Category: Lifestyle

5 Best Vacation Activities for the Whole Family 

Going on a vacation with your family is one of the best things in the world! It’s a chance for you all to take a break from your busy schedules and enjoy your free time. However, wherever you go and whatever you like to do, you’re going to find a number of different activities that could turn your holiday from ordinary to amazing. It’s all about finding the right activities and making sure every member of your family enjoys them. Therefore, here are five family-oriented activities you should explore next time you’re on vacation.

Camping

If your kids are outgoing, outdoorsy and adventurous, this is the right activity for you and them. Although camping is one of the most enjoyable things you can do in nature, it actually isn’t as easy to do it while you’re at home, so going on holiday might be the perfect opportunity to go camping. This activity will make your kids understand why nature is so important and amazing, and they’ll surely start appreciating it more than ever after spending some time in the forest.

Of course, before you go camping, you need to get prepared. Learning a few basic things could go a long way, so spend some time doing that first. Find the right spot, improve your safety, make some cool food, and find a few games you could play while camping. This is something your kids will remember for the rest of their lives, so it’s definitely an idea to consider.

Rafting

This might not be the perfect activity if your kids are still young and can’t swim, but if they’re older and aren’t afraid of spending time in a tiny raft, this is the thing for your family. Rafting is another amazing way for your kids to be in the open and learn more about nature around them. Moreover, this activity is particularly interesting if your kids have never done anything as adventurous – this will turn into the most exciting day of your holiday, and your kids are going to love you for giving them a chance to go rafting.

However, you need to be extra careful when rafting with your loved ones. Make sure you follow instructions and don’t do anything even remotely dangerous. It goes without saying that you should make sure your kids are comfortable with this idea before you start planning it.

Scuba diving

If you notice that rafting is something your kids have enjoyed, you could take things to a new level and explore the idea of scuba diving with them. This will help them perfect their swimming and diving skills, and introduce them to an underwater world they can’t see anywhere else. After all, all of these things are vital for their general knowledge and understanding of the world, so it’s an activity that’s great on so many levels.

Again, you should check this idea with your kids and teach them a few things about scuba diving first. Also, make sure you all have some professional scuba diving equipment that’s going to turn this activity into an experience to remember. You could even consider getting this gear for your entire family and stop renting it every time you all want to dive together. This activity will bring you closer together and your kids will learn how to rely on you more than before, and that’s something all kids need to feel.

Road tripping

This is another way to help your kids learn more about the world they live in, but also a bit about the unknown regions in that world. Taking them on a road trip while you’re on a vacation is like a mini-holiday inside your regular holiday, so it’s much more fun than you could imagine. All you need is a car you can rent wherever you are, or Amarillo bus ride, a list of places you’d like the see, and some free time.

One of the ideas to explore is taking your kids on a history tour where they can visit all those important sites and places they learn about in school. This won’t be just an amazing learning experience for them, but an opportunity to see things they’ve probably never seen before. Ultimately, this might pique their interest in these things and show them how exciting historical items and places can be.

Volunteering

To be honest, this is an idea your kids are probably not going to love as much as they might love all the other suggestions. Volunteering is something not all people do when they’re at home, and it’s something even a few of them do when they’re on vacation, so why should you do it? Well, there’s one simple reason – because it’s the right thing to do.

It doesn’t matter where you’re vacationing, how much time you have and what sort of volunteering you opt for – as long as you’re doing something good for the people in need, you’ll be helping them quite a lot. Again, this is an activity you have to plan ahead, especially when you’re going on a vacation with your children, but it’s still an idea you can put into practice quite easily. Not only will you be doing something amazing for someone else, but you’ll also teach your kids a few things about being a compassionate and caring person, and that’s a life lesson you can’t put a price on.

Spending your family vacation on the beach is always a great thing to do, but being active and adventurous is even better. So, find an activity your entire family will love and turn your next vacation into the best vacation ever!

Peter is a parenting and health writer for Joyful Source magazine. Follow Peter on Twitter for more tips.

Changing Surname Step By Step Process

Even though not something that is done too often, changing your surname actually isn’t all that uncommon.

Even though not something that is done too often, changing your surname actually isn’t all that uncommon. Of course, people tend to have different reasons why they’re changing their surname, but it is certainly doable.

Now, how easy you can do it, and how the process goes, does depend on where you are. For example, changing your surname in the United States can sometimes be very different from changing your surname in the UK. Changing your name in the United States also varies from state to state. For example, if you’re in California, the cost of changing your name might be different than if you are in New York. Details like location and pricing are important factors to consider when changing your name.

That being said, how is it done? Well, if that’s what you want to know, we’ve got a step-by-step process for you. Before we get to it, though, let’s take a look at the different situations that will allow you to change your surname.

What is your surname?

Your surname is actually a part of your name that you have either inherited, from your parents, or assumed, as a kind of nickname. As such, it’s not a part of the name you’re “given”, whether in baptism or otherwise.

Just like with your first name, there is nothing in the law that’s going to stop you from changing your surname, at pretty much any time. All that’s required is for you not to have any kind of fraudulent or criminal intent.

You get to choose any surname you want and use it in addition to, or as a substitution for, your current surname. There are a few things that you should know about changing it, though.

The surname also isn’t someone’s right or property. Nothing can stop you from assuming someone else’s surname. There are multiple cases to prove this, such as Dubolay v Dubolay.

When can you change your surname?

Even though you can do it at pretty much any time (with some limitations), the most common occurrence of changing your surname is when you’re getting married or divorced. When you’re getting married to your spouse, you can choose between continuing to use your surname, taking your spouse’s, or using a combination of both. This, legally speaking, is no different from changing your surname with a deed poll.

 

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Now, getting married doesn’t oblige you to change your name. Nothing is wrong with assuming your partner’s surname, as long as you don’t have any fraudulent intention, and as long as you aren’t fraudulently claiming you’re married, when in fact, you aren’t. 

When getting divorced, you can either choose to keep your married name, or you can go back to your maiden name. Also, when getting married for the second time, you can also choose to keep the married name from your previous marriage.

Are there any limitations?

To prevent abuse, there are certain limitations to changing one’s surname. For example, if a child is under 16 years old, only one change of surname is allowed, as well as one change of forename. And if there is a registered change of forename in infancy, the child doesn’t have a right to change their forename until they’re 16 years old.

 

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For persons that are 16 years old, or over, up to three changes of the surname may be recorded. However, again, to prevent abuse, there must be a period of five years between successive surname changes. Note that these laws apply in the UK, other places might have different limitations in place.

So, how do you change your surname?

As mentioned earlier, you can change your surname during marriage or divorce. If you do this during the marriage, you shall use your new surname when signing your marriage license. However, if it’s done during divorce, you can ask your attorney to take care of this for you, and they should be able to revert you to your maiden name.

If it is done outside of these circumstances, you can change your surname with a deed poll. A deed poll is a declaration of your intent to assume a change of your surname, and as such, is evidence that you have done the change in good faith. You can use the deed poll to update your documents and records, and thus show you’re using your name publicly.

That’s it – it’s actually quite a bit simpler than you might think, but changing your surname can be done pretty quickly. 

Ways to Enhance Your Beauty as a Busy Mom

Moms that work and all moms, in general, don’t get enough credit for what they are doing, which is work all the time, and most of that isn’t paid it’s for the family. During the busiest and most stressful weeks, it looks like that moms work more than 98 hours a week. So it is super important to spend some time pampering yourself to feel as beautiful as you can.

Eat Healthy Snacks

During those hard busy days having snacks is important because if you don’t, you will get hungry. When hunger hits you, if you don’t have some healthy food near you, of course, you will eat whatever you can find near you. To avoid those moments, prepare some healthy snacks for the upcoming week. Having a healthy snack will give you more energy and keep you from gaining unwanted pounds, and most important of them all, it will make you feel more beautiful and good about yourself. These Lactation Bites are delicious bite-sized snacks that include wholesome ingredients and beneficial herbs to give lasting energy. They’re also full of antioxidants and galactagogues which help Moms produce more breastmilk.

Sleep As Much As You Can

As we all know, sleep is essential. Most moms get only 5 to 6 hours of sleep per night. But that is not enough rest for a woman that works all day every day. Not getting enough sleep will affect how much you eat, how you look and how you feel. Moms need beauty sleep too. It is very important that you get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. With a good night’s sleep, not only will your body be thankful, but your skin and face will have a magical glow.

Always Wear SPF

Most moms don’t have the time to go out on a ton of different moisturizers every morning. But wearing SPF will protect your skin from sun damage and skin cancer. So before you start skipping on putting SPF, look for BB or CC creams that have SPF in them, with that you are putting foundation and SPF at the same time. With this step in the morning, you will not only protect your skin, but you will also enhance your beauty.

Moisturize Your Hands

Moms are always cleaning, washing dishes, doing laundry, and because of that, your hands will suffer. Because of that, you need to be moisturizing them all the time. Put little tubes of hand creams into places that are easily reached, like your purse, car, desk drawer, or cabinet. Keeping up with moisturizing your hands will make your hands feel and look amazing. And we all know that ladies feel most beautiful if their hands are smooth and nice looking.

Save Time by Getting Eyelash Extensions

This is one of the best time-saving beauty tips for moms. Getting eyelash extensions, you are saving time every morning because you don’t have to spend time putting mascara on and putting fake eyelashes. Lash extensions are out in your current natural eyelashes. Many women who get lash extensions don’t wear any eye makeup at all, because they are such beauty on their own. They won’t leak and smudge as mascara will, and you will have fuller and more curled lashes. All you need to do is get high quality mink lash extensions, and you will feel the most beautiful even right after you get out of bed.

These are some easy, quick, and practical beauty tips and products in mind as you go about your hectic mom’s life. As a mom, you need to take a few minutes every day to take care of and pamper yourself, and that will do miracles for both your inner and outer self.

Guest Blogger Bio

Maggie Holmes is a passionate blogger keen on writing about beauty and fashion. Her exclusive hobby is to surf the net to find amazing articles that can inspire her with some fresh ideas for article writing. She loathes being a common person who wastes her time. 

You can follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/MaggieH04666334

How to Detox Your Beauty Routine in 5 Steps

Read on to learn more about beauty routine detox.

Our beauty routine changes as we get older, which is quite understandable considering that our needs aren’t the same when we’re teenagers, so it’s only logical to change products that we use. There are so many various beauty products, that choosing something appropriate shouldn’t be hard, yet the biggest issues with a lot of these products are their ingredients. Unfortunately, not many people know how to read them, so they often end up using products that can be quite harmful to their skin and hair. 

Therefore, in order to get the maximum out of your beauty routine, it’s sometimes necessary to do a bit of detox so you can be sure that you’re using the right products, so for that reason here are some tips that will help you make that happen:

1. Cut out the fragrances

Fragrances (often labeled as “parfum”) are the staple part of almost every ingredients list, and their main and only purpose is to provide you with a pleasant smell and also to cover the smells from more aggressive chemical ingredients. Since almost everyone loves floral and fruity scents in their products, it’s easy to see why brands still stick to adding fragrances. Yet, for some, these same fragrances can be the cause of allergic reactions, so if you’re looking to detox your beauty routine, the safest place to start is to switch to skincare and haircare products that are completely fragrance-free. 

2. Learn to read the ingredients

Reading the ingredients can be quite hard, especially if you weren’t that keen on chemistry lessons at school. But, in order to understand what your product consists of, you should at least learn to recognize the ingredients that could potentially be harmful to your hair and skin. Also, it’s important to remember that the ingredients are placed in descending order of concentration, meaning that the most concentrated ones are always on top, so if you ever see drying alcohol or parabens near the top of the list, it’s better to skip buying that product. 

3. Focus on plant-based and organic products

There is a difference between natural and organic products, and it’s totally up to you to decide which is your cup of tea. Still, if you’re looking to change your beauty routine, it would be great if you could try using products that contain more plant extracts and fewer synthetic ingredients. This can be especially important when choosing hair care products, as they’re often full of complicated ingredients that tend to weigh your hair down and cause buildup on your scalp. 

If you are prone to hair greasiness and buildup, then you should consider getting an eco-friendly and allergy certified oily hair shampoo that will leave your scalp clean and your locks bouncy and shiny. Aggressive shampoos can strip off your scalp of its natural oils which can only cause further oiling, as your scalp works to make up for everything that’s been lost by using a sulfate-heavy shampoo. 

4. Determine your needs

Every person had different needs and preferences, so for example, a skincare junkie would find great pleasure in Korean 10-step beauty routine, while an ultra-busy mom who juggles multiple tasks will benefit from a simpler skincare routine. So, in order to make your beauty routine simpler, first, you need to realize what is that you need. If you’re too busy (or lazy), then there’s no point in buying too many products that you won’t use. The best tip would be to start with the basics and then add other products if you feel like you need them.

5. Don’t overspend

Some natural and eco-friendly products are a bit more expensive than the mainstream ones, but that price is mostly due to their quality ingredients and ethical manufacturing practices. Yet, there’s no need to overspend, especially if you’re unsure whether these products are the right for you. In case you want to try a certain cream or a cleanser, then it’s best to buy a mini or travel-sized bottle, as these are more than enough to make sure whether these products are worth buying or not.

In conclusion, detoxing your beauty routine is necessary, especially if you’re suffering from certain conditions that simply won’t go away. Still, reading the ingredients and monitoring your skin and hair are the best ways to make sure that you’re using the right products that are beneficial to you.

5 Things You Can Do To Stay Alive When Trapped In Fire

Getting out of a high rise building that is on fire can seem impossible. But if you stop panicking and start thinking straight you might find ways to protect yourself from the damage. Here are a few things you can do when trapped in fire:

Close all the doors and windows between you and the fire

If you are at a safe distance from the fire, make sure you close all the doors and windows that are between you and the fire. Fresh oxygen might make it easier for you to breathe, but it also feeds the fire and makes it grow. To block all the paths between the fire and you and seal out the smoke from entering the place where you are trapped.

Notify the fire authorities

Once you have secured your location, make it a point to notify the local fire authorities. Give them your address and let them know where you are trapped so that they can locate you efficiently. Installing a smoke alarm or a fire protection system like abv phel can help in detecting such fires before they cause any damage and will also signal the fire authorities to take action. 

Cover the vents and cracks in doors and windows

Even after closing the doors and windows between you and the fire, you can still be exposed to some smoke if there are vents and cracks in them. So try your best to close these vents and cracks before the smoke causes any harm to your health. Look for blankets, towels, sheets, or any other cloth that you can use to block the smoke from getting through these vents and cracks. Run the cloth under cold water and stuff it around the cracks and vents. This will keep the smoke out until the rescuers come for you.

Help Rescuers Locate You

If you haven’t been able to call 9-11, wave a light-colored cloth or a flashlight at the window to signal rescuers. You can also hang a sheet or cloth outside the window. You can open the window slightly until the rescuers see you. But make it a point to close it back if the smoke condition becomes worse.

Filter the air that you inhale

Heat and smoke tend to rise up whenever a fire breaks out. Staying low will help you reduce the amount of smoke that you inhale. If this isn’t helping much you can even use a mask to filter the air that you inhale. You can also wet cloth and cover your nose and mouth with it if you don’t have a smoke mask. It may not be perfect, but it will still help you filter the air that you breathe until the rescuers save you.

One thing you should avoid at all costs when trapped in a fire is getting out through the roof. By doing so, you will only be exposing yourself to the rising smoke, while limiting the options of your rescuers to save you.

Ways to Tackle Common Household Allergens

Nowadays, our homes are filled with a lot of allergens makes our lives miserable. A home should be a place you feel safe and relaxed, but these allergens can prevent that. However, you can tackle the common allergens in your home in various ways. 

Be smart when dusting

Mold, pollen, and dust particles are the most common allergens in our homes. During dusting, make sure that you start cleaning from the top toward the bottom. This helps in avoiding the dust from spreading to cleaned areas. Remember also that you will need more than a cloth or feather duster to remove dust. You can use damp microfiber cloths, as they will hold the dust. Clean blinds, curtains, and ceiling fans. 

Remember the filters

Ensure that your filters are clean and in good shape. These include filters in the air conditioning units and air conditioning and heating system. 

If you don’t have filters in your home, consider adding them. You can get an air filter with HEPA if you have a single room. You can turn your air conditioning and heating system into a filter system that serves the entire home. 

Cover and wash your pillows

Pillows tend to host dust mites. You need washable pillow covers. You should wash them every three weeks. Some pillows can also be dry cleaned or washed every four months. 

Clean your home often

Consider vacuuming your home with a HEPA filter every week. This will eliminate indoor allergens like pet dander and dust mites. When cleaning around the books section, use an electronic or microfiber cloth. This will trap the dust and not just move them around. Remember to use a filter mask when cleaning since dust will fill the air. 

As much as possible, avoid placing your carpet such that it extends wall to wall. Hardwood floors can be easier to clean because dust can be seen during cleaning. You can also clean with washable area rugs. 

Having a clean home is crucial, but most people are always busy, which makes it impossible to clean their homes. That’s why it is wise to get Bennetts services to get your home sparkling clean and remove all allergens.

Avoid pet’s dander

Pets spend most of their time indoors during winter as we do. Pet allergens can be found in dog’s or cat’s dander and in the saliva. You can reduce the danger that they shed by bathing your pets every week.

Avoidance is crucial when it comes to animal allergies. However, you can wash your hands with water and soap after petting a dog or cat. Keep your pets out of the bedroom and vacuum carpet regularly to avoid allergens, the best vacuums for pet hair are much better for this than regular vacuums.

Check humidity levels

Since air is dry during winter, most people use a humidifier to add some moisture. If you use humidifiers to avoid dryness, remember to check the humidity levels. Failing to do so will be creating a perfect environment that dust mites and mold can grow in number. You need a humidity meter to keep the moisture level in check. The recommended humidity level is 50%. You can use a dehumidifier when required and a vent fan for you to eliminate moisture in the kitchen and bathrooms. 

Reduce the pollen entering your home

You can keep pollen away from your home by ensuring that the windows remain closed. Avoid entering your home with shoes on or at least have a doormat to wipe your shoes before entering. You can also prevent humidity by ensuring that the temperatures are cool. Dust mites do well with high humidity. 

Clean vents

Allergens can be found anywhere in your home. This includes vents. Cleaning the dryer vent helps in reducing the allergens. Clean the air ducts every year as dust mites, pet hair, and others can build up there. You will be sure that you are inhaling clean air when you switch on the heating and air conditioning system. 

Get Mold Services

If you find that there are molds in your home, the chances are that it will bring allergies to your family. This will affect their health. When you can see visible signs that the mold is affecting your health, consider getting a mold removal service. The company will test your home and offer you the best action plan.

Use medications

The best step you can apply to tackle household allergens is to be aware of your allergy’s triggers. This will help in taking preventative measures. Medications usually eliminate allergy symptoms and make you enjoy staying at home. Consult your doctor on the right options you can take. 

Conclusion

Allergens can make our home unbearable to stay in, but with the right steps on how to tackle them, you can make it much more comfortable. Apply the tips above to reduce allergens and keep your family healthy.

Ways to Earn an Online Degree As a Busy Mom

Ever since you became a parent, your dreams of earning a degree might have taken a back seat. Between parenting and managing the house, it might seem like you barely have enough time for anything else, least of all yourself. But thanks to the internet, busy people—most especially busy moms—can earn that much-coveted degree without having to physically go to school.

But how would you do it with your hectic schedule, you ask? Let’s take a look.

1. Seek the Babysitter’s Help

You’ll need a few hours to yourself while attending your online classes, which means you will most likely not be able to attend to your kids in that span of time. Call your babysitter and ask for help. There’s no shame in relieving yourself of your babysitting responsibilities once in a while, especially if it’s to learn something new. As they say, reliable child care actually helps mothers improve their career.

2. Plan Ahead

If your online classes are scheduled, this means you would have time to plan your activities for the day. So if you have to take your son to basketball practice at 5 p.m. and your classes are at 5 p.m., then take him earlier. If you have to attend a meeting between parents and teachers at your daughter’s school next week, make sure to tell the school to schedule your one-on-one with the homeroom teacher at a time you don’t need to log in to study.

To keep track of all the things you have to do, and to avoid any overlap, make sure to bring a journal and jot those items down.

If, on the other hand, your online classes are not scheduled, then you wouldn’t have any problems. You’d be able to log in to your classes at a time that is most convenient.

3. Take Courses that are Flexible

There are online courses that are “friendly” to the busy people because they are more flexible. Consider avoiding a course that might require too much writing assignments and puts a lot of emphasis on deadlines. Courses like journalism might not be the best because you’ll be tasked to write a lot and trained to respect the dates of submissions, precisely because this is exactly what you’ll be doing once you become a media professional. In communication research, on the other hand, students are trained to conduct different types of research, which includes a lot of fieldwork and a lot of writing. These courses are obviously very time-consuming and will require your full attention. As a very busy mother, you may not be able to give that in the first place.

So, in thinking about which course to take, also consider what kind of career path it can give you. How about getting a marketing degree, where you will be taught how to effectively reach people? While your professor might also be the kind who likes to give deadlines, a course in marketing would be a lot less stressful and time-consuming compared to others.

You might also want to consider learning how to help manage branding and public image. With this course, you can be a social media manager, an event manager or a public relations officer, among other things. These jobs do not require you to render as much time in the office as other jobs would—something that works to your advantage as a busy mom.

  • Social Media Manager: You’re essentially tasked to boost a company’s online presence and client engagement by producing good social media content and analyzing usage data, among other things. These do not require you to be in the office at all times since all you need is a laptop and an Internet connection. As a social media manager, you can actually also work from home and tend to your duties as a mom!
  • Event Manager: You’re in charge of running and organizing promotional events for a specific company. After attending the event, then, you can always go home and tend to other things. No need to report to the office afterward, unless of course there’s some paperwork you need to do. 
  • Public Relations Officer: A public relations officer, on the other hand, concerns herself with managing reputation through events and by writing press releases, among other things. These things can also be done outside the confines of the office.

In these situations, it pays to be practical but without sacrificing what you really want to be in the future.

Final Thoughts

Motherhood should never be a hindrance to achieving your dreams. If anything, motherhood should even inspire you to achieve them because you have a cheering squad behind you all the way—wonderful kids who look up to you in everything that you do.

Go and take that big step. When everything seems to go haywire, just remember that mothers are superwomen when it comes to raising their kids. Surely, earning an online degree is a walk in the park compared to that.

How to Find the Best SAT Prep Material to Help Your Kid Ace the Test

Soon, your child might be taking one of the most important tests of their lives. As a parent, you naturally want to help them ace the SAT (or at least get a passing grade) so they can enter into a good college. You might spend the entire day thinking about what you can do to help but have ended up being unproductive.

Take a deep breath! In this post, we share with you the ways you can find the best SAT material to help your child ace the test.

1. Check the Internet

The Internet is a gold mine of online programs for SAT takers, but always remember that your child does not have all the time in the world to go through all of them. It’s best to be picky and to choose an SAT program like PrepScholar SAT courses, which will pinpoint your child’s strengths, and the weaknesses they have to work on. Choose a program that motivates your child, not one that coddles them. Inspire them and not make them lazy. In short, sign them up for that one program that already covers everything and has been proven to be effective.

2. Spend Time in a Bookstore or Go to a Public Library

If there’s anywhere you have to be to score good SAT material, it’s the bookstore or the public library. This is where you are bound to find prep books that will assess what your child already knows and doesn’t.

These tests are important because they will give your child an idea of what the SAT makers actually want them to learn. Your child can also get a feel of how taking the SAT would be, allowing them to precondition their mind before actually going to “war.” Remember that the SAT is not only about your child knowing their world history or Math; it’s also about them knowing how to cope with the mental stress of having to answer difficult questions for hours on end.

Check out the reference books section, and spend some time going through the books you think your child will easily understand. You can go to other specialized sections and browse through those, too.

Here is a list of subjects you should cover with the books you purchase and borrow:

  • Literature
  • US History
  • World History
  • Mathematics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Foreign Language: Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Spanish, Italian, German or Modern Hebrew

This is not to say that you have to limit yourself to these subjects alone. The more subjects you can cover, the better.

3. Talk to Other Parents

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for tips from other parents who have already gone through the grueling process of helping their child prepare for the SAT. If we go by the saying that experience is the best teacher, these types of parents, then, are the best teachers for you. Go ahead and call your friend whose daughter passed the SAT with flying colors, and ask for titles of books she got to help her prepare. Or maybe host a lunch meeting for the “experienced” and “not-so-experienced” parents so you can get each other’s recommendations for other SAT material. You may have to invest a little time and even money to organize this last one, but once you have that list for your child, you’ll feel like everything was worth it.

Below is a list of questions you can ask fellow parents:

  • What SAT materials did you get your child? Where can I get them?
  • Did you enroll your child in an SAT prep course? If so, where?
  • How did you help your child study? Did you implement a strict study plan, or simply allowed them to go at their own pace?

Conclusion

The SAT is arguably one of the most important tests your child will take. It will, after all, determine which colleges they can go to. But the process of preparing does not have to be as cumbersome for your child. As a parent, you can do your part by making it as easy for them as possible. Get the best materials and courses so they don’t have to spend precious time they could to studying instead. Also, make their environment as conducive to learning as possible. If they want a change of scenery while studying, you can help them design the perfect outdoor reading nook.

Those are only some of the many ways you can help as a parent. If you do your part and your child does theirs, there’s no reason they won’t ace that test.

Pros and Cons of Debt Management Programs

 

Debt can feel overwhelming to tackle on your own — especially because managing money is typically a learn-as-you-go process. Many people find it helpful to work with a professional for this reason. One available resource people can utilize is the credit counseling agency.

Reputable credit counseling agencies, usually not-for-profit, can help you take a hard look at your budget and formulate a plan for your personal finances. These services are often free or inexpensive, too. You may even find you’re eligible for a debt management plan (DMP) through your credit counseling agency.

Here are some of the pros and cons of debt management programs to consider before enrolling.

Pro: DMPs Tend to Simplify Repayment

Have you ever felt buried under a barrage of bills and credit card statements? Before you can even think about paying your debts, you have to keep track of them — a task made more challenging when you owe money to multiple creditors.

Enrolling in a DMP means you’ll only have to make a single monthly payment to your credit counseling agency, which will then disperse your funds to creditors. This approach tends to be simpler than trying to juggle multiple monthly payments, potentially saving you time and stress.

Pro: DMPs Can Cut Interest Rates

Not only can DMPs consolidate a handful of debts into one payment, but they can also reduce how much you’re paying in fees and interest. As NerdWallet notes, your credit counselor may be able to get you concessions from your creditors such as:

  • Lower interest rates
  • Lower monthly payments
  • “Re-aged” accounts to end late fees

Reducing how much you’re paying in interest and fees means your monthly payments can chip away more aggressively at your debt, ideally helping you pay it off faster. Creditors may agree to more favorable terms if they see you’re committed to a DMP and making a serious effort to tackle your debt. You can usually expect a DMP to take somewhere in the ballpark of three to five years.

Pro: DMPs Damage Your Credit Less Than Other Strategies

You’re still repaying your debts under a DMP, so it makes sense this strategy tends to damage your credit score less than some other strategies — especially bankruptcy, which stays on your credit report for years.

While enrolling in a DMP itself won’t affect your scores, some of the actions you take — like closing old credit accounts — may. If you fall behind on payments, this will also hurt your rating. Some consumers decide these possible adverse effects are better than continuing to rack up debt and interest until they’re forced to take more drastic action.

Con: Only Certain Kinds of Debt Qualify

DMPs are an option for certain forms of unsecured debt, like credit cards and medical bills. Mortgages, auto loans, and student loans are ineligible for this form of debt repayment.

Con: You May Have to Pause Credit Use for Years

The terms of your DMP may restrict you from opening new lines of credit, or using credit while in the plan. On one hand, this may feel restrictive. On the other, it may help you develop your financial habits and avoid worsening your debt problem.

Con: You’ll Pay a Fee

Make sure to inquire about fees before signing up for any program. DMPs may require service fees and monthly fees; the exact nature of these fees varies by location and organization.

As with any debt relief solution, there are pros and cons to consider before deciding to enroll in a debt management plan. Doing your research ahead of time will help you know what to expect.

How to Treat Nail Fungus Naturally During Pregnancy

As a mom-to-be, you know all the joys and wonders of expecting a baby to enrich your life, so you cherish the nine months of that blissful process. Yet, pregnancy sometimes comes with different discomforts that make self-care a bit more difficult. From swelling, backaches, hormonal changes that affect your skin and hair, all the way to various bacterial and fungal infections, your body is changing all around, and treatment often needs to differ from what you’d do without a bun in the oven.

One particularly unpleasant scenario no future mom wants to even think about, let alone plan for, includes treating fungal nail infections. Of course, ideally, let’s hope you never have to go down that path. Just in case you do, there are various natural ways you can help your toes heal without the use of excessive medication and antibiotics that could otherwise cause health issues for you or your baby. Here are a few to keep in mind.

Focus on prevention 

Let’s start off with a few simple, easily applicable tips and behavioral changes that can reduce your chances to get a fungal infection in the first place, which is especially risky during pregnancy when your immune system might be weaker, or you’re experiencing feet swelling. Of course, summer heat can’t help, hence the need for taking extra precautions!

  • Dry feet are healthy feet, so if you work out or sweat a lot due to the weather, make sure to wash your feet with mild soap and water regularly, and keep your feet dry.
  • Regular trimming is essential, and keep your grooming tools clean and disinfected. 
  • Choose breathable shoes and bamboo socks, which are naturally moisture-wicking and keep your nails and skin healthy.
  • You can even wear special anti-fungal, copper-infused socks that help kill the bacteria and fungus that could cause an infection. 

Feat soaks that heal your toes

If you’ve already contracted an infection, you should do your best to heal it in its earliest stages, and preferably before it spreads to other toes. In case you can pinpoint the shoes and socks you’ve worn when you’ve noticed the infection begin, get them properly cleaned and disinfected. 

Some natural soaks are great for treating infections. For instance, adding baking soda paired with vinegar in your warm water soak can be very effective when applies several times per day. Alternatively, some oils such as tea tree oil, oregano oil, and orange oil are extremely helpful with fungal infections. An old natural remedy might not be your favorite, but you can try it nonetheless: rub some garlic over your infected toes, as its natural antibacterial properties can be very powerful against milder infections. 

Laser therapy

Before your mind instantly leaps to hot and painful laser treatments, this option is far more comfortable and actually more effective in treating fungal infections. The key difference is that cold laser treatment for nail fungus uses low-intensity blue light for targeting the actual fungus, and red light for improving your overall immune system. This combination means that you’re using light against the infection without causing any harm to your toenails or skin around them.

One of the greatest perks of this treatment is that your body cannot really develop any form of resilience to it, which is often the case with repetitive use of antibiotics and topical treatments. The duration and number of laser treatments will depend on the severity of the infection, so your doctor will help you determine what you need to do to speed up the process.

Tweak your diet

When you’re relying on Mother Nature to do the healing, you also need to make sure you’re doing everything in your power to help your body heal. For instance, what you eat makes all the difference, especially during pregnancy, in terms of fortifying your immune system and helping you fight off an infection, and prevent one in the future. 

For starters, garlic has antimicrobial properties perfect for the situation, so add some freshly crushed garlic over your tomato salad, or add it to your kefir drink. While we’re at it, dairy products rich in probiotics such as kefir and yogurt are an excellent choice, too. Finally, prebiotic-packed foods such as fruits and veggies are a must, since they are loaded with all of those essential micronutrients that your immune system needs.

As beautiful as this time of your life may be, you need to pay special attention to the kind of decisions you make with regard to your health. If you find yourself battling a fungal infection on your nails, try these natural solutions that will kick the infection to the curb, and of course, always talk to your doctor about the best way to move forward.