Mum Reviews...

How to Wallpaper Your Walls

Wallpaper can be a great way to add texture, pattern, and color to your walls. It's a relatively easy and cost-effective way to update a room, and can transform a space into a completely new and exciting environment. However, the process of wallpapering can seem intimidating for first-timers. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you wallpaper your house.

1. Choose Your Wallpaper Choosing the right wallpaper is a crucial step. You need to choose the right pattern, color, and texture that matches your style and interior. Consider the size of the room and the type of furniture you have. You can order samples from the manufacturer to see how the pattern looks in the room.

2. Prepare the Wall Before you start wallpapering, you need to prepare the wall. Remove any old wallpaper, paint, or debris from the wall. Fill any cracks or holes with spackle and sand the surface. The wall should be clean, dry, and smooth.

3. Measure the Wall Measure the height and width of the wall you want to wallpaper. Add a few inches to the height and width so you have enough paper to work with. Cut the wallpaper into strips according to the measurements.

4. Apply Wallpaper Paste Apply wallpaper paste to the back of the wallpaper strip using a wallpaper brush or roller. Start from the center of the strip and work towards the edges. Make sure the edges are covered with paste.

5. Hang the Wallpaper Starting from the top of the wall, carefully hang the wallpaper strip onto the wall. Make sure the edge is straight and flush with the wall. Smooth out any air bubbles with a wallpaper brush or roller. Match the pattern of the wallpaper at the seams.

6. Repeat the Process Repeat the process with the next strip of wallpaper. Make sure to match the pattern at the seams. Use a sharp blade to trim the excess paper at the top and bottom of the wall.

7. Finish the Edges Once you've hung all the strips, use a wallpaper brush to smooth out any air bubbles or creases. Trim the excess paper from the edges of the wall using a sharp blade.

Wallpapering can be a fun and rewarding DIY project that can give your home a fresh new look. By following these simple steps, you can wallpaper your house with confidence and ease. Remember, patience and attention to detail are key to achieving a great result.

Top Tips for Buying A Used Car for New and Young Drivers

Buying a used car can be a great way for new and young drivers to get their first set of wheels. However, it can also be a daunting experience, especially if you're not sure what to look for. In this guide, we'll take you through everything you need to consider when buying a used car, including what to look for, how to tax and insure the car, information about insurance groups, warranties, whether to buy from a trader or a private individual, and some of the most reliable used cars for new and young drivers.

What to Look for When Buying a Used Car

There are several things to consider when buying a used car. Here are some of the most important factors:

1. Car History: Make sure to check the car's history before making a purchase. This will give you an idea of how well the car has been maintained and whether there have been any major accidents or repairs.

2. Rust: Rust can be a big problem for older cars. Check the bodywork carefully for any signs of rust or corrosion, especially around the wheel arches and under the car.

3. Engine Size: A smaller engine can be more economical and cheaper to insure, but it may not have the power you need for longer journeys or driving on the motorway.

4. Mileage: A car with high mileage may have more wear and tear, which can result in expensive repairs. However, a car with very low mileage could have been sitting idle for a long time, which can also cause problems.

5. Safety Features: Look for a car with good safety features, such as airbags and anti-lock brakes. This is especially important for new drivers.

How to Tax and Insure a Used Car

When you buy a used car, you'll need to tax and insure it before you can legally drive it on the road. Here's what you need to know:

1. Tax: The amount you'll pay for road tax depends on the age, engine size, and emissions of the car. You can check the amount of tax you'll need to pay on the government's website. You can tax your car online, by phone, or at a post office.

2. Insurance: Insurance is essential for any car on the road. The cost of insurance will depend on a variety of factors, including the car's make and model, your age and driving experience, and where you live. Insurance companies use a system of 50 insurance groups to determine the cost of insurance. Generally, the higher the insurance group, the more expensive the insurance.

Warranties and Buying from a Trader or Private Individual

When buying a used car, you should also consider whether the car comes with a warranty. A warranty can provide protection in case of mechanical breakdowns or other issues. Some dealerships offer warranties on their used cars, while others do not. It's also important to decide whether you want to buy from a trader or a private individual. A trader will provide more legal protection, but a private individual may be willing to negotiate on price.

Most Reliable Used Cars for New and Young Drivers

When it comes to buying a car as a new or young driver, it's important to look for a car that is reliable and affordable. Here are some of the most reliable used cars for new and young drivers:

1. Toyota Yaris: This car is reliable, fuel-efficient, and easy to drive.

2. Honda Jazz: The Jazz is a practical and reliable car that is also spacious and comfortable.

3. Ford Fiesta: The Fiesta is a fun-to-drive car that is also reliable and affordable.

4. Volkswagen Polo: The Polo is a well-built and reliable car that is easy to handle.

5. Nissan Micra: The Micra is a compact and reliable car that is perfect for city driving

It's worth noting that these are just a few examples of reliable used cars for new and young drivers. It's important to do your own research and consider your own personal preferences when choosing a car.

In addition to the car itself, it's also important to consider the ongoing costs of ownership, such as fuel, maintenance, and repairs. Choosing a car that is affordable to run can help you save money in the long run.

In conclusion, buying a used car can be a great option for new and young drivers, but it's important to do your research and consider all of the factors involved. Look for a car with a good history, minimal rust, and safety features. When it comes to tax and insurance, make sure to check the costs and factor them into your budget. Consider whether you want a warranty and whether to buy from a trader or a private individual. Finally, consider the most reliable used cars for new and young drivers and choose one that fits your needs and budget. Good luck on your car-buying journey!

Keep Calm - The New Mum's Manual by Dr Ellie Cannon

Keep Calm - The New Mum's Manual by GP and mother of two Dr Ellie Cannon  is a new parenting book which hails as "the perfect antidote to guilt-inducing parenting guides". Having four children of my own, I was keen to see what this book offers that is different from the multitude of parenting books I've already read over the years!

Upon opening the book I was immediately drawn to the fact that Dr Ellie stresses this book is about mums and about helping them to become happy and confident mothers. It's not a book that is going to tell us what to do, when to do it or how to do it! Refreshing, to say the least.

Dr Ellie is very keen to stress to mothers that they should enjoy their babies and that they should learn to trust their own instincts and trust their parenting skills. She believes most of us are simply lacking confidence in our own abilities and that we get worn down and stressed by all the things we think we are supposed to know and be doing. She's right. I've lost count of the many times I ran to others seeking answers only to realise that my first instincts were usually what I ended up following anyway!

Curly Girl Method for Wavy Hair - UK and Ireland Products Please!

I'm enjoying my time becoming a Curly Girl advocate but as more of a wavy girl than a curly girl I'm noticing there isn't a lot of advice for fellow wavies online... Or maybe I just haven't found it yet!!

From what I have found I know that one of the things Curly Girls are encouraged to keep away from is the dreaded hairbrush. Now, as a wavy girl, I'm trying very hard to accept and apply this advice to my wavy head but it's very difficult. Maybe the difficulty stems from childhood when our hairbrush perched on the hall table and we had to brush vigorously every morning before heading out to school. Even today one of the questions I rountinely ask my own children every morning is "Have you brushed your hair?"

10 Tips to Keep Warm this Winter

Brrrr, it's cold out there today. Having just returned from a wet, wild and very wintery school run, I've been thinking about ways to keep warm this winter without going over budget given the high price of home heating oil and electricity!

1.Layer, Layer, Layer - Whether it's just you that needs warmed up or the children are also feeling the bite of winter snapping at them, an easy and cheap way to keep warm is to wear layers of clothes. For you, that might mean wearing an extra vest (thermal vests are fabulous) or cardigan, or for some it might mean thermal leggings under their jeans or two pairs of winter socks! Layering your clothes helps trap more heat and lets less escape and if you do then find yourself overheating it's very easy to remove one or two layers to cool down again!

2.Keep moving and the more quickly the better. It might sound logical but you'd be surprised how many people sit at a desk all day long feeling cold and don't think to get more active! Moving in an energetic way helps get your heart beating stronger and faster and gets your circulation going.

Living on a Prayer? Tips to Stretch Your Income Until Pay Day

I've just been reading an article in today's Daily Mail written by a freelance journalist named Liz Hoggard entitled, "I've become one of the new middle class poor: How one writer is keeping up the illusion of prosperity" and I must admit it makes for an interesting read.

In recent months, I've noticed through conversations I've had, quite a few people making cuts to their spending habits. This has been a sort of silent revolution as people don't tend to talk about it outwardly, rather it just happens to slip in the course of a chat. Lots of families it seems are curbing their spending habits and it's something I'm happy to state we're doing in our own family too. I must point out though that we've never been big spenders anyway, but it's actually an educating prospect realising you can't go spending money without thinking about whether or not you can afford to in the first place!

Eat Well for Less - Saving Money on Food Bills

Since we're currently going through a pretty tough time financially in the UK, more and more people are trying to think of ways to reduce the cost of living. One area where it is often fairly easy to reduce costs is in the weekly food bill.

Now, like many people, years ago when I was a student I had a very limited supply of money and my diet was dire. It's still a family joke that I existed on dried supermarket noodles for four years and actually it's not that far from the truth! Noodle sandwiches, noodles on toast and noodles with beans were a common enough meal in those far away days!

Then, as a young working woman, my diet improved although at one point I confess it even became rather extravagant with my husband and I, then unmarried, eating out two or three times a week... and yes we both put on some weight then!

However, eventually we grew up and got some sense realising that eating out instead of cooking home meals was a ridiculous waste of money and not the healthiest of lifestyles and these days we have home-cooked meals every day and only eat out on special occasions or as a real treat.

I would never suggest going back to the frugal eating of student life, especially when you have a growing family, but there are lessons to be learnt from the budget constraints of those days.

Minimising Heat Loss Whilst Warming Up the House in Winter

So winter has finally bitten here in the good old North of Ireland and I've been thinking about how to save on heating costs and reducing heat loss whilst keeping the house warm and cosy.

With four children, most of the heat we lose in our house tends to be down to the kids leaving doors open everytime they enter or leave a room. This is something that drives me totally insane as when I was growing up I remember my own mum always telling us to close the doors behind us and it's only now that I'm a mother I realise how frustrating the constant refrain becomes!

So, this week I've put one of the children in charge of door closing. Her job is to make sure others in the house close doors behind them and she has to do spot checks to ensure upstairs doors are also kept shut. It's working out well at the moment because it's a big responsibility and she'll be rewarded at the end of each week if she does her job well.

Whatever you Do, Don't Click on the Google Ads!

I've been doing lots of research lately about ways to make money working from home and ways to make up the shortfall in our joint income due to recent government budget cuts.

Since the majority of my income comes from my Google advertising, both on this blog and on my main website, I've been trying to work out ways to increase the money I make without falling foul of Google's terms and services. Of course, nearly everyone knows that you should never ever click on your own Google ads. That's just wrong and it's also flying in the face of Google. However, I am constantly surprised by the number of people I meet who tell me with a big smile like they've just done me a huge favour that they visited one of my sites and clicked a few ads to help me increase my earnings! Arrrgghhh...

Budget Blues? Top Tips for Living More Frugally

Many people living in the UK and Ireland (and elsewhere) have been feeling let down by recent government budgets and the consequent effects on individual's pockets. In effect, what the recent UK and Irish budgets mean is that many of us will have a lot less money to spend and, for some, that means trying desperately to make ends meet.

If you're suffering from the budget blues, then have a look at my top tips for living more frugally below and try implementing the suggestions into your everyday life. You might just be surprised by how big an effect each small change can have.

• Go through at least two recent bank statements carefully. List all income in one column and and all direct debits in another. Total these up to see what, if anything, is left over. Next think carefully about any additional outgoings - things +such as car fuel, bus/train tickets, food bills, after-school lessons such as music, swimming etc, window cleaning, milk, newspaper and bread bills that may collected at the door. Take these extra bills away from your previous total. This is what you have left over to pay for absolutely everything else and this is what you need to work with to feed, clothe and buy extras for your family every month.
• If you find that you are left with very little, simply not enough or worse still that you are into your overdraft, go through your direct debits and see if there is anything at all that you can do without or reduce. For example, you may be able to move your broadband, telephone or electricity bills to lower tarrifs or you might find that you have direct debits for things you no longer use such as online subscriptions or subscriptions to gyms etc that you had forgotten about. And talking about overdrafts, make sure yours has been authorised with your bank or you'll be paying exhorbitant charges on it. Many banks allow an overdraft facility of approximately half your monthly income.