Save Your Way To Family Fun

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Family time is precious and irreplaceable – you can’t put a price on it. Or can you? Priceless as the
memories may be, the cost of a family day out rises and rises each year. With travel, entry tickets,
overpriced food and drink and the unavoidable stop at the gift shop on the way out, take a few days
out in a year and you can find the cost slowly mounting. And for those families who are struggling to
meet savings goals or working through debt consolidation programs, every penny counts.
But there are ways to both cut the cost of your outing and find something fun for the family to
do together.

It’s All About Timing

Many theme parks and family attractions like zoos and the theatre practice ‘dynamic pricing’.
This means that the cost of entry will vary across a year and even a week, rising when there’s peak
demand and dropping right down when they need to fill seats. So do a little detective work
and use this to your advantage. Monitor the prices over a set period of time to see how they alter,
and make sure you’re signed up to the newsletter of the attraction, as many will email out discount
codes and special deals. It may mean waiting a little longer to get there, but you can make major
savings.

Round Up The Gang

A lot of attractions will also offer a discount for group bookings, so make sure you call up and speak
to them about what can be done. Who could you invite to go with you? Children will love for their
friends or neighbors to come along, and if you pool money, hiring a small minibus may be a more
cost-effective way to travel there as well. So time your trip with another family or two and see how
much you can save.

Claim Your Cashback

Using cashback sites and loyalty cards are a great idea if you know you’re planning to go somewhere.
Lots of them offer access to family attraction or ticketing sites. If you’ve saved up loyalty card points
all year, see what you can swap them in for, and use supermarket cards to purchase discounted
snacks and food for the road trip.

Keep The Snacks DIY

Overpriced food and drink at family attractions are one of the main budget-busters on a day out,
especially if you have several little ones. So save big by packing a cool bag with treats and drinks
before you go. Make the food prep a part of the excitement of the day out. Kids love a picnic, and
if you think outside the box and make some exciting picnic food rather than the standard sandwiches,
they’ll be super excited.

Days out are all about making memories – and you don’t have to spend a fortune to do that.
There are also lots of fun things to do at home from going on a bug safari to building a pillow fort,
having kids produce their own movie or play or even doing a campout in the backyard underneath
the stars. The only limit is your imagination.

The Benefits of Cooking Your Own Meals

 Cooking your meals is one of the best things you can do for your health. When you cook your food, you know exactly what is going into it – and that means you can avoid unhealthy additives and preservatives. Cooking your food is also a great way to save money. The following blog will discuss the many benefits of cooking your meals!

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

1) It Is A Great Way To Control Your Calorie Intake

When you cook your meals, you are in complete control of the ingredients and the portion sizes. This means that you can easily avoid consuming too many calories – something that is essential if you are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Cooking your food also allows you to customize your meals according to your dietary needs and preferences. For example, if you follow a gluten-free diet, you can easily prepare gluten-free meals at home.

2) It Helps You Eat More Nutritious Meals

Cooking your own meals is a great way to ensure that you are eating nutritious, balanced meals. When you cook at home, you have complete control over the ingredients and can choose to include plenty of healthy vegetables and lean protein sources in your diet.

This is in contrast to eating out, where it can be challenging to find healthy options that fit within your calorie and dietary restrictions. In fact, recent studies have shown that people who cook their meals tend to eat healthier overall than those who do not.

Cooking your food also means avoiding unhealthy additives and preservatives, which are often found in processed foods. These additives can negatively affect your health, including causing weight gain and contributing to chronic diseases.

3) It Saves You Money

One of the best things about cooking your meals is that it can save you a lot of money. When you cook at home, you can buy ingredients in bulk and prepare large meals which will last for several days. This is in contrast to eating out, where you will likely spend a lot more money on individual meals.

In addition, cooking your food means avoiding buying expensive processed foods or take-out meals. By cooking your own food, you can easily save hundreds – if not thousands – of dollars each year.

4) It Is Fun And Rewarding

Cooking your meals can be a fun and rewarding experience. When you cook a meal from scratch, you know that you have put in the hard work and effort to create something delicious. This feeling of accomplishment cannot be matched by simply heating a frozen dinner or ordering a take-out meal.

Cooking your food also allows you to experiment with new recipes, like a garlic confit recipe, and culinary techniques. This can be a great way to expand your culinary knowledge and learn new skills.

In conclusion, cooking your meals is one of the best things you can do for your health, wallet, and taste buds! By taking control of your food preparation, you can ensure that you are eating nutritious, delicious, and affordable meals. So what are you waiting for? Start cooking!

Surprisingly Simple Ways To Stop Your Mountain Of Used Baby Stuff From Building

 

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It’s not until we become parents that we truly realize just how much stuff accumulates when there’s a baby in the house. After all, the theory is that newborns don’t need a great deal. Unfortunately, while there is truth to that statement, the stuff that they do need can be bulky, not to mention that it builds up surprisingly fast throughout their first year or so of life. Given that this period often passes in a blur, many unprepared parents then look up to find themselves quite literally buried by baby stuff or using entire rooms and attic spaces for the sole purpose of storing those used baby items.

Given that you’re only going to keep on accumulating more things into your child’s second year (and, let’s be honest, every year after that), this is by no means a sustainable way of doing things, and it highlights the need to think about the best ways to stop that mountain of baby stuff from ever building in the first place. This can save you a world of stress when you simply don’t need it, as well as ensuring that your home is always far clearer than it would be.

The question is, what exactly are the best hassle-free ways to fight that mountain, and how can you put them into practice for results that stop you from ever having to scale to its top?

Step 1: Develop a system early on

Too often, we make the mistake of not having any storage system in place for our old baby clothes, etc. until they’re already taking up space. Unfortunately, this can result in piles of unsorted clothes and old toys that range across so many ages that you don’t even know where to begin. Given that you’re already an overworked parent, it’s therefore not at all unusual to take one look at this build-up and close the door to deal with it another day. Then, before you know it, you have that much-dreaded mountain on your hands. 

This is precisely the escalation that you’re reading this article to avoid, and the best way to do that is to put at least some kind of storage system in place as early as possible. Ideally, adding this to your list of things to do after finding out you're pregnant means that you won’t even need to worry during those already busy newborn days. Even better, you can find ways to correlate this with your baby prep in general. For instance, you may find it useful to label some storage containers with ages newborn, 3-6 months, and so on. Then, you’ll be able to see exactly what you’ve got ready for baby, as well as keeping those boxes on hand for when your new youngster grows out of each age range. 

Step 2: Research your options for removal

Unless you’re planning on having more children (in which case, sustainable storage solutions are a must!), you’re best off getting rid of used baby items as soon as you’ve filled a storage container or moved into a new age range. Luckily, there are countless ways to do this, and most of them don’t require all that much effort on your part. For one thing, asking around any pregnant friends, or those that you know are making plans of this nature will most likely see you getting rid of the vast majority of stuff. Even if there’s no pregnancy on the horizon, don’t hesitate to ask around – most likely, your friends will know someone who could use the extra! If you have no luck here, then there are also plenty of additional routes to consider online, many of which could see you earning some semi-decent cash for cast-offs. Great platforms for selling high-quality second-hand baby items especially include – 

• eBay

• thredUP

• Toycycle

• Kidizen

• And more

Simply make sure that you set up a profile in the early days, and get into the habit of uploading items before you put them into storage so that they never have a chance to creep up on you. 

Step 3: Put everything away in pristine condition

Considering that you’re finished with them and ready for them to stop cluttering up your house, it’s often tempting to put items away without properly cleaning them. After all, you can do that another day! In reality, though, storing clothes that need a wash, or even a stroller that’s covered in the usual wear and tear of snacks, spit-ups, and so on, can both damage the quality of those items, and make it less likely that you’ll ever get around to getting rid. After all, cleaning one thing is bad enough – cleaning a whole attic full of stuff just isn’t something that you have time for!

Luckily, you can save yourself time by making sure that every single item you have in storage is cleaned and ready to go for the fast turnaround that you’re ultimately aiming to achieve here. The effort that you spend on putting that one load of used clothes straight in the washing machine, or deep cleaning a stroller that’s no longer a good fit, will most certainly save you work in the long run. Not to mention that, if you’re going down the sales route, this proactive cleaning focus can see you getting far more money, as well as guaranteeing good reviews that make it easier for you to get rid of similar items fast in the future. 

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Step 4: Operate on an in-out basis

Despite your best efforts, used baby items can still build surprisingly quickly considering how often you’ll need to update things like your baby’s wardrobe. In fact, with entire outfit overhauls necessary every three months or so for that first year, you could end up with a whole mountain of stuff in less than six months if you aren’t careful. 

To avoid this, it’s always worth approaching used baby items with an in-out mindset. In other words, every single time that you bring new wardrobe sizes, etc. into the house, make a distinct effort to get rid of the size that came before it, and to not buy anything more until you’ve achieved that goal! It may seem strict, but setting yourself this rule makes it impossible for these items to build, buying you time to get rid without panic, and making sure that you never have more to deal with than you can manage. 

Step 5: Take inventory once in a while

While most of us are used to taking inventory at work, few of us apply the same thinking to our home lives. Yet, when it comes to the potentially mammoth task of sorting used baby items, this simple process can become invaluable for helping you to keep your sanity and your space. 

After all, if you don’t know what you’ve got, then it’ll be impossible to effectively impose things like the in-out rule discussed above. Not to mention that, even if you think you know everything that you need to organize/reduce, it’s all too easy to forget even entire boxes of clothes that could then end up as the basis for a build-up if you aren’t careful. 

Luckily, taking even a basic inventory of things like age ranges every few months is all you need to offset this risk and is a process that couldn’t be simpler if you’ve got a decent storage system in place as mentioned. This way, you can always keep track of what needs to go first, what’s newest to your storage setup, and what’s happening with everything in between. 

Step 6: Don’t let yourself get sentimental

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So, you’re prepped, ready, and armed with all of the platforms/know-how to keep used baby stuff under control. Only, then you see the first babygro your newborn ever wore or that coat that they took to their first meeting with the family. Suddenly, you’re overwhelmed with emotions, and can’t shake the feeling that you need to keep every last scrap of it for the sake of memories.

In reality, though, there are very few things that warrant keeping simply for sentimental value. After all, even if you did keep every memorable outfit, you’d likely look at them once every twenty years and coo before putting them back to clutter your home again. With this in mind, our last and perhaps most crucial pointer is to stop yourself from being sentimental about items that, ultimately, have served their purpose. By all means, keep things like the odd handmade piece, or perhaps even that first sleeper that you can’t part with. But, be strict with yourself, and make sure that you’re limiting what you keep to these few special instances before you’ve got an avalanche on your hands.

It’s by no means easy to stop a mountain of baby stuff from building at some stage, but taking it one step at a time with these tips in mind should at least help you to keep your home that bit clearer, and more manageable, for your baby’s first year and beyond. 

Instant Pot Chicken Soup Recipes

Craving something cozy like chicken soup? This collection of instant pot soup recipes is just the thing to check out then! With some really tasty chicken soup recipes to browse, you can find something delicious in this collection to whip up in no time.

While you are here you can find some of my other favorite recipes here.

Jazzy Chicken Soup by Amy+Jacky

This is not your average chicken soup! It has been jazzed up properly with tomatoes and celery and lots of other goodies!

Chicken Enchilada Soup by Burrata and Bubbles

All of the flavor of a good enchilada but in soup form, cooked up in no time, in the instant pot! Sounds great doesn’t it?

Photo Credit: Cassidy’s Crave-able Creations.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup by Cassidy’s Crave-able Creations

This pot pie soup is so good! And it is guilt free with low carbs for a healthy lifestyle!

Instant Pot Thai Chicken Soup With Lemongrass And Ginger by The Instant Pot Table

This thai inspired soup has so many great flavors! And it comes together  in no time, thanks to your pressure cooker!

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup by Chef Savvy

This comfort food classic cooks up fast. Save this recipe for steamy food for your soul in a flash, anytime you need it!

Chicken Tortilla Soup by Marathons and Motivations

This soup is so good! It has a great flavor, lots of color and warms you up on the coldest day!

Chicken Bone Broth by Maple + Mango

Homemade bone broth has never been easier than it is with an instant pot! Save this recipe for all of your broth needs.

Photo Credit: Pink When.

Crack Chicken Chili by Pink When

This chicken chili is so good it is borderline addictive. Try it and decide if you think it has been aptly named!

Chicken and Cabbage Curry Soup by Low Carb Yum

This curry based soup is so tasty! It is packed with good for you ingredients and will fill you up without too many extra carbs.

From Scratch Chicken Soup by Fearless Dining

This chicken soup is from scratch and promises to warm your soul! So good!

Looking for other tasty ways to make chicken?

Cracker Crumb Chicken

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad

Find more instant pot recipes here:

Creamy Mushroom Shrimp Pasta

Banana Cream Rice Pudding

Developing The Fine Skill Of Driving Safer

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Driving is one of those things that we all take for granted. It's something in life that we have to do but we may not necessarily put much effort into it, perhaps when it comes to cleaning the car maybe. But because driving is one of those things that we have to do, we may not necessarily invest so much in it. Driving safely is one of those things that should be drilled into us, but so many people seldom do this. It's a skill that we all need to develop, and maybe you don't drive much, or you get the kids from A to B and then that's all you need to do. But we've all had some form of close call (some may have even had to call someone like this car accident attorney too at some point in their life), and while it's easy to blame the other person, it could very well be to do with our own driving habits as well. We got to be smart when it comes to driving; after all, this piece of machinery is incredibly deadly. But what can we do to help our skills and drive safer all of the time?

Cover Your Blind Spots

We all get taught to put our mirrors so we can see the side of our car. The fact of the matter is that we
need to move our mirrors further out so that we can cover our blind spots. Instead of turning our head
to check a blind spot before we make a maneuver, we can use the mirrors for this and turn just to double
check, therefore doubling our safety. Adjusting your mirrors so they are all overlapping with each other
means there is a greater field of vision. There are plenty of guides online to help you with this, and when
it comes to making a maneuver, such as changing lanes, and there's a car behind you doing the same,
you should see them moving from one mirror to the next.

Stop Driving Distracted!

The modern car has so many different features, and we take all these for granted, or we use them all.
Whether it's connecting our phone to Bluetooth so we can call people, or turning the music up as loud
as humanly possible, it's all of these little things that can add up to a multitude of distractions. When you
look at any car accident lawyer web page, like the Derrick Law Firm legal representation site, distracted
driving is one of the primary culprits that cause car accidents. Think about it the next time you go in the
car, how many things are taking your attention off the road, for even a split second. Driving safer is
about putting your focus on the road 110% of the time. We all know that we have lapses in concentration.
And unfortunately, it just takes a split second for something bad to happen. And while we can't control
what other drivers do, we can control how well we react to things.

Learn Defensive Driving

One of the most common ways to improve your skills is to go on a defensive driving course. There are
many positives to this; it can take points off your driving license, or help you save money on your car
insurance. But if you've been driving for a long time, and you develop your own unique approach to
driving, a refresher is always worthwhile. It's a small price to pay for a lifetime's worth of reduced
insurance and additional driving skill.

Does Driving Faster Get Us There Quicker?

We all get frustrated and end up overtaking someone because we're running a bit late. But apart from
the fact that if you get caught speeding, you're going to pay for it, the only time that it's worth speeding
is when you go on a very long journey. In a mathematical sense, you save a very minimal amount of
time on a trip by speeding. But if you hit a lot of traffic lights, the people you overtake will end up right
behind you anyway! So the next time you think about passively aggressively flipping the bird to someone
as you pass them, they'll be right there next to you in a couple of minutes’ time!

Driving safer is something we can all benefit from. But what is amazing these days is that fewer people
decide to take this on board. Find great insurance rates at access insurance company . As driving becomes more of a chore and less of a joy, we've got to learn
the fine skill of driving safer. There are so many other aspects that we can benefit from, but as we find
ourselves getting into bad habits, the one true thing we can really do to improve our driving skills is to
practice the safe habits.

What to Know Before Your Next Bathroom Upgrade

 

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Let’s be honest—few things feel better than walking into a bathroom that looks clean, modern, and stylish. Whether you're considering replacing an old tub, installing better lighting, or updating the overall design, upgrading your space is always a good idea. A well-planned remodel improves the room’s appearance and makes it more comfortable and easier to use every day.

But before you jump into shopping for tiles or tearing out fixtures, there are a few key things to know. Planning ahead can save you money, avoid delays, and ensure everything turns out just how you want. Ready to upgrade smart? Here are some simple but important things to keep in mind before you begin.

Set Clear Goals for the Upgrade

Before you call anyone or buy anything, decide what you want to get out of the upgrade. Do you need better storage? Want to make the space feel bigger? Or maybe you just want a fresh, modern look. Having clear goals will help guide every step, from setting a budget to picking the right layout and finishes. Knowing what matters most to you helps avoid wasting time or money on features you don’t really need.

Choosing the Right Contractor Matters

Even the best ideas can go wrong without the right team. A bathroom remodel involves plumbing, electrical work, tile, and more, so choosing someone with the right experience is a must. A reliable contractor will keep the project on schedule, avoid costly mistakes, and make sure everything is done safely. Working with trusted bathroom contractors is the key to a successful upgrade. The right professionals will handle the remodel with care and speed. They use durable, mold-resistant materials and offer customizable styles to match your needs and preferences.

Budget Realistically and Include a Buffer

Setting a budget is one of the most important parts of any remodel. Start by listing everything you want to include, like new flooring, lighting, or fixtures, and then check prices to see what’s realistic. Always add a little extra for unexpected costs. Things like plumbing repairs or delivery delays can add up quickly. A buffer of 10–15% helps keep your project on track, even if surprises come up.

Prioritize Functionality

While focusing only on style is tempting, a bathroom should be easy and comfortable to use. Make sure the layout works for your daily routine. Do you have enough counter space? Is there proper lighting near the mirror? Think about who uses the space and how. A design that looks great but doesn’t function well can end up causing frustration instead of comfort.

Understand Material Choices and Maintenance

While stylish tiles and modern fixtures may grab your attention, it’s important to consider durability and upkeep. Materials like acrylic, porcelain, and quartz are popular because they’re long-lasting, easy to clean, and hold up well in moisture-rich environments. On the other hand, some high-end materials may require frequent care or special cleaning products. Think about your lifestyle and how much maintenance you’re willing to commit to. Making smart material choices from the start helps your bathroom stay functional and attractive with less hassle over time.

Don’t Overlook Ventilation

Ventilation might not be the first thing you think about, but it plays a huge role in keeping your bathroom in good shape. Bathrooms get humid quickly, and moisture can build up without proper airflow, leading to mold, mildew, and even damage to walls or paint. A simple exhaust fan or a window that opens can make a big difference. If your current setup doesn’t handle moisture well, upgrading the ventilation system should be part of your remodeling plan. It’s a small detail that has a big impact on the long-term health of your space.

Know the Best Time to Remodel

Planning when to start your remodel can save you a lot of hassle. Some seasons are busier than others for contractors, which could lead to delays or higher costs. Spring and summer tend to be popular times, so if you’re looking to schedule during those months, make plans early. Also, think about your own schedule. Avoid times when you have major events, holidays, or travel plans. A remodel is exciting, but it can also be disruptive. Picking the right time can help everything go smoothly and reduce unnecessary stress.

Maximize Lighting and Mirror Placement

Lighting is one of the most overlooked features in bathroom design. Good lighting can make the room feel bigger, brighter, and more welcoming. Layered lighting—like a mix of ceiling lights, wall sconces, and mirror lights—helps you see clearly and adds style. Mirrors also play a big role. Placing a mirror across from a window can reflect natural light and open up the space. When combined correctly, lights and mirrors can completely transform the look and feel of your bathroom without needing major changes.

Future-Proof with Universal Design

Even if you’re not planning for it now, it’s smart to think about long-term use. Features like grab bars, walk-in showers, non-slip flooring, and wider doorways can make your space safer and easier to use for everyone, including kids, seniors, or anyone with limited mobility. You don’t have to sacrifice style—many modern options look sleek and blend right in. Planning ahead means you won’t have to do another remodel in a few years when your needs change.

Warranties and Guarantees

Always check what kind of warranty comes with your remodel. Reliable companies usually offer guarantees on both materials and labor. This protects you if something goes wrong after the job is finished. Reliable remodelers offer limited lifetime warranties on their products, giving you peace of mind. A strong warranty shows confidence in the work and helps ensure your investment lasts for years.

A bathroom remodel can be one of the most rewarding upgrades you make. By planning carefully, choosing the right help, and thinking ahead, you can create a space that looks great and works well for years. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be ready to make smart decisions every step of the way.