Archives for 2020

Don’t Lose It When It Comes To Your Lifestyle: The Easy Changes And Savings You Can Make

Our financial situation can have much to do with our lifestyles. There is no hiding from the fact that money helps us to be able to do the things we want to do in life. Buy those shoes, go on vacation, or spend time on the weekends enjoying being sociable. However, our finances can also hinder our chances to do that, if not managed correctly. 

When it comes to our financial situation it can often be a tricky road to navigate, but at this time of year especially it can become more of a focus. That is because we want to start planning for the year ahead, make savings where possible and also make some significant changes that we feel will have a positive effect on our lifestyles and how we feel. So what can we do to help that? With that in mind, here are some of the ways that you can remain in control of your financial situation, and therefore help you to make the most of it.

Image source – Pixabay – CC0 License 

Make wise decisions when it comes to necessary purchases

Sometimes we have to spend money, and this can be when we least expect it. Of course, with some big purchases they can be a little more considered, such as a house purchase which takes time and careful planning. Your car, for example, can be a big purchase you have to make when you don’t plan to, especially if your car is getting a little older. When it comes to spending large sums of money, you need to think about how you might pay for the items. A house deposit may be made up of savings, so this is when you need to be aware that once that money is spent in your home you lose that comfort and nest egg. A car purchase can be where you take a different approach to your spend, it might be that you choose to have a monthly spend and take advantage of a lease of hire purchase agreement or it could be that you use savings or a bank loan to help pay for it. The difference is that you can often plan for the big purchases, so make sure you consider all of the options. The next thing you need to think about is monthly budgets or overall costs, and also planning where possible to make savings to help with these situations. 

Switch up your mobile phone and tablet costs

Another cost that we don’t consider as being expensive but can be if we are outside of contract or haven’t got the best deal is our mobile phones and tablet costs. Many of us will have a monthly cost associated with the SIM cards that we use. It could be that you pay monthly for a line rental and extra benefits along with the latest phone, or the fact that you use a tablet out and about and need the GPS element so a SIM card is necessary. This is when you may want to look at things such as a mobile or Smarty tablet SIM to help keep those costs down. Often searching out a different deal can help you to make the most of what your monthly spend and also reduce the overall costs. This could be one area you see a surprise saving and could make a big difference to your disposable income or savings pots. 

Think about your household bills and how you can make savings

When it comes to your household costs we all have bills that we need to pay each month. This might be your mortgage or rental payment. It could be things such as energy bills, insurance, mobile phones which we have mentioned or even other items like TV subscriptions and broadband. So what can you do to ensure that you make the most of the costs and only pay what is necessary? By regularly checking that you have the best deal. Many companies like energy or insurance providers tend to save their better deals for new customers and do not repay loyalty like you might assume. A great tip would be to look at the costs you pay and use comparison sites to see if you are getting a good deal. Making the switch is easier than you think and most of the time the new companies handle all of the details for you. This could help you to only payout what is necessary when it comes to your outgoings, helping you to make a big saving each month. 

Cindy Karen Leggings Review


As a mom, I love to have clothes that are comfortable, yet fashionable. Even though leggings and yoga pants have been popular for several years, I honestly never got in to wearing them until after my son was born. (Before that, I think I saw them as something just for kids and teens.)  After my son was born, I changed my mind; for one thing, I realized a lot of successful people I look up to on blogs, Instagram, etc were wearing them.  And secondly, after losing my pregnancy weight, I think I actually realized how truly skinny I am and that leggings and yoga pants actually look good on. (This is something my husband has been trying to convince me of for years.)

Today I am reviewing some faux leather leggings from Cindy Karen.  The brand has fabulous tops, pants, jackets, and dresses for today’s business woman.  If you’re in sales and need the perfect outfit for your business luncheon or a blogger looking for something nice to wear to your next blogger conference, this is a great brand to consider! [Read more…]

Friday Favorites Linky Party Week 516

 

 

 

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet HomeTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Lisa at Condo BluesTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small ThingsPin

Penny at Penny’s PassionTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Jennifer at Busy Being JenniferTwitter | FB | Pin | Inst

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

 

 

 

 

 

You can show your love for this week’s favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week’s favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week’s linky party! [Read more…]

Coping With Downtime: How You Can Make The Home Great

Downtime happens. Whether you’re ill, out of work or just taking an extended period of time to yourself. It’s what you do with the downtime that’s important. Sure, you’ll start it out lazily. Taking time for yourself. Focusing on some hobbies. But you’ll soon be bored. This is especially the case if you used to be a workaholic or had a particularly stressful job. Aside from going on an incredibly long vacation, what else is there to take your mind off the boredom? One of the best things you can do is reinvest your time into your home. Make it a better place to be for you and your family. Spend some time doing what you’ve wanted done for such a long time. There are a number of angles you can take. Here are some ideas to get you started. You might not need any of them done, but they can give you a few ideas and get the ball rolling. Best of luck!

Clear The Gutters

It’s not the nicest of jobs, but clearing the gutters can ensure you don’t get any nastier problems down the line. Besides, there’s never been a better time to do it than right before the rainy season. Remember, if you’re off work with an injury, you don’t want to be doing anything strenuous, instead put your feet up and consider Rosenfeld personal injury. If you can get to your gutters, then it will mean the excess water can flow more freely and eliminate the risk of any build ups. Blockages can cause further problems like damp or water coming through the walls. 

54313023 – close up of professional workman hand holding dirty paintroller

Fresh Paint Job

If you don’t fancy getting up on the ladders outside in winter then why not do it inside? A fresh lick of paint can do the world of good. Whether you want a new colour or go for something new you can break it down into whatever kind of job you want. Just the one room? Then it should only take a couple of days. If you wanted a bit of a bigger project then do the whole ground floor or even the whole house. Touching up is a great way to make the house feel fresh for the spring and summer, and what better time to do it than when you’ve got some downtime. If the weather holds up, you can take this outside too. Consider giving your home a fresh coat of paint on the outside. This can be a little harder, so be careful and make sure you know what you’re doing with the ladders and such. If it’s just touching up, you shouldn’t have a problem.

Change Things Around

Living room getting a little dull? Don’t have the money or time to pick out new furniture? Think about a little Feng Sui. Sometimes moving things around can have the effect of a whole new room. Change the focal point. Move the TV and the sofas. If you couple this with a new paint job it’ll be a brand new room. The same with the bedroom. Move the bed to another wall. Change the wardrobes around. Even the smallest changes can have the biggest effects. Experiment and see what you can put together.

What To Do When Your Garbage Disposal Is Broken?

Food particles, foreign objects, soap, or grease, tend to be the primary culprits for clogged and jammed disposal units. Blockages can also occur if you do not perform routine checkups and maintenance. Pipes can also get rusty or eroded over time. This causes leaks and foul smells, and you may have to replace them.

It can be annoying to see your disposer broken when you are running out of time. Dealing with clogging, humming sound, leaking, bad smell, or poor drainage in your garbage disposal in your home or workplace can be a nightmare. You can troubleshoot some minor issues by yourself, and if it is beyond you, a professional can always help.

Here are some ways to help you fix your broken garbage disposal.

1)            Call a Technician

You cannot solve all plumbing problems with DIY techniques, and in such times, you can call in a plumber. It is a good idea to have a reliable plumbing company such as NexGen HVAC & Plumbing that can answer your distress call any time of day. There is no appropriate time that your garbage disposal can break, and as such, having a plumber who is a call away is always welcome.

You can have repairs done to your water and gas pipes when they are leaking, draining slowly, or the taps are rusty. Leaking can be tricky if you are not a professional, as you may not know where the problem is coming from. A professional will help detect the problem area, perform quality repairs, and seal the faulty pipes.

An expert in plumbing can help repair your broken garbage disposal. Fixing issues to do with power, blade, or clogging can put your disposer back to normal function. It may help to call a technician before the problem gets worse.

2)            Check Your Power Supply

Sometimes your garbage disposer may stop running not necessarily as a fault of its own but due to power supply. You can first identify if it is well by ensuring the reset button is functioning and using the service wrench that comes with the disposer. If you try turning and it gets harder, then there’s jamming.

3)            Deal With Leaks

Leaking is a nuisance and can cause water wastage, foul smell, and dampness that can be a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and mildew in your kitchen. To avoid further damage, fix leaks as soon as you notice them. Dripping sound, a damp cabinet, or a foul smell from under the sink are signs that you are your disposer is leaking.

You can place a bucket under the sink for it to collect the dripping water. You can then unplug the unit, pour water in the sink, and inspect where the leaks are. If the leaking is from the disposal unit and specifically from the top, it may most likely be due to the worn putty. If it is at the bottom, you may have to replace the unit since the cost of repair may be too high. If the leaks are from the sides, you may either have the rubber gasket replaced or use a screwdriver and tighten the connecting metal clamp and the main drain line.

You may not find the technical checkups amusing, and you may have to call in a plumber. However, you can prevent the leaks from occurring in the future after repairing the unit or after buying one. When food particles are going down the drain, ensure there is plenty of running water to push it and avoid it sticking. It may help to be conversant with what you put down the drain and what not to. Also, conducting regular checkups for possible leaks and cracks may help.

4)            Fix Humming Sound

You may notice a humming noise coming from the disposer, and it is a sign there is a problem. Mostly the humming will start if there is clogging or jamming in the motor, and it may stop grinding as a result. Food particles or foreign objects can cause this as they stick between the draining hole and the impeller blade.

To remedy this, unplug the disposal unit from the power supply and check for what is jamming it. You can then use tongs to get rid of the objects sticking in the disposer, and it will resume functioning without the sound.

You can also look under the sink and use the wrench to turn the flywheel. It will help clear the particles causing jamming in the unit. If, after turning the power on, the humming continues, then you may need to have it checked by a plumber.

Top 4 Family Vacation Ideas

A vacation allows families to spend lots of quality time together, enjoy fun new experiences, and learn about different cultures around the world. However, while planning a family vacation is an exciting time, it can also be stressful — particularly if you’re traveling with young children or it’s your first trip abroad.

With so many exciting destinations around the world, it can be difficult to choose a destination that will be family-friendly and enjoyable for everyone. To help you plan the perfect trip, you may want to take a look at Cebu tour packages. Here are four of my top family vacation ideas.

1. Rent a Motorhome

Renting a motorhome and going on a road trip can be an incredible way to explore a new country or location. A motorhome gives you the ultimate freedom to go where you want and travel at a pace that suits your family. There are many different exciting road trip routes to choose from in the US and further afield, so you’re sure to find a trip that everyone will enjoy.

Motorhomes offer far more space and comfort, which means you don’t need to worry about fitting your luggage or personal belongings into the vehicle. Many motorhomes also come equipped with beds, a kitchen, and a bathroom, so your vehicle will be self-sufficient for the entire trip. This means you don’t need to spend lots of time searching for family-friendly accommodation or planning multiple toilet stops along the way.

If you’re going on a family road trip, then try to make your plans in advance to keep your trip stress-free. Booking RV rentals in advance will allow you to take advantage of the best deals and maximize your vacation budget, so try to get this booked as early as possible.

2. Go on a Safari

A safari can be the ultimate adventure vacation, especially for families who love wildlife and enjoy spending time outdoors. You can book safaris in many different countries around the world, although Africa is considered the premium destination for them. An African safari will allow you to see an impressive variety of wildlife up close as well as some stunning landscapes. You also have a chance to see Africa’s big five — lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and buffalo — if you’re lucky.

Many companies now offer family-friendly safaris with excellent facilities such as family lodges, children’s entertainment, and equipment like changing tables and high chairs. You can also easily combine a safari vacation with some time at one of Africa’s picturesque beachside resorts. For example, many families choose to do a safari in Tanzania, followed by a week on the nearby beautiful tropical island of Zanzibar.

3. Book a Cruise

Cruises are a great option for families as they provide a huge variety of exciting activities to keep all ages entertained. The best part of a cruise is that you will have the opportunity to visit lots of exciting new places and attractions, without the stress of arranging travel between destinations.  All you have to do is arrange for  Cruise Parking and you are all set.

Another great benefit of cruises is that they are usually all-inclusive, which means your food, drink, and entertainment are included in the package price. Booking an all-inclusive vacation should save you money in the long-run as you will know the total cost of your trip beforehand and you won’t need to worry about budgeting once you arrive at your destination.

According to cruisecritic.com, some of the most popular cruise lines among families include Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Lines, and Princess Cruises. These operators offer modern ships with an impressive range of facilities including multiple restaurants and bars, outdoor and indoor pools, games rooms, kids’ clubs, and fully-equipped gyms.

4. Visit Disney World

Disney World is a notably popular destination and can offer a truly magical experience for the whole family as it offers something for everyone. There are exhilarating adrenaline rides for older children and smaller rides and attractions suitable for younger family members. You can also find an impressive variety of other fun activities in the parks including parades, games arcades, water parks, animal safaris, and many more.

Disney World also has a variety of hotels and other accommodation which allows you to stay in the park or nearby. Many of the rooms are designed in a fun Disney theme to give your family a unique and memorable stay. If you are planning a trip to Disney World, then you may want to consider purchasing fast-track tickets in advance. These allow you to skip the lines at most of the park’s main attractions which should greatly improve your family’s experience on vacation.

Building a Dream: From Plans to Reality

Are you looking to update your home interior, maybe remodel your kitchen, bathroom or general living space? Whether making renovations or building your home, it is important to find a good general contractor that works for you. This task may seem daunting, but when armed with the correct information, any new homeowner or property manager can find the contractor that will be a perfect fit.

If you are a homeowner looking for a return on investment, then absolutely, yes, renovating your home will add to your property value. Ensure that you research the housing market in your area before you begin though because some projects may put your property value over what is normal for your area. If your home is already edging near the top in terms of value, that $40,000 project might put your house $20,000 over, meaning that’s $20,000 you’ll never see back, as explained by Forbes.

Planning and organization

Before you can find a contractor to build your project, you must first figure out what it is that you are wanting to change in your home and on what budget. Some hardware stores have catalogs that show some options and can even hook you up with a contractor that works through them. Regardless of how you go about picking your project, ensure that you have organized and planned your monetary expenses appropriately or you may have a half-finished project sitting in your home. For more inspiration on renovation ideas, check out these sliding dual barn doors which may add just the right doorway to your new master bathroom or bedroom.

After you have decided what you are building, there are a series of questions that you should ask potential contractors before you move them to the quoting and paperwork phase of your project. Think of it very much as a job interview; the contractor that you pick will be the individual building your dream, so you’ll want to be able to trust them to do it right. It is absolutely acceptable to not just pick anybody. Here are some of the questions that you’ll want to be asking during this step:

What is your experience relevant to this job?

You wouldn’t hire a plumber to run your electricity, and, likewise, you’ll want to ensure that the contractor that you hire will have relevant experience and appropriate training applicable to the job that you are hiring for. Completely rebuilding your kitchen? Ask your carpenter how much time doing this work he has had. You’ll want to hear answers along the lines of, “I have done this many times before,” and also that it has been done successfully. Also, take some personal initiative and look for customer reviews and documented work. The level of craftsmanship you see is often what you get.

Licensed?

Being licensed is completely separate from being insured as a contractor, and these things are both very important. A licensed contractor is a contractor that has proven to his or her state of residence that they are proficient in their trade as an independent contractor and are authorized to do that kind of work. Some cities will impose a fine on you or the contractor for having work done without the proper licensing, so ensure that he is current.

Insured?

Generally, independent contractors are required to have minimal basic liability insurance that covers property damage in order to legally work. Some contractors, especially well established contracting companies, will have more expansive insurance to cover everything from top-down in a worksite. Contractors with insurance policies like this might price a little higher to reflect the cost incurred by maintaining full coverage insurance, but the coverage can be worth it on high dollar value jobs. People who contract under the table may run much cheaper, but it is often rare that they are licensed or even insured.

Ultimately, it is up to the homeowner to decide what price they’d be willing to pay for a contractor. The most important takeaway should be that you get what you pay for when it comes to contractors, and that often homeowners run a risk going to cheaper under the table contractor options. If you feel that you may be better off doing it yourself and don’t have any major home renovation plans, check out some DIY home tips that are budget-friendly and simple

How do “normal” people become addicted to prescription drugs?

Everyone says, “It won’t happen to me.” But the truth is that “normal” everyday people become addicted to prescription drugs every single day and have to look for drug and alcohol treatment services. In 2018, there were 4,359 deaths from prescription drugs in the UK alone. At one point, every one of those people was “normal” in the sense that they were mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, friends, and coworkers. They never said, “I want to be a drug addict when I grow up.” But it happened.  

Several prescription medications have addictive properties 

All medicines have the potential for dependence. The most dangerous prescription drugs can cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking them. This is possible and happens often, especially with prescription pain medications. The withdrawal alone can cause a person to stay on the medication longer than necessary. These can include a return of the original symptoms (pain, anxiety, inattentiveness, and restless nights) and physical symptoms from not having the medication in your body. Withdrawal indications can include nausea, stomach pains, diarrhea, problems sleeping, excessive sweating, and flu-like feelings. Dependence can even happen and happens under a doctor’s care. 

Prescriptions that are commonly abused include, 

  • Benzodiazepines (for panic, anxiety, and OCD symptoms)
  • Ritalin and other ADD and ADHD medications (for focus)
  • Codeine (for pain)
  • Opioids (pain and post-surgical discomfort)
  • Gabapentinoids (nerve pain)
  • Zopiclone (Sleep disorders)

Most patients start taking these medications for positive reasons, such as ending the control that pain, anxiety, lack of focus, and sleep disorders have on their lives. Unfortunately, dependence on the drugs takes control, rather than the person. 

Chronic pain patients often need to increase their dosage 

You can go through several years on the same anxiety and panic medications without increasing the dose. However, benzodiazepines don’t work the same as other pain treatments. Patients with pain conditions, such as arthritis or degenerative disc disease, often need their dosage increased as the body becomes accustomed to the dose. This means that to get the same relief, they need to take more. 

With opioids, the higher the dose, the more your chances of developing dependence increase. Additionally, upping the dosage also puts patients at a higher risk of overdosing. Doctors prescribing high doses of opioids are often walking a thin line trying to control pain and prevent dependence and overdoses. 

Normalization of prescription drug “safety” 

Until the past few years, doctors and medical professionals regularly handed out prescription medications for anxiety, muscle pain, ADHD, and other common ailments. Patients with anxiety issues are more likely to ask their general practitioner for anxiety medication during troubling times and not seek counseling to get to the root of the cause. Additionally, patients with muscle pains prefer a quick fix in the form of a pill, when the best treatments for minor injuries involve resting, stretching, elevating, and icing. 

Self-medicating Pitfalls 

They tell you to always safely dispose of medications after you stop needing them or when they expire. But people keep these in their medicine cabinet for a few reasons,

  • Why throw away good medication?
  • What if I need that later?
  • If I leave it, I might be able to use it the next time I’m hurting physically or emotionally

Unfortunately, several problems can arise here. The first is self-medicating, which is a common occurrence. For example, you’ve pulled a muscle in your back at work, in the yard, or during your daily workout. Instead of taking the time to contact a physician and schedule an exam, it’s easier to pop a few of the painkillers your doctor prescribed after your hernia surgery last year. 

This does circle back to the normalization of prescription medications. It didn’t occur to you that it wasn’t okay to take the same dose for your back pain as you would for recovering from painful surgery. The next time this happens, you’re more likely to react the same. Another problem with this self-diagnosis technique is you could have serious injuries that a doctor needs to examine, and by self-medicating with pain drugs, you may be worsening the original injury. 

People tend to think of heroin, cocaine, cannabis, and meth when they think of drug addiction. However, addiction takes root through many drugs with addictive properties, which includes several legal medications prescribed by physicians. Yes, many addicts were aware of their actions, and that taking the drugs would lead to legal and health problems. But a large number of patients are dealing with addiction on top of other health concerns, including chronic pain, anxiety, and the inability to focus. 

Friday Favorites Linky Party Week 515

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet HomeTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Lisa at Condo BluesTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Amy at A Day of Small ThingsPin

Penny at Penny’s PassionTwitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst

Jennifer at Busy Being JenniferTwitter | FB | Pin | Inst

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

You can show your love for this week’s favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week’s favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week’s linky party! [Read more…]

happiness is… Clothing Review

I love shirts with words and sayings on them!  I recently got a new sweatshirt from happiness is…

They offer cute sweatshirts and t-shirts for men, women, and kids that say things like, “happiness is…morning coffee, “happiness is…family,” and “happiness is…the beach.”  There is a great assortment of shirts, and a an especially good selection for those who love the outdoors! [Read more…]