admin, Author at 3 Kids and Us

Money-Saving Tips for Large Families

March 19, 2022 by admin

Budgeting can be hard when you have a large family to provide for. Studies show that families are reluctant to have more than 2 children, citing finances as the biggest reason.

Here are a few money-saving tips for larger families.

Minimize Vehicles

Although having only one vehicle can sound stressful, or impossible, for parents who have to transport multiple children to events and activities on top of driving themselves to work, the money you would save on insurance, maintenance, and fuel just might be worth it.

Public transportation can save hundreds of dollars annually in comparison to fuel for cars, not to mention the elimination of the possibility of unplanned vehicle maintenance (which always seems to be necessary at the most inconvenient times). Taking public transportation or walking to work if possible can be cheaper than driving, and if you have friends whose children attend the same school or participate in the same activities as yours, arranging to carpool can be much easier than you might think. While having one vehicle might take some getting used to, it can save a ton of money.

Buy in Bulk

Investing in a Costco or Sam’s Club membership and buying groceries or other household items in bulk just might be worth it. Buying bulk amounts of non-perishable food items, beverages, and cleaning supplies or toiletries can save hundreds of dollars per year and will minimize your trips to the grocery store that put you at risk for impulse purchases.

Eat at Home

Preparing meals and eating at home is one of the simplest, yet most effective ways to save money. The average household spends hundreds of dollars each month on fast food and restaurants when the very same meals can be prepared at home for a fraction of the cost. Try meal prep services like Lean Kitchen to help you save time getting meals together, and save dining out for special occasions.

Take Advantage of Second Hand Items

Take second-hand items like clothing and home goods from friends and family who are getting rid of these things. This is easy to do if you have friends with children close to the ages of your own. Thrifting or shopping at second-hand stores is also a good way to find deals on gently used items like clothing and toys. Plus, using second-hand items is good for the environment!

Consult a Financial Advisor

If you find it too difficult to stick to your monthly budget no matter how hard you try, it might be time to enlist the help of a professional. Meet with a financial advisor to create a budget that is realistic for the family and let them determine what is and is not working, and where effective improvements to your ways of budgeting can be made. Sticking to a budget is key to saving money and alleviating financial stress!

Selecting the Best Window Coverings for Your Conservatory

March 6, 2022 by admin

Conservatories can be quite the showpiece of any home. More and more people are turning to their conservatories as an additional room for entertaining guests, studying, or simply a space for relaxing during the evenings. However, unless you have a solid roof fitted, these rooms can become quite hot during the summer months, making it beneficial to find window coverings that serve their purpose of providing shade from the sun, look good and offer additional functionality, such as insulation from wind and soundproofing. Here are some ideas on selecting the best window coverings for your conservatory that will meet all of your needs and look good while doing so.

Vertical Blinds

A conservatory is a space that is meant for enjoying nature and relaxing. The area’s typically large windows allow a lot of natural light but can also create glare, heat a room and cause distracting patterns on walls. Adding vertical blinds can be a great way to solve these problems while adding style and colour.

Roller Blinds

Because of their versatility, roller blinds are some of our most popular conservatory window coverings. As well as being great at blocking light and a certain amount of heat from entering your conservatory, roller blinds can also be quickly drawn back or removed completely if you want more natural light during certain times of the day. It’s also reasonably easy to control ventilation in your conservatory with roller blinds – depending on how many windows you have, simply raise or lower all or individual blinds to regulate airflow.

Venetian Blinds

If you’re thinking of installing Venetian blinds in a conservatory, it may help to know that these window coverings have several advantages. A great deal of natural light will come into your conservatory as a result of fitting Venetian blinds, allowing you and your family members a bright space to relax. However, they are not very good at blocking out heat, which could mean the conservatory is warmer than you would ideally like, in the summer.

Plantation Shutters

These are classic and add a touch of history to any room, but they are likely to be more expensive than other coverings. Plantation shutters come in various styles that give you total freedom over how much light you want to let in or how much privacy you want at your fingertips. Plantation shutters are great for a conservatory if you live somewhere where there’s sunlight most of the day, as they are perfect for cooling a space during hot summer months.

Curtains

While you can undoubtedly bring in fresh air and light with your curtains, they can also block it—which is possibly less than ideal, depending on how much time you spend in your conservatory and how much privacy you desire. Curtains are probably the least efficient choice for a conservatory window covering, but they are also the cheapest option.

No Coverings

The main benefit of not covering the windows is that leaving windows bare helps make your conservatory feel like a more natural home extension. This can add value both psychologically and financially. There’s no need to worry about curtains or blinds getting dirty, meaning you don’t have to deal with cleaning them or replacing them if they break. The downside is you will have no protection from direct sunlight and zero privacy.

3 Ways to Upgrade an Outdated Bathroom

February 28, 2022 by admin

If you are unhappy with the look of your bathroom, the process of beginning renovations can feel overwhelming, especially if you aren’t sure where to begin. An older bathroom is not only susceptible to issues like mold and water damage but is also unlikely to reflect a homeowner’s taste in decor like another room in the house could. Here are 3 things to upgrade in your bathroom to give the space a modernized, luxurious feel.

Bathtub

One of the best ways to unwind after a long day is by taking a relaxing, hot bath. If your bathtub is outdated or a bit unsightly, upgrading it could be worth it if you find yourself looking for a new way to de-stress. Clawfoot tubs are beautiful, and add value to your home (homes with clawfoot tubs are 30% more likely to sell). They are also made from materials that can hold heat, meaning your bath water won’t get cold too quickly and you can make the most of your relaxing bath. If you don’t like the look or feel of clawfoot tubs, another option is a luxury bathtub with jets. These tubs give you a comforting, spa-like experience from the comfort of your own bathroom.

Cabinets

If you find that your bathroom looks outdated or does not match the theme or decor of the rest of your home, changing your bathroom cabinets could be a quick fix. Cabinets and vanities are a major eye-catcher in any bathroom, so they should match the look and feel of the rest of the room. Many companies, such as Capitol Kitchen & Bath, offer complete renovations to cabinets regardless of your style or budget. Consider not only the style and design you’d like your cabinets to have but also the space you’d like them to offer. Changing up your cabinets can help to quickly modernize your bathroom, and could help you to organize or de-clutter your space.

Flooring

Another way to quickly upgrade an outdated bathroom is by replacing the flooring. While many homes have tile, ceramic, or vinyl flooring in their bathrooms, a modern choice that is growing popular is natural stone flooring. This adds an elegant and luxurious touch to any bathroom and can raise the resale value of your home. Wood flooring is also a popular choice in sleek, modernized bathrooms (just make sure it is waterproof). Updating your flooring is one of the fastest and most effective ways to make your bathroom look brand new.

How To Shop for An Oriental Rug

February 11, 2022 by admin

The first step in buying an oriental rug is determining what type of rug you want. Persian rugs and oriental rugs both fall under the category of oriental rugs, but there are quite a few diverse types of oriental rugs out there that vary based on colour, size, and design. To buy an oriental rug that suits your tastes and home decor, you’ll need to identify exactly what you’re looking for so you can find it easier!

Consider your space, style, and budget

The first step in shopping for any style of rug, whether it’s a traditional Persian or a country and western cow print, is considering your space, style, and budget. Do you want something bold? Something neutral? How much can you spend? The last thing you want is to walk into a local store or surf online with no idea what you’re looking for.

A glossary of terms

Knowing how to speak about an oriental area rug starts with acquiring a vocabulary of the relevant terms.

Learning these eight basic terms will give purchases the vocabulary you need to talk about a carpet like a connoisseur.

The loom

Carpet weaving starts with a loom. These can be amazingly simple in construction, as used by the weavers of nomadic tribes. Carpet weavers affix long poles to the floor at a distance apart from the desired length of the finished rug.

The warp

The warp is the yarn strung taut between the two poles of the loom.

The weft

Weavers pass weft threads cross wise through the war threads in an alternating pattern to create the basic under the carpet’s structure.

Selvage

The selvage is a strip on the lower border of the carpet “against which the weft is secured…typically, the selvage will feature decorative motifs.”

The knot

With certain exceptions, oriental carpets are made with only two knots: the Turkish, or symmetrical, knot, and the Persian, or asymmetrical, knot. These knots are generally but not exclusively associated with carpets produced in the regions they are named after.

Pile

Weavers trim the tuft ends of knots to create the oriental carpet’s pile. As rug expert Niels Larson notes, this happens “once the carpet is finished but before it is removed from the loom.”

Abrash

Abrash is many connoisseurs highly prized mottled or striped patches of a single colour for the vitality it brings to normally monotone carpets.”

Kilims

In its most basic form, a hand-woven rug, a kilim is a flat weave carpet consisting of the warp and weft, but without any knots attached. In the words of rug experts, a kilim’s “surface texture becomes increasingly delicate in direct proportion to the number of warp threads and their proximity to one another.

The fringe

When a knotted or pileless carpet is finished, warped strings at either end of the loom are cut, creating a fringe. Depending on the region where it is produced, weavers can incorporate further decorative elements into the fringe, such as knots.

Avoid salespeople who don’t know what they are talking about

Salespeople at rugs stores may not always know what they are talking about. If you go into a store and it seems like salespeople are blowing smoke, feel free to walk out. You don’t need to be talked into a $2,000 rug or pressured into buying something you don’t like. Take your time, do your research well and find what fits you best!

A Welcoming Design for a Guest Bedroom

February 6, 2022 by admin

A comfortable guest room conveys a sense of welcome like nothing else can. Taking some time to make the guest room functional and beautiful is well worth the effort.

Although a guest room seems to be nothing more than a bedroom it is so much more for an out-of-town visitor. This room represents a sitting room, quiet space, television-viewing area, dressing room, snack bar, and many other things to someone away from home. Creating space for each of these functions will make guests feel right at home.

Guest Room Basics

Since so many different people use a guest room throughout the year, homeowners have the freedom to decorate the guest room to their own design tastes. However, caution should be used when selecting a colour for such a space. Using gender-neutral tones will prevent the room from becoming too masculine or feminine.

Accenting the room with small touches of brick red or sky blue produces an enjoyable yet restful space. Colours such as calm, serene blue, and green, convey a sense of peace. Painting one of them on the walls creates a serene ambiance. A buttery yellow tone on the walls creates a warm, cosy atmosphere. Adding accents of warm tones, like gold or tan, keeps the room from feeling too cold.

Like in any room, the bed is the focal point of a guest room. In a guest room, bedding should be carefully considered. Choosing high-quality 100% cotton sheets ensure the comfort of all guests. A fluffy down comforter will keep visitors warm in the winter and cool in the summer while offering a touch of luxury.

Hosts should offer several different bed pillows, from the incredibly soft to ultra-firm, ensuring guests will find it just the right fit for their stay. The bedding ensemble can be completed with a few well-placed throw pillows for extra comfort and a luxurious look and a bed skirt to conceal any under-the-bed storage. An upholstered headboard or European-size pillows offers guests a comfortable place to read their favourite magazine or catch up on a late-night talk show.

Little Extra Details Guests Will Enjoy

If the guest room has enough space, a sitting area is a beautiful addition. A small lounge chair and ottoman, or a chaise lounge, creates an inviting, comfortable place for reading or watching a little television. A small stand placed near the chair and topped with a good reading lamp and a coaster for an evening cup of tea create a great reading nook. A basket of magazines or paperbacks near the chair gives guests something to peruse during their downtime.

Another nice touch is placing a small television nearby, so guests can watch their favourite movie without disturbing others in the home. This sitting area allows weekend visitors a place to escape from the bustle of a busy day, and they will enjoy having a quiet place to unwind each evening.

Guests who will be staying for more than just a day or two will need the option of unpacking their suitcases. Hosts should clear out a portion of the closet in the guest room and stock it with various hangers. A low dresser offers a place for guests to rest their suitcases and a place to stash their clothing.

You can use the dresser top to leave a little snack basket for guests, including fresh fruit, bottled water, granola bars, or chocolates. A small alarm clock will make a visitor’s stay easier, should they need to rise earlier than others in the home.

If the guest suite includes an adjoining bathroom, it could be stocked with fluffy towels, a robe, and slippers for an extra touch of home. Including a basket of travel-sized toiletries, a spare toothbrush, and other items a guest may have forgotten to pack is another welcome gesture. Homeowners may wish to leave a nightlight handy for visitors to use, as well.

A guest room does not be exceptionally large or elaborate. A few simple additions to the space will create a room in which anyone would love to stay.

If you do not currently own a headboard, you might be surprised at just how much difference this simple piece of furniture can make. Not only aesthetically, but also to help you feel cosier, and get a quality night’s sleep, which is when all is said and done is the most key factor we should be considering when deciding on bedroom design.