Category Archives: Finances

Mar 13 2019

Reducing your carbon footprint at home #HowMuchCO2

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Having recently had a smart meter fitted, Craig and I are totally obsessed with monitoring our gas and electric use. And trust me, t’s not lost on us that watching the pennies is also doing our bit to lower our carbon footprint.

In fact, the subject of global warming has been racking up column inches recently with a stark warning from a UN panel that we have just 12 years to make massive changes to our global energy infrastructure or face irreversible and devastating consequences. On a macro-level, the responsibility for tackling global warming falls upon each of us, and if we all make these small but necessary changes around the home, we can make a difference - and save a few quid on our energy bills to boot.

Source your dinner locally, or grow it yourself!

We’re all guilty of rushing the supermarket shop and tossing things in the trolley without too much thought. Yet, if you want to keep your carbon footprint down, it’s worth considering how many miles the food we purchase has travelled before it makes it to your table. If you grow your own vegetables, however modest your plot, you can eliminate the mileage your greens have travelled and simply stroll a few feet from your back door instead. Furthermore, growing your own will also mean you avoid chemicals and the food-borne illnesses that are regularly in the news - keeping you fighting fit.

If this is not possible, or your green fingers are eluding you, try and source your food as locally as possible. Farm shops have a vast array of seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables, and you’ll be helping out your local community too.

Photo by Agence Producteurs Locaux Damien Kühn on Unsplash

Buy energy efficient appliances

Old gas and oil boilers can be hugely wasteful. Even if your current boiler is still doing its thing, it’s worth considering a replacement if it is more than 15 years old. Your fuel use may fall by a third or more, resulting in lower monthly bills. Furthermore, syncing up your new boiler to a smart app, could even reduce them further. Check out viessmann.co.uk to see how their smart solutions, including their ViCare App could work for you.

Yet it’s not all about boilers. When washing machines and dishwashers give up the ghost, selecting energy efficient replacements can make a huge difference. Although you may end paying a premium for the most efficient models they will pay you back in the long term.

Finally, ditch the tumble dryer in favour of a washing line to really save pennies, and the environment. Anyone with a smart meter installed can attest to just how much that machine is costing you, and your clothes will thank you for it too.

Reuse and recycle

It sounds too obvious, but I’m often shocked when I see other people’s recycling bins on the school run. Although we have fortnightly recycling collections, some people have such a scant quantity of cardboard, tin and glass awaiting collection. They’re either super efficient and environmentally conscious, or some of their waste is making it into their black bin, and subsequently landfill. Bone up on what can be recycled, and get your children involved so they know what not to put in your bin.

Of course, the best way to reduce your carbon footprint is simply to consume less. Simply buying less stuff means lower emissions. I’m not suggesting you shouldn’t replace your child’s school trousers when he’s worn the knees out, but buying secondhand from a local clothing charity might be an option, as is jumping on eBay. A single T-shirt may have caused emissions equal to two or three days’ typical power consumption, so buying fewer and better things has an important role to play.

Replace your lightbulbs

You must have been sleeping under a rock to have not picked up on the trend for LEDs. Now, more than ever, these cheap and cost effective alternatives to energy-guzzling halogen bulbs, are a way of life for most. Buying from reputable suppliers also means your new LEDs could last some ten years, saving you from the hassle of buying new halogen bulbs every few months. According a recent report by the Guardian, not only will your carbon footprint fall, you will also help reduce the need for national grids to turn on the most expensive and polluting power stations at peak demand times on winter evenings.

Invest in renewable energy

Although many countries have ceased in providing subsidies for the installation of solar panels, if you can afford it, it’s still surely a worthwhile investment. Generating your own power will not only save you from the burden of large bills, from a carbon footprint perspective, there is nothing better. Sadly, with the feed-in tariff set to be axed later this month, new installations will no longer qualify for bonus payments for selling your unused energy back to the grid, however as a long term proposition, your panels will eventually pay you back on the initial investment if you consider year on year savings on energy bills.

If the slashing of government incentives has put you off solar panels, you could also buy shares in new cooperatively owned wind, solar or hydroelectric plants. The financial returns won’t be huge (around 5-8% a year here in the UK), but you will be doing your bit to lower emissions, and it’s arguably a better investment than simply leaving your money in your bank.

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There you have it. If you want to join in the debate, or have any other ideas for lowering your carbon footprint, check out the hashtag #HowMuchCO2 across social media. Even if we all make just one small change to the way we run our homes, we can achieve great things. Let’s face it, Theresa May seems to have slightly bigger priorities at the moment.

 

 

 

Jan 17 2019

Five ways you can work from home as an expectant or new mother

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Having a baby is said to be the most exciting time of your life. It’s a dream scenario for many women – have a baby so that your family is complete. However, how does it affect your working life? Regulations including the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulation of 1999 are in place to protect a person who requires a career break to look after a new born. In some unfortunate circumstances, people may find that they are discriminated in their workplace and any career progression is also affected. Elsewhere, some discover that their priorities change, and they want to take a different career path. Then, there are those who simply require more money during their leave.

In this article alongside Babythingz, who stocks the double buggy, we take a look at what options expectant and new mothers have to work at home.

Photo by Alejandro Escamilla on Unsplash

Why work from home?

The idea of working from home appeals to many in Britain. In fact, flexible and remote working are two of the most sought-after benefits for people looking for a new full-time role. Surveys have found that the nine-to-five regime is disliked by nine out of 10 workers in the UK. The concept of remote working can give you control over your schedule and allow you to avoid the long commutes, both of which can improve your work/life balance.

So, other than requesting remote working to their current employers, what ways are available to parents who want to work from home?

Freelance writing

The writing industry offers a great opportunity for a wordsmith to work from home. Those who are journalists or PR experts can continue to work in a freelance environment thanks to technological advancements and the internet.

Journalist and blogger, Davina Gordon, said: “Freelancing while on maternity leave enables me to express myself as a creative individual while also boosting my income. I plan to be a working mum and I believe it’s possible to be both a great mother and have a great career. The happier and more fulfilled I feel, the better mum I’ll be, and my son deserves the best version of me.”

Social media is rife with specially created freelance groups to help editors reach out to freelance writers. Sites like Fiverr can also provide great opportunities with subscribers able to bid on work projects.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Graphic design

In a similar fashion to freelance writing, graphic designers can continue to pick up freelance work during their maternity leave. Many small businesses can’t afford to hire a full-time employee for this role so continuously look to outsource any work they need completing. Once again, sites like Fiverr can be a great place to pick up projects.

Buying a franchise

This may sound like hard work, but it doesn’t have to be. Many parents hate the idea of being away from their new addition. While franchises, such as McDonald’s, Subway and other huge brands may be out of the question, why not look a little closer to home? You may find that you have attended, or will be attending, baby classes with your child. Did you know that the majority of these ideas are actually small franchises, meaning you may be able to run your favourite class?

This means that you’ll be able to run as many classes in your selected area and also be available for party hire, meaning you can earn while also taking your little one along with you!

Set up your own business

It may be seen as the riskiest of options. Setting up a business can financially be tough at the start. In fact, eight out of 10 new companies cease to exist within 18 months. However, with the correct idea it can be a great option to staying at home for work.

Kate Greenhalgh, founder of date-night suggestion company A Year of Dates, set up her own business when her daughter was nine months old following a Christmas gift her husband had made her. Originally, the work was completed during nap times and in the evenings. However, she had decided she didn’t want to go back to making the hour-long commute to her account manager job, or be required for last minute late-night work, so had a lightbulb moment to set up the company.

While she admits that her day is still jam-packed, she realises that the benefits outweigh the negatives. “My time is my own,” she says. “I can go to meetings and networking events which has been great for opening important doors. I can also pick my daughter up from nursery, take her to gymnastics and spend quality time with her.”

Online customer support

Many start-ups and established companies look out for someone to be able to connect with their customers. You can work at home to respond to incoming emails through online systems, and reply to support requests, especially on social media.

Of course, there are more options available, but the above are a few great examples of how to achieve that all-important work/life balance following your new arrival. While money is an extremely important factor when you have a child, it’s important to remember to cherish the memories while you can and working at home can go a long way to achieving this.

 

Nov 9 2018

The real reason I don’t want to move home ever again

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So we did it.

In March this year we moved into our first ever family home. We own it. The mortgage is like one of those gladiator-type iron bracelets around our necks, but it’s ours. We’re insured up to the hilt, so unless something especially disastrous happens, it’s ours for as long as we like.

The novelty still hasn’t worn off. There’s something very special about the first home you ever own. The stress, far from worsening, is so much less. It cannot be sold out from under us by a landlord, we are no longer subjected to six monthly “inspections”, and we can paint whichever wall we please without permission. My one wish in life is to never have to rent another property ever again.

HeidiMat

Having recently undergone the house-buying journey, it’s given me a unique perspective on why people are so reluctant to move house. As renters we moved regularly; to get into a specific catchment area, for extra space, or simply because we fancied a change. It was easy; you handed in your notice, packed up your things, and off you went. You didn’t allow yourself to get sentimentally attached to anywhere as it wasn’t yours and never would be. Yet, as a homeowner, things are very very different.

Here are my top reasons why I can’t ever see us moving again:

It’s hard to find somewhere better than what you have

Firstly there’s the pressure of finding that perfect property. More often than not, they don’t exist, or if they do - they are quite some way beyond your grasp. There are nicer houses in your price bracket, sure - but there’s a constant trade-off - it’s in a not-so-pretty street, or the garden is a bit too small, or it needs a new bathroom.

dining

The truth is, when you’ve settled somewhere, it can be very hard to imagine life anywhere else. We’ve taken the approach to decorate one room at a time here in our new home, and the sheer hassle it is to paint an entire room to your liking is enough to put me off moving somewhere that needs “work”.

The sheer stress of solicitors

We’ve were shocked beyond belief at how confusing, heartbreaking and soul-destroying the conveyancing process was. When agents called me to discuss how far we’d got with the legalities of our purchase, I remember shaking with fear and ignorance. So stressed was I about everything.

So much was out of our hands and the vendors of our new home were getting frustrated. We nearly lost this property too many times to count, and had to call in favours from family members to pick up costly bills that weren’t anticipated. I don’t think, right now especially, my heart could cope with that much stress ever again.

Agency fees and stamp duty

I seriously hope the government ends up getting Kirstie Allsopp in as an adviser when it comes to housing. She advocated that stamp duty be scrapped for first-time buyers back in 2008, and although we’ve come some way, the fight isn’t over.

The truth is, that buying and selling is expensive. So expensive it’s off-putting. This often leads to older people clinging onto homes that just don’t work for them anymore, as the cost of upheaval is just too much to comprehend, let alone contemplate. I’m happy to pay for the expertise of an agency to secure and guide me through a sale, but not so happy to pay the government when I need to purchase something I’ve worked hard for.

DexH

The memories

I expect to make lots of memories in this home. We’re yet to have our first Christmas here, but this year everyone is coming to us for once. It’s going to be totally Instagram-worthy and something we’ll all appreciate for a long time. Then there are birthdays, and sadly, the passing of my mum (she lives with us, and is terminal). These are things, both happy and sad, that are going to take place within these walls.

Then there are the personal touches; the notches up my children’s bedroom door frames, as they grow to the height they’ll be as young adults. There’s the first room you’ve ever decorated as a family, regardless of the imperfections. There’s the potential for more children to be born here too - you never know…

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Yep, unless we win the lottery and can emigrate to Australia, we’re staying put. That’s the beauty of buying a large home with the flexibility to move family in and out as the occasion arises. We were very savvy to buy outside our comfort-zone and get bigger and better than our last locale afforded us, and now I just can’t see us living anywhere else but here.

 

 

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