Category Archives: sponsored guest post

December 15, 2017 · 3:27 pm

5 New Year’s Resolutions to Set for Your Family

Throughout the year, you do little things to help ensure your kids grow up to become good people.No doubt, they are well on their way, but here’s the thing: Kids don’t always listen. When you try to drive a message home among a million other messages, it can be difficult. That’s what’s so great about New Year’s Resolutions. This time of year offers us a podium.

If you make resolutions fun, the entire family can get involved. Make the process interactive by keeping track on a chalkboard or a website. Hold everyone, (yourself included) accountable, and it may start feeling like a game.

Here are five ideas for resolutions you can set for your family.

Less screen time. Isn’t this always the goal? Maybe this year, your family can achieve it by adding a board game night or a group game of volleyball. Whatever you do, try to keep it simple and consistent, so everyone knows when it’s not okay to turn on the television or pick up the tablet.

More exercise. You can make this a family event where you all exercise together or have everyone keep track of their own goals with something like a Fitbit. Getting your kids in the habit of exercising now will help them understand the importance of staying fit throughout their lives.

Family dinners together. If you aren’t already sitting down at the dinner table together, this is a great idea for a resolution. In fact, regular family dinners are associated with reduced rates of depression and suicidal thoughts in teenagers. Try to sit for dinner together every night, if you can.

Have regular mental health days. Teenage depression is on the rise, and mental health is an issue that has become extremely important. Take one day a week to talk to your kids about their thoughts and feelings. Let them know why this is important. Untreated depression can have dangerous consequences, such as alcoholism, substance abuse, or suicide.

Keep gratitude journals. While we’re teaching our kids to be good to others, we sometimes forget to teach them how to be good to themselves. Show your kids how to create a gratitude journal to express all the things they appreciate in their lives. Especially in the teenage years, kids can get so wrapped up in what’s happening around them that they forget the important things. Gratitude journaling serves as a great reminder. This is something you can even do together as a family.

As the new year approaches, it’s time to set new goals. We may not need to reinvent our families, but we can refine some of the skills we’ve taught and learned throughout the years.

New Year’s resolutions can be a fun way for the children to try something that they wouldn’t otherwise try. If you make it fun, it’s likely to last well into the year. If you’re lucky, these habits will continue until those little ones go off to college!

This is a sponsored guest post that does not necessarily express the ideals or views of Mommy Ramblings.

 


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December 9, 2017 · 2:52 am

How to Display Colored Artwork Around Your Home

Do you ever find yourself just going on a coloring spree? I know I do. After a long day, there is nothing quite like taking a hot bath, grabbing a glass of wine and my favorite coloring book and just forgetting about the world for a few hours.

I’ll even let you in on a little secret… If the week hasn’t gone so well, or I just can’t seem to get my fix of colored artwork, I can finish an entire coloring book in a matter of days. Sometimes, I feel guilty because I feel as though I might have wasted the book by speeding through it.

However, when I look back on the beauty I have created, I think: “This ought to be displayed and appreciated, not closed up in some book on a shelf.” So, if you find yourself looking for ways to show off your colored artwork, consider displaying it around your home.

Avoiding Common Mistakes When Displaying Artwork 

Displaying colored artwork is an art within itself. What can you do other than just tape the page on the wall Let’s start with what you shouldn’t do. Here are a few things people commonly do wrong when displaying their colored artwork:

Tear the pages out of the book.

Rather than going all in and ripping the finished colored artwork right out of the book, take a calmer approach.
Use scissors to gently and precisely cut the page out or remove the cover and binding of the book so that the pages naturally come out.

Overusing the same sized pages.

You’ve heard the saying – too much of a good thing is bad.  Well, too many of the same sized colored artwork pages are not the most appealing. Instead, use pages from a few different books that still have a compatible color schemes, but vary in size. This will add some dimension and character to your display.

Lacking regard for a color palette.

While a variety of colors is beautiful, a finished piece of colored artwork with clearly no color palette in mind can be a bit mind boggling, and leave the viewer confused and overwhelmed. Beyond that, it can be incredibly hard to find a place where such a display will fits well.  Instead, pick a color palette that compliments the area you plan to display your colored artwork so that it flows well and accents the space, rather than standing out like a sore thumb.

Over cluttering the wall.

A picture is worth a thousand words, right? So, if you add 10 pictures to one small space, you have essentially placed 10,000 words on one small wall. Instead, leave some white space. Allow each picture to speak for itself and give it room to breathe rather than cluttering one entry wall with every picture you have ever colored.

Incorrectly hanging the art.

Once you have chosen which colored artwork pieces are worthy of display, the last thing you want is to wake up the morning after hanging them to find them on the floor. Instead, invest in quality hanging materials to ensure your artwork stays safely in its place. So, now that you are well versed in the things you shouldn’t be doing, let’s go over the things you should be doing:

Creative Ways to Display Colored Artwork Around Your Home

If you just can’t get enough of your favorite, completed page from your coloring book or your home could just use a little sprucing up in the artwork department, try displaying your artwork around your home like this:

Design your first animal clothing line.

If you are like me and are one of those fur parents who love to dress your animals up just about all year round, this display is for you. When you print your artwork out onto some fabric for your pillows, go ahead and grab a little extra to create the perfect t-shirt for your favorite furry friend. Who knows? Maybe they will even convince their pal at the vet to get one, too. Add some personalized tags and washing instructions to really make it your own!

Create a view.

Typically, a window creates a view – it gives the wall a definite shape by adding a square or rectangle to it, giving the room a focal point that lets you appreciate the beauty outside.

But, what if there is no window?  No worries, just add some of your favorite colored artwork! Use pattern scissors to give the artwork a decorative edge and then place it in an oval, square or rectangle frame and hang it  above your couch or in front of your kitchen sink to define the space.

Bonus: If behind the kitchen sink is your location of choice, it will give you something beautiful to look at while you do the dishes!

Make magnets…to hang more artwork.

Display your artwork with some artwork – sounds a bit like overkill, right?  This is a great way to switch up the normal look of a standard coloring page and also a great way to use your colored artwork for practical purposes.
Use round button magnets and clear glass marbles to create colorful magnets, then use those to display your other colored artwork on your fridge, dishwasher, or even your chalkboard or whiteboard.

Use it as placemats.

I know what you’re thinking: You would never use your artwork as something to eat off of, right?
Good, because neither would I! However, with a little lamination, you can use your artwork as a placemat without damaging it, and it is quick and easy to clean. Plus, most placemats will be the size of at least two pieces of artwork, so you can display more than one at each place setting.

Cover your pillows with it.

One of the easiest ways to decorate your couch is to add an accent pillow. What about showcasing your artwork? Talk about the perfect way to spruce things up and make it your own!  Print your colored artwork onto some fabric then wrap your couch pillows you already have and transform them in a matter of minutes. Your kids will love to nap on them.

Displaying your artwork does not have to be as simple as ripping out the page and hanging it on the wall. You have already worked so hard on it, why not take it to the next level and get creative?

Happy decorating, friends!

This is a sponsored guest post and does not necessarily reflect the views or ideals of Mommy Ramblings.

 


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November 25, 2017 · 11:24 pm

Parental Control Apps To Track Your Kids’ Locations & More

If you are the parent of a teenager, you probably want to know where they go when they are not at home. You may have heard of physical GPS tracking devices that are commonly used, but why go through the trouble and expense of buying that equipment when you can get the information you want using mobile Apps? Apps like Kidgy.com give parents the control they want to monitor their kids and make sure they are safe. Using the Kidgy App, parents can easily track their child using GPS through their smartphone.

 

Life360

Life360 is available for iPhone and Android devices and keeps millions of families and close friends connected, no matter what chaos life throws their way. Organize your family, friends, caregivers and more easily with circles. Add favorite locations like school, work, home and more and receive alerts when circle members arrive at or depart from them. Message the entire circle at once or privately, eliminating the need for endless texts and calls.

Life360’s free version allows you to set up 2 places and keeps location history for 2 days. The PLUS version gives users full access and maintains location history for 30 days. The cost of Life360 PLUS is just $24.99 a year.

My Family GPS tracker

My Family is another good family tracking App. Unlike Life360, My Family is available for Windows and Amazon powered devices in addition to android and iOS devices. This App has premium features like the ability to save location history for up to 3 years. My Family also allows parents to make force calls to their kids that cannot be ignored. While this may seem intrusive, sometimes parents need to be, when it comes to the safety of their kids.

My Family also has an emergency button that notifies parents if their child comes across some type of trouble or leaves or enters a certain location. The user interface for My Family is user-friendly, so operating the App is simple. Best of all, My Family is free to use for android, iOS, amazon and windows users.

ZoeMob Family Locator

Finally, ZoeMob Family Locator is another useful App for keeping track of your kids’ location. Think of it as a family assistant because it is more than just a family locator. With additional features like calendars, shared lists, built-in messengers and more, it helps you to keep everyone connected.

Despite all the add-ons, this App is simple to use to keep track of your family members, set driving speed limits, program it to receive notifications for certain locations and so much more. The free version of ZoeMob is available for both android and iOS and can be accessed through the product website.

This is a sponsored guest post that does not necessarily reflect the views or ideals of Mommy Ramblings.


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November 4, 2017 · 10:31 pm

Living on a Tight Budget? 6 Creative Ways to Be More Charitable

The holidays often inspire people to give back to those less fortunate. However, if you’re on a tight budget, you may not think that you have the means to do some good. Giving can be done any time of the year. You also don’t need to be a professional athlete or Hollywood actor to make your own mark in this world. Here are 6 creative ways you can be more charitable without breaking your budget.

Offer Your Time

If you’re looking to be more charitable, your time can be a precious gift. If you’re handy and do a good job maintaining your home,  you can volunteer to build houses for those in need. For those who love and adore animals, you may want to foster dogs and cats until they’ve found their forever homes. After work, tutor kids in language, math or reading at an under-privileged group home. During the holidays, offer to serve meals or hand out food at a food bank or soup kitchen.

Save Spare Change

Between work and family, your life may be filled with challenges. Money struggles, going through a divorce or being falsely accused of domestic violence can prove devastating. The struggles can even ruin your reputation and hinder you from getting ahead with your career. However, by becoming more charitable, you’ll be bringing good into your household. With the wide number of groups and organizations that are looking for assistance, you may not have the funds to assist everyone.

If you’re limited on cash and have spare change lying around, put it in a bucket. Every time you pay for groceries, clothes or other necessities, you can put your change into this container. As the money adds up, you’ll have enough coins to put toward charities such as the Salvation Army kettle. There are other small monetary donations that won’t make too much of a dent in your checking account. Popular methods include when the cashier at a retail establishment asks you to donate $1 to help a homeless pet shelter or child with cancer.

Keep Your Eyes Open

Your local supermarket or retail clothing store may offer two-for-one sales or discounts on items. If you get an extra set of freebies, think about donating goods to a homeless shelter. The holiday season is a great time to declutter your home. If your used merchandise is in good condition, your local Goodwill center or thrift store may benefit from the clothes, shoes, coats and housewares. Your old electronics may also be valuable as they can be refurbished and sold to families in need. Eyewear can also be costly. Instead of tossing out your old glasses to make room for new, the Lions Club has a sight program that collects used eyeglasses.

Be Kind to Planet Earth

The Earth has taken a beating in recent years as pollution and other contaminants continue to harm the planet. If you’re looking to protect Mother Nature, adopt eco-friendly habits with the family. If you get the paper or magazines delivered, recycle the material. You can also use cloth bags routinely when grocery shopping or tote a reusable mug when bringing your coffee to work. You may also volunteer for your cities trash cleanup program designed to keep roadways and highways litter free.

Get Moving for a Cause

If you’re looking to become more charitable and stay fit, you can walk or run for a cause. There are a number of organizations such as finding a cure for breast cancer and helping the hungry who use walks and races to raise money. Encourage your friends and family members to get more involved and make a day out of the event. The Internet has a host of offerings, and the money to race is typically minimal.

Focus on Your Family

Some say that charity begins at home, and it actually does. Although you may have plans to save the world, offer your family some love and undivided attention first. Instead of burying your nose in your laptop or cell phone, ditch the electronics and focus on your children, pets and partner. Break out the games or get outside and go for a walk or bike ride.

If you’ve stretched your finances to the brink, it can be challenging monetarily to offer your assistance. But giving back to those who are in need doesn’t always mean reaching for your check book. Using the above strategies, you can become more charitable and still stay on target with your budget.

This is a sponsored guest post that does not necessarily reflect the views or ideals of Mommy Ramblings. 


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October 26, 2017 · 10:51 am

How To Find The Best Neighborhood For Your Family

When looking for a new neighborhood to move into, it serves you well to do your homework to avoid moving into bad areas. The region needs to have a low crime rate, be affordable, and have the right amenities. If you are looking to buy a house, remember you are not just buying a property, you are also investing in the neighborhood.

Here are some tips that will help you choose the safest and best neighborhood for you and your family:

Ask The Right Questions  

According to the owner of Eastown apartments, ask yourself what the best features of the neighborhood are . What would make an area stand out to you?

  •         Amenities that are within walking distance?
  •         Trees and parks?
  •         Active, busy areas or quiet streets?
  •         New developments or older neighborhoods?
  •         Anonymity or tight-knit areas?

Once you have the right picture of the neighborhood in your mind, make sure all your criteria are met when choosing a house.

Crime Rates

Using search engines such as Bing or Google, you can look up the crime statistics by neighborhood to generate information about the area you are considering. Most big urban areas have crime reports that are detailed enough to help you choose the right area. Smaller towns, on the other hand, only have general information, which might not be very useful.

Contact The Local Police

The local police department will provide you with the right information about a certain area. This will probably be your best source of information when looking into the safety and crime in neighborhoods. A police station can also help you to find out how active a community is in crime prevention.

Drive Around

Drive around a neighborhood to look for graffiti as well as other forms of vandalism like broken windows. If the homes have strong deterrents such as ‘beware of dog’, exercise caution.

Take A Look Around

Spend some time walking around the neighborhood, then take note of how the houses look: how are the front yards, sidewalks, and streets? If the people in the area make eye contact with you and smile, it is probably a safe place. Look for abandoned and vacant buildings, which might affect the property value and feel of the neighborhood.

Take several walks through the neighborhood at different times of the day to get a better idea of its highs and lows. Assess the people living in the neighborhood: are they old or college-age students?

Public Transport

Is there public transport nearby? You might need to use public transport if the cost of fuel becomes too much for you. How often does transit stop during the peak periods?

Schools

A well-kept school is a sign of a very good neighborhood. Moreover, you need to look into schools if you have kids: this should be your first consideration before you buy a house. Is the school near your house and if it is not, how will your kids be getting there?

Future Development

You can find information through the local chamber of commerce or city hall. Anticipating future developments is smart because they usually increase traffic and taxes. You need to invest in the future potential of your neighborhood if you want to decide whether the outlook is great for your family.

Property Taxes

You need to find out the current tax rate in the city you want to move to. If there is an expected tax increase, consider this amount in your moving budget.

This is a sponsored guest post that does not necessarily reflect the views or  ideals of Mommy Ramblings.

 


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October 17, 2017 · 2:00 pm

Top 5 Oils to Keep Your Mind Active

Brain fog can be a real pain. Whether it’s from chronic pain, not getting enough sleep, or mental illness issues, you will often find that it can be difficult to try to keep your head on straight throughout the entire day. Dealing with these issues, you want to be sure that you’re doing everything possible so that your mind can stay active and on top of things.

“Essential oils are suggested to have healing properties for all kinds of illnesses”, says Quick Doctor.  Many people have turned to essential oils to make sure that they can stay on top of any and all of the issues that may come along when dealing with brain fog of all sorts. There are a lot of essential oils out there, though. Which ones are going to do the best job of getting this taken care of? Are there ways to make sure that you can find solutions that work out best for you? Let’s take a look at some of the most important options out there.

  1. Lavender Oil. We have all heard that using lavender of whatever sort can go a long way in terms of getting what we need for relaxation. Without a relaxed mind, we will likely find it difficult to take care of the issues that may happen with our brains in the meantime. So, consider adding lavender to the air in order to make sure that you can relax and concentrate, no matter what may come your way.
  2. Frankincense. Your mood plays a significant role in whether or not you’re going to be able to concentrate or take care of different tasks. This ancient oil is actually known for being a very effective mood stabilizer that can take care of a variety of issues related to anxiety, depression, or bursts of anger. This can be quite helpful in regards to getting everything done n a day.
  3. Mandarin Oil. This oil, from the mandarin orange, actually quiets the mind to help concentration. If you’re someone that is used to having racing thoughts that make it hard to think about certain tasks, or you’re a multitasker that needs to take care of all of these things in order to be able to function properly, then you can definitely benefit from using this.
  4. Rosemary Oil. If you have been looking for something that improves memory, this is it. You will have a much sharper memory when you infuse this during studying or when you’re trying to learn material in a specific situation. Memory is a big part of what we do, so having this on our side can go a very long way.
  5. CBD Oil. Hemp oil is getting more and more popular because it helps us to concentrate, can help our moods to be better in general, and make it so that we can actually work out what it is that we need to do on a regular basis. If you have any issues related to concentration or anxiety, using CBD oil in a diffuser or on your temples and neck can actually help you out immensely.

This is a sponsored guest post that does not necessarily reflect the ideals of Mommy Ramblings.


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October 12, 2017 · 9:15 pm

Try Upcycling Instead of Buying New

Upcycling is really trending now, having gained momentum over the last few years with no signs of slowing down. Upcycling is when you reuse materials to create something new. It can be as simple as giving an old piece of furniture a fresh coat of paint and a new purpose, or as crafty as creating something from what some think is junk. Upcycling is a great way to add new pieces and elements to your home for much less than buying new.

1| Jars

Old pickle and jelly jars can be reused as storage pots for makeup brushes, craft materials, and so many other things. Clean them out, and use glass paint to give it a new chic look, paint the lid to compliment them and place them around the house.

2| Cans

By drilling holes around a tin can and painting it, you can create a candle holder that shines dots of lights all over the place. Alternatively, you can attach cord through two holes and create rustic planters.

3| Bed Frame

Normally it’s the slats that give out on the bed before the rest of the frame. Use it again by cutting the end in half and fixing them to the headboard as armrests, and using the sides as the seat of your new bench. You can paint it with bright colors to really lighten up your garden.

4| Pallets

Pallets are the miracle material; they are made and discarded everywhere. You can often get this discarded wood for free of minimal money from a local delivery yard. You can make shelving, benches, a garden sofa, or even tables from these things. If you’re making a big piece of furniture, then use something like a guide to choosing a functional dining table set to help with dimensions and styles.

5| Tires

People often replace their tires twice a year – for winter and summer. But what do you do with your old tires? Why not take them home and turn them into garden furniture. Create a lid/seat and base out of plywood. Attach the base but use seating foam and fabric to cover the loose lid. If you like the look of the tire then just paint it, or you can use rope to disguise it.

6| End Table

An old or extra end table can easily be made into an ottoman. Use a thick piece of furniture foam and upholstery fabric on the top of the table. If you need to, cut down the legs to the right height and paint it.

7| Doorknobs

Interesting and fun doorknobs don’t have to be thrown out when the door is. Use them on other upcycled furniture, on the top of boxes and even as coat hooks.

8| Tiles

Chipped or odd tiles are usually thrown out by hardware stores and decorators. There are three great ways to upcycle tiles; the first is to polish them up and use them as drink coasters. The second is to tile the top of a table with them, and the third, is to use them to create a  garden path.

This is a sponsored guest post that may or may not reflect the ideals or views of Mommy Ramblings.

 


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October 10, 2017 · 2:16 am

Helpful Tips for Winterizing Your Home

The summer has folded its wings and you’ve got to buckle down and prepare for the coming winter. This isn’t much of an issue if you live on the West Coast; but even in that region, gray days are ahead, and you want to make sure your plumbing, heating system and any other necessary repairs are taken care off.

The first thing you want to do is make sure that your heating system has undergone regular maintenance. If it hasn’t, now is the time to start looking for reputable HVAC Contractors in your area; they can take a look at your air conditioning unit, furnace and more. Keep their number handy for emergency services, too, when they’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – even on holidays.

Check The Status Of Your Roof

Whether the rain or the snow hits (or both, for that matter), you’ll want your roof to be in tip-top shape this season. Hire a handyman if there’s no one in the house who can safely climb a ladder to inspect the shingles. This past summer has been a hectic one with hurricanes and strong winds in some parts of the country, so you want to make sure damaged or broken sections of the roof are fixed just in case inclement weather hits your region.

 

For flat roofs, all it might take is a rake to get rid of pine needles and fallen leaves, so the water they retain doesn’t cause mold to build up. In fact; mold can be a problem in spaces inside the home you rarely see – behind the vanity in the bathroom. If there’s water damage in your home, RestorationElite is a trusted provider of emergency services, mold remediation and water/fire damage repair; they’re located in multiple places around the nation.

Property Cleaning And Leaf Work

Clean your gutters of leaves and debris. While you’re up there (or the professional handyman you hired is) have some water downspouts placed to allow any run-off from the rain to cleanly pour down them and into the street gutters.

For your front and back yards specifically, mulch the leaves to break them up into smaller parts. This saves you a bit of cleanup when compared to raking; furthermore, the mulching motion allows the soil to reabsorb the leaves and nourish your grass this season. If you have a lawn mower, replace the blade with one appropriate for mulching.

Lastly, don’t overlook the importance of winterizing your lawn mower. Any fuel left inside could cause issues if it gets too cold, and possible damage the exhaust. Even if it does not cause damage, it can make the mower more difficult to get running again in the spring. 

Have Your Sewer Line And Sump Pump Checked

Experts generally recommend you check your sump pump pit once every three months or so by pouring water into it. If the pump activates, then you’re okay; if not, then you need to have it looked at. Problems, when they arise, tend to occur after an extended dry season.

It’s a good idea to check your sump pump when the forecast is calling for a rainy season. If there’s any extended work to be done, you’ll probably require a registered professional engineer equipped with small trench boxes they use to safely excavate the ground. They may need to dig to find the problem and ward off an impending failure.

All-in-all, it’s best to have your house checked for all the things that require maintenance; if they fail during the winter season, they’re more costly to repair or replace.

This is a sponsored guest post that may or may not reflect the views and ideals of Mommy Ramblings.


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October 9, 2017 · 4:09 pm

How to Handle Toxic Family Members

 

The holiday season is fast approaching, and that can only mean one thing: Another dinner where you have to endure Aunt Sue. Try as you might, you can’t seem to find good in this person who shares your bloodline. It’s a sad reality, but family members can be toxic too.

What is a toxic person?

When we talk about toxic people, it goes deeper than your personal feelings. A toxic person is someone who consistently hurts other people with their words or actions. They may even be very charming, but you know you’re going to be sorry if you let yourself get too close. Toxic people are selfish, and they aren’t above lying to get their way.

How to handle toxic people

Fortunately, in most cases, you know when you’re going to see that toxic family member. This gives you some time to prepare. Follow the tips below to help protect yourself from other people’s toxicity.

  1. Give yourself a pep talk – When you know you’re going to see this person, remind yourself not to get sucked into the drama. This person cannot hurt you if you don’t engage.
  2. Consider that they cannot help themselves – Oftentimes, individuals who are considered toxic may have reasons for their behavior. They may suffer from a substance abuse disorder (1 in 8 Americans are reported alcoholics), or they may have a personality disorder, such as narcissism. You can forgive them for how they have hurt you in the past, but this doesn’t mean you should let them hurt you again.
  3. Keep contact to a minimum – Avoid talking to this person as much as possible. Try taking the seat furthest away and think of reasons to excuse yourself when this person approaches you. If this person calls or texts you, don’t respond. You don’t need to explain yourself to a toxic person. It’s better to keep your own sanity than to appear polite. This person will eventually take your hint.
  4. Avoid sharing personal information – The biggest problem with toxic people is that they can seem endearing. If you get stuck talking to this person, keep reminding yourself to share as little as possible. Any personal information you share may be used against you at a later time.
  5. Don’t let anyone make you feel small – Toxic people are very good at making you feel like you have to defend yourself. They may spread lies or half-truths about you to others, and you’re left feeling like you have to make up for something. Don’t fall into the trap. Whatever it is, let it go. If someone changes their opinion of you based on hearsay, that’s their problem.

When you know how to handle toxic family members, there’s no need to stress about the encounter. You’re above all of their nonsense, and you’re going to show that by removing yourself from the drama. The more you engage, the deeper you fall into their trap. It may seem gratifying to expose a toxic person, but you’ll likely be sorry you even spent the effort. Walk away with your head held high. After all, you’re not the one who is toxic.

This is a sponsored guest post and does not necessarily reflect the views or ideals of Mommy Ramblings.


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· 3:24 pm

Turn Your Home Into An Efficient Powerhouse

There are many kinds of improvements that you might want to make to your home. Arguably one of the most common is to make it more efficient, but this can be hard to achieve. Efficiency is often poorly misunderstood, and it is this lack of understanding which causes it not to be utilized in most  homes. If you are serious about wanting to make your home more efficient, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at what that really means. With a better approach, you can easily turn your home into a much more efficient place to live.

The Power Of An Audit

Most people who are aiming to make improvements in home efficiency will just dive straight into making those basic changes. Changing out the lightbulbs and the heating system are good things to do regardless, but you might find it more effective to first have an audit performed on your home. A home energy audit helps to reveal what the main problem areas are. With this knowledge, you can spend your money (and your time) more wisely as you make those changes. It is very difficult to know for certain where you are losing energy, so an audit of this kind could really help to make your home run more efficiently.

Outside The Box

The truth is that many of the top efficiency changes are those which you don’t consider at first. Using your imagination and thinking outside the box a little is often one of the best things you can do in terms of making your home much more efficient. There are a huge range of these ideas out there which can be a big benefit to your home, you just need to do your research. It might be that you choose to install an energy-efficient electric water heater, or perhaps you feel it is time to build a wind farm in your backyard. For more helpful tips check out https://theplumbinginfo.com and try to find other online resources with similar ideas.

Solar, Solar, Solar

If there is anything to always take away from this article, it is that solar is the number one renewable energy. Whenever you are thinking of turning your home into a much more efficient dwelling, you will want to find one way or another to utilize the power of  the sun.

The fact is, it is the most efficient energy source there is. It works for anything that you need energy for, and it is cheap to install and run. You won’t have to do anything once it is installed either, so you can just sit back and let it power your home. You might even be able to sell some energy back to the grid – and that can really make a huge difference in your life. Click here to find more about converting to solar energy.

Follow the tips above and you will be off to a  good start on improving your home’s energy efficiency. You might be surprised at just how quickly you can reap the rewards of making these changes. 

This is a sponsored guest post and does not necessarily reflect the views and ideals of Mommy Ramblings.

 


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