Empowerment Archives - Page 2 of 13

Achieving Financial Stability In Your Life

October 23, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing empowerment tips on achieving financial stability. Financial stability is one of the most important things to strive for in life. It reduces stress, improves mental health, and supports loved ones. While you do not have to be rich, the knowledge that your finances are in good health will enhance your quality of life. So, taking steps to achieving financial stability should be a priority.

Your home is where you spend most of your time, as well as the biggest expense. Naturally, this is the perfect place to start the transformation.

achieving financial stability

Achieving Financial Stability:

#1. Clear Debt

Whether the debts relate to home purchases or other items isn’t important. Losing money to interest rates and administrative costs adds to your debt. Therefore, knowing what is the best tax debt relief company should be at the top of your agenda. It’s impossible to start moving in the right direction if you haven’t tied up loose ends from past mistakes.

Establishing a better repayment plan won’t suddenly remove debt overnight. However, it helps to relieve some of the financial debt your shoulders. As you move closer to becoming debt-free, it should provide a springboard for future upgrades.

#2. Consider Remortgaging

Your mortgage is probably the biggest financial commitment you have. So, if you can find a better mortgage rate, it would be foolish to ignore it. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of remortgaging before committing to any process. Under the right circumstances, it’s a move that could save you thousands of dollars over the next few years. Therefore, it is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Remortgaging is particularly useful when you come to the end of a fixed-rate deal. Meanwhile, homeowners that have seen their property increase in value can use remortgaging too. A better loan-to-value can unlock lower interest rates to boost your savings.

#3. Go Green

Energy consumption is one of the most influential features for determining the costs of running your home. Making your home more economical through eco-friendly updates is essential. It will significantly reduce water, electricity, and gas usage. Moreover, your efforts to build a better home support the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.

While some of the tasks require an initial outlay but, the investment will pay for itself in time. Most importantly, many local authorities run schemes to subsidize solar panels and double glazing. It is always worth researching the possibilities that may be available.

#4. Lose Unnecessary Bills

As a homeowner, you will encounter monthly bills and expenses. Sadly, most people are guilty of paying for services or overspending on features they do not need. For example, if you run an internet speed test, it’s quite likely you are paying for more than you receive. Similarly, TV packages and cell packages may include excessive data or channels that you do not need.

Unnecessary bills may also include insurance premiums for devices that are covered by your home owners insurance policy. Take the time to analyze all current bills to determine if any can be lost or cut down to size. The individual benefits may be small, but their cumulative impact is huge.

achieving financial stability

#5. Stop Hoarding

Most homeowners are guilty of a little hoarding. It can sometimes be hard to give up something that you may want to use down the line. However, if you haven’t used a product for six months, it’s likely that it serves no purpose in your life. The noteworthy exception is, of course, decorations for the festive season or Halloween period.

Hoarded items are taking up valuable storage space in the property. Fortunately, selling items online or via garage sales can bring in a significant sum of money. In fact, many households have between $5,000-$10,000 tied up in electronics, art, and clothes that are no longer wanted.

#6. Use The Garden

The backyard adds a whole new dimension to the property, if you let it. Spending more time outside as a family can reduce your household electricity bills. Similarly, hosting a small family gathering or BBQ can be cheaper than heading out to a restaurant. If you use the facilities regularly, the value for money will be even greater. Many of the upgrades will boost the property value too.

Another potential benefit comes from growing fruit and vegetables. This can reduce your grocery bills and food waste. Better still, it can become a cheap hobby that saves you from wasting money on other tasks. The satisfaction of growing great tasting produce is also a wonderful thing.

#7. Choose Home Upgrades With High ROIs

Boosting your financial health doesn’t always have to show immediate returns. Sometimes, protecting your asset is one of the smartest solutions available. Most families will want to adapt and modify their homes to meet their evolving needs. However, choosing ideas that are shown to add value to the property puts you in a far stronger position. Do not forget it.

The most popular options are turning a guest room into an office, or adding an extension. Turning an attic or basement into a living space can make the home feel bigger and better while adding significant value. Aside from the financial boost, it adds value to your daily lives. Perfect.

#8. Repair, Don’t Replace

We live in a society that encourages us to replace broken items right away. In many situations, it is a far better option to repair them. Whether it’s using video tutorials to fix a faulty appliance or calling a professional roofer doesn’t matter. Repair jobs can often be completed at a fraction of the costs it would take to replace the items.

In addition to repairing appliances, you can look to use upcycling to great effect. From turning crates into garden furniture to altering your clothes, the benefits are plentiful. It adds personality while also saving money. What more could you ask for?

#9. Protect The Property

In truth, financial rewards are of secondary importance when looking at home security. The primary incentive for adding CCTV and alarms is to save your family from an unenviable situation. However, it should not be forgotten that keeping burglars at bay also ensures that your possessions are kept safe. In turn, this prevents the need to replace those items.

Moreover, the investments into improved home security may bring down your home insurance premiums. For the sake of ongoing overheads and avoiding unforeseen problems, ignoring money saver is not an option. On a side note, it will also deliver a far greater sense of internal peace.

#10. Lose The Need For Ownership

It is very easy to fall into the trap of wanting to own everything. Ultimately, though, you have to do what’s right for you. In some cases, renting a property may actually be better than buying a property. Furthermore, leasing a car is often a smarter choice than purchasing a vehicle. Not least due to the depreciation that a purchased vehicle will encounter.

Similarly, there are plenty of items that you might only need for a one-off event or short period of time. Rather than using the item once and then leaving it in storage for years, rentals are easier. Clothes and filming equipment are just two great examples that you may wish to utilize.

#11. Quit Bad Habits

While efficient appliances and Smart tech are important, do you really need the latest and greatest? Habitual changes can transform your financial future. For example, cutting down on take out and alcohol can reduce your finances. Likewise, if you learn to stop smoking, it can cut your annual expenses by thousands of dollars. Sacrifice is worthwhile.

With the money that is saved from eliminating alcohol, take out and smoking, you join a gym. Getting healthy is worth the expense.

#12. Earn From Home

Starting a side hustle from home, or working as a freelancer for a few hours, can make all the difference. Even an extra $500 per month would completely change your fortune. Now is the time to make it happen.

You may have long-term plans of turning your hustle into a full business. Or, maybe you’re happy to keep supplementing your salary in this way. In either scenario, with a little extra money entering the household each month, your hopes of achieving financial stability is far greater.

Finally, striving for financial stability shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying life. Instead, the focus should remain on making responsible decisions and long-term outcomes. When combined with good organization and a commitment to consistency, your finances will look better than ever.

Filed Under: Finances Tagged With: financial security, financial tips

Inspirational Divorce Quotes for Women

October 21, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing empowerment tips using inspirational divorce quotes. When we go through difficult times in our life finding something to life us up can be welcoming. I love quotes, and I can always find inspiration, motivation, or determination in them. Quotes are empowering, they help us plow ahead and out of a dark place. They help us find the light and allow it to penetrate our soul. They speak to us.

Inspirational Divorce Quotes for Women:

I love this quote by Gina Carey. Life is full of obstacles and challenges. I believe in taking them head on rather than dwelling on them. The sooner you face your challenge, the sooner you can come up with a plan and move forward.

Letting go of people and things can be difficult at times. When you finally get the strength and courage to walk away, pat your on the back. But, my best advice is walk away and don’t look back. Your future is ahead of you not behind you.

When you are going through a divorce, it’s a good idea to emerge yourself in things that you love. Just as important, is to surround yourself with people that you love. Try gardening, writing or doing crafts. Get those besties on the phone or out to dinner or lunch. Now is the time to make a life for yourself. Joining a gym, purchasing a treadmill or taking long walks are perfect ways to get rid of stress. Most importantly, hug your children tightly.

One thing that I have learned along the way is the fact that people outgrow each other. You decide that you want different things in life. You may see that the person you thought you married is no longer before you. People change and many factors play a part. I have learned that the same thing can happen with friendships. My advice is to embrace it or at least accept what has happened and let go. The sooner you accept it, the sooner you can start moving forward.

Unfortunately, letting go can be difficult, especially if the relationship is one-sided. By one-sided, I mean only one person is giving in the relationship. And, as a result only one person’s needs are being met. We don’t want to give up hope that the relationship can’t be saved. Or, you’re hoping that your husband will return to the man you fell in love with. Unfortunately, it is not to be. Don’t turn to husband or soon to be ex-husband for comfort. Get into counseling or call your sister or friend. Trust me, he isn’t interested in comforting you.

So, going through a divorce is just like grieving a death. What you had with that person is over, and it will never be again. You can’t stop it and you can’t change it. You must accept it and go through the grieving process. People grieve differently, but I can guarantee that you will survive. Not only will you survive, you will emerge a stronger and better person.

When it’s time to let go, it’s time to let go. Furthermore, don’t spend time and energy trying to rekindle the relationship. It’s like trying to get back into those jeans that you’re holding on to, but you will never wear again. Your relationship is that pair of jeans.

So, I’ve given this advice to many woman: stop waiting for people to do things for you. If you want flowers buy them or beauty yet start gardening. I did and I love it. If you want to go out to dinner, go. If you want to travel join a travel club. It’s up to you to define your life now.

Last, I hope you enjoyed my inspirational divorce quotes. Meditate on a few, and allow them to penetrate your soul.

Filed Under: Quotes Tagged With: divorce tips, inspirational quotes, life after divorce, motivational quotes

Helping Children Through Divorce

October 20, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing empowerment tips on helping children through divorce. Divorce can be a stressful time for anyone who is going through one. I believe everyone enters marriage thinking they will be with their partner for life. However, things don’t always work out that way. Marriages end for many reason including infidelity, money problems, lack of communication, or people simply outgrow each other.

Divorce is also a stressful and scary time for children too. Their comfort zone has been interrupted, their parents are arguing or not speaking or one may have moved out and now they are separated. Sadly, the children don’t know what will happen to their life or the comfort they once knew. It’s the responsibility of the parent to assure them that their life will remain stable.

Helping Children Through Divorce:

Assure your children that the divorce is not their fault.
Let them know that mommy and daddy love them and will always be there for them.
Explain co-parenting, and let them know that you’re not the only family who goes through divorce.
Avoid arguments over child support and/or spousal support in front of the kids.
If possible, have some of the above conversations with your soon to be ex-husband or partner.
Try to attend school or other functions together to assure the children see that you can get along. You don’t have to sit beside each other, but in the same vicinity is great. Your child can see both of you without having to scour the room to find mommy and daddy.
If one or the other plans to remarry or becomes involved with another person try to get along with the new people. It’s important for your children to see that life moves on and it’s okay when it happens.
Invite daddy to the birthday parties and other major events.
Stick to the visitation schedule. If their dad gets them at 6:00 pm on Fridays have them ready.
Keep dad informed about doctor and dental visits. He has a right to know what’s happening with his children’s health.
Share the football, baseball, ballet schedule or other activities with your ex-husband or partner.

Life is full of changes. If we learn to deal with life as it comes and as mature, responsible and intelligent parents we can overcome the obstacles and live a healthy, healthy life. Divorce is hard, but it doesn’t have to be the event that breaks you.

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So, I hope that you have found my tips on helping children through divorce beneficial. Most importantly, I hope you will implement a few. They worked for me, and I’m confident they will work for you. You may also like Tips from Divorce Lawyers.

Filed Under: Divorce Tagged With: divorce tips, life after divorce, single parenting tips

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Quotes

October 12, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing empowerment tips using Ruth Bader Ginsburg Quotes. Justice Ginsburg was an American Icon who was admired by many in this country. As a matter of fact, she was nicknamed The Notorious R.B.G. Justice Ginsburg was given this nickname because of her dissents on numerous Supreme Court cases that reflected her liberal view of the law. In 2013, a New York University law student named Shana Knizhnik created a Tumblr when he was referencing Justice Ginsburg’s dissent in the Supreme Court case Shelby County v. Holder.

Justice Ginsburg eventually embraced the nickname. She said, “It was beyond her wildest imagination that she would become the Notorious R.B.G.” She went on to say that she was 86 years old, and people of all ages wanted to have their picture taken with her. This is the impact that she has had on America.

My favorite Ruth Bader Ginsburg quotes:

One of my favorite quotes is below. As a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, blogger, gardening, traveler and thriftier, I for one want to have it all. So, I embraced the fact that I could have it all, just not all at once. I was okay with that. Furthermore, if I could experience the things that I loved and spend time with the people that I loved at some point in my life, I would have lived a great life.

The quote below is another one of my favorite Ruth Bader Ginsburg quotes. I saw Justice Ginsburg as a diva. I loved the collars that she wore on the bench and what each of them represented. For example, she had a dissent collar, her approval collar, and a collar showing she was in agreement with her colleagues.

She was also famous for her fishnet and lace gloves as well as her strenuous workouts. Her most notable accessories were clip on earrings, turbans, high heels, the studious big glasses and oh the lace gloves. She started wearing the lace/fishnet gloves in 1999 for post chemotherapy protection. As a result, she fall in love with them. And, they became a part of her go to accessories.

Justice Ginsburg rocked knee high leather boots, pencil skirts and the colors red and blue. She also had a thing for the luxury brand Ferragamo shoes. I’d say, she achieved diva status.

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Unfortunately, Justice Ginsburg lost her mother a day before her high school graduation to cancer. She also lost her only sibling a sister when she was a baby. She would lose her husband later in life to cancer, which is also what took her life. So, with all of successes she also experienced she also experience a huge amount of grief.

I learned the lesson above in life. I wished I had learned it early, but better later than never. Anger, resentment, holding on to grudges and hurt will only only zap your energy, it will kill you. These emotions cause stress, and stress affects every part of your body. No good comes out of any of them.

The two quotes above have come into play in all of our lives at some point. I learned both of these lessons, and they have served me well in life. If you’re struggling with these actions, I suggest that you start working on Justice Ginsburg’s advice immediately. It will change your life forever.

This quote speaks to me. I remember taking home economic in high school. I learned to sew and cook, but I should wish I could fix and build things around my house. As a single woman, I could save a fortune by not having to pay someone to do simple things. I guess I could attend Internet University, but time is not always on my side.

The above quote above is so profound. Not only for women, but for people of color too. I heard several people mention the words take your feet off our necks over the past few months.

I hope that you find a few of

Filed Under: Quotes Tagged With: empowerment quotes, inspirational quotes, motivational quotes, quotes for success

Tips on How to Deal with Grief

July 18, 2020 by Rhonda Gales 2 Comments

Today, I’m sharing tips on how to deal with grief. Grief is a feeling of loss, which might come about due to a number of events. We most often associate it with death, but it’s not the only thing that can cause you to feel grief. Grief can be one of the most difficult emotions to deal with. It’s not just a fleeting feeling, but is something that can last a long time. Unfortunately, it often never completely goes away. Accepting the loss of something or someone that once played a significant part in your life is not an easy thing to do. However, there are ways for you to deal with your grief and get back to a happier place in your life.

Tips on How to Deal With Grief:

Understanding Grief

One important thing to consider is that grief isn’t only something that you experience after a death. It’s also something that you might feel when you end a relationship, lose a friend, or even sell your home. You might feel grief if your pet dies or gets lost. And, you can feel grief when someone dies. Even if your feelings for them are more complicated than loving them. Grief is something that you can feel in different ways and for different reasons. Additionally, the intensity varies too.

Understand the Emotions That Come with Grief

Grief can bring with it a variety of emotions. You might wonder whether some of the things that you are feeling are “normal”. Or, if you’re the only one who feels the way that you do. You could feel many emotions when you’re experiencing grief. This includes everything from sadness to anger or even guilt. Some people also feel numb. And, might be unsure when or if they are going to start feeling something else. One of the most important things that you can do is to accept your feelings, no matter how far-ranging they might be.

Talk About Your Grief

When you are grieving, keeping it to yourself isn’t usually the best idea. You might feel reluctant to share your thoughts and feelings with others. Perhaps you feel that you will burden them with your grief. However, talking about your grief with other people is good for you. And, it can be good for them too if they’re experiencing the same thing. You might discuss your grief with friends or relatives, or you might consider doing it with people who aren’t so close to you. You could discuss your grief with a support group, or find support online. A therapist is also an option if you want to talk about what you’re experiencing.

Remember Happy Times

Processing your grief can often make you feel weighed down by your emotions. However, even though you might be sad now, it’s also a good idea to try and remember the happy times. Whether it’s the positive times that you had in a relationship or the memories you have of a loved one who has passed. Remembering can help you to deal with your grief. Some people like to carry or wear something that reminds them of happy times. You might find grief help with memorial jewelry from Memorials.com. Wearing a photo or keepsake gives you a special reminder of the good things that you want to remember. You might have lost something or someone, but it’s important to remember that you had that love in the first place.

Take Care of Yourself

Caring for yourself can become difficult when you’re grieving. Grief can feel all-consuming, and even basic self-care might be hard or even seem pointless. However, by caring for yourself physically, you can help yourself to feel better emotionally. It’s also often important to care for yourself so that you can care for your family and those around you. Keep in mind that you should recognize when grief might become depression. While grief is often expected, depression is not something that you can necessarily work through on your own. You might need additional help and support to deal with depression.

Keep Busy

Staying busy often helps when you are grieving. It gives you something in your life to focus on outside of your grief. Keeping busy could mean a lot of things, from continuing to go to work, taking part in hobbies and activities. Even though it is difficult to process your grief, it’s also important to recognize that life goes on. By continuing with your life, you can start to get back to normal or create a new normal. There are many ways you might occupy your time and spend time with others to ensure you’re not isolating yourself.

Allow Others to Deal with Their Own Grief

When you’re grieving, other people that you know might be grieving too. One of the most important things to remember is that everyone grieves in their own way. You might notice that someone else is processing their grief in a different way to you. But, that doesn’t mean that they are grieving “incorrectly”. It’s important not to dictate to anyone else how they should grieve. And, also not to expect yourself to grieve exactly like someone else. Of course, everyone should also be careful that they are not using their grief to hurt other people.

Learn to Live with Your Grief

Sometimes grief might be something that you can process, and it might even end. However, there are times when grief is something that will always be with you. When someone you love dies, you may never really stop grieving them. However, you can learn to live with your grief. And, it won’t be something that you feel intensely all the time. Grief changes as time goes on, and eventually, you might only feel it most on certain occasions or when you take the time to stop and think about it. You might need to find a new normal in your life.

Everyone will face grief in their life, but using our tips on how to deal with grief may make it easier. It might not be easy to deal with, but there are ways to process it.

Filed Under: Faith, Life-Thoughts Tagged With: dealing with grief, dealing with loss, how to deal with grief

How to Prepare for a New Baby

July 9, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on how to prepare for a new baby. When you discovered you had a baby on the way, you were no doubt overjoyed. But, as the news settles in, the stresses and worries of parenthood start to creep up. There is so much to prepare for your little one’s arrival. You wonder if there’s enough space for your new baby. And, everything you need to be the best parents possible. Additionally, you need to make sure your home is 100% safe for an infant.

Some new parents decide to upgrade to a bigger home or a more child-friendly location. However, it’s not always possible to do that. You may have professional or personal commitments to your current hometown, or maybe your finances can’t quite stretch to a new house.

This shouldn’t matter. It is entirely possible to turn your current home into a perfect, child-friendly property. Read on to learn some top tips to get your home in shape to welcome your little one when they arrive.

How to prepare for a new baby:

Declutter

One of the most important things you’ll need to do is to create more space. Although a newborn doesn’t take up much room, you will need space for all the new baby gifts, crib, changing table and toys. Now is the time to declutter your home, and get rid of anything you don’t need. Go through each room systematically and be strict about what you throw away. Old work papers, stacks of CDs and DVDs, broken furniture and clothes you no longer wear. All of these things can go. The more you throw out, the more space you will have for the new member of the household.

Once you have cleared your home of extraneous items, you should ensure that you maintain your newly created space. Be aware of what you bring into your home, and don’t shop for new things unless you really need them. Your friends and family are probably going to host a baby shower for your and your new baby. So, request things you need so you don’t end up with duplicate or unnecessary presents filling up your house.

Create a bedroom

Even if your newborn will start out sleeping in your bedroom, they will eventually need their own space. Unless you intend to move to a new home, you will need to designate a room for your new baby. If you have more than one option, consider how much space they will need and the proximity to your bedroom.

Now that you have designated space for a bedroom, you will need to fill it with all the things your baby could need. A crib is essential, and you’ll also need storage for clothes and toys and a changing table.

You will want to decorate your child’s new bedroom to create a pleasant environment for them to grow up in. Paint the walls, add some child-friendly pictures, and adorn it with all the toys they could possibly want. It is a good idea to make your room gender-neutral if you don’t yet know the sex of the baby. Even if you do know the gender, remember not all girls like pink and not all boys like spaceships and superheroes. Wait until they are older and you know their likes and dislikes before making big theme decorating choices. You can save a lot of money by decorating yourself, but if you are able hire a decorator to bring your vision to life.

Purchase the Essentials

They may be small, but babies need a lot of stuff. How to prepare for a new baby must include bottles and formula for feeding, clothes and diapers, baby food, toys and potty training and walking products. You will need to buy all of these before the baby arrives and find a place to house them. You may wish to create a budget to keep track of your spending and stop yourself from going overboard.

It can be tempting to give your wonderful new child the world, but they will be perfectly happy with the essentials and a few toys. Don’t stretch your finances unnecessarily. Your loved ones will be more than happy to buy gifts. So, don’t be afraid to ask for some of the things you need. All these new items will take up a lot of room, so you may want to invest in some smart storage solutions to save space.

Babyproof your home

The most important step in preparing your home for a new baby is to make sure it is safe. Babies are fragile and curious. They love exploring new places and putting strange and exciting items in their mouths. An unsafe house and a baby are a recipe for disaster. You will need to give your home a thorough going-over to ensure there is no risks.

One of the best ways to baby proof your home is to put yourself in the perspective of your new baby. Crawl around the home, seeing what they will see, and you will quickly be able to identify any hazards you might otherwise have missed.

Any sharp items, chemicals, and medications should be kept in cabinets out of reach. If there is a chance they could open a cupboard, they should be securely locked. Small objects that present a choking hazard are easier to miss. You never know when you might drop a coin or a key or even bring in a stone from outside on your shoe. You should be vigilant with a small child around and constantly be on the lookout for objects they might want to put in their mouths.

Another major injury hazard is the staircase. As soon as your child starts crawling, you will need to install safety gates above the stairs. Guarding their bedroom eventually is a good idea too. You want to prevent any unplanned excursions in the night. Open windows can also be dangerous too. Invest in some window guards, you won’t be sorry.

Electrical outlets can pose a risk too. Outlets provide the perfect receptacle for curious babies to stick things in. You can buy child-safe covers to shield empty outlets, or even hire an electrician to move outlets higher up the wall and out of your child’s reach.

Another common cause for injury in young children are sharp corners on pieces of furniture. Some tables tend to be exactly the same height as a newly-walking toddler. They are accidents waiting to happen. Luckily you can buy soft rubber or padded corner guards to cover any sharp corners and minimize the risk.

As soon as your child starts to crawl, they will be clambering up and down furniture. As a result, there is a risk they could tip over chairs and tables and seriously hurt themselves. Anchor all furniture in your baby’s room to the wall to prevent this from happening.

Get your fridge ready

When people ask how to prepare for a new baby, they usually don’t think about their meals. Your new baby will need to eat, but so do you. You and your partner will both be exhausted and busy, so it’s unlikely you’ll be cooking any extravagant meals for the first few weeks. If you have other children, they need to eat too. So, prepare to cook nutritious yet delicious meals that you can just heat up and eat right away. This will save you time and energy that would be best spent looking after your new arrival.

Prepare to clean

Babies are notoriously messy. So, when you’re making your list on how to prepare for a new baby include cleaning products. Your home will eventually get stained and endure spills. Ensure your home is adequately stocked with cleaning products, and any delicate, easily-damaged items are protected or stored out of the way.

We hope that you have found our tips on how to prepare for a new baby helpful. Awaiting the arrival of a new baby is one of the most exciting adventures you could ever have. You are bringing a new life into the world and embarking on a new journey together as parents. You want your little one to be cared for and looked after, and by preparing your home and making it child-friendly, you can make sure your baby has the best start to life possible.

Get Your Finances In Order

One of the most expensive adventures you can undertake is to have a child. So, getting your finances in order is an essential step to take when a new arrival is on the way! There are so many handy resources online that can help you to fix your past credit history while also improving your financial future. As a result, it’s a good idea to do some research and find a site such as pigly.com. It will enable you to tackle debt and plan ahead to ensure you can provide your child with everything they need. Keeping track of your accounts is essential when preparing for a baby.

Furthermore, you need to be able to identify any underpaid wages or unrecognized transactions. You need to look after each and every penny. Developing a savings account in preparation for your new arrival will benefit your family after you give birth. Although you will not be working for some time, you’ll still need to fork out money for an endless supply of diapers, wipes, formula and clothes.

It can be tricky to tackle your finances, so there’s no time like the present to learn essential money management skills. Fortunately, you can pass these skill on to the next generation. However, try not to spend money on luxuries when prepping for a newborn. Spending money on expensive clothes and shoes are unnecessary expenses. What’s important is that your bundle of joy is safe and warm!

We hope that you have found our tips on how to prepare for a new baby helpful.

Filed Under: Pregnancy-New Mom Tagged With: new babies, parenting tips, safety tips for new parents

How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

July 6, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing tips on how to get a good night’s sleep. Sleep is supposed to come as soon as your head hits the pillow, right? Not really. The average person spends between 10 and 20 minutes falling asleep after slipping into bed. If you find yourself wide awake for much longer than this, there’s probably a reason behind it.

Popping a pill to fall asleep is the easy solution. However, that doesn’t do anything to get to the bottom of why you’re having trouble falling asleep. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to encourage healthy sleep habits.

Here a few tips on how to get a good night’s sleep:

Make Sure You Have the Right Mattress

Your mattress matters more than you might think. And, no two styles are alike nor are they right for each sleeping style. If you tend to roll over onto your back or stomach or switch between the two, a firm surface is usually most comfortable. According to My Slumber Yard, a dense hybrid like the Dream Cloud is ideal. But, a firm mattress may not solve your sleep struggles if you are most at ease on your side. You might want to try a plush or pillowtop. Satvaa is an affordable option if your budget is a concern. Furthermore, both the Satvaa and the DreamCloud (along with most other mattress makers) offer a trial period.

Track Your Sleep Patterns

If changing your mattress doesn’t help, you may benefit from understanding how you sleep during the night. There are several apps that can help you do this without having to invest in a dedicated sleep tracking device. A few of these are:

Sleep Time – This is a hands-off app that, once downloaded via the Google Play or Apple Store, can give you insight into how you sleep. It tracks your movements and gives you suggestions on the best time to go to bed and wake up.
If you snore, you aren’t getting the most restful sleep possible. Use Snore Lab to determine if you snore and for easy-to-understand suggestions for relief based on your night time noise patterns.
Headspace and Calm. Both of these apps are for meditation and work to put you in a better mental state before going to sleep. Headspace offers hundreds of different guided meditations while Calm offers you the option of listening to calming stories read by the most soothing voices of our generation (including Matthew McConaughey).

You can also use your phone to play soft music or white noise. You can purchase a white noise machine to help you get to sleep if outside noise keeps you distracted. However, keep in mind that many older phones won’t have the memory or battery life to keep up with your downloads. If your device loses power or freezes up overnight, look for more capable options.

There are dozens of factors that might inhibit you from getting the rest you need. However, your mattress is a likely culprit. Tracking your patterns can help you narrow it down even further. Both of these suggestions are easy to implement and are a healthy alternative to medication-induced sleep. Remember that insomnia is a serious problem, and if you can’t find relief, visit your doctor. They can help rule out any potential medical issue that needs attention, and give you additional tips on how to get a good night’s sleep.

Filed Under: Women's Health Tagged With: home mattresses, mattress advice, side sleepers, sleeping tips, stomach sleepers

How to Find Balance as a Mother

June 7, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing parenting advice on how to find balance as a mother. There’s no doubt that, as a society, we put pressure on moms. Mother’s are often expected to be the backbones of their homes and families. It’s hardly a surprise then that most moms find this to be an extremely exhausting . After all, you’re only human and it can often feel impossible to take on everything. Sadly, it’s not always possible to reduce your load. Instead, you have to figure out ways how to find balance. We have a few solutions.

How to Find Balance:

Plan

It is actually easier than a lot of people think to get everything done throughout the day. The problem is most people spend their time flying by the seat of their pants. As a result, you get overwhelmed. If you want to feel as though you’ve got far more time, start planning your day. Planning and scheduling your time and responsibilities can make everything so much easier. Once you’re able to create a suitable schedule, you’ll find that you will likely have far more time than you think.

Simplify

Modern life can be seriously complicated. But, the real mistake that many of us make is that we end up making it even more complicated than it needs to be. One of the best ways to accomplish your goals is to simplify your life. Becoming a minimalist mom actually a lot easier than you might think. From your home to your wardrobe to your schedule, cutting out things that just don’t need to be there can make all the difference in the world.

Support

One thing that you have to remember is that you don’t have to do everything on your own. Far too many moms feel like the weight of the world is on their shoulders. But, remember that it’s okay to reach out to the people in your life. Whether it’s your partner, your friends, or your family, asking for help is often the very thing you need to make your life a little easier.

One of the most important things that you have to remember is to get the proper amount of rest. Furthermore, it’s okay to say no. There’s nothing wrong with sayin no if you simply can’t deal with another thing in our life. After all, if you can’t look after yourself, you’re not going to be able to look after anyone else.

Filed Under: Women's Health Tagged With: busy moms, organization tips, woman's health care

What to Consider When Purchasing New Bedding

May 13, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing empowerment tips on purchasing new bedding. The key to excellent health and well being is a good night’s sleep. When you sleep soundly, you’ll wake up refreshed, empowered and ready to tackle the day. Aside from feeling energized, your body will have replaced and repaired any damaged cells.

Unfortunately, seven to nine hours of sleep per night is elusive for the average American adult. The liberal figure is 6.8 hours per night, but experts believe the number is even lower. Without enough rest, your health will deteriorate rapidly. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that your bedroom and sleep environment are conducive to a good night’s sleep.

Unfortunately, the bad news is that your bed sheets play a part in your insomnia. The good news is that your bedding can positively affect your sleep, too.

Check These Things When Purchasing New Bedding:

A High Thread Count Doesn’t Equal Comfort

Being comfortable is a significant part of falling to sleep and not waking up during the night. You’re likely to toss and turn if you’re uncomfortable. And, this means your quality of sleep won’t be very high. So, it’s common to turn to the thread counts of your pillow and comforter. Many people think the higher they are, the more comfortable you will be.

However, this theory is flawed because a high thread count is often cut with other materials. Instead of using 100% wool, cotton or feathers, it will combine a mixture of all three. When this happens, the comfort levels automatically drops. Furthermore, your sheets will be coarse and hard to the touch if the synthetic finishes dissipate.

As a rule, sleep experts recommend sticking with a thread count of 400. Anything higher is likely to be a mixture of materials that will only get uncomfortable over time.

Not All Fabrics Are Created Equally

Different fabrics have individual features. So, you must take them into consideration before making a purchase. With summertime on the way, consider your sheet’s ability to keep you cool during the night. Again, overheating will force you to wake at intervals in the night, and you’ll feel more tired in the morning.

Authentic materials are better because they don’t trap heat in the same way as synthetic fabrics. Of course, Egyptian cotton is pricey and out of most people’s range. Thankfully, cotton is an excellent substitute due to its affordable price tag. Also, it’s sleek and not overly insulated. As a result, the warm bedroom air should easily pass through your breathable bed sheets. If you are unsure, a fantastic tip is to stay away from built-up fabrics, such as wool.

Anything that is designed to trap the heat won’t be healthy during the summer months. You should change materials based on the changing seasons.

Irritants Love Bed Sheets

The thread count is perfect, and the fabric is cool and breathable so everything is fine, right? Unfortunately, even cotton bed sheets with a tog count of 400 are susceptible to irritants. Mostly, they are tiny particles in the air that you can’t see with the human eye. However, your skin and nose know they are there because they cause rashes and allergies.

Eliminating irritants entirely is challenging because they are everywhere and hard to destroy. However, washing your sheets regularly kills off the bacteria. Additionally, it will prevent your nose from getting stuffy or your skin feeling itchy. Wash your bedding after you purchase it. Furthermore, you should continue to wash sheets once a week for the best results. The detergent and water will keep your sheets feeling clean and crisp, and there’s no better feeling than lying down on fresh sheets!

Speaking of detergent, you may want to try different brands if your sheets continue to irritate your skin. Usually, the fabric softener is more important than the material as toxic chemicals are incredibly powerful.

Some Sheets Are Beyond Help

Tossing bedding in the laundry basket every seven days doesn’t guarantee that you will be comfortable in bed. Yes, washing sheets is a brilliant way to reset their settings. However, old bedding could be beyond your help. For instance, the thread count could drop to below 200, in which case you need a replacement.

Also, it’s worth noting that certain irritants won’t disappear because you soak your bedding in warm, soapy water. One of the lice causes is passing it from family member to family member via pillowcases. Your washing machine may kill the adults, but the eggs will remain and hatch. Therefore, your best bet is to swap your bedding with new sheets and pillowcases to stop an itchy scalp from getting in the way of your sleep.

When you buy replacement bedding is really up to you, but there are telltale signs. Age of your bedding is the thing to look for if you’re always sleepy or fatigued.

Stress Is A Thing

Going to bed shouldn’t be stressful. Remember these things when purchasing new bedding. Replacing your bedding with softer materials will help you enjoy a good night’s sleep. Satin is a popular choice, so is silk. Other than that, you should sleep on your back and avoid burying your face into the pillow so that the skin on your face isn’t in harm’s way.

Of course, co-sleeping with a baby is stressful, too. So, look for bedding that will enhance your co-sleeping experience too. You want it to be a memorial experience for both you and baby.

Filed Under: Women's Health Tagged With: bedding tips, health care tips, sleep tips

5 Reasons to Read Books When Stressed

April 1, 2020 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing tips on reasons to read books when stressed. Leading a normal life isn’t always easy. The Coronavirus has gotten worst over the last few months, and is expected to get worst over the next two weeks. Many states have placed restrictions on the movement of citizens, and boredom is becoming an issue.

However, there are ways to entertain yourself and your family. Usually that includes watching television or using your smartphones and tablets. Electronics are lifesavers during stressful times.

As tempting as it is to reach for a mobile device, there are a few downsides to using them. Using electronics regularly impacts your physical health, your attention span and eyesight. Although movement is limited, a healthy lifestyle is still imperative. Unfortunately, the internet encourages many to indulge in a sedentary routine rather than an active one.

If you’re wondering what the alternative to your electronics is, it’s reading a good old-fashioned book and taking a walk. Reading is an excellent way for the entire family to pass time and stay entertained. Taking a walk is a great way to indulge in physical activity after reading a few chapters. You can think about what you’ve just read while you’re walking.

Here are five reasons to read books:

Reading Is Good For Mental Health

The great thing about a book is that it is full of knowledge. They encourage you to come to grips with new concepts. Your brain will become sharper and your thinking clearer. This applies to the majority of reading material, from a glasses buying guide to The Count of Monte Cristo.

Reading keeps the mind functioning. A functioning mind is essential at all times, but especially when your movement is limited. After all, it’s easy to let feelings of boredom, sadness, and anxiety impact your outlook. Once these feeling set in, you start to see the negative side of things instead of the positive.

Read a book on faith or eliminating stress in your life. Both books will show you why worrying isn’t necessary. Books can transport you into a different place as soon as you open the cover.

During stressful times, it’s nice to get away from what’s happening in the world and avoiding the news. Both are healthy methods for reducing tension. A book is a fantastic tool because it encourages your imagination to run wild and create a parallel dimension.

Great Way to Educate Kids

Here’s another one of our reasons to read. Young minds need their brains filled with information. Just because they’re not sitting in a classroom doesn’t mean their education stops. As a mom, it’s your duty to continue their education at home. This means becoming a teacher as well as a parent. Homeschooling your children should become a regular part of their home life. There’s plenty of material online. And, hopefully educators have given your kids lots of homework to help keep them occupied.

Reading is the perfect solution as it opens their minds to new concepts while enhancing their vocabulary. Reading could turn out to be a passion for your child too. Unfortunately, parents try to find their kids’ passions all the time without much success. This blog has a brilliant guide on how to help your child find their passion. Hopefully, reading will be one of them.

It’s A Way To Socialize

As a result of the Coronavirus, many states are limiting the movement of citizens. For example, states such as California, Washington State, West Virginia and Florida have placed restrictions on residents. There are severe penalties, barring catching the disease, if your disobey the order.

Video calling apps are making it easier to bridge the gap, and virtual book groups are taking it one step further. Readers in isolation can form their own virtual book group or join one that is established and discuss the book at hand. Make sure that your internet connection is stable. As long as you have access to the same book, geography shouldn’t be an issue. Some guides outline the best clubs to join if you want to get the ball rolling.

What’s great about reading is that online stores are always open. So, even if you don’t have many of the same books, you can order a stack of novels and have them delivered to your door! That way, there’s no reason to feel lonely or isolated.

Purchasing Books Helps Businesses

When you purchase books, you help a business or an individual who has self-published their book. Visiting an on-line book store is an excellent option for purchasing books on your reading list.

In China, for instance, bookstores that have reopened are experiencing an 80% reduction in foot traffic due to the Coronavirus.

You Can Travel

You can travel and not have to pack your bags or book a seat on an international flight. Yes, that’s the ultimate dream, and it can happen. Grab a spot from the comfort of your garden, armchair, or bedroom.

Now what you ask? The answer is simple – with the help of travel books you can travel where ever you heart desires. Monisha Rajesh will take you ‘Around the World in 80 Trains,” a 45,000-mile trip that starts in London and takes in far-flung regions that include Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The legendary Bill Bryson will make you laugh and cry. But, if politics is your thing, ‘The Motorcycle Diaries’ isn’t to be missed. It’s a book about Che Guevara’s awakening as well as the beauty of South America. Whatever travel book you choose, your mind will take you from your home to the most remote places in the world.

Apart from inspiring you, it should encourage you to travel more when this crisis is over. With that in mind, don’t forget to read a travel guide and plan your next vacation!

Do you agree with these reasons to read books? Why do you love to read? Leave me a comment.

Filed Under: Activities Tagged With: educational activities, educational tips, reading tips