Italy Mag

Investing money in your home is something very few people love doing, which is quite understandable.

But, these are the things you still need to do every once in a while, especially if you want to boost the value of your home.

Whether you’re thinking about selling it or not, you should consider investing in effective renovations that could go a long way.

Make sure these make sense and actually pay off in the future, so here are a few ideas you should look into.

Upgrade Your Kitchen

This is where you probably spend the majority of your time, and renovating the kitchen could really benefit you on more levels than one.

It will boost your motivation, help you become more creative, and help you come up with amazing recipes day after day.

Renovating your kitchen is something you can do in lots of different ways, but finding frugal options is vital.

Defining your budget and controlling it is important, so figure out how much money you’ve got and how you can spend it.

Don’t be afraid to invest in high-quality appliances and visually appealing cabinets, because these will make your kitchen more functional and significantly boost its value.

Spruce Up Your Front Yard

If you’re living in a house, as opposed to living in a flat, your front yard is a crucial part of your property.

This is the first thing people see when arriving at your home, and it’s what helps them form their first impression.

That’s why spicing up your front yard could mean more than you can imagine.

So, start mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, decluttering the entire area, fixing your deck, and installing a small fountain that will turn into a focal point.

You could also repaint your façade and add some insulation too.

This will make your home stand out even more than before, especially if you’re trying to make it look good to potential buyers.

Fix Your HVAC System

This doesn’t seem like the most important thing in the world, but, when it comes to home renovations, it’s definitely important. Your HVAC system needs to be working properly all year long, especially if you live in a hot climate, such as Southern Europe, America or Australia, for instance.

People living there have to deal with high summer temperatures, and that’s sometimes impossible without proper ventilation.

Alternatively, they should at least consider adding a ceiling fan to every room of their home, but not on their own, though.

Instead, they might want to find an experienced electrician in Western suburbs who can install their ceiling fans quickly and efficiently.

This way, they’ll stay cool all summer long, and that’s something all Aussies are going to appreciate.

Replace Your Doors & Windows

Whether you’re living in a house or an apartment, you need to know how old it is.

The reason for that is quite simple – older properties need more maintenance, and this is especially true when it comes to doors and windows.

Ineffective doors and windows will make your life quite difficult and won’t allow you to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

That’s why replacing them is so effective, and it will make your home rather eco-friendly as well.

Just pick some sustainable materials – wood, vinyl, and fibreglass are quite popular nowadays and you’ll introduce a massive change in your life.

As you can see, renovating your home doesn’t have to be as hard as most people believe.

It’s all about making a proper plan, defining your wish list, and sticking to your design.

Start making these changes as soon as you can, and you’ll notice these ideas paying off right away.

Living in a home where there’s substance abuse is difficult, and it is even harder for children to comprehend the whole situation.

Oftentimes, they assign the blame to themselves, thinking they’re the ones who caused their parents to give in to their addiction.

With unpredictability and chaos now a part of their daily lives at home, children are likely to feel guilty and ashamed because of the current situation their family is in, and more often than not, they feel abandoned as a result of their parents’ emotional unavailability.

In a situation as delicate as this, it is parents’ obligation to openly talk to their kids about the addiction and tell them the truth.

While many parents walk a delicate line talking to their little ones about addiction, there are some general guidelines you can use to approach this complex topic.

Read on to learn what they are.

Keep Your Child’s Age in Mind

How you talk to your children about addiction depends on how old they are.

You don’t approach the topic the same way with a ten-year-old and a child in their teens, so consider your children’s age before you decide on the best way to tell them the unpleasant truth.

Pay attention to the language you use and try to make it as clear as possible.

If your children are young, it’s best to compare the addiction to the state of being sick.

However, if you’re a parent of a teenager, you can go into as many details as you think your kid is comfortable with.

If they’re interested in learning more about their family member’s addiction, be honest and talk to them openly.

Explain That Addiction Is a Disease

When approaching such a complex topic, the way you decide to deliver the truth needs to be well-thought-out.

Let your children know that addiction is a disease that can be cured, and that their parent is not a “bad” person, but that their addiction is a disease that causes them to act strange sometimes and do things that don’t really make much sense.

Whether they should go to a rehabilitation centre is a painful dilemma for both the person who uses drugs and their family, but oftentimes it’s the only way to deal with an addiction that is breaking their family apart.

With substance abuse problems on the rise in states such as Florida, many parents turn to Florida drug rehab to deal with this disease.

With effective recovery programs, rehab centers can help you successfully break away from drugs and ensure a happy, drug-free lifestyle.

Let Them Know It’s Not Their Fault

When talking to your kids about the addiction, it is of crucial importance that you let them know it is not their fault.

Constant yelling and arguing of parents under the influence of drugs may cause children to draw wrong conclusions and put the blame on themselves, even though they don’t have anything to do with their parent’s addiction.

They need to understand that they didn’t cause it and that they can’t stop it until the parent decides to deal with it on their own.

In addition, let them know that they’re not alone and that what they’re going through happens to other families as well.

Above all, find a way to show them that, even though the disease took over and that their parents are doing things they shouldn’t, all that doesn’t change the fact that they are still loved and that their parents are going to care about them no matter what.

Encourage Them To Speak About The Subject

Now that your children are aware of the situation and why their parents act the way they act sometimes, they should know that there is nothing they should be ashamed of.

Even though it’s something they’re not proud of, it’s a situation that will change after some time has passed, and until then, they shouldn’t be afraid to talk to other adults about the issues their family is facing.

Let your children know that they shouldn’t lie, cover up, or keep secrets about their parent’s addiction, and in case they’re feeling down, they should feel free to go to an adult they can trust and lighten their burden.

Sharing their problems with a teacher, counselor, or members of peer support groups can be helpful in combatting negative feelings, and will result in a feeling of being accepted and understood in the toughest of times.

Talking to your children about addiction is no easy task, and it’s a delicate matter that should be approached with care.

Use the tips above to explain the issue in a way that your children will understand and help them get through this tough period of their lives.

Although many people think that money would solve all their problems and make them completely happy, this is actually far from true.

In fact, there are many well-off people who are plain miserable. So, how to find a balance?

Is there an amount of money that can bring us happiness? And when does enough become too much?

Living a life of luxury may sound like a blast, but at some point, it becomes something else, something that kills our joy and pulls us downwards.

Here are some good and bad sides of a luxurious lifestyle.

Perk: You’ve Got More Opportunities

Being extremely rich is great when you consider all the opportunities you’re presented with. One of them is to travel.

When you have all the money you need and perhaps even a private jet, there’s no place in this world you can’t visit and see.

For the curious people who like learning new things, trying new foods and being introduced to new cultures, this is a blessing.

And it doesn’t stop with travel. There’s also the chance to meet people.

First of all, you can meet ordinary, everyday people at every location you travel to, but let’s not forget that with money usually comes status, meaning that when you make a name for yourself, you won’t have much trouble meeting other wealthy people.

This includes intellectuals, artists and scientists, which are usually an interesting lot.

Pitfall: You Can Become Self-Destructive

When you’re able to afford anything, many things lose their appeal and you start finding it difficult to get excited about them.

This could be one of the reasons we hear so much about celebrities and other rich people battling addiction and turning to various substances, some of which aren’t even legal.

However, there are some other possible reasons for this phenomenon.

Many rich and famous people start using drugs or develop an alcohol addiction because they underestimate the dangers of these substances and their bad effects of their wellbeing.

This may be due to the fact that the rich believe nothing can hurt them and that their wealth can pull them out of any trouble.

They may also think that these substances are the only way for them to feel any thrill and excitement, and their desire to feel good can actually cause them their health and lead them down the path of self-destruction they’ll have difficulty getting off of.

Perk: You Can make a Difference

Money normally carries with it a certain amount of power.

So, if that power is used for a good thing, then it becomes one of the best things about being rich.

A taxi driver can talk about important things as much as he or she wants, but not many people will give their words and weight.

However, if a celebrity who everybody loves and respects starts talking about something, a majority of us will listen, and what they say will most likely turn into a movement led by their fans in no time.

So, if a rich person uses their influence and resources to tackle an important issue and change things for the better, not only will the whole society benefit, but it will also give them a sense of pride and joy for being the ones who do good.

Pitfall: You Get Bored

One of the bad sides of being filthy rich is that you get to be self-absorbed, focus more on your own interests and desires, and you can make nearly all your wishes come true.

However, this can get very boring.

Having a huge swimming pool, a really fast car and a private jet may sound incredible, but once you get used to them, they don’t seem that special or interesting anymore.

Second, there are fewer things for you to strive to.

When you’re struggling to make it in business, you do it because you’d like to buy a nice house, see Bora Bora or buy those expensive shoes you saw somebody wearing.

Once you make it and can have all these things, you have to set higher goals.

But when you’re rich and capable of making more money using what you already have, most goals you set become easily reachable, stripping you off your ambitions and things to aspire to.

This can leave you frustrated or even apathetic. And what good is all your wealth if you don’t feel good about it?

Although having a lot of money can help you greatly in life, it can also cost you some of the good things that you take for granted.

After all, when you have money and power on your side, how can you ever tell if people around you are really your friends, or they’re just attracted to your wealth?

So, the key is probably to try and keep a more down-to-earth mindset even when you can allow yourself to have your head in the clouds.

Let’s not sugar-coat it – approaching and helping your loved one who struggles with and addiction is never a piece of cake.

In fact, it can be a very long, challenging, and painful process, but you know what? It definitely isn’t impossible.

Here are some useful tips and guidelines on how to make it happen with success, so check them out and learn something new today!

Search for Warning Signs in the First Place

Even though a lot of people think that identifying a substance use disorder is an easy task because the symptoms are way too obvious, the truth is that reality is completely different than that.

In fact, substance addiction is often an internal battle, which means that recognising the symptoms and helping your loved one can be very tricky and difficult.

This is particularly true because the majority of addicts usually tend to deny that they have a problem, trying to keep their habits a secret for as long as possible.

Even though the symptoms can differ depending on a person and the type of addiction they’re dealing with, there are some common ones such as untidy appearance, lying, bloody eyes, and social alienation.

If your loved one is featuring any of these, it may be the right time to approach them and help them out.

Be as Loving & Compassionate as Possible

As already mentioned, identifying the substance use disorder in your loved one can be tricky, but you know what?

Approaching and trying to help them can be even more challenging, so be extra careful and don’t make a huge mistake.

The key to success is adopting the right attitude which will allow you to get closer to your friend or a family member, without them feeling threatened.

Earning their trust is essential, so do your best to show love and compassion in order to understand what they’re going through.

Apart from allowing you to bond more with and strengthen your relationship, such an approach will play a crucial role in the recovery process as well.

It’s also important to say that being supportive doesn’t mean that you’re allowed to be judging or controlling, so respect their privacy if you don’t want to push them away.

Overcome the Barriers Together

Struggling with addiction is never easy, and this is particularly true for addicts who don’t want to admit it to themselves.

They live in an enchanted circle of denial, refusing to change their lifestyle and thinking that their addiction is actually beneficial for them.

Such a circle needs to be broken in order for your loved one to get back on track and take control of their life, which is why you should be as supportive as possible and help them accomplish that.

No matter how upset or angry you may feel about their condition, you must know that using guilt and shame is the last thing you want to do.

Instead, understand their struggle and let them figure out that a treatment program in a specialized facility may be the best option for them.

There are numerous facilities of this kind all across America, but we have to say that drug rehab in New Jersey is certainly among the best ones out there.

Just take it into consideration and you won’tmake a mistake.

Make Sure to Understand the Risks Too!

Needless to say, any kind of addiction can have different negative effects, both on the body and on the mind of the addict.

This means that changing their personality, behaviour, and character is quite common, which often causes the addicts to distance themselves from their family and friends.

Such behaviour can sometimes result in loneliness, depression, and even suicidal thoughts, which tend to push them deeper into addiction, instead of overcoming it.

When you know all of this, it’s crucial that you do whatever you can to understand those risks and choose the right approach, so that your loved one who struggles can trust you and let you help them.

One thing is certain – the sooner you identify the symptoms, the easier it will be to reverse the damage, so bear that in mind and you’ll do a great job.

As you can tell, there are a lot of important things you should remember when it comes to approaching and helping an addict.

This definitely won’t be an easy task, but it isn’t an impossible mission either.

All you need to do is to stick to our tips and guidelines and you won’t go wrong – that’s a promise!

Ever sat down on your well-worn couch to check the news and accidentally spilled your coffee over its nice white leather? Or writing with a pen was easy but it’s now spilling? Maybe sometimes your slice of pizza fell on your favorite couch.

What are you going to do?

Stains, just like any emergencies, occur all of a sudden when you least expect it.

No need to worry about it, we’ve done the work of finding out how to get rid of those stubborn stains. With just everyday products that are found in your home, you can be your own professional when it comes to removing pesky stains.

Food Stains

The best way to get rid of that cheese stain? It’s simpler than you think, and it does the trick every time. Not to mention that this trick can take care of most stains.

It’s a simple combination of water and some soap. You would want to get a sponge or a clean cloth together with your water and soap. Don’t use the rougher part of the sponge.

Warm water helps, but if the stains are from dairy products like cheese, it’s best to use cool water to avoid the protein from curdling.

At times, when the reliable mixture trick doesn’t seem to work, try using a liquid detergent that has enzymes in it. Soak the stain for 30 minutes before blotting it with the cloth or sponge.

Larger stains are often a chore. Don’t start in the stain; it’s best to work from the outside first.

Greasy Stains

Baking soda is your friend when it comes to removing greasy stains. You can either put straight up baking soda on it, or you can create a solution of baking soda and water and create a mixture and apply it on the stained area.

You want to get the oil out of the stain because that’s what’s making it stick to the material. With the baking soda solution, you should then let it sit for 10 minutes or longer. Once you’ve waited it out, vacuum or sweep the excess baking soda.

For extra credit, you can try using vodka and blot away any remaining stains on it. Another alternative to vodka would be some drops of dish detergent, elbow-grease to scrub away using a toothbrush, then blotting with a clean cloth or towel.

Alcohol & Coffee Stains

Your favorite beverage spills, and the best way to get rid of it is simple.

Get that ice cube from the bucket and rub the stain with it. Mix a small amount of liquid detergent with warm water. Finally, use this to blot the stain with a paper towel.

A tip to save you when you need it: Use a cup of vinegar and another with water. Put them in a spray bottle for convenience. Spray it on the problem area before blotting with a wet towel.

Next, dilute ammonia with water, around a tablespoon for a cup of water, and blot it on the stain. Once you do that, you blot with a new but wet cloth and then dry off with a dry towel.

Fruit Stains

These stains are pretty colorful and stand out, especially when not in contrast to the color of your upholstery.

First things first, see if you can use water to clean out your furniture. Next step is you need to make a solution by mixing cold water, 1 tbsp of vinegar, and just a little bit of dish detergent. You can also use shampoo. Using the solution you just made, rub it on the stain. After that, wash away with water, dry it with a new cloth.

If that doesn’t work, cleaning services New York, MaidSailors recommends using Rubbing Alcohol. Just spray a little bit of alcohol and rub away with any cloth.

It is also advisable to clean starting from the outside of the stain and then working your way to the inside. This helps with preventing the stain from spreading out.

With some upholstery, you have options to use chlorine or stronger cleaning solutions if the material can take on harsher chemicals. Let dry, and you should be good to go.

Ink Stains

Ink stains are a common occurrence, and a well-known remedy to it is hairspray. Start off by placing a paper towel underneath the stained material to absorb the wet ink. Dab it with a cotton ball dipped in hairspray (you may also use an alcohol wipe). Let it soak for several seconds before blotting it with another clean cloth. Repeat this process until it’s gone.

Pet Pee

If you’ve ever owned a cat or a dog, you have encountered this and may have found your own way of getting rid of that stain. One suggestion would be to use a cleaning solution that’s composed half of the water, and the other half would be vinegar.

Spray it with the solution then blot a cloth onto it until you remove the moisture. The smell is the toughest part of the pee to tackle, but with a little baking soda, you can do it quite easily. After you’ve sprinkled baking soda on it, wipe away the excess or vacuum it and you’re done!

Removing stains is always a chore, but it’s a good thing to know how to get rid of it without breaking the bank. After the cleaning and the baking soda, your furniture would be looking good as new, and it’s the same old couch you know and love.