Annie

How to Stop Your Dog Throwing Up

October 26, 2020 by Annie

If you’re a dog owner, then dealing with your dog being sick is one of the necessary responsibilities – the flip side of the walks, games and companionship your pet normally provides. If your dog has diarrhea and vomiting at the same time, it’s even harder to deal with – and more dangerous for your pet!

Today we’re looking at how you can treat a dog that’s being sick, and put a stop to the vomiting as soon as possible.

Risks

There are several key risks to be aware of when you’re monitoring a dog that’s being sick (or has diarrhea). While most cases are straightforward and will clear up quickly, they could also be an indicator that something else is wrong or provide a different risk to your dog’s health into the bargain.

Look out for –

Blood in the vomit or faeces

This is a sure sign something is wrong and you should make an emergency vet appointment without delay.

Dehydration

If your dog can’t hold down food and is regularly vomiting or suffering diarrhea, then they’re depleting their fluid reserves with no way to replenish them. However long your dog’s attack of vomiting lasts, and whatever has caused it, make sure they have access to lots of fresh water. You can even buy canine rehydration sachets from your vet to help them replenish their vital electrolytes as well.

Time

Most ordinary attacks of vomiting pass in a few hours or days, but if it lasts longer than 48-72 hours, then something else might be wrong – and even if it’s not, your dog could be at risk of serious dehydration and starvation! This time shortens if your dog is showing any other symptoms of illness: lethargy, aggression or shyness. The more symptoms and behaviour changes they exhibit, the more likely you should call the vet.

Caring for a Sick Dog

When you have a vomiting dog on your hands, the most important thing to do is help them control that vomiting! It makes life easier for you, and is much safer for them. The most helpful thing you can do is carefully manage the amount of food that you feed your dog. It is important to offer your dog some food little and often. This is because the lining of the gut needs nutrients to help it heal, which it gets directly from the food inside it. rice. Small amounts of chicken and rice, or a commercial intestinal diet, are easily digestible and nutritious and should help the dog to recover more quickly, without further upsetting their stomach.

If, after 6-8 hours, your dog is still unable to hold down even bland food then you should consider a vet’s appointment without delay. Puppies and young dogs should be taken to a vet sooner because they are more at risk of problems if they have low blood sugar levels.

7 Fall Baby Photo Shoot Ideas

October 23, 2020 by Annie

Autumn is, hands down, the most perfect time of the year to snap adorable photos of your little one. The rich, vibrant colors of the changing leaves provide a stunning backdrop for baby photos. The air is crisp, but not so cold that everyone is forced to dress like a marshmallow. Best of all, it’s the perfect excuse to go a little crazy on the latest newborn baby clothes, like cute baby hats and cozy leggings for fall.

Ready to take advantage of nature’s stunning backdrop? Here are some fall baby photo shoot ideas that will help you capture both the magic of the season and your baby’s unique personality.

When to Take Fall Baby Photos

When it comes to taking fall baby photos, you’re racing against multiple clocks. The first clock is, of course, your baby. While grumpy baby pictures can be both hilarious and cute, you’d probably prefer it if your baby was happy and smiling for the photo shoot. Pick a time when your baby is well-rested, fed and comfortable so you can increase your chances of taking the perfect baby photo.

The second clock you’re racing against is the sun. Generally, the best time to take fall baby photos is right before sunset. If you can line up your baby’s schedule with this golden hour, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous baby photos.

What to Wear

Figuring out what to wear is always the hardest part of a photo shoot! One important thing to remember about fall is that it’s all about color. To make your little one pop against the fiery foliage, consider dressing them in light blue or white.

If you’re taking pictures outdoors, skip the fancy suits and cocktail dresses—they’ll look out of place in a natural setting. Instead, keep it casual with cute dresses for girls (with tights for extra warmth!) and long sleeve t-shirts and pants for boys.

7 Fall Baby Photo Shoot Ideas to Try

Start scouting for outdoor photo locations as soon as possible. If you’re taking your own baby photos, be careful not to wait too long to take your pictures. You don’t want the beautiful foliage to turn into dry, brown leaves before you can capture the beauty.

Ready for baby’s close-up? Here are a few fall baby photo shoot ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Playing in the Leaves

Let’s start with a classic fall backdrop: a big ol’ pile of autumn leaves! This is a favorite among families for several reasons. First, you can capture this shot practically anywhere, including your own backyard. Another reason is that kids LOVE playing with leaves. They’ll have an absolute ball tossing leaves in the air or simply staring at them with wide-eyed wonder, giving you plenty of opportunities to capture some cute fall photos.

Pumpkin Patch Fun

Is there anything cuter than pictures of babies with pumpkins? If you’re going to a pumpkin patch this year, plan to put your baby in a cute outfit and take snaps of them surrounded by all the pumpkins. Can’t make it to a pumpkin patch this year? Pick up a few pumpkins at the grocery store and create your own DIY pumpkin patch photo shoot in the backyard.

Embrace Natural Frames

As the leaves begin to fall, take advantage of the scraggly branches by using them to frame your shot. This is a clever photography technique that can add a beautiful depth to your shot while providing you with the perfect seasonal frame.

Take a Wagon Ride

There’s something about seeing a baby in a red steel wagon that is just so adorable. Best of all, this is an easy fall baby photo shoot idea that you can do at home. Just get a wagon (you can buy one for less than $60), pad it with a cozy, flannel blanket and add a pumpkin. Then, have your spouse tug baby along while you take some cute snaps.

Park Photo Shoot

A nearby park can be a convenient place to take fall photo shoots. Just walk around until you find a good spot and start snapping some pictures. If the weather is nice, you could also pack a picnic and make a family outing out of your photo shoot. The only downside is that you may not have much privacy, so keep that in mind if you don’t want any onlookers.

Into the Woods

If you want to go somewhere more secluded, consider heading into the woods for a family photo shoot. You don’t need to go too far to get a rustic-themed shot. You could have an outdoor photographer take a few pictures of you and the family walking a secluded trail or sitting on a log bench in the woods.

Pose in a Wheat Field

Another classic background for a fall baby photo shoot is a wheat field. Wheat field photos are especially gorgeous around sunset and are pretty easy to dress for—just have the entire family wear white or blue to pop against the tan.

A Beautiful Fall Photo Shoot for Baby

Taking baby photos in the fall is so easy that it almost feels like cheating. From pumpkin patches to backyard photo shoots in the autumn leaves, there are an endless number of ways to capture some great pictures of your baby against a stunning fall backdrop. Try one of these fall baby photo shoot ideas and preserve your memories for life.

Making a House Your Forever Home: Home Renovations That Last

October 23, 2020 by Annie

Making home improvements that will last throughout your time in the house is an important part of homeownership. We all want to tweak the structure and layout of our homes in order to tailor the space to our needs, but this can be a tricky proposition. Choosing the best place to start can feel like a scavenger hunt without a little preplanning. Fortunately, it’s not as hard as it might seem to introduce lasting upgrades that will improve the quality of life and peace of mind that you experience in your home.

Take care of your flooring.

A natural place to begin is with the flooring throughout your home. A high quality carpet in bedrooms or the living room is a great way to soften the step and create a cozy living space for you and your family. Alternatively, hardwood flooring is a fantastic option for both common space and bedrooms if it fits your overall style. Hardwood floors last for years with little additional upkeep beyond simple sweeping — the same as you would do to keep any floor clean of debris and dirt. This is a great way to add value to your home’s bottom line when it comes time to sell, too. Potential buyers love the look and low maintenance requirements that come along with this type of floor covering and will pay a premium for the pleasure.

Finally, an often overlooked floor space is in the concrete coatings that protect your garage or pool deck from drop damage, rainwater, or other harsh interactions that can damage these bare ground spaces. Hiring a contractor to renew your concrete coating every few years is just like resealing your deck. Keeping up the maintenance for your concrete floor will prevent cracking or other breakages that require the pouring of a whole new concrete slab to replace the damaged space. A well maintained concrete floor with a coat of epoxy paint will also make sure that no rain damage can makes its way from your driveway or garage floor into your foundations.

Add a home office, game room, or guest bedroom.

Adding a room to your home is a great way to create additional space for the things that matter most in your family’s lives. A home office for parents that work from home is a great way to move that clutter off of the kitchen table and contain it in a corner of the house away from the overall living space. Alternatively, creating a guest bedroom can be the perfect way to create space for in-laws or grandparents’ visits from out of town, opening your home up to greater hosting possibilities that allow you and your children to spend more time with loved ones.

Adding space like this can also give you the option of repurposing in the future. The additional room can be used today as a workspace, and transform as your children grow older into a home library or a music room for your daughter’s band to practice in. Add-ons can often take the form of whatever your family needs in the present, making extensions a versatile renovation that can suit many needs as they change with the march of time.

Keep your roof current.

Roofing contractors Denver, and in every other major city around the world, recommend roof replacement at about the 20 year mark. Keeping up with yearly maintenance can increase your roof’s life, so conducting yearly cleaning and inspection of the shingles and gutters is essential to keeping the contents of your home — your belongings and family — safe from the outside elements. And when it comes time to for roof replacement, don’t hesitate to hire a professional full-service roofing contractor with years of experience in the roofing industry to replace it with a new roof that will give you another 20 years of security.

Creating a forever home that suits your needs and stands up to their changing will is a challenge, but starting with the basics and growing from there is always a great way to create that perfect space for you and your family.

What to DIY and What to Hire Out: It’s All About Balance

October 23, 2020 by Annie

Should you DIY or hire it out? Since DIY, do it yourself, became a big thing, that’s been a question many people have been asking. From home remodels to doing your own mani/pedi and from plumbing to roofing, the question is the same. The answer is, it’s according to the project or the task. While DIY is a great concept and can save you a ton of money, there are some things that are just better left to the professionals. How do you tell what to DIY and what to hire out? Read on below for a few things from each category.

Pet Waste Removal

If you have a pet, then you already know that you have to take them somewhere to poop. When you head out to the pet park or on a long, leisurely walk you carry the necessary equipment and poop bags to clean up after your canine pal. If you don’t have a dog park in your area or if you instead let your pup out into the fenced-in back yard to do their business, then you’re tasked with taking care of that dog poop as well.

This is something that you can do yourself, but it’s just as easy, and probably more sanitary to hire a professional service and schedule a package service. Search for something like “dog poop pick up Naperville Illinois” so you can get a clean yard for your furry friends on a weekly basis. These people are trained to pick up dog poop in the most sanitary manner, as waste that is left in your yard can lead to illnesses that can hurt you, your family, and your pets.

Manicures

While it can be relaxing to head to the salon and let the nail tech take care of your manicure for you, it’s just as easy to order the kit and do it yourself. Fake nails, press-ons, and packages of gel press on nails are just a click away. You can take care of your own manicure and not have to worry about getting sick when you go to the nail salon in these uncertain times. These kits are customized to your needs and easy to apply, making it even more worth the money to do it yourself, instead of going to the salon. It also goes a long way towards saving you money. While it might be hard to do a traditional gel manicure at home, gel nails aren’t unrealistic, especially if you have some nail glue.

Mold, Asbestos, Lead Removal

If you have a wet basement that develops mold or you purchase an older home and find out it has lead paint or asbestos in it, then it’s time to forgo the DIY methods and call in the professionals to take care of the issue for you. All three of these can be harmful to the health of you and your family. A professional service knows how to safely remove these issues and make sure they stay gone.

Wedding Invitations

In a world that is increasingly environmentally friendly, doing your wedding invitations yourself is one of the more popular trends in wedding preparations. Not only is it cheaper to pen your invitations yourself, today it’s simple to make them and then send them through email, which saves trees and the planet. If you must have your wedding invitations done by a professional, make sure that they are an eco-friendly company before you sign on the dotted line.

Tree Removal

While hiring someone to remove trees from your yard may seem like a no-brainer, many homeowners decide to try to accomplish this task themselves. It’s better to have the professionals do this because removing a tree can be a dangerous business if you have no idea what you’re doing.

These are just a few things that you can DIY and a few that you shouldn’t. The choice is yours, but do what is the safest and most logical thing for you and the family you love in the end.

5 Tips For Expectant Parents Researching Daycare Centers

October 22, 2020 by Annie

Having a baby is the most exciting, and stressful, time of your life. While you’re busy doing fun things like picking names and decorating the nursery, you also have to make some hard decisions along the way. It is estimated that at least 70% of primary caregivers are working parents who will need some type of childcare. Choosing a daycare that will give nurturing, safe care to your newborn can be a tall order. So here are some tips to get you started.

#1. Personal Recommendations Hold A Lot Of Weight

Start by talking to your family and friends for some personal insight. Many important decisions are made by consulting with your “village” and getting their honest feedback and advice. Use the experiences other people have had with local daycare centers to help you decide where to start looking. Leaving your baby for the first time when you return to work can be very difficult. Choosing a daycare that comes recommended by a trusted ally will also help give you peace of mind.

#2. Is A Daycare Center The Right Choice For Your Family

There are several options when it comes to childcare for working families. Some are lucky enough to have a parent or other relative providing care, and others will seek an in-home babysitter or nanny. The majority of people, however, find themselves looking at a group care setting, a daycare center. A typical daycare center offers care to multiple children at once in a range of ages. Some take infants and some do not, so that is something to consider when choosing.

Benefits Of Choosing A Daycare Center:

Cost – A daycare center may be more cost effective than an in-home babysitter or nanny.
Socialization – Your child will have the benefit of being around other children and adults from a young age.
Reliability – You won’t have to worry about your babysitter getting sick or needing the day off. Daycares are fully staffed and you can count on them to be open daily.
Safety – Daycare centers are under strict state regulations and inspections. You can also seek out a center that is accredited by the National Association For The Education Of Young Children (NAEYC), which sets very high standards of care.

#3. What’s On Your Daycare Wishlist?

Create a wishlist of things your dream daycare will have, then find a location that ticks as many of those boxes as possible. TheBump.com has some great suggestions on what to look for in a daycare center. Here are just a few suggestions for your list:

Convenience and proximity to work or home – while it might not be your first priority, driving a long way for drop off and pick up everyday can be quite a burden for your family.
Flexible pickup times or hours of operation – do you need to stay late occasionally, work odd hours, or have other special considerations for the days and times you need childcare?
Open door policy for parents to drop by unannounced – any facility that discourages or bars you from dropping in for a visit during the day might have something to hide. While you aren’t seeking to be disruptive, an unannounced visit every once in a while can help you see what’s going on at the center day to day and make you feel good about leaving your child in their hands.
Curriculum offered for learning and development – good daycares offer learning and development opportunities that are appropriate for the child’s age.
Staff training – including facility training, ongoing education, degree or education required, first aid and CPR training.
Low staff to child ratios (the NAEYC recommends 1 teacher to every 3 babies or toddlers) – the state will have a limit to how many children can be watched per staff member but you also need to feel comfortable with that ratio. The lower the ratio, the more individual care your child will receive.
Food choices – for toddlers and older you’ll want to see what the qualities of the meals and snacks are, especially if you have dietary requirements or allergies to deal with.
Values that align with yours – finally, some parents require religious affiliations or simply want to make sure that the values of the business operating the daycare align with their own.

#4. How To Check Reviews And References For A Daycare Center

Once you have your list narrowed down, you are ready to start making phone calls to the facilities to ask questions and check availability. This is also a great time to start checking online reviews and getting a list of references for your favorite places. Keep in mind that the reviews shown on the business website are hand-picked, so you’ll have to look for third party sources of information. You can get reviews from Google, Facebook, Yelp, Angie’s List, Nextdoor, and other online platforms.

When you have your choices narrowed down to your top three favorites, you can also start asking daycares for a list of references. These are current parents using their daycare that have agreed to be contacted for their opinion. It’s great to get to talk to parents who are already enrolled and have first-hand experience with the daycare.

#5. Visiting Prospective Daycare Centers In Person

Finally, it’s time to do your in-person visits. You can’t get all the information you need online or over the phone. The only way to really feel good about your choice is to pay them a visit, get a tour, and meet the staff. Here are a few things to look for during your visit:

Is the facility clean and organized?
Is the staff positive and happy?
Do the children seem happy and safe?
Are there safe exits?
Do the children look bored or engaged?

Maternity leave in the US is extraordinarily short and your few weeks will fly by, putting you back to work long before you feel ready to leave your newborn in someone else’s care. That’s why it is so important to choose your daycare center in advance, allowing you more time to relax with your baby and feel confident in your childcare choice.

Author Bio

Sandra Chiu works as Director at LadyBug & Friends Daycare

RV Maintenance 101: 5 Cleaning and Care Tips for RV Owners

October 19, 2020 by Annie

Recreational vehicles (RVs) are more popular than ever before. About seven million American households own one. But how come some RVs last 20 years or longer, while others stop working after less than 10 years?

Like most goods, these vehicles are subject to wear and tear. The only way to slow down this process is to perform regular RV maintenance.

A single year of outdoor storage can result in significant damage. With proper care, a quality RV will travel up to 200,000 miles before requiring major repairs to the engine.

Interested to know more about camper maintenance? Here are five cleaning and care tips to keep your van in top shape!

1. Check the Roof Regularly

When it comes to routine maintenance, RVs require a different approach than traditional vehicles. For example, you must check the roof seals and seams of your van regularly to make sure there are no leaks.

Inspect the roof at least once a month. If you notice any leaks or open seams, use a sealant to patch the roof.

Protect your RV with a steel carport. These accessories could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Although they’re not cheap, they still cost less than a new roof.

2. Inspect the Tires

Make a habit out of checking the tires for wear-and-tear, loose nuts, and misalignment. Keep a spare tire at hand to stay on the safe side.

If you’re buying a pre-owned van from Leisureland RV or other dealerships, check the date on its tires. This will ensure that you can fully enjoy your trip without having to make detours.

Beware that overinflated tired can explode. Always check the tire pressure before hitting the road.

3. Invest in a Handheld Vacuum

Here’s one of the most important RV cleaning tips to keep in mind: get a quality handheld vacuum and carry it with you at all times.

The nooks and crannies in a van tend to attract dust. This can affect air quality and make it hard to breathe, especially for those with asthma or sleep apnea. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to gasp for air!

To prevent these issues, choose a compact vacuum with a hose attachment that can get into the tiniest cracks.

4. Think Twice about Power Washing

Depending on the type of RV owned, you may be able to use a pressure washer to keep your van clean and shiny. This cleaning method doesn’t work for all models, so be sure to read the instruction manual beforehand. Avoid power washing if your RV has decals.

Maintain a safe distance when using your pressure washer. Keep the nozzle about a foot away from the van. Start with the roof and then go all the way down.

5. Keep the Vents Open

The internal temperature of an RV can exceed 130 degrees during the summer months, especially if you’re not using the van. Over time, this may cause damage to the seams, seals, and other components.

One way to avoid these problems is to keep the vents open. This preventive measure will improve airflow, reducing the risk of overheating.

Better yet, store your van in a garage to protect it from the elements.

Make RV Maintenance a Priority

While it’s true that RVs are sturdy and can last for decades, they still require regular checkups. Loose nuts, worn tires, leaky roofs, and other common issues can reduce the lifespan of your van.

Don’t take unnecessary risks. Add RV maintenance to your priority list to avoid costly repairs later on. In the meantime, check the rest of our Lifestyle section for more tips!

8 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Summer: How to Manage Unwanted Pests

October 15, 2020 by Annie

As summer emerges around the corner, you’re ready to enjoy some much needed time outside. However, though summer is always exciting, there are some things about summer that not everyone loves. Some of these unappealing parts of summer include bugs and pests. Though these pests are an annoyance, there are ways to keep your home and yard safe. Keep reading to navigate eight ways to prepare your home for the entire summer.

1. Insulate

One of the first ways to manage your home for this summer season is to make sure to insulate parts of your home that bugs or other pests can enter through easily. Some of these areas that are susceptible to pests and insects include damaged window screens and poorly insulated doorways. By ensuring quality insulation under doorways that lead outdoors and well-maintained windows you can protect your home this summer.

2. Repellent

Another way to keep insects out of your space is by using repellent. What summer insect is more annoying than mosquitos? On top of their itchy and frustrating bites, mosquitoes carry a wide range of diseases in Australia as well. Some of these illnesses include the Murray Valley encephalitis virus and the Ross River virus. All of these different illnesses are not extremely common, but they do occur throughout the summer months.

For some of the best backyard mosquito control, consider this natural repellent. This mosquito repellent made in the United States can effectively eradicate mosquitos and other pests like ticks in as little as one day. It’s sprayed virtually anywhere in your backyard for safe, effective mosquito management this summer. And, it’s worth noting that the active ingredients are all-natural ingredients and do not contain synthetic ingredients or insecticides making it the perfect choice for protection as a homeowner.

3. Weatherproofing

Summertime means sunny skies and beautiful weather. However, as you know good things can’t last forever. On the days when the weather turns stormy and windy, you’ll need to ensure your home is protected against harsh weather.

You’ll want to make sure your roof is in good condition and that your nearby trees surrounding your home are trimmed to protect against any windblown damages from such storms like monsoons. If you prepare for these potential damages, you can keep your house in the best condition to prevent pests from entering.

4. Air Conditioning

A good idea to prepare for the summer is to get your air conditioning in check. It’s likely been unused for months now, so it’s better to check the status of your air conditioner now than when the temperatures rise.

By checking your air conditioning unit now, you can in turn keep your home cool throughout the humid temperatures instead of feeling regretful if it needs maintenance mid-summer. This way, you can use the air conditioning unit and not windows to lessen the chances of insects entering your home.

5. Clean Up

You might not be aware of this, but your backyard is a place that insects and other pests thrive. Some of these annoying pests include mosquitos, gnats, fleas, and ticks. Simply cleaning up your yard can lessen the number of bugs. This means you must keep your grass cut, your bushes trimmed, and your weeds whacked. Don’t forget about the garden too, which can attract gnats if it becomes unkept with fruits or vegetables. In turn, you can reduce the places bugs live in your yard this summer season.

6. Household Pests

Some other pests that always make their way into your home during summer are ants and spiders. Ants are treated by keeping your kitchen clean. You need to keep food off of ground levels to lessen ants. However, if you’re facing lots of ants and you need a quick fix try out ant traps.

Ant traps will lure ants into the traps that contain something toxic to the ants. These ants then bring the toxic substance back to the family of ants to effectively get rid of them. On the other hand, spiders are more difficult to get rid of. One of the best ways is to use an insect control bomb to eradicate a large number of spiders that are in your home.

7. Patio

The back patio is another place where you love to spend time outside in the summer. It’s the perfect place to enjoy time with your family, but once it starts getting dark out, more pests tend to come out.

This is why you should use a DEET containing spray to keep mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks away. You can also light a citronella candle at your patio table or on your porch too. And last but not least, try out a bug zapper as another method to keep mosquitos and beetles away while you’re taking in the beautiful summer nights.

8. New Home

Though it may seem like a jump if you’re ready to move into your own home because you’re sick of dealing with rentals or your current place summer is a perfect time. If you buy a home now, you can commit to getting one that checks off all of these boxes to keep you and your loved ones safe and away from pests this summer.

When you’re buying your home, you’ll likely need to take out a home loan. Home loans can feel quite overwhelming to navigate because depending on many factors, your rate varies. Some of these factors include the loan amount, your down payment, debt-to-income ratio, the life of the loan, your credit report, and the loan type. All of these affect your interest rate, and as these factors vary, you’ll pay a higher interest rate.

It’s in your best interest to use sources and compare home loan interest rates so that you can get the best mortgage rate available. Their services can find you a lender with the best rates. As a homeowner, your needs will be met so that you can transition into your new home with more peace of mind this summer.

You Need To Know About Your Estate Agent, Before You Can Pick One

October 13, 2020 by Annie

There are a number of situations when you might need the services of an estate agent. The first one is that you are a property owner, and it is your wish to sell your property as quickly as possible, and for the best price that you can get. It might not be your wish to sell your property, and so you hope to rent it, with the best possible returns. The second situation may involve someone who wants to buy or rent a property, and obviously they want to be able to buy it at the cheapest price possible, and the same goes for the rental price as well. But where does one begin, when trying to find an estate agent who is successful at their job, and who doesn’t try to rip people off at every opportunity.

There is a fantastic new, and free service offered by LocalAgentFinder, and this website tells you everything that you could possibly need to know, about navigating your way around, and finding the right estate agent for your circumstances. They offer a wide number of free services, and also the most up-to-date free information about estate agents in your local area. The following are just some of the things that you can find out on this fantastic website.

Agent performance – Nobody wants to be buying or selling a house, using the services of an estate agent who doesn’t have a proven track history. I know it seems a little unfair, but an agent could just be starting out in the market, and so they lack the experience and knowledge, to get you the best price possible. LocalAgentFinder gives you individual details about any agent’s performance, including successful close rates, and the types of properties that they have sold, or rented out before. This essential information allows you are to make an informed choice. Sometimes it’s not convenient to refinance your mortgage, and the best option is to sell your property.
Fees & commissions – Different estate agents charge different prices for their services, and depending on their percentage, it can make a significant difference for a property, that has been sold, or bought, for many thousands of dollars. An estate agent’s commission rate may be just a quarter percent lower than another, but in the scheme of things, a quarter percent of a million dollars, is a large chunk of change. Knowing exactly what your estate agent charges, allows you to make a decision that is best for you, and for your wallet. There are certain mandated government rules that your estate agent needs to follow, and this will provide you with some element of protection.

It’s important that you know and understand how the property market works, and you can learn a lot of this from your estate agent. The hard part is finding an estate agent who is going to work hard for you, and not just for themselves. This is why LocalAgentFinder is an invaluable resource. Have a look at their website today, if you’re in the market to sell, rent, or buy.

Menopausal Symptoms: 7 Tips For Every Woman to Handle It

October 12, 2020 by Annie

Menopause is a biological process that usually starts from ages 45 to 50 for many women. However, it is crucial to note that the beginning time differs for different women due to the difference in genetic makeup. Some women undergo menopause at an early age, like 40 years and are known as premature menopause. During this period, you will experience symptoms such as mood swings, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, tiredness, and irritability.

In some cases, women experiencing menopause are in high risks of experiencing slow metabolic function, heart diseases, cataracts, vulvovaginal atrophy, periodontal diseases, painful intercourse, and reduced mass and strength. You can either use natural ways or doctor prescriptions to manage menopause symptoms. The following are some ways that can help you deal with menopause symptoms.

Eating Healthy Foods

Eating foods rich in vitamin D and calcium have proven effective in reducing menopause symptoms. One of the significant signs of menopause is reduced strength and weak bones. Foods rich in calcium minerals and vitamin D are known to strengthen the bone. Additionally, vitamin D in women is associated with reducing the risks of fractured hips due to weak bones.

Thus, eating foods like spinach, kale, collard greens, calcium-fortified foods, and sardines are rich in calcium and will strengthen your bones. Additionally, eating foods like fish, eggs, and cod liver oil are good sources of vitamin D. Moreover, sunlight is a natural means that you can obtain vitamin D.

Exercising Regularly

Fluctuations of hormones have detrimental effects on women. They contribute to symptoms such as hot flashes, foggy brain, and mood swings. Some of these symptoms are exacerbated by stress. Practising regular exercises helps in reducing common symptoms that are as a result of stress. Stress is caused by the overreaction of the brain in the adrenal system. During menopause, the adrenal system is under pressure due to the hormone fluctuations in the premenopausal stage.

The immediate shift in the low production of oestrogen and progesterone triggers stress. This leads to hot flushes, night sweat, and fatigue. Practising regular exercises such as yoga and ta chi increases metabolism, decreasing stress leading to better sleep.

Home Remedies

If you are experiencing hot flashes, having a cold glass of water and dressing in a layer will help you manage the symptom. Moreover, it would be best if you avoided hot flushes triggers such as hot beverages, hot weather, and alcohol. Simple techniques such as deep breathing, guided imagery, and muscle relaxation are effective in reducing the symptoms.

To manage vaginal discomforts, you can use water-based vaginal lubricants such as K-Y jelly. However, you must choose products that don’t contain glycerine, since it causes burning and irritation. Staying sexually active will help you by increasing blood flow to the vagina.

Medical Prescriptions and Supplements

Menopausal supplements are known to reduce menopause symptoms significantly. It is crucial to know that menopause has no treatment; instead, medical prescriptions that reduce symptoms. Such medication includes low-dose antidepressants for the management of hot flashes and mood disorders. Other treatment approaches are; hormone therapy that keeps oestrogen in shape and thus preventing bone damage and hot flushes.

Additionally, vaginal oestrogen treatment will help you relieve vaginal dryness. Before trying supplements and medication, it is essential that you consult a physician. You might be allergic to some products which might exacerbate the symptoms.

Eating foods that are rich in phytoestrogens

As earlier indicated, menopause is a biological process that comes with age as a result of low production of oestrogen and progesterone, which leads to an imbalance of hormones. Phytoestrogens increase the production of oestrogen in the body. Thus, heavy intake of these foods will help you reduce the symptoms.

For instance, studies indicate that Japanese women rarely experience menopause symptoms due to the massive consumption of phytoestrogen foods in the country. Such foods include soybeans, flaxseeds, tofu, tempeh, linseeds, beans, and sesame seeds. However, it is vital to consult physicians before consuming soy products.

Getting More Sleep

As indicated, fluctuating hormonal changes in the adrenal systems cause mood swings. Changing your lifestyle is beneficial than opting for medicine. Maintaining your bedtime schedule helps in reducing symptoms. Moreover, it would help if you avoid beverages that contain high levels of caffeine. To ensure that you get enough sleep during the night, you must prevent day naps. You can consult the doctor about prescriptions that will help you get enough sleep.

Avoid Triggers

Hot beverages, alcohol, cigarettes, spicy foods, stress, hot weather, and caffeine trigger menopause symptoms. These triggers inhibit the production of oestrogen, thus exacerbating symptoms. Maintaining a healthy weight will significantly help you manage menopause symptoms. Additionally, refined sugars and processed foods are known to trigger the symptoms. It is advisable that you keep a symptoms diary so that you can identify foods and beverages that trigger the symptoms.

Keeping your kids safe in the car. Simple tips all parents should know!

October 9, 2020 by Annie

How do you keep your children safe in the car? You fasten their seatbelts and keep in them in their car seats, right? Although this is an important step, very few parents realise that there’s a lot more they could be doing to ensure their little ones are safe in the backseat.

The last thing any parent wants is to find themselves involved in a car accident. And having the children in the backseat? It’s the stuff of nightmares. Speak to this personal injury law firm in Lafayette if you’ve been involved in a car crash that could have been avoided and you’ve sustained injuries.

You can’t always control the actions of other drivers but keeping your children safe in your vehicle could make all the difference. And it’ll certainly give you peace of mind whilst you’re driving. Read on for some information on keeping your kids safe in the car.

Make sure their car seat is fitted correctly

Does your child’s car seat move too much? Does it seem loose? If your child is in a crash and they’re sitting in a car seat that isn’t fitted correctly, their life could be in danger. Worryingly, many parents don’t realize that their car seat is fitted incorrectly. If you’re unsure of the stability of your child’s seat, take it back to the store and ask for a demonstration.

Always have the child locks on

Safety first! Keeping the child locks on means your little one won’t be able to open the car doors as you’re driving. And there’s nothing more terrifying than the sound of a door opening when you’re traveling down the freeway! You should also lock the power windows.

Try to keep the car clear

Toys, tablets, smart devices, heavy bags and plenty of junk, if your car is littered with clutter than you might want to have a clear out. If you’re involved in a crash then all these seemingly harmless items could become projectiles, causing serious damage and injuries to you and your children. Get rid of the clutter and keep other items safely stored in the glove box or in-seat organizers.

And finally, never leave your child in the car unattended

You’ve buckled the kids in and then remembered you’ve left your phone in the house. There’s no harm in quickly dashing back inside to get it, right? Wrong! You should never leave your kids in the car unattended. Anything could happen. They could wriggle out of their seats and play with the controls which could cause the car to move, the car could be struck by another vehicle whilst stationary or someone could seize the opportunity to steal your car whilst it’s unattended.

Never leave your child locked inside a vehicle on hot days. Even if it’s just for a moment. Dehydration and heatstroke can kill within minutes – always check your car before you lock it and walk away. It’s easy to forget about a sleeping baby in the backseat when you’re overtired and distracted.