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8 Ways I’m Preparing For Summer

I’m getting ready for summer by being prepared for all the things we love and enjoy this time of year. With some planning now, we’ll be able to have a blast this year…
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I’m getting ready for summer by being prepared for all the things we love and enjoy this time of year. With some planning now, I know we’ll be able to have a blast this year and enjoy just the right amount of fun without overloading our schedule.

Wardrobe

The palettes for this summer are bright, neon and fun! You can also find subdued colors if that’s what you prefer. But right now I am on the hunt for the best summer fashions. I’ve found a few. I especially love the idea of a tank with these overalls, but they might get a little toasty once it starts to warm up. I’m hoping overall shorts are back on trend so I can enjoy this blast from the past.

Working Out

Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but I am being more active because it’s spring, beautiful, and warm. No one likes to be active when it’s 100 degrees outside, so I love getting in extra sunshine and activity now before the temps climb too high and all I want to do is sit by the pool or inside in the air conditioning. I love summer and it comes with a lot of fun activities, but it also comes with some serious heat.

Air Conditioning

My house has air conditioning, and like anyone else, I expect it to work when the temperatures climb. It’s important to get it maintained and I’ve been guilty of neglecting regular maintenance work. One of the ways I’m getting ready for summer this year is to get my HVAC system checked. You can easily use search terms like HVAC Service Santa Rosa, HVAC service near me, or even air conditioning service [in your city] if you want to find a reputable company. HVAC service may feel like an unnecessary expense, but it’s worth it to have a professional check everything out and find issues before they become major expenses for you.

Planning Gatherings

Summer is a great time to get outdoors and invite close friends and family over. Whether it’s a cookout or a day at the lake, I’m already looking at the calendar to pick dates for something fun. I enjoy taking time with the people I love and enjoy the most. And summer is perfect for taking time to rest. I enjoy all the fun of summer and of course, all the bright and cheerful fashions that go with it.

Taking Time to Rest

The school year gets busy between me working, shuttling my daughter to school and activities, and doing all the normal day-to-day tasks. Summer is filled with restful activities (most of the time) and a slower pace of life. The past year or so has been a whirlwind, so I am intentionally creating time to rest. I find that too many of us end up suffering because we don’t value rest enough. My goal is to not get so stressed that I am forced to rest, but to take a regular cadence of restful days so that I don’t overextend myself.

Spring Cleaning

I love keeping my things as organized as possible. My spring cleaning includes removing old things from my wardrobe, putting storage back where it belongs, dusting all the weird places, and more. As a family we thin out the things we don’t use so that we aren’t consumed by stuff all the time. Since I love to find new items, it keeps us from becoming hoarders as well. Sometimes I feel demotivated when it comes to spring cleaning, but the outcome is amazing!

Making Menus

Summer comes with delicious fruit salad, refreshing drinks, and light and fresh foods. While winter is filled with warm soups, I look forward to summer salads and grilled meats, and fruity treats. My menus are pretty basic but filled with all my favorite things.

Deciding My Yesses (and My No’s)

Right now I’m looking at all the things we could do. And I’m trying to pick the things we want to do, we should do, and the things that we’ll say no to. This includes looking at the myriad of summer camp and sports options, the events we’ve been invited to already, and even the time off we want to hoard for just us.

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The Art of Trying Something New: 8 Things to Do as an Empty Nester

Once you become an empty nester, your home can seem a little lonely. The good news is that you are still in the prime of your life, so it’s time to begin working towards your goals again. Here’s some ideas to get you started…
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Once you become an empty nester, your home can seem a little lonely. It can leave you wondering what to do now that you have fewer obligations. The good news is that you are still in the prime of your life, now with more time to devote to your hobbies and to explore your interests.

It’s time to begin working towards your goals again, the goals you set aside to raise your children. If beginning your quest for improvement is daunting, here’s a list of ideas to get you started.

Travel the world

Now that your kids have flown the coop, why don’t you fly the world? There are several out-of-the-box ways to explore foreign places, and they don’t have to break the bank. Some occupations will pay you to travel. Jobs like seasonal resort work can take you to exotic locations and even pay you to be there. For those jet-setters at heart, travel nursing presents an unrivaled opportunity to add to your passport collection. Up for the fast-paced lifestyle? Utilize resources like these that’ll act as a springboard to exotic adventures. As a bonus, traveling nurses can select the destinations they desire from a list of options.

Improve your skills

Always wanted to improve your sketching skills but never had the time? How about that long-time dream to learn how to bake? Now is the time to seize the day and gain some new talents or improve upon old ones. Local classes or online tutorials are a great resource that offers a wealth of information.

Redecorate

Now that your nest is empty, why not redecorate it? Chances are your little chicks took their old furniture with them when they moved out, so now is an excellent time to freshen up the wall paint and rearrange the furniture. You can finally create that library or study that you’ve always imagined.

Start writing

Now you have more free time; you can finally finish (or begin) that novel you’ve always wanted to write. Put pen to paper and start scribbling.

Start a small business

 Why not make your hobbies lucrative by creating a small business? If you love photography, art, or even cookie decorating, there’s a market out there for hand-crafted goods you create on Etsy or local markets.

Adopt an animal

If you’re feeling a little down that you’ve officially become an empty nester, consider adopting a pet to lift your spirits. Petting your feline friend or walking your canine companion will help add some purpose back into your life.

Volunteer

Volunteering offers a productive way to fill your day. Consider volunteering in an old folks home or a classroom. You will find new purpose and new friends while working to better your community.

Create a garden

If you still feel the need to nurture, look to gardening as an excellent empty-nester hobby. Gardening will reward you with lovely flowers or delicious veggies in return for your hard work in the dirt.

Wrap up

Though at first having an empty nest may seem melancholy, you’ll soon find yourself enjoying your additional free time. With fewer obligations, empty nesters have incredible opportunities to work towards personal improvement and traveling.

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Money Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Next Vacation

If your wanderlust is as strong as ever, take this time to focus on how you’ll finance your next trip once it’s safe to do so…
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Traveling might be on the backburner until a complete roll-out of vaccines, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t stopped dreaming of sipping piña coladas on a sandy beach half-way across the world. If your wanderlust is as strong as ever, take this time to focus on how you’ll finance your next trip once it’s safe to do so.

Keep scrolling to find out how you can save better for a future trip. From travel advice to money management ideas, this list has it all.

Pay Off Debt

Spending more than you have to may sound counterintuitive to your plans, but paying off your debt faster might help you save more money in the long-run. A line of credit or credit card accrues interest and finance charges any time you carry over a balance by making the minimum payment.

Upping your payments until you get your line of credit and credit card balances to zero frees up these limits, eliminates interest payments, and frees up your cash for travel.

Paying down installment loan debt is also a good idea, even though interest doesn’t accrue the same way it does with revolving accounts.

Just be sure to read your installment loan contract carefully before you send an extra or early payment. While a lender like MoneyKey encourages borrowers to make pre-payments, some online direct lenders may charge you for making payments outside your fixed schedule.

This may be a good time to explore different types of factoring.

Set up Automatic Savings

When you’re busy juggling bills, it’s easy to forget about a vacation that’s been postponed for the next year or so. With your mind on other things, you can easily forget to set aside cash for your holiday.

Automating your vacation savings to come out of your account at the top of your month can help you save, even if you forget.

Use Windfalls to Boost Your Fund

Automation is a good way to contribute regularly to your savings, but sometimes you’ll run into money you didn’t account for in your budget. Windfalls like your tax refund, a bonus, or lottery winnings are a quick way to hit your target.

Expect to Pay More

Flights are cheaper than ever due to low demand, but these prices will rise when airlines attempt to recoup the money they’ve lost during the pandemic. Travel experts predict airfare will cost more in the post-COVID world as travelers get back to their jet-setting ways.

Keep this in mind as you build out your budget. Working with the average price from a few years ago may leave you in the lurch once it comes time to book flights.

Find Savings Elsewhere

When the cost of getting to your destination is all but guaranteed to cost more, try to find savings in other common travel expenses. You might be able to even out how much your vacation costs by skipping the hotel.

House-swapping apps find available accommodations at your destination. You and another user can swap your homes for free. All you have to pay is the membership fee of the home-exchange program you use.

Take Advantage of Your Time at Home

It may not feel like it but being grounded has a silver lining. It gives you the time to focus on paying off debt, building up savings, and planning for the best trip possible.

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Fashion Friday: Who Knew Adulting Could Be So Mundane?

Even with all the mundane tasks of adulting, I love that I get to spend it with my favorite people in the world…
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As a kid, all I could hope for was being an adult and making my own choices and being free. And while I live in an awesome state that’s filled with so much freedom, it doesn’t save me from the mundane parts of being an adult. I wish that adulting was always as exciting as finding the latest fashion trends, but the reality is there are just some things you need to think about. Especially being a wife and a parent, I find it important to put certain things in place to keep our sanity, our health, and even our faith.

A Good Working Budget

Okay, this one is so boring, but it’s vital. Having a good budget isn’t just about spending the money you have each month. It’s about creating a budget that helps you live the lifestyle you desire and reduces stress so you don’t have to worry about what to do when the money comes in. It accounts for needs, wants, debts, and other semi-annual expenses.

You need to make sure you have the basics met before anything else. Do you have enough set aside for food, housing, electricity, cars, and clothes? These are vital. You need your car to get to work and maybe school, you need to live somewhere, and you definitely need food in your belly. You probably don’t need as much as I spend on clothes, but you do need to replace worn-out shoes and pants and make sure what you have is appropriate for your work and play, such as these Samurai Hoodies.

Insurances

No one tells you about all the insurances when you’re a child. But I’ve discovered that there are at least three that almost everyone has. Medical insurance, auto insurance, and homeowners insurance are the biggies. Medical insurance is a vital expense in many families. There are many different types with some of the most common types being high deductible, PPO, HMO, and fixed indemnity medical plans. Auto insurance can be costly especially if you drive new cars, so be sure to ask about all the discounts. And if they suddenly raise your rates, start shopping around. It’s annoying to change, but it’s helpful if the prices get too high for no reason.

Shopping

I love to shop. Most of the time. But the amount of time spent shopping for food and other necessities seems a bit excessive. I never thought my parents shopped as much as I do. But between hauling my daughter around for school and activities, I find myself at the store for one or two little things more often than I care to admit. Adulting means managing the time we have and one of them is planning ahead and making lists so you don’t forget important items every time you go to the store.

Waiting

There is a lot of waiting as an adult. I thought waiting as a kid was hard, try waiting at the DMV or in line at the bank during busy times. Waiting is mundane and not what I imagined adulting to be like. All I can think of while I wait for my appointments or to get my stuff done is that I might be late for the next thing. These times really try my patience, but it’s a good opportunity to exercise self-control so I don’t yell at the person holding up the line in front of me.

Taxes

This year the federal tax deadline for individuals got moved out. Which is pretty awesome for all those procrastinators out there, but it’s also one of those mundane tasks you just need to do each year. It’s always the same and yet so many of us act like it’s a surprise that we need to get them done sometime before the deadline. I know a lot of people wait until the last minute, and others rush to do it so they get their return sooner and can recover their bank accounts from their post-Christmas shopping sprees. Don’t forget to do them this year, even though the deadline is later.

Even with all the mundane tasks of adulting, I love that I get to spend it with my favorite people in the world. I also get to look fabulous whether I am waiting in line at the DMV or shopping for that pound of sugar I forgot to buy while I was at the store for the third time.

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Keeping your Marriage Fresh during COVID-19

If you put the work in, you will be able to come out of the pandemic and be better off for it. Don’t let COVID-19 get the best of you, we will all get through this…
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The COVID-19 pandemic has put a lot of people into their homes. So many of us have been forced to work remotely and spend more time together. Everyone has been around their families more than usual and couples are getting at each other’s throats. This is completely normal. When you aren’t used to spending this much time together, it can feel suffocating and overwhelming. But if you communicate and do your best to keep the relationship fresh, you’ll be able to come out this in better shape than you ever have before.

Spend Time Alone

Perhaps the most important thing to do when you’re spending a lot of time together during the pandemic is to spend time alone. Whether you simply need to take a walk, read a book at the beach, or leave for the weekend, it is crucial to be a part for a while. If you’re honest that you just need time by yourself, your partner shouldn’t get mad about it. You both need to do this. It is absolutely essential to make time for yourself. If you do, your relationship will greatly improve.

Plan Special Date Nights

Whether you’re staying home or want to get out, planning special date nights will make all the difference. Get dressed up for dinner at home. Make a fancy meal, light some candles, and watch a movie. It doesn’t matter if you’re staying at home or going out. It is possible to make your evenings unique. If you feel comfortable going out, you have options to shake it up and keep your relationship fresh. Making the effort is everything. If you put in the work, you’ll see the returns.

Spice it up in the Bedroom

Sex is so important to relationships. To keep it healthy and new, every couple needs to have sex. If your relationship is getting stale in the bedroom, you should try to spice it up. Communicate about new things that you might want to try. Whether it’s a new position, roleplay, or sex toys, anything will help shake up your sex life. It will keep it interesting and new, improving your relationship overall. Whether you buy a vibrator or something more adventurous like a strap on, you will be able to freshen up your relationship and stay happy with your partner.

Plan Getaways

Another thing that you should do to keep your relationship vibrant is to plan trips and weekend getaways. You will have something to look forward to. It’s important to change up your environment and give yourselves something new to talk about. Ask someone to watch the kids and take a weekend off. Relaxing together and getting away from your home and the setting you’re used to will make a huge difference. Experiencing new things is vital to keep your relationship exciting.

Set Aside Quiet Time

Whether it’s in the middle of the day or right before you go to sleep, setting aside some time to be together in silence will make a remarkable difference to your relationship. Quiet time will strengthen your bond. You need to talk all the time. The quiet parts don’t need to be said out loud. Once you spend some time together in silence, your life together will only improve.

The pandemic hasn’t been easy. You’re probably spending a lot of time with your family and loved ones. It is natural to get tired of anyone during this. You need to get out and make the extra effort to shake things up. Planning special dates and weekend trips provide something to look forward to. Changing your setting, relaxing, and getting a new sense of atmosphere will change everything. You will be able to freshen things up and give yourselves more to talk about.

Spend some time in silence. Go out for walks, bike rides, and hikes alone. Read a book at the park. Whatever you need to do, it’s important to make the necessary effort to work on your relationship. If you put the work in, you will be able to come out of the pandemic and be better off for it. Don’t let COVID-19 get the best of you, we will all get through this.

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Renting a Boat: A complete Guide to Boat Rentals

Warm summer days call for a boat ride. In this pandemic, more and more people are renting boats as it is one of the safest outdoor recreational activities that let you have fun with friends and family. Boat hiring and boat rental services NYC has been making a lot of profit with this business.

Everyone loves a picturesque worthy experience and what is more tempting than the glistening, blue water. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on buying a boat, renting a boat is a lucrative option that prioritizes a good experience without taking a plunge.

How Does Boat Rentals Work?

What kind of boat are you looking for? Sailboat, Motor Boat, Fishing Boat, luxury boat, or charter yacht. Several boat brands and manufacturers are busy making different styles and sizes of boats. First, decide for what purposes or activities have you been renting the boat for. If you like to go water skiing, go for ski boat rentals. If fishing comes at top of the list, hire a fishing boat. If you just like to spend some time with your friends or go for a bareboat vacation, opt for a Charter yacht, or a lake boat, whatever your budget allows.

What to look for in Boat Rental Services?

Rental company’s reputation, boat condition, and user reviews, to name a few. Just don’t go and rent a boat from random boat rental services without researching first. You might ruin an otherwise good day with mechanical breakdowns or sub-par gear. Many people rent a boat from an owner instead of an established boat rental company, in this case, you have to investigate a bit more about the boat condition and how previous guests rate their experience.

Age Limit To Rent a Boat

Every rental company exercises its own policy regarding age restrictions. In some cases, an 18 years old is eligible for powerboat rentals whereas some rentals allow the individual to be 21 or even 25. Charter boat rentals are a bit more flexible about the age limit as there are a crew and a captain to run the boat, except for bareboat rental.

How much does it cost to rent a boat?

Rental cost depends on the type of boat one is renting and for how long. Motorboats are more costly than sailboats, sailboats cost around $115.00 – $300.00 a day, speed boats are available for $140.00 – $250.00, and $700 to $1000. The hourly rental cost of a fishing boat is anywhere between $75-$250 and $150-$1,400 daily.

Most yachts are usually rented for a day or week, their daily and weekly renting costs are around $1,000-5,000 or $35000-90000. Renting by the hour exceeds the daily rental cost, per hour cost rental is expensive than daily and weekly boat rentals.

Lastly, you need to be an accomplished boater to operate any type of boat, most boat rentals do not come with Captain except for charter yachts. You need to pass a basic boating or boating safety program before considering renting a boat.

What to Wear When You’re Pregnant

Pregnant women feel better when they are comfortable, supported, and fitted correctly. The balance between loose clothing and feeling slovenly is difficult to strike, but you can feel good and comfortable throughout your pregnancy…
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It’s no secret that being pregnant can be uncomfortable. Your body is changing so much—you have a person growing inside you after all. Between the strange food cravings to the weight you put on to the hormonal shifts, you want to be comfortable while feeling good about yourself. So much of this has to do with what you’re wearing. Pregnant women feel better when they are comfortable, supported, and fitted correctly. The balance between loose clothing and feeling slovenly is difficult to strike, but if you’re strategic you can feel good and comfortable throughout your pregnancy. Here are some things you can wear.

Large Exercise Pants

While you may be tempted to wear sweats, a great alternative are form-fitting but comfortable exercise pants. All you have to do is buy a few sizes up and you’ll have a great option for lying around the house or going on a walk. Not only are workout clothes versatile, they can be very stylish these days. You might feel weird about buying clothes for exercising when you’re pregnant, but you shouldn’t. It’s good to exercise and they’ll look great!

Plus Size Tops

You might hesitate to buy plus size tops, but you really shouldn’t. This doesn’t mean you’re fat, they will simply fit better when you’re pregnant. If you go straight to the right online store, you’ll be able to find cute plus size tops that look and feel good. With a little extra air and breathability you will feel smaller and more comfortable. Go ahead and buy the clothes you need, even if you won’t use them after the baby is delivered. You will be glad you did.

Men’s Clothing

You can even find some great clothes in the men’s section. If you’re looking for a comfortable sweatshirt or the right shirt for sleeping, men’s clothing can actually be a lot better for women who are pregnant. Ladies you know you like sleeping in a large men’s shirt. Go ahead and buy your own. You shouldn’t feel odd about buying men’s clothing for yourself. Most of it can be unisex anyways. You’ll love the diversified options.

Comfortable Shoes

Since your body is changing and you’re getting heavier with a baby growing inside you, comfortable shoes are a must. Your feet, legs, and knees need to be supported during this time. Pregnancy can be quite hard on your body, but you might forget how important shoes are. They are the foundation of your body. When you’re out and about, on a walk, or simply going to the grocery store, you want to make sure that you’re wearing supportive and comfortable footwear. With shoes, go for function first and style second.

Accessories

During pregnancy, it can be difficult to feel good about yourself, but this shouldn’t be the case. Adorn your body with accessories and jewelry and you just may find that your confidence increases. If you make the effort to look how you want to look, it will change your attitude and self-esteem during this strange and life-changing time. Wear sunglasses and earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Whatever you want. Express yourself in any way you see fit.

Maternity Clothes

Of course, there are specific clothes for pregnancy, but a lot of women complain about them. Luckily there are modern brands who understand this. With a hip, eco-friendly maternity brand, you can wear clothes that are made for pregnancy without skimping on the style or the comfort. Look into the specifics and you should be able to find whatever you need. Things have changed and maternity clothes have become more stylish and effective.

Using all of these clothing ideas in tandem will provide a great for you to look your best, feel good, and be comfortable during this turbulent time of pregnancy. Every woman is different. It is important to accept how you feel and wear whatever makes you feel comfortable while boosting your self-esteem. There is no shame in wearing what you want during this time. No one will judge you, which can provide a great feeling to express yourself, let loose, and be as comfortable as you want to be. Even if you’re just thinking about getting pregnant, you can look into some great clothing options today.

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