It’s the time of year when many homeowners start thinking about DIY tasks that need to be done. While doing it yourself is usually cheaper than getting a tradesman in, there are several ways in which you can further reduce the cost. Here are our top tips for saving money when embarking on a spot of DIY.

1) Look out for special offers

The DIY season sees the major retailers in this sector become ultra-competitive by launching lots of sales and special offers – which is great news for penny-pinching homeowners! The days leading up to bank holiday weekends are particularly good for discounts and deals, such as multi-buys on paint and reduced-price tools.

It’s worth comparing prices online before actually going out to buy whatever you need, or even ordering items to be delivered to your home so you don’t have to brave the crowds – or risk giving in to some impulse buys. Even do it yourself equipment is available for your DIY project on for-sale websites. You may find extra special offers on the internet that aren’t available in-store, too.

2) Take advantage of tool and machinery hire

If the jobs you have in mind require specialist tools or machinery, don’t splash out on buying them outright – save money by hiring them instead. It’s unlikely the equipment in question will be used on a regular basis, making hiring a much more cost-effective option, especially if you need something of a particularly high quality or from a top-end brand.

The internet is a good place to start when looking for organisations that offer DIY tools for hire –click here for one example – or consult your local directory to find suppliers in your area.

3) Know what you’re doing

A seemingly low-cost DIY task can turn into an expensive nightmare if you manage to botch it and need to spend extra money on rectifying your mistakes. That’s why it pays to do some careful research when starting a job you’ve never done before.

Of course, there are some projects that are definitely best off in the hands of the experts, such as plumbing and electrical work. Get a good price by comparing itemised quotes from at least three tradesmen.

4) Borrow from the neighbours

If you’re lucky and are on good terms with your neighbours, they might be willing to lend you equipment such as electric saws and sanders, so you don’t need to buy or even hire them yourself. Also, while operating dangerous equipment, use eye protection goggles and cut-resistant gloves. You can check out gloves (and other safety gear) online from sellers similar to Unigloves. It can be crucial to include protective measures in the DIY project to save yourself and your family from any harm. Moreover, be sure to show your thanks to the neighbours by offering to do some DIY tasks for them or lending them your own tools in return.

Don’t know the neighbours? Now’s a good time to call round with some cake and introduce yourself!

5) Don’t buy more than you need

It’s easy to be over-cautious and buy more paint or hardware than is actually needed. With paint, the retailer or manufacturer should be able to give an indication of how much wall area a single can will cover, so pay attention to this and measure your walls to ensure you only buy as much as you require.

When it comes to things like screws and nails, you probably think that you can never have too many, but just look at how many you probably already have in your garage or toolbox, and then reassess that statement…

Going through a divorce is one of the most difficult periods of a person’s life. The emotional and physical stress of splitting up with a partner can put a lot of pressure on an individual and can impact every part of your life. However, when there are also financial difficulties to bear in mind, it can become even more complicated.

Even individuals who weren’t in the red prior to separating could find themselves in financial hardship when a marriage comes to an end. As circumstances change and incomes become squeezed, keeping on top of existing payments as well as additional legal bills, the cost of moving home and other expenses associated with divorce can become increasingly hard. Indeed, for people who already were in debt before the relationship breakdown, the impact could be devastating and exploring the best debt management solutions for them becomes a necessity.

During this economic climate, it isn’t uncommon for debt issues to not only make the breakup of a relationship more complex, but also can be the reason couples split up. For individuals who are facing the realities of being in debt after divorce, read on to find out what you can do next.

Moving out of the marital home

Often, the marital home will be where the main assets exist and can be used to pay off unsecured debt. However, during these challenging times, it can be a long and drawn out process, with things becoming even more complicated if one person is planning on remaining at the property.

For couples with joint liability – that means you both are on the mortgage – each party is liable for the full amount. If negotiations and agreements can’t be made on how you are going to meet the payments, then speaking to your lender to discuss your situation might be recommended. It is also worth pointing out that if you have a joint debt and the other person can’t repay the debt or enter bankruptcy, you could then be liable to pay back the full amount.

In instances where the house has been repossessed, lenders have a legal duty to look at the individual case of financial hardship. Approach your mortgage provider to explain your current circumstances and they could assess your income and expenditure to see if an alternative, more affordable repayment can be agreed.

Reduction in income

Divorces can also impact household income, with the majority of newly-single Britons finding their spare cash being increasingly squeezed. The drop in income, combined with the need to support two properties instead of just one, can soon mean that affording bills and meeting payments every month becomes a serious concern. For couples with existing debt problems, this imbalance of outgoings and money coming in each week will mean that it is only a matter of time before they are greeted with significant financial hardship.

Supporting children

No matter what is going on financially, it is only natural that parents are keen to cause as little upset and upheaval as possible for their children. Unfortunately, being a single parent can mean that outgoings soar with childcare to consider and additional mouths to feed from a single income. For the non resident parent who is struggling financially, meeting payments to support offspring can also throw up a number of challenges during the transition.

Single parents should look into any benefits they may be entitled to. For example, arrangements can be made about child maintenance to get additional support, while single parents can contact their local council to receive a 25 per cent discount on council tax.

If you use a traditional accountant, you might have been hesitant to change anything about it. It’s worked for you so far, so why alter anything? You’ve not really had any issues before, so despite all this new technology, is there really any reason to change course? Well, just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. Here are a few reasons why you should consider dropping your accountant altogether and moving to cloud accounting.

If you can save your business time, then you’re saving your business money as well. The old adage of time = money will probably never stop ringing true and this is one of the big reasons for moving to online accounting. Traditional accountants take up a lot of your time. You need to book appointments that are convenient for both you and your accountant which can often be tricky, then you have to spend time getting down there and going through whatever issues have arisen. Just to add some new information, get an update or ask a question can be a lengthy experience. In the end, with other choices available, it just isn’t practical.

With cloud accounting software, you can check your accounts whenever you like and wherever you like (as long as there is an internet connection available). This means you don’t have to take time out of your workday to deal with them like you would with a traditional accountant. Instead, you can just do it when you have spare time. It’s also easy too. The software is clear and simple to follow so you can get the information you’re after very quickly. You can also update your accounts instantly. You can even get mobile accounting apps that allow you to scan receipts and add them to your account instantly.

This is another great part of cloud accounting. Paper is less important. While it is still important to keep all of your paperwork in case HMRC wants to investigate your tax, you don’t need to keep them somewhere accessible. You can just file them and keep them out of the way. If you need to check back on anything, it’ll all be scanned and placed in your account. This means there is less chance of you losing anything you may need in the future. Companies like HLB Mann Judd that comprise advisors, consultants, and Accountants Melbourne can be approached for cloud accounting support.

Online accounting firms are generally cheaper than traditional ones. You’ll usually just pay a flat fee for everything while the traditional will charge you per service. For a small business, any money saved is incredibly important.

You also don’t have to worry about losing out on any of the expertise. Online firms still give you dedicated accountants and have excellent customer service departments to ensure that they can help you out with any problems. Moving away from traditional accountants does not mean you’re completely left to fend for yourselves, there is still plenty of support to make sure everything is done right and done on time.

Joshua Danton Boyd is a Brighton based copywriter who writes for Crunch Accounting and Freelance Advisor.

Due to the current housing market, many homeowners are putting off selling their homes. If you are looking to move up the property ladder, but are unsure whether you will receive your home’s maximum value, it may be worth spending your money on a few improvements. By investing in the right projects you can satisfy your need to expand then make a profit on them when you sell your home on later. Here are a few changes you are likely to provide you with a significant return on investment.

Loft Conversion

If you have a growing family you will be looking for more space. Adding an extra bedroom will accommodate this and increase the value of your home significantly. The most cost effective way of doing this is by planning a loft conversion, many homes no longer need planning permission to do this but it is best to check. You will also need the opinion of a surveyor to see if it needs any additional support. The work will take up to 2 months and cost around 20,000, however, on an average priced home, it will easily add 20,000 to its value.

Fresh Kitchen

You may not spend too much time in the kitchen, however, when buying a new home, many people look here first. Whether you want to freshen it up in a way that appeals to everyone, or install a centrepiece that will wow potential buyers, it makes sense to upgrade your kitchen. If your kitchen is looking very untidy, a basic remodelling will be a very efficient way of adding value to your home. As you will be looking for a significant profit, take 10% of the value of your home and use this as your budget.

New Bathroom

The bathroom is where many buyers can be turned off, so it pays to make sure it is up to scratch. For a start, make sure all plumbing repairs have been taken care of. Consequently, it might be in your best interests to click here to continue. Also, as your family grows, so does your need for a second bathroom. In larger houses, many buyers look for an en-suite master bedroom, this will cost up to 15,000 and will easily repay its cost. Alternatively, revitalizing your existing bathroom can be done for less than 10,000 and will make your home much more easy to sell. Before you move in, make sure that all of the installations are in working order. In case you notice that something’s not working properly, you could check for expert technicians like these Port St. Lucie Plumbers to get the work done for you!

Energy Saving Windows

If you do not realistically see yourself moving for a few years then a new set of windows is a wise investment. If you only have single glazed windows, a new set of double glazing (or even triple glazing) will remove a sizable chunk from your energy bill. Buyers are also looking for energy efficient homes so a new set of windows will pay for themselves when you choose to sell.

Updated Plumbing

If you do not want to shoulder the cost for the above projects, updating your plumbing is a relatively cheap project which will pay off in the long term. Many older houses are plagued with dodgy plumbing which restricts the planning of new bathrooms and kitchens, hence why professional plumbers from companies like Craftsman Plumbing (go to the site here) are getting called out to fix so many problems related to the plumbing, such as the garbage disposal and tankless water heaters. Unbeknownst to many, this happens more times than not. With that being said, many buyers will want to install their own kitchen and bathroom, so by getting your home ready for this you make it very attractive to them. This can be done for around 5000 and will add 10-15,000 onto your home’s asking price.

The best project to increase value will depend entirely on your home, every property has a ceiling price so check with an estate agent as to what the best cause of action is. By investing in the right areas of your home you can put off moving until the right time for you.

Author Bio: Joe is a blogger for Force8 doors and windows who writes about property, home improvement, interior design and green living.

Payday loan debt can be worrying, and what starts as a small debt can very quickly escalate into a huge one that you cannot afford. This style of loan has become a popular option and is considered to be a fantastic short term solution. Unfortunately, some people have become trapped in a cycle of debt, which they can see no way of escaping.

Many people when they find themselves in this situation are too embarrassed and scared to ask for help; however, this is the wrong way to deal with the debt. You need to face up to your payday loan debt and find a solution to the problem. There are options that you can consider which will release you from the cycle.

The problem that is caused with the payday loans is that consumers do not use them as intended, and this causes the snowball effect. These loans are designed for once in a while situations, and only ever as a short term solution. However, people tend to get trapped, and borrow more money to pay the payday loan, which will cause a greater amount to be owed.

Once you begin to owe money to several different loan companies, the interest can be huge, and often take a massive proportion of your payroll. You need to be realistic, and face up to the debt that you owe, and contact people that can help. There are companies available who can help you to determine the scale of your debt, and how to move forward.

You want to find a solution that involves freezing the debt and the interest, so that no further charge is added. Once you have done this, you need to ensure that you take out no further loans, and simply pay back the debt you owe. Coming to an agreement with the loan company is the only solution that you have to pay the debt, and remain off the black list.

There are solutions for payday loan debt, but you need to face up to your responsibilities and understand that you made a mistake. Pretending that the debt will vanish is never realistic, and you will end up owing far more if you ignore the debt. Negotiating an affordable amount is the only way that you can move forward.

Thousands of people decided that payday loans were a good idea, and that they intended to pay them back within the month. However, the APR is often extremely high on this style of loan, which can make it difficult to pay in full. Far too many people do not read all of the information that is supplied with these loans, which is how they struggle.

Once you begin to pay for the original loan with another loan, you will discover that this is where your problems begin. As soon as you miss a payment the loan can easily spiral out of control, and you will be in more debt than ever before. A debt management plan is often the best way or you to deal with the problem, and relieve the stress.