Take Care Of Your Windows

Natural light is the best way to banish darkness from the home. However, you may not be making the best use of it if it can hardly get in through your windows to begin with. Dirty and fogged-up windows can drastically reduce how much sunlight enters your home, so make sure that you’re cleaning them routinely, both inside and out. Frames, sills, and blinds can block light, too, so aim for lighter window treatments, such as replacing heavy curtains with sheerer drapes.

Find New Ways To Let Light In

If your existing windows alone aren’t doing the trick, then you might not have enough to maximise your room’s light exposure. Instead, you might want to look at options like Tuffx rooflights or skylights. These overhead windows can let the sun in directly from above, which can be great for lighting up darker areas like hallways or lofts, and can make sure that a room captures light for longer in the day, which can reduce your reliance on artificial lighting. Make sure that you choose energy-efficient models to prevent the added heat loss in the winter, too.

Make Your Rooms More Reflective

Once you get the light in your home, it becomes all about what you do with it. To that end, your walls, ceilings, and floors can do a lot to improve how light travels through the space. Choosing light-coloured paints, for instance, such as soft whites and pastels, can reflect much more light than darker shades. You can further complement these with satin or semi-gloss finishes that bounce light gently without glare, and reflective surfaces such as mirrors, glass tables, and metallic accents. Strategically placing a large mirror opposite your biggest window can do a ton for how much daylight gets around the home.

Go With The Flow

Aside from using reflective surfaces to bounce light around your rooms, you want to make sure that light is able to flow through without being blocked. To that end, simply rearranging the furniture can make a big difference. Ensure that none of it is blocking your windows, especially bulky pieces like sofas, and extend the direct path of sunlight through the room as much as possible. This gives it more chance to get in and reflect around the room, rather than being stopped at the threshold.

It’s far from impossible to be mindful of your energy use when lighting up your home. With the tips above, you can make it feel much brighter, cleaner, and more welcoming without worrying about your impact on the environment too much.

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You don’t just have to settle for installing solar panels and leaving it at that. You could try more than a few other ways to be more eco-friendly without too much time or effort.

Some of these could have a lot more of an impact than others. Not only should they help you have a more sustainable lifestyle, but they shouldn’t be too hard to put the effort into moving forward. You’ve no reason not to try them.

Three of them are worth starting off with because of the impact they should have.

Manage Your Water Use

The amount of water you use in your home plays a vital role in how eco-friendly it is, making it worth focusing on as much as you can. Try not to waste it. There are various ways you can do this, like with eco-shower heads or cutting down on how long you shower for.

The more you put into this, the more environmentally friendly your home should be. While that could mean needing to make a bit of an investment now, it’ll be more than worth it. You could even end up saving yourself some money long-term while you’re at it.

Reduce Plastic Usage

Everyone knows plastic is terrible for the environment. Cutting down on how much of this you use is worth putting the time and effort into, and you can do this in more than a few ways. You don’t even need to put too much time or effort into it to see an impact.

Getting a reusable bottle and filling it up with water coolers is a simple and easy way to do this. Then there’s reusable bags for your shopping, not using plastic straws, and using bar soap instead of liquid soap can be some of the better ways to do this.

Update Your Windows

Depending on the kind of windows you have, they could be letting a lot of hot air out and cold air in. You’ll see this especially during the winter months. This normally means people end up turning the heating on higher to feel comfortable, increasing their energy usage.

That isn’t exactly a sustainable approach to take. You’re much better off updating your windows to a more environmentally friendly option. Double- and triple-glazed windows are the best option for this, as they’ll leave much less heat out during the winter months.

More and more people want to have a more eco-friendly home and lifestyle. But, that doesn’t mean everyone knows what to do, as it could be more of a confusing area than many would’ve thought. But, it doesn’t have to be hard. Focusing on the right strategies should be more than enough to help with it moving forward.

The post 3 Simple Ways to Have a More Eco-Friendly Home & Lifestyle appeared first on Quirky Little Planet.

Service Your Boiler

Ensuring that your boiler is working effectively and efficiently should be your number one priority going into the next winter. You need to make sure that it isn‘t wasting any energy and therefore costing you a fortune before you even think about other cost-saving measures. 

Get your boiler serviced so that you have peace of mind that all is in working order. If problems do come up or your boiler is really old, then a gas boiler replacement could be really beneficial to give you a more energy-efficient and eco-friendly heating system.

Draught-Proof Your House

Ventilation is great for airing out your home and stopping mould from growing, but continuous draughts will end up wasting so much energy to then try to heat up your home. Try to stop cold draughts in the winter otherwise you’re undoing all the work your boiler is doing to heat your home and it costs you a fortune. 

Find gaps and holes in doors or windows and cover them with draught excluders and other insulation. Anywhere there could be a pipe or wire that leads out of the house, there could be a gap, so don’t forget to be thorough and check everywhere – it could end up saving you £100s.

Efficient Appliance Usage

Obviously you still want to be able to go about your usual, day-to-day tasks but being more mindful about what appliances you choose to use or small switches you can easily make will make small, meaningful improvements in your energy usage. 

Swap out your old bulbs and replace them with more energy-efficient, eco-friendly LEDs – or when cooking, instead of using your oven, swap to an airfryer that heats up in seconds and cuts the time it takes to heat up! These small swaps won’t make much difference to your day-to-day life but long term will end up reducing the amount of energy you use significantly.

Heat Yourself, Not Your Home

Rather than increasing the temperature in the whole house, why not just focus on heating yourself up? Only heat the room in the house that you’re using or if you’re going to be in there, sitting down, just wrap yourself under a blanket, snuggled up in fleeces/jumpers and slippers! 

The colder your home is, the more energy you have to use to heat it and therefore the more costly it is. Focusing on heating yourself up rather than your home will save vast amounts of energy as well as reducing the cost.

Energy usage in the winter months can feel excessive and expensive. These eco-friendly tips should help you to limit how much energy you use in your home this winter and as a bonus help to cut costs too.

The post 4 Eco-Friendly Ways To Use Less Energy This Winter appeared first on Quirky Little Planet.

However, with limited time on your hands, you should be sure to spend every minute wisely, which is where this guide comes in. Read on to discover how to spend the perfect day in London! 

Arrive early and grab breakfast (or coffee). Try to arrive in the Big Smoke as early as you can, to spend as much time as possible in the city. Upon arrival, visit one of London’s many award-winning bakeries or coffee shops for a quick bite to eat. While you have plenty of options to choose from, Bar Italia in Soho is a particular favorite among Londoners. It’s known for its high-quality coffee and old-school charm, and has been open (and run by the same family) since 1949.

Before traveling, download Citymapper on your phone to figure out the quickest route from A to B.

Book a last-minute matinee. The West End is one of London’s finest contributions to the global culture scene. As such, you are definitely in for a treat if you manage to squeeze a matinee (afternoon show) into your day trip. Head to the TodayTix app at 10 am to secure last-minute tickets for the best possible prices (often starting at £25). 

Head out on a tour of the city. Whether you are visiting London for the very first time or have stopped by in the past, a tour is the best way to get to know the city. This is because it’s the kind of place where history (and stories) lurk around every corner, no matter what topics you may be interested in. If you don’t want to spend hours on your feet, consider booking London Taxi Tours instead! 

Grab some lunch. Once your tour is over, you’ll still have a little time to kill until your afternoon show starts. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to grab a quick bite to eat around the West End, including Chinatown. If you’d prefer a sit-down meal, use the Fork to take advantage of discounted dining offers.

Take a walk. After your show, start walking toward Trafalgar Square. From here, you can walk through Whitehall, taking in some of London’s most iconic sites. This includes Downing Street, Horse Guards Parade, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. As such, it’s a great way to tick off some tourist hot spots, while also stretching your legs. 

Finish your day in the South Bank. The Southbank is home to some of London’s best bars, restaurants, and views. If you are planning to stay a little later into the night, consider catching a screening or Q&A at the BFI (British Film Institute). Either way, it is the perfect place to wrap up your stay, with great transport links ensuring you can catch your train home easily. 

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In this post, we’re going to look at some of the ways you can increase your learning chances while you are traveling. It may be different from traditional education; however, it is something that benefits many people. 

Learn Everyday 

Just because you are traveling doesn’t mean that you can leave your daily learning routine behind. When you plan carefully, you can include learning in your daily routine. Set yourself some goals and choose certain topics or areas that you want to focus on while you are traveling. For example, you may want to focus on the history of the country you’re visiting or learn more about the language that they speak. A great way to do this is to use apps like Duolingo or Corsica, which will give you a structured course for learning while you are traveling. Even 10 minutes a day can add up to significant progress. It may be a good idea to pick up books from your destination, as it can help give you a better look at the social, cultural, and political views of the places you are visiting. 

Experience Cultural Immersion 

One of the great things about traveling is the opportunity to experience different cultures. Cultural immersion is far more than just visiting as if you are a tourist or trying local foods and attractions; it also includes getting to know the traditions, customs, and even the values of the people who live there. Stay in accommodation that enables you to live like a local. A great way to do this is by staying in an Airbnb property or finding a way to live with one of the local families. Another great way to embrace the culture is to learn the language, even if it’s just a few words that will help you with your experience. It not only increases the amount of education you are doing while you’re away, but it also means that you open the doors to having more authentic interactions with the locals. If any local events are happening, such as markets or festivals, then these could be a special way for you to have a look into the cultural heart of a location. 

Explore Nature 

You can learn a lot from being outdoors, especially if you are doing things like hiking in the mountains, exploring a national park, or going snorkeling in the ocean. There are many opportunities for you to learn when you are in the natural world. You could use some clever mobile apps to help you identify plants or birds, get to know the local ecosystem, and find out how to look after it better. Travel also opens you up to learn more about geography and the different landscapes that you may come across. For example, you may come across glaciers, deserts, oceans, volcanoes, and more. You will learn far more from nature by being out and exploring it than you would from reading a textbook. 

Stay On Top Of Your Basic Skills 

In addition to learning about different topics that you can experience while you are traveling, you should also make sure that you stay on top of your basic skills. These include things like math and English. You should use your traveling situations to top up these skills. For example, you could use math when you are converting currencies, or you can use it when you are deciding how far and how long it will take you to travel to a new destination. This is a great way to build on your skills as you use math in real-life situations. Some great examples are your travel planning and logistics, as well as the math behind budgeting for your trip. Additionally, science is something that you can experience when you are traveling. It is also a course subject when you are at school, so traveling can be a great way for you to stay on top of this basic skill. In addition to immersing yourself in cultures, you can also have a look at art and architecture; this is another course subject when you are at school. You may want to take educational supplies with you, such as a math reference sheet middle high school or some textbooks in digital form. 

Use Online Resources

When you are traveling, it is obviously more difficult for you to just pull out a textbook and learn. You usually want to keep your traveling resources light; therefore, taking piles of books is not practical. Because we live in a digital age, it is more than possible to stay on top of your learning while you are away, as you can use online resources to continue your studies. Whether it’s taking online tests, studying using online flashcards, completing online activities, or fun language, they can all be accessed online and when you are on the go. This type of learning is perfect for when you are traveling and should definitely be something that you research before you go on your trip. 

Conclusion 

As you can see, it is more than possible to keep up your education while you are traveling. It really is a wonder why more people aren’t doing this and why they stick to going to a traditional school. It could be that you are teaching your children while you are traveling, or it could be that you are growing your skills. Either way, it is more than possible for you to keep up your education and learn more when you are traveling. 

The post Why You Should Learn While You Travel appeared first on Quirky Little Planet.

Saqqara

The Pyramids of Giza are a true sight to behold, and quite rightly will headline the itineraries of many visitors. But if you’re averse to the idea of battling through hordes of tourists to snap the best shot of the structures, consider heading to the nearby village of Saqqara. Part of the Ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis, Saqqara is a site of great historical significance, and it’s here where you can discover the oldest confirmed pyramid in Egypt.

The Pyramid of Djoser, otherwise known as the Step Pyramid, was built around 2630 B.C., which alone makes it one of the most important archaeological spots in the entire country. Saqqara sits around 20 miles south of Cairo, so is perfect for a day trip if you’re looking for some time away from the capital.

El Gouna

Tranquil beaches are hard to come by in Egypt’s more popular resorts, but there are many spots all along the coast where you can enjoy a more laid-back seaside escape. El Gouna is one such resort, and is found along the east coast, near to the bustling Hurghada. With an 18-hole championship golf course, spas and coral reefs aplenty, El Gouna is the perfect place to unwind away from the hustle and bustle of Egypt’s busiest coastal locales.

Dahab

Located on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula, the town of Dahab is another spot perfectly suited for some Egyptian rest and relaxation. You can expect to find warm and dry conditions all year round, and there are plenty of activities to fill your itinerary, no matter the makeup of your travelling party. Whilst Dahab may not be on the radar of as many tourists, it’s certainly well-known within the scuba diving community, and it’s considered one of the best diving destinations in the country.

Guest post written by Clayton Miller

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