Needs change over time. When you first purchased your home several years ago, it was perfect for the stage of life you were in. But now that certain factors have changed, you’re left feeling cramped. And while most people will tell you to move, have you considered whether it’s possible to add more space to your current home?

Why ‘Just Move’ Isn’t Always the Best Option

When a house starts feeling small, most people pull up Zillow and start looking for a bigger and better place to call home. Sometimes, this is the best option. But in many cases, it’s not. Moving isn’t as easy as idyllic as you make it sound in your head. And it certainly doesn’t solve all of your problems. Moving is:

• Expensive. You might have a lot of equity in your current house, but moving is still expensive. For starters, you have to pay six percent of the sale price in commissions (cha-ching!). Then there’s the moving expenses and the cost of buying a new house. (Plus, any time you buy a new house, there are usually inspections, updates that have to be made, new furniture that must be purchased, etc.)
• Time consuming. A lot of time and energy goes into moving. There’s the process of prepping your house to sell, meeting with lenders, finding another property, packing up, moving in, and the hundreds of smaller steps in between.
• Emotional. Moving can be exciting, but it can also be stressful. And if you have an emotional attachment to your current house, there may even be a feeling of loss. (This is amplified when you have kids who feel attached to the house.)
• Logistical nightmare. On top of the time, money, and emotions, there’s the practical and logistical side of things. Rerouting mail, updating driver’s licenses, switching schools, and other details.

Sometimes moving is the right decision. But if you’re just looking for a little extra room for your family, it might not be worth going through this entire process. You might be better off creating some additional space where you already are.

3 Ways to Create More Space in Your House

Creating more space in your existing home is easier than you might think. Here are a few options that could work for your family:

1. Create the Illusion of More Space

Do you actually need more square footage, or are you just feeling cramped? In other words, if everyone already has their own bedroom and there’s a functional space for everything, it’s possible that you’re just feeling like you don’t have enough space. In this case, simply creating the illusion of more space can work.

When it comes to creating the illusion of more space, there are three really good options:

• Paint walls white (or some other light, neutral color)
• Strategically place mirrors on walls
• Integrate more natural light into the home

If you do these three things, even the smallest room will suddenly feel much bigger.

1. Reconfigure the Current Layout

If you have a specific need for more space – like a sudden need for a home office, an additional bedroom for the kids, or a bigger laundry room – it’s possible that you can reconfigure and/or remodel to achieve the desired outcome.

Meet with a home remodeling service and have a licensed professional come out to see your home. They can walk you through different options, such as adding/removing walls, reconfiguring a layout, or adding new features (like turning a guest bedroom into a home office with a Murphy bed).

1. Add On to the House

Sometimes a remodel won’t do. In these instances, you may actually need to add on to the house. And while this is definitely the most expensive option, it’s also the most impactful. Adding a bedroom, for example, can totally change the function of your home. It may also dramatically increase the future resale value of your home – particularly if you’re making the jump from three bedrooms to four.

Do What’s Best for Your Family

At the end of the day, you have to make a decision regarding what’s best for your family. If moving is the best option, fully commit to making the best move possible. But if staying is an option, there’s a lot to be gained by simply optimizing the house you already have. Consider one of the three options outlined in this article and meet with a contractor or designer to figure out the best path forward.

Smart homes are the latest trend in real estate, with Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk taking their innovative home experience to a new level by implementing high-tech security systems, automated appliances such as lights and electronics, etc. However, what goes behind creating this ultimate smart home? The answer is fiber optic cables or optical fibers that power your SMART GADGETS at home. Today most voice and data traffic is through the optic fiber cable.

Smart Home

A SMART home is a house that uses automated devices and sensors to enhance comfort, convenience, energy efficiency, security, safety, and entertainment. It’s also a home that expands its capabilities with the help of technology. For example, Smart homes use intelligent systems for your daily chores such as controlling your lights, switching on/off your AC, or managing your CCTV remotely.

A reliable broadband network is required for the devices to interconnect. Therefore, SMART HOME requires a SMART network that provides bandwidth and supports device mobility. SMART networking in SMART HOME is possible through an optical fiber network connected to FTTH enabled devices. The devices communicate with other SMART devices/systems such as smartphones, tablets, mobile computers, environmental sensors, home monitoring systems, and entertainment equipment.

Fiber To The Home(FTTH)

FTTH provides narrowband and broadband services to support SMART home needs where SMART HOME solutions require broadband connectivity in addition to narrowband SMART networking requirements. SMART home is a cluster of devices that interact with one another, exploiting various input/output mechanisms (including voice, video content, and specific device control protocols).

FTTH provides a connection over the optical glass or plastic cable rather than the traditional copper wires. FTTH involves the installation of optical fibers from home to a centralized point. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, IEEE, is conducting more research to enhance communication between intelligent home gadgets. However, to achieve the desired results, more training on data visualization tools such as Power BI training is a must.

SMART home is gaining demand in the market, especially after SMART city initiatives in several countries. A few vertical applications for SMART homes include SMART traffic systems and SMART healthcare facilities.

The SMART HOME application has been around for some time, and many companies have also jumped on the bandwagon.

Advantages of Implementation of FTTH

High-Speed Transmission

Can transmit extensive data and at high speed. SMART home devices can communicate with each other at high speed.  Ethernet cables for computers are no longer needed.

Smart Cities

SMART cities and SMART traffic systems are possible where the centralized SMART city control room has a CCTV camera that can see all objects on the road from SMART cars to SMART street lighting systems.

Low maintenance costs.

FTTH cables do not require frequent maintenance, hence cheaper to maintain, though expensive to install, which means little to no interruption of data transmission due to repairs.

No interference.

Unlike wireless or mobile systems, there is no interference from other signals.  Mobile handsets, for example, cannot be used while planes are landing at airports due to the SMART Airport Control using radio frequencies close to mobile phone frequencies.

Eliminates Use of Power Cables and Power Outlets

Power can be transmitted as a power line carrier (PLC) over the same SMART FTTH cables, giving SMART home devices access to unlimited power.

The SMART home network can power SMART street lighting systems. SMART street lights can be connected to and powered by the SMART home network eliminating the need to have parallel power cables running down the streets.

Conclusion

Delivery of SMART FTTH services will fast track SMART homes and SMART cities development. SMART home users will further enjoy the following benefits of SMART Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH). First, delivering the communication signal will be a great leap forward towards achieving an intelligent home.

 

Trends in homeownership change as much as they do in other areas of life. This is to be expected. The buzz work in homeownership today is smart homes.

People are increasingly looking for more than four walls put together. They want a house that has the various tech that epitomizes modern living.

Essentially, smart homes take home automation to the next level by allowing device interconnectivity and remote access and control.

Here, let’s explore the features of a smart home to understand the concept better.

1. Advanced Home Network

The term ‘’Internet of Things’’ is probably familiar to you. IoT describes the grouping of individual objects with embedded sensors, software, network, and other tech that allow the devices to connect and share data over the internet.

To maintain an efficient IoT, an automated home requires more than a powerful wireless router. You need a robust networking system complete with several internet access points distributed throughout the house.

The advanced home network becomes your smart home’s bloodline by integrating different automated system components, allowing them to work together.

2. Remote Access

The term remote access and smart home cannot be separated. In fact, when people speak of smart homes, they are often referring to the aspects of a house that can be controlled remotely.

You can make a lot of customizations that allows you to take certain actions within your home without you being physically there. These include seeing your home through video surveillance, manipulating the entertainment system, and even letting people in.

In essence, this gives you control while you are away and the peace of mind that comes with it.

3. Enhanced Security

We have had systems that alert house owners of fires and break-ins. Security systems in smart homes do way more than this.

Some of the customizable options include:

• Fire detection systems that tell you when and where in the house the fire is
• Smart doorbell cameras with two-way audio, motion sensing, and high-resolution video
• Smartphones that communicate with your smartphone, WIFI, and Bluetooth.

This is a snapshot of what you can integrate into your security systems.

4. Lighting and Window Treatments

Bundled up, window treatments and lighting allow you to control the ambiance of your home. This, without unsightly wall-mounted switches.

Lighting is network-based and can therefore be controlled centrally.

Some of the things you can achieve are lights coming on, dimming, or brightening at a preset schedule. Other options include motion sensor lighting, where lights come on when a person enters a specific room.

These are some of the smart tech available to homeowners today. Of course, with new inventions coming into the market every other day. It’s indeed exciting to see what the next big thing will be.

Education is a vital part of being able to pick up the skills you need to follow the career path you want, change careers, or progress further in your job. Technology has started to play a big role in positively disrupting the learning sector and seen many institutions get on board with using technological solutions to foster better learning.

Perhaps the biggest influence that technology has had for education is online courses. The amount of superb MBA programs online to choose from now shows this, and more students than ever are beginning to opt for online learning. The online MBA Business Administration course at Kettering University illustrates perfectly what these sorts of programs offer. Not only is this course full of learning that can be directly applied to future jobs, but it also has no GMAT/GRE entry requirement and is ideal for anyone looking to work in senior levels in business.

To get the most from online study, you need the essential tech and software in place first. We all know that a decent laptop (with an internal webcam and microphone) is a must – but what else should you have?

Video calling/conferencing software

Technology has come on in leaps and bounds – you only have to look at the latest smart tech for home use as proof of this. Video calling/conferencing platforms are another big innovation in tech and are important for online learning. The big hitters here are Skype, FaceTime and Zoom. While Skype and FaceTime are best for individual video calls to a tutor, Zoom may be the platform that online lessons or group work are conducted over.

Word processing, presentation and spreadsheet software

Needing to submit essays and assignments means having word processing software in place to type them up. By the same token, many online courses might ask you to create a presentation to share online or use a spreadsheet to collate data. Having the right software (such as MS Office) for these tasks is therefore vital.

Headphones

A good piece of hardware to pick up is a pair of headphones that fit your laptop. This enables you to conduct video calls with other students or tutors in private. It also enables you to listen to online lessons or course videos without disturbing whoever else is around.

Email and web browser

In terms of tech and software for online courses, these are also must-haves. Email is critical not only for staying in touch with tutors but also for submitting work and receiving assignment details. Installing a web browser enables you to access the internet to conduct research and hunt down facts.

Preparing for online study properly is essential

The rising number of people who are choosing to study online rather than in-person demonstrates how effective it can be. To get the most from it though, it is key to prepare properly. In tech terms, this means picking up the above essentials to help your studies go smoothly.

 

A general handyman who can do a little bit of everything is more important than you might think. If you get a leak in one of your pipes, the kitchen sink gets clogged up, your light bulbs begin to flicker, or even your gate post has started to wobble. These are all things a local handyman should be able to help you fix.

Many seemingly simply jobs require not just knowledge and hands-on experience. They also some times need specialist tools. Yes, there are many jobs you can do yourselves to save some money. However, getting the professionals in for some jobs is the best thing to do.

For example, you might decide you want to replace your old, worn out carpet with some beautiful hardwood flooring. This might seem pretty simple, however, if it’s out of your skill level, it would be better in the long run to get it done right first time.

Here are some of our top tips on hiring a handyman…

Don’t be intimidated

Whether you are male or female, young or old, you shouldn’t feel awkward about asking questions. If you have questions, simply ask, the good ones will be more than happy to answer any concerns you have regarding the work you want done.

Check their license and insurance

These days, there are quite a few people pretending to be handymen, thinking they can make a quick buck so make sure you do your research and go with a company who have all the right documentation. This will assist you a great deal if the handyman is injured while working at your home, or if something goes wrong with the work they have done later on down the line. It means you are both covered.

Ask for references

If this is some one you haven’t worked with before, you could ask them for references before hiring them. Or, if they are local to the area, perhaps you could ask around to see what other people have thought of their previous work. A legitimate handyman will have many past clients who’d be happy to vouch for him. If you ever ask for a reference and they say no, walk away!

Discuss the payment

Discuss the payment in detail before handing over any money or signing any renovation contracts. Most companies won’t ask for payment up front, however they might ask for part payment, especially if they are a smaller business so they can cover the cost of the parts needed. Do what feels comfortable to you and don’t be pushed in to something you aren’t sure of.

Put everything in writing

Although much of it could be agreed face to face, make sure you also get everything in writing as well. The contract, estimate, cost of supplies, time scale to complete – all of these are factors which should be covered in writing. This is to make sure both parties know what is expected of them and will cover you if anything does happen to go wrong down the line. A hand shake might be all well and good at the time but it won’t stand up in a legal sense.

Ask around

Make sure you ask around and get at least three quotes before you hire some one to help you with your home repairs. This will give yo a good basis of what to expect price wise. If one quotes you well above or below the others, you know to avoid them. If a handyman asks way below the market rates, then either the work will be below standard, the supplies will be poor quality, or there might be something fishy about the handyman himself. The middle of the three prices quoted is generally a good one to go for unless you have heard great things about what one of the others can do for you.

Equipping homes with smart devices may help provide convenience and safety. Smart devices may include a range of home products that connect to the internet and each other. The home control offered by such technologies may profoundly affect how people live their everyday lives.

Making Homes Smarter

Smart devices allow people to monitor and control their homes with the touch of a finger or a verbal command. When setting up a smart system in their homes, people may incorporate devices such as door locks, sensors, lights, thermostats, home appliances, and cleaning devices. Using these types of products, they may perform tasks within their homes with ease and experience increased accessibility without making substantial changes to the design and build of their homes.

Door Locks

With smart door locks installed, people may open and lock their doors through cell phones, tablets, or remotes. Such devices may help prevent people from getting locked out of their homes, as well as allow access to their homes. People may also use smart locks to monitor access to their homes, checking the times and days that people enter or leave their houses.

Motion Sensors

Smart motion sensors may help provide essential home security. Like other motion sensors that let people know when movement occurs in covered areas, smart home sensors may indicate if someone enters or exits areas within the home or the home itself.

Thermostats

Offering convenience and helping save on heating and cooling costs, smart thermostats enable users to remotely adjust the temperatures in their homes. As such, they may lower the heat while out of the house and raise it when going home or vice versa. Doing so may save money on heating when they are out, yet still ensuring their houses are cozy and warm or cool and refreshing when they arrive back home.

Lights

Smart lighting technologies allow users to remotely turn their lights on and off, as well as adjust the bulb’s brightness. Smart lighting devices may help conserve electricity, and thus, save users money. Using smart lighting may also help prevent injuries. The ability to turn lights on remotely may help people avoid tripping or other such accidents.

Home Appliances

Homeowners may equip their houses with large and small smart home appliances. Smart ovens, coffee makers, and other such products on the market offer voice-controlled or remote operations. Integrating such technologies into their homes lets people get a jump on meals while on their way home from work, cook while entertaining guests, and otherwise use their time for what they want while still getting things done.

Cleaning Devices

Whether at home or away, people may get household chores accomplished efficiently and with less effort using smart technology cleaning devices. In addition to controlling them by voice or remote, people may program robot vacuums to clean specific areas or rooms in their homes. Homeowners may also incorporate robot mops and robot vacuums in their homes to help get their housework down with the touch of a finger or the sound of their voices.

 

While technology improves lives and workplace experiences, it also comes at a cost for people through greater risk of serious injury. Technology injuries are increasing as people use computers and devices throughout their entire day. Being hooked up could end painfully unless people pay close attention to safety and ergonomics.

Repetitive Motion Injuries from Technology

Repetitive motion is the major source of tech-related injuries. People are continuously swiping and pressing buttons. They are using the same motions, affecting the same muscles for prolonged periods. People’s bodies and extremities were not meant to do the same thing repeatedly. This is the same concept behind carpal tunnel syndrome. Technology puts people on a permanent cycle, and it will hurt the body parts that they use time and again.

The key to avoiding serious injury is for users to frequently change ergonomics. People need to check themselves every so often to ensure that they shift positions. It is important for individuals to shift the position of the neck and elbows occasionally to minimize the strain on them.

Overuse Strains Elbows and Eyes

Overuse also presents an issue for technology users. People can hold the phone for hours, clicking and swiping without any interruption. Even if they change positions, it does not fully alleviate the burden on the hands and elbow. One can develop nerve issues called “cell phone elbow” that could result in finger numbness.

Technology also places a strain on the eyes that focus on a screen continuously. The eyes need to work harder, especially when they are trying to focus on a screen that is six inches or less. Computer Vision Syndrome is the name for what happens when eyes are damaged from too much screen time. One can avoid this by placing the screen below eye levels and away from the eyes. Frequent breaks are also necessary to reduce the burden on the eyes.

Things like “Blackberry Thumb” are now giving way to “PlayStation Palm.” Name the technology device, and there seems to be a way for people to injure themselves using it. Consumers often find a way to use a product extremely. For example, some people are diagnosed with rashes and lesions on their palms from gripping a video game controller too tight. However, the engineers who design these products also need to be more aware of how people may use them and adjust designs accordingly to maximize safety.

Some Injuries Are Far More Serious

There are far more serious tech injuries than the ones that can cause prolonged physical pain. Research has shown that people who use cell phones for a prolonged period of time can suffer tinnitus, which is a form of ringing in their ears. More alarming are instances in which technology has been shown to cause seizures. Children have suffered from photosensitive epilepsy when they are exposed to flashing lights from a video game.

While technology is an overall net positive, people need to be careful in how they use it. Some moderation can go a long way towards protecting against repetitive stress injuries, and avoiding defective products can help with further prevention.

 

In the last couple of decades, digital technology has gone from something we used occasionally to something most of us can’t live without. And with this surge, there’s been a lot of discussion about whether technology is really beneficial to one’s overall well-being. That’s especially the case when it comes to children growing up in today’s very digital age.

What it comes down to is purpose. Technology, in its essence, is a tool. When created for the right purposes — to communicate, learn, and grow — technology can be incredibly beneficial. Kids tech, for the most part, was created for the right purposes.

Companies like Apple, Amazon, and more have launched products specifically designed with children in mind. From a safe phone for kids to educational tablets, these devices are meant to help children grow while also keeping them safe. In this article, we discuss tech for kids and how it can help children thrive.

1. It Helps Prepare Children for the Future

Regardless of whether you like or dislike technology, there’s no denying its ever-present role in our daily lives. When children are exposed to tech, they’re able to better prepare for what’s ahead. Not only will they learn how to use technology, but thanks to apps like Elmo Loves ABCs, children can gain basic skills. From math to language, kids tech can help children get ready for school — and maybe even get ahead.

Another way tech prepares kids for the future is by enhancing their communication skills. In the last few years, there’s been a lot of debate on whether technology helps or hurts a child’s ability to socialize. While staring at a screen all day isn’t healthy for anyone, socializing is easier to do thanks to technology — especially during a pandemic. With FaceTime, texting, and even games, kids have more opportunities than ever before to stay connected with family and friends.

2. It Limits What Kids Have Access To

What’s the difference between technology for kids and normal tech? The features. Most technology that targets children offers less access to the outside world. For example, some phones for kids don’t allow internet access or social media apps. Some only come with the basics like texting and calling. Even then, parents are able to monitor exactly whom their kids are communicating with.

A Pew Research Center study found that 48% of parents check their children’s smartphone. Some parents use parental controls, while others rely on simple snooping. The point is, even on their own technology, kids are being monitored for their own safety.

3. It Improves Quick Decision-Making

Timely decision-making is a critical life skill, and it turns out that playing video games can improve that capability. In fact, according to a study reported in American Psychologist, children who play video games make faster decisions than those who don’t. While children shouldn’t spend all day playing video games, this type of kid’s tech can actually set kids up for success.

4. It Promotes Better Concentration

Something most children have in common is their inability to concentrate for long periods of time. Kids tech helps children learn how to focus on what they’re doing and make critical decisions.

If you have a child, you’ve probably seen firsthand how easy it is for them to get lost in a game. That’s because they’re paying attention to every single detail on the screen and considering their next move. Focusing their attention on one thing is an important skill for children to develop before they start school or begin their careers.

5. It Still Gives Parents the Power

According to a study from the Family Online Safety Institute, 53% of parents believe a kid’s use of technology offers more benefits than negatives. While there’s no denying too much tech usage can be harmful, nearly anything can be harmful in large quantities. The key isn’t to keep children from technology altogether but to monitor their usage.

These days, many technologies let parents set time limits. In 2018, Apple announced they were launching certain features, like Screen Time, to give parents more control over their children’s usage. Nor is Apple the only company introducing these capabilities.

Circle with Disney helps parents manage screen time when kids are playing games, doing school work, and even chatting with friends. Kids tech comes with its own set of features to ensure a child’s safety.

6. It Improves Hand-Eye Coordination

Most kids tech involves children using their hands and eyes, usually simultaneously. Whether playing a video game or completing homework online, tech requires children to follow objects on a screen. They then use their hands to move those objects from place to place.

Having good hand-eye coordination is incredibly important, and it doesn’t happen automatically. In fact, most kids don’t develop their hand-eye coordination until they’re between 6 and 9 years old. By integrating technology into a child’s life, kids are able to practice these skills.

7. It Helps Foster Independence

Decades ago, if you wanted the answer to a question, you either had to ask someone or go to the library. Not anymore. Now we all have the ability to answer our own questions, in seconds, simply by typing a few words into Google.

This accessibility can be incredibly helpful to children as they grow up and become more curious. With technology, kids can do their own research to answer their questions. For example, to learn what sound a cow makes, they can open up the Animal Sounds! App and click the cow picture. This process of wondering, looking, and figuring out the answer can improve a child’s confidence and help them become more independent.

According to a Common Sense Media survey, over half of U.S. children own a smartphone before their 12th birthday. Every year, more and more kids are gaining access to technology at a younger age. This isn’t because parents have stopped worrying. In fact, just the opposite. It’s because technology is being created with kids and their safety in mind.

 

Current parents are now within the first few generations of raising children in a technology-first world. That’s both an incredible and overwhelming thought. Technology often has a bad reputation when it comes to raising kids and building a family home, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are so many technologies, apps and devices out there that can improve family life and help both yours and your kids lives.

Here’s the low down on the best family friendly tech solutions, devices and apps that can help you.

Cloud Storage Solutions

Every family needs a cloud storage provider to keep all of their online data safe. Whether it’s family holiday snaps or kids’ school work, there’s no point clogging up and slowing down your devices by taking up all of the memory space. Store them in the cloud for easy and secure access from any device, meaning the kids can access them from school and you can access them on your phone or home computer.

Most providers have multiple different price plans to choose from that offer different storage amounts, so there’ll be an amount to suit any family. Each member of the family can have their own folder full of their personal files, and files can be shared via custom access links that can be both password protected and time restricted for extra security.

We know that having a family in the digital era we live in can mean lots of amassed data. Photos and videos, for example, take up a huge amount of space on any device. That’s why we recommend cloud storage to solve any storage issues you’ll inevitably encounter as a modern day family.

Google Family Link

Family Link lets parents set controls on how their children spend time on their Android and Chromebook devices. These controls vary from setting time limits to hiding particular apps. Parent approved apps can be labeled “always allowed”, such as remote learning apps that should not count towards their daily screen time limit. Parents can also access daily, weekly and monthly reports to enable them to monitor their kids screen time habits.

What’s more, there’s now a catalog of thousands of teacher approved apps within the Family Link Android app. You can download them directly onto your kids devices.

Smart Home Appliances

Smart home appliances are slowly making their way into every household. What started with the rising popularity of Amazon’s Alexa has extended into the realms of smart heating, smart security and beyond. Devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Nest allow you to control smart home appliances such as lightbulbs and switches, TVs, play music, set timers, ask questions and much more.

Products like the C by GE Wire-Free Smart Switch allows you to place a wireless light switch anywhere in your home. For a family with young kids, this is great news. You can put the switches out of reach of your child if you want them out of their control, or put a light switch outside their nursery to control it yourself without disturbing them.

Companies like Hatch are offering products that promise to better sleep for the whole family. What family doesn’t need better sleep? Whether you’re a worn out parent with disrupted sleep or you’ve got a child who wakes at every sound, Hatch could have the tech solutions for you.

Their adult sleep product, Hatch Restore, is marketed as a “Smart Sleep Assistant”. It’s an alarm clock, lamp, sound machine and meditation app all in one. Their children’s sleep product Hatch Rest is essentially an upgraded white noise machine and night light combination. It links to your phone so that you can control it from outside of their room too.

Google Nest Thermostat is, you guessed it, a smart thermostat for your home. It allows you to control the temperature of your home from anywhere via their app and schedule the temperature at different times. You can even set it to turn down the temperature when you leave the house. It can be installed by yourself with no expensive technician’s fee, too. Also, you can allow Google to send you notifications with tips of how to save money based on your heating.

Ring Smart video doorbell offers a doorbell and home security in one. They detect motion when people come to your front door and can give off a little “ring” and notify your connected devices so that you can see, hear and speak to your visitors via the camera.

Debit Cards for Kids, Controlled by Parents

Greenlight Card is a debit card and money app for kids, managed by parents. There is just one app, but separate profiles for the parents and the kids. This allows parents to keep track of their kids spending by setting flexible controls and goals, and to pass on the valuable life skill of money management.

Kids have their own debit card and the independence that comes along with it, while parents have the peace of mind that their child cannot just run riot with all of their money. You’re able to give your kids independence while teaching them all about responsibility. You can send them money for their chores, automate their allowance and send them money instantly so they’re never left in unsafe circumstances.

A home for most people is where they spend a lot of their time. This means that it has to be welcoming, beautiful, functional, convenient and comfortable. Enjoying all of these starts with the design of the house.

For people who want to build their homes from the ground up, this presents an opportunity to get the design they want. Before a building can be constructed, it needs a design which is generally referred to as a house plan. It can sometimes also be called a blueprint.

A house plan is simply a set of drawings that show the specifications of a building. It defines how a residential building or structure should be constructed. This includes the layouts, dimensions to use, materials, techniques and installation methods.

Blueprints guide home construction workers on how to construct the building and where each feature should be located. Features such as walls, doors, windows and the various systems in the building.

A typical house plan consists of the foundation plans, floor plans, roof plans, as well as interior and exterior elevations. There are also the front and back perspectives, cross-sectional drawings and electrical and plumbing layouts.

A complete and good one will make a lot of difference between a successful and a poorly finished house. It reduces costly construction errors and help to save time during construction. With an accurate one, you will fully maximize every single square foot on your property. This in turn helps to make your home efficient, functional, as well as comfortable.

Where to Get a Good House Plan

You can find and buy house plans online from reputable designers. Unique, modern and functional plans such as Truoba modern house plans are readily available for sale. These blueprints can also be personalized to your taste.

That is, it can be designed to reflect your lifestyle. You may add further features such as rooms, toilets, etc. that you want which are not included in the plans. If you do not find a suitable house plan, you can consult reputable designers and architects to design one for you.

While working with you, they will design a plan from scratch that will reflect your dream home and lifestyle. Asides from providing you with a design, you may consult with these professionals for free during the construction of your home.

How to Choose a Reputable Designer or Architect

It is essential to hire the right people for your house design. This is all the more important because this is where you will live and it has to be comfortable and functional. Here are a few things to put in mind when hiring an architect.

Set Your Budget

Your budget will most likely determine the kind of designer or architect you will hire. For this reason, you should set an amount to work with while you do your research. Put into consideration the contractor’s hourly rate and material cost. You may also ask around for going rates around your area so you also do not overpay for their services.

Get References and Referrals

One of the best ways to start when hiring a contractor is to ask from people around you. These are your family and friends as well as colleagues or neighbors. They will probably be able to recommend one to you. Asides from this, you can talk to estate agents as well as check online for reviews.

The good thing about this is that word-of-mouth referrals are excellent ways of getting people you want. They most likely have worked with these people in the past and have a good reputation before they can recommend them.

Schedule a Meeting

Before meeting up with the architect, write down important questions you want to ask. This should include things about what you intend to achieve. Ensure that you convey all your expectations during these meetings. This helps to avoid ambiguity and a waste of time as the architect will understand and work with what you want.

Sign a Contract

You should draw up a letter of agreement or a contract to ensure that both you and the architect are on the same page. Doing this helps to ensure that you get what you are paying for. The design process can be expensive so the architect should be able to deliver your expectations after agreeing on a design. The contract serves to protect both parties in case of a dispute.

Conclusion

The blueprint of a house is as important as its construction. Without it, construction work cannot begin; therefore getting a good house plan is essential. You can easily do so online or request for a personalized design. Ensure to patronize trustworthy contractors and professionals using the tips above for choosing one.