Family Ever After Blog

Family Ever After Blog

Archives for December 2019

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Tips on Helping Your Kids Through Divorce

Divorce is a tough thing to go through and when there are kids involved it can be even more difficult to shelter the from the damage that a separation does, than it is dealing with your own personal emotions. I went through this back in 2015 and it wasn’t easy at all. I must admit however that one slice of fortune which I did have was that we lived in Colorado Springs. The reason for this is that the state has divorce laws which can make an acrimonious divorce easier, at least it did for me. This is a no-fault state which made it easier to process the divorce, and the judge will step in to divide assets and decide on custody, when the couple can’t make a decision. Thanks to the great team at Marrison Family Law, his meant that I was left with the kids, and here is how I went about protecting them from the fall out.

Normality

You have to try and keep things as normal as possible with the kids, not to hide what is going on but to help them to maintain a routine. Whether it is sports clubs, events or weekly routines, you have to do all that you can to give them as much normality, in what is an abnormal situation for them.

Open and Honest

Whether you like it or not, this divorce is going to massively effect your children and that is why it is important that you keep them in the loop with what is going on. Naturally you don’t need to spill the beans on all the details behind the split, but you should look to create an open and honest dialogue with them, so that they can begin to get their head around what is going on.

No Bad Mouthing

As difficult as it may be if you have gone through a messy break up, it is important that the kids don’t hear you speaking badly about your soon-to-be ex partner. Regardless of your own opinions, you have to remember that the kids don’t need to share the hatred that you have and it will be up to them to make their own choice as they get older and learn more about what went on.

Don’t Play Chess

Something which I have seen happen with friends of mine was that the kids became pawns during the divorce proceedings and one parent used the kids to get at the other parent. This is not healthy for anyone involved and no matter what feelings you have towards your partner, you have to put them to one side for the sake of the kids. This is not the fault of your children so it is not fair on them to be used in this way, and it will have long lasting effects on the family and the happiness of your kids.

This is a tough time but you have to do your best too protect the kids.

 

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Tips on Adding Value To Your Home

If you are looking to sell your home and you want to move things along and maximize its value then there are some simple tricks which you can do to speed things up and to get more value out of the property. Having sold 4 homes here in California in the last decade we consider ourselves as the experts in making sure that your property sells and these simple changes will certainly help you to do just that. Let’s get that house sold.

Home Warranty

Home warranty plans offered by the likes of First American Home Warranty are just there to offer you protection of the systems in your home, they can also help you to sell the property. Studies show that you are 16% more likely to sell the home for an average of $2,500 more if you have a home warranty in place. Home warranties can be transferred to the buyer to give them the proaction that they need. When you compare home warranties be sure to focus on the level of protection, the price, customer service and reviews and whether or not it can be transferred easily.

Curb Appeal

The power of a first impression when it comes to selling your home is huge and that is why you have to pay particularly close attention to what is known as the curb appeal, the view of your home when you pull up. Simple changes here make a big difference and investment in a new front door and garage door will pay for themselves when you sell the property. Getting the front garden redone, repainting the home at the front and even replacing the roofing has all been shown to increase the chances of buyers and adding value to the property .

Kitchen Update

You may think that putting a new kitchen in the home will cost you big money but for an investment of $1,500 you can expect to get at least $2,000-$3000 added on to the value of your home, not to mention making your home that bit more appealing to the buyer. Millennials in particular are heavily focused on getting a home which has a kitchen which is ready to use, so this could really boost your chances of nailing that sale.

Plumbing and Electrics

Updating your plumbing and electrical systems may set you back somewhere in the region of $1,000, but doing both could add up to $3,000 on the property of the home. Increasingly buyers are looking to purchase homes which are ready to live in and even if they like a property, the prospect of having to carry out work like this can often put people off. This is a perfect example of how you can make a small investment and see your home sell quicker and for more as a result.

Don’t just put your home on the market as is, invest a little and reap the rewards.

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How Debt Collectors Operate And Why You Must Work With Them

Being in debt is not always a bad thing but if you are in debt and you aren’t able to manage it then the consequences which this can have can be very severe. When we talk consequences there are two main concerns which you should have, the first is on your health as living under a mountain of debt which you cannot afford will affect your stress and your anxiety. The second risk which you will run is that ultimately debts must be paid and you may lose your home, your car or whatever possessions you obtained with the credit that you took out. When debt collection agencies like Brennan & Clark LLC get involved, it is time that you face up and work with them, and here is why.

How Debt Collection Agencies Operate

Debt collection agencies will buy debts from the original lender, they purchase your debt for a reduced rate and this is generally accepted because for the lender, it means that they are at least getting some of the money back, and they can cancel the debt out without putting effort in to changing the person who borrowed from them. Debt collection agencies will then try their best to make a deal with the debtor and failing that they will be forced to take out a court order to get the value of the debt back, something which they very rarely want to do.

Working With Debt Collection Agencies

Unfortunately for many people who are in debt, they think that the best option when they receive communication from a debt collection agency is to simply bury their head in the sand and ignore it, this in fact is the worst thing that you can do. They are not going to disappear and forget about your debt, and the more that you ignore them the worse that things will become. If you have been contacted by a debt collection agency then you should always respond to their communication.

Benefits of Working With a Debt Collection Agency

Something that many people don’t realize is that debt collection agencies actually have more scope and flexibility than the original lender when it comes to negotiating how you are going to repay the debt. Because they have bought the debt at a far lower cost than its value, they are able to freeze interest payments, accept a low one time payment or offer a structured payment plan that fits around you and your situation. Not only should you make contact with the agency when they reach out to you, it is important that you are also honest with them about your current situation and what you can afford to pay. As long as you keep them in the loop about our financial situation and any changes in your finances, they will be able to offer you a payment plan which ensures that you chip away at your debt, without it putting too much pressure on your finances.

Don’t ignore these companies as things will only get worse for you.

 

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Amare Global Reviews – Tips on Improving Your Mental Wellness

Mental health is a hot topic right now and thankfully we have made huge strides in society around mental health awareness and the approach to this area of medicine. For this reason, many more of us are having genuine conversations with ourselves around how we are feeling and what the status is of our mental wellbeing. Remember that there is a big difference between a mental health and mental wellbeing, those with mental health problems should seek expert help. If however you are feeling under strain or overly stressed out and you feel that you are not mentally at your best, here are some tips on turning that around.

Using Supplements

There are many supplements and herbal remedies out there on the market which you could try which can help you with anxiety or stress issues. If you take a look at a company like Amare Global you’ll see that they provide a wide range of natural supplements and remedies which have helped many of their clients to relax and increase their mental wellbeing. Just check out the Amare Global reviews to see how beneficial these people have found the products.

Meditation

Meditation has been proven time and time again to be one of the best ways to relax, to destress and to improve your general mental wellbeing. Even 15 minutes per day of meditation can have a huge impact on your ability to concentrate, organize, handle stressful situations and improve your anxiety issues. Meditation is very easy to do and it will help you greatly in improving your mental wellbeing.

Exercise

Regular exercise will not just help you to improve your physical health but also your mental health. The reason for this is that when we exercise it encourages our bodies to produce endorphins which are feel-good chemicals that swim around your body, improving your confidence and your outlook. Exercising for just 30 minutes per day can be enough to help you to feel better about yourself and to improve your state of mind.

Talking

Talking about how you are feeling to a friend or a family member is also a great way of resolving issues which you are going through and helping to improve your mental wellbeing. If you carry the burden around with you then it can eventually eat away at your mental wellbeing and this is where many people find difficulties, because those worries have to be shown in some area of your life. If you have a friend or family member who you can talk to about your mental state then you should take advantage of the opportunity and open up to them about how you are feeling. They may be able to help you or they may not, the point is that opening up and talking about it is certainly going to help you.

Don’t just accept it when you are feeling overwhelmed, take action and resolve the issue.

 

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Values Physicians Have That Patients Prefer

As a patient, you want to be under the medical care of someone you can trust. Being in the hospital alone is already stressful. If not for the seriousness of your illness, you might just stay home. The hospital is also not the most comfortable place out there. It will feel a little better if there are doctors who provide great services. These are the values physicians have that patients love.

Sincerity

It’s not easy to be a doctor and to deal with tens of patients a day. Despite that, it’s important for doctors to remain sincere in treating each patient and looking at them the same way. Just because it’s already late in the evening doesn’t mean those patients shouldn’t receive the same level of care as those who arrived a bit earlier.

Gentleness

There are doctors who are frank and direct. Some people prefer being with these physicians. They would rather have someone who will rip the band-aid off than sugarcoat the situation. For instance, when it’s bad news, patients want someone who will immediately say what’s happening or when explaining a specific procedure. However, most patients still want someone who is gentle and will assure them that things will get better. Sure, it’s important for them to have an honest doctor, but they still need someone who will not make the situation even more difficult than it is.

Motivated

Physicians have different motivations for doing their job. Some are happy to treat patients and prove their worth. Others love to compete with other doctors in handling serious and unique medical cases. Some doctors are only after the financial gain from doing the job. Patients want to have someone who cares about the patients and will do everything possible to guarantee their recovery.

Remember these traits

When you’re running a medical facility, it’s important that you understand these values. You want someone who possesses these traits. There are several choices out there, and it’s difficult to find the perfect physician for the job. However, you can’t rush the process and accept whoever is available because you’re in a hurry.

Yes, you still have to compete with other hospitals, and you might risk losing someone who is good if you don’t hire that person now. On the flip side, you might also run the risk of finding a much better candidate for the job.

The good thing is that if you have a hard time searching for the right person, you can always count on a physician recruiter like https://mascmedical.com. You need the help of these recruiters to make it easy for you to search for a great doctor to fill the post. With their experience in recruitment and aggressive search techniques, you will have the right person in the future. Once you do, you need to find a way to keep that doctor in your team. It’s not easy to search for a replacement if that time comes.

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3 Savvy Ways to Make Money From Your Phone

Given that the average person spends 3 hours and 15 minutes on their smartphone everyday, putting that time to good use has the potential to entail financial returns. It could be as simple as downloading an app, filling out a survey or learning some new skills – there’s a way to make money from your phone to suit everyone’s interests.

That’s why in today’s article, we’re discussing some savvy ways to make money from your phone LearntoTrade, helping you can put your screen time to efficient use. From app recommendations to completing in-store evaluations and taking up forex trading, these mobile side-hustles will slot into your day-to-day routine to provide some helpful financial assistance.

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Download cash-earning apps

Downloading smartphone apps is an efficient way to make money without taking up too much of your time. So, for those who want to make money quickly, or tend to spend less time than average on their smartphone, this savvy hack could be a great option for you to consider.

Apps such as Job Spotter (created by Indeed) facilitate you to make money on the move – whether you’re using the app on your morning commute or your evening dog walk. This app pays users to take photos of job advertisements in windows and submit them using the app. The algorithm then decides how ‘valuable’ the advert is, and rewards the user with points accordingly. So, to make the most cash while you’re on the hunt, keep your eyes peeled for unique adverts for small businesses over large company posts across many locations.

Alternatively, if you want to make money with minimal effort, consider downloading Fronto – which places adverts on your phone’s lock screen and pays points for unlocking your phone. With these points, you can redeem gift vouchers from Amazon, Debenhams and Marks & Spencer to name just a few. Whether you have a few spare minutes on an evening or are in search of some entertainment on a train journey, this app is a savvy way to make money without requiring a substantial investment of your time.

Complete in-store evaluations

If you’d like to earn money while doing your weekly grocery shop or during a shopping day at the weekend, in-store evaluations are a great option to consider. Field Agent can help you earn money by simply checking store displays, taking photos of grocery shelves or finding specific products. Payouts are made directly, meaning this is a great way to make money quickly with, quite literally, a click of a button.

If you fancy yourself as a part-time mystery shopper, consider downloading BeMyEye. Typical tasks include checking the availability of certain products and simply snapping a few photos. This tasking app is easy to complete while also offering a fun element to making money from a simple 15 minute job. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to relax on the sofa, consider survey apps such as Streetbees – which asks you questions in a chat format, making them extremely quick and easy to complete.

Take up forex trading

If you have some free time on your hands, instead of opting for money-earning apps which offer quick fixes, investing your time in learning to trade could offer greater long-term benefits – while also offering the opportunity to acquire useful skills. The forex market is the largest investment market in the world, and is continuing to grow – so, there’s no time like the present to start trading.

The forex market allows for 24/5 trading in currency pairs and is the most liquid market across the globe. So, as an active forex trader, you’ll need to have access to market news, quotes, charts and trading accounts at all times. Therefore, forex trading from a smartphone is very popular with forex traders on a range of apps, from Bloomberg Business Mobile App to Trade Interceptor, as information can be gained as and when it’s required to make successful trading decisions. Whether you require access to live price feeds, streaming charts or news, trading from your phone means data can be acquired at your fingertips, wherever you may be.

So, spending three hours on your smartphone doesn’t always have to be an embarrassing fact to admit to. When utilising your smartphone efficiently, you could make some extra cash to supplement your existing income – it’s all about deciding on what’s right for you based on your available time and skillset.

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6 Tips For Keeping Your Home Cool During a Heatwave

During the summer months, when the temperatures become unbearable during a heatwave, even people who love the sun are struggling to stay comfortable. When the sun is beaming down at extreme temperatures for days, and even weeks on end, it can be more than just uncomfortable- but downright dangerous!

It can be particularly dangerous for kids and babies, so families need to take extra precautions to keep their household cool. Here are some of the best tips for staying cool during those streaks of heat.

Make Use Of Your Fans

If you have an air conditioner, great, however, unless you live in a warm climate, chances are that you don’t. Therefore, in a pinch, it’s crucial to make use of fans. Place them strategically throughout the house so that they face the windows and blow hot air out.

If you want to get extra creative, place a bowl of ice in front of the fan so that it blows cold air in front of the blowing fan. As the ice melts, the room will cool down and create a cold mist.

 

Stay Hydrated

One of the most important things that you can do for your family is to keep everyone hydrated. Make sure that everyone is consistently sipping on water throughout the day.

When you’re sweating excessively, you risk becoming dehydrated. As a result, you’re more prone to heatstroke. Even though you might not feel thirsty, it’s essential to take small and consistent sips throughout the day.

Eat Less

When your body is full of food, your body temperature will increase as it attempts to metabolize. It’s better to eat small, light meals rather than a few heavy ones.

Close All of Your Shutters and Curtains

Even though your first instinct may be to open the windows when it’s hot, you should do the opposite. Close everything, including your curtains and shutters, so that no light or hot air enters.

When the temperature goes down at night, then you can open the windows again to circulate the cool air.

Wear Light Clothing

Avoid wearing clothing if you can. The fewer clothes that you wear, the cooler you will stay. Cotton is the best choice since it breathes well and allows air to flow throughout your body.

Don’t Go Outside

It’s essential that you stay inside as much as possible during extremely high temperatures. In addition to avoiding the sun’s heavy beams, you should also limit your energy expenditure. Don’t run or do anything that will overheat and exhaust you.

By following these tips and staying consistent with them, you should be able to keep your family as cool as possible.

 

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Hull, Great Britain

Overview

Not all cities across the globe can trace their history back to 1299, save for some of the cradles of civilization. Hull is one of such cities, which traces its history beyond 1299. Known as Kingston upon Hall in the 13th century, Hull was originally an industrial metropolis, a fishing and whaling center, a trading hub, a military supply port, and a market town. The city deeply rooted in history even served as a theater of battle, and has survived several wars. At present, Hull remains to be a unitary authority area and a city of East Riding of Yorkshire. The centuries-old city has collected several tourist attractions, including the Deep, the Marina, the Museum Quarter, and the historic Old Town.

When to Visit

Held during the second week of October, the 700-year-old Hull Fair remains to be the biggest and oldest European Fair. Found on Walton Street, Hull Fair has varying attractions, ranging from children’s rides to large complex rides and simple stalls. Coconuts, toffee apples, brandy snaps, and candy floss are mainstays. Held on the first weekend of September, the Sea Fever Shanty Festival features major shanty singers from all over the world. Barges are moored along the dock, and features pubs and live entertainment. Book your Hull Hotels with Reservations.com.

Things to Do

Though its medieval glory has long been shadowed by urban sprawls, tourists can still get a pint or two in Ye Old White Harte, one of the old town’s many delightful historic pubs. Tourists can also enjoy a ride atop a Humber Speedboat coming from Victoria Piere. Walking has been a developed activity in Hull, with several fixed trails offered for tourists. One of which is Walking with Wilberforce Trail, which takes guests to a quick history about the town’s records on slavery. See the rest of the dock through the Victoria Dock Heritage Trail, which includes several landmarks.

Tourist Attractions

Hull may be severely bombed during the World War II, but its 700 years of history have left the city a considerable wealth of architectural treasures. From the domed civic buildings and heritage mills to Flemish inspired facades and medieval cobbled charms, Hull’s unique landscape continues to be a delight for tourists. Tucked away in surreptitious part of the city is the Charter House, which was founded by Carthusian monks in 1350. The building survived several wars, and opens to the public only during the city’s Heritage Weekend. The Queens Gardens was named after Queen Victoria, which features several old offices, docks, and flowerbeds. Adjacent to it is the Guildhall, which houses the city’s Tapestry. Throughout the summer months the Mick Ronson Memorial Stage hosts several of Hull’s concerts and events.

Best Town Squares

The center of Hull is without doubt Queen Victoria Square, which is dotted by several radiating 19th to early 20th century shopping streets. Located within the town square is the hundred-year old Hull City Hall, Maritime Museum, and Ferens Art Gallery. The latter has a collection of paintings and sculptures from the medieval era up to the present day. The Maritime Museum is dedicated to the city’s glorious conquest of several seas. The Trinity Quarter, built around the old market square, is Hull’s center for retail outlets, record shops, and vintage clothes. The great selection of outdoor cafes makes it a part of any interesting sightseeing tour. Within the square is the Trinity House, Holy Trinity Church, Old grammar School, Woolen Warehouse, and the Merchant’s Warehouse. Other interesting town squares include The Museum Quarter, Princes Quay and Whitefriargate, and the Marina.

 

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3 Signs That Your Parent Needs More Care At Home

While you might always view your own parents as the people they were when you were growing up, at a certain age, most people need a little more help in their lives than they did when they were in their prime. But as the child of aging parents, it can often be hard to recognize when help is necessary, especially if it’s something that your parents might be embarrassed or closed off about.

So to help you be aware of whatever situation is going on with your elderly parent, here are three signs that your parent may need more care at home.

Signs Of Disarray or Disrepair In The Home

If you live close enough to your parents to visit their home frequently, you should spend some time surveying the property to make sure that everything seems to be in order. Oftentimes, one of the first signs that an aging person is having trouble taking care of things is that their home falls into disarray or disrepair.

Some of the signs that you should be on the lookout for, according to Mike Campbell, a contributor to AgingCare.com, are an overgrown lawn, messes that don’t get cleaned up well or at all, dents in any vehicles, spoiled food, or unopened mail. If you do notice these things, speak with your parents about what’s going on and why these things are happening.

They Look Unkempt In Their Appearance

Another giveaway that your elderly parents might be needing some additional help or care is if he or she has begun to look unkempt in their appearance.

When things get to be too much for someone to handle, it’s often their care for their physical appearance that is one of the first things to be sacrificed. Knowing this, Heidi Godman, a contributor to U.S. News and World Report, shares that if you’ve noticed that your parents have been forgetting to bathe regularly, get their hair cut, or change out of dirty clothes, they might be needing someone around who can help them with these tasks.

More Forgetfulness Than Normal

As people age, it’s normal and natural to forget some things. However, if your parents’ forgetfulness is interfering with their ability to function safely in their life, it’s likely time to bring in some extra help.

According to Paula Spencer Scott, a contributor to Caring.com, some of the biggest signs that your parent is exhibiting more forgetfulness than normal will be them forgetting to do things that are very important tasks, like paying their bills or taking any necessary medications, as well as just forgetting how to effectively perform certain tasks for their everyday life.

If you’ve noticed any of the above signs being exhibited by your aging parents, consider if getting them additional in-home help could improve their lives and their safety.

 

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3 DIY Painting Tips For Professional-Looking Interior Paint

If you love doing DIY projects around your home, you’re likely willing to sacrifice a little on quality in order to save some money and learn some skills that you might be able to use in the future. But while some home improvement projects will obviously be better done or more efficient when done by a professional, there are some projects where you can give a professional a run for their money by using some helpful tips and tricks.

So although a professional interior painter might be able to get your project completed quicker and with less mess, here are three DIY painting tips for professional-looking interior paint done all on your own.

Do The Right Prep Work

The best way to ensure that you’ll have a great final product once you’re done painting is by doing the right prep work before you even open up your first can of paint.

According to DIY Network, the most important piece of prep work to do before painting the walls of your home is to make sure they’re clean and smooth. If your walls are dirty, they won’t hold onto the paint as well and the paint won’t go on smoothly. To combat this, make sure you thoroughly wash your walls and ceiling the day before you plan on painting and that use you a sander or sandpaper to smooth any rough spots from filling holes in the wall.

Maintain A “Wet Edge” While Painting

Every person is going to have a slightly different technique when it comes to painting a wall. However, there is one technique that everyone should employ if they’re wanting to avoid uneven streaking on their walls.

By maintaining a “wet edge”, you’ll be able to keep the paint from building up in certain areas and causing streaking or uneven coverage on your walls. To best do this, FamilyHandyman.com advises that you roll the full height of the wall you’re painting with each stroke and that you start a new stroke right next to the previous one before it has time to dry.

Get Yourself A Work Light

Although you might have started your painting project while there was still a lot of daylight left, painting the interior of your home often takes longer than people anticipate. If you’re not prepared for this, you might find that you begin working with inadequate lighting, which can result in a bad final product.

To keep this from happening to you, Brett Martin and Ezra Dyer, contributors to Popular Mechanics, recommend that you bring in a work light that you can shine on the area you’re currently painting, This will help you to avoid missing any spots that otherwise might have appeared as a trick by the light.

If you’re going to be painting the interior of your home soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you complete the job like a professional.