Top 5 Homework Distractions of 2019 & How to Conquer Them

When it comes to homework, teachers have heard every excuse in the book, and for good reason; it’s hard to focus on your homework when there’s so much of it to do. Students are devoting hours each evening to their take-home assignments, some say to the tune of 17.5 hours per week.

In a survey of 1,000 Brainly users comprised of students in middle and high school, 70% said they have trouble focusing on their homework. Brainly asked respondents to pick any of the following five options that distract them from their homework at least once a week. Here are the results: 

1. Social media (47% selected)
2. Video/mobile games (39%)
3. A noisy home environment (39%)
4. Extracurricular activities (25%)
5. Job or work (22%)

Changing habits like these takes repetition and dedication. Luckily, there are five actionable habits students can use to make homework more focused, more efficient, and eventually more successful. They can be easily remembered with this simple acronym: 

>> SPARK: Space, Prioritize, Attack, Relax, and Keep at it. 

1. SPACE yourself.

Nearly half of the respondents cited environment-related options as a diversion from homework. This included 46% of middle-school students choosing video games, 51% of high-schoolers selecting social media, and 39% overall picking a noisy home environment.

It’s essential to make after-school workspaces as clean, quiet, and distraction-free as possible. Clean means organized and clear of disturbing clutter. Check the writing surface and surrounding area. How much more likely would a student be to grab a device sitting at arm’s reach than if it’s put away?

Another crucial aspect of this process is noise. Separation from attention-grabbing sounds, like TVs and chatty family members, keeps a student's mind following the pages their eyes are seeing. Another good tip is to put phones on silent (not vibrate) and place it face down, far away from the desk. This ensures students aren't encouraged to check it habitually and can focus on the task at hand. 

Try and keep the designated homework space as consistent as possible. Stick with a repetitive location whenever possible, which will allow a student's brain to put on its thinking cap more quickly. And just say "no" to homework in bed!


2. PRIORITIZE a schedule.

Colleges take notice of the activities you take on after school, especially when they help you display passion or leadership. However, it’s important to leave time for homework too so that grades don’t suffer.

Balance is critical to keeping a sane, realistic after-school schedule. If students are overloaded with extracurricular activities, they’ll struggle to find time for everything else. At the same time, if they spend too much time on homework they’ll start to lose quality in their answers.

Extracurricular activities proved to be detrimental to homework productivity for 24.5% of respondents. Jobs and work affected 12% of middle-school students, as opposed to 25% of high school students. Of the users Brainly surveyed, those in middle school said they have more time to finish their homework. 40% said “always/yes,” as opposed to 28% of high school students. Only 6% said “rarely/no,” as compared to 13% of highschoolers.

If students have activities after work, they should make to also schedule in homework time. Furthermore, if a student is finding it hard to fit all their homework into their schedule, it might be time to reconsider chosen activities. The key to prioritizing success is to plan.


3. ATTACK homework problems.

A problem set or multi-page assignment can look insurmountable, especially if someone's not feeling totally comfortable with the material from class. It’s easy to get lost in preparation.

Don’t waste time trying to understand everything; get hands-on and hit problems one issue at a time. Something started is one step closer to being finished! Break the questions down into what is already known, and use those parts to work towards the answer. Taking a step towards the solution makes a person more invested in getting there.

If a snag is hit while trying to answer the problem or question, that’s a great time to go back into the concepts to try and find the specific resource. Students can use a glossary, textbook, or notes from class for a reminder of what was taught. 


4. RELAX and take breaks.

Here’s the good news: As long as they’re scheduled and not abused, taking breaks can actually help a student finish their homework! A quick pause can help to rejuvenate some of that motivation that got them started.

If stress sets in, take the opportunity to relax. Students can close their eyes and take a few deep breaths. If it helps, put on some relaxing music. Another way to take a proactive break is to do something active. Stand up and stretch to get more oxygen flowing to the brain. If this is a more extended break, do some quick physical exercises or walk around outside for a few minutes. Everyone gets through their work a lot faster when their minds are feeling alert!

Even a regulated screen break can help students refocus. Taking a minute to check newsfeeds, respond to messages, or play a quick game can enable the brain to decompress and ready itself for the challenge ahead.

Be careful to limit these breaks so as not to waste time. To start, keep it at 10 to 15 minutes and try to accomplish at least an hour of work before taking another one.


5. KEEP at it.

Whether it’s a tough question or just a seemingly endless assignment, it’s easy just to give up. But, when a student is equipped with everything they need and keeps their focus forward, they can get through it!

Start by getting equipped with everything needed. Finish by keeping the focus forward and knowing when to move on. Before starting, gather everything that can help with the homework. Textbooks, print-outs, and websites all qualify. This way, when a student gets stuck, they’ve got everything that could help right in front of them. If resources have ran out, it's best for the student to take their best guess, make a note, and move on.

These are all critical steps to success. Use what is known to make the best possible educated guess, and remember to ask a teacher or mentor about it the next day. And move on quickly, so the brain stays motivated to attack what’s next.

For information about the survey methodology and key takeaways, visit https://brainly.com/insights/homework-distractions/. 

De-bloat this Thanksgiving with Ultra-Fiber Chewables

With Turkey Day on the horizon, all we can do is salivate on the thought of all the delicious food we’re about to chow down on. But along with overindulging on Thanksgiving dinner comes the dreaded belly bloat that we all seem to overlook every year.

Helping you to stay on track and help rid the Thanksgiving bloat are the Ultra-Fiber Chewables! These tasty orange flavoured high-fibre supplements are the perfect solution to help treat overall sluggishness all while supporting and maintaining a healthy digestive system. Keep your gut happy and enjoy the Thanksgiving festivities with no regrets this October! Also available in a Caplet format in 150ct bottle. Sold at Grocery and Drug Stores Nationally.

Keeping healthy during these holidays can be a challenge but with proper diet and nutrition, we can all stay healthy and feel great. Remember Thanksgiving is simply a warm-up for the joyous festivities to come when the winter months hit us. Maintain a healthy amount of fibre and plant-based nutrition to keep on top of your well being and you will feel great straight into the new year!

For some tips on keeping everyone healthy, this holiday read this great article on food safety tips for thanksgiving dinner!

Check out these awesome free printables to add some flare to your fall festivities!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a bountiful fall!

Child-Proof Your Bedroom With Roller Shutter

 

Rollers shutters offer a lot of advantages over other kinds of window treatments. Whether you want to protect your house or business area, roller shutters are extremely beneficial. You may simply attach the roller shutter to your window or even the doors. It is used extensively in the offices and warehouses. They may be availed in a variety of sizes and thus you may cover everything from the garage door to the windows. Whether you choose the window roller shutters or the plastic ones, you need to be careful about the installation and the overall maintenance of the shutters. Also, you should consult with the professionals regarding when to change, repair or reinstall the shutters. 

 

High Quality Roller Shutters Ensure The Safety Of Kid’s Room: 

 

You may use that in your kid’s room to enhance the security level. Roller shutter installation is the best way to ensure that the child’s room is secured. You may install that to the room windows and that will protect the children from intruders and from outside weather. The best part is that you may use the automatic version of the roller shutter and the operation is so simple that even the kids can handle it. With the manual or the motorized features, there is complete ease of operation. The Ziptraklocking systems and the motorized blinds and shutters all work well with the help of a remote control system that even a child can use.

 

Roller Shutters Are Made Of Different Materials: 

 

Roller shutters for kids’ room may be made up of metal or fiber glass. Owing to their strength and durability, they are just perfect material options. It can fabulously deter anti-social element and also prevent any graffiti from making it to your abode. The installation of roller shutters will take care of the aesthetic beauty and the safety level of the abode. You may also use spray paint on the roller shutter and pull it up. The shutter will seem to be out of sight this way while the cleaning is also easy and convenient. When it comes to the material options, metal is better than fiberglass. It is economical and offers more privacy and insulation.

 

Offers A Good Level Of Shade:

 

Roller shutters offer the level of shade required in the kids’ room. Just roll down the roller shutter and the room of the kids become cozy and comfortable. This way, the toys, and kids’ furniture will stay in the best condition. When there is enough shade in the room, the room stays cool and cozy. 

 

Light Control And Complete Noise Insulation:

 

With the installation of roller shutters, the outside noise cannot enter the area. It also offers light protection which is so good for the kids. The noise from inside cannot move outside and vice versa. You may contact the professionals to do that. Experienced installers can do the installation work perfectly.

 

Why Choose UPVC Material For Roller Shutter?  

 

At times you want more privacy than security in your kid’s room. The glass window can give the level of insulation you want. It is also available in plenty of color options and so you are sure to find something as per the requirement. If you want to avail an upgraded version of the roller shutter, then choose an electrical one. The electrical shutter can be installed easily and don’t require any manual hauling.

 

When you choose a window product, it is necessary to compare the styles and types. Choose something which blends with the room interior. Aluminum is the preferred choice in material for it is lightweight. You can now choose roller shutters from reliable online portals for interior decoration. You can compare the best colors and prices and then choose accordingly.

Spooky Halloween Party Printables

It’s the one day of the year when it’s perfectly okay and even encouraged to pop out and scare people to death. For those that need a hint to what day this is, it’s Halloween. Preparing for Halloween takes a lot more time than you can imagine. For some Halloween enthusiasts, they plan their costumes a year in advance while others scramble to put together a last-minute costume from the clothes they have in their closet. At the end of the day, millions of people will take to the streets with the hopes that their costume has the potential to scare someone to the point where they might soil their pants. However, scary costumes aren’t the only aspect of Halloween. 

The gut-wrenching decorations that people manage to put around their homes truly takes Halloween to another level. The zombies emerging from your neighbor's lawn, the gigantic spiders hanging from the trees, or the skeletons greeting you at each door are some of the many ingenious decorations that people put out for the sole reason to scare the life out of “intruders” or trick or treaters. Going from house to house to see the various ways people decorate their homes is something that always keeps the trick or treaters on the verge of continuous panic attacks.

However, before you and your family take to the streets to gather as much candy as possible, why wouldn’t you want to make a custom goodie bag to distinguish your bag from everyone else's? So instead of someone stealing all your kid's candy thinking that it was theirs, use these spooky printable to make your child's goodie bag stand out. These printables can be completely customized to your child's preference. You can make them as spooky as possible or as light-hearted if your child isn’t a fan of scary things. Believe it or not, these printables aren’t just for kids. Included in these printables are custom wine labels that you can get you and your guests into the Halloween spirit. 

So before you start putting together your Halloween costumes take a peek at these Wikibuy printables to take your Halloween experience to the next level. Also if you are looking for the spookiest Halloween decorations from stores like Halloween Express or Spirit you are in the right place. 

Printable Download Link: Wikibuy Halloween Printables

Tips To Moving To A New Town With Less Stress And More Fun

Moving can be a stressful time for anyone, whether you are moving to keep your job, get a better job, move away from a bad situation or simply make a change. There are many ways you can make moving easier and have fun while you do it. Take a look at these key points in successful moving:

Make a list and organize each task.
Take an inventory of all the things you need to do as you think of them. Keeping track of what needs to be done and what has been done can save you time and energy in an already daunting task. The best way to ensure things are organized during moving is to do a room by room check and mark off as you pack and clean. Organize your stuff in the order that you will need them last in the place you are staying and first in the place you are going to. For example, you don't want to pack up your bedding and toothbrush if you plan on staying another night in your old place. This is also true if you wish to unpack your clothing and toiletries at the new place first to get a jump on the day. Sifting through boxes to find the things you need can be time-consuming and frustrating causing more stress rather than creating a relaxing move. Bekins Moving Solutions has a great guide on how to start over in a new place.

Label everything and clean as you go.
Have you ever seen someone move with unlabelled boxes, garbage bags and totes filled at the last second? It has got to be one of the most unorganized ways to move from one place to another creating chaos and headaches when it comes time to unpack. Label each box with contents and room placement to ensure you can find exactly what you need when the time comes. As you complete a room clean it up a bit to make the major cleanup go by quick and painless. You can save the floors, walls, and windows for the very end but if you want to shorten the clean remove the trash and sweep up large messes to get a headstart.

Research local restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and other important stores and hangouts.
Find out what is located around you before you move to know how far you need to travel for necessities. Knowing there is a great grocery store around the corner can save you a trip and help you maintain your sanity when your elbow deep in boxes. Looking to go for a drink in a nice quiet bar after unpacking for hours, luckily for you, you took the time to research what is located where and what the ambience is like there.  Read reviews to find the places that will suit you rather than just going in on a whim, your time is precious so don't waste it nasty dives or run-down shops.

Join groups, get to know your neighbours and colleagues.
The locals will know better than anyone where to hang out and places to avoid. Having friends in a new town can help you get settled faster to learn more and grow as an individual. If you have moved on your own, have no family close by and need to connect with people take it slow and be cautious. Not every friendly face has the best intentions for you and it is always a good idea to watch your back. Tell people where you plan on going if you go out alone, stay in contact with friends and family on social media. Missing people are noticed regularly by family and friends who cannot connect with them on social platforms or on their cell phones. Go out and have fun but do it in a safe way. JS Dolls can ensure you have companionship in the safest way possible.

Bakku Backgrounds Review And Giveaway!

Have you ever watched a commercial and seen children playing and having the greatest time with their new toys and awesome backgrounds that really bring the play space to life.   Bakku Backgrounds have taken play to the next level and brought creativity to a whole new level. 

Bakku Backgrounds are tough and lightweight double sided backgrounds that can be used with any small toys. I found the folding instructions quite complicated even with the video so I used a three step folding process that is much like how you would fold a present. My kids had a great time building their LEGO creations on their backgrounds. 

When we are finished with our backgrounds we hang them on the wall as posters for storage. 

Bakku Backgrounds can be found on Amazon and make a great gift for any holidays and birthdays! 

For more information on Bakku Backgrounds visit their website. 

Would you like to win a set of these awesome backgrounds for your kids or family members? Enter the giveaway form below:

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Giving Your Home A Fresh New Look For Fall On The Cheap

Do you ever get the feeling that you have been staring at the same four walls decorated the exact same way with the same furniture that has been there for years? Sometimes it does the body and mind some good to refresh the look of your home and give it a facelift. This may sound like an expensive task but you can make your home feel fresh and new again for just a couple hundred dollars.

You don't need to buy all new furniture to make things look new and refreshed.
Dollar stores and thrift stores sell all kinds of linens that you can put on your existing furniture to create a new vibe. A new fresh, vibrant coloured table cloth can make a world of difference in the kitchen. Table cloths can be cut to shape to fit on end tables to give them a new look as well. New curtains can add a splash of colour to the walls that have been missing for a while, even a sheer curtain in front of blinds provides the look you're going for. Switch out old lamp shades for new ones to save yourself a bundle, there is no need for a new lamp just a new top and you can see a huge difference.

A coat of paint can change the appearance of the whole room.
A dark coloured room can get drab and boring after a while. Painting a room a white to an off white colour after having it dark for a while can make you see how big the room truly is. Brightly coloured rooms reflect better light and create a positive atmosphere. Paint doesn't always have to be expensive either you can go to the hardware store and ask for mistints or colours that were created for clients that were slightly off from what they had asked for. Discount paint does the same thing as a premium for a fraction of the price. Painting trims and baseboards can also make a great difference if you can only afford a small change at a time. You will feel great when the job is done and you can enjoy the hard work you completed.

Unique furniture choices are on-trend.
Have you noticed all the retro furniture coming back onto the scene? How about the new recycled pallets or upcycled dumpster dive finds? One of a kind furniture is something people are proud of so if you must get new stuff try to support those companies that create unique pieces not found anywhere else. If you must buy some brand new furniture shop around before visiting one of those big chains. No matter what style you are most fond of you can find anything for anyone at SUNSPAN, they create modern, chic furniture that will last a lifetime and stand out at your next cocktail party.

Give your home a much-deserved makeover this fall and enjoy the rest of the year. New trends are coming in 2020 so enjoy the stuff available today before its too late. For more great tips on making your house a home check out Bekins Moving Solutions.

Thinking About Starting A Business? What Options Are Out There?

Not everybody wants to continue working for somebody else their whole lives. Some people want to know how it feels to be the boos, to run a business and become financially successful. There are a ton of different options available to you these days and it all depends on the line of work you wish to be involved in, remember that starting a business is a huge decision and you can't simply quit once you get started. So what should you consider as options for running a business?

Restaurant Industry
People love to eat and socialize, it is in our nature to be surrounded by good people and good food. Starting a restaurant can be a huge challenge especially if you have no experience in the food industry. Customers are tough, employees can be hard to manage, and you need to build a name for yourself before you can be successful. This is true in any business though, you won't get rich or start the day off being known as the best this takes time and a lot of hard work. You can also decide to take a safer route and start a franchise. A franchise is an already establish and trusted brand that can be recognized by the population. Starting a franchise is usually a turn-key operation and a lot of the hustle is already done for you. The franchise owner will sell you everything you need to get started and take a small percentage. One of the best franchise to buy now is in between fine dining and fast food. Do some research to see what the market around you is looking for and go from there.

Construction Industry
The construction industry has many ups and downs that may deter you from entering this as a business venture. Construction requires steady work, reliable employees, insurance, and a strong will and can-do attitude. There are a lot of different sections of the construction industry you can be involved in giving you a tone of options but each has its own requirements and pitfalls. You can pour cement, demolish buildings, construct new buildings, build homes, remodel homes, and much more. If you are not looking at working in the city there are options available out in the bush. You can become a road maintenance worker that restores old forestry roads and works out in the wilderness. This can be a unique job that requires unique products like these: https://northernmat.ca/products/access-mats/temporary-roads/. No matter which construction business you choose you should be able to make a decent living of such a great career.

Marijuana Grower
Medical marijuana has become legal in Canada and many states. This has provided a lot of new businesses the opportunity to grow and grow. Growing marijuana for sales can be a very lucrative business and you can start carving out your piece of the pie. If you have a large chunk of land at your disposal you can look at leasing it to a grower as a side hustle or build your very own facility to grow year-round and provide medical marijuana for the government to sell. There are lots of things you should learn first like how to grow and what is required of you to sell legally but then after that you are good to go and start a new business like these guys over at West Coast 420 Express.

Businesses like these are just a few ideas of what is possible when you start up the entrepreneur spirit.

Unique Holiday Gift Ideas

Christmas is sneaking up closer every day and if your a last-minute shopper then this literally means nothing to you as you will be standing in the lineups Christmas eve waiting to pay for your last-minute gifts. If you are looking to change it up and relieve yourself of some stress it may be time to become a planner and start shopping early. But forget about the boring gifts like socks and pyjamas it's time to wow them with gifts they will never forget.

Gifts for teens (or men who act like them)
Drones have been growing in popularity over the years and have different price ranges for every budget. It is always a good idea to do your research and read reviews before taking the plunge and buying one of these machines. They break easily and flight times vary drastically so depending on what you are buying it for it may be useless to the receiver. Take a look at different models, how they charge, are they easily fixable, warranties, and other aspects that may affect your purchase decision. For those looking for superior models that can do more than just take video and photos there are multiple options available. Learn more about these high quality, premium-priced models.

Gifts for the outdoorsy types.
Hunting and fishing are one of the best stress relievers for anyone who loves the outdoors. Taking time out of their busy schedules and being in the woods can help recharge their batteries and maintain their sanity. Hunting and fishing require a lot of gear so your shopping options are unlimited pretty much. The best thing you can do is learn more about the activities the receiver likes to do rather than buy a bunch of things that may not work for them. Fishing is vast and requires different tools, lures, rods, and more for each different species of fish. Hunting can be a challenge as well some folks prefer bow hunting while others are into firearms. Know what they like before making a purchase otherwise, it can be a shot in the dark. There are many small accessories that can be purchased for bow hunters like new arrows, larger quivers, camo gear and broadhead tips like these: https://www.tenpointcrossbows.com/shop/EVO-X-CenterPunch-Broadhead-3-pack-P231.aspx

Gifts for animal lovers.
It's no secret that people absolutely love their pets and buy them all kinds of junk like they are children. Some are extremists and have a wardrobe filled with outfits for their furry friends and others are more subtle with a deep passion for loving animals and giving them a loving home. Buying animal lovers gifts is simple when you know what kind of pets they own and what they love to do. Dog lovers tend to like going for walks, hikes, bike rides, and other physical activities to keep their furry friend healthy. Cat lovers can be a bit more of the homebody type and find activities that revolve around the house. This makes shopping for their fur babies a bit easier. Every cat and dog should have a quality brush to help them stay neat and maintain the amount of hair shed around the house. This pet brush has versions for both cats and dogs making it an easy decision for those on the fence of what to get: https://www.sleekez.com/products/5-sleekez-medium-grooming-shedding-stick-1?variant=12832783138904

Family Life Events That Can Be Costly And How You Can Prepare For Them

When raising your family you can come across all types of expenses you never thought of. It is always good to have some sort of savings account for emergency situations but do you know how much you really need or what you will need it for? Kids can create costly situations you didn't anticipate but so can homeownership and simply living a normal life. So what is the best way to start saving and preparing for life's little dilemmas?

The best preparation is prevention.
Your health is something to stay on top of at all times to ensure you avoid costly medical and dental bills. Maintain a healthy diet to ensure you don't require numerous trips to the doctor eating up your savings or paychecks. Keep a basic exercise routine to live a quality of life that is healthy for your body. Getting checkups and flu shots can be a great preventative measure to watch for any new diseases or illnesses you were not expecting. Dental hygiene is of the utmost importance when you have kids. Kids love to eat sugary products and can get cavities easily that can cause problems with their teeth later in life. For more information on good oral hygiene visit this website.

Start saving according to family size.
When writing a budget for a family you have to consider every person for what they eat, the activities they attend, and how much you spend buying them clothes etc. So when you are preparing your family budget adjust the amount to include a $20 emergency fund deposit for each head in the household. This will help to save for those unexpected events like braces, emergency room visits, tutoring, and anything else your child may require. Adding money for each person will give you a better feel of how prepared you are for what comes up, the more kids you have the more you will need to save and so forth.

Moving house for the right reasons?
Moving can be stressful to all parties, not only are you uprooting from a familiar place but you are destroying relationships, causing a bunch of work for everyone involved and starting all over again, To ensure you are moving for the right reasons ask yourself these questions first: Am I moving to save money? Can we sustain ourselves comfortably in our new home town? Will it make our lives better? If you answered these questions without conflict then go right ahead and move but if you struggled at all with the answers you may want to rethink it first. Moving is costly and tiring and it may not be what you had in mind once you get there so do your research before making the big decision. To find the best movers to save you money and keep your possessions safe click now for more information.

Relax and enjoy the life you have.
It's true there are a lot of issues that come up with having a family and living a good life but stay prepared and everything will be fine. Enjoy what you have and stop looking at everything the "Joneses" have that you don't. There are some great red wine gifts to buy yourself and enjoy how wonderful life can be, remember any day above ground is a good day.

Renovations Can Be Fun And Frugal

When you buy a home you want it to be your very own in every way. Some of the time renovations can be a must and not a fun project that just makes you happier in your new home. But if you are looking to make some changes that are fun and can cost next to nothing take a look at these interesting ideas that can be found at the dollar store, thrift stores, or garage sales.

Pallet furniture is a great way to get creative.
Pallets can be found at most big box stores for free and can be converted into a number of different projects that will boost your homes look and feel. Pallets can be made into large couches to entertain all your friends and family. You can create all kinds of different patio furniture, garden boxes, tables, beds, vanities, desks and so much more. Linens can be purchased at second-hand stores or even dollar stores to save you some extra cash.

Your roof can have accessories added to an extent.
Have you ever driven past a beautiful farmhouse and seen those stunning metal weather vanes on top? Those adorable weather vanes are practical, adorable and can be made out of cheap materials if you are not looking to buy a brand new one. You can use recycled materials, dollar store goodies, or even scrap metal that will require a welder and some saws. No matter how you decide to create your weather vane just have fun with it. There are all kinds of different wood siding pieces you can use to frame your roof and create a vintage home look that will make your neighbours jealous. A new chimney is a great way to add a touch of creativity, you can add multicoloured bricks to add a splash of colour. The Chimney Scientist is always available for tips on maintenance of your new chimney.

Cement pieces can create any look you desire.
Cement can create nearly anything you can think of, you can make fountains, leaves, benches, stepping stones, and so much more. Cement can be painted all kinds of colours, even spray-painted in chrome, gold and even glow in the dark. Pouring cement is quite simple and you can find hundreds of ideas on Pinterest to fuel your creativity. Molds can be purchased from a number of different websites or you can even create your own using silicone, wood frames, and other mediums.

Window treatments can add style and save you money.
Curtains can create a stylish look that can change the entire feel of a room. If you go with long, dark coloured curtains the ambience changes to a more private and serene environment. Darker curtains block out more light creating less heat or cold coming through the windows saving you money on your heating and cooling costs. Light coloured curtains can open up a room creating a more relaxed and inviting environment for your guests. Depending on your own personal style you can choose how you want your home to speak to people when they enter a room. Buying previously loved curtains from a secondhand store can save you some coin for your next renovation or revamping project.

Renovations that cost more.
Any renovation that requires large power tools, sledgehammers, or contractors are going to cost you a lot more but will bring your homes value up substantially. If you're looking into getting new pipes or electrical installed it will be worth the markup but it pays to speak to the professionals first. Click here to find out more information.

Time To Get Your Home Ready For Fall To Save You Money

Fall has crept up and stolen summer right from under our noses. It is now time for fuzzy sweaters, warm socks, pumpkin spice, and trees changing to colours that blow your mind. Fall is a great time of year for sure but there are a number of different things you should start getting ready before fall transitions into a brutal winter.

Check the insulation in your walls and look for cracks that can be filled. 
Insulation in between your walls can make a world of difference. I rent a home that has terrible insulation and my cupboards actually freeze in the winter on the inside and my food freezes and thaws creating moisture that causes major issues with my food. The quest for homeownership leaves me staying put for now as we are getting a great price for the space we have. But if our home had the proper insulation in the walls and the crawl space our winters wouldn't be so harsh. You can even insulate your pipes to ensure they don't freeze costing you thousands in damages. Pipes freezing is a serious issue many homeowners face and it can destroy many things and cost a small fortune. Check out www.heatline.com for some more information.

Apply weather stripping around windows and doors.
Having the door open for any amount of time in the cooler weather can be uncomfortable so imagine if the seal on your doors or windows is gone and you are stuck with a continuous breeze of cold air. This can be costly in the long run as you are turning up your heat to balance out the breeze shifting through the house. There are a lot of DIY kits you can buy from your local hardware stores to seal your windows and doors yourself. Having improperly sealed windows and doors can lead to build-up of moisture which can create mold and terrible odours. Visit https://scicorp.net/odour/ to find out how to handle these nasty odours.

Install a smart thermostat and timer for electronics. 
Smart thermostats like the NEST can adjust the temperature of your home accordingly to keep optimal comfort levels. You can control them wirelessly from your phone to ensure you keep the temperature cool when nobody is home or warmer when you are about to arrive. Imagine coming home from tobogganing with the kids and your home is at the perfect temperature to take the freeze-out of your faces. Another great money saver for any time of the year, not just fall is a timer for your electronic devices and appliances you don't need on when you are not home. Your digital cable boxes suck up all kinds of energy when they are being used but if you turn them off when your not home and turn them on just before you get home they have time to reset and be ready for cozy TV time. The same can be said for TVs, computers, lights, decor and more. Timing the shutoff and turn on can save you money and time while your away.

If your saving for that amazing exotic vacation from https://www.utovacation.com these great fall tips will help you keep the coin in your pocket and not in the hands of the utility companies.

Learn To Draw Manga Heroines And Heroes

Learn to illustrate your favourite manga heroes, heroines, characters, props, scenes, stories, and more!

Learn to draw your favorite manga and anime characters, and create your own, with Illustration Studio: Drawing Manga Heroines and Heroes (Walter Foster Publishing / October 8, 2019 / US $19.99)!

In this exciting extension of the interactive Illustration Studio series, learn how to illustrate a range of manga heroes, heroines, and characters—from male and female warriors and fighters to schoolgirls and boys, knights, angels, cyborgs, interstellar idols, and more. The Illustration Studio series features interactive exercises, creative prompts, and step-by-step exercises to educate and excite beginning and aspiring artists working in a variety of media and techniques, from manga and anime to illustration done in ink.

Illustration Studio: Manga Heroines and Heroes teaches aspiring and beginning manga artists the basics for creating a range of popular characters, props and scenes. No matter your skill level, the drawing and colorization tips, loads of techniques, and step-by-step projects are instructive and helpful, while creative prompts and exercises invite personalization and participation inside the pages of the book.

You'll be guided through every step as you not only learn how to draw, but also learn the vernacular and storylines associated with this popular art genre.

Sonia Leong is a professional comic artist and illustrator who specializes in anime and manga. Her more than 80 published works comprise graphic novels, magazines, film and television projects, and instructional art books, including Illustration Studio: Beginning Manga and Illustration Studio: Drawing Manga Heroines and Heroes, both from Walter Foster Publishing. Sonia also teaches manga workshops and exhibits her artwork throughout the world. Learn more at www.fyredrake.net.