Apps That All Parents Should Have

Image Credit

Nowadays most of us are relying on our mobile phones for pretty much everything and although some people may see this as a bad thing, technology of today certainly has its benefits, one of which is the ability to get things quickly and easily - such as if we get lost somewhere, we can pretty quickly open up Google Maps and find our way, or we can check the weather forecast for the next 7 days without having to wait until the evening news broadcast.

When it comes to apps, especially, there’s literally an app for everything, and if you’re a parent, then you’re going to find some of these apps to be must-have ones when trying to raise a family.

ChatterBlock:

This is an especially good app for those of you who are looking for fun things to do with your kids on a regular basis in your local area. So whether it’s planning a family day out or looking for a new class or something of interest that you and your child can do together and also meet new people, then ChatterBlock is a must-have app. Not only does it help you find things going on in the local area, but it also sends you notifications when it finds something in your area that you might like and sends you event reminders because life can be busy when you’re a parent and it can be easy to forget things.

Family Orbit:

When your child is older and starting to ask for things like their own phone, then one of the main concerns you likely have as a parent is the safety issue that comes with this, so one way to deal with this is by installing an app like Family Orbit on your child’s phone that allows you track their phone. Now, it’s important to remember that installing software like these is something you should be doing only with your child’s knowledge and not behind their back - it should be a condition of getting a phone, but if you do it without them knowing, you could majorly damage your relationship by violating their trust and privacy.

Chore Bank:

As your children get older, then teaching them the value of money and also personal responsibility is something that should be happening, and one of the best ways to go about this is through having them do certain chores for which they receive pocket money. Chore Bank is an app that’s been designed to track all of this and keep all of the information on who’s done what and how much they’ve earned in one place, which can be great for keeping them motivated as they see the money build up.

DisneyWorld Wait Times:

If you’re ever planning a trip to Disney with your children, then you know that one of the major downsides of visiting such a theme park is the massive wait times for the rides, so if you want to be prepared as much as possible, then download this app that lets you see the current waiting times for each ride so you can plan your day without standing in line.

Essential Tips that will Help you to Change your Life

If you feel as though you are in a rut with seemingly no way out, then you have to know that it is more than possible for you to turn things around. In fact, by just following the below tips you can be sure to make a major difference.

Slow Down

If you want to change your life, then you need to think about the choices that you have made in the past. You also need to reflect on those decisions, to come to terms with them. If you are constantly frantic about everything that is going on and if you make rash decisions then this will have a huge impact on your life, so take the time to slow down and find out what exactly it is you need to change. By doing this, you can then get a sense of where you are going, and why.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-jumping-during-sunset-on-a-beach-2041832/

Be Willing to Make a Change

It’s your life at the end of the day, and nobody can change it but you. If you are not willing to make a change then nobody else can do it for you. If you are struggling with motivation, then you need to realise that it’s entirely possible for your life to be better than it is now. Things can always be improved, and nothing is hopeless. You have the power to change any aspect of your life right now.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-woman-looking-at-the-mirror-774866/

Responsibility

Don’t blame other people for anything bad that has happened in your life. Don’t blame your boss, your family, your friends or anyone else for that matter. The main reason for this is because you need to accept responsibility if you want to make a major change. You need to be willing to own up and accept the fact that you always have some part to play, and by doing this you can then begin to get a much higher level of clarity on your life.

Empower Yourself

Limiting beliefs really are one of the biggest obstacles that will hinder you from changing your life for the better. You need to identify them before you can go on to handle them effectively. If you are constantly thinking that you can’t do something, or that everything you try and do ends in disaster then this won’t be doing much for your confidence. Instead, replace these thoughts with things that you can do. This will empower you to make the right change.

Set your Goals

When you are in the right mindset, you can then begin to make the change you need. Setting goals that can be reached with ease is crucial here. For example, if you want to stop smoking check out tiger’s blood. If you want to get a new job then start searching now. By focusing on your mindset before going on to set your goals, you can then help yourself to stay more focused and you can also increase the chance of actually achieving everything that you want in your life. Remember that it all starts with you, and you alone.

Need Help Finding a Mobile Phone Deal in 2019?

It has come to that time of the year when you decide that your iPhone 8 or Galaxy S9 phone is no longer good enough for you. As such, you might wish to get a new, cool phone such as the iPhone Xs or even the Galaxy S10E. As such, you will be in search of the best trade-in company to ensure that you get the best value to ensure you do not pay too much for your new Galaxy S10E. Here are some tips to get a good trade-in deal in 2019.

Fix the Phone First

If your Galaxy S10 or iPhone 8 is broken, you must first fix it. For instance, if you visit comparemymobile.com, you will find that a damaged phone can get less than half of what functional phones get. It might seem strange but even a small issue can cost you hundreds of pounds. For instance, if the screen is cracked, it will usually cost just over £100 to get it fixed. However, it could add many times more than that during the trade-in deal.

Compare Hundreds of Trade-In Sites

When trying to trade in your phone, you do not want to be in a rush. It can be quite easy to do this. Using a comparison site, they go out of their way to list the reviews for the various sites. Obviously, this matters since you can tell which sites will offer you a better deal for the iPhone devices and Android devices. Just by perusing through the various reviews, it will help you to know which sites are fussy and which ones will accept your Galaxy S10 even with a few scratches.

Comparing Trade-In Deals Could Earn You More

Comparing the trade-in deals offered at various sites will not just offer you a few extra pounds. It has been shown that by making such a comparison, you could potentially earn 43% more. It is a great way to ensure you pay as little as possible the next time you buy a new phone. With so many flagship phones released in 2019, finding better deals can ensure that you get your dream phone and not just the lite version.

Avoid Being too Loyal

When trying to get a great trade-in deal, loyalty is your worst enemy. Avoid going to just one retailer because you have been with them for so long. Take time and compare various services. Eventually, you could get a better deal for your disloyalty. Some online stores will promise you coupons but this will not mean anything if the deal they offer you is lower than the competition.

Timing Matters

If you wish to get a good deal, you have to time the trade-in perfectly. It can have a huge impact on how much you will actually get for your old phone. For instance, it has been found that an iPhone can lose as much as 20% in value in the three weeks before Apple launches a new phone. As such, it is advisable to lock in prices if you are trading-in a Galaxy S9 or iPhone. It will ensure that you have a chance of getting the best possible deal. You can always find a good company that extends its offer deadline during this period if you look hard enough.

Boost Savings Selling Your Family's Old iPhones

Apple traditionally introduces a new iPhone into the market every year. This means that you are probably wondering what to do with all the old family iPhones stashed away in your home. You could choose to recycle the old phones, give them away to friends, or sell them to boost your family savings.

If you are business savvy, you already know that Apple products tend to depreciate very slowly. What this means for you is that you have a real opportunity to make some extra income by choosing to offload off the old, and unwanted gadgets.

When Should You Sell?

Selling your old iPhone is not the same as offloading your stocks. However, there exists one major similarity between the two—you will want to offload the gadgets when the prices are still high.

For mobile phones, the perfect time to sell is right before Apple releases or announces its latest model. Once this has taken place, people will flood the market as they try to switch their interests or sell their gadgets to enable them to get the new models.

At this moment, the prices will start to go down, which means that you may not end up getting the price you wanted for your old iPhone. Even though the release dates tend to vary each year, the company typically shows off its latest innovations during the month of September.

The gadgets are then released when the third or fourth quarter is coming to an end. If you have a few phones lying around in your house, you could earn some extra income by choosing to sell it before any official announcement is made.

Selling it after the announcement will generally net you a lower amount. Is there anything you should do before selling your Apple handsets?

1. Unlock the Handset

A phone that can be used on any carrier anywhere in the world is a phone that anyone can purchase. This particularly applies to resellers and travelers who operate across the globe. If the phone is locked to one carrier, establish whether you can have it unlocked.

Certain carriers will charge for this service while others will want to see the specific contract details before they can unlock it. If they can unlock it, they will apply an affordable service charge.

If you can pay for the service and you could see the resale value of your old phones skyrocket. It may take a few days to process, but make sure that it works before you attempt to sell it.

2. Back It Up

It is crucial to confirm that you have an updated backup for the handset. It is the only way to confirm that your data is properly secured. It also makes it easier for you to restore it once you get yourself a new gadget. As long as you are plugged in, iCloud will automatically back up the data for you overnight.

You can also perform a manual backup to ensure that you are in fact up-to-date and that nothing will get lost.

3. Erase All Your Personal Details

When you finish backing up your data, proceed to wipe it from your device. Ensure you have not left any messages, files, or photos on the devices going on sale. Failing to do so could expose your personal and intimate details to the new owners.

4. Collect the Cases and Cables

Including the Ad Adapter, original box, and Lightning cable with the phone can help give you an edge over the other sellers looking to offload their devices. If you are planning to upgrade to a new model, you can also include the old cases. Doing this will help you sweeten the deal and declutter your house in the process.

Always exercise caution when offloading old gadgets. Use a trusted platform like sellmymobile.com to ensure that the deal is clean and straightforward.

10 Simple Ways to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal and Value

When putting your home on the market, there are a few objectives and goals that you should have in mind. The main being to attract as many potential home buyers as possible. Therefore, knowing the tips and tricks to make your home stand out from the crowd is essential. Here are ten simple ways on how you can boost your home’s curb appeal and value.

Give Your Front Door a Makeover

The first thing home buyers will see when they visit your property is the front door. If your front door is looking a little dated, a fresh coat of paint can be all it takes to make it look inviting and clean. First impressions count, so you should consider purchasing a bright paint color that works well with the exterior of your home. Colors such as yellow, red, and blue can be perfect options to make your home stand out.

Landscaping

Keeping your lawn groomed and well-maintained is essential when it comes to selling a home. The outdoor area of your property is just as important as the inside, so you should make sure that your lawn is well cared for. If you aren’t sure where to start, it’s best to begin with the grass, making sure that there are no bare dirt areas or dead patches. Then you can get on with clearing any dead bushes that have overgrown.

Check Your Exterior Lighting

If you have any outdoor light fixtures that are dated or broken, it’s best to replace them as soon as possible. You will be surprised to see how much a brand-new front porch light can transform the overall look of your home. If money is tight and you can’t afford to buy new light fixtures, adding a fresh coat of spray paint can be a fantastic and inexpensive way to enhance your existing fixtures. No one likes a dark and dingy exterior, so adding light to the outside of your home can be a great way to give it a cozy and warm feel.

Revamp Your Front Porch

Adding a few well-placed planters or some eye-catching outdoor furniture can bring a welcoming feel to your home. Don’t forget that the front porch is where prospective home buyers will start their viewing of your property, so adding a new welcome mat can be a fantastic way to greet whoever is coming to check out your home. Not only will it increase the attractiveness of your property, it will also provide you with a new outdoor living space to relax and unwind in.

Clean Your Windows

Ensure that all the windows in your home are fresh and clean. This means both the inside and out, especially when it comes to trying to enhance your home’s curb appeal. If your windows are dirty, it can make your home look run down and dated, so it’s worth spending time and effort to make them gleam and sparkle. Before buyers head to your home, be sure to spend some time looking at each window in your house to ensure they’re all clean and ready for the viewing.

Install Siding

Your home needs to be protected from the harsh elements so that you aren’t faced with extensive repair jobs from weather damage. This can either put buyers off or cause them to lower their bid if you don’t get the work done. With that in mind, installing siding can be a great way to keep your home well maintained. There is a wide selection of options that you can pick from including fiber cement siding, insulated vinyl siding, and engineered wood siding which can protect your home from all types of weather. You can read more here to find out what type of siding is right for your property.

Hide Electrical Fixtures

If you have an electrical box outside your property, it can stand out for all the wrong reasons. Thankfully, there are various ways that you can disguise the fixture, helping it to fit in well with the look of your home. A touch of paint can do the job and stop it from being an eyesore to prospective buyers. Make sure to pick a color that matches your home’s siding.

Update Your Mailbox

If your mailbox has seen better days, you may want to swap it with something that’s stylish and fresh. Not only is this an easy task to do, it can make your home stand out and look more appealing. You will need to factor in what type of mailbox you have and how much you want to spend on a replacement. The price can vary significantly, especially as your mailbox may be attached to the wall.

Add Some Décor

Adding a wreath can be another great addition to the exterior of your home. You can buy wreaths throughout the year that add a touch of glamor and beauty to the front of your home. You can check out wreaths that are made from preserved or dried greens or florals, but if you want to take the easy option, you can buy a faux plant wreath. Make sure to steer clear from seasonal styles that can make your wreath look dated. Choosing a wreath that’s simple can add some sophistication to your property.

Fix it Up

If you’ve been in your home for a long time, it can be easy to not spot hazards and flaws that can decrease the value of your property. Therefore, make sure to spend time walking around the exterior of your property, and make note of anything that needs to be repaired, whether it be small repairs such as burned out bulbs, ripped screens, or chipped paint, even the tiniest of flaws can have a huge impact and make your home stand out in a negative way.

Whether you add a few minor touches to make your front door stand out, or revamp your front porch to create a welcoming feel, there are all sorts of ways to enhance the look of your home, helping to make it appeal to prospective buyers. Note that before you get started you should have a budget in place so that you avoid overspending.