My boyfriend and I have been on a hunt for a coffee table for his home. It’s crazy to see how expensive these things can cost! While we were at Crate and Barrel the other day, we saw this wood table that we really loved but couldn’t justify the $799 price. While looking for other similar options, we came across this Home Depot one that is almost identical for half the price. Shop exact items here.
Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons
It’s an age-old question – should you rent or buy an apartment? We’re often told that it’s better to buy than to rent, but the truth is that renting has its benefits too. It all comes down to what you can afford, and what’s right for you at the time.
Take a look at some of the benefits of renting and buying to help you make the right choice for you.
Renting is a popular choice for a lot of people, especially younger people. Some of the main benefits of renting include:
But while there are some benefits to renting, there are some downsides too:
There are a lot of good reasons to decide to buy an apartment, including:
Some of the downsides of buying:
Whether you decide to rent or buy depends on your financial circumstances, and your long-term plans. If you know you’re going to live somewhere long-term, and want to invest in your property, then buying an apartment could be a great option for you. If you’re unsure of what you want to do or your finances need some work, renting could be a fantastic option while you figure things out.
Whatever route you decide to go down, find your perfect apartment and get ready to fall in love with your dream home.
Have you ever wondered what the health consequences are of sitting behind a computer screen all day? Are there health risks involved with spending so much time in front of a computer and not getting up to move around? What effects does working behind a computer have on your mood, eyesight, and posture? In this blog post, we’ll explore how sitting for long periods can affect your health, as well as provide tips that will help keep you healthy.
One way that being too sedentary can affect your health is with regards to eyesight. The glare from screens often causes dry eyes or irritation, leading to headaches, blurry vision, or even worse damage if not treated properly. It may take longer for someone who sits at their desk all day than those who are up and moving around several times a day, but this damage will add up over time.
In addition to health concerns with your eyes, sitting for too long also negatively affects the rest of your body. When you’re seated, especially in a slumped over position like we tend to do when working at a computer, the tension in your back and neck muscles will increase. This can lead to pain in those areas as well as fatigue since you are not using the same muscle groups as when standing or moving around. Additionally, if you are experiencing chronic stress from work-related tasks, it may be harder to manage that stress when sitting all day. The lack of movement can actually make it worse!
One health consequence that is often overlooked when it comes to sitting behind a computer screen all day long, is how it can impact your blood circulation. It’s difficult for the average person who sits at their desk job all day to take breaks and get up frequently enough, which negatively affects our health in many ways, including this one. This isn’t only because you aren’t moving around—it also has to do with the type of chair or seat that you’re using while working on your Macbook Pro or iMac. A poorly cushioned office chair will not allow airflow through your body correctly, which means there won’t be as much room for nutrients such as oxygen and blood cells to pass through effortlessly.
Another health consequence of working behind a computer screen all day is that it can lead to bad posture. One common side effect is having the tendency to lean towards your computer monitor, which leads you into an uncomfortable position with tight muscles and chronic pain in your neck, shoulders, or back.
Along with the physical health risks of sitting all day, there are also mental health concerns to consider. When we’re seated for long periods of time, we can often feel more stressed and frustrated as our minds continue to race with thoughts about everything that needs to be done. This is especially true if you work in an environment where you constantly deal with deadlines and pressures. What makes situations like this even worse, is when you have a computer or Macbook that gives you constant troubles, such as freezing. This could add to even more time-related stress. To avoid a situation where your pressure builds up because of a faulty Macbook or computer, follow this link to resolve a straightforward issue that could cause huge problems with your stress-related health if not attended to; https://setapp.com/how-to/fix-a-kernel-panic.
Staying healthy when sitting behind a computer screen is very important if you hope to avoid health issues that plague people who spend too much time in front of screens. There are a few things you can do to help stay healthy when sitting behind a computer screen all day long:
It’s important that we all stay healthy when working on computers since they are necessary parts of business today. Still, it is even more vital that everyone gets enough rest because sleep helps us recharge ourselves health-wise just as much as eating right does. By following these tips, you can help reduce the health risks associated with sitting all day long in front of a computer screen! And remember, it’s essential to take regular breaks even if you’re feeling fine – listen to your body and take time out when needed. Staying healthy isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it in the end!
There are many different ways to finance a home purchase. In addition to mortgages, there are also personal loans, home equity loans, ect. Therefore, It’s important to understand the differences between these options so you can choose the one that’s best for you.
A personal loan is a loan from a bank or other lender that is not secured by the home itself. This type of loan is usually for a smaller amount of money and has a shorter term than a mortgage.
This loan uses the equity in your home as collateral. Equity is the difference between the current value of your home and the amount you still owe on your mortgage. Home equity loans are usually for a larger amount of money than personal loans and have a longer-term.
While it is always recommended to search for various Mortgage Quotes, one of the most common types of home loans is the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. This type of home loan lasts for exactly thirty years, which means you pay back your monthly payment at the same time every month until the thirty years are up. The interest rate on this type of loan doesn’t change over its life.
Many people choose to take out a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage because their interest rates are lower than those on other types of loans with longer terms or because they want to make smaller payments each month. Even though you don’t have to worry about your interest rate changing, you might still want to refinance your loan if the interest rates go down after you get your loan.
An ARM is a type of home loan where the interest rate can change over time. The interest rate on an ARM is usually lower than on a fixed-rate mortgage, but it can go up or down depending on the market. This loan is a good choice if you think that interest rates will go down in the future, but you should be careful because your monthly payment could go up if the interest rates rise.
This type of home loan has a lower interest rate than a fixed-rate mortgage but requires a large payment at the end of the loan term. A balloon mortgage is a good choice if you plan to sell your house before the loan term is up. You can use some of the money from the sale to pay off your loan and then get a new loan for less than what you owe for this one.
This loan is a type of financing that allows you to borrow money to make improvements or repairs on your home, such as installing new plumbing or adding an addition to your house. A home improvement loan usually has a lower interest rate than other types of loans.
The payments on these loans are usually added directly onto your existing mortgage payment each month, which means it’s like taking out another loan on top of the one you already have.
If you want to take out this type of loan, you should work with a home improvement company to help you with the process and recommend the best loan for your needs.
Winter is the perfect time to indulge your sweet tooth from time to time. It’s cold and dark and sometimes, you just need something to comfort you not to mention sweet treats and the holiday season are a match made in heaven!
With that in mind, here are some of the most comforting dessert food ideas you may want to try making if you feel like indulging yourself this winter.
Christmas Rum Cake
When the winter nights are cold having a little rum inside you is never a bad thing, but why drink it when you can combine it with sugar and spices into the perfect Christmas cake? Soft, rich, and more than a little decadent it will saloon lift you out of your winter funk with its heart mix of rum, pecans, and brown sugar.
Baked Alaska
This baked Alaska recipe is probably the perfect winter dessert. It practically embodies the spirit of winter with its cold center and warm, comforting exterior that looks more than a little like a snowy igloo that you might have made in the winters of your youth.
Many people shy away from making baked Alaska because thewy think it will be tricky to keep the ice cream frozen while ensuring that the meringue on the outside is toasted to perfection, but it’s actually really easy when you have a good recipe because the meringue mixture acts as an insulator, preventing any melting from occurring and ensuring that you get to serve up an impressive dessert that is hot on the outside and cool to prediction in the inside.
Apple Pie
I’m not going to bother linking to a recipe here because the best apple pie recipes are always the ones passed down by family members, that remind you of your childhood when things were simpler. There is no denying that, when the temperature drips and you want something that will fill you up and make you feel warm and cozy physically and mentally, apple pie is the go-to of many Americans, and with good reason! Not only is it incredibly simple to make, but it is also rich, buttery, fruity, and perfectly spiced with cinnamon to give it that authentic winter aroma.
Italian Christmas Cookies
If you’re looking for something simple to bake that has a distinctive European flavor, you could do a lot worse than to opt for Italian Christmas Cookies, which are soft, rich, and satisfying, Even better, they are decorated with green and red sprinkles to give them that authentic holiday season look that we all know and love. Both almond and vanilla are used in the recipe I’ve linked to, which means that they have a much richer and unusual flavor than many classic American cookie recipes, but they are still recognizable enough as to be very comforting, too.
As you can see, there are lots of desserts just perfect for enjoying in the wintertime, whatever your mood or preferences may be, so what are you waiting for? Time to get baking!
Investing in rental property is a great way to build wealth. There are many reasons why someone might invest, but the most important is to generate stable and dependable income. Read on to know five reasons why you should be investing in a rental property (apartment) for your 20s!
Investing in property provides a dependable income stream. While the market is constantly changing, real estate has historically been regarded as an attractive investment for those who want to take on some risk while earning good returns over time. Unlike other types of investments that are more volatile and unpredictable, your rental properties will continue to provide you with steady cash flow each month – giving them a solid foundation for long-term success.
In exchange for this dependable income stream, you will have to invest your own time and money into managing the properties. Therefore, you must remain fiscally prudent with how much of your finances are going towards property management fees and other expenses related to managing it on an ongoing basis. If you overspend in these areas, then there might not be enough left over to cover necessary repairs or unforeseen emergencies – which could lead to some significant consequences down the line.
So before taking on any rental investments, make sure that they can provide a reliable cash flow while still being manageable within your budget now and into the future. Sometimes you might feel overwhelmed if you don’t know where to start budgeting and you might want to use a c cell to help you calm down and focus.
The tax benefits of investing in rental property include the depreciation allowance and the capital gains exclusion. Depreciation allows a portion of your investment to be deducted from your taxes annually. At the same time, you also get to exclude up to $250k from capital gains when selling (if held as an investment). In addition, there are many other incentives available through investments such as this that can significantly help reduce paying taxes.
This is just one example! Incentives vary greatly based on location changes, so it’s essential to research what applies most closely to you before investing.
One of the best reasons to invest in a rental property (apartments) is for its worth. The value of your investment will increase over time depending on several factors, such as:
The rarer and sought after item is the higher demand for it and therefore less supply, which drives up the price. This means if you buy at the right moment then sell when values peak, you’ll see significant growth over time in your asset’s worth.
If you invest in rental property, your monthly mortgage and rent income cover the other costs of owning a home. This includes insurance, repairs, taxes, utilities etc. When you have an average to high salary job or business with earnings needed for living expenses, then this is much less likely to be a concern. This is because any additional money earned will go towards paying off debt from higher interest credit cards and student loans than it would on a lower-interest-rate mortgage (though still best not to carry too much debt!).
However, a renter’s wages might not cover all these expenses, leading them into more financial trouble. This is because they pay down their debts but cannot make payments on time and face late fees and potential loss of employment if they were fired for not meeting attendance requirements.
Investing in rental property means that you need to manage all of the properties. To avoid this, it is a good idea to consolidate your assets with one company and pay them an annual fee for managing your portfolio. They will then collect rent checks on behalf of their clients who have invested in rental properties, send out notices when leases are nearing expiration, and handle any repairs or maintenance issues associated with these units.
This way, you can focus on other aspects of property management like finding new renters, increasing revenue by renovating apartments within the building (such as installing modern appliances). But, at the same time, someone else takes care of routine tasks that come up during people’s tenancy agreement – such as changing light bulbs!
There’s no better investment than investing first in real estate (rental) properties while still young and capable enough to handle much riskier investments such as stocks or bonds. You cannot ignore the wealth-building potential: even small-time investors can acquire a small piece of property and make it grow to something much more substantial.
Saving money is in everyone’s interest. When it comes to your house, most people will agree that they’d use any tip to save money. Household bills can be expensive and often cost more than you need to spend. From your energy to your food, there are simple ways to save money with these sustainable home additions.
Solar energy
Solar energy can often be expensive to install. However, it can save you a lot of money in the long run. For instance, solar panels can soak up enough energy to power the entire house, which leaves you with little to no energy bills.
Or, for more affordable sustainable options to save you money on energy, you can light up the exterior of your home with solar lights. The best solar post lights will help you light up the garden whilst saving money. Solar-powered lights soak up the daylight and use that energy to leave your garden lit up all evening.
Energy-saving bulbs
Speaking of lighting up the home, you can save money while lighting up the inside too. Using energy-saving light bulbs will mean that they use up less energy, which will mean a reduced energy bill.
Seeing as they use less energy and conserve energy, you will achieve living more sustainably at home. When possible, ensure to always switch off the plugs when you are not using them. Although the electric device might not be turned on, it can still use up energy.
Grow your own produce
Growing your own produce is a great way to live more sustainably, eat better, and save money. You could use your garden or inside window space to grow fruits and vegetables. You will be contributing less to plastics due to the lack of buying produce in the supermarket. Furthermore, you will save money as you won’t need to buy produce every week. Instead, you can pick it fresh from the garden.
The longer you grow your own produce, the better you will become at it. In no time you will be able to grow more produce and get to grips with growing enough to not have to buy it from the stores.
Growing your own food will encourage you to eat more vegetables too, which is ideal for better health.
Choose better habits
Choosing better habits at home can help you contribute less to climate change. Instead of spending your entire evening watching television, you could read or sew. Instead of always using electricity, you can switch off and do something that uses nothing that contributes to climate change.
Additionally, you could cook more plant-based meals, which is great for the planet. You could integrate two or three days a week that allow you to cook plant-based for the family. In time, you will practice new recipes and eat fewer animal products. You will discover new flavors and enjoy the goodness that plant-power can offer. If you are not used to plant-based eating, there are plenty of recipe books that can inspire you.
Making your own jewelry is a wonderful hobby to have, as well as one of the most creative ways to express yourself through your own fashion. And if you aren’t someone who usually likes to DIY, when it comes to stringing a few beads together in your own little way, you should definitely give it a try!
However, a lot of people who make their own jewelry on a casual basis often don’t like to wear their creations, simply because they look ‘amateurly’ made. But with the right tools and a bit of knowhow, you can give any of your DIY jewelry creations a real professional shine! Here’s what you need to know.
Be Careful About Your Beads
First of all, make sure you’re working with the right material. You want to have beads that look good inside and out, even if they’re just plastic, which means checking each and every bead you pick up for imperfections, the same way you would a gemstone before cutting.
This can take a little while, and you might get bored of handpicking beads one by one, but it’s worth it! It’ll make sure you put enough time and energy into the jewelry piece to qualify it for being professionally made, and it’ll look better than ever.
Work with the Right Tools
It’s often said that ‘a bad workman blames his tools’ but it’s true that a bad or non-existent set of equipment can put you on the backfoot. And seeing as you’re trying to make your DIY creations look a bit more professional, you’re going to need a toolkit that’s worthy of you! But what should you include?
Well, you’re going to need a glue gun and some glue sticks from Glue Guns Direct, as well as some proper craft scissors, and a pair of pliers and tweezers. You’re also going to want to get your hands on a thread burner, as this’ll help you to achieve a polished, sealed off look, without needing to cut thread and leave some behind to ruin the look of the piece.
Learn How to Handle the Thread
Finally, you’re going to need to get a good handle on the thread of any bracelets or necklaces you put together, as loose or baggy thread can truly ruin both the look and functionality of your DIY jewelry.
Most of all, you need to know how to keep thread taught at all times during the making process, but not held so tight that it could break with the slightest amount of pressure. It’s a hard balance to find, but with a bit of stretching and waxing, you’ll get the length you need without the tension becoming a problem.
DIY jewelry is a fun hobby to commit to, and you can come up with some absolutely lovely jewelry that really complements your look. However, make sure you’re putting a professional edge on your works, as this’ll really seal the style of the outfit you put together!
While the time for spring cleaning may have passed you by, there are various changes you can make to breathe some summer sunshine into your apartment this June. This doesn’t mean you have to plan to completely remodel or redecorate the space, as sometimes, even the smallest changes can have the biggest impact when it comes to interior design. Furthermore, changing up things such as color schemes and furniture throughout the year can entirely transform how your apartment feels, reducing the chances of you feeling bored of the space.
Therefore, if you’re looking to turn your flat from a fixer-upper into a dream apartment, you can use these tips to pull off the perfect summertime makeover!
Some people simply are not breakfast people. Sitting down to a full meal first thing in the morning can sound like torture to those who prefer to get up and go, or tend to wake up in a rush. However, the simple truth is that it is, indeed, the most important meal of the day when it comes to giving you energy for the day, regulating your metabolism, and more. So, here are some breakfasts that are quick and easy for the person who hates breakfast.
Yo, it’s yogurt time
We’re not talking about the sugar-filled fruity yogurts that tend to line fridge shelves. We are, instead, talking about Greek yogurt, which is not only a creamier and more filling breakfast but also provides a lot of protein and directly increases your metabolic rate, meaning that your body is better at burning energy throughout the day. It’s not difficult at all to make a nice Greek yogurt breakfast bowl with this creamy, delicious base.
Getting your greens
Fruits and vegetables make for a vital part of a nourishing breakfast. With a blender, you can easily make a green juice smoothie that you can gulp down in seconds to get it all in no time, as well. All fruits can help you reach your need for vitamins and fibers, and greens like spinach are full of iron and antioxidants, and they’re all very low in calories.
Eat egg-scelent
Hard-boiled eggs (and raw eggs) are some of the best foods you can eat. They’re delicious and they’re really filling, making them great for avoiding snacking throughout the day. However, they also have great protein and contain nutrients that are vital for brain health. Despite being rather high in cholesterol themselves, they are actually good for your heart health, helping to reduce the “bad” cholesterol in the body and even helping to improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin.
Binge on berries
If you want a sweet treat that you don’t need to feel guilty about, then berries can easily be a good way to go. A nice berry oatmeal will be chock full of antioxidants that lower your risk of disease, will giving you plenty of fiber and very few calories. If you want to have a gluten-free breakfast, then you can pair those berries with Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, as well.
Let the leafs lead the way
What do you drink for breakfast if you’re not feeling like a smoothie? A morning cup of joe can actually be good for you, but when it comes to pure health benefits, green tea is undeniably the winner. It also has caffeine to help perk you up in the morning, but it also has a lot of antioxidants that reduce your risk of cancer, improve the immune system, and can even help fight the sights of aging.
A couple of these at the beginning of your day can make sure you get the proper start without needing to worry about prep all that much. Whatever you do, don’t skip that breakfast.
