If, like most people, you are already in need of a fresh start and haven’t quite reached some of the goals you set out to achieve when the clock struck 12 on New Year’s, then you’re in luck, because you’ve got a chance for a redo – the new financial year is upon us, and it’s a great opportunity to reset! Whether it’s goals that’ve slipped by the wayside or...

While many sellers plan to wait until the warmer months to list their home, there are plenty of compelling reasons to list your home in winter. Buying a home isn’t a seasonal decision, after all! Here, we dive into 10 real estate tips – from cosy staging to strategic pricing – that will help you turn the coldest days into hot offers. As temperatures drop, the winter property chill sets...

The book nook is overflowing, but you just can’t resist picking up a copy of that juicy new page-turner. A book swap or exchange might just be the answer you’re looking for! Here’s everything you need to know about this fun, cost-effective, eco-friendly, and healthy habit that will help you discover new reads and connect with fellow book lovers in your local area. Calling all book lovers! Are you in...

Easter is the perfect time to relax, celebrate, and create lasting memories with loved ones. Whether baking, crafting, embarking on a long weekend adventure, or heading to local Easter events, there are endless ways to make the most of the holiday and deviate from your norm. In this guide, we’ve got 8 egg-stra special ways to celebrate this Easter! It’s that time of year once again! Easter is one of...

From transferring utilities to packing efficiently, there’s much to think about when moving to a new home. Our comprehensive checklist is here to make your move smooth – you’ll stay organised and stress-free, leaving you to concentrate on the exciting part – your new abode! You’ve mentally moved into your new home, arranged your furniture just so, popped the champagne and sent out invites to your housewarming soiree. But between...

  It’s time to reflect on the year’s top home renovation trends and gaze into our crystal ball for the year ahead. And whether you’re planning on selling or staying in 2025, there’s no better time to start planning renovations that hero functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, and wellbeing.       It’s time to reflect on what made 2024 significant in the world of home renovations and to formulate a plan...

From cleaning gutters and sealing drafts to servicing heating systems and checking smoke alarms, small seasonal maintenance tasks can make a big difference to your home’s comfort, function, and future condition, as we weather the cooler months. Get prepped for the shift to autumn with these 10-home maintenance and makeover essentials. As autumn approaches, we’re greeted by vibrant foliage and crisp evenings perfect for firepits in cooler regions like Central...

  While snowy scenes and cosy fires define the holiday for many, down under, we’re enjoying Christmas with a side of sunshine, BBQs, and plenty of outdoor fun. Isn’t it time we swapped out the roast turkey and traditional Christmas pud with a menu more fitting? We’ve rounded up ten favourite festive foods and drinks to make a Kiwi Christmas the best kind of Christmas.   Festive consumerism has birthed...

  Is moving rurally an itch you’d like to scratch? From better work-life balance and a lower cost of living to improved overall wellbeing and much more, here, we’ve rounded up the biggest benefits you can expect from a shift to rural New Zealand.     Metropolitan living comes hand in hand with hustle and bustle – vibrant nightlife, seemingly endless eateries to explore and amenities easily on hand. But...

From ditching debt to goal setting, prioritising paperwork, and everything in between, we’ve got ten practical tips to help you take control of your financial destiny in 2024.   The start of a new year always signifies an opportunity to reassess, refresh and make the coming year your best yet. But sometimes, lost between new gym memberships and healthy eating vows, one particular area of your life may be overlooked:...

Bathrooms are functional spaces. It’s a room where, on average, we’ll spend over 400 days of our lives and it’s often a room that ranks as one of the most important when selling a home. For such a well-used and impression-creating space, it’s often neglected and overlooked by homeowners when we’re looking for ways to turn our homes into luxurious sanctuaries. Elevating the aesthetic of your bathroom doesn’t have to...

Inflation is up, and with it, so is the cost of living – so most households are making every dollar stretch a little further. And while the discounts might be obvious when you swap one brand of cheese for another, there are even bigger savings to be made, right at home.With a house that’s more efficient to heat and cool, you’ll shrink your energy bill and your environmental impact along...

Have you ever dreamed of bringing the buzz to your backyard with your very own thriving hive? Whether you’re looking to support your local honeybee populations, are fascinated by these pint-sized pollinators or simply love the thought of producing your own honey, there’s a lot to learn about keeping your own bees. Wing your way through our beekeeping guide for beginners and see if this sweet-as-honey hobby could be for...

Spring sunshine is finally here and with it comes the sometimes dreaded and sometimes eagerly anticipated annual spring clean! It’s a time to shake off the figurative and literal cobwebs, declutter, and give your home a once-over from top to bottom. And while spring and cleaning may have become synonymous in your household, its origins run deep – it’s a biologically and culturally driven ritual that dates back many years....

Father’s Day socks and jocks are fine but meaningful, memory-making gifts are miles better. Stuck for ideas? Here’s the inspo you need to unearth the perfect gift for your dad this Father’s Day.   Although Dads aren’t typically interested in the fluff of Father’s Day, it still serves as a great reminder to show them how much you love and appreciate them –  and socks and jocks shouldn’t top your...

Getting on the property ladder is hard. In fact, for many of our younger generations, it seems like a pipe dream. Here, we look at how investment decisions you, as a parent, make now will assist them in years to come and what you can do to support your children in building a solid financial future.   It’s no secret that entering the property market is challenging here in New...

 Are you feeling the chill, the pinch, and the weight of environmental issues on your shoulders? We have nine money-saving and energy-saving tips to help you keep warm this winter You might be a pro at remembering your reusable coffee cup, diligent at separating your waste, and may even drive an electric vehicle, which makes it all the more disheartening to see our global CO2 emissions still rising. As a...

Knowing you are chained to a mortgage for three decades or more can be daunting. There are ways you can mix up your strategy, however, with the reward of reducing the balance of your mortgage, as well as the time you’ll take paying it off. Adjust your psychology – Nobody likes the idea of short-term sacrifice for long term gain but thinking about pockets of sacrifice throughout the lifetime of...

It’s time to stow those linen throws, wave goodbye to cool neutral interiors and hunker down for some Hygge winter vibes. Read on for 10 cosy and chic styling updates to turn up the heat in your home this winter. Whether you’re reaching for the cocooning comfort of your Oodie or zipping up your epic new winter boots, the cooler months demand a wardrobe changeover, and for maximum snugness, we...

Mums are a special breed – often juggling work, family life and household responsibilities like it’s just another day in the office. And while consumerism can be rife around Mother’s Day, the sentiment behind the day makes it worth celebrating. We’ve curated our favourite unique mum-approved ideas to show your appreciation this May 12th   With a rich history dating back to the late 1800s, in 1914, US President Woodrow...

2024 is the year of self-care, and what better way to kick it off than by booking a stay at one of these eight wellness retreats across Australia and New Zealand? Get ready to nourish your soul, rejuvenate your mind and body, and simply relax. We’ve declared 2024 the year of health and wellbeing, and what better place to start than caring for the most important person in our lives...

From passive income to appreciation, stable cash flow, tax advantages and leverage, investing in property is widely regarded as a dependable means to build wealth, which is why it’s become a bit of a national obsession. But finding the right property to tick the boxes and having a solid understanding of the intricacies of property investment is where many fall short. To help you navigate these, we’ve created this guide...

From good old-fashioned decluttering to new décor accentuating your home’s best features, staging your house for sale can help create an irresistible first impression for buyers. And it doesn’t have to be costly. Here are 8 DIY home staging tips. What started as simple advice from real estate agents to spring clean and keep your home spick and span before open homes has today evolved into a booming stand-alone industry...

From ditching debt to goal setting, prioritizing paperwork, and everything in between, we’ve got ten practical tips to help you take control of your financial destiny in 2024.   The start of a new year always signifies an opportunity to reassess, refresh and make the coming year your best yet. But sometimes, lost between new gym memberships and healthy eating vows, one particular area of your life may be overlooked:...

Buying or selling a home might seem simple: you want the best possible results, maximum transparency, and minimal stress. But can you have it all? We guide you through four crucial steps for finding the right local real estate agent. Buying or selling a home is a big deal; it’s often one of the most significant transactions you’ll make, and you shouldn’t tackle it alone. The real estate industry can...

There is an increasing number of women who find themselves alone and financially unprepared as they approach retirement. Women who may have sacrificed years of earning superannuation, by being at home raising the family, are finding themselves worse off than they could have anticipated. Similarly, those who have experienced unexpected hardships such as separation or divorce, or being suddenly widowed, are facing a future of uncertainty. Foundations previously thought to...

From cost savings to mental and physical health benefits, gardening can bring about an abundance of benefits not only to your backyard and back pocket. Here, we break down how to go from ground to greatness with your very own raised garden bed.   Store-bought produce comes with increasingly eye-watering price tags, gardening is good for your mental (and physical) health, a well-kept, presentable garden adds value to your home...

As the most spooktacular time of the year approaches, it’s time to get planning. We’ve got all the inspiration you need for decorating your home, spookifying yourself and planning a nightmarish night in. With the globalisation of media and popular culture, October 31st is now firmly embedded in calendars internationally as a time to get spooky, grab the broomsticks and eat all the treats. Our retailers, of course, have happily...

Is just getting to the gym the hardest part of your workout? The solution could lie within the four walls of your own home. We look at the benefits of creating a home gym set-up, how to create one, and the essential pieces of equipment to get started. We all know we should be hitting the magic with a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise daily and that spring is...

The sun-kissed days of spring are on the horizon, so it’s time to shake off the winter blues and embrace some fresh home styling to propel you into spring! Here, we cover nine of the latest trends coming our way this spring 2023 and look at clever ways to incorporate them into your home. August; it’s a time when we start to move past the hump of winter, we get...