Tag: Home

Homeowner Discussions: Is It Better To Relocate Or Revamp?

Three key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Home/Living Discussions and Home/Property Discussions. A popular television show is “Love It Or List It” where homeowners must decide whether to update their current property or find a new one altogether. It’s something all homeowners must face. The following contributed post is entitled, Homeowner Discussions: Is It Better To Relocate Or Revamp?

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Credit: Pixabay CC0 License

A happy home life is something that everyone deserves. So, when you’re not 100% satisfied with the current living situation, you will have a number of key questions to consider. The most pertinent, however, is whether to move property or invest in improving the one you already own.

While there’s no single right or wrong answer for everyone, there are several key factors to consider. Be sure to consider the following issues and you won’t go far wrong.

The Financial Aspects

Given that a property is the greatest financial asset at your disposal, it’s impossible to ignore the monetary elements. When relocating, buying a fixer-upper could be one of the greatest ways to bolster your financial status over the long haul. However, it will require a lot of patience. Moreover, you’ll need to remember that buying and selling properties comes with various taxes, fees, and hidden costs.

Meanwhile, most people can add value to the existing property as well as their home lives with ease. Land clearing with the view to creating an extension or adding luxury backyard items can deliver a fantastic ROI. Meanwhile, attic and cellar conversions are capable of making the home feel bigger. They also add significant value. Moreover, you can complete projects one at a time to aid your cash flow at this time.

In many cases, then, working on your existing home is probably best in the short-term. However, each route can deliver benefits in the long haul. The key is to do it correctly.

Lifestyle Changes

When buying a property, you aren’t just purchasing a building. You are committing to a new way of life. Therefore, it’s essential that you think about those impacts on your life as well as the benefits of the property itself. When moving to a new city, weighing up the career prospects and living costs is as crucial as the cost of the property. Otherwise, it won’t become the foundation of a happy life like you crave.

Even when moving locally, you may need to consider transport links to your work or the schooling facilities. The truth is that your move may provide an upgrade or a downgrade. Only thorough research will give you a clear indication of what to expect. If you decide that a move is right for your future, it’s important to choose a suitable time for the move too. Moving during your child’s exam season, for example, may not work.

Staying put offers stability and convenience, but only you will know if it’s where you wish to stay. If the surroundings are a source of displeasure, a move could be right.

Personalization

When hoping to make a house a home, character-defining features are vital. If planning to move into a new property, you should invest in personalization from the start. Living in someone else’s dream property will never deliver the best results, even if the surroundings are impressive. This is another incentive to choose a home that needs a little work. It’ll save money, that can be spent on those updates.

If your current home is in good health and just needs a little updating, cost-effective ideas work wonders. New kitchen cabinet handles are far cheaper than gutting the room. Meanwhile, a change of color scheme or rearranging the furniture can bolster living spaces. Fixing TVs to the wall or using shelves rather than display cabinets can deliver stunning rewards too. Increased floor space is the key.

It’s quicker to personalize an existing space, but starting from scratch in a new home may be better for some. But only if you have the time and budget needed for success.

Superb Ideas For Tricky-To-Decorate Spaces

Two key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Home/Property Discussions. A key consideration for your living space is decorating it. Decorating your home to your satisfaction will be critical to your quality of life and generally how you feel in your dwelling. The following contributed post is entitled, Superb Ideas For Tricky-To-Decorate Spaces.

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Most modern homes maximise the volume of interior space by making sure that everything is square. Older homes have more hidden nooks and crannies. Even so, homeowners of both types often find themselves in situations where they have to decorate tricky spaces. Either they’re too small, hard to reach, or a weird shape.

The good news, though, is that a lot of keen home DIY enthusiasts have come before you. And they’ve figured out myriad ways to get the job done, even in the tightest of spots! Here are some solutions:

Windows With Architectural Details

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Some homes have weird windows with architectural features that get in the way. You would think that something as simple as treating a window frame would be easy. But that’s not the case at all. You wind up with bits and pieces of the window design jutting into your room or getting in the way of your tiling work.

Whatever the case, the best approach is to leave the feature alone and then just work around it. With paint, this is easy. With wallpaper, it’s more complicated. And with tiles, it’s the hardest of all. Sticking with a period feature and working around it neatly, however, often creates a beautiful visual effect. In fact, it looks so good, you don’t envy those with simpler setups.

Nooks In The Ceiling

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There’s nothing more annoying than trying to repaint a ceiling with a dormer window. The angles are just impossible, even if you have a great ladder.

For some people with double-height ceilings, the problem is even worse. Not only do you have to twist and turn at some weird angles, but you also risk falling to your doom.

The best solution here, according to Access One Scaffolding to build an aluminium frame below the area in which you’re working. The idea is to create a temporary walk surface – like a second floor -to make it easier to get to those tricky areas. If you still can’t reach, you just add extras to the frame until you’re in the perfect position to start painting.

Random Spaces Behind Doors

It’s always hard to know what to do with spaces lurking behind doors. You can’t put an antique table there. And you certainly can’t place pottery there. So what the heck are you supposed to do with it?

One idea is to buy a piece of artwork that just so happens to fit the available space. It won’t get in the way of the door opening, but it’ll also provide visual interest.

Another idea is to install a wall lamp. Again, it shouldn’t get in the way but will also provide a bit of extra beauty.

A Gap Under Your Stairs

The most obvious option here is to create a cupboard for your vacuum cleaner. But what if you have cantilever stairs? Your best bet here is to insert some plants and hope for the best. What you’ll find is that large indoor shrubs look natural and cosy in the nook, thanks to their foliage. You can also try adding lanterns and even attractive bins if it still looks sparse.

5 Top Tips For Finding Your Dream Home

A key focus of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money. A key wealth-building strategy is the purchase of our primary residences. As easy as it may seem, finding our dream home is not easy. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Top Tips For Finding Your Dream Home.

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Image by Pexels from Pixabay

If you’re on the hunt for your dream home and you don’t know where to begin then don’t worry, you have definitely come to the right place. Whether you’ve been renting for years or this is going to be your first house, you need to ensure you’re doing all that you can to find the right home for you. Luckily, there are lots of tips and tricks you can bear in mind to ensure you’re doing exactly that. From setting yourself a budget to looking at all of your available options, the more you’re doing the easier the process will be. With that in mind, here are 5 top tips for finding your dream home:

Set Yourself A Budget

One of the first things you need to do when it comes to finding your dream home is to set yourself a budget, as this will ensure you’re not looking at houses that are out of your budget. Whether you’re thinking about the cost of the deposit or the monthly remortgage payments, you need to be sure you’re choosing a house that you’re going to be able to afford comfortably. This may mean taking a look at your overall budget, as thinking about the other costs you have is important. For a guide to creating a personal budget, you can visit this site here.

Look At All Of Your Available Options

When it comes to choosing your dress house, often it’s all too easy to look at just a few of your favourite options. Whether you’re saving yourself time or you think you’ve got your heart set on a property, you may be surprised if you start researching all of the options that are available to you. From looking further afield to working with different estate agents, you never know what you could find. For a great estate agent, you can visit the Lake Murray real estate site here.

Make Sure You’re Viewing Places In Person

Another thing you should make sure you’re doing when it comes to finding your dream house is to ensure you’re viewing all of your potential choices in person. Although it may take some time, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you find when you do. For a guide to viewing a potential house in person, you can visit this site here.

Consider The Local Area

When you’re thinking about the perfect house for you, you may want to think about the local area too. Whether this means finding somewhere close to your child’s school or choosing somewhere that has great transportation networks, you need to be sure you’re choosing a house that is in the right location. If you daily to do this, you will soon start to resent the house you’re in.

Don’t Make A Decision Too Soon

Finally, you need to be sure you’re not making a decision too soon. Although you may find a house that seems perfect, it’s always better to take a break and think about it first. During this time, you can do some more investigating into your mortgage options and ensure that you will be getting the best deal for your dream home. When you apply for a mortgage, it’s vital to keep in mind that your personal information will be stored and used in a credit check; it will also be used to contribute to HMDA Scrubs to assess demographics in the market. Understanding how and where your information is being used can help you make the best decision for your future.

Specialist Contractor

When you buy an old property, you may not realize the range of historical features it contains. These features can give your home a unique charm, from intricate stonework to carved wooden details. However, they also require specialist knowledge and expertise to properly maintain and repair. This is because they have the skills and experience to understand how the original materials were used and crafted, as well as the techniques needed to reproduce them accurately. Specialist contractors are hard to find and often overbooked because they’re so rare! If you want to save yourself the hassle then find someone who can find your dream home for you, so you can avoid having to hire a specialist to create what you’re looking for. Paul Ognibene from Urban Spaces can help you with that, as they put a prime focus on making neighbourhoods better for the families that live there.

With lots of great tips to bear in mind, you can be sure you’re finding your dream home in no time. What else do you need to do? Did we miss anything off of the list? Let us know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.

5 Simple Ways to Combat Stress While Working From Home

Three of the focuses of my blog are Career Discussions, Current Events and Health/Wellness. The Coronavirus/Covid-19 Crisis/Pandemic has caused many workers to work at home which hasn’t been a simple adjustment for everyone. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Simple Ways to Combat Stress While Working From Home.

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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Coronavirus has drastically affected business both large and small around the world. And because of the global pandemic, many have had to work from home instead of the usual office setting that they are used to. This change has affected the ability to work for those not familiar with a remote routine, leading to countless feelings of stress and as though they are on edge.

But to be as successful as possible within your role, it’s important to identify methods that will help to relax you – so that you’re feeling as productive and motivated each day.

Although it’s undeniable that you might not be as engaged as you would in your work setting when you’re among your colleagues, it’s still important to seek techniques that guarantee you get your work completed on time. But if you’re unsure as to where to start, then it might be a bit daunting. To help guide you, here are 5 approaches you could take:

1. Create a Dedicated Workplace

When working from home, it’s important to create a dedicated workplace – and to not sit in your living room on the couch or in another busy environment. By opting to sit and work in a loud part of your home, you’ll only feel stressed and as though you can’t complete tasks to the best of your abilities.

So to prevent this from happening, consider creating a home office that you can comfortably work in. This won’t only help your concentration levels, but will also be more ergonomic – especially if you have an adjustable office chair.

2. Keep in Contact with Colleagues and Loved Ones

During this time, it’s only natural to feel isolated when you’re at home all the time. And even though life is gradually getting back to normal, many people are still working from home either full time or part of the time. If you’re feeling isolated and stressed, then it’s essential that you try and stay in contact both with your colleagues and with loved ones.

Human interaction is vital throughout your working day and it’s something that shouldn’t be ignored. Giving you a little pick me up, these virtual video calls will make all the difference to how you’re feeling.

3. Take Breaks Throughout The Day

Although this might seem like an obvious one, it’s still worth a mention – especially during the coronavirus outbreak when you may feel limited as to what you can do. Taking breaks throughout the day is critical to recharging your brain and giving yourself that much-needed breather.

Without doing this, it’s clear that your mental health will start to suffer. So make sure you take time out away from your screen and manage any feelings of stress. Even just 10 minutes or so away from the desk will help you to refresh.

You could spend these breaks going on a walk nearby, baking something delicious or doing anything activity that doesn’t revolve around a screen. Just make sure that when you’re doing this you’re following the social distancing guidelines!

When work is finished, you can then have a cooling down period in which you unwind. Some people might take this time to understand the importance of grow cabinets if they use cannabis to relax, or another activity they enjoy doing.

4. Establish a Working Routine (And Try to Stick to it)

Without a schedule in place, you might feel as though you’re struggling to find a balance between your work time and your personal time. These blurred lines could start to make you feel stressed and as though you never have time to unwind.

It’s therefore a good idea to create a daily schedule. Within this time, you could list exactly when you’re going to work (which will usually align with your core working hours) and when you will stop work for the day.

Although this is a simple trick, it can prove to be invaluable not only in this time but in the future if you have to work from home again.

5. Switch Off

As part of your downtime, it’s also worth putting your phone and any other technology away at least two hours before you sleep. At the moment, the news and social media are incredibly negative, so instead of focusing on this before you go to bed, consider opting for reading a book or another activity.

When working from home, you want to ensure that your sleeping pattern is as good as possible with no disruptions. This is therefore a beneficial practice to do each night, to allow you to fall asleep more naturally.

Final Thoughts

So, there you go! Those are 5 simple methods that you can use to help you to relax and combat sleep while working from home.

The methods that you use, of course, is up to you. But whatever proactive steps you take towards ensuring that you manage your levels of stress, while remaining engaged the more successful you will be.

Small Changes To Create A Dramatic Impact

A key focus of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money. One of our biggest investments is our primary residence. There are subtle changes we can make to our homes that greatly increase their value and their livability. The following contributed post is entitled, Small Changes To Create A Dramatic Impact.

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Photo from Pexels.com

If you feel your home needs an upgrade without breaking the bank, it can be overwhelming to decide where to start. With this guide, we can show you five easy ways to make a significant impact by changing the smaller details in your home.

Upgrade your plumbing

Upgrade your plumping by switching your plain white pipes to an eye-catching style. Which is popular for many bathroom styles using parts such as sanitary tubing. Many trends include pipes that are visible as you walk into the room to create a feature to the sink and bath area. There are multiple ways to uplift your pipes, but opting for a stainless steel version can be easy to keep clean by leaving a shine. If your home is more of a vintage style, this can be a great option as you could use a different color or texture to adapt to your liking.

Switching your light switches

Small details in your home should not go amiss either, such as your light switches. They are items in your home that get used loads of times throughout the day, yet we forget to modernize them. Rather than a white plastic covering, you could change this to match the metal items in each room, such as door and drawer handles or kitchenware. You could have a different cord on your string lights as well.

Modernize your windows

Grey windows are very popular at the moment as they look cleaner for longer. They also create a modern style for your home from the inside and the outside. If you want to make your home stand out from the rest of the street, then changing the color of your windows can do just that. It is advisable to match the color of your windows to your door or plastic cladding because it brings the whole house together.

Radiator coverings

If you do not like the look of radiators or are living in a smaller house, then looking for a cover for them can transform your space. They often come in various patterns and colors to suit your style as well as hiding any pipes underneath. Many people choose this option to create an extra side to put items such as plants and keys on the top. It can be a quick and easy project and be very useful.

Change your flooring

You could change your flooring by opting for a different texture such as slate, wood, or tile for a dramatic effect. They are hard wearing choices that stay at a high quality for years. If you are not in a situation to change all your furniture, you can change the floor to provide you with the illusion that you have changed more than you have.

Hopefully, with this guide, you will be able to transform your home by changing five small things, such as switching your pipework to bring more of a feature out. Your guests will think you’ve had a full renovation with these small changes.

The Importance of the Home Office as a Business Owner

Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Regardless of the type of business you own, having a home office can provide a tremendous advantage and be an asset as well. Don’t underestimate its importance. The following contributed post is entitled, The Importance of the Home Office as a Business Owner.

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Image: https://www.pexels.com/photo/architecture-business-clean-computer-389818/

When you run a business from home, your office space is so important. It’s a place you need to feel relaxed yet productive, and so creating something that works for you is key. There are lots of different things you need to be keeping tabs on when you’re running a company, from data to documents and much more, so you’ll want to make sure everything stays organised and you can work comfortably. Here are a few ways you can go about it.

Choose the right computer for you
Your computer will play a major role when you work from home– most of your work will be done from this device. So you absolutely need the right machine that will be fast, reliable and perform all of the tasks you need. If you’re planning on using an old, outdated PC or laptop then you could be putting your venture at risk. Invest in something that’s going to perform well and is suited to you, don’t choose the first thing you see and read lots of reviews. Your best bet would be to go to different computer stores to check out different models and be recommended something by an expert which suits your venture and what you’ll be doing on the machine.

Focus on the desk and chair
Go for the largest desk you can fit in your space, since you’ll be more comfortable and have enough room to complete all of your daily tasks. Something solid and sturdy will stand the test of time, and you can always install shelves above it if you need the extra storage space. Don’t overlook the chair too, you’ll be sitting here for long periods so something comfortable and supportive is absolutely essential.

Keep it clean, unfussy and organised
There’s a lot going on in the home office, to keep it organised it’s crucial that you’re regularly cleaning and decluttering. Regularly remove dust and debris since computers and other electronics tend to attract it- a good electronic contact cleaner can make the job easier. In terms of decor, keeping it minimal can help with productivity- it doesnt need to look cold and corporate, but avoid too much personal clutter. Paint the walls a light, neutral colour, add in some plants to decorate since they add colour and texture without looking fussy and research shows they actually boost productivity while you’re working. Finally, in terms of data and documents, move what you can to the cloud as you won’t need to mess around with paper files and hard discs, you can store it online and access it from any other computer without compromising your security. It frees up space in your home office too and makes it feel less crowded and cluttered. You’ll find that you’re much happier and more productive in an organised space.

Get The Mortgage That Makes The Most Sense With These Tips

A key focus of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money. Choosing the right home is important but getting the right mortgage is arguably more important. Choosing the right mortgage product will assure that you’ll stay in the home for as long as you want to. The following contributed post is entitled, Get The Mortgage That Makes The Most Sense With These Tips.

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The vast majority of homebuyers, whether they are first-time purchasers or have been on the market before, aren’t going to have the cash ready to buy a property outside. As such, you may need to rely on a loan, or a mortgage, that covers the cost of the home for you to then pay back monthly. However, many buyers make the mistake of arranging a mortgage that keeps them locked down, paying too much for too long. Here are a few tips on how to get a mortgage that’s more cost-effective, more flexible, and a better investment overall.

Credit – PIxabay License

Check your credit health, first
A mortgage is a loan and may be the largest loan you’re likely to take out. As such, like all lenders, mortgage providers will look at your credit score, which is a numeric value that’s supposed to show how reliable you are when it comes to managing loans, credit, and other financial agreements. If you have no credit history or one that’s marred by a broken agreement, it can limit your mortgage choices. Credit reporting bodies like the TransUnion have to offer you one free credit report check a year. You can see what issues might be pulling your credit rating down and fix them, if possible. For instance, reducing your credit card utilization and challenging fall credit reports can help raise your score.

Have a down payment ready
When paying for a home, most people are going to pay in a two-step arrangement. The first step is paying a lump sum of cash, the down payment, directly. The total of this down payment is then removed from the total of the home value. The price that’s left over is then split into monthly payments. As such, a larger down payment will mean a lower overall mortgage and can help you get more advantageous mortgage rates and payment plan arrangements. It’s recommended you have at least 20% of the home’s total value saved up in a down payment. If you don’t have enough, you may have to pay homeowner’s insurance, which is an additional expense that’s highly avoidable.

Get the right experts on your side
When it comes to finding the best mortgage rate, then you’re going to need to take the time looking over all the different offerings on the market. Rates and fees change from place to place. However, you don’t have to go it alone. Expertise from broker teams like Altrua Financial can help you find the mortgage rate and arrangement that best suit your needs. Brokers bring a working knowledge of the mortgage market, who offers what, including which deals may suit your individual needs or have advantages that are specific to you. You can look through the mortgage market yourself, but it’s not wise to deprive yourself of some expert help.

Have some cash reserves at your side
When it comes to saving for a home, a lot of people will save what they need for the down payment, as well as any services and fees they might have to pay along the way. However, most banks are also going to need you to have at least two months’ worth of cash reserves on hand. This is the money that will ensure you can pay your mortgage for those two months. The cash reserve requirement may be higher on higher risk mortgage, but you can also get cash reserves together to leverage your way into a better mortgage arrangement, so it’s important to get as much money together before buying a home as possible.

Bear in mind that you can change things around in future
You might have looked through the market and, whether due to current financial realities or the fact that you don’t have as much time to improve your credit score as you would like, your options are limited. If you’re not willing to wait, you can buy a house with the best mortgage available, but that might not be the best mortgage available to you, forever. Remortgaging is always an option. It’s not always a smart option, as the costs can often outweigh the savings. However, if you take a fixed-rate mortgage that’s about to expire, you could save money with a switch.

There are no quick fixes when it comes to finding a good mortgage. You need to be in a good place, financially, and you need to comb through the market in detail. Hopefully, the tips above show you how to do that a little better.

Technology To Keep Your Home Secure

Two key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Technology. For individuals who own their homes, their primary residences are their largest investment. As such those investments must be protected and their ways to use technology to do so. The following contributed post is entitled, Technology To Keep Your Home Secure.

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(Pixabay)

Keeping your home secure and safe has always been at the top of many people’s priorities. It is just as important as ensuring the security of your business. We all know that it is important to close your windows and lock your doors before you go out, but as technology develops, there are more and more gadgets and tools that we can use to improve our home security. Many of the security items will be familiar, but they now have added technology that can help to make your home safer than ever:

A doorbell with a camera
No longer do doorbells just alert you to the fact that somebody is at the door, they can now show you who is at the door. This is useful for those unexpected house callers, as you can talk to them to find out who they are before you open the door. The camera doesn’t usually run all the time; it triggers when somebody comes to your door. There are even doorbells that allow you to connect to your phone so that you get alerts when there is someone at the door, and you can talk to them, even when you aren’t in the house.

A secure padlock
Padlocks are known for making things secure and safe by preventing people without a key from opening whatever you have secured. However, they have become even more secure with the invention of the biometric padlock. Biometric padlocks allow you to use your fingerprint, smartphone, or a password to unlock. No more losing keys, or getting your lock picked!

Home security systems
Home security systems are a great way to deter burglars and alert others if there is an intruder around. Many alarm systems set off an alarm when movement is detected in your home, but now there can be much more to home security systems. Many come with security cameras, some with excellent night vision. If your camera detects that someone is there, some will send you an alert and image of the person. This allows you to decide what to do if there is someone you don’t know outside. The alarm will still go off if someone breaks in, but this extra level of security acts as more of a deterrent and will provide authorities with an image of the perpetrator if anything happens.

Online security
Breaking into your home is no longer one of the only ways people can find your personal details and steal from you. There are now many cybercriminals out there that will try to do this online. You can put things in place to prevent any breaches of data from happening. All the passwords that you choose should be complexed and include numbers and special characters. Make sure that your device and the software on your device is regularly updated, encrypt anything private, and install effective firewalls. If you run a small business, it may be a good idea to get some advice from an IT professional who specializes in cybersecurity so that you can be sure everything is secure.

How To Grow Your Home Care Agency

Three of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Health/Wellness. As significant percentages of the population age, home care agencies are going to take on a greater importance. If you’re in this type of business/sector, there are keys to growing your business. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Grow Your Home Care Agency.

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As the population ages, there are more and more people in need of care, whether in retirement homes or with in-home care. This means the time is ideal for those with a home care agency to grow their business and find plenty of new clients. Here’s how to grow your business so yours is the agency that stands out.

Image – free for commercial use

Offer Longer Visits
Many people worry about their elderly relatives not getting a good quality of care, due to rushed workers not having enough time to spend with each person they see. To make your agency stand out, try to strike a balance between the numbers of staff you have and how many clients they visit each day so each client gets a suitable length of visit to make sure they’re getting good quality care.

Embrace Technology
Technology has become a big part of many areas of healthcare, including home care for the elderly. Use tools like SwyftOps to schedule care tasks, and allow the family to track what tasks have been done when, offering greater efficiency for you and peace of mind for your client and their loved ones.

Be Flexible and Responsive
One of the main reasons that people resist help from a carer is that they feel they have lost control over their own lives. By offering a service that is responsive and flexible, you can better adapt to the individual client, so they feel respected and listened to. For example, don’t have a set schedule that you apply to all clients. Try to adapt to their own preferences around things like meals and sleep.

Think Personal
It can be easy for a rushed careworker to concentrate on just ticking over their tasks as fast as they can so they can meet their targets. Allow them time to treat each client like a person, not a task to be ticked off. This means they’ll be able to talk to them and get to know them, offering a much more personal level of service that clients will like.

Offer Support For Relatives
When your workers aren’t there, care falls to your client’s relatives. Their relatives may not always be sure how best to support them, especially in the case of conditions like dementia. As well as caring for your client, try to offer support for their relatives too while you’re there. Answer their questions, listen to their concerns and worries, and try to offer useful advice for caring for the loved one when you’re not there.

Ask For Feedback
You can’t improve your service if you can’t identify the problems. Regularly ask for feedback from your clients and their relatives. This will help you to find any common issues that are concerning people, allowing you to correct them and keep your clients happy.

You should also make sure to offer your staff frequent training to make sure their skills and knowledge are up to date. Use the feedback to find the gaps in their knowledge that would benefit from further training.

Community Quarantine: Working from Home During These Times

Two key focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Current Events. The Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic has at least temporarily changed workplace conditions around the world. While working at home sounds like a win-win, there are some caveats to it, especially if you aren’t used to it. The following guest post is entitled, Community Quarantine: Working from Home During These Times.

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Now that the country is under quarantine, with Luzon on enhanced community quarantine, working from home is now being implemented by the government and most companies in the private business sector.

Under the threat of the COVID-19 disease, the Philippine government is encouraging private companies to make adjustments to its processes and put in place a work-from-home structure. If you’re new to this scenario, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your time at home:

5 Ways to Be Productive as You Work from Home

1. Treat it as you would any normal workday at the office.

Simply because you’re working from home now doesn’t mean you need to make major adjustments in life. You still need to go about it as you would any normal day at the workplace.

Wake up early. Take a bath. Prepare your work station. Clock in at a certain time to start your workday. Focus on the day’s tasks and deliverables.

It will still pretty much be the same thing you do at work. The only difference is you’re getting all your work done from home. Establish a routine to maintain or even enhance your productivity.

2. Prioritize.

Take a look at your day-to-day tasks and prioritize them according to importance or degree of difficulty. If you are uncertain which ones are needed the most at the end of the day, give your supervisor or boss a call. Sure, you don’t have access to your PBX business phone systems but a text message or an email should do the trick. Knowing which tasks are priority helps determine how your day will go.

3. Organize your schedule and try to stick to it.

Once you have already identified which deliverables are urgent and which ones can wait, plot down your schedule according to these tasks.

Writing down your daily or weekly schedule helps establish the rhythm that you need to keep you on track. Working from home can give you plenty of distractions. You need something tangible to help keep you from getting off-course and keep you goal-oriented throughout the day and week.

4. Take breaks.

One of the things some people tend to take for granted is taking breaks. Breaks are essential to a person’s productivity. These help you recharge and refocus after lengthy periods. Taking a break is not exactly a luxury, but it is a necessity for any worker.

When you take breaks, it is recommended to step away from your workstation. Stand up, stretch a bit, walk around to get the blood flowing in your system, and enjoy a cup of coffee or a sandwich. Do whatever normal people would do at the office when on break.

5. Stop at the end of the day.

Like any other workday, you should stop at a certain time. One of the downsides of working from home is some people can no longer differentiate time for work and time away from it.

Clock out at the end of your day. Once you have already completed your eight hours, step away from your work station and move on to the finer things in life like spending time with your family or taking your well-deserved rest.

Working from home is a privilege. Do not take it for granted. Work when you need to work, stop when you should stop. Learn how to properly balance work and life. Learning how to manage that will make you more productive in the end.