5 ways to rejuvenate your home on a budget

*This post contains affiliate links If your home is looking a little worse for wear, it’s easy to feel down and want to move on from it completely. But, as the classic saying goes, don’t move, improve! You don’t have to break the bank to rejuvenate your home, and there’s a myriad of hacks out there for giving your home the new look it needs for less. Whether you want to go big and bust through a wall or start smaller with a simple coat of paint, here are 5 budget-friendly ways to refresh your home: Do up your door Your front door is one of the first things you or your guests see when arriving home, so why not make a lasting impression? A stylish front door can add instant kerb appeal to your home, and something as simple as a fresh coat of paint can work wonders. A good scrub, vigorous sanding, and tactful colour change will not only give your door the refresher it needs but also change the look of your home’s exterior. Thankfully, a tin of exterior paint can be as little as £20, so yo......

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5 financial steps to take before your next overseas trip

If your planning on hitting the road or going overseas for longer than a weekend break, then there are a few financial steps you need to take to ensure you have no issues while travelling and keep on top of your money as well as reducing any stress, for example sometimes banks will stop your card if you. use it overseas without telling them beforehand. So here are 5 essential things you need to do to tie up your financials before heading out your travels. 1. Take out travel insurance I cannot stress enough how important this one is and it applies to even the shortest of trips or even extended months long travels, as you never know what will happen and having travel insurance that covers medical needs is a must! Medical emergencies aside travel insurance also covers you for things like cancellations, delayed departures and lost luggage and can save you a lot of money should things go wrong.  2. Life Insurance Just like travel insurance, Life insurance is one of those things you sho......

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4 things you can do to have a more positive pregnancy experience

If you or your partner want to experience the best pregnancy possible , there are a few simple things you can do, that shouldn't require too much effort. No matter your situation, support at this time is important, so if you have a partner, family or friends you can lean on or just offer a shoulder to talk to, make use of that during your pregnancy. While we simply cannot do it all, and shouldn't feel pressured to do so, we can within reason make active choices that will help your baby thrive. Having had two children of my own, here are a few things I've learned along the way. Step away from negativity During this time you want to try and surround yourself with positivity as much as you can. If there is someone in your life who is not supportive of the pregnancy and voices this constantly, then you may need to consider reducing contact with them or not involving them in your life during this time as negative emotions can cause stress which is something you want to avoid. Al......

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Tips to help take your Career to The Next Level

No matter what stage you find yourself at in your career - there is usually a chance or opportunity for progression and stepping up to the next level. This may mean moving into leadership or moving into a different area within your sector or industry. It might mean going back into education and retraining for a whole new role. Whatever progression looks like and feels like to you and your career, just must know that if progress is important to you then you need to take action. The sooner that you start working and progressing your career, then the sooner you can reap the rewards. So, to make sure that this happens, what do you need to focus on? Invest in Yourself To achieve your career ambitions and goals, you need to invest in yourself. If you do not invest in your efforts, knowledge, and career, who is going to? Just remember it's never too late to invest in your talents, even if this means going back to college as a mature student. To successfully invest in yourself , you have t......

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My Motorpoint Experience - Test driving the perfect car

This is a paid collaboration with Motorpoint The first car I had when I moved to the UK was a 1975 Austin Mini, which I loved but it wasn't exactly in the best condition and while it was great fun to drive when I was a carefree twenty-something it quickly became apparent it wouldn't cut the mustard as a family car, in fact, I couldn't even find a car seat that would safely fit in it. Finding the right car to fit your needs can be quite tricky, but with Motorpoint's motto "car buying made easy" they take a lot of the stress and pressure out of finding the right car for you. I got to experience this first-hand recently as I was invited to come along to Motorpoint's Newport branch to test drive one of their vehicles. Taking a test drive is a must when you're looking to purchase a car & while we can look at different models and makes online you really cannot make a decision without trying it out first-hand to see if it really suits your needs. For tho......

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Cote Brasserie - the best french breakfast in Cardiff?

*Written in collaboration with OpenTable - words & opinions 100% my own Hands down my favourite meal of the day is a breakfast brunch and having spent time living in France before having kids, one of my favourite things to do is treat myself to a late morning french inspired breakfast and over the years I've tried a few around Cardiff but I had never visited Cote Brasserie until recently and I am so glad I did.  Firstly I made my booking through OpenTable which is really easy to do and shows you all your local restaurants and cafes available at the day and time of your choosing. It doesn't cost anything to use and means that you can guarantee your table at your chosen venue.  While I love breakfast I am not always the earliest of risers so I booked for 11am as Cote Brasserie serves breakfast until 12:30 on weekends and it made for the perfect start to a slow Sunday and even better my Mother and my Brother joined me as we hadn't gone for a meal together since the star......

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5 budget friendly glamping spots in Southern Wales

While camping may not be for everyone, Glamping does have a big appeal as while it still offers a back to basics feel it's more comfortable and suitable for all ages. Some glamping options can cost in the hundreds and for good reason when it's an exceptional  location or unique experience such as a treehouse or converted double decker bus but there are a lot of fun budget friendly options, even during the summer months, which can make for a perfect weekend getaway.  My boys and I have tried an array of glamping options over the years and it's something we really enjoy as each place is different, some have more facilities and amenities than others, ranging from high end to basic but that is all part of the adventure. So I thought I would share 5 of our favourite budget friendly options in South and West Wales which are perfect for families and 4 our of 5 of the sites are dog friendly as well.   1. Cwmcarn Forest Pods Cwmcarn Forest is a great location for family adven......

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