Contributed post.
Whenever we aim to make a change in our lives, it’s easy for us to wait until the perfect time for it to happen. Of course, there’s a little wisdom in this. If you’re about to climb Mount Everest, it’s probably best to wait until you have the right equipment, a good night’s sleep, and a healthy breakfast in you before you give it a shot.
But the truth is that if you let schedules and dates dictate your forward growth too much, it’s easy to let perfect become the enemy of good and wait until all the stars align before you begin. But the truth is that the stars may not ever perfectly align. If you live a busy life and have responsibilities and stresses (who doesn't!??!), there will always be something delaying your action or distracting you. For this reason, it’s important to recognize that no fitness start is or should ever be perfect. Starting now is the best possible time you could begin, health and energy permitting. Moreover, starting now might feel more comfortable than trying at some vague “tomorrow,” instead, in that your new pursuit may feel more digestible and comfortable with your renewed effort. Let’s consider why that’s the case, and how to get started with such motivation in mind: Pushing Through That Initial Ennui Feels Wonderful There’s a great deal of confidence and a sense of self-worth that comes from starting your fitness journey. Even if this begins with a walk outside, you’d be surprised just how comfortable and confident you feel in your new return, startingly quickly. Many people delay their fitness journey because they might not feel like getting active right now. But the mental journey from ennui to pushing through your sense of tiredness to feeling wonderful at the end of a small run can be wonderful, and it may help you think more clearly and feel better than you have in months, maybe years. So, consider this a challenge, one you get to implement on your own terms. You’ll thank yourself twenty minutes from now. You Can Plan A Digestible Schedule & Start Very Small You’d be amazed at how little effort you can implement to begin with, and how quickly that snowballs into fitness momentum. For example, the Couch to 5K plan is designed around intervals of running and walking, so that you only run at a light pace for sixty seconds, then walk for ninety. This can be quite easy for an able-bodied person to start with, and you can reduce the intensity if you need to. But do this for three days, and then your next session you’ll find that your cardio starts to adapt. In other words, starting small can accrue massive changes very quickly, and that’s a wonderful outcome for many. You Only Need To Make A 1% Improvement In the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, he notes that the best athletes in the world and even top minds at organizations like NASA focus on squeezing 1% improvements in everything they do. They don’t make massive systemic changes every single time they try something new, but they innovate on practiced wisdom and the understanding of the past. You can do that too. Perhaps if you’ve disliked cycling on a spin bike, you could try yoga instead. Maybe, instead of keeping up with a perfect gym schedule, you just try to go one more day a month. Maybe this time you’ll use a different service that helps you gain muscle while losing fat, because you found the last guide you used was a little outdated or less informative than it could have been. A 1% improvement helps you make that next 1% improvement, and before you know it you’ve sustainably improved by 50% compared to last year. You’ll Be Lapping Everyone On The Couch Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what you do. If you focus on good lifestyle habits, especially a collection of very small ones, you’ll be lapping everyone on the sofa. For example, perhaps you’ve cut out alcohol to only twice a month compared to four times a month last year. Well, that’s 24 times you didn’t drink compared to last year, which is absolutely a health benefit. Moreover, if you keep going, you’ll be much better than you were last time. You don’t need to compare yourself to anyone else, just who you were before now. This way, you can feel a sense of progression even if someone younger than you is running three triathlons in one day. This helps us feel a sense of dominion over our own lives, instead of feeling subject to the experiences of others. That, in itself, can give us the motivation to keep going. With this advice, you’re certain to understand that no fitness start is, or could be, perfect. But you’ll keep going regardless.
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Contributed post.
When it comes time to buy yourself a new car, it can be equally exciting and stressful to make sure that you get it right. However, you will find that you enjoy the process a lot more, and that you are able to really make the most of it, if you simply know what it is that you are actually in need of from a vehicle. As long as you have a good sense of that, it should help a lot. So let’s take a look at what it might be that you want out of an ideal vehicle, and how to find it.
Size
First of all, you need to be aware of what sized vehicle you need. This will of course depend greatly on what kind of living situation you have - how many children you need to drive around, do you need to fit 3 carseats in a single row, do you need cargo space for multiple dog grates, do you need something more compact for easier city parking, etc. There is no one size fits all answer - it’s something that only you can figure out. Figuring out the size of car you need will help you narrow down the search and find the right vehicle for your needs much more easily and quickly, so it’s definitely something that you will want to think about. Age Do you need a new car, or could you do with an older one? Of course, any older car that you buy will still need to be in good working condition, so you’ll find yourself having to go to a trusted deal like edmunds either way. But it’s still good to have a think about what age you would like to have, as that can make a huge difference to how you feel about the vehicle and how the whole search for one goes too. It’s definitely a factor you will have to be aware of as you search. Aesthetics Of course, for a lot of people, how the car looks is important too, and for some even the branding. The car you drive can say alot about you! If this is something that you care about, then you’ll likely be driven by how a vehicle looks, and this is something that you should simply be honest about, as it is going to make a huge difference to what you end up with. All in all, the aesthetics of a vehicle can be really important for a lot of reasons - from color and brand to sporty convertible vs. SUV. So think about this when you are shopping around and make sure that you would be happy driving it.
Price
Finally, for most people the pricing of the vehicle is always going to be an issue. You should think carefully about what your budget is likely to be, and then make sure that you are working within that. Be sure to also consider the cost of insurance, maintenance, and gas or electricity. Knowing your budget and strictly adhering to it will help to keep the stress at bay during the process, and it’s really going to make a huge difference to the whole experience. Be honest with yourself about what you can afford and what you can’t, and that will help hugely in the long run, so that’s obviously important to think about.
Contributed post.
Moving into a new home is supposed to be an exciting time. It’s the start of your new life, after all. That doesn’t mean it's all warm fuzzies, though. You’ll have quite a few things to get through, which could cause a lot of stress. Nobody wants that to happen.
But there's good news!! By taking a few particular steps, you could make it a lot easier for yourself. Read on and take note so you’ll end up moving into a new home without all of the stress it could cause. Moving Into A New Home: 3 Steps To Take 1. Get Help When Moving Moving into a new home means taking care of quite a few things. You’ll have to pack everything up, move it to the new home, and unpack it before putting it all away. There are countless other hoops you have to jump through from updating car registration and license to school enrollments and endless mailing address updates! Outsource where you can, especially when it comes to packing and moving!! Professional movers, like Allied Moving Company, can take a lot of stress and hassle out of the process for you. You’ll end up a lot less stressed and be able to focus on other parts of the moving process. 2. Know Where You’re Putting Everything Your new house will be a blank slate when you get there, especially when you’ve bought it. Naturally, you’ll want to start moving your belongings as quickly as possible. Take a minute to step back and think about everything before you do, though. Consider where you’ll put everything. You don’t just need to think about whether something will look nice in a specific place. You’ll also need to worry about whether it’ll actually fit in a particular location. Figuring this out from the start makes sure you don’t need to move things around after you’ve moved everything in. 3. Double-Check Utilities When you’re moving into a new home, it’s always worth double-checking the utilities to make sure they’re properly set up. Do this before properly moving in so you don’t need to worry about not having any water, gas, electricity, or internet when you’re there. They should be in your name and be ready to use. It’s also worth making sure the utilities in your old home are turned off. You wouldn’t want to be in a position where you need to pay a second set of bills just because you forgot to turn them off or switch them to a new occupant. Moving Into A New Home: Wrapping Up You should be excited when moving into a new home, but with everything you're faced with doing, it's easy to become overwhelmed with stress and worry. But you don't need to resolve yourself to that fate. It’s just a matter of knowing what you’re doing, taking the right steps, and outsourcing tasks when possible. It should end up being more of a breeze than you thought it’d be!
Contributed post.
Studies reveal that 38% of Americans experience mood decline during winter, as daylight reduces and the weather becomes less pleasant. Then there’s the issue of a lack of direct sunlight, which studies say can disrupt the body’s internal clock and lead to feelings of depression. That also explains the drop in serotonin (the brain chemical that affects mood) which plays a big role in people who experience seasonal affective disorders. If you’re tired of freezing temperatures and grey cloudy skies, then use these tips to beat your winter blues.
1. Start working on your mindset Sometimes, your dread of winter is enough to put you in a bad mood, and learning to change your mindset can make a difference. Whether you like it or not, winter is a fact and will keep coming each year. So you might as well learn to enjoy it instead of finding ways to endure it each year - and it all starts with the mindset. Think about places where people have nothing but cold and snow for more than half of the year. How do they stay upbeat? A perfect example is in Northern Norway, where people have learned to enjoy the winter instead of searching for ways to resist it. One study found that people in Northern Norway are less depressed during winter compared to other places. Why? Because they have a different mindset about the season. For them, it’s an opportunity to sit by fires with loved ones, build snowmen, skate, ski, and drink hot beverages. You can let this positive mindset work for you, too. 2. Queue up a stream of laugh-out-loud comedy movies Laughter is a natural medicine, and you’ve probably heard that said several times. But this is not just something people say for no reason; there’s enough research backing it. Laughter can bring you joy in the cold winter, and that’s a scientific fact. Research shows that a good bout of laughter can cause your cortisol and adrenaline levels to drop drastically. It can also increase endorphins, enhancing your mood and reducing stress. It reduces the limbic fight-or-flight mentality many people have towards winter and replaces it with a good dose of positivity and lightheartedness. It can even make you feel more hopeful despite the weather. You can add some standup comedy shows to your movie list for some variety, but make sure you’re getting a good laugh. 3. Surround yourself with funny and lighthearted people But that’s not all; surround yourself with lighthearted people. Laughter can increase your immune system, making you more resilient against common winter ailments like cold and a crabby feeling. It increases the number of antibody-producing cells while strengthening your T cells to ward off illnesses. As if that’s not good enough, laughter also reduces negative stress, thanks to its effect on cortisol levels. In other words, it’s hard to keep worrying about the weather when you’re laughing your heart out. So, aside from queueing up a stream of all the funny movies you can find, surround yourself with funny and lighthearted people. It’s even better if you can enjoy your funny movies with a funnier company. You can arrange regular fun meetups with colleagues, friends, or neighbors to share jokes and laugh like nothing else matters. 4. Think outside the box when it comes to fitness Most fitness enthusiasts suggest getting your running shoes and gloves on and hitting the road for a good run. Granted, that’s an excellent idea and a great way to beat the winter blues if you can pull it off. But here’s the problem with this tip: if you’re not a fitness enthusiast, the last thing you want to do is go running in the cold. Even fitness lovers will feel a little discouraged to run in the snow when it’s warm and comfy inside. Exercising is a wonderfully effective way to combat the moody effect of winter, but you have to think outside the box if you’re going to make it work for you. For example, consider joining a fun aerobics class - and there are so many options available. One of the really exciting options is the trampoline aerobics. It’s just like jumping on a trampoline but with a fitness twist. You can find a physical class near you and join other trampoline lovers to jump the blues away. Alternatively, you can purchase a small trampoline and join an online class. But that’s just one example. The point is to find fun ways to move your body and break sweat, which is why the next point is also important. 5. Try not to exercise alone One of your biggest challenges might be an inability to motivate yourself to exercise. Studies show that cold temperature reduces muscle function and slows down nerve impulses, so the brain takes longer to respond to physical activity. So, you’ll most likely find all the reasons not to exercise if you have to do it alone. One way you can avoid this is to find a workout buddy. If you know someone who already loves exercising in winter, find out if you can join them. You’ll have great company while exercising, and you’ll have someone to hold you accountable - a win-win situation. You can also turn your family into a fitness group and exercise together at home. You’ll end the winter feeling and looking good together - and speaking of looking good, consider the next tip. 6. Get a new haircut to boost your mood While most people are more likely to leave their hair growing in the winter, consider your winter blues a case for getting a haircut during the cold season. Yes, the consensus is usually to keep your hair long to offer some heat during winter and shorter to keep it off your neck during summer. However, tweaking up your hairstyle a little can help you feel better in an instant., instead of staring at overgrown hair every day during winter. Believe it or not, how you feel when you look at yourself in the mirror can impact your winter mood. If you don’t like how you look, you’ll hardly enjoy your winter experience, as you’ll spend most of your days waiting for summer to come so you can get a haircut. That will only cause you to hate the season even more. So, go on: try a new haircut. You can try different types of fade haircuts or go for any style you’ve dreamed of and start feeling better instantly. 7. Don’t ignore the rest of your body But looking good shouldn’t be about your hair alone; start dressing your best. For many, a winter wardrobe is all about hoodies and oversized jumpers. Yes, they feel comfortable and will keep you warm, but those aren’t your only options. There are several other outfits you can wear and look stylish while staying warm. So, do a little shopping to splurge on some fashionable winter clothes. The shopping experience itself can send your mood lifting. Taking that bold step to improve your looks will leave you admiring yourself all winter through. You’ll start paying less attention to the weather and more immersed in your appearance. You’ll even have more reason to head out and take a thousand selfies, as you’ll want others to see your new look. Pair your new outfits with your new hairstyle to make you feel even better. 8. Don’t disconnect yourself from healthy relationships You’re less likely to associate with others when you feel down, and winter blues can sink your spirits so low that all you’ll want to do is stay away from people. But that’s the last thing you want to do, as staying alone can do more damage to your mental health. Studies have shown that physical and social isolation can affect you emotionally while bringing along adverse health consequences like sleeplessness and a dented immune system. Being active on social media alone may not cut it, especially when it becomes a substitute for meaningful conversations and in-person socialization. So, regardless of how lowly you feel, please avoid disconnecting yourself from healthy relationships. Resist the tendency to be alone all day by inviting friends over for hot drinks, sleepovers, or nightouts in town. Also, don’t turn down an invitation to socialize, whether it’s a birthday party, a live game, or a winter concert. Spending quality time with friends can help you keep the winter blues at bay. 9. Add indoor plants to your home Since you’re likely to spend a lot of time indoors, turn to indoor plants for extra help to keep you relaxed and lower anxiety. Studies have shown that being around plants has a calming effect, including lowering negative emotions like stress and anxiety. Even better, plants can help improve focus, helping you to be more productive. Also, caring for plants has added health benefits, including easing stress. 10. Take a break from the news Staying indoors during winter means an increased likelihood of more screen time. If you spend most of your screen time consuming one news content after another, you may experience an increase in your winter blues. Of course, it makes sense that you’ll want to keep up with weather updates and know what is happening in the world, but you can do all that without spending hours watching or reading the news. So, try to reduce how much new content you consume to avoid stressing yourself out. If possible, consider reducing your screen time in general and invest more in fun and relaxing activities.
Contributed post.
It’s easy to love life during the spring and summer months. After all, there’s always something to do, plans can happen at the last minute, and it’s just easier to enjoy all that life has to offer when the sun is shining.
It becomes a little more difficult during the winter months when it feels like we’re stuck inside more than we’d like to be. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that it’s not as if you can skip the winter months; they’ll be with you whether you like it or not! So it’s worthwhile finding ways to embrace the cold period of the year. In this post, we’ll run through some smart ideas for you and your family. Time in the Kitchen There’s no rush in the winter months. After all, it’s not like there’s all that much to do. This provides the perfect opportunity to get into the kitchen and spend longer than usual cooking up something delicious. This is especially recommended because it’ll warm you twice; first when you’re cooking, and second when you eat the food. Push yourself to try some of those warm winter dishes, and when you have extra time to play with them, consider baking some delicious treats or bread. Cozy Living Rooms The living room really comes into its own during the winter months. You’ll be there on the couch most evenings when the weather is too cold to venture outside. You’ll enjoy the winter months much more if you have the perfect living room for spending long hours. First, focus on warmth. Hiring a fireplace repair company to bring your fireplace up to speed will be a good start. From there, look at adding blankets and atmospheric lighting. Once you have the right entertainment setup (binge-watching Netflix shows, anyone?), you’ll have everything you need to enjoy a great evening at home. Playing Games Of course, there’s only so much TV you can watch. When you and the family are stuck inside, look at doing some activities that bring you all together, ideally ones that don’t involve technology. We spend way too much time staring at our devices; we can surely spend a few hours engaging with the real world. If your house is a little light on non-tech fun, look at investing in some board games. There are plenty of awesome ones on the market that’ll have you and your family engaging in some healthy, competitive fun. They’re an ideal way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Head Outdoors We’ve talked so far about things you do within the home during winter. However, don’t discount heading outdoors. It can be a lot of fun to get all wrapped up and go for a walk even when the weather is cold. It’ll help to blow away the winter cobwebs and give you a dose of primal fun. Plus, if you’ve taken the other tips in this article, then you’ll have a cozy, fun place to return to once the walk is finally over. Hot drinks all around!
Guest post provided by Laura Williams
Kids who demonstrate early proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and math—also known as the STEM subjects—can reap significant advantages in their future academic journeys. Children who are able to grasp the concepts taught in these four disciplines, and who can demonstrate the skills associated with them, often get good grades in STEM subjects and excel in other areas of their primary and secondary school curriculum.
One thing parents can do to make their children’s learning experiences smoother, richer, and more enjoyable, especially for STEM subjects, is align the latter’s learning preferences and the type of intelligence that resonates with them. If your little one has the ability to appreciate pitch, rhythm, and timbre, then they may be showing signs of musical intelligence—an inclination that will serve them quite well for subjects related to the hard sciences. What Is Musical Intelligence? Musical intelligence pertains to one’s ability to not only understand, create, and appreciate music, but also have a heightened sensitivity to sounds, rhythms, tones, and musical patterns. Musically intelligent individuals often excel in the various aspects of music, including musical perception, aural memory, and music theory. When nurtured, musical intelligence can help people thrive in the music industry, and serious musicians often find fulfillment in careers like music education, composition, and music therapy. Several educational institutions recognize the value of musical intelligence in children and, in fact, deliver educational programs that have a strong focus on developing it. Kinderland, for instance, has the Children’s Music Programme, which provides preschoolers with an environment where they can build a solid foundation for music appreciation. The program is taught by professionally-qualified music teachers who introduce weekly keyboard lessons to their students to further develop their hearing, singing, keyboard playing, and notation reading skills. As a result, what parents say about Kinderland’s music program, as well as Kinderland’s upcoming musical activities, is largely positive. How Musical Intelligence and STEM Disciplines Connect As a parent who’s new to the notion of musical intelligence, you might be wondering about how your child’s ability to notate music or play an instrument has anything to do with STEM. If STEM deals with the hard sciences, where does music—an art form—fit into the equation? In truth, children with musical intelligence often learn certain music-related skills that, when nurtured, fit perfectly into their STEM education. Here’s a briefer on some of those skills: 1) Mathematical Skills One might not immediately connect the dots between playing a musical instrument and solving complex mathematical equations. However, the synergy between a child’s musical skills and mathematical abilities is a powerful force that can significantly benefit their learning for STEM subjects. This is because musical pieces are built on intricate rhythms and patterns, and this rhythmic precision can actually strengthen mathematical skills such as counting, pattern recognition, and understanding mathematical sequences. Moreover, the division of musical notes into fractions of a whole is a fundamental aspect of music theory. As children learn to read and play music, they’ll intuitively grasp concepts related to fractions and timing. This understanding will translate seamlessly into the world of mathematics, where fractions play a crucial role in various mathematical operations. 2) Problem-Solving Skills Learning a new song and learning how to play with an ensemble involve overcoming myriad challenges, like mastering complex compositions, navigating unfamiliar musical passages, and learning one’s role in relation to the role of others. Each challenge thus becomes a cognitive exercise that trains children to approach problems with resilience, creativity, and a determination to find workable solutions with other people’s help. This ability to tackle musical challenges with a problem-solving mindset forms the basis for addressing complex problems in STEM subjects. The ability to approach a variety of obstacles, paired with a willingness to experiment, adapt, and think collaboratively, will help future STEM students navigate the complexities of mathematics, science, and technology with finesse. 3) Memory and Attention Music often involves memorizing a repertoire of pieces, each with its own set of notes, rhythms, and dynamics. This constant exercise in memorization enhances a musically intelligent child's ability to retain information. The same skill, of course, can be exercised in academic settings, where the memorization of formulas, concepts, and scientific principles will help them get a better handle on STEM subjects. Musically intelligent children also develop a heightened attention to detail—a skill that proves invaluable in STEM subjects where precision and accuracy are of utmost importance. Lastly, musical practice requires focused attention and concentration, and when children get to dedicate time to perfecting their musical skills, they’ll be able to cultivate the ability to sustain their concentration for difficult subjects like science and maths over extended periods. 4) Critical Listening and Analysis The process of learning to play different musical notes and tones sharpens auditory discrimination. Musically intelligent children can distinguish subtle differences in pitch, tone quality, and rhythm. This heightened auditory discrimination can prove foundational for the critical observation and analysis skills required in STEM subjects, where the ability to discern minute variations is essential for accurate experimentation and analysis. In addition, the skills developed through critical listening and analysis in musical activities align quite closely with the steps of the scientific method. Thus, musically intelligent children who are naturally inclined towards systematic observation and the application of analytical thinking should be encouraged and have their talents nurtured. In the near future, this can evolve into an inclination for scientific inquiry. 5) Language Development Lastly, children who learn to develop their musical intelligence can eventually become fluent in a unique set of terms—from notes and scales to dynamics and articulations. This exposure to musical terminology is sure to enhance language development, expanding a child's vocabulary and introducing them to the language of music. This linguistic diversity seamlessly complements the language skills also required in STEM subjects, where mastery of subject-specific terms is essential. If you want your child to become proficient at any subject that involves mastering languages—whether those are foreign languages or languages specific to a discipline, like coding in computer science—let them practice their language skills in a school with a music-oriented curriculum. Every child gravitates towards a particular type of intelligence, and no matter what it is, it’s in your best interest as a parent to nurture it. If you see both a budding musician and scientist in your child, remember that you don’t need to pit both potentialities against each other—you can help them discover the best of both worlds through an education that honors both the sciences and the arts.
A true Valentine's Day Gift should NEVER be cooking, cleaning, or exercise appliances that someone may read a hidden message behind - we all remember the 2019 Peloton Christmas gift commercial dumpster fire, do we not!? Valentine's gifts should spoil your loved one with a non-necessity, a splurge they wouldn't buy themselves, that shows you love them and really know them, their desires, and what brings them joy! Candy and jewelry are nice, but what about gifts that you, the giver, can also enjoy? This roundup features just that! Here are our 9 favorite picks for Valentine's gifts to spoil your loved one, and yourself!!
Watch my fun roundup video and read on for more details and to shop with my affiliate links (+ denotes items that were sent to us to review; * denotes an affiliate link - as a Share a Sale and Amazon associate, I receive commission from qualified purchases made after clicking affiliate links.)
FOOT MASSAGER
Whether under your desk or in front of your sofa, a foot massager with heat, rolling, vibrating, and shiatsu squeezing is a luxury that I can never live without since getting our first a few years ago. I use mine under my desk literally 5+ times a day LOL! This foot massager from Mountrax is absolutely amazing - it heats up to 122*F, comes with a remote, fits feet up to men's US size 12, has 3 kneading functions, and 3 air compression intensities. Not only does it feel fabulous, it's beautiful too (coming in black, grey, or white), not an eye sore like some can be. This is an amazing Valentine's gift that no one would consider returning, and the whole family can enjoy!! Watch my full demo below and shop on Amazon for Mountrax Foot Massager+* (use 15% OFF Code: WBEC9WDH expires 4/1/2024)- while shopping, be sure to check out all of Mountrax's great products including a 3D black out heated eye mask+* and 5-in-1 scalp massager*!
COUPLES CONVO CARDS / GAME
âIt gets really easy to settle into couch potato mode when a relationship gets on in the years. But you don't have to shell out big bucks on fancy dates to stay connected. Sometimes whipping out a new game and a bottle of wine is the perfect evening!!! There are a TON of conversation card games out there, everything from Prompta's Conversation Cards for New Parents+* to Risky Couples: 150 Spicy Dares & Questions for Your Partner*.
MASSAGE CHAIR
Whether we're talking a FULL massage chair like the Molyex+* or a portable massage cushion+* that can be used in just about any chair or sofa, this is definitely one of those products we've all wanted for like, forever, but perhaps never thought we could justify splurging on. This is the PERFECT valentine's gift to spoil your loved one, and yourself, am I right!?
SUBSCRIPTION BOX
Whether it's a one-off curated variety box or a full year's subscription of monthly deliveries, these always make incredibly thoughtful and fun gifts!! From Tokyo Treat+* (Japanese snacks, drinks and candies) to D8te Box* (romantic activities for couples to build and connect) to Vinebox* (with monthly wines, suggested pairings, and tasting videos) - it's easy to find the PERFECT box for your loved one, or the both of you!
EYE MASSAGER
Whether your loved one suffers from migraines or you just want to pamper them with something nice, they will love a Renpho heated eye massager! Their OG Eyeris 1 eye massager+* is amazing, or go for the latest, the Eyeris 3+*, which comes with a cold compress insert!! Side note, this pairs REALLY well with a chair / cushion massager and foot massager!!
MATCHING STUFF
Are matching couples stuff super cheesy... or super cute?? If you think the latter, there's no better time to buy some matchy matchy clothes or bathing suits than Valentine's Day!! Check out these couples and family matching Valentine's clothes from Pat Pat+* (scroll around for other themes, beach wear, you. name it)! SO FUN!!! Or maybe you just wanna feel more connected while lounging around at home... then these oversized wearable blankets from Eheyciga+* are perfect!!â
TICKETS
I'm all about gifting experiences!!! So whether you snag tickets to the reunion tour of your loved ones favorite band from high school, or season's box seats at their beloved sports team, or book flights and a week at an all inclusive over water bungalo resort in the Maldives, experiences can be incredibly heartfelt. Knowing you took the time to research and plan, focusing on their interests or passion, it means as much to them as the actual gift!! Plus, I mean, you know you're going to have an amazing time joining them on that adventure, too!!! What memories!! So, yeah, tickets are the gift that keep on giving!!! If looking for some travel inspo, check out Kayak's vacation packages and their fun Explore page*!!
NO / LOW BUDGET GIFTS:
Because you don't have to spend money to say I love you! It really is the thought that counts!!
PHOTO COLLAGE
Putting together a photo collage can be more or less free - find your favorite photos of you two from the past year, or the past decade, print them out at home, and fill up an old cork board you have lying around! Spend a little more and you get make a custom calendar, framed photo gallery, etc. So thoughtful, and definitely something you will both enjoy!
HONEY DO COUPON BOOK
This one can be a stand alone gift for someone on a super tight budget, or free add-on with another gift!! But be careful, don't include anything you *should* be doing as a decent human being and loving partner... You want to put in EXTRAS here. 30 minute shoulder massage. Vacuuming out and washing your car. Breakfast in bed. Taking the kids out of the house for the day. Stuff you know they would love for you to do, but they would never ask you for, and they can just claim it whenever they need to!
So, what do you think!?? What would YOU love to receive most? Have you been inspired to gift any of these to your loved one? Did I miss some other great ideas?? Leave a comment below and... have a wonderful Valentine's Day!!!
At home IPL hair removal devices are all the rage these days. But do IPL devices actually work, permanently?? Does IPL hurt? Isn't IPL expensive?? I've got all those questions, too, which is why I'm so excited to be collaborating with Ulike (backed with 10 years of research and 4 million users!) , who has sent me their incredibly popular Air3 IPL Hair Removal Device to test out for you guys...
(GIVEAWAY OVER BUT COUPON CODE IS STILL ACTIVE) What's more?? Enter to WIN ONE in my giveaway below (TWO winners!!), or just go ahead and buy one on Amazon** or get $80 off one with code UGCULIKE on ulike.com** with code UGCULIKE (disclaimer: as a Share a Sale and Amazon Affiliate, I receive commission after clicking my affiliate links, noted with **) WHAT IS IPL? IPL (Intense Pulse Light) devices basically shoot out a targeted pulse of hot multi spectrum light - it travels down the shaft of the hair and damages the root so hair can no longer grow there. But it only damages follicles of hair in the active growth (anagen) phase. Roots/Hair in the transition (catagen), resting (telegen), or shedding (exogen) phases will be unbothered by the IPL, which is why you have to keep up with the treatments for many weeks before all of the follicles have had a chance to get zapped. Ulike says you should notice visible results within 2 weeks and 90% hair reduction within 4 weeks.
DOES IPL HURT?
The short answer is, it can... I had it done professionally on my armpits in Japan over a decade ago and it HURT!! Like rubber bands snapping on my skin. But, it worked!! I haven't shaved my arm pits in over 10 years, there were maybe 5 hairs that remained in each pit after my several treatments spaced out over a few months. And over the decade and 3 pregnancies and now perimenopause (yes, hormones can trigger hair follicles to do crazy things), maybe 5 more grew back? But I just plucked them out and haven't dealt with a single ingrown hair or anything since my IPL treatment. It has been amazing!!! But... it hurt... so I was really not believing all the influencers out there reviewing Ulike, saying it doesn't hurt. but... keep reading...
DOES Ulike IPL Hurt?
NO! I could NOT believe it. Shock, utter shock, grateful shock!!! Utilizing a Sapphire Ice Cooling technology (you can hear the fan running), it retains a cool 65°F contact temperature and has an ice cold kind of feeling so it stays cool, there's no heat or zapping feeling, it's just amazing!!! This cooling tech, together with a UV filter, helps protect your skin and makes treatment completely painless!
Is IPL Expensive?
Well, it's not cheap... going to a medspa / treatment center will certainly be the most expensive. Not to mention time consuming. Buying an IPL device will be more affordable, not to mention you have it to use for the long haul, so if some hair grows back after a pregnancy, or you develop chin hairs after menopause, well, grab that IPL device and get to work LOL! And don't forget, you can enter to win one from Ulike below or get $80 off with code UGCULIKE on ulike.com**!!
Does Ulike IPL work??
Time will tell in regard to my personal experience... I just started treating my armpits, bikini line, and lower legs so I'll check back in regularly with any results and will do a final long form video with the final before and after!! But my sister's dermatologist actually recommended Ulike to her, saying it's just as good as what they use in their office! WHAT!?? So, I am feeling really good about the results being amazing!!
ENTER TO WIN
the Ulike Air 3 IPL Hair Removal Device:
Giveaway open to US residents ages 18+. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, January 25. TWO winners will be randomly selected and contacted via email and/or social media and given 48 hours to confirm. REQUIRED: leaving a blog comment and telling the Rafflecopter app that you did so. More entry points may be earned with additional actions :) Good luck!!
With the first snow of the season upon us, I find myself fantasizing about leaving the shovel and brown street slush behind. But instead of hopping a flight to the Caribbean, what if we embrace the cold and actually seek it out!?
In case you're intrigued, or need some convincing, I've put together my list of the 7 best family friendly winter wonderland weekend getaways from NYC and New Jersey. My requirements include that the hotel has kid-friendly outdoor activities (ex. ice skating and snow tubing), water activities (heated indoor or outdoor pools and hot tubs), and is within a 4.5 hour drive of Newark NJ. With bonus points going to those with kids club! So... LET'S SNOW! I mean GO!!!
Type: All-Inclusive Resort (160 guest rooms and 70 privately owned vacation rental homes)
Location: Poconos (2hr drive from Newark NJ) Winter Festivities: on-property snow tubing & lake ice skating (and synthetic skating) Other Family Fun: Nightly entertainment and shows, indoor pool + water slide / climbing gym playground / bumper cars / toddler room / arts & crafts room, tons of outdoor activities, go carts, archery, and 30 scheduled activities a day! Noteworthy: AH-may-zing (not buffet) food! Like, SO good, and included in your meal plan (can choose 2 or 3 meals a day). Voted #1 Family Resort in the US in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023! My family has been to Woodloch 3 times (summer, winter, and fall - read about these stays here!), I cannot recommend it highly enough! Always SO much fun!!! Watch my winter getaway video below (but do note, it's from 6 years ago, we obviously need to go back for an updated video ASAP!)
Type: AAA Diamond Luxury Condo Hotel
Location: NW New Jersey (1.5 hr drive from Newark NJ) Winter Festivities: on-site glice (synthetic ice) skating; just 2.5 miles from Moutain Creek for Skiing and Snow Tubing; hot cocoa, fire pits, and marshmallow roasting Other Family Fun: Indoor pools (1 has a slide), swim out heated outdoor pool & hot tub, lots of organized activities for kids and adults (some free, some fee based); on site cafes and restaurants; great fitness club with fun classes guests can take for free. Noteworthy: I've stayed at Crystal Springs 4 times, it's one of my favorite resorts of all time! I've been with my family in summer and winter, and gone on a "moms getaway" in winter as well. We always get a suite at Grand Cascade Lodge - with a full kitchen, fireplace, balcony - so much fun for adults and kids. Just paradise!! Watch our family winter getaway at Crystal Springs video below, or read through all of my Crystal Springs blog posts here!
Type: All Inclusive Resort
Location: Hudson Valley New York (1hr 40min drive from Newark NJ) Winter Festivities: On site skiing (rentals and instructions included!), snow tubing, and ice skating - all included in your stay! Other Family Fun: Indoor pool with water slide and swim out heated outdoor pool and hot tub, organized activities, live shows and entertainment. Noteworthy: Meals, activities and horseback riding are all included with your stay!!! We went back in 2018 in the fall and had a blast - check out our video below or read about it here! At the time they had a free drop off kids club, but I can't find it on the site anymore so I'm not 100% sure they still have it.
Type: Mountain Lodge Resort with 105 suites
Location: Cortland NY (3.5 hr drive from Newark NJ) Winter Festivities: take a shuttle to nearby Greek Peak Mountain Resort for skiing, snow tubing, Mountain Coaster, cross country skiing, and more. Other Family Fun: on-site Cascades Indoor Water Park is amazing with a wave pool and water slides! You can get a hotel package that includes water park admission, skiing, or whatever extras you like! Kids arts & crafts room open (not for drop off) Fri-Sun. Noteworthy: we had a mini family reunion here in 2019 that was so much fun!! We got adjoining rooms with a full kitchen and really enjoyed the water park and mountain coaster - fun for the whole family!! Watch our highlights video below or read about it on the blog here!
Type: Mountain Resort with Luxury Suites
Location: Lake Placid / Upstate NY (5hr drive from Newark NJ) Winter Festivities: On site ice skating, campfires and s'mores. Nearby: skiing, XC skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, dog sledding, 30' high toboggan chute that spits you 1000 feet over frozen Lake Placid. Other Family Fun: Heated indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, movie theater, family game room, ice cream parlor, bowling alley. Free summer camp; $25/hr babysitting.
Type: 5,500 Acre Mountain Resort
Location: Poconos (2.5 hr drive from Newark NJ) Winter Festivities: On site (fee based) ice skating, snow tubing, skiing, show shoeing, treetop adventure course, ice fishing and more. Other Family Fun: Lots of indoor and outdoor organized activities.
Type: All Inclusive Resort
Location: Hudson Valley New York (2hr drive from Newark NJ) Winter Festivities: On site ice skating, snow tubing, XC skiing, and snow shoeing - all complimentary to overnight guests. Other Family Fun: Nestled in 40,000 acres of forest with 85 miles of hiking trails. Indoor heated pool. Meals are included, as well as organized activities, live entertainment, indoor archery, yoga and fitness classes, and drop off KIDS CLUB for kids ages 4-11 (daily in summer, only weekends/holidays otherwise). Noteworthy: Voted #1 Resort in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Region by Condé Nast Traveler in 2023 and #2 Best All-Inclusive Resort by USA Today 10Best in 2023.
So what do you think!?? Have you been to any of these? Ready to book one!? Did we miss an amazing one? Let us know in a comment below!!!
Trying to book your spring break family vacation (or travels throughout the year) but feeling overwhelmed and nervous about your budget? You're not alone. Family of 5 here. Traveling can cost an arm and a leg but you're in luck cuz I work my butt off finding and reviewing the best family vacation spots, and am always looking for the best way to save money (and also featuring which things are worth splurging on!), so here are some of the hacks I use, wrapped up in one handy dandy "How to save money on your spring break family vacation" blog post!! Let's go!!!
Disclaimer: There are some affiliate links included below, noted with ** You don't pay more but I receive commission from qualified purchases or registration after clicking.
No Frills Budget Airlines When I say no frills, I mean no frills. Which means if you pick the right day, you can get tickets for dirt cheap! You'll pay extra for everything other than a basic seat and small personal item (i.e. purse or small backpack). BYO food and drinks (or purchase in flight), don't expect in-seat TV or power outlet. If you need a carry on and a checked bag for every passenger, or need to guarantee family sits together, you're better off booking with a regular "full service" airline, because the price will be the same and they have more flights and partner airlines. The no frills airlines usually don't have partner airlines, so if you miss a flight or it gets cancelled, you can really run into trouble re-booking, especially if you have a large family. Having travel insurance here is key and worth the extra expense (we always use Allianz Travel Insurance), though it can't save the time and hassle of re-booking, it can save you having to pay out of pocket for same day flights with a different airline or couple nights hotel waiting for the original airline to find seats for you. Some "no frills" budget airlines include Spirit, Breeze, Allegiant, Frontier (if you're single with a flexible schedule, look into their "Go Wild" annual pass - you pay $599 for unlimited domestic and international flights, or $149 for their monthly pass), and a newer international budget airline we just booked our upcoming spring break travels with is Play! I played around with the dates (this is key because you'll see one set of dates is 3x more than another set, so you really have to spend some time looking at all of the options), and I got us tickets from Stewart Airport in NY to Iceland for spring break in March for $280 round trip per person! CRAZY!!! It's $120 extra per 44lb checked bag round trip though, so we purchased ONE for our family of 5... packing will be interesting (or we may have to splurge for a 2nd bag at the last minute). For 2022 spring break we got great priced tickets with Spirit to Cancun ($290 per person roundtrip from NYC), and in 2023 spring break we saved huge with Frontier flying to Phoenix. Had a really great experience with both of them - we were careful to pay for 1 checked bag (the five of us shared!) and made sure each of our "personal item" was a small backpack each well within their size limitation. You hear some horror stories on TikTok about getting charged a huge fee to check your "oversized" personal item at the gate, so you really REALLY have to be careful with that!! When searching flights, not all travel websites include every no frills airline... Expedia** and Kayak do include Play, whereas Google Flights does not. So, check a few places and sometimes it ends up being on the airline's website where you can play around with dates to find the absolute best deal. Miles & Points Hacking If you're about to be applying for a mortgage or car lease, or if you are working hard to increase your credit score, you may not want to consider this... but for everyone else, I'll go on a (non-professional non-expert) limb and say that the benefits of "smartly" mile and/or point hacking with credit cards outweighs the risks of little short term credit score dings (consult a professional if concerned!!). I generally go for the credit cards that are free for the first year, to get the huge sign on bonus - this year I got 60k miles and 2 lounge passes from United's Chase card** and 100k points with Hilton's AmEx card**. Then before they renew and charge me, I cancel and sign up for another program/card. You really have to set reminders so you don't miss the chance to cancel before you get charged, and there are limits to how many times you can sign up to a certain type of card in a specific time frame, so be careful and read all the fine print! People who travel a LOT may find that some of the platinum card benefits with huge annual fees (we're talking $695) more than pay for themselves with all of the "free" benefits they offer. It's not worth it for me or my family, but I have a lot of travel creator friends who find theme extremely worthwhile. While we're talking about earning points, make sure however you're shopping, you're getting cash back or earning points or miles with your purchases through a great credit card AND cash back through Rakuten** (yes, double dipping FTW) - I have Rakuten installed as a Google extension and it activates every time I'm on a site they're partnered with. We're talking 10% cash back shopping on Hotels.com**, 8% back booking tours with Viator, up to 3% back on Walmart.com**, heck, I even got 2% cash back buying our new fridge on Lowes.com last month!! One of my credit cards gives me 3% cash back for groceries, and Rakuten gives me 1% back when I shop Aldi on Instacart - boom - 4% cash back!! Hotel Alternatives I love a good five star hotel or all-inclusive resort, absolutely LOVE them, but they're not always the best choice when it comes to finances and convenience. A rental home may be a better choice when vacationing as a larger family, with multiple families, or as a multigenerational travel group - plenty of separate rooms and bathrooms, a kitchen, you name it! VRBO** and AirBNB are the most popular sites for finding vacation homes, they have great features too in case you're looking for a more unique stay, like a tiny home, treehouse, house boat, ski-in, yurt, you name it! If you feel comfortable having others stay in your home, you could even consider house swapping casually or through an agency like Home Exchange where it doesn't have to be a simple 2 house swap (that can be hard to coordinate regarding time and destination), instead you earn points when you rent your home and use those points to rent another home, can be at the same time or another time. If you're up for roughing it, camping is always a very budget-friendly option, especially after the initial investment of tent and gear (or RV). We had a fabulous spring break staying in a cabin at Verde Ranch RV Resort last year (read about it and watch our video here)! KOA (Kampgrounds of America) is our favorite nationwide family-friendly chain of campgrounds, most have a pool, bounce pad, and even have cabins if you prefer being in a proper structure (with kitchen, tv, and mattresses!). Read about our experience at KOA Newburgh, just north of New York City, here!
Drive!
When I say drive, I mean two things... One is that driving to your destination, instead of flying or cruising, can really help you save a TON of money, especially for bigger families!! Bus and train are also options to consider. Back when we were a family of 3 living in Brooklyn without a car, we took the bus and train to a ton of places, as far as Montauk, Canada, and North Carolina! Now as a family of 5 with a car, driving is MUCH cheaper. By driving, I also mean: consider further away airports and cruise terminals. This week I was researching cruises out of New Jersey and New York and I found one out of Boston that would save our family about $2k as opposed to the same cruise out of NJ!! Yes, it ads a 4 hour drive for us but TOTALLY worth the savings!! When flying out of the NYC area, we generally look at Newark, La Guardia, and JFK. But did you know, there are a few other airports in the area we don't generally consider, but you can find some super cheap flights! For example:
Travel Writing, Content Creation & UGC:
My final "hack" is something anyone can do but not on a whim, per se. It's takes a lot of work to score free or even paid travel as a freelance travel writer, travel creator, or UGC (user generated content) creator. Outsiders sometimes belittle us "influencers" like we're just running around trying to get free stuff. But it's not like that at all. The value we offer (and hours we put in) is more than equal to the value of goods or services we receive (whether that's a comped week at an all-inclusive resort or a 2-hour glassbottom boat tour). It's always a very fair exchange of goods and service, or service and service. We spend hours filming, shooting, editing, and/or writing - spending much of our "vacation" behind the screen in order to deliver high quality content and "earn" our "freebies". As travel creators, we provide a personal point of view, helping potential travelers feel better about booking their trip, giving our communities and followers inspiration about activities, hotels, you name it! We also help the destination have a more varied and relatable marketing approach. Having a photoshoot and running an ad in a magazine, filming and running a commercial on Netflix, and hosting an influencer or content creator for a few days at your hotel all have vastly different budgets and goals in mind, but they all have value and ROI (return on investment). Whether you want to publish yourself or sell your content for someone else to publish, you have to spend a LOT of timing growing your skills, building a portfolio, building a following (if posting yourself), and be able to pitch yourself, your skills, and your content to people in the travel industry. When I'm planning a trip for my family, I sometimes end up pitching 20+ hotels, tourism boards, and activities. I've worked with Discover Puerto Rico, Hilton, LEGOLAND Resort, Crystal Springs Resort, Woodloch Resort, just to name a few. Back in October, tagged along my husband's business trip to Hawaii and was on my own. I pitched and was able to get comped tickets to 3 luaus, and aquarium, and 2 boat tours! When we went to Arizona for Spring Break last year, we were provided 5 nights accommodation, comped a week long rental car, and several amazing activities! But to get these amazing "free" activities, meals, or full on vacations, I spend HOURS and hours researching and pitching before the trip, spend a good portion of the trip behind the camera (and evenings editing and uploading daily coverage to Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube), and DAYS after the trip organizing everything in a blog post and 10+ minute youtube video. Furthermore, the days spent editing and publishing content after the trip are days I cannot be working earning actual money, which is its own cost to consider. This is a reason that selling your UGC for actual money in hand comes into play. So... yeah... it's all WORK! But it's fun work, and work that can help my family (and yours, if interested) to travel for less, potentially get paid to travel, or even have some adventures that you might never have had the chance (or budget) to take otherwise.
OTHER TIPS:
Have any tips on saving money while traveling? Want to know more about how we save or anything mentioned in this blog post?? Leave a comment below!!!
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About ME:I'm a NYC metro area mom blogger living in NJ with my Japanese husband & our 3 kids (twins plus 1), focusing on fun and honest product and travel reviews, saving moms time finding the best for their families! Find what you need in the menu bar or search section above! Categories
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