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Finding Your Child An Active Hobby

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For most parents, getting their kids outside and active can be a challenge. The little ones have so many ways to challenge and excite their minds without exercise. It’s almost impossible to offer them something better. So, you need to find another way. And, the best way to do this is through a hobby. If you can make an activity part of their life in this way, it will be much easier to keep them active. It may also give them a lot in the future, too.

One of the best exercises, and not just for kids is swimming. Because swimming isn’t an impact exercise, it doesn’t damage your bones or joints. It’s also very hard to have a collision in a pool, as well. In fact, once someone is a competent swimmer, there really aren’t that many risks in an indoor pool. Swimming also works a lot of different muscle groups, while also being aerobic. This means that it will increase both strength and fitness. Swimming can be a lifelong hobby for those that enjoy it, so it’s a great gift to give to your child.

You’ve probably seen kids on little scooters before. But, did you know, that these are actually professional sports equipment? Scooters have joined the ranks of skateboards and roller-blades, in recent years. Giving themselves an edge, because they’re also much safer than the older forms of skating. Scooters can be fun without a skatepark, though. A lot of kids will use them as a form of transport, rather than something that they do tricks on. And, scooter parts are usually much cheaper than bike or skateboard ones. So, you don’t have to worry if their nice scooter gets damaged; it’s still repairable.

Sports can be another great way to get your kid active. Sports play a major role in a lot of school life. So, helping your child to be a part of that is a great way to improve their life. Most people will have at least one sport that they enjoying playing. And, most people will be good at some sort of sport, as well. The right sport can be hard to find, though. So, in most cases, it’s best to let your child choose. Most schools will offer loads of options to give your child some choice. And, you’ll probably be able to find local clubs, too.

Adding a competitive element to any of these can be a healthy way to motivate your child to keep active. Healthy competition can make people excited to do something. If you achieve this with your child’s exercise, you’ll ensure that they stay healthy for as long as possible.

Hopefully, this will give you an idea of what you need to do in order to keep a child outside and active. It can be a challenge getting young ones to stay fit. But, in the long run, it’s very worth it for their quality of life in the future. Instilling these ideas early on will give your child the power to keep going into later life.




Alcohol Addiction: Signs, Side Effects, Rehab, and Recovery

The term addiction never invokes a positive feeling. Especially if it is related to substances which are created for artificial leisure. Obviously one of the substances is alcohol.

Alcohol addiction or alcoholism is a serious medical condition in which the abuser has no control and regulation over the amount of alcohol which he or she consumes.

Often seen in adults, this condition differs from individual to individual. It depends on the frequency and the amounts. Progressive and unchecked alcoholism can have adverse effects on one’s life and the people around them.

Signs of alcoholism

A condition of alcoholism can be characterized by a number of indicators.

Physical and visible signs of alcoholism that are noticed on an addict are –

  • Uncontrolled and unregulated consumption of alcohol.
  • Slurred speech. Choppy and incoherent way of talking.
  • Clumsiness
  • Poor posture
  • Poor balance of the body.
  • Sluggishness
  • Delayed inhibitions
  • Subdued reflexes
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Physical disturbances like abdomen ache, nausea, poor sight, etc
  • Blacking out
  • Frequent redness on the face and some people also experience Asian flush
  • Poor memory. Inability to remember or recollect.
  • Lack of attention at the workplace
  • Increase in extreme emotions
  • Volatile mood swings.
  • Unprecedented behaviour

Side-Effects of Alcoholism

This addiction can take a heavy toll on one’s physiological as well as psychological well being.

The impacts of alcoholism can vary depending on the gravity of addiction, the amount of control and consumption.

In extreme cases, it can also lead to fatal repercussions like death by alcohol poisoning.

The side-effects which are primarily seen are –

  • Physical Impacts

The gravest aftermath which alcoholism can cause is the irreversible damage to the prominent organs like liver, intestines, heart and nervous system. Apart from these, it also causes abnormal blood pressure, anxiety, sexual problems, cancer, etc.

  • Social Impacts

Apart from physical consequences, alcoholism ruins a person’s lifestyle. It can hamper the person’s image at the workplace. It can lead to termination of his job.

It can disturb the family and everyone around that individual.

It can ruin the individual’s social image adversely too.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

The first step to battle the addiction is acknowledgement and acceptance.

To overcome the situation, it is necessary to acknowledge the fact that one is going through a disorder and that one needs external aid.

On achieving the above, the person positively embarks on the journey of recovery.

In the initial stages of withdrawing alcohol, the addict may experience various bodily changes like hallucinations, profuse sweating, anxiety, agitation, seizures, insomnia convulsions/tremors, etc.

They are known as withdrawal symptoms.

Top recovery tips which are given by experts to reduce alcohol dependency is an alteration in diets and cut down on sugar intakes. Alcohol and sugar have long lost enmity. They can trigger reverse addiction and thus, it I necessary to keep a check on sugar levels.

Apart from sugar food dense with other essential nutrients like proteins and carbohydrates must be consumed. They help in building the damaged tissue and cells of the body.




Let’s Go Pro: How To Make Money From Your Crafting Hobbies

Are you looking to make some changes in your life as we move forward into 2017? This is the time of year when we all start reflecting on the last 365 days and how we feel about them, our general satisfaction with the direction of our lives, and considering where we might want to go next. A lot of us are deeply satisfied with our family lives, but somewhat less so with our careers – and we all know that it gets progressively more upsetting to go into a job you don’t like every day without feeling as though there’s much hope for things changing in the future! Luckily, many of us have a lot of other skills and hobbies that we’d like to explore further. Here are some tips on how you can make your crafting skills into a career in 2017…

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Get Professional

Even if you’re a stay at home mom who’s been out of the workplace for a few years, it’s important to maintain a high standard of professionalism as you embark on a new career. If you promise to do something, make sure that it gets done in a timely fashion, and keep your lines of communication open whenever you can. Be pleasant and professional at all times.

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Organise Yourself

If you’re running your own business, it’s absolutely vital that you organise yourself well. If you need to, you should hire an accountant to keep your records in order. If you decide to do it yourself, be absolutely scrupulous about your book keeping and keep careful records of your outgoings and incomings to prove that it’s a profitable business. This will also help you considerably when it comes to paying your taxes – you want to be sure that everything you’re doing is absolutely legal!

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Get Online

If you’re not particularly good with computers, now is the time to learn. One way to make money from your crafting business is to make yourself a name on the internet. Set up an Etsy store so you can sell your wares online and look into setting up a blog as well with your own domain name so it’s easy for people to find. Make sure that you use social media, and announce your new products or when you’re restocking your store on Facebook and Twitter. You could also set up a Youtube channel with tutorials on it – use a Youtube channel art maker to ensure that your videos look professional. Interact with other craftspeople so you can work together to promote each other’s products.

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Promote Yourself

Don’t be afraid of a little self promotion. If you’re setting up a stall at a local craft fair, advertise online and to your friends, and get professional posters printed up to entice people over to your table. If your wares come in boxes, get labels with your own logo printed up, along with business cards. Although you shouldn’t work for free, offer discounted prices to companies who want to employ you for longer contracts, and talk to local charity event organisers about working together and getting your product inside their gift bags.




How to Save Money Without Depriving Your Family of Fun

Keeping the financial situation under control can be a challenge, especially for a family. Many people have a goal to spend less in order to create an emergency fund, save for a vacation, or fund a retirement account. However, many suggestions for keeping the family budget under control involve cutting out all discretionary spending. Some people have the self-control to follow this plan, but most people need suggestions that aren’t so drastic.

If you want to save more money, there are some things you can do that don’t involve cutting out all “fun” spending from your life. Here are some suggestions that can help you stick to your budget while still enjoying the occasional splurge.

1. Clip Coupons

Coupons aren’t just for groceries anymore. You can find discount coupons for local entertainment areas, restaurants, and services such as oil changes. You don’t have to spend hours clipping physical coupons from the flyers in the paper. There are numerous online coupon sources for a variety of items including groceries, technology, clothing, and activities. Some stores even allow you to use apps so you don’t have to print and carry physical coupons.

2. Vacation in the Off Season

If a family vacation is one of your goals, consider traveling somewhere in the off-season. For example, take a trip to a ski resort in the summer, or head to a theme park during the school year. Not only will you avoid the typical vacation crowds, but you’ll likely pay far less for accommodations and activities than during the high season.

3. Take Advantage of Rewards Programs and Special Pricing

Nearly every place has a rewards program nowadays. Movie theaters, coffee shops, credit cards, and clothing stores are just some examples of places that reward customer loyalty with free items, cash back, or reduced prices. Think about any places you frequently attend and sign up for the available rewards programs.

4. Shop in Bulk

If you think buying in bulk means you have to commit to a two-gallon tub of olives, you’ll be happy to know there are many other options. While bulk grocery shopping can be helpful if you have a large family, there are other warehouse shopping choices as well. You can find online warehouse retailers that sell overstocks of furniture, clothing, technological devices, and household goods. You can also use a subscription program to save on recurring purchases such as pet food, paper goods, and cleaning supplies.

5. Renegotiate Your Bills

One money-saving strategy that many people overlook is trying to save money on recurring bills. While you might not be able to change your rent or electrical bill, you may be able to negotiate a better deal on your cell phone rate, cable bill, or your car insurance. The best way to enter a negotiation is to do your research and then contact your cable provider or a local insurance agent. Lay out your situation and see what options are available.
If you are looking for a way to save a little money on the family budget without cutting out all fun spending, there are several options. Coupons, off-season vacations, and rewards programs have many benefits and you may also be able to find a better deal on insurance or cell phone service.




Top Tips On Helping Your Child Find A Hobby That Can Make Them Happy

Hobbies are important for children. They give them something to aim towards and something to get passionate about. They could also form the basis of any future careers your kid picks. It makes sense, then, that you should do everything possible to nurture your child’s hobbies. This is something well worth investing in. Above everything else, a hobby can make your child happy. That’s what all parents want, isn’t it? There’s nothing better than seeing your child get excited about something. Here are a few ways you can help your child in their hobby quest.

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LET THEM PICK THEIR OWN HOBBY

The first thing you can do is let them pick their hobby. Trying to sway them towards certain options will end in their taking up the hobby you want them to do. That’s not going to work. Let them realize their passions, and hobbies will form naturally. A lot of the time, they’ll take on the same hobbies as their friends, and that’s fine. Bear in mind, though, that friendship hobbies are fickle and unlikely to last. You’ll be able to tell when your child is passionate, and when they’re just following the crowd. If they do get excited about something, get excited with them. Ask them questions about their hobby and listen to them when they tell you about it!

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GET THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

If you’re sure the hobby is more than a passing whim, it’s worth stocking up on some gear for your child. The price is going to vary, depending on which hobby they’ve chosen. To start with, opt for cheaper equipment. The expensive stuff can come further down the line. If they’ve chosen photography, get your child their first camera. If they’ve chosen an instrument, get them a starter kit. These days, Parents Prefer Sustainable Products, so keep this in mind if you want to do your bit for the environment. Shopping around will show you the cheapest options. Most hobbies come with starter kits for children. If the hobby is a long standing one and the equipment gets a lot of use, look into more expensive options.

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CAMPS AND CLUBS

Your child might want to join clubs or go to a camp to develop their hobby. Take a look at organizations in your local area, and get them signed up. Do a little research about the camp options for their chosen hobby. You can find out by word of mouth, or visit website options to find out a little more. Again, this may cost you a fair bit, so make sure they’re passionate before you send them. Get them taking classes first, and see how they get along there.

ENCOURAGE THEM

Encouraging your child is the best way to ensure they stick with a hobby. Children can be sensitive. Receiving bad feedback or disinterest in the early days could put them off. Always be encouraging. Ask about their progress often, and compliment anything they show you. Even if you don’t understand, it’s important not to knock their progress. If you’re confused about what something is, ask. As mentioned above, it’s important they talk about their passion!




The Parental Instinct To Protect versus Letting Your Kids Explore The World

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As a parent, it can be difficult to let go. The protective instinct is quite literally bred into us; it’s part of the fabric of our DNA. We hear our child has had an argument with someone and we’re ready to go to battle to settle the injustice. We want to drive them everywhere rather than run the risks of them walking. We want to provide safe, warm cocoons for them to live their lives in – the mere idea of them being hurt or upset harms us ten times worse than it does them.

There is nothing wrong with being a protective parent. Even if you stray into helicopter parent tendencies, there’s nothing wrong with that either. Every fiber of your being tells you to protect your kids – it’s not your fault, and you shouldn’t be critiqued for it.

Alongside this universal truism though is that other side of parenting. The side that says you have done your job as a parent when they no longer need you. It sounds harsh, but it’s also a reality ingrained in us – to break free of our parents. If you equip your kids with the ability to do that, then you have done a wonderful job.

The problems come when you try to marry these two sides of yourself together. They seem incompatible; the side that tells you to protect at all costs and the other that wants to push them out into the world. How can we meet our own need to keep them safe with their desire to explore for themselves?

There Are Limits

The most important thing to understand is that there is a big difference between letting your child find their own way and abandoning them to the task. For example, letting them go and sleep in the woods late at night with no supervision – reckless and abandonment. Letting them play on a trampoline even though all you think of is the idea of them hurting themselves – acceptable. In the first, their lives are at stake. In the second, they’re going to have a heck of a lot of fun.

That’s an extreme example to make the point, but the key principle is sound. Occasionally, you are going to need to step back and agree to something that you hate the idea of – but that doesn’t mean you have to abdicate your role as a parent.

You can satisfy the urge to protect by making any activity as safe as possible. Don’t like the idea of a trampoline in essence? Well, make it safer with springfree trampolines and safety nets. There’s no viable way to make a trip into the woods safer without direct supervision, so that’s how you know it’s okay to be concerned about.

Letting Go Is Not Forever

As your children grow, they will want to do more and more things separate from you. This can feel like a loss, but it’s actually a gain – where they become less of your child and more of a friend. You don’t lose anything by protecting them less; you’re giving them the world and watching as they explore it.




Are You Aware of These Parent Problems That Could Derail Your Child’s Party?

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When you throw a party for your kids, it seems easy to get it right. Most of us probably grew up both hosting and attending parties, and by and large, they’re fond memories. A little food, some silly games, and everyone went home with a gift bag at the end of it. So as a parent you’re left thinking: what’s so hard?

To an extent – nothing. The same rules apply, but we have somehow managed to add a few more that make things more complicated. We live in the digital age, and that means people are more able to vent about bad parties or make complaints about their hosts. This is an aspect that our parents didn’t have to deal with – and it can make for some tricky situations. There’s a whole parenting etiquette that we now have to follow – and if we don’t, we’ll be on the receiving end of a social media shaming.

If you’re thinking of planning your next party and thinking it’s all just about party hats, ice cream and a bouncy castle from the likes of Jolly Jumps – then think again. Here are the things you need to get right to ensure the kids have a good time – and your part is as hassle-free as possible.

  1. Be Wary of Allergy Requirements

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Allergies are being diagnosed at an all-time high rate. Some are minor, causing relatively mild reactions such as rashes and swollen lips. Other – such as peanut allergies – are potentially fatal.

It is now expected rather than hoped for that a party will cater to the allergy requirements of all guests. To get things off on the right foot, you need to know the allergy requirements. Make sure you put it a request for such information on the invitation; or a generalized request for information on Facebook will suffice.

Also, bear in mind different dietary requirements. They’re not necessarily allergic but, again, people now expect them to be catered to. Gluten-free (without the presence of Celiac Disease), dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan are all options you may need to consider.

  1. Talking of Gluten-Free…

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune condition that means the body systems attack themselves in the presence of gluten. For sufferers, not only do they need to avoid all forms of gluten (and it can be found in the most unexpected of items) – preparation is an issue, too. Due to contamination, they can’t eat anything prepared in the same kitchen area, using the same tools, as gluten-contaminated equipment.

As a host, this presents a minefield. It’s important first to establish why someone is requesting gluten-free; is it Celiac (and thus essential) or more of a choice? If it’s a lifestyle choice, then don’t be concerned about contamination.

If it’s Celiac at the cause, then talk with the parent about measures you need to take. It might be best for all involved for the child to come with their own food, and you can buy in gluten-free cookies that won’t risk contamination.

  1. Gifts – What To Do and What Not To Do

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Most parents will recognize the feeling of their child being showered with gifts – and then realizing they’re the same gift. You find yourself with duplicates of the latest must-have toy and no idea what to do with them. It seems eminently sensible to instead create a gift registry, so the chances of a duplicate are greatly limited.

And it is eminently sensible – a gift registry for a child’s birthday is a great idea. It gives you a chance to stock up on things you need or those gifts you know your child wants – but it’s also a potential source of tension.

Walking this fine line is all in how you announce the existence of the registry. Here’s what not to do:

Tacked onto an invitation –

Little Timmy’s gift registry is at www.littletimmysgiftregistry.com

If that’s all you say, then the expectation is too high. It basically states: “if you’re coming to the party, make sure you get a gift!” A better alternative would be:

For those of you who may wish to get Little Timmy a gift, we created a registry at www.littletimmysgiftregistry.com – feel free to use it if it helps you out!

It’s a little more friendly and places the onus on them for the decision. However, there is still a little expectation – and that might be okay. You know the people you’re sending invites to, so you know how they may respond to that.

In most cases, the safest bet is to create a registry and only give the details if someone explicitly requests it. You can tack this possibility onto the invite with a simple:

If you have any further questions or want information for a gift registry, do get in touch at my email: party@littletimmysparents.com

So long as it doesn’t sound like an outright demand for gifts, then you should be okay.

A further note on the registry itself: try and incorporate all price points. Keep all prices reasonable and some outright cheap – better that than people feeling compelled to spend more. They will only resent you for asking. If your closest friends and family might want to spend a little more, than create a separate registry for them. People you only know as “Amelia’s Mum” shouldn’t be seeing three-figure items on any registry they encounter.

  1. Walking The Fine Line of Political Correctness

Whatever your stance on politically-correct culture with childrens’ toys, a kids party is not the time to be getting into the debate.

Making requests such as: “please don’t buy my daughter traditionally ‘girlie’ gifts” don’t really have a place for relative strangers. Sure, it’s something you can request of your nearest and dearest, but not of those you don’t know well. Just smile, write the thank you note and move on – you can always donate any unwanted gifts if they don’t pass your test.

Yes, to an extent, this is compromising your principles in the name of an easy time – but the party isn’t about principles. It’s about your child having fun, so stick to that, and you can’t go far wrong.




Your Child’s First Camera: An Inspirational Mini-Guide for Gifting Your Budding Shutterbug

Even two-year-old toddlers love posing in front of the camera! But when they grow up a bit and begin to grab your digital camera or smartphone for snapping photos, it surely means that it’s time to buy them their own camera. Now that some digital cameras are specifically designed for kids, they are available in nominal prices so that you don’t have to think twice before buying one for your child.

Digital cameras are priced as low as kids’ toys or video games. That’s why selecting one according to your child’s age isn’t a problem. However, what matters is how you consider the specific features of each digital camera while finalizing your purchase decision. For instance, just like buying toys for your child, it’s important to purchase a camera that doesn’t include small batteries or parts which can be easily removed or swallowed by children. Besides this, a child may unknowingly drop the camera.

So, make sure you purchase a digital camera and camcorder battery chargers that rank higher in terms of sturdiness, functionality, and price. If you’re confused as to which camera to select as a gift for your child, below are a few cameras that deserve your look:

Fisher-Price Kid Tough See Yourself Camera

Built to withstand rough handling, this cute camera comes in pink, blue, and black. Its built-in memory stores more than 1000 photos. Offering kid-friendly functions, it lets your child take stunning shots even from a distance. However, it’s crucial to teach your child how to hold the camera still so that they can avoid taking blurry photos.

The Fisher-Price is ideal for three-year-olds. Thus, even if your little one drops it off multiple times, it’s extremely sturdy case will hardly show any scratches.

VTech Kidizoom Camera

Designed for tiny hands, VTech Kidizoom’s dual grips enable children to hold the camera firmly. The camera has memory storage of up to a thousand photos. If your child loves to record a video, they can do so easily because this camera also includes an inbuilt video card. Interestingly, this camera includes built-in frames so that your child can easily beautify their photos further by selecting a desired photo frame.

As if this wasn’t enough, it also includes the “games” feature that enables kids to capture photos and then solve picture puzzles with these photos.

Having 1.3 megapixels and digital zoom, its quick shutter speed lets your child take multiple photos in a few seconds. If photos are taken in natural light, the picture quality is worth seeing.

Playskool Showcam 2-in-1 Digital Camera & Projector

Want to surprise your child with something that’s not just a camera? If your child showcases their graphic designing skills at this early age, it means that they expect some extraordinary features in a camera you’re going to buy for them. Gift them all the happiness in one device by selecting Playskool Showcam!

This camera offers more than 50 animations your child can add to their photos and then project them in front of the entire family. Since kids love experimenting with the projector, they’ll enjoy taking photos and projecting them. However, to ensure that they get the perfect picture quality, teach them some of the basics of outdoor photography. If done the right way, they’ll actually learn to be creative while using their Playskool Showcam.

Crayola 5.1 MP Camera

This digital camera offers something others don’t: the built-in flash. Providing a stunning picture quality even for indoor photos, Crayola makes its mark by providing large handles so that it’s easier for your child to hold it tightly while capturing their best shot. Moreover, it’s sturdy design is quite hardy against any spills or tumbles.

Besides this, its 5.1 megapixels prove that your child will be able to take better photos right from the beginning. However, you’ll be required to buy additional memory for this camera so that your child can take as many photos as they wish to.

The Bottom Line

If your child has the inner photographer in them, a digital camera can be the best gift you can give to them. That’s because learning to use the different features of a digital camera and using a battery charger just takes a day. And when they have a collection of photos to show off to others, you’ll feel proud of their creative skills! Nevertheless, all this is achievable if you’re able to choose your child’s first camera by considering even the nitty-gritty details.

John Stowe is an amateur photographer based in Leeds UK. He got the digital photography bug back in the early 2000’s and has since had many different models of cameras. He loves to share his ideas and thoughts online for others to read.




Make More Memories with Frugal Yet Fabulous Family Trips

Family trips create memories that last a lifetime and with a little procrastination and planning, you could be enjoying a fabulous family vacation at a cost-effective price. Whether you’re traveling abroad or you’re planning a road trip around the US, below you’ll find some handy tips that will help you to keep your spending to a minimum.

Reduce Your Overnight Stays

If you are going to be traveling from place to place during your vacation, try to make the travel arrangements during the night. Sleepover trains or night flights are great for getting you to your next destination whilst also reducing the number of nights that you’ll have to pay for a hotel.

Take All of the Freebies You Can Get

Many hotels offer some great freebies when you stay in them, including shampoos, conditioners and soaps. Be sure to use them while you’re there and don’t forget to pack them into your suitcase for your next holiday as these aren’t just free but they’re often the perfect size for traveling. This is great if you’re traveling light or you’re just taking hand luggage with you.

Look for the Best Deals Around

Planning a trip may seem like a lot of hassle but with a little bit of research you could save yourself a fortune. There are some great websites available (e.g. Groupon) that will help you to find discounted holidays and trips so be sure to check these out before you book your vacation. And, once you’ve found your dream hotel, look around for other deals before you pay for it. Tapping the hotel into Google should bring up any exclusive deals that may be available, and you may be surprised at just how much you can save!

It’s also worth looking at credit card reward schemes when paying for your trip as you may be able to score some freebies by building up points. For example, there are a number of Chase transfer partners available when you get a Chase credit card, including air miles with British Airways and hotel stays with Marriott.

Shop Like a Local

To get the most out of your trip, you’ll want to visit all of the local sights and tourist attractions. And the best way to save money when you’re doing this is to shop around like a local. Check out the local newspapers and magazines to see if there are any special deals going and don’t forget to search online for any coupon codes too. You may find that booking in advance through certain websites will be cheaper than paying for a ticket at the restaurant / attraction on the day.

You may also find that local attractions, museums and monuments offer free entry one day a week or month, so it’s always worth looking to see if this is the case before you book anything. Research your trip beforehand so you know where you’re planning on going and then head to the site’s website to see if there are any free or discounted entries on certain days. You can then plan your trip before you go so you can be at this location when the price is cheaper!

Opt for Different Flight Paths

When you’re flying to a destination, you may be able to save a lot of money if you don’t take a direct flight. Even though this might seem like a lot of hassle it’s often a great way of cutting down the cost of your flights and you could tie in the flight with a stopover in another city that you’ve been wanting to explore. Allowing yourself a 24-hour stopover in this location will take the stress out of having to change flights and will give the kids chance to catch up on their sleep before you head out again. This is often a much better way of traveling as it breaks down the journey, especially if you have young children.

Booking a round-trip ticket with one airline may seem like the easier option but don’t be afraid to book with two different airlines as this could save you even more money. Flying out with one airline and back with another won’t make any difference to your journey but can often be a great way of securing cheap flights in both directions. Apps like Skyscanner will show you the cheapest possible routes with different airlines as well as stopovers so you can make sure you’re getting the best price for your flights.

George Jackson jokingly called himself a nomad yet it’s actually not too far from the truth. He regularly explores new corners of the world with his wife and their two kids. He shares his travel stories and top trip tips around the net.




Things To Consider When Choosing Wedding Flowers

Getting married is definitely one of the most important moments in the life of the couple. However, this event needs to be properly planned. There are various things that will have to be considered and many things can go wrong. When referring to flower delivery though, the biggest problem that couples have to deal with is choosing what to buy. There are countless options available so what will be the best for your wedding? Do you want fresh flowers, or perhaps artificial flowers, a mixture of both? You will surely look for inspiration on the internet but before you do that, think about the following vital aspects.

Flower budget

You should never be ashamed in the event the budget is small. The florist is going to offer various suggestions based on how much money you have available. He will make sure that the flowers for wedding chosen are based on your personal wishes and available money

Wedding Party Size

This is going to have a huge impact on how many flowers you will need. It does influence the budget and the eventual arrangement. When you invite just friends and family, there is a good possibility you will not need many flowers. However, if the event is large, you will most likely need more flowers than what you initially thought.

Wedding Location

You want to check different floral arrangement patterns that are available at the ceremony’s location. The wedding venue location will surely dictate what is possible and what is not possible. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
-If you’re having your ceremony at a park or other natural setting, stick with low-maintenance flowers like daisies or roses.
-If you’re having your reception at a hotel or Cottage Wedding Venue like  bluebirdtexas.com, choose flowers that will look good in a vase on a desk or sideboard.
-If you’re getting married at home, go for something organic and wild, like bee balm or forget-me-nots.

Color scheme will have a drastic effect on what flowers should be considered and what flowers should be avoided. You want to experiment with various different flowers with different colors so that you can find a perfect combination you can easily use to obtain the effect you were looking for.

Wedding Mood

Wedding flowers have to reflect wedding style and color while also setting mood. You want to think about the message you want to send out and the mood that should be dominant in the whole event.

Season

Obviously, based on season, some flowers will be available while others will be really hard to find. If the flowers are out of season, you will need to spend a lot more money on them so you may want to look for some alternatives. However, make sure that you take subjectivity into account. If the bride or the groom wants a specific flower that is out of season, you can get it. Alternatively, if the budget really does not allow this, go for silk arrangements.

Fragrance

You always need to think about how the flowers will add to the entire event through the fragrance they have. In some cases this will not be of interest, as when the event is held outdoors. However, in some cases it is vital, as when the wedding is held indoors in a small area. At the same time, the fragrance has to be really enjoyable for all that will attend, of course.