Mums Finance

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

I am aiming this basically at those of you who run Bed and Breakfast or vacation rental type accommodation because, having stayed in both over the past few years, I can honestly say that the old ‘white plastic outdoor furniture’ is becoming passe. It is not comfortable to sit around nor does it look that great.

One thing that really enhances a property, especially where you like to encourage your guests to relax in a nicely tended garden, is attractive outdoor furniture. Now, you don’t have to spend a lot of money here, but rather go for some style and comfort.

Pictured is some nice teak furniture which is designed for outdoor use and would appeal to your guests; you could place it in your pool area or on a verandah. Actually it could go in a larger than average conservatory as well; it wears well and with some nice cushions you have something which creates a relaxing and attractive atmosphere for your guests.

Popularity: 22% [?]

Okay girls, time to talk beachwear again, except this time we need to find something for the guys to wear. Now if your man looks something along the lines of this when you are on holiday…

hmmm, leaves a lot to be desired eh? a little too much in fact…so, we need guys like this to find something more suitable to parade around in at the beach and by the pool.  In Australia, where I am from, most men and teen guys would not be caught dead wearing speedos or - as we call them - scungees; boardshorts are the thing down-under and should be mandatory for all mature men in my opinion. 

These are far more flattering to the male physique and keep everything nicely contained; you can pick them up for a very reasonable price or pay a bit more if you go for the trendier designs. But watch the length; if your man is on the short side the long length won’t suit him - go for knee length unless he is quite tall.

Popularity: 11% [?]

If you have been lucky enough to have been in the position to buy a home in the present economic climate then all power to you. While many people are hanging onto their homes by the skin of their teeth others have been tying themselves in knots seeking out a bank which will extend them a mortgage; it has not been an easy time but gradually house prices are coming down and it is becoming a buyers market once more.

Times certainly ain’t easy for those trying to sell their properties for a decent price though.

Okay, so once you have secured that life encompassing mortgage and bought your new home there remains the task of furnishing it so that it feels like a home and not merely a reminder of the next 25 years of financial committment. With the credit crunch ( I am getting tired of that term…someone coin a new phrase please) making things more expensive you will need to look at ways of creating your new domestic environment on a budget.

It can be done so long as you think of it as a long term project rather than trying to buy everything at once. Rather than going into debt to buy a house full of stuff - don’t pawn the future to pay for the present - consider purchasing at discount furniture outlets; even seconds can be just as good if not better than brand new stuff and much cheaper.

Start out small and go for just the basics. Plan to furnish your home over a one year to two year period. Now, I know that people today are used to having most things straightaway and with the easy availability of instant credit a fully furnished home was a reality - but then so was up to ten years of extra monthly repayments.

Just take a look at the photo below; one guy decided to furnish his home using nothing but FedEx boxes and created beds and even tables and sofa’s using them. While I don’t suggest you do the same (well, go ahead and make use of those empty packing boxes if you like) I do suggest holding back at the start - good things come to those who wait.

Bed by FedEx

Popularity: 6% [?]