Our Whiskey Lullaby

Everyone dreams of moving to a home that they positively love. But not everyone is quite as excited to do all the things that have to happen before that moment arrives. And we don’t just mean the process of saving up, applying for a mortgage, and eventually getting their hands on the keys. There’s also the matter of actually moving. While people can get excited about the end result -- them living in the new house -- the process can be draining. Indeed, studies have shown that the act of moving can be as stressful as going through a divorce. And it’s supposed to be a good thing!

While you’ll never get rid of the stress of moving entirely, there are things you can do that’ll help to make it slightly easier to handle. We’ll take a look at a few key tips below.

Moving Slowwwwwwwly

Anything can be stressful if you’re trying to do it in a small amount of time. Even tying your shoelaces could be stressful if you only had three seconds to do them both (give it a try). The more time you give yourself to move, the easier you’ll be making things for yourself. Plan ahead, do as much as you can in the few months prior to your move and make good use of your time. You might think that you’re overdoing things by starting early, but trust us, you’ll be thankful you did.

A Professional Approach

It’s not easy to move. Alas, most people that move haven’t got the skills they need to do it well. It takes experience, and since people rarely move home, they often don’t have the chance to build this experience. But fortunately, there are people who do have the expertise you need. A moving company like Bekins Moving Solutions will not only reduce the stress of moving; they’ll eliminate one of the most difficult tasks (the moving part). When you hire a professional company to help you, you’ll be able to take advantage of their experience and expertise. Given the difference between trying to do this task yourself and hiring someone else to do it, the decision should be a no-brainer.

Plenty of Rest

Moving is tiring no matter how you dress it up. As such, it’s important that you’re starting from a place of energy. Nobody wants to move home when they’re feeling close to burnout! In the weeks leading up to the move, be sure to look after yourself and get plenty of rest. It’ll make a difference come moving day.

Expect Some Bumps

Finally, you can make things easier for yourself by expecting that there’ll be some bumps along the way. Even if you’ve planned things well, there’ll always be something that makes the moving process slightly more complicated than you thought. If you thought that something like that might happen, then you’ll avoid falling into a state of disrepair. It’s all about setting your expectations. Have a low bar and you’ll nearly always be pleasantly surprised by what happens!

Opening a brick-and-mortar store is an important and exciting step in business. You have done all the hard work, and your dream is beginning to become a reality.

Whether you are opening a brand new business or bringing your online store to life, there are some important factors you must consider to ensure the smooth running of your operation.

This article outlines some insights that aim to help you embark on this new journey.

#1 Location

The location of your brick-and-mortar store is one of the most important, and practical things that you need to consider. This includes the physical location as well as accessibility. Is it in a place that is easy to get to, and that will easily drive a lot of foot traffic? If you opt for somewhere more remote, then you will have to consider the travel and marketing to drive people there, whereas if you opt for a location that is on a busy high street, you will naturally be able to attract new clients. You will also need to consider accessibility of the building. Are customers able to park on site, or nearby? Will customers be able to enter and exit the building safely and with ease? Are customers or suppliers going to need space to load and unload large items? There are a lot of different things to think about when finding a location, sometimes it looks good on the outside, but you need to ensure it is also practical.

#2 Maintenance and running costs

A building may look good on the outside, but you shouldn’t be too hasty and jump in without getting extra checks on the building. As they say, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. If you can, get a specialist or an extra survey completed on the location you are considering for your store. This will give you more information on the property, and ensure there are not going to be any hidden or unexpected problems and costs that come with it.

It is important to learn more about the costs for the general maintenance and running of the building for your business too, so you can budget accordingly, for example, for an electrician or a 24 hour AC service. Research local traders, and if possible, speak with the agents and previous owners who will be able to provide realistic costs.

#3 Customer journey

You will need to do your homework on your customers and the journey they will take to get to you, to be able to drive traffic when you open. Even if you have an online store and are extending your business to a brick-and-mortar store, you will need to reconsider your marketing efforts. How will customers know you are there? What incentives can you offer to drive customers to your new store? Where are your customers on their journey, and how can you provide a solution for them? How can you make your store more attractive to drive customers who are walking by?

There are many things to consider when it comes to opening your brick-and-mortar store. Although it can seem daunting at first, with the right strategies built into the foundations, you can open your store with confidence.

Learning how to play the piano online – Is this something you are interested in?

If so, you will, of course, need to purchase a piano before you can take advantage of online music lessons. You will also need to set up your computer properly for the lessons and recording; you can read more here.

Knowing what piano to buy can be difficult, as there are so many options available. But, don’t fret; as we have some top tips to help you get started.

For beginners who want to learn the piano online, it is advisable to take someone with you when buying a piano that has experience in playing. If you are just starting out, it is unlikely that you really know what you should be looking for. With an experienced pianist at hand, they will be able to give you their expert opinion and they may be able to point out things that you would not have considered.

You also need to play each piano before you purchase, or you can get the salesman to do so. Some pianos are soft or loud, others are mellow. Each has its own unique and tone, which is something to consider.

It is also advisable to take the time to read reviews online. This will alert you to any red flags, if there are any, or confirm that this is a good piano to go for. Don’t only look at past customer reviews, but there are plenty of expert websites dedicated to music equipment reviews. You have to decide on the type of piano you’re going to go for as well. Most people start with an upright, and then move onto a grand when they become more accomplished.

Is a grand piano right for you?

Grand pianos are just one of the types of piano that you can choose from. But, why should you choose a grand piano over a baby grand, or even an upright piano? Read on to find out whether the grand piano is the right one for you and your home.

The grand piano is the instrument of choice for many pianists because it provides the best combination of sound quality and elegance. Its size, style, and presence in a room make a bold statement. While the ability of the pianist should not determine whether you chose a grand piano for sale or not, there are other considerations. Grand pianos, even high-quality second-hand versions, are not cheap to buy, and the larger they are, the more expensive they tend to be. Of course, the exact price will depend on the make, model, and person selling the piano. There is some variety in the size of grand pianos for sale, and this is a major consideration.

Not only do you need room to place the piano, and to be able to access and play it comfortably, you also need to be able to get it into your home. Many modern homes have small doorways and narrow hallways that just aren’t built for grand pianos. This is something you need to seriously consider, especially if you are not housing the piano on the ground floor.

Lower your maintenance requirements by opting for a digital piano instead

When you’re searching through pianos for sale, you might be struck by the sheer variety of pianos on offer. It could be that you’re looking for a digital piano and you might be attracted by the aesthetic beauty of baby grands. In which case, you’ll likely start looking at baby grand pianos for sale across the Internet and beyond. One reason for choosing a digital piano over an acoustic one is that the maintenance costs are lower. Digital pianos don’t require any tuning so that’s one regular expense that you won’t be troubled with. If you’re looking for an excellent piano that will fit wonderfully into your modern home, a digital piano option may indeed be the best for you.

Never impulse buy something as important as a piano. With careful consideration, a baby grand could be an instrument you pass through the family and which becomes a focal point of your home. If you’re a music lover who doesn’t want the on-going maintenance costs of an acoustic instrument, digital alternatives can be brilliant. If you’re considering a used digital baby grand, though, make sure you know as much about the instrument as possible before you take the plunge and buy it.