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Choosing The Perfect Dress For Every Flower Girl

January 29, 2019 by
flower dress

Every wedding day is a special day, and many girls, even on their own wedding night, remember the first time they were able to participate in a wedding as a flower girl. Flower girls are usually between the ages of 3 and 8 years old, and are tasked with the processional throwing of flower petals before the bride walks down the aisle.

The flower girl’s dress is as large a piece of the wedding experience as any. There are many factors that go into settling on a flower girl dress. Some of the most common of these include:

  • The Wedding Motif
    • Weddings are all about color palettes, themes, and coordination. From the dishes, to the candles, to the centerpieces, everything is meticulously chosen and designed to give the wedding goer an experience. A flower girl dress can add to this as well.
  • What The Rest of the Wedding Party Will Wear
    • Even if you are picking out a toddler’s flower dress separate from the wedding party, it’s always good to check with the aesthetic and uniformity of the bridesmaids’ dresses as well as the bride. A flower girl is part of procession, but it is not customary for the flower girl to wear the exact same dress as the bridesmaids.
  • What The Bride/Groom/Wedding Planner Says
    • The first and foremost voice to consult with on style should be the couple getting married, and whatever their planning committee (however large or small) deems appropriate and in keeping with their desired aesthetic.
  • Comfortability
    • Your little girl will most likely be wearing whatever dress you decide from flower girl dresses on for the better part of a day, often into the reception and the night that follows the ceremony. Finding a comfortable dress that is easy and fun to wear is important.
  • Price Range/Budget
    • Of course you’ll want to take into account price range and expense when researching options. Fortunately, there are some really great affordable options when it comes to toddler flower girl dresses. These dresses usually run between $50 and $150, but they can be as expensive as $2,000, depending upon your budget.
  • There Are Countless Options
    • The options for flower girls dresses are endless. Some have sweep trains, some have court trains. They can be asymmetrical, floor-length, ankle-length, or tea-length. The silhouette can take a form of an A-line or an empire outline. Some have lace, and some have long sleeves. Some have bows, some are sleeveless, and some can be almost as fancy as a ball gown. Perhaps the only similarity is most flower girl dresses may come in a variety of colors.

The right flower girl dress can be a great way to make your little flower really feel like an important part of the wedding party. Investigating the different lengths, cuts, and styles relative to the bride’s own look, as well as the design and aesthetic of the wedding party are important parts of the process of finding the perfect dress.




How to Get Your Kids to Eat Vegetables

January 28, 2019 by
veggies

There is one thing that all kids have in common: they hate eating vegetables. Once they’ve had candy and pizza, that’s what they’d like to eat all day long! We really can’t blame them; they prefer to eat something that tastes good, rather than being force fed bland vegetables. It is the same story everyday – we place a plate of nutritious vegetables in front of them, they whine and refuse to eat it, and they always win! Kids are too young to understand what is good for health, and what isn’t. The good news is that there is a way to make them eat their veggies! All you need to do is make it taste good. Sneak some vegetables into their favorite dishes and smile to yourself cunningly as you watch them gobble it all up! Involve them when you are buying and cooking the vegetables, and they will be so excited to eat what they made! It only takes a little time and effort to get your kids to eat their veggies. Here are ten ways to make eating vegetables actually sound good, and encourage your kids to give them a try!

1. Understand what they like

There is a fair chance that your kid may like one or two vegetables like potatoes or cucumber. Introduce them to other vegetables by combining or alternating them with their favorite vegetables. You can serve sweet potato instead of potatoes, or zucchini instead of cucumber. This may be a slow process, but your child will soon learn to appreciate more vegetables!

2. Get them to cook it

If your child is old enough to cook, you could get them to assist you in preparing a dish and make them feel like they are doing all the work. Provide them with a simple healthy recipe that requires vegetables but is still healthy (like a healthy whole wheat base pizza) and teach them to chop the vegetables and to cook it. They will take pride in the work done by them, and will be so excited to eat it!

3. Use colorful vegetables

I wouldn’t blame the little ones for not wanting to eat a bowl full of green broccoli, green asparagus and green spinach; I wouldn’t eat it either! Kids want their food to look colorful and exciting. Cut the veggies into different shapes, or serve the dish in a mason jar. Make the dishes look colorful and appealing so that your children will feel excited to eat it.

4. Make up fun names

Calling the vegetables ‘broccoli’ or ‘asparagus’ makes them sound so scary and unappetizing. A study has revealed that making up fun names for vegetables makes it more likely for kids to eat them. There is nothing wrong in making up some fun and exciting names like “Power Punch Broccoli” or “Silly Dilly Green Beans”. The kids will find it amusing, and will be more excited to eat it!

5. Reward them

This is the easiest way to get your kids to eat their veggies. Bribe them with dessert, or extra television time to get them to eat their vegetables. They might eventually start liking the vegetables, and there would be no need to bribe them anymore!

6. The ‘five bites’ rule

The one bite rule is one where you tell your kid that he only needs to take one bite, and can then decide if he wants to eat the vegetable or not. This method may not work, because the stubborn child will always choose not to continue eating it. If, instead, you impose a rule that your child has to take five bites before deciding whether to continue eating the vegetable or not, he would have gotten used to the taste by the fifth bite, and is more likely to actually like it!

7. Count Your Blessings

If your child is mature enough to understand, you could probably remind him how lucky he is to have food on the table. When your kid is stubborn and refuses to eat his food, you can explain to them how there are so many young children of his age, around the world, who cannot afford to eat a single meal a day. This will teach your child to count his blessings, and to value the food placed before him.

8. Be a Sneaky Mamma!

Another cunning thing to do would be to sneak the vegetables into their favorite dishes. The taste of the delicious dish will make the kids oblivious to the presence of the vegetables. You could add some broccoli to their mac and cheese, or wrap bacon around carrots to make them eat it! Your kids will not realize it, and will soon start loving it!

9. Make the vegetables accessible to them

If your child has access to a cabinet full of chips and cookies, they would never want to eat vegetables! Stop buying a lot of junk food, and stock up your refrigerator with cut fruits and vegetables.

10. Set an example

If we, as parents, are not particular about eating healthy, our kids will do the same. We must stop eating take out and stop buying too much junk food in order to set an example for our children. They must know that having easy access to junk food at all times is not an option, and they will soon start eating whatever is prepared at home.




Relocating to Dallas? 7 Relocation Tips on Cost of Living

January 25, 2019 by
Dallas living

Relocating is not just exciting, it’s also expensive. As with most booming cities, it’s not cheap to live in Dallas. In fact, the average cost of living is well above the national average. But don’t let this keep you from making the move!

If you’re planning to relocate to Dallas in the near future, you’ll want to know about the many ways that you can save money and lower your cost of living. Continue reading to learn about 7 different tips you can use to relocate to Dallas without breaking the bank.

1. Rent vs. Buying

One of the biggest decisions to make when relocating to a new city is whether to rent or buy. For most people, the deciding factor comes down to finances. Depending on where you live in Dallas, you may find that in some areas renting is cheaper, while in others, it’s cheaper to buy.

Before making your decision, take the time to create a budget and compare the costs of renting vs. buying. This way you can have the peace of mind that you aren’t moving to a location that you can’t comfortably afford.

2. Know the Area (And Your Price Point)

There are tons of neighborhoods and towns in the greater Dallas metropolitan area. Your price point for housing costs each month will greatly dictate where in the city you end up living. The most affordable Dallas suburbs include:

  • Mesquite
  • Lancaster
  • Garland
  • Balch Springs

These are great neighborhoods for people looking to live near the city without the overly expensive costs. If you have a larger housing budget, you’ll want to consider Highland Park, Southlake, or Grapevine.

3. Move Cheaply

Relocating to a new city doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. There are many ways you can save money on moving costs so that you aren’t left strapped for cash once you arrive at your new home. To start, determine if it’s cheaper to move on your own or to hire professional movers. If you’re relocating to Dallas from a far distance, you may find it cheaper and less of a hassle to use professional movers. When moving on your own, choose a storage pod over a moving truck.

Other ways to save money during the move include finding free boxes, using old blankets to protect furniture, and packing lightly. While it can be hard to part with items that you’ve owned for years, if you don’t need it, don’t move it! The more items you move, the more expensive the process will be.

4. Save Money on Internet Costs

In today’s world, having access to the internet is a necessity more so than a luxury. No matter if you’re a student, run a business from home, or someone who spends a lot of time surfing the web, having internet service is a must. When relocating to Dallas, you’ll want to ensure that you’re getting the best deal when choosing internet service. To make the decision process a little easier, you can search for the best internet providers in Dallas on digitalexits.com to find the provider that meets your needs without going over budget.

5. Bundle Home Entertainment Services

Rarely will you find a household that only has internet. If you also plan to have television and phone services, you can save a lot of money by bundling these services through the same provider. By bundling at-home services, you can save money each month without sacrificing picture quality or losing access to your favorite channels.

There are many providers to choose from in and around the city including AT&T, Cable One, and Frontier.

6. Be Energy Efficient

Hot summer and cold winters can cause a serious uptick in energy costs, which means increased monthly bills. While you can’t control the temperature, you can make your home more energy efficient. To save money on energy and utility costs:

  • Take shorter showers
  • Unplug devices when they aren’t in use
  • Install CFL or LED light bulbs
  • Use a programmable thermostat
  • Reduce hot water heater temperature

The more energy efficient your home is, the more money you can save on heating, cooling, and electric costs.

7. Use Public Transportation

One of the biggest benefits of living near a large city is access to public transportation. Dallas offers various transportation options, including the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). The light rail runs four different lines and travels 93 miles along its routes.

Depending on where you live in Dallas, you may also benefit from carpooling or even bicycling to work. If public transportation isn’t an option, you can cut transportation costs by walking or bicycling as often as possible, especially on the weekends.

Conclusion

Using these tips, you can save plenty of money when relocating to an expensive city like Dallas. You can also reduce your cost of living and make your money go much further.




Things You Must Know Before Picking a Flower Girl Dress: The Do’s and the Don’ts

January 24, 2019 by
flower dress

Choosing flower girl dresses are not as complex as they may seem. There are plenty of choices for your flower girl’s dress these days, such as a cute floral frock design dress or a lawn dress. Thanks to the advent of bridal stores with multiples options.

However, there are still a lot of things that can go wrong with flower girl dresses. From getting a rugged fabric to finalizing a bad color option, mishaps are waiting to happen. Hence to give you a quick look at all the dos and don’ts, read this post till the end.

The Do’s of Your Flower Girl Dresses

  • Match with the Theme: The first thing which you should do and ensure is matching the theme of the wedding to the theme of the dress. So for different types of backdrops, you must have the suiting flower girl dresses. For instance, for a ballroom wedding, you can opt for a fluffy frock or perhaps a mini gown. You need to make sure that the flower girl dresses are in-sync with the wedding theme.
  • Get It Approved: The approval of parents for the flower girl dress is as important as the approval of the girl. You need to make sure that your flower girl adores her dress and is looking forward to wearing it. If it may not seem too much, you may even take her for dress shopping. This way she can feel more responsible and a part of the wedding festivities. Parents will also appreciate this effort.
  • Find a Good Length: The length of the dress determines the comfort and the elegance of the flower girl dresses. For an older flower girl, you should definitely opt for a gown or a long silhouette and vice versa. It is also important to pair this length with comfortable shoes. You don’t want the flower girls slipping and tripping, do you?

The Don’ts of Your Flower Girl Dresses

  • Ask for Money: The biggest no that I can emphasis upon is asking for money for the lace flower girl dresses from the parents. It is considered very rude to directly ask for the cost of the dress. If, out of courtesy the parents offer to pay, then well and good. Otherwise, you should consider this cost as your own to incur.
  • Get an Expensive Dress: Do not, I repeat, do not get an expensive flower girl dress. Let me explain why. Lace flower girl dresses, for instance, are very graceful and elegant. But if you invest too much in these dresses, then you will waste your bucks. Kids outgrow these flower girl dresses. After a few years, they will either donate this dress or hang it at the very back of their closet. So decide carefully.
  • Buy a Rough Material: Buying an affordable dress doesn’t mean you’ll saddle the girl with a rugged material. Having such material can cause irritation, itchiness, and frustration among these kids. If you don’t want their smiles to fade, then get a dress of a soft fabric.

Wrapping-Up:

If you want your flower girls to remember the amazing wedding, then do follow the above-mentioned do’s and don’ts. However, don’t fret too much. Kids remember the good parts mostly.




5 New Years Health Resolutions with a Big Impact

January 22, 2019 by

The new year is a natural time to take stock of things and think about making improvements in your life. Health is always a popular area to reflect on, and many of us often feel guilty, or that we can be doing more. Buying a gym membership may feel like a good practical step, but this classic move often fails. Changing habits gradually over time and enjoying them is the key to success. Below are five resolutions you can focus on to make changes and stick to them!

1. Eat More Plants

Eating more servings of plant-based foods – like vegetables, fruits, 100% whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and plant oils – is not only better for you but for the environment, too. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are necessary for healthy functioning and to reduce inflammation in bodily systems.

Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike can benefit greatly from eating a variety of primarily whole, plant-based meals in their week. Whole foods that are fresh or frozen and haven’t been processed and packaged are best. Processed foods are often loaded with preservatives, salt, sugar, and other food additives.

An easy way to increase your plant power is to expand your recipe repertoire to include new dishes with lots of delicious herbs and spices (also high in antioxidants) for flavour, rather than trying to subtract meat and dairy from your standard weekly menu.

Dental Care

2. Practice Better Dental Care

Your teeth and oral health are very important for wellbeing and physical health, yet it’s easy to let proper dental care slip. Brushing, flossing, and optionally using mouth wash, are routine activities that will be easy to do morning and night once you’re in the habit.

It’s also necessary to make regular dental appointments for checkups, cleanings, and repairs. It’s good to have an emergency dental clinic for your family to turn to in advance of any trouble.

Also, cut back on sugary liquids, starchy and sticky snacks, plus visit a dentist if you grind your teeth or snore.

3. Find the Right Exercise

The key to keeping in shape is finding a physical activity that you enjoy. Working out at the gym can be boring and running is not for everyone. But perhaps kickboxing, Ashtanga yoga, or belly dancing is satisfying and fun for you.

Joining a class is a good social activity and regularly scheduled classes will motivate you to keep at it while receiving proper instruction. If it’s easier for you to do yoga instructed by a YouTube star, or to stationary cycle while watching a Netflix marathon, then go for that instead.

4. Mind Your Mental Health

Part of being healthy is self-care and doing things that are mentally healthy. Your body and mind are connected, so exercise and diet will go a long way to help. It’s also important to monitor your mood and get to know what stresses you out to develop maintenance strategies. Social activities and being with loved ones, even for introverts, is essential to feeling well. Understanding the realities of how work-life balance really operates is helpful, too.

5. Be Patient and Kind to Yourself

The final resolution is to not be too hard on yourself. None of these changes will happen instantly, nor should they. They are all habits that need to be formed over time so that you’ll stick to them. You won’t be perfect with them nor will you see instant results.

If you’re kind to yourself it will help with positivity and motivation. This is how real changes can occur.




Anxiety Disorder Decoded – 31 Secrets of Sufferers of Anxiety

January 21, 2019 by
stress


Anxiety is more common than what it appears to be. There are people around us, seemingly normal people but deep within they suffer from anxiety disorder and it is no joke. There are millions around us affected by anxiety disorder and though we cannot do much to comfort them, we can surely make their life easier by trying to understand what they go through on a daily basis. Here are some points that will help you understand these people better.

1. The people who suffer from anxiety disorder know that worrying is as useful as trying to solve an algebra equation while chewing bubble gum! They are aware that worrying is worthless and will only do them harm but there is not much they can do to control their wandering mind that hovers endlessly on a particular issue that does not deserve as much attention. When people ask them to stop worrying, in their heads these people think “If only it were that easy!”
2. Physically they might appear to be quite at ease but within their head, there is a lot that goes on. Ever tried listening to music, sleeping and preparing for a test, all at the same time? Well, that is what goes on inside the minds of these people. Sometimes the quantum of random things that goes through their head is difficult for them to process, making them feel completely lost.
3. The saddest part is, most of the times the people who suffer from anxiety disorder themselves cannot comprehend what is wrong in their life or with them, for that matter.
4. Sleeping is not a relaxing activity for them. Forget about their minds being at ease, the bedtime is a moment of self scrutiny for them. They analyse every minute detail of the world around them and go on to think about their repercussions even though it will remotely affect them.
5. They do not want to feel this way but regardless of what they want, they feel what they feel. They have little control over their emotions.
6. To you they might appear to be ridiculous or dramatic but for them it is a mind-boggling moment when everything just sort of starts running through their heads.
7. Unlike what you might think, people with anxiety disorders are not introvert who keep thinking in their heads and not saying a word. More often than not, such people have a very outgoing personality and people like us rarely get a hint of their mental status.
8. People suffering from anxiety disorders prefer staying in their cozy corner if they have spent the previous day in a crowded room or among lots of people. The need some “me-time” to sort of reorganize and retune their mind.
9. There is no on and off switch in their head and they cannot stop worrying as easily as you can.
10. They feel like they are being pursued by someone they want to get rid off. Would you like to feel the same? All the time?
11. Their anxiety is a mental burden that breaks them down more often than you can ever imagine.
12. Even if they sound delusional or irrational to you, whatever they go through is a very real scenario for them. Something that you and I can never really comprehend.
13. Worst part? Consoling them does not Really help.
14. What they go through is no overreaction. It is a real life situation for them. Imagine yourself standing at the payment counter only to find your purse missing. Yes, like that. A very real thing.
15. They do not willingly choose to go crazy over the simplest of things. Anxiety chooses them, much like cancer.
16. Anxiety breaks havoc on their systems making them unproductive but that does not mean that they are lazy. Imagine yourself being under a stressful situation for an overwhelming long period of time.
17. Just like cancer, typhoid or common cold, anxiety is an illness that people have to learn to accept.
18. Worrying and being anxious is not the same thing. You and I, we all worry about a lot of things but how many of us actually go crazy about a lost pen cap? Give it a thought.
19. Some people find it difficult to express their mental state to others, that however does not mean that they are feeling less anxious. In fact it is the worst case scenario where you have this heavy burden in your heart and no one to talk to.
20. Praying does not help, sorry about bursting your bubble.
21. People who suffer from anxiety disorders are not mad, crazy or lunatic. Such people are stronger than what you and I can ever be.
22. All your soothing and calming them down will not stop them from getting worried about things or stop their heart from skipping a beat.
23. Things that appear humble and simple to us can be overwhelming for them. Like, writing in a straight line, perhaps.
24. Anxiety disorder is not something that the patients can control.
25. Your failure to understand what they go through does not make their situation any less real.
26. Continuous thinking and worrying about the tiniest of things makes them feel suffocated and overburdened.
27. They DO NOT do it to grab eyeballs.
28. They overthink about everything they do during the course of the day. Even about a stutter in their usual good morning to you.
29. Because of the way normal people interact with them, people suffering from anxiety disorders hate social gatherings and prefer staying alone. It is not their choice, it is rather, our imposition on them.
30. They obsess about every tiny detail of their life.
31. It’s completely normal to be a suffering from severe anxiety, and also be an extrovert.

Anxiety doesn’t just affect introverts, it can affect people of any age, gender and character.

Instead of being judged, they need compassion and a little understanding towards them. It is very easy to pass comments but what is a light hearted joke for you and what may pass with a “no offence” tag is perhaps more than enough to keep them up at night so it is very important that we do not take our mental well being for granted. Instead, we should try and understand what it feels like to be in their shoes and to battle with the harsh world that is ever ready to jump the gun and pass off an insensitive remark.




Easy And Simple Steps For A Healthier Life

January 17, 2019 by
Healthy diet

Stay Hydrated

There are a lot of health benefits that you can get just by drinking enough water. Two gallons of water will keep you hydrated throughout the day. It is said that staying hydrated helps us maximize physical performance. Drinking a glass of water after you wake up will compensate for what was lost during your sleep. And drinking a glass of water before meals will also help you eat less as this will make you feel full. But you need to avoid consuming fluids or even solid foods 2 or 3 hours before going to bed as this might interrupt the quality of your sleep.

Have At Least 8 Hours Of Quality Sleep

Lack of sleep can cause several diseases. It also affects our behavior and cognitive skills. So it is not surprising what benefits we can get just by having at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep. Having enough sleep can reduce stress and help us stay alert. Sleeping doesn’t just make us feel relaxed but it also helps our body repair itself. It gives us the energy to add exercise on our daily routines. Sleep quality is affected by a multitude of factors and your mattress is perhaps the most important one. Especially for people who struggle with back pain, getting a good night’s sleep can be very difficult. Consider upgrading to a special mattress for back pain to ensure you get the most out of your sleep.

Exercise

Exercising doesn’t have to take more than an hour of your week. You don’t even need to go the gym to do it. Strength training can be performed twice a week for around 15 minutes per session. And cardiovascular training should be 2 – 3 times a week for a total of 30 short minutes. These exercises should be enough to keep you in shape and add a little strength. You can do your exercise at home with the use of a resistance band door anchor and other exercise equipment. 

Fast

Whether it is a part of your religious belief or a weight loss plan, fasting is proved to help us improve our health in many ways. Fasting means abstaining from eating or drinking for a period of time. It helps us boost our immune system and even helps us live a longer life. One of the most popular and effective way to lose weight is intermittent fasting. Fasting may not be advisable for some, specially for those who are taking medications. But it’s still best to consult your doctor before fasting.

Maintain A Normal Body Weight

This may not be that easy as you may need to follow the previous steps. But this may also be one of the most important key to live a healthier life. Watching your body weight closely means being cautious of our food intake. And maintaining a normal body weight also means lowering the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure. It may also lower the risk of many different cancers. Though using a weighing scale may not be that accurate, you can also consider DEXA Scan. It is said to be one of the best and accurate ways to measure body composition.

In summary, following these steps could simply mean living a normal life. There may be a lot more ways to stay healthy, but these are some of the simplest ways to do it.




4 Ways to Incorporate Both Sides of the Family For an Extra Special Baby Shower

January 15, 2019 by
baby gift

Organizing a family event can be chaotic, fun and exciting. Not only do you get busy choosing what food to serve and setting up the theme of the party but you get to be excited about the thought of seeing the faces of your loved ones. But what happens when you are in the midst of a party held for both sides of your family? It can be intimidating when you are up against a happy event where your side of the family meets your spouse’s family. Everyone will be excited and should be involved.

Whether it’s a baby shower or a sip and see gender reveal party, when you plan to incorporate both sides of the family in the same venue it means certified joy, chaos, and fun. It will be a joyous occasion because you are celebrating the coming or the presence of the newest member of the family. It can be chaotic because a lot of things can happen simultaneously. It’s for sure going to be fun because it is a big get together. To help you out on this endeavor, here are some ways to make sure incorporating families for a baby party is a piece of cake.

Have a family meeting to plan it

The most basic thing to start off with a baby shower or sip and see reveal party is by organizing a family meeting. Create a checklist of the things to eat and do on that special day. Be sure to get input from both sides of the family. Set up a date that is convenient for everyone.

Assign duties

Now it is time to distribute family duties. I’m pretty sure the doting uncles and aunties will be ready to be involved and that is something you can take advantage of. You can assign duties for them to help with. Give one the responsibility in the kitchen, so for what and how much to serve guests. Another one should focus on the decoration, it should be pleasing for both families and appropriate for a baby party. One should think about the kind of games that would be played and will surely make the occasion more fun. Another person’s job should be to make a guest list and send out invitations.

Get baby pictures for both parents

Both sides of the family will excitedly wonder who the baby will look more like, the parents will have their own claim and even grandparents. Setup baby pictures for both parents and create a game where the attendees will vote where the baby’s looks come from. Announce the winner in the birth announcement you send out.

Have each family member write a letter for the baby to open on their 18th birthday

On a more sentimental side, have every attendee write a letter addressed to the 18-year-old version of the baby. It can be anything from their best wishes, their aspiration for the child, their promise, or even their hopes and dreams for him or her. Ask if there is anyone willing to read out his or her letter for the baby, just to make the atmosphere more special. Afterwards, have all the letters kept in a sealed box, because 18 years is a long time. It sure is a sentimental, tearful and meaningful gift for the newest family member.




The Things Nobody Tells You About Moving

January 10, 2019 by
Moving house checklist

There are plenty of reasons why people decide to move: new job opportunities, a need for bigger or smaller space, lifestyle changes, etc. And when it comes to moving, most people already know that it can be a stressful situation packed with a lot of experiences and events that you may not have expected. However, instead of forcing yourself to be out of the loop when it comes to moving, it’s important for you to be as prepared as possible. In order to do that, here are the things nobody tells you about moving.

Be prepared before you put your house up for sale.

Moving isn’t something you can just randomly do and expect it go smooth. Instead, you need to be prepared before you put your house up for sale. That’s because you will need to do a variety of things, such as find a realtor, update and small issues that may be around your home, prepare for a home inspection, and understand all the costs and time involved. If you are really serious about moving, then be sure you are fully aware of how the process will likely work and what steps you need to take in order to move forward. All of this information can help ensure you have a better overall experience when it comes to your move.

There are a lot of people involved in the process.

While you may think you only need to deal with your realtor, there are actually a lot more people involved with your move than you may anticipate. First, you need a realtor to help you find a home. Then, you’ll need a mortgage broker to help you find the necessary funding for that home. Once you find a home and sign a contract, your mortgage broker will send all your information to an underwriter who will likely need more information, documentation, etc. in order to approve it. All of this paperwork will then also need to be viewed by your real estate lawyer, and the seller’s lawyer, before you can even schedule a closing.

Strategize your packing.

You may look around your house and think you don’t really have that much stuff to move, but once you start actually putting stuff in boxes, you’ll find that you own a lot more than you realize. This is why it’s necessary for you to strategize your packing in any way you possibly can.

  1. Go through closets, basements, and attics ahead of time and purge anything you no longer need.
  2. Honestly look at your belongings and furnishings and determine if these are all things you’ll need/use in your new space; if not, get rid of them.
  3. Pack one room at a time to be sure you are organized with your boxes.
  4. Use a recording system to keep track of what items are in what boxes so you’ll know where to find certain things when you need them.

Moving will cost money.

Even if you plan on doing everything yourself and making a profit on your home’s sale, it’s important to understand that moving will cost you money. However, that doesn’t mean it needs to be expensive; instead, find the best ways to save on moving costs, such as saving boxes or asking stores to take their shipping boxes off their hands; asking friends or family members for help; and even moving during the off-season. If you have a very tight budget, it’s really important that you are fully aware of what moving will cost so you can ensure you don’t get into a bad financial situation in order to do it.

Moving will take time.

While you will hope for a quick sale and to find the new home of your dreams with ease, chances are moving will take more time than you anticipated. Whether you have to sell your current place in order to move or if you are just looking to purchase a home for the first time, you need to understand the process, which goes something like this.

  • Find a home you want to purchase.
  • Put an offer on it.
  • Haggle back and forth with owners.
  • Agree to a price.
  • Sign contract.
  • Send over escrow money.
  • Wait for mortgage company, banks, brokers, and lawyers to approve all paperwork.
  • Schedule an inspection.
  • Negotiate inspection findings, if applicable.
  • Schedule closing.

Even in a good real estate market, it could take almost  two months to close on a house, and that’s assuming everything goes well. Make sure you are aware of this so you can plan your move accordingly.

While you may have your reasons for moving, it’s still very important that you fully understand what you’re getting into so you can be more prepared for the overall experience.




Calm Caledonia — 5 tips for a chilled Scottish trip

January 7, 2019 by
scottland

If you’ve got Scottish roots, you’re part of a robust global diaspora — in 2009, then-First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond stated that tartan runs in the blood of around 100 million people.

But events like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and TV shows like Outlander mean Scotland’s popular with every kind of family. 

If you fancy visiting, prep for four seasons in one day, but there are several more tips to note to ensure that your trip to this beautiful part of the world is chilled, calm and captivating.

  • Accommodation

Practically every part of Scotland’s switched on to the needs of family tourists, so you won’t struggle to find suitable lodgings wherever you wander.

But a central belt location like Glasgow is a great base that’s chock-full of culture and reasonably close to locations like Stirling, Edinburgh and Dundee — as well as the rugged highlands and islands.

Search Airbnb.co.uk for a Glasgow apartment in a central area like the Merchant City and you’ll feel comfy for the duration of your trip.

  • Pre-flight parking

To keep kids calm before you board a long-haul flight to Scotland, minimise pre-flight travel hassles by making your way to the departure airport in the familiar surroundings of your car, rather than via public transport.

Find airport parking at Looking4.com for Australia or any other worldwide location, stow your vehicle securely and stroll serenely to departures with no teenage tantrums whatsoever.

  • Bannockburn Visitor’s Centre

If your kids like lively history, Scotland’s got more than you can shake a sporran at.

And at the Bannockburn Visitor’s Centre near Stirling, they’ll enjoy stepping into the shoes of King Robert the Bruce at the same spot where he led Scottish troops to a famous victory against the English in 1314.

Inside the centre, there’s an interactive 3D recreation of the battle which brings it to life in all its spine-tingling glory.

  • Edinburgh Zoo’s pandas

While you’re enjoying the stunning scenery and hospitality of Scotland’s capital, please don’t forget to pop in to see pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang at Edinburgh Zoo.

They’re currently the only giant pandas in the UK, and children absolutely love watching these laid-back legends climb wooden frames, cool off in caves and chomp bamboo.

When you’re done perusing pandas, there are plenty of other awe-inspiring animals such as penguins, lions, tigers and wallabies — you’ll easily while away a few hours at this attraction.

  • Glamis Castle

If your kids are fond of fairytales, there are castles a-plenty in Scotland.

And Glamis Castle in Angus is one of the most child-friendly, with gardens and grounds where they can see roe deer, pheasants and otters, tour guides who tell tall tales about resident ghosts and delicious cakes at the Victorian Kitchen Restaurant.

Book family tickets for Glamis Castle before you leave to avoid disappointment — it can be busy during the summer season.

Follow these five tips for a calm Caledonian trip and your kids will have enough magical memories to last them a lifetime.

Do you have Scottish travel tips? Share them in the comments section.




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