Time Is Money, Especially at Home

When you’re presented with a time-consuming task, you usually have the option of throwing money at it in order to speed it up. This usually seems like a terrible idea, but time is ultimately money and there’s more to this exchange than you might think. For starters, let’s assume that you’re moving home. Are you going to drive a handful of boxes to and from your new home, or are you going to hire movers to assist you? Most people would cringe at the idea of hiring someone to drive your own possessions, but if you take the time to analyse the costs and think smart about it, then you’d be surprised at how much money you could actually save.

This is just one example of where paying for a service or putting money down could save you a lot of time. Time is precious, after all, and we need to make the best use of it if we’re going to enjoy life to the fullest. If you’re curious about how you can make the most of your time, then here are a couple of situations where spending money could make you happier in the long run.

Source: Pexels

Hiring a Gardener

If you’ve got a fairly large garden, then you might have considered hiring a gardener in the past. Unless gardening is your hobby, then it’s likely something you don’t actually look forward to. Gardeners can be fairly expensive, but it’s usually worth the cost because they not only help you manage your garden but can even give advice and help you design your garden. It’s a lot of space to waste away doing nothing, which is why many people have resorted to hiring services to improve their backyard.

Hiring a Cleaner

Not everyone likes cleaning, and if you live in a busy household then you might spend more time than you’re willing to on cleaning. That’s when home cleaning services can actually come in handy. If you’re willing to put a bit of money down, you can hire cleaning services that not only dust your home and keep it sparkling but can also assist in doing laundry, folding clothes and even polishing your home till it shines.

Hiring a Contractor

Contractors are expensive, but if you want to renovate your home or install something new, then it’s best to enlist the help of a professional. Of course, if you have DIY-savvy friends or know professionals that work in the business, then it might be better to ask them first. However, if you’re not too keen on relying on friends and family, then your next best bet is to hire a contractor that can not only do the work but help with any safety considerations that might prevent you from carrying out your plans.

Hiring a Repair Service

Repairing something like a toilet or broken pipe might seem easy, but there’s a lot that goes into home repairs that you might not completely understand. In a worst-case scenario, you might end up paying far too much money on power tools and materials when you could just hire a repair service to fix your home. Add to that the possibility of you breaking something and worsening the damage, and it’s going to cost way more than just asking a professional to help.

Swagbucks in Bloom ... Have a Fantastic September!

All throughout September you can earn big bonuses at Swagbucks, a rewards site where you earn points (called SB) for things you're probably doing online already, like searching, watching videos, discovering deals, and taking surveys. Then you take those points and exchange them for gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, or PayPal cash. 

When you sign up through me this month, you can earn a $3 bonus! Here's how: 

1. Sign up using this link 

2. Earn 300 SB total before 10/1/17. You'll get a $3 (300 SB) bonus for it! 

3. That's it. It's super easy, and Swagbucks is for real. I use it myself, and I've earned 94,161 Swagbucks since starting. I do a lot of online shopping and always link from Swagbucks because it really adds up!

Must-See Tourist Attractions in Quebec

As it takes up close to one-sixth of Canada, it is fair to say that the province of Quebec is packed with a diverse landscape of things to do. Whether it is historic cities, snowy mountains or sand dunes, there is something available for every type of traveler.

That’s why it is a little sad that the large majority of visitors only stick to Montreal and Quebec City. Admittedly they are the two main cities of the province and have plenty to offer to the discerning traveler, but there’s just so much more to Quebec than those places. So with that said, read on for some of the must-see tourist attractions in the Quebec province.

Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

Positioned just 22 miles away from Quebec City, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a cozy and quiet riverside town. Yet the half-million people that visit the area each year don’t come for its calming ambiance – the main attraction is the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. Known for being a hotbed for miracles, this basilica has a stunning appearance that will appeal even to those that are not religious. Note that the main period for pilgrimage is during the feast of Saint Anne, which takes place around July 26.

Magdalen Islands

Also known as the Îles de la Madeleine, the Magdalen Islands – which are situated in the Gulf of St. Lawrence – offers idyllic beaches and sand dunes. The area is made up of 12 islands, and six of these islands are connected to make them easy to explore. Ideal for summer trips, the Magdalen Islands is a great place to unwind on the beach, enjoy water sports and go bird or whale watching.   

Mont-Tremblant

When it comes to winter, ski resorts are in high demand in Canada. Arguably the best one is Mont-Tremblant, with a 960-meter peak that provides a skiing oasis for beginners and experts alike. Not only that, but Mont-Tremblant also supplies a healthy selection of entertainment and dining options.

If you’re looking for a luxurious, award-winning place to stay in this area, it is highly recommended you visit this site. Although be quick, as room reservations go quick!

Chutes Montmorency

If you have a love for nature and waterfalls, you have to plot a quick trip to the Chutes Montmorency. Just a short drive from Quebec City, this waterfall is a wide sweeping one that is perfect for aspiring photographers. This aspect is enhanced by a narrow bridge that crosses over the Montmorency River that provides a different vantage point of the waterfall.

Also, here’s an interesting fact: due to its 84-meter escarpment, the falls of the water are actually higher than the famous Niagara Falls!

Forillon National Park

Positioned at the edge of the Gaspé Peninsula, the Forillon National Park is the perfect locale if you want to go bird or whale watching. With limestone cliffs and a rugged landscape, the park is also great for exploring due to its picturesque nature. Also note that it also boasts the Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse, which is the tallest of its kind in all of Canada.

My Grandma and Cars.com Lessons for First-Time Buyers

Today's post is an emotional one because it makes me think of my grandparents. My Grandpa Bill died a year and a half ago, and his wife, who my kids called Great Susie, died Sunday. When I think of them, I think of my grandpa buying used cars pretty regularly so they always had something nice to drive. He would spend a lot of time sleuthing out car deals, but this was in the days of ... wait for it ... NO INTERNET! How easy it would be for him to find quality used cars at a deal today!

I have great memories of riding in the back of some lovely four-door classy cars listening to the latest pop music and heading to the local mall, Indian Springs, for some Smak's burgers for lunch then Cone-a-Copia for dessert, followed by some Fun Factory game time and probably even a movie. My grandma was super cool like that. I also remember the days before seat belts were mandatory and a bunch of us would cram into some big car and I'd sit on my Great Aunt Eva's lap eating her Tic Tacs and heading to Metcalf South Mall (now torn down ... so sad).

So fast forward to NOW. I have five kids who are going to be car hunting, which is hard to believe. My oldest is 16, about to get his restricted license (one step away from the "real" thing) and likes to work and make money. This means he is saving for his first car.

Grandma Stump with my oldest son Joel

Enter Cars.com because otherwise I wouldn't have a clue where to start. They aren't just there to sell you cars; they are also there to inform you about things like car seats, multi-car comparisons and lessons for first-time buyers! I was super interested in this last article, and was happy to see it had people sharing their mistakes and wisdom from when they bought their first car.

Look, I bought my first car at age 16 from my PARENTS ... Mom got a new 1984 maroon Chevy Cavalier and there was a 1978 yellow Chevette STICK SHIFT just waiting in the driveway for me to purchase in installments from my parents with my waitressing/hostessing money from Waid's Restaurant.

My Waid's uniform.

I was lucky. My kid doesn't have any hand-me-downs and will have to go hunting for himself. I love that he has places like Cars.com to check out with us so he can get the best bang his buck and find someone reliable and safe.

Yeah, baby. I was hot stuff driving around town in this puppy, riding that clutch and grinding those gears.

Tell me about YOUR first car and your plans for your kid's first car!

*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post.

5 Tips to Make Moving Easy

Moving home can be a stressful experience, even if everything goes smoothly, you still have a lot to do before and after the big day. Trying to organize your move so that it becomes less stressful is something everyone should do, but where do you start?

There are many easy things you can do that will make your life much easier, and they won’t take much time at all.

Choose Your Moving Crew

Having a company move your house for you is one of the best things you can do. Not only will it be quicker because they are professional, but it will also mean less anxiety and stress to get it all done in one day.

Companies such as Small Moving Inc can move you with little fuss and no stress. They will also be insured in case of damage, which you won’t have if you do it yourself.

Pack an Overnight Bag

Just as you would if you were going away for a weekend, pack a bag with all the essentials you will need for the night and the next day. Then, if you are too tired once you have finished moving, you won’t have to sift through all your things to find what you need.

Another good idea is to make sure the bed is the first thing put together and ready to go. Therefore, you can just crash out at the end of the day without late night panic and dread.

Pack the Items You Need First in a Clear Box

Make sure that you pack all your essentials in a clear box so that it stands out from the rest of the boxes. In there, you should place your toilet rolls, tea or coffee things, kettle, phone chargers and anything else you will need.

Try to make sure that this box is one of the last to go on the truck, or take it in the car with you. That way, when you arrive, you will have it all ready instead of waiting for it to be unpacked.

Padding for Your Breakables

If you don’t want to spend a fortune on bubble wrap, there is a good idea that will still protect your breakable items. Wrap them in clothing and tie them with string, then you can pack them, and they will be protected. If you need additional protection, roll up socks and gloves and tuck them in the corners or gaps.

It is also a good idea to tape mirrors or glass so that if they get broken, the pieces will be contained.

  

Label Your Boxes

Although this is a sensible thing to do, a lot of people don’t write on the boxes where they will go. It makes it much easier for the crew to place them in the right room, and it means you won’t need to move them around later.

These are just a few of the things you can do to make moving day easier. If you can keep organized as you are packing, you will find it will take less time to unpack at the other end.