9 Gift Ideas for that Health-Conscious Person in Your Life

Americans are taking steps to improve their health. A study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that the American diet has slightly become better in the last two decades.

When you have a health-conscious friend or family member who's celebrating their birthday in a few weeks, you'll want to give them a great gift that will help them stay physically and mentally fit.

Here's a look at some gift ideas for the health and fitness junkies you have in your social circle:

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Health and Fitness Tracker

Fitness watches and bands are a fantastic gift for health enthusiasts, especially people looking to lose weight or maintain their shape. Some of the best trackers that you could buy on the market are devices that record your sleep patterns, the amount of calories burned and your movement (both steps and miles). Other trackers also come with built-in heart rate monitors that offer a more accurate picture of a person's health.

Electric Toothbrush

A top-quality electric toothbrush offers a more thorough cleaning than a traditional oral brush. It's better for gum health, as well. When shopping for the best electric toothbrush, consider looking for oral devices that come with add-ons and benefits. Examples include a two-minute timer, Bluetooth capability and teeth whitening.

When getting an electric brush, don't forget to purchase the appropriate head replacements. If you purchased a whitening toothbrush, for instance, buy a couple of ultrasonic toothbrush replacement brush heads, too.

If you're on a budget, consider buying the less expensive option: a travel electric toothbrush. It's easy to carry and won't hurt your pocket.

Portable Blender

Getting and staying healthy requires the marriage of two activities: eating right and working out regularly. If you want to make your meals healthier, you could start by making smoothies. They're like milkshakes, but filled with veggies and fruits instead of ice cream.

If you know someone who likes to drink healthy smoothies after a long and exhausting workout, give them a portable blender. This device will allow them to whip up a post-exercise treat or a liquid breakfast in a matter of seconds.

Jump Rope

Jump ropes aren't just for school playgrounds. Some fitness enthusiasts use them in heavy-duty workout training sessions. You can find jump ropes in most fitness centers and gyms across the globe.

If you know someone who's thinking of adding interval options to their exercise routine, this portable equipment is a great solution. A jump rope is a convenient and affordable way to introduce a powerful cardiovascular kick to any workout session.

Mini-Trampoline

Some people associate mini-trampolines as a toy for children. This, however, is more than just a plaything. Adults who want to work out their whole body can bounce on a mini-trampoline.

Bouncing using this piece of equipment is an easy and safe way to obtain a decent workout. It's suitable for individuals who prefer pain-free and low-impact activities that are good for the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system.

Wireless Headphones

While some fitness fanatics love to work out with a partner or a group, others choose to exercise on their own. If you know someone who prefers to work out solo, a wireless headphone may just be the perfect gift. This device allows people to sweat it out while they play "Eye of the Tiger" on repeat.

Workout Clothes

The fitness market has better options for workout clothing than a cotton race t-shirt and an old pair of sweats. If you have a family member or a friend on your list who could use this reminder, get them actual, high-quality activewear. Make sure the clothing pieces you buy are the right fit. What's more, look for pieces that are well-cut, sweat-wicking and comfortable to wear.

Mindfulness Cards

Maintaining your mental health is just as important as preserving your physical health. If you're looking to give a fantastic present for anyone in your life who appreciates bringing quiet time to their day and slowing down, get a few mindfulness cards. Pick ones that come with simple and easy-to-do reminds that promote wellness for both the mind and the body.

A Box of Fresh Meat and Produce

A locally sourced and organically grown community food box is a sustainable present that lets those on your list to eat healthy and fresh foods minus the trouble of shopping. This gift is also a fantastic way to go organic and support local farmers. Look for a program in your recipient's city that will arrange to have fresh meat or produce delivered at their doorstep.

The health nuts in your social circle will surely appreciate receiving one of these nine presents. Take note that you could also give these gifts to people who wrote, "to stay healthy" as a New Year's resolution.

4 Ways To Improve Your Backyard & Make It More Enjoyable

 

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Your backyard should be a place that you enjoy and can spend time in during the summer and when the weather is pleasant. There are ways you can improve your backyard and make it more enjoyable so it’s a fun place to be and you feel proud to show it off.

You’ll love spending time around your home and having guests over that much more when you can go outside and you like what you see. Implement the following ideas to help turn your backyard into a more relaxing and attractive oasis that makes you feel happy and puts you at ease.

1. Create A Sitting & Entertainment Area

Improve your backyard and make it more enjoyable by creating an area where you can hang out and sit. Make sure you have all the right elements you need for either relaxing and putting your feet up or entertaining visitors. For instance, you should invest in comfortable furniture, a grill, and make sure there’s plenty of available shade for when the sun beats down. One idea is to contact a pergola builder so you have a built-in patio cover and your yard looks more attractive.

2. Enhance the Lighting

Another way to improve your backyard and make it more enjoyable is to ensure there’s plenty of lighting. It’s especially important when the sun goes down and it gets dark. Consider replacing old fixtures and light bulbs you have along the house and hanging string lights for a charming look and feel. You may also want to invest in a fire pit that will not only add light when nighttime rolls around but that you can also use to roast marshmallows and for warmth when it cools off.

3. Maintain Your Landscaping

If you want your yard to be beautiful and more enjoyable then you should do a good job of maintaining and updating your landscaping. Make sure you cut and fertilize your lawn, trim your trees and bushes, and plant colorful flowers and other greenery. Rake and pick up any loose twigs or leaves and mulch any beds you have to make them look more appealing. Also, make it a point to keep your planting beds neat and tidy throughout the season. Control weeds and inspect your trees and shrubs for any diseases or dead elements that need to be addressed.

4. Grow A Garden

You can also improve your backyard and make it more enjoyable by growing a garden. Maintaining it will be a wonderful excuse for you to spend time outside and it might turn out to be a relaxing activity you truly like doing. It’ll be nice to go out and pick fresh vegetables or herbs that you can use when you cook meals at home. Your garden will not only be a fun hobby for you to take up but it’ll also help enhance the look of your backyard. Consider sprucing up the area by adding a small bench for sitting and water features that are calming and soothing to listen to and view. 

5 Questions to Answer When Bringing a New Pet into Your Home

A new pet can be a welcome addition to any new home, and it can bring together your family and unite them, but what should you be thinking about when you bring a pet home, and what do you need to consider?

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Is Your Home Pet Proof?

Whether you get a parrot, a cat, a dog, or a pet rat, you will want to make sure your home is as pet-proof and pet-friendly as possible. For example, if you decide to have a bird, then do you have enough space to keep a large cage? Or, if you get a cat, do you have prized soft furnishings that you need to cover before they sink their claws into them. Getting and preparing your home for a new pet is essential.

What Healthcare Requirements Does Your Pet Have?

Not all pets have the same healthcare requirements. For example, pet rats do not need annual boosters as cats and dogs do. So, what healthcare requirements does your pet have or need? If you are unsure, then you need to use easyvet.com to ensure that you get expert veterinary advice and guidance. Knowing what healthcare requirements your pet needs and has before bringing them home will make pet ownership all the easier and more enjoyable.

What Food Does Your Pet Eat?

Cats and dogs have different dietary needs, as do birds and other small furry animals such as house rabbits, so what dietary needs and requirements does your pet have. For example, does your pet dog require a specialist diet full of nutrients that can only be found online, or does it require a mix of both wet and dry food? Knowing what food your new pet eats and when will allow you to plan your daily routine, and it will also allow you to work out roughly how much your new pet will be costing you to keep. 

Where Will Your Pet Live?

Does your new addition need a cage or a crate to be kept safe, and if so, where will this be kept? If you are getting a cat or a dog, then will they sleep in a living area, or will they sleep in a bedroom? It may not sound like an important consideration, but animals thrive on routine, and getting their living area established and maintained early on will make sure that bringing a new pet into your home goes as smoothly as possible.

How Long Will Your Pet Be Left Alone?

When do you leave the house and for how long? Pets, especially dogs, are social creatures, and they can suffer from separation anxiety which could lead to destructive behavior if it is not managed. So, how long is your pet going to be left alone in the day, and where will they be left? All animals need access to water and food, so it is important to ensure that you provide them access even if they are crated or caged when you leave the house, even if only for short periods of time.

Home Improvement: Garden Maintenance and Its Benefits

The mention of spring brings with it visions of warm weather, fresh fruits, green vegetables, colorful flowers, and the promise of growth. This vision of life growing from the smallest of things to picturesque scenery is a natural masterpiece-a paradise on earth. What's even more thrilling is the fact that you can grow this masterpiece in your own home. A personal paradise, so to speak.

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Having your own replica of Eden is the best home improvement method out there that doesn't just beautify your home but also increases its total value. If you plan on building your garden, or you already have one, here are some tips, tricks, and benefits you might want to know.

Tricks in Maintaining Your Homegrown Eden

The beauty of a garden lies in how good you maintain it. All the planning and planting will be a waste if you don't tend to your garden regularly. Here are a few reminders to keep your homegrown Eden a paradise.

Do Not Leave Your Bugs Unattended

Bugs work like a transporter. Once a plant is infected with a disease, a bug may carry it towards another plant, and before you know it, the rest of your garden is at risk. Always make sure you examine your plants for symptoms and drive away those bugs and pests with pesticides!

Plan Your Landscape

One common mistake beginners make is to avoid planning their landscape. They often assume that once they have decided to start a garden, that's all they need. However, you want to make sure that you have a plan or blueprint for what you want your garden to look like. As you may have known, beautifying your garden is quite expensive, and if you don't consider the home improvement costs, you might have to stop the project midway because you ran out of funds. If you made this mistake and didn't want to halt your project, consult your credit card provider regarding home improvement loans. However, you need a good credit score for this. Ensure that you also look for a company that provides credit solution services to increase your credit record and get your loan approved.

Plants Love Pasta Too

One clever trick in maintaining your garden is that every time you cook pasta, do not just flush the nutrient-filled water down the drain. After boiling, let it cool for a while and use this to water your plants. All the nutrients will not go to waste as this will help fertilize your plants.

Make Your Cat Cut the Crap

If you own a cat, chances are they might not understand how much you cherish those flowers. The delicate, gracious bloom of these flowers may be a litter box to a cat's eye. Protect your flowers by sticking plastic forks onto the flower bed to keep your cat away.

Wat-er You Doing?

Are you sure you are watering your plants properly? The tricky part about watering your plants is that it can either help them or cause their diseases. A moist leaf is a good place for pathogens to grow, so ensure that when you water your plants, keep the leaves out of the way and direct your water towards the roots. Always remember that too much or too little water are both bad for your plants.

The Benefits of Gardening

Believe it or not, gardening is actually a great way to reduce your loneliness. In an age of modern technology, we have fewer avenues for social interaction, but gardening provides us with one. Being outdoors gives you a chance to talk to your neighbors while you take care of your plants. Some towns and cities even have community gardens to provide their people with a place to enjoy their hobbies. How nice is it to have a specific place where people of the same interest get to meet together?

Whatever you do in gardening requires a number of your muscles to function, which makes it a good exercise-not too heavy that you tire easily, and not so light that your body doesn't get to benefit from it. A good physical exercise that involves bending and stretching is just another wonder of gardening.

Having a garden in your home also benefits not just ourselves but also the environment we live in. It provides a home for butterflies and bees and even helps keep the air that we breathe cleaner. After all, keeping our environment clean is also crucial in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Gardening is an adventure for all walks of life. In addition to all of its health benefits, the experience of going home to a place where the sun shines on blooming plants and flowers is a major stress reducer. Now, only one question remains, do you have what it takes to grow your own Garden of Eden? The answer lies in your hands.

Choosing The Right Car For Where You Live

 

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There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a car. If most of your car journeys are likely to be local, taking into account the area that you live in could be an important factor. Certain cars can be better suited to certain environments. By buying the right car, you could save yourself a lot of money and stress. Below are just a few different environments and the types of vehicle you may want to consider.

Urban living

Smaller cars can be better for built-up cities. They can be ideal for negotiating narrow streets or fitting into small parking spaces (if you live on a road that doesn’t come with off-street parking or designated bays, this could come in handy). Smaller cars also tend to be cheaper to buy. Urban living costs can often be high and so a cheaper car could be beneficial.

Smaller cars tend to have smaller fuel tanks, but in a city this isn’t likely to matter. City dwellers tend to use their car less and may only need to take short trips - plus there’s always a gas station nearby. You may even want to consider a hybrid of an electric car (cities have more charging points, plus may have free parking areas for electric cars). This guide https://lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/best-cities-to-own-an-electric-car/ details some of the best cities for owning an electric car. 

Suburban living

In suburban areas, you can usually get away with driving a bigger car. For some suburban residents, a bigger car may even be essential - suburban areas tend to contain more families and longer distance drives are more popular, which could make a bigger tank useful.

Station wagons and SUVs are popular in suburban areas. You can read a guide to some of the best suburban cars here. If you don’t have kids or a dog, you may prefer something smaller. 

Rural living

In rural areas, having a bigger car with a bigger engine can often be handy. You may have to travel longer distances to get basic essentials and there may be a need to carry more items in one trip. 

Road conditions may not be as great in rural areas and so it could be worth buying a car with off-road features such as a higher suspension and deeper tread tires. Pickup trucks tend to be more popular in rural areas for this reason. When tackling really bumpy terrain, you may even want to consider buying a truck and making some mods such as these offered by https://tcsupfitting.com/heavy-duty-truck-upgrades/. Low ride sports cars are likely to be a bad choice.

Other factors to consider

Climate: The climate could have an impact on the type of car you buy. For instance, a convertible could be appropriate for somewhere that’s warm and sunny most the year round like Florida, but less appropriate for generally colder states like Alaska. 

Crime rate: If you live somewhere with a high local crime rate and don’t have a garage, you may want to think twice before buying a flashy car. Either that, or you may want to research into cars with good in-built security features. 

State laws: Different states may have different rules on which vehicles are legally roadworthy. For instance, certain levels of window tint are not acceptable in some states. Some states and cities also have their own emissions laws to discourage high-polluting cars.

Profitable Investments: Reasons to Invest in Residential Properties

Making investments allow you to significantly increase your income and build wealth to help secure your future. It helps you prepare for unexpected situations and also improves your ability to manage your earnings. However, some people think that investing automatically helps them become rich. In reality, investing your money is a risky move, especially if you are unaware of the basic strategies for gaining profit. Remember that you can potentially lose your hard-earned money if you don't have any idea how to grow your money effectively. Thus, you must educate yourself first about the best tactics in generating more profit using your choice of investment strategy.

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What You Need to Know About Investing in Residential Properties

People are becoming more aware of the benefits of investing in real estate. They recognize the excellent opportunities that this particular industry can provide them. No wonder interested investors often consider purchasing properties as investments. If you also want to start investing in the home buying process, you need to determine the best tactics to grow your money using this method. For starters, you need to find out if a property will help you generate profit or not. Here are a few ways to determine if purchasing residential property will be worth it:

• The property is accessible to interested buyers/renters - One of the first factors to help find out if the residential property will be profitable or not is its location. You need to make sure that the property is located near amenities, excellent views, recreational parks, etc. In short, you have to determine if the property will be an ideal home for most people. This way, you can expect that purchasing the residential property will bring in more money.
• The property can provide you with multiple ways to earn a profit - Another key factor you need to check out is if you can use the property to add income sources. This means the property should have useful features that will help you earn more money. You need to find out if the value of the property will appreciate after some time. Also, you can identify if you can convert it into a rental property without spending too much on renovations. With this, you can determine if investing your money in that particular home will be worth it or not.
• The property is priced reasonably depending on the market - You also need to check if the property is priced accordingly. This means you need to make sure that you are buying the house at a reasonable price. To confirm this, you can check the prices of other existing home listings. You can also ask around the neighborhood and find out the average price of homes in that area. The key is to find out more information about the property so you can determine if the total cost of the house is reasonable or not.
• The property is in great condition with no remarkable issues - Don't forget to inspect the property for damages and issues. Before making a purchase, you need to make sure that the house is in great condition. Aside from this, you need to determine if the property is durable enough to last for years. To learn about this, you can check out common issues that homes in that neighborhood usually experience. With this, you can avoid buying properties that will have major damages in the future.

Practical Tactics to Start Earning Through Home Buying

If you are interested in earning through purchasing residential properties, you need to start taking note of the abovementioned suggestions. Also, you have to make sure that you start improving your finances so you can continue paying for the monthly mortgage. If you lack funds, you can consider getting an FHA loan. The Federal Housing Administration loan allows low and average-income earners to succeed in purchasing a property. With this, you will be able to afford an ideal property to convert into an income-generating asset. Aside from the funding, you also need to gain more skills in managing your properties. This means you have to learn more about the best strategies to generate more income from your properties.

Some people hire assistants and work with experts to ensure they can maximize returns on investments when buying a home. You can also use this strategy to make sure that you get expert advice about the best moves to increase your profit and eventually build wealth. The goal here is to continuously learn about the real estate industry and keep finding better ways to attract more clients. The key is to stay motivated, driven, and dedicated to converting your properties into actual assets. This way, you can rest assured that your investments will not become a liability.

3 Tips For Improving Your Business’ Profit

Running a business is complex, and it can be hard to make sure your business is making as much profit as it should. There’s no telling how much your business should be bringing in, so long as it’s making enough to keep the lights on. Still, you can put in the extra work to make sure your business is bringing in a lot more than you’re spending. Many businesses find that upon inspection, they’re able to cut down on their spending while increasing their income. It’s not as simple as clicking your fingers, but once you learn where you can and can’t cut corners, you’re safe to start making moves in that direction!

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Hire an advisor

If you’re running a small business, the chances are you’re the person in charge of the business's finances. If you’re not a trained expert, you might find that you’re not able to get the most from your business. It takes someone who knows what they’re doing to give the best advice. Veracitycapital.com has professionals who can help you when you need assistance in changing things up within your business. You need someone who can properly analyze your cash flow, to make sure you’re making the most money possible from your business.

Exploit cheap/free marketing opportunities

When you’re trying to get yourself out there to find new customers, there’s a lot of risks involved in your investment. It doesn’t matter how much you invest, if you don’t execute it properly, you risk having a negative return on your investment. You can’t go wrong when you’re taking advantage of the cheaper marketing methods, though.

Many businesses use social media to get themselves heard. Big or small, a social media page can help you reach a much larger audience if you know how to use it properly. Jumping on trends, appealing to your audience, and being an overall great business for customer service can help you get a significant boost in sales for your business. Running a social media page takes a lot of work if you’re aiming to get the most from it, and it’s not something that can be tended to every now and then. Investing in smaller ads to be made for the sake of social media means you can run ads cheaply, or in some cases for free.

Prevent oversupplying

If your business deals with stock that can expire over time, or items that won’t permanently be in demand, you want to make sure you’re not overstocking. Know what your customers want, know how much you can sell - and you could save yourself from wasting money on products that don’t sell.

To combat this, businesses often have sales on items that are close to the expiration date, incentivizing people to buy them. While you might not make much of a profit on these items, you can still break even on their sale, so your mistake in supply wasn’t much of a loss!

You should always strive to do better as a business, and if you’re not constantly looking for ways to improve; your competitors are going to outshine you.

Proper Ways to Store Meat, Seafood and Produce

Food wastage is something we do not want to do especially during these uncertain times. Just think of those people in other parts of the world that are going hungry and here we are, improperly storing our food and making it spoil. 

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To avoid this, here are some tips on proper food storage:

Meat, Poultry and Seafood

Raw meat must be thoroughly washed in clean, running water and drained. Place meat, poultry and seafood in resealable plastic bags, like zip lock bags and store them in the bottom shelf of your freezer. You can also have an option to prep a meal by cutting the meat into desired chunk sizes and putting in the marinade. Label the bags and again, store them in the freezer. This would make meal prep a whole lot easier. Don't forget to label them with the date of purchase. Practice the "First In, First Out" rule when deciding what to cook for dinner.

Vegetables

Vegetables can also be stored in zipper bags and kept in the crisper section of your refrigerator. Carrots, cabbage, potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower are examples of such. Some vegetables need to be wrapped in paper towels to absorb excess moisture before storing. Other vegetables can be pre-cooked or blanched and stored in the freezer for use later.

Fruits

The best way to preserve fruits is my making them into jam or preserves, especially if you want to keep seasonal fruits available for the family anytime of the year. However, others would prefer to freeze them. Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries can be frozen and stored for later consumption. 

Resealable plastic bags or zip lock bags do really help a lot is food storage and organizing the contents of your refrigerator. It keeps the food fresh, so wastage is minimal. You can also use it to store left over chips and nuts or trail mix. But its use is not solely for food. You can also use those plastic resealable bags to keep your office drawer organized. Keep pens, paper clips and other small items in them and your drawer will look tidy!

Don't Wait to Fix These Summer Home Problems

A range of problems can pop up in your home during the summer. While some of them can wait to be fixed, there are some issues that you just don't want to leave. If they don't need to be fixed by the time summer is over, you might need to make some repairs while the season is still in full swing. If you don't, you could end up dealing with an even bigger issue, whether it's your home being too hot or problems from summer storms. During the summer, make sure you look out for these problems so you can fix them right away.

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Gutters and Drainage

Summer might make us think of sunshine and heat, but it often comes with rain and storms too. It's important to be prepared for it to rain, so pay attention to your guttering and drainage system. If there's a blockage or anything is broken, it could mean that something isn't working as it should be. This could lead to water not draining away from your home properly when it rains, which could cause flooding, leaks and other problems. These types of issues need to be addressed as soon as possible to prevent further issues.

Air Conditioning Problems

Your air conditioning can be your lifeline during the summer. But, not only does it keep you cool, but it also stops your house from overheating. If your home gets too warm, it could cause various problems, such as warped hardwood floors. Keeping your AC on during the summer is important, so make sure you're ready for any emergency AC repair that might be necessary. To prevent this, be sure to service your air conditioning system before summer begins. It will help to reduce the chance of anything happening that requires sudden repairs.

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Pests

Pests can become an issue during the summer because some pests like the heat. And those that don't still might want to come into your home. Pest problems might start off as a slight annoyance, but they can get a lot worse if you leave them for too long. It's always best to tackle them as soon as you can, which means it's helpful to know the signs of certain common pests. When you know how to spot them, you can pick up on them sooner and get rid of them faster. Of course, prevention is a good idea too, so take steps to stop pests from causing problems in the first place.

Moisture and Mold

Moisture and mold in your home aren't only problems during the winter. With summer rain and storms, it can become an issue during the summer too. Keep an eye out for signs of leaks, condensation, mold and mildew in your home during the summer. You need to deal with them as soon as you can so they don't become a bigger problem. You could eventually start to see structural damage if the issue grows.

Some problems need to be fixed right away. Even if you're having fun in the summer, don't forget to take care of these big problems.

Drains

Drains in our homes are often left until they are completely blocked. Sometimes the problem can be solved quickly and easily with a plunger, but other times more drastic measures may need to be taken. If you notice signs of water not draining away properly, it's important to take action before it turns into an even bigger issue. Get your drains inspected by drain cleaning specialists so that any potential blockages can be identified and dealt with as soon as possible.

The Conversations We Need To Think About Having With Our Older Parents

Have you noticed that a parent of yours is a little less capable than they used to be? Perhaps they’re a little less mobile, or complaining about aches and pains more, or even a touch forgetful? As we age, it’s a fact that we’re going to need a little more help than we used to. You need to be compassionate as you approach these questions, but it will be important to address them.

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How they’re getting around

Few people live close to the essential destinations they need daily access to, be it for grocery shopping, to see the doctor, or otherwise. As we get older, our driving skills can begin to suffer impairments. For that reason, it might be worth asking your parent if they have been driving just fine lately. If they have had any accidents or even near misses lately, then it might be time to consider offering to drive for them instead of putting them at such risk again in the future.

The health issues they may be experiencing

The majority of people don’t want to worry their loved ones, regardless of their age. As such, they may be likely to keep quiet about or at least downplay symptoms they may have been having. However, it might be a good idea to bring up the idea of an annual physical, something that we should all be doing anyway. Make sure that it’s clear your wondering about health comes from a place of concern first and foremost. People can be stubborn if they think that you’re trying to push them into making any decisions for them.

Where they’re living and with who

If your loved one is having trouble taking care of their daily needs, such as feeding, washing, and transporting themselves or there are real concerns of health risks if they are living alone, then it might be time to address their living situation. It can be a scary topic to consider, so it’s a good idea to do your research ahead of time to find good senior living care and facility options. Otherwise, they may assume the worst about where and with whom they’re going to end up.

Their plans for the future

No-one likes thinking about the idea that their life is going to end but it’s a reality that we should all address as soon as we are able to start planning that far ahead. A good way to broach the topic of end-of-life instructions is to bring up that perhaps you have begun planning your own estate. Trust is essential to help in this regard, of course, so if your parent isn’t willing to trust you in helping in this regard, you should at least encourage them to talk to an estate lawyer about it.

Remember to keep your parent’s experience and viewpoint as the most important weighing factor during all of these conversations. Encouraging them and considering their needs and wants is the best way to get them to cooperate.

Making Your Vacations A Little Easier (And More Affordable)

How often do you get to travel? The past year might have made that more difficult, yes, but even outside of that, have you noticed fewer opportunities to vacation or simply take a break? As life goes on and responsibilities pile up, travel can become not only more difficult to plan but harder to afford, as well. However, it doesn’t always have to be so. Here are a few ways you can make travel cheaper, more accessible, and a little easier to fit into your schedules.

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Look a little closer to home

If your idea of a good trip is hopping across continents to enjoy brand new climates and cultures, then it can be tough to make that accessible. However, a change in perspective can help you a lot. Looking at local tourist towns you haven’t been to, staycation hotspots, and gorgeous camping grounds or national parks can still help you plan a great family getaway without having to put aside the money and time needed to go much further afield. There’s likely to be plenty that you haven’t seen around you. You don’t necessarily need to go halfway across the world.

Get further on your own four (or more) wheels

The family road trip is a fantastic way to craft your own adventure and to discover the little organic surprises that you’re not likely to find in tourist guides, both near and far. However, you can make them go even further and enjoy sleeping under the stars more easily with an investment in second hand caravans for sale. It might cost a little money, but you’re investing in not just one trip. You’re investing in the ability to take those trips whenever the mood strikes you.

Plan for short surprise breaks

It’s a good idea to put together a travel budget that you contribute a little money to here and there. Then, whenever you have an extra day or two for the weekend, you have a pot that you can dip into for those unplanned trips. With flight comparison websites and a little flexibility, you can find flights that are going to leave soon and are selling seats much cheaper to help fill the plane up, allowing you to majorly cut one of the biggest costs of a holiday.

Use what rewards you can

If you stick with the same few travel providers, your options might be a little more limited but you can start racking up points that let you book holidays more often. This doesn’t just go for airline loyalty schemes, but also for “travel hacking,” which is effectively the practice of using credit cards with travel rewards more often in order to quickly build up those rewards. Of course, any credit card use needs to be carefully monitored and planned to make sure you’re not leaving debt on the table.

You don’t have to plan a jet-setting trip around the globe to enjoy the benefits of new environments and new experiences. With the tips above, you can find all that and more closer to home.

Pet ownership: How To Make Your Home More Pet-Friendly

No matter what kind of pet you keep, it is a great responsibility to make the home safe and comfortable for your animal friends. They deserve a clean and welcoming space just as you do. Globally, 33% of households own pets; unfortunately, most pet owners fail to factor in these animal friends before buying or building a home. For this reason, this article seeks to discuss three ways you can transform your home to be more pet-friendly.

1. Choose pet-friendly flooring materials.

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Flooring a home is a huge investment, and a wrong one could be costly, especially when you plan on having household pets. Laminated floors, ceramic tiles, and woody designs are durable, easy to clean and manage. Although some may be slippery for a young pet, such as a puppy, they get used to it with time. On the other hand, for those with a preference for carpeted floors, you will have to take caution up another notch. For example, instead of choosing light-colored carpets, go in for darker patterned ones. This way, even after cleaning, there will be no visible stains that attract your indoor dog from scratching at it. 

Furthermore, avoid rugs designed with loose continuous loops. These types tend to trap claws, and to free their paws, a cat or dog will pull at it until it tears. A better option is to choose microfiber carpets or rugs designed to feel plush without leaving marks or tugging at pet claws. They are excellent choices for homes that allow their pets indoors. 

2. Set up a comfortable resting or sleeping place

Did you know that dogs and cats are susceptible to back pains just as humans? Unlike human beings, these animals cannot talk about it, but you should know how to pick up on these signs as an observant pet owner. A dog with back pain would usually appear inflexible or yelp when touched on its back. In other instances, it would whimper at every bodily movement it makes. A more obvious sign is a visible unsteadiness when standing.

To avoid these health problems from showing up, dogs need comfortable and breathable beds that cushion their bodies when they lie down. Better yet, a mattress that provides proper alignment of its spine will reduce the chances of a dog suffering from a slipped disc. Pawpedics dog beds are excellent orthopedic mattresses specially designed for man’s best friend. They’re waterproof, breathable, non-slip base, and come in four different sizes.

3. Hide all electrical cables

Dogs, cats, and pet rabbits love to chew on anything they get their paws on. That includes electric cables in the home. As a preventive measure against electrocution, it is recommended to hide all visible lines or encase them in pet-resistant cord protectors. These casings perform a dual-duty by wrapping around your electric cables while making them impossible for household pets to sink their teeth in.

Interestingly, these robust plastic casings come in varied colors which can blend in with the rest of your home. However, pet trainers recommend going in for darker colors that will not draw attention. The reason being, dogs and cats especially are naturally drawn to bright-colored objects. Furthermore, pet cord protectors come in different sizes and lengths to accommodate all electric cable types.

The next time you consider placing animal friends in your home, take extra precautions to make the space safe and comfortable. More importantly, store all household toxins such as cleaners away from reach. Finally, you must keep poisonous houseplants such as the Peace Lily and Sago Palm out of reach.

Could Stressing About Money Less Really Make You Richer?

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On average, around 77% of us admit to being stressed about money at least some of the time, and it’s hardly surprising. Like it or not, money makes the world go round and honestly, having enough of it (or not having enough of it) is the reason we get out of bed in the morning. 

But, is such a high percentage of stress truly necessary for ensuring that we can live a comfortable life? Perhaps not. In fact, when you consider what separates those who have their financial futures sorted against those who don’t, it’s often this very stress that separates them.

In reality, this could be a bit of a chicken or egg situation. Are they not stressed about money because they have enough or are their finances up and together because they don’t stress? Who can say, but taking a leaf out of their books could certainly help you to feel richer in the following ways. 

You’ll finally be able to get your savings in order

Weirdly, worrying less could well see your savings in order. Why? Well, for one, thinking about money less makes you far less liable to spend it. Rather than holding your budget so tightly that there’s no room for maneuver, you’ll be able to calmly cut costs in non-essential areas or even lessen your insane debt overpayments a little so that you finally have some spare cash to put in the bank each month. 

You’ll realize that there’s always a way out

Those of us who worry about money feel like we’ll end up on the streets or facing impossible expenses if we don’t get our acts together/keep a set amount in the bank at any given time/stay awake thinking about it all. But, honestly, there are few financial situations with absolutely no way out. Far from worrying if you have enough to afford any possible situation, throwing stress out the window will open your eyes to these reassuring out-points. Suddenly, you’ll see that even in dire straits, immediate solutions like the second mortgage caveat finance from CSA can always come to the rescue. Even better, those savings that you’re not thinking about might just start creeping the right way up to come to the rescue while you’re distracted.

You’ll be able to love what you’ve got

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How often have you wasted a day with the family because you’ve been stressing about the next mortgage payment? How many times have you spent entire evenings going over accounts? We’ve all done it, and, not to be cliche with the ‘experiences not expenses’ stuff, but there’s genuine truth to this. After all, right now, you’re spending money for a house, food and day trips that you barely notice. By addressing that stress, you’ll start to appreciate what you have, and might just realise that you aren’t so hard-off after all. 

We won’t lie, it’s not easy to switch money worries off like a tap. But, if you manage it, your finances will certainly thank you.

Teaching Your Teen to Drive Safely

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While teaching a teen to drive can be a dreaded experience for any parent, it’s a great way to  prepare him or her to be a safe and competent driver. The risk of a teen getting into a fatal car  accident is three times higher than that of an adult aged 20 and above. By giving his or her  driving education the serious attention it requires, a parent can help his or her teen avoid  becoming another statistic. Here are four actionable tips a parent can use to teach a teen to drive  safely.  

Grasping the Basic Driving Skills 

A parent should ensure the driving lessons are in line with the current skill level of the teen. This  involves teaching the basics during the first few lessons. The teen should get used to sitting  behind the wheel before he or she can actually start driving. Giving him or her an organized and  detailed tour of the car, from the gas and brake pedals, dashboard controls, turn signals, to  parking brakes, is a great place for parents to start.  

Showing him or her how to adjust the mirrors and how to correctly position the hands on the  wheel is also important. The teen should drive only when he or she has mastered all of the basics  and can repeat everything back to the parent.  

The first lesson should take place in an empty and clear space, such as a parking lot. That way,  the teen can practice igniting, turning, or stopping the vehicle at various speeds in an area that is  free of obstacles. Once the teen has basic skills for navigating obstacles, the parent can introduce  traffic cones. 

Route Mapping 

Before hitting the road with a teen, the parent should identify the best route to use. The teen is  traveling through an unfamiliar area behind the wheel and learning a new skill, all the while  aware that one slight mistake could result in disastrous consequences. It is, therefore, wise to  give him or her more organization and predictability.

Avoiding congested highways and freeways that may be beyond his or her skill level, especially  during the first few days, can make the driving lessons enjoyable for both the teen and the parent.  Without mapping the route in advance, avoiding those areas would be impossible.  

Identifying the Skills to Practice 

Besides mapping the route before each lesson, the parent should also determine the skills the teen  will learn in each session. It could be navigating toll booths, maintaining a safe following  distance, or parallel parking. Keeping these in mind during the planning phase can help a parent  choose a route that has all the things he or she wants the teen to learn. If he or she wants the teen  to practice parallel parking, for instance, there should be plenty of opportunities on the selected  route.  

Eliminating Unnecessary Distractions 

AAA lists distracted driving as one of the main causes of car accidents involving teen drivers.  Therefore, when teaching a teen to drive, the parent should get rid of unnecessary distractions to  ensure all the attention is on the road. He or she should also avoid playing music or using a  phone. Although the parent isn’t the one driving, he or she serves as the second pair of eyes for  the teen until the teen can comfortably navigate obstacles and look for cars independently.  Moreover, the teen can learn safe driving habits by just watching how the parent behaves as an  instructor.  

5 Ways That Small Businesses Accidentally Break Privacy Laws

The laws surrounding data privacy have changed a lot in the last few years. As more questions have been raised about the way businesses handle the personal information they collect about their customers, new legislation has been introduced to protect consumers. All businesses are responsible for managing customer data in the right way to ensure that they are in line with the laws. 

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Unfortunately, a lot of business owners think that they’re doing everything above board even though they are inadvertently breaking data privacy laws. If you are found to be breaking data privacy laws, your business could be subject to a huge fine which, in some cases, could sink the business. The authorities won’t have any sympathy for you because the infringement was accidental, so it’s up to you to make sure that you are looking after data properly and you avoid the common pitfalls that people fall into. These are some of the most common ways that businesses accidentally break data privacy laws. 

Not Knowing The Law 

The laws surrounding data privacy can be quite complicated and they are always changing. Technology has advanced so much in the last few decades and legislation is only now catching up, which means that new laws are being introduced all the time and old laws are being updated. There are also specific laws that apply to certain types of business. For example, if you run a child daycare business, there are different laws surrounding the private data of children. There are different rules for medical businesses too because private medical information needs extra protection. 

A lot of businesses get caught out because new laws are introduced or they don’t realize that their business is subject to different rules. When the laws change, they don’t update their own data privacy processes to bring them in line with new legislation. It’s important that you stay up to date with the law so you are aware of any changes and you can change your business processes as a result. 

Failing To Ask For Permissions

Whenever you go to a website these days, you’ll get a pop-up asking about cookies and data collection, etc. You’ll get the option to choose what data you want to share and how it will be used. This is a legal requirement in the EU, and if your site doesn’t have this feature, you’re breaking the law. You want to make this process quick and easy for your customers and make sure that they know they are in control of their data. Check out these GDPR consent form examples to get an idea of how to ask for permissions in the right way. You can also use this as an opportunity to ask people to opt in to marketing emails etc. Make sure that you stay up to date with legislation to ensure that you are giving the right options on your consent forms. 

Using Customer Photos For Marketing 

Customer testimonials are a great way to promote your business. Their opinion carries a lot more weight than yours does, but you do have to be careful about how you use them. Photos of customers enjoying your product are great for marketing, but you can’t just use them without permission. If you upload pictures of people on your website or print them on direct mail marketing materials without asking them first, you are in breach of data privacy laws. So, if you are going to use customer photos, get their permission in writing first, so it doesn’t come back to bite you later on. 

Bad BYOD Policies 

Bring your own device (BYOD) policies are becoming more common in business. It saves you a lot of money if your employees can use their own computers and tablets for work, and it’s often easier for them because they’re using devices that they are comfortable with. Remote work is much easier when people use personal devices too. However, there are some big security concerns that you need to manage and a lot of businesses breach data privacy laws because they have bad BYOD policies in place. 

If your employees don’t have adequate security software installed on their devices and they regularly use unsecured public wifi networks, all of the customer data they have access to is at risk. Banning people from using their own devices is one way around this but if you still want the benefits of BYOD, you need to improve your policy. Make sure that all devices have been assessed by your IT department to ensure that they are protected and offer security software to all employees. Make sure that all of your employees understand the importance of data security and they know how to set strong passwords on their devices, etc.

Bad Phone Policies 

Whenever you speak to a customer over the phone, you need to take steps to ensure that customer data is protected. Unfortunately, a lot of businesses make mistakes and find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Whenever you speak to a customer on the phone, you need to ask security questions to make sure you are speaking to the right person. If you start discussing personal details without asking security questions, you could accidentally reveal personal data to the wrong person. It’s easy for people to fall into bad habits and start skipping the security questions, especially as customers often get frustrated with them. To combat this, you need to explain the importance of these questions to your staff and give them a short script to help them explain it to customers too. 

Be careful about recording phone conversations too. Although it can be beneficial for training, you could be breaking data privacy laws if you record and store phone conversations that contain sensitive personal information. You can still record calls, but you should cut the security questions and any credit card information or addresses, etc. 

Most data privacy breaches happen by accident and the perpetrators think that they’re doing everything right. If you are making these common mistakes, you could be breaking the law. 

Is It Worth It To Repair Your Own Vehicle?

Of all the ways that people spend money on their vehicle, paying a mechanic is generally not something you want to skimp on. This is because a mechanic understands your vehicle better than you and you want the peace of mind knowing that they’ll repair your vehicle, not cause more damage to it. This is especially important if you’ve got a car that you want to keep around.

But what about repairing your own vehicle? Is that a viable way to save money on car-related costs without putting your car in danger? While knowing how to repair a car is certainly a great skill to have, it’s not as easy as it sounds and might not be worth it depending on the person.

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Do you have access to the knowledge you need to repair your car?

First, consider how easy it is to access the knowledge you need to repair a car. For example, do you have access to local lessons, or do you know a mechanic that can help train you? If not, then you may need to rely on YouTube videos, online courses, and various books to get started.

If you don’t have easy access to car repair knowledge, then it may be difficult to start learning how to fix things in your vehicle. As such, it might not be worth learning.

Do you have access to spares, tools, and aftermarket parts?

Most people can just buy parts online. Even specialized parts such as Duramax head studs can be purchased over the internet these days. For tools, you can buy anything you need locally or online as well.

However, certain aftermarket parts might be hard to source if you don’t have contacts. As such, you may want to try to network with other DIY mechanics and services in your area to expand your options for spares.

Are you willing to invest in repairing your own vehicle as a long-term commitment?

Repairing your own vehicle is a difficult and long process, especially if you have no prior knowledge. If you’re not ready to invest a lot of time into learning the ropes, then you may want to reconsider.

If you don’t have time to spend on learning how to repair your car, then it’s much faster and often cheaper to just take it to a mechanic. Learning mechanical skills like this is time-consuming and not something you’ll see an instant return on for your investment.

What if your vehicle is too far gone?

If you’re looking to repair your vehicle because it’s in really bad shape, then it might be worth turning it into a long-term passion project. If you’re looking to replace it, then you might just want to sell it instead and get a newer car.

The choice between repairing or replacing a car can be difficult at times, but if your car is beyond saving or will take too much time to fix, then you may as well just replace it.

Excellent Ways to Manage Home Finances

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How are your home finances? You might be among the many people who feel that they could manage their finances at home more effectively. Here are some of the most effective ways of handling your home finances.

Have A Budget

Home expenditures require an organized budget, which stipulates the money to be spent on different things. Most people buy home stuff without budgeting, and as a result, they end up purchasing unnecessary items. You can curb this by ensuring you have a budget that shows the things you need and their cost.

Coming up with a budget is simple and you can do it even without anyone's help, provided you know the things you need. You only need to establish the things that your household requires and therefore put them into your budget. You also need to put some extra money apart to deal with anything that might come up beyond the budget.

Live Within Your Means

There are a lot of people who spend beyond their limits to impress others. You do not have to spend extra money or to show other people that you are a certain standard. Some people even take payday loans so that they can show society that they have money.

The best way of living within your means is to avoid associating yourself with people who put pressure on you financially. These include friends who would not mind spending a lot of money because they are affluent. Such people will compel you to spend even money you do not have just to impress them and stay in their class.

Buy The Right Appliance

Some of the appliances in your home require that you pay huge bills, including electricity bills. You might be paying expensive bills simply because you purchased appliances that consume a lot of energy. To avoid this, you should take your time while shopping and ensure that you purchase devices that do not consume a lot of power.

One of the ideal ways of ensuring the appliances you purchase do not consume excess power is buying certified appliances. These are the appliances that have modern designs, especially when it comes to power consumption. The store you purchase your appliances from should have descriptions directing the power consumption of the stock's different appliances.

Avoid Impulse Buying

Most people purchase things just because they have seen them without having a real need for such needs. A perfect example is going shopping for food and then ending up buying a shirt just because you found a good deal. It is advisable to avoid purchasing things that were not in your plan.

To avoid impulse shopping, you should have a designated time when you go shopping. You should not be going shopping just because you have time or money. Instead, it would be best if you were going shopping only when you have planned or when you require certain things.

Therefore, by implementing the outlined ideas, you can effectively manage your finances and eventually be able to save more.