One and Co

One and Co

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4 Ways you can Make your Home Future-Proof

We all need to think about the future, whether our pension pot will be big enough once we’ve retired, and if it’s going to be possible to stay in our home. There’s an expression that my family like to use “We need to future-proof this”, which means “We need to make sure it’s ok if our needs change in the future”.

Let’s imagine that we want to buy a car, we need to make sure that the car we buy is future-proof, in other words, is it suitable for a growing family? Will all our future children be able to fit in it? The same can be said for your home, is it future-proof? Or you do need to adapt it so that it is? We can all make a few changes to our home so that if and when the time comes we can continue to live there for as long as possible.

Install a Downstairs Bathroom

As we age we may not be as mobile as we once were and we could find that visiting the bathroom upstairs is not as easy as it once was. This is why you may want to think about installing a downstairs bathroom. My uncle converted an old cupboard under the stairs into a bathroom as my grandfather started to find it hard to walk up the stairs. When it comes to getting up the stairs you may be happy to get up and down on your own with a stairlift but my grandfather said he’d prefer a bathroom downstairs. Fast forward a few years and we have installed a stairlift which takes him up to his bedroom at night so he doesn’t have to sleep on a makeshift bed in the lounge.

Consider Buying a Bungalow

If you ever have the chance to buy a bungalow you may want to give it serious consideration. Bungalows are easier to live in than a house with more than one set of stairs. They also tend to be a lot bigger inside than you think which means you may not need to downsize at all. A bungalow is ideal for anyone who struggles to walk or is likely to have future mobility issues.

Widen your Door Frames

Many new homes are being built with wide door frames, however, many people still live in older properties that have narrow door frames. You may want to think about future-proofing your home by widening your door frames so there’s enough room for a wheelchair to pass through them. Wide door frames are usually easier to pass through when you’re walking with a frame or a stick as you’ll have enough room to manoeuvre.

Future-Proof your home as soon as you can so you don’t need to make any adaptations in a hurry. Think about what your future needs may be and make the changes that could ultimately mean you can stay in your home for many more years to come.

 

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4 Ways To Add Personality To Your Home On A Budget

Adding your own stamp to your home doesn’t have to break the bank, as you don’t need to completely remodel the kitchen nor rip up carpets throughout, providing they can be thoroughly cleaned and covered up in places with the help of rugs and throws that you love. There’s a way around most design mishaps, as long as you know how to draw attention to other areas, and decorate and accessorize. If you’re not overly creative, then call in the assistance of an artistic friend who can point out ways to brighten up a room, and what to add to make your home individual, fun, and homely. Since you’re on a budget, you’re going to have to be resourceful and to think outside of the box, so here goes!

Your Kitchen

If you’re one for cooking, baking, and entertaining, then you’ll understand the importance of having a practical and spacious kitchen. The kitchen is the soul of the house, especially if you enjoy hosting dinner parties and having your friends congregate at yours. So, with this in mind, make a real effort to improve its appearance and functionality. If your budget permits it, then consider having a small kitchen island installed into the middle of the room to give you ample preparation space as well as giving it a sleek and modern finish. Approach those who specialize in kitchen and bath remodeling to design you a practical kitchen without the price tag of those that require gutting and complete reconstruction.

Highlight Your Hobbies

Show your personality by highlighting the hobbies you enjoy in your free time, and this means more than laying out your guitars against the wall. Look to the ceiling for inspiration and to the windows. Create art, stained glass designs, as well as having an array of plants, flowers, and herbs spilling over from shelves and windowsills to illustrate your passion for gardening and cooking, for example.

Display Your Own Art

A great way to exhibit your artistic talent and design flair is to make your own art a feature in your home. Hang framed pieces, display pottery, and even paint directly onto the walls if you’re brave enough. As long as your home isn’t a rented property, then you can take the reins and express yourself however you wish. Consider trading items you’ve made with others who make their own pottery or furniture, for example. This way, you can keep pieces that have sentimental meaning attached to them – making you feel at home and comforted.

Use Reclaimed Wood

Creating your own furniture is far easier than you might first anticipate, so it’s well worth an afternoon of your time. Reclaimed wood is especially trendy right now, and it’s not hard to see why as you can design some truly stunning and sleek pieces relatively easily. Source the wood from laborers or scrap yards (or anywhere else you know), and begin sanding it down and varnishing it for a smooth finish. Secondly, once you’re happy with how the wood looks, affix sturdy hairpin legs onto it and there you have it – a bespoke piece of furniture!

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4 Ways You Can Improve Your RV For Your Next Big Road Trip

No RV is truly perfect. No matter how much time you spend looking at RVs or researching them online using resources such as Outdoorsy, there’s always going to be a particular feature or a luxury that’s lacking.

Fortunately, this doesn’t at all mean that there aren’t steps you can take to make your RV even better. So long as you’re buying an RV so you actually own it, you can easily modify it to make it a better vehicle for you before you embark on your next road trip.

Here are four ways you can improve your RV for your next big road trip:

1 – Build An Office

If there’s one important thing that far too many motorhomes are lacking these days, it’s an office or dedicated workspace. Sure, they come with bedrooms and kitchens and living rooms, but rarely do they come with an office.

If you’re going to be working from your RV as you travel, having a place dedicated to getting work done will be a major plus. You can install your own desk, complete with an office chair, a monitor, a computer, a printer, and a Wi-Fi router.

2 – Replace Your Storage Locks

The locks on the vast majority of RVs and motorhomes are exactly the same. This means that anyone else with a CH751 key will be able to open them and access the items inside. Not exactly very secure, is it?

Thankfully, you can easily replace your storage locks entirely so that a more unique key is required to open them and access the items inside. It’s an expense that will be well worth it if you have any items of value inside.

3 – Install LED Lighting

The RV lifestyle is already more cost efficient than many people think, but you can make it even more cost efficient by saving on power.

One of the best ways to save on power will be to use LED bulbs. Not only are they far cheaper than the lights that come installed in most RVs, they are also brighter and can greatly improve visibility as well. They also last much longer than other types of bulbs as well.

4 – Add Solar Panels

One of the downsides to RV living is that you constantly need to make sure that you stop by an RV park or campground that has an electrical and water hookup. However, this is only true if you aren’t able to generate your own power.

Generating your own power for an RV is also simple: you just need to install solar panels to the top of your RV and then make sure that you remain parked for a sufficient amount of time outside under the sun. It’s an initial investment that will quickly pay off when you save cash over the long run.

Improving Your RV

These are just four examples of ways that you can improve your RV to make it better for you.

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Taking DIY To A Whole New Level: Building Your Own Home

To build your own home is the dream of many, but it is one that rarely ever becomes a reality. To make it happen certain ideas, tools, determination, and areas of know-how are all needed in abundance. If you think you have all of that, then heed the advice below and begin your attempt at building your own new home, quite literally, from the ground up.

Keep your plans simple

The best-laid plans of a home builder often go awry when they become too farfetched and too difficult to follow. By allowing your plans to become less feasible with every new idea, you will find your costs spiraling out of control, and you will find your need for labor increasing. When this happens, your home will take longer to build, and more snags will be met along the way. So, keep everything simple, from the architectural plans to the way you go about the building and even to the way you furnish your new home.

Get the right tools and help for the job

You should be considering what and who you will be using to help you in your venture very carefully, as even the most experienced of builders can’t build a home on their own. And you shouldn’t ‘cheap out’ when you come to getting the right tools and help for the job, either, because you’re going to need the best.

To make your home durable and habitable for as long as you need it to be, it’s crucial that you provide it with everything that it needs during its inception. This means using the right tools and having someone on your side that knows how to use them.

Work with a conveyancer

You can’t just plonk your flag (or your shovel) into the middle of an open area, call it your own and then start building on it. Like when it comes to any sort of home transaction, you have to work alongside a conveyancer

Bird & Co Conveyancing, who offer conveyancing for a multitude of different types of property transaction, not least the buying of land and development sites, are one such conveyancer who could help you circumvent all the legalities of starting your own build. They would negate everything that needs to be done, said and signed between whoever owned the land before you.

Consider labor costs

Building a new home is, as you can probably guess, a costly job, and what accounts for most of the spend are the labor costs. For this reason, you should be careful with who you enlist to help you, always ensuring that you pick somebody who is proven to get you the most for the money you spend. Also, you should consider what areas you can cover yourself — you must be feasible when you do, and never take on anything you know you cannot handle.

You’re not just creating a new shed, you’re taking DIY to a whole level, and you’re making something of real importance. So, make sure to remember the home-building advice above.

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Finding Your Dream Home Abroad In Four Easy Steps

Whether you move for work or because you want a change of scenery, you owe it to yourself to find the best home for you and your family. The same principle applies whether you are moving across town or across the ocean. The only difference is that when you move abroad, there are a few extra steps you need to take. It is hard to choose the right neighborhood, after all, when you don’t know what the neighborhoods are like. Don’t rush into the move and follow these steps so that you can find your dream home abroad in no time.

Visit Where You Are Going to Move To

If you can, always visit with your family to the place you are going to move to. This is particularly pressing if you have a job offer, as the radius of where you can look will be significantly smaller. Book a trip and explore the surrounding areas so that you can find the ideal neighborhood for you and your family. One that has good local amenities, a good school, and good connections to work.

Narrow Your Search by Quality of Schools

Ideally, this means you should have a few neighborhoods to consider before you move. Narrow this down by the quality of schools in the local area and what you can afford. There are several different options for schooling in the UK, from public schools to grammar schools, to private schools. All types of schools have their merits, but what matters is that you choose a school that is well regarded and fits your budget.

Choosing the Right Neighborhood

If you still have options in terms of which neighborhood you want to pick, select which one has the best community. This means choosing the one that has a few nice places to eat, has different venues for events like movies or concerts, and otherwise a place that is popular enough for your whole family to enjoy. If your ideal neighborhood is out of your budget, find another one that has good connections. The public transport system in the UK is quite comprehensive, meaning you should be able to find the ideal property for you and your family.

Choosing the Right Property

Homes in the UK are notably different than ones in the United States, which is why if you are planning on settling there, rather than renting, you should aim instead to find one that has the space you need, rather than the look you want. You can always make changes after the fact, but space is a premium and should be prioritized when choosing a home. If your work is in London, this could mean looking outside to areas like Twickenham. Once you have found the right home with good connections to where you want to be, all that is left is to contact the best solicitors in Twickenham to finalize the purchase.

Moving abroad can be difficult, which is why going in advance to find the ideal property is a wise choice. Not only can you and your family see first-hand what the area is like, but you can also even start to make memories that will make the big move an easier one for everyone.

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Best Things Your Lottery Winnings Could Buy

Winning a lottery is like…well, winning a lottery. Your chances are usually pretty slim, but if you do win, you might win a lot. So why not give it a try and buy a ticket for mega millions online for a chance to win. But what if you actually won? And won big? There are a number of people who have ended up broke, worse off than they were before, just a few years after the big win. So what could you do with the unexpected winnings, the smart things?

My personal recommendation would be first use the money for what you need right now. Maybe you need to pay your back rent, maybe you need to pay for your car insurance, maybe you need to pay back some money you have borrowed from your friend, money he/she never expected to see again. After those things are done, let the money sit for a while, maybe a month or two, so that you could get used to having the money in the first place, and only then start using it somehow.

A few things you shouldn’t do with the money is gambling. You already have enough money, so you shouldn’t use it generate more this way. As the most realistic outcome is that you will lose some or all of it.

But a good idea is to invest in real estate, real estate market in the long run is one of the safest investments. So that even if somehow you manage to waste all of your money later, you still have something to lean on. Right now it might also be a good time to invest a bit (a bit, not too much) in cryptocurrencies. While some people might compare it with gambling, there’s a a good chance that in the long run it will actually be an investment, not a gamble.

Buying jewellery, a very expensive car, spending 100x times more when going out compared to what you were used to before, all of this doesn’t make much sense. You managed to go out with 30 bucks before, you don’t need to spend thousands now.

Invest is some start-up businesses. There are lots of different sites listing startups looking for angel investors. While many of them might fail, a few of them might become very successful companies.

The main thing, don’t waste your money, do something that you wanted to do before but never had the money for it. You may want to spend a year traveling the world. And no, you don’t need to stay in $1000/night hotels. Yes, you can try it for a night or two, but the $50/night ones are usually good enough. While you have the money, your needs haven’t grown that much, have they?

By the end of the day, just be smart with your money!

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How Long Does Brain Injury Rehabilitation Take?

Depending on the severity of the damage, recovering from a brain injury can be a long, slow process. While there is never any guarantee over exactly how long it will take to recover, or how much of a recovery one can expect to make, the following is intended to provide an overview of roughly what to expect at different stages of the rehabilitation process and an idea of how long brain injury rehabilitation may take.

A timeline of brain injury rehabilitation

Immediately after the injury

In the hours, days and week following a brain injury, various types of treatment may take place, including brain surgery to deal with any damage and relieve build up of fluid on the brain. The patient is also likely to spend time in intensive care before being moved to a standard ward. Basic physiotherapy and other types of rehabilitation care may also begin in this period.

At this stage it will be very hard to make meaningful predictions about the long-term prospects of the patient, including how long their recovery will take and what lasting effects the injury may have.

First 2 months

During this period the main focus will typically be on physiotherapy, cognitive therapy and other treatments to assess the extent of the brain injury’s effect on patient’s physical and mental abilities and begin the rehabilitation process.

While the extent of the immediate impact on the patient will start to become clearer during this time, it will still be very difficult to make meaningful long-term predictions about the likely outcome.

After 6 months

At this point, the focus is likely to be increasingly on occupational therapy and in-home care, helping patients to adjust to living independently and dealing with specific challenges. Some degree of physical therapy and cognitive therapy may be continuing, depending on the circumstances.

Doctors should have a much clearer idea of that the long-term prospects are for the patient by 6 months, including how much of a recovery they are likely to make and how long this may take.

After 2 years

Typically with brain injury rehabilitation, the most significant improvements will be seen within the first 2 years after the brain injury occurs, meaning by this point any lasting impact should be clear. However, many patients continue to experience improvements for the rest of their lives, so it is important to bear this in mind.

Making sure you get the support you need for your brain injury rehabilitation

To ensure you get the best results from brain injury rehabilitation, it is important to ensure you can access all of the help and support you need. While much of the medical care you need nay be provided by the NHS, other types of care may need to be funded privately, or it may be more expedient or convenient to do so. There are also various costs, such as for buying specialist equipment and paying for adaptations to your home or car that you may need to fund yourself.

Making a brain injury compensation claim is often necessary to find the money to pay for these things and give yourself the best care and quality of life. IBB Claims are specialists in brain injury claims and can advise you on whether you claim may be worth pursuing and how much compensation you may be able to secure. That way, you can make an informed choice about how to proceed and get all the help you need for pursuing a claim.

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Two Areas to Transform in Your Home in 2018

While the summer months are the perfect time for relaxing with those closest to us, many people take advantage of the sunny weather, longer days, and time off work to make changes to their homes. Whether it’s redecorating a room or sprucing up the garden, there’s no better time to get your thinking cap on about what you want to change in your home, and how you’re going to do it. To help get you started, below are two areas of your property you could focus on to transform them into something amazing.

Living Room

Different people have different uses for their living rooms. Some people decide this room is for entertaining guests only; others like to gather their family and friends and truly relax. If your living room is somewhere you want to refresh this year; you first need to decide what purpose this room has. Do you want it to be somewhere your children can play with their toys, or do you want it to be the ideal viewing place for your favorite movies? This decision will be the basis of your home improvement.

If you’ve chosen to redesign your room with your children in mind, a few aspects to change could be to swap your hardwood flooring for softer carpet, meaning any trips or falls young children may have will be cushioned. You may also want to swap your furniture such as your couch for more durable fabrics, including leather. If your children are going to be spending a lot of time in this room, you want to rest assured you can leave them to their games without worrying about your décor becoming messy or stained. 

Don’t forget the crucial elements which can make enjoying your newly transformed room even better. For example, if you live in Texas, installing air conditioning will make a big difference. It’s important to ensure you stay on top of any maintenance for items such as air conditioning, so if you need AC repair Sienna Plantation, it’s vital to contact the experts before the problem becomes too big to manage.   

Garden

Your garden space is most likely somewhere you forget about during the cold, wet winter months, and then, can’t wait to enjoy every summer. Whether it’s large or lacking the desired space, it’s somewhere you should utilize fully if you are lucky enough to have one. Much like your living room, the purpose of your garden will determine how you transform it. For example, do you want to create a socializing space for you and your friends, or do you want to create a garden paradise where you can relax?

If you want to transform your garden into an oasis, first focus on how exactly are you going to make this somewhere you can relax? Your mind may turn to the furniture you are going to use. One popular idea, especially in areas where you don’t have a lot of rain, is to feature rattan furniture within your garden. You can now find rattan couches to create an area where you can sit, read a book, and enjoy the weather in comfort. For those who choose rattan furniture, it is also relatively easy to keep clean and maintain. You simply need to use washing-up liquid with a soft sponge to turn it from drab to fab.

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How To Refresh Your Interior Design

If scrolling your Pinterest board is making your thumbs sore, then it might be time for a home design refresh. Here’s how to get started.

Review your budget and skills

Before diving into an interior redesign, it’s important to work out how far your funds will take you and whether you need to schedule some professional support. Interior design doesn’t have to involve a full renovation, so don’t worry if your budget is limited. However, if you’re hoping for a more significant transformation, then it’s wise to check your budget and be honest about your skills before knocking holes in any walls. If you’re a renter, then check your lease for details of what sorts of modifications are permitted, and contact your landlord for permissions if necessary.

Pick a style

It’s important to identify design direction and have a plan before you start, or your outcome may be disappointing. Good interior design feels cohesive, suits the space and your taste, and reiterates or echoes elements across the scope of the design. You can change styles between rooms if you want, such as a child’s room that follows a different theme from the rest of the home, but it can feel jarring when you move between spaces, or rooms may seem as if they lack design sense if you don’t have a clear and consistent style from the start.

Strive for balance

First-time designers are often tempted to just pick their favorites at every turn. However, good interior design balances elements and often incorporates things that you wouldn’t appreciate on their own but that support the larger whole. For example, you may love bright, vivid colors, but you should be cautious about painting the walls in every color of the rainbow. Instead, you’ll have more success with picking neutral or pale colors for the walls, and using furnishings, feature walls or design elements, and movable décor items to incorporate color. This leaves you the opportunity to change things more easily when you’re ready for something different. If you opt for strong wall colors, keep in mind that other things should be light and neutral to balance the space.

Manage the light

Light is important in design. It can be used to highlight design elements, make the space more functional, and create moods or feelings. If you’re not doing a full renovation, then you probably won’t be able to change the physical barriers to light (windows and walls). Instead, light fixtures, color use and window coverings are your best tools.

Recessed lighting on dimmer switches is a multipurpose choice, while feature light fixtures contribute more strongly to the design. Sheer drapes offer a light, airy feel with movement, while bay window shutters convey a sense of luxury. Mirrors can be used to better direct limited light, while paler paint colors and pale or neutral décor in general also contribute to a brighter seeming space.

Refresh your interior design by first identifying your budget and personal capabilities. Make a plan and schedule professional support as needed. Aim for a balanced design with neutrals moderating bolder color and pattern choices, and manage your light with fixtures, window coverings and color choices.

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Changing Behavior: Unhealthy Habits To Challenge

Everyone has a little unhealthy habit or two: whether it’s a few too many coffees on a stressful day at the office or that end-of-day chocolate bar, almost everyone’s lifestyles are unhealthy in some small way. However, while “everything in moderation” is a good mantra to live by, some unhealthy habits really aren’t good for you: whether it’s too much alcohol or a bad chain smoking habit, there are some behaviors that just aren’t good, no matter what perspective you approach them from.

Smoking

From the obvious problems (such as lung cancer) to the less-obvious complications that a person who smokes can experience, there are lots of reasons why smoking cigarettes isn’t advisable. Everything from rheumatoid arthritis to pulmonary disease can be linked to smoking, so it’s a dangerous habit to continue doing. Luckily, there are some ways to take control of your smoking habits and sort out the problem.

Whether it’s using a nicotine patch or other similar treatment aid or simply going cold turkey, there are all sorts of ways to get a proper grip on your smoking before it causes irreparable damage. By seeking out quit smoking advice and help, you can start to take back control of your addiction and develop ways to manage cravings.

Alcohol

There’s nothing wrong with drinking alcohol in moderation – and, in fact, it’s often a great way to ensure that you remain sociable and active. The problem with alcohol, though, arises if you drink too much of it. Not only can it cause immediate impacts in terms of hangovers and mental health problems, such as anxiety, over time, but it can also cause your liver and other vital organs to work less well than they did before. If you find that you’re struggling to cut down on your alcohol intake, then it’s worth speaking to your primary care physician in order to work out a strategy.

Sugar

Though it’s a part of almost everyone’s diets these days, eating too much sugar poses a real risk. It can cause all sorts of problems in later life, including an increase in weight and problems with your heart. What many people don’t realize is that many foodstuffs that everyone knows and loves can be converted into sugar once they’re eaten, including many types of bread. Certain fruit juices, such as orange juice, meanwhile, are also often high in sugar, which means that while they can provide some health benefits, they can also cause health problems.

Unhealthy habits aren’t uncommon, and feeling guilty about them won’t make much difference. Instead, if you’re feeling a little unhealthy, then it’s best to focus on small steps that you can take towards a better lifestyle. If you’re eating too much sugar, for example, then why not consider cutting down on your intake in small but manageable steps? By starting on a low-level scale and building up to big changes, you’ll give yourself a good chance of getting healthy again in a manageable but clear way.