If you’re moving to another country, you’ve got a lot to think about. It’s not an easy thing to do and it may take you several months to organize everything you need for a smooth transition into your new home. Aside from packing up all of your belongings, you will also need to sort out your insurance, visas, finances, and accommodation. Despite being a complex process, becoming an expat will be one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do. Moving to a foreign country gives you the incredible opportunity to see unique parts of the world and explore new cultures. To help make your transition into becoming an expat as smooth as possible, here are some top tips to follow. Sort Out Your Insurance Heath insurance is a must-have when you’re moving to another country. You never know when you’re going to fall sick or get injured while living abroad. Having health insurance will significantly reduce your medical expenses if you need treatment. This is particularly important if the country you’re moving to doesn’t offer free national healthcare. Even if your new home country has a national healthcare system, you may not have free access to it unless you’ve lived in the country for a long length of time and you’ve got permanent residency. Make sure you find a reliable health insurance company, such as IMG Global that offers extensive insurance policies. Having adequate coverage means you can enjoy your time as an expat without worrying about potential medical bills. Meet The Locals and Other Expats Interacting with other people is key to getting comfortable in your new environment. This is particularly important if you’re moving to another country on your own. The worst thing you can do is isolate yourself and not bother making friends! Push yourself to go to local events or classes. This will give you the opportunity to meet the locals and other expats. There might be in-person or online clubs and societies that you can join with weekly sessions. Making friends with the local residents might be difficult if you don’t speak the language. However, attending local events is one of the best ways to learn the language. Or you can learn a little from their language through a language learning app on your mobile phone. Familiarizing simple words can help you converse with the locals, and learning their language will come smoothly. You can also find events that are specifically for expats if you’re not yet comfortable interacting with the locals. Expat events enable you to meet like-minded people who are in the same position as you. Look online to see what options are available and sign yourself up for at least one event a week to get settled into your new home town. Use Social Media In the wonderful digital world that we now live in, social media is everywhere. It’s a great tool that you can use to meet people in your new country or learn more about your town. You can find local events through Facebook or you can scroll through local hashtags on Instagram to find new exciting places to explore. Of course, you can also use social media to stay in touch with your loved ones back at home. Social media platforms have direct messaging options that are easy to use and enable you to instantly communicate with anybody, no matter where they are in the world. Learn The Language Learning a brand-new language isn’t easy but it’s necessary if you plan on living in another country permanently. Be realistic. You aren’t going to become fluent immediately. But even if you just focus on learning the basics to begin with, that’s a great place to start. Try to learn some of the most useful basic phrases before you move. This way, you can communicate with the locals from day one. You never know when you’ll need to ask someone for help. As you interact with the locals more and more, you’ll naturally start to pick up more complex words and phrases. You can also use phrasebooks or online language resources to help you learn more of the local language. Sort Out Your Accommodation Early On For obvious reasons, you’ll need to organize your accommodation before you move to another country. If you’re buying somewhere, you’ll need to do your research well before you actually move. Purchasing a property can take months to complete. If you’re renting or leasing a place, you will still need to get this sorted a few months in advance. You want to be certain that you’ll have somewhere to move into as soon as you land in your new home town. Research potential areas and consider the community, the local amenities, and the accommodation that is available. As an expat, finding somewhere that makes you feel comfortable and safe is important, and you won’t want to travel for miles just to get some groceries. Visit the area you’re moving to before you commit to signing a lease or purchasing a property if possible. You can also contact a relocation agent who will be able to provide advice about which areas are the best for you based on your needs.

Translation has been on a steady rise ever since the first migrations started. Bi or multilingual people have helped cross countless bridges and those that have facilitated much of the international efforts that we have today. In the past two decades, this trend seems to have been diminishing, at least to an extent. The rise of translator apps seems to have started what the early Chinese translator-gadgets started years back – the gradual shift from human to machine translation, at least for the least demanding translation. Here is a list of the most popular translation apps for 2022. Best Translation Apps in 2022 1.   Google Translate Google Translate is probably the most widely used translation tool there is. The app and the web-based service both allow for the translation of a text, and entire web pages, voice translation, and the app even supports direct translation from the camera itself.  However, if you’re into translating more demanding texts, such as dissertations, you may consider a translator service, the most professional form of translation. Human translators are the only way to translate all the intricacies and avoid sounding too robotic. 2.   iTranslate The iOS equivalent of Google Translate, the iTranslate app packs a powerful punch for all those needing instant voice-to-voice translation. The app itself is lightweight and has many positive reviews – a testimony of Apple’s efforts into its development. The app also enables text-to-text translation, and while some say that this is the best translation app out there, others sweat by other translation solutions. 3.   VoiceTra VoiceTra, a shortened form of Voice Translation, is exactly what its name promises it would be. This free app lets you translate individual words, phrases, and sentences into dozens of languages. It uses advanced algorithms to detect the intended meaning of every word in a sentence and presents you with a translation very close to what it would sound like in the language itself. 4.   Microsoft Translator Microsoft Translator is another translation app on our list. The app itself aims to be a very professional solution – a signature mark of Microsoft Corporation. While the app may do very good work, it still lacks localization capabilities, so if this is what you need, you may want to hire professional localization services online. Human translation, after all, is the best when it comes to all the hues of language expression. 5.   Dict.cc Dict. cc is the most popular translation option for students. As its name suggests, it enables the translation of individual words besides strings of words, such as sentences. The app itself is simple to use, and unlike other translation apps, it offers additional info on the term you’re searching for, such as the grammatical gender and the kind of the word. 6.   SayHi SayHi is a voice-to-voice translation service. Unlike other services, it enables you to modify the voice narrating the translation. This makes it unique and perfect for those with special translation requirements, such as the speed of talk for those trying to communicate via lingua franca. 7.   Trip Lingo Trip Lingo is an expanded translation app. While it offers a simple translation solution, the traveler aspect truly sets it apart. The app is available for Android and iOS, along with other translation apps for iPhone.  The app offers guides on cultural norms, among other useful facts about the countries you may be traveling to. Final Considerations Translation is necessary for everyday life, especially when you travel. Translation has accommodated many of the changes in the contemporary society that we see: from globalization to education. However, hiring a professional translator becomes a thing of the past, as translation apps take over the market of immediate, simple style translation. Ashley Carter Ashley Carries loves the arts and loves tech solutions to everyday problems. Dishwashers, washers, and the Roomba are the top inventions as this art lover does not have all the time in the world for these chores. ‘Tech making life easy’ is her mantra, and she tries to live by that daily.

European Union’s smallest member state is on the verge of becoming the first on the continent to allow adults to grow and possess small quantities of cannabis for personal use. On Tuesday, members of the parliament voted on the proposal, and the president is expected to sign it into law by weekend. Not For Profit The language of the bill allows anyone aged 18 years or older to grow up to 4 plants from cannabis seeds at their place of residence. It will be also legal to store at home up to 50 grams of finished product. As for public possession, the rules are going to be much stricter—you’ll be allowed to carry only 7 grams of dried flowers on your person. Personal cultivation will not be the only legal way to obtain the substance. The proponents of the initiative did their best to come up with a working system of legal distribution. It will be similar to that of Spain where there are numerous associations of smokers providing their members with cannabis. It should be noted that in Spain these associations, also known as cannabis social clubs, have quickly morphed into a kind of cafes, virtually open to everybody, including tourists. The Maltese government obviously hopes to maintain stricter control and not let social clubs turn into for-profit businesses. According to the law, the members of a club will have a right to obtain up to 7 grams at a time but no more than 50 grams per month. Some members of the club will be charged with growing the needed amount of cannabis for other members. Opposition Was Fierce While in many other countries and states that have legalized marijuana or only think about it the economic incentives play major role, authors of the legalization bill in Malta have always stressed that it wasn’t about the money. Instead, they have been touting the harm-reduction argument. Owen Bonnici, the country’s minister for equality, research, and innovation, said in an op-ed in the Sunday Times of Malta that the initiative is not meant to promote cannabis culture or the recreational use of the substance. The government is still committed to helping adults make healthier choices. However, legalizing the drug may resolve some issues associated with illegal trafficking. But the opposition wasn’t convinced. Malta’s Nationalist Party voted against the move, drawing on support from medical associations and the church. They complained that their requests to water down the proposal were ignored. Despite the strong opposition, the bill passed in the Parliament with 36 votes in favor and 27 against. Playing Into the Hands of Albanian Mafia? The critics of the new law also express doubts that it will help curb illegal trafficking. If anything, they insist, it can make life easier for organized crime. It is doubtful that any substantial percentage of cannabis users will decide to grow their own supply. On the one hand, it’s relatively simple, and a modern strain of cannabis grown from Gorilla Glue seeds for example can easily bring the 50 grams permitted by the law. On the other, it’s even easier to buy from someone else, and with laxer possession standards, the police will find it much harder to control illegal trafficking. Currently, the black market in Malta is dominated by Albanian gangs that smuggle cannabis through Sicily. They cultivate the plant in remote mountainous regions from Tropoje to Nivica, but have also created a network of grow operations in warehouses throughout Europe. Despite many high-profile busts of drug-trafficking rings in recent years, the police in Malta admit that the majority of illegal shipments find their way into the country. It remains to be seen whether criminal organizations find their place in the cracks of the new legal system or lose their profits and move elsewhere. More Legalization Efforts Expected in EU Next Year With its legalization initiative, Malta has beaten Luxemburg at the post, another tiny European state that wanted to be the first to enact reform. Now, Luxemburg will probably do it in 2022. And, more importantly, the new ruling coalition in Germany has announced its plans to legalize the adult use of cannabis and regulate and tax its sales in the nearest future. When enacted, the proposed law will create the largest legal market in the world, surpassing in size both Canada and California. Switzerland has also announced similar plans for 2022.

Washington D.C., the U.S. federal capital, is recognized as a political hub where power players sit high and mighty. It is home to the federal government’s three branches: the White House, Capitol and Supreme Court. The national capital is also home to neoclassical monuments, iconic museums and many performing-arts venues. But there’s a lot more to discover in Washington, D.C. than just politicians spinning the wheels of government. Business Insider and Niche have consistently ranked the U.S. capital among top 50 cities to live for everyday singles and families, sports fans and foodies, digital nomads, and more. If you’re planning on moving to Washington, D.C., you might want to know what life is really like in the capital city. Here’s what you should know: What’s the Climate Like in Washington, D.C.? Washington, D.C. has a subtropical climate, with cold winters and hot and muggy summers. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, averaging 3-4 inches (75-100 mm) per month. Summer in the district can be brutally hot and humid. The average summer temps range from as low as 70°F (approx. 24°C) to as high as above 100°F (approx. 39°C).    Winters are damp and bring heavy snowfalls that can ground public transit to a halt. The average winter temperatures are in the mid-30s°F (approx. 2°C). There are plenty of clouds and rain as well. Spring and autumn are pleasant months that are often accompanied by mild temperatures. Many tourists flock to the city in March to see the white and pink flowers of D.C.’s cherry blossom trees along the Tidal Basin. How’s Commuting in Washington, D.C.? The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) runs an extensive public transit system in the District and its suburbs. However, many people that live in Maryland and Virginia suburbs prefer to drive, resulting in heavy traffic. The good news is that Washington is bike-friendly for those willing to get some exercise. The Capital Bikeshare program allows people to get around on two wheels pretty easily. In recent years, bike lanes have been expanded across the city. Residents now enjoy bicycling as a mode of transportation to escape busy urban areas. If the idea of using a bike is something that might pique your interest, living in Washington would make sense. It allows you to meet up with friends and attend social events such as brunch and happy hour—the district’s mainstays of living. How Much Does It Cost to Live in Washington, D.C? The cost of living in Washington, D.C. is 60% higher than the U.S. average. A central location on the east coast, coupled with a high-income population, and the height restrictions all make D.C. the fourth most expensive city in the nation. Housing costs in Washington, D.C. are more than triple the national median. On average, a one-bedroom rental apartment goes for about $2,400 while a two-bedroom one is around $3,200 per month, depending on the neighborhood. There are also plenty of monthly apartments in Washington DC for those looking to settle in as quickly as possible. When deciding to live in DC, it’s vital to consider the cost of public transportation. Where you choose to live in the metro’s four quadrants will significantly impact your cost of living. The D.C.’s transit system is one of the best in the country. But the Metro is also one of the costliest subway systems, with prices starting from $2.25 to $6 for a one-way trip. All this can quickly add up making your stay unfavorable. What’s There To Do in Washington, D.C.? Washington, D.C. has plenty of wonderful things to do and see any day of the year. Looking for cuisines, nightlife, museums, arts, political activism, or outdoor activities? This is the best place to be. Beyond tourist hotbeds like Arlington National Cemetery and the Jefferson Memorial, there are dozens of museums and galleries to visit. From the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to The Mansion on O Street, nearly every corner of the District has a sense of history. Parks and greenspaces comprise close to 20% of Washington’s total area. You’ll come across National Park Service parks like the 9-mile Rock Creek Park, National Arboretum, National Zoological Park, and many other beautiful spaces. Those seeking to stimulate their taste buds have something to smile about. A world-class city, DC is home to cuisines from around the world. From Ben’s Chili Bowl for half-smokes to Henry’s Soul Café for mumbo sauce, rest assured you’ll be spoiled for choice. Need live music and theater? Washington, D.C. has a wealth of nightlife options. Music venues along U Street are full of talent, while amphitheaters in the suburbs provide high-class entertainment all-year round. Washington, D.C. also covers professional and college sports. The District has teams in all six major pro sports: MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL, WNBA, and MLS. There is never a dull moment in Washington, D.C. Welcome to America’s Capital! With people from different nationalities, religions and ethnic backgrounds, Washington, D.C. is much more diverse than the average American city. Long-time residents love living in D.C., and you’ll find something to love, too. If the capital sounds like your dream place to live, come experience this great city with boundless opportunities. Whether you prefer a bustling urban community or a discreet residential area, there is a neighborhood to match your budget and lifestyle. 

Every homeowner must make it a priority to maintain the appearance of their home- both inside and out. If you’ve been beautifying the interiors, now is the time to do the same for your outside space. Depending on your goals or objectives, you can make modifications or upgrades to your outside space to make it a more welcoming extension of your home. It can be used to entertain family and guests or serve as a personal space to unwind and enjoy the outdoor scenery after a hectic day. If you’re still undecided on how to improve your property’s outdoor space, here are several valuable tips to consider to create the ideal alfresco area.   1. Select The Right Outdoor Furniture  Adding the right outdoor furniture can set the right mood for your alfresco space. If you want to create an extra dining area with a beautiful view of your garden or yard, consider purchasing an outdoor dining set. You may also look for an outdoor sectional couch with a coffee table if you intend to use your outdoor space for leisure or relaxation. It is also best to choose furniture that can withstand the elements and last for a long period. Aside from comfort, the furniture you select should be washable for simplicity and ease of maintenance. 2. Choose Matching Outdoor Blinds  Another element to consider when improving your outdoor space is installing patio blinds. Often referred to as cafe blinds, outdoor blinds, or alfresco blinds, they make a lovely addition to your outside space and are readily available in various materials such as PVC, canvas, or woven mesh. Installing café blinds protects your space from year-round weather conditions and even harmful UV rays.   Although there are numerous options available, selecting the best one for your home can be difficult. One place to begin is to decide on the style you want to bring about in your outside space. The colour of the blinds is also an important factor to consider. If you don’t want your blinds to look out of place, you should choose a colour that complements your outdoor furniture. Don’t forget about the blinds’ mechanism. You can pick between a manual and a motorized variant. Motorized blinds are a good option if you want a hassle-free operation. 3. Include A Grill  If you enjoy hosting parties for your family and friends, a grill is an excellent addition. When you have one, you can easily prepare steaks or hotdogs and serve them to your visitors while they are still hot. You can go for a small or large grill, depending on the amount of available outside space you have. 4. Integrate Proper Lighting   Lighting is one of the most important aspects of your alfresco area. With the right outdoor lighting, you can simply transform and turn it into an extension of your house.  You can also install path lights around the seating area to impart a cozy vibe, while wall lighting such as sconces can create a more relaxed ambience. Spotlights can be used to draw attention to any outdoor features in your yard or garden, such as sculptures or a water wall. String lights can also bring an exciting element by lighting up the trees.  If you have a food preparation area or an outdoor kitchen, you may also want to consider installing dimmable LED downlights.  Adding decorative lighting to illuminate steps and pathways does not only add visual appeal and aesthetics but also as a safety measure for you and your guests.  5. Select The Right Accessories   Your outdoor area won’t be complete without having the right accents and accessories. If you haven’t purchased them yet, think about the colours you want to use as they affect the overall atmosphere or mood of the place. You may opt for delicate hues for sheer elegance or bold colours for a pop of fun and personality. Throw pillows and a boldly-patterned outdoor rug makes versatile accessories that could complement any outdoor furniture. It’s also a good idea to add a large planter to your patio to highlight your plants and provide dimension to the room. In addition, a decorative wall feature, such as a large-size artwork or an accent wall in a contrasting colour or textured finish, can also make the space more inviting.  6. Add A Fire Pit  During cool evenings, everyone can still enjoy the outdoors when you have a fire pit in place. Whether you enjoy hosting outdoor dinner parties or spending time with family on weekends, a fire pit as a focal point for your outdoor seating area is a fantastic addition.  Final Thoughts   Creating the ideal alfresco space in your home is easy, and you don’t have to spend a fortune. If you want your outside area to make a good impression, keep it modest by only including the essentials and items you actively use. With these suggestions, you’ll be able to effortlessly create the perfect alfresco setting that everyone will enjoy.

Anyone who is thinking about selling their home likely has to consider the idea of renovating to increase the value of the home. Renovations can range from small updates, such as adding insulation, to bigger updates, like adding an extra room to the house. Before undergoing any renovation project, you need to ensure that you consider all the factors involved, and that you are honest with yourself about whether or not the renovations will add true value to your home. You also need to think about contacting a skip hire company like Proskips, as you’re going to be dealing with huge amounts of waste during the renovation process. Apart from the changes to resale value, you must consider how these renovations will impact day-to-day life. If you’re looking to sell your home and are wanting to renovate, here are the rooms you should focus on: The Kitchen The kitchen is the heart of any home, and it is the one place that brings together the entire house without fail. Everyone uses the kitchen. This is where families prepare meals, bond, and even host guests. Without question, this is the room that gets used the most. Nothing is worse than seeing an outdated kitchen when house hunting. The truth is that everyone wants a modern kitchen, so if you want to entice buyers, you should invest in kitchen renovations. Focus on quality finishes and lots of counter space because the kitchen is always the focal point of every home and can make a significant difference in the value of the house. When renovating the kitchen, focus on the following: Colours and textures Upgrade counters Replacing or re-painting cabinets Re-tiling Stainless steel appliances and new handles The Bathroom The bathroom is another very important room in the house and is used multiple times every single day by the entire household. When buyers are house hunting, they have their eyes set on what the bathroom is going to look like, and an outdated bathroom can ruin the entire home for potential buyers who do not want to renovate. Renovating the bathroom falls on the expensive side, however, it is worth it because you are guaranteed to receive a return on your investment. When focusing on the bathroom, consider doing the following: A fresh coat of paint Adjusting the shower pressure Stainless steel taps Re-grouting tiles Removing and replacing the silicone around the bath, shower, and toilet areas The Bedroom The bedroom is the sanctuary of the home and is where most people unwind and relax. This room is used every day and is where we rest our heads at night. People want a bedroom to exude comfort and their own personal style. When house hunting, people want the bedroom to be a blank canvas with modern finishes so that they can envision how they are going to decorate and arrange everything. To improve the bedroom, consider the following: Removing and replacing old carpets Re-painting walls Replacing or re-painting outdated cupboards Ventilation or air-conditioning Living Room The living room serves different functions in different households. In some households, the living room is a formal room that nobody is allowed in except for visitors, while other households treat the living room as a place where family can come together and spend some time. Buyers want a spacious and modern living room with a bit of character that compliments the rest of the house. If you want to make the living room better, consider the following: Repainting Removing or replacing carpets with tiles or wooden flooring A fireplace Updated light fixtures Updated light switches and plugs When renovating this room, keep colours neutral and the finish minimalistic. You don’t want to add a theme to the living room because you want the buyer to have a blank canvas that allows them to easily decorate however they want. Office Not all homes will have an office. If your home does, this is a room that is not often used but is still highly efficient. It can serve as a place for kids to do homework, or for one to get work done, especially during a pandemic where more people are working from home. When renovating this space, consider repainting, adding bookshelves, and air-conditioning. Stick to colours that are not distracting, and renovate it in such a way that it can be easily transformed into a guest bedroom in the event that you decide you don’t want an office.

Are you a first-time home buyer looking to find your dream home, but are worried about making some mistakes? Do you want to make sure that you cover all your bases when buying your very first home? Buying a house is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make, so it’s important to take your time and find the right place. When looking for houses, there are several factors that should be considered. Location, inspections, neighborhood, size of the house, and other factors are all important considerations. If you are nervous about buying your very first house, here are some of the biggest mistakes you should avoid as a first-time home buyer: Not Accurately Predicting Expenses   There are so many things that you need to remember as a first-time home buyer: the cost of the house, how many rooms you are looking for, if there are schools nearby, and so much more. It can all get very overwhelming, and sometimes you can forget that there are actually other expenses involved in this process. First of all, you will need to hire an agent if you want the best results possible. However, this isn’t something you should feel forced to do. But it is highly recommended that you hire a professional, like Miller Metcalfe, when buying a home, as real estate agents can help you make an informed decision. This real estate agency offers a wide range of properties for sale in Bolton as well as many other areas, and they offer personalized packages to suit you. Apart from the expense of the house itself, you will find that there are monthly expenses that will continue on for as long as you own the house, and you need to know what these are. Things such as water, electricity, and other maintenance fees will be something you will have to pay for monthly. On top of that, you will need to pay off the loan for your house. All of these can add up very quickly. Not Learning About the Location    When you go looking at different houses, you might think that you have found your dream house that is perfect and everything you could have ever wanted it to be. But then it turns out it isn’t close to a school for your children. Learning all you can about the location of the house and what surrounds it will prove immensely valuable. Many people just look at the house itself, but you need to think about the neighborhood and what your family needs, such as the commute to work, where the schools are, how close the nearest grocery store is, what kind of entertainment is around, and more. All of these can affect your decision dramatically. And if you don’t consider these things beforehand, you may end up with buyer’s remorse. Compromising    Compromising is absolutely key in this entire process. You may have an exact image of your dream house, along with your dream price, and the right location. However, it is not uncommon to end up compromising a bit in some, if not all, of these. Then there are other times where you find your dream house, but it costs a lot more than you were hoping for. In this case, you might have to look for a different house or think about increasing your budget. The same goes for the location too. Not Thinking Long-Term   A house is something that you will have for a very long time, if not for the rest of your life. This means that you need to think about what your future might look like and who your house needs to cater to. Right now, you may be single with just a dog or a cat, but in the future, you may want to start a family and have children running around. In this case, you will need to think about that and make sure that when you are buying a house, you are looking at ones that will have enough space to suit your family and their needs in the future. Not Considering the Size of the Property     Last but not least, you need to consider the size of the property. Having a house that is smaller could limit you, but having a house that is too big could be too hard for you to maintain. You need to think about what is just right for you. Do you have kids running around that need a big back garden? Do you have pets that need some space? Do you work from home and need a home office? There are so many questions you need to ask yourself in order to make the best choice that will pay off in the long run.

Are you thinking about building a property instead of purchasing an existing home? If so, then it’s important to approach this the right way. You might think that building a home is never going to fit into the budget that you are working with. However, don’t be so sure. It’s possible that you can build a home for less than you might realise. You just need to make sure that you are taking the necessary steps here. If you don’t do this, then the costs could quickly build and you could end up with nothing more than a money pit that is constantly draining your accounts. Here are some of the challenges of building a home that you will need to address the right way. Finding The Right Contractor First, you will need to take steps to find the right contractor who will build your property. Choosing the right contractor will depend on a variety of different factors. For instance, it’s important to choose a professional solution that will be able to work within your budget. You should mention your budget whenever you are speaking to a contractor that you are considering working with.  Of course, it’s not just about the cost. You will also need to ensure that you are getting the right quality solution when you choose a service like this. We recommend that you think about checking referrals as well as reviews before settling on the business that you are interested in working with here.  You might also want to consider looking at the portfolio of previous work that the team has completed. A company should always be able to provide you with evidence like this. If they can’t then you should question whether you can trust the services that they are promising to deliver. It’s likely that all is not as it seems here.  Money Concerns Next, you should think about how you are going to pay the cost of building your home. As already mentioned, building a home may not cost as much as you might expect. But you will likely still need to handle costs here the right way. We recommend that you explore different mortgage options that could be suitable for you. Self build mortgages are available on the market and this will provide you with the funs that you need if you don’t have a substantial amount of money in savings for a project like this. Do be aware that your chances of obtaining a mortgage like this can be contingent on numerous factors. For instance, you might be classified as self-employed. If that’s the case, then you should think about exploring self employed mortgages. A solution like this will mean that you can get a mortgage even if you don’t have a fixed career or hold a set position.  If you are concerned about the cost of building a home like this, we recommend that you think about saving a deposit similar to the money that you would put together for a typical home. This will make your home purchase far easier to handle and manage effectively from a financial standpoint.  Location, Location, Location  Next, you should think about the location of where you are building your new home. It’s important to make sure that you do build your home on a quality plot of land. If you fail to do this, then you can end up in a situation where there are issues with the foundations of the home or the general design.  You should also make sure that you are choosing a location with a good infrastructure in place. Problems with the infrastructure of a location will mean that it’s always going to be more difficult to sell the property in the future and that’s the last thing you want. As well as treating this as a home, you also need to think about it like an investment. It has to be something that you can make money off when it’s time to sell. You don’t want to end up with a built home that is going to leave you with a substantial loss. One of the ways to avoid an issue here is to make sure that you are building your home as part of a planned development. The right planned development will mean that your home is part of an up and coming area that is already gaining the attention of buyers and investors.  Delays Finally, it’s possible that you face delays when you are building your home. This is a concern, particularly if this is a property that you want to move into. It can be a nightmare if you end up with nowhere to live for an extended period as well as mounting costs. The good news is that there are ways to avoid delays when you are building your property. For instance, you can think about ensuring that you choose a contractor that will handle all the permits and individual requirements for you. You might also want to consider choosing a builder that has significant levels of experience in this area.  Other issues can lead to delays too. For instance, you might find that there are delays getting the materials that you need for your home build. One of the ways that you can handle this is by making sure that you take steps to prepare plans for this long before you start building the property. Preemptive thinking could save you a lot of time with processes like this.  We hope this helps you understand some of the key challenges of building a home from scratch. If you take the right steps here, then you can guarantee that this is going to be a relatively smooth process without too many headaches that you will need to navigate. Do be aware that building your home does provide you with a lot of significant benefits. For instance, you can get a property that you have always dreamed of, complete with some amazing features that are

Have you ever wondered what types of people visit online casinos? Well, the short answer is all types. Even when you think of brick-and-mortar casinos, the demographics are changing. We used to see only rich people in their elegant black-tie outfits, however, when you step into a casino hotel in Las Vegas today you will find all sorts of people. If you want to play casino games online the choices are almost infinite and online gambling is available for everyone over the legal age in countries where it is legal to gamble. So who visits online casinos? A Portuguese iGaming expert, Martim Nabeiro gave us the answer to this question.  The Free-game Lovers You may be surprised to learn that most online casinos offer demo versions of their games. People who are only after entertainment and not money often play free games at casinos. In these games, players don’t risk anything but they can’t cash out anything even if they win. They can still enjoy the great gameplay and kill some time in a way that is more interesting than just watching tv.  Most online casinos that accept players from Portugal, such as casino888 offer free games after registering and some do even without registering.  The Money-makers Everybody’s dream is to make money while playing games but it is not a very easy path. That being said, there are people in gambling who make money consistently. While with most games of chance, you have to be simply lucky to win, you may turn your skill into money in blackjack, poker and sports betting. There are professional poker players playing at online casinos who win more often than not using their excellent strategy, people skills, and experience.  Problem Gamblers Problem gamblers are the players who are addicted to casino games. They only make up a small percentage of all online casino players but they generate a significant part of the casinos’ income as they tend to spend a lot of money on games. Reputable online casinos take responsible gambling seriously and if they detect problem gambling behavior they will reach out to the player and stop them from depositing more. However, nothing stops these players from simply going to another casino and continuing playing games there.  The Casual Players This is the category where most online casino players fall into. There are many people in online games and casino games who visit just for the excitement and fun. They can afford to lose some money and usually play for small stakes. For example, they can play on a slot machine for an hour and only wager €5-20.  Casual players tend to play often – e.g. every day after work. They sometimes win and sometimes lose and this is what makes them come back. They often play with their friends, inviting them to casino sites and thus earning casino bonuses for the referrals.   The High Rollers High rollers don’t only exist in land-based casinos. In online casinos, you will find high roller tables where the minimum bets are much higher than at the standard tables. The high rollers often lose a lot of money but they can usually afford it. Most of them play typical casino games such as baccarat and roulette but they can be found at the poker tables too or by the slot machines placing maximum bets.  The Time-killers You would think that online casinos are only visited by young or youngish people, but then you would be wrong. For example, online bingo is very popular among older ladies – just like attending physical bingo halls in Portugal. To play bingo you don’t need a lot of money and you can spend a very long time there. You can chat with other players and make friends, have conversations, and generally spend time.  Conclusion In online casinos, you will find all sorts of people – young and old, men and women, rich and poor. Some are after pure entertainment, some desperately want to win money, some consistently make money and some just want to make new friends.

Picket Fence Perfection It is incredible to live in a part of the world where you can have a front porch that’s open for neighbors and passers-by to see and enjoy; it’s something worth celebrating by making a bit of an effort at dressing your porch really beautifully – and not just at Halloween or over the festive season. Rebekah Lowin writes for Country Living that there’s plenty you can do, even with a relatively small space – but to remember that your porch, or patio, “are the first things your guests are likely to see when they arrive.” That’s why dressing them up a bit in a fun, quaint, quirky, or elegant way to match or enhance your home cannot go amiss. Lowin emphasizes that it’s all about elevating your home’s curb appeal, not making your wallet screech and groan. It’s about creating an outside space that makes guests feel at home, if not a bit impressed; creating a quiet nook for your morning coffee or evening glass of wine; and even where the kids can zone out a bit, sans screentime, while they swing back and forth on a cozy porch swing. Decor decisions, decisions Brown rattan furniture can combine seamlessly with a nature-inspired palette of greens and blues for your upholstery and cushion covers, while a stone path adds a touch of interest to a patio that’s elevated a bit from the road. Wreaths add cheer all year long, not just at Christmas, and you can paint the porch ceiling with a shade to match the furniture below. Prefer a rocking chair to a swing? This type of furniture is highly weather-resistant, plus you can add the pillows you find most comfortable rather than going to the expense of having it covered. Whites and neutrals provide a classy backdrop for a range of flowerpots – possibly hosting a fine display of red and pink hydrangeas, as just one example of a plant that needs little attention. The distressed look on wooden chairs and tables is eye-catching, whether you created it yourself by following a specific painting technique or it’s a true vintage item. Then, if you have wooden beams overhead, consider stringing a selection of lights above, which will provide more gentle illumination than a harsh lamp, for example. And consider a trip to the nursery and a small investment in a pretty climbing plant, such as a rose, that will make a doorway or arch stand out once it’s grown a little. Some people love the twee (read: dainty, delicate, cute, or quaint). If that’s you – and there’s no harm in displaying your taste for all to see – two or three hanging baskets may be the missing touch that draws upward attention. Gardening lovers may display their metallic trowels and watering cans, which will glisten in the sunshine, and those who barbecue most weekends could put in an undercover fire pit or gas griller. A rustic, farmhouse look can be created inexpensively with a range of repurposed materials, such as metal sliding and iron trim, or a monochromatic theme can be created with a black – or white – church pew layered with (wait for it) black and white cushions for when you need to take the weight off after arriving home from an extended shopping trip or exercise session. Your porch-dressing shopping list US television producer turned interior designer Brian Patrick Flynn writes for HGTV that if you’re feeling a bit lost as to where to begin, there are ideally 10 items you need to assemble for your front porch to turn it into “the welcoming retreat it’s destined to be.” These items range from an outdoor rug, where you can “kick off your shoes and recharge”; a place to “sit comfortably,” that can be dressed up with a spread of cushions; lighting that is warm, and even solar-powered, to add an eco-friendly touch; a practically placed and sturdy table, at about arms-length when you are seated, from which to serve that delicious homemade lemonade; weatherproof art pieces to your taste, such as a sculpture or wall-hanging, that give your outdoor area a personal flavor; as much greenery as possible, such as potted plants “in varying heights and textures”; pet-friendly pieces, like a water bowl or toy, to keep your four-legged kids happy; a kid-friendly spot, such as a swing or mat, where the young members of the family can mess and play without restraint; and the odd versatile item, such as a small stool, which can double as “extra seating or an accent table” when required. Flynn is greatly respected in the design industry and tends to act as the prop stylist for his own projects, so it’s worth taking note of at least some of the advice above and then scrolling through numerous home, garden and decor glossies until you set your peepers on a look for your home that truly resonates with you. Where to find those statement pieces Ceramic flower pots and distressed-wooden furniture, garden seats, and candle holders… You’ll find all of these and more at your local garden center. An upmarket décor shop will hold the doormats, candles, rugs, and cushions. But, unfortunately, neither of these options are likely to prove that affordable, and your next-door neighbor may, unfortunately, pick up the very same item if it’s been mass-produced. So, if you’re on a mission to pick up something just that little bit more unique, scheduling a browse around a decor market or selection of antique shops may prove just the ticket. There’s a clear overlap between how you dress and how you do up your home, with the Belgian fashion designer (who is best known for her wrap dress), Diane von Fürstenberg, famously commenting: “Style is something each of us already has, all we need to do is find it.”