Featured and Guest

“Make the world a better place” – the reaction to hearing this sentence varies from rolling the eyes and sighing, claiming how expensive everything alternative is or just shrugging with complete disinterest. They are only few people who recognize the importance of leaving the world in a healthy state for following generations and who think about how they can contribute to this in effective ways. Truth is however, that this is pretty simple and can be done by everyone without huge financial investments.

Some ideas
It always starts with little things that almost seem inconspicuous but add to a healthier and more ecological lifestyle in the end. Commonsense habits like switching off the light or heater when leaving a room are things that everybody can do to make a change without much effort.

Especially when living in a house of one’s own, there are far more things which can be done to contribute to a better environment and save money.

Installing solar panels. Since there are plans (in the UK for example), to cut the governmental subsidies drastically until April this year, everyone should hurry up and make up their minds about putting some solar panels on their roofs. Due to the fact that so many people have already decided to take this step, it is unfortunately affecting the support of the government but also positively changing the prices of solar energy plants. Companies like Trina offer good products for a fair price and various guarantees, so there is no question whether doing that step is sustainable or not, because it surely is even when the sun is not shining as the panels only need daylight, and not sunshine.

Installing rainwater tanks. Another possibility to save a lot of money is the usage of rainwater for some procedures in the house. With a tank on the roof, it is possible to store some water which can be used for flushing the toilets, watering the garden or cleaning the house for example. Like this, nobody is forced to waste tap water. The idea of a tank is useful in regions where it rains often, because the tank will be steadily refilled. And although we all know it rains more than it should in England, it doesn’t mean that this idea should be thrown out the window completely.

How to plan the perfect family holiday

If the idea of planning a family trip fills you with dread, never fear! Sun, sea and sand don’t have to mean snapping, shouting and sulking. There are plenty of ways to keep things simple while making sure everybody gets what they want. Here are a few tips for planning an enjoyable break…

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Include everyone

Planning a family holiday can get really complicated really fast, and it can be tempting to make all of the decisions yourself to avoid any conflict. However, it’s a good idea to include your kids in the planning process if you want to avoid sulks or squabbles later – leaving you free to enjoy an afternoon or two to yourself!

Have each member of the family choose one thing they’d like to do during the holiday and make it clear that everyone else will join in. You may have a few clashes, but this way everybody gets to do what they like.

Pick the right spot

If just the two of you were going away together to celebrate your personal success story, you’d pick somewhere wonderfully romantic – but for the family holiday you need to pick somewhere everyone can enjoy themselves.

A luxurious hotel that isn’t big on kids’ facilities will never work for a family break. Neither will a remote camping holiday if you have a gadget-loving partner! Try to pick somewhere that incorporates everybody’s interests – a seaside resort with a nearby town, or a city with the countryside within easy reach.

Even though it’s a family break, there’s no reason why you can’t pick something you and your partner will enjoy together. Why not return to the place where you first met? Or perhaps you found each other through online dating after finding a shared passion for Spain. Pick somewhere that means something to you both.

Of course, there will need to be plenty to do for the whole family. You might not be up for constant activity, but your kids will! An active holiday will keep them interested and give them lots of great memories. Look into what’s on offer in each place before you book.

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Keep it simple

While kids love to try new activities, they will be less thrilled about being moved around a lot on their break. Pick one destination and stick to it for the whole holiday if you can. Your kids may get worn out and irritable with lots of changing venues – they’ll like a place they can explore and get to know.

Practicalities

First things first: don’t share a room with your kids! Rain might keep you cooped up indoors or your son might decide to wake you up at five in the morning because he’s bored. If you share your room with more people than your partner and a baby or toddler, it’ll never be a proper break.

Most hotels offer rooms with interconnecting doors, which is the ideal way to keep an eye on your kids while getting some privacy for yourself. The key to enjoying a family break is not to over-organise once you’re there – make sure you have some relaxation time for yourself!

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