The Style Rules Every Man Needs to Know

If you’re a guy and you want to look stylish there are a few things you need to know. You see, fashion has rules, and although rules are made to be broken when the timing is right, following them will certainly help you to look more stylish most of the time.

Okay, so what are these men’s fashion rules you need to know about?

Buy bespoke

Buying your whole wardrobe bespoke would be pretty expensive, but you don’t need to do that. What you should do though, is ensure that any suits you buy are bespoke rather than off the peg. Why? Because when it comes to looking good in a suit, fit is the key. If your suit fits well across the shoulders, waist, and arms you’ll look like a bona fide movie star. If you really can’t afford bespoke, at least get it tailored in these three key areas.

Choose the right watch

Wearing a high-quality watch is a sign of style and sophistication. Watches are like tiny pieces of art you can wear on your wrist to show people what you’re all about. So, whatever you budget, be sure to choose one that looks good to you, works well for you, and fits comfortably. You don’t have to spend a fortune, but you should choose a timepiece that will grow with you.

Add a pop of color

A lot of men shy away from wearing bright colors, opting instead for blacks, grays, and browns, which is fine and can look the most sophisticated, but color really can enhance your wardrobe. 

As a sophisticated man, the best way to use color is in small bursts. For example, a black suit paired with a crisp pink shirt or a brown suit with a red cravat and pocket square will look instantly more interesting than the usual black/white or brown/navy combos.

Shine your shoes

Women always look at a man’s shoes first because they can tell you a lot about their attitude not only to style but life. The shoes make the man and that means, not only should you invest in the best pair of Oxford’s or monkstrap shoes that you can afford, but you should also take good care of them. Clean and polish them at least once a week and you’ll always look dapper.

Wear your jeans a lot

Jeans on men tend to look better when they are well worn, slightly distressed, and perfectly fitting. Unfortunately, it’s near impossible to buy jeans like this off the rack, which is why, if you want to look good in jeans, wear them a lot, wear them well and make them your own. 

Practice good grooming

It doesn’t matter how well you dress, if you don’t take good care of your skin, hair, and body, you’ll never look as good as you could. So, moisturize regularly. Visit the barber often, invest in a quality cologne and be sure to clean and press your clothing regularly - it’ll make so much difference.

Follow these simple rules and you’ll always be the most stylish guy in the room.

8 Handy Tips On How You Can Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster

Homeownership is a huge financial responsibility. That responsibility stays with you a long time and can be quite costly the longer it takes to pay off a mortgage. It is best for both your money and mental reassurance to settle your payments as early as possible, and here are some tips to help you do so.

1. Smart Budgeting

Budgeting is the first thing that you should do when you are trying to pay off your mortgage faster. It is essential to any sort of financial planning and management that you take the time to outline your income and expenses and understand where your money is going. With proper budgeting, you will be able to outline a timeframe in which to create a target goal of having your mortgage or any expense paid off. Once you have created your budget, you can begin allocating money, making adjustments, and creating a plan of action moving forward.

2. Making Extra Payments

Refinancing your mortgage to increase your payments is the best way to pay off your mortgage faster. Once you have done the budgeting and financial planning you need to assess your situation, you want to be able to put as much money that you can into paying off your debts. Jake Taylor highlights the importance of making extra payments and can show you how to pay off your mortgage sooner with crucial information. Even if you cannot make consistently increased payments, any extra money that you pay will help cut down the time it takes. This helps you get rid of mortgage insurance which can add thousands of dollars to the bottom line in which you are paying. The faster you pay off your mortgage, the more you save on interest fees.

3. Cutting Out Unnecessary Expenses

Once you have a grasp of how your money is functioning, one of the first steps that you can take to help pay off your mortgage is dividing up your expenses into categories of necessity and unnecessary expenses. Things like rent, insurance, food, and utilities are necessary while expenses tied with going out, and accumulation of things can be deemed unnecessary. Considering this, adjusting your lifestyle to cut out things that you don’t need or making adjustments can help save you money. Making adjustments is crucial. Yes, eating is important but instead of eating out, preparing meals, and buying in bulk will help you cut down on your spending.

4. Increase Your Income

If you are finding it difficult to cut out or cut down your expenses, another option that will help you pay off a mortgage faster is by increasing your income. Seeking out a raise at your current job, or even looking at taking on another job in your spare time can provide you the extra income to help pay off your debts. There are many options out there that provide flexibility so even if you don’t have that much spare time on your hands, an extra hour or two a week will add up. Aside from looking for another side job or asking for a raise, there are passive ways to help you generate income. From investing in passive jobs like photography, you can earn money in many ways. This just varies in terms of initial investments of time, effort, and money. You will need to consider what best works for you, your time, and the current situation.

5. Bonuses, Tax Returns, Windfalls

Sometimes, you will find yourself in a pleasant situation where you receive extra money. These can occur as a result of bonuses from work, your tax returns, or inheritances. Whatever the case may be, it is best to use any money that comes your way by helping pay off your mortgage. It will seem enticing to use that money to enjoy yourself with gifts or trips, but you will reap the rewards in the long run by avoiding interest fees and the extra stress of prolonged payments.

6. Downsizing

Another option to consider in helping you pay off your mortgage faster is through downsizing. Whether you choose to downsize your living situation or adjust your lifestyle, there are ways in which anyone can utilize a bit of minimization in their life. Not everyone will feel this way as people may be set in their lifestyles and it definitely won’t be an easy adjustment. Making small alterations can help. Instead of having to sell your car to cut out insurance or leasing costs, maybe cutting down on the number of trips you take, taking public transit, or asking to work from home once a week as a means to save on gas can help you start. If you have too much space in your home, but don’t want to sell it and move into a smaller place, you can choose to rent your space. Making these adjustments doesn’t have to be permanent either, just provide you the extra benefits until you are paid off.

7. Financial Planners Or Consultants

If you are having extreme difficulty with managing your finances, but you are motivated to pay off your mortgage, you should seek out the help and advice of a financial planner or a consultant. They will provide you assistance to go over your finances and provide you the guidance in order to help cut down your mortgage length. This will cost you money, but if you are unable to handle your expenses on your own, this can help save you money in the long run.

8. Understanding What You Can Afford Prior To Mortgage

You should always be making financially sound decisions with your money, especially when it comes to large purchases like a home. Putting a large down payment or paying off your home immediately will prevent you from incurring any costs in terms of interest or home insurance fees. It is not always viable to do so, but you still need to consider that if you can wait and hold off on any large purchases before building enough equity to do so will put you in a better and more stable position for the future.

Owning a home comes with a lot of stress. One of the ways to cut down the stress is to be able to pay off your mortgage, cutting out one extra factor that you have to keep track of. This will free up your mind, and your money to enjoy other facets you want in life.

3 Creative Ways to Save for a Downpayment

In 2019 alone, over 5 million existing homes were sold in the United States. No matter what the housing market looks like in any given year, people will always be interested in buying their dream houses. 

Unfortunately, that dream house you’ve been looking at for a while might require a hefty downpayment. 

Now, thanks to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the outlook on home buying has changed even more. But, if you’re willing to make a few changes to your everyday life and adjust your budget, you can easily start to save up for a downpayment on a home you truly want. 

It doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think. With that in mind, let’s look at three creative (and easy) ways you can save for a downpayment just by making small adjustments.

1. Start a Downpayment Fund

Whether it’s a glass jar near your front door or a separate bank account, one of the best ways to start saving money for a home is to have an actual place where that money can go. Every time you have a little extra cash on hand put it in the downpayment fund. Even a few dollars here and there can add up quickly. 

2. Trim Your Budget

If you already have a monthly budget in place, look at different areas where you might be able to cut back. For example, if you tend to buy high-end cosmetics and beauty supplies, switch to Wholesale Health and Beauty Care for a few months. 

If you can live without an expensive cable package, go down to a cheaper plan. Don’t go out to eat as often. Make your coffee at home. Cancel your gym membership and work out from home. These are easy ways to cut back and use that money toward your downpayment. If you’re stumped on other ways you can cut back, get the whole family involved! Talk to them about what they’re willing to “give up” for a while in order to save faster for the house you want. 

3. Start a Side Hustle

The gig economy is booming larger than ever, and it especially came alive during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, it’s the perfect time to jump on the opportunity to start a side hustle. 

If you have any unique skills or talents, you can put them to good use by becoming a contractor/freelancer. Some jobs can be done from the comfort of your own home, such as writing or graphic design. Or, you can work part-time delivering food or becoming a ride-share driver. Most gig economy jobs offer a lot of flexibility. You get to choose the amount of work you want, so you won’t feel overwhelmed. 

Even if a downpayment on your dream house seems out of reach, it’s important to never give up. In most cases, it’s much easier to reach your financial saving goals than you might think. If you’re starting the process of saving for a home, use these tips as much as possible to make the process easier, and you’ll start to see the rewards sooner than you may think. 

Factors to Consider Before Buying Dog Food

Being a fur parent is a big responsibility because aside from providing your dog with food and shelter, you also need to make time for them and ensure that they are properly cared for and loved. This includes being selective on the food that you give them because what you feed your pet can go a long way in terms of keeping him healthy and strong. 

However, before bringing a puppy into your home, it's essential to choose an Ethical dog breeder. This is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your new furry friend begins life in a safe, loving, and healthy environment. Ethical breeders prioritize the well-being of their dogs, which means your puppy will arrive home happy, well-socialized, and ready to thrive.

That said, below are some of the factors that you need to consider before buying dog food:

Age

One of the first things that you need to consider before buying dog food is the age of your dog. The nutrition that a puppy needs greatly varies from the nutrition that a senior dog requires. Puppies need to be fed frequently, in relatively larger portions because they are rapidly growing. For the first two months of their lives, they should be fed at least four to six meals a day. However, the amount of food, as well as the frequency of feeding will decrease as they age.

Size

Another thing that you need to think about before buying dog food is the size of your dog. The size of a dog usually depends on its breed, with some breeds generally being smaller such as a pomeranian and others being larger such as a great dane. If your pet belongs to the larger dog breed size, keep in mind that they have a different nutritional need compared to smaller dogs. Rest assured that there are dog foods that are specifically formulated to cater to the needs of your dog based on his size.

Energy Level

Some dogs are more active compared to other dogs and because of this, they tend to burn more calories. In this case, make sure that you feed your dog with a nutrient-dense diet, particularly if it falls in the category of an active dog. Conversely, make sure that you go for a dog food that is intended for weight management in case your dog is not too active. When selecting the right dog food for your furry friend, it's essential to take into account their specific health needs, such as pancreatitis treatment for dogs. 

Specific Needs

You also need to consider whether your dog has specific needs before you buy a certain type of dog food. It is important that when your dog has seizures, you provide it with food that has limited ingredients that can worsen its condition. In this case, opt for dog food which is rich in omega fatty acid and DHA. On the other hand, if your dog is prone to skin irritation, you need to look for dog food with ingredients that will help it with its condition such as those rich in vitamin B and amino acids.

To wrap things up, make sure that you consider the age, size, energy level, as well as the specific needs of your dog before you buy dog food. Better yet, consult with your veterinarian to ensure that you are giving your friend the nutrition it needs. This will also aid you in deciding upon the frequency of its feeding, as well as when you need to change its diet accordingly. While caring for your dog may prove to be laborious, in the end, all your efforts will prove to be worth it.

The Different Levels of Home Customisation

We’ve probably all heard of the saying “make a house a home”, but what does it really mean to us? For some people, it could mean making a house comfortable enough so that there are no outstanding issues that they have to fight with every day. Whether it’s a faulty lock on a door or a kitchen appliance that doesn’t work properly, some people would be content with having zero problems to worry about in their home.

On the other hand, some people consider “make a house a home” to mean customisation. They think about painting their home and decorating it with things that make it unique and special. This can involve a lot of manual work or it could cost a lot if you hire a contractor. However, it goes without saying that investing in your property can certainly make it feel more like a home, especially if you know what you’re doing in terms of interior and exterior design.

So in this article, we’re going to talk about different levels of home customisation and list some pros and cons based on the amount of money and time you can spend.

Home renovations and DIY projects

The first level would be home renovations and DIY projects. This is where you’ll be painting your walls, adding custom decorations and potentially engaging in some DIY projects to make your house stand out. In most cases, simple things such as painting your walls can be deceptive. While you might think all it takes is a can of paint and some brushes, there are actually some important things to keep in mind such as how much the paint costs, how much you’ll need and also covering your furniture and floors so that you don’t splash paint everywhere.

In terms of customisation, painted walls can be something that really changes the look and feel of your home. There are also some simple DIY renovations like swapping out your furniture or even replacing your floors that can be done with a bit of work and knowledge of the process. This knowledge can easily be found online with videos or articles about DIY.

In terms of cost, it can be fairly inexpensive to do these projects as long as you have the tools. If you don’t, we suggest investing in tools that will last a while and re-using them in the future for other DIY projects. It can also take a lot of time to finish these projects, but it’s generally something that improves over time as you get used to it.

Custom furniture and home features

Next, we have custom furniture and home features. This is something that will depend on your personal needs. It can range from bespoke furniture designs to a home extension or garden office build. These are things that can be completed as DIY projects to some extent, but they require a serious amount of work and knowledge. This is why we’d consider these as contractor-specific customisations that will generally cost a lot of money. However, since they’re done by a professional, they can actually be finished relatively quickly and you won’t need to put in much effort yourself.

These types of customisations can be incredibly detailed, so we only suggest this if you have something very specific in mind that can transform the way you use your home. For instance, something like a swimming pool installation can add a fitness and party option to your home. It requires some level of planning permission and you’ll need to dig up a lot of space in your garden, but it can be well worth the investment.

On the other hand, you could add or upgrade features in your home that can make living easier. For example, you could consider upgrading your cooling and heating systems to be more efficient and convenient. This will likely require stripping walls and adding different bits of hardware around the house, but it can prove to be extremely convenient and will enhance your living conditions.

Building a custom home from scratch

Lastly, we have the nuclear option for home customisation; building a home from scratch. Again, this is technically something that you can do on your own but we highly suggest contacting a specialist such as Hansen Living to help. With specialised contractors and expert designers, you can easily make your dreams come true with a fully-customised house.

In fact, if you have the money and time for something like this, the hardest part is actually thinking of a design that you like. There are so many options available and it can be challenging picking between designs and styles that you like. Even with a limitless budget, seeking inspiration for your dream house can be extremely challenging. As such, we suggest speaking with home designers if you can afford their expertise. They’ll show you all of the different options available and will explain some of the limitations that you might encounter with a bespoke home.

This is extremely expensive and you can expect to pay around the price of a luxury home for a completely custom project. Despite the costs, this is probably the most straightforward way to get a fully-customised house that meets (or even exceeds) your expectations.

What should you choose?

So what’s the verdict? What should you choose? It really depends on your circumstances and it’s not all about the money.

Someone with a lot of money might build a home from scratch, but that’s a project that could take several months and you might be content with your current location. For others, DIY renovation and furniture might be the ideal choice since it teaches them how to make modifications to customise their home in the future.

The choice is ultimately down to what you want from your home customisation project. If you’re willing to invest money into your home, we do suggest speaking to specialists if possible to ensure you get the best advice and customisation options. Otherwise, we suggest studying DIY concepts and performing small projects to build up your experience and skills.

What You Need To Understand To Be Able To Fully Grasp Your Golf Techniques

Playing golf is often considered a difficult sport to play and to master. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced golfer, there is always more to learn and room for improvement.  Any golfer will advise that the perfect swing where you hit the ball just right and it enters the whole, is one of the sweetest feelings you can get in this sport.

If you want to improve your gold techniques, in this article we will provide you with a few things you need to understand, in order to achieve this.

1.  Increase Your Grip for Straighter Shots

The way you hold your golf club and how it is positioned are the key factors to an improved swing technique. This will significantly determine how straight your golf shots are. Your golf grip is the only element that connects your body, and swing, to your club face angle.

By simply changing your golf grip and maintaining your entire golf swing as it is, you can make considerable improvement to your clubface at impact and therefore increase the precision of your shot.

2.  Improve Your Stance and Posture

Many individuals struggle to steadily strike the middle of the golf club, which mostly stems from a weak set up. An effective golf stance puts your body in an athletic and balanced position enabling you to easily rotate and keep your balance during the golf swing. A great set up can correct many other faults within a golf swing.

Set up in a stable posture, and place the ball in the centre of the clubface. Then, all you have to do is ensure your balance throughout your golf swing, to make sure you hit the middle of the clubface with more frequency.

3.  Rotate Your Torso to generate power

It appears obvious that achieving a good golf technique entails more than just your arms. However, this is a common reason among golfers for a poor technique. Your whole body generates the power to achieve an effective technique.

Relax your body and ensure all of your upper body is involved in the swing action, particularly your shoulder. This will give you the extra distance that you require to be on top.

4.  Use Rangefinders

A rangefinder is a tool that measures the distance between a target and the spectator. It is widely used in golf, hunting and forestry. Golfers utilise rangefinders to get an idea about the distances of the target (usually flag).

However, Not every golfer deems the use of rangefinders as necessary, particularly beginners. If you are considering purchasing this device, this website offers a thorough review of the top golf rangefinders that are available in the market. Golf rangefinders are convenient and easy to use and can significantly improve the way you play this sport. If you are willing to invest in this device, it is worth it.

5.  Develop an Effective Routine For Putting

Putting is a strike used in golf when you are on or just off the green. You hit the ball on the green in a complimentary location to easily get the ball into the hole in one or two strokes. Although getting closer to the hole may sound like it makes things easier, it can actually impair your golf technique, weakening even the strongest of gold players.

This can be due to potential nerves as well as a number of additional factors. One way to reduce this is to develop a putting routine that is effective for you. This could entail your breathing pattern, run-through swing or picturing the shot – whichever aspects you need to improve on, create an effective routine and use it each time.

6.  Keep a Track of Your Game

It does not matter how often you play or how experienced you may be when it comes to playing golf. If you wish to improve your golf technique, you must reflect upon your strengths and weaknesses to understand exactly what you need to improve.

You can keep track of the amount of fairways you hit from the tee, the amount of greens-in-regulation you got, or how often you took over three putts once you got onto the green. These are very important numbers that will reflect your overall performance and give you an idea of which specific technique you are possibly lacking.

7. Pay Attention to the Follow-Through

One of the most important concepts to understand in order to fully grasp your overall gold technique is that a good golf swing does not stop once you have hit the ball. Ideally, you should end with your hands up above your left shoulder and with your right shoulder just below the left one. This indicates a good follow through and powerful swing, meaning you hit the ball effectively and it is more likely to have gone in the direction you planned.

Golf appears to be a difficult sport to master, but it does not have to be. There are specific things you can understand about the sport and overall golf technique that will surely improve your own individual performance.