There are all kinds of ways to earn money from home these days, but you have to be careful. Many ‘opportunities’ that present themselves are no more than scams, or use unsavoury methods to get you on board. In the case of things like network marketing, many people that start it up never actually earn a penny, meaning it’s a total waste of time. But don’t be put off, as there really are ways you can earn an extra income without leaving your home- here are some examples.
Create content
Creating content is a fun way to spend your time, and once you’ve built up a following you’ll get plenty of opportunities for paid work. You could start a blog, a Youtube channel or an Instagram account and create visual or written content for others to enjoy. This isn’t a get rich quick scheme, it can take a lot of hard work and effort to reach the stage where advertisers want to work with you. But it makes a good hobby to begin with, and later down the line you can look into turning it into a reliable stream of income.
Start your own home business
Do you have a passion in a certain area? Maybe it’s fashion, beauty or interior design. Perhaps you have a skill like baking or crafting that you can use to make products to sell. Starting a business from home can usually be done without a lot of money to get up and running, and because there’s no travel time to factor in it can be something you easily work around a full time job, parenting or other commitments. As it will be something based on your skills and interests, chances are it will be fun and rewarding to do, too.
Become a freelancer
Freelancing is great as you don’t need lots of time and effort to build up a venture. You sign up to a freelancing site, take a short quiz to test your skills and can get right to work. You can bid on the projects you’d like to do, meaning it’s all within your control. Each piece will have a deadline, but you’re in control of how many pieces you take on. You could be writing articles, designing logos, building apps- whatever it is that suits your skill set.
Get into trading
Finally, it can feel a little daunting to get into trading if you’re new to it, but there’s lots of help and support out there. Do some research, find out if you want to trade xrp or btc, if you’ll trade stock market shares or commodities like oil or gold. It’s all done online so you wont need to physically store anything. There’s software you can buy to ‘practice’ moving your money around, and if can be really fascinating to do.
Date nights with your partner or spouse are important, but don’t forget to make some time for your best friend. If it’s been too long since you’ve created a new memory together, why not take a trip or try something new? Here are three unique things you can try with your best friend.
Horseback Riding
If the two of you are animal lovers, horseback riding Roachdale IN is the perfect activity to share. There are plenty of farms with experienced instructors that are willing to teach you. Consider booking a trail ride through the woods or learning the different styles of riding.
Rock Climbing
Although rock climbing looks terrifying if you’ve never done it, there are plenty of safety measures in place. Grab your friend and sign up for a lesson to learn how to properly tie into a harness and belay each other, a technique in which one of you will climb and the other will feed the rope through a device attached to their own harness. This is a great hobby that will build trust and let you work together.
Circus Arts
If you’ve ever seen a Cirque du Soleil show and wondered if you have what it takes, then it’s time to talk your best friend into finding out with you. Search for aerial fitness or circus schools near you to find a beginners class. From silks to tightrope walking to pole dancing, there are dozens of possibilities. You and your friend will have lots of laughs and get some great pictures out of this occasion.
After you’ve tried something totally new together, relax with a few mimosas at the local brunch hangout. Why not make it a goal to try something new once a month? Making time for each other is important and will bring you closer.
Are you wanting to give your garden an overhaul but don't know where to start? It can be tricky knowing exactly what you want when it comes to designing your own dream garden at home. Things such as space restrictions, budget or expertise in gardening can be overwhelming but when you break it down, it isn't really all that hard, if you know where to start.
Simple, you might think. you know how you want your garden to look. But do you know all the small details? Have you planned on all the features, small details, decorations, time scale and so on?
Look at other people's gardens, search online - Pinterest is ideal, read magazines etc. All of this will help you to decide on exactly what you want your garden to look like and what exactly what you need to achieve that look.
Do you want a garden brought to life by a plethora of plants and or even a vegetable patch or are you looking for a more minimalistic look? If you aren't very green-fingered there are many options you can choose that are low maintenance.
Your dream garden may look full of life, decorated with an abundance of colours but if you can't manage the upkeep of a garden full of plants, you may need to re-evaluate your dream.
Measure Up
So now you know what you want your garden to look like, you can start to measure up the space you have to see how you can make it happen.
If you only have a smaller garden, you may need to rethink your plans, as the last thing you want is for your garden to be cluttered and lose the effect you were going for. This also applies to those with larger gardens, make sure you have accounted for all of the space you have to use to really make sure your garden creates the space you envisioned.
Keep pathways wide enough for people to walk on, pets to navigate or even prams and wheelchairs.
Do You Need Professional Help?
There are certain aspects of garden renovations you may feel like you need professional help with. Contacting professionals such as the Sydney Tree Company can help you when it comes to tree maintenance or paving experts to help you create an outdoor flooring area to really bring your garden to life.
You will need to consider this when looking at your budget and how you need to allocate it. Whilst learning to do it yourself is always a great approach - and cheaper - sometimes you need to bring in experts in certain areas to get you the look you dream of.
Once you have all the above figured out, then all you need to do is to make a start on creating your dream garden. The quicker you finalise plans, the quicker you can enjoy the benefits of your hard work.
Being educated about and involved in politics is important. Everyone deserves to have a say in how they are represented in Washington DC, and corresponding with your representatives is one of the best ways to do so. So, here are two tips to effectively contact your representatives.
Online Resources
If you've ever thought, "How do I contact my DC representative?" the quickest and easiest way to do that is by email or another online resource. Most politicians have ways to contact them listed on their official websites, and you can send your exact thoughts in that way. However, there are official websites dedicated to making your voice heard on the issues you care about, such as eVoiceAmerica, which is linked above. If you care about the issues the American people face and you have ideas, don't be afraid to contact your representatives through email.
Know Who Represents You
Every city has its own set of representatives at varying levels, whether at the local, state, or federal level, so it can sometimes be confusing to decide who you're supposed to contact for what reason. The person who most directly represents you at the highest level is the person who represents your district in the federal government. There are online resources where you can input your zip code, and it will tell you who your representative is. This is the person you will want to contact for most of the big, important issues people tend to care about the most. For local representatives, visit your city or county's official website.
Making your voice heard in politics is the duty of a civilian. For your representative to be able to represent your beliefs properly, he or she needs to know what beliefs you hold. The more eloquent and articulate you are about your position, the more likely they are to understand you and represent you properly.
Nutrisystem aims to make weight-loss easier. You don’t need to determine whether or not meals will match your diet plan. You don’t need to count calories or carbohydrates. You don’t need to obsess over appropriate portion sizes. However, needless to say, you also cannot consume whatever you wish to.
So, why is it so simple? This is because you purchase many of your meals from Nutrisystem. The company sends it to your door. Every day, you consume a Nutrisystem breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. You may also order side products such as fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as snacks.
The downside: You are not advised to eat out, and alcohol is to be avoided on the plan too.
The program is not for women that are pregnant, individuals with long-term kidney illness, or anyone with specific allergies. It’s not for kids under the age of 14, although Nutrisystem does provide packages for teenagers aged 14 to 17.
THE THINGS YOU CAN CONSUME AND THE THINGS YOU CAN'T
Nutrisystem is a 28-day regime that provides pre-packaged food.
Morning meal options consist of oatmeal, granola, muffins, and pancakes.
Lunches and dinners consist of options like tacos, chicken and pasta, soup, stew, and chili, as well as pizza. You can find a great crockpot bean soup recipe here if you would like to make your own meals rather than purchasing them readymade.
For desserts and snacks, you may have cookies, cake, or brownies.
The regime offers a lengthy list of vegetables, fruits, nuts, dairy, and fresh meat, as well as other foods that you can eat together with your Nutrisystem foods.
In general, the foods and diet plans concentrate on:
A range of nutrients: About 50% of your energy comes from carbs, 25% from proteins, and 25% from fats.
"Smart" carbohydrates: These types of carbs do not increase your blood sugar levels as much as other meals. On the regime, you’ll have to reduce or even stay away from high-GI (high-Glycerin Index) foods (including white rice, white bread, and also certain fruits).
Restricted calories: The energy count was designed to enable you to shed a pound or two weekly on this eating plan.
Restricted sodium: As outlined by the company, the packages offer around 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day. The food you purchase by yourself might add to the overall.
LEVEL OF EFFORT: MEDIUM
Purchasing a month’s worth of what you need to eat is easy, and the items are made for you. However, you won’t enjoy your normal level of control over what food you consume. And, you receive get less energy than you are accustomed to.
Limitations: You choose your meals from the options Nutrisystem provides.
Cooking and shopping: You can purchase a 28-day delivery of foods that the company chooses, or you can select each item yourself.
You barely have to cook, given that the majority of Nutrisystem meals are ready to be eaten or only require warming. However, a few things that you purchase from the food store, like veggies and fish, might involve more preparation.
Exercise: Nutrisystem recommends you have at least around half an hour of physical exercise daily.
Dinner parties have always been a great way to entertain family and friends, providing the perfect environment to get together, enjoy good food and have a great conversation. But for many people, dinner parties are also quite stressful, with a lot of pressure put on the host to ensure that evening runs smoothly for all attendees. So how can you be sure to throw a successful dinner party? Here are our top five tips.
1. Plan Plan Plan
Dinner parties can end up quite complex, especially when you start to increase the number of guests you are catering to. Try to plan dinner parties as far in advance as you can to give everyone plenty of time to book childcare at home and to sort out their own diaries, while you plan the menu and your own home preparations.
2. Do discuss dietary requirements
There’s nothing worse than pulling together a fantastic menu only to be put on the spot when someone reveals their intolerance to a key ingredient. Regardless of who you’ve invited be sure to ask them if they have any dietary requirements or serious dislikes to any foods so that you can plan a menu that you know your guests will love.
3. Think outside the box
The food is a big focal point at dinner parties, so give everyone something to talk about by thinking outside of the box and preparing a menu with some exotic flavors that your guests may never have tried before. Why not head to South India with this sambar recipe or take a trip to Morocco with a slow-cooked tagine? Don’t be afraid of bold, new flavors, just find a reputable recipe, and follow it.
4. Choose a menu that can be prepared in advance
Your guests want you to be present at your own dinner party, so try to avoid recipes that will have you slaving over the stove all evening when you really want to be socializing with your guests. The key to spending minimal time in the kitchen is in creating a menu that can be largely prepared in advance and requires less overall effort. For starters, opt for something cold that you can plate up ahead of time, for main courses consider things such as curries, stews, and tagines that can be slow-cooked during the day and that don’t require any elaborate plating, and for dessert go for something that can easily be reheated or that have already been left to set in the fridge.
5. Make it as self-serve as possible
Finally, to reduce your workload one further, try to ensure that as many aspects of your dinner party are self-service. For example, set up a drinks table with all the things your guests could need to make themselves their own drinks and when it comes to food, choose big sharing platters and allow people to serve themselves at the table. This more communal and relaxed style of dinner party takes a huge amount of stress off your own plate while giving guests the freedom they want to be able to get a drink when they like and to put as much as they do or don’t want on their own plates.
Without being able to balance the books and keep your business in the black, your business is likely to fail. Of course, getting more customers and boosting your business in that way is going to be the main aim of the business. However, there are still plenty of things that you can do to cut costs and curb your spending, which can be more immediate and quicker than building up more sales. So as they say, when a penny is saved, a penny is earned. So here are some of the things that you can do to save money in business.
➤ Set an example: one of the things that can help to save money is for you to be on top of your spending, and setting an example to others when it comes to things like expenses. When you do something and show others what you’re doing, the rest of the team are much more likely as well.
➤ Hold less meetings: meetings can be something that can hinder productivity for a business, as well as take up a lot of money. How many times have you had a meeting with a client and you buy lunch or put on a spread of food and drinks? How many times have you had to travel to a meeting, all of which have associated costs that add up? Have less people attend meetings, and really limit face-to-face meetings in order to save some money.
➤ Move away from traditional marketing: running things like magazine ads and TV adverts are expensive, and really, you can’t measure the impact that those things will have. But in comparison, more modern ways to market your business can cost less, and can be more effective. So think about how you market your business, and look for the most cost-effective methods.
➤ Change small daily costs: there are a lot of small costs that can occur daily that can be a problem as they do add up to be quite a lot. Think about the credit card payment processing that you currently use, for example. Something that sounds like it is a small fee can add up and actually lead to be quite a lot, especially over time. So something as simple and changing provider can make a difference. You could also think about costs to things like coffee machines and disposable cups in an office; these costs can add up, but aren’t necessary.
➤ Consider remote working: one of the biggest costs that a workforce will experience is the cost of rent on an office space. So think about remote working, if you are in a position to do so. A small team, all working from home, meeting up from time to time, could be what you need to do if you are in a financial bind.
➤ Buy supplies in bulk: As a rule, things are going to be cheaper when you buy them in bulk. It can be hard to buy in bulk as a cash-strapped startup, but if you are in a position to pay for more things up-front, then it can make a big difference to your cash flow long term.
Posted by Eileen | 3/12/2020 07:59:00 PM | Finance
Things might be going well for you financially, and then an unexpected cost could come along and take you by surprise. It is many peoples aim to be financially stable, but being financially stable also involves having an emergency fund in case anything goes wrong. Being without an emergency fund, or any backup plan that will help you if things go wrong could lead to more problems in the future. Here are unexpected costs that you should have a fund for:
It is expected that you will have to spend some money every year on repairing and maintaining your home, but sometimes major repairs need doing, that you haven't planned for. These major repairs could include a new boiler, roofing repairs, or electrical repairs. Some advice is to save 1% of your home's worth every year so that you have enough to spend on repairs.
To cover the cost of damage from adverse weather or any other disaster, it is a good idea to get home insurance. Before you get the insurance, make sure that you look over the policy and check what is included as if you live somewhere that has a risk of flooding or earthquakes, this might be an extra that you have to add to the policy.
Car emergencies
Your car is also something that you expect to spend some money on every year so that you can service it, put it through its MOT, tax and insure it. However, there may end up being more major repairs that you did not account for. It could be a repair that happens through wear or tear, or because you were involved in an accident. To help you with the cost of repairs because of a car accident, you need to make sure that your car is insured, and if the accident wasn't your fault, you might need to get into contact with a local car accident lawyer.
Pets can make your home into a happier place, but when they have a medical emergency, it can be very costly. At the moment when something goes wrong, you don't think about how much money it is going to cost; you just want your pet to be better. It is only afterward that you have to deal with the bill. You may be able to organize a payment scheme with your vet so that you don't have to pay the full bill all at once, however, it may be a better idea to get pet insurance. Pet insurance policies may not cover everything, but they may be able to help you with some of the unexpected costs that might occur.
Technology repairs
In this technologically advanced world, there are some pieces of technology that people need on a day to day basis. Your phone is required to keep in contact with people and so that you can answer emails. If you work from home, you might rely on your laptop. If something goes wrong with one of the items, you may need to replace it as soon as possible, and this can come with a big price tag that emergency savings would help with.
We all have special people in our life, and if you haven’t, don’t worry, you likely will soon. People are bound to find those they care about sooner or later, because we are all especially social creatures and enjoy seeing the best in one another, at least in positive environments. Yet we all know that keeping up these relationships and ensuring friendships last is to maintain said relationship through care, attention, and contact.
So how can you let someone know you care without overdoing it? A little note may serve as a pleasant surprise, as may a complimentary text or instant message, but what if we wish to apply ourselves in a more substantial manner? It’s worth asking this question, because it can adjust the approach you take. In the following advice, we hope to help you structure that advice, and potentially come out of the effort with love, care and respect for said person, and for them to appreciate you in turn.
Just remember, only partake in this if you truly do mean it. It will make the result all the more special:
Gifting An Experience
The gift of an experience not only helps you bond with the person you are gifting, but it grants you an expeirence to share that only the two of you may ever be fully in ownership of. For instance, taking your grandmother to the theatre to see a broadway play, or to enjoy an amazing musical can help you bond over said experience, and it can be a lovely way to grow a sense of companionship with someone you may not experience much time with in general. Then, as you reminisce over said experience while you both enjoy a beautiful Turnbuckle pretzel, you can schedule your next adventure together in the best manner.
Include Them Correctly
Including someone in your daily adventures can be a great idea to show them that you care. For instance, you may have to travel to a certain city for a job interview, which may translate into an overnight stay in a hotel and a nice few hours to explore. You might ask your friend to come along with you and have dinner in a beautiful restaurant that night. Impromptu means of including someone in this capacity can really show where your true priorities lie.
Believe In Their Best Self
Sometimes, an encouraging word is enough. While it’s important for us to hold ourselves to account and to keep ourselves motivated, sometimes there’s nothing more effective than a warm word from a friendly and encouraging voice. If we can be that voice for someone else, we let them know that they care, and this gives them the chance to feel even stronger. Just be sure to mean what you say, because undue praise aimed at making the person feel good at any cost can come across as a little insincere.
With this advice, we hope you can let that special person know you care.
It is crucial to protect your eyesight. This is because your vision dictates a significant quality of your life. The major causes of blindness, as well as low vision, are often age-related diseases, including cataracts, glaucoma, as well as diabetic retinopathy. With these conditions, your quality of life will be interfered with. That is why you need helpful tips to help you in maintaining a healthy life by protecting your vision.
Good eye health depends on the type of food you consume, for example, nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, as well as E, can play a significant role in assisting you to fight age-related diseases such as cataracts. To get them, you should consider filling your plate with the following types of food:
Salmon,
Oily fish
Pork
Oysters
Nuts
Eggs
Citrus fruits and non meat proteins
Additionally, you need to note that a properly balanced diet can also play a significant role in helping you to maintain a healthy weight, which should lower your chances of gaining abnormal weight and other diseases related to obesity such as type-2 diabetes.
Invest In Protective Eye Wear
Have you already considered investing in protective eyewear? Well, these gadgets will keep your eyes safe from different precarious objects in your surroundings. There are, of course, different eyewear types. Your choice depends on the needs you have. Either way, they all serve the same purpose: to protect your eyes from any harm or damage. Computer glasses should be used as anti glares by those who spend hours working on projects via their computer. On the other hand, sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays that may compromise your vision, thereby causing cancer.
Consult Your Eye Doctor Often
Visiting an eye doctor is the best strategy to implement if you would like to maintain a clear and proper vision. Usually, eye doctors are not just for individuals who wear glasses. Several common eye issues do not have an early warning sign. For that reason, it is crucial to see a doctor regularly to monitor your eye health.
An eye doctor can regularly check you during an appointment. However, that is not enough to help you in keeping the eyes healthy. You should see the doctor if you notice the following in your eyes;
Fact is, rubbing dirty hands carrying infection over your eyes may harm them in several ways. So this about the quality of makeup you are investing in before anything else. Harmful bacteria thriving in the makeup can harm your eyes. That is why you should not keep the same products for over three months.
Looking at the screen all day can damage your eyesight. Over and above, it would help if you make sure that you protect your eyes from any dangerous elements in your surroundings. But you cannot achieve this objective unless you are at the forefront of gaining access to the right tips. Above are some of the essential elements to consider in seeking proper eye health.
Posted by Eileen | 3/11/2020 05:59:00 AM | Self Care
Stress is something you are greeted with every single day, whether you’re working, at home or travelling. No matter how much you try and settle these heightened emotions, they always manage to creep back in your mind and make you feel inadequate. You would literally do anything to reduce your stress and anxiety levels; this type of movement would change your life. When you’re looking to live a healthier and less anxious life, there are a number of ways to kickstart the process. Depending on how deep rooted your stress and anxiety is, it may require guidance from a professional. However, if you are ready to alter your mindset, change your habits and step out of your comfort zone, you will be able to make a huge impact. It is so important to take small steps when you’re looking to reduce your stress levels. You won’t be able to click your fingers and transform overnight; there are certain steps you need to take. It doesn’t matter how overwhelmed or anxious you are in your day to day life, some of the following ideas will help to alleviate your symptoms. Take as many ideas as you like right now and you will soon feel a huge weight lifted from your shoulders.
Get a Dog
One of the best ways to reduce your stress and anxiety levels is to get a dog. Not only are they loyal, friendly and caring, but they’re pretty cute too! Imagine walking into your apartment after a terrible day at work and being greeted by a gorgeous fluffy pup that loves you unconditionally. Look here https://chocolatelabradorretriever.ca/lab-puppies-for-sale and you might just find a cute canine that would fit perfectly into your life. Remember, a puppy is a lot of responsibility so you need to make sure that you’re prepared to commit. Once you do find the time, you will instantly be able to relieve your stresses simply by stroking them, taking them for a walk or cuddling them on the sofa. Dogs have helped people combat severe depression and anxiety for years, so why not see how they can help you?
Like most people in the modern day, you feel pressured to say “yes” to every single social event you get invited to. Whether it’s a work colleague’s birthday drinks or a school friend’s wedding, there is always something to go out and do. This can put huge amounts of stress on your shoulders unnecessarily because all you want to do is relax with the people you actually care about. Being in social situations can trigger your stress and anxiety so why would you want to constantly put yourself in that position? You should feel empowered to say “no” to social activities more often. This doesn’t mean that you have to isolate yourself from everything going on in the world, it simply means you have the power to pick and choose what you do. Nobody is forcing you to attend these events, so stay strong and put your mental health first.
Reassess Your Career
Feeling unhappy in your career can spark so much stress and anxiety inside you without you evening realizing. Whether you’ve got an overpowering boss or you really hate the industry you’re in right now, there are so many ways to get out of your current stress inducing situation. Although quitting your job right away might not be an option, you can start to take steps that will improve your current career. Whether you start searching for another role that you would enjoy or you confide in a colleague that might understand you better, there are so many ways to remove yourself from this type of unhealthy environment. Your career is such a huge part of your life, so don’t allow this to cause you daily stress and anxiety if it doesn’t have to.
Are You Happy in Your Relationship?
Being trapped in an unhappy relationship can trigger stress on a daily basis. Toxic relationships are often very tricky to navigate, so make sure you are prepared to make some much needed changes. Assess whether this person adds value or stress to your life; this will be the basis of your final decision. This type of no-nonsense approach feels harsh from the outside, but this will work wonders for you in the long run. You don’t deserve to be in an unhappy relationship that is holding you back, so have the courage to make a change right now.
Change Your Daily Routines
Believe it or not, you can reduce your stress levels by changing up your morning routine. Getting up five minutes before you leave the house, skipping breakfast and throwing on any old outfit can actually trigger stress in your brain for the entire day. If you want to mitigate these feelings of stress, you need to learn how to adapt your daily routine to suit you. You might find that a morning meditation serves you really well from the moment you wake up. You may need to adapt your evening routine so that you can learn to switch off more easily. Consider your current daily routines and see how they might be triggering your anxiety. These are one of the easiest things in your life to change, so make sure you take action on this and discover more calming daily routines.
Enjoy Time By Yourself
Spending time by yourself should never be seen as a negative thing in your head. People might call you weird for wanting to be by yourself often, but it can work wonders for your mental health. Time by yourself can kickstart new thoughts, inspiring ideas and allow you to love yourself no matter what. You might seem like the most outgoing person in the room sometimes, but being alone is the best way to recharge. If you consider yourself to be an introvert time by yourself will literally feed your soul. If you’re one of those people who feels totally stressed out at the thought of being amongst a large group of people for a prolonged amount of time, then taking time for yourself is super important. Don’t listen to people who aren’t supportive of this much needed space and time; soon enough they will start to realize that they actually need more of it too!
All in all, these methods have been tried and tested by people suffering from anxiety and stress for years. Although every single method mentioned above may not work for you, you’re bound to find something that is high value and worthwhile to you. Try to lower your expectations a little bit from the get go; if you are constantly chasing perfection this will never play in your favour. Think carefully about how much you want to relieve your stresses and work slowly and gradually towards your end goals. Sooner or later you will start to notice shifts in your behavioural patterns, which is a true sign of change. Remember, you’re not trying to change innately who you are as a person, you’re trying to bring out the sunnier sides of yourself. It is also nearly impossible to eliminate stress from your life altogether; there are bound to be moments when you feel overwhelmed and anxious. It is how you deal with these moments that will make everything much easier in the long run. All of this can be achieved as long as you invest the time and self care needed to make a huge impact in your life and lower your stress levels for good.
Every individual has gone through the process of development since the day he was born. Physical and mental development varies from one person to another.
For children, the best way to develop the different aspects of their life is having the freedom to play. A child who experiences independence tends to become more responsible for his choices and actions. The freedom to go around and play gives every child the chance to explore his potential.
Children playing is one of the reasons for playgrounds and pocket park designs. These are great places where a child can move and discover the different things that he can do with other children who are in the same shoes as him. Within the corners of a playground, there is an unlimited opportunity for fun, games, and imagination.
The Role of Playgrounds in Child Development
1. Social, Brain, and Language Development
When a child has the freedom to play in a playground, he can practice his social skills, find solutions to his problems, and establish self-control during a conflict.
Playgrounds also improve the language development of a child since he tends to talk with other children. The interaction with different children will allow them to share and express their thoughts and feelings.
2. Physical Development and Good Physical Exercise
Since playground time can include different activities, it can stimulate the physical development of a child. Some common examples of these activities are slides and swings, which can improve balance and coordination, tactical panels for hand-eye skills, and climbing frames to strengthen the muscles. When a child achieved a difficult task, it can encourage mastery and physical strength.
3. Emotional Development and Positive Mental Health
Playgrounds can evoke different emotions for every child. Many kids feel excited about play since they can run around, shout, swing, slide, and climb. While playgrounds are associated with positive emotions, some kids might also feel anger and fear due to different situations like climbing too high or fighting with other kids.
The different things that they experience during play will help them learn to control their positive and negative emotions, which is vital to their mental health.
What Makes a Good Playground
Motion - a playground should encourage children to run, climb, jump, swing, slide, hop, throw, toss, and more. Hence, a good playground must have different moving parts, such as swings, balance activities, and activity panels.
Interesting to Look At - color, sound, and texture are important factors for a good playground. The place must get the interest of a kid.
Incorporates Nature - a fun playground must have a touch of nature. A green space with natural elements like sand and water can be more appealing to the kids.
Friendly Competition - a friendly and safe competition is an essential factor of a good playground. Children should be allowed to compete with each other in a fun way.
Posted by Eileen | 3/10/2020 01:37:00 PM | Road Safety
You’ve been involved in a car accident. It happened so suddenly and the violent impact has made you a little disorientated. This could last for many days or even weeks, depending on the severity of the crash. You will be in pain of some sort. Even if you’re not injured in a major way, you will only feel your minor injuries once you’re away from the situation. Your adrenaline will be pumping so you could be feeling fine but your body is merely coping with the traumatic event, by releasing endorphins. Once the seriousness of the incident wears off, you will become more wary of what actually happened. It's at this moment that your near future will be up in the air. The other party could blame you for the accident, your license could be given points and you may also be deemed guilty by a court of law. When you are sure it's not your fault, knowing the ways to prove your innocence will be your saving grace.
Seeing is believing
Before the era of smartphones, the only way to prove your innocence without a shred of doubt was to obtain CCTV footage. Despite having smartphones, CCTV footage is still one of if not, the best way to show a court of law that you were not at fault. Seeing is believing as they say and, footage of the accident taking place will leave nobody in any doubt. The cause for speculation will be eradicated if you can get the relevant pieces of footage. It's in your best interest to speak with your lawyer as soon as the crash occurred. Let him or she know where the crash happened and where you have spotted security cameras. Your lawyer will take down the details and make a short list of stores that they can contact in the bid they will release those tapes to him or her.
However, if there are witnesses to the accident, it's vital that you get them on camera if you can. Usually, citizens will admit to seeing the whole event take place, but they may not want to be on camera. Those that do, get them to introduce themselves before explaining what they saw. Get as many eyewitness testimonies by the side of the road as you can. If someone doesn’t want to get in the camera, kindly ask them to give you their details so you can contact them later on if needed. You may need to entice them with the offer of payment, should you need their testimony in court.
Have your wits about you
When you’re involved in a bad car crash, your fight or flight mechanism will be in full motion. You may become erratic and just try to get to safety. However, it's within your best interest to stay still and take a few deep breaths. When you have your wits about you, you need to immediately start recording the event. Using your smartphone, record from the inside of your car. Make sure you get a 360-degree shot of your surroundings before you get out of the car. Once out, you should record the road if you find any skid marks. This will be incredibly useful in determining who saw who first and tried to stop. It will also indicate who was speeding, by the length of the tire marks on the road. It's a good idea to keep the camera rolling by putting it in your pocket just so you can pick up the sound. You may also want to use voice recording apps that have features allowing you to lower background noise and pick up voices only. Make sure you are recording every single word you speak and what the other party says. This could be your saving grace if it ever arrives at a he-said-she-said scenario in court.
Make special notes
You never know where you may have a car accident. It could be in the middle of a busy city or out in the middle of nowhere in a rural part of the country. You cannot rely on eyewitnesses coming in to corroborate your story. You need to take special notes of the accident. If you can smell alcohol on the breath of the other driver, make a note of this either in writing or in the recording on your smartphone. If you can see alcohol bottles or cans in their car, this is also noteworthy information.
Is the other driver slurring their words? This is also something you have to take note of, either by video recording or merely in written form. Make sure you are jotting down the time and date, as well as what they were saying when they made it apparent they could be impaired somehow. Take pictures of their tires. If tires are bald they will have much less grip on certain surfaces and conditions. It will take longer for the car to stop and as a result, pose a danger to other drivers. This is great evidence to use against the other party. Are any of their car lights out? If their brake lights are not working properly or perhaps their headlights are uneven, this could confuse other drivers. A badly maintained car by the other driver will help your case, in some cases win it for you.
Refer to police evidence
It's common for police officers to be called at the site of a car crash. It's within your best interest to cooperate fully with the officers at the scene. They will be logging down information and making a crash report which will go down in the police and accident databases. Once it's on this system, it holds a lot of weight in the instance of proving your innocence. Most of the time, officers will take a report down and then notify you when they have logged it into the system. This is for both party’s knowledge as it will be the precursor which then allows legal proceedings to occur. If you are afraid this may happen to you or if you are the person who wishes to initiate the proceedings, then you can use this Accident Report service. It will show you the police’s accident report in full, with all the details the officers saw and took. All you need to do to use it, type in the area ZIP code, the date of the accident, the vehicle manufacturer and the year of your car’s build.
All this will be used to then locate your accident report and make it ready for printing. Your attorney will want this report before anything else. Since it is the word of law enforcement, it will be the end-all and be-all of any case you put forth. Video evidence is great, but the officers will be trained in explaining certain things that will give your footage creedence. This is not a case of vice versa.
Record your phone calls
Sometimes the guilty party will try to intimidate or plead with the victim of a car crash, over the phone. This usually occurs when you have pressed legal action and or their insurance company is finding them at fault for the crash. It's so important that you don’t hesitate to record the phone calls. Have another smartphone at the ready so you can do this while taking the call on your own phone. In some states, you have to declare you are recording the other person, but in some, you do not have to. In many cases, it's best not to let the other person know as they will change their story before proceeding any further; thus you’re unable to catch them trying to frighten you.
Expect the guilty party to try and use subtle language to threaten you. You must try and get the truth of their intentions or feelings out of them without being too obvious. Asking them questions is a very good tactic which will lead them to be defensive and thus, shows their true colors. When they make a threat, ask them to repeat it with an excuse, such as you didn’t hear them. Sometimes recordings can be muffled and thus it provides leeway. When they repeat their threats clearly and thoroughly there is no way of hiding from the facts in court.
Be completely cooperative
It's easy to become overwhelmed by the situation but if the other party is dragging you to court, don’t be intimidated. Be completely cooperative with the police and their legal team. Even if you are absolutely innocent, any form of resistance to document requests or interview requests will be taken as an admission of guilt. Do not slow the process down, in fact, offer to help in any way you can. In the meantime, make your own case by working with a legal team and ask them for advice on what you should do if further requests are made. Hold onto your video evidence and make multiple copies of them so nothing can be lost in the event of a hardware error.
There is a myriad of ways to prove your innocence. You need to work quickly at the scene of the accident, collecting as much video evidence as possible.
While air pollution doesn’t top all of our lists when it comes to big concerns, it is something that we should all take into consideration. You’re not only at risk of air pollution when you visit major cities and spend time out on the streets. You can be at risk from the health consequences of air pollution in your own home too! The good news is that you can better control the conditions you live in than conditions in public spaces. So, here are a few steps you can take to improve the air you breathe when you’re within your own home.
Sweep, Vacuum and Dust
Every home will generate dust. Dust itself is basically an accumulation of skin cells, hair, and other debris that gets dropped on the floor. While not necessarily dangerous in reasonable quantities, it does lower air quality and can irritate your lungs. Make sure to sweep, vacuum and dust your home to remove any excess dust regularly!
Clean and Repair Air Con Units
Air con can be great for air quality in your home - keeping everything circulating and making sure nothing gets stagnant. But this only applies to clean air con units. If your air con system is full of dust or hasn’t been cleaned, it can actually spread dirt and germs around the room it’s in. Make sure your unit is in top condition and if you notice any problems, contact Pezz Electrical Services, LLC. They’ll be able to fix things and get your unit up and running again in next to no time.
Invest in Houseplants
If you haven’t heard plants referred to as “nature’s life support system” yet, you have now! Plants draw impurities from the air surrounding them and photosynthesise carbon dioxide into oxygen as part of their natural process. You can incorporate plants into your home to help improve the air quality without spending too much money. Of course, this may not be ideal for people suffering from allergies such as hay fever. You should do plenty of research into the plants you choose. If you have children or pets, be particularly wary and always choose non-toxic options.
Invest In a Salt Lamp
Salt lamps, sometimes referred to as Himalayan salt lamps, are pretty lamps composed of salt. The bulb is placed inside a carved block of salt for subtle glow. But as well as serving a functional purpose in terms of lighting, they also draw in water from the air, removing bacteria and dirt with it! This can improve air quality in the space they’re being used in. The lamps come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it’s worth shopping around to find the one that will best suit your needs and aesthetic preferences.
While we tend to take the air we breathe for granted, it is important that we guarantee ourselves good air quality wherever possible. The above steps are just a few ideas that will, hopefully, get the ball rolling in the right direction for you!
Family life can be hectic. Getting kids to school and picking them up on time, making sure everyone gets to their clubs and extracurricular activities and doing the family food shop alone are all complex tasks that can be made a whole lot easier when you have a good quality family car. Sure, public transport is great. But managing multiple kids at once on it and making the walk between the public transport stop and your actual destination can be difficult - especially when the kids are being difficult and may be throwing tantrums. When you get a good family car, you’ll be able to cart your little ones around, pick up larger food shops more easily and generally lead an easier and more convenient life. Here are just a few steps you might want to take into consideration and follow if you’re looking to get the right car first time around!
Keeping Costs Low
Driving, of course, can get extremely expensive pretty fast. There are all sorts of costs that come hand in hand with taking to the roads. You need to get a car in the first place. You need to insure it. You need to pay necessary taxes. You need to put fuel into it. But it’s also important that you don’t let this put you off. There are many ways that you can cut costs in all of these areas. When buying a family car, chances are you’ll be taking out a loan or finance agreement. Very few people have enough money to buy a car outright, so these alternative forms of payment make getting a car much more accessible and feasible. When you take out a loan, just make sure to shop around for the best agreement with the lowest interest rate attached. New Roads Auto Loans are a good place to start out. You may always want to consider used vehicles rather than new vehicles. Of course, you don’t want an old banger. You want something that will be safe for your family and up to standard with the latest safety regulations. But you should also bear in mind that cars lose a lot of value as soon as they have been taken off the forecourt. You can get almost new cars for a lot less money than a new one which will be practically indistinguishable. When it comes to insurance, use price comparison sites to get the best deal. Different providers have different rates. It will just take a bit of looking to find the lowest cost option!
Prioritize Space
Remember that one of the most important aspects of a family car is space. Families tend to take up a lot of room. Whether that’s with car seats, booster seats, needing more than five seats, or getting sufficient boot space to store prams, multiple people’s luggage or more.You should also look towards the future. If you have a partner and three children now, but may be having more soon, it’s worth looking at seven seaters straight away, rather than buying and having to sell and re-buy in the near future.
These are just a few things you should focus on when you’re planning on buying a family car. There are, of course, other things you might need to consider to make sure all of the boxes on your list get ticked. But these are good places to start!
If you are a new driver, there will be many things you will soon learn. While you may be fooled into thinking that once you have passed your driving test, you will be filled with confidence and can’t wait to get on the open road, the truth is, you will spend most of your first year driving absolutely terrified.
While you may think that you learn all you need to know as a driver while you are learning, you will find that while you are driving around in your first year, you will learn a hell of a lot more than they don’t teach you in drivers ed.
Taking all of this into account, you should be preparing certain things for your life as a driver that covers you no matter what situation you may find yourself in. Whether you like to acknowledge it or not, at some point in your time driving, you will have minor accidents, and there are a few things you will really be thankful for.
The first thing you should make sure you have is great insurance. While you may find some cheaper insurers, you will find they are cheap for a reason, and the level of cover they provide is rubbish.
Alongside your insurance, it’s always a great idea to have access to car accident lawyers. While they may only be needed in extreme cases, they can be some of the best people to have around when an accident happens.
The below infographic will give you a little more insight into how car accident lawyers can help should you find yourself in a sticky situation, and you may also learn a few things you didn’t know along the way.
Left the corporate world to pursue a lifelong dream of being a successful writer. I am a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mom and grandmom enjoying everyday with faith and love in my heart as I go on this journey called LIFE.
Nor will I allow yesterday's success to lull me into today's complacency, for this is the great foundation of failure. I will forget the happenings of the day that is gone, whether they were good or bad, and greet the new sun with confidence that this will be the best day of my life.
So long as there is breath in me, that long will I persist. For now I know one of the greatest principles of success; if I persist long enough I will win.
I will persist. I will win.
-Scroll Marked III, The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
