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Summer’s around the corner. With any luck, you’ll soon be taking a trip with your family!

The only problem is that you have kids. And, because you’re around them on a regular basis, you already know that going on a long trip with them is going to be a bit of a troubling task.

How can you have a successful trip with the family? What if you want to travel internationally?

Without further ado, here are the top tips to help you travel with kids.

Leave Early

Think it will take 8 hours to get to your destination? Think again! Kids have a way of slowing things down, whether it be due to excessive bathroom breaks or backseat fights or otherwise.

As such, if you have to get somewhere at a specific time, you’re advised to leave quite a bit earlier than you otherwise would. A good rule of thumb is that, for every 4 hours of normal travel, add an extra hour for travel with kids. So, if the trip would normally take 12 hours to complete, expect it to take 15 hours with kids on board.

Travel at Night

While night travel isn’t ideal for everyone, it can make the act of traveling with kids much more convenient. Why? Because kids sleep at night and thus are much less likely to impair the typical driving itinerary.

Plan to depart an hour or two before your kids’ bedtimes. With any luck, they’ll soon be out like a light.

Keep Luggage to a Minimum

You just got out of the car after an 800-mile trip. You’re ready to carry your bags up to the hotel room . . . but you’ve got to get these kids up there as well. And because your kids are, well, kids, they’re not going to make it easy on you.

But do you know who could have? You! By keeping your luggage to a minimum, you could have greatly reduced the strain of getting your belongings (that includes your children) from point A to point B.

Pack only what you need and nothing more. Remember: you can always buy additional items once you’ve arrived.

Bring Snacks

Want to have to stop for food each time one of your kids gets hungry? We didn’t think so. For this reason, you need to bring along snacks if you’re on a road trip.

You don’t need anything elaborate; some fruit snacks or apples or cereal will suffice. The goal is to keep your children sated. Do that, and the show will stay on the literal road.

Engage in Some Physical Activity Before Leaving

Kids are wild, regardless of anything. But do you know what makes them extra wild? Lack of physical activity. When kids don’t engage in physical activity, their energy reserves build and they become borderline-insufferable to deal with.

For this reason, directly before leaving on your trip, you should take your kids to engage in a fun physical activity that will allow them to let off some steam.

Go to the park or hit the swimming pool.

If you’ve decided to travel internationally, let them have fun at a playground like Airzone Singapore or a local attraction. They’ll tire themselves out and you’ll have a peaceful, stress-free trip.

Now You’re Ready to Travel With Kids

Now that you’ve read this article, you’re ready to experience international travel with kids. As long as you follow the tips above, you should have a relatively even-keeled experience.

Looking for more tips? Our website has you covered. Check out our other articles now!

Natural stone countertops are very popular in kitchens throughout the country. There are hundreds of options in the type and color of the stone. Stone countertops are durable, beautiful, water-resistant, and generally affordable. Once installed, the countertops add value and beauty to your home. With all of these benefits in mind, it makes sense that homeowners would be sure to treat their new stone counters appropriately.

Proper Care and Maintenance for Marble

Marble requires a bit more care than other stone surfaces. The calcium carbonate makeup of the stone is vulnerable to acidic foods and cleansers, so pitting, stains, and cracks are a possibility. It’s important to wipe the marble down immediately when acidic foods and drinks are splashed on the surface. Some chefs lay protective sheets on the marble to protect it from these hazards. Once a week, marble should be wiped clean with a soft cloth or a damp cloth with a pH-neutral cleaner. From time to time, the countertops should be re-sealed, and a marble polishing powder may be used to remove minor stains or etching.

Easy Granite Maintenance

Available in many colors and patterns, granite countertops require less care and maintenance than marble, but much be treated with the right type of care. As with marble, spills should be wiped up immediately to avoid stains. A soft cloth is usually enough to clean a granite surface. Be careful when using dish soap because over time, it will leave a film that dulls the counter’s natural shine.

Simple Care for Quartz

Quartz countertops resemble granite, have a beautiful natural gloss, and don’t need to be polished. It is important to avoid using abrasive cleansers and quick changes of temperature to protect this natural stone surface. A soft cloth and clean, warm water are suitable for wiping the surface daily. If substances are stuck to the surface of the counter, use a plastic scraper to remove it. A degreaser/disinfectant cleaner can be used as needed.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning Natural Stone

There are some things that should be avoided no matter what type of stone countertops you have:

· Stone countertops can withstand the heat of pans straight from stovetop or oven, but it’s best to use a hot pad or trivet to protect the lasting beauty of the stone.

· Any acidic foods and liquids should be wiped up immediately. Some stones withstand these better than others, but all could experience some etching or stains if the acid is allowed to remain.

· Bleach should not be used to clean or disinfect stone surfaces. It quickly dulls the finish of the stone and may also stain or alter the natural coloring.

· Glass cleaners are designed to remove fingerprints, but they also dull the shine of natural stone surfaces.

· Any household cleaner with acids or alkalis are likely to remove bits of the stone at the surface, and they should be avoided. Otherwise, areas of etching will occur and repairing etched countertops requires grinding the surface and refinishing it.

Remember that most of the time, water and a soft cloth is sufficient for cleaning stone countertops.

A Bit of Extra Care for Lasting Beauty

There are many similarities in the various types of natural stone used in kitchens, and the proper cleaning of stone surfaces is much the same from one stone to the next. However, it’s important to know what type of stone you have. Manufacturer and installation professionals, such as those at Colonial Marble offer care guidelines that are specifically suited to the natural stone installed in your home.

Good quality stone products can provide beautiful durability for many years as long as you treat them appropriately. Once you learn the simple steps for daily care and long-term protection, you’ll be well on your way toward enjoying a beautiful kitchen for many years.

Your roof is much more than just the top of your home. It adds to the appearance of your home (in a good way or bad way, depending on its condition) but it also protects your home from rain, wind, snow, animals, sun, etc.

Unfortunately, roofs don’t last forever. Most roofs last between 15 and 20 years, depending on where you live, the weather conditions in your area, and the roofing material. If you find yourself in need of a new roof, you probably want to know the average cost of a roof replacement from a spring roofing contractor.

Before you start getting estimates, educate yourself on roofing materials, the cost, and what impacts that. Read on to learn more information about replacing your roof.

The Average Cost of a Roof Replacement Depends

The average cost of a roof replacement in the US depends on many different factors, including the type of roofing material, area of the country, size, pitch, and whether there are any special features, such as a chimney or skylight.

Before getting into pricing, it’s important to understand how roofing contractors estimate costs. Roofers charge homeowners per roofing square. Each roofing square is 100 square feet (10 feet by 10 feet). So a 2,000 square foot roof is broken into 20 squares.

Your roofer will give you a price per square. This price will include materials, labor costs, and removal and disposal of your old roof. Considering all of these factors, the average roof replacement cost is between $7800 and $11,000.

Roofing Materials

The bulk of the cost of your roof, about 60%, will come from the materials. In addition to your shingles, which we’ll talk about in more detail below, there are other materials necessary to replace your roof which you’ll pay for. These include:

Aluminum drip edge: this is installed near the roof’s edge and allows water to flow off the edge of the roof and away from your home.

Flashing: this is the metal that is installed under the siding and shingles where the vertical part of your home meets the horizontal part of the roof. This also helps water move freely toward the edge of your roof and away from your home. If you don’t have flashing, the water will sit on the roof and rot the wood over time.

Underlayment: is a felt paper that is between the wood and shingles. This gives you an extra layer of protection from water and severe weather. There are three main types of underlayment, including asphalt-saturated felt, synthetic underlayment, and rubberized asphalt underlayment.

Asphalt-saturated and synthetic are water-resistant and rubberized asphalt is waterproof. Synthetic underlayment is the preferred choice of most roofers today. If you have the funds, however, rubberized asphalt underlayment is the only one that gives you a truly waterproof layer.

Plywood: underneath the shingles and underlayment is plywood. If there are damaged areas, you may have to replace some or all of the wood on your roof with sheets of plywood.

Shingle Types

The biggest chunk of material costs will come from your shingles. While most homes in the US have asphalt shingles, they aren’t the only option out there. Some other shingle materials include tile, slate, and metal.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most common because they are the least expensive. There are two types: fiberglass and organic.

Fiberglass shingles are made of a fiberglass base mat and covered with a waterproof asphalt coating. The ceramic granules on the top of the shingles protect UV rays from damaging them.

Fiberglass shingles generally have a longer warranty than organic shingles and are safer in a fire. These are the shingles of choice for roofers installing asphalt shingles.

Organic shingles have a layer of felt paper that is saturated with asphalt to waterproof them. They are then coating with adhesive asphalt and then ceramic granules are embedded in them.

Because they have more asphalt than fiberglass shingles, they are heavier and more expensive. Not to mention, the higher asphalt content makes them not great for the environment compared to fiberglass shingles.

Asphalt shingles come in a variety of colors and are extremely durable, with most companies giving a 15 to 30-year warranty on your asphalt roof.

Tile

Tile roofs are extremely durable, lasting up to 100 years in some cases. You’ll pay a pretty penny for this durability though. Historically, most tile roofs are made of slate, fired clay, or terra cotta. Now, though, many roof tiles are made of molded and tinted concrete.

Tile roofs are common in areas that have extremely hot weather or are exposed to salt sea air, like coastal California and Florida and in the southwest, which experiences extreme heat.

Metal

Roofs made of metal are durable and unique. They come in many different colors and finishes and are designed to resist rust and corrosion. They are also low maintenance and last a long time—sometimes as long as 50 years if you properly maintain them.

Not only are they durable, but they are also energy efficient. They reflect the sun’s rays, which helps keep your home cool. They are also a good choice for areas that get

high winds, such as coastal areas at risk of hurricane damage, as they can withstand winds up to 120 mph.

Labor

The remaining costs for your roof replacement come from the labor costs. Labor costs will include the removal of the old roof as well as the installation of all of the materials for a new roof.

Disposal

You will also need to pay for the disposal of the materials that are removed from your roof. There are ways to recycle the materials, so check with your roofing contractor to see what they do with the shingles they remove.

Permits

Finally, your contractor will need to get a permit to replace your roof. Each county has different requirements and processes, but your contractor will likely be familiar with them and handle the application for you. This permit will cost a few hundred dollars.

Raise the Roof

Now that you have a little more insider knowledge about the average cost of a roof replacement, you can go into the estimate process educated about what to expect. Be sure to get all of your questions answered by your contractor before work begins.

If you found this article useful, be sure to check back often for new content.

When you’re thinking about getting home insurance, the first question that likely pops in your mind is, “how much should I insure my home for?” While more than 60 percent of homes typically don’t have enough coverage, the coverage amount isn’t the only thing you need to worry about.

If you’re like most homeowners, figuring out which questions you need to ask your insurance agent can be a bit confusing.

Your insurance agent can’t help you find the best coverage for your home if they don’t fully understand what your concerns are. Here’s what you need to ask them when shopping for coverage.

How Much Is My House and the Property Worth?

Unfortunately, the amount you paid for the house isn’t always what your house is truly worth. If you paid less than the house is worth, congratulations! You saved yourself a lot of money!

However, if you paid more than the house and property are truly worth, don’t despair.

Your home insurance policy covers the entire property and each structure on that property. The higher it’s valued at, the more insurance you’ll need.

Once you have that value in mind, you’ll need to think about how much it would cost to fully replace your home.

Look at the square footage of the house and consider current construction costs in your area. It’s always a good idea to buy enough insurance to fully cover the replacement cost of your property. Otherwise, the payment you receive from the insurance company may not be enough to help you rebuild.

What About the Items In My Home?

It’s your insurance agent’s job to help you get the coverage you need to fully protect your home. This means they should be able to guide you through the process from the very beginning.

However, you will need to do a little bit of leg work to make sure the coverage amounts they suggest are, in fact, what you need.

Start by performing an inventory of your home. Write down the estimated value of everything you keep inside.

This means clothes, electronics, kitchen supplies, appliances, and even the food in your pantry. If anything happens to your home, you need to have enough coverage to fully repair or replace those items without forcing you to dip into your personal savings.

What Disasters Does the Policy Cover?

Believe it or not, most standard home insurance doesn’t protect against every type of disaster. Instead, it provides general protection against the most common threats.

These typically include damage caused by hail, fire, wind, lightning, extreme cold, theft, and vandalism.

When getting a quote for coverage, make sure you understand exactly what the policy covers. If you have questions, ask the insurance provider or your insurance agent for clarification.

The more you understand the limits of your policy, the better you’ll be able to protect your home completely.

Do I Need Supplemental Policies?

Since standard home insurance doesn’t cover every possible threat, insurance providers often offer supplemental policies to round out your coverage. These policies get purchased in addition to your standard policy and only protect against very specific threats.

For example, if you’re worried about earthquakes in your area, you’ll need to invest in earthquake insurance. If you’re worried about floods, you’ll want to get flood insurance.

No matter what type of supplemental coverage you’re looking into, you’ll always want to shop around. Get quotes from each provider you speak with and compare their costs and the quality of their coverage with the other quotes you receive. If you’re not sure how much to spend, consider using something like a flood insurance cost calculator to help give you an idea of what your budget will be like.

What About Liability Coverage?

As a homeowner, you’re responsible for everything that happens on your property. This means that if a visitor or guest gets injured while at your house, you could end up having to pay for their medical treatments.

Worse, the injured person could try to sue you for additional damages.

Believe it or not, your home insurance policy will also protect you from most liability lawsuits. If you’re facing a liability lawsuit, the policy will help cover the cost of your legal fees and any settlement amounts you’re assessed up to the limits of your policy.

If you’re especially worried about your liability coverage, it may be worth investing in additional liability insurance with your insurance provider. They’ll be able to add it to your existing policy so you’ll always know you have enough insurance.

What If I Work From Home?

These days, more people are starting to work from home. If your work involves seeing clients or storing work-related equipment on your property, your home insurance might not be enough.

It’s always best to look into work-related insurance coverage to make sure you’re fully protected.

Discuss your concerns with your insurance agent and let them help you find the best coverage for your needs. This might mean additional liability protection, a business owner’s policy, or even just higher coverage limits for your home insurance plan.

The right answer is unique to your personal needs and only your insurance agent will be able to accurately assess how much coverage is best for your situation.

How Much Should I Insure My Home For?

Ultimately, your property’s insurance needs will depend on how much your house is worth, the cost to rebuild, and the types of policies you want to add to the standard coverage options.

The best thing you can do is speak with your insurance agent and discuss your options. They’ll be able to find the best insurance policies to give you the complete protection you need.

Get the Right Coverage for Your Home

Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer to the question, “how much should I insure my home for?” It will depend entirely on the value of your home and your personal insurance concerns.

If you’re ready to start looking at policies, begin online. Get quotes from multiple providers and take the time to compare them in detail and choose the policies you’re most comfortable with.

For more helpful tips on keeping your home safe, check out our latest posts!