Wednesday, January 26, 2022

7 Must-Have Items in Your New Home When You Move In

For young adults, moving out of their family home is one of the most crucial steps to embrace independence and responsibilities. Whether they move into an apartment, condo, or house, it is important to foster a space that suits their needs and personality.

While moving out is a goal many young adults want to achieve, it is challenging to equip a bare space with the right appliances and furniture sets. Besides costing money, young adults getting started in the professional realm still need to learn how to manage their finances to cover other necessities.

But that doesn’t mean they have to live in an empty home before they start loving their space! These are some of the basic items one should have in their new home once they move in:

Bed

Your bed is perhaps the most essential item you need in your apartment unit. It will help you sleep better at night, energizing you for your everyday work. It is also comfy enough to do other activities, such as reading, meditating, watching your favorite shows, scrolling through social media feeds and working from home.

Beds are also versatile. If your apartment for rent in Iloilo City has low ceilings, go for a futon-style bed. Decorate your bedroom with a modern Oriental style to complement the legless status of your bed. For more spacious homes such as some townhouses for sale, single or double beds are must-have items for future homeowners to be more comfortable and restful.

Coffee Maker

A fresh cup of coffee is essential for some to work productively and efficiently. That said, one of the essential kitchen devices you should have in your kitchen is a coffee maker. You want to have fresh mugs of coffee to fuel you with the sugar and caffeine pumps you need to stay energetic. Brewing coffee at home is more cost-effective than buying coffee at your nearest coffee shop.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one appliance, you can look for 3-in-1 breakfast-making machines. These include a coffee maker, toaster, and fryer—the perfect gadget for a complete breakfast.

Microwave Oven

If you don’t have a stove yet, having a microwave oven in your kitchen will be helpful. Supermarkets and grocery stores sell ready-made meals and instant food that you can prepare in your microwave. Your takeaway leftovers will also be fresh again once you reheat them in your magical microwave oven.

In addition, you can also use your microwave oven to make scrambled eggs, a mug cake, mac and cheese, and other simple meals.

Refrigerator

Let’s say you ordered a lot of your favorite meals to celebrate your promotion at work. Having a refrigerator or mini-fridge helps keep your leftovers fresh and ready for reheating the next day. Although some food items don’t require being placed in the fridge, the smell of food gone bad creates an unpleasant ambiance in your home. Have a fridge in your new home when you move in to keep your food items fresh and make them last longer.

A refrigerator also comes in handy when you make packed meals for the week that only need reheating. Just pop them in the microwave and you have your breakfast, lunch, or dinner ready without the hassle of preparing meals every now and then.

Steam Iron

Need to have crisp and wrinkle-free blazers and dress shirts for your meetings? A steam iron will be your best friend. This portable device lets you iron your clothes without using a bulky and heavy ironing board. 

Hang your clothes on a rack or hook and run your steam iron on the wrinkles, folds, and creases. You’ll have crisp-looking clothes for your job interviews and virtual meetings.

Seating


Add more comfort and cushioning to your space by adding some seating. Choose couches, bean bags, tatami chairs, or bar stools for your seating. You’ll have something comfortable to sit on while you work, use your phone, or read your book. Having bean bags or even tatami chairs is perfect if you’re hosting small get-togethers and movie nights. 

Coffee Table

Aside from seating, a coffee table is an important piece of furniture in your new home. It is stylish and suitable for eating, working, doing crafts, and setting your favorite dinks on. Your coffee table also provides ample surface area for snacks and drinks for when you have guests over.

Moving into your own place can be liberating and somehow terrifying. You’ll learn to be independent and responsible while gradually building a home that caters to your needs and personality. Take these seven things with you once you move into your new home to be more comfortable and well sustained.

 

Monday, January 24, 2022

5 Shopping Tips When Buying New Appliances

Even with prior experience, picking the best appliance for your home can be daunting—especially large-sized, big-ticket pieces like fridges and washing machines. You’ll need to think about the price tag, delivery options, and even how the new appliance will be installed in your home. 

Fortunately, there are many stores in the Philippines that can make appliance shopping a lot easier. Some offer online purchasing options, while others like the Savers Appliances free installation service help to ensure that your new appliance is set up correctly. This makes shopping for new appliances a more convenient and safer experience, so you can simply focus on choosing the best appliance for your needs.

Since well-built appliances can last a long time, it may have been years since you last bought a major appliance. You might find the new technologies and trends confusing or intimidating, so to make sure you get the best deal for your budget, here are some appliance shopping tips you need to take note of.

Assess What You Need

You might be tempted to simply get the latest model or purchase something that has a multitude of features. However, it may not be exactly what you need. To avoid overspending on unnecessary features and being disappointed with your purchase, you need to first identify what your needs and priorities are. This will help you determine if a certain model is right for you. For example, if you plan to get a new refrigerator that you can use to stock an entire month’s worth of food, you may need a design with a larger cubic area or a spacious freezer. Otherwise, getting a refrigerator with WiFi capabilities won’t matter if you can’t store all the food you want.

To help you stay the course, create a list of your non-negotiables that are distinct from the nice-to-have features. It can include qualities like energy efficiency, quiet operation, or even a particular design that matches your home’s aesthetic. Then consider your budget alongside these requirements. Having a set amount in mind can help you decide if the price is right for the features you need.

Take Measurements


Sometimes, your dream appliance may turn out to be too big for your house. So it’s best to take measurements of the space where you intend to place the appliance before you start shopping. When you find an appliance with the features you want, compare its size to the measurements you took. Pay attention to dimensions such as height, width, and depth. You also need to consider other factors in the area that will affect the appliance’s operations, such as having enough space to ensure proper airflow and access to electrical outlets.

Additionally, measure the path leading to where you want to place the appliance, including the entryway and hallway. It’s also important to take note of the corners, staircases, or any other parts of your home that can get in the way of moving the appliance. The delivery staff will be limited by the space in your home so providing this information will help them determine how to maneuver when bringing in and installing your appliance.

Pay Attention to Feedback

Whether you know someone who owns something similar or have found an online review of the appliance you are eyeing, remember to make a mental note of them. If you can, ask people about their experiences with the appliance, including the things they like and don’t like. When referring to user reviews online, head to reputable sites to avoid being misled by fake reviews.

Although reviews can provide valuable information, you need to remember that satisfied customers are less likely to leave feedback. You might encounter a lot of negative comments so take them with a grain of salt. But if you consistently find the same complaints about a specific aspect of the product, then this is likely a red flag that you should take seriously.  

Visit an Appliance Store

Reviews and customer feedback are wonderful resources when it comes to insights about a particular product. However, there is value in seeing the appliance in person. By inspecting the appliance up close, you can take note of its qualities that can affect its usage. It also allows you to examine other features that are important to you such as aesthetics and size. More importantly, checking out the appliance can help you ensure you are making the right investment. 

Also, many large appliances are frequently touched, like refrigerators, ovens, and washing machines. So it’s worthwhile to feel the appliances with your own hands and see how comfortable you will be when grasping or operating them. Some of the things you may want to check to include how smoothly the doors open, how the handles feel in your grasp, and how easily you can access the control panels.

Check Appliance Warranties

Before you buy an appliance, you need to be aware of the warranties. Make sure to check what is and what’s not covered under the manufacturer and retailer warranty. Typically, the coverage is one year for parts and labor. Once a year has passed, replacement products are often covered for up to five years but you’ll need to pay for labor and service. 

Warranties vary depending on the brand so you can find other appliances with shorter or longer warranty coverage. In some cases, appliance stores can direct you to authorized service providers. Ask about nearby service centers and if there are any challenges in getting replacement parts. Depending on where the appliance is manufactured, some brands have replacement parts on hand while others need to be ordered from another country—which can delay repairs. Consider this if the appliance is something you’ll need to use every day.

Shopping for new appliances can be intimidating even for the seasoned buyer. The good news is a lot of appliance stores today have an array of services that make it easier for their customers to purchase an appliance. Even so, you need to be ready before buying anything—especially if it is a huge investment. So, take your time to go through the tips mentioned above. This way, you can get an appliance that perfectly suits your needs, budget, and preferences.   

Friday, January 14, 2022

3 Things that Kept Me Sane during Isolation

When January 2022 rolled in, I was so excited. Finally, all my dreams of learning how to cook were happening because I finally had everything that I needed. The cookware, the books, and all the kitchen utensils. 

January 2 and 3, I was able to make something for the family. I was over the moon. They loved what I made and it was gone in 60 seconds. 

January 4, I started experiencing COVID symptoms and had to isolate myself. I felt so sad and completely isolated. I didn't have my cookware and I didn't have my cookbooks. I only had my laptop with me and that was it. 

Day 1 and 2 of isolation I moped and stared into space. Day 3, I realized that I had to do something and continue being productive even if I was closed off in a room. This was when I discovered this Culinary Games Site.  

You would not believe the number of hours I spent playing games on this site to pass time. I played like a woman possessed. It was entertaining, challenging, and at the same time, it helped me pass time. 



During isolation, I also had time to really think back on my lifestyle and food habits. I was even able to check on ways to lose weight healthily through this site and it was really an eye-opener for me. I realized that getting sick is not something that I want to go through again and so we need a lifestyle change. 


This helped me to redirect my thoughts back to cooking. However, this time, I am more focused on cooking healthy options for my family. Before it was just anything good but now, it's more on something good but healthy. Good thing they also had a recipe ingredient conversion tool which is super helpful to newbie wannabe cooks like me. 

Now that I'm back in civilization and no longer in isolation, I can't wait to test out some of my newfound knowledge in cooking and coming up with healthy dishes for my family to enjoy this 2022. 

What are you excited for this 2022?