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Top 5 Water Saving Devices

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It’s easy to forget that water is a precious commodity, but unfortunately not all of us have such free access to it. In fact it is estimated that two fifths of the world’s population do not have access to proper sanitation, while roughly one tenth of people living today cannot access safe, drinkable water. It is up to us who live better of parts of the the world to make sure the water we use is not squandered, and that we only use what we need.

There are a number of devices that have specifically manufactured to reduce a household’s level of water consumption without affecting the current pressure and strength. Implementing these devices into your home is beneficial to not only to environment, but also to you. Water saving devices greatly reduce water usage and this in turn helps to keep electricity and energy bills down.

Top 5 Water Saving Devices

Water saving devices range in price, but the majority of them are very inexpensive. The main benefit homeowners stand to gain from using a water saving device is the reduction in energy bills, which will save you a lot of money in the long run. Although the lower priced devices such as the shower timer and bucket can be bought at most DIY stores, it’s a good idea to shop for the more intricate devices on specialist sites such as Agua Flux. Doing so will guarantee the device’s efficiency and quality.

1 – Shower Timer

The average shower expels around nine litres of water per minute, and reducing your currently shower session by even one minute can save up to sixty three litres of water a week. That’s three thousand and seventy six litres of water over a year that do not need to be warmed by your tank or boiler. Shower timers are invaluable products, and will also help ensure that you’re never late for work again.

2 – Bucket

BucketBuy a small plastic bucket and keep it in the shower when you use it. The bucket will catch excess water and this can be used to water flowers and plants around the garden.

3 – Low Flow Shower Heads

Low flow shower heads work by adding air bubbles to the water as it passes out through the head. This reduces the amount of water used, while still maintaining strength and cleaning power. Low flow shower heads are available in a variety of designs, offering buyers different spray patterns.

4 – Flow Restrictors and Aerators

Flow restrictors are connected to the shower or kitchen faucet and help stop excess water from dripping. The aerators work in a similar way to the low flow shower heads and can reduce water usage by up to 60%. If looking for restrictors or aerators then make sure to purchase those that have been manufactured from brass and are coated in chrome. This will guarantee corrosion resistance.

5 – Dual Flush

Buying a dual flush toilet is an expensive option, but it is possible to purchase the components that create the alternating flushes and have them installed by a plumber. A dual flush toilet offers the user two settings to choose from; the standard strong 6 litre flush and a softer 4 litre flush.

Attached Images:
  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/images/MB900385508.jpg

Terance Nichols is home improvement specialist with a keen eye for energy saving opportunities. When not busy consulting homeowners and businesses how they can save on energy bills, Terance enjoys long walks with his dog.






Hate Queues? Then Online Shopping Is The Way Forward For You!

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It’s a common misconception that all women love shopping – but this is just wrong! Sure, some do, but for others the idea of heading into town, paying for parking, standing in queues and getting stressed out trying to find the needle in the haystack is enough to send them to the nearest pub instead! If you are the kind of women who would really rather not bother, then you need to do your shopping online. Here are just some of the things that are MUCH easier to buy online:

Presents for People

We’ve all trawled shops aimlessly looking for a gift for a loved one haven’t we? It seems the more you look, the fewer ideas you have. This is a really frustrating thing to do – and you’ll probably get nowhere. It’s time to look online. There are online sites dedicated to gifts and they’ll throw ideas at you that you never would have thought of otherwise. It’s all done in a fraction of the time too – flicking between web pages is much easier than dashing in and out of stores. Gift buying is far less stressful when you do it online, and you can get organised too – no more frantic last minute dashes into town for you. Just order the present plenty of time beforehand to take into account delivery time, and then you can wrap it at your leisure and present your present!

Clothes

Whether it’s glamorous party dresses you’re after or plain old t shirts, you’ll find it much easier to get what you’re after online. Many people are put off by the fact that they can’t try things on, but any online shop worth its salt has a flawless returns policy – so if you don’t like it, just send it back! Websites these days are great at telling you exactly what you’re getting – you can zoom in to see the material’s pattern and texture close up, and read the detailed description of what the item is made from. It takes all the stress out of clothes shopping as you can try things on in the comfort of your own home rather than a tiny dressing room with bad lighting!

Groceries

Online grocery shopping is one of modern life’s best bits! Shopping in the store is always a hassle – navigating trolleys around small aisles, avoiding screaming children, is something we could all do without. Simply put your order in online, pay a small delivery fee and you’ll save yourself loads of time and loads of stress. You will also save money as you are far less likely to make those impulse purchases that add a lot of money to the final bill.

Thanks to modern technology, shopping stress is a thing of the past. Why put yourself through all the hassle of shopping in town when you can sit down with a cup of tea at a time that suits you, and make your choices in peace? It’s a no-brainer – let those who love shopping wander around town and stand in queues, and take the easy route instead!

Attached Images:
  •  License: Royalty Free or iStock source: http://pixabay.com/en/business-card-credit-debit-female-15721/
  •  License: Creative Commons image source
  •  License: Creative Commons image source
  •  License: Creative Commons image source

Today’s feature writer, Jenny Wadlow, is a freelance blogger and a fashion enthusiast. She likes to follow the latest fashion and prefers buying her dresses online at Pilgrim Clothing. She is a fun loving person and likes to be a part of many social gatherings. You can follow her on Twitter @JennyWadlow.

Credit Crunch Shopping – Why Op Shops Are The Way Forward!

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In these times of austerity we could all do with finding ways to save money and tighten our purse strings. There is very little we can do about our utility bills, rent and mortgages. But what about everything else? We still need to buy things on a day to day basis and what we spend has a major effect on the bottom line of our bank balance every month. The future surely is in thrift shopping? Here are just a few of the many ways you can save money by spending a little more time in the charity shops:

Home Furnishings

You never know what you might stumble across in an op shop! That’s the beauty of it – you will come across many things that would look lovely in your home. Kitchen appliances, rugs, pictures, crockery, cutlery, lampshades…you name it, you’ll find it in the charity shops. Of course not everything will be to your style but that doesn’t matter – just keep looking. You’ll find one-off pieces that nobody else will have in their home, and you’ll find things so unique that you’d never have found in the high street shops. Op shops are the place to pick up quirky and original pieces that your friends will think you have paid a lot of money for!

Clothing

Cast off all of your preconceived ideas about buying clothes in charity shops. A lot of people wouldn’t even consider it, but they are missing out. You never know what you might find – from everyday basics to designer labels, it’s all there. You just have to rely a little on chance! The organised shops have their stock displayed in sizes so that it’s easy for you to flick through everything that might fit you. You’ll pay a fraction of the price you’d pay for new clothing, and you’ll more than likely find something that you’d never even find in the shops in the first place! If you think style and individuality is important then you’ll thrive in the thrift shops.

Children’s Toys

We all know how long the novelty factor of children’s toys lasts for – approximately three minutes! Where’s the sense in paying loads of money for brand new toys that will be cast aside in no time at all? Take your children to the local charity shop and get them to pick toys that they like. It’s a good lesson to them if you allow them each to pick one thing they really want. It’ll cost you next to nothing, they will be thrilled, and when they are done with them you can just take them back instead of them just causing more clutter around the house.

Charity shops are amazing places! Once you’re in the swing of thrift shopping you’ll love the suspense of walking into a shop not knowing what treasures you might find once you start digging in. Check out which charity shops are in your town and spend a day getting to know them all – you never know what you might come home with!

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Today’s guest author, Jenny Wadlow, is a freelance blogger. She is a humanitarian and a regular visitor and of various op shops in Melbourne to donate whatever she can.

Tired Of Your Living Room? Give The Walls A Makeover

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Does your living room seem bland or out of date? Changing the walls in your living room can make a huge difference. Best of all, there are so many options to choose from. Not only can you paint the room, but you can get creative with your own photography. So, what you are waiting for? Give your living room walls a much needed makeover.

Go Bold With New Paint Colors

Paint is something you can have fun with. Because paint is so affordable, you can take the risk to throw a bright pink or ocean blue color on the walls. If you don’t like it, you can always paint over it. Look for inspiration in magazines, fabrics, favorite accessories, etc. Also, check out the new paint lines at your favorite home improvement store.

Create an Accent Wall

If you’re afraid to make a bold change on all the walls, choose an accent wall to paint with a different color or some other type of design. The accent wall will also be the focal wall. For example, if you have a fireplace, this will be your accent wall. This can be a great way to make a big change without becoming overwhelmed. Creating just one accent wall will prevent the room from seeming too bland without making it chaotic.

Invest in High Quality Wallpaper

High quality wallpaper can be found in rich colors and unique designs with detailed textures. However, high quality wallpaper is expensive. This is why many people choose to only use it on an accent wall. When doing this, you want to match paint to a color in the wallpaper for the surrounding walls. This will give you a big wow for very little money.

Bring in a Mural Artist

If you want something truly unique, hire a mural artist. A mural can be anything that fits your personality. It might be a large oak tree and an open field or even a city graffiti scene. Always get samples of previous work before hiring someone. This will be expensive, but will give you a look that will be unique to your home. Make sure you double check with family members who are artists. You may have a family talent who can do the work for a little less than an unknown pro. You should also ask if they’ll give you a discount for allowing you to put their work into a portfolio.

Turn the Walls Into Scenery

Last, but not least, you can have photos transferred into wallpaper panels. If you have scenic photos from a favorite vacation, use them. This would be a great idea for a focus wall and would again be a very unique option. One tip though is to have the wallpaper professionally hung to get the panels even.

Your living room doesn’t have to be boring. There are so many great ways to add the wow factor and many will provide a unique look that no one else will have. Best of all, many of these options are affordable on any budget.

About the Author: Marianne Branch and her husband just remodeled their entire living room. The ordered sofas from HomeQ but they had a mural painted on the wall by a local artist. Now their living room is a relaxing beach oasis!

Get Great Style At A Great Price – Top Tips For Buying Clothes On EBay

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When you are looking for great fashion at bargain prices, online auction sites like eBay can be incredible places to find it. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you can get something really special at an unbelievable price, whether you’re looking for cool niche clothing, unique vintage pieces, or the latest fashions for less than you’ll pay in stores.

However, there are plenty of things that can go wrong, from finding that the item you want isn’t all it seems, to buying things that don’t fit. You can also, as the auction drives the price up, sometimes end up spending more than you originally planned to. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of shopping on eBay.

Remember That Only the Seller Can Cancel Your Bid

It can be tempting, if you see several items you might like that are similar, to bid on all of them, assuming that you won’t win them all and this way you should at least get something. However, remember that you can’t cancel your bid, so if it ends up that you are the highest bidder in each auction you are committed to buying all of the items. This may not be what you actually meant to do if the items are all basically the same.

Say you really want a pair of designer sunglasses, and there are five pairs currently on sale which would be suitable. You probably don’t want all five of them, so you should start with the one that ends first. If you win it, you have your sunglasses and can stop bidding. If you don’t, you can start bidding on the others, in order of finishing time, as your maximum bid gets beaten. This way you should win one of the five pairs and aren’t risking having to buy them all.

Really Check Out the Description

Good sellers give very accurate descriptions as they don’t want buyers complaining if things aren’t exactly what they were expecting. Many people who sell clothes do it as a business and rely on that good feedback. You should therefore be able to see things like what the item is made of, its care instructions, and its exact measurements on the item description. This is important, particularly if you are buying a brand you have never tried on or a vintage item – sizes can vary hugely but measurements in inches are absolute. If the measurements are equivalent to a dress, pair of trousers or shirt you already own that fits, then your new purchase will probably fit too.

Factor in Shipping Costs

If you are buying something really cheap, like a bargain dress you have won for $5, remember that shipping could cause it to cost more than double. People tend to be conservative in their shipping pricing, so it’ll often be more than the actual cost of shipping. Other sellers offer free shipping. There are all kinds of variations, so look at the shipping price as well as how much the item is going for before you bid and make sure it still represents good value.

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Today’s guest author, Jenny Wadlow, is a freelance blogger. She is a fashion enthusiast and often gives out fashion tips in her articles. She often advises her readers to try rockabilly clothing and experience the vintage look.

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