At the end of 2013 many of the UK’s leading energy providers hiked their energy prices by up to 10%. This was an extremely unwelcome move for many households, leading to spiralling costs just as winter arrived. With prices at an all-time high, the New Year is a great time to look at your electricity prices and consumption and make changes which will help reduce those bills. This article describes ten ways that could help you make energy savings and get 2014 off to a great start.

1. Check your tariff
Despite a wide range of information on consumer websites, many people are confused by energy tariffs and may even be on a different contract to the one they imagine. Make sure you know exactly what tariff your supplier is providing you and check to see if it’s the cheapest they offer. If not, it may be time to change it.

2. Shop around
The energy market remains competitive, with some providers introducing new tariffs and long term fixes to tempt consumers. There is a wealth of information available online or over the phone to help you see what deals are out there. Be careful of any exit penalties on your existing tariffs though, as you don’t want to make a cost saving by switching supplier only to face a penalty from your current provider.

3. Check your loft insulation
Poorly-insulated lofts positively leak heat. If your insulation is less than the recommended 270mm thickness, then top it up. This can be done either by purchasing rolls of insulation from a local garden centre or home improvement store, or by checking to see if your provider offers top-up insulation for free – many energy companies do offer free insulation checks, particularly for the elderly or those on low incomes, so don’t be caught short!

4. Remove unwanted draughts
Windows and doors can leak heat – if you can’t afford to update your windows to the latest energy-efficient models, and then take simple steps to avoid unnecessary heat loss by fitting draught excluders or even a thicker set of curtains. Your rooms will feel warmer immediately. Also check for any leaks around loft hatch openings or patio doors.

5. Turn down the thermostat
Many people would rather turn up the heating than dress warmly. This leads to huge rises in energy consumption and unnecessary wastage. By turning the thermostat down by just 1 degree throughout the house, you can save a lot of money on your bills – just throw on a jumper to compensate!

6. Don’t waste heat in unused rooms
If you have a spare bedroom or space that isn’t used very often, don’t waste energy heating it all the time – turn the room radiator down and save more money.

7. Energy saving lighting
Many houses have switched to much more efficient energy saving light bulbs, but if you haven’t, do so – you could save up to 95% on your lighting bill, and the bulbs last a lot longer than convention ones too (up to 25 times longer in some cases), a double saving.

8. Monitor your usage
Many energy companies offer a free energy monitor which tells you exactly where your energy consumption (and money) is going. You can also pick them up relatively cheaply from home improvement stores. By monitoring your use and identifying any possible wastage, you’ll save money immediately.

9. Government grants
Many grants are available for those looking to make longer term savings – for example there are new Green incentives for fitting solar panels or replacing your old boiler, with immediate improvements on your energy consumption. This is probably not advisable if you’re thinking of moving home, but can definitely lead to large savings over a number of years.

10. Cavity wall insulation
Like lofts, walls can leak heat – fitting cavity wall insulation can save hundreds of pounds per annum. Again, many companies offer free checks or installation, and there are grants available for those who don’t qualify for the free offers.

Disclosure: A fee was received for this post but in no way affects the honesty of my opinions and experiences told in my own words.

When you become a mom, it can be easy to feel as if your job comes secondary to your child, or that your experience as a mom is hindering your career. However, being a mom can help your work life and can give you the opportunities that you need to get the career of your dreams. Teaching is one of the best options for new moms, and here is why and how you should pursue it as a career.

 

 

What is the best route for moms to become teachers?

 

Many moms believe that they cannot become teachers due to the commitment that is needed to achieve the qualifications and experience that is necessary to get a career in education. However, there is an easy route into education for moms and that is taking an online degree. Becoming a mom can even be helpful in that respect as maternity leave can give you time to focus on rejuvenating and starting afresh with your career. Visit https://online.bankstreet.edu/ to find out more about the higher education programs that they offer to those seeking to become teachers or even leaders within the education field.

 

You might also consider getting into teaching as a mom by volunteering or working as a teaching assistant in your local, or your own child’s school. This will give you all the experience that you need, as well as insight into the way that schools are run without the stress and responsibility of becoming a fully-fledged teacher. This will allow you to build up your skills for the future and check that this is a career option that you are fully committed to.

Why is teaching the perfect career for moms?

 

Teaching is one of the best careers for moms as many of the skills that you develop as a parent are vital for educators to have. For instance, when you are a mom, you naturally learn compassion, empathy, and patience, which are all important for those who are interacting with children and students daily. You will also develop better communication and listening skills, as well as dedication, resilience and problem-solving. These are all skills that education employers often look for when they are recruiting.

 

Being a mom can also benefit your future career in teaching as there is no one better to teach children than someone who knows first-hand the mind of a child. As a mom, you will be able to witness the way that your child learns and how they perceive the world, as well as the best ways to teach and engage them when carrying out activities. This is all experience that you can then bring into the classroom.

 

As well as moms making the perfect teachers, teaching can also give moms the lifestyle that they want. For instance, your working hours are more likely to fit around childcare duties than an office job, and your workplace is likely to be more understanding of your parental commitments than other employers. Many of these institutions also have childcare facilities on-site.

 

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

Ok I’ll admit it, I’m feeling rather smug – apart from a handful of presents I’ve pretty much done all my Christmas shopping. Apart from the odd last minute stocking filler that’s caught my eye, Boo’s been done for over a month now. I’m really organized when it comes to birthdays and Christmas as past experience tells me it has a nasty habit of creeping up on you and before you know it you’re trolley dashing like a mad woman on Christmas eve.

I like to think I put a lot of thought into Boo’s presents (although those that know me will probably say it’s just another excuse for me to flex my list making skills!) I started buying way back in March and did a mix of online and high street shopping; whilst it’s lovely to pick out gifts in store for Boo, I like to plan ahead and browse online before I commit to something first to make sure I’m getting the right product at the best price. John Lewis have a brilliant online toy range with some beautiful gift ideas – I love their dress up section and will be sure to be adding to Boo’s dress up collection!

Now Boo is old enough to understand what Christmas means it makes it that bit more special knowing that she’s enjoying all the preparation for the big day itself. However Boo’s Christmas prep consists of advent calendars, letters to Father Christmas and Oooh Aaahing at Christmas lights whilst mine is detangling Christmas lights, stocking up on bubbly and working out where I’m going to hide the mounting Christmas present pile!

Whatever your Christmas preparations and traditions are a mix of online shopping and hitting the shops will guarantee you get the best deals and ensure the biggest smiles of Christmas morning.

Disclosure: A fee was received for this post but in no way affects the honesty of my opinions and experiences told in my own words.

As the holiday season approaches, it is a time to catch up with loved ones. During the year, so much is going on from work to family to travel to downtime that we sometimes forget to check in with the ones we love. Now that the holidays are approaching, we are going to be around everyone and be able to spend the time with each other we were hoping to spend during the year. 

 

Unfortunately, some of our elderly relatives cannot travel well, so we must go to them. The time spent with them is optimal for their health and well being, which is what makes visiting them so important. Here are the reasons why it is so important to make the time to visit with older relatives. 

It Improves Their Memory

The idle brain will start to deteriorate. When the brain is kept sharp through games, reading, or stimulating conversation, it will be healthier and stronger. One of the first things to go when a person gets older is their memory. When you visit with a loved one, you can talk to them about the past, their life, and relatives from long ago. 

 

The thinking keeps their memory strong and they can remember more not only from the past but from the present as well. The more they see you the more they will recognize you, and that means they will be more interactive with you and they will be more joyous and more willing to be communicative and interactive. 

 

You Can Check On Their Wellness

If you have an older relative that lives alone, visiting them allows you to check on their wellness. You can see if they are keeping their home as clean as it should be, if they are bathing themselves, and if they are eating properly. A lot of elderly people stop taking care of themselves. Visiting allows you to ensure they are doing okay.

 

If your loved one lives in a nursing home, this is also an opportunity to check to make sure they are being treated well and the staff is truly caring for them. If for any reason you suspect your elderly relative is not being treated fairly, contact a nursing home abuse attorney to get to the bottom of what could be a very difficult situation. 

 

You Can Learn About Your Family

We are so busy building our own families that sometimes we forget to take a moment and reflect on our own history. There is a long line of relatives from over the years that have played or continue to play a pivotal role in our lives. Whether it’s genetics that can explain certain issues, or just knowing why our hair color is the way it is, it all lies in our history.

 

When you visit with your elderly loved one, you have the opportunity to look at photos, hear stories, and learn interesting facts about our pasts. The best part about this is that what has happened in the past can have a direct influence on your own children, and it is good to know what could be affecting them as well. 

 

A Visit Will Lift Their Spirits

It can get lonely when you get older because your generation gets smaller, and your loved ones are no longer with you. The younger generations are just so busy living that older people feel like they are a burden if they ask for help or ask for a visit. Take this notion out of their mind by making the effort to see them without being prompted. 

 

When they see that loved ones are still interested in being with them, they will feel more wanted and needed. Having those feelings will bring them large amounts of joy as their loneliness will not feel so big. 

 

They Will Feel Included

As the holidays are approaching, a lot of elderly people do not have anywhere to go. A lot of them no longer have family, and your loved ones may be friends with them and see how unfortunate their situation is. Your loved one, however, has you, and when this time of year rolls around and the family is getting together, your elderly loved one will feel they always have a place to go. 

 

The feeling of inclusion is so important when you are older. A lot of older people feel forgotten, but when you remember them and include them, it really helps their mental and emotional health and their ability to function well. 

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.

Way back at the beginning of Autumn me and Boo went along to The Little White Company store on Marylebone High Street for an exclusive Blogger evening of shopping and biscuits for the little ones.

Boo loved playing with all the toys on offer and looking at all the ‘pretty, fluffy clothes’ – loving her passion for fashion!

I got chance to check out the new season clothing for little girls which Boo’s just able to fit into as it starts at 2. I found it really hard to pick out a few key pieces but in the end my overall favourite was this beautiful brown merino wool dress, it looks perfect on Boo – the perfect mix of classic and modern made with brilliant merino making it perfect for withstanding toddler wear. Boo even chose it for her latest nursery photos so watch this space for a snap of her in her new favourite dress!

The collection overall is just so girly without being sickly, yes Boo loves her skinnies and Converse but just like Mummy there’s times when only dresses and girly finishes will do: a bow is a dead cert for brightening up my day!

Boo also got the chance to decorate biscuits with the lovely ladies from Biscuiteers who came down to teach the children a thing or two about biscuits! I’m not going to lie I’m pretty jealous of their amazing talents and would give my bestest (yes I know it’s not a word!) jeans to be able to bake and decorate like they can! Boo had a great time and we can’t wait to check out the Biscuiteers Boutique for their amazing icing school.

While we were there I took the opportunity to stock up on their simple yet gorgeous vests with hearts and stripes, so delicately cut yet pure cotton to keep Boo lovely and snug.

The Little White Company never fail to deliver with their simple designs that are perfect for your little ones, and that little touch of Luxe that every little girl deserves.