Family Ever After Blog

Family Ever After Blog

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Do’s and Don’ts of Staying Healthy During College

Back to school can be both exciting and stressful for college students. While you get used to your new course load, you’ll spend time with friends and set up a new routine. And as your calendar fills up, be sure to make time for health and wellness. It can be tricky to stay healthy while your schedule is packed, so feeling your best can take some extra attention.

Here are some basic tips for prioritizing your physical, emotional, and mental health during college. Whether you’re a new freshman or expert senior, focusing on your health can help you thrive during these formative years.

DO create a routine.

Your college schedule is packed with classes, study sessions, activities, and social time. When you’re this busy, making time to exercise, plan meals, and care for your mental health can be tricky. This is especially true if your days aren’t organized. By creating a daily routine, you can make wellness a regular part of your schedule. For example, you might go to the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same time each week, or spend Sunday afternoons preparing healthy snacks. Eventually, your routine will feel like second nature, and you won’t have to give wellness much thought.

DON’T overlook the importance of sleep.

It may seem like college is all about all-nighters and late-night study groups. But this doesn’t need to be true. Sleep is an essential part of your health. When you’re well-rested, you can focus in class and even perform better on exams. If your friends or roommates are night owls, try to avoid synching to their habits. Establish your own nighttime routine and set boundaries when necessary.

DO make better choices in the dining hall.

The dining hall offers basically any food that you can dream of. And while it may feel like a victory to finally be able to eat pizza every night for dinner, this habit won’t benefit your health. You can support your wellness and feel your best by making healthier choices in the dining hall. Try to fill your plate with vegetables and protein, while avoiding processed items. Get creative at your school’s salad bar and try out some fun soups. If you’re concerned about your nutritional intake during college, talk to your doctor about taking vitamins from trusted supplement manufacturers as well.

DON’T go to class sick.

When you’re feeling the pressure from your professors, staying home sick might feel impossible. However, pushing yourself through a cold or the flu can prolong your sickness. If you’re ill, try to stay home and rest. You should also visit the on-campus clinic to get a diagnosis from a doctor if you think you have an illness worse than a common cold. Most professors have a policy for sick days, so be sure to ask or check your syllabus. You can catch up on material once you feel better, and your classmates will thank you for not spreading germs.

DO make time for self-care.

As you focus on your classes, activities, and social life, it’s easy to feel burnt out. You need to take time to recharge on your own and take care of yourself during college. This could mean reading outdoors between classes or getting coffee with a friend. It could also mean staying home to watch TV while your classmates head to the liquor store or a party. Setting boundaries will help you recharge, so you can handle your busy schedule with ease.

College are some of the most vibrant and busy years of your life, so it can be easy to get caught up in the day to day. However, by slowing down and caring for your health, you can thrive during this time rather than drag. As with most aspects of college, your wellness routine is unique to you. So, forget what others are doing and try out routines that work for you.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

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It’s a Girl: 5 Joyful Benefits of Having a Daughter

Even though odds are about 50/50 that you’ll have a baby girl, there are more boys born each year than girls. This makes becoming a parent to a little girl extra special!

Not only is it special to raise a daughter, but there are also definite perks to parenting a little girl.

If it wasn’t obvious enough already, then here are five of the most joyful benefits of having a daughter.

1. Baby Girl Clothes Are Super Cute

If you’re super into fashion, then thank your lucky stars that you’re about to be the parent of a newborn baby girl, because girls’ baby clothes are super cute.

Imagine all of the girl’s dresses you’re about to be able to buy and dress your little girl in!

Not only that, but think of all of the colorful options you’ll have. Boy’s clothes don’t tend to be as varied when it comes to colors and styles.

This means that you’re able to open your world to a whole new type of fashion that you didn’t even know existed.

2. Changing Diapers Is Easier

Changing diapers is never fun or easy. But, if you have a baby girl, it’s at least a little bit easier than it is with a boy.

Parents of baby boys all have war stories of that one time when their precious baby accidentally sprayed them in the face with a squirt of pee. It’s not their fault, but it doesn’t make it any easier when it happens!

So, on top of being able to buy cute baby girl dresses, you can rest assured knowing that your own cute dresses aren’t going to be ruined by an accidental spray of pee when you’re changing a diaper.

3. Expect Less Rough Housing

It’s no stereotype – science shows that boys rough house a lot more than little girls.

Studies show that testosterone in the male brain makes little boys more inclined to rough house than little girls. While this is fun and all, it can get tiring pretty quick.

As the parent of a baby girl, expect a little less of this than with a boy. Instead, playtime will feel a lot calmer and a bit more on the creative side.

4. Little Girls Communicate Better

Again, this is no stereotype. The same study that examined the male brain in little boys found that little girls develop stronger vocabulary at a much younger age.

This is going to make it a lot easier to communicate with your little girl and figure out what’s bothering her or what she wants to do.

However, this might not be true for all girls. So, it does help if you ensure that you learn how to effectively communicate with your child regardless of their gender.

5. You Get to Raise the Next Generation of Strong Women

The coolest thing about having a girl? You get to help raise the next generation of strong women! Not to mention, baby girl names are also just a lot of fun to pick out.

From teaching your little girl to take pride in her intelligence from helping them learn how to show empathy and kindness towards others, there’s something especially rewarding about helping to raise a strong, respectful young woman.

If you have a boy, you can also do this, but it’s a bit different. They’re both equally as rewarding, as both genders deserve to grow up believing in their strengths and abilities.

But, raising a tough little girl is especially fun!

More Baby Tips

Whether you’ve just found out that you’re having a baby girl or still don’t know the gender of your baby, you’re probably on the hunt for any kind of tips you can get as a new parent.

We’ve been there before too! That’s why we created a baby section to help answer questions and provide you with lots of helpful hacks that can make parenting easy.

Head on over to our baby section for more articles on the joy of parenting a baby whether it’s a boy or a girl.

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Beyond Temples: What to Do in Johor Bahru on a Day Trip

Are you fond of day trips? For folks in the Lion City, one of the best places to have one is in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Crossing the Johor-Singapore Causeway via bus or train from the Woodlands Checkpoint, you can reach “JB” in just a few minutes. This gives you plenty of time to look around and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city. What’s more, it’s easy to find accommodations if you want to stay the night or longer. Just search “Hotel JB,” and you’ll get a list of popular options. Of course, Johor Bahru is also a great foodie destination. In fact, you can spend your entire day here just exploring the restaurants and the food stalls.

That being said, you wouldn’t want to go to Johor Bahru without even a modicum of idea about what to do for the day. To this end, we present you with this short list of things to see and do in JB on a day trip that doesn’t involve temple hopping.

Legoland Malaysia

If you’re a kid at heart or simply love Lego, then it’s definitely a must to visit Legoland Malaysia. It’s the first of its kind in Asia, the first international theme park in Malaysia, and the sixth Legoland in the world. The theme park has eight zones that cater to both kids and adults: The Beginning, Lego Ninjago World, Miniland, Imagination, Lego Technic, Lego Kingdom, Land of Adventure, and Lego City. There’s also a hotel and resort inside, perfect if you want to explore both the theme park AND the water park.

For those just visiting the theme park, there are plenty of rides and activities for the little ones at Legoland Malaysia. Still, adults can have a perfectly great time. For example, you can see Lego recreations of various landmarks across the world, like the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. There’s also one of the Merlion, so Singaporeans should definitely drop by and take a photo. For building enthusiasts, you may want to check out Lego Technic to build robots and more. There’s also Lego Star Wars, with over 2,000 Lego figurines of the characters and scenes from the movie franchise. Of course, there are also plenty of food choices and souvenir stores here. If you don’t want to lug your purchases around, however, you can ask the store to send your purchase to the exit so you can just collect it there when you leave.

Sanrio Hello Kitty Town

Are you a 90s kid? Do you love Hello Kitty? If you answered yes to one or both of those questions, then you’ll love Sanrio Hello Kitty Town in Puteri Harbour. Here, you can take photos, pose in costumes and Sanrio outfits, make your own souvenirs, tour Hello Kitty’s home, watch live performances, and even get to meet and greet Hello Kitty and her friends. You can easily spend a couple of hours here to revel in the cuteness, and still have enough time to visit other destinations.

Angry Birds Theme Park

Yet another theme park in Johor Bahru, for both the young and the young at heart, is the Angry Birds Theme Park located in KOMTAR JBCC. The sprawling indoor theme park has rides, games, and other attractions inspired by the popular video game. If you feel like you can’t keep up with the young ones, there’s also a Parents Lounge where you can just sit down and marvel at how kids seem to have infinite energy. Another great thing about Angry Birds Theme Park? It’s open until 10:00 PM, so you can arrive a little late and still have a lot of time to enjoy everything.

Pasar Karat

Johor Bahru has a lot of malls, sure, but if you want to really shop ‘til you drop, wait for Pasar Karat to open at about 8:00 PM. This pasar malam (night market) boasts of a wide selection of goods, including independent clothing brands in Malaysia and even shops that sell antiques. What’s more, like many street and night markets across Asia, haggling is expected and very much welcome. There’s also a live band every night to provide some entertainment. Across the bridge, you can find an array of food carts to keep your energy up as you scour the stalls for the best bargains.

Pasir Gudang Kite Museum

If you’re an avid fan of museums and are looking for something unique, why not visit the Pasir Gudang Kite Museum? It opened in 2002 and is the first museum in Malaysia to be entirely about the history of kites and how they’ve become an important cultural element through the years. The galleries and displays here include actual kites, along with kite-making materials, posters, and videos. You can even learn how to make your own kites! They also hold an annual International Kite Festival around late February to early March. Muzium Layang-Layang also has another unique feature outside: a huge windmill on the roof. This is not just a quirky design element, though, since it actually provides the museum electricity!

Salahuddin Bakery

For some tasty treats to eat and take back home—as well as a trip back in history—visit Salahuddin Bakery. It’s been in operation since 1937, and there hasn’t been much change in the bakery’s interiors. If you want to see how bakeries looked like during those times, Salahuddin Bakery will not disappoint. Of course, their pastries are quite delicious, too! The most popular ones are the curry puffs, which can be considered a tourist attraction in themselves. These curry puffs are traditional Malay snacks, composed of a flaky crust and a filling made from vegetables and curried meat. Be sure to take some home for your friends and family.

Ready for a quick but well-deserved break? Get on that bus or train, and visit Johor Bahru for a day! You’ll be glad you did.

 

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Top 10 Tips for Taking Care of Elderly People

America is on the brink of becoming “grayer” than it has ever been before. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are going to be more older adults living in the country than children for the first time in American history by the time 2035 rolls around.

This is going to make taking care of elderly people even more important than it’s been in the past. Children, young adults, and middle-aged people are going to have to learn the best possible ways to care for those who are aging.

Here are ten tips for taking care of elderly people that you can use when tending to the older adults in your life in the coming years.

1. Visit the Elderly Early and Often

Taking care of elderly people can be a little bit of a time-consuming process. You’re going to need to get into the habit of stopping by their home on a regular basis to see how they’re doing.

Even if an elderly person appears to be in great health and fully capable of taking care of themselves, you should still visit them as often as you can. It’ll give you a chance to check up on them and see if they need any assistance from you.

2. Make Sure the Elderly Take Their Medications

It’s incredibly rare to find an elderly person who isn’t taking at least a few medications. In fact, studies have shown that about 25% of those over the age of 65 take more than five medications.

The medications that are prescribed to elderly people aren’t going to do them much good, though, if they don’t actually take them. It’s why you need to stay on top of the elderly when it comes to making sure they’re taking their prescribed medications at the proper times.

3. Modify Homes to Keep the Elderly Safe

There are some elderly people who are able to get around inside their homes just fine without any modifications. But there are also many who need to have their homes modified to keep them safe.

Some of the most common modifications include:

  • Installing ramps to allow for the use of wheelchairs and walkers
  • Putting handrails into areas near toilets and showers
  • Plugging nightlights with sensors in them into walls to provide light at night

Talk to elderly people are how you can help modify their homes to make them safer overall.

4. Use Technology to Keep a Close Eye on the Elderly

Technology has helped those in charge of taking care of elderly people in a big way.

They can touch base with elderly people via cell phone at any time of the day or night. They can also install cameras in main living areas to keep a watchful eye over the elderly.

If you’re not utilizing technology to take care of an elderly loved one, you’re passing up on a huge opportunity.

5. Find Ways for the Elderly to Stay Active

Most elderly people can’t get around like they used to. But that shouldn’t stop them from trying to stay active.

Encourage the elderly to get up and get out of the house every so often. Even something as simple as a walk around the block will get their blood flowing and lift their spirits.

If an elderly person is feeling especially adventurous, you might even want to enroll them in fitness classes designed for the elderly at your local gym. It can work wonders for their health.

6. Play Games With the Elderly to Keep Their Minds Sharp

Studies have suggested that just about everyone starts to experience memory loss to some degree as they get older. This memory loss begins to affect some people when they’re as young as 45.

There are lots of games that you can play with an elderly person to keep their mind sharp and their memory strong. From crossword puzzles to video games, you can go as low or high tech as you want.

7. Cook for the Elderly to Ensure They’re Eating

It’s not uncommon for elderly people to deal with a decline in appetite as they get older. In some instances, their medications zap them of their appetite. In others, they lose their appetite over time simply because they don’t make it a point to eat three meals every day.

Consider cooking for the elderly to provide them with the sustenance they need. They’ll be able to get access to the nutrients their bodies crave when you prepare healthy meals for them.

8. Encourage the Elderly to Socialize With Others

A lack of socialization is one of the hardest things that the elderly have to deal with. Since most elderly people don’t work anymore and spend a lot of time at home, they don’t come into contact with many other people.

Encourage the elderly to find ways to socialize with others. By spending a few days down at the local senior center or getting involved with a church, they can get the socialization they need.

You can also check out companionmatters.com to learn about another option for those who want to provide the elderly with companionship.

9. Speak With the Elderly About Their Finances

It’s not easy to talk about money with people of any age. But it can be particularly hard to do it with an elderly person.

Don’t let that stop you from trying to do it anyway! Many elderly people live on fixed incomes and don’t always take care of their finances like they used to.

Do what you can to make sure the elderly have enough money to live on and are doing what they can to keep their finances in order.

10. Hire Someone to Help With Taking Care of Elderly People

If you’re not able to devote the necessary time to taking care of elderly people, bring in someone to help with the job. There is no shame in calling on a professional to deliver the care that an elderly person needs.

Look around for the right caregiver for your loved one. They should be capable of doing everything from dishing out medications to cooking hot meals.

Use These Tips to Care for an Aging Family Member or Friend

Taking care of elderly people presents a unique set of challenges. These challenges can make it a real struggle for some people to care for elderly family members and friends.

If you find yourself in a tough situation right now, use the tips found here to make it better. You can start delivering the best possible care to the elderly by finetuning your approach.

Keep reading our blog for more tips on taking good care of the elderly people in your life.

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5 Steps to Take When an Older Relative Moves in With You

Whether it’s an ill relative who needs attention for a little while or an ageing parent moving in with you permanently, you should strive to make life happy and comfortable for your elderly guests. To achieve this, consider the following tips.

Make Your House Safe

The first thing you should do is to ensure that your house is safe. Remove anything that can cause them to trip and fall, declutter the spaces they will be using, install grab bars, and place down rugs if you have slippery floors. If they will be staying in an upstairs bedroom, you can consider buying straight stairlifts. Stairlifts can prevent injuries, and they offer great comfort when moving up and down the stairs. If you have pets and little children, ensure the stairlift you choose has safety features to prevent accidents and injuries.

Ask Your Guest for Input

Next, ask your guest about what you can do to make their stay more comfortable and enjoyable. Most people will be hesitant to speak out but will be willing to share if you ask. Ask if there is something you can buy for them and about changes you can make around the house – even having one of their favourite foods can make them feel more welcome.

Bring Some Stuff from Their House

Avoid packing so much stuff, as this will create clutter at the house, make it look disorganised, and increase the risk of accidents. You should only bring along the things your guest can’t do without and what they cherish. Having some of their stuff at your house can make them feel at home. As you pack, don’t forget to ask if there are specific things they would love to bring along, and get their approval for everything you pack. This will keep you from carrying things they don’t love or need.

Don’t Forget Your Exteriors

As you make your house safe, don’t forget to do something to the garden. Your loved one will not spend all their time indoors. They will want to go outside from time to time to relax and get some fresh air. Thus, if your garden is not in order, do some gardening to make the place more serene and attractive. If your guest is unwell, they can recover faster when they spend more time in nature. Keeping your garden in good shape is also beneficial for you and the other family members, especially if you ever need time alone as you get used to your new guest.

Talk to Your Family

Before a loved one moves in, talk to the rest of the family members. Let them know why they will be staying with you, what they can do to make them feel at home, and the adjustments you will be making as a family.

Once your loved one moves in, you can continue to make more adjustments based on their needs. Give them enough attention, but don’t forget about the other people living with you. Do your best to ensure everyone in the household is comfortable and safe. If you have too much on your hands, you can ask for help from family members or hire professionals to assist with some tasks.

 

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3 Birthday Gift Ideas For A Long-Distance Relationship

Being in a long-distance relationship has its ups and downs, and when it comes to your partner’s birthday, trying to give them a meaningful gift when you can’t be with them can be hard. You don’t want to lose that personal touch that shows you care, but don’t worry! It’s easy to make your loved one feel special even if you can’t be there in person. Here are our favorite 3 birthday gift ideas for long-distance relationships.

Plane, Trip, Journey, Explore, Discover, Sky, Wing

Switch Up Your Card

Of course, every gift needs a card, but what can you find that is a little bit different to the everyday, mundane, store-bought card? Well, there are plenty of options – birthday certificates are a little bit unique and are a lot easier to personalize than birthday cards, as you can add different pictures, patterns, text and messages to suit you best. They come in all sorts of styles and can be anything from lovey-dovey to hilarious – whatever you think is best for your partner! You could even go one further and personalize it by adding photos of the two of you, giving you something adorable, heartfelt and cute, too.

Custom Music Box

This is a great, personal gift for anyone of any taste, and if you’re looking for something really special, a custom music box is perfect. Sites like Etsy offer a service in which you can choose an engraving for the lid of the box (your partner’s name, a cute quote or an anniversary date) as well as the tune that plays when open. If you have a song that’s “your song” or just want to remind your partner how much you love them, it’s a really unique and thoughtful gift that is bound to put a smile on their face. You can even fill the box with gifts or little objects – maybe little things that remind them of you, photos, messages, small comforts. It’s very versatile and can be personalized down to the last detail.

Long-Distance Lamps

Something a bit different is to get you and your partner a long-distance lamp each. These are genius – you keep one and send the other to your partner. Not only is it a lovely addition to their room and perfect for reminding them of you, but you can also communicate with it. If you touch your lamp, theirs will light up and vice versa. There are many that come in lots of different colors, so you can personalize it to their favorite. Some even have an inbuilt speaker that allows you to send songs to your partner, whether that’s a love song to show that you’re thinking about them, a happy song to cheer them up or a song you can both dance to together. It’s great for connecting the two of you in a unique way, making it easier to be apart until the next time you meet.

These are just 3 of our favorites, but there are plenty more out there! Remember that whatever you decide to get, what makes it special is you and the thought you put into it, and your partner is sure to love it because of that alone!

 

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Dog Health 101: When Your Dog Needs Taurine

Taurine deficiency is a very common condition among certain dog breeds. Here’s how to know when your dog has it, and what you can do about it.

Taurine is probably the most important nutrient for dog wellness that you’ve never heard of. You’ve likely never thought about this amino acid because most dogs synthesize it naturally from other nutrients, so there’s no need to focus on supplementing your dog’s diet with it – your dog just makes it.

But what if they didn’t make it?

Certain dog breeds, due to a flaw in their genetic makeup, are physically incapable of producing taurine. When this is the case, and the dog doesn’t get taurine from their food supply, they are susceptible to taurine deficiency-related illnesses, the most common being dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM. This is a fairly serious condition, that if left untreated, can compromise the quality of your dog’s life, and even shorten it.

So, what is taurine, anyway?

Taurine is an amino acid and a protein building block that supports the proper functioning of the muscles, brain, heart, and eyes. Taurine deficiency doesn’t present identifiable symptoms, but the breeds that are predisposed to it include:

  • American cocker spaniel
  • Golden retriever
  • Labrador retriever
  • Boxer
  • English setter
  • Saint Bernard
  • Newfoundland

If you have one of the above breeds, you should talk to your vet about potential taurine deficiency, and possible dietary programs that will enable your dog to get the taurine they need from dietary sources. Zignature taurine rich pet foods use all-natural, meat-forward formulas that help dogs maintain their proper nutrient balance. However, you should talk to your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet, so that any other underlying health concerns aren’t exacerbated.

If you want to learn more about our blog, please click here.

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Why Didn’t My Dog’s Training Work? Why Your Pup Ignores Your Commands

Your dog seemed to be making excellent progress in their training – so why aren’t they responding to commands now? The following article discusses the reasons why your dog has stopped obeying your directions.

It’s always exciting when your pup starts responding positively to their training. A once unruly puppy is now sitting, staying, heeling, and returning to their bed with a single, firm command! However, after a few months, you’re noticing that they are not exactly as enthusiastic about following your directions. Are they just forgetting? What’s going on? Why didn’t the training stick?

You’re expecting your dog to work for free.

It’s actually fairly simple – you stopped providing behavior incentives. You praise your dog all the time! What you stopped doing is giving them the treats they really, really love in exchange for their service. So – why should your dog sit if you’re not paying them? How often would you go into work if all you got in return was a pat on the back?

You’ve devalued their reward.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you give your dog treats every day just for being cute, they’ll stop working for them. If you haven’t been giving your dog treats strategically, they’ll stop thinking of them as “treats,” and start thinking of them as “tasty things I get no matter what.” To use the work analogy again – if you got a salary from an organization regardless of whether you did any work or not, you probably wouldn’t feel particularly compelled to put in the hours.

Naturally, you want your dog to feel loved – it’s perfectly understandable that you want them to be happy. Nevertheless, if you demonstrate your affection by giving them daily treats without having to do anything in return, they’ll feel entitled to them without any effort on your dog’s part, and you’ve effectively derailed their training.

If you want your dog to yield to your direction, they need something they value in exchange. Only give them the most loved treats when they respond to your commands positively. Once you get back on the reward – or “payment” – track, you’ll be surprised by how quickly they remember their training!

Did you know…

A wide variety of canine medical conditions can be addressed and controlled through nutritional intervention. A few highly nutritious dog food brands that have specific formulas for different breeds, ages, and health needs include Castor & Pollux, Nutrish, and Zignature dog food. DCM, obesity, pancreatitis, and diabetes can all be managed with the proper diet and exercise programs.

Join the discussion on this topic with Family Ever After by visiting our contact page.

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Homeowner Hacks: 5 DIY Home Repairs You Can Learn Today

The average homeowner spends almost $5,000 each year on home repairs and improvements. 

$5,000 is a large chunk of money, especially when it comes to unexpected, emergency repairs. But instead of running to the bank to take out a home improvement loan, roll up your sleeves and attempt to DIY the repair. 

Not every home repair requires the help of a costly professional. Keep reading to learn how to do these DIY home repairs and save yourself a lot of money!

1. Patch a Hole

Accidents happen — and many accidents in your home have the potential to end with a hole in your drywall. Whether you fail to pivot when moving a heavy couch or slam a door open too forcefully, now you have an ugly hole in your drywall. 

Luckily, patching a hole in drywall is one of the easiest DIY home repairs. 

For small homes, home improvement stores sell patching kits. These come with a self-adhesive mesh patch to place directly over the hole. Then, cover the patch with the provided compound using a drywall tool or spatula. 

You can apply two counts of the compound to secure the patch. Then, once dry, sand the compound down until the area is smooth and even with your wall. To finish, paint over the area to match the rest of your wall. 

For larger holes, you can cut a piece of drywall to size to use instead of the mesh patch. 

2. Stop a Leaking Pipe

Don’t let the drip, drip, drip of your bathroom pipes become the constant background music in your home. A leaking pipe is an easy fix that you can accomplish on your own. 

For leaking pipes, start by turning off the water with your home’s water shut off valve. For the next steps, you’ll want to put an empty bucket under the pipes to collect the water so you don’t end up with a mess. 

Then, untighten the white pieces that have ridges on them, these are your compression nuts. Tightening these compression nuts will remove that portion of the pipe from the rest of your piping. Then, you can switch out the worn-out plastic washer and reattach the piece of pipe by tightening the compression nuts. 

3. Fix a Stuck Window

If your home is a little older, you’ve probably encountered a stuck window that just won’t budge. Instead of cutting your losses and giving up the fresh air, there are ways you can fix this on your own! 

To start, apply a lubricant, like WD-40, into the channel area where your window frames meet. Then, grab a putty knife or a pizza cutter and run the blade along the edges of the window frame to loosen up any dirt or paint. 

After this, you should be able to get the window open with a little force. You’ll want to immediately clean all around the window to remove dust and debris to prevent it from sticking again. If you’ve got a lot of excess paint that’s causing the issue, grab some paint thinner and wipe down the window frame. 

At a certain point, you should consider completely replacing residential windows. If the window glass is cracked or shattered, hire an expert to replace the window immediately. Also, consider getting new windows if you have large gaps between your window frame and walls. 

4. Unclog a Toilet

Clogged toilets happen to everyone, and it’s not always your fault. Instead of getting embarrassed and working up the courage to call the plumber, fix the problem yourself!

There are so many methods beyond the traditional plunger that can help unclog the mess. One of the easiest ways involves dish soap. 

Pour about one-fourth of a cup of dish soap into the toilet bowl. Let this sit in the bowl for about ten minutes. Then, add hot, but not boiling, water to the mixture and let it sit another five minutes. 

After sitting, the soap and hot water combination should dissolve any clog in your toilet. All you’ll have to do is flush the mess away. 

You can also try this method with one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar if the dish soap doesn’t do the job. 

5. Clean and Repair Gutters

A home improvement project that many homeowners neglect is cleaning and repairing their own gutters. 

To keep your gutters, and your roof, in working order, you should clean out your gutters at the beginning of each season. Grab a sturdy ladder, a pair of gloves, and a large bucket to collect debris. Then, it’s as simple as moving the debris from your gutter into the bucket. 

This prevents debris buildup that leads to overflowing gutters and a weakened roofline. 

While you’re up there, you can even perform some simple gutter repairs if necessary. 

If your gutters are drooping or becoming disconnected from your home, take the time to reattach them. Buy a few hanging brackets and use a drill to reconnect the gutter to the siding of your home.

Then, you can nail some simple gutter covers to the edge of your roof to prevent further debris buildup.  

Save Money with These DIY Home Repairs

The next time your home encounters an emergency, use these tips to save money with DIY home repairs. 

Obviously, there are some home repair projects that should be left to the professionals. Anything that involves electrical wiring should only be done by an expert. Attempting these projects on your own can lead to even more costly repairs. 

For more great advice on keeping your home and family in tip-top shape, bookmark the Tips section of this blog and check back often for new content. 

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Work-From-Home Moms: A Handy Guide to Self-Employment Taxes

Are you a self-employed, work-from-home mom? Then you should do your homework on self-employment taxes in order to avoid any nasty surprises down the road. Check out the basics you need to know below!  

Self-Employment Tax 101

First of all, all self-employed individuals must pay self-employment taxes (SE taxes) if they have at least $400 in annual net earnings. Specifically, you are self-employed if:

  • You do business as an independent contractor or sole proprietor
  • You’re a member of a business partnership
  • You are in business for yourself in any other way

Filling Your Self-Employment Taxes as a Work-From-Home Mom

The categories above are really broad and encompass all sorts of freelancing and part-time gigs. In fact, more than 15 million Americans are self-employed. So, if you meet the criteria, you have to file a Schedule C (Form 1040) income tax return annually.

Using the 1040 form, you will have to make quarterly estimated tax payments. You will need to use last year’s tax returns to fill out your 1040, so make sure to track your yearly returns.

At the end of the fiscal year, you will have to file your annual tax return. To do so, you have to report your profit (or your loss). Simple enough, right?

Self-Employment Tax Breaks and Deductions

Thankfully for self-employed moms, you are taxed on your net income. This means that lots of business-related expenses are tax-deductible. Those write-offs will play a crucial role in making your work-from-home operations profitable.

Especially if you are transitioning from full-time employment to the realm of freelancing, you have to squeeze tax deductions as much as possible. The deductible expenses include:

  • Startup costs
  • Legal costs
  • Business equipment and supplies
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Transportation and vehicle expenses
  • Home office costs
  • Health insurance and medical care premiums
  • Several other house-related expenses for people who work from home

With such a long list, it’s easy to miss some obscure write-off. That’s why it’s important to either use tax software, or team up with an accountant to figure out what’s tax-deductible for you.

Moreover, you should look into pay stubs to keep your operations tidy. Pay stubs are a way to keep track of paid taxes, overtime, and business expenses. Want to generate pay stubs instantly? Check out ThePayStubs for the simplest way to create pay stubs online!

Finally, since 2018, business owners whose profits and losses go through their personal tax returns are eligible for the 20% pass-through tax deduction. This tax deduction allows work-from-home moms that qualify to reduce their taxable income by an additional 20% after deducting business expenses!

Liked our Self-Employment Taxes Article? Check Out More Inside!

Self-employment taxes may seem like a hassle, but hopefully, you now know where to start!

We are dedicated to help you navigate life and find more time to enjoy with your loved ones. So, if you liked our article, come on in and check out more useful articles on business, as well as a range of other topics, including lifestyle, family, food and more!