6 Unique Gifts for Your Adult Son

When he was a young boy, you knew he’d like toys and video games so getting him a fun present was easy. Now that he’s an adult and has moved out of the home, what do you get him for his birthday or Christmas? You might be stumped about guy gifts. If so, here are some great ideas to inspire you.

1. Wooden Organizer

If he seems to misplace his wallet and keys whenever he visits your house, he’s likely having the same issue at home. Help him stay organized by getting him a wooden box for his essentials, including his sunglasses and watch. Have his name engraved on the item to make it extra special.

2. Vehicle Payments

Is your son still paying off his car loan? Many adults have debt that includes vehicle payments, and he could be one of them. Take some of the financial pressure off his shoulders by shrinking the car loan. By writing a check for a chunk of the remaining amount (or all of it), you will likely help him more than you might even realize.

3. Babysitting Gift Cards

If your son is a dad, then create homemade cards that offer your babysitting services. Each one will be good for one evening or weekend babysitting your grandchildren. This present will be one he’s sure to appreciate, whether he makes it a date night without the kids or enjoys some quiet time at home.

4. Leather Apron

If he loves to BBQ or use other cooking techniques, then Men’s Aprons are a great gift idea. The durable material will last longer and look better than old-fashioned aprons. It will take him from the casual backyard cookout to the elegant dinner party host. He’ll think of your delicious home-cooked meals growing up as he puts his own spin on many dishes.

5. Gaming Keyboard

Is he still a video game lover, just as he was when he was a teenager? If so, consider getting him a mechanical gaming keyboard. It is backlit in a range of colors and makes a satisfying clicking sound as he hits keys on it. Take his enjoyment of games to the next level. He works hard at his career and deserves to have fun at the end of the day.

6. Retirement Savings

While he’s a young adult now, he will one day be in retirement. Help your adult son start to save for it by creating a retirement account for him. If he already has one, then deposit cash into it or buy him bonds. The gift of investment is an amazing one because you are encouraging his financial independence.

Final Words on Gifts for Your Adult Son

From goods that he can hold to items he can wear, and non-material options too, there are many great gift ideas for your boy now that he is all grown up. He will appreciate your thoughtfulness, and the bond you have will be as strong as always. Finally, he’s sure to love that the present, whichever one you choose from the list above, is unique and useful for him.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting a Pet

Photo source

Most of us have had a pet at some point in our lives. If you don’t have a pet right now, you may be considering getting one. Now, there are so many perks that come hand in hand with getting a pet that it would be impossible to list them all in one article. They can make great companions. They can bring a smile to your face. They can entertain you. You can bond with them. But it’s absolutely essential that you really think about the decision to get a pet over before diving in the deep end and buying or adopting one. At the end of the day, pets are sentient, feeling beings and you will be entirely responsible for their health, well being and happiness. Some can live a long time and pet’s don’t grow up and gain responsibility in the same way that kids do - you’ll remain responsible for them and will have to care for them their whole lives. You need to be absolutely certain that you can meet their needs and more! Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself first.

Can I Afford this Pet?

Any pet is going to come with financial costs. Some, admittedly, more than others. But there’s going to be outgoings attached to them. All animals require veterinary care - whether that’s vaccinations, worming, flea treatments, booster injections or anything else they need on a regular basis. That’s before we consider potential costs attached to unexpected illnesses or accidents. Realistically, any pet you have needs to be insured so you can always provide the care they need. Take into account that this insurance cost can rise as they age too, so may not be cheap forever. Then, you need to think about food costs. Bedding costs. The cost of toys and games they may enjoy. Treats. The list goes on. Pets simply aren’t cheap.

Can I Meet this Animal’s Needs

Different animals have different needs. A horse’s care will vary drastically from a dog’s care. A cat’s care will be hugely different to a cichlids care. So, make sure to look up the needs of the animal you’re interested in. Does the pet require exercise and will you be able to take them out frequently enough? Do you have enough space? Can you keep up with necessary grooming? You need to be able to tick every box in order to give this pet a good quality of life.

Do I Have Enough Time?

Pets require a big time commitment. Sure, some pets can be left to their own devices for longer periods of time as long as they have the right environment - reptiles for example. However, if you’re out of the house all day every day, a dog probably isn’t going to be for you.

These are just a few questions you need to ask yourself before getting a pet. This really is a significant decision that you have to be certain about!

Gifts To Show Your Lover That You Care

When it comes to buying gifts, they say it's the thought that counts. That's never more true than when you are trying to show your boyfriend or girlfriend that you care. In truth, the sentimental value is far greater than the monetary value.

Here are eight priceless ideas that truly show how much you care.

Image Pixabay CC0 License

1. The Home Date Gifts

Spending time together is truly the greatest gift of all, and you don't even need to leave the house to make it happen. In fact, you can also embrace your joint love of geeky gifts, such as gaming or home cinema experiences. For the latter, a home popcorn machine can work wonders too. If joint interests aren't an option, do something that is focused on what they love.

If nothing else, you can use this as bargaining power when picking dates outside of the home...

2. Something With Rare Historical Value

Anybody can pick up the latest jewelry from the local mall. However, necklaces or rings that incorporate Megalodon teeth make a far greater statement. After all, the number of pieces available is limited due to the shark species being extinct. When jewelry isn't an option, sports or music memorabilia can offer historic and rare value.

Crucially, it's an idea that shows you have made a significant effort to find the ideal gift for your lover.

3. Write Them Something

Whether it's a poem or a song, writing something for your significant other isn't cheap. It's priceless. It's something that you have put your heart and soul into, which will have a telling impact on the recipient. Even if you aren't quite up to the standards of a professional, writing down the best things about your unique love story is sure to bring a smile or two.

However, it is highly recommended that the gift is accompanied by something they can unwrap too.

Image Pixabay CC0 License

4. Name A Star

Your partner is your everything. Naming a star after them is a great way to show them that they mean the world to you. The idea itself is very simple, but it can be combined with other ideas. A walk under the stars, followed by the reveal is a great option. Fireworks – ideally silent ones – can also add something special to their birthday or your anniversary.

Presentation is the key for this type of gift. Get this right, and you'll be destined for success.

5. Personalized Photo Gifts

Thanks to the benefits of digital communications, it is now a very easy task to create personalized photo gifts. Creating photo books are the ideal way to celebrate the amazing experiences you've shared up to this point. Canvases for the living room or hallway wall are ideal too. Likewise, photo gifts, such as keyrings and mugs can leave the desired impact.

When using the latter idea, a joint gift where you each keep one half can be a great solution too.

6. Adopt An Animal

If your significant other is an animal lover, adopting an animal is a great option. Whether it's an endangered species or their favorite animal doesn't matter. The sentiments are particularly strong, while regular updates offer an ongoing gift. If you live together, you may alternatively want to consider getting a pet instead.

Either way, the animal is something that you can love together. It brings you closer together.

Image Pixabay CC0 License

7. The Big Statement

Depending on what stage of the relationship you are at, big statements can be made. This can include giving your lover a key to the property, asking them to move in, or even getting engaged. The show of commitment is a truly special gift. And, it can also link up nicely with other gifts, such as the keyring idea for when asking them to live with you.

Avoid making the big statement for the sake of it. But when it feels right, this gift is amazing.

8. Career Support

If your partner is passionate about chasing a new career goal, why not support them with your gift? Booking studio time for a musician, acting classes for an actor or a new camera for a budding photographer are all great options. The show of belief and confidence can make a world of difference to their ego and motivation.

It could also make the gift hunting process a lot easier for the years to come.

The Final Word

Sentimental gifts do not need to feel cheap. Likewise, they do not need to cost you the earth. Find the right balance by finding something personal, and you won't go far wrong. 

What to Do About Your Embarrassing Health Problems

We all experience embarrassing health problems from time to time, and these problems can often go untreated and ignored. If you feel like you can’t seek help because of embarrassment, your health will continue to suffer, and that’s not the way it should be. We’re going to talk about some of the things you should do to deal with health problems that you find embarrassing or tricky to talk about, so read on now.

Look to Your Lifestyle for Explanations

Your health is heavily influenced by your general lifestyle so if you’re not sure what’s going on with your health and you want to put things right, the first thing you should do is try to live a healthier lifestyle. Simply getting a bit more sleep, drinking more water, getting active and losing some weight could be all you need to put those embarrassing health problems behind you. There are no guarantees but it’s worth a try.

There’s No Need for Shame

We all have bodies and they all do weird things from time to time. There’s no shame in dealing with your health problems even if they feel a little embarrassing at times. Everyone experiences issues and everyone gets help sometimes. Put your feelings of shame behind you and get the help you need if you think that’s the right thing to do.

Image Source - CC0 License

Don’t Worry Alone

Going it alone when you’re dealing with health problems is never a good idea. You will only end up putting your mental health under strain if you allow yourself to go it alone and don’t get the help you need. The stress associated with health problems, especially when you have no idea what’s wrong, can be pretty huge, so why put yourself through that?

Head to Your Pharmacy

It might sound embarrassing, but getting help from a pharmacist is a good idea. You can describe your symptoms and have an over the counter medication recommended to you. You can even pretend it’s for someone else if you’re too embarrassed to admit it’s you who’s having a problem with warts or whatever it is. It’s a quick and easy process though, so it could be what you’re looking for.

If a Problem is Persistent, Talk to a Doctor

If you have any problems that just won’t go away and you’re not sure what’s going on, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. It’s best to make sure that things are taken care of and your health is put first because that matters more than any level of embarrassment you might be experiencing. They’ll help you in a discreet and confidential way.

We all experience problems that seem a little embarrassing because our bodies are complex and throw some strange situations at us from time to time. Rather than ignoring the problem or hoping it just goes away, be sure to take the right action and do what you can to get those issues dealt with properly.

Should You Buy A New Build Or An Old House?

If you’re someone who wants to invest a bit of their money into property, you’ve probably been asking this question for a while now. You want to know what would be more worth your time, money, and energy: a new build, or an old house? But in truth, there’s no simple and straightforward answer to such a question. It depends on a couple of factors, so let’s go into a bit of detail surrounding them below. 

What kind of build would you be most happy with? Always take that into consideration. 

(Pexels Image - CC0 License)

Consider the Pros 

There’s quite a few to both; let’s start with the pros of a new build:

• Depending on where you’re buying, you’ll be given a lengthy warranty
• New builds are more environmentally friendly, thanks to their energy efficiency ratings
• Plus, you’ll be the very first person to own the house, and you’ll be calling all the shots!

And now, moving on to the pros of an old house:

• You’ll have much more negotiating room when it comes to the price
• An old house tends to have more space, and more rooms, to make use of
• Old houses are tried and tested, in terms of architecture - they have unique and eye catching looks! 

Consider the Cons

Of course, there’s no pros without cons; let’s start with old houses this time:

• Potential security issues, thanks to the aged architecture
• Old houses are pricey to try and run, as well as renovate when the time comes for extensions or redecorating to be done! 

But new builds have just as many outstanding and glaring cons:

• If you’re building from the ground up, there could be many delays down the line, and there’s a good chance you won’t move in when you planned to
• A new build can look a lot like the new build down the block, or the one next to it, and there tends to be a minimalist layout both inside and out - a lot of people don’t like this! 

Consider What’s on Offer

A final point to finish up, but an important one. House and land around you might be filled to the brim with new developments, but at the same time, you may be working with only older houses and homes that could do with a tender and loving touch. 

You really have to consider what’s on offer to you, and what’s going to be the most value within your area; it’s all about context, and if you’re not planning to move elsewhere, or move into an investment portfolio that spreads far and wide, base your buying decisions on what’s around you. 

Now’s a Good Buying Time

A new build, or an old house? What would be the best decision for you and your money? It’s a big choice in the current day and age, and the housing market is more diverse than ever. Make sure you do your research, consider the costs involved in either choice available to you, and then decide! 

Common Causes Of Sneezing & Solutions

If you have found yourself starting to sneeze a lot more than usual recently, then there are many things that this could be. Before we get into the potential issues that might be causing your sneezing, it’s a good idea to think about how long it has been going on, whether it is relatively recent or something that has been around in some form or another for quite a while. You might also want to question yourself on whether or not you have any other symptoms co-existent with the sneezing. All of that is useful data you can use in working out the problem. But in any case, a persistent sneeze is troublesome and annoying, so let’s take a look at the potential causes and solutions.

Pic - CCO License

Hay Fever

If you find that you regularly start to sneeze in the summer, and especially on dry, hot windy days, then this could be a sign that you have hay fever or similar allergies. If you have never had hay fever before and you've just started sneezing during high pollen days, you might be wondering whether this is still possible. The answer is yes: anyone can develop hay fever at any point in their life, and you might just have started yourself this year. The best thing to do is to take antihistamine and see if that improves it. If it doesn’t, then that is a sign that it is probably something else that is the culprit.

Other Allergies

Hay fever is really just one form of allergy, but you might also have a range of other allergies if you are sneezing a lot. If you have a pet, it might be that you are allergic to their fur, for instance - cat’s fur is a particularly common allergy. Or you might be allergic to dust in the home, or any other number of things. If you feel you have allergies of this kind, then you might want to think about researching a variety of allergy remedies. There are plenty of them, and it might be that you need to try out a few until you find one that is suitable and works for you, but it is worth the effort if it means that you are going to ultimately end up with a vast improvement in your sneezing and other symptoms.

Pic - CCO License

Cold & Flu

Of course, a sneeze can always be a sign of a cold or flu. If you have started sneezing in the past few days and you also develop a temperature, then you might well have an illness of this kind. However, at the current time it is of course wise to bear in mind the possibility of it being coronavirus. There is no need to panic, but you should make sure that you keep an eye out for those other symptoms of the virus, such as a persistent cough and a high fever or difficulty breathing. If necessary, seek the medical attention you feel you need.

Strategies For Coping With Memory Loss

One of the more distressing things that can happen to someone as they age is the loss of memory. This can be gradual or sudden, but in either case it is likely to cause some problems and be quite upsetting for all involved. It will be especially upsetting if it is a great deal of memory loss, but even just occasionally forgetting little things can be annoying and frustrating too. However, no matter the reason behind it or how advanced it has become, there are strategies for coping with memory loss that we should all be aware of. Whether you have an elderly loved one who is suffering or you are starting to experience memory loss yourself, the following is all good advice.

Image Credit - CCO License

Sometimes The Rational Doesn’t Work

If you have ever been looking after someone with dementia, you will know perfectly well that it is not always possible, or necessary, to continue to speak to them rationally and logically. A lot of people think that they should try to bring the person in question back to the rational plane by continually telling them what it is that they have forgotten and what the truth is. But in reality, this is more likely to land you in trouble than help the individual in question. The rational doesn’t always work, and sometimes you have to just let them do their thing. If you are the person suffering memory loss, you can consider the same for yourself too, if you start to get confused about things.

Expert Care Might Be Required

If there is someone in your life who is struggling with extreme memory loss, perhaps as a result of being elderly and with dementia, then you need to consider that it might be time to find them some expert care. You might want to look into getting a professional carer to come and visit them, or even live-in with them, or you might prefer to get them into an assisted living program. With that kind of life, they can continue to live happily, while also receiving the kind of personal and medical care that they are in need of. And if the establishment in question also happens to practice memory care, then that is definitely going to be a plus.

Image Credit - CCO License

Staying Mentally Active

There is something to be said for staying menally active in order to help with memory loss, both in a preventative sense and in terms of in-the-moment care as well. There are many things that can help here, whether it’s doing puzzles like sudoku and crosswords or just making a point of reading something every day. Either way, staying mentally active is going to make a huge difference to how well one can remember things, and it is something that we should all think about doing from as early on in our lives as possible, to help stop ourselves experiencing severe memory loss later on in life.

Three Things To Know Before Buying That Fixer Upper

Getting onto the property ladder is tougher than ever. With rental costs spiraling each year, it makes sense to buy instead if you have a way of getting a deposit together, but the cost of moving and buying a house is a huge obstacle for many. One route into home ownership which saves many first time buyers is purchasing a ‘fixer upper’ property - a home that needs some serious TLC to bring it back to its former glory. Not only can this significantly lower the purchase cost, but it can also provide a huge amount of satisfaction seeing your home go from decrepit to designer! However, it is definitely a serious undertaking to take on a fixer upper, so many sure you’re assessing the property you're considering buying carefully to make sure it’s worth the financial risk.

Image source

Check Your DIY Skills

First of all, one of the factors which costs a lot in a complete home renovation is labor. The costs of paying for contractors are a huge outlay, so work out what you could do yourself to save costs. If the house is structurally sound but dated cosmetically, you should be able to remove wallpaper, polish up floorboards and repaint yourself. For anything more drastic, you might need to call in the professionals, and that quickly adds up. Anything such as fire and water damage repairs will need careful attention to get your home up to standard again, and if you plan to do anything structural, such as removing walls to create an open plan layout, you’ll need to get it done properly by a qualified builder.

Price It Up

Having the vision to see what a house could become is a skill, but that only gets you so far. It’s a separate skill to be able to accurately price up the cost of a renovation project. If you’re really interested in a house, aim to get a contractor to do a walk-through with you before you make an offer, to weigh up the cost of any potential work. Be aware that they may not be able to be 100% accurate without detailed surveys as to the condition of the building. Any offer you make needs to take into account your costs in bringing the property back to a liveable standard.

Be Sure On Financing

You need to know from the outset exactly where the money is coming from to pay for the work you need. With funds to find for your down payment and moving costs, any savings you have will be taking a hit anyway. There are Federal programs designed to help house buyers finance the purchase of a property which needs renovation work that you can look into. Similarly, take the advice of a mortgage broker who will be able to scan the market for deals where you can borrow the purchase cost of the house plus a loan to cover renovation works in one go. Money can be an extremely stressful issue when purchasing a home, so understanding everything down to the pennies is an absolute must before signing on that dotted line.

8 Tips on How to Transform Your Home Workplace

Working from home can be an indicator of freedom or formula for interference. If you work from home regularly or just occasionally, you should know that it is essential to design your home workplace. The right workplace should not be too comfortable and should encourage productivity. A lot of research has shown that your workplace can significantly impact your mood and productivity. Research has also shown that the type of light you choose to use in your workplace can either make you drowsier or more alert. Working from home is a fantastic benefit; however, you have to create a workplace that will increase your productivity.

Image source

Tips to Help You Create the Perfect Home Workplace

Get rid of distractions

Even if you are ready to have a home office, decide whether it is the best place to create one. If you are a family person, it can be effortless to get your table all piled up with your kid’s homework, or get them playing around your computer. Such distractions make it hard to create a professional atmosphere. You are lucky if your home is big enough to get an entire room devoted just for your office. To avoid distractions of sleep, steer clear of the bedroom, and also make sure that there is nothing that can compete for your attention, for instance, laundry baskets, kitchen sinks, among others. The best way to get rid of distractions is by first acknowledging their presence. Ignoring any non-work distractions will not do you any good. Instead, the opposite happens; you will just become more aware of their existence and spend more time trying to get rid of them. Keep in mind that distractions like kids are there to stay; therefore, it would be best if you choose more than one designated home workspace, and make sure that your family members are aware whenever you are working.

Embrace natural light

In order to really make the most of your home workplace, you need to focus on having as much natural light as possible. There are many ways to achieve that, but one of the easiest is to simply ensure you have the right custom home windows. You ideally want windows which are going to allow plenty of natural light to the area where you work, so you can be sure that you are going to get enough each day. The right windows will often make all the difference here. But there is more to think about too when it comes to light.

It is not a new thing for people to put their desks into a home workplace and automatically put it against the wall in the shadiest part of the room. True, your desk and chair set-up in your office is essential, but you have to take care of your eyes too. You can achieve this by choosing the right lighting for your home office. Choosing the perfect lighting for your home office is an important task that is often ignored. Regardless of the time you use your office, an ideal lighting plan makes all the difference. Start by taking a look at how natural light affects the room at various times of the day and note where the shades fall and think about how you plan to use the workspace. Remember that the direction of light can produce a shine on your computer screen. So what is the best way to arrange your office furniture with the guidance of light in your mind? Just below your window.

Overhead lighting

Overhead lighting cannot be the best office lighting source but is a sure way to help fill in places that other sources of light seem to miss. Switch your overhead lighting with something distinctive and cool. If you work in a compartment, it might seem like your overhead lighting woes will never leave. However, don’t be afraid, there are some tips to lighten up your day and keep your eyes healthy and attentive, for instance, getting out and incorporating your own task and ambient light.

Keep the home office cool

Being too cold or too hot is the perfect recipe for disruptions. Air conditioning keeps your home office cool in the warm summer months. With a little planning and creativeness, you will be able to keep your office cool during summer. During the winter, try using thermal backed curtains to help keep the cold out. These curtains can also be used during the hot summer months to help block the sun’s rays. If your home office air conditioner is not properly functioning, consider looking for a dependable air conditioning repair to fix the problem.

Additionally, if you don’t have one, you can create your own. Start by getting a basin of ice and a desk fan. Blowing the air from the fan over the bowl of ice will give you the cool breeze that you want.

Green up the office space

The best way to green up your office is to add green plants. Besides, incorporating live plants in your workspace is a sure way to have a hygienic office. Plants refresh oxygen and suck up the common toxins like carbon dioxide. Additionally, plants increase efficiency and lower anxiety. The main downside of bringing live plants into your workspace is that you will have to water them daily. 

However, many plants require less care and irregular watering. Get yourself one, besides, caring and watering the plant is a good break from the computer screen and is an excellent way to help you focus more when you get back to work.

Invest in a good chair

Various reports have shown that slouching and similar seating positions can result in headaches, backaches, poor concentration, and fatigue. A healthy posture promotes general comfort, including improved concentration, and stamina through long working hours. If you want to invest in the right office chair, make sure that you look for one that has modifiable features.

Paint the wall

Consider surrounding yourself with colors that motivate you. You will need a color that gets your work engine humming. Some people will prefer a bright, crimson color, for instance, orange or emerald green, and others will prefer a soothing color like sea form blue or green.

Get everyone involved

When working from home, you can get distracted very easily. In that case, you will need the support and cooperation of the whole family. Call a family meeting and explain to the little ones that you need to concentrate during your working hours. Ask your partner to keep the kids occupied and entertained to keep them busy. By asking every member of the family to do their part to help you stay productive, you are showing them the importance of teamwork.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, creating a home office is a good way to use your empty nest. When creating a home office, make sure to avoid visual clutter. Try to keep your desk as clear as possible and put all the needless things in an ornamental object. Your home office should be a place that you would like to go to every day. So, put in more energy to create one that meets all your precise needs and encourages you to get everything done.

A Bit of History: How Old Glory Came To Be

A country's flag is symbolic of their journey to independence as a nation. Citizens are always so proud to display their flag during national holidays. Just the sight of the flag strengthens the sense of patriotism in the citizenry. 

In its 244 years of independence, the United States flag has undergone so many modifications. The current flag with 50 stars is the 27th modification, which was ordered by President Eisenhower in 1959. It became official in 1960. 

The U.S. flag is commonly called "Stars and Stipes," "Star Spangled Banner." and "Old Glory." The first two "nicknames" are for obvious reasons, because the flag has indeed stars and stripes and is a banner. But why is it called "Old Glory?" 

The name "Old Glory" has an interesting story to it. In 1824, Captain William Driver hoisted a flag on his ship before he set sail on a voyage around the world. He exclaimed, "I will call her Old Glory!" This was the flag that accompanied Captain Driver in his sea voyages until 1837 when he retired and moved to Nashville, TN. 

Image source: https://nashvillepubliclibrary.org/offtheshelf/nashville-and-old-glory/

The flag Old Glory had 13 stripes in alternating red and white color, 34 stars and an anchor to symbolize Captain Driver's voyages at sea. However, during the civil war, Captain Driver feared that Old Glory would be desecrated so he had it sewn inside a quilt for safeguarding. It was not until 1862 when Nashville was taken over by the Union headed by Ulysses Grant that Captain Driver revealed the flag and was granted permission to hoist it over the dome of a former Confederate state capitol. 

That's a bit of American flag history there for you. 

Every year on June 14, we celebrate U.S. Flag day. It is a day dedicated to commemorate the adoption of the first flag on June 14, 1777. We usually decorate our front porches with the colors red, white and blue, and proudly display American flags on our windows and front yards. It is a day we spend with family and be thankful for the freedom we so enjoy. 

How will you be celebrating Flag Day? Will you be displaying our flag on your window, porch or front yard? Let me know in the comments below.

Safety First: How To Be A Better Driver

If you had to give yourself a score out of 10, how highly would you rate your driving skills? Many of us think that we are good drivers, but over 90% of road accidents are caused by human error. Safety is crucial when heading out onto the roads. Even if you think you’re a great driver, it’s worth taking these tips on board to minimize the risk of injuries. 

Image credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/transport-traffic-auto-accident-3146193/

Don’t drive if you feel tired

Many of us have days when we feel lethargic and our energy levels are low. If you’ve not been sleeping well, or you work shifts, and you’re tired after a busy night at work, avoid getting behind the wheel. Driving tired puts your safety at risk, but it could also have implications for others. When you’re exhausted, your reaction times are slower, and you might not notice hazards around you. Instead of trying to battle through and keep your eyes open, take a nap or get out of the car and stretch your legs in the open air if you’re already on the road. Listening to music and having a cup of tea or coffee can also help to make you feel more alert. A National Sleep Foundation survey revealed that 20% of drivers have fallen asleep at least once in the last year. 

Keep your eyes on the road at all times

We tend to be multi-taskers these days, but when you’re driving, trying to do more than one thing at once is a bad idea. Keep your eyes fixed on the road at all times. The environment around you can change in an instant, and hazards can appear from nowhere. If you’re not looking at the road, you might not notice a cyclist traveling alongside your vehicle or a child run out from behind a car parked on the side of the street. If you can’t react quickly enough, the consequences can be devastating. If you need to make a call, use a voice-activated system or pull over in a safe place. If you injure somebody through negligence, you could face legal charges and the injured party may seek advice from serious injury attorneys. It can be tempting to pick up the phone and send a quick text, but you could end up regretting that action for the rest of your life. Wait until you stop or reach your destination to respond to messages, or find a safe place to park. 

Be patient

Road rage can get the better of even the calmest and most measured driver. If you’ve had a bad day, or you’re desperate to get home and there’s a huge line of traffic, it’s very easy to get frustrated and lose your cool. Try and stay calm and don’t take your anger out on other drivers. Driving aggressively can make others feel threatened, and it will also increase the risk of accidents. 

Take the conditions into consideration

Driving on a clear, warm day is very different to trying to navigate your way to a destination in snow showers, fog or torrential rain. If you’re driving in the winter, or there’s a storm coming, take extra care and alter your speed. Even if the speed limit is 70mph, it’s unwise to drive at this speed if conditions are treacherous. Slow down, stay well back from the vehicle in front and give people plenty of notice if you’re stopping, pulling over or changing lane. If there are weather warnings, postpone your journey. 

Most accidents are caused by drivers making mistakes. Take these tips on board to stay safe and protect other road users. 

Essentials for the "New Normal"

This is the third time the Enhanced Community Quarantine or ECQ has been extended in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces. We have named it "Season 3 of ECQ" to make it sound less stressful.

Everyone seems to be calling this "the New Normal," but honestly, I cringe when I hear people mentioning that term. This thing isn't normal at all!  Public transportation has been suspended and since I don't own a car, I have to walk 1.6 miles to get to the supermarket. Walking back home with two heavy bags of groceries is not easy. So I decided to buy myself a trolley.

This is a big help for when I need to go to the wet market for meat, fish and vegetables. The wet market is only half a mile from home, so that's easy peasy for me. For the first few weeks of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, I also used this trolley when I needed to get stuff from the supermarket. However, this trolley can only carry about 55 pounds (25 kilograms), and if I bought items that would weigh more, then I would still have to carry another bag over my shoulders.

Although it has been my family's goal to live frugally during this uncertain time, I took out part of my savings and bought a bike.

Yes, I did. And I named it "Quarantino." I made sure that the bike I bought was sturdy but light weight. It did cost me quite a bit of money, but now, it is easier for me to get the stuff I need, when I need it.

My bike is a Clifton 27.5 rim, alloy frame, Shimano 21 speed mountain bike, and I am glad that I chose this model. I can just shift gears to adjust to the inclination of the road to make pedaling easy. I now can go to the supermarket, get the groceries I need, stuff it in my backpack and ride home. It is good exercise too, so it is a win-win for me.

I also added a bike rack rear carrier if in case my groceries won't fit in my back pack. I just put them in a reusable bag, strap it down, and off I go!

I have no idea if there will be a "Season 4" of this Enhanced Community Quarantine. Hopefully not. But if we do get another extension, I am ready for it.

Giving Your Children The Best Start In Life

If you ask parents what they want for their children, this is what most people will say: that they want them to have the best start in life possible. But it is one thing wanting that, and quite another knowing how to actually make it a reality. If you are keen to try and ensure that your child has the strongest start in life, then there are many things that you might want to consider. In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the things that you can do to ensure that this happens. That way, you can have faith that your children are going to have much better lives.

Pic - CCO License

Show Them Honesty

Children are very attuned to dishonesty, more so than a lot of adults seem to think. It is important that you are attending to your children with absolute honesty if you want them to feel loved and secure. If you are constantly dishonest, they will never quite know where they stand with you, and that will mean that they are going to grow up with a feeling of insecurity that they find hard to shake. If you can show them a good deal of honesty, however, you will find that you are going to have a much better chance of allowing them to grow up happier and more secure in themselves.

Keep Them Out Of Your Relationship Battles

It can be easy or tempting to draw your children in to your battles with your partner, whether or not that partner is the other parent of the child. But this is never a fair thing to do, and it runs the risk of making the child feel as though they are at fault if there are any problems in the relationship further down the line. That is the last thing you want to happen, and you will find that you will want to do everything you can to avoid that happening at all. You might sometimes need some outside help to make that a bit easier, such as using child custody lawyers if you are divorcing. With the right help you can avoid making your children feel that they are the problem when they are not.

Pic - CCO License

Encourage Their Strengths

If you manage to identify a strength that your child has early on, then you can work towards encouraging that strength as much as possible, and in so doing you will find that you are going to have a much better chance of letting them develop and grow as they should. By encouraging their strengths and not ignoring them or trying to make them good at other things, you will ensure that they are happier with who they are, and that they understand that they are able and allowed to pursue whatever dream they might want to pursue. That also means that they will be much more successful in terms of their career and related elements too.

3 Quarantine Gifts That Invest In the Future

What is your idea of a gift that keeps on giving? 

More often than not, you’d come across such a description underneath the photo of a particularly funny t-shirt or a cupcake that – oh miracle of culinary technology – hides another cake in its heart. Perhaps, we tend to rely too much on clichéed sentences to fill our conversations and minds. At the end of the day, the gift that keeps on giving becomes a meaningful piece of junk, at best. 

However, in challenging times such as during a lockdown situation like now, gifts that go above and beyond and that are looking toward the future can brighten up someone’s day significantly. Why does it matter? Because in uncertain times, a present that can make both today and tomorrow better can be a life-changer. Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas to fit every budget and help you create a meaningful present: 

Pexels - CC0 License 

Start gardening with your relatives

Children are the first to struggle with self-isolation. Now that the weather’s getting warmer, you can seize the opportunity to spend an afternoon in the garden. Indeed, gardening is a breath of fresh air, both figuratively and literally, under lockdown. Spending quality time with your children and your partner to prepare your quarantine garden is guaranteed to boost your mood and your pantry! With this in mind, you can also visit relatives who are self-isolating and offer to prepare a vegetable plot for them. In an afternoon, you can plant plenty of veg and fruits that will give delicious and fresh crops in the weeks and months to come. It’s a nice way of being there for them without putting their health at risk. 

Forget jewelry, settle for gold

Is someone’s big birthday coming? As tempting as it can be to buy a beautiful piece of jewelry, you can break up with traditions and consider purchasing gold directly? You can find exquisite nuggets By Grant Gold Nuggets, which come primarily from Australia, Alaska. But you can also find exotic gold locations around the world. Gold can act as a good luck talisman. It is a reminder for someone who struggles during the pandemic isolation that things can get brighter once this is over. While you can find gold pieces to suit all budget sizes, it’s fair to say that your friend may not be able to replace their pre-pandemic income through your gift. But it can be a source of motivation. During the Wild West conquest, finding gold nuggets was a lucky sign. It could do the same thing today!

Pexels - CC0 License 

Give time as much as you can 

Spending time with the people you love is a gift that doesn’t cost any money. You can make distant relatives feel valued and help them cope with isolation. All it takes is a little planning, as per The Financial Diet. People who are self-isolating can rely on digital meetings to come together and even plan common activities online. You could play games or have a family video chat. Don’t let other technologies distract you as you do – aka no checking your text messages when you’re in a Zoom meeting with your cousins. 

Meaningful gifts can help someone cope with self-isolation pressures. It doesn’t have to be much, from fixing a vegetable garden in a relative’s backyard to scheduling video chats with friends, you don’t have to break the bank to give someone that will be a token of love and appreciation during those challenging times. 

A Few Tips for Fuelling Creativity at Home

Pixabay CC0 License

Currently, a huge number of people from all around the world are being forced to exist in a state of more or less 24/7 homebound quarantine, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

For many people, this time spent at home – while being stressful and filled with uncertainty in various ways – is also a potential opportunity for working on side projects and business ideas, investigating various hobbies, and checking in once more with dreams, chores, and plans that have been lurking in the background for some time.

If you have a decent plot of land at your disposal during this period, your circumstances likely seem more upbeat and promising. But even if you are confined to a small apartment, there are various ways that you can use this time in a positive way.

For many different potential projects, it would be a great help to fuel and enhance creativity while stuck at home. Here are a few suggestions on how to do that.

Allow enough leisure and “fuel” for your creative fires

Creativity is an interesting thing, because on the one hand it typically happens, or at least as expressed, through “work.”

On the other hand, though, you can’t exactly “grind out” creativity on demand. Rather, creativity needs to be fuelled by a series of internal motivations, interests, and the ability to engage with ideas and projects in a relaxed and “fresh” way.

One mistake that a lot of people make when they’re trying to be as productive as possible with their businesses, is to simply not allow enough time for leisure. And yet, there is evidence to show that when people do allow for sufficient leisure time – such as by taking their full annual vacation allowance, for example – they are more productive, and perhaps more creative as well.

Work hard when you’re working, but ensure that you also have plenty of time for simply relaxing, having fun, and building your motivation and interest in an array of different manners.

Work on several different projects and hobbies at a time, that interest you

It can be very easy to fall into a state of “tunnel vision” when you are too focused on one project, for long stretches of time without any variation.

One solution that has been suggested by several entrepreneurs and public figures is to always be working on several projects and hobbies at a time, all of which interest and motivate you in a significant way.

That way, when you start to run up against a dead end with a particular project, you can draw insight and inspiration from the other projects you’re working on at the same time. Or, you can switch over for a while and focus your energies on something else – and when you return to the original project, you will often find that new approaches and solutions have occurred to you that you hadn’t originally foreseen.

Generally speaking, your creativity is likely to be higher when you have a greater variety of experiences and information sources to draw on when tackling problems and coming up with approaches to things.

Try things out in a spirit of play

The famous Nobel prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman argued that his great breakthroughs were only possible at all because he had been allowed by his employers to essentially “play” in an undisturbed manner, which might have seemed like time-wasting to casual observers, but which ultimately ended up providing him with invaluable insights.

Creativity largely comes out of a spirit of play – and the ability to try different things out, experiment with different ideas, and simply have fun with the process of discovering what might be possible, and what might be interesting, without being held ruthlessly to various performance metrics such as KPI’s.

So, try things out in a spirit of play. In other words, try taking a more light-hearted and “fun” approach to your various projects and interests, with no pressure or expectations – or at least as little as possible – that you will actually have to churn out a finished project by a set time, or that you will have to share the results of your experiments with anyone else.

The thing about “good ideas” is that you only discover which ideas are good through a process of trial and error, which involves generating many ideas that may not actually work for your original intended purpose.

That’s fine. Just play around and see where your own creativity takes you after a while.