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Oxjam is the name for the series of musical events that are held up and down the country over a month long period. The acts that perform come in all shapes and sizes, just like the venues. Just about anybody can set up an event to be part of the festival, so it has proved to be an amazing learning experience for aspiring promoters, to say nothing of the up and coming bands who are in effect sharing a bill with some of the biggest names in the industry.

Although Oxjam raises funds for Oxfam’s work around the globe, the focus on the local and community aspects of it means that it is one of the most positive things they are involved with in the UK too. There are still plenty of shows up and down the country if you fancy getting out. If you just think  that this is a good idea then the organisation is known for accepting donations.

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Here are some helpful tips that will save you lots of money while renovating your home.

Renovating your home can be a lot of fun. Improving the spaces in your house not only creates beautiful and more functional areas to live in, but also improves the value of your home. However, undergoing a renovation can be a very expensive project!

If you are renovating your home on a budget, here are some helpful tips for keep expenses down when making house improvements:

• Set a budget and a clear plan in advance. Many people start renovations without a plan in advance, and then fall victim to the “while we are at it, we might as well…” mentality. This can result in a small renovation becoming a bottomless money pit! Stick to your original plan and only do one renovation at a time. Plan ahead by setting up a regular savings account to put aside funds for this kind of activity.
• Compare price quotes from many different contractors to find the best deal. You will not want to sacrifice quality, but you will want to find a contractor that offers a good rate on the work that you need done.
• Are there are aspects of your home renovation that you can do on your own?  You can save a lot of money on labour costs if you can take the time to do the work of removing fixtures and tearing up old flooring yourself. However, if you don’t have any specialized skills it might be a good idea to avoid doing things like wiring electricity or plumbing because these can be dangerous and costly if done wrong.
• Keep in mind that luxury finishes don’t always increase the resale value of your home, and that some fancy appliances will look dated in a few years’ time. Invest your money in good quality materials that will last a long time, rather than something that looks flashy and trendy and is in fashion at the current moment.
• If you can renovate your house to be greener, you will save yourself a lot of money in the future over the next several years of energy bills. You can do this by choosing energy efficient appliances, triple pane glass, and LED lights.
• Be creative with your decoration. Instead of buying expensive art prints, take some photos with your own camera and have them printed out in large format. Buy an inexpensive but stylish frame, and you will have a beautiful decorative accent for a fraction of the price.
• You can buy second hand building materials online on websites like eBay, or at a demolition yard. Also check out building materials auctions to find great deals on the materials that you will need.

Renovating your property is a large investment, but there are many ways you can make the project cheaper. Follow these money saving tips and you will be able to update your home for less!

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