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should you make teenagers tidy their bedrooms

The bedroom is the room in the house in which we spend more time than any other. It therefore makes sense to make it as calming and relaxing as possible. If you have expensive tastes, luxury will be a central consideration when it comes to designing your own bedroom. By paying heed to the following list of tips, anyone can achieve that luxury-hotel feel that we all wish to recapture in our own home having spent a weekend being pampered in a real hotel.

Lighting

One of the tell-tale signs that a hotel room is top-of-the-range is the way in which it is lit. To make your own room feel special, try incorporating a dimmer switch to control low-wattage lightbulbs that give off light with a softer hue. Make use of tasteful bedside lamps and wall lighting to give the room that extra classy feel.

Space

Achieving a sense of opulence in a room that is not the largest can take a bit of working out. Concentrate on making the most of the space available by choosing furniture that fits perfectly. Designate a space to put easy-chairs where you can sit back and read in pleasure. If you really want that hotel-feel, why not fit a mini-fridge complete with hotel-sized bottles of single malt? Having a couple of drinks before bed is sure not to put a dent in your budget the way going to town on the mini-fridge would in a real hotel would!

Décor

Try to develop a consistent colour scheme using a palette of neutral pastel colours for the paint and the furniture. Avoiding bold colours, and opting for a monochromatic colour scheme is your best bet and is sure to make sure that your room oozes class and style. If you do not possess an eye for colour, it may be a good idea to call in an interior designer to give you a hand with a suitable colour scheme. Alternatively, learn the craft through comprehensive courses from prestigious online institutions such as the National Design Academy.

Natural Light

Most expensive hotels are fitted with large sash windows that open out onto a balcony with an excellent view over the surrounding area. The reason for this is that they let in natural light and make the room feel light and airy. Make sure you choose some light curtains and keep them open as much as possible to let in sunlight.

Bed

Last but not least, the bed. The bed is the central feature of any bedroom, and no expenses should be spared in this department. Opt for a wooden frame and a comfortable sprung mattress over a divan. An ornate bed head is the cherry on the top – there is a range of fantastic bed heads online.

With a little bit of care and invention, even the drabbest room can be converted into a luxury bedroom that will give you the feeling that you are receiving the 5-star treatment every night. All it takes is the will to do it!

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When you are a mom who loves the outdoors, you need to make sure that you have the right kind of vehicle to get you around. Some moms like the drive trucks while others enjoy SUVs or the classic hatchback. Each mom is different, but for those who love the outdoors, there are some vehicles that are better suited.

Here, we are going to look at some of the trendiest cars for moms who love the outdoors.

Honda CRV

The first car on our list of trendy cars for moms who love the outdoors is the Honda CRV. This car is really stylish and has been reshaped in its design to improve the overall aerodynamics. Lots of moms love the Honda CRV because of its power and the fuel economy that it offers. For moms that love adventure, we would suggest checking out this vehicle at your local dealership.

Toyota RAV4

When it comes to off-roading, the Toyota RAV4 can be one of the best cars for the job. This vehicle is really great looking when you are on the road and it works even better when you are off it. For moms on the hunt for a quiet ride that is also smooth, this vehicle might just be a perfect choice. We love this car and plenty of other moms do too so make sure to check it out.

Volkswagen Gold Alltrack

The next car on our list of trendy cars for moms who love adventure is the Volkswagen Gold Alltrack. This car is very popular and comes with a 1.8L turbo engine. The off-road mode on this car is perfect for moms who to get out there and explore either alone or with their kids. This car also features a lot of new tech that you might be impressed by. Look out for the 6.5 inch colour touchscreen and the smartphone compatibility including Apple CarPlay.

Chevrolet Colorado Z52

The final car on our list is the Chevy Colorado which is actually known to be designed for adventure. This vehicle comes with skid plates and rock slides and is affordable for moms who want to get out and explore. We love the design of this car and think that the rear electronic locking differentials are really quite impressive. Make sure to keep an eye out for this car as it will impress you from the moment you see it.

Get Shopping

If you are a mom who loves a bit of an adventure then you are going to love the cars on our list. Cars for moms are usually more spacious but there is no reason why they can’t have off-road capabilities as well. Take a look at some of the cars that we have mentioned and test drive them for yourself. Once you invest in your car, you will love heading off-road with your family and exploring nature the way it was meant to be explored.

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wedding reception fun ideas

The wedding ceremony is an experience that cannot be understated, with the union of two individuals witnessed lovingly by their nearest and dearest in a location that best represents the couple’s style and story. Brings a tear to our eye just thinking about it. Now after the ceremony comes the reception, and that is where the fun really begins for you and your guests. If you thought that reception revelling just happened on its own, there is actually more planning and consideration than you might think. Here we have shared the top tips on how to bring some fun into your wedding reception.

Hire a photobooth

Admit it, you got excited simply by reading the word photobooth. We’re not surprised, as photobooth hire has always sat at the top of the wish list for engaged couples looking to bring an edge on their big day. What you might not know is that in 2020, photobooths look and operate in a more modern format, adding trendy and modern props such as wedding hashtags, offering couples a classic or digital experience, the choice is yours. Take the time to understand all the different photobooth options and choose one that is going to cause the biggest splash on your special day. You can also customise your props and prints to commemorate your special day, making it so your guests never forget where those wonderful shots came from.

Consider an open mic

Speeches are always the perfect ice-breaker, and a great way to relax all guests into a fun evening with a few funny and heartwarming anecdotes. You can extend these moments by telling your guests that they are invited to the mic to tell a story or two about the bride and groom. That’s right ladies and gentlemen, we’re suggesting open mic speeches! This will certainly add a playful element to the evening, and it might bring a crowd together that may not know one another too well before the big day.

Cocktail carts

It’s assumed that you will have a bar at your reception, although a cocktail cart might be a pleasant surprise for your guests who’ll think they have seen it all. You can choose people to staff your cocktail cart, or you can make it a DIY experience with all the essential garnishes. This will add a truly boutique touch. Rather than having every different type of liquor, you can make it a gin cart or an espresso cart. If you don’t feel like you can trust your jovial guests with this perk, you can make this a virgin cocktail cart for your guests not drinking.

Ditch the classic wedding cake

No one is suggesting that the sweets are removed from the reception, far from you! But there is a way you can shake up the traditional expectations and offer a sweet and visually pleasing dessert that everyone will enjoy. Doughnut walls are a fantastic way to add a pop of colour, and the cost is relatively inexpensive compared to a professionally designed wedding cake. Couples who prefer savouries are also trading in vanilla cream with a cheesecake, where three or four wheels of cheese are stacked on one another that it looks just like a cake. You can garnish this cake with some fruits, pastes and delicious crackers.

Your wedding day is going to be one of the greatest parties of your life, and so your reception should be planned to perfection so you and your significant other remember it forever (well, remember as much as you can). It might also be a good idea to talk to your married friends about what worked or didn’t work at their reception, and what they would have done differently.

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how to finance side project

Having multiple sources of income is ideal, which is why more and more people resort to part time work or freelance services, as well as other business ventures that they can do during their free time. If you are an individual who loves to work on small side projects, you may find it a challenge to ensure that you have ample finances to cover your project. One way to finance side projects is by cutting back on your day to day expenses. Try checking sites like Top Vouchers Code for easy ways to save cash.

Thus, here are some tips on how you can finance small side projects and generate revenue in the future instead of the other way around.

Create a budget plan

The first thing that you should keep in mind in terms of financing your small side project is to create a budget plan even before you start. This is because planning is essential for any business venture or freelance work. It will be best to list down the materials that you will need for your project as well as a timeline of the expected project completion. This will give you a good idea in knowing when your expenses will hit you because project expenses are not only on the upfront but there can be a maintenance costs that you need to settle in the middle of completing the project, as well as costs that will only be apparent when the project is nearing its completion. With a budget plan, you will also have an idea on the amount of contingency fund that you need to secure in order to ensure that your project will be delivered in its estimated completion date even if there are unexpected financial mishaps during the process of its completion. In parallel to this, it will also greatly help if you are able to resist the temptation to overspend early on the project and stick to your budget plan.

Require deposits

People who delve into making small side projects often fail to require their clients with a deposit before starting the project. While this can help build your relationship with the client, it can negatively impact your project in terms of the finances. This is because without a deposit, you need to secure funds to purchase the materials you need in another avenue. On the contrary, with ample deposit, you will be able to readily acquire the materials you need to get the project started on time. Apart from a deposit, you can also work with your client to come up with a payment schedule that is amenable for both of you such as paying an initial deposit, followed by 50% of the cost upon a certain project phase completion, and eventually a total and full payment of the balance upon delivery.

Be creative in cash flow management

Another tip in financing your small side project is to be creative in your cash flow management. This is especially helpful if you are using your credit card to purchase the materials you need for the project. You can work around with the billing cycle of your credit card in terms of when you will make the actual purchase and be able to end up having the need to settle your balance even months after you buy the things you need. For instance, if your billing cycle is from the 15th of the current month to the 14th of the succeeding month, your due date is usually the end of the succeeding month. Thereby, you can buy the materials you need on the 15th of the month, which is the start of your billing cycle, and pay for your purchase at the end of next month, giving you at least six weeks of padding before the due date.

Prepare your personal finances

For small side projects, there may be a need for you to prepare your personal finances for funding your venture. This means that there can be a possibility that using your savings to initially finance your project is necessary. In parallel to your personal finances, there is also the option for you to seek the help of your family and friends when it comes to having an ample budget to ensure project completion. More often than not, your family and friends will be willing to fund your project in support of your business venture, without asking for anything in return. However, you should also bear in mind that your personal finances, even when coupled with the money you borrow from your family and friends, may still be insufficient, depending on the needs of your project. Thus, there may still be a need for you to consider other financing options when it comes to funding your small side business.

Consider getting a loan

One very popular method of financing a small side project is applying for a loan. There are a wide variety of loan types that you can consider such as payday loans. Perfect Payday offers payday loans, which are considered as an instant or ‘no-credit-check’ loan, allowing you to have the funds you need the soonest. Payday loans are short-term loans that need to be settled once you are compensated by your employer or paid by your client, thus, the term payday loan. More often than not, the interest imposed by the loan is significantly outweighed by the revenue generated upon delivery of the project. Thus, it can be deemed that getting a loan to finance your small side project may actually be a smart move. However, there is a need for you to comprehensively understand your budget and cash flow before venturing out into loans and external financing. This is to ensure that you will be able to settle your dues on time and eliminate the possibility of having a bad credit, which will have a negative impact on your business.tips for side hustle

Small side projects that you do in parallel to your main source of income usually stem from your hobbies or the things that you are most passionate about. These small side projects may include artwork pieces or even a social entrepreneurship venture, which is also referred to as a business for a cause. Keep the tips mentioned above in mind whenever you find it quite challenging to finish your task at hand because of insufficient funding.

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baby feet

Having a baby is one of the most life changing experiences that you’ll go through. With all of the excitement of waiting for your newborn, there’s also a lot that needs organizing.

The following tips should help you prepare for those first few weeks with a new baby, and make life less stressful.

Do Your Research

You might have spent lots of time researching pregnancy advice and tips, but now is also a great time to think about life after the birth of your baby! If this is your first baby, make sure you know all of the essentials: how to breastfeed or feed with infant milk formula, dress, and put your baby to sleep safely. If you’ve been attending antenatal classes, you’ll probably already be well-versed in the essentials, so why not use this time to look more closely at something specific to you, like locally available childcare.

Use these precious last few weeks to make sure you’re as prepared as possible. You can find lots of parenting and pregnancy advice online – so make good use of it! Just make sure that any advice regarding medication and health is from a reputable source.

Spend Time with Family

Life with a newborn can be hectic, and changes things for everyone in your family. If you have older children, make sure you spend extra time with them now and show them how much you love them! Get them excited about the arrival of their new sibling too!

Also set aside time to spend with your partner in the build-up to your due date. It can be hard to find time for one another once in the first weeks after the baby arrives, so do something you both enjoy together now.

It’s also important to talk openly about your hopes and fears before the baby comes, as well as your expectations for how responsibilities will be divided. Being on the same page and approaching this together will make tackling life with a newborn much easier.

Meal Preparation

By cooking and freezing some of your favorite meals now, you’ll be able to eat well in those first few weeks without the need to do lots of cooking. Plus, it’s a great way to use up some time while you’re waiting for your new arrival in those last few weeks! Make it fun by inviting some friends over to cook with you, or spend time with your partner in the kitchen.

Prepare Your House

For some mums-to-be, a ‘nesting’ instinct kicks in. Others find the end of pregnancy totally exhausting. Whatever state you find yourself in, try do to as much as possible to organize your home before your baby comes. It could be getting through that pile of laundry, or having the windows professionally cleaned. Whatever you can do now will make life with a newborn much easier is worth it- and enlist help from friends, family, or your partner where you can!

Pack Your Hospital Bag

Your hospital bag should include everything you need for both yourself and your baby during labor and delivery. As your baby could come at any time after 37 weeks, you’ll need to have it ready in advance. Don’t forget to include your maternity notes and birth plan (if you have one), as well as appropriate clothes for during and after labor.

Your baby will need a few sleep suits, a hat, and something warm to go home in. Many mums recommend taking a snack bag, filled with your favorite goodies, as labor can be exhausting and it’s important to keep your energy levels up!

Aim to have your bag packed by the 37th week, and have it ready to grab when it’s time to go to the hospital or brith centre!

At the end of the day, pregnancy is an exciting but overwhelming journey. Do as much as you feel like doing in the build-up to your due date, and make sure you take some time to relax – you deserve it!

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Gambling with life

There’s an unexplainable aura projected by casinos, which can be best described as thrilling with a side of endless possibilities. If you’re interested in the world of casino games, you’ve come to the right place. Contrary to what you might have heard, they aren’t as intense as portrayed. 

Unfortunately, because of geographical differences, economic limitations and other reasons, not everyone can enjoy an in-person casino experience. But there are always new online casinos popping up, so you can play it all from the comforts of your home.

Don’t have the first clue about casino games? In this post, we’re sharing our top picks for easy casino games for beginners. Whether you’re flying to Vegas or playing online, try your luck at these.

  • Roulette

Roulette is an easy-to-learn slow casino game, which explains it’s popularity. When you see it in action for the first time, it can seem intimidating and complex. But trust us, it’s so straightforward. 

All you have to do is choose a number, colour, or evens and odds. And if the ball lands on your chosen number or colour, you win! The whole affair is as exhilarating as depicted in 1942’s classic movie Casablanca. For real-life inspiration, check out Youtuber David Dobrik enviable winning streak.

Now you know the rules, enjoy sites where you can play free roulette games through MobileCasinoKings.com.

  • Slots

The movie What Happens in Vegas perfectly encapsulates the process of slot machines. Ashton Kutcher’s character inserts a coin given to him by his Vegas-wife Cameron Diaz, and they end up winning three million dollars!

Slot machines can easily be considered the easiest casino game as there’s no skill involved. All you have to do is insert money, press a button and hope that the symbols align. There are no dealers or other players. It’s just you against a machine. 

Online slot machines aren’t much different either. At times, they might include an extra reel, but the concept remains the same.

  • Casino War

Have you ever watched Water War on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon? Well, conceptually casino war is the same. 

In this game, you play against the dealer. Both of you will be given decks of cards and then the players decide how much they want to wager. Both will draw a card, and the player with the higher card wins.

In case of it’s a draw, then as the name suggests, the players go to war, casino war! The dealer discards the next three cards and deals the player and themselves one card each. Again, the player with the higher card wins the game.

  • Craps

At first glance, craps may appear to be complicated. It’s a fast-paced game with all kinds of terms you might not have heard before. However, it’s not as difficult as it sounds. 

In a simple craps game, all you have to do is place a bet on a number with your chips and the shooter will roll the dice. If the point number comes up, you win. The odds of winning at craps is virtually 50-50.

  • Keno

Playing keno is similar to buying a lottery ticket. You can choose 1 to 10 numbers out of a table of numbers going up to 80. Then the casino picks 20 numbers at random. The more matching numbers you get, the bigger your winnings will be. It’s seriously just that simple!

Keno is one of the most fun games to play online. All the graphics and animations make it quite entertaining.

Casino games aren’t an exclusive activity for a 21st birthday outing. You can and should enjoy them anywhere and anytime! 

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buy ring online

Everything is sold online nowadays. You can find and buy almost everything and anything over the internet. You can buy groceries, cars, clothes, electronics, jewelry, and even real estate.

From brand new items to second-hand items, you can definitely find it online. You can even buy mystery boxes where you don’t know what you are buying and just get surprised by what you get.

The online retail industry is host to a lot of different items especially jewelry. In the jewelry market, especially in the market for precious stones, there has been a growing demand online. That is because some find the shopping experience for diamonds is better online with more options and less pressure from attendants. Visit this link to learn why you should buy diamonds online: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/buy-diamonds-online/

In the e-commerce business for jewels, one of the leading names is James Allen. James Allen, together with his wife, is one of the pioneers of diamond selling over the internet. They started their e-commerce business back in 1998 and have since become one of the leading online stores for this precious gem. For more options for buying jewels online visit here: teachjewelry.com

Quality

The best thing about this online business is the quality of its products and services. They make sure that you get the best price for the jewelry that you choose and that it gets delivered to you right away.

Aside from that, one of their main goals is to give customers good shopping experience. To do so, they made sure to take high quality pictures and videos of their diamonds so that buyers will be able to see clearly what they are buying even when it is just online. This way, customers will feel that the gems they are choosing from are right in front of them. Click here to learn why diamonds photos are important.

They have a large inventory of these precious gems and they make sure to take excellent quality pictures and videos of each to ensure a wonderful customer experience. They have an inventory of about 115,000 of these precious stones, some with different sizes, cuts, and clarity. A team in India takes pictures of the diamonds 24/7 to make sure the right pictures and videos are readily available anytime.

buy diamonds online

Presentation

When you order from the James Allen website, your item will be shipped through FedEx. Your item will arrive at your doorstep the next day after you order it. When you open your package, you will notice that it is very well secured to make sure that your item does not get damaged along the way

Instead of using packing fillers to stop movement, a thick board box is found inside the FedEx outer brown box that fits perfectly to ensure that there is no unnecessary movement. On the red board box, is imbued with the beautiful James Allen logo with the butterfly.

Inside the red board box with the beautiful James Allen logo, there is a full-sized foam insert that protects the polished jewelry boxed in the center. Some important documents and papers can be found on the underside part of the box.  These papers include the invoice and certificates along with a polishing cloth too.

When you open the polished jewelry box, you will find the ring with the diamond or any rare stone on it. Since James Allen provides high-quality resolution pictures and videos of their products, you can be sure that what you see over the internet is what you will also get.

Other Jewellery

Aside from engagement rings, Allen James Diamonds offers an assortment of different jewelry. They offer bracelets and diamond necklaces depending on what you want. At first, they only sold engagement rings as that is their specialty but over the years, they have widened their focus to a lot more different Jewellery.

Because of their decades of experience with engagement rings, they are known to handle precious gems very well whatever the medium. They can set jewels anywhere from bracelets to necklaces.

If you are looking for a diamond engagement ring for your partner, then it is best to try looking online. You have more options and yet still sure that it is legitimate. Just make sure that you buy from reputable websites like Allen James Diamonds and Blue Nile Diamonds.

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Photo by Stijn te Strake on Unsplash

Have you noticed the number of advertisements stating their meat is “organic,” “free-range,” “grass-fed,” or “hormone-free?” Chances are you’ve noticed these labels and either choose to exclusively buy them or completely avoid them due to their relatively high cost compared to commercially-sourced alternatives. 

Believe it or not, these labels do have an effect on the quality of meat you’re buying which can adversely affect your family’s health far down the road. We’re going to look at how you should choose your meat, why you should care, and how it affects your family’s health. 

Keep reading for more information! 

Where Meat is Sourced

In an ideal world, all chickens, cows, pigs, goats, and other sources of meat would be free-range and able to eat according to their natural diets. Unfortunately, commercial farming has negatively impacted the way these animals are raised by altering their food intake, administering hormones and antibiotics, and generally giving livestock a poor quality of life. This results in low-quality meat that can potentially harm your family. On the other hand, an organic farm will allow animals to eat what they would in the wild, openly roam fields, and lead healthy lives without the use of unnatural additives and unnecessary hormones. These natural conditions allow for a much higher quality of meat which in turn is far healthier for you and your loved ones. 

To ensure your meat is coming from a healthy source, you will need to do a bit of digging and realize that high quality may mean a slightly higher price. Whether you choose to buy your meat locally or order it online, here are a few questions to consider before making your purchase: 

  • What is in your farm’s chicken feed?
    There can be a variety of proper answers for this question but it should likely include what they eat naturally: green plants, seeds, worms, corn, and legumes. If the answer is overly vague it probably means less nutritional, commercial feed is being used.
  • What do the pigs eat?
    Ideally, pigs will eat organically grown barley, grasses, legumes, and tree nuts. Peas and oats are great as well if they are also organically grown. The goal is to stay away from as many chemicals as possible! 
  • Are your cows grass-fed?
    The answer to this question should be a resounding yes! The majority of commercial farms have started feeding their cows grain because it is cheap and cows love it. However, a diet consisting of nothing but the grain will change the composition of the meat and ultimately lower the quality of beef. 
  • What happens to sick animals?
    The answer that you are looking here for has many variations but none of them include antibiotics. With proper farming techniques, animals shouldn’t be getting sick all that often. 
  • Where does the animals’ water come from?
    A farm’s water source is important: a shallow water source could mean that it is easily contaminated by chemicals or sewer runoff. In addition to asking where the water comes from, it is wise to ask if the farm tests the water regularly. 
  • When can you visit?
    This may sound like an odd question, but if an organic farm is truly being transparent they will actually encourage you to come by and even take a tour! 

Each of these questions can give you an idea of how healthy the farm’s animals are and whether or not you should spend the extra money buying their “organic” (or in many cases, not so organic) meat. When all of your questions are answered to your satisfaction, you can feel safe knowing that your meat is being sourced safely and ethically. 

Benefits of Choosing Organic Meat

benefits of organic meat

Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash

Many people choose to ignore whether or not their diet is organic. If you aren’t sure if spending the extra money on organic produce is worth it, you can be certain that organic meat is absolutely important for your health. 

Aside from tasting better, organic meat contains more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and Omega-3s. Although there is minimal research on the benefit of CLA in humans, there is evidence that it can reduce the risk of breast cancer

Additionally, the unsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3) is linked to a lower risk of diabetes, lower risk of heart attack or stroke, and an overall healthier body weight.

On the other side of the spectrum, meat that is commercially produced with hormones and antibiotics has been linked to higher rates of cancer. These hormones are also suspected to be responsible for children reaching puberty at younger ages. 

Though the link to hormones and early puberty has yet to be proven, many countries (including those in the European Union, Japan, Canada, and Australia) have banned all meats containing hormones. The United States has yet to follow suit so many commercial farms are still getting away with this practice. 

No Price on Health

The cost of organic, free-range, antibiotic/hormone-free meat may be higher than what you’re used to paying at any big-name grocery store. However, opting for these healthier choices can help save your family a bundle in healthcare costs in the long run. 

You might also find that once your diet consists of a healthy balance of fruit, vegetables, and organic meat that you have higher energy levels and may even lose a bit of weight. Overall, this simple change can help make you and your family healthier and happier – while only adding a relatively small cost to your grocery budget.

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moving house with a pet dog

According to reports, at least 27 million Americans move each year. Further reports show that more than 33% of Americans wish they could move out of state. So if you are planning to move to another state, you are not alone. It might even be that you’re moving to the US from the UK, in which case you’ll have even more to think about! Being organised beforehand is key to keeping your move as smooth as possible and keeping your stress to a minimum.

Perhaps you are moving to start a new life? A new career? Or just exploring? Moving to another state is exciting, yes, but it also comes with some challenges. It becomes harder when you have a family, kids, or pets to relocate with.

There are so many things to consider when planning to relocate your family. Where will my kids go to school? Do I hire a moving company or not? Do I have enough budget/resources? If you’re moving to the US from the UK then a lot of the preparation is going to be in streamlining your possessions and figuring out exactly what you do and don’t want to take with you. Now is the perfect opportunity for a good clear out, and it’s worth considering skip hire to help you manage unwanted or broken items that you’ve accumulated over the years in the garage, garden or attic.

All this can be overwhelming, but with adequate planning, moving to another home or state can be less daunting.

As you get ready to cross state lines for a new home, the following tips will ease the burden:

  1.     How Much Work Can You Do Yourself?

Assuming you already know where to relocate to, the next question is, how will I get there? The key elements to consider here include packing, lifting, and transportation.

Consider all these elements individually. Decide what you can pack and load into the truck on your own. Also, will it make more sense for you to drive your items yourself, or you’d rather hire someone to do all these things for you?

Remember, you still need to sort other things like travel documents, kid’s school reports, etc. So as much as you would like to save more and do all these things yourself, sometimes, you just have to seek external help. Luckily, there are many moving companies to choose from.

One of the best things about hiring a moving company is that you get enough time to attend to all other important matters. Also, moving companies are experienced and know precisely what they are doing. This minimizes the risk of accidents/damages. In case of an accident, most of these companies will be insured.

According to Mike Glanz, CEO of HIREAHELPER, most families are creating a hybrid strategy by hiring professional packers to help them load and unload rented trailers and trucks. This is much cheaper than hiring a full-service mover.

  1.     Do as Much Research on Your New State as Possible

Once you have decided on your new state/city, it’s time to find out as much information about it as possible.

Where are your kids going to study? How much taxes are you going to pay? How will you get to work?

The answers to these questions should determine where you relocate to. 

The next step is to search for a new home. 

Depending on where you are relocating to, you might either have to downsize to a small house or get a bigger house for the same amount.

Regardless, you should not move until you have secured a house to live in. If it’s possible, make a trip to your new neighborhood before the actual move. This will give you a chance to familiarize yourself (and the kids) with the new environment, the shopping center, the health center, etc.

  1.     Make Your Kids Part of the Process

The truth is, you are not the only one who’s affected by the move. Your kids, no matter how young they are, will feel the impact too. Remember they are leaving behind their friends, familiar surroundings and the things they have grown to love. It’s even worse if the move is as a result of a separation or a divorce.

Here are a few tips for moving with kids:

  • Let them know about the move early in advance. Explain to them why you have to move. Let them express their emotions and take everything positively. 
  • If possible, take your kids on a tour of their new home and school. This will give them a chance to start adapting to the changes.
  • Engage them in the planning and packing process – if donating some items, take your kids with you. The goal here is to make them feel part of the decision and not just some youngsters being controlled.
  • Remain positive for their sake – no matter how hard it is for you, you have to remain positive for the sake of your kids. If you keep complaining, your kids will be negative and cause more trouble for you.
  • Let them say goodbye to their friends and old home.
  1.     Rent First, Buy Later

If you are moving to a state or an area you are not very familiar with, it would be better to rent first. 

Renting a place for at least six months to 1 year will give you a chance to learn the neighborhoods, figure out what matters to your family and work out which housing purchase plan will work better for you.

Trying to figure out the ‘perfect’ place to own immediately after the move may be overwhelming and prone to mistakes.

  1.     Moving With A Pet

Pets often become part of our families. When planning for your kid’s next school or your next job, you will also want to know what it takes to move across state lines with a pet.

Different states have different policies regulating pets relocation. Generally, however, most states will require you to have some form of a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection for some animals. This certificate helps ensure that only healthy animals move into a state.

You will, therefore, need to take some time to learn which certifications are required and for which animals.

Wrapping Up

Moving to a new state is a chance to start anew. However, with no proper preparations, the process can be hard and sometimes discouraging. 

Always ensure that you only carry the items that you need, instead of taking everything in your old home. 

When choosing a moving company, take your time to ensure you get quality services, and your items don’t get damaged or lost.

Get all the necessary travel documents early in advance to avoid delays.

 

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lull mattress

You might want a mattress for different reasons, perhaps you’re ticking it off your bucket list of things to buy before buying your first home, or you’re tired of your old mattress and want a new one. Whatever the reason, you should definitely consider buying the Lull Mattress.

The Lull Mattress has been growing in popularity since 2015 and is quickly gaining notoriety for being ridiculously comfortable and also for being one of the best mattresses for couples.

The Lull mattress is a much-respected memory foam that is made up of three layers. These layers are:

  • 7 inches of polyurethane foam that performs the role of the support core and provides additional durability as well as structure
  • 1.5 inches of proprietary blended foam that grips the mattress’s spine to get rid of the feeling of sinking you would get on other memory foam mattresses
  • 1.5 inches of gel-infused viscoelastic memory foam that serves as the comfort layer, then there’s the mattress’s cover, which is made of a comfy woven blend of rayon and polyester.

The Lull Mattress is only made in one firmness option, which is a 6 on the firmness scale. The firmness scale has 1 as the least firm and 10 as the most firm. The fact that there’s only one firmness option is no accident, it’s specially made that way to ensure you have absolute comfort.

The only place to get Lull Mattresses is online, where it’s readily available for purchase. You can get them from the website of the manufacturer or on Amazon.

The mattress will be delivered to your door in a labeled box and does not require assembly. It’s compressed and vacuum-sealed.

Now, while all this information is available, here are tips on buying a Lull mattress:

Buying Direct, Don’t Buy Retail

Buying a good quality mattress can be very expensive, sometimes ridiculously so. The question is, why do they cost so much?

When you purchase a mattress from a retail store, you don’t just pay for manufacturing costs. You’ll also pay for manufacturing costs as well as many markups and sales commissions that come with the sale of traditional retail products.

Factory direct Lull mattresses are much cheaper than traditional retail. If you buy from factory direct, you’ll be buying it at a third of the price you’d typically pay for your mattress in a retail store.

Try Before You Buy

We all make rash decisions when making purchases, even when we’re purchasing something costly. We don’t like it, but a lot of times, there isn’t a choice.

Purchasing a mattress at a retail store is bound to have you making a snap decision. This is because you don’t get a good feel of the mattress and can’t spend too much time in the store inspecting what’ll be a costly purchase. So, it’s common for people who buy mattresses at retail stores to get home and realize that their purchase was a mistake.

With Lull mattresses, you have the option of taking the mattress home with you for a 100-night trial run, which is a wonderful offer since it gives you sufficient time to test the mattress if it’s indeed within your liking.

choose a mattress

Be Sure To Take Advantage Of The Free Delivery

When you buy a mattress at a retail store, you’ll have to pay extra fees for home delivery. When you buy from Lull, you not only get free shipping, you also get free delivery to your front door.

Thus, you won’t have to worry about paying for delivery or borrowing a friend’s truck and having to pay for lifting.

Don’t Forget The Free Returns

The fact that the Lull mattress has a 95% satisfaction rating means that there’s 5% who weren’t satisfied with the product and returned it. The good thing is, if you belong to the 5%, Lull doesn’t charge restocking fees for returned items. You also won’t be charged for the picking up and return of the mattress itself.

As long as the return falls within the 100 night trial period, you’ll get a full refund, and Lull will pick up the mattress and return it for free.

Plus, the returned mattress won’t just go to a landfill, it’ll be donated to a charity, which means that it’ll go to a family that needs a mattress – making for social and environmental benefit.

Conclusion

Buying a Lull mattress is simple and straightforward. Lull has provided several benefits and freebies that ensure your purchasing experience is smooth and easy, as well as ensuring that the product gets to you quickly and free of charge.

You also have the option of returning the mattress if you’re not satisfied with it, which is free of charge. The important thing is to make sure you buy direct from the factory as this will ensure you have access to the benefits.

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Time is considered as one of the most important commodities that we only have a limited supply. Losing money is an unfortunate experience, but nothing really tops losing time aside from your own life. This is why many people try to save it as much as possible. Many have to learn techniques on how to be productive so that they can be efficient. There are also others who are into scheduling because each hour or moment of the day should have some important activity. However, there are still many humans living in this world who don’t seem to understand the importance of time. For the rest, losing it is something that you can never get back.

Most people these days are really into the instant stuff so save time. Many food products have now been designed and made so they take little to no time to cook. This is so apparent in many breakfast items like those sugar bomb tarts and cereals. Lunch time is almost always the only time when people eat cooked food, and even then they would resort to restaurants. Dinner is also a little sordid, when most families don’t even meet anymore. Kudos to those parents and children who still give time to each other despite the busy schedule! This article provides ways on how you can do it, too.

Aside from the food items, there are also other utensils and equipment that have been developed to save time. Shredders, personal slicers, can openers and marinators are just some of the most popular tools in the kitchen these days. However, there is one piece of appliance that has made its breakthrough in the mainstream. It is so phenomenal that there are recipes that have been tailored to fit into these devices. We are talking about this decades’ biggest breakthrough in the food world: the instant pot or instapot. If you need some extra convincing, check out this Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker review and see how simple it can be.

Why Should You Get an Instant Pot

We all love stews as almost every culture have some version of it. There are a lot of recipes, with varying ingredients and tastes. However, there is one thing that is the same with almost all these stews: they would usually take a lot of time to cook. This is so true, especially the meat based ones like pork and beef which need to take hours so that all the flavors can develop. The duration of the stewing will also determine the tenderness of the meat and it makes it easier to eat. Nobody likes a chewy beef, pork or lamb stew, after all. Even some fish and vegetables stews would take more than half an hour to cook.

The Instapot Pressure Cooker became a phenomenon because it shortened the time it takes to cook this delicious food. You can forget waiting for hours on a curry or stew when you can have it in less than an hour. Sure, it might not be as rich and there are some flavors that are lost in the process, but the most important thing is it is cooked. There are even cases wherein users swear that they can make a better recipe using these electric pots. It would really depend on the recipe and the quality of the ingredients that you are going to use.

Now, there are a lot of these in the market and it can be quite confusing to choose which one is for you. Most of them do the same thing as it acts like a pressure cooker connected to an electric power supply. However, there are many others which can do more than just stews and soups. Read further and find more tips on how to find the best instant pot for your household.

Finding the Best Instant Pot for You

1. Additional Features

Aside from the usual saucy and soupy dishes, there are some instant pots that do other tasks. There is one model that came out recently which has a blending feature. You don’t need to have an immersion blender or put everything on a jug blender after you are done cooking. All you need to do is to put every ingredient you need inside the pot and it will do everything on its own. You don’t even have to peel some of the ingredients. There are other instant pots that are good for sautéing as well, and some can even double as a rice cooker.

2. Online Reviews

Most people these days would buy their own instapot online as it is so much easier than going to an appliance store. There is an array of brands that just couldn’t be found locally. However, one of the downsides of ordering online is that you cannot test it beforehand. This is why it is very important that you check out the reviews of the product that you are going to buy. This way you will be informed of the quality of the product without having to test it prior to the purchase. Here’re other ways on how online reviews help: https://www.invespcro.com/blog/the-importance-of-online-customer-reviews-infographic/.

3. Price Range

Lastly, it is important to check whether an instapot is within your price range. You don’t have to buy the most expensive one as price does not necessarily mean quality. However, some of the best brands are usually on the more expensive side, so keep that in mind while shopping for and instant pot.

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Koh Samet family travel guide

Koh Samet is one of the easiest of the Thai Islands to reach and explore. What makes it perfect for a family trip is that it is very close to the Thai capital and is just a few km away from the shore. Hence, it is no wonder to see it as a popular weekend destination both among the locals and the tourists.

The peaceful and beautiful island is just three hours from Bangkok, and you can take a public bus or a private taxi from Bangkok to Koh Samet. Book your trip with a reliable tour operator so as to enjoy an excellent journey and higher comfort in a new vehicle.

Read on to find out what makes Koh Samet indeed a great destination for a family holiday.

  • If interested in staying at the most popular beach areas, look at Ao Vong Duen, Ao Phai, and Sai Kaew. For those families looking for a quieter place can go for Ao Phai and Ao Kiu.
  • There are both expensive resorts as well as budget hotels for the families. Tub Tim Resort, which is more like a little wooden chalet, is popular among families. It boasts of a large double bed, TV, private bathroom and a great view of the sea.
  • What makes Koh Samet much more fun is its clean beaches that offer a peaceful experience. It is a good idea to visit the island during the weekdays when there are fewer crowds. Koh Samet beaches offer a good mix of activities such as sailing, windsurfing, swimming, or simply relaxing on the beach.
  • Some of the most popular beaches to explore on the small island include names like Ao Prao Beach, Ao Kiu Na Nok, Ao Wai Beach, Ao Karang, Sai Kaew Beach, Ao Thian, Ao Wong Duean and more.
  • At night, the whole family can enjoy one of those enthralling fire shows and other exciting performances on the beach. Those live performances seem somewhat dangerous but are indeed thrilling and exciting to watch.
  • Enjoy great fun as well as excellent meals and drinks on the beaches. You can have some delicious breakfast of huge omelets, yummy pancakes, crisp toast, and watch the boats coming and going. In the evening, the restaurant and bar tables offer a great dinner at sunset, and the whole experience is indeed incredible. 

Some other areas of interest for the families:

  • Explore Nadan Pier and the surrounding areas for great accommodation options, international restaurants, and fantastic shopping time.
  • Visit Samet Town Centre for souvenir shops, restaurants, and bars, and you can undoubtedly find some of the cheapest accommodations in this area.
  • Another major area of activity on the island is the popular Haad Sai Kaew beach. It is a right choice for those looking for loads of fun and swimming and sunbathing. The countless beachside bars are always filled with large crowds.
  • The top snorkeling around Koh Samet is located at several beaches, and you can book a snorkeling day trip for the whole family to enjoy the island’s underwater life.
  • Although the water around Koh Samet is relatively shallow, there is still plenty to see around the island, and there are many schools for diving that offer training for both beginners and advanced divers.
  • Rayong Aquarium is a popular attraction among families with young children, and the aquarium indeed surprises its visitors pleasantly because of the immense variety of fish & other marine life e and the cheaper tickets.

Now that you have a good idea of what to do and explore on the beautiful island of Koh Samet, plan a trip and get ready to enjoy its major attractions, beautiful pristine beaches, and water activities.

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