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The majority of households are required to relocate at least once or twice throughout their lifetimes, and many individuals relocate relatively frequently. Your needs and circumstances shift over time, and as a result, your way of life might need to shift as well. The experience of moving can be very exciting. After all, you are moving to an entirely new location, and for families that are expanding, a new house can provide the much-required additional space that they require.

Photo by cottonbro: https://www.pexels.com/photo/family-unpacking-after-moving-4569340/

Moving house, on the other hand, is widely acknowledged as one of the most stressful life events for many families. The following are some suggestions to help you cope with this stress.

A family is currently huddled together in a room full of moving boxes. They are writing on the rim of one of the containers right now.

Get A Head Start On Your Prep 

Being prepared ahead of time, as is the case in most scenarios, can save you a significant amount of stress in the long run. Start packing up non-essential items as soon as possible rather than leaving everything until the day of the move, which will result in a frantic rush to get everything to the new location.

This makes the process as a whole a lot more manageable, which is especially helpful if you have a lot of things that need to be packed. You can also go through the things that you need to bring with you and organise them. Also, sort out what can be sold, what can be left behind, and what can be thrown away. When you’ve spent a significant amount of time in the same location, it’s inevitable that you’ll accumulate a lot of trash there.

These boxes can be stored anywhere, including in your home or garage; however, some people find it more convenient to keep them in a storage unit. The best self-storage facilities will ensure that your belongings are protected at all times and will be prepared to be delivered to your new location and unpacked once everything is set up.

Create A List 

In the days leading up to your relocation, you may find that there is simply too much information to retain, given that your everyday life will continue regardless of how well you prepare for it.

To keep yourself from becoming overwhelmed, write down everything that needs to be done and think about how much time you have available. It’s possible that your offer has just been accepted, and that the transaction won’t be finalised for several more months. However, this does not imply that you should put off beginning your preparations until the week before you move. You should include everything from what you need to pack on what day to finding a new driving school for your teen. 

Clear Clutter In Advance 

Before you move, it will not only save you time and reduce your stress level if you get rid of any outdated, unwanted, or superfluous items in your home, but it will also save you money.

Donating unused items to charity, recycling them, or simply discarding them in the trash are all good ways to reduce the volume of belongings that need to be moved. The fewer items you have to move, the smaller the van your removals team will need, and the fewer hours they will need to work.

If you want to cut costs during your move, the easiest way to do so is to avoid paying to transport items that you are only going to get rid of once you have moved into your new place.

Organise Utilities

It is so simple to forget to take the final readings from the metres, but doing so will make everything a great deal simpler. If you don’t want to lose any of the notes you make, you could even use your phone to take pictures of them. You can pre-register with new providers of broadband internet service, and don’t forget to do so for your gas, electric, and water services.

Even if you won’t be using the same service provider in your new home, it’s a good idea to let them know that the old home has been sold and that account has been closed — just in case the previous owner wasn’t quite as well-organized as you were!

By planning this out in advance, you’ll be able to keep track of any outstanding bills that still need to be paid.

Take Care Of The Kids And Pets 

If moving is stressful for adults, then the experience must be even more upsetting for children and animals to go through. Keeping your children’s anxiety under control is a significant step toward ensuring that everything runs smoothly. You should get a head start and begin to explain to your child what is going on in a manner that is suitable for their age.

If you get your children involved in the packing and moving process, they may feel more positive emotions toward the transition. Obviously, their age is a factor to consider. Children who are older are able to assist their parents in packing their belongings. You could walk them through their new space and talk to them about what it means for them. It’s possible that teenagers will be more helpful on the actual moving day. However, you should make it a priority to ensure that your adolescent feels included in the move in some way, shape, or form.

It will be challenging for very young children and pets to comprehend what is taking place, which may make the situation even more challenging. Find someone to take care of them during the day if at all possible so that you can focus on the move without having to worry about them and find someone if you are able to.

Get The Right Help 

If you hire a removal company, you won’t have to worry about one of the aspects of moving day that causes the most stress. If you hire a reputable moving company, they will collect your belongings and deliver them to your new residence, freeing you up to get things organised at the new location. They also have the option of stopping by a storage unit and taking whatever they need from there.

It is possible to enlist the assistance of close friends and family members during the moving process; however, hiring a removal company gives you access to a large van as well as a significant amount of moving expertise. Do not attempt to relocate on your own, regardless of the path you take.

We want to keep our children as safe as possible, to the extent that many of us would happily wrap them up in bubble wrap for safety. However, that doesn’t stop them from getting into danger, even if it seems harmless to them.

Water can be dangerous for anyone, which is why it’s it’s important to be wary of the dangers and how they can be prevented. For little ones, it’s important to make sure they’re aware of the harm that can come from it. Something as simple as jumping into a pool without armbands can be fatal for those that can’t swim.

Education on water safety is crucial

Education on water safety needs to extend beyond just the adults, whether that’s the parents or the individuals that mind the children when they’re away. It’s easy enough to forget how dangerous water can be as an adult. It’s critical to make sure the safety information is passed on to your children.

What are some of those safety tips when it comes to water? Here are just a few that are easy to know as an adult but can often be dismissed.

• Remaining with children at all times when bathing them.
• Staying outside when children are playing in the pool.
• Having a phone nearby should an emergency happen.

Water safety is a must when it comes to educating children and serves as a reminder that even as adults, these safety tips can often be forgotten to implement.

If you regularly leave your children with babysitters, then water safety is something that they too should know more about. This infographic from Aqua-Tots Swim Schools is an insightful look into what water safety tips are helpful to prevent any child from getting into trouble.

As a parent, it’s wonderful to have peace of mind when it comes to a child’s safety. Knowing all there is to know about water safety can help children enjoy this part of their childhood. It’ll certainly help them grow up into a water safety expert!

Infographic designed by Aqua-Tots Swim Schools

When people come into your store, they generally have a purpose and intent. They know that the store carries something they wish to purchase. While that is great for your bottom line, what is even better is to offer your patrons other items of value that they will be enticed to purchase. Keep reading for some fun ideas to add value and excitement to your store while offering your customers a little something extra they will be happy to bring home.

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Gummies

Gummies are something that everyone seems to want. They are portable, have a long shelf life, and are delicious. Gummies can be made with a wide variety of flavors adding to their appeal. If you are in the market for a fun way to add to your product line, investing in a gummy making machine is a great way to get started.

By becoming the master of your gummy domain, and with the right equipment at your fingertips, you get to choose your results. Use the recipe that is provided with the masterful equipment. Or you can modify it or even create your own secret recipe. Add flavors and colors to coincide with different holidays or local sports teams. The sky’s the limit when it comes to this imaginative opportunity.

Scrunchies

Whether you like the ubiquitous scrunchie or not, they are back. And, they are incredibly easy to make. Spend some time making them or outsource the project to a local teen. Make them in area school colors and to complement upcoming holidays. 

A fun way to add to the scrunchie trend is to make scrunchie keychain wristlets in coordinating colors. Watch this tutorial to learn how to make them yourself.

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Cards

Digital communications are the answer to everything in today’s world, but many people continue to send paper greetings via mail. They are looking for distinctive cards and stationery to show their expressive side. Details such as monograms, a variety of colors, designs, and weights of paper will give the shopper more to choose from.

As a side note, offer postage stamps for purchase at the point of sale. Small details like this give potential customers even more of a reason to come inside.

Partner With Local Artisans

Consider partnering with local artisans to offer “Made in [insert your city or state here]” items. These are usually unique and niche offerings that draw in customers and make great gifts. Add information regarding the maker’s history or backstory to give the offering more depth.

Advertise these items on your store’s social media feeds. Ensure the artisans add your store goods and services to their social media platforms, too. Make a special place in the store to display the items and show off the handicraft. Locate some of the goods near the checkout areas for not-to-be-forgotten or last-minute purchase opportunities.

Men’s fashion can be confusing, far more so than women’s. If you were to ask a woman what essential items are needed in her wardrobe, she’d drum up a list in seconds. Every woman has a few key fashion items that they call upon at all times – like a smart white blouse or a little black dress. 

For men, it’s harder to know what’s needed. If you’re reading this with a man in your life that needs some serious fashion advice, here are a few key items they should get their hands on right away: 

Image via Pexels (CC0 License)

Plain t-shirts

All men should have a small collection of plain t-shirts in their wardrobes. White ones are particularly important as they can be worn with anything or under shirts. But, they should also have a gray one and a black one, just as something to throw on when they need to get dressed quickly. Plain t-shirts are highly versatile, which is why they’re on this list. 

Blue jeans

A pair of blue denim jeans is a crucial item in a man’s wardrobe. Much like plain t-shirts, blue jeans are super versatile and can be worn with just about any outfit. They’re casual enough to pair with sneakers and a hoody, yet smart enough to work well with nicer shoes and a knitted jumper. 

A simple suit

Men need to have a simple suit because it gives them something smart to wear to work. This suit should be black or dark gray, featuring fitted trousers and a single-breasted jacket. It’s the type of suit that could also be worn to other events as well – like smart dinner parties or funerals. 

Dress shoes

Too many men fall victim to the crime of not having a good footwear collection. Dress shoes should be at the top of the list, giving men something smart and formal to wear on special occasions. Items like Alden men’s dress shoes are a brilliant option here, providing the perfect blend of style and sophistication, without being too over the top. The idea is to have some shoes that you could wear to a dinner party, but also to work. There’s a running theme here in a man’s wardrobe; versatility is key!

Image via Pexels (CC0 License)

A selection of ties

Okay, this isn’t a singular item, but rather a collection of items under one heading. Every man needs to have a few ties in their wardrobe for different scenarios. Mostly, these ties are plain and can be worn to work every single day. But, you also need some more colorful ties in there for other events – like Christmas parties, weddings, etc. 

Chinos

Chinos are like jeans, only slightly more sophisticated. They are often not casual enough to wear when you go out shopping, but they are smart enough to wear to parties or when you want to go out for a nice dinner together. Effectively, the chino feels like it was specifically designed for the smart-casual dress code. It gives men a smart pant that isn’t overly smart and retains just a smidge of casualness. So, it’s no surprise every man needs at least one pair. 

A white dress shirt

White dress shirts are the male equivalent of white blouses. They are worn all the time as part of a smarter outfit. They will likely be worn to work on most days, yet they can also pair well with other outfits for different scenarios. Have you got a wedding to go to? Cool, your partner can put on some smart trousers and a white dress shirt with dress shoes – simple!

A hoody and some joggers

Finally, every male wardrobe should come complete with a comfy pair of joggers with a matching hoody. Okay, they don’t need to match as a set, but there needs to be at least one of each item here. These are the clothes to be worn when lounging around the house feeling relaxed. You’ve got some of your own in your wardrobe, so the man in your life needs their own equivalent. Plus, you can always steal the hoody, which is a big bonus from a slightly selfish perspective!

You could also include a waterproof coat on this list, but I’d say they’re kept more on a coat hook than inside the wardrobe. A bit nit-picky perhaps, but there we go! Now, you are armed with the knowledge to stock your man’s wardrobe full of essential items, making their life a lot easier. They’ll have every item needed to dress for any situation. Plus, you’ve also just been given a gift list for free! If you’re wondering what to buy your partner for Christmas or their birthday, now you know.

Photo by Sake Le: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-five-women-sitting-in-back-of-van-2101538/ 

Road trips are great fun and are becoming one of the most popular ways to travel and go on holiday as a family. They not only allow you to see multiple destinations in one trip but they can also save you money and of course, you will grow some memories for life. 

There are so many places you can visit on a road trip, depending on your interests. You could stay in one country and visit multiple areas within or you could opt to visit multiple countries – why not head over to Denmark and then cross the border to Germany? Or you could take on the famous Route 66? When enjoying a road trip, always stay safe and pay attention to other drivers on the road. If something did happen, you could call a DWI lawyer for support. 

With all the above in mind, below we have put together some tips for a road trip with your family. 

Plan your route in advance 

When going on a road trip with your family, you want to be as organized as possible. Try to plan your routes as far in advance as possible and try to spend some time researching them before setting off on your journey. The more research you do, the less stressful the journey will be when taking it on. Plus, through your research, you may find some places you would like to stop off as well as key information like when the road gets busy, any tolls etc. Having an idea of when to stop off is important as taking a rest when driving will avoid tiredness.

Create a playlist 

Part of the fun of a road trip is spending time together and enjoying the journey between your destinations. Before setting off, create a playlist that you can listen to whilst on your journey. Give everyone a chance to select some songs that way you can all feel like you have been involved. Put some uplifting songs on your playlist as this can get everyone singing, smiling and laughing. When you are starting to feel a little tired on the drive, having an uplifting song can help wake you up and make the drive more enjoyable. Music is a great way to practise self-care as well. 

Plan activities you all like 

A holiday allows you to spend some quality time together as a family. A time to create special memories and many laughs. Part of your holiday is getting excited before you go and a way to increase that excitement is to plan activities together. When planning these activities, make sure they are ones that everyone will enjoy doing. Something that gets you all together and excited to take part. Of course, there will be moments you can’t please everyone, however, try to get as many people involved at every stage of your breakaway. 

What tips do you have for planning a road trip? Are there any tips that we haven’t included that you think should be? Let us know in the comment box below.