Family Ever After Blog

Family Ever After Blog

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Underground Cellar Explains the Best Way to Start a Wine Collection on a Limited Budget

Wine collecting is an expensive hobby, there’s no doubt about it. However, it doesn’t mean that you should go all out, especially if you’re just getting started. There is a very high chance that you will make errors at the beginning. For instance, we recently read an article about natural wines and whether they’re a scam or not. As it turns out, these wines do have some attributes, but that doesn’t necessarily make them more valuable.

Wine, Bottles, Bottle, Glass, White Wine, Red Wine

These are the types of nuances that you will need to understand before you start your collection. The people at Underground Cellar have a few tips on how you can start a great collection on a reasonable budget. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Start Planning

You first have to evaluate what your actual budget is. Though it won’t be massive, you can start a respectable collection for under $1000. You will have to be wise with the wines that you pick, however. Instead of buying aged wines, you might have to buy them young and age them yourself. You will need to know how good the year was for this particular wine. And, if your goal is to age a wine, stay away from anything in the discount aisles as these are usually meant to be drunk immediately.

Mix Your Selection

You should also make sure that you mix and match your selection if you also want to enjoy your collection. Your cellar should consist of a good mix of bottles that you’ll be aging, and young, ready to drink wines. Some will advise that you go for 50% ready-to-drink bottles, or blue chips as they’re called, and 50% aging wines. These are wines you will be aging for at least 5 years as this is when they start to develop more character. Note that all wines will not get better as they age, however.

We also suggest that you stock for specific events in advance. The goal of a collection is also to have a good inventory on hand for any occasion, so timing your purchases will make sure that you won’t have to scramble at the last minute for the perfect bottle.

Look at Storage Options

There are many ways that you can store your wines. You can buy storage yourself, build a cellar room, or get someone to store them for you. All of these options have their pros and cons, but building your cellar is the most labor extensive. Some will even store their bottles in a cardboard box with blankets over it to block the sunlight, but this is not the best option.

Know what to Look for in a Bottle

Next, you have to know exactly what you’re looking for in a bottle. If it’s to drink, scores and your palate will be your best friend. If it’s as an investment, look at the history of the vineyard, the location, and scores again. Things like weather can also affect the supply of grapes and increase scarcity, which can make a wine more valuable.

So, if your goal is to start a wine collection with a modest budget, follow these few tips. Starting small is the best way to go as you’ll gain experience and become better at finding great deals.

 

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Protecting Your Family’s Future: Estate Planning

Establishing an estate plan is the best way that you can protect your family from the uncertainties of the future. While most people believe that estate planning is reserved for the rich and wealthy, this is simply not the case. An estate plan can be developed by anyone regardless of their income and consists of a set of directives for trusts, guardianship matters, and assets. In today’s post, we take a look at some things to consider when it comes to protecting your family’s future.

Wills

One of the first things you should focus on is establishing a will. Regardless of if you own substantial assets, you need to draft a will according to your state’s laws. A will can help to ensure that your selected heir will receive your chosen set of assets that you desire to leave with them. In addition to that, your will should list an executor who will be responsible for paying your debts and distributing the remainder of your assets, based on your wishes.

In the event that you pass away without a will, your property could get seized by the government or they could get passed on to survivors in your family, according to your state’s laws surrounding intestacy or in other words, your children or spouse.

Trusts

Besides using a will to ensure that your heirs will receive your assets when you die, you can also create a living trust as well. The major difference between a trust and a will is that, unlike wills, a living trust can avoid probate. Probate is the process by which the court determines if a will is actually valid. This is a time-consuming and expensive process. A living trust can prove to be ideal when it comes to including children as a part of your estate planning wishes.

Clear All Debts

The process of paying off a debt can prove to be especially stressful when you are in the midst of grieving for a family member. The law stipulates that you have a legal obligation to pay off your own debts and the debts of deceased loved ones as well. Therefore, if an individual signs as a cosigner for a mortgage, and the other cosigner passes away, said individual is still responsible for the entirety of the debt.

Life Insurance

If your family depends on your financial support and views it as being essential for their livelihood, you need to get a life insurance policy. Life insurance can help to replace your income in the event that you pass away. This can prove to be especially beneficial to parents of young children as well as adults who would not be able to maintain their standard of living without the income of another individual such as your spouse or elderly parent. The key thing to remember is that the coverage should be large enough to cover an adequate amount of money for day-to-day tasks such as cleaning, laundry, childcare, and other things that are critical to a growing family.

Emergency Fund

Most experts agree that an emergency fund can help to protect your family’s future. Your emergency fund should consist of at least four to six months of your average monthly living expense and can help to cover unwelcome surprises such as major home repairs or renovations, health emergencies, stolen/damaged property, and more.

Power of Attorney

When people think about power of attorney, they usually associate it with giving someone else the power to make medical decisions in the event that they become incapacitate and are unable to make decisions on their own. However, the power of authority provides multiple different benefits which can help to protect your family’s future. For starters, it eliminates the need for guardianship or conservatorship. For instance, without a power of attorney, if you become incapacitated, the court appoints a conservator or guardian for your children. Additionally, power of attorney gives agents the ability to make other important decisions regarding health, investments, bills, assets, debts, and more

Family Identity Theft Protection

Oftentimes, when people consider using identity theft protection services, they never consider getting their children protected. But just like an adult, children are also susceptible to identity theft. Data suggests that child-related identity theft can go undetected for over ten years. Therefore, monitoring their personal information is essential when it comes to protecting their future. Nowadays, most companies provide family identity theft protection plans which are designed to cover entire families.

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2021 Travel Boom – Reliance on Cars is Surging

2020 was an odd year, indeed. Not only was the world gripped by an invisible threat but life as we all knew it changed. Toilet paper became a rare commodity, hugs were replaced by Zoom calls, and children did pushups in their living rooms, instead of playing kick ball, on the field, at school. Travel came to a standstill and for the most part, cars were left alone, in driveways and garages, used only for the occasional, necessary trip to the grocery store.

Now, armed with vaccines, and promises that life will get back to normal soon, 2021 is turning out to be the prom queen, to 2020’s wallflower. What does this mean for the average person? It means that domestic highways, and byways, are opening up, and those long-sitting vehicles that have gone relatively unused for so long, can once again transport us to all of the places we missed last year.

Prepare to explore places such as Grandma and Grandpa’s house, Yellowstone, Route 1 along the east coast, and Route 66, the iconic road cutting through the center of the country. Virtually nothing is off limits which is exhilarating and exciting. That said this new freedom forces us to re-evaluate the safety of the cars and trucks, once idle for months, to ensure that they will get us to these exquisite destinations.

With a whopping 9.54 million square miles to cover in North America, it makes sense that you would want to be sure that your vehicle is ready for any climatic situation. From the deserts in the American southwest, frigid temperatures in the north, and oppressive humidity in the south, vehicles may not respond as humans do, to variations in temperature. Vehicles, like people, are certainly affected. Urban and rural driving wears on a vehicle differently, also, making it necessary for regular brake, steering, and fluid checks.

What cars are considered the most reliable, the most comfortable, and the most cost-effective? When looking to purchase a new vehicle, there are many options to consider. 2020 did not provide much incentive for car shopping, as individuals had much more pressing issues to prioritize. But now that the road is open again, and that call for adventure is like a whisper on the wind, it is time to re-prioritize things like safety, confidence, and reliability in your vehicle.

Piling everyone into the family car and heading off down the road has been the American mindset since the invention of the gas-powered vehicle well over a century ago. The classic road trip symbolizes freedom and youthful spirit with the intention of bonding over shared experiences, in new and exciting places.

Preparing for the trip should must include a vehicle check-up to be as sure as you can that you won’t be left stranded when you’re far from home.

Road-Ready Vehicle Checklist

  • Check the windshield wiper blades – Make sure that they aren’t torn or broken. Remember the back wipers, too!
  • Check all fluids – Fluids are the lifeblood of your vehicle’s engine. Be sure to check the brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, radiator fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, etc.
  • Is your spare tire packed and ready to go? A full-sized tire works best if you’re able to fit it in your car. Consider if you’ll need to drive far for a replacement, or not.
  • Check the tires – Remember, they should have the proper pressure, (you can find that number in your car manual, or inside the driver’s side door frame), good tread, and they should be properly aligned. If the car is veering to one side, get the alignment checked. Also, they should be free of cracks, fissures, tears, and obvious penetrations.
  • Do the brakes work properly? Are the brakes stopping the vehicle at the appropriate car lengths, for the speed you are traveling? Are they making chattering, squeaks, or clunking noises? If there’s any question at all, get a mechanic to evaluate their performance.

The Ultimate Road Ready Insurance

Focusing on the checklist captioned above and even taking your ride to a trusted mechanic is a great idea when you’re preparing for a road trip of any distance. But, while these technicians make certain that the vehicle is sound at the beginning of your journey, there is no guarantee that your car will remain that way for the entirety of your adventure.

Freeway Insurance will help ensure that you are providing safety for your family, and coverage for your vehicle, for the length of your trip. Exceptional customer service, and nationwide availability only enhances the value of their affordable rates, and devotion to their clients.

It’s hard to answer the call for adventure and not have some level of risk involved but when it comes to your vehicle’s coverage, why chance it? Let yourself fully embrace 2021, and the travel boom that has emerged from our long year of isolation. Do this with the pride and security of knowing that car maintenance and excellent insurance coverage will now provide the ultimate pathway, to memory-making-moments you’ve been dreaming of during these seeming endless, months of patient vigilance, and mitigation. Roll down the windows, open the moon roof, and enjoy the ride.

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How to Ensure a Smooth Transition to Assisted Living Residences

Most older parents wish to stay in their long-time homes where they’ve settled comfortably with their loved ones. Sadly, doing so is oftentimes no longer doable for the children, or safe for the older adult, making assisted living residences a better option. So, how can you ensure that they transition smoothly to senior housing — whether they’re ready or hesitant?

1. Communicate gently and plan together.

Aged parents can get emotionally attached to their homes, so they naturally feel sad about transferring to assisted living residences. Conversing with your elders about it can be difficult, but give them some time to grieve this change and discuss why and where they’re moving. Additionally, when seniors need to leave their homes, they usually feel uptight because they feel like losing control. So, allow your beloved elderlies as much choice as you possibly can while you plan and implement the transfer together.

2. Find the best senior home nearby.

After discussing where your elderly want to live, you need to search for an ideal senior home. This can get tedious as you consider the nitty-gritty of their needs and preferences. Soon you will be able to simplify your search by using Happy Seniors. Because the platform is building partnerships with well-known local institutions nationwide, it will give you an excellent range of choices for assisted living.

This platform will reveal valuable information about each residence: geographic location, weekly activity schedules, pricing, amenities available, gender ratios, and much more. With this tool, you won’t need to drive cross-country or call every assisted living residence for these details. Instead, you will have a centralized venue for a productive senior housing search.

3. Request your relatives’ assistance.

Transitioning to assisted living residences is a huge task, so don’t be afraid to ask for help from your family and relatives. Encourage your siblings and other close family members to be on work leave for a few days. Children and younger individuals can also join in and help in their unique ways. When you surround your elderly with supportive friends and loved ones, you alleviate the emotional strain that comes with the transition.

4. Keep in touch with the staff.

Regularly stay in touch with the housing personnel, especially on days you can’t visit and ask how your aged loved ones are doing. While you usually do this through phone calls, Happy Seniors offer an excellent alternative through a direct communication line with the manager and housing staff. You can chat or call them on the Happy Seniors platform for any inquiry or concern about your elderlies’ transitional needs and conditions. Plus, using Happy Seniors, the staff can quickly update you on the residents’ general mood for the adjustment period, medical conditions, and more.

Final Thoughts

Ensuring seamless elderly transition from your house to an assisted living residence is no small feat. Give yourself, your seniors, and your family time to process emotions and adjust to the change. Additionally, allow space for any fallout and extend grace when things get initially tough.

 

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Rose Burillo – How to Avoid Getting Sick in Mexico

When many tourists come to Mexico they often have troubles with their stomach and Moctezuma’s revenge can easily strike. There are many reasons why this happens and ultimately anyone who is coming to the city should do all that they can to avoid this. If you get sick during your time away then you end up losing valuable days, where you will be stuck in your room, struggling. There are some telltale things to watch out for when you visit here, and this is how you can do your best to avoid sickness.

Check The Ice

The water in Mexico is not potable and that is why you have to make sure that you don’t consume any of it. The biggest issue here is the ice which you get served in your drink. if the ice has been made with tap water then it is going to melt and cause you some real problems. The best course of action when you are in a bar or a restaurant is to simply ask whether the ice is from a bag or if it is from the tap.

Washing Vegetables

All vegetables should be washed with an iodine solution before you decide to eat them. This is for two main reasons, the first is that the soil here can be very rich and that is what makes the vegetables tough on the stomach. The second reason is that every often the handling of the vegetables just isn’t very good, and they are often on the floor or going through dirty hands on their way to you. The solution is sold in all stores, and you will actually find it right there next to the vegetables.

Street Food Dangers

Street food in Mexico is absolutely delicious but you must ensure that you are picking the right places to eat. The best rule of thumb is that you go to the street food vendors where the locals are eating. If you see a stand with nobody there, it is likely that there is a reason for this and therefore you should avoid it. If you are in any doubt then it is always worth keeping an eye on what the staff at the stand are doing with regards to handling meat and storing meat. Very often you can see quite quickly how seriously they are taking hygiene, and that is going to help you to find out whether or not you should avoid the place.

Taking It Easy

The best advice that my friend Rose Burillo gave me was to only eat a very small amount when I buy food from the streets. This helps not only so that you don’t get full up, but it also minimizes the chances that you can get sick. I have to be honest, this has been advice which has really served me well over the years and it is something which I would suggest that you also do.

 

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ISPMB – How Much Do Burros Weigh?

There are a number of names which you will hear when it comes to donkeys, and today we are going to take a deep dive into some facts about our gorgeous little friends. The words donkey, ass, burro, mule and jackass may all sound confusing but in reality there is a simple explanation behind it.

Sadly there are some burros which need our help and that is why places such as ISPMB have been set up in the USA, which seeks to give these poor animals the help and the support which they need.

Breaking it Down

To give you the simple breakdown of those words which have just spoken about, here is the skinny. The word ass is the same as donkey, they are called this because of their Latin name which is ‘asinus’. A Jackass is just a male donkey, the boys are nicknamed Jack, and the girls are nicknamed Jennets. A burro is the Spanish word for donkey, but in the English-speaking world we use the term mores for wild donkeys, which the aforementioned charity helps with. And finally we have the mule, which is the result of a male donkey impregnating a female horse which results in a mixture of the two.

How Much do Burros Weigh?

When it comes to burros, the wild donkey that is, they don’t tend to vary much in size, assuming the burro grow in the same conditions. When it comes to donkeys however we see a much broader range of weights and heights because this is based more on how they are bred and what human interaction they have had.

Broadly speaking however the burro will generally grow to around 125 centimeters, this is measured from their hoof to their shoulder. In terms of weight this can be anywhere from 400lbs to 500lbs. Interestingly the burro doesn’t change much in weight once they reach their top weight, even if conditions change. There are some donkeys which are called miniature donkeys but you very rarely see burros which are underweight or under size.

What Do They Eat?

In order to reach this optimum weight the burro is pretty strict with its diet. Most commonly they will graze on grass, and occasionally they may indulge in the odd shrub or a plant which they happen to find. What is fascinating about these creatures is that they actually utilize 95% of the food which they eat. This is because of the fact that food is often so scarce, so they have evolved to really get every inch out of the nutrients which they consume. On average burros will consume around 2722kg of food each and every year, according to The Global Invasive Species Database.

Burros really are fascinating creatures and there is so much to them which most people don’t understand. These animals are smart, inquisitive and they have amazing memories and hearing abilities. They may not look it, but burros are in fact far more interesting than we have probably given them credit for.

Do you have any questions about this article? Click here to contact us today.

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Apria Healthcare = Tips on Dealing With Mobility Issues

 

Having any problems, injuries or illnesses which impact your mobility is tough to cope with, but there are many ways in which you can make small changes that will help you to get around and do things as you once could. This can be a troubling time, no matter whether your mobility issues are long term or short term. There is plenty of help out there and today we are going to look into some tips which you can bear in mind that will help you cope with the fact that you have issues which are affecting your mobility.

Using Aids At Home

Companies like Apria Healthcare offer an enormous range of aids and gadgets which you can use at home to help you perform the simple daily tasks which are now challenging. No matter whether it is adding comfort to your seat, helping you to wash yourself, aiding you in cooking or even helping you get up and down the stairs, there are plenty of options out there. Many people are too proud to bring these products into the home but the reality is that they are fantastic help and they will enable you to do things like normal, with far less risk.

Speaking To Someone

Knowing that you have an issue which means you can’t do things like before can put a strain on your mental health and that is exactly why you should have someone who you can speak with about it. In some cases this may be a professional and in others it may simply be that you have a friend or a family member with whom you can chat to about what is happening to you. Opening up is the best way to help you get through this.

Leaning on Others

Nobody likes asking other people for help but ultimately there are moments when you have no other option. When people let you know that they are there for anything you need, it is essential that you take them up on the offer and use that support. At the end of the day people want to help you out and if that means taking you somewhere or assisting you at home, they will be happy to do it for you. This is why it is critical that you lean on people when you need it, and don’t be too proud to ask.

Know Your Limits

If you try and push yourself too much then you could very well end up making things worse and further damaging your mobility. This is why you ned to know your limits and understand what you can and what you cannot do. This is not to say that you should give up trying of course, but it is about making sure that you understand what your body is able to do, and that you don’t push the boundaries too much.

Mobility issues are tough to deal with, follow these tips to try and make it that little bit easier.

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Robert Testagrossa – Why a Feature Wall Looks So Great in the Home

Last year we were redecorating the living room and really struggling with what to do regarding colors. I was trying to take inspiration from just about everywhere, and following social media pages and buying magazines to see what ideas I could find. It was the social media page of interior designer Robert Testagrossa which really gave me the solution to my problems, when he wrote a post about the many benefits of a feature wall.

This was eventually what we did in the living room and I have to say that it turned out to be one of the best decisions which I have ever made. Here are the benefits which you can count on with a feature wall in the home.

Increase Color Patterns

Initially I was looking for a color which would look great all over the living room, and this was part of the reason why I found it so difficult to decide on which was the right option. What you get when you are able to bring in a feature wall however is the chance to get a second color in there, which then gives your room a far deeper and richer feeling. Not only this, but when it comes to choosing furniture and details for the room, you have a far greater range of choice regarding the colors which you can bring into the space.

Adding Size

Our living room is not particularly big, and I never really thought there was much that I could do about that. What I quickly learned regarding the feature wall however, was that you can play with lighter and darker colors to give the appearance of a larger space. Once we had finished the paintwork there was a real difference in terms of the way that the mind considers the space, and that was something which absolutely confirmed that we had made the right choice. If you have issues with a small room, this kind of option could be something which drastically changes how the space feels.

More Creative Space

There is no doubt that with the feature wall the room just feels far more thought out and has much more creativity in it than we would have done if we just stuck to a single color. This was something which I actually wanted to add to the room but didn’t really have any ideas how to go about it. The feature wall is really a creative touch which shows that you have properly thought out the way in which the room is going to look, and there is no doubt that it looks much more stylish as a result.

If you are looking to really add some style and charm to your room, a feature wall is the perfect way to do it. The best part about a design feature like this, is that it is very easy to achieve and has a profound impact on the entire theme of the room.

 

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Diamond Environmental Services – How to Get Noticed On LinkedIn

Getting noticed on LinkedIn could be the perfect way for you to find an amazing job. There are many stories out there of people who got great positions thanks to the social media page, people like Tracy Mendoza the VP of Diamond Environmental Services. Despite the great opportunities which exist, there are still so many people who have not invested enough time on their page and that is why they are not getting the notice which they are seeking.

Even if you are in a job, there is no harm putting yourself out there to be noticed, and here is how you can take your page to the next level, and get noticed by the wider world.

Complete Your Profile

There are a number of steps which the social media channel asks you to take in order to complete your profile, and it will even give you the percentage of how complete it is. There is no excuse for not making sure that you have filled out every piece of information which you need here. Completing your profile is the best way to make sure that you get noticed. If you have a profile which only has very basic information, you are definitely going to be missing out on opportunities.

Connection Crazy

The social media platform has a huge array of tools which can help you to connect with people who you may have met or people who you know. It is important that aim to create as many connections as you possibly can. The reason for this is that owing to the way that the algorithm works, it will then connect you to people who have connections with your connections. This means exponential notice from the wider world and a much better chance for you to get spotted by someone looking for people with your particular talents and experience.

Join Groups

Much like other social media platforms, joining groups is a great way for you to meet like minded people who operate within the same industry or sector as you do. This is why it is important that you ensure you do all that you can to find groups which you are interested in, join up and then be an active member of the community. In doing so you can certainly ensure that you have a better chance of getting noticed.

Regularly Update Your Status

It is essential that you are always working on updating your status and that you are giving information to the community. If you don’t do this then the platform will not put you in front of eyes which may be helpful to you. Regular updates encourage people to comment and discuss what you have said or what you are doing. This is a great way for your name to get posted out there to the wider world.

These are simple tricks which you can try that will help you to get noticed more on LinkIn.

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Alan Bohms – Tips On Using Your Phone To Take Great Photos

If you have any dreams of becoming a photographer then the first place to start is with your mobile phone, believe it or not. Smartphone technology is absolutely incredible and the cameras which they possess in the modern age are good enough for you to become a really good photographer. World famous photographer Alan Bohms has even been speaking recently about how he also looks to use his smartphone from time to time, when he needs to capture a shot quickly.

If you want to block your phone’s ability for photography, here is how to do it.

Online Guides

The best for anyone looking to take great smartphone shots to star is on YouTube where you will find some sensational how-to guides which will seriously help you out. There are some seriously smart people in this world and they will walk you through what settings you need to take advantage of and some of the more technical stuff about the phone itself, and how the cameras work.

Using Filters

Filters are the best weapons which you have in your arsenal when it comes to taking great phone shots. Preset filters are designed to give you a wide variety of options when it comes to making your photos look incredible. These can be added both before you take the photo and afterwards, to give the photo which you have taken a really great finish. Play around and get to know the filters so that you can understand what they will do for your images and when the best time to use them is.

Being Disciplined

The most important thing when it comes to learning about taking shots with your phone is to be disciplined. This means learning about different times of the day to take your photos, understanding how the light affects the images. This also means being disciplined in taking shots of the same surroundings such as nature or urban landscapes. There is no single rule when it comes to taking images, it is about understanding what works best in which particular environment. If you stay disciplined and focused then you will be able to really get a deep understanding of what works, and where.

Speaking to Others

Another great way to get better at taking shots on your phone is to ask others what they think about a certain image. Sometimes we can get so hung up in looking at certain areas of the image that we can lose sight of how the shot actually looks. Others will be able to give you great feedback and tell you honestly how they think the shot looks. Getting the opinions of others is certainly a great way for you to stay on track and monitor the progress which you are making.

The smartphone is an incredible device and the cameras that you will find are truly high quality and will enable you to take some fantastic shots.