Classy and Pink

12:18:00

Is It Time To Get A Hobby?

When you’re younger, it’s highly likely that you’re going to have a hobby. We all do. It’s fun to be able to
enjoy yourself, pursue an interest, and actually enjoy doing something fun. Whether you liked to play
sports, sing, be active, or do a solitary exercise, you’re going to find that you have a lot of fulfilment and
satisfaction from doing so. However, as you get older, you may find that this stops. That you ‘grow out’
of your hobby. You’d rather spend time with friends or pursuing romantic activities – or even your career,
and you forget all about what it’s like to have a hobby. Yet, there’s no real need for you to forget all about
hobbies and kick them to the kerb!

In adulthood, hobbies can be a lovely source of respite. However, you won’t always know where to start,
or you may find that you’re self-conscious about starting them! Let’s take a look at some ideas that can
help you to find a new hobby.

Indulging In A Passion

First of all, if you know that you have a passion for something, then this needs to be something that you
actively look to do to pursue. Maybe it’s writing or reading or sports? Indulging in that hobby is always
going to add merriment to your life.

Joining A Group Activity

The second way to look at this, is in terms of a group activity. Because you may find that you’re able to
join a group activity, sport, or team to have fun and get social stimulation too. You could also take this to
the next level by organizing events, creating uniforms such as custom design cheerleading uniforms, or
even raising money. Sometimes, this is exactly what your free time needs.

https://unsplash.com/photos/VDwINWBdX0Y

Following A Niche Interest

If you have a niche interest, then why not pursue that too? Sometimes, you don’t always know that this
is something that you’re passionate about. But maybe you’re interested in history or cinema or travel?
Then why not pursue that? It doesn’t have to be an activity, per se. You can also pursue a field of interest
and find a lot of enjoyment through that.

Starting A Club

Or maybe there’s nothing out there for you right now? When this is the case, you may find that actually
starting your own club or group within your set interest is what you want to do. Like a book club or
volunteering group.

Creating A Side Hustle

Finally, you may also find that you could start a side hustle too. This could be considered somewhere
between a hobby and a new career move – particularly if you’re looking to make money from this. If
you’ve always wanted to be a writer, then why not writer on the side? Maybe you’ve always wanted to
bake or design? You could absolutely start this as a hobby for fun, but then look to monetize it in the
future or make a little money off of it.

09:56:00

Saving more money can be as simple as these 8 easy steps

by Classy and Pink, in spending

There are many excellent reasons to start saving more money, such as buying something special like
a one-time vacation, updating your home’s exterior, or sending a larger amount of money to family
members. To save money is sometimes a difficult task to accomplish because you might have to give
up certain things that you are currently attached to very much. But that doesn’t mean it's not a good
step to make.

You can be happy without spending a ton of money. There are people who buy things, believing that
they will bring happiness, so they’re always looking for the latest gadgets, the shiniest cars or new
pairs of shoes of a famous designer. And yet, after they give a lot of money for these things, they are
happy for a day or two, after which this feeling disappears and they have to look at another thing they
can buy. It's better instead to learn to love life, to enjoy everything, however insignificant it may seem.
Enjoy nature, meditate, walk and have fun with your loved ones. There are so many things that can
make us happy that we really do not need to think about spending when we want to enjoy life.

One of the most important things is setting a clear objective. Seeing your savings as you approach the
goal is a strong motivation. It's actually easy enough to save - start by making small changes every
day and see how money is gathering.

1. Monitor your expenses.

The first step is to start keeping a daily record of each purchase you make. Make sure you record
each purchase, however small. There are many excellent free apps on the market that allow you to
register your purchases and report back to you. After about two weeks, it's easy to see ways to cut
spending. Here is a list of great budgeting apps that can help you with this.

2. Set a budget.

Drafting a budget is mandatory for saving. A budget must not be complex, but discipline is also required.
Just make a list of all your fixed expenses and other needs. Include the amount you'd like to save and
optional spendings like clothes and entertainment, and then respect your budget carefully.

3. Pay only in cash if possible.

When using a credit or debit card, it's easy to lose track of the amount of money spent in a short period.
In addition, paying interest on credit card purchases can greatly increase annual spending. With cash
you can see how much money you spend and have a fixed budget - you only spend what you have in
your wallet without withdrawing any more money from the ATM. It is also a mental matter: when you
have to actually get the money out of your wallet, you'll get it harder, thinking twice about the purchase
you want to make. When you pay with the card, you just pass the card through the device and get it
done. You cannot sensually perceive the amount spent. This makes it easier for you to quit the
respective amounts of money. So stick to cash.

4. Reduce utility bills.

Lowering the temperature of the thermostat by only one degree or two will reduce energy costs, just like
other simple measures, such as turning off the light when leaving a room or switching off devices that
you do not use. Here are some great examples of how to save money on household bills

5. Cook at home.

A very simple way to save money is to start cooking more at home. Instead of having dinner at the
restaurant, ordering pizza or having a meal at the fast food before you go home, buy fresh ingredients
and go for recipe testing. Also, when you travel by plane or on holiday, bring from home the food and
drinks you eat at the airport or at the hotel, that way you can avoid to buy them at much higher prices at
the airport.

6. Avoid impulsive shopping.

As today everything we want is just a click away, it's easy to let impulsive shopping spoil our budgets.
Make sure you've reflected if you "need" an article and not just "want" it. Set a threshold for shopping.
Wait 48 hours for any article that goes beyond the threshold before buying it with a click. If you want to
buy something to dress and is not a real urgency, wait for the after seasonal promotions. For example,
buy winter clothes immediately after Christmas.

Sometimes you can find some promotions on things you really need, so it's time to act. If you don’t
have the necessary amount at the moment, you can ask someone close to you to make you a small
loan in order to qualify for the discount. You can also use brands such as Cash Lady to help you with a
loan in case you find a good promotion for an item you really need. If the commission on the loan is
lower than the discount, then it is definitely worth it.

7. Be wise with children purchases

By the age of 12, buy baby clothes at discounts or second-hand, because you throw them anyway the
next year. This also applies to toys. In addition, the money you put aside through this method can be
used for your child in different better ways, when they will need other things that are much important in
the future.

8. Sell from things you do not use anymore.

The fastest way to gather and save money is to sell from objects you have not touched for a long time
and that you no longer use. We all have them - things we have some emotional attachment but we
have not been able to use for a long time. Whether they are gifts (often not just to your liking) or items
bought with the idea that you will use them sometime, and it becomes more and more obvious that this
will not happen too soon. Surely you have gathered things you could easily separate from. Do not wait
for the moment when maybe you will still need them, but turn them now into money and sell them on
the internet.

22:20:00

Just Moved Home? The Things To Get Sorted

by Classy and Pink, in moving

When it comes to moving house, there is no denying that it is stressful. Initially you have the whole
buying and selling process to navigate. Organising mortgages and deposits, making sure they are
sorted and things get paid on time. Then you have the actual move to contend with. Boxes everywhere,
a big removal van to loaned and the unload again, and then getting settled in to your new home but
with it comes a sense of unknown as you get yourself acquainted. There is a lot to think about, but
once you are in you might think that things can calm down a little. But you are wrong. There are still
things that you will need to organise, think about and get sorted, so here are some of them to help you
get started.

Image source

Finding out what is local to you

When you move home, the chances are you are moving to a new location and area. It may be a new
village or town perhaps, which means that you might not be familiar with what is local to you. It could
be a good idea to start thinking about exploring the locality. Maybe finding out the local supermarket or
the shops, the restaurants or decent take out options. Generally getting out and looking around can be
the best way to do this.

Switching the bills over to the new address

Admin never stops when you move house and while you think you have finished thanks to the
mortgage being sorted etc, you will still need to think about the ongoing bills. Getting these changed
over from your previous address is a task that sounds moe daunting than it actually is. In some cases,
the providers can take over accounts at your new place, and all you need to do is provide the new
address and let it happen. It might be easier to do this.

Organising the rooms and their uses

A new house means new possibilities, and that can often be associated with the way you design the
living space. Where do you want to sit in a morning? Does your kitchen have a dining area? Can you
create a playroom for your children? Who will have what bedroom? The options are endless and while
it may have been set up in a particular way when you first bought the house, it doesn’t mean that you
have to use it this way in the future.

Getting those home improvements organised and prioritised

One of the biggest things when it comes to moving house is the overwhelming feeling of wanting to
change things. It might be the wall colours, it could be a new kitchen or bathroom. It might be time to
start making a note of all the home improvements you want to make and then prioritise them by budget,
timescale and when you are likely to be able to complete them. Some tasks will cost more than others,
so this is when you may need to look at something like Evolution Money's homeowner loans to help
take on the bigger tasks. Prioritising the jobs will help you stay accountable and also motivated to make
the savings and changes needed.

Image source

Postal redirection

You may have thought about switching over your bills, but have you considered a postal redirection?
We all get post in the mail that isn't necessarily directed to a bill. It could be a birthday card, it might be
a letter from someone who lives abroad, it could just be a flyer offering up a new deal, but you won’t
want to miss out on it. So make sure you organise a postal redirection. Even if you only do it for a few
months it wil help to prompt you to make the changes to your address with companies you may not
have called yet.

Getting family members settled in

Part of moving home means that you will need to get your family members settled in. This could be a
new school or nursery for children, or generally getting older kids settled into high school or clubs they
want to join. It can be a big transition at first, so make sure you spend time getting this sorted.

Working out a commute to work

A new home means that you live in anew area, with new traffic and routes to work. So it will be a good
idea for you to sort out your commute to work. Take time before needing to do it to ensure that you have
a route mapped out. It is always going to be a good idea to talk to people about where you need to
travel to as they may be able to help you with backstreet shortcuts or inform you about traffic or road
works to avoid. The last thing you want is to arrive to work stressed out before your day has even
begun.

Researching local events

It will always be a good idea to research local events and see what is going on close to home. Being
part of the community will help you and the family to make acquaintances and even friends. Talk to
your neighbours, speak to people while out and about and even check local Facebook pages and
groups to see what is going on. It can also be a great way to help you when it comes to socialising and
getting children settled into new environments and school.

Joining a gym or attending a class locally

Finally, you also need to think about yourself while moving to a new place. You may have left a
friendship group behind, or your circumstances might have changed. Joining a gym or attending a local
class will give you the opportunity to socialise yourself and help you to make some friends in your new
area. Sometimes taking this step can feel like it is out of your comfort zone, but it could be hugely
beneficial for you.

Let’s hope that these tips help you when it comes to moving home and getting settled in.

19:02:00

Clever Ideas For Updating Your Home's Exterior

by Classy and Pink, in house

If you are wanting to make some changes to your home, then have you thought about updating the
outside of your home? Even on a low budget, revamping the exterior of the home can improve how the
home looks, but also the value and saleability of the home. There are a variety of different things that
you can do to change up the look of the outside of the home. It could be anything from basic cosmetic
changes like painting or adding some cladding. Of course, there are some drastic changes that you
can make, like changing the structure, the roof, or even replacing windows. Whatever budget you are
looking at, here are some of the things that you need to know so that you can improve the exterior of
your home.

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Exterior Finishes

If your home has some stone cladding or pebbledash from the 70s or 80s, you won’t be alone in
wanting to get rid of it. It can be removed quite easily, or covered with plaster or a different material to
give the outside a new look. If it is plastered, for example, then you can easily paint on the smooth new
exterior in a color of your choice. Other choices for exteriors could be stone, timber, composite
cladding, metal, or concrete.

Lighting

The lighting on the outside of your home can not only help it to look good at night, but it can also act as
a great security feature. So think about what lighting you have out there at the moment.
A lot of home security systems reviews will talk about the importance of motion sensor lights,
especially for by doors and driveaways, as they will switch on when someone walks up to them.
Framing a driveway or walkway with lights can be a good idea too, as it can look good as well as work
as a safety thing. Solar panel lighting is a great way to add new lights, as hooking up some electricity
can be difficult in an existing driveway.

Replacing a Roof

On some styles of house, particular something like a bungalow, then the roof can be a pretty dominant
feature and you may want to change the shape of it or improve the look of it. Doing so can really make
the appearance of the outside of the home really different. Replacing a roof is no mean feat, though,
and can be quite an undertaking. Plus, you might need to get planning permission for the change.
There will be things like roof insulation that will need to be installed at the same time, so it can all add
to the costs.

Changing Windows

Windows can change the whole look of the home, as they can add a lot of personality. You could
choose to fit replacement windows, change the shape or size of the windows that you have, and all
can be done without planning permission. You should choose styles that are in-keeping with the style
of the home, though, so that it doesn’t look too out of place or mismatched.

09:35:00

Superb Statement Pieces to Perk up any Neutral Room

by Classy and Pink, in room

When it comes to decor, neutrals are a good choice. Light shades like white, magnolia or even very
light grey look calming, reflect light around the room and are very inoffensive. They’re popular choices
for landlords and anyone looking to sell their home for this reason, however lots of people choose
them just because they look really nice. The only downside to the clean lines and calming feel that they
give is that neutrals can be a little plain and boring. If you don’t accessorise in the right way or add
pieces to liven it up, you can end up feeling like you’re living in a shell of a room. Here are a few ways
you can make your neutral room look more interesting, without picking up a paintbrush.

picture credit

Add a gallery wall

Lots of people paint or wallpaper one ‘accent wall’ in the home, as it brings in interest while keeping the
rest neutral. But there are lots of reasons you might not want to do that- it might not really be your style,
or perhaps you’re renting and aren’t allowed to make changes. If that’s the case, adding a gallery wall
as your feature can work really well instead. Purchase some frames from a site like best4frames, and
look online to work out how you’re going to position and hang them. Then you can have fun filling them
with prints, posters, postcards and photographs. Mismatched frames can look great if that’s the kind of
theme you’re going for in your room, otherwise something like plain black up against white walls will
look smart. If you use Command Hooks you won’t need to put any holes in the walls, and you can
always switch out the pictures inside whenever you get bored.

Add an accent colour

It’s easy to bring in a colour to a neutral room just by using accessories. Choose a shade that works
well with the neutral you have. For example, light grey walls will look nice with pastel pink accessories.
Magnolia looks nice with chocolate brown or duck egg blue. White can be paired with just about any
colour, don’t overlook plain black if you want a monochrome look. Look for things like curtains, rugs,
vases, lamp shades and cushions in your chosen hue. You could even go with a bold colour or
patterned armchair, pair it up with your neutral sofa and tie them together by putting similarly coloured
cushions on the sofa.

Choose statement lighting

In a room that’s pretty neutral, you’re able to go all out with a couple of details to make it interesting,
and the lighting is one way to go about it. How about a chandelier, or a large industrial looking piece
with exposed bulbs? It all depends on the style of the room that you’re aiming to achieve, but if it’s
looking plain and dull then fitting interesting lighting is a smart move. You could choose a couple of
co-ordinating lamps too, a floor lamp and one or two smaller table lamps depending on the size of the
room.

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Is It Time To Get A Hobby?

Saving more money can be as simple as these 8 easy steps

Just Moved Home? The Things To Get Sorted

Clever Ideas For Updating Your Home's Exterior

Superb Statement Pieces to Perk up any Neutral Room

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