Torn pantyhose in the morning, wrongly done work, a quarrel with a girlfriend, a delayed bus… It seems that the whole world is against you and the day is hopelessly ruined. Don’t panic! Catch some easy ways to cheer yourself up!

Watch a Comedy

Or not a comedy, but an uplifting, positive movie. You can find a brand new movie, or you can rewatch one that you’ve seen a million times already. If you don’t feel like sitting at home alone, get out to a movie theater or invite someone you really love and care about to visit.

Visit Your Favorite Spot

Coffee shop, museum, gallery, nightclub or park – there are plenty of options! Close your eyes and think about what place you feel most comfortable and relaxed?

And if you don’t feel like going anywhere noisy, why not spend the rest of the day at home?

Meet up With the People That You Care About

The main thing is to have people who are really close, who can listen and lift your spirits. And it doesn’t matter where it’s arranged, it’s the attitude that counts. Avoid meeting with toxic acquaintances who devalue your problems. This will only make a bad mood worse.

Take up a Hobby

Not everyone has a hobby at the moment, but maybe that’s a sign? Buy some simple embroidery, a number painting, a diamond mosaic, or just a pack of felt-tip pens. Or try something you’ve never tested before, like WooCasino gambling or cooking an unusual meal. A quiet, soothing activity will have a positive effect on your mood, and if you listen to your favorite music in the process, relaxation is assured!

Buy an Update

A new thing gives such an explosion of positive emotions that it would be foolish to deny yourself this pleasure! Updates can be not only clothes but also a beautiful notebook, phone case, keychain for your purse or lip gloss. The new thing will distract from sad thoughts and be sure to lift your spirits!

Visit a Completely Unfamiliar Place

No, this is not a call to go to another country. But even in your city, there’s probably an area, an institution, a park that you haven’t been to yet. Changing conditions and places is especially satisfying and makes you think in new ways, smoothing out all the unpleasant memories.

Take Care of Yourself

Grooming is important on any day, but it becomes a hundred times more important on a difficult day. Have a relaxing evening in the bathroom with bubble bath, light candles, apply your favorite mask, do a little massage and your body will thank you!

When you’re looking to buy a new car, consider the interior design. You want something comfortable and looks good, and upholstery is a big part of that. Car upholstery comes in different colors and designs, and it can make or break the look of your car.

Some people might not think about it, but the fabric used for upholstery is pretty important. It must be durable and able to stand up to wear and tear, but it also needs to be comfortable and soft. Not all fabrics are created equal, so it’s important to do your research before you buy.

There are a lot of different options out there when it comes to automotive upholstery fabric, so take your time and find something that you love. 

How to Expand the Life of Your Car Seats?

Fabric car upholstery is not only susceptible to spills and everyday wear and tear, but it can also fade over time. That’s why it’s important to protect your car seats as much as possible. Here are some tips:

• Use a seat protector

Sitting in a wet or dirty seat can be very uncomfortable and can cause problems like skin irritation. A seat protector is a thin, waterproof sheet that goes over the seat and prevents liquids and other debris from damaging the fabric. You can find seat protectors at most automotive stores or online. 

It’s a great option for people with children who want to keep the car clean or for people who are traveling and don’t want to worry about spills or messes. 

• Vacuum often

Regular vacuuming is one of the best ways to keep automotive upholstery fabric clean and looking new. Dirt, dust, and other particles can also cause damage to fabric car upholstery over time. Vacuuming often will help remove these particles and keep your seats looking new. 

• Avoid direct sunlight

Direct sunlight is one of the worst things for car seats. It can fade the fabric over time, making it uncomfortable to sit in. Try to keep your car seats out of direct sunlight and parking in the sun. Choose underground parking. 

• Wipe down the surface

Springtime in the south is beautiful but can also be a bit dangerous. The high pollen count can make life miserable for people who suffer from allergies. But you can do a few things to help reduce your exposure to allergens. One of them is to wipe down the surface of your car every time you drive away. It will help remove any pollen or dust on the car during your trip. You can use a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. If you do this regularly, it will help keep your car clean and free of allergens. 

• Avoid using harsh chemicals.  

If you’re looking for a way to clean your upholstered furniture without using harsh chemicals, there are some solutions you can try. 

• Use small dish soap on a damp cloth to clean the fabric. Be sure to avoid getting the soap near any zippers or seams, as it can cause them to deteriorate over time. 

• Use a vinegar and water solution; mix one part vinegar with three parts water and apply it to the fabric with a sponge. 

• You can also try using a steam cleaner to remove dirt and dust from your furniture. Make sure the steam cleaner is set on low pressure and test it on an inconspicuous furniture area before using it on more visible areas. 

Final Thoughts

Like most car owners, you take your vehicle for granted. Unless something goes wrong, you don’t think about the small details that make driving comfortable and enjoyable. If you want to keep your car’s fabric upholstery looking new and shiny, you can ensure hygiene by following the tips above. 

Even though our brains get plenty of exercise every day, there are specific activities that can help stimulate your brain function and boost your cognitive abilities. The latter refers to our general mental capability of problem-solving, decision making, abstract thinking, as well as memory and concentration skills. Keeping these in tone is essential for protecting our brains from age-related changes and preventing certain conditions characterized by a cognitive impairment like dementia.

Fortunately, there are multiple actually enjoyable ways to keep your brain sharp, so you’re not sentenced to doing math for the rest of your life. Apart from doing crosswords and playing card games, you can also try learning a musical instrument, solving sudoku, practicing mindfulness meditation, or dancing. Continue reading and learn more about boosting your cognitive skills in a fun way!

Put Jigsaw puzzles together

Jigsaw puzzles have long been a popular pastime for people of all ages, and for good reason. Not only are they fun and engaging, but also they can be an excellent tool for boosting cognitive skills, especially for adults.

When it comes to choosing, there are many options available, from simple puzzles for children to complex 1000 piece puzzles for adults that come in a variety of themes and designs, ranging from scenic landscapes to famous works of art. While easier puzzles can still provide some cognitive benefits, it’s the more challenging ones that really offer a significant boost in mental acuity. For starters, 1000 piece puzzles require a great deal of patience and perseverance, which are important skills to develop in any area of life.

Learn a Musical Instrument

Learning a musical instrument is an excellent way to give your brain a workout while enjoying the process. Studies have shown that music can stimulate different areas of the brain, improving focus and concentration, as well as multitasking and coordination skills.

Playing an instrument can also help relieve stress and anxiety, and it’s been found to be particularly beneficial for the elderly. In fact, one study showed that seniors who started taking piano lessons had a significant increase in memory and cognitive skills after only four months of practice.

Play Card Games

Playing card games is another great way to give your brain a workout. Games like solitaire and bridge require strategic thinking and planning, while popular casino games like blackjack and poker require memory and concentration.

Not only are card games a fun way to pass the time, but they can also help improve your cognitive skills. So break out a deck of cards the next time you’re looking for an entertaining and challenging way to spend your time.

Solve Sudoku

Sudoku is a classic puzzle game that’s perfect for stimulating your brain function. While it may seem like a simple game of numbers, sudoku actually requires quite a bit of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Sudoku helps you boost your logic and reasoning abilities as well as improve your focus and concentration. If you’re new to the game, start with an easy puzzle and work your way up to the more difficult ones.

Practice Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness meditation involves directing your attention to the present moment. This can be done by focusing on your breath, bodily sensations, or any objects around you.

Practicing mindfulness meditation has been shown to improve memory and focus, as well as reduce stress and anxiety. It can also help boost your immune system and increase your ability to regulate emotions. If you’re new to mindfulness meditation, there are plenty of apps and online resources that can help you get started.

Dance

Dancing is a great way to get your body moving while stimulating your brain. It requires coordination, balance, and focus, as well as excellent motor skills and split-second decision-making. It can also help improve your memory and concentration.

Moreover, it can be an exciting social activity, allowing you to spend time with other people while also getting some exercise. So go ahead and put on your favorite tunes and start dancing your way to a sharper mind.

Do Crossword Puzzles

Crossword puzzles are a classic brain-teaser perfect for giving your cognitive skills a workout. Not only do they require logic and reasoning abilities, but they can also help improve your memory and vocabulary.

If you’re new to crossword puzzles, you can find puzzles in newspapers, magazines, or look online. There are even apps that you can download on your smartphone or tablet.

Play Chess

Chess is a classic board game that can help you keep your brain up and running. The game requires strategic thinking and planning, as well as memory and concentration.

Not only is chess a fun way to pass the time, but it can also help improve your cognitive skills. So break out a chess set the next time you’re looking for a fun and challenging way to give your brain a workout.

Play Brain Games

There are plenty of “brain games” available online or as apps that are designed to help improve your cognitive skills. These games typically involve memory, logic, and reasoning challenges that can help improve your brain function.

Doing brain games on a regular basis can help improve your memory, attention span, and problem-solving abilities. They’re also a great way to keep your mind sharp as you age.

Learn a New Language

Learning a new language is a great way to give your brain a workout while expanding your horizons. Learning a new language requires memory, concentration, and critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to learn new vocabulary and grammar rules.

Not only is learning a new language a great way to challenge your brain, but it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience. So start learning a new language today and give your brain the boost it needs and deserves.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to keep your brain sharp as you age by maintaining your cognitive skills in good shape. Taking a few minutes a day to meditate or play a set of chess can indeed stimulate your brain function and bring tangible results, so make sure you won’t neglect it.

There is plenty of fun and exciting ways to boost your cognitive skills. So, try out some of the activities on this list and see which ones work best for you. Your brain will thank you for it!

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Nobody sets out to fail while starting a business. But the grim reality is that sometimes, it happens. Business owners may lock horns with failure if they don’t plan or carry out their strategies effectively.

Running a business on Instagram definitely requires adequate planning, just like managing an offline business. There are essential elements of digital marketing that you must introduce into your plan to have a successful Instagram business. 

For one, your audience is very key to your progress and if you sleep on them, then you may be leading yourself to loss. 

To help you avoid making mistakes with your Instagram business, this article will let you know how inadequate audience knowledge may run your business down.

3 Main Reasons Why Some Instagram Businesses Fail

1. Failure To Understand Your Target Audience

Image source: pexels

The most likely reason you brought your business to Instagram is to have a wider reach. But what use is a wide audience range if you don’t understand their needs? 

It’s a necessity to know what your customers are looking for in a product or service. Do they prefer a different type of packaging? Do more people like their coffee chilled or hot? Are your products better suited for an older or younger demographic? Is your product specific to a gender? What is the online shopping behavior of your target audience? 

You should ask yourself questions like these and carry out surveys about what your audience needs.

So, what should you do about this?

• Pay Attention to Your Analytics

Studying your Instagram analytics is a concrete way of assessing your audience. The analytics let you in on your audience interaction, their age range, location, gender etc. 

You can also check out metrics such as engagement rates, likes, shares, and comments. The analytics will guide you in understanding the behavior and make up of your audience. 

From all the information you gather via your analysis, you can improve your Instagram marketing strategy and grow your audience.

2. You Don’t Have a Brand Personality

Your brand personality includes the behavioral, intellectual or emotional characteristics attributed to your brand. It is how your audience perceives you and it sure plays a role in your success.

Most Instagram businesses don’t have a brand personality. They don’t take out time to craft one and don’t even try to show their audience their uniqueness. 

What’s the solution to this?

• Know and Show Your Brand’s Uniqueness 

Customers are looking for brands that provide outstanding services. Brands that are above average and show unique qualities take the cake. A copycat brand will remain mediocre unless it scales up. Search out ways to make your brand distinct from others and let you audience know exactly what makes you outstanding.

• Improve your Brand’s Reputation and Integrity

Your brand reputation is paramount in gaining more customers. Customers with bad experiences from a brand will not be quiet about it.  And once word about your dishonesty gets out, it’ll affect your business. Potential clients will withdraw from doing transactions with a brand that lacks integrity.

• Make Your Bio Clear and Complete

Image source: Instagram| @pizzahut

Bios are the first introduction to an Instagram page. It’s your quick chance to pitch your brand to visitors with just 150 words. If it’s vague or incomplete, your visitors may lose interest and go no further.

• Ensure Your Instagram Account is Public

This should go without saying but a private Instagram account will limit your brand and reduce opportunities. It’s like a roadblock. Why? 

Non-followers will have no access to private accounts. As such, they won’t see what your brand offers. It makes your account difficult to follow because you’ll need to approve follower requests first, and that could take awhile.

• Improve Interaction With Your Audience 

A huge part of building a great brand personality involves interacting with your audience. This is how you know your audience and improve your services. 

For better interactions, reply to DMs and comments. Also like or share followers’ posts. Do giveaways and contests as this can bring in new followers.

3. The Content Factor

Image source: Pexels

Every one of your followers tapped on the follow button so that they can have access to your content first hand. It will come as a rude shock if you fail to deliver just what you promised as a brand. 

Your content should be top quality and engaging regardless of whether you buy Instagram likes or followers. If your business is not gaining traffic or making a profit, you may want to redesign your content strategy. 

Here are other content flaws you should take care of ASAP.

• Unfocused Content

If your posts rarely speak about matters that concern your brand or niche, chances are that your followers will disappear. 

For example, presenting your Brand as a travel brand will attract travel lovers. However, if you stop dishing out travel content, you may lose your travel audience. Your post should focus on your niche more regularly.

• Repetitive Or Boring Content 

GIF from GIPHY

A boring post is one thing that will quickly drive away your followers. Some of your followers could be looking for energizing information after a hard day at the office. They can stop caring about your brand if they visit Instagram and are greeted by a dull or repetitive post from you.

Repetition in content posting makes your page appear spammy. And what happens to spam accounts? Usually, they are reported and blocked. So be careful not to submit stuff that is boring and repetitious.

• Your Content are Too Promotional

Don’t get so lost in the throes of making more money that you begin to make your posts look too promotional. It gives your audience the impression that you are just there for the money. 

Show interest and provide value to your customers. Do these by posting helpful tips and tricks alongside promoting your products. 

• Your Posting Times are Unfavourable

Image source: unsplash

Not many people are aware of this issue, especially those new to Instagram. Your followers are likely more active at a period of the day as opposed to some other periods. It is, therefore, your job to find out what this peak time is and adjust your posting schedule accordingly.

It is by doing this that your content will reach your followers just in time for engagement. Use Instagram analytics to study when your audience is most active and post at such times.

• Your Post have Poor Media Quality

Image source: Instagram | @maxieelise 

Instagram is a visual platform. It thrives on beautiful photos and videos. In fact, many Instagrammers come online just to feast on those gorgeous visuals.

By now, you should already know how posting low-resolution or pixelated images is doing your business a disservice. You will not captivate your target audience with poor-quality photos. 

Besides, the details of your products will not show properly if your images are blurry. So, do invest in quality photography for your Instagram business.

• You Have an Inconsistent Posting Schedule

An Instagram account with an inconsistent posting schedule will hardly get a high following. Making posts only when you feel like it will dwindle your audience’s reliance on your brand. 

As such, it is necessary to plan a posting schedule and stick to it. You can use Instagram on your PC to help you better organize your content and schedule posts via the Facebook business manager.

• You Use a Poor Hashtag Strategy 

Image source: Unsplash

Hashtags have a reputation for boosting engagements. The right hashtags on your feed posts or stories will lead your target audience to you. 

One thing you absolutely need to do is avoid mindless addition of hashtags to your posts. Be sure that your hashtags are related to your niche. Scout for hashtags from your audience, see what hashtags people in your industry are using and try them.

In Conclusion 

If your Instagram business is struggling to survive, maybe you should consider looking into your audience. A poor understanding of what your target audience needs and how to keep them could be the problem. Do well to create an appealing and trustworthy brand personality. Finally, your content strategy should be valuable and entice your audience into sticking with your brand.

Emotional investing can be especially common in volatile markets such as cryptocurrencies. Emotions such as greed and fear can easily cause otherwise rational investors to act in irrational ways. 

What’s more, collective sentiments can have very real effects on a market. Once a certain sentiment gets hold of a market like crypto, it can be all too easy to get caught up in the hype. And when you get caught in the hype, it becomes all too easy to become totally irrational.

If you’re new to investing, you might be in an especially dangerous position when it comes to handling your emotions. Below are a few tips to avoid getting swept up by market sentiment and help you succeed in the long term.

1.) Never Go All-in

Let’s say you’re familiar with mainstream cryptocurrencies and want to start trading in private coins like Monero (XMR). You probably don’t want to put everything you have in your Monero wallet—at least, not yet. Diving into an unfamiliar coin based on a “good feeling” is probably not a good idea. Even seemingly similar cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Monero have markets that act differently, as the two coins appeal to different types of investors and users.

Instead, you probably want to get into a cryptocurrency by familiarizing yourself with all of its unique features and only trading small amounts for a few months. After some time, you should gain a much better appreciation for the market’s specific quirks and behaviors. This should allow you to better reduce your risk exposure and, perhaps, help you understand your instincts better.

2.) Understand that Markets are Irrational

If you’re serious about investing, you will probably have encountered several ways to model market behavior. The strange thing about many widely used market models is that they often assume that market actors are either completely rational or act irrationally in completely predictable ways. 

Of course, humans and, by extension, the markets they participate in are not totally rational. While models, theories, and historical explanations are very useful, it is important to understand them in the context of imperfect human behavior.

3.) Learn about the Recency Bias

Investors are prone to all kinds of biases, but the recency bias is perhaps one of the most powerful. The recency bias is a behavior anomaly where humans assume that the recent past will be very similar to the near future. It is related to the better-known gambler’s fallacy and hot hand fallacy. In both these fallacies, there are wrong assumptions of probability based on previous events. 

The recency bias is why investors can often feel that every market dip is an oncoming crash and every uptick will take their investment to the moon, so to speak. By understanding the natural human tendency to give in to the recency bias, you can not only avoid getting caught up in the hype, but you can also learn to see its effects in different market movements.

3.) Know When to Stay the Course

Understanding the recency bias should also give you a better idea of when to stay the course. This is especially important for volatile markets where the constant short-term movements may often obscure the market’s long-term direction. Knowing when to stay the course is important, as surviving short-term setbacks is often key to lasting success in most markets.

If it’s not time to stay the course, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan in mind. Choose some dependable low-risk securities to move your funds to for when you need to let your riskier investments go.

4.) Implement Proven Long-Term Investment Strategies

In the vast majority of cases, investors are generally better rewarded for their time in the market rather than for timing the market. If you’re into trading and investments for the long haul and fully understand the benefits of compounding wealth, you may be far less likely to give in to emotional investing.

Among the most popular long-term investment strategies are diversification and dollar-cost averaging (i.e. investing fixed cash amounts regularly, regardless of the market price). Faithfully implementing these and other long-term investment strategies can ensure that you consistently make logically-driven decisions, which may influence your investment style to become more data-driven and logical.

5.) Recognize Myopic Loss Aversion

Myopic loss aversion is a term used by behavioral economists to describe the irrational sensitivity people have to losses. It is closely related to the endowment effect, where investors place a higher value on something that they own than the same item owned by someone else.

Both myopic loss aversion and the endowment effect are often used to explain why low price sell-offs are commonplace during dips in the market and why some investors may buy high when sentiments are positive. Myopic loss aversion is also characterized by frequently checking portfolios, news, and digital wallets for fear of losses.

Avoiding the effects of myopic loss aversion can be tough, especially if you have not diversified your portfolio or have failed to recognize the effects of your emotions on your decision-making. Take the time to learn a more holistic view of trading so that you may learn to avoid falling into this emotional trap.

6.) Take Care of Your Mental Health

It has to be said that our ability to understand and resist emotional decisions has much to do with our mental health. Being constantly anxious or stressed is not going to do any favors for your ability to make rational investments. By taking the time to become mentally and emotionally healthy, you can lay the foundations for wiser investments and more sustainable wealth-building. 

Can You Invest Without Emotion?

Given our human urges and instincts, investing without any emotion whatsoever may be too much to ask. However, there is still much that you could do to keep yourself calm when the markets get dicey. By understanding your tolerance for risk, natural emotional states, and the common biases rookie traders fall into, you’ll be better equipped to weather the most volatile markets and achieve long-term investment success.

Most people believe that psoriasis is a dermatological affliction, and that is indeed how it manifests, but psoriasis is actually an autoimmune disorder. The body begins to attack its own healthy skin cells. To make matters more confusing, there are several forms of psoriasis that can occur at once or switch. So let’s get into it.

Plaque Psoriasis

Plaque psoriasis is arguably the most common form of the condition, accounting for most of the cases. It is caused by T-cells which suddenly activate as though responding to an infection. The cells release proteins that then accelerate the production of skin cells, and this is what leads to the formation of the dry, red plaques. It is often found on the scalp, back, elbows and knees. The treatment of psoriasis can vary depending on what form you have. Patient has more information. 

Nail Psoriasis 

Nail psoriasis is often a manifestation of plaque psoriasis. The fingernails are more likely to be affected than the toenails. Nail psoriasis can have several effects on the appearance and architecture of the nails. It can cause lifting, pitting and even crumbling of the nail plate. You might see black lines along the length of the nail, white spots, or yellowy-pink spots.

Psoriatic Erythroderma

Psoriatic Erythroderma is another form of plaque psoriasis; it is often more severe and can affect any area of the body. The skin suffers from widespread peeling, which can cause dehydration and leave you more vulnerable to infections. In some cases, it can be fatal, so it is important that it is treated quickly. 

Guttate Psoriasis

Guttate psoriasis primarily affects children, although it has been known to occur in adults under thirty too. It is the second most prevalent form of psoriasis, and it is often associated with bacteria or viruses, which are thought to trigger the symptoms. The lesions tend to be small and pink. 

Inverse Psoriasis 

Inverse psoriasis is a little rarer, and it usually affects overweight people because the lesions are restricted to folds of skin because they need moist conditions. It is thought to be caused by an accumulation of fat-storing cells that then release inflammatory proteins. The friction from the skin folds then worsens this and triggers the production of the lesions. 

Pustular Psoriasis 

Pustular psoriasis is somewhat unusual for the condition, which is usually characterised by dry patches, in that for this variant, the patches are filled with pus. However, they do eventually dry up, leaving behind the dry patches which are more common. In truth, the cause of pustular psoriasis is still up for debate among many medical professionals. Some believe that it is due to extreme, sudden inflammation, which kills the white blood cells.

Scalp Psoriasis

As the name suggests, scalp psoriasis is localised to the head and neck. As a result, it can sometimes be mistaken for dandruff. But unlike dandruff, scalp psoriasis is characterised by sharply defined scales, whereas dandruff often manifests as ill-defined scales which are often yellow and greasy in appearance. It can be difficult to treat because it is hard to apply topical medications through the hair, and it can be exacerbated by styling and products. 

Summary

The truth is that psoriasis, like a lot of skin conditions, cannot be cured as of yet, but it can be managed with the right treatment. Home remedies can have some success, but medical intervention tends to yield the best results, so bear that in mind. 

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At first glance you might think that choosing the right size shoe is as simple as checking the tag and moving on. But there are further considerations that go into finding a shoe that fits correctly – your foot type, the activities you plan to do in your shoes and how those shoes will be worn all play a factor in this exciting world of footwear. Your feet are much more important to your daily health and happiness than you may realize, and a well-fitting shoe is the perfect place to start. Whether you have wide or narrow feet, high or flat arches or any other unique challenges with finding shoes, we’ve got you covered with these helpful tips for finding a shoe that fits your foot best.

Measure Your Feet Before You Shop

There are a few measurements that can help you find the right fit. The length of your foot stays pretty much the same, but the width can change based on how your muscles are working during the day. To measure the width of your foot, put your foot on a piece of paper and mark where the two sides meet. Take that paper to a shoe store or use a tool like the Brannock Device. It’s important to measure both feet to see if one foot is slightly bigger than the other.

Know Your Foot Type

If you have a high arch, you’re going to want a shoe that gives you extra support and cushioning, as well as a bit of a higher toe box. If you have a low arch, you’re going to want a shoe with less cushioning and a slightly lower toe box, as well as a bit of extra room in the toe area. If you have wide feet, you’re going to want a bit more width in the toe box. If you have narrow feet, you’re going to want a shoe that has a bit less room in the toe box.

Check For Shoe Fit Issues

Look at the toe box of the shoe to see if there’s extra room in one or both feet. This can mean one or both feet have added room, or one foot has less room than the other. Next, look at the width of the shoe. If one foot is slightly wider than the other, it can also cause fit issues like calluses and blisters on the sides of your foot. Other fit issues can be caused by an uneven heel or an incorrect arch fit. This means that the heel of your foot is squished up against the back of the shoe or that your arch is not sitting correctly in the shoe.

How Can You Find The Right Shoe Fit?

Now that you know what to look for in a shoe and how to fit your foot in a shoe, it’s time to find the right pair for you. Start with what you know works for you. If you like certain brands and models like New Balance or Nike, try to stick with those. If you are still struggling to find a shoe with the right fit, look into custom foot orthotics where a team of professionals will help you develop the perfect fit for you.

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Many of us could benefit from adding another bedroom to our home. Of course, there are challenges to consider when making this renovation. This post explains everything you need to know about adding another bedroom to your home. 

Reasons to add an extra bedroom

There are many reasons to add an extra bedroom to your home:

• If you have a growing family, it could give you the extra bedroom space you need without having to move home.
• It could provide you with a space for guests to stay.
• An extra bedroom is likely to add to the value of your home significantly. 
• You could even rent this space out to a lodger. 

Where should you put a second bedroom?

There are many places in your home where you can put a second bedroom. These include:

The loft

Loft bedrooms are very common. To turn your loft into a bedroom, you’ll need to make sure the roof is in good condition first – it could be worth looking for a recommended roofing company to carry out any necessary repairs. You’ll also need to install stairs going up to the bedroom if you want it to be legally classed as a bedroom (this will also be necessary if you rent it out to a lodger). A few other modifications like new flooring and lighting installation may be necessary. You may even be able to consider a few luxury features like adding a skylight or adding an en suite bathroom (if the space is big enough).

The basement

Basements can make a great space for an extra bedroom. To be legally classed as a bedroom, your basement will need to meet building regulations, which could include having suitable ventilation and easy access that can be used in an emergency. As with a loft bedroom, you’ll need to make modifications for comfort too such as adding lighting and suitable flooring (so that it doesn’t feel like a dungeon!). 

The garage

An unused garage could also be ideal for a bedroom. As with a basement or loft bedroom, you’ll need to make sure that it’s got good lighting and suitable flooring. You may also want to consider blocking out the garage door so that it doesn’t feel like you’re sleeping in a garage (this could be turned into a large window). A garage that’s separated from your home could make a great guest bedroom or a space for a lodger, offering privacy from the rest of the house. 

Somewhere else?

There are many other places you may be able to squeeze in an extra bedroom. A spare downstairs room such as an unused laundry room could be turned into a bedroom. You could even cut a large bedroom in half and turn it into two separate rooms. Or you could add an addition and place a bedroom here. 

How much does adding a second bedroom cost?

Adding a second bedroom can vary in cost depending on where you put it. Adding an addition is likely to be more expensive than converting space, often costing around $50,000. Something like a loft conversion may only cost $20,000, but could also cost as much as $70,000 if you need to add a staircase or raise the roof. The cost could be important to consider if your goal is to add value – rooms that are already converted for habitation like an unused dining room or home office will be the least costly to turn into bedrooms. 

The summertime can be an expensive period for those of us who have to pay the bills! You need a fan on at all times at the very least, when you cook the kitchen warms up 10 times more than ever before, and even taking showers can get much more pricey! But that’s what we’re here to help with. Saving energy during the summer doesn’t need to be all that hard to do, and with the tips below we’ll prove it! 

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Place Your Cooling Devices Strategically

If you don’t have any aircon to make good use of, you can still achieve a good effect with fans. You’ve just got to place and aim them right, and even use ice cubes to make the air they blow feel even cooler. Get a bowl, tip cubes into it, and place the concoction in front of any fan you like and voila, homemade aircon! So make sure you’re standing fans behind where you’re sitting, lying, or working and try to aim them downwards, rather than straight at you. You want the cool air (which tends to sink) to be pushed up and out. 

Use Intimate Lighting Only

Sure, when the sun goes down you’ll need to switch the bulbs on. But the more lights you have on, the warmer your home is. It’s why so many homeowners are now switching the way they use home lighting and going for much more intimate setups. Small sconces on a couple of walls, or a table lamp that’s good enough for reading a book with – it all works out much cheaper! Turn off the overheads, switch to LED bulbs, and keep things dim and cool. 

Have More BBQs

If you’re sick of the kitchen overheating on you, get outside! Get a BBQ together (you can buy permanent versions for only $30) and cook outside on a more regular basis. Not only will this be fun for the whole family, but it saves you from having to sweat your own body weight out in front of a stove. You’re outside where the breeze can hit you, you’re enjoying the good weather, and the kids are running around and having a laugh – what could be better?! 

Set Some New Appliance Rules

Finally, set some rules to ensure you’re using the appliances in your home selectively during the summer. Forego the use of the tumble dryer altogether and simply hang your washing out. Only set the dishwasher or washing machine to work at night, when access to the energy grid is cheaper. And wash on cooler settings overall – this works out cheaper for the bills as it doesn’t take as much water. Now you can have longer, cooler showers when the sun is blazing outside! 

Saving energy during the summer period can feel impossible – it’s hot and humid and you need things to cool down! But if you’re careful with the way you use energy, you’ll see less of a dip in your bank account.

Your Garden is one of the greatest assets within your home – whether you want to soak up the sun on your lunch break, or throw a backyard party your guests will never forget. However, it’s also one of the areas that we take care of the least, as we often focus on renovating our home’s interior instead.

Photo by Ignacio Correia 🔴 on Unsplash

With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to make the most of your garden, just in time for that summer sunshine! 

• Keep it simple. Transforming your garden does not mean that you must suddenly become a master gardener, in fact, it’s far better to take a simpler approach to gardening when first starting out, to ensure that you are not overwhelmed. For example, you should focus on caring for plants that are easy to grow and maintain, such as pansies, sunflowers, and marigolds. 

• Plant the right fauna. You’ll naturally have plants and flowers in your garden, but you mightn’t have put too much thought into them. It could be worth giving them more of a consideration so you can make the garden look and feel nicer. Even some garden trees could be worth planting, as they add more privacy and a unique visual appeal to the room.

• Be ready for weather changes. While you’ll likely spend more time in your garden when the weather is warm, when well-cared for, you can use the space year-round. For example, you could set up a fire pit for those chilly autumn nights. However, this means that you should do some research ahead of time so that you can embrace weather changes, whether you’re expecting heavy rain or preparing your garden for winter.

• Spruce up your patio. Redecorating your patio is another easy way to make the most of your garden, as this is the perfect outdoor spot to entertain guests or cook up a storm at your next BBQ. However, this means more than carrying out a bit of maintenance here and there, as you should also look into making changes that improve the space as a whole. For example, installing Patio Covers will give you a place to relax in the shade and will also improve how your garden looks. 

• Repaint your fence. Repainting your garden fence can also change how the space looks and feels, helping it appear much more organized and well structured. In some cases, the right fence color can also make your garden appear bigger, especially if you opt for a light, bright shade such as white. 

• Have a gardening rota. The key to good home maintenance is putting together a cleaning schedule or rota (and sticking to it). Therefore, it’s hardly surprising that this can also be instrumental in keeping your garden in perfect condition. Ideally, you should aim to spend a few hours a week on your garden, whether you are tending to plants or mowing your lawn. If you don’t have this time in your schedule, you might want to consider hiring a gardener. 

• Let nature run its course. While you’ll want to do whatever it takes to make your garden thrive, you should also ensure that you let nature run its course if you want to create a garden that looks great. That is, don’t be afraid to let flowers and plants grow outside of their box – as this is the way they are intended to grow! A garden does not need to be as organized and structured as the rest of your home.