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Archives for October 2014

5 tips to save money on your electricity bill

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Everyone wants to save money any way they can and it’s no secret that electricity has become one of the large expenses in our day to day lives. There are some very simple things that can easily save money on your electricity bill that require little to no extra effort.

5 tips to save money on your electricity bill

1. SHOWERS

  • Purchase a kitchen timer. These are fantastic to monitor and control the time spent in the shower. We put one in our main bathroom for the kids and set it to 4 minutes. It has not only saved money on our electricity bill but it has also reduced our water usage.
  • Use energy efficient shower heads. Again this not only cuts your electricity bill by lowering your water heating costs, you will also save money on your water bill.

2. UTILISE THE SUN

  • Avoid using the clothes dryer. Yes it is convenient and I am guilty of using it as my preference (especially in winter) however it is a money drainer. The sun is much more efficient; it’s faster and free. It is definitely worth the few extra minutes it takes to hang your clothes on the line for all the money you will save.

3. FLICK THE SWITCH

This is probably the most commonly talked about way to save money on your power bill because it is easy and it works.

  • Switch off lights as you leave the room, if no one is in the room there is no need for them to be on.
  • Flick powerpoints off when you aren’t using the device. Things like toasters, kettles, hair dryers, DVD players, TVs and washing machines aren’t in constant use which means they aren’t required to be using electricity 24/7.

4. SOLAR PANELS

  • Solar panels are a great investment. Yes there is some start-up cost however you will see instant savings on your electricity bill.
  • You could potentially even make money by selling additional energy back to the grid ~ now that’s a bonus worth considering.
  • There are a couple of options to suit your needs – Grid Connect Solar System and Stand Alone System. A1 Battery Pro explains the difference and how each one has its own benefits.
  • For more incentives check out Australian Government ~ Clean Energy Regulator. 

5. RESEARCH

  • Shop around the electricity/power companies for the best deal available in your area. Energy Made Easy is a great free website that allows you to compare electricity and gas offers in a few simple steps.
  • As you receive each bill compare it to your last one so you can see what is working. As your bill is reduced it will give you incentive to continue finding ways to save money on your electricity bill.

Do you have a great tip that could help others save money on their bill?
I’d love for you to share them by leaving a comment below ~ nothing is too small, every cent counts.

BabyBjorn plate and spoon

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When babies start eating on their own finding quality eating implements that are easy for them use is priority number one. There are so many options available and it can often get confusing. There are non-slip, suction, characters and the list goes on. What works for your little one may be different to what your friends child prefers but if you are aware of some of the options available it makes purchasing easier. Poppet has been using the BabyBjorn Plate and Spoon for the past couple of weeks and it is fantastic. I am a huge fan of BabyBjorn products, not for their well-known brand but because of their amazing quality.

The BabyBjorn Plate and Spoon is suited from 4 months and will be used for years to come. The plate sits firmly on the table eliminating the usual tipping of food everywhere. The three leaf clover design allows the food to be easily scooped up without your little one having to chase it around the plate and will have a better chance of using their spoon rather than their hands. The spoon is perfect for little hands; it has a short handle making it easy for little hands to grip. Tailored to rest on the side of the plate instead of sliding into the food, this spoon is ideal.

Underneath the BabyBjorn plate you will find rubber edging that prevents it sliding off the table. I love that the BabyBjorn plate and spoon are dishwasher and microwave safe, these are a must in our house. They are also BPA free and so far the white hasn’t stained at all, even after eating spaghetti bol. These wonderfully designed BabyBjorn plate and spoon sets are sold in a pack of 2 and are available in 2 colour options (each plate is a different colour); orange/turquoise or pink/purple. For more information on these gorgeous sets click here to see the BabyBjorn website or to see where they are available from see the stockists here. 

Disclosure: I received one of sets mentioned above for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

BabyBjorn WE baby carrier + Giveaway

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Anyone with little kids knows that it isn’t always possible to take a pram with you. Often prams and strollers don’t even fit down isles at the shops so you will need another option. Baby carriers are a great alternative as you have the privilege of having two spare hands. It isn’t a common choice for parents with children older than one though as most carriers only cater to the needs of infants and more often than not parents aren’t aware that there are convertible baby carriers that satisfy the needs of newborns up to approx. 3 year olds. When we go away for a night or two camping or exploring somewhere new the last thing we want to take is a pram and will always opt for a baby carrier, just in case. Poppet is one year old and I have always thought she was too big to be carried in a carrier until we got the BabyBjorn WE; it is a 3 way front and back carrier. 1. Optimal newborn position: this carries your baby high up on your chest and has adjustable head support to ensure stability for your baby. 2. Inward-facing comfort: This is ergonomically designed for both you and your growing little one. 3. Easy back carrying: you can put your toddler (min. 12 months) on your back in one safe and simple motion without assistance.

BabyBjorn WE

The BabyBjorn baby carrier WE has been a life saver these school holidays as we have been fishing, camping and experiencing a night in a cabin at a Big 4 holiday park. We have done so much walking and this carrier has made it hassle-free. Poppet has been able to enjoy the sights and activities while on the move, as well take comfort in not having to walk her little legs kilometres at a time. We started her with the inward-facing carrying as she was tired and she fell asleep almost instantly. She appeared to be so relaxed and comfortable. Once she woke, we were still out and about so swapped her to the back carrying position and she loved being able to look around and see everything. It is basically like a piggy back but I have 2 free hands! Poppet has also slept in this back carrying position on more than one occasion.

I love that it is so easy to swap positions of carrying and that the straps are adjustable enough that I can swap over with Mr C with minimal fuss and it only takes a few seconds to re-adjust the waist belt and shoulder straps to fit you comfortably. The sturdy waist belt and well-padded shoulder straps allow carrying your child in as much comfort as possible. The waist belt enables you to transfer the child’s weight to your hips to relieve pressure on your back and shoulders. Another benefit to the BabyBjorn WE baby carrier is it rolls up small making storing or keeping it with you on the go a breeze. The clips also have a safety click so you know when they are clipped correctly. For more information on the BabyBjorn WE including the stockists check out their website here.

PRIZE INCLUDES: 1x BabyBjorn WE baby carrier. RRP $150.00 *Black, Cotton*

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Imperial Leather ~ more than soap with a sticker

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Everyone knows Imperial Leather soap, it’s the one we all want as kids because it has the sticker on it! I can feel you nodding along right now because every child references the Imperial Leather bar of soap with the shiny gold sticker. As a child every time we bought soap I always wanted that one, as an adult however I like to embrace fragrance and more feminine scents. Imperial Leather have taken the desire for fragrance into account with their new range of body wash and hand wash. After extensive research they found that 97% of men and women surveyed felt more confident when wearing a fragrance and 2/3 Australians wear perfume or aftershave on a daily basis. I am an everyday perfume wearer and like to change it up, which is quite evident by the 30+ bottles I have in varying scents. Each scent triggers a different feeling or emotion, leaving me feeling sexy, confident, relaxed, or reminiscent.

I have been using 3 of the products from the new Imperial Leather range and love them, one in particular is my favourite. No. 30 Tahitian Retreat.

No. 30 is called Tahitian Retreat and this couldn’t be named more appropriately. A coconut and sandalwood mixture, this bodywash instantly makes you think of a holiday. The coconut evokes relaxing a sensation and leaves you feeling moisturised.

N0 37. Flirtatious, a combination of pomegranate and wild rose. I found this fragrance to be more rose than pomegranate but it was very refreshing and soft on the skin. All the Imperial Leather body wash contain strong moisturising properties that feel like luxury in a liquid form.

No. 35. Zen Garden is an anti-bacterial and cleansing handwash that combines green tea and kaffir lime. It is invigorating and fresh without being overpowering. The Imperial Leather handwash is soap free, skin friendly pH and improves skin hydration.

There are many more fragrances to this new range and I’m sure you will not be disappointed. View the new Imperial Leather collection here.

Disclosure: I received the products mentioned above for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

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