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Unique Home Remodeling Tips

November 19, 2019 by

Renovating or remodeling your house may seem like a simple task at first. However, there are many tiny details that may go wrong along the way. To help you prevent that, here are a few simple tips.

Set Aside Enough Time

Avoid underestimating the amount of time it’ll take to fix up the house. It is possible to begin doing things and finding that they is a lot that needs to be done than you originally thought, and it ends up taking more time. If you’re quoted 3 to 4 weeks for a project, expect that to probably take 5 to 7 weeks instead. There’s always something else that comes up. It’s going to take more time and more money. So, make sure you don’t underestimate the time that it’s going to take to finish remodeling. Plus, people always make mistakes. It happens, so you have to account for all the mistakes and changes of things that need to be made along. Give yourself extra few weeks on every single project, and that would be a more realistic time.

Know the Specifics

There’s definitely a very steep learning curve between your first place and your fifth place. Always do your research and have a basic knowledge of the remodeling process. That way, if you go into a project and you see something being done incorrectly, you could spot that out and get it done correctly. For example, you may be doing a landscaping project. You give the landscaper complete control on the property, but you expect him to do it correctly. He cuts so many corners and fails to use tools like Generac along the way and does it so cheaply that in order to do it correctly, everything has to be completely ripped out and done over. That’s a lot of money down the drain just for a poor project that needs to be entirely redone. So, always know exactly what you want to be done.

Don’t Trust the Workers

People just naturally make mistakes. Sometimes the vision that you had in your head doesn’t correlate to what other people are thinking. So other people might have an entirely different opinion about the way something should be done that you had in your mind. So you should not blind trust people that they share the same vision that you do, because chances are it’s going to differ a little bit. So that’s why it’s so important to be on site as often as possible and make sure people have the same vision as you and are doing exactly what you want. Supervising the work is probably one of the best thing you can do.




Top Hotels in Midtown East Manhattan for a Flawless Visit to NYC

October 27, 2019 by

All the great hotels in Midtown East Manhattan have one thing in common: location. They’re all close to the Midtown attractions that make NYC famous, such as the Empire State Building, Fifth Avenue, Times Square, the Grand Central Terminal, the Museum of Modern Art and so many more.

But certain hotels bring something special beyond their great locations. Each of the top hotels below is known for offering guests that priceless experience: a flawless visit.

lobby

Being out and about in New York City can be noisy and intense, and no one wants to come home to rude staff and lackluster lodgings. Fortunately, it doesn’t need to cost more to stay at a hotel that knows how to graciously meet a traveler’s needs, with happy staff who genuinely want guests to have a great stay and who proudly do a stellar job each day and night.

The Concorde

One of NYC’s newest boutique hotels, the Concorde has 37 floors, with four rooms or fewer per floor. It’s close to MOMA and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Possible room views include the Queensboro Bridge, the East River and the Chrysler Building! The decor is contemporary. There’s no on-site restaurant, but the multilingual staff will gladly recommend the best of nearby restaurants, and the hotel provides pleasant, private indoor and outdoor seating areas where you can enjoy your to-go food if you like.

The bathrooms come with a tub for soaking and a rainfall shower, plus bathrobes for your use. You can rent a bike here, and of course, there’s free wi-fi, a fitness center, a business center and a 24-hour front desk.

The Westgate New York Grand Central Hotel

It’s always a shame for a wonderful hotel to have the shadow of its predecessor upon it, but the Westgate NYC is now forging its own excellent reputation, and reviews have improved since this hotel left Hilton. It’s close to everything, located a block from the United Nations and a couple of blocks from the Empire State Building, in the Murray Hill neighborhood, known for its Indian restaurants and friendly pubs, its consulates and U.N. missions.

tudor city

The Westgate New York Grand Central (westgateresorts.com/hotels/new-york/midtown-manhattan/westgate-new-york-grand-central/) has invested in triple-pane windows, and guests describe the rooms as “super-quiet.” Is there anything more precious in NYC? The Westgate NYC lets you choose your own preference in a Serenity mattress, and the linens and pillows are luxurious. Rooms are well-appointed, with sitting areas and wooden desks. The showers have plenty of hot water, and the towels earn rave reviews. The Westgate NYC is family-friendly, and pet-friendly also. Get a balcony room if you can — the balconies are huge and furnished with a table and chairs so you can dine al fresco, or just enjoy the city views.

The Kimberley Hotel & Suites

The Kimberley boutique hotel is close to Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Terminal and Times Square. It’s located at 145 East 50th Street, between Third and Lexington Avenues. “Upstairs” is the name of its rooftop bar, which, awesomely, is open year-round, being equipped with heated floors and a retractable glass roof and walls.

The Kimberley is known for its feather-bed mattress toppers and its Frette Italian luxury linens. Amenities include thick towels, a microwave, mini-fridge, hairdryer and magnifying mirror. The Kimberley’s decor is traditional, with antique-style furnishings. The rooms have large windows, many with city views. Most rooms have balconies!

Not only does the Kimberley have an on-site fitness center, but hotel guests can also, at no additional cost, use the facilities at the nine locations of the New York  Health and Racquet Club, including swimming pools and fitness classes. In season, guests can even take a cruise on the Club’s yacht, including a light buffet, for only $30!

The Hotel Elysée by Library Hotel Collection

Food plays a big part in guests’ stays at the Hotel Elysée, from the complimentary continental breakfast (boiled eggs, pastries, yogurt, cereals, and bagels!) to the complimentary evening wine and cheese get-together, not forgetting the cookies, tea, coffee and fruit available all day. The hotel’s Monkey Bar serves lunch and dinner during the week and dinner on Saturdays. Many guests comment on the great happy hour and appetizers.

marketplace

The Hotel Elysée’s decor is French country inn, with Art Deco touches. Broadway is close by, and yet the neighborhood is fairly quiet.

Manhattan’s Midtown East is so full of world-class pleasures. These hotels work hard to be one of them!




5 Must-Have Home Appliances to Make Your Life Easier

October 23, 2019 by

There is no denying that technology has made our lives much easier than ever. It has proven to be a blessing in this world of innovations. When we look back at ways human used to live, we certainly feel blessed and grateful about so many things. Today, we have moved to the next level and developed things that have made a living less complicated, and home appliances are indeed one of many favors of technology. In this article, we’ll take you through some of the most common yet so important appliances that we can’t do without. To learn about them, be sure to read the whole article!

1. HVAC Units

In the early stone ages, men invented fire for protection against cold. It was the time when there was no such thing as HVAC units. But today, with the advancement in the technology and innovations things have become much easier than ever. All thanks to HVAC units, they provide us with much required cool or warmth. Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning units are large systems which change the temperature of air after taking in it through filters. After the air temperature is altered, this unit blows it out through a ventilator and keep your home cool in summers and warm in winters. Make sure to get this unit installed in your home to make your life easier.

2. Microwave

kitchen appliance

This is one of many appliances that can be seen in action at almost every house. Let’s be real! Everyone’s life has become so busy that they barely get any time to get things done. In this fast-moving life, you need something that can help you with heating and cooking your meals instantly. What could be the best option than getting your hands on the microwave? Everyone needs a microwave in their lives, especially those who don’t have enough time. So, if you don’t own one already, then it is about time to get a reliable and Best Microwave for your kitchen.

3. Washing Machine

Undoubtedly, washing machines are one of those best gifts technology has given us. Can you imagine a life without a washing machine? Of course, no! We all need clean and washed clothes every day, and this home appliance saves us time and effort of hand washing our clothes. Washing clothes have become easier than ever. All you need to do is to feed a pile of dirty clothes to the machine, and you’ll get clean, fresh, and dried clothes out of it.

4. Refrigerators

The main purpose of the refrigerators is to keep food cool and fresh for the possible longest time. There is no denying that this world cannot run without refrigerators. They have become the most common way of preserving foods today. In every kitchen, refrigerators have become a staple. They have made our lives immensely easy by making sure that we can store and preserve our food in our homes.

5. Smart Dishwashers

Another gift of technology! Dishwashers are one of the best time-saving kitchen appliances that we have in our homes. Who likes to spend an hour scrubbing dishes after having a nice meal with friends and family? Am sure, no one! Dishwashers do all the work for us by cleaning our dirty dishes. All you need to do is to load your dirty utensils into it and press a button. Your dishes are clean! 




6 Healthy DIY Halloween Recipes Kids Will Love

October 18, 2019 by

October is here, and Halloween is upon everyone. The early weeks of the month are setting up for the holiday, which will be filled with candies and snacks that aren’t so healthy. While many children and kids at heart look forward to gorging on all the sweet things, overloading on sugar can be harmful.

That’s not saying you should deprive your children. Rather, there are alternatives you can create to give them a little something healthy in between sugary bites.

Haloween

An age-old trick to making children (or even adults) eat healthily is to create foods that look fun and interesting. The great thing about Halloween is that it’s almost expected for food to fit in with the theme. Therefore, it gets easier this time of the year to disguise fruits or veggies kids don’t usually eat in snacks and other treats. Check out the ideas below.

Frozen Banana Ghost Pops

Although this recipe involves a banana smothered in white chocolate, it is certainly healthier than anything straight-up candy. Since it’s easy to make, you can make it together with children and have it a fun Halloween activity for the kids.

Jack-o’-Lantern Salmon Sushi Balls

What’s cuter than a completely edible jack-o’-lantern? This recipe calls for Japanese-inspired sushi balls decorated with salmon and delicately cut nori pieces to make the faces. It may look intimidating to make at first, but this detailed video will teach you the steps.

Speaking of snacks inspired from Japanese cuisine, the country loves Halloween and is dedicated to the holiday. In fact, seasonal snacks and limited candies come out during this time of the year. In case you miss out on those, there are staple treats that you can find there the whole year round.

Peanut Butter and Marshmallow Apple Smiles

Apples are plenty in the fall, and you can make your kids enjoy more of the apple’s yummy goodness by transforming it into a fitting Halloween snack. Apple smiles are easy to make, and they only require two other ingredients: peanut butter and marshmallows. The marshmallows should be small enough to resemble the teeth, and the peanut butter acts as the glue to hold them in place.

Creepy Spider Cheese Balls

Cheese contains several vital vitamins and minerals like calcium and protein, which can be beneficial to growing children. A great way to incorporate more cheese in your children’s diets this month so they’ll get the taste for it is to turn it into spider cheese balls. You can use any soft cheese you like, but make sure that it is moldable.

According to this recipe, the key to making the cheese balls look creepy is by covering them with black sesame seeds and adding cut pretzel sticks as legs. You can incorporate herbs and other healthy ingredients in the cheese mixture according to taste. This snack idea is also a hit among cheese-loving adults, so it’s great for grown-up Halloween parties too.

Jack-o’-Lantern Veggie Pizza

You can never go wrong with a pizza at a party, and you can certainly make this crowd-pleaser dish healthier by creating it from scratch. Premade crusts tend to have additives and preservatives that aren’t necessarily healthy. Additionally, in the spirit of Halloween, you can get away with not using the normal pizza ingredients. In the name of making it look more festive, use colorful veggies.

This recipe yields one jack-o’-lantern pizza and uses broccoli for the stem and edges, olives for the mouth and nose, and shaved carrots to fill the rest. The cream cheese underneath will serve as the glue for all the veggies. This interesting party food will certainly have your kids looking forward to more vegetable pizzas in the future.

Mini Bat Peanut-Butter-Cup Treats

Healthy doesn’t mean forgoing chocolates or sweets entirely. If you observe proper proportions, having candies in moderation can be good for everyone occasionally. For this recipe, make sure to use mini peanut-butter-cup candies so the serving is just right.

You’ll also need thin chocolate sandwich cookies that are sliced in half to serve as the wings of the bat. You’ll also need frosting to glue them and the edible eyes to make the treats look more animated.

What are your favorite healthy Halloween recipes? Share them in the comments below.




DIY Ideas to Save and Generate Electricity

October 15, 2019 by

If you are a housewife with kids at home, you might have, at least once, quarreled your husband because of the high electricity bill. Electricity bills are getting high due to rise in the prices of fuel. But still where there’s competition, you can still find electricity at a lower cost. So the best idea is electricity retailers’ comparison before you apply for the connection. Once you are sure that you have applied for the connection to the company or retailer offering lowest rate, you have half the job. The next job will be done by you, not the electricity supply company or the retailers.

Here we will tell you how can you save or generate electricity at home with little or no cost. Start saving from electricity bills and start investing in your own power generation so that you may bring the electricity cost to zero.

light bulb

Solar Panel

Solar Panel is considered the most economical and eco-friendly energy source. Once you install it, you have installed your own powerhouse at home, which can supply you free energy for at least a decade. Now the problem is that you can’t afford to install these because prices are high. But the good news is that you can still afford smaller units.

In the market, you can buy smaller plates of solar panels which come under your budget limit. Bring them home and then buy the affordable new or used battery and an electric charger or unit which will consume the energy from the solar panels and will start charging your batteries. Now one thing more is required, i.e. a converter that will convert the DC power of batteries to AC, which is used by your home appliances. If you don’t want to get involved in technicalities, you can buy smaller units of solar panels and then simply bring them home and start generating your own electricity.

Wind Turbine

Solar Panels give you energy during the day time, and at night you have to use the electricity of the electricity supply company which will generate bill. Getting wind turbines installed at home will save the electricity cost event at night. You can buy wind turbines, and the dynamo from the market or you can build at home as well. Various DIY project guides are available on YouTube and other blogs. Install the wind turbine at home if you live in the area where wind blows at a speed of 9 kilometers or more.

But for wind turbines, you need a powerful electric system that may control the voltage and keep your batteries safe from getting ruined from voltage fluctuation due to rapidly changing wind speed. The plus point of wind turbines is that you don’t need large batteries as you need in case of solar panels.

Now using these ideas, you cannot just save but generate your own electricity. It will save you good cost, and you can use this money to invest. 




Here’s Why You Sometimes Bite Your Teeth in Your Sleep

September 14, 2019 by

Everyone has bitten their tongue at least once in their lifetime. Very often, this happens when you’re eating or talking. When the meal is a little too delicious, your teeth can confuse your tongue for bits of food. It’s only normal. Something even more annoying than biting your tongue while eating or talking is biting your tongue in your sleep. It’s painful enough to wake you up. 

Comfortable Sleep

What causes you to bite your tongue in your sleep, and what can you do about it? Read on to find out.

It’s normal in most people.

The first thing you should know is that biting the tongue while sleeping is common. This phenomenon is called bruxism or nocturnal biting. Bruxism can be defined as the clenching and grinding of the teeth while asleep. Its causes aren’t currently known, although doctors believe it has something to do with dreaming. They believe it can also be caused by sexual arousal during sleep.

Bruxism mostly affects the teeth and jaws, and it causes soreness and pain. It also causes injury in the situation where you bite your tongue. It only occurs seldom, and no treatment is necessary. You may experience some bleeding and swelling on your tongue when you wake up. However, if it occurs more frequently or you have severe injuries on your tongue, you should see a dentist.

Several conditions can also cause it. 

There are also disease-oriented causes for nocturnal tongue biting. One of them is spasm of the facial muscles. Muscle spasm is an unconscious contraction, and when it occurs in the muscles that control the jaw and chewing muscles, it can cause tongue biting. It’s most common in children where it causes uncontrollable trembling of the chin during sleep.

Another condition that can cause nocturnal biting is epilepsy. Epilepsy causes uncontrollable seizures in the body, and when they happen at night, they can cause tongue biting. Usually, this biting occurs on the tip and the sides of the tongue, and it can be quite painful.

Sleep apnea is the third cause, and it’s a condition in which breathing stops and starts during sleep. People who have sleep apnea tend to bite their tongues during this cessation of breath. Even though it doesn’t directly cause tongue biting, people who have sleep apnea still experience it. Other signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring, headaches, and fatigue after waking up.

What can you do about it?

Your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist who can better diagnose your condition. They may also prescribe continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to help you get the right amount of oxygen while you sleep. Pressurized air from a CPAP machine, which is delivered through a CPAP mask, solves this problem by opening up your airways and providing the appropriate amount of oxygen into your lungs. With this, you get to enjoy a good night’s sleep and wake up feeling refreshed in the morning.

Sometimes, if you have an uneven dentition, the frequency of your tongue biting can increase, both during the day and at night. For this, you can visit Golsen Dental to have your teeth checked. You can also get a dental night guard. They are soft, thin, and specially designed to keep your teeth from biting your tongue while you sleep.  

If you bite your tongue due to conditions like epilepsy and jaw spasms, you can consult your doctor for treatment. There are also medications to tackle the conditions. If you have bruising on your tongue, a salt solution can help. You prepare it with warm water and wiggle it around in your mouth for about a minute. You shouldn’t use hot water because it can cause further discomfort.




What Does It Mean to Be a Savvy Shopper?

September 14, 2019 by

Everyone knows at least one savvy shopper. They always seem to have new clothes on and are always moving in and out of the store. But then, despite their apparent shopping adventures, they also always have enough money left for other activities such as makeup lessons in Toronto.
How do they do it? Read on to find out.

Smart shopping

Savvy shoppers look out for the best deals. 

Savvy shoppers can buy as many clothes as they do because they rarely buy anything at full price. Very often than not, they buy things at the best prices, even if it means checking out four different outlets, as well as tons of websites. In this day and age, at least one store is going to be offering discounts at any given point in time. Savvy shoppers know where to find these stores, and they know how to buy the right stuff. A side benefit is this can help you stay out of debt, so you don’t end up with companies like SCA Collections coming after you!

Savvy shoppers read comments and reviews.

As a savvy shopper, you’re always looking for relevant information for consumers. Savvy shoppers know how to look for information and clues in places most people never think of looking into. This includes newsletters, online forums, the stores’ websites, and of course, product reviews. This helps them stay on top of their game and know where the best sales are, long before they begin.

Doing due diligence doesn’t just apply to shoppers. Even people that are looking to buy cars, new furniture, and even houses are always looking for the best deals. If you’re not a fan of these mediums of research, the sooner you get on board, the sooner you can start finding the best deals on whatever you want to buy.

Savvy shoppers shop frequently.

It’s effortless to confuse a savvy shopper with a spendthrift. This is because they have so many similarities. They both love to shop, they buy things frequently, and they both always have new clothes in their wardrobes. In fact, you’ll need to look closer to figure out the significant difference between them. While a spendthrift just buys stuff, a savvy shopper looks out for the best deals.

Savvy shoppers are willing to plan their purchases and wait.

Just because savvy shoppers make a habit of shopping frequently doesn’t mean they can’t be patient. Actually, patience is one of the hallmarks of smart shopping. If you need a specific kind of boots, you should be willing to wait until it comes on sale, or until you see an excellent deal. Otherwise, you might buy it today and find that it comes on sale tomorrow!

Savvy shoppers are also willing to plan their purchases ahead of time. For example, everyone knows that some of the best sales are in the summer. But then, only people who know how to shop are willing to wait for that long. They put some money away and wait for the discounts in summer to buy their stuff.

Savvy shoppers stock up on coupons.

As a savvy shopper, your buying frequency also means you’re a favorite customer to several stores. Favorite customers always get rewards like coupons and discounts. On top of being able to find the best deals, you’ll also be able to save money on coupons and customer discounts. What could be better than that?

Now, you know what makes a savvy shopper tick, and you’re that much closer to becoming one yourself.




Best Ways to Recover After Your Workout

September 14, 2019 by

It’s a great feeling once you manage to stick to a workout routine faithfully, both mentally and physically. Your body begins to feel better, and results are gradually starting to show, but there may come a point where you begin experiencing fatigue. You’ve made commendable progress, but you’ve hit the proverbial wall. Your body has seemingly thrown in the towel, and you start looking for excuses not to exercise. This could be an indication that you aren’t letting your muscles recover properly. There’s more to it than just drinking a recovery shake after every workout. To make sure your body is ready for your next session, look into incorporating some of these practices.

Go for walk

Supplements

When you exercise, you’re essentially breaking down the muscle. It’s the rest period in between workouts when the muscles get the opportunity to adapt, repairing themselves to become bigger and stronger. What you put into your body after a workout is crucial. You have to find the optimal balance of nutrients that will enable your system to rejuvenate and build strength. Often, chocolate milk and protein aren’t enough. You may need to add supplements that help target aching muscles. Click this link for more on relaxing products to help you recover.

Stretching

After an intense workout, your muscles will inevitably tighten up if you neglect to stretch properly. This won’t only lead to prolonged recovery time, but unnecessary soreness as well. Take advantage of your body’s warmed up state to engage in some deep stretches. Most people opt to skip this part since they just want to wrap up their workout. However, this phase of your routine doesn’t have to take long to be effective. Two additional minutes dedicated to focusing on the muscles you just put through the wringer not only deliver proven post-recovery benefits, but it also feels pretty good.

Massages

If you’re looking for an excuse to get a massage, post-workout recovery has you covered. Even if you don’t have the means to get a professional massage on a regular basis or a friend who’s willing to help you with those hard to reach spots, there are techniques and devices that can help you relax those muscles on your own. Rollers are often the least expensive and most effective to boost your circulation and loosen up the muscles you just worked.

Cryotherapy

Many athletes commonly hop into ice baths or cold showers right after a workout. The sudden shock to your system gets you breathing deeply and encourages blood to flow more quickly to warm up your body and start the restoration process. Others claim that alternating between hot and cold showers can facilitate the removal of waste products in body tissue, so your muscles are laser-focused on repair and rebuilding.

In fact, according to a leading source in the field of athletic recovery, the Pod Company, incorporating cold therapy into your post-workout routine can offer numerous benefits. The company specializes in providing insights and resources for optimizing recovery strategies. They emphasize that cold therapy, such as ice baths or cold showers, aids in reducing inflammation, decreasing muscle soreness, and promoting faster recovery. By immersing yourself in cold water, your body responds by increasing blood circulation and triggering the natural healing processes. So, next time you finish your workout, consider the benefits of cold therapy recommended by experts to help enhance your recovery and overall performance.

The old standbys, which include drinking enough water and getting plenty of sleep, are also incredibly effective when it comes to maximizing muscle recovery. It’s even possible to be too gung-ho with your workouts, and not allowing yourself enough time in between for your muscles to recover, which is why it’s a good idea to alternate muscle groups. The human body is undoubtedly complicated. When you throw in the variables like juggling busy schedules and staying motivated, maintaining your fitness is akin to managing a three-ring circus. Just keep your eyes on the prize, because a healthy lifestyle makes it easier to get through the day and prepares you for a more favorable long-term outlook.




Thinking about Divorce? Consider Divorce Mediation.

September 6, 2019 by

What is Divorce Mediation?

According to Somerset County, New Jersey family law attorney Katherine Wagner, divorce mediation is a popular alternative to litigation, being a process during which couples meet with a neutral third party who helps them amicably negotiate a divorce settlement. While mediation is not for every couple, the fact that it is non-adversarial helps the parties negotiate a divorce settlement and continue to cooperate and co-parent amicably after the marriage ends.

Divorce parenting

Kathy also noted that while divorce mediation exists in some form in every state, her experience is in New Jersey. Couples in other states should consult with their attorneys to find out the particulars of how divorce mediation works there.

How Does Divorce Mediation Work?

Generally, the process begins with finding a local divorce mediator. Divorce mediators are usually attorneys trained in family law and in mediation. Mediators do not give either of the parties legal advice, but they are familiar with all of the issues that can arise during divorce as well as possible solutions and compromises.

A mediator will either meet with the parties together or separately to gather information, find out where each party stands on contested issues. The parties will also sign a confidentiality agreement so that nothing discussed during mediation sessions can be shared with anyone other than the parties’ attorneys.

Can My Attorney Be Present During Divorce Mediation?

That is up to the parties, but it is common for divorce mediators to ask that they try without their attorneys present at first.  This keeps costs down and if the parties are able to discuss and resolve issues with the help of the mediator, legal representation is not necessary.

Of course if one of the parties insists on having an attorney present, then both must. If a party feels unsure about whether he or she can effectively communicate their position during mediation, they should consult their attorney for advice.

What Problems Can Be Solved In Divorce Mediation?

Just about any issue that arises during marriage dissolution can be addressed and resolved by mediation. From the distribution of property (both assets and liabilities) to child custody and parenting time, everything can be discussed and agreed to during mediation. Even a compromise regarding child support or alimony can be reached during mediation.

How Agreements are Negotiated

It is typical for a mediator to suggest that the parties discuss and resolve simpler issues first. Initial success helps the parties begin to trust each other and the process, and this makes it more likely that the more difficult issues can be similarly resolved.

During negotiations, the mediator will keep the parties on track, help them listen to each other and understand each other’s position, and help them avoid getting confrontational or overly emotional. The mediator will also be able to suggest possible solutions or compromises if the parties get stuck. 

Completing the Mediation Process

When all issues are resolved, the negotiation process is complete. This may take several sessions depending upon the number and complexity of issues to be resolved. In New Jersey, a mediator records the parties’ agreements in a document called the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  The parties’ attorneys will review the MOU and convert it to a Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) which becomes part of the divorce judgment.

Five Reasons Couples Should Consider Divorce Mediation

  1. It is much less expensive than litigation and is often quicker.
  2. It is possible to settle all of the issues arising from marriage dissolution with compromise.
  3. It is confidential and there is no public record of the negotiations.
  4. It allows couples to come to compromises based on their ideas of what is fair and right for them, rather than having solutions imposed upon them by a judge.
  5. The process improves communication between the parties, giving them the skills to resolve future conflicts.

Divorce Mediation Is Not For Everyone

Kathy Wagner had one important caveat – not every divorcing couple belongs in divorce mediation. Where domestic violence has occurred, mediation is likely not appropriate and may even be prohibited if there is a Final Restraining Order (FRO) in place. And if one of the parties is trying to use the mediation process to stall proceedings and/or avoid paying support, that is also inappropriate and mediation should terminate.

For couples who are willing to accept the help and guidance of a divorce mediator, mediation is a way to resolve their issues as amicably as possible and move on.

About the Author

Veronica

Veronica Baxter is a writer, blogger, and legal assistant operating out of the greater Philadelphia area.




5 Jobs to Try If You Love Animals

August 19, 2019 by

They always say that if you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. Well, for many people, that love is animals. Being around animals can be a highly fulfilling career choice with many benefits. Just make sure you choose the right one.

The Best Job Positions for Animal Lovers

animal lover

You don’t need to go through seven or eight years of schooling to become a veterinarian in order to work with animals. There are plenty of jobs that require far less schooling (if any at all). Here are some positions and careers that will allow you to get started quickly:

1. Veterinary Technician

If you’d like to do many of the things that veterinarians do without going through the painstaking process of becoming one, you can always pursue a career as a veterinary technician.

As a veterinary technician, you can expect to perform an array of tasks. In the front office, you’ll provide administrative support, greet people and their pets, schedule appointments, and handle billing. In a clinical setting, you’ll handle everything from obtaining animal vital signs and completing diagnostic testing to administering medication and handling injections.

“Because of the administrative and clinical tasks performed by veterinary technicians and the health and safety protocols veterinary work requires, enrolling in a degree program is an important step to becoming a veterinary technician,” IMBC.edu explains. “Equally import is finding a program that incorporates a hands-on externship as well.”

With a degree in hand, you’ll find that you’re able to work in a variety of settings – including private clinics, specialized care facilities, shelters, and even zoos.

2. Zoologist

Zoology is the perfect field for people who want to work with animals in the wild and controlled environments (like zoos and preserves). The work entails supporting wildlife conservations efforts, enacting preservation policies, conducting research, and analyzing data.

There’s a wide spectrum of work available in this field. For those with bachelor’s degrees, it’s fairly easy to find jobs in most areas of the country. If you have a doctoral degree, you’ll earn significantly more, but must be willing to move in order to find the most competitive opportunities.  

3. Pet Adoption Counselor

While you aren’t going to get rich in this career field, becoming a pet adoption counselor can yield a significant amount of joy and fulfillment. In this role, you’re tasked with facilitating pet adoptions and connecting humans with pets who are in need of a home.

Pet adoption counselors often work in tandem with shelters and animal hospitals. The pay is relatively meager, but it’s a great part-time gig for someone who has another job and wants to work with pets on the side.

4. Pet Sitter/Walker

If you want to work for yourself and enjoy being outside, you may consider pursuing a career as a pet sitter and/or walker. This business is all about networking and efficiency. If you build up a large enough client-base and learn to maximize your routes and capacity, you can actually make a pretty decent hourly salary.

5. Pet Groomer

Would you love the opportunity to work one-on-one with dogs? Do you have a gentle touch and creative side that you’d like to explore? Becoming a pet groomer provides you the chance to satisfy all of these goals and skills.

As a pet groomer, you can set up your own business out of your home (or even out of a van that travels around). You can also go to work with a local veterinarian office or dog boarder.

Choosing the Right Job

There are a multitude of factors that go into selecting the right job. As you consider which area of the industry to work in, make sure you’re giving weight to the factors that matter and blocking out the ones that don’t.

For some people, salary is the ultimate factor. Other people have a spouse who is the breadwinner and merely want a fulfilling way to spend their days. Some people like working in a big, fast-paced business, while others would prefer a small business with a family feel. The good news is that you can find jobs fitting any of these descriptions in this field. The key is to make sure you know what you want before you start looking. From there, you can adjust your expectations and requirements until you find the perfect job for your animal-loving heart.




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