3 Tips to Have the Ultimate Home Movie Night With Your Family

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents across the globe have been trying to figure out ways to keep their kids entertained while keeping their sanity, too! 

If you’re worried about running out of ideas, why not create a family movie night? No, that doesn’t just mean throwing in a DVD or picking something you haven’t seen before on Netflix. You can create the ultimate home movie night with your family by making just a few changes. In doing so, you’ll create an unforgettable memory with your family, and it might be something you decide to continue long after any “stay at home” orders are lifted!

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1. Invest in the Right Equipment

If you truly want to make your movie night special and different from the norm, you might want to invest in some new equipment to morph your living room, basement, or den into a “home theater”. Using screens, speakers, and other equipment from a business like the Home Theater Company can transform almost any room right away. 

If you’re on a budget, you can still transform your “movie room” by rearranging furniture, using Bluetooth speakers for playback, and using a large sheet or screen and an inexpensive projector for your movie, instead of a standard television. 

2. Bring Out the Snacks

What’s a movie theater experience without the right snacks? Make a big batch of popcorn for everyone to share, and let your kids have some fun by bringing in several boxes of candy, sodas, etc. You can allow them each to “buy” what they want. You can even let them earn play money throughout the week by doing their homework or their chores, and then allowing them to use that money to buy their snacks. 

3. Get Connected

If you’re feeling the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic and you want to share your movie night with your extended family, use technology to make it happen! Did you know you can have a “Netflix party” where you can watch the same movie as others at the same time? 

The application allows your movie to sync so everyone is watching the same thing at the same time. You can even chat with each other during the movie, or afterward. If someone needs to pause to use the bathroom or get a snack, the movie pauses for everyone so no one has to miss out on any major moments. If your kids are missing their friends, family members, etc., it’s a great way to make everyone feel a bit more “together”. 

If you don’t want to use that particular application, get creative and host a FaceTime or Zoom movie night, where your friends or family can join you via video from their own homes. 

It’s not always easy to keep thinking of creative ideas for your family, especially when you’ve been stuck at home for a while. But, everyone loves a fun movie night, and by going the extra mile with a few simple additions, you can turn movie night into something truly special. 

Can Your Tap Water Kill You?

On a very basic level, any water can kill. After all, it is possible to drown in just 2 inches of water. However, this isn’t generally a concern if appropriate safety precautions are taken.   

Tap water goes through a stringent treatment process, as dictated by the government. All water that leaves the treatment plant must meet a set standard. Unfortunately, this doesn’t offer any control over what happens to the water between the treatment works and your faucet.

The simple fact is that the pipes can get tiny holes in which allow water out and bacteria in. These bacteria can breed while traveling in the water and potentially cause harm when they reach your faucet.   Debris from inside the pipes can also collect in the water and end up in your glass of drinking water.

But, of more concern is chemicals. Some are added by the plant and could cause damage, especially to sensitive individuals. These include chlorine which is effective at killing bacteria and causing respiratory distress in humans.

Fortunately, this is not a common scenario.

Pollution

However, of much greater concern is the pollution that gets into the water. Waste products from households, especially feminine hygiene products, often end up in the wastewater system. Even though they shouldn’t.

This wastewater is carried to the treatment plant and can block the screen. In turn, this can result in a breakdown at the plant and potentially the release of untreated water into the drinking water system.

Factories, oil leaks, and dumping of fertilizers can all leach into the ground and the water pipes, potentially causing issues for your health.

The good news is that these issues are generally minor and may make you feel ill but probably won’t kill you. But, this isn’t always the case.

For example, the pathogen Naegleria fowleri frequently gets into the water system and is known to be fatal to humans. The initial outbreak killed 350 people. It is killed by chlorine in the water although it is currently being debated if the chlorination level is sufficient. 

The most recent tragedy from this pathogen was a 12-month-old boy in November 2015. Other incidents have happened over the years, including chemical spills that have infiltrated the water. Perhaps the most high-profile and famous case was Hinkley, as represented by Erin Brockovich.

In short, although rare, even the water that comes out of your tap could kill you.

Filtration

The best solution is to invest in a reverse osmosis water filter. This 5-stage process uses a semipermeable membrane to force chemicals out of the water. It will remove the chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, and even bacteria from your water, making it safe to drink. It’s worth noting that reverse osmosis won’t actually remove chlorine itself, but the filtration system will because it’s a 5-stage process that includes an activated carbon element to remove the chlorine and chlorides.

In short, using this system will help to ensure your water is as pure as possible, you’ll notice the difference in taste and aroma.

How to Save Money when Buying a Phone

How to Save Money When Buying a Phone!

There are now 8.97 billion smartphones in the world and as such buying smartphones is now pretty much seen as an essential purchase. A recent report in fact stated that 4 in 10 US kids are 6 or under when they first use a cellphone and 65% of pre-teen kids, under the age of 13 own their own phone. As we all know smartphones are not cheap items and can set you back hundreds if not thousands of dollars. This can hit the budget hard, especially if the device is a first time device for your kids!

So, is there another option than buying a brand new phone?

The answer is yes! Getting a refurbished phone instead of a brand new one can save you a lot of money, without having to compromise on hardware or the brand. And as if that isn’t already enough, SellCell lets you compare refurbished smartphone deals from multiple leading outlets and picks up the one that offers it for the lowest price. A refurbished phone is a pre-owned device that has been professionally refurbished back to perfect working condition to make sure all of the hardware and software works perfectly!

The SellCell Team vets phone sellers for high-quality standards and customer satisfaction to give the buyer the peace of mind. Additionally, phone sellers offer a 12-month warranty on refurbished smartphones and a range of accessories included with the device. 

To ease the financial burden many of the sellers are also offering credit options where you can spread payments over longer periods to support you financially! 

How Does SellCell Work?

SellCell saves users the time and hassle of shopping around by using it's quick and speedy price comparison to compare all the best deals in one place. All users have to do is enter the make and model of the phone that they would like to buy and in seconds they will be presented with a range of the best value deals for that phone, all in one place.

Does SellCell Sell Other Refurbished & Pre-Owned Electronics?

Again the answer is yes.  SellCell compares deals on Refurbished Tech including Cell Phones, iPhones, Tablets, iPads, Smartwatches, MacBooks & more. SellCell compares prices from ALL the leading brands to help you find the best deals on Refurbished devices. 

INTERESTED IN BAGGING A BARGAIN ON A REFURBISHED OR PRE-OWNED PHONE?  VISIT SELLCELL BUY

Top Things to Do in Northern California

With its inspiring blend of brilliant weather, abundant local produce, diverse history and culture, and celebrated natural beauty, Northern California has something to offer every traveler. Visitors to the region can choose their own adventure along the coast or down its rugged spine, celebrating natural history, modern culture, food, festivities, and everything in between.

Here’s our pick of top things to do in Northern California. 

Experience San Francisco

This iconic, eclectic city marks the ideal starting point for any Northern California trip.

San Francisco is chock-full of things to do, from eating breakfast sandwiches on the beach to hiking from the Golden Gate Bridge, from vintage shopping in The Haight district to taking dumpling tours through Chinatown.

Spend a few days cramming in culture before driving deeper into Northern California. Having your own transport is a must; when you set off from the Bay Area, start by leaving your extra travel bags at a San Francisco luggage storage facility. Simplify your road trip and keep your belongings safe during your next adventure: Yosemite National Park.

Explore Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is, quite simply, spectacular. With its towering trees and granite walls, expansive fields and forests, outdoor enthusiasts won’t be short of things to do. Visitors to Yosemite can hike, camp, whitewater raft, zipline, rock climb, mountain bike, and more. Just remember parts of the park are only open seasonally and require permits.

For travelers craving more national parks and great driving roads, ride the breathtaking Highway 395 to other incredible locations like Death Valley and Sequoia National Forest. Foodies and urbanites, however, should continue north to Sacramento.

Dine in Sacramento

Sacramento is heaven for foodies, as it’s known as America’s farm-to-fork capital. The region is home to one of California’s oldest wine-producing areas, as well as gastronomic delights to suit any budget and palate. Furthermore, the city is lined with over 600 murals, plus vintage shops, historic buildings, bike paths, and breweries.

For a fun, extra activity that’s an easy drive out of Sacramento, head for Apple Hill next.

Enjoy Apple Picking

What better way to appreciate California’s world-renowned produce than by harvesting some of it yourself? Apple Hill is a fun attraction for couples, families, and food lovers.

Visitors can pick their own apples straight from the tree, as well as a wide variety of pears, stone fruit, and more. Graze an array of apple-themed treats, like apple milkshakes at High Hill or apple cider doughnuts from Rainbow Orchards. Kids can play in pumpkin patches or with farm animals, while grown-ups can sign up for cooking classes or explore wineries on site.

Sip in Napa and Sonoma Valleys

These two towns and regions differ in what they can offer tourists and wine aficionados, including grape varieties and value for money.

Napa Valley has been described as the “Vegas of wine country”. It’s world-famous (read: crowded) and more expensive, and visitors to the region tend to be high-rollers who cruise between vineyards in rented limousines, hot air balloons, or via the elegant Napa Valley wine train. Guests can even play winemaker for a day, tasting and blending their own concoctions from the many grape varieties in Napa Valley.

Choose Napa if you want to spend your time in total luxury, tasting cabernet sauvignons, chardonnays, and merlots.

Sonoma Valley is lesser known and commercialized, yet nearly double the size of Napa and presenting more grape varieties. There aren’t as many flashy activities on offer, but the plus side is less traffic and lower cost, and a more laid-back atmosphere. Visitors can feel as though they have the whole valley to themselves. Rent a bike in Sonoma town and pedal between a selection of wineries, or drive if you’re willing to split or choose a designated driver.

Choose Sonoma if you’re chasing peace and quiet, and more reasonably priced zinfandels, sparkling wines, red blends, and zesty, unoaked chardonnays.

Hike Lake Tahoe

Intersecting with the great Pacific Coast Trail, Lake Tahoe is a naturalist’s dream. This lake is surrounded by a bounty of flora and fauna, including glacier-carved granite cliffs, snowmelt waterfalls, and wildflowers. Not to mention the epic selection of hikes, from casual strolls around Emerald Bay to 10,000ft (3000m) peaks.

Serious hikers can traverse the 165-mile (266km) Tahoe Rim Trail, with certain stretches following original routes used by Washoe Indians, Basque shepherds, and early pioneers. The trail crosses six counties and two states, so is no easy feat...though certainly a bragging right. Those with less time or energy can catch gondolas to some of the higher routes.

Experience Gold Country

A large piece of California’s history and future innovations converge in Gold Country.

The 1848 discovery of glittering flecks in the Sierra foothills sparked a mass migration of over 300,000 prospectively-rich pioneers. See their legacy preserved in the tiny town of Coloma with its old general store and post office, and Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. Winding back roads in the region spill over with newer treasures, including farm-to-fork eateries, wineries, antique shops, and B&Bs.

Savor Mendocino

Concluding your winding journey north is the idyllic hamlet of Mendocino. Picture yourself in a setting of whitewashed cottages and water towers, with artists painting against a backdrop of rugged cliffs, and a slew of farmers and winemakers preserving the land and producing a specialty culinary scene.

Stroll the streets of charming galleries and shops, before visiting the neighboring towns of Trinidad and Eureka. Tourists passing through between December and May can join locals in welcoming around 20,000 grey whales on their annual migration. Finally, Mendocino is a gateway to California’s majestic Redwood National and State Parks, where the world’s tallest redwood trees will take your breath away.

Want to Make More Money?

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Need to improve your financial situation? Most people in your shoes would look to trim their expenses and make savings where possible, but there is another way — making more money.

Trimming your expenses can only do so much, and it can take some of the joy out of life depending on how healthy your finances are to start with, which is why, if you need to improve your financial situation for any reason, you should definitely look at the following ways to make more money: