Is there a typical Australian family?

Families can vary greatly in all respect, so when it comes to the typical Australian family, it’s surprising to see that we probably have a lot more in common than not. Real Insurance’s survey of 1,000 Australians found that views on manners and gifts are some of the things that unite us, while holidays and parenting are some of the areas that don’t.

Money, dream homes, and cars

The majority of Australians (70%) admit to comparing their houses to others’ houses, and cars are another possession where Aussies tend to feel the pressure to keep up. However, only one in ten think they compare themselves more than they should, and most Aussies only occasionally compare or never compare themselves to others materially. Around one in five said they drove luxurious cars while their homes are average or shabby.

Only one-quarter of Aussies said they are living in their dream home, while another quarter said their current house is the best they could do. Aussies prefer contemporary-designed homes, farm houses away from the city, or traditionally designed and centrally located homes over McMansions in the suburbs or apartments.

When it comes to pocket money, Aussie parents are paying out $1.4 billion to their children (half of those aged under 20 and living at home) every year, or $16 on average each week. Of those between 16 and 20 years old and living at home, around 10% pay board. One-third of those aged 20 or more and living at home pay board.

The holidays

As far as holidays are concerned, one-fifth of Aussies said Christmas is just a nice time to get away from work, while one-fifth said it was a chore, stressful, full of consumerism, and associated with family tensions. Nearly a half (46.5%) said going away is important for keeping the family together and around 20% said they prefer to holiday without the kids. Another 20% said holidays are overrated and expensive.

Children and Aussie family dynamics

Most Australians do want to have kids, with just one in five Australians saying they don’t plan to have any kids. Women are more likely to want more than four kids, and around half want to have two kids, while one-quarter said they want to have three or more.

As for popularity, mums are most likely to be the most popular family members, followed by female partners or wives, and then male partners or husbands. Brothers are the most likely to be the least popular family member, followed by sisters and cousins.

Values

Surprisingly, the survey found that values tend to align very well across the different generations, with family health, personal health, and relationship with partner being the most important regardless of generation.

Parental aspirations for kids

Aussie parents tend to aspire to uniqueness (66%) over popularity (34%) on behalf of their children, and 88% of parents said being healthy was more important than being attractive. 77% of parents said they’d want their child to be happy over smart if only one of the two qualities were allowed.

This is an S2 POST.

The post Is there a typical Australian family? appeared first on All Mum Said.

A night alone with my husband? With four kids, that is a distant memory. I can barely even remember what it is like to be honest.

Up until recently it had been well over a year since the kids had gone and stayed elsewhere for the night. With their grandparents living only an hour and half away this was a little saddening but more for them than us. *We do not expect anyone else to look after our children, they are our responsibility.

Over the most recent school holidays however the older three had a sleepover at grandma and grandpas house so my husband and I only had bub. How were we going to spend our night? It had been so long since it was just us or this close to just us anyway, that we were stumped on what to do. We could go out for dinner, see a movie, do all the things we once loved to do or we could do something else.

Knowing that we could go and dine out when the kids were at school, we thought we would do something else. Camping it was! The kids didn’t leave until late afternoon so we had to get our shit together, quick! We packed up the ute and set off on our adventure into the Watagans National Park.

With the sun fading fast we were racing the clock, at a safe speed of course! We got the fire started just as all light had gone. We set up the tent by torch and fire light. Thankfully we opted for a smaller tent that was easy to set up as it was only the three of us. We had set up camp in a matter of 30 minutes and were sitting back enjoying a drink and just enjoying each other’s company. We talked, we laughed and we reconnected.

I’m sure many will not understand why we chose to camp instead of staying in a fancy shmancy hotel, the truth is, we love the outdoors. We love enjoying nature and all its beauty, to actually see the stars and be able to do it as a family (or in this case, alone). It was a fantastic night and I hope we can have more like them.

Relationships need that time to reconnect, particularly when you have children.

When was the last time you had a night like this? How did you spend it?

<div align="center"><a href="http://allmumsaid.com.au" title="All Mum Said"><img src="http://allmumsaid.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/All-Mum-Said-1.jpg" alt="All Mum Said" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Ok bloggers, now it is time for you to link up your blog posts with Mummy Mondays!

Please read the linky guidelines –

• Link up ONE of your favourite blog posts for the last week and don’t forget to share the comment love on at least a few other blogs that have linked up.
• Your post doesn’t have to be parenting related, pretty much any post goes.
• Feel free to share my Mummy Mondays button to put the word out there about the linky party…the more the merrier.

The post A night alone with my husband …. #MummyMondays appeared first on All Mum Said.

5 Easy Ways to Get Your Car Ready for Winter

Keeping your family safe in the car is incredibly important all year long, however, winter presents some particularly challenging conditions that we need to prepare for.

Have you ever considered the importance of taking your car for a service before winter comes around?Are your tyres in top condition and up to the task of dealing with freak storms and poor road conditions?

Getting your car ready is easy

All cars require regular maintenance in order to ensure that occupants are safe. We have shared some items below which may require attention before the weather turns cold and miserable.

1. Servicing – Regular services ensure that your car is kept in top condition. A vehicle service centre will check over all your mechanicals to ensure that everything is in working order and will flag any items with you that may require replacing. If you’re unsure or untrusting of a dealer’s advice, consult another mechanic for a second opinion.

2. Windscreen wipers – These are checked at routine services however wiper blades are an item that you can easily replace yourself. If your wipers aren’t effectively cleaning the rain off your windscreen, it might be time to consider buying a replacement. Websites such as Partsales are a great place to find such parts and deliver right to your door. With years of expertise in the automotive industry and a compatibility tool to help you find parts compatible with your vehicle, they make the process of purchasing parts for your car easy.

3. Brakes – Well maintained brakes are critically important to your safety when out on the road. Brake problems are best identified at a service before you realise any fade so it’s incredibly important to you keep them properly maintained. Any qualified vehicle mechanic will be able to service your rotors, brake pads and fluid levels.

4. Suspension – Just like your brakes, suspension is a critical item that needs to be maintained in order to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road. Well maintained suspension helps your vehicle maintain steady contact with the road and enables your vehicle to deal with poorly surfaced roads that can all too easily upset the balance of your vehicle.

5. Tyres – Your tyres are your only direct contact point with the road so it is imperative that you keep them in top condition. You can easily check the condition of your tyres with a quick glance at the tread. If they look worn, chances are it’s time to purchase new ones. Ask your nearest tyre centre professional for a recommendation on what tyres are best for your vehicle. There are countless options for fuel economy right through to performance vehicles so it’s best to consult a professional.

Winter brings unpredictable weather and road conditions so it is important that you do everything you can to ensure that your vehicle is in top condition!

For further tips on vehicle safety and maintenance, contact your nearest VicRoads centre in store or online.

Is you car in a well maintained condition or does it require some attention?

This is an S1 POST.

The post 5 Easy Ways to Get Your Car Ready for Winter appeared first on All Mum Said.

How To Choose The Perfect Car For Your Family

Before making the commitment of buying a new car, read this, it could save you heaps of money and regret!
There are several factors that should be taken into consideration when upgrading or replacing the family car. Knowing how to choose the perfect car for your family is crucial in the comfort and safety of your loved ones for years to come.

What to consider when choosing a new car

It is often the little things that makes a vehicle loved or loathed. It is important to get it right!

Number of seats required

This is an obvious one as you need to be able to cater to the needs of your family. You won’t always be able to leave some of them at home. If you have three children, you are obviously going to require a car with a minimum of five seats. Or a family with 4 kids will require a car with no less than 6 seats. I think you get the idea.

Features

This is so important when selecting a car as it can be features you are used to having that make your ride so comfortable. Write a list of the ‘must haves’ and stick to it. Common features include: Bluetooth, cup holders, air conditioning / climate control, power windows / power mirrors.

Capabilities

Are you an adventurous family that enjoys four-wheel driving and camping or do you prefer to hit the road and explore towns you haven’t visited previously? Perhaps you don’t do a lot of travelling and just need something that gets you and your family from point A to point B.
Whatever you use your car for is what you need to consider for its replacement.

Comfort

Comfort is more than just cushioned seats that pad your backside. It has also got to do with comforts you have come accustomed to. These could include: whether you prefer an auto or manual, must it have a leather steering wheel, do you prefer leather or fabric seats?
Each of these features make a huge difference to the comfort of your car as they are a personal touch.

Safety

Being a family car, it is crucial that safety is a big factor when choosing the replacement vehicle. Consider how many airbags it contains and where they are located, what ANCAP safety rating the vehicle received and does it contain the latest and safest technology for your family. You want them to be protected after all. The new eyesight technology that Subaru offer in their cars is amazing. This new driver assist technology helps to prevent any potential accidents (big or small) by utilising additional and strategically placed cameras to see possible hazards and alerts the driver to act.   Visit this link for more information on Australian vehicle standards.

Tell me below – how you decide what your perfect family car is.

This is an S1 POST.

The post How To Choose The Perfect Car For Your Family appeared first on All Mum Said.

How To Keep Active And Incorporate Kids

Keeping active with young kids is difficult. Difficult but not impossible!

We hear every day that it is important to stay healthy, keep active and look after your health but for some families it is not as easy as just going off and doing it. Sometimes parents need to get creative with the ways they incorporate fitness into their daily regime.

Get the kids involved and stay fit as a family

Keeping fit as a family is a great way to encourage and instill a healthy lifestyle for your children now and in the future. Try these easy to achieve activities to stay active and include your kids.

Sport

Whether you are big sport fans or not, by going down to your local sporting oval and kicking the football or soccer ball around is a way to burn off extra energy. Throwing the Frisbee is another great choice because it is also a lot of fun and requires bursts of running, leaping and stretching.

Explore

Get out of the house and explore your surroundings. If you are lucky enough to have National Parks  or walking tracks nearby (click the link for information in your state or territory), these are a great way to introduce fitness with the great outdoors to your children. They can learn about nature while embarking on adventures in different terrains and be able to enjoy amazing views once they arrive!

Swim

Swimming is not only a crucial life skill, it is also a great option for fitness. The water allows you to feel lighter but also provides resistance when swimming laps or having races with the kids.
Also playing games like Marco Polo, Water Volleyball, Gladiator shoulder rides, mermaid races and diving comps are a great way to have fun while working those muscles.

Backyard fun

These activities don’t cost a sent because you already have the gear.
• Trampolining – the jumping and bouncing provides your body a full workout while having fun.
• Cricket – If your backyard isn’t large enough the local sports oval will be just fine.
• Totem tennis – It encourages hand eye coordination and works your arm muscles.
• Skipping – Having skipping challenges with the kids a great way to get them involved.
• Weights – I’m not talking about gym weights, use the kids. Lift them up, hold them and then lower. Repeat. Repeat and repeat. Workout for you and fun for them!

Dance

Who doesn’t love to dance? Dancing not only relieves stress but it also gets your blood pumping and works up a sweat. Add in some well-known exercise moves like lunges and burpees and you have yourself a 3 minute workout!

Fitness at the park

These days it isn’t uncommon to see workout stations at a children’s playground. This is because parents want to be able to keep fit while they have young children and these stations make it possible. The benefit to these are that parents can watch and talk to their children while they are moving and exercising. It is the best of both worlds for mums/dads and kids.

Yoga and Pilates

While this is not everyone’s cup of tea, for some it is the perfect start to the day. As a result, there are becoming an increasing amount of family sessions where both parents and children can enjoy the benefits for these classes. There are several health insurance providers that offer these types of classes as an extras option on certain policies. Click here to find out more!

Your health is crucial and while it can be difficult to work out or be as active as you would like, it isn’t impossible. By implementing the suggestions above, you can encourage your children to get active with you and promote a healthy way of life.

How do you keep active and incorporate the kids?

This is an S1 POST.

<div align="center"><a href="http://allmumsaid.com.au" title="All Mum Said"><img src="http://allmumsaid.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/All-Mum-Said-1.jpg" alt="All Mum Said" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Ok bloggers, now it is time for you to link up your blog posts with Mummy Mondays!

Please read the linky guidelines –

• Link up ONE of your favourite blog posts for the last week and don’t forget to share the comment love on at least a few other blogs that have linked up.
• Your post doesn’t have to be parenting related, pretty much any post goes.
• Feel free to share my Mummy Mondays button to put the word out there about the linky party… the more the merrier.

The post How To Keep Active And Incorporate Kids appeared first on All Mum Said.

An Easy How To Guide: Self-care For Busy Mums

Are you tired? Run-down? It is time to listen to your body and do something for you!
Mums are busy. There is no denying that fact. Regardless whether they are stay-at-home mums, work-at-home mums or full time working out of the house mum; we are all busy and we all put our family’s needs before our own.

Time for myself? You must be kidding!

After endless days of work, nappies, cleaning and cooking; time poor parents yearn for ‘me time’. Unfortunately it is often hindered by the fact there are not enough hours in the day or no one to mind the kids so you can enjoy it. Well good news – there are easy ways to improve your health and self-care options for busy mums that include the kids. Here is how you can introduce some self-care into your life with minimal effort!

Exercise

This is an obvious one however many women think they need to go to the gym to exercise and since they have no time or cannot afford a membership, don’t bother. This is not 100% right.
Exercise can be done in so many different ways.

• Go for a walk or run – get the blood pumping, burn some energy and get some vitamin D. Your whole body benefits from it.
• Do a park bench workout while your kids are playing.
• Dance – even just around the house while doing your usual chores.
• Gym – if this is an option for you many gyms offer a crèche service so you can work out without having to worry about your kids. *Private health funds also cover some gym membership costs.

Eat well

A healthy diet is crucial in taking care of yourself. The best part about eating well is that your whole family can do it. You should enjoy the food you put in your body though so if you like the occasional chocolate or soft drink, have it. Just keep in mind that they are a ‘sometimes’ food.

Sleep

No one functions well on minimal sleep. This is why it is so important to get a consistent 6-8 hours of sleep every night. Parents struggle with this when they have young children and have to cope with countless nights of broken sleep but when possible get an early night so you can start the day as fresh as possible.

Accept it is what it is

Life isn’t always easy, sometimes it can be tougher than tough. This is why instead of stressing over things beyond your control, you need to just accept the way the situation has unfolded and take each day as it comes. Stress is not good for a person, particularly a parent because children sense the mood.

This also means that you should stop comparing yourself to others. By comparing your life, your appearance, your kids and even your job to another person, you are creating doubt and destroying your confidence. Be who you are and be happy within!

Say no

Mums (and dads) are constantly saying yes. Yes to weekend sports, yes to driving kids to friends’ houses, yes to hosting sleepovers and yes to taking on that extra shift at work. It is time to be selfish and say no! You don’t have to become an unsocial person but it is ok to put yourself first and say no to everyone else once in a while.

Music

Crank the music and dance. Sing as loud as you can. Music relaxes you and puts a smile on your face. It makes the most mundane activities bearable.
Enjoy letting your body get loose and work up a sweat while doing it! Exercise, endorphins and happiness.

Take a break….alone!

Everyone needs a break from time to time and it is perfectly acceptable that you actually do it. Whether it be 5 minutes to enjoy a HOT cup of coffee, going to see a movie or sitting under a tree with a book; sometimes you NEED that break more than you realise. Not to mention it is a break from being touched, parents of young children will know exactly what I’m talking about!

Taking time out of your busy life to look after yourself is crucial for your family and you. It puts your day into perspective, revitalises your mood and is beneficial to your health.
Private health funds offer a wide range of benefits that allows you peace of mind and the freedom to take care of yourself. See how you can benefit here.

What is your self-care tip for other busy mums?

This is an S1 POST.

<div align="center"><a href="http://allmumsaid.com.au" title="All Mum Said"><img src="http://allmumsaid.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/All-Mum-Said-1.jpg" alt="All Mum Said" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Ok bloggers, now it is time for you to link up your blog posts with Mummy Mondays!

Please read the linky guidelines –

• Link up ONE of your favourite blog posts for the last week and don’t forget to share the comment love on at least a few other blogs that have linked up.
• Your post doesn’t have to be parenting related, pretty much any post goes.
• Feel free to share my Mummy Mondays button to put the word out there about the linky party…the more the merrier.

The post An Easy How To Guide: Self-care For Busy Mums appeared first on All Mum Said.

I remember back to when I was a kid and my younger sisters used to be Teletubbies crazy! My brother and I being older used to mock them and their crazy anecdotes but now watching my 2 year old be in awe just as my sisters were, I get it.

They are fun, adventurous and full of bright colours. To the joy of the next generation of children Teletubbyland is back with even more tales. Join Tinky-Winky, Dypsy, Laa-Laa and Po and be entertained by their energy!

Teletubbies DVD Review

Today I am reviewing two of the new Teletubbies DVD’s that my daughter has been enjoying.

Teletubbies Sing and Dance

We all know that the Teletubbies love to dance and encourage children to get creative. This DVD is full of fun and exploration while inspiring young kids to boost their confidence and try new things. Watch your little one get nurture and grow while dancing to the Boom Boom Dance and learning new ways to sing and dance by seeing how other children do it.

This DVD offers 8 episodes which converts to a whopping 3 hours of Teletubbies which is a lot but if you break it up over a period of time they will never be bored.

Rated: G * Released: 2/12/15 * Running time: 190 minutes

Teletubbies Animal Friends

Teletubbyland is full of animal friends and everywhere you look you will find them. Teletubbies introduce animals to children in a fun and encouraging way. As they watch this DVD they will discover penguins, kittens, dogs, ducks and more! This DVD also runs for 3 hours so ensure your little ones take a break every few episodes.

Rated: G * Released: 2/12/15 * Running time: 190 minutes

Prize Includes: 1x Teletubbies Sing and Dance DVD or 1x Teletubbies Animal Friends DVD.

**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

Terms & Conditions: 
1. Australian residents only.
2. Judges decisions is final.
3. Winners must make contact within 72 hours.
4. This is a game of skill. Chance plays no part!
Therefore no extra points are given for sharing however it is good karma!!
5. All Mum Said is not responsible for delivery of prize.
6. All entries will be signed up to our newsletter, if you do not wish to sign up to our newsletter please advise us via email.
NOT endorsed by or have anything to do with facebook.

If you want to enter more giveaways click over here.

Disclosure: I received the above DVD’s for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

The post Teletubbyland Is Back!! Teletubbies DVD Giveaway appeared first on All Mum Said.

5 Foodie Ways to Get the Kids Through Witching Hour

Guest post by Simone Emery from Play with Food.

My favourite tool to have in my parenting arsenal is a good afternoon tea. A good afternoon tea sets the kids up for a decent window of opportunity to be productive without the “I’m bored” and “I’m hungry” complaints during the witching hour*.

*Actually, let’s be honest it should read hours. Next to afternoon tea is having something ready to occupy the youngsters. (Unless homework is in the picture for you and that is causing a whole lot of other “fun” at your place.)

Here are 5 foodie ideas to get through the afternoon that don’t require too much preparation. You should have most of the ingredients / resources on hand.

Play with food

1. Vegie Painting

Using some vegetables, try painting (or drawing around) them onto paper. You can make an edible paint by mixing a teaspoon of yoghurt with a drop of food colouring. Vegetables that make good brushes include asparagus, broccoli, rosemary stalks and carrot tops. Or you can cut a potato into two and make circle / oval stamps.

2. Grouping and Counting with Vegie Scraps

This is great if you have potato / carrot / sweet potato or the outer leaves of a leek available. Have the children tear them into pieces and then line them up in order from smallest to biggest. Or put them in groups of similar size pieces. Then they can tally up the number of pieces they have sorted out.

3. Mystery Sensory Challenge

In a shoe box, place some dry rolled oats and some small mystery fruits and vegetables for the children to find and determine what they are just by feeling them. This works well for small items like apricots, plums, cherries, beans, sugar snap peas and cherry tomatoes. You could use shredded paper, dry rice or dry pasta to surround the mystery foods too.

4. Bubble Painting

In a small beach bucket over a messy mat or outside, place some detergent, food colouring and water. Put some paper over the bucket and poke a straw through it. The child then has to blow OUT to make bubbles that will reach up and colour the paper.

5. Food Sculptures

A great way to use their imagination and also to make some use of your scraps again too. With toothpicks, get them to try and make things like a car, digger, castle or dog out of food items. This can be simply done on a placemat on the floor beside you while you are making dinner.

Simone, from Play with Food, has plenty of tips to help you master your family mealtimes, especially with fussy eaters. She always aims to delight the taste buds and imagination of children with food.

How do you incorporate food into play? Tell me in the comments. 

The post 5 Foodie Ways to Get the Kids Through Witching Hour appeared first on All Mum Said.

How To Leave A Domestic Violence Relationship

Escaping an abusive relationship is hard, particularly if children are involved. It is however essential for both you and your children!

Deciding to leave a violent relationship is difficult and not a decision that is easy to make. You want to leave but there are many obstacles that make this choice seem near impossible.
The most common hurdle is fear, for you and your child’s safety! You are scared about taking the next steps and the ramifications that may follow; this is completely understandable given your current situation. This is why knowing how to leave a domestic violence relationship safely is crucial.

Must do’s for a safe escape

You have reached the point where you cannot take the abuse anymore but don’t know what to do next. This step by step guide will help you take the first of many steps to your reclaiming independence.

1. Seek legal advice

Before you do anything, seek legal advice. They will be able to tell you exactly what you need to do in order to protect yourself. This is particularly important if children are involved. It isn’t uncommon for the abuser to use your children as leverage to get you to return. If you take the advised steps from your legal team and/or local police, you will not have this concern. They will also be able to put you in touch with emergency accommodation and DV groups. For Legal Aid advice click here for further information.

2. DVO

Get a Domestic Violence Order (commonly known as DVO). While this may aggravate the situation, it is essential. This allows police to keep an eye out and it will also help you should you be required to go to court. For more information on how to obtain a DVO click here.

3. Where will you go?

This is the question that scares most victims into staying. You may have been alienated from your family and friends and feel you have no one to lean on. This is a time of need and you don’t have to do it alone. If you have a good friend or family close by; stay with them until you can sort out alternative accommodation.

If you are living away from relatives; contact your local Salvation Army or other emergency accommodation provider. The Salvos help more than 2000 women escape violent relationships each year by providing them with refuge accommodation and on-going support. The Salvation Army details can be found here: http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/find-help/domestic-violence/.

4. Have a plan

Victims of domestic violence do not always have the luxury of having time to plan when and how they will leave. If you can, make a plan of where you will go and how you will respond to your partner’s calls and persistence.
If you feel your life is in imminent danger, get out now! Don’t leave it until it is too late.

5. Money

• If possible, start saving little bits of money when you can. This is easier said than done as most abusers know where every dollar is being spent. This is another way they maintain control and make it difficult for you to leave. For those fleeing and saving isn’t possible, the government offers crisis payments to those who are planning to or have left violent relationships. See more information here.

• Open up a bank account in your name only, with another bank you don’t use together. This eliminates any chance of your partner getting your personal details, including address or money.

• Call your bank and put a hold on all home loan redraws. While this is not something you would think of doing in the moment of leaving, it is smart for long term.

6. Privacy and safety

• Cancel your childcare and change schools if possible. This is to ensure your partner does not come and take the children out of school as a way to regain control.

• Change passwords and privacy settings on everything!

Far too many people suffer from domestic violence and the number of sufferers is only rising. The stats shown below from the Australian Bureau of Statistics are just terrifying.

Fleeing a domestic violence relationship takes strength, bravery and patience. This is why good support is essential. Please remember that regardless what you are told; it is not your fault and you are not to blame!

For support and domestic violence helplines see the numbers below.

If your life in immediate danger call – 000

National Domestic Violence (24 hours): 1800 737 732
Lifeline: 131 114
• QLD – Domestic Violence Telephone Service – 1800 811 811
• NSW – Domestic Violence Line – 1800 65 64 63
• VIC – safe steps Family Violence Response Centre – 1800 015 188
• ACT – Domestic Violence Crisis Service – 02 6280 0900
• SA – Domestic Violence Helpline – 1300 782 200
• WA – Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline – 1800007 339 & Crisis Care – 1800 199 00808
• NT – Domestic Violence Crisis Line – 1800 019 116
• TAS – Family Violence Counselling and Support Service – 1800 608 122 or Family Violence Response & Referral – 1800 633 937

For more helplines visit http://www.whiteribbon.org.au/finding-help.

*Disclaimer: I am not qualified to advise you on what to do or give legal assistance in your situation, I can only comment on my own personal experience and those close to me. Please call one of the helplines or seek legal advice before taking action.

The post How To Leave A Domestic Violence Relationship In Six (Not So) Easy Steps appeared first on All Mum Said.

Save Money On Furniture And Homewares

It is time to get organised. Clean up, clear out and start fresh this festive season.

The holidays have rolled around again and guests are spending the weekend. You don’t want to be embarrassed by your old worn out homewares, so it is the perfect time to change your décor. Get that outdated and shabby furniture off your property and spruce it up with something new or new to you.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure

You know the old saying. This is absolutely true when it comes to furniture and homewares. Unlike 10 years ago, today there are so many options to find a bargain and you are crazy to not try. Consider the following before you go out and pay full price:

Christmas and Boxing Day sales

Stores and warehouses around Australia have fantastic Christmas and Boxing Day sales. Sometimes you may have to hunt a little to find them but they are definitely there. You can save up to 50% on some items, which is nothing to be laughed at for brand new pieces of furniture!

Gumtree or Ebay

These websites are full of fantastic bargains. On Gumtree you will even find free homewares, electricals and outdoor furniture. A lot of the time there is absolutely nothing wrong with the items; people just upgrade and want to pass them onto someone else. Keep your eyes peeled for these bargains because they don’t last long!

TIP: For even better deals, check after Christmas when people replace their furniture or are selling their unwanted gifts!

Buy, Swap & Sell sites on Facebook

Similar to Gumtree, you can find mountains of free and cheap household goods and furniture in your local area. Social media has opened up opportunities for sellers to get rid of their unwanted goods and buyers to score themselves a bargain. Sometimes all the furniture needs is a little TLC to bring it back to its former glory.

Get creative with DIY

Look around your local garage sales, businesses, the above mentioned avenues and even friends places for scraps that can be turned into fun items. Wooden pallets are fantastic for creating practical but unique outdoor lounges and garden beds. Create feature pieces by turning old doors and cable reels into tables. For the festive season, extra esky’s and ice buckets are required which is where old bath tubs make the perfect addition to an outdoor area.

For more ideas on how you can create your own home decor with a little DIY, CLICK THE LINK!

Style and comfort doesn’t have to be expensive. You can stay well within your budget by doing a little bit of research and bartering to get a better price.

Everyone wants something new but new isn’t always better. Sometimes older products are built to a higher standard and will last longer than many new pieces. Consider your needs, wants and budget before making your purchases.

How do you save money on your furniture, homewares and gardening items?

This is an S1 POST.

The post How To Save Money On Furniture And Homewares appeared first on All Mum Said.