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Riding Mower vs Residential Mower

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When the weather warms up and the grass starts growing you may find yourself working on your yard several times a week. Choosing the right lawn mower for your yard will help you mow your grass with ease as well as make the experience more pleasurable. If you are in the market for a new lawn mower there are many things to consider before selecting one. One of the first decisions to make is deciding whether you need a riding lawn mower or a residential walk-behind mower. Below are some of the benefits of both to help make the decision process a bit easier.

Benefits of a Riding lawn Mower

If you have ever owned a residential walk-behind mower you know that a riding lawn mower is a huge upgrade. The first obvious benefit is that you get to relax and go for a ride while cutting your grass rather than having to walk and push a mower. Not only are they convenient and comfortable, they are efficient in helping you get the job down quickly. A large yard may take hours to complete with a residential walk-behind mower while with a riding lawn mower you will get the job done in half the amount of time. Riding mowers offer many different features. Some have more horsepower than others making them faster while others have a better turn radius which helps with efficiency. Most durable zero turn lawn mowers have the option of different attachments and accessories for year-round needs. These attachments can assist with spreading grass seed and fertilizer, tilling soil, and even blowing leaves or snow. There is also the option of an electric powered riding mower versus a gas operated mower. The electric mower will be less noisy and eliminate the added expense of having to purchase gas. If your age, health, or mobility is a factor then a riding mower is the best option as you do not have to exert much energy to operate it. It’s much like driving a car.

Benefits of a Walk-Behind Mower

There are several benefits of a walk-behind mower. If you are in good health, have a manageable sized yard, and don’t want to spend a small fortune than a walk-behind residential mower is perfect for you! One of the main draws of a residential walk-behind mower verses a riding mower is the price. It’s much more cost efficient than a riding mower. As with a riding mower there are many different types of walk-behind residential mowers. A self-propelled mower will basically pull itself forward as you walk behind it as you hold the handle down. So essentially you are just walking behind it and guiding it, as it cuts your grass. This helps get the job down at a faster pace than a standard walk-behind mower and with much less effort on your part. A standard walk-behind mower will require you to push it and guide it as you walk behind it. Gas mowers, electric mowers, or cordless electric mowers are some of the many options offered. Rear tire size is also important as larger tires tend to help with navigating through uneven ground more easily. Other beneficial features of walk-behind residential mowers are attached grass bags, collapsible handles for easier storage, wide area walk-behind mowers for larger yards that allow you to mow up to 2 acres.

Choosing the right lawn mower can make a world of difference. Riding mowers and residential mowers each have their own benefits, it’s important to find the one that suits you and your yard best.

Simple Home Improvements That Make a Huge Difference

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Source: Unsplash | Sven Brandsma

Even after living in the same place for years, you can still create the feeling of transformation and renewal in your own home. Not everyone can afford to spend loads of money on redecorating their house with the help of professional interior designers and expensive, high-end furniture.

That doesn’t mean however that only a select few people can enjoy the process of transforming their living space. With a clear vision, a distinct style, and plenty of patience, anyone can turn their home into their own personal paradise. Here are a few simple yet hugely effective home improvement ideas to inspire you.

Walls

Everything about the walls in your home will add to the overall feeling that each room evokes. Texture, color and layout all play a huge part in how you interact with your surroundings, even on a deeply subconscious level. This is why it’s so important to choose the appearance of your walls carefully. If you want to feel cozy and safe, opt for warm tones and more pronounced textures such as exposed red brick or patterned wallpaper. For a bright, fresher and more energizing feel, choose light colors and smooth textures.

Fewer walls throughout the floor plan of your home will create a more open and easy flow, whereas having many rooms will add to the sensation of mystery and coziness. Make sure that if you want to combine two or more rooms that you consult a professional who can advise whether or not the walls are load-bearing.

Floors

Similar to the subconscious effect that different looking walls can have on your overall mood and impression of a room, your choice of flooring will also impact you and your home in subtle yet significant ways. Soft, thick carpet turns your home into a designated relaxation zone, while bare wooden boards create a more rustic, practical effect.

Even the difference between small and large tiles can change the way you perceive a room and its purpose, so take care before deciding what to put on your floors.

Windows

Only once you’ve experienced the oppressive mood that comes with sitting in a windowless room, do you appreciate how valuable good windows are for any home. The right windows can make a room brighter, happier and improve the overall insulation of the house. It might seem overly simplistic, but just by conducting a search for “window companies near me”, you will be able to turn your home into a fresher, more invigorating space.

Furniture

One of the most fun parts of improving your home is the opportunity to treat yourself to new furniture. Small pieces such as end tables and mirrors can make just as much of a difference as larger items, such as sofas and bookshelves. Take this as an opportunity to explore new styles and push your imagination. You can take inspiration from interior designers or design your home around your own unique tastes.

Clutter

A comfortable, lived-in home is bound to have its fair share of clutter. Toys, books and other miscellany aren’t inherently bad, but when it distracts from the purpose and enjoyment of your home, it’s then time to have a clear out. There are many tidying gurus out there with varying techniques on how to declutter your home. Here are a few suggestions to help get you started:

  • Focus on one room at a time so as not to become overwhelmed
  • Donate clothes and items that no longer serve a purpose to you
  • Allocate a cupboard or drawer in your home for unwanted objects and allow guests to choose and keep anything from this area
  • For every new object you purchase, get rid of an old, unwanted one (give to charity)

Nature

Invite the outside in, and welcome nature back into your home with potted plants and flowers. If you feel like taking on an exciting project, try creating your own moss wall or indoor vegetable garden.

Spending more time with nature is proven to improve mental health and, if brought inside, also serves to clean the air in your home. Make sure any greenery you purchase is safe as children and pets can sometimes become sick if they ingest certain plants.

Life

Home improvement doesn’t mean changing your home into something sterile and overly designed. A beautiful home is one that invites you to enjoy it and get comfortable in it. While it’s good to declutter every now and then, don’t remove the life and vibrancy from your home.

Die grinder vs air Dremel: Which should you buy?

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Source: Wikipedia

Die grinders and air Dremels are both rotary tools that are used to do many different tasks at home. If you are an artist and are looking to complete tasks that involve sanding, polishing, grinding, carving and sharpening; both of these tools are going to serve you best.  However, there are still some diffferences and it is important to consider which the best tool amongst the two is. The choice of the right tool depends on both the size and type of projects that you want to complete. For you to decide between die grinder vs air dremel, you need to consider the following.  

Power types

Both Dremel and die grinders use different sources of power. However, it is important to note that the die grinder is more powerful than the Dremel. Therefore, if you are having heavy projects, you are good to go with the die grinder but if you have small projects, you can just do with the Dremel. In the beginning, Dremels were considered as rotary tools but die grinders as other types of tools. However, this came to change as both tools are now rotary tools. 

Size differences

Both air Dremels and die grinders come in different sizes. However, it is imperative to note that die grinders are much larger than air Dremels. Therefore, if you are looking to operate in tight corners, you should opt for air Dremels as they take a more compact size and design. This means that they can fit in small spaces such as shelves, ceiling, cupboards and the area behind the sink. On the other hand, if you will be handling tasks that do not involve tight spaces, you are free to go with a die grinder.   

The different speeds

Another difference between the two tools is the speed of the motor. The Dremel is considered as the faster tool among the two as it comes with a speed that tops 35000 rpm. This provides a broad range that can enable you to work on different types of materials and projects. On the other hand, die grinders have a maximum speed of 25000 rpm. If you are looking for a broad range, you should choose the Dremel. 

How they dissipate heat

Heat is a major challenge when it comes to rotary tools. If it accumulates, it can cause the motor to go bad. Therefore, the best rotary tool should be able to dissipate heat with ease. When considering the best tool between the Dremel and the die grinder, it is important to consider this feature. This is especially when you will be using the product for a long time. Therefore, for long and heavy projects, the die grinder is the best option as it has better heat removal methods.  

Conclusion:

From the above review, we have seen that both the die grinder and Dremel have many differences. But generally, die grinders are seen as perfect for big projects while Dremels are fine for smaller jobs.

Create a Bedroom That You Absolutely Love

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Your bedroom is much more than just a bedroom. It is a haven where you can unwind, relax, and escape from your busy day and the outside world. There are a number of ways to create a comfortable bedroom that you won’t be able to resist. It doesn’t matter if you have a small or a big bedroom either. You can create the perfect space no matter what the size of your room is.

When shopping for a new mattress, it pays to do your research. Shop around, and if you have a health condition, talk to your doctor to see what he or she recommends. Try out your new mattress. Go to a mattress store that will let you lie on their mattresses for 10 to 15 minutes to get a feel of how comfortable they are. A mattress that your best friend loves may not be ideal for you. When you get recommendations, remember that you’ll still need to try a mattress out for yourself. Recommendations are a good starting point, but test it out first before committing to buy.

Although things, such as the paint color of your bedroom, your choice of linens, and other details are important, your mattress is also very important. You could have a bedroom that is worthy enough to be featured in an issue of Better Homes and Gardens. If your mattress is not comfortable, you will not only wake up with a sore body and feel like you got ran over by a bus. You simply won’t be able to relax.

There are many different kinds of mattresses to choose from; simple to high-tech ones that give you the power to adjust the firmness of your side and the side of your partner. You can even get cooling sheets and pillowcases if you find that you are often hot at night. It is always best to keep the temperature low when you are sleeping as well for a better night’s rest.

It is best to keep your bed for sleeping only and not do work on it or even eat or watch TV. This is a hard rule to follow sometimes. You see that big comfortable area and think how nice it would be to watch some TV or check your phone. But if you begin to do these things, your bed will become just another work area. If you stick to only sleeping on your bed, you will be able to associate your bed with only sleep and will be able to drift off easier.

You should also keep your bedroom clutter-free. It’s hard to relax when you have piles of paperwork piled to the ceiling and clutter covering your nightstand. It is a constant reminder of all the things that you need to do. Just keep the essentials that you need in your bedroom and keep items on your dresser and nightstand to a minimum. You should also organize your closet and dressers so that they are neat and aren’t overstuffed with clothing. Even if you can’t see the unorganized mess, you’ll still know that it’s there and be thinking about it in the back of your mind.

Different people have different needs when it comes to getting the right amount of sleep. For example, most adults only need about seven to nine hours of sleep, while teenagers eight and a half hours of sleep to nine and a half hours of sleep. Pregnant women will require more sleep in the first three months of pregnancy.

Sleep affects your body in many different ways. Your body depends on sleep in order to reboot and to function. When you sleep, your body is able to heal and to restore its chemical balance. If you don’t get enough sleep, you can get irritable and experience daytime fatigue. If you regularly miss out on the amount of sleep that you need, you may suffer from impulsive behavior, depression, and paranoia in extreme cases.

Budget-Friendly Home Renovation

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Tackling a home renovation is more challenging than it might seem. Not only do you have to plan everything and keep track of your progress, but you also need to choose projects that will offer you great value for money. Without a proper renovation approach, your remodelling project can quickly turn into an expensive nightmare.

Decide whether to hire professionals

Depending on the type and scope of your renovation, you’ll have to decide whether to hire contractors or DIY. Undertaking a renovation on your own can save you a significant amount of money. However, if you’re not experienced in the field, you risk making an expensive mistake. In addition, certain projects require professional experience, especially those that entail structural changes.

Create a budget

Although you cannot know exactly how much money you need for a home renovation, you should still create a budget. When creating a renovation budget, you should always set aside an amount for unexpected costs. Once you’ve set up the budget, you should stick to it because renovation costs can quickly get out of control. In addition, you should shop around before buying materials and other items. There are great discounts and offers, you just need to find them.

Plan your renovation

Another great way to control your expenses is to plan the remodelling project in detail. If you’ve decided to take on a DIY project, you need to act as a project manager, which entails developing an efficient, time-effective plan. Aside from creating a timeline and defining different stages of your home renovation, you should also find a way to monitor your costs in order not to exceed the budget.

Rent, don’t buy

You should find different opportunities to cut your expenses where possible. Renting the pieces of equipment that you don’t have is typically more affordable than buying new ones. For example, you can rent portable and stable scaffolding for the duration of your renovation. Chances are that you won’t frequently use certain pieces of equipment, so you can save a lot of money by renting them for this particular occasion.

Choose projects that will pay off

When renovating your home, you should go with improvements that will pay off in the long run or that will increase the value of your home. For instance, instead of wasting a fortune on building a sunroom, you should design a wooden deck. Certain improvements won’t cost you much, yet they will bring great value to your home. Painting the interior is one of the most affordable remodelling ideas that will make a big difference in your home.
If you’re remodelling your home in order to sell it, you should go with projects that will help you recoup your investment. Replacing your garage door, painting the façade, insulating your home properly, implementing minor bathroom and kitchen upgrades and sprucing up your landscape are some of the most profitable home remodelling ideas.

Repurpose

Repurposing is both eco-friendly and budget-friendly, so you should definitely consider reusing your old materials. You can also buy repurposed materials at a much more affordable price. For instance, you can purchase second-hand shingles in excellent condition if you’re renovating you roof. You can also find slightly used fixtures for your home, especially if you’re aiming for a vintage look. This will help you enhance the sustainability of your property while also cutting your renovation expenses.

Go green

Before dismissing green improvement because they might be more expensive at first, you should consider the long-term merits that they offer. By implementing green improvements in your home, especially those that can boost its energy efficiency, you’ll be able to cut your energy consumption and increase your savings. In addition, if you ever decide to put your home on the market, eco-friendly updates will certainly pay off because they will increase the value of your property substantially. You can start small by installing LED lighting or replacing your leaky faucets with low-flow models. Afterwards, you can consider going with major green improvements, such as installing a solar system.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to cut your renovation costs while still getting excellent results.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!