CUTTING back on takeaways and eating out helped first-time buyers Adam Everiss and Laura Perry save almost 70,000 for their three-bed home in Berkshire.

The couple also lived with their parents until aged 28 and 27 before moving into their 419,950 new build house in June this year.

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Adam, 29, a top headhunter, is a higher rate tax payers earning over 50,000 a year, and Laura, 28, who works in human resources, were lucky enough not to have to make any drastic changes to their lifestyle.

But both say that its the small changes they made that helped them save more and move out quicker.

Swapping eating out and takeaways for homemade meals saw their weekly bill drop from 120 to 50, meaning they could put the spare cash into savings.

They also set up direct debits for 2,500 between them on payday, which stopped them from overspending every month, and swapping nights out for evenings at friends' houses also helped them cut back.

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The couple, whove been dating for five years now, lived 20 miles apart while they saved - Adam at his mum's house in Basingstoke and Laura with her mum in Wokingham.

We would have struggled to save so much had we been renting somewhere, Adam told The Sun.

For us, it was the little things that we changed that ended up adding up.

In two years, the couple saved 69,500 to cover a 15 per cent deposit, stamp duty and fees before reserving their home at the end of 2018.

We spoke to Adam about what it takes to become a property owner for My First Home.

It is a three bedroom semi-detached new build house in a Redrow development.

The layout works well for entertaining. There is a living room at the front and at the back a kitchen-diner with patio doors into the garden, which is turfed. Theres also a shed.

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We had a joint party to celebrate moving in and Laura's birthday with about 30 people.

The space worked really well as we can shut off the rest of the house and have a party at the back in the kitchen and garden.

We got a great upgrade through negotiations with Redrow, which included a fridge freezer, dishwasher, oven and hob and upgraded cupboards and worktops. We only had to buy a washing machine.

Upstairs we have two double bedrooms and a single. This means we can have a guest room and Laura also has her own dressing room.

We needed 69,900 to cover the deposit, fees and stamp duty.

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We put down a 15 per cent deposit worth 63,000 and the developer paid for 1,000 out of the 1,400 solicitor fees as an incentive.

Because first time buyers don't pay stamp duty on the first 300,000 we only had to pay the tax on 119,950 worth of the property. That works out at 6,500.

Weve got a two-year fixed-rate deal with Nationwide for 1.74 per cent, which is quite low.

It was a nice surprise because wed been prepared to be told we had to pay a higher rate because I'm a subcontractor on a day rate and not employed on a full-time contract.

We also thought that this might have an effect on how much we could borrow.

I had to provide several months worth of wage slips and a letter of employment but in the end we were actually offered more than we needed to borrow.

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It meant that we didnt need as big as a deposit but we decided to take out the smaller mortgage so our monthly repayments were less and our lifestyles didnt have to change much.

We took it out over 35 years and we pay 1,032 a month, plus a 350 service charge for estate maintenance.

Laura has always been a saver - shes has been saving since her first job at age 17 when she did a business administration apprenticeship.

She was only earning 9,000 a year but she still saved 50 a month, which increased over the years as her earnings went up.

It is something which her family instilled in her. If you want things you need to save for them. It encouraged me to save too.

Weve been together for five years and spent two years saving 23,000 to go travelling.

When we got back, we decided to save for a house. Laura had some savings leftover and we are fortunate to earn good money so we didnt have to change our lifestyle too much.

What help is out there for first-time buyers?

GETTING on the property ladder can feel like a daunting task but there are schemes out there to help first-time buyers have their own home.

Help to Buy Isa- It's a tax-free savings account where for every 200 you save, the Government will add an extra 50. But there's a maximum limit of 3,000 which is paid to your solicitor when you move.

Help to Buy equity loan - The Government will lend you up to 20 per cent of the home's value - or 40 per cent in London - after you've put down a five per cent deposit. The loan is on top of a normal mortgage but it can only be used to buy a new build property. You can no longer open a new account, but existing account holders have until December 1 2030 to claim the bonus.

Lifetime Isa- This is another Government scheme that gives anyone aged 18 to 39 the chance to save tax-free and get a bonus of up to 32,000 towards their first home. You can save up to 4,000 a year and the Government will add 25 per cent on top.

Shared ownership- Co-owning with a housing association means you can buy a part of the property and pay rent on the remaining amount. You can buy anything from 25 to 75 per cent of the property but you're restricted to specific ones.

"First dibs" in London- London Mayor Sadiq Khan is working on a scheme that will restrict sales of all new-build homes in the capital up to 350,000 to UK buyers for three months before any overseas marketing can take place.

Starter Home Initiative- A Government scheme that will see 200,000 new-build homes in England sold to first-time buyers with a 20 per cent discount by 2020. To receive updates on the progress of these homes you can register your interest on theStarter Homeswebsite.

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Both of us had never moved out of our parents house either. Neither of us had to pay rent or keep although we did help out with the shopping.

This really helped us to save so much - we wouldnt have been able to do it if wed been renting.

We set up direct debits for a combined 2,500 to our savings account on payday. This helped stop us from overspending.

We made small changes, which helped us save more though. We would spend around 120 a week eating out, generally getting a take away or going out on Friday and Saturday.

But we cut this back to just one per weekend, opting to cook at home instead.

Its mad when you realise how much you spend eating out - a takeaway would normally cost us around 50 and you think, how is that only for two of us?

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We also spent less on going out - but this wasnt something wed consciously decided to do.

As we were a bit older, our friends had already started to buy houses so instead of going out as much, we would go round to our mates houses for dinner and inadvertently save money.

But I wouldnt say we socialised less, just more economically.

If we had any cash leftover at the end of the month then we transferred that over to savings too.

Laura did open a Help to Buy Isa but we didn't end up using it because we didn't qualify for the bonus as youre limited to buying a house of up to 250,000 or 450,000 in London. Ours was over that limit.

We reserved the house in November 2018 and knew completion would be in May 2019 - although this ended up being June - so we had six months to keep saving to furnish the house.

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This was really when I stopped buying things such as new clothes and instead bought stuff for the house including cutlery and light fittings.

There were lots of deals over Christmas and the January sales - Sainsbury's had some good deals on homeware.

We bought pots and pans and all of our furniture brand new as we could afford to. Since putting down the deposit, I reckon weve spent between 9,000 to 10,000 getting everything we need.

I didnt realise how expensive all of this stuff was!

It was quite a big change for me as I had been living at home for 27 years and I was moving from Basingstoke, whereas Laura was more familiar with the area.

We didn't move in for a month. We moved in gradually, slowly taking in furniture, doing it all in our own time.

ON THE LADDER I bought 210k two-bed house despite having a CCJ and terrible credit score

HOLIDAY DELAY We bought 370k house by giving up holidays and takeaways

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TAKE NOTE How we knocked 15,000 off asking price for 235,000 three-bed first home

FLYING SOLO How I legally 'tweaked' my salary to get a mortgage to buy 183k first home

It was quite a nice process not having to do it in a day. It was so much less stressful this way.

Buying your own house is so expensive, even after moving in!

Im still managing to save about 1,000 a month and Laura saves 500 or more.

But this is more for going on holiday and things - weve still got a few more places that we want to see next year.

More here:
How we saved 70k in two-years to buy 420k home by cutting back on takeaways and nights out - The Sun

PHOTO COURTESY WINDSOR MILL TAVERN.

by Tim Downey

After the fire of 2017 that leveled almost the entire structure of theWindsorMill, we are proud and happy that on October 2, 2019 we opened our doors to a new beginning with theWindsorMillTavern.

Built on the garden-level and opening to a patio with a fire pit on a heated cement floor, this is one of the few areas of the old millto have survived the fire. Our construction team did an amazing job of cleaning stone, brick, and massive beams that hark back to the history of our belovedmill. Originally built in 1899, for over a century it was the centerpiece of this town.

Our interior is cozy, vibrant and inviting very conducive to a party atmosphere. We also have, through reservation, a small Wine Room seating 6 to 8 guests in a living room-like alcove with a rental fee that goes to charity.

As with many new establishments, our menu is a work-in-progress. While we consider it a very good start, we will most likely be tweaking or revising it in the months to come based on the feedback of our guests and new inspirations.

We serve upscale pub food. That might seem at first like an oxymoron until you see old familiar favorites with a new twist such as Deviled Eggs, Battered Sidewinder Fries, Pork Wings, Tavern Board that includes Game Sausage and Artisan Cheese, and Tavern Mac n Cheese with options to add Pork Belly, Grilled Chicken, or Shredded Beef. We source locally whenever possible including Great Range Bison, House of Smoke Game Sausage, and Windsor-based NoCo Beef.

And along with a full bar and outstanding cocktails, we are proud to offer an assortment of delicious and moderately priced mocktails under the menu category Designated Driver. We may be the first to identify our non-alcoholic drinks like that but hey, perhaps well start a trend we support improved safety on the road.

Were off to a great new beginning. Our venue is very attractive and our food and beverage menus are great. But what truly makes us worth your while to visit is our staff. We hire some most engaged, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and accommodating staff youre likely to find anywhere. They fully understand the meaning of hospitality. They are kind, attentive and excited to be part of the community and of our team.

WindsorMillTavern | 301 Main Street, Unit C |Windsor, CO 80550 | 970-833-5124

Open every day at 4 pm

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Risen from the Ashes - Windsor Mill Tavern - scenenoco.com

COUNTRY

Address 1 Fortlawn, Cappa, Kilrush, Co ClareAgent Pat Considine AuctioneersOn the outskirts of Kilrush town and 1km from Cappa pier, this house measures 195sq m (2,099sq ft). Accommodation includes an open-plan kitchen and dining room, a living room with marble fireplace, a toilet, a utility and an en-suite bedroom on the ground floor. Upstairs are four bedrooms, two with en suites, and a bathroom. There are gardens front and back. Views include the Shannon Estuary and Kilrush Marina. BER: C1Plus Great condition inside, and tastefully decoratedMinus The garden could do with some more shrubs

Address 44a Jamestown Avenue, Inchicore, Dublin 8Agent PropertyTeam Patrick MoranThis detached house has an L-shaped open-plan kitchen, living and dining room with double doors to a patio, a utility and a toilet. Upstairs are two en-suite bedrooms. The house has a drive at the front and patio at the back. BER: A3Plus Has a good energy ratingMinus Uninspiring design with mean windows and odd angles inside

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What will 320k buy in Dublin 8 and Co Clare? - Irish Times

CALLOUS thieves ransacked a couples home before taking off with an unusual array of Christmas gifts.

Christmas presents, cards, and mince pies were among the items taken from the couples home, in Greensward Lane, Hockley, along with their mobile phones, watches and Euros.

The couple, who wished to remain anonymous, had returned home from dinner, to find thieves had ransacked their home after forcing a window open.

The 61-year-old woman said: We were out between 3pm and 7pm, and came home to find all the lights were on.

Theyd tried the patio door, the back door, smashed the window and tried to pop the frame to get in, and had gone through the cabinet, spare bedrooms, the office and our bedroom. They were clearly not giving up till the got in and turned the place upside down.

Theyd pulled the curtains so nobody could see what they were doing, and looked through all our teapots to find money, which is all they seemed to care about finding.

Although the fact they took the jumper, pyjamas and mince pies which wed bought for a 94-year-old family friend was a surprise, along with the 500 we had left from holiday. They even took a card which we were due to give to our neighbour for Christmas.

What were most worried about is the van key being stolen - were now having to hide the van and block it in with a car in case they come back. Its costing us 1,050 just to get the van locks changed, fixing the patio doors will cost a couple of grand, weve got to replace the frames and window, the phones were worth about 200 each, so its gonna cost thousands to fix.

The family believe at least two people were involved in the incident.

The victim added: When forensics came round they found two different glove marks, so were sure at least two people broke in. It was quite a shock to us both; my husband was in a bit of a panic at the time.

I dont really want to leave the house now if I can help it and were getting an alarm installed. I want people to be aware this is going on and ask that if anyone can help please come forward.

A spokesperson from Essex Police, said: We were called at around 8.45pm on Sunday 15 December about a burglary in Greensward Lane, Hockley.

A woman reported that suspects forced entry to a back window before taking watches, phones and other items from inside.

The investigation has been allocated to an investigative officer and we have been reviewing CCTV.

Anyone with information is asked to call Southend CID on 101 quoting crime reference 42/197893/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

More:
Couple's anger as thieves ransack Hockley home - Echo

The first Ghibli Park in Japan and the world for that matter wont open for another three years. However, lots have been revealed about the attractions that will populate the site, which is set within the Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park in Nagakute City near Nagoya (about three hours by train from Tokyo). While we agree it may be a tad too early to get all excited, we can't help but pore over all the artist impressions of the theme park that have been made public so far. So, if you're a big fan like us, here's what you can expect from the world-famous creators of the hit anime My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Princess Mononoke (1997) and the Oscar-winning Spirited Away (2001).

Studio Ghibli has announced that its first theme park will be divided into five areas: Hill of Youth, Ghiblis Large Warehouse, Mononokes Village, Valley of Witches and Dondoko Forest. All these attractions are based on the studios most famous flicks and will blend in perfectly with the locations existing nature.

Photo: Studio Ghibli

Located close to the north entrance of the park, the Hill of Youth is based on Howls Moving Castle (2004). There will be a yellow gate and observationtower featuring fictitious 19th century objects.

Photo: Studio Ghibli

Fans of Whisper of the Heart (1995), which was set in the Tokyo neighbourhood of Seiseki-Sakuragaoka in Western Tokyo, will recognise this red building. With the surrounding greenery, it looks exactly like the antique shop in the movie.

Photo: Studio Ghibli

A former swimming pool which closed down in September 2018 will be transformed into theGhiblis Large Warehouse. This part of the theme park will be shielded from the elements, so you can still enjoy the attraction regardless of the weather.

Photo: Studio Ghibli

The indoor area will house an exhibition room, a small cinema, a childrens playground, shops and restaurants, plus a warehouse to store all the exhibits. The vibrant and eclectic setting will incorporate Japanese and Western architectural designs.

Photo: Studio Ghibli

Mononokes Village sees a real-life recreation of Tatara-ba, the Irontown depicted in the movie Princess Mononoke. Tatara refers to the traditional Japanese furnace thats used for smelting iron and steel while Mononoke means spirit or supernatural monster. As such, youll find figures ofthe powerful god of destruction (otherwise also known as tatari gami in the movie), the boar god Lord Okkoto as well as other mystical creatures within the premises. The scenery takes you back to a rural landscape from the Muromachi period (1336-1573), in which the movie is set.

Photo: Studio Ghibli

The design of the Valley of Witches draws inspiration from Howls Moving Castle and Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) both films feature protagonists who are able to perform magic.

Photo: Studio Ghibli

This aerial-view illustration of a European cityscape features restaurants, amusement facilities and rest areas, along with a real-life Howls Castle and the family home of Kiki.

Photo: Studio Ghibli

Surrounded by lush nature, the Dondoko Forest resembles a rural landscape from the Showa period (19261989) and features Satsuki and Meis house from My Neighbor Totoro. The areas name is derived from the Dondoko Dance, which the two sisters perform together with the spirit Totoro in hopes that the seeds they sowed earlier will sprout.

Looking at these preliminary visuals, we can't wait to venture into the fantasy world of Studio Ghibli. The thing is, not everything will open at the same time. The Hill of Youth, Ghiblis Large Warehouse and the Dondoko Forest are scheduled to open in autumn 2022 while Mononokes Village and the Valley of Witches will not be ready until a yearlater in autumn 2023. Well keep you posted as we get more updates on the Ghibli Park.

In the meantime, visit the official Ghibli Museum in Mitaka to brush up on your Studio Ghibli knowledge.

Read more:
What we know so far about the world's first Ghibli Park - Time Out

Once the festivities are offer, why not shake off the winter blues by heading to one of the new resorts opening in 2020? The best luxury openings from Miami to St Barths are ideal for globetrotters who appreciate the latest in design, but who are also conscious about their travel footprint.

It's a true Miami vibe at the Celino.

Opening in February 2020, TheCelino South Beachin Miami has been carved out of three Art Deco buildings, including the landmark Park Central Hotel. A Small Luxury Hotel, it will have a boutique feel witheclectic custom furniture, pops of colour, and a rooftop pool featuring a peekaboo glass bottom that is visible from the Atrium below. Cheeky.

Picture perfect pool moment.

Park Central Hotel,a favouriteof silver screen stars like Bogart and Hayworth, was allegedly the birthplace of the conga line and guests will find witty nods to this with conga-line kits with how-to guides, drums and cigars in their rooms. The opening is also particularly good timing for those in town for the 54thSuper Bowl, taking place in Miami in February.

Preserving the natural beauty is key at North Island in the Seychelles.

If far-flung and off the beaten track is more your thing, then head tothe exquisiteNorth Island, Seychelles, aLuxury Collection Resort.

The brands first private island destination is found in the heart of the Seychelles, and offers privacy and exclusivity with just 11 villas so theres no chance of overcrowding. Located 30km off the mainland of Mah, it is reached by helicopter or a leisurely hours boat ride.

Be at one with nature at North Island.

Intent to demonstrate that luxury can coexist with conscience the resort has a pioneering conservation programme and a thorough sustainable ethos. A range of dining venues, with daily changing menus, according to what has been harvested on the island, and a wide variety of experiences such as guided excursions and forest trails will no doubt enhance a stay here.

The iconic Eden Rock is open again.

Not new exactly, but one to put on your radar, nonetheless, especially if you are in the mood for the ultimate in luxury holidaying the iconic Eden Rock in St Barths has finally completed its two year renovation after the impact of Hurricane Irma in 2017. Part of the prestigious Oetker Collection, the new look has been presided over by Martin Brudnizki and the hotel now offers new villas and suites, the Remy Salon and Bar, spa and restaurant. Guests can expect a contemporary art collection throughout and a fresh look which calls on the heritage of the French Caribbean.

One of the newly designed Camelot Suite showcases Soane's pretty signature.

Another transformation of an iconic property, also in the Caribbean, has taken place at Cobblers Cove in Barbados. Set in a former plantation, the all-suite hotel has undergone a five-year transformation under the watchful eye of owner Sam de Teran, who has converted the property into one of the chicest places to stay in the Caribbean. The final chapter of its re-design journey, has seen a collaboration with British designer Soane Britain. She has transformed the great entrance hall, drawing room and two signature suites, taking inspiration from the islands flora, architecture and original plantation houses. Think: pretty as a picture.

Have a far-flung adventure in Panama.

Opening this month in Panama, Islas Secas promises to bring the wow factor and more. Aiming to inspire guests through its embracing of a truly unspoilt location across 14 tropical islands it will no doubt lay down a marker for other eco-destinations, due to its green credentials such as being powered by 100% solar-generated energy. The resort sleeps just 18 guests across four casitas (with a further three tented casitas to launch in March 2020) and offers the chance for far-flung adventures from marine safaris to immersive natural experiences, such as witnessing the migrating Humpback Whales. The elemental spa tent, found in wild tropical jungle, meanwhile, is just the place to lose your mind.

Even the dining at Islas Secas embraces the great outdoors.

Finally, one to mark in your diaries for the summer, is the opening of One&Only Mandarina set to put the undeveloped stretch ofcoastline along the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico on the map. Located on a spectacular cliff-side overlooking the Pacific Ocean with dramatic vistas and a lush rainforest setting, One&Only Mandarina will lead the opening of the multi-billion-dollarMandarinadevelopment.

One of the Ocean Cliff Villas at One&Only Mandarina.

Blending chic interiors amid the verdant jungle wilderness, guests can stay in free-standing villas that float above the treetops or perch against the cliffs each with their own private plunge pool. Allowing nature to take centre stage, the hotel has been built to blend with the environment. Botany experts were consulted on the development of the resort to minimise the effect on the existing natural landscape, and careful low-density planning has preserved the land and the historic and ecological importance of the destination.Aiming to be a hub for reconnecting with self, the hotel will offer mindfulness sessions under the stars, meals with jaw-dropping panoramic views or an open-air spa treatment under the tree canopy. Bliss.

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Six Of The Best: The Ultimate Places In The World To Escape Winter - Forbes

The UnitedHealthcare Accelerator Powered by Techstars Demo Day featured a wide range of ambitious and interesting medtech startups. Weve already taken a look at the class roster, but we decided to catch up with the programs managing director, Matt Miller, for a little postmortem of the 2019 event and a look ahead at what the 2020 edition will bring.

tech.mn: The 2019 program is still pretty recent, but looking back at the entire experience, what are your thoughts on the program and its class?

Matt Miller: Most Techstars programs take time to build momentum in their first year. Its a new thing in new city, so it takes time to get up to speed. That wasnt the case with this program because of the gravity of UnitedHealthcare (UHC). That let us hit the ground running, and it was also a massive advantage coming in as a first-time managing director.

We also had the upper hand from a location standpoint. Were fully convinced theres no better place in the world to build a healthcare company than Minneapolis. It has the vast majority of senior healthcare executives, a low cost of living, high quality of life Combining a location that makes sense with a partner that makes sense gave us an opportunity to really capitalize

tech.mn: Womens health, nutrition, diagnosis, health benefits, logistics it was a pretty diverse collection of specialties from the class. Is there any consideration of creating that kind of diverse lineup when sifting through the applicants?

MM: We have four pillars quality, cost, access, and engagement of care. Sometimes, its really hard to get people to take care of themselves. So, we might look for solutions that are specific to disease states or that have advance analytics, for example. We also look at the entire age range. There are massive problems all over, covering a wide range of people. It just happened to be that the most compelling, most brilliant founders that I met just happened to be working in these spaces and addressed whole life span.

We also make sure theres no internal competition within the class. Ultimately, it comes down to the strength of team, size of problem, and viability of solution being proposed.

tech.mn: How do you feel the accelerator is helping shape the Twin Cities tech startup scene?

MM: Once a business is here, theyll realize this is the best place in world to build a healthcare company. There are all kinds opportunities to be involved in the process such as participating in events, demo days, and more.

tech.mn: The applications for 2020 close in May. Whats on your to-do list between now and then?

MM: Ill be spending a lot of time with UHC and other health system executives at large and getting an awareness of trends and problems that arent yet being addressed by solutions. What should we be thinking about next?

Ill also be representing Techstars at conferences like CES, the StartUp Health Festival at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference (HIMSS).

I might also be traveling to Bangalore. Sometimes picking a global solution in the healthcare space is tricky because our healthcare landscape is so nuanced and complicated that its not always transferrable across borders, but its worth looking.

tech.mn: Its still early, but what can people expect from the 2020 event?

MM: Once the class begins to take shape, well focus on curating the content curriculum and mentor pool. UHC has such broad spectrum of services that they provide. The result is a wide swath of subject matter experts with knowledge thats able to be transferred. There was a lot of education required to fully recruit the pool of executives and subject experts this year and many had never worked with startups. But were already getting unsolicited asks to be involved next year.

tech.mn: Whats your advice for the health-focused startups out there considering applying to the 2020 program?

MM: Were looking for world-class founders who are addressing real problems and are looking for coaching and mentorship. Some programs have tried to over-engineer the process, but Ive found that serendipity is real. Its a dual opt-in situation the mentors and companies meet, and both choose whether or not they want to work together. Some mentor pairs arent what youve expected.

But you have to be all in and you need to be willing to laugh at my corny jokes.

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Q&A With the Managing Director of the UnitedHealthcare Accelerator Powered by Techstars - TECHdotMN - TECHdotMN

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Puls, the trusted home services company, today announced the launch of more than a dozen new services in cities across the U.S. The new services include furniture assembly, appliance installation, sheetrock repair, interior painting, wall hanging, holiday light hanging, and more have been added to Puls's existing services including appliance repair, TV mounting, and mobile device repair. Puls also today announced the launch of Puls+, a membership program rolling out in cities across the U.S. The annual membership program providesconsumers a 20% discount onall Puls services, priority booking, an extended guarantee, and premium customer support.

"We've taken the headache out of hiring technicians for home services. Our customers love our easy scheduling, same-day appointment availability, and quality guarantee," said CEO Mitch Galbraith."We consistently hear from our customers they wish we offered more services, so we've responded."

"Offering the Puls+ membership program to consumers is another step in delivering on our promise to enable customers to truly 'own' their home. Puls+ makes in-home services from Puls even more affordable, faster and hassle-free," said Itai Hirsch, President & Co-Founder of Puls.

Puls has served more than 350,000 customers since its inception growing its nationwide network of skilled technicians to more than 6,000 providers and is now hiring to meet demand. The company saw a 425% year-over-year increase in the number of home services jobs completed by Puls technicians. The new membership program is available in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, San Antonio, Tampa, Tucson, and DC.

Bookings for home service appointments and signups for themembership program are accessibleonline via the Puls website: https://puls.com/membership

About Puls: Puls is a San Francisco based company that provides in-home repairs and installations to customers across the U.S. Operating with a network of more than 6,000 fully vetted technicians.Puls offers appliance repair and other service appointments at the click of a button and empowers its professional technicians to quickly and efficiently fix problems and provide peace of mind. Puls makes your home work so you can make everything else work.

SOURCE Puls Technologies Inc

https://puls.com

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Puls Announces Expanded Suite Of Home Services And New Membership Program, Puls+, In 22 Markets Across The US - PRNewswire

Lax was in the JC Kosher Supermarket on Tuesday when a heavily armed man and woman stormed in, killing three people before engaging in an hours-long standoff with police.

"The way they came in, they came to kill, to shoot," Lax, who runs an appliance repair shop in the neighborhood, told CNN on Friday.

Lax said he initially hid in the salad bar area and saw the male shooter, wearing a black raincoat, pass by him. When he stood up, the female shooter carrying a "long gun" was facing him.

"The second she starts pivoting herself, I just went right in and push back her arm and just run right out of the store," Lax said.

"I didn't look right or left, I just ran for my life," he said.

Attack was an act of terrorism, officials say

Authorities are not yet sure why the shooters, David N. Anderson, 47, and Francine Graham, 50, attacked the store, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. But it is being investigated as an act of terrorism with "a hate-crime bias slant."

"We believe the suspects held views that reflected hatred of the Jewish people, as well as a hatred of law enforcement," Grewal said, citing evidence and witness interviews.

Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said Friday it was important to call out anti-Semitism.

"We've always had a diverse community and I think people need to realize that if anti-Semitism can exist in a place that's accustomed to diversity, it can really exist anywhere," Fulop told CNN's "New Day."

"And every day and every moment that you don't call it out, you're wasting an opportunity to bring attention to it because there's less eyes focused on it."

"But we will not be defeated, we will not stand down, we will not be intimidated," Greenblatt said.

Investigators are checking a note found in a stolen U-Haul truck that the killers drove to the market -- a note that contained both anti-Semitic and anti-police writing, a law enforcement source told CNN. Posts with similar sentiments also have been found on social media linked to the shooters, the source said.

The FBI has also issued a notice to law enforcement in the region "requesting assistance locating a vehicle associated with" Anderson.

Investigators are looking for a white 2001 Ford van, with New Jersey license plate B40-JSD.

Deadly attack began at a cemetery

Authorities have said that the attack began near a city cemetery where the shooters killed Jersey City Police Detective Joseph Seals.

He was trying to stop the shooters when he was killed, police have said.

A bystander called 911 to report Seals' body at the cemetery at 12:38 p.m., authorities said. But by that time, the shooters had already driven the stolen U-Haul to the market and began their attack.

Police arrived at the supermarket around 20 minutes after the attack began, starting a long shootout that left two police officers injured.

The shooters were armed with an AR-15-style rifle, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, a 9 mm Ruger semiautomatic pistol and a 9 mm Glock 17 pistol, with a pipe bomb and a .22 caliber Ruger pistol with a homemade silencer found in the U-Haul, Grewal said. If not for the actions of the police, they could have done more harm, Grewal said.

Around 3:25 p.m., an armored vehicle broke into the supermarket's entryway, and law enforcement soon found the bodies of the three victims and two attackers inside the store, Grewal said.

The three people in the market were Mindy Ferencz, 31, the store's co-owner; Moshe Deutsch, 24, a customer; and Douglas Miguel Rodriguez, 49, a store employee.

Store owner was next door as his wife died

In Jersey City, crowds of men in black hats surrounded Ferencz's casket in the Jersey City neighborhood of Greenville at the site of a synagogue under construction. Hundreds of women, separated from the men as per Orthodox Jewish tradition, were standing in the bitter cold sobbing.

Ferencz owned the store with her husband, who was next door at the small synagogue at the time of the attack, according to Yossi Steinmetz who was there as well.

When shots broke out, her husband desperately tried to call her and tell her to lock the doors to take cover, Steinmetz said. She didn't answer.

At Deutsch's Brooklyn funeral, mourners spoke in Hebrew through tears as at least a dozen NYPD counterterrorism officers and nearly 100 "Shomrim" members Hebrew for guardians stood watch.

Deutsch and Ferencz both had ties to the Jewish community in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

"This is just an atrocity. Of course, we accept everything, but this is more than we can handle," Deutsch's cousin, also named Moshe Deutsch, told CNN. "The question is, is it a sign of hatred? Is it a sign that we are not safe in New York anymore?"

CNN's Nicole Chavez, Julia Jones, Elizabeth Joseph, Melanie Schuman, Alec Snyder, Alexandra Field, Rob Frehse, Evan Simko-Bednarski and Julian Cummings contributed to this report.

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A customer escaped the Jersey City attack. He says it was clear the shooters 'came to kill' - CNN

Years ago, Ron and Nancy Galloway never envisioned owning their own business. That all changed in the summer of 2017 when their former employer retired, and they were faced with a decision about what the next step was for them. After much consideration, they took a leap of faith and opened Galloways Floor Dcor.

We jumped into it and started swimming, said Ron.

The pair celebrated the second anniversary of their store in September, and they have won the Union-Recorder Readers Choice Award for Best Flooring Store both years they have been in business. Their swift success can likely be attributed to their many years of combined experience in the industry. Both Ron and Nancy started working at Carpet Surplus (which later became Flooring America) in 1985. Ron learned the ins and outs of flooring installation, and Nancy started watching the store part-time. As the years continued on, Nancys job managing the store became full-time, and after 28 years in installation, Ron became the warehouse manager.

When Flooring America owner Darrell Black decided to retire and sell his building to Elite Gym owner Coni Moore in 2017, the Galloways made the decision to open their own store on North Columbia Street.

We had a lot of really, really great support, said Nancy of the transition period.

Two employees from Flooring America made the move with the Galloways at that time, and Black provided invaluable mentorship as the pair set up their business. The Galloways were even able to retain the Flooring America phone number so the loyal customer base could find them after the move.

That month [August 2017] was really packed full of new things to experience and learn, said Ron. And thank God we did, he added with a chuckle.

Both admit that they learned a lot about the aspects of business ownership that they had not known before, but that their decades of experience in the flooring business helped them to thrive quickly. They have also surrounded themselves with a strong staff, including sales consultants Maddie McDowell and Dustin Jennette and office aid Amanda Mercer.

Weve got a great crew that does a good job, said Nancy. If customers come in and they need help pulling things together, we can help them pull that together.

In addition to their in-store team, Galloways Floor Dcor relies on several experienced installation crews, many of whom they have worked with for years.

Galloways Floor Dcor stocks traditional floor coverings such as carpet and sheet vinyl, but their newest and hottest product is their selection of vinyl planks.

We started out with like four different displays two years ago, said Nancy of the functional, waterproof flooring option. Now about one third of the showroom is vinyl planks.

Galloways Floor Dcor also sells hard wood floors and ceramic tiles.

We actually sell a lot of ceramic tile. I feel like we have some of the best selection in town, Nancy said.

Galloways will install everything for the homeowner, with the exception of ceramic tile. Due to the nuances of ceramic tile, Galloways refers customers to tile specialists who can work directly with the customers to meet their installation needs.

People interested in Vista window treatments can also schedule an appointment with a consultant through Galloways.

We cater to a broad spectrum of people and products, said Nancy.

In all interactions with clients, the Galloways go the extra mile to make sure the customers get what they truly want. This often involves encouraging them to take home product samples to see how they look in the lighting of their home.

Were here to help you walk through the process, said Nancy.

The Galloways take pride in stocking good materials at fair and reasonable prices. But when asked what truly sets them apart from their competition, Nancys answer is simple Hands down, service and experience.

In fact, one of Nancys favorite things about all of her years helping clients is running into them when she is out and about and hearing them say how much they like the way their flooring choices look in their home.

The truth is, I like helping people find what they both want and need, said Nancy, who says it is rewarding when you match up the right product to the right person.

For her, she takes joy in just knowing that, Hey, we did our best.

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Years of experience pay off at Galloway's Floor Dcor - The Union-Recorder