Sign up with Swagbucks in August and Get a 300 SB Bonus!

All throughout August you can earn large bonuses when sign up as my referral on Swagbucks. Swagbucks is a rewards site where you earn points (called SB) for things you're probably doing online already, like searching the web, watching videos, shopping, discovering deals, and taking surveys. Then you take those points and exchange them for gift cards to places like Amazon, Target, or PayPal cash. 

When you sign up through me this month, you can earn a 300 SB bonus! Here's how: 

1. Sign up using this link 

2. Earn 300 SB total before September 1st, 2018. You'll get a 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 now earned 125,158 and I've shared many times that I love to cash out with PayPal so I can use the money for homeschool books, clothes on eBay for the kids (they grow like weeds!), office supplies, things for the garden or pool. It's amazing!

5 Eco-Friendly Ways To Keep a Pet

Pet ownership is as popular than ever in the United States. A recent study noted that there are almost 90 million dogs in households across the country, and pet ownership in the U.S. has increased over 10 percent during the past 30 years. If you own a pet, you may be struggling to keep a balance of knowing the joy of having a dog, cat, or other pet while caring for them in a way that protects the environment as well. Fortunately, there are a few actions you can take that keep your pet and the planet safe.

1.      Keep Your Pets Indoors

Cats and some dog breeds are natural hunters and will stalk and kill animals if they are allowed to roam. This is especially true of male cats, which prey on birds, small mammals, and even large insects. Your cat can have a serious impact on the bird population in your area and leave it vulnerable to parasitic diseases from eating them. To protect your yard’s birds and your pets’ health, do not let your cat or dog roam freely and keep them in an enclosed outdoor area instead.

2.      Switch Your Cat’s Litter

Changing your cat’s litter box can cause air pollution from the smelly dust commercial litters often create. This residue may also affect your cat’s health, as it raises dust each time it uses the box. This issue can be especially troublesome if your cat uses an enclosed box. You can support the environment and improve your pet’s health by switching to wheat-based litter or shredded newspaper. Choosing a natural litter may take some time, as you might have to find one your cat prefers, but the change can be beneficial for it and your home’s air quality.

3.      Use Natural Cleaning Products

Bathing and cleaning up after your pet can be quite a chore, and you may be choosing the most convenient products possible to accomplish those chores. However, reviewing the ingredients in your pet’s shampoo, flea, and tick protection can be help you be kinder to the environment. Switch out your current shampoo with one that is biodegradable and contains natural ingredients, such as colloidal oatmeal and plant-based cleansers.

Protecting your pets from fleas, ticks, and mosquitos is probably another priority for you; however, sprays and collars might contain toxins that are harmful to the environment and other animals if they are not disposed of properly. Consider using sprays made of essential oils, such as peppermint, that repel biting insects naturally. These can be found in most pet supply stores and online.

4.      Conserve Water  

You may not think too much about water conservation when caring for your pets, but there are a few ways you accomplish this. For example, when you clean your pets’ dishes, do not leave the water running. Wash them in hot water with a gentle soap, then give them a brief rinse in a shallow pan of water.

When you bathe your pet, turn off the water as you shampoo instead of letting it run. If leaving it on is simpler for you, then make sure the water is being channeled somewhere useful, such as into your garden. The Cadiz Water Project Twitter page has more information on water conservation that may give you more ideas about how to save water.

5.      Choose Biodegradable Cleanup Products

Cleaning up after your dog while walking it in public is a must, but because plastic bags do not biodegrade, they can be harmful to the environment in the long run. Switching to containers that are made of biodegradable material can support your local ecosystem and make you feel more confident that you are doing your part to help the earth.

Owning a pet can be a joy and a big responsibility. However, using eco-friendly products and practices can ensure that your dog or cat stays as safe and healthy as the environment in which they live.

Virtual Views - How to Take Advantage of Your Virtual Office

Image: https://images.askmen.com/1080x540/money/career/lessons-from-a-young-entrepreneur-1106093-TwoByOne.jpg

While mining and manufacturing have historically been industries that are attractive to business in
Indonesia, tourism has seen a recent uptick in interest as well. For those thinking about a start-up, the
country still has many opportunities for growth in many areas. However, those unfamiliar with the
country’s many islands might find the task of searching for office space difficult much less daunting.

Probably one of the most effective ways to address office space problems in Indonesia is to manage
your business through a virtual office until you are comfortable with the Indonesian terrain. Your
virtual office can fit out your business with most of the amenities that are standard in a traditional
office. Even better for your budget is the fact that your overhead is manageable through the virtual
office.

Let’s take a look at some ways your virtual office based in Jakarta can work for your business and help
you to move closer to your goals.

Cost-Effectiveness

For those looking to set up shop in Indonesia, you are going to have a bit of a tough time finding
affordable office space if you are not familiar with the landscape. Furthermore, leasing space in Jakarta
can be expensive, especially if you are trying to work in some of the more prestigious business
districts. The virtual office, however, can place you in prestigious locations at the fraction of the price
of conventional office space.

With the virtual office, you essentially move your business to an online format, which allows you to
travel and work from any location. Typically, leasing companies will fit out your business with a
reliable internet service, in addition to providing you with the use of conference and meeting rooms
on an as-needed basis. Businesses save money because they do not occupy space throughout the month,
but only when needed.

Flexibility

Another benefit of the virtual office relates to the fact that these offices can essentially be set up
anywhere, just as long as you have an internet connection and a device. For those with their
office address in Jakarta, you could essentially work from any location in Indonesia and travel to the
city when needed. This flexibility is also very valuable when you need to work in more than one
location at once. You could essentially manage a business in one part of the country and take care of
business with clients in other parts of the world in the same moment. With the right management
system, your business can boost productivity.

Scalability

These office leases tend to be much more flexible as well. Typically, an office lease in Jakarta can last
a couple of years, but virtual office leasing runs month-to-month, and the initial start-up costs are very
inexpensive. If your business expands or the status changes, you can easily modify your lease and
move into a larger space. Essentially, your virtual office lease leaves your business room to grow into
a serviced office, if necessary.

Creativity

Finally, the virtual office allows your business the freedom to create an online office suite
that meets your needs. Because this suite is essentially your office, with the right software, you can
establish functionality based on the needs of the business and how you plan to use the space. Your
virtual team could design an office that is attractive to clients, but functions for the needs of the
company.

Taking Advantage Of Virtual Freedom

The virtual office tears down the walls found in traditional office space. With an office of your own
making and limitless space, you have the freedom to benefit from the online landscape, which has
many lucrative opportunities. Just think, with a device and an internet connection, you can build an
empire.

5K Runs and Walks in Kansas City: Diva Dash July 20, 2019 #DivaDash5K

Before I was the homeschooling writer mom of 5, I used to love to walk all the time as a stress reliever and to stay in shape. Walking is something you can do as a parent anytime, but now that my youngest is 9 and my oldest is 18, it's a lot easier for me to fit in time for my own fitness. 

Because I love walking so much, I'll be posting upcoming walk/runs in Kansas City as I find them. This does not mean I'll be participating in all of them, so don't show up expecting me to sign autographs or anything. I MIGHT or MIGHT NOT be there, depending on household funds at the time, Mr. Kerrie's travel situation, my sanity level, etc. Enjoy the race info, and go out and find some in your town!

Diva Dash 5K and Lil Princess Girls Run

The 7th annual Diva Dash 5K & Lil' Princess Girls Run was Sunday, July 20, 7:30 am at Corporate Woods in

Overland Park, KS! 

About the 5K - Participants receive a race shirt, custom bib, and finishers of the 5K receive a large medal.

About the Lil' Princess Girls Run - girls ages 8 and under can participate in this fun run of 50-200 yards based on age. Participants will receive a shirt, custom bib, tiara, and Lil' Princess medal. The Lil' Princess Fun Run starts after the 5K is complete (approximately 8:30 am).

About the Virtual 5K - run on your own whenever and wherever works for you and we will mail your shirt, bib, and finisher's medal to you.

P.S. I get my info from the fabulous KC Running Company website.

On a personal note, here's my walking story for National Walking Day a couple of years ago with an update.

When you're all done, you'll be hungry! Grab a copy of my Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook and whip up a batch of happiness for dinner!

Follow These Safety Tips On Your Next Family Road Trip

You are bubbling with excitement while planning your family road trip. The day finally arrives; you fill up the trunk with your belongings and suitcases and get ready to hit the road.

No matter how careful you are or claim to be, anything can happen while on the road. It does not matter if you are driving for an hour, two, or several. There are certain safety tips that must be followed at all times to ensure the safety of you, your family, and the car. You don’t want your long-awaited trip to be ruined with an emergency visit to the hospital. Even if nothing happens to your health, should an accident occur, you might have to spend a lot of money fixing your car! There are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure that none of this occurs. These include avoiding distraction, getting the car serviced, sorting proper car insurance, getting enough sleep, making stops along the way and keeping a first-aid kit handy. Avoid bad situations by adhering to the following safety tips while on the road.

Avoiding distraction and keeping safe

The first safety tip is to be attentive at all costs. While embarking on a family road trip, your kids may be in the back and the longer the drive, the higher the likelihood that a scuffle or argument will occur at some point. Being the driver, your eyes must be kept on the road at all times to avoid distraction no matter what is happening in the back seats. Avoid getting emotional, avoid constantly being in conversation with those in the car and remain mindful the entire time that as the driver, you hold a fair bit of responsibility.

The distractions do not only occur inside the car but outside. Do not let other careless drivers anger you, but also avoid those drivers at all times. If your road trip is around more remote areas, you could have a deer or other wild animal jump in front of your car at any point. All these potential dangers are just further reasons to make sure you drive the speed limit. The point of a family road trip is for the entire family to bond and relax together. You do not want it ruined by being pulled over by a cop for negligent driving, or let something even worse happen.

Getting the proper car maintenance beforehand

You don’t want any last minute surprises where your car stops working mid-trip. Thus, in advance of embarking on the family road trip, you need to bring your car in for a service check-up. There is some unavoidable car maintenance where you do not have a choice but to bring it in, and then there are preventative measures you can take. Is there enough oil? Do the brakes work? Are your taillights intact? Once everything has been checked, and it is all good to go, the last step is filling the tank up with gas. Aside from gas, you should not have to stop an hour into the trip because you ran out of oil, or your windshield wipers don’t work while there is an on-going thunderstorm, and so on. You are now one step closer to being prepared for the long drive ahead of you.

Equipped with the proper car insurance

In the event that something should still happen on the drive, are you equipped with the proper car insurance? There are various car insurances you can choose from, and you need to decide which is right for you. Depending on your current financial situation, you can seek the advice of the financial professionals at Bonsai Finance, to determine what type of coverage works well with your financial situation, such as choosing comprehensive versus collision coverage. Comprehensive insurance pays for any damages that are not a result of an accident (weather, theft, etc.), whereas collision insurance covers that related to an unfortunate accident. Which car insurance is right for you? Financial advisers can help you determine the financing behind your decision.

Ensure you get enough sleep

Being the driver and responsible for everyone that is in the car with you, you need to make sure you get enough sleep before driving. Most adults require 7-9 hours of sleep in order to be alert and functioning. When you don’t get enough sleep, your senses are not heightened, and you are more prone to causing an accident. Your reaction to anything that happens on the road must be swift and strategic. For instance, should a deer jump in front of your car, a lack of sleep could cause you to react slower than normal. You can avoid these simple step backs by sleeping well.

Make stops along the way

In addition to sleeping enough, driving for long periods of time can make anyone dizzy, so it’s important to make stops along the way. As soon as you feel your eyes glazing over the road, it’s best to pull over somewhere. Consider stopping at a restaurant somewhere, or even booking an earlier hotel before you reach your final destination. If there are two adults in the car that can take turns driving, this will also make the road trip easier for both of you.

Keep a first aid kit

In the event of a minor accident, while driving, you should get into a habit of keeping a first aid kit in the car. You should make a list of certain key items to include, such as antibiotic ointments, bandages, scissors, alcohol wipes and so on. It’s always better to be prepared, than have to stop at stores last-minute to buy what you need.

Family road trips are the perfect opportunity for families to spend much-needed time together. Everyday life and work, or even school, can sometimes be stressful and everyone needs a break. However, it is important to remember to be cautious while driving at all times. It isn’t enough to be alert on the road, but the necessary preventive measures must be followed at all costs – this includes having the appropriate car insurance and bringing your car in at the service. After you have done everything on this list, you are good to go!