative feelings and thoughts are not necessarily innate traits. However, adopting a positive outlook on life can lengthen your life and boost your quality of it. Try some of the following things if you want to enjoy the advantages of a happier, healthier living.


Entourage Yourself With Positive Individuals 


It's crucial to carefully select the company you keep and make sure they bring out the best in you, support you through tough times, and generally enhance your life. People that are negative are toxic and can change your perspective on life and how you see yourself. Life is brief; surround yourself with positive influences who motivate you to strive for personal excellence.


Possess gratitude 


Gratitude is a powerful tool for managing negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. Gratitude exercises are a surefire way to gain some clear-cut perspective. In the end, it's not what occurs in life that matters, but how you respond to it. Consider what you are thankful for when you are feeling down or frustrated. In most cases, it will make you feel less angry and unhappy and will encourage optimism when you're down.


Make a nice gesture for someone


Doing something kind for someone is one of the best ways to instantly feel better about yourself and to promote optimism. Doing good will always make you feel better and comfort you that everything will be well, whether it's to donate time or money to a charity or to do something kind for a family or friend.


Stop Talking Negatively To Yourself 


Coming down hard on yourself is one of the least effective ways to handle a challenging circumstance. Since you are the person you spend the most time with, you should treat yourself properly and with respect, just as you would a loved one. You need to be around positive people, but you also need to learn to control your negative self-talk and generate your own positive energy if you want to be truly happy and content.


Celebrate every occasion 


Do not wait till a significant accomplishment to celebrate: Have you met your deadline? visit a gym? Have you finished all the tasks on your list? finally finish something you've put off for a while? Did you muster the bravery to attempt something terrifying? Have you had a particularly challenging or hurtful conversation? These are all modest, daily occasions to celebrate. Life isn't about the big events; rather, it's about the little things that happen every day. If you don't stop to enjoy these simple pleasures, you're just enjoying a tiny part of your life, and that's no way to live.


Share Your Positivity With Your Friends 


When you are feeling happier you are more likely to spread happiness with others and you can do this in a variety of ways. You can just make a simple phone call and have a catch up, bake them a cake or even send your loved ones gourmet hampers. They might then spread the positivity further.  


5 Ways To Gain A Broader Perspective On Your Life

 

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In this world, you get about ninety years at most to pack in as many experiences as you possibly can. You’ll have responsibilities and work to do along the way, but you’ll want to make sure the years are spent having fun and enjoying everything. There’s a time for being productive in certain areas, but life has to be about living a good existence. 

 

This can be quite difficult to do if you’re not in the right frame of mind – and it’s even more difficult if you’re in a permanent state of negativity. Having the wrong perspective on life and living a life of worry and fear isn’t ideal. The good thing is that this kind of thing can change with a few actions and habits. Here are some things we can all do: 

 

Travel To All Kinds Of Places On Earth 

 

Life isn’t just what happens in your local area or even in your country. There is so much out there to learn about. Everything you think is down to the fact that you’ve been in the same place for a long while. If you have the funds and the confidence, it’s recommended that you allow yourself to see so much more of the world. It’ll help to broaden your mind and stop caring so much about the little things in life that bug you. 

 

Understand How Many People Are Actually On This Planet 

 

You aren’t very significant at all. This isn’t meant as an insult, but more of a way to let you know that you can go out and do whatever you wish – without hurting anyone, of course. You are just one of so many others. You’ll be forgotten about unless you do something extremely historic – so don’t worry too much about how you’re perceived or anything like that. 

 

Simply Go Out For Walks Or Rides 

 

Just getting out of the house and seeing the world a little can make such a huge difference. Make time every single day for a light stroll if you have to. If you’re someone who is outside a lot, this might not concern you. Plenty of people are stuck indoors, however, and are perennially online. Walk, ride a bike or ebike, run, drive – do whatever you can to see the outside world a little more. It’ll help your mind a lot. 

 

Speak To A Professional Who Can Help Deal With Any Mental Struggles 

 

Whenever you need any kind of help with where your mind is, a professional in mental health will be there for you. You’re not going to be able to navigate it on your own if you don’t have the tools to fix it yourself. Sometimes, when you’re stuck mentally, you’ll be there until you can get another perspective or until you can vent. A professional will help you realize that your life is entirely different from the negative viewpoint you’re looking at it from. They’ll be able to provide insight and an entirely different perspective on pretty much everything. This kind of thing is highly recommended. 


4 Tips To Remodeling Your Home

 Are you thinking about remodelling your home? If so, you're not alone. Many people are remodelling their homes these days and for a good reason! A well-done remodel can add value to your home and make it more comfortable to live in. Here we will discuss four tips for remodelling your home.

Via Pexels

Do It Room For Room

One of the biggest mistakes people make when remodeling their homes is trying to do everything at once. This can be overwhelming, and it's often not necessary. A better approach is to take things room by room. That way, you can focus your attention on one area at a time and get it done right. Plus, doing it room by room is often more affordable. You can spread the cost out over time and avoid going into debt to finance your remodel.

You May Need Additional Storage

If you plan on gutting your home, you will need to find a place to store all your household items. This is where a self storage unit comes in handy. You can rent a storage unit for as long or as short as you need, and it will give you a place to store all of your belongings while you are remodelling your home. If you are not planning on gutting your home, you may still need to remove some of your household items from certain rooms to remodel. For example, if you are remodelling your kitchen, you will need to remove all the contents of your cupboards and appliances.

Get A Professional Opinion

If you are unsure how to proceed with your remodel, getting a professional opinion is always a good idea. You can talk to a contractor, an architect, or a designer. They will be able to give you an idea of the work that needs to be done, as well as an estimate of the cost. This will give you a better idea of whether or not you can afford to remodel your home. You may realize that you can't do any of the drastic changes right now and may need to settle for something simpler. If you’re remodelling with the idea to sell your house, speak to an estate agent and get their expert advice. 

Prepare Yourself Mentally

Remodelling your home can be a daunting task. There are so many decisions to be made, and it can be overwhelming. Before you begin, it's important to prepare yourself mentally. You also need to be prepared for the mess that comes with remodelling. It's important to have realistic expectations and to be patient. Remodelling your home can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it's also a very frustrating process if things don't go your way. So it's also important to be prepared for the challenges that come with it.

Final Thoughts:

When you're ready to tackle your home remodelling project, keep these four tips in mind to ensure a smooth process and stunning results. You can create the home of your dreams with careful planning and execution. Just remember to take things one step at a time and to enjoy the process. After all, it's your home! You should love the way it looks and feels.


How To Take The Stress Out Of Running A Business And Improve Your Mental Health

 When you're running your own business, it can feel like there are a million things to worry about and not enough time in the day to get them all done. This can lead to a lot of stress, which is bad for both your mental and physical health. The following blog will discuss some ways to take the stress out of running your business and improve your overall mental health.


Photo by energepic.com


1) Make A List Of Everything That Needs To Be Done And Prioritize It


One of the best ways to reduce stress is to list everything that needs to be done and then prioritize it. This will help you see what is most important and give you a better sense of control.


Start by making two lists, one for things that need to be done today and one for things that can wait until tomorrow or later. Then, go through each item on the list and ask yourself how important it is. If it's something that can wait, put it on the second list. If something needs to be done right away, put it on the first list.


Once you have your prioritized list, start working on the items on the first list. As you complete each task, cross it off the list. This will help you feel a sense of accomplishment and reduce stress.


Once your business starts to grow, it’s important to consider how you can support employees with their mental health too.



2) Use Technology To Your Benefit


One of the best ways to take the stress out of running a business is to use technology, like VPS, to your benefit. There are a multitude of software programs and applications available that can help you automate tasks, keep track of deadlines, and manage your workflow. By utilizing these tools, you can free up time and energy so that you can focus on other aspects of your business. In addition, many of these programs offer features that can help improve your mental health, such as meditation timers and productivity tracking.


So if you're feeling overwhelmed by the day-to-day grind of running a business, consider using technology to make things easier on yourself. Not only will it help reduce stress levels, but it can also have a positive impact on your mental health.


3) Take Breaks Throughout The Day


One of the best ways to reduce stress is to take regular breaks throughout the day. This will give you time to clear your head, relax, and rejuvenate yourself. Even if it's just for a few minutes, taking a break can make a big difference in how you feel.


There are a number of ways you can take breaks during the day:


-Take a walk: Getting some fresh air and moving your body can help reduce stress and improve your energy levels.

-Meditate: Taking some time to focus on your breath and quiet your mind can be very calming and helpful in managing stress.

-Listen to music: Putting on some soothing music can help you relax and unwind.

-Read: Escaping into a good book can be a great way to relax and de-stress.


In conclusion, if you're feeling stressed out from running your business, know that you're not alone. By following the tips above, you can take the stress out of running a business and improve your mental health.


Why Building Your New Home Makes A Lot Of Sense


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Right now, you’re thinking about moving home. You’ve outgrown your current property and need to find something more suitable. The natural reaction is to look at the property market and see what’s available. Can you find something that suits your needs better than your current home?


While the answer could be yes, there’s another avenue you could go down. Instead of buying a new home, why don’t you build one? It actually makes a lot more sense than you think, and here’s why: 


More affordable

It sounds unbelievable, but building a house from scratch will often be more affordable than going out and buying one. Why? Because you have complete and utter control over everything. You decide what materials to use, who to hire for the jobs - and you can even do some of the work yourself to save on labour costs. Plus, you have things like house and land packages that let you purchase land to build a brand new house on. Again, when compared to homes on the market, this can be more affordable - particularly when considering the size of the house you can build. 


Tailored for you

Buying a house is challenging because you’ve got many things to think about. How big does the home need to be? How many bedrooms are required? What type of kitchen do you want? The questions keep on coming and the reality of the situation is that you rarely find the perfect home. 


Usually, you will buy a house that’s as close to your ideal home as possible. Then, you spend more money fixing it up and renovating it to become your dream home. When you build a house, you literally build it specifically for your family. It will have all the features that you desperately need for it to be as suitable as can be!


A more long-lasting property

Sure, you could argue that going out and buying a newly built home will give the same benefits. However, so many new-build property developments are put up in record time, making you question how reliable they are. Indeed, there are countless reports of people having issues with new homes because they’re not built with the best materials, but rather the cheapest. 


If you’re in charge of building your home, you can build it to last. Use materials with excellent longevity to give you a property that is going to stand the test of time. It means you get to enjoy it for so much longer than you would if you bought a house. Especially if you bought an old property that might run into many issues within a few years!



With all things considered, building your new home makes so much sense. If you’re able to find the land to do this, then it is worth the effort. Likewise, consider knocking down your current home and rebuilding a new one in its place. You’ll have to check with your local council to see if planning permissions allow this. If they do - and you can stay with a relative for the time being - then this is a genius idea to get the home of your dreams.


6 Tips On Packing Light

 

Photo by Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash


Packing for holiday is something like an art form. You’ve probably got memories of the first holiday you took without your family, where you packed anything and everything in heir with you just in case. Add an extra bag for makeup, toiletries and hair products. 


You don’t always have the luxury of packing whatever you want though. Expensive baggage fees, family holidays and lack of space mean you need to get better at planning and organising your luggage. 

Use the correct bag 

The type of trip you’re taking should dictate the type of bag or suitcase you choose. If you’re travelling in Freestyle RVs or caravans, you will need something that can fit into a smaller storage space. Holdalls are good choices for this kind of trip as they aren’t hard-bodied so when you’re unpacked, they can be folded down to store. If you’re packing carry or for a flight, then a specially designed flight case is a perfect choice. They are usually light and the exact dimensions that airlines will allow, with wheels to help you get around easily. 

Roll your clothes

The majority of your packing is probably going to be clothing. Try creating a travel capsule wardrobe to minimise the amount of clothes you travel with.. Rolling your clothes tightly means that you’ll be able to get more clothes into the same space, or the same amount of clothes into a smaller space, leaving room for other things. 


Put socks and underwear in a bag and stuff them inside your shoes. 

Wash items 

Reduce the number of clothes you need to pack by washing items when you’re there. Underwear, socks and small items are easy to wash and dry in most situations. 

Buy your toiletries when you get there

Items like shampoo and shower gel can be quite bulky. Putting them into small travel bottles can save a lot of space but if you really need to pack light, then buy these things when you get to your destination. Unless you need specialist products, then these shouldn’t cost you a lot and can be picked up in most places. 

Use multipurpose cosmetics

Is your makeup bag big enough to warrant its own luggage charge? Take some time to pare down your cosmetics before you go so that you aren’t carrying multiples of everything. Another good tip is to take multipurpose products such as moisturizers with SPF, and makeup that can be used on eyes, lips and cheeks. Invest in a few versatile travel brushes rather than taking your own full-size ones. 

Wear your biggest items

If you’re travelling light then packing a huge coat or pair of knee-high boots is going to take up a lot of space in your bag. Wear these items to the airport or on your journey there so that they aren’t taking up that additional space. 

Takeaways

Packing is something that you’ll probably get better at the more you do it. If you ever need to pack for kids too, then you’ll probably learn some great tips fast to make sure that you pack like a pro and only take the essentials with you.


Easy Ways to Modernise your Home when on a Budget

If you feel as though your home is not as modern as it could be or if you feel like your home is stuck in the past and want to do something about it, then you are not alone. So many people are in the same situation as you are, but believe it or not, making a positive change doesn’t have to be difficult. Want to find out more? Take a look below.

First Impressions are Everything

If you have the budget, it is always a good idea for you to try and stretch so you can get some better windows fitted. You can get hardwood frames if you want as this will make your home look much more modern without blowing your budget. If you can, you need to try and paint the windows that you have now, if you cannot afford to do this. This is the best way for you to add a lot of visual appeal. Getting a pressure washer to blast away any exterior dirt will help you out quite a lot here so be mindful of that if you can. If you want to jazz up your windows a little more, then it could be worth exploring Inspire Plantation Shutters.

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Giving Your Kitchen a Facelift

Your kitchen is usually seen as being the heart of your home. Getting a brand-new one fitted can cost you thousands. If you want to do something about this, then you can easily replace the cabinet handles that you have, and you can also try and repaint your units too. By doing this, you may find that you can easily get the result you are looking for and that you can also make your home look way bigger and brighter. Sometimes it is the simple changes that happen to make the biggest difference, so be mindful of this if you can.

Focus on your Bathroom

Bathrooms tend to be one of the last rooms in a home to be touched when it comes to renovations. If you know that your budget doesn’t allow for a full overhaul, then there are some tweaks you can make. Nothing is appealing about dirty fixtures, so try and replace them or give your grout a good deep clean. If you can focus on more modern features here, then this will help you to have the biggest visual impact so try and keep this in mind if you want to make a drastic change to your home.

Hide your Clutter


There is nothing modern about having a lot of clutter. Clutter can easily make your home look outdated and sometimes it can make it look uninviting as well. If you have a small space, then hidden storage is the best way for you to solve this issue. You would be surprised at how easy it is for you to make a huge difference here, just by stripping your home back a little, so don’t be afraid to experiment by removing items as it could be what is limiting your property potential.








Make Decluttering Easy

Decluttering can feel a little daunting; after all, the more stuff you have - the more you have to declutter. But getting rid of things we don't love or use anymore can make our homes feel more comfortable - and that is a big deal! 


One of the reasons that people choose to declutter is that they want to have a simpler life. With fewer things in your home, you not only have more room, but you have less to clean - and less to tidy too. 


So how can you make decluttering easy and enjoyable? 


Photo by Sarah Brown on Unsplash


Short bursts

Rather than try to slog through 12 hours of solid cleaning and tidying - task yourself with short sharp bursts. Even 5 minutes per day can help you on your way to making the most of your decluttering sessions. 


Using an egg timer or a timer on your mobile phone, you can set short 5 minutes bursts and do as much as you can in a designated room. 


Of course, you won't be able to do everything - but you don't need to. Decluttering is a marathon, not a sprint, so treat it that way. 


Storage 

Storage can significantly impact how you declutter; if you know you have a lot in the home and most of it you want to sell or donate but don't want to wait to have it moved out of your home - put it in storage. Sell and donate as you go until the unit is clear. 


You can also use storage to keep anything you want to hand down to your children but may not want in your home. 


Clothing

Clothing takes up a lot of space, and what's worse is that often we don't check what we have before we buy new. Instead, start going through what you already have and what you don't wear so that you can donate it. 


You can also make use of websites like eBay and Facebook Market to sell your old clothes and make some cash. 


Ruthless 

If you don't love it or use it - it has to go! It is important that everything in your house belongs there and isn't just there because you couldn't bear to give it away. Ruthlessness is the one thing that can ensure your cleaning and decluttering is easier and faster. 


Checklist 

Many people benefit from having a checklist to work through - it helps them stay on track - but if you overload your checklist, you might find that you have given yourself too much to do. 


A too big checklist can make you feel like you aren't making progress - even when you are. 


Stick with it

Don't give up! It is all too easy to stop decluttering because you miss a day or there seem to be piles of stuff happening around the room, and you just can't seem to work through them. 


Stick with your plan and remind yourself what you will get at the end of it. 


As you're decluttering, you'll be cleaning up too, and here are some ways to make that easier: 5 reasons for cleaning your home with lemon.

5 Interior Design Trends To Look Out For This Summer


 

Are you looking for the next big interior design trends this summer? Maybe you’re looking to redecorate, to sell your home, or just to take inspiration from what the professionals are doing at the moment. Either way, this article has five of the top interior design trends that you need to know about this summer. 


1. Continue the curves 

Curves and rounded shapes are continuing to be big in the interior design world - think curved edges on large soft sofas, rounded kitchen islands and circular lamps. This trend works throughout the house and gives off a feeling of effortlessly chic comfort. 


2. Open plan 

Open plan living is nothing new - but it’s not going away any time soon this summer. Now’s the time to study the floor plan of your home and make sure that the flow and movement inside your home is perfect. By looking at zoning - finding places to relax, cook, socialize - you can breathe new life into your open plan home. 


3. Appealing organization 

In a world of decluttering Instagrams and organization TikTok, this was bound to translate into our homes. So, one key trend to look out for is visible, attractive organization. It’s a way of displaying your things for beauty and for practicality. This could be open shelving with books ordered by color, or plates stacked in a dresser in a beautiful way. This is definitely a trend you can bring into your home for free, so great if you’re looking to save money. 


4. Dark colors 

Luxury kitchens are now being seen in dark blues, greens, reds and grays. Choosing colors like this adds drama and interest, creating a bold look in the home. While many ignore the kitchen as the place to make an interior design splash, it’s perfect. You could even do this yourself with a tin of paint and some care, so it’s definitely a trend to look out for this summer. 


5. Boho chic 

To immediately give your home a cool, summery feel, you can embrace the boho trend. This means incorporating soft fabrics, adding greenery and lots of natural textures. Retro is in, so look to vintage shops and Etsy to find some pieces that will give that relaxed boho feel that you’re going for. You can use contrasting colors and warm woodwork to set off the whole effect. It gives a room an instant lift for summer 2022. 


5. Get green

Green of all shades is a key summer interior design trend for 2022. The color can bring harmony and calm to rooms, making people feel better and more relaxed. So, embrace this with furniture, wall pants and adding pot plants. What’s great about this trend is that you can stick to your personal style - minimalist, maximalist or something in the middle - and still work with the trend. 


Hopefully, this article has given you some inspiration for this summer. There are so many exciting trends out there to choose from - whatever your budget - so be brave this summer and redecorate!