Nowadays, it’s not too difficult at all to get some advice on how to stay healthy. There are plenty of blogs trying to collect and collate health advice that has worked and want to help you stay on the straight and narrow. However, there’s also a lot of advice out there that might lead down exactly the wrong path. They might be trying to get your money, they might be untested, they might even have good intentions but bad ideas. Here are a few reasons you want to always look for a second opinion when it comes to health and fitness.

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Misinformation sticks on the net

So much of our knowledge is assumed because it’s what we’ve always heard time and time again. Old wives’ tales, misinformation, call it whatever you want. You should accept a piece of online just because it matches up with some factoid you’ve always known. That’s how you get into those “healthy” practices that might not actually be all that good for you. For instance, the idea that smoothies are 100% healthy with little-to-no-downsides without considering the amount of glucose that tends to be in them. You have to be willing to challenge your ideas to see if they’re missing any semblance of truth.

Be wary of “experts”

There are a lot of people sharing health tips who aren’t exactly experts. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t trust that they don’t know what they’re talking about. Many speak from experience or from their own degree of learning. If someone is trying to sell you on the benefits of a specific diet, supplement, or workout tool, that’s when you should look for their expertise. For instance, if it’s part of a diet, then you need to ask if they’re giving you bad nutrition advice. Do they show the science that backs up what they’re telling you? Can you find that same reasoning from other reputable sources? Are you given “guaranteed” results? If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

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There are usually better alternatives around

Sometimes, the advice you’re getting isn’t necessarily bad. It just might not be the best option for you. If you’ve discovered the power of a certain exercise, then you should look up more information around it to see if there are other exercises that do it better or ways to improve your form to get better results and decrease your chances of injury. You should also be aware of the price tag that comes attached to such information, especially if it’s part of a whole workout regime. Like the updated Kayla Itsines review shows, there are many of these workout methods that seem like they have a reasonable price on the face of it. With a bit of extra research from other fitness nuts, however, you can see that the extended plan, which is usually what you’re truly looking for, costs a lot more than expected. Often, there’s a good chance you could get the equivalent for much cheaper from another source.

There’s a lot of pseudoscience going around

Then there are those who read up on one of the many holistic approaches to health and fitness going around. It’s uncomfortable disturbing other people’s’ beliefs, but when it comes to following health advice, you should be rigorous in investigating the science around it. For instance, looking at the notion of “detoxing” your life. You can detox the air of your home so it has fewer allergens, you can eat things that improve the detoxing nature of your kidneys and liver. But the idea of flushing your body of any imperfections and pollutants has been harshly contested by a number of sources. But because the idea caught on, it has become a booming health sub-industry.

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You might even hurt yourself

When it comes to diets, in particular, you should always be looking to build an internal knowledge of what nutrition you need, how you measure calories, and what your body truly needs. That’s because there are a lot of dangerous diets that can help you achieve certain results but also increase your risk of causing yourself some hurt in another way. The Atkins diet and its role in increasing the risk of heart disease is a prominent example.

If something really works, then you’re going to be able to find the arguments for and against it but still be able to judge in its favor. Be wary of any health products or diets or exercises that have overwhelmingly positive receptions. There’s a chance you might not be seeing the whole picture.

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It’s a sad fact that there is so much pressure on new moms to try and lose as much weight as possible as soon as their babies are born. Celebrity mothers are always trotted out and analyzed as examples of how women’s bodies should just bounce back as soon as they’re home from the hospital. Of course, this is ridiculous. You should be able to take your own time, and you should be focussing your time and energy on your new baby. However, that doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with wanting to get your pre-baby body back. After all, we all worry about our appearance, and that’s not going to change just because you’ve become a parent. So, if you’ve decided that the time is right for you, here are some things that you can do to tackle your baby bod.

Find the perfect workout

One of the biggest mistakes that a lot of women make is that they assume that they’re going to be able to just jump back into the same old workout routine that they had before they became pregnant. Sadly that’s not the case. In reality, your body is going to have changed significantly when compared to how it was before you had your baby. This means that you need to find the right workout based on your current strength and fitness levels. Sites like topworkoutprograms.com can help you find the right workout for you. You can also get in touch with a personal trainer who will be able to give you incredibly clear advice on how to get back to the kind of body that you had before you ever became pregnant.    

Take the time for yourself

One thing that gets in the way of many moms being able to tackle their post-baby bodies is that they simply don’t have the time to work out at all. This is pretty understandable since babies tend to be pretty demanding at the best of times (and borderline tyrannical at others!) However, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to take some time for yourself where you don’t have to worry about anyone else for a little while. As long as your baby is in safe hands with your partner, a friend, or a family member, then there’s nothing wrong with taking a couple of hours a week to spend time at the gym.

Be patient

Getting your pre-baby body back is not going to be a quick process. It may, in fact, be one of the biggest challenges you’ve ever faced in terms of fitness. But as long as you’re patient then you’re going to be alright. Being able to stick to it and put the effort in even when it feels as though you’re not seeing any results is incredibly important. It’s good to remember that you recently did one of the most difficult and amazing things it’s possible for a human to do: you brought life into the world. If you can do that, you can do just about anything.

When you are busy with the family or with work, finding time to choose a really meaningful gift for the man in your life can be tough. That is why so many men end up getting a pair of socks, and a bar of chocolate for their birthday’s, father’s day, and anniversaries. But if you want your next gift to make more of an impact, read on to see which ones they will remember forever, and which ones they will ditch as soon as they get the chance.

Keep – Racing car experience  

Now, if the man is your life is something a petrol head, it might be just up his street to go on a racing car experience day.  These come in all sorts of varieties from NASCAR, to more heavyweight vehicles like tanks and ATVs.

You can surprise him by booking a session and then taking him on the day. Or you can get vouchers from sites like https://www.drivepetty.com, that you pay for and then print off. Then you can gift those on the day, and arrange a time which is convenient for him.

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The thing about these experiences is that they are something that he wouldn’t normally get to do. That means that the memory of it will stay with him his whole life. So it is very meaningful. He can also dine out on the story of how he once drove a racecar for weeks afterward. So it really is a great gift.

Ditch – Socks

While the man in your life may seem ever so grateful for the socks and underwear that you have bought him in the past. This is really a gift that should be placed on the ditch pile.

After all, who want something practical that they could pick up easily and cheaply at the local store for himself?

Unless they are themed around their favorite Marvel characters like the ones at http://intl.target.com. Or they are part of a wider gift, perhaps socks are something to stay away from now on?

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Keep – Jewelry

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However, something that guys are more likely to keep hold of than anything else is some nice jewelry.

Sometimes we can overlook jewelry as an option when giving gifts to men because we associated with women. But if it’s done right it can work incredibly well indeed.

The trick is to get something that matches the style and the personality of the man that you are buying it for. This can take a little work, but it is well worth it.

To start you search check out sites like www.frostnyc.com/collections/14k-gold-chains for some seriously masculine bling.

Ditch – Aftershave

I remember being a child and my father getting bottle, after bottle of aftershave. The thing is that he had a beard, so he never even got to use it!

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Even if they are clean shaven, it’s just not that original or innovative a gift. In fact, aftershave is a bit of a cop out. For when you can’t think of anything else to buy. So best to steer clear of this one where possible.

It seems like only yesterday they wanted everything pink and princess, or football and dinosaurs. Now they’ve hit their mid-teens, and it’s all ‘so embarrassing.’ You’ve probably already salvaged some of those much-treasured stuffed animals and clothes your child threw out. They remind you of their younger days. But it’s not going to end there. Your teen wants a complete clear-out of everything ‘babyish, ’ and the only way forward is with a complete bedroom makeover. Are you ready?

The Big Clearout

Teens find this time in life to be full of inner conflict. They want to appear grown-up when their friends come over to the house. But all of those beloved toys, books, and posters still have deep meaning and comfort for them. You might call it sentimentality, but for a teen, this can be incredibly difficult to manage.

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When you have the big clearout, offer to put a couple of containers in the loft so they can come back to those most treasured items later. It clears them out of the room and out of sight of guests, but you haven’t cut that tie to their comforters altogether.

New Furniture

Teens come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, especially at this age. It’s best to buy standard furniture now. If you’re going to invest in it, you need to know it will last beyond college! Don’t feel uncomfortable about buying a bed in a larger size than a single. Teens struggle to sleep, so any help you can offer will benefit their health and education. You can buy a fluffy goose down comforter in most sizes so your child can be comfortable all year round.

Closet space starts to fill up during these teen years. Fashion trends for this age group change so often, and your child will, of course, continue to grow for a few years yet! Encourage your child to swap items when you’re buying new fashion. This means a tee is put in the thrifty gifting box for every new tee they buy. This prevents excess items blocking up valuable closet space.

Desks are vital for kids still in education. Look for desks that come with tidies or organizers, so they have places to store stationery and books. Study periods will start to extend so a comfortable office chair might be the best option here. Position the desk near to the power outlets. Chances are they’ll need a laptop, printer, and desk lamp plugged in there.

Tidy? Really?

Yes, teens like to have a tidy room, especially when they have their friends over. Teens can sometimes be more houseproud than us! Still, it takes effort to do, as well as motivation or, occasionally, incentive. Make it as easy as possible by providing plenty of storage for their things. A home for everything makes it quicker and easier to put things away.

Do you often find the dreaded laundry “floordrobe” scenario? An extra laundry basket positioned close to the door could help save you a lot of time and mountaineering. Carelessly discarded items if your child is a little untidy can really wind parents up!

Many teens are comforted by having their favorite things on display. Install a couple of shelves for this purpose. Of course, you’ll need to get the painting finished first!

Decor

Some kids can be pretty indecisive when it comes to choosing a style for their new bedroom. Of course, whatever you choose, they won’t like! Still, it’s worth shortening the list of choices as much as possible so you can get on with doing the job of decorating. Picking the main color is the first task. Broadly speaking, you should be able to pick a palette from this color that suits everybody.

Blues for boys and pinks for girls rarely works by this age. Brighter colors might be popular choices, but try to steer away from the moody navies, blacks, and dark grays. You want to be sure that whatever changes you make to this room can actively add value to your home rather than put any potential future buyers off. Of course, there is nothing wrong with these richer, darker tones being used for an accent wall if the other color choices are complimentary.

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Decorating can be a fun life lesson for your teen, as well as an opportunity to spend quality time together. Eventually, your child will have a home of their own, so they need to learn these valuable skills. Prepping the walls is essential. There may be lots of posters and pictures to take down. Any secured furniture is likely to leave a few holes in the plaster too. For a really good finish, fill the holes and sand the surface flat again.

Cleaning the woodwork or stripping the old paint off may generate a fair bit of dust. Make sure you’ve got your vacuum handy. If you take the time to make all the preparations, the finish will appear much better. Start with the ceiling, and work your way down. You might choose to wallpaper one or more of the walls. This can be quite hard work so make sure your teen is around to lend a hand! When everything is adequately coated and dry, you can install the flooring.

Usually, carpeting is used in the bedroom. For a start, it’s quieter when you’re downstairs! Your teen might prefer wood flooring and a rug. The cost to lay the flooring is quite similar, but carpeting might be the cheaper option for you. A rug can sit equally well on either surface. Leave the patterns to the rug – this can be easily and cheaply swapped out if tastes change later on.

Like adults, teens are more inclined to keep a room as pristine as they found it. A fresh new room could be ideal if you find your kids aren’t tidying up or taking care of things as much as you would like. Wall art and a good mirror could be the finishing touches this room needs. Hopefully, this space will do wonders for their sleep, studies, and moods! Enjoy.

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If you’re a Mommy, you will know how important every last buck is, so if there are ways to make a little extra income – you will want to know about it.

Fortunately, there are things that can do that aren’t too time consuming, so you’re not going to be exhausting yourself out every day.

Interested? – Then keep reading.

Sell your things

Why keep clutter in your house when you’re not getting any use from the thing anymore? You can find Sure, some things are sentimental, and you shouldn’t throw them away if they mean a lot to you. But if you have a bunch of things hidden away in the attic, or locked up in the garage that are just wasting space – sell it! (There are more clutter busting tricks on https://www.realsimple.com.)

The internet is a brilliant way of getting rid of your unwanted items and getting a good deal for them. What may seem like junk to you, could be of value to someone else, so it’s wise to do a bit of research before you stick a price on something. That cabinet taking up room in the corner could be worth a whole lot more than you ever could have imagined!

Work from home

There are a whole bunch of jobs that you can do, like write blogs or even do online surveys – there are actually sites that you can make a decent amount with considering what you’re asked to do.  http://www.surveyssay.com/ lists the best sites if you want to go down this route. You can also be an online tutor if you enjoy teaching people, whether than be maths, science or even teaching foreign students how to speak English! This can be a very rewarding job, plus you can work the hours you want so that you can fit it in perfectly with Mommy life.

Childmind

If you’re at home looking after your own little ones, then it doesn’t hurt to take in another one or two. If you have friends that planned an event and don’t have any childcare available – offer! Word of mouth works great for this kind of thing, so spread the word and get your friends and family to do the same. More people will trust someone they know, rather than a stranger online, especially when it comes to their children.

Advertise your hobby

If you’re a creative one, then use your hobby to get some money coming in. Maybe you like to bake; if you do you could get in touch with school fairs or local events that are going on, and they may pay you to provide your delicious treats for people. If you take yourself as a bit of an artist, why not advertise your work online? People might commission you to do a painting or even a portrait of a family member. If you’re into photography, then consider selling your photos too! If you have a certain eye for things, then people will appreciate that and may want to frame a photo that you took when you were enjoying a family vacation.

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No matter how old you are, it is vital you look after your skin. Not only will good skin care help prevent diseases such as cancer, but it will also offset the effects of aging. As a parent, your primary concern will be looking after your children’s health, so you need to teach them the value of good skin care as well.

There are some simple and natural ways you can care for your family’s skin, so read on for some good advice.

Stay hydrated

We lose a lot of water every day through having an active lifestyle. Your children are no exception, and if they play a lot of sport, or are spending a lot of time in the sun, they are going to become dehydrated. Rather than drinking soft, fizzy drinks, encourage your family to go for water instead. Children under 8 should drink around five glasses a day, and anybody older should drink around ten.

Not only does water boost energy levels, but it also flushes out harmful toxins in the skin, ensuring a fresh, healthy glow.

Avoid tight clothing

Where possible, encourage your family to wear loose clothing, especially in the warmer months where they are likely to sweat more. Tight clothing can suffocate the body, irritate the skin and cause folliculitis. If you want to know the symptoms of this skin condition, read more here.


Eat healthy foods

It is important to eat the correct diet for our overall health, as well as our skin. A good balance of fruit and vegetables is a must for giving our skin a fresh, youthful look, but when it comes to our kids, we may be in for a struggle. If your children are fussy eaters, blend fruit into a smoothie or add a little sugar to vegetables to make the food more palatable to their resistant taste buds.


Wear sunscreen

The summer months are a great time for getting out in the sun with our children. However, we need to remember the sun’s UV rays are harmful to our skin, especially for those of us with lighter tones. Therefore, limit the time you spend outdoors, or try and spend part of the day in shaded areas. Ensure you coat your family’s skin in sunscreen to avoid burning, and regularly apply on particularly hot days.

Stop smoking

The best thing you can ever do for your family is quitting smoking. Not only are you taking in large amounts of harmful chemicals, but you are also ruining your skin. Passive smoking is harmful to your children, including the toxic smell and the second-hand smoke they are inhaling. Be kind to yourself and everybody around you, and quit this dangerous habit.

Get a wash

One of the easiest ways to cleanse our skin is with water. Not only will it keep our skin hydrated, but it washes away any sweat and dirt built up over the day. Children can be resistant to water, but you need to ensure they regularly wash, particularly after playing outside.

Many mothers don’t reach their peak body weight until after the baby is born and at least 1 year old. Women on average have 13% more fat than men to begin with because the female anatomy is constantly preparing itself to bear children. The extra fat is converted into energy for the baby and breast milk when it is born. Dropping the extra pounds takes time, and especially after carrying a child for such a long, your body shape will readjust slowly. Your aim shouldn’t be to sculpt your body back into the same silhouette it was before, but to live a healthy well-rounded lifestyle. Take small steps and don’t rush, the fat won’t drop off instantly, and there’s no use getting worked up about your body image as it’s natural to be a few dress sizes bigger at this stage. Relatively light workout routines are a comprehensive route to getting back to a slim and slender tone.

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Stay active but moderate yourself

Your body is going through a lot, and there are a chemicals imbalances taking place, such as mood swings and hormone fluctuations. Take it light and easy, to begin with, take 20-minute relaxed strolls once you’re able to come home. This will get your legs moving, and the blood pumping around your joints which have taken so much of the burden carry around the baby. Do this once a day or once every few days depending on how you’re feeling. Every morning you should do stretches if you can physically bear it, less strenuous yoga. However, if you would like a guided workout routine, with knowledge, pace and demonstration, look at something like https://defendyourhealthcare.us/full-venus-factor-product-review.

Bodyweight exercises

Once you feel stronger and healthier, move onto bodyweight exercises, like situps, pushups, and squats. Take it easy and try to only do these exercises with someone in your home who can come to your aid if you start feeling fatigued or dizzy. Limit the amount of reps and sets you do until you have fully lost your baby bump as compressing the womb can inflame your organs and cause stomach pains. Remember to breathe properly and take your time; make sure you have lots of room and fresh air circulating the area; open a few windows if you need to.

Balancing breastfeeding

Do not cut yourself off from a decent caloric intake to lose weight, because you will need still need to breastfeed occasionally even if your child is 1 years old. Breastfeeding requires an extra 500 calories to produce a good quality milk and a sufficient amount of it. Indeed, this sounds like an uphill struggle, but it’s really just balancing a healthy exercising regimen, with a healthy diet.

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Maintain a responsible diet

It can be so tempting to binge on junk food and cave into your cravings but think about the long run. You don’t want to be this size forever; instead, you want to feel sexy and curvy; almost as if you haven’t even had a child. To maintain a habit of eating the same amount as you did as you consumed during pregnancy is going to increase your size more than when you were carrying the child as you’re only eating for one now. Get into a routine of making a salad for lunch and consume 3 – 4 liters of water every day to stay hydrated. If you find yourself walking in the dark when trying to formulate a schedule, write down a meal plan as a physical representation of your goal.

There are many stereotypes surrounding addiction. However, the truth is that people can get addicted to a number of different things, and not everyone will behave in the same manner. This means that it is not always easy to spot if someone you love is suffering from an addiction that is causing damage to their life. So, what are the secret signs that you should look out for?

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• Stealing – Have you noticed that money has been disappearing from around the house? Or, perhaps valuable items have gone missing? A lot of addictions require funding, and that person will do anything to get their next high, whatever that may be. This is because it consumes them, whether they like it or not.

• Memory loss –  Addictions damage a person’s health in many different ways, and memory loss is a prime example of this. If your loved one forgets to meet obligations or does not participate in conversations about the good old days, it could be because they are suffering from memory loss.

• Loss of interest in things they used to love – One of the keys to a happy family life is doing things that you all enjoy together; creating memories and sharing laughter. If someone in your family no longer has interest in the things they once enjoyed, they could be keeping something secret. After all, addiction takes over a person’s life, and so they have very little time for hobbies they once enjoyed.

• Changed appearance – If the family member you are concerned about used to take pride in their appearance, and now they carry themselves in a completely different way, this is another worrying sign. Fluctuations in weight can also hint that a person has had a significant change to their way of living.

• Major changes in energy levels – Most addiction resources state that the most common sign of an addition is a major change in a person’s energy levels. Of course, the type of addiction they are suffering from will impact how their energy levels are affected. Some addictions can cause depression and excessive sleep patterns, others can result in intense amounts of energy.

• Lying frequently – When someone is suffering from an addiction, they will happily flat out lie so that they can protect themselves from admitting the truth about what is going on.

• Being evasive or selective – They say the first step in recovering is admitting that you have a problem. Well, most people don’t want to admit that they are addicted to something, as facing up to the truth is extremely difficult. If your loved one is acting in an unusual manner, keeping secrets, or avoiding clear questions, they could have something to hide.

If someone you love is exhibiting any of the signs mentioned above, don’t brush it under the carpet. If they are suffering from an addiction, they are going to need your support now more than ever. It’s very important if you recognize any of these signs to help them through.  Asking them to seek help, or talk to someone can be helpful in the recovery process.  Here are some great resources to help find a local therapist https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/therapy/how-do-i-find-a-therapist-near-me/

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We all know that being a parent is like a whole new job in itself. But not only is it the greatest, most rewarding job in the world, it can also be tough and hard work. When you’re trying to balance your job and your health with entertaining your family and just getting through each day, you can often wonder how you’re still standing. Because taking on everything can sometimes get a bit too much. And that’s okay because we all experience it from time to time. The trick is not to sink but swim instead with the help of these pointers for getting things done.

Hire Help

To some Moms, this will seem too much. But, hiring help could be the answer to your problems. It doesn’t mean that you have to get a nanny to take care of the kids. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Because you want to be able to spend more time with your family, you might need a little help with all of the other bits and pieces you have to get done. From household chores and cleaning to your home business, hiring a cleaner, lifestyle assistant or admin assistant could really make a difference to your life.

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Plan Ahead

It can sometimes feel like a dream to have the option of planning, scheduling, and organization. Because no matter how much you try, you always find yourself falling asleep at the end of a busy day and not getting a start on anything else. But, when it comes to think like appointments at vet clinics, dentists, and eye doctors, and even play dates, you can schedule these in months ahead of time to make attending them feel like clock work.

Prioritize Well

As a Mom, it’s far from easy to prioritize. You can often feel like you have too many jobs and not enough hours in the day (or hands) to juggle them all. But, if you want to relax a little and ever learn to let go of the pressure, you’re going to have to be strict. One evening, decide what’s more important to you and cut out the rest. When you can breathe a bit, it will feel worth it.

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Prep Away

Mealtimes can often be a huge issue to parents. Whether you’ve got four different kids demanding four different meals, or one dinner that has to be served at different times, you can often feel like you’re always slaving away in the kitchen. But, you can help yourself by working with made ahead meals. By opting for dishes that can be done in the morning and served up whenever they’re needed, you will save a bit of time and a lot of stress.

Slow Down

And if you’re still struggling to get it all done, slow down. You’re only one person, and you can only do so much. Learn to say no a bit more and remember that your happiness, health, and family should always come first. As long as your kids are loved, everything else can wait. You’re your own kind of SuperMom, even if that doesn’t look like what you thought it would.

Is your home energy efficient? The chances are that unless you have a tight control on the energy use in your home, you are literally burning money. In today’s guide, we’re going to go through some of the common mistakes many people make when it comes to using resources in the home, and how they are costing you big time. If you can address all of these problems, you could save yourself thousands of dollars in heating, electric, and gas costs every year – perhaps enough to go on that luxury vacation you have always wanted. Let’s get started right away.

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The hot wash

Modern washing machines are more energy efficient than ever. But the reality is that almost 90 percent of the energy washers use is due to heating the water in the machine. That’s an astonishing amount of money, given that washing machines are one of the biggest energy drains in the average home, so think carefully about temperature controls. Try cold washing for normal loads, and only boil wash when absolutely necessary – and never fill your machine more than three-quarters full, either.

The leaking windows

If your windows are old and in a state of disrepair, perhaps it’s time to invest in some new ones. According to info about Renewal by Andersen windows, investing in more modern glass and technologies like double and triple glazing can help you keep your heating bills more affordable than they are right now. There are other heat leaks in your home, of course – your door frame, floorboards, and uninsulated attics – but the windows are often the primary culprit.

The off-peak challenge

Peak time energy use is not often discussed these days, which is a surprise at it can make a huge difference to your utility bills. The vast majority of energy companies offer discounted rates after 8 pm, so try and perform all your high consumption tasks after this time – it will make a big difference to your monthly bills.

Too many baths

Love having a bath every night? Swap six out of seven for a shower instead and you will find your energy bills drop dramatically. Don’t forget, the world is pretty close to a huge water shortage which is going to cause untold problems in many different countries. And when you throw in the costs of heating that water, too, it makes sound financial sense to shower more and bathe less – as well as doing your bit for the environment.

Plug and not play

Given that most households have an enormous array of devices in them these days, it’s important to keep track of everything. All those cell phones, tablet, and laptop chargers that are left plugged in are all costing you money. And when you add up those monthly costs over the course of a year, it comes to an astonishing amount of wastage.

Failing to track

Finally, invest in an energy monitor. While they won’t be 100 percent accurate at all times, a monitor will give you a good indication of what is costing you money.