This two-minute read looks at ways to get through January without resorting to a tipple.   If you’re one of the millions of Brits who vowed to stay off the booze this month, hang in there – you’ve only 11 more days to go!   Congratulations on making it this far, and remember, if your resolve is starting to wobble, you’re not alone.   Many people find that as the dark nights of January roll on, it gets harder and harder to resist the temptation to have a cheeky snifter or two.   But don’t give in; follow these tips [...]

This three-minute read looks at the benefits of cultivating houseplants and how to get started.   Houseplants add colour and freshness to work and living spaces – and deliver a host of health benefits.   As this week is Houseplant Week UK, let’s look at the do’s and don’ts of cultivating indoor plants.   Reasons to green your scene If you take good care of your houseplants, they’ll look great all year round. Even in the depths of winter – when the trees are depressingly bare outside – you’ll be surrounded by greenery indoors. Houseplants improve air quality because they [...]

This two-minute read looks at how to trim down your energy bills.   Householders were hit with budget-busting energy price hikes in 2021 – a trend that looks set to continue well into the new year.   Here are some ways to claw back some cash on your heating bills and help the environment at the same time.   Small steps Individually these measures offer modest gains but put them together, and you’ll notice the benefits.   Use energy-efficient light bulbs. Switch off appliances at the socket when you’re not using them. Turn your boiler down by a few degrees. [...]

In this two-minute read, we explore issues in your home that could be making you feel unwell and how to cure them.   For most of us, our home is a haven. But what if it is making you ill?   Mould and damp Mould and damp are caused by excess moisture in the home – perhaps due to leaking pipes, roof damage, or condensation build-up. They can cause respiratory issues, nausea and vomiting, and general illness, so it’s important to stay ahead of any fungal growths or damp patches.   Quick tips to prevent mould are: Air your bathroom [...]

In this two-minute read, we look at three remote communities that have long embraced sustainable living.   With the interest raised by the COP26 summit highlighting the desperate need to cut carbon emissions, housing sustainability has become a hot topic.   In the UK, there’s been lots of talk about using new technology to help reduce our carbon footprint.   Given the average UK household emits 2.7 tonnes of CO2 a year from heating their home*, it certainly makes sense to utilise tech, where we can, to save the planet.   But sustainable housing isn’t a new concept; some communities [...]

No Halloween weekend would be complete without some scary stories, right? And in this three-minute read, we share three terrifying tales of home moving horrors.   The good news is we’ll also let you know how to avoid them.   When all is not what it seems Horror movie fans will remember that scene in the Bruce Willis classic The Sixth Sense when it becomes clear that all is not what it seems.   Home buyers need to exercise a little caution when taking a property seller’s word for granted – as highlighted in the following story of woe.   [...]

In this two-minute read, we look at how to ward off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).   Are you struggling with the dark days and long nights that kick in at this time of year? Don’t worry – you’re not alone.   Millions of Brits experience a dip in mood during the colder, greyer months, often referred to as the ‘Winter Blues’.   Some go on to develop Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – a type of winter depression that seriously impacts everyday life.   Symptoms include lethargy, mood swings, oversleeping, and appetite changes (especially a craving for carbs).   Here are [...]

Swapping the Manchester Rain for a Villa in Spain☀️ – Read This First   This three-minute read looks at a few of the (many) things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of moving to Spain. The lure of a place in the sun has long appealed to people from the UK. After the Covid-19 lockdowns, many people have brought forward plans of a new life soaking up the sun and culture of a place abroad. And Spain is always at the top of people’s holiday home away from home – even post Brexit. But as with any move, [...]

 This two-minute read explains why we should all get behind Hospice Care Week (4 – 8 October).   The nation’s 200 hospices care each year for 225,000 children and adults with terminal or life-limiting illnesses.   And, after an incredibly tough 18 months, they need our support now more than ever.   Where it all started Dame Cicely Saunders – a nurse, social worker, and doctor – founded the modern hospice movement in 1967, when she opened St Christopher’s Hospice in South London.   Dame Cicely believed that “you matter because you are you, you matter to the last moment [...]

In this three-minute read, we look at the growing popularity of garden rooms as places to work and play.   Garden room. Man cave. Home studio. Shoffice (shed/office). Call it what you will but having a standalone space in the garden where you can work, unwind, or pursue a favourite hobby is one of the fastest-growing property trends in recent years.   Now, garden sheds are nothing new; Britain’s first shed was built in 1481. But a ‘garden room’ is far more than the old-fashioned lean-to your granddad used to store the lawnmower.   Garden rooms are high-spec spaces with [...]

In this three-minute read, we look at ways to avoid last-minute tantrums by starting your back-to-school prep now.   It might seem premature to be talking about the schools going back, but let’s face it, September will be here before you know it.   And when it arrives, you’ll be punching the air at the prospect of your little darlings returning to the classroom after a seven-week break.   The last thing you (or they) will feel like doing is embarking on a mad dash for kit and caboodle the day before they go back.   So, here’s a helpful [...]

A three-minute read sharing top tips for your staycation. This summer, the question mark over foreign holidays is as agonising as Ross and Rachel’s will-they-or-wont-they story. Some have taken the stress out of the decision and opted to book holidays in and around the UK. But for many, rising prices and limited availability has resulted in staycations at home being the preferred choice. Here’s a roundup of our favourite tips to make the most of your staycation. Turn the tech off Remember the good old days when a break was actually a break? For some, working from home has [...]

In this three-minute read, we look at the role parks play in keeping communities healthy and happy. Over the past year, parks have been a source of joy and solace for people across the UK, providing a welcome antidote to the pressures of pandemic life. Locally, parks such as Heaton park in the North and Longford park in the South have been popular and helped keep us on an even keel during uncertain times. Later this month, we’ll all have the chance to celebrate and support our favourite green spaces during Love Parks Week (23 July to 1 August). The Keep [...]

A three-minute read looking at why some workers are opting for the office. Once upon a time, in a land before Covid-19, working from home was considered the holy grail for many. Who knew that the vision of an idyllic flexible work-life balance where you could manage the school run, a lunchtime dog walk, and avoid the lost time of a commute, would become reality. For some, this was one of the very few positives to have emerged from the pandemic. Now, it appears that the novelty of this unexpected ‘work from home – if you can’ order has [...]