Monday, February 27, 2017

British Soccer Camps Pre-Review @usfg @ChallengerCamps



Once again my family gets the opportunity to review something very cool! I get to enroll Samuel in a British Soccer Camp this summer, and he LOVES soccer so this is very exciting! Thank you to US Family Guide and British Soccer Camps!


British Soccer Camps are the most popular soccer camp in the US. With an innovative curriculum that develops skills, speed and confidence in players ages 3-18, The British Soccer Camp provide boys and girls with the rare opportunity to receive high-level soccer coaching from a team of international experts right in the heart of their own community. In addition to teaching new skills and improving game performance, each British Soccer Camp provides lessons in character development, cultural education and is the most fun your child can have learning the sport they love!




Enroll your child in a British Soccer Camp today REGISTER FOR CAMP & GET A FREE SOCCER JERSEY, SOCCER BALL, T-SHIRT & POSTER with code: CAMP17

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Get Paid to Try #Hulu through #Swagbucks


If you've been thinking about trying Hulu, this is the time to do it. Thanks to an offer through Swagbucks, you get $25 (paid in the form of points called SB) for trying Hulu for a month. That will cost you $7.99, so you're making $17 on the deal!

Hulu has tons of current and classic programming, movies, brilliant original series, and more. Here's how you do it:

1. Click this link.
2. Create your Swagbucks account (takes 30 seconds)
3. Click "Continue" and sign up for Hulu
4. Enjoy Hulu! You should have your points within 30 minutes.

Personal  note: We've had Hulu at my house for as long as I can remember and watch a lot of shows on it because we don't have a DVR or cable, and our channels are very limited. My son likes to watch his CW superhero shows, and I like to lately watch "This Is Us" and "Celebrity Apprentice." There are also a lot of great movies on there and documentaries too! We have the commercial-free option and there's even a Showtime add-on you can get to catch your favorite shows from that channel!

Haven't tried Swagbucks yet? They're a site where you earn points (called SB) for doing things like online shopping, watching videos, taking surveys, and discovering deals and services you might like to try (like Hulu!). You then take those points and turn them into free gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, or PayPal cash.

This is a great time to join because when you sign up through the link above and get your 2000 SB, you'll get a bonus 300 SB at the beginning of March. So that's $23 (2300 SB) for trying Hulu plus your $3 (300 SB) bonus, which gets you 2600 SB, which means you make money just for watching TV!

Monday, February 20, 2017

Groupon Coupons: Save Money on Online and In-Store Purchases! #ad #GrouponCoupons

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.




Who doesn't love to save money? You've seen me write about ways I save money, like using the Ibotta grocery app, shopping through Swagbucks and more. Groupon Coupons is a site I head to before we do any online purchasing for travel, baby gift items, endless leggings for my daughter who wears them out so quickly, shoes for my sons with the wide feet, books and gifts. 

I recently enjoyed using Groupon for a trip to our local trampoline park, but Groupon Coupons is a site that's more than just for saving money on outings with the kids and eating out at restaurants. Searching for coupons is super simple and I love that I don't have to leave the house to do it! The best part is that it's totally free!

Here are some of the places you can find great deals on with Groupon Coupons, and make sure to check out mobile coupons you can use while you're in the store just by showing your phone!
  • Michael's (where we get our soap-making supplies and can show a mobile coupon to get 20% off!)
  • Kohl’s (already great deals at this place but with Groupon Coupons, even better!)
  • Amazon (crazy deals on e-readers as well as % off coupons)
  • Orbitz (checking out these deals for our upcoming Florida trip)
  • Best Buy (we always need printer ink)
  • Target (I pretty much live there)
  • Office Depot (I'm an office supply fanatic)
  • Famous Footwear (15% off at the only place that has the shoes that fit my son's wide feet!)

You're going to love Groupon Coupons!

Check them out on Facebook and Twitter!



What are your favorite coupons to use from 
Groupon Coupons?

I'd love it if you'd follow me on Facebook! I think I share some pretty cool info! I'm also on Twitter :-)

Friday, February 17, 2017

4 Clever Tips to Make Your Spring Cleaning Fast and Easy


It’s dirty work, but somebody needs to do it and I’m willing to guess you’re the designated individual, but don't spend more time in cleaning than you need to! Follow these spring cleaning ideas to get your cleaning chores done fast.

Alright, so all of us realize that we have to complete spring cleaning on our home if we want to make our home clear and less stressful. If you are in the same position as I am, then a few of the cleaning chores get put off a little in winter with some justification. So we have to open up our house to make it clean.

No problem. It's soon to be spring, and so we have to complete the hectic work now. No more hesitation. We will get our home clean and breathe fresh air, but let’s not spend more time than we need to.

So here are some spring cleaning ideas to get your cleaning done quickly:

·        Make Your List
For me, this makes my work go super quick.

You might ask … why?

Good question!

When you have a complete list of your work, you spend less time looking around your home searching what you have to do and trying to figure out what you haven’t done yet. You will need to be much more focused and diligent when you do the spring cleaning; otherwise, it will take forever.

So it’s time to create your spring house cleaning checklist, but how do you do it?

Well, at first you need to go through each room and find out what you have not cleaned for a while. This may include walls, fans, under couches, etc. Don’t forget to list the corner of the ceiling.
An effective way to clean cobwebs is with a broom. A broom can reach any height of the wall, which means you don’t need to climb. 



So, walk around each room and carefully make your spring cleaning checklist of tasks you want to accomplish. Without a checklist, the whole task may turn into messy and time-consuming work.

·        Right Vacuum Cleaner Accessories
A typical mistake made when cleaning is that we always try to use a couple of multi-purpose vacuums to clean everything in the home. As far as spring cleaning tips go, it is very important to realize that utilizing a multipurpose vacuum for everything means that you are spending too much time scrubbing what you don’t need to. You can read reviews on the best cheap vacuum cleaners online and make a decision to buy one based on your requirements.

So, what type of vacuum cleaner should you use for your spring cleaning purposes?

Ensure that the vacuum you're using is the perfect one for the job. For instance, if you want to clean your bathroom, you should use a bathroom cleaner that is designed for soap scum. If you are not doing it this way, then you are spending too much time cleaning your shower.
Now, if you are looking to clean your floor, it is recommended to use a canister vacuum and try to use a scrub brush instead of a mop. You will spend less time when you use a scrub brush. Your tendency will be to make the floor shiny again, and the output will be nicer.

·         Paint Your Walls
You are not cleaning anything here, but painting your walls. Technically, painting walls is a very easy and affordable way to make your home sparkle again. Spring is the perfect time to do the painting because you can keep your windows open to do the task.

Now, which color should you use to paint your home?
Yes, it’s an interesting question because it will change the whole outlook of your home. You can use an existing color to paint it again, but I think you should be more creative in choosing the color.
If you like to have a light, airy feel in your home, use a light color, but at the same time, if you find a darker color that you love to use, then paint it on one of your walls and for the rest, use a lighter color. The contrast will be dazzling.

·        Learn How to Clean Home Fast

When you have learned how to clean your home faster, then your spring cleaning housework is likely to be completed, and you'll have lots of time to savor the spring weather since you have brought your home back up to a higher level.

When I have mastered the art of speed cleaning, I don’t need to be afraid of drop-in guests or spend the whole day cleaning my house throughout the year … or nagging the kids to help me. I’ll have more time to do the things I enjoy!

No-Bake Drop Cookies #chocolate #peanutbutter #easytreats

It drives me nuts how much grocery stores and cookies shops charge for these cookies when they are so cheap and simple and fast to make at home! Our local cookie store charges $1.50 for one of these cookies, which is the equivalent of about 2-3 of the cookies from the recipe below (they just made it bigger and in the shape of a patty). They also charge $3 for one dozen of the small cookies. Plus, this recipe makes about 4 dozen cookies, which makes them perfect for taking to school or other events while you save some for yourself at home!



You can find this recipe along with 12 more great dessert recipes in my book, The Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook!




1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
2 cups sugar (I made these with 1.5 cups coconut sugar and 1/2 cup regular sugar and they were okay; taste was different but probably better for your glycemic index)
3 T cocoa
1 t vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups quick cooking oats (not old fashioned)

Bring first 4 ingredients to a full rolling boil in a saucepan. If you don’t, the cookies won’t set up and will be a blobby mess.

Take them off the burner and stir in the peanut butter until it’s all mixed in. Then add vanilla. Then add oats. You might need a little more than 3 cups, but go easy because they do set up once they are on wax paper.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. A small scoop is great for this. Wait a little bit before eating and eat the rest out of the pan using a spatula!
don't let small children help with this recipe because it's HOT!!! here is Samuel back in 2011 helping make some other desserty concoction!

Physical Investment Ideas For The Beginner

Getting into investment can be tough. Of course, at first you’ll need some form of disposable income that you need to get your foot in the door, and this truly does need to be disposable because you could lose it if something goes wrong. You can mitigate the chances of losing your money by being savvy and doing your research. This way, you can hedge the investment in your favour as best as possible, after all that’s what investment is all about. The true investment skills come with years of practice, so caution is needed until you are competent. To start out, here are some tips that can see your investment opportunities pay off.


Go For Property


If you have disposable income, then property is one of the best routes to take. Primarily because you can actually have something tangible and physical to show for the investment of capital. You can start buy buying to rent out, which is always a good earner on the side. You can go for lovely places where people would want to go on holiday, such as this land for sale. If you find nice areas like this then you are pretty much guaranteed a return, but be weary because if the weather turns for a portion of the year then you may be without income for this time. You don’t need to buy to let either. Instead you can buy a property, make some changes then sell it on at a profit. The issue here is tradesman costs. It can work if you know a tradesman who can do the work at a good rate. Otherwise, your margins need to be dead on to ensure you are making a profit. These changes can be small, or large such as major structural expansions. Whatever you decide, make sure to do your research first. Work out how much you will make by investigate similar sales in the area. If you fail to plan you plan to fail, map it all out and you’ll be fine, but if you go in blind you could lose your money.

Source


Art


Again, another type of investment that you can actually hold and see is in art. It can be quite hard to get the investment right, so be sure to find something from someone with skill and indeed something you know will look good in your home. Further down the line, when there are no pieces left from that particular image or painting you can sell it for a profit. To truly make huge profits in art you need to be well versed in the industry, but you can still invest. You can find some good pieces here for all budgets.


Precious Jewels

Physical investments like in jewels or metals are a great bet too. Gold has never been more expensive, so those who have it can sell it on for favourable rates. It is far better than stocks where you cash can vanish into thin air, because again you actually have the items in your grip. Prices fluctuate, so keep an eye on the price and sell when high for a return.

Naturally Fun Ways to Get Outside with Your Kids


Sending your kids off to play is a great way to get rid of them when you need a break. But you don't always want to send them off to do their own thing. They're growing up fast, and you don't want to miss out on too much with them. Perhaps you want to join in with their play, but you're not sure how or if you're welcome. Playing with your kids outside can help to keep you fit, and it gives you time to bond. But you have to be able to keep up and make it fun for them, or they won't want you tagging along. Try these ideas to get outside with your kids.

Be Willing to Run Around

If you want your children to keep fit and run around, you have to be willing to join them. Leading by example is the best way to pass on your values to your kids. So if you want them to have a healthy attitude to exercise, show them that you're happy to back up your words with your actions. If you're not used to running around, it might take you awhile to get used to it. But the more you play soccer or touch football or join in with a race, the easier it will get to keep up with your kids. You can even go on runs together.

Get Some Wheels

If you're not that keen on running, getting something with wheels can change things. You can get a bike, look at scooters for sale, or even try a pair of rollerskates. Whether your kids are on their own wheels or just on their feet, you'll be able to keep up with them. If they like going to the skatepark, you can join them and maybe even try out some tricks together. You could go for a bike ride together, and even put smaller ones in a seat or trailer if they're too young to have their own bicycle.


Encourage Playing Pretend

The world is a big place, and it's easy to turn it into a land fit for adventure. Whether you're in your backyard or roaming a forest, there are so many ways for the kids to use their imagination. You can help them get started and encourage them to keep going. If you feel like you don't have a great imagination, it's easy to find some ideas online.

Explore Nature Together

Another way to explore when you're outside is to pay attention to nature. You can help your children to do this by giving them activities to do and helping them out with them. For inspiration, just look online for nature activities for kids. You can print out some activity sheets, use pieces of paper to draw and write things down, or even buy some simple tools like magnifying glasses or binoculars. You might find yourself enjoying nature just as much as the kids do.

You don't have to send off the kids on their own whenever they play outside. Join in and have fun with them while they'll still let you.

Give Thanks For All You Have

It is far, far too easy to focus on everything that we don’t have in our lives. This causes depression, feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, and a whole other range of negative feelings that we could really do without. There’s a secret antidote to this, however, and it’s so simple that you might wonder how you ever lived without it. It is: giving thanks! Whether you’re religious or not, sharing a few moments of gratitude with the universe for all you have is the key to a happy life, and will bring you a level of joy that no product or even experience can match. Here’s how it’s done.

pexels-photo-135013.jpeg
Source: Pexels.com

Get Some Perspective


Everyone needs some perspective every now and again, but it’s much harder when we live hectic lives in a busy urban area. On any given day we might: have a rushed morning, have a terrible day at work, be stuck in traffic, and have an evening where we do little other than make dinner and fall asleep. If we live in a busy city, this cycle might become our entire lives. When it’s like this, it’s hard to look at the bigger picture and give a nod of thanks for all we have. But take a step back and you’ll soon see that you live a pretty charmed life. Take a trip out to somewhere beautiful, somewhere where you can see stars, and look at your life from outside. It doesn’t look so bad, does it? Make that part of your cycle too, whether it’s once a week or month, and see the world anew.

At the End of Each Day


Remember the list of bad things that might have happened during your day that I mentioned above? Well though they weren’t great, they were only a handful of things that happened during your day. Many more things happened also, and they most definitely were not all bad. For example, did you have a nice lunch? Were you able to buy a special coffee? Do you have somewhere to sleep tonight? We’re conditioned to want more and more, but we should really be thankful for what we have. At the end of each day, make a list, written or mental, of all the good things that you had in your day. You don’t need to go overboard and get all sentimental about a nice coffee; just listing them will reinforce good thoughts and feelings.

Spread the Love To Your Family


Your family have always done their best, whether it feels like it or not. All families are complicated, and we might feel hurt and let down by some actions of our immediate family, but they’ll always be your family - and you should be making sure you're doing all you can to make them feel thrived by life. When your parents are getting old, make sure they’re well taken care of; make sure they have enough food in the fridge, or click here to find a senior living community. With your siblings, make sure they know how much you value them. Spreading kindness to others can bring a deep sense of joy, which shows that humans by nature are inherently kind - and lets your family know you are thankful for having them in your life.

...And To Strangers


It’s easy to get wrapped up in our own lives, and to see everyone else in the world as merely a small character in a universe that is our own. But don’t forget: every single person on the planet is going through something, they’re experiencing the same highs and lows as you are, have anxieties and insecurities just as you, and want to be happy just like you also. Don’t brush them off, or think that in any way are you superior to them. Treat every single person as you would like to be treated. You would be nowhere without your fellow man (really! What would you do if other people weren’t around to prop you up?), so giving thanks for them is one to show gratitude for your life.

Compare With Yourself


Humans get to their lowest points when they compare where they’re up to in their life with other people. Perhaps your friend has a house and a car, while you’re still struggling to pay rent. Maybe another friend travels the world, while you feel tied down by a house and a mortgage. Everybody wants something they don’t have, and no matter how great a person’s life might be, it won’t be perfect - perhaps what is unique about theirs is that they don’t let their problems bring them down. If you have to compare, do so against yourself - where you’ve been, how you’ve grown, and so on. Odds are, you’ve come a long way without even realising it.

pexels-photo-136411.jpeg
Source: Pexels.com

Feel Alive


In all likelihood, you’ll have eaten or drank something today without even stopping to actually taste what you’re putting in your mouth. Learning to be more thankful for your life is about opening yourself up to the wonders of life, to let your senses really feel what’s happening. This can be taking the time to enjoy a prepared meal, actually focusing on a song that is playing, or just being aware of what you’re touching. Being thankful is closely linked to feeling alive, and there’s no better way to feel alive than to let sensations wash over you.

What are You Saying?


It’s amazing how what we say can dictate how we’re feeling. If you’re complaining about life on a daily basis, then of course things like stalled traffic and other daily inconveniences are going to annoy you - it’s confirmation bias, effectively. You think and say negative things, something negative happens, and you see the world through negative eyes. On a daily basis, do you say things like “wow, look at that blue sky!” and “say, that was a fine meal!”, or do you say “it’s a bit cold isn’t it’ and ‘urgh, now we have to do dishes”? Whatever you preach will come true. Make sure your voice is looking on the bright side of life, and things might just begin to look good!

Lie in The Grass


There are many things you can do to make yourself make thankful, but how often do you sit back, lie in the grass, and just let your mind wander to wherever it wants to go? Not every moment of your life has to be about self-improvement or trying to be happy. Take some time to do, well, nothing, and you’ll almost certainly find yourself in a happy, positive state of mind. Life can be many things, and that’s great, but you can’t beat spending some time in the sunshine (or in front of a fire if it’s winter), dreaming of all the things you’ve yet to do.

...and If All Else Fails


If you’re absolutely struggling to see the good things about a commute to work or daily grind, then remember this: today is the best time to be alive...ever. Depending on where you’re from, you probably have more opportunities to travel be who are than at any other point in the history of the world. It’s easy to get bogged down in the feeling that there isn’t much to be thankful for, but there really is - the world is safer, better fed, better watered than ever before. Things are picking up and improving all the time. So if you only have one thing to be thankful for, make it: that you’re living in a prosperous age!

Thursday, February 16, 2017

The Aging Parents Role Reversal: Five Coping Strategies You Need

There comes a time in life when the roles reverse. The parents who brought you up, cared for you, gave you your values and nursed you through every phase of life... suddenly need your help. It seems to happen overnight, and it's a startling realization that you're now the primary adult and decision-maker in the relationship.

If you find yourself struggling with the new change, it's worth making the time to take a few steps to help you adjust to the new situation. With a little time investment, you can ensure the new status quo is one that works for everyone.

1. Give yourself a chance to be upset. When you realize that your parents are aging and may not be able to make the same decisions they used to, it's heartbreaking. Give yourself some time to adjust rather than trying to force yourself to be okay with it. It's a big change, a sudden assumption of responsibilities for you and a fresh set of concerns. It's normal for you to feel thrown by it.

2. Make sure you know what to look for. There is a significant risk of degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease or dementia as people age, and this is something you need to be aware of. With treatment and therapy, these conditions can become a lot more manageable and significantly increase the quality of life for your loved one. So familiarize yourself with the warning signs, and if necessary, seek medical advice.


3. Get the information you need. If you work and/or care for your children, there's every chance you might not have many spare hours to care for an ailing parent. Or perhaps you literally can't be there, if you now live in a different part of the country. Discuss with your parents and see what routes they would prefer to go down in the future. Perhaps they would prefer at-home for Alzheimer's care or are more reassured by the idea of a retirement community. It might even be feasible for you to bring them into your own home - but these are all conversations you need to have as early as possible. Facing these realities will help ease anxiety for all concerned.

4. Think the worst. Try and run through a few likely scenarios and think of how you would deal with them. If your parents called you in the middle of the work day and said they were feeling unwell, what would you do? Would you need any outside assistance from anyone else? Might you need a care agency, or perhaps they need a nurse for this exact situation? Run through the possibilities and see how you would respond.

5. Know where to get help. When you do the above exercise, you may realize you need a nurse or other support staff to assist you in caring for your parents. So source such assistance as soon as possible, before the crisis hits. You can be reassured you have got the right plans in place should the worst happen. Your parents will also have the time to meet and get to know anyone who might be assisting you, making it easier for all concerned.


There's no doubt it's a difficult adjustment to make, but with a few precautionary steps, you can walk forward ready for what comes next.


Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Mid-Life Joint Issues? Here's What I'm Doing to Work on That

For some reason, last year around my 45th birthday my body started freaking out on me. I have always been a walker ... walking a couple of miles a day no problem as well as about 5,000 steps a day just living my normal life. Slowly I started to notice my left knee was hurting and my hip as well (more like toward the pelvis). In the fall I went to a physical therapist, who helped some by kneading my IT band (Google it ... I had no idea it connected to so much stuff) until I nearly cried and was sweating from the pain (and I've given birth naturally before, friends, so when I say it hurt, I mean it FLIPPING HURT). I got a big roller for my butt and IT band. I got a tiny rolling pin on Amazon to carry around for on the go. One day they put me on the Pilates machine after pretty much ignoring me for other, double-booked patients, the machine made things worse, and I didn't go back.

I went to my doctor and he was unhelpful. I was thinking an X-ray of my pelvic region and knee just in case but he's like, "Stretch and walk with your toes more pointed out."

Neither of these professionals told me to take a supplement and I started to wonder why they wouldn't recommend that along with the stretching and exercises. They just kind of had an attitude like, "Oh, you're just getting older and are 5'2" and weigh 155 pounds so there you go [although neither of them told me to lose weight, which they SHOULD HAVE]."

So I said, "Forget you guys. I'm doing this my dang self. I'm going to take a pill supplement and then I'm going to try this powder. And if those don't work I'm  hitting a chiropractor next."

I just started on this supplement but want to hit it hard once my pills are gone. It's a once a day thing. Stinks bad but tastes good so don't be put off by the smell and I'm sure my joints are going to thank me for this, according to reviews.

ProAlphaNutrition is, interestingly enough, co-owned by a KC family we met in Wyoming in 2012! They also have stuff like greens and other healthy things so check them out!

Got this on Amazon and I take 2 a day usually
You really have to continue using these products to see any results. I used the pills for over a month before I realized that I was going to bed without Advil and I wasn't crying at the end of the day from pain. Back in December I was so depressed and resigned to gaining weight from lack of exercise (my love = walking) and I had no hope. But I am not a hopeless kind of girl. I am a happy girl so I gave supplements a shot and so far so good. I am not 100% ... I have to take it slow. But now a 10,000-step day, which before would have been impossible and very painful to try to sleep through later, is not really such a big deal. I do have to stretch or muscles get too tight but so far I'm not doing a huge list of exercises. Sometimes I do have to massage my IT band but that's to be expected.

How are your joints? Upper or lower. Are you noticing your mobility changing in your 40s?

Property Problems: How To Make Selling Your Home Easier

house-for-sale-sign.jpg


If there's one thing, just about everyone can agree on it's that selling your house can be a seriously stressful experience. For many people, it just about the most stressful and difficult thing that they'll ever do. Not only do you have a lot of money on the line but there's also a chance that you're hoping for it to happen as quickly as possible so that you're able to move to a new place. There are few things more frustrating than finding yourself unable to buy your dream home because your old one simply hasn't sold yet. But things don't always need to be that way; there are plenty of things that you can do in order to make sure that selling your home is as simple and easy as possible. While this advice can't promise to make the whole process particularly enjoyable, it can help you avoid pulling your hair out with frustration. So, here are a few things that you can do to make selling your home just a little bit easier.


Start early


When you're selling your home, it's usually because you've decided to move to somewhere new. The problem is that many people become so wrapped up in their future plans that they don't think about the time frame that they should be working with. Don't start looking for new properties until the process of selling your home is well underway. Far too often people find their perfect home but lose out because they were still waiting on the sale. If you start the process as early as possible, then you're in a much better position to buy and sell within a sensible time frame. Not only that but the sooner you get your house onto the market, the sooner you can get a decent sense of exactly what you need to do in order to make it sell. You might have overestimated what buyers would be willing to pay, or you might have found that the way you lay out the property doesn't actually show off, it's best qualities as effectively as possible. By learning these things early then, you're going to be able to make adjustments without rushing or panicking about them.


Break the chain


chain-297842_960_720.png


Getting stuck in a chain when you're selling your property can be incredibly frustrating. It can often leave you waiting around for months when you're more than ready to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. If you can, taking the chance to break the chain is a fantastic idea. Marketing the property to first-time buyers is one of the best things that you can do because they are often in a position where they will want to buy as soon as possible. This allows you to dictate the time frame for selling the property and keeps you in much more control than if you were at the mercy of someone else's schedule. If you're not in a rush to move into somewhere new, or if you have somewhere that you can go when you do sell the property, that will help as well. It won't necessarily make the property sell more easily, but it will make the entire process much easier and less stressful for you.


Make it presentable


You're obviously not selling the contents of the property but you'd be surprised at what a difference presenting your property well can make. When people view a property, they want to be able to imagine it as a home, not just as a building. By seeing that it's being lived in, they can get a much more distinct sense of what it would be like for them. Of course, it's easy to go too far with this. You don't want to fill the property up with too much clutter; otherwise prospective buyers aren't going to be able to see visualize the property at all because it's so covered in your stuff. It's incredibly important that you prepare your house for sale. Make sure that it looks inviting, yet neutral. A few personal touches here and there are fine, just don't go overboard with them if you can help it. It's also a good idea to think about the front of the house. Most people tend to only focus on the interior but don't forget that the front is the first thing most buyers actually see. Make sure that the front yard is well maintained and the door has a fresh coat of paint as well. These small touches really can make a whole world of difference.


Find the right agent


real-estate-agents-1116776_960_720.jpg


The right real estate agent can make a huge difference on how easy it is to sell your home. You've got to make sure to find one who can market your property in the right places; this means that it's a good idea to look at the kinds of properties that they've dealt with in the past. If they have a decent amount of experience with the same kinds of properties and buyers that you have in mind, then you can feel fairly secure and confident that your home will be in good hands. Also, if things aren't really going the way you want them to, don't feel shackled to a single agent. Their job is to help you sell your home, and if they're not doing that, then there's nothing wrong with moving over to someone else who is going to help you. Finding the right agent really can be the difference between finally selling your house and it sitting on the market for months, even years at a time!


Whatever you do, selling your home is never going to be a particularly simple or relaxing process, but with this advice, you'll be able to make the most of it without losing out financially or going insane from stress and frustration.

Friday, February 10, 2017

It’s Never Too Late to Learn New Skills

A lot of people get through life by working hard and sticking to their job. In fact, a lot of people would prefer to find a job to work in as soon as possible instead of spending time and money on college or university. This Is usually caused by all the horror stories people share online about being unable to find a job regardless of your qualification because very few people will hire someone without experience.


However, as you grow older and move on in life, you’ll find that there are many job opportunities that you simply can’t take because you don’t have the correct qualifications despite having enough experience. Luckily, it’s never too late to learn something new, be it a new skill or pick a hobby that you never knew you wanted. Learning can empower us, open new business prospects such as working from home and enlighten us about life.




Online learning


With so many online resources that are both free and paid, there’s never been a better time to pick up a new skill and learn something fun or interesting. Online courses might even come with a degree if you take the right courses or if the service you use offers them.


If learning a skill via online courses it all too formal, then there are hundreds of YouTube guides that will teach you everything from cooking your favorite cuisines to knitting a jumper for a friend or loved one. With so many options available and online retailers to supply the equipment and materials for your skill skills and hobbies, there’s no excuse not to get started today.


A degree


You might have heard the time bachelor degree many times, but what is a bachelor degree? The short version is that it’s a degree awarded by a college or university upon completing a course of study that has to last around three to seven years. It is usually enough to find a good job and can help to empower your current career and open up more opportunities for you.




Studying for a bachelor's degree can take a very long time depending on what subjects you pick. Luckily, you can start studying for a degree no matter what your age is—it’s never too late to learn! There are many people that change their minds despite having worked at a job for a very long time. These people live happily with their jobs, but something will always spur them on and convince them to try something new and it’s usually their curiosity that drives them to try something new and go back to studying. You could get your GRE Certification (http://crushthegretest.com/) and head to graduate school.

A degree can be what it takes to turn your life around. Whether you’re suffering at your regular job because you feel you picked the wrong career choice or if you just fancy a chance, don’t assume that you’re too old to start studying for a new degree. Work hard, gather up enough money or look for financing options, and don’t be afraid to go back to university or college to learn something new.