![](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/user_profile_profile_picture/attachments/581fbb3e820bc6.77115089.png?170410)
Top Staging Tips
If you’ve ever sold a home you’ll know this, that first impressions count!
When Hollywood’s hottest stars from Brad Pitt to Scarlett Johansen want to sell their homes the first person they call is home stager to the stars Meredith Baer.
Staging your home to sell can add 20% more to your sale price, celebrity home stager to the stars Meredith Baer, says that celebrities have the same problems as all home owners do when they’re planning on listing their properties on the market, de-cluttering and refining the look to appeal to a broad or specific market.
Meredith tips -
1. Hold off on renovations – Add a fresh coat of paint instead.
2. Crisp white bedding – Home stagers secret tip, place a duvet inner under the bottom sheet and in-between the top sheets to create a beautiful soft luxurious look.
3. Fluffy white towels – If there is any surface that doesn’t look that great in the bathroom or laundry just add towels.
4. Add a cookbook to the kitchen – Leave a cookbook open on the kitchen bench top, choose a recipe that looks delicious.
![](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/user_profile_profile_picture/organisation/5431e2f56f6da0.99048672.png?170410)
Poll: Have you ever had a scary flight?
A plane flying from Christchurch to Wellington on Sunday had smoke billowing out of the engine and upon landing, passengers had to open the emergency exit and jump out. Have you had any scary flying experiences?
![Image](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/message_max_size/message_images/66d4f83916b4e9.84433753.jpeg?170410)
-
56.7% Yes!
-
43.3% No, it's always been smooth flying
![](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/user_profile_page_picture/profile/60868868507703.80116173.jpeg?170410)
ALEXANDER ROAD SPEED LIMIT
Alexander Road in Trentham-Wallaceville of which 50% separates a golf course from a military encampment enclosure and the rest has mostly high fenced off industrial and residential areas on both sides, should have a 70km speed restriction.
Only a short time ago the road had a 80km restriction and was reduced to a pedestrian 50km much to the frustration of many. It has never been an accident prone stretch of road.
The several round-abouts ensure speed is reduced to 30-40km when these things occur.
I recently stayed a few days in Feilding - often given the title of the best town in NZ - and one of the lengthy main streets has a 70km speed restriction despite a predominance of unfenced residential properties on both sides.
![](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/user_profile_profile_picture/organisation/5431e2f56f6da0.99048672.png?170410)
LIVE Q&A: Financial well-being with Cat Rikihana
Today (Wednesday) we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Cat Rikihana who is a financial mentor, educator and financial capability practitioner at Financial Freedom Trust in the Manawatū.
Cat Rikihana (Ngai Tahu) like many financial mentors around Aotearoa, works with individuals, groups and whānau to successfully navigate financial stress and hardship. Mentors work alongside whānau to increase confidence and skills in personal money management and advocate with and for clients. Cat enjoys delivering online and face-to-face workshops which provide opportunities to normalise money conversations and encourages people to make time to consider their financial well-being.
Cat is also an independent financial well-being coach, educator and indigenous life coach at Restore Wellness Network. She is a published writer and currently in the process of writing her first non-fiction book: 'A financial self-care guide for women in Aotearoa.'
She'd love to answer any questions you may have around your budgeting and spending habits, strategies for saving, retirement planning and debt. (Don't be shy, but be mindful about what you disclose!)
↓ Share your questions now and Cat will reply to your comment below ↓
![Image](https://cdn.neighbourly.co.nz/images/cache/message_max_size/message_images/66cfa2bf5e9430.63639192.png?170410)