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Easy Fireplace Maintenance—Love the Heart of Your Home

February 1, 2019 by

Your fireplace can easily be described as the heart of your home; a cozy source of heat, smell and crackle. Spending family time around a fire, or decorating a fireplace, is part of the joy of the winter months. Taking proper care of your home’s fireplace is also extremely important, not only for cleanliness reasons, but also for optimal safety. A well-maintained fireplace lasts a lifetime. For homeowners with wood burning fireplaces at home, here are several easy maintenance tips to keep in mind:

Remove Ashes Regularly

fireplace

Homeowners should routinely clean their fireplaces and keep them free of ashes and other debris to ensure optimal performance. Keeping your fireplace free of ashes also minimizes the risk of fire hazards, and keeps dust levels at a minimum. To keep your fireplace clean, invest in the right type of tools including like heat-resistant brushes, shovel and fireplace tongs.

Prevent Smoke from Coming into Your Home

If smoke from the fireplace is continuously coming into your home, that’s an indication that something is wrong with your fireplace. If the interior of the fireplace is clean, make sure there isn’t any creosote or soot build-up in the chimney. Debris may get stuck up in the chimney and affect how smoke exits your home.

Being selective about what you burn inside your home is also an easy way to avoid unnecessary exposure to smoke and ashes. When starting a fire, make sure the damper on your fireplace or chimney is completely open. Avoid using too much newspaper when staring your fire, make sure the wood you’re using is completely dry and is not treated with paints or stains.

In some situations, a faulty damper could be the culprit. In need of advice from a professional? Online hating experts such as WeLoveFire.com can help with the troubleshooting process.

Examine Your Chimney

Your chimney should be routinely cleaned and verified to make sure it isn’t blocked or allowing harmful gases to enter your home. Most insurance companies may ask to verify your chimney before insuring your home. If ever you are in doubt of the condition of your chimney, it’s crucial that you have your fireplace and chimney inspected by a professional. It’s recommended to do so annually, or at least biannually if you can’t afford it. A professional would be more capable of assessing the structural soundness of your fireplace and chimney.

Cleaning your chimney every year is a great way to ensure your chimney is free of creosote build-up, avoiding the main cause of chimney fires. Creosote can be removed yourself using a good chimney brush, or by hiring a professional chimney sweeper.




Financial Obligations to Prepare for When Getting Divorced

January 29, 2019 by
Divorce

Whether you see the divorce coming because you initiated it or you were blindsided by the request when your partner said it was time, going through a divorce is tough. Even when you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse are amicable and work together to keep the situation as stress free as possible, there are still many financial obligations to consider and prepare for.

Child Support

Unless you and your spouse can come to an agreement without court intervention, the court will use a formula based on the amount of income you earn and the amount of time the children are in your custody to calculate the amount of child support you owe. This payment will be due every month, and will have to go through the courts to be modified in the event that circumstances change. Each state has their own rules and formulas for how the child support amount is calculated.

Alimony/Spousal Support

In many states, it’s still possible to request alimony or spousal support. This is especially the case for parents who have opted to stay at home with the kids rather than work. If you’re the spouse that’s responsible for the payments, you’ll need to plan accordingly. If you’re the spouse receiving the payments, you’ll still need to prepare for how you’ll earn income outside of that because in most cases, it’s not enough to live on. Each state also has its own rules about how to request spousal support and how it’s calculated.

Division of Assets

Who’s keeping what? If one spouse stays in the marital home, there’s the issue of getting the other spouse off the mortgage, which requires refinancing. If your credit or income isn’t good enough to stand on its own, you may have trouble. Who’s responsible for the mortgage while you wait for the home to sell, if both of you plan on living elsewhere? What about the cars and the loans on them? What about the joint checking account? Savings accounts? 401ks? Credit card debt?

While the courts will generally advocate a 50/50 split of all property – physical and otherwise, if the two of you cannot agree, this too, will go to court dragging out the process. If you don’t have a lawyer, this can easily get too complicated to handle on your own, which brings us to the next point.

Legal Fees

While it’s possible to get a divorce in your state without hiring a lawyer, you will likely have to pay a fee to the court for bringing up the case. Some states allow you to file indigent, which waives the court costs associated with the case.

In a high-conflict divorce where the two of you cannot decide on how to handle custody and child support or the division of assets, you will have no choice but to hire a lawyer to assist you. No matter how you cut it, lawyers aren’t exactly affordable. Your area may offer legal assistance for your divorce case if you have a low income, but you may still be responsible for a portion of the bill, depending on the types of programs available.

Savings for Unexpected Expenses

Unexpected expenses are going to occur whether you’re married or not, but they can hit a bit harder when you’re working with less because you no longer have access to the income you once did. Though in the perfect world you’d always be able to count on child support and alimony payments coming in on time, that may not always be the case. Divorce can, but does not have to, spell financial ruin for you and your spouse. Preparing as much as you can in advance helps ease the burden for both parties.




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.




6 Steps You Can Take To Reduce Chances Of A Pest Infestation

December 31, 2018 by
household pest

Once spring season arrives, insects leave their overwintering sites to search for food and water, and to breed. These factors often lead to pest infestations in households during the warmer seasons. However, you can prevent ants, termites, ticks, spiders, arizona bark scorpions, and other pests from infesting your house by incorporating the following simple pest-proofing techniques as a part of your spring cleaning routine:

1. Inspect your house thoroughly for any insect access points.

You should look over your entire house to find and seal any openings that may allow insects to get in. Pay special attention to any extra space present around utility pipe entrances and loose window panes. Seal any small opening with a silicone-based caulk. The steel wool is good for keeping insects out of and away from larger openings.

Pest control professionals offer pest control services in California that prioritize prevention and long-term solutions through the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. Their approach involves identifying and addressing the root causes of pest infestations rather than simply eliminating the pests themselves. This holistic approach ensures that pest problems are resolved effectively and efficiently while minimizing the use of pesticides and other chemicals. Additionally, their team of experienced and certified pest control experts provides customized solutions tailored to the specific needs of each client’s property.

2. Look for signs of pest infestations

You should observe the woodwork of your house for any termite damage. This includes mud tubes, soft and brittle wood that sounds hollow and cracked, and flaking paint. If any of these signs are present, you should contact a professional pest control firm, like on https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/aptive/california/, to come and treat the infestation.

3. Learn how to identify certain dangerous pests

Although some pests are just pesky and harmless, certain insects may spread diseases, or have poisonous bites or stings. These include the arizona bark scorpion, which is one of the most venomous scorpions, and some spider species. Thus, if you live in an area prone to pest infestations, it is crucial for you to identify poisonous insects for the increased safety of your household.

4. Thorough Yard Clean-up

If your house has a yard, it is imperative for you to maintain and clean it properly. This will reduce the chances of insects developing in your yard and finding their way into your home. You should properly landscape your yard by keeping the grass cut low. Trim the tree shrubs and bushes as well to ensure that vegetation grows in an opposite direction from your house. In addition, clean your gutters of leaves and other organic matter too; debris can cause water to collect in the gutters and serve as a pest breeding ground.

5. House Repairs

Take care of any broken screens, broken or cracked windows, loose windowpanes, and loose mortar around windows and basement foundation. You should also repair rotten or broken roof shingles and fascia boards, as some insects breed or feed on rotting wood. Prevent standing water by directing it away from your house through draining gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks. You should repair leaking faucets or water pipes as well.

6. Regular House Maintenance

You can incorporate certain steps in your house maintenance routine to prevent pest infestations. If you use firewood, be sure to store it at a distance of 20 feet from your house while mulch should always be 15 feet away from the basement foundation. You can use trash bins with lids to keep garbage covered, and should dispose it of in an outside dumpster as quickly as possible. Kitchens can often serve as a breeding ground for insects. Therefore, you must keep your counters clean and sweep the kitchen floor to get rid of any food crumbs. Any spoilt food should also be disposed of as soon as possible. Furthermore, vacuuming is useful to get rid of any food crumbs quickly since that can attract ants. Regular vacuuming can also get remove any pest eggs that have gotten into your house.




4 Tips for Living without a Garage

December 24, 2018 by
Tools

While most newly built homes have garages, many older properties throughout the country lack garages or permanent outdoor storage spaces. If you find yourself in a situation where you lack a garage, you face a unique set of factors. The only way to overcome this disadvantage is to get creative.

4 Ways to Survive Without a Garage

The first attached garages emerged in American home construction in the 1920s, but it wasn’t until the 1930s and 1940s that they become popular. By the 1970s, most new construction homes in middle and upper-class neighborhoods were being built with garages – though ranch homes and other styles commonly went with carports instead. Today, you’ll occasionally find new homes built without a garage, but it’s quite rare.

If you own a home that was built in the 20th century, it’s entirely possible that you lack a garage. While this isn’t the end of the world, it certainly presents some inconveniences. Not only does this leave your vehicle exposed to the elements, but it also limits the storage space you have for things like lawn equipment, outdoor toys, tools, and garden supplies.

For homeowners without garages, there are some workarounds. Let’s explore some of the options so that you can come up with a strategic game plan:

  1. Portable Garages

Few things will cause as much wear and tear to a vehicle’s exterior as exposure to the elements. Everything from sun and wind to rain and hail will fade, chip, and dent you’re your paint job – potentially knocking off thousands of dollars in resale value.

Sometimes you just need a way to protect your vehicle from the elements. The most cost-effective solution for homeowners without garages is to use a portable garage. High-quality portable shelters can be purchased for a few hundred dollars and be easily assembled and dissembled for temporary use during certain seasons or periods.

  • Backyard Sheds

If your primary pain point is not having space to store outdoor items – such as lawn equipment or tools – then you may want to look into a backyard shed. With a shed, you get secure storage space that’s sturdy and safe from the elements. You can even buy a shed that matches the siding of your house so that it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

  • Rented Warehouse Space

Do you need a bunch of space for storing equipment? Or do you have a hobby that requires a bunch of room to work – such as building engines or doing woodworking? In these situations, a portable garage or backyard shed might not be your best option. Instead, you can look into renting warehouse space.

Depending on where you live and what rates are like in your area, empty warehouse space may be a cheap and convenient way to acquire extra space without doing anything to your existing property.

  • Crawl Space Storage

Do you have a crawl space underneath your house? If it’s high enough for you to stand or crouch, it may be suitable for storing certain outdoor items. If you do choose to go this route, consider sealing off the crawl space, or at least throwing down an extra vapor barrier. This will prevent your stuff from excessive exposure to the elements (which often have a way of seeping into the crawlspace).

Is a Garage Addition Possible?

As this article shows, there are plenty of ways to get around not having a garage. However, there’s certainly something to be said for having one. If you feel like you need a garage, look into the possibility of an addition to your home.

Because of all the variables – including space, location, materials, etc. – it’s hard to provide an accurate estimate of how much an attached garage addition costs. However, according to Fixr.com, you’re likely going to land somewhere in between $7,500 and $27,040.

Every homeowner can’t justify spending this amount of money on a garage, but if it helps, think of it as an investment. Depending on the neighborhood you’re in, and what features comparable homes have in your area, you should recoup a large percentage of the garage addition when you eventually sell the house. So from this perspective, it’s not nearly as costly.




27 Things you must know about your Friends with Anxiety and Depression

December 24, 2018 by
stress

Do you have a friend, who is constantly depressed?
If yes, then you surely know about the different things that he goes through, as a patient of depression. Gone are the days when people made fun of depression, now, more and more people are aware of this problem, due to which it is being taken far more seriously than ever before.
Depression is not just a state of mind; it is a feeling of chronic loneliness; a feeling which isolates you even in a room full of people; a feeling in which you dwell in sadness for hours, days, months or even years together. A lot of people go through this. However, they are not well understood by everyone.
This is exactly where you need to do your part. Here are the top 30 things you must know and understand about your friends going through anxiety issues and depression:
1) They don’t like getting out of bed, but that doesn’t mean they can never get out of there. If they are unable to pull themselves out of there, help them; pull them out of their sorrows.
2) They are not lazy, they are depressed; there’s a big difference. Most of the people say that their depressed friends are lazy. Trust me when I say this – they are not at all lazy; they just don’t know how to do things the way other people do.
3) They are not cowards; they are going through things that you can’t even imagine: They go through hundreds of things together; their mind is endless and it keeps pushing them to depressive thoughts.
4) They are hysterical, yes, because they don’t know how to balance their emotions: You might see them getting overly excited at times and overly sensitive during other times; that’s because hysteria doesn’t leave them.
5) Their abnormal heartbeats are palpitations; that’s not acid reflux or acidity. If you tell them that their heart palpitations are nothing but acidic heartburns, they can never explain to you about their depression.
6) They have already got their ‘to-do’ list, but they are not able to focus on anything at all. They are trying hard to cope-up with different things, but are unable to concentrate on any task that they wish to do.
7) They do go out, they do sit with their friends, but they are lonely in larger groups too. Even if you see your depressed friends sitting in larger groups, give them special attention.
8) Their problem is not to be made fun of. A lot of people still make fun of depressed patients; don’t do that with your friends; what they are going through is something they don’t want others to go through.
9) They don’t sleep well at night the way you do, despite trying really hard. They try hard to fall asleep but they are just not able to.
10) They are not smiling, they are struggling. Even if they are smiling, they are not happy.
11) They sleep the whole day at times, but that’s not good either. They might sleep whole day, but that doesn’t make them lazy; that’s just another symptom of being severely depressed.
12) Their heart sinks with the thought of losing you. Don’t tell them you would leave them, ever.
13) They have suicidal thoughts in their minds. Depressed people are bound to think about suicide every once in a while.
14) They wish to do a lot of things but they don’t want to take the efforts. It’s not that they don’t want to live; they wish to do many things, but are unable to.
15) They feel unwanted, despite the number of friends they have on Facebook. They may have a long list of friends on Facebook; that doesn’t make them less depressed.
16) Their status messages are not for sympathy; they don’t need sympathy, they need love. If they have depressive status messages, don’t ignore them; that’s not for sympathy, they need your attention and love.
17) Yes, they seek attention at times, but that’s only to get love and care from you. They do it all the time because they don’t get the love they deserve.
18) They get up in the middle of the night, screaming from nightmares. Depressed people are bound to have nightmares.
19) They are like you, but they are nothing like you. Despite being human, they seem like aliens in larger groups.
20) They bite their nails due to anxiety. Don’t stop them from biting their nails; it’s a sign of severe anxiety and depression.
21) They tell you to leave but they don’t want you to go. Even if they are rude at times, don’t leave them, they need you.
22) They cancel plans because they don’t want you to know things about their life. They want to be in their shell at times; don’t let them dwell there.
23) They have isolated themselves, but they don’t mind you coming over to see them. Drop into their home to see them, they will love it!
24) You are their only hope. You can help them survive and lead a better, stress-free life.
25) They are not hiding anything from you; they just don’t know what’s going on inside their mind. They might not be able to explain about their depression; that’s only because they don’t know why they are depressed.
26) Their breakup has affected them more than you can imagine. They can’t pull themselves out of their bad breakup.
27) They want to come out of depression, but they are unable to. They feel every word you say; don’t be rude to them.




How to Calm an Anxious Child

December 10, 2018 by
children

It is common for children to feel anxious; just like adults. When they are trying something new, or do not like doing something, it makes them anxious. Kids get anxious especially when there is some big change in their lives; like shifting to a new house or school. Anxious kids will find it hard to concentrate, will lack self-confidence and will lose their temper easily. It is important for us, as parents, to not snap at them, and to help them deal with their problem instead. We must be able to talk to our kids about their anxiety issue, and help them overcome it. If your child’s anxiety is severe, and starts to interfere with their everyday life, it may be better to consult a doctor. Given below are a number of tools that can help calm an anxious child.

1. Visualization

Visualization is an extremely powerful tool to deal with anxiety. You can ask your child to close their eyes and to picture themselves in their happy place. Let them visualize them in a place where they feel safe, comfortable and happy. This will help ease out the symptoms of anxiety. You can also ask them questions like, “If you gave your feeling a color, what color would it be?”, or “Rate how you feel from one to ten”. This will help you determine their level of anxiety, before discussing it with them.

2. Counting

Another effective way to calm your anxious child would be to get them to count. This is a distraction technique that requires your child to concentrate while counting, which helps ease their level of anxiety. You could even ask them to focus on the clock, and tell you when ten minutes have gone by.

3. Breathing Technique

Breathing is a calming strategy for anxious children. Tell them to close their eyes and take a few deep breathes, or you can even make it into a game by telling them,” Let’s pretend we’re blowing up a giant balloon. So take a deep breath, and blow it up till the count of 5.” This will easily distract the child, and calm them down.

4. Calming fragrances

Fragrances are also known to calm anxiety. Spray some soothing perfume, or light some scented candles around the room to instantly calm your kid

5. Drawing

Drawing or coloring is an excellent tool to divert the attention of an anxious child. When your child starts to feel anxious, you can place a coloring book in front of them. You can also ask your child to draw in order to express his feelings. Sometimes it is easier to express ones emotions through art rather than words.

6. Love

Show your kid that they are loved and cared for, in order to ease their anxiety. Embrace them, and tell them they are loved and safe. Ask them to take a minute to list out all the people that they love. Tell them you are proud of them, and will always protect them. Support your child through the difficult situation, and assure them that you both will get through the situation together.

7. Question them

Another way to deal with anxiety issues is to actually deal with the problem. You can do so by asking them to identify what they feel and to open up to you about it. Ask them the following questions:

• Why do you feel this way?
• What do you think will happen next?
• What is the worst thing that could happen?
• Let’s act like detectives and investigate the situation, shall we?
• How can I help?

8. Motivate Them

Sometimes, kids just need a little reassurance that everything will be alright. Therefore, it is extremely important to motivate and encourage them to get through the situation. Saying things like “You are so brave!” or “You can do it” will really help them be brave and face their problems. Reassure them that you will
you are always by their side, and will help them persevere in this situation. Another trick to help ease their anxiety is by telling them to say “I can do this!”10 times; louder each time.

9. Relating

Your kid probably thinks that they are the only ones having anxiety issues. As parents, it is our job to let them know that there are times when we also get scared and anxious; and also tell them what we did to overcome it. Acknowledging that the situation is difficult is also a good thing to do, because it lets your child know that you respect their feelings.

10. Exercising

Going out for a walk or making your child do yoga are great tools to relax them and relieve them of their anxiety. They can also stretch, or go for a run to burn excess energy and boost their mood.

11. Stress Ball

Stress balls are malleable toys that are squeezed in the hands to relieve anxiety and stress. It is an extremely useful tool for kids to use when they are feeling anxious, as they can direct their anxiety to the stress ball.

12. Changing the topic

Changing the topic is also a good option because it will help divert the attention of the anxious child. Try to engage them in some fun activity when they feel anxious. Encourage them to keep their feelings aside, and either draw, or go for a walk. When they deal with the problem later, it won’t seem like such a big issue anymore!




20 Things No One Tells You About Having A Second Child

November 26, 2018 by
child


When you and the husband planned baby no. 2, you expected things to be a little easier. After all, you’ve been through the pregnancy grind once before. How hard could a second pregnancy get? Well, fast-forward nine months and you wish you had someone to give you better advice. It becomes difficult to juggle motherhood and your sanity for the first few months.

However, give it a few years and you might look back on this period and smile.

Before that happens, here are 20 things no one told you about having a second child:

That overwhelming feeling

During the initial months, things become a tad bit overwhelming. If having one child to run after wasn’t enough, you have to carry a second one. And, if the little one in the womb is a kicker, be prepared for a whirlwind nine months.

People will doubt you

Be prepared for people to second-guess your ability to juggle two children. They might even offer help out of sympathy. Let them know that you have things under control, even if you don’t.

‘Busy’ takes on a whole new meaning

You thought your life was busy before baby no.2. Now, you have to find a way to pack in visits to the dentist, doctor’s appointment and your elder child’s soccer games. It isn’t all fun and games.

Diaper changes become a race

You have to find a new way to ensure you get the little one’s diaper changed in time before ensuring the elder child does not break the new vase you bought. Sometimes, you may wish you had an extra set of eyes.

Leaving the house requires planning

Gone are the days when you could leave your home for an outing whenever you wanted. Now, you have to ensure you have baby formula, extra diapers and toys for the little one before you hit the road. You might also have to carry juice for elder brother. Staying at home a better idea, right?

The non-stop feeding spree

When the little one isn’t hungry, you have to ensure the elder one has something to eat. When you have to shuffle between two kids and their meal preferences, it can be tough. Rope in the hubby to take the night shift, if necessary.

The night and day conundrum

Not only will your elder child wake the newborn in the morning, the incessant crying at night from baby no. 2 could wake up the elder one. You didn’t prepare for this dilemma now, did you?

The babysitter dilemma

Getting a babysitter to watch both your kids while you and hubby go for a romantic dinner can be tough. Not only do babysitters charge a bomb, they might even have other demands. Plus, you will always be worried about how the babysitter treats your kids.

Having to clean the entire day

Despite cleaning the house in the morning, it might require another round of dusting in the afternoon. Having two kids would mean double the household chores.

Laundry, all day

There is a never-ending laundry pile to sift through when you have two kids. You will probably have to operate the washing machine twice a day to ensure dirty clothes do not pile up.

The disease transfer

If one of you gets a cold, the entire family will get it in phases. Having to deal with two children with cold can be a nightmare. What could be even worse? You coming down with a cold at the same time!

Grocery shopping can be a nightmare

Tagging your little one in the grocery cart while ensuring the elder one is by your side can be difficult. You may not even be able to focus on the groceries you have to buy. You might have to take hubby along as a babysitter.

Bad end of a deal

Your second child may not have as fancy a room as your first child. The anticipation and excitement is always greater during the first pregnancy. This does not mean that you do not love your younger child any less. It just means you’re probably more exhausted than excited to do anything new.

Travel plans on hold

You probably will not be able to plan an overseas holiday till your little one turns 5. You will have to settle for local destinations for short trips.

Sibling rivalry

You will have to deal with your elder one throwing a fit when the infant gets the attention. In time, they will both learn to love and appreciate each other. Till then, be prepared for a full-on sibling rivalry for the first 15 years of their lives.

Double the noise

Two children would mean double the noise. While one cries for food, the other might howl for attention. Trying to pacify them becomes even more difficult when hubby isn’t at home.

Love life takes a hit

It might not be easy for you and the husband to get alone time. In fact, the possibility of a ‘dry spell’ could loom large. Get your mother or mother-in-law to babysit if you want to spend a few hours alone with the hubby.

Social life may become non-existent

If you had a social life before the second baby came along, you probably don’t have one now. Making the time to catch up with friends for ladies night might be difficult. When was the last time you were drunk and irresponsible?

Double the love

On a positive note, two children would mean double the love. Isn’t it the best feeling in the world when you have both babies sleeping on either side of you? No matter how difficult it may be, small moments are special moments.

Complete family

Taking care of two kids is worth it when they make you proud at school. When other parents come up to you and say: “You must be so proud of your children?” it puts a smile on your face.




Steps to Calculate Insurance Plans by Life Insurance Calculator

November 15, 2018 by

Insurance

Every person needs have a term insurance plan to secure the future of their loved ones. However, the insurance buyer needs to pay premiums every month. An insurance premium is defined as the money that is charged by an insurance company for their coverage. Nevertheless, differences arise when the premiums actually charged is different from insurance premiums that are quoted.

This difference between the actual charge and the quote is determined by the premium calculator. Do you know how the insurance premiums that are charged by an insurance company are determined? The process is done by using a premium calculator.

A Life insurance premium calculator is used to determine the mathematical and statistics calculations that are actually carried by the underwriting department of any insurance company.

How the premium determined using the Premium Calculator?

  • The premium charged from a customer is assessed by the statistical data based upon the health, age and history of the customer.
  • A young person aged 18 years and who rides a lavish red sports car is likely to pay more premium than the person who is 50-years-old and drives a four-door sedan.
  • A person applying for insurance has to undergo underwriting process.
  • So, what is the underwriting process? It entails investigation into the various familial diseases, motor vehicle reports and analysis of different reports like the medical information bureau.
  • Once the information is analyzed and gathered, they are judged by a statistician who are called actuaries and are hired by insurance companies.
  • Once the data is analyzed, the actuary tries and determines how the insurance applicant will go about making the claim of the policy.
  • The premiums are usually high when the probability of claims is higher.
  • The actuaries use a premium calculator for studying and examining mathematical data and then compiling the same like “mortality and sickness” table. Then, using the same the actuary predicts prospective losses that are usually caused due to sickness or death.
  • Premiums are charged based on the results of analysis of information and data that are generated from sickness and mortality tables of individuals by using a premium calculator.

Every life insurance company has a premium calculator that helps them to calculate the premium for a life insurance policy with maximum ease. The best part is that you can use the calculator to assess your premium rates online without any hassle.

While using the premium calculator it is very crucial to keep in mind the various aspects that decide the premium rates

  1. The age of the applicant
  2. The present health history of the term plan insurance buyer
  3. Policy Tenure
  4. Intake habit
  5. Sum assured

In order to avail most benefits from the plan, the insurance buyer should check these important characteristics before purchasing it.

  1. The most significant step that the insurance buyers should take while buying a term plan, is to limit the amount that would be adequate to cover the needs of your family in case of the policyholder demise. Thus, the policy holder should confirm that the availed coverage is satisfactory enough to fulfill the basic liability of the dependents.
  2. According to one’s own choice he/she can choose the policy tenure from the provided option of 5, 20, 25 or 30 years. As the term of the plan plays an important role in the implementation of financial plan the buyer should wisely choose the right policy term.
  3. Once you fix the tenure of the policy, so check the wide options of term insurance policies available in the market and choose the most beneficial plan in an economical rate. By comparing different plans online and segregating the premium rates you can choose the most profitable plan for yourself.

By keeping all these aspects in mind, you can make the best use of a premium calculator and choose the most comprehensive plan for yourself.




Searching For The Best Plumbing Repair Company? Tips For Making Your Choice

November 14, 2018 by

plumbing

Undertaking major repairs and improvements to your home can present challenges to most homeowners. There are a few things that you can do to choose the right plumbing repair services contractor for the job. You will need to consider their experience, licensure, and references. You should also ask them about their pricing and how they will handle the work. It will make the entire project go a lot smoother. To select the right Denver plumber for your project, take the time to do your research first before making a decision.

When it comes to emergency plumbing situations, the most important thing is to get the problem resolved swiftly and safely to prevent any further trouble. At Plumber In Melbourne fl, we provide a quick response for any plumbing emergency no matter what time of day or night it may occur. We understand that an urgent plumbing issue can be stressful, so our professional team of experienced plumbers are available 24/7 to assist you with any plumbing problems that may arise

Finding Contractors

Before you can start researching particular contractors, you need to find them first. Compile a list of at least three contractors to start.

Ask your family, friends, and neighbors for the names of contractors they have used in the past for work similar to what you want to accomplish. Besides getting the name of the contractor, you need to talk with them about how satisfied they were with the work done and if they would hire that company again.

Use online searches to see if you can find other contractors. The wider your search goes, the more likely you will find the right emergency plumbing service.

Before you contact any of the contractors, look for online reviews about their work. Check both good and bad reviews. See if the company has taken any steps to resolve disputes. A responsive contractor who works to correct a mistake or dispute might be a good company to work with, especially if other reviews are good.

Have Contractors Bid Your Project

Once you have a list of at least three contractors, it’s time to get bids. Write up a description of the project that you want to accomplish and provide the same information to each contractor. This makes it easier to compare them to each other based on the bid they submit.

Ask each contractor for references on jobs similar to yours. If a contractor is reluctant to provide references, check that company off your list. Check all references given. Ask the references how well the contractor did the work bid, how the contractor resolved any issues, and if they would hire the contractor again.

Verify that the contractor holds current licensing, has proper insurance, and is bonded. All of these serve to protect you as the client.

Once you are satisfied with a contractor’s references and credentials, it’s time to examine the bids. While you may want to save some money, it is important to consider more than the estimated cost of a bid. You need to consider the contractor’s professionalism and experience, as well as the quality of the materials presented in the bid.

Read Contracts Carefully

A contract is a legally binding document that holds both you and the contractor to its details. Go through the contract carefully. Make sure there is a clear provision for the contractor’s liability insurance. Ask questions if you have them. If you want to make changes to the contract, both you and the contractor must agree and sign off on them.

The contract should be clear on the types of materials to be used, what supplies are required, and if any subcontractors will be used on the project. Make sure it details who is responsible for debris hauling and what guarantees are included. The service company, such as SWAN Plumbing, Heating & Air of Denver, should obtain any and all permits.

Conventional Sewer Repair Methods

Unfortunately, sometimes a sewer pipe is so badly damaged that no trenchless sewer repair is available. Pipes that are back-pitched, meaning the original contractors failed to use the right slope for your sewer line to your city connection, cannot also be fixed using trenchless methods. If this is the case, you will need to think of using conventional sewer repair methods.




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