Limiting Stress In The New Year

November 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Wow – I cannot believe this year is almost over! It has definitely gone by in the blink of an eye, but it has been a pretty stressful year. I am not one to make a ton of New Years Resolutions, but this year, I really want to focus on limiting stress in the New Year. I believe that our lives are too short to live in stress and to do the things that we do not want to be doing. If you are in a job that you dislike, if you are consumed with stress, and if you are ready for change, follow me on this journey of limiting stress in 2019. I am very excited to focus on my family and be able to soak in all of the precious moments and memories that we create over the next 12+ months (and hopefully longer). Here are a few ways that I am limiting stress in the New Year:

new year new you

Wrap Up 2018 To Do’s

Before you get started, you need to make sure that you wrap up the to-do list that you have in 2018. Is there anything you need to get done? Make sure you do not carry over unwanted stress and tasks from 2018 to 2019 because the point of this is to limit stress, not increase it. Look around you and figure out what will cause you stress. Do you have a garage that needs to be painted or a fireplace that needs to be repaired? Maybe you have something that has been on your to-do list for years and you have not gotten around to it. This is a great time to finally get it done because whether you know it or not, what you do not have wrapped up is consistently hanging over your head, especially if it has been on your to-do list for a while.

 

Create A Game Plan

Create a game plan for the year. What goals do you have? What are you focusing on? Do you want to build up your business, focus on family, or do both at the same time? Whatever your game plan is, write it down, in order to keep yourself on track throughout the New Year.

 

Huffington Post says, “Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at the Dominican University in California, recently studied the art and science of goal setting. She gathered two hundred and sixty-seven people together — men and women from all over the world, and from all walks of life, including entrepreneurs, educators, healthcare professionals, artists, lawyers and bankers. She divided the participants into groups, according to who wrote down their goals and dreams, and who didn’t… And she discovered that those who wrote down their goals and dreams on a regular basis achieved those desires at a significantly higher level than those who did not.

In fact, she found that you become 42% more likely to achieve your goals and dreams, simply by writing them down on a regular basis. The likelihood that you’ll transform your desires into reality goes up even further if you share your written goals with a friend who believes in your ability to succeed (what I call a “partner in believing”).”

stress less

Outsource Tasks To Focus On Family

In order to focus on family, you need to make sure that your business and your income is in order. That is why I think it is so important to outsource tasks. First of all – create an income goal. Then, figure out how to get there. One of the most popular ways to increase your sales and income is to hire a full-service marketing agency such as SEO NJ. Brothers Matt and Dan Anton created NJ SEO in order to “offer professional SEO services that help websites increase their organic search score drastically in order to compete for the highest rankings — even when it comes to highly competitive keywords.” Dan Anton is a retired Infantry Airborne Army Ranger Major, who served two tours in Iraq, receiving two bronze stars for valor in combat while Matt Anton is the former online marketing manager of Liberty Travel, a billion dollar travel agency, where he was responsible for digital marketing strategy and execution, managing a 250k budget each month. Together with their team, they offer web development, online marketing, and sales optimization services, with proven results. If you are looking to increase sales and improve your online business, NJ SEO is the company to help you out because they walk the walk and beat out every agency in the area. Just look at their results and success stories on their website and you can see for yourself!

 

Add Self-Care To Your Routine

No matter who you are, you need to add self-care to your daily routine, in order to limit stress. There are many ways that you can do this, so do not think that you have to take a bubble bath if you hate them. Think about the things that you love and/or the things that relax you and make them happen.

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5 Knitting Project Ideas for Beginners

November 21, 2018 by Leave a Comment

You don’t need to be 60 to start knitting. In fact there are an increasing number of young people who have taken up knitting with some fantastic results.

The benefits of knitting are much more than the ability to create your own clothes; you can also knit gifts for others! It is also a great way of lowering your stress levels and keeping mentally active; this has been shown to help reduce the risk of age related memory loss.

Virtually any project is possible for the new knitter although you will find it is easier if you look at existing knitting patterns; this will give you a guide as to what you are supposed to do.

Here are some great knitting project ideas for beginners:

 

  • Scarf

 

The scarf is one of the simplest pieces of knitting because you only need to select the width of the scarf and the length. The width will dictate the number of stitches you need and the length will dictate the number of rows.

Keeping it one color will make it very simple to knit. To make it a little more difficult simply add a second color in.

 

  • Hat

 

The hat is also a fairly simple template. Again you’ll need a template. The width of your knitting will dictate the height of the hat, while the length will need to comply roughly with the circumference of the head that you are making the hat for.

Once you’ve completed what is effectively a mini scarf you’ll be able to stitch it together to make a simple beanie style hat.

 

  • The Blanket

 

This is a larger scale project than the scarf or hat but in essence just as simple. Again the width and length of your blanket is dictated by the number of stitches on your needle and how many rows you intend to do.

You can create several scarves in different colors and then stitch them together to make a large blanket. You and your partner will be able to snuggle under it on those long winter nights.

 

  • Leg Warmers

 

If you or your friend feel the chill or simply want to jump back a few years then you can knit some delightful leg warmers.

Again this simple project has a number of similarities to creating a scarf. You’ll simply need to stitch the ends together when you’ve found the right size for your legs.

 

  • Shawl

 

This can be just as simple as knitting a blanket but you can also take this project up to the next level by adding tassels to the edges of your shawl. This will transform it from a simply blanket style shawl to a fashionable piece.

All of these projects have knitting patterns but it is advisable to practice your stitches before you start knitting any of them. The best items are finished with smaller stitches; which means smaller needles and potentially more stitches width.

Taking your time to get your stitches right will ensure that the finished garment looks perfect; every time.

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How to renovate your bathroom on a budget

November 7, 2018 by Leave a Comment

According to Household Quotes, replacing a bathroom can cost anywhere from £2,500 to over £6,000 to complete. With such a high price tag on a total renovation, here are some creative alternatives to update your bathroom without breaking the bank.

  • Shabby chic or just plain shabby?

Take a look at your bathroom as it is and decide what does and does not work. Replacing units for the sake of having a completely new bathroom is simply a waste of money and it can quickly mean that you’ll break your budget.

That outdated avocado bath-tub might be considered ‘retro’ by adding a few pops of colour to the room and those dull off-white tiles could be transformed with a lick of high-quality paint. When you’re working on a tight budget, it always pays to “refurbish” rather than replace wherever you can.  

  • Shop around for everything (and we mean ‘everything’)  

If certain pieces simply have to go, consider replacing individual items rather than going for a totally new suite. This can lower your total bill dramatically while making your bathroom look completely new.

Homebuilding and Renovating list the average price for individual bathroom installations as follows:

  • Bath – between £480 and £1,000
  • Shower – between £50 and £2,000+
  • Sink – between £50 and £300+
  • Toilet – between £50 and £500

As you can see, prices in the industry can vary greatly. This is why you should always shop around for the lowest price possible.

The two things people always seem to forget when budgeting for home improvements are labour costs and the price to remove your old suite. If you’re not careful, these easily-forgotten charges can quietly push up your overall bill way out of your budget.

Make sure you get quotes on the complete installation cost; including materials, labour, and removals. Ask around for quotes from at least three local tradesmen and select the best price for you.

  • Do It Yourself as much as possible

A macerating toilet, also called an upflush toilet, is ideal if you want to save on installation and labor costs. This fixture is made of durable, high-quality parts. This means they last for years and require very little maintenance. As such, they’re ideal for anyone who wants a unit they can easily install and then not think about for years.

Another tip for staying within your budget is to DIY as much of the job as you can.

Of course, difficult areas like plumbing should only ever be carried out by a fully qualified professional. But when other jobs like tiling can cost you between £350 and £800 for just a tiny bathroom, it may be worth sacrificing a weekend to give it a go by yourself.

  • Little changes, big impact

Other simple touches can have a huge impact on the appearance of your bathroom for a fraction of the cost of ripping out your old suite.

Replacing accessories like shower curtains and bathmats or even just switching to a new colour scheme with your towels can make your bathroom look completely revitalised. The other great perk is that this makeover takes just seconds (and you won’t need to turn your home into a building site in the process!).

For more money-saving tips for home improvements and more, visit the blog by Cashlady today.

 

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Interesting Craft Ideas For Families To Do Together

November 7, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Everybody likes to spend time with their families over the holidays. It can be hard to find something that includes everyone and that everybody wants to do as hobbies and activities become age dependant. You’ll probably find it difficult to find something that everybody wants to get involved in but it helps to try.

 

The holidays are approaching and you might find yourself at home with your kids, not knowing what to do with them. If it’s not your own kids, it might be your younger siblings, or nieces and nephews coming over to visit. We all know how hectic it can get when you have to look after the little ones. You have to keep checking up on them to make sure they’re not getting into trouble or hurt and find ways to keep them busy.

 

Finger painting and macaroni necklaces are both good ideas but we all know what happens to those projects after a while. Try something a bit more sophisticated. Something that the whole family will enjoy but can still be useful afterwards. Something everybody can be proud to say that they made.

 

Keeping everyone busy can mean the difference between being happy and being bored, and what better way to keep them busy than to get everybody involved in the same activity. Craft activities are engaging and dont require too much energy or tire you out. This way you can keep a watchful eye on everyone as well as have fun and make some good memories.

 

Decoupage

A great way to prepare for the holidays is by making festive ornaments. Get all the supplies together and make your own personalised festive ornaments for Halloween, Christmas or even Valentine’s day. The possibilities are endless.

 

You can be as creative as you want and it would make the holiday that much more special knowing you created all the decorations yourselves. The upside is it’s not as expensive as the decorations you would buy in stores and it would have so much more value and meaning.

 

Decoupage is a great option for this. It’s inexpensive and quite easy to do. You will need glue, scissors and some paper images or prints that you would like to display or put on your decorations. You paste the paper on the surface using glue then you add a few more coats of glue over the surface of the paper paper and let it dry. Once you’re finished you can keep them for the next year, or throw them away and make some more the next time the occasion rises.

 

Embroidery

If you have older children who are in their teens, they might be a bit reluctant to do the activities you have planned for the little ones. A rewarding hobby such as embroidery might be a good idea. Embroidery is back on trend in the fashion world. It’s a great way to personalise items in your wardrobe and home. Get the younger ones involved by having them pick out fabrics or designs they might like. If you don’t know how to do it, it would be even more fun to start learning together.

 

What you’ll need to start is an embroidery machine, scissors, thread, fabric, stabiliser and a design. Now imagine making scatter cushions with words of affirmation on them or any other design of your choice.

 

In keeping with the holiday theme, you could even make items like placemats and napkins for the dinner table. This adds a personal touch and something you can show off to your guests. These items can last forever and become a keepsake in your home.

 

Soap-making

Once again, the possibilities are endless. You can try looking up recipes on the internet to make the soap you desire or you could take the easy route and get some soap-making blocks. Follow the recipe as closely as possible if you decide to take that route. Keep the soap from sticking by using some parchment paper on cookie sheets.

 

If you decide to use soap blocks you need to melt them down. Once the soap blocks are melted the fun can begin. You can add essential oils for some fragrance and add some colour by using food colouring. You can even add some Borax to make your soap extra sudsy for the kids to enjoy.

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5 Reasons Why You Need Travel Insurance for Your Next Holiday

November 7, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Are you planning a holiday in the near future? One of the most important things that you’ll need to think about is getting some travel insurance. Each member of your family heading off on the trip will need to be covered if you want to be safe and ensure that you don’t come across any extra expenses while you are away. In this article, we are going to discuss five reasons why you need travel insurance for your next holiday. Keep reading if you’d like to find out more.

Protect Your Possessions

If you are planning on traveling with a lot of expensive items, then you should make sure to invest in some travel insurance. This means that your mobile phone, your laptop and your money will be protected should it go missing or if someone steals it on holiday. This is very important and if you want to have a stress-free holiday then you should think about getting some travel insurance that covers your personal possessions.

Flight Delays

No one wants to miss their flight but sometimes delays in getting to the airport can cause real problems. On top of this, many airlines have delays every day and this can mean that connecting flights or hotel check-in times are missed. If you want to protect yourself from any sort of flight or travel delays on your next holiday, you should think about getting some travel insurance.

Medical Bills

When you travel abroad, you are not eligible for the free health care that you might already be receiving in the UK. This is something that you need to consider when you are thinking about investing in some travel insurance. Travel insurance to cover pre existing health conditions is very important and most companies will ask about any health problems that you have. When you are covered by the insurance, you can receive top healthcare covered with your insurance making the whole process a lot less stressful.

Personal Liability

Something which a lot of people don’t think about when choosing travel insurance is personal liability cover. This sort of cover comes in handy when you are the one to cause an accident and the person involved tries to make a claim against you. This is very important and if you want to keep yourself protected and ensure that you don’t have to fork out a lot of money if something goes wrong whilst you are away on holiday.

Cancellation Fees

The final reason that you should get some travel insurance for your next holiday is the fact that you might be able to reduce the overall fees you may incur for a sudden cancellation. Of course, no one wants to cancel their trip but sometimes this is unavoidable, and you will then be required to pay a cancellation fee. With a good travel insurance package, should there may be a medical emergency or a reason that the insurance provider covers for (regarding cancellations), you will able to get away with just paying the excess and you will feel slightly better about having to miss out. Make sure to choose a policy with this service if you want to be protected.

Final Verdict

There are so many different reasons to invest in travel insurance for your next holiday including everything from possession cover to personal liability. You won’t want to have to pay the expensive hospital bills if you get in an accident or fall ill so you’ll want to make sure that you are covered should anything happen. Take a look at the different insurance policies on offer and choose the right one for your next holiday.

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Reasons To Pick A Villa Rental In Mexico For Your Next Family Vacation

October 29, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Traditionally, going for a vacation with family members would automatically mean finding rooms in a five-star hotel. Well, things have changed significantly, and people are shying away from them especially those travelling in groups. Villas are the ideal option for groups due to several advantages. Luckily, most of the holiday hotspots have a wide array of villas that one can rent, and you should not miss out on one when travelling with your family.  But why choose these villas when you could stick to the conventional hotel rooms? Read below and check out the top reasons to pick a rental villa for your next family vacation;

 

Cost

When going on a vacation with your family, you must have set a budget that will cater to your needs when travelling. The accommodation part is one of the most significant elements of the budget, and it would really help your vacation if you managed to save some money by getting a cost-effective place to stay. Villas offer you a cost-effective place to stay and do not be swayed by the hefty rates. All you need to do is to calculate and you will understand why. When travelling with family, you will only need to get one vacation villa that will accommodate all of you rather than booking several hotel rooms for everyone. This is particularly applicable for large families since the children can easily share the rooms while the parents stay in one room thus saving on costs. Aside from that, vacation villas do not charge the same way hotel rooms do as you only have to pay for the time you will be spending in there. There are no per night rates, and one can leave and come back at their own discretion.

 

Freedom And Privacy

When you go on vacation, you wish to enjoy the company of your family and not having hotel attendants bothering you every time. Hotel rooms do not offer this privacy as the attendants have to come and check on the rooms every day. Aside from that, travelling with family will mean that you share hotel rooms and you might want to have your own time to clear some work or meditate. Villas offer you this kind of privacy since most of them are built like regular homes. You can always take some time off and clear your work in the study if you do not want to stay in the main lobby with the rest of the family. You have several places to spend your time, and you could relax in the garden, verandah and terrace among others. The experience of staying in a vacation villa is just like living at home since you get the privacy you have at home.

 

When you rent a villa with http://enjoymexico.net, you are not restricted to the stringent cleaning and other routines specified in hotel rooms. Therefore, you can wake up at your own time and schedule your day as you deem fit. You do not need to wake up before a specific time for you to have the breakfast made by the hotel since you can make your own. In a nutshell, you get to enjoy the freedom by renting a villa when you go on vacation with your family.

 

Better Experience

The experience of living in a villa cannot be compared to that of staying in a hotel room. The level of personalization is high, and you basically have your place to enjoy. Villas give one access to a wide variety of facilities based on how much they can part with, and you get to stay in a place that you want. Hotel rooms are often rigid, and all you can do there is to sleep, wake up and have a shower. You can choose a villa with the kind of facilities you want and give your family a treat during their vacation. Staying in a villa is like living at home away from home. They are family friendly and offer a perfect place for members to bond and share their experiences as opposed to the hotel rooms that separate all the members and make it hard to share time together.

 

Availability

If you wish to travel to places that are far away from the tourist hotspots, it can be hard to find a decent hotel. Luckily villas do not have to be in these areas, and they can be found in any location. This way, you won’t be forced to travel for long distance since the closest hotel you found was located far away from your area of interest. Booking one is a sure way of ensuring that you are closer to where you need to be and you will have plenty of space to enjoy your time there. The fact that these villas may be away from the tourist areas means that you can stay in a more residential part of the town, away from the tourist buzz and loud noises. You can blend with the locals, shop for food in their markets and enjoy some things that you would not have had you opted for the hotels.

 

Flexibility

Vacations do not always go as planned and some things can come along way and change the course of things. Do you have an extra family member joining the vacation after you have already scheduled for everything? Do you expect some guests during the holiday? A villa offers you the much-needed flexibility when dealing with such unexpected scenarios. You could host family gatherings, welcome guests and even host an extra person on your holiday if they turned up late without incurring an additional cost.

 

The reasons why you need to book a villa for your next family vacation have been laid out, and you have no reason to stick to the conventional hotel rooms again. Save money and ensure your family members enjoy the experience of visiting that place by looking for a home that will accommodate you. Your vacation will be delightful and no one will be willing to go back home when that time comes.

 

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Get @Bose at @BestBuy #bosesmartspeakersatbestbuy #ad

October 21, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Superior Bose sound. Unlimited entertainment possibilities. The new Bose family of smart speakers and soundbars has built-in voice control from Amazon Alexa that puts millions of songs at the tip of your tongue. And with Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® compatibility, you can wirelessly stream whatever you want, however you want. Plus, future software updates will add new features.
Plus, future software updates will add new features.
Control goes way beyond voice. Enjoy one-touch access to the music you love or manage it all from the Bose Music app.
Bose smart speakers
Want more music in more rooms? The new Bose family of smart speakers and soundbars works together. The Bose Soundbar 700, designed to be the world’s best soundbar, delivers an unmatched combination of sophisticated design and exceptional sound. The stylish Bose Soundbar 500 has a thin profile that fits discreetly under your TV, while its powerful acoustics fill the room with sound. And the Bose Home Speaker 500 delivers the widest sound of any smart speaker.
bose
Control goes way beyond voice. Enjoy one-touch access to the music you love or manage it all from the Bose Music app. Want more music in more rooms? The new Bose family of smart speakers and soundbars works together. The Bose Soundbar 700, designed to be the world’s best soundbar, delivers an unmatched combination of sophisticated design and exceptional sound. The stylish Bose Soundbar 500 has a thin profile that fits discreetly under your TV, while its powerful acoustics fill the room with sound. And the Bose Home Speaker 500 delivers the widest sound of any smart speaker.
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Cheap Things to do in Amsterdam

October 19, 2018 by Leave a Comment

When planning a family vacation, you need to be ready for many expenses like transportation, accommodation, food and drinks, and so on. Holidays are meant to be relaxing and comforting, but not taking expenses into account can ruin your trip and your mood, so plan accordingly. 

If you are planning to visit Amsterdam, you can book cheap vacations in Amsterdam for any length of stay, from 72 hours or two weeks. Enjoy the atmosphere of Amsterdam and discover the amazing museums (like the famous Rijksmuseum, the Dutch National Art Museum), galleries, shops and café by comfortable tram rides. Riding a bicycle on the streets of Amsterdam can give you a very satisfying experience and is a great mode of transportation. You do not have to be a financially broke after visiting Amsterdam. There are plenty of tourism sites which give amazing deals on touring Amsterdam. 

Looking to book your hotel? Amsterdam has the widest selection of accommodations. There are many options to suit every taste and budget. The canal homes and old-world hotels give the travelers the most satisfying holiday experience in Amsterdam.

Budget accommodations– As Amsterdam is one of the busiest tourist destinations, it is always better to book your accommodation in advance. There are plenty of budget accommodations in the city. For a pocket-friendly holiday in Amsterdam, you can look for studio apartments. Studios are an appropriate arrangement for couples visiting the city. Youth hostels are great for students and backpackers. Bigger apartments are suitable for a group of families traveling together or just larger families. The holiday apartments come cheaper if you book for a longer period.

Book early and travel light– To save some extra money during your holiday, plan early and book your accommodations in advance to get more discounts. Use price comparison websites to check the lowest rate for rooms. Plan your vacation in the off-season. Usually, less number of tourists visits Amsterdam in winter. Hotels and apartments give great discounts during the off-season. Make the most of it. 

Public Transportation & Tourist Pass– Research on public transportation system of the city before arriving. The tram rides are quite comfortable in Amsterdam and suitable for sightseeing too. You can also book a sightseeing bus ride at an affordable rate. Get a tourist pass to travel through the city. These passes can save a lot of money. Travel passes are available for different durations (one day to seven days passes).

This post piece is a collaboration with dealchecker. 

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