Green is the New Tax Break

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Lizzie Lucas

Being green isn’t just a good idea because it’s good for the environment. While protecting ecosystems is lovely, a more immediate concern is your pocket-book. The following are a few reasons why being green is money-friendly now.

Valuable Tax Deductions

Avail Valuable Tax Deductions For Going Green

Image via Flickr by KOMUnews

There are several tax deductions that still apply in the realms of electric cars and using more energy-efficient household items. While the deductions aren’t quite as generous today as they were in 2007, there is still a lot of money to be saved if you go aggressively into making your home work better and use less energy. In some cases, you can save up to 30 percent of the cost of installing items like solar panels and wind turbines. While these deductions may not last, they can help to take the sting out of the initial installation costs of some green items.

Lower Energy Bills

It goes without saying that if you make your home work more efficiently, you won’t use as much electricity. It also makes sense that you won’t use as much natural gas if that gets involved in your heating process. As you may have already guessed, this can mean saving a lot of money in heating and cooling your home. In cases where you use well insulated windows to add light, it can even lower your light bill. Alternative power production such as the installation of solar panels also works well to cut down your bills. There are all kinds of ways you can save money every month just by going greener.

More Value if You Sell Later

You may love your home so much that you stay in it for the rest of your natural life. But if you ever decide to move and sell your home, a lot of potential buyers will be impressed by a more efficient place. This works on a couple of levels, and they aren’t just about the immediate cash savings the buyer will get from having lower utility bills.

Naturally, a more efficient home is going to have the lower energy bills you heard about earlier. But what isn’t always so obvious is that a more efficient home usually comes from an owner who cares more about it. This care tends to result in less deferred maintenance and a better home, which will be less likely to need major maintenance early on.

More Comfort During Outages

Sometimes a utility is going to fail. As annoying as this will inevitably be, if you have alternative power generation going on you won’t be totally powerless. If you use a geothermal heating and cooling system powered with wind or solar panels, you may also be able to keep your home comfortable during an outage. If your insulation and blinds are good and you aren’t letting out too much of the air temperature you want, this also speaks of more comfort when the situation isn’t ideal.

There are so many ways you save money when you make your home more efficient. Going green may be the best thing you have ever done for your finances.

How To Keep The Kids Entertained on Long Car Journeys

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Ella Mason

With the warmer weather now upon us (thank goodness!), it’s likely that most parents are starting to cast their thoughts forward to the summer holidays – but I just don’t mean the trip abroad, golden sands, and blue seas kind of summer holiday (because if you’re anything like me, then you’ll be more than ready for that), I’m referring to that probably little more dreaded kind of summer holiday; the children’s 6 week break from school kind of summer holiday. Ah.

Just what on earth are you going to do with them for the whole duration that won’t mean breaking the bank?

Well, one of the most fun and cost effective ways to keep your little ones occupied throughout the summer holidays is to go on a family road trip.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, quick short journeys to school or the supermarket are stressful enough with the constant echoing of “are we nearly there yet?” every 5 minutes. But, believe it or not, there are ways to keep everyone entertained to ensure that your ride runs as smoothly as possible.

So, if you’re planning a long car journey for this year’s summer holiday period, then here are a few ways to do exactly that:

In-Car Entertainment

There are plenty of cars out there with a screen built into the back of the front seats, which mean the kids can watch a DVD while in the car. So, if you’re a family that travels on the road a lot, then it may be worth investing in such a car for the future. Take a look at used car dealership in San Antonio to see what’s available.

Load the car up with DVDs and let the kids choose what they want to watch. A film should keep them quiet for a couple of hours.

Car Games

If you want to be a little more traditional with your games then perhaps think of one that the whole family can play…

Yellow Car

This is where family members get points if they are the first one to spot a yellow car. Bonus points for yellow Minis and yellow Beetles. Whoever has the most points at the end of the journey wins!

I-Spy

This is a traditional game that doesn’t need much explanation. It might not be the best game for very long journeys but it’s a good starting point.

Hangman

If you have a paper and pen on you then you can play hangman. If that’s not everyone’s cup of tea then dots or noughts and crosses might be an option. There are plenty of games like this that can be played, you can even get kids books with the basics already filled out.

Guess The Song

Who can be the first to guess the song on the radio from the opening bars? This also works if you have a new compilation CD. Make sure you hide the case, though!

Computer Games

This might be on a handheld console, smartphone or tablet. Give the kids a few games to play. The educational ones are particularly good for long journeys. A lot of games aimed at children will be able to teach them something.

Just Chat

Talking to your children can be a great way to pass the time. Long journeys are a great time to bond. There’s always the temptation to distract the children with games and DVDs but just chatting might be entertaining for all of you.

Take Your Time

If you’re not in a rush to get to your destination then perhaps take your time. Stop off at exciting destinations that will break up the journey to make it more interesting. It might be stopping at the side of the road to look at sheep in the field or it might be stopping at a pub with a great play area for a spot of lunch.

Write

You can get your kids to do something creative by getting them to write a story. It could be collaborative with the whole family joining in or it can be down to them to write something that you’ll read at the end. This can be a great challenge that will definitely get them thinking. Perhaps give them a topic on which to write about.

Finding the Right Car for You

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Ella Mason

Buying a new car is a daunting task, whether you are a first-time buyer or have had several cars over the years. Like buying a house or a holiday, buying a new car is a big commitment, takes up a lot of time and effort and can cost you quite a bit.

There are a few simple things to remember when buying a new car that should make the whole process go a lot smoother. Here is a quick guide to help you avoid the common mistakes when buying a car and help you make the right decision first time.

New vs. Used

First you need to decide whether you want to buy new or used. The process with each is quite different and so you need to be aware of what you’re getting into before you start. The positives with buying new are that you can pick exactly which specifications you want plus new cars often come with incentives such as interest free purchase and fuel discounts. The downside is you often pay more overall. Used cars may limit your choices but you can often find a great bargain and you avoid the initial depreciation of the car since it has already left the showroom.

What do you want?

When it comes to buying a new car it seems that every man and his dog has an opinion about what, how and where you should do it. But when it comes down to it, who do you trust? The important thing is to figure out what you want from your new car, not what everyone else thinks you want. If you are searching for something small and fuel efficient to drive around a city with, or a big family car that is economical as well as safe, then the places you look for cars is going to be quite different. Before you even start looking for a new car, decide exactly what it is that you are looking for. This will save a lot of stress further down the line and help to keep you on track.

Reputation

When you are buying your car, you want to go to a place that has a trusted name and a strong reputation for good customer service and after-sales. Online review sites are a vital part of this process and can be instrumental in finding the right purchase for you. Check trader websites for their testimonial and review pages, as well as their sales to build up an idea of the company itself. Websites that have pages such as Reviews of Big Motoring World for example, are a great way to get an overall idea of the standard practices of a business.

Do Your Research

In the end, the simplest advice is the best – do your research. As with any big purchase, don’t feel rushed to buy the first thing that comes along. Take your time, mull it over and make sure your buying the right car for you.

Injury Law Explained

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Ella Mason

There are so many misunderstandings when it comes to injury law. Personal injury or tort law often makes people think of lawsuits, but many cases never even end up in the court room. Most cases are now settled out of court, as it may appear easier, friendlier and cheaper.

It is important to understand that personal injury is a type of tort or civil wrong, in which harm has been caused to an individual, due to another individual failing to use reasonable care. The law then recognizes this as grounds to sue the offender in order to recover losses of the afflicted.

Many people may be subject to negligence and suffer an accident as a consequence, but never do anything about it. It is for this reason, that you must know your rights.
The main goal of tort law is to recompense the injured party and to discourage others from committing the same offense.

The main issue under scrutiny in a personal injury claim is liability. This is determined by proving that the individual that caused the harm did so because of negligence. It must also be proven that it was foreseeable that this failure could result in the injury that occurred to the other party.

The most common injuries in which you can make a claim are: road traffic accidents, accidents at work, tripping accidents, assault claims, accidents at home, product defect accidents and holiday accidents.

In order to make a case you need to make note of the following:

• Date of the accident with full details
• Details of any witnesses
• Medical diagnosis and treatment
• Proof of loss of earnings and financial expenses as a result of your injury

There are a number of personal injury companies out there that offer no win no fee claims. It is important to check there are no hidden charges in the services they offer by making sure you use a firm of real lawyers that have the experience necessary.

If, after reading this, you think you have a case, get in touch with a solicitor as soon as possible and request further information and advice. You may be able to make a claim.

The Perfect Send Off: 5 Essential Tips for a Memorable Tribute

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Matt Rawlings

A funeral is a sad time, of course, but it should also be seen as a celebration of the person’s life, remembering everything that was great about them and giving them the perfect send off. It’s a chance to remember the reasons that person was so loved and valued, and the contribution they made to your life.

A lot of people leave funerals thinking “that was a brilliant send off” and admiring the various factors that made it the perfect tribute. But, with every person different and having their own idea of a how they want to be buried or cremated, it can be quite difficult to choose what is “essential” to a successful funeral. No matter how well you knew the person – you might be their partner or a family member, or just a close friend – it can be difficult to get it just right and “how they would’ve wanted it.”

To help you plan the perfect send off, there are plenty of funeral directors available to help you through the process, such as Co-op funeralcare. However, there may be some personal touches that you would like to arrange things yourself. Here are five of the most important factors that you can base the day around:

Funeral wishes

Obviously, you need to respect the wishes of the person if they told you the way they wanted their funeral to go. For instance, they might have asked for a cremation specifically, or a burial and may even have asked for a particular type of coffin.

Location

If they’ve lived somewhere all of their life, or are particularly fond of a location, then burying them or scattering their ashes there would be fitting. A lot of people choose to have their ashes scattered in lakes or on football grounds for example; while others might want to be buried close to their family in particular graveyards.

Guests

It’s key that everyone the person would like to celebrate their life is invited to the funeral. Family, close friends, colleagues and team mates generally want to pay their respects and it’s vital that there is room for the nearest and dearest at the location, so consider those closest to the deceased first.

Music

What better tribute would there be than to play the person’s favourite song. Maybe they were really keen on one particular musician or group, and playing their music at the funeral would be far better than more traditional music that they may have had no connection to.

Clothing

The person might have had their favourite clothes – maybe a suit, football shirt or dress – and in which case it might be a nice tribute to dress them in that outfit.

Whatever you decide to do for the day, consider what the person would have chosen if they’d planned the day themselves. It’s very easy to get swept away by generic funeral plans, but the day can be much more memorable with all the things that meant a lot to the person – the people and themes predominantly.

Pet Loving Celebrities Go ‘Potty’ For Charity Fundraising Event

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Frostie

Pet loving celebrities including Cheska Hull, Laura Hamilton, Sinitta, Felicity Kendal, Arlene Phillips, Kristina Rihanoff, Lizzie Cundy, Meg Matthews, Liz McClarnon, Hayley Tamaddon and Jenni Falconer have joined forces to support this year’s Blue Cross Tea Party.

The celebrities have been challenged to showcase their artistic flair by designing their own special edition pet-themed teapot, to be auctioned to raise funds to help sick and homeless pets. The celebrities are also calling for the public to sign up to host tea parties across the country on Friday 10th May, to help make a difference to the lives of thousands of pets in Blue Cross care.

The fifteen pet loving celebrities supporting the great work of Blue Cross also include much-loved actresses Pam Ferris and Olivia Colman; plus fabulous TV personalities Debbie Bright and Ollie Locke, Made in Chelsea’s finest.

The colourful teapot designs range from Cheska Hull, Jenni Falconer and Laura Hamilton’s paw-print motifs, Liz McClarnon’s creative, cute cat artwork to Arlene Phillips’ pooch ‘Polly’ taking centre stage as the inspiration behind her teapot design.
Lizzie Cundy said: ‘I just love animals, I have two cats at home that I absolutely adore. The work that Blue Cross does really is so important in helping to provide happy homes for thousands of pets a year.”

Cheska Hull said: “I am a huge animal lover and it’s heart breaking that there are so many pets out there that don’t have a loving home. The work the Blue Cross does helps to ensure they can get a second chance at life. So take to your kitchens and get out your mixing bowls – Britain’s pets need you!”

Arlene Phillips said; “I have been busy mastering my baking skills for the Blue Cross Tea Party and I want to appeal to all the pet lovers out there to do the same. I used to really struggle with baking but ever since I did the Great British Bake Off, I love to shut myself away in the kitchen for a few hours whipping up a Victoria sponge or some scones to share with the family. I actually find it very therapeutic, and what’s great is that anyone can have a go to help this fantastic cause. With a huge rise in stray and abandoned pets over the last few years, Blue Cross needs our help more than ever to continue caring for pets in need.”

The auction will take place from (2^nd-12^th May) so don’t miss out on your chance to get involved and bid on your favourite pet-inspired teapot by visiting www.bluecross.org.uk/teapots. To order your free Tea Party host pack full of ideas and recipes, visit www.bluecross.org.uk/teaparty.

Puppy Bella was recently helped by Blue Cross. Part of an unwanted litter, when Bella first arrived she was covered in fleas and her tender skin was red and sore from scratching. Blue Cross nurses provided the vital veterinary care needed to slowly help Bella’s skin improve and she was cared for by a Blue Cross fosterer whilst she recuperated and returned to health. Bella has now found a permanent home with a family who give her the love she deserves.

Blue Cross is a charity dedicated to helping poorly, injured and abandoned pets for over 100 years, doing what’s needed to give every pet a healthy life in a happy home. They run four animal hospitals and 12 rehoming centres across the UK, which provide treatment and seek happy homes for thousands of cats, dogs, small pets and horses each year.

Blue Cross Tea Party, find out more at www.bluecross.org.uk/teaparty

Egg In A Cup | Snack Ideas

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Egg in a cup is one of my favourite snacks, but not many people know about it. The name pretty much says it all. It is just an egg (or two) in a cup, with some butter. I had this all the time when I was growing up.

Just take two eggs, boil them for seven minutes and then peel them. Put the eggs in a cup and then take some butter and smother them in the butter. Cut them into sections of four or six and then add more butter. Mix the egg and butter well and then eat!

It really is a low calories snack (if you are economical with the butter. I never am) which you can make in 10 minutes. Try it and let us know what you think.

Egg in a cup

Ashleigh & Burwood Launch Historic Royal Palaces Collection

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Catherine Balavage

Frost Magazine attended the launch of Ashleigh & Burwood‘s Historic Royal Palaces collection, at The Banqueting House.Their Home Fragrance Collection smells absolutely divine and the packaging is beautiful.

	“A truly majestic home fragrance collection encapsulating the essence of our magnificent British heritage”
www.hrp.org.uk

The Palaces

The gardens of Historic Royal Palaces were for hundreds of years the playgrounds of kings and queens. At Hampton Court Palace the 60 acres of formal gardens and 750 acres of royal parkland, represent four centuries of the finest landscape design. Opened to the public by Queen Victoria in 1838, the gardens are famous throughout the world and have been the inspiration of expert perfumers in developing this unique home fragrance range.

The Range

Diligently crafted perfumes remain true to the horticultural heritage of the royal palaces and their gardens, in creating a range of authentic traditional fragrances. These are complemented perfectly by the intricate graphical depictions featured on the product packaging, which have been inspired by architectural elements of the palaces.

Ashleigh & Burwood’s range is available from Amazon UK.

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