Archives for 2019

You may be excited about moving into your new home or apartment but the process of getting there is stressful. There are a lot of things going on at once and it’s up to you to make sure nothing is forgotten. While most people remember things like finding a moving company, purging, and color-coordinated packing methods, there are some things that are overlooked. Neglecting these things, however, can make transitioning into your new place a bit more difficult.

What could you possibly be overlooking during a move? Here’s a list below:

Turning on Utilities

Unless you want to show up in your new house without any electricity or water, you need to remember to have your utility services shut on. Ideally, you can contact your utility provider in advance and schedule a day to have the services turned on. Try scheduling for a day or two before your actual move to leave room for error.

Forwarding Your Mail

Another step you don’t want to forget in a move is forwarding your mail. It can be very difficult to try to retrieve important items from a residence you no longer live in. You can save yourself the headache by reaching out to the United States Postal Service and letting them know of your forwarding address. This way, all packages, and mail are forwarded to your address until you’ve had time to notify the senders of the change.

Talking With the Kids

Whether you realize this or not moving can have a significant impact on your child’s mental health. This is especially true if you’re moving far away from their friends and family. Teenagers especially can have a hard time but often guard their feelings. As a parent, it is important to try and make this transition easier for them by talking to them. Discuss why you’re moving, talk about the perks of the neighborhood, allow them to say good-bye to those closest to them, and listen to what they have to say.

Preparing Your Pets

Your children aren’t the only ones who can have a hard time relocating. Dogs, particularly, are very territorial and can become anxious or even depressed when they’re moved beyond what they’re familiar with. Give your pet extra attention, be sure you’ve packed all their belongings, and once you’ve arrived at the new place, create a space that is special for your pet. If necessary, look into solutions for soothing symptoms of dog anxiety.

Setting Up Security

Movers are easy targets for suspicious characters looking to steal things. They pay attention to what you’re bringing into the home, watching your patterns, and looking for a way to access the property. You can safeguard yourself and your home against this issue by setting up security. Have a home security system installed in your home. You can also take precautions like moving at night or covering things of value so it’s not easy for those nearby to see what’s inside.

Packing an Overnight Bag

Unless you’ve paid for a luxury full-service moving company that will pack, unpack, arrange, and install everything during the move, there’s no way you’re going to get settled into your new place in a day. Do yourself a favor and pack a bag or box with things you and your family will need over the next few days. This should include clothes, shoes, underwear, toiletries, medications, pet products, and whatever else you’ll need. That way, you don’t have to tear up boxes and mess up your new place scrambling to find what you need.

Breathing

Just about everyone forgets this small bit of advice when moving – just breathe. Yes, there’s a lot going on, a lot to remember, and time isn’t on your side, but don’t overwhelm yourself. Anytime you feel yourself getting too overwhelmed with everything going on, stop, take a few deep breaths, and then continue with your day. It makes a world of difference. Using practical tips like decluttering, purging, using a checklist, and sticking to a moving plan can also help reduce your stress so you can breathe easy.

There’s so much going on during a move that it can be easy to forget about some of the things discussed above. However, imagine moving into your new place with no utilities, packages at your old place, children and pets struggling emotionally, zero protections in place, and stress up to your ears. As no one wants their fresh start to begin that way it’s ideal to make sure that you’ve covered the tasks accordingly.

Modern family life is complicated. Busy schedules and mounting responsibilities make it an increasingly challenging task for parents to keep a close eye on their children. Technology contributes to our more complex lifestyles, but it can also offer a solution. You can gain peace of mind by turning to a smart wireless alarm system to help keep tabs on your kids.

The hectic pace of life forces us to leave our kids on their own, or with child-care professionals, for large chunks of time. Don’t feel bad about making that decision, though. Statistics show it’s a common fact of contemporary parenting. Data reported by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry shows that about 40% of kids spend some time unsupervised.

Meanwhile, the lives of children have become more complex as well, creating a generation that’s harder to keep track of. Usually, we think of modern dangers coming from the Internet (like the 69% of teens who have been contacted by a stranger online and don’t tell their parents about it).

However, leaving kids alone brings up concerns about old-fashioned physical danger as well. Just like looking into your child’s Internet use, you have to make sure that they are safe and secure in the home, especially when you aren’t there to watch over them personally.

Smart alarms offer a solution. They allow you to monitor your house remotely, check in on your kids as needed, and feel secure that everything is going well – even when you are busy outside the home.

Here are some of the specific benefits you can get from a smart alarm system:

#1: Smartphone Access

You want to stay plugged into your kids’ activities, even when you have to be away. Luckily, we live in an age when remote access has become a regular feature of life.

Smart alarms connect directly with your smartphone. The feature allows you easy, convenient access to the system. In effect, the security system provides you with a constant connection to your kids through your phone.

#2: Access to Personalized Codes

In the old days, each alarm system had a single code. Every member of the family would enter the same password to arm and disarm the program, making it difficult to know who was doing what.

Modern smart alarms are much more finely-tuned. Each family member now gets a personalized code. You can track who logs in and when. It lets you know when your latch-key kid (or latch-code kid, as it more often is these days) has arrived home from school. The technology allows you to track, quickly and easily, if everyone is on schedule.

#3: Constant Video Monitoring

As kids grow, you want to give them increasing levels of responsibility, allowing them to develop a sense of independence. However, they’re still kids. You want to keep an eye on them as well. Video monitoring allows you to check in on your kids, without having to hover over them or intervene in every situation. You can make sure they are safe and secure, while still letting them nurture a feeling of self-reliance.

#4: Mobile Alerts

Even though you have a smart security system in place, you don’t plan to sit around, constantly watching a live video stream of your kids playing Fortnight. You’re out of the house for a reason. You just want to make sure nothing goes wrong.

Smart alarms offer mobile alerts, eliminating the need for constant monitoring. You can set these up to alert you of any change or security activity you select. You’ll know instantly if anything out of the ordinary takes place.

#5: Two-Way Audio/Video

All kids, no matter how old, want a cell phone. However, granting your kids access to a phone of their own isn’t always advisable. Meanwhile, it’s sometimes difficult to get them to answer, even when they have one.

Whatever the situation, you need a reliable way to communicate with your kids when you aren’t home, especially in an emergency. Smart alarm systems come equipped with two-way communication, allowing you to use the system for communication, in situations where your kids don’t have access to a phone.

#6: Video Doorbell

Safety isn’t just about what goes on inside the house. You have to keep track of the area around your home as well. Meanwhile, it’s imperative to know who’s coming to the door, and to protect your kids against unwanted visitors.

A video doorbell lets you know everyone who comes to your door while you are out. It also offers two-way communication with any visitor, letting you interact with any strangers (through your smartphone). That way, they won’t be able to speak directly with your kids inside.

#7: Home Automation

Smart house alarms systems also let you plug into other household features. Turn lights on and off remotely, change the temperature settings, or lock or unlock the doors.

It gives you some control over your kids’ environment. It also prevents them from accidently causing trouble by making unwanted changes to these aspects of your home.

#8: Increased Security Features

Of course, a smart alarm system doesn’t just keep tabs on your kids. It also protects them while they are in your house.

Children alone in a house can act as an invitation to thieves and other intruders. A smart alarm’s first role is as a security system. It can keep your kids safe from potential outside threats while you’re away.

#9: Easy to Alert Authorities

Imagine your kids find themselves in a dangerous situation while you were out of the house. All the monitoring in the world wouldn’t help. You’d know about the problem, but would be left powerless to intervene.

Smart alarms solve this problem as well. Not only can you keep track of what your kids are doing, you can intervene quickly to keep them safe. The technology allows for instant alerting of authorities if a dangerous situation develops. Police, ambulance, and fire officials can be dispatched within moments.

Author Bio: Heather Cowart is the Brand Manager for Brinks Home Security systems, where she specializes in a deep understanding of smart-home products and thoughtful design. She is passionate about developing personal customer experiences and educating about home security.

Custom t-shirts are all the rave in the last few years. From basketball t-shirts, to football t-shirts, family reunion products, anime items and so on; there are lots of different motifs to choose from.

Although some people love them, there are also a lot of those who don’t know anything about custom items. Some people are late adopters and while they love fashion, they still haven’t decided to try one of these products.

No matter what you think about custom clothing, they are a whole new world to explore. These products are wild, innovative and they let you loose. Here are some of the main things you have to know about them.

You don’t have to be an artist to create one

Most people think that you need some special drawing skills in order to create a custom printed t-shirt. Wrong!

There are lots of images you can download straight from the internet and use for this purpose. Keep in mind that there is a vast numerous of incredible themes online and no matter what type of a thing you’re into, there will be some cool stuff you can use for your t-shirt.

The process is very simple: just browse a certain topic, find the appropriate pic and save it. Send the image (or the web address) to a t-shirt printing company (Mato & Hash Custom T-Shirts are great for those who are looking for a diverse color range) and they will take it from there. There won’t be anything to fret about as these guys have a lot of similar orders and they know precisely what to do. In return, you will get an amazing printed clothing item that you can show off around.

Of course, there is also an option of drawing your own picture. This is especially great for all those who want to showcase their skills or simply have something different in mind. Needless to say, this is completely different from your traditional, default products that you can find in shops.

Don’t be too hasty

People tend to be hasty or overwhelmed by these items.

Given that there are so many options at our disposal, sometimes it is hard to find the right one. People want to create a custom t-shirt but perhaps they haven’t figured out what kind of an image they want to use. Sometimes they will use a certain theme only to discover they don’t like it after buying the product.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you’re doing this for the process itself; not necessarily the t-shirt. Creating custom item is a journey by itself so it should be a pleasant experience. Don’t think too much about but instead give yourself some time. Also, don’t get ahead of yourself with intricate designs but go with an image that will work for you creating something that you’ll wear for years to come.

Consider the size and the sex

While custom clothing companies give you a lot of options, you will have to be attentive in terms of the size and sex. As they don’t know who’s buying the shirt (and for whom they are buying it), they won’t know if this is for a man or a woman. As such, you might receive an item that doesn’t suit you.

The same goes for size. It is something you need to mention beforehand. If there is no such option on a particular site, you need to abandon shopping no matter what. We don’t have to tell you how important the size is so if you can’t choose a product that is proper for your body, you will just get something that you will need to return.

The people who raised you now need your help. They’re getting older and, unfortunately, aren’t able to do as much for themselves as they used to. After careful consideration, you decided that rather than putting them in a nursing home, you’d rather them move in with you. As you make this transition, you’ll need to take measures to keep your sanity and maintain some structure and order in your household. Below are a few suggestions on how to do this:

Talk Before the Move

Prior to moving your parents into the house, you should most certainly have a discussion with them. Explain how your house operates and what your expectations are from them. Ask about any concerns they may have or things they’ll need to feel more at home in your place. This way, they understand that you’re trying to help but that you have a certain order you’d like to try and keep.

Give Mom and Dad Their Own Space

If your house is large enough it is best to designate an area specifically for your aging parents. Having them in the midst of everything can get a bit stressful at times especially if you have children to care for as well. Since mobility issues can be a problem, it is ideal to give your parents the basement or a bedroom located downstairs. This way, they still have some sense of freedom and independence.

When creating the space for mom and dad it is important that it is safe. This means removing any loose carpeting from the floors that they could trip on, installing grab bars and railings to make getting up and down or using the restroom easier, and repairing anything that’s damaged in their space that could cause injury.

Technology is Your Friend

If you thought your life was stressful before, things tend to get a bit more stressful when your parents move in. There’s so much they need help with and it can get overwhelming. To try and cut down on some of the stress, make technology your best friend. You can get your parents a health monitor with an alert system that automatically contacts the authorities if something is wrong. You can also sign them up for an online doctor so they can have regular visits and get online prescriptions without you having to find the time in your day to get it all done.

Get Help From Family

Lighten your load with mom and dad by asking other relatives to pitch in with their care. Whether you ask older children or your spouse or you have siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles you can talk to, you will need help. You can create a schedule or routine where each family member chips in to do something. When you have others working with you to support your parents the stress is a lot easier to deal with.

Consider a Home Health Aide

Though you’ve moved your parents in with you, there are a lot of things they may need that you simply don’t have the time, resources, or know-how to complete on your own. To give yourself a break and to get your parents the best care possible, it may be ideal for you to consider a home health aide. These are trained medical professionals that can come to your house on a full or part-time basis to care for your parents. They can do everything from help them get bathed and dressed to checking their vitals and dispensing their medications.

Look Into Programs for Seniors

Believe it or not, there is a lot of help out there for seniors and their families. Look into public and private programs offered in your area. There are meal delivery programs that will deliver hot meals to seniors on a daily basis to ensure they’re getting the proper nutrition. There are transportation programs that will get your parents to medical appointments and other errands they may need to run. There are also community centers that have social programs where seniors can congregate, play games, eat food, and socialize with others which is great for their mental health (and gives you a bit of a break).

Moving aging parents into your home is a huge transition the entire family will need to get used to. At times, it can even get really stressful. To try and make this transition an easy one, utilize the suggestions described above. They’ll relieve the stress while also ensuring that your parents get everything they need to live out their golden years comfortably.

Back to school is an exciting time, whether your kids are going into Kindergarten, 3rd Grade, High School or even College. It’s time for a fresh start, and of course, the related bills: school fees, school supplies, books, clothes, sports equipment, and technology. These are just a few of the absolute necessities that your kids expect you to provide.

If you’re a family looking to stick to a strict budget, here are some useful tips to help ease the financial stress and strain of this time of year.

Talk About Budgeting

Talk to your kids honestly about money by giving them age appropriate information about your family’s finances. Don’t make them feel guilty or worried, emphasize that their education is one of your highest priorities. You’ll be surprised how well kids can handle being included in family budgeting decisions. This will also help when you are forced to say “No”.

Pre-owned is Cool

Buy second hand where you can. This especially applies to clothing and books. Many textbooks may be available for loan or used from former students at your school’s bookstore. Downloading an e-book version can also be a way to save money. Check this out before buying weighty tomes that may only be used once or twice.

Be a Squirrel

Don’t wait until last minute to purchase school supplies. Look for specials throughout the year and stock up on bargain school supplies when you find them. Keep your eye out for sales on running shoes and other necessities like gym clothes, socks and underwear. This way you won’t be stuck buying the last pair of size 6 sneakers that are twice the price you were hoping to pay. Tuck them away in a box in the back of a closet, and they’ll be ready for back to school time.

Buy in Bulk

Buy in bulk and share costs with a pool of friends or parents whose kids attend the same school or class. You won’t be the only person trying to stay on budget. Sharing the expense of giant packs of pencils, erasers, notebooks and pens is likely to offer big savings to every parent.

Encourage Contributions

Motivate your kids to save part of their allowance or money they earn from doing odd jobs to contribute towards their own back to school expenses. If they want to buy specific brand name clothing or accessories that might not be part of your list of necessities, why not encourage them to chip in? This will teach them to assess the value of something versus the amount paid, a good habit for later on in life.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help

If you need a little more help to get you over the bump, ask Grandparents, Godparents, and other family members to pitch in and help with bigger items like laptops, sports uniforms or school fees. If this isn’t an option for you, you may want to consider a fast-online loan from a reputable lender. Get your money the same day and pay it back over a period of 90 day. This is a real benefit for busy parents.

At the end of the day, back to school doesn’t need to be stressful. Take your time, shop around, and try one or many of the tips listed above to help you stay on track financially.