How can we make our older parents feel happy?

September 3, 2020 by 1 Comment

Old age can be the worst part of anyone’s life if they have no one to take care of them. If someone wants his parents to live longer, he must stay devoted to his parents’ mental health. Many times, teenagers and adults find it difficult to please their parents, but entertaining your parent is not hard. You only need to engage them in some productive activities. 

Mothers are easy to please, but fathers are a bit different. Especially those who have just retired from their job. It is not unnatural or strange; if anyone is asked to stay home after a long period, it will irritate him.

Do not forget to call them.

People feel insecure once they get old, to make them feel empowered, just like they did to make you strong; you should call them regularly. Especially if you have a mother, do not skip a day; even a 10-minute call can make her day. Staying away and unconcerned can break their heart, as no parent expects such an aloof behavior from their beloved child.

Empathize with them 

Think like a friend; you are now a grown-up. Being an adult, you can easily understand the problems and issues your parents must be facing. Do not try to force them to stay happy and positive; aging is a series of several losses, so negativity is a natural phenomenon.  

Plan the parties for them

Just like your kid, your parents also need to feel special once in a while. You can plan a retirement party and send the retirement party invites to your parents’ house to give them a surprise or plan your father’s 60th birthday. 

The same goes for the birthday, design a wonderful birthday invitation with a photograph of your parent when he was young, or you can simply pick up from the trending 60th birthday invites . Whatever you do, make sure that the invitation must go like a surprise; surprises can make them happy.   

Show them the world 

Do not let them feel as if they are useless and cannot understand the new world. Take them with you when you are out to explore some new things. Do not forget that they were the ones who taught you everything. 

Say, if your parents are not aware of social media, you must tell them what it is and how they can engage with it and politely teach them so that they may not feel left out. It will create a sense of reliability and self-confidence in them.

Help them find their potential 

Ask your parents what they wanted to become, say if someone’s parents wanted to become a swimmer, then you must admit them to a swimming school. Tell them that it is never too late. They can still explore their potentials, and it is the right time to fulfill their dreams. Always think that they left their ambitions only because they wanted you to succeed in life, and their old age is the time to repay.  

Let them join clubs 

Ask them to stay social and active, not be a bossy or authoritarian person; instead, tell them the benefits of joining certain groups. Show them some impressive examples and let them understand the effects. 

Plan the get-togethers

Most parents tend to leave their friends because they are unable to find time for the social circle. Now, when you are settled, and your parents are free, it is the perfect time to reconnect with their friends. You can organize meetings and surprise parties for your parents and invite all their friends. This way, they will meet the old people who will ultimately make them feel young at heart.

Do not discuss petty matters.

If you want your parents to stay healthy, do not share things that can stress them out. Only share those incidents that are serious, and you need their guidance to sort out the matter.

Help them deal with any pain

Older parents are prone to all sorts of chronically painful issues throughout the body. Typically, they suffer from arthritis – particularly in joints like the shoulders and hips. So, you can make them feel a lot happier if you help them deal and cope with these pains. Try to find out what is the best treatment for arthritis in the shoulder, hips, wrists, neck – wherever the pain may be! If you can come to them with solutions or ideas to ease the pain, it will make their lives so much better. They can do more things, feel more independent, and might become more active.

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Know the benefits offered by small group tour packages

September 2, 2020 by Leave a Comment

When you want to travel around the world with comfort, convenience and enjoyment then you should consider opting for small group tour packages. This is the most popular option among travelers who are looking for an extremely intimate experience with the local lifestyles and cultures. You will be able to visit the iconic landmarks, authentic restaurants and get to see everything related to the locals for a memorable traveling experience. As there are fewer people, about 20-25 people in this small group tour, you will be able to socialize with the other people easily and comfortably. Interacting with the local people will also become easier as you will have informal communication with the fellow travelers so that you will get to explore the local traditions, crafts and authentic settings of the place. Additionally, small groups have more access to the different places, restaurants and transportation which might not be possible with independent travel. Smaller groups will have less environmental impact during their trip because the resources will be used with careful consideration while offering many benefits to each traveler in the group.

There are many benefits offered by small group tour packages and the most important benefit is that you will be able to indulge in every adventure that you have dreamt of and see things that you always wanted, which you don’t be able to do when you travel solo. Large groups are also not feasible because you might not get the desired level of freedom and benefits that you are looking for. But with smaller groups, you can be rest assured that the itineraries’ will be designed for offering you the best and most memorable experience of your life. These trips can also be customized according to your tastes and preferences so that you will love traveling according to your expectations. The trip that is planned by the travel agents will help you get ongoing discounts and attractive offers so that you get the most enjoyable trip. When you are traveling in a group, the overall cost of traveling will be reduced considerably so that you will have to pay a lesser amount of money for your travel needs. You will also be able to visit all the attractions of the place of your visit so that you will have an amazing experience when you are traveling with a small number of people. You will also be able to access to the special packages, inclusions and other attractive benefits that are only offered to the travel agents with small groups of travelers.

Interacting with the tour guide will also become very convenient when you are traveling in small groups so that you will have a more comfortable and intimate experience. The guide will also give you more information about the local customs, flavors, foods, culture and even the smallest information about the place of your visit. Even when you want to visit the overcrowded or unusual destination, a small group will have access first as compared to the large groups so that you will have an enjoyable trip. You will also enjoy the best quality services along with affordable cost so that you will love the trip with the small group tour.

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Best Remote Vacations That Are Fun For The Whole Family

September 2, 2020 by 1 Comment

travel with whole family

Sometimes you need to get away from your screens. It is time to go into the outdoors and leave your phones, laptops, tablets, watches, FitBits and everything else like that at home. Unplugging every so often is important for your mental health. If you have a family you may be thinking it is unrealistic to find a remote vacation that is safe and fun for the entire family. Luckily for you, we have whipped up at least five of the best remote resorts, vacations and more With this list, you can start planning that much-needed trip right now.

Head West

The western part of the country is absolutely breathtaking. Here are some of the best places to visit out west if you are looking for somewhere to reconnect with nature.

Rogue River

This river is in the middle of Southern Oregon and it is 84 miles rich of the wild. Near this river, you will not find roads, power lines or even cell phone service. The most recommended activity to do at Rogue River is to go rafting. This is an activity the whole family can partake in.

Oregon State Park

Oregon is a state with many natural sceneries. You and the whole family can camp in a yurt in the Oregon State Park along the coast. With a budget-friendly $40 a night, your family can sleep under the stars and reconnect with each other.

San Juan Islands

San Juan Island in Washington is an adventurous place to visit with the family. There is an endless supply of activities to do on this island. You can go kayaking to any of the outlying islands in the area and stumble upon a trail. Of course, there are camping options.

Treehouse Treesort

What an innovative way to spend time outdoors. If you are looking for a glamping opportunity, but do not want to spend the money, consider staying at a treehouse treesort. It can be fun for the whole family. Do a quick Google search and find the nearest treehouse treesort in your vacation destination, or you can plan a vacation around where the treesort is. Either way, your kids will love this.

Jefferson Park Wilderness

This is the best place to go backpacking with the family. This wilderness is in Central Oregon and you can get to it through the Pacific Crest Trail. You and the entire family will see some of the best sceneries of Oregon.

Stay On A Farm

Your kids will love this. Also, located in Oregon, your family can visit the Leaping Lamb Farm. Cabin stays with the opportunities to try your hand at farm chores at the start of your day is a memory that your children will remember for a long time. There is so much to do in a place like this, you will never hear your kids tell you how bored they are while on this vacation. At this farm, you can hike, tend to the farm animals or read your favorite magazine on the porch. This is the perfect spot to unplug while still spending quality time with the family.

Reverse Backpacking In Yosemite

This is the perfect option if you do not want to experience crowds but you still want to visit Yosemite in the summer. Believe it or not, reverse backpacking is a real thing that people do. All you have to do is start at the top of Tuolumne Meadows and backpack your way down to the valley floor where you will be met with crowds. Just make sure that you snag yourself a Yosemite Backcountry Permit for you and your family.

Live On The Sea

Well, maybe you will not live on the sea, but spending your vacation in the sea is a great way to unplug and has proven to be really remote but still safe for the family. If you are in the western part of the United States, consider staying in a houseboat on Lake Powell. You will not have any cell phone service which means it will be super easy for you to truly unplug.

Trail The Mountain States

The mountain states offer plenty of natural scenery that looks straight out of a movie. Here are some interesting things to do if you are near the mountain states.

Colorado Mountains

Colorado is known for many things, the beautiful Rocky Mountains being one of them. Many people flock to the mountains all year round with some finding fun ways to camp there. There are many ways you can camp while exploring the mountains, one of which would be luxury cabin rentals in Colorado. For those looking for the ultimate work from anywhere experience this is the way to go. For those looking for the most rugged then consider renting a tent and hiking to a campsite in the woods.

Grand Teton National Park

The most recommended activity in this park is kayaking Jackson Lake. You and your family could easily spend three days here and never think about life in the outside world. This national park has many stunning beauties. The best part is that no matter when you go, your chances of running into another human being are scarce, even if you are in the middle of their summer season.

Lower Salmon River

This river can be found in Idaho and it is breathtaking. The Lower Salmon River is great for rafting if you are up for it. There are plenty of sandy campsites and good food to hold you down while you spend the week detaching from your creature comforts in the most pleasant way.

Visit Three Bars Ranch

Another great remote vacation option is for the whole family to take a trip to a dude ranch. Three Bars Ranch is past the Montana border with the Canadian Rockies as the perfect backdrop. Keep in mind that you truly will not have any cell phone service unless you intentionally seek it out. Your kids can also play with the horses while at this ranch. What a better way to entertain them than with a live horse!

Vista Verde Dude Ranch

The great thing about this Colorado dude ranch is open year-round. If you are looking for a true unplugged vacation, you can definitely find it here. There is no access to wifi, so your children will be forced to get off social media and find other ways to have fun. They can go horseback riding in the summer. In the winter your children can do skiing. The possibilities are endless.

The Midwest

The midwest is not just full of fly-over states. The midwest is often overlooked when it comes to discovering the natural beauty of the United States.

Bike To Mount Rushmore And The Badlands

This is a very adventurous activity that is great for the whole family. You can bike trip through South Dakota on the Mickelson Trail, past the Crazy Horse, the Badlands and the Black Hills. You will not find service here. It is the perfect day getaway.

Boundary Waters

This is a great place to go canoeing. Starting in Ely, Minnesota, you and your family will be geared up for a guided trip. Boundary Waters and the area near are relatively remote wilderness areas. There is no cell phone service or wifi here, so there will be plenty of opportunities for you to bond more with your family.

Head East

The East Coast can also be overlooked when thinking about remote places to vacation the whole family. With so many options like a pond camp or a plethora of national parks, you can be sure to find something everyone in the family will love.

Spencer Pond Camps

If you are looking for a place completely off-the-grid, consider staying at a mountain cabin in Maine. Spencer Pond is the perfect place. You can fish, hike, hunt and paddle. All of these things are fun for the whole family. You may even see a moose. You never know when traveling to Spencer Pond Camps.

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Singer Jesse Neo Launches Gemtracks

August 27, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Over the years, British-Australian singer, Jesse Neo has worn many hats; that of an international DJ, music reviewer and an artist of electronic music since 2017. These experiences not only have they helped him gain popularity, but it has also helped him launch a new music platform called Gemtracks.

Jesse explained why he moved over to starting the music platform. “I want people to know that I am a versatile and flexible writer who can easily adapt to different genres,” he told us. “I started out in the electronic music scene and have worked as a beat maker for major labels and media companies within the genre. However, as my taste in music changed, I felt like I could give other sounds a go too. That’s why I created Gemtracks as a way to showcase my work in whatever genre I feel like doing at a specific moment.”

While Gemtracks was initially a repository for Jesse’s unused tracks, he eventually turned the website into a marketplace where anyone could sell beats. This means artists and labels can visit Gemtracks and purchase unused beats for their own vocal releases.

“There is so much happening in the music scene today, that leveraging technology is the only way forward to harness the multitude of talent available across the globe,” Jesse explained. “I remember when I was working with a company, before a song it releases, several contracts must be signed, along with attending several meetings. My goal for Gemtracks is to enable all these tiresome tasks to be avoided through automation so that artists can concentrate on their music.

A beat sold over Gemtracks may sometimes go up as high as $600, as it can be sold only once, and the rights are transferred to the buyer. This means the buyer can distribute as many copies of the song as they want without having to pay any royalties.

Today, almost 300 people have signed up. Some of the well-known producers like Beowülf, Taylor Carroll, Milana Leybovich, I.Y.F.F.E, and Lucas Gold, who have worked with Universal, Sony or Warner.

Besides being a marketplace, Gemtracks also has a section dedicated to educating those new the industry. For example, there is a blog filled with articles, videos and tutorials on how to make it in the industry. For those that like to read, there is also a free eBook for download on how to skyrocket your career.

“I’m actually in the process of adding new features to the website too,” Jesse continued proudly. “I have just launched a directory to hire music producers, book music studios and even contribute to a Q&A database. My goal is to turn Gemtracks into the ultimate resource destination for musicians releasing music.”

As you can see, Gemtracks is a wonderful addition to the music industry. Artists can easily find assets for their songs, and producers can make some extra income. If this sounds interesting to you, make sure you head over to buy beats now!

 

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4 Effective Ways To Earn Money While Traveling

August 27, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Adventuring to new places, experiencing new cultures, meeting new people sounds all fun when we see other people doing it. It turns out many of us would have loved an opportunity to take on one of these voyages, but unfortunately, one thing holds us back; money! We often admire all these travelers but wonder how they financially support such an expensive, if not a glitzy lifestyle. Well, here is the catch – most travelers don’t depend on just one source of income. Revenue from different sources adds up to sustain such a way of life. If you are reading this post, then more likely you want to start your own travel-work lifestyle. So, here are four practical ways to earn money while living your dream.

 

  • Sell products online

 

As a traveler, it is likely you would visit a state or country with relatively cheap products and items. It presents an opportunity to buy these items from shops or market places and sell them online. There is always a demand for hand-made products, so it is worthwhile picking such products and offering them online for sale. There are several virtual platforms to market your craft with ease and comfort while generating money on-the-go.

 

  • Lease your home

 

For regular travelers who are always on the road, a home may be just like a car parked in a garage without being used. It turns out to be a place you crash for a few days and head out yet again. Sometimes you return to see your home broken into just because there was no one around. So how about you fix this headache while earning some cash in your absence? You probably spend the most of life on an adventure, so why not put your home up for rent for the period that you’re away? There are platforms to help you do this with ease.  

 

  • Create an online course

 

What is your expertise? Well, fortunately, you don’t have to be an expert to teach. So long as there is something you are good at or have sufficient knowledge about, there are people out there ready to learn. So long as you are proficient in the language you want to be teaching in, you are good to go. You’d have to advertise your course for it to be successful, and you can consider this free eLearning content providers directory listing to help you out.

 

  • Freelancing

 

Various industry experts have praised the idea of freelancing due to its flexibility. All it requires is your skill and equipment to perform the job. With freelancing, earnings are mostly based on the amount of time spent on the job and your output level, which may come in handy for road travelers. Several successful digital travelers have commended freelancing to help generate extra income. All you have to do is to create a profile on the available freelancing platforms, indicate your skills, and be ready for a job offer. It doesn’t get any better than this.

For a traveler, there should be a way to diversify your income. Don’t focus on just one stream of income when you can have multiple while still doing what you love, traveling. These few tips should help you kick-start the journey.

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5 Safety Precautions to Consider Before Traveling

August 27, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Travel

Traveling to a new place or an old favorite is always exciting, but it can also come with risks. These risks often depend on where your destination is.

There are ways your air travel provider and hotels can try to protect you, such as being prepared with oxygen masks or using Safestep in bathtubs and showers to prevent slips and falls. However, there are still some dangers you should try to prepare for before you leave.

From the peace of mind that comes from insurance to the avoidance of unnecessary illness thanks to vaccinations, here are some precautions you should take before your next trip.

Get Travel Insurance

Buying travel insurance is critical if you are planning to travel outside your home country. There is a wide variety of options for you to choose from, so you can pick the plan that best suits your trip.

The reason travel insurance is worth investing in is because it typically covers unforeseen circumstances. You may need it during an evacuation, emergency medical care, trip cancellation, lost belongings/luggage, and more!

You may plan a perfect trip without any hiccups, but travel insurance has you covered if you end up in a difficult situation. Consider it your travel safety net!

Get Vaccinations & Medications

Another precaution worth taking before your trip is to visit your doctor. Firstly, they can fill any regular or travel-related medication you need so that you aren’t running low on your prescriptions while you’re away.

Your doctor can also make sure your body is ready for your trip by assessing you for any health issues. You don’t want to risk worsening problems while traveling or once you’ve arrived.

Your physician can also administer any vaccinations necessary for your chosen destination. These precautions will help give you peace of mind while you’re enjoying your adventure.

Check Travel Warnings

Before leaving for your trip, make sure there aren’t any travel warnings for your destination. Whether it’s a natural disaster, disease outbreak, heightened crime rates, or any other risk factor, it is worth it to be in the know.

Once you are aware of the potential risks you could face upon arrival, you can reassess whether you still feel safe enough to travel.

Join STEP

STEP is short for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which you can join via the US Department of State website. This process is easy, and best of all, completely free!

The program helps people who encounter difficulties such as a stolen passport. It’s also helpful if you happen to end up in an emergency while you’re away. The system keeps you updated so you will never be in the dark and can stay informed about what to do next.

Bring a First Aid Kit

This one seems simple, but it’s something not everyone thinks to do. Bringing a first aid kit along with means you can prepare to deal with any minor health or injury-related issues that come up on your trip. You don’t need to take an hour searching around your resort for a band-aid—bring your own instead!

A typical travel first aid kit includes items such as bandages, band-aids, gauze, surgical tape, antiseptic wipes, small scissors, tweezers, etc. You can adapt your kit based on the probable risk factors at your destination to make sure you’re as prepared as possible.

Conclusion

Traveling is fun for people of all ages, but it can be just as dangerous, too. Taking the proper precautions before heading out on a trip is the best way to ensure you have a great time with complete peace of mind.

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Returning to Australia with children in tow

August 26, 2020 by Leave a Comment

The coronavirus has sent shockwaves through the world, causing us all to re-evaluate all kinds of things in our lives. This has especially been the case for expats. I was surprised to learn that around 336,000 expats had to drop everything and return to Australia because of the virus. Many families did so within days because if they did not they would have run the risk of being stranded in a foreign country, without work. To get home and resettled they had to overcome the following challenges.

Finding transport to get home

For many, even finding transport to get them back was a struggle. Most governments told their citizens to return quickly but did not provide many, if any, repatriation flights. So, if you do live abroad you need enough funds in the bank to get everyone back to Australia. When disaster strikes prices soar, so it is wise to put aside at least triple what you think you need. If that is not possible, get yourself a credit card that you only use in case of this kind of dire emergency.

Financing your return

In fact, having a financial plan in place for your return to your home country is a good idea regardless. Knowing how to send money from UK to Australia, or between other countries, at the best rates can potentially save you a lot of money. 

It means that as soon as disaster strikes you can immediately move cash back to Australia, before the Australian dollar crashes and starts to lose its value. Some expats that did not quickly transfer funds lost 5 to 15% as a result of currency fluctuations.

Helping your children to adjust

Being suddenly ripped from their home is going to be a traumatic experience for your child. They are leaving everything that is familiar to them. Including their friends and school. It is a huge change and one that you may not have had time to prepare them for. Use the information you can find in this excellent article to make it easier for them to cope with the situation.

Try not to worry

Of course, you are also going to find having to suddenly move countries to be traumatic. It is a worrying time. There is a huge amount to sort out and the decisions you will be making, often under time pressure, are going to affect your lives over the long-term. That is going to be stressful. So, be careful to look after yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you do not, you can easily fall ill, which would make a bad situation much worse.

Hopefully, none of you will ever have the experience of suddenly having to move countries unexpectedly. But if you do, I hope this article will prove to be helpful.

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Pros and cons of investing in real estate

August 20, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Investment advisors always advice people to diversify their investment portfolios to reduce investment risks. You can include real estate as an asset class in your real estate portfolio. There are two main ways you can do that; you can invest in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) or buy and hold actual properties. The former is a passive way of investing in real estate, and the latter requires more time and effort and generally has more returns. Outlined below are some of the pros and cons of real estate investing.

Pros of real estate investment.

The ability to use leverage 

When you want to buy bonds or stocks, you need to have the cash on hand. When purchasing property, you can be financed with long-term, fixed-rate mortgages. This means you can own several properties at a relatively low cost. If these properties produce income immediately, a positive return of investment can happen quickly and consistently. 

You are leveraging other people’s money (i.e., the bank) to get a significant market stake and consequently, much more returns. This is because the full price of one house can be the down payment and closing price for several houses when financed by the bank. Another advantage is that your existing investments can finance their own improvements and upgrades, increasing the investment property’s value and potential. 

Benefits from capital growth

Land is a limited resource. As the human population increases, so does the demand for land driving up the cost. This is one of the reasons real estate prices are generally increasing. Property values are also affected by inflation and improvements to the property. Not all improvements to property involve upgrading the actual property; sometimes, there can also be external improvements. Infrastructure developments are an example of external improvements. An area that builds schools, roads, and hospitals, among other necessary amenities, will attract more buyers leading to an appreciation of the property’s value. 

Allows for passive income

When you invest in REITs, you earn from the dividends. When you invest in actual property, you earn from rent from tenants. Either way, your investment is making you money passively. When your properties are set up, your rentals can provide a monthly cash flow. Cash flow is money left after the bills are paid. Having cash flow allows you to spend time with your family, have time to build your business, and have enough money to reinvest in more real estate. 

Builds equity

Equity refers to the how much you would receive from the sale of the property after paying off the mortgage. If you use leverage wisely, your tenants are inherently buying the property for you. If you buy a rental property on a mortgage and have the tenant’s rent pay off the mortgage, they are increasing your net worth. If, for example, you owe the bank $150,000, and in a year you owe $130,000, the tenant has made you $20,000 richer. 

Real estate grants you control

You have no control over a company’s decisions that influence the value of the stock you own. With real estate, I can decide what rents to charge, what improvements to make the property to increase profit, and how to attract and evaluate tenants, all of which directly affect your returns. 

Cons of real estate

It requires a lot of capital

You can buy stocks or bonds with a little money compared to how much you need to purchase a property. If you want to own the property entirely, you need to have the full amount for a house. If you’re going to be financed by the bank, you still need the down payment money, the closing costs, and the costs of repair and updating the property. Over time, you may need to pay property taxes, insurance, property payment fees, and mortgage if you owe it. 

Property management is not easy

You need tenants to make rent. Some tenants can be challenging to deal with as they delay rents. Furthermore, if they do not take care of the property, they can negatively affect your cash flow by leaving you with expensive repairs. Not to mention the fact that sometimes you may have no tenants at all. 

You cannot quickly liquidate

When you need quick cash, you can easily sell your stocks or bonds. Selling property, on the other hand, will take a longer time. This is besides the fact that selling property has higher transactional costs than stocks

You are easily affected by the property market

If the property market goes down, so does your investment. If interest rates rise, your returns will be affected too, putting a pinch on your disposable income. 

If you are looking for property to invest in, first of all, do your homework. Determine places that seem to have the potential to increase in value in the future. Go to home listings like Movoto or use an agent to find a home. Have the house inspected, buy it, and start your journey as a real estate investor. 

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