Family Ever After Blog

Family Ever After Blog

by

Car Expenses You Can Avoid

Cars are expensive, it’s as simple as that. From financing your car, to repairs, it can feel like you are always putting money into your vehicle. But the convenience of being able to jump into your car whenever you want and drive wherever you need to be cannot be beaten.

There are ways to curb the financial drain of owning a car. It does take a little planning and investing in the right tools and technology, but it can help ease the stress of yet another car repair.

Financing Your Vehicle

Your largest cost will be from the vehicle itself. With the proper planning and research you can find your best option for financing. Finding the right financial advisor will not only make purchasing your vehicle a breeze, but will save you a tremendous amount of money in the long run.

“Whether you’re looking for an auto loan for a new or used vehicle, finding a low-interest rate is not something that you’ll want to overlook. The lower the interest rate, the lower your monthly payment, so be sure to take the time to find what will be best for you,” advises Jade Beckman, Vice President of Consumer Loans at Mountain America Credit Union.

Find the Right Insurance

The second-largest cost when owning a vehicle will be your insurance. Always check for discounts on car insurance and check often.

Look into new insurance plans yearly because the insurance market is extremely competitive. You might find a deal this year that wasn’t available before. Be careful to make sure you’re comparing all the options. It’s even a good idea to print out the details of each insurance option and compare them side-by-side. While one insurance may come in cheaper, you might also be sacrificing some benefits.

Save for the Inevitable

You will need to repair your car at some point. Whether it’s regular maintenance or something more serious, the longer you have your car, the more likely you will have to take it into the shop. With some planning you can lessen the pain of having to pay for a car repair. Setting aside a little every month can help you not go into debt or be financially strained when your car is in need of some work.

According to AAA, the average monthly cost for car maintenance is $99. This includes things like tire rotations and oil changes. Setting aside a little more every month, even if you don’t use it, will keep you from going into debt for your vehicle.

Another way to save money is by doing the regularly scheduled maintenance recommended for your vehicle. This will keep your car running at its best, which will also save you money in gas and save you from unexpected trips to the mechanic. A little planning can go a long way in avoiding major issues with your car.

Install Helpful Add-ons

Your car may be equipped with the things you prefer, like a great sound system, but consider some additional add-ons, especially if your car is an older model.

No one wants to pay for cosmetic damage to a car — even worse someone else’s car. So many of us have been there, backing into another car with that sickening crunch that follows will make your heart sink. Even the slightest ding comes with a hefty price tag. The best way to avoid these types of accidents is by investing in a wireless backup camera.

You should also think about dash cams, Bluetooth audio adapters, or parking aids that allow you to park in your garage without having to guess the distance. All of these add-ons can help you keep your car in top shape for longer.

With a little planning, regular maintenance, and some extra tools you can stay safe on the road and keep more money in your wallet.

by

Margaret Salmon MD – Reasons to Avoid Googling Your Symptoms Online

We’ve all been there before, you start to feel little sniffle, a pain in the back and you head to Google to find out what these symptoms mean. It is perfectly natural to be curious of course, but my physician, the great Margaret Salmon MD, is constantly telling me that this is a bad idea and something which I shouldn’t do. Here reasons for this make a lot of sense and whilst I do still check from time to time to see what my symptoms mean, I have certainly taken Margaret’s advice on board. Here then, is exactly why you shouldn’t use Dr. Google to find out what is wrong with you.

Reliability of The Source

The first reason why you shouldn’t do this is because in most cases we have no idea how reliable a website is or who is contributing the information. There are some great sites out there like WebMD which uses doctors to provide the information and facts, but most are not websites which you should trust. The key point here is that there isn’t a way to find out just how reliable a site really is.

You May Be Missing Out

There is a very real danger that you feel symptoms, check them online and then decide based on what you have found that there is nothing wrong with you. This may or may not be true but if you use the information you’ve read online to decide that there is nothing wrong with you when there is, you could be missing out on vital diagnosis and treatment. This is why it is always best to consult your local doctor before you decide whether or not there is anything wrong.

I’m Dying

The early symptoms for a huge range of diseases can be exactly the same and problems like headaches, nausea, fever and aching muscles could be a common cold or a brain tumor. Unfortunately if you start looking online to find out what your symptoms mean, you can very easily diagnose yourself as having some rare and incurable disease, when the probabilities are that you have something very minor. If you fall into the trap of Googling your symptoms then you won’t have to look for very long before you diagnose yourself with something extreme, in any case you will still have to make that doctors appointment.

Anxiety and Stress

If you have a doctors appointment next week and you start looking at your symptoms online now, you may very well give yourself a lot of stress and anxiety which isn’t necessary. If you think that you have something sinister because of the information that you have found online then you are going to spend the day in the lead up to your appointment very worried and scared, and in most cases this is going to be completely unnecessary. Even if you do have something severe, there is no point worrying about it until you know for sure.

The lesson then, as Margaret often tells me, is don’t look online for your symptoms.

 

by

Alexis Fecteau – Reasons to Put Down a Book or Stop Watching a Movie When Your Not Enjoying It

F43E3R Young man sleeping. Image shot 04/2015. Exact date unknown.

Each week my buddy Alexis Fecteau and I have a movie night and over the years we must have watched over 100 movies together, of all different genres. Alexis and I are also avid readers and I really enjoy discussing books we have read together. Alexis and I have been locked in a debate recently about whether or not you should put a book down or stop watching a movie if you don’t enjoy it. My feeling is that you absolutely should, he of course disagrees. Here is exactly why I think that you should cut and run if you have given a movie or a book enough time to breathe, and you just aren’t enjoying it.

Why Continue?

The biggest reason why I think that you shouldn’t carry on is that there just aren’t enough reasons to continue reading through a book or watching a movie that you just don’t enjoy. Even if there is some massive plot twist at the end, do you really want to suffer just to see this bait and switch? The answer fo me is not at all and whilst many think that there is some kind of twisted nobility in continuing, for me the bravest decision that you can make is to stop, and move on to something else.

Time

We only live once and I always try to make sure that I maximize as many minutes in my life as I possibly can. With this in mind, I don’t want to waste my time on something that I am not enjoying, especially when I can use that time to watch another movie or read another book which I am much more confident that I am going to enjoy. This is another big reason why I’ll happily leave what I’m doing and try something else if I’m not having fun or if I find a book or a movie to be a struggle.

Reviews

A lot of reasons why people persevere even when they are not enjoying what they are doing is because a friend or a critic has given a glowing review of a certain book or movie, and people don’t want to go against the grain and say that they couldn’t get to the end. For me this is nonsense and even reviews should always be taken with a pinch of salt because everyone has different tastes and opinions. In fact some of my favorite movies have terrible scores on IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes, indicating just how far apart people’s opinions can be. Simply because someone has recommended something doesn’t make it good, and this is why it is pointless ploughing on with a movie or book, even if someone has recommended it.

The next time that you are reading or watching, don’t feel duty bound to finish the piece, give it enough time and if you just don’t like it, leave it alone and move on with your life.

 

by

A Brief Guide to How to Start Your Own Coral Aquarium

Caring for a fish can provide many benefits such as teaching responsibility, providing friendship, and helping create a warm and calming atmosphere.

Want to get adventurous with your fish keeping? Learn the steps you need to take to start your coral aquarium in this guide.

What is a Coral Aquarium?

A coral reef aquarium is a marine aquarium that mostly displays marine invertebrates, live corals, and which give fish swimming in their environment a more natural habitat to thrive.

A coral reef aquarium continues to change and grow on its own. This natural evolution makes your aquarium more vibrant and environmentally friendly to the fish and other inhabitants.

What Do I Need to Start a Coral Reef Aquarium?

Whether you are an expert in saltwater aquariums or just a mere beginner, setting up your reef aquarium is quick and easy if you have the right tools and supplies. Here’s what you need to get started:

  • Saltwater aquarium
  • Corals, fish, and other invertebrates
  • Reef tank clean up crew
  • Live rock
  • Live sand
  • Protein Skimmer
  • Algae skimmer
  • Light timer
  • Salt Water mix
  • 2-3 circulation pumps
  • Aquarium heater

Before you get started, if you already have fish, be sure to keep them in an alternative fish tank. Properly setting up a coral reef tank takes a few weeks.

Assemble the Components

Start with pouring the sand into the aquarium then prepare your saltwater mix. This can vary from tank to tank, so make sure you check to see what the proper saltwater mixture is depending on the size of your tank.

Fill the tank with your saltwater mix and gently rinse the live rock with the water you just put into the tank. Once the live rock has been rinsed a few times, position the rocks as desired.

Add your filtration system, protein skimmer, circulation pumps, and any other tank equipment. Over the next few weeks, be sure to test the water to maintain optimum quality. Check ammonia levels and adjust pH levels as needed.

Check ammonia levels and adjust pH levels as needed. You need to buy a hanna ph meter kit to test the pH balance of your aquarium’s water. With a saltwater aquarium, it is vital to manage the chemical and mineral levels. You can buy ready-made test kits which generally involve assessing samples of the water against color charts, using chemical drops to test for different chemical levels.  You will need an ongoing supply of test kits to enable you to check the water regularly.

Add the Creatures

Add your invertebrates and making sure you acclimate them to the temperature of the aquarium. Follow the acclimatization guide that your animals came with. Use your light timer to go on and off in 10-12 hour increments.

Wait about two weeks to get your invertebrates comfortable with the tank before heading to the next step.

Add Corals

Purchase a rock coral starter pack and add them to your aquarium. These packs include yellow colony polyps, hairy mushroom coral, bulls eye mushroom coral, and button polyps.

Change 25% of the water out and follow your coral acclimation guide.

Wait two weeks and add aqua-cultured corals such as regular pumping Xenia, toadstool mushroom leather coral, or spaghetti finger leather coral.

Add Your Fish

After you’ve waited an additional two weeks, its time to add your fish back to your tank. Again make sure you follow proper acclimation protocol for your fish.

After this, the process of setting up your coral reef aquarium is complete.

Maintenance is Key!

Maintenance is vital when managing any aquarium but especially a coral reef aquarium. Monitor and test the water parameters regularly to maintain a healthy marine environment.

Keep in mind that a coral aquarium takes a considerable amount of time to establish itself. If maintained properly, your aquarium should be thriving at its peak within a year. If this guide helped you out, make sure you take some time to give it a share!

by

Mark Gilbert ATN – Reasons to Spend Money On Music Concerts

Back when I first started working at the Automatic Training Network there was a group of us who would go out almost weekly to catch a live band or a big music event, and during that time we see saw of the best groups and artists on the planet. My buddy Mark Gilbert ATN founder would often grab the tickets and they were never overpriced. In recent years however things have changed and because music artists make more money from touring than they do from actually selling music, the prices of the tickets have gone up. Despite this, Mark and I still regularly go to concerts and here is why I believe that despite the inflated costs, it is well worth doing.

The Experience

For me heading to a concert is not just about watching a band or an artist play through their set, it is about the experience on the whole. Mark and I will generally head out for something to eat in our favorite restaurant before taking a drink in a bar close to the arena, and then we will mull around for a while and drink in the atmosphere before the show starts. At the end of the night we’ll head back to one of our places for a nightcap and discuss the gig, and that completes the night. The gig itself is one thing but there is much more to the concert experience than just the music.

As It Should Be

When we hear music through digital, CD or vinyl, we are hearing these songs which have been heavily produced, cleaned up and packaged in a way that sounds the best. This is all well and could but sometimes you just want to hear the rawness of a band or an artist as they sing and play their songs live. When you see a band live there is no filter, it is just you, the singer and the instruments and beyond that you are hearing the music as it should be played.

Connection

I am not a superstitious person by any means but there is something incredibly powerful which you feel when you go to a concert. There is a palpable connection between all of the crowd and the artist and there is something which you just can’t put your finger on. When a band or artist plays a song that everyone knows, and everyone begins to sing in unison, it creates an energy which feels as though it could lift you up in the sky, and this for me is why I believe that the ticket cost is absolutely worthwhile.

Discovery

I have discovered some of my favorite bands by going to concerts of bands I didn’t know, and through seeing bands who have been support acts. When you see these groups and singers live, you get a better sense of what they are all about and it will help you to be introduced to new groups and acts.

by

Energy Saving Tips For Winter

When the cold weather starts to creep in and the boiler gets switched on, it is important that you have an eye on the energy bills for the coming months and what you should be doing in order to keep them down. You will want your home warm during the winter months of course but that is no reason to pay more than you have to for your energy usage. Through a smart approach you can make sure that your home heating is efficient and that your bills don’t spiral out of control during the winter months. To help us with some tips we spoke to the guys at South Bay Energy, who offered this advice.

Service

The first thing to do in anticipation of the winter months is to ensure that your home heating system is firing on all cylinders. Whilst it is recommended that you get this serviced every other year, spending the money on an annual checkup makes much more sense and will ensure that your boiler, your radiators and the system on the whole is in good shape.

Windows and Doors

There is little point in having a fully functioning heating system if you are only going to allow that heat to walk right out the doors and the windows. This happens when either windows or doors are not properly sealed and it is important that you get this checked and remedied as soon as possible. Sealing can easily break and split over the course of the year owing to varying temperatures, so be sure that you have resealed all of these areas of the home.

Thermostat

Make sure that your heating is coming on at the right times during the day, and not being used when it just isn’t needed. For example if you are getting up each morning at 7 then you only need the heating to come at 6, not any earlier. Equally if everyone is out of the house by 9 then you don’t need the heating to stay on until 10 or later, make sure it is switched off by 830. The same goes for the afternoon when everyone will be getting home. Don’t have the heating on when you don’t need it.

Isolating

If you have empty rooms in the home then make sure that the doors remain shut on those rooms throughout the winter months, and that you have turned off the radiator in that room. Again there is little point in using heat where it isn’t needed and this will save you a lot of money on your heating bills.

Dressing Up

As nice as it is to have a nice warm house, it isn’t always necessary to put the heating on. For example if you are at home alone, using just one room, then there are better options to keep you warm than firing up the heating system. Wearing extra layers, using a portable heater or putting the fire on will serve you much better than switching on the heating.

Follow these tips and save money on your heating bills this winter.

 

by

5 Awesome Experiences to Have in Alabama

Visiting Alabama was never something which I thought I’d do for a vacation but thenI was very kindly invited down there by my colleague Richard Radcliff Trice. Richard was born in Alabama and last Thanksgiving he asked me if I would like to go and spend time with his family down there, which I gladly accepted. Somewhat surprisingly I had a great time in the state and there are some really fun and interesting things to do. I would certainly recommend spending a few days in Alabama and when you do, here is what I suggest you do.

Fine Art

Alabama has a number of fine and contemporary art museums which house large collections of some truly impressive art exhibitions. The Birmingham Museum of art was among my favorites that I visited and they have a collection of over 25,000 artworks, truly incredible. Another museum which Richard took me to was Space One Eleven, a collection of contemporary art which features printmaking work and plenty of work by local artists. There is a really vibrant art scene in Alabama and I really enjoyed exploring it.

Neversink Pit

The Neversink pit is a something between a sink hole and a cave, which goes 16 stories down into the earth below. This is a great place to spend an afternoon and if you are feeling up for it you can rappel down the hole and witness the incredible waterfalls and nature which you’ll see on the way down. A great experience and something really fascinating to see.

U.S. Space and Rocket Center

The Space and Rocket center has the largest collection of rockets anywhere in the world and it makes for a truly great day out for anyone who loves space and space travel. There are hundreds of pieces of space memorabilia to be found here and I found it to be educational and interesting in equal measure, well worth visiting during your time in Alabama.

The Museum of Wonder

There are many museums beyond just art in Alabama but my favorite of the lot is the museum of wonder, a very weird place which is perfect for anyone who loves folk art and odd things. The museum was set up by a former taxidermist, which may give you some insight into what you’ll find here. Animal skeletons, old maps, weird things in bottles, strange roadsigns and movie memorabilia are just some examples of the strange things which you can find in the bizarre museum.

Fort Morgan

This battle post was built back in 1819 and today you can visit this place to learn about the important role which it played during the civil war and other battles which took place. A severing trip which is a great option for any history buffs who are looking to visit a site which was used in many battles.

These are just 5 of the coolest things which I did during my time in Alabama but there are a great many more for you to choose from as well.

 

by

Tips on Helping Your Kids Through Divorce

Divorce is a tough thing to go through and when there are kids involved it can be even more difficult to shelter the from the damage that a separation does, than it is dealing with your own personal emotions. I went through this back in 2015 and it wasn’t easy at all. I must admit however that one slice of fortune which I did have was that we lived in Colorado Springs. The reason for this is that the state has divorce laws which can make an acrimonious divorce easier, at least it did for me. This is a no-fault state which made it easier to process the divorce, and the judge will step in to divide assets and decide on custody, when the couple can’t make a decision. Thanks to the great team at Marrison Family Law, his meant that I was left with the kids, and here is how I went about protecting them from the fall out.

Normality

You have to try and keep things as normal as possible with the kids, not to hide what is going on but to help them to maintain a routine. Whether it is sports clubs, events or weekly routines, you have to do all that you can to give them as much normality, in what is an abnormal situation for them.

Open and Honest

Whether you like it or not, this divorce is going to massively effect your children and that is why it is important that you keep them in the loop with what is going on. Naturally you don’t need to spill the beans on all the details behind the split, but you should look to create an open and honest dialogue with them, so that they can begin to get their head around what is going on.

No Bad Mouthing

As difficult as it may be if you have gone through a messy break up, it is important that the kids don’t hear you speaking badly about your soon-to-be ex partner. Regardless of your own opinions, you have to remember that the kids don’t need to share the hatred that you have and it will be up to them to make their own choice as they get older and learn more about what went on.

Don’t Play Chess

Something which I have seen happen with friends of mine was that the kids became pawns during the divorce proceedings and one parent used the kids to get at the other parent. This is not healthy for anyone involved and no matter what feelings you have towards your partner, you have to put them to one side for the sake of the kids. This is not the fault of your children so it is not fair on them to be used in this way, and it will have long lasting effects on the family and the happiness of your kids.

This is a tough time but you have to do your best too protect the kids.

 

by

Tips on Adding Value To Your Home

If you are looking to sell your home and you want to move things along and maximize its value then there are some simple tricks which you can do to speed things up and to get more value out of the property. Having sold 4 homes here in California in the last decade we consider ourselves as the experts in making sure that your property sells and these simple changes will certainly help you to do just that. Let’s get that house sold.

Home Warranty

Home warranty plans offered by the likes of First American Home Warranty are just there to offer you protection of the systems in your home, they can also help you to sell the property. Studies show that you are 16% more likely to sell the home for an average of $2,500 more if you have a home warranty in place. Home warranties can be transferred to the buyer to give them the proaction that they need. When you compare home warranties be sure to focus on the level of protection, the price, customer service and reviews and whether or not it can be transferred easily.

Curb Appeal

The power of a first impression when it comes to selling your home is huge and that is why you have to pay particularly close attention to what is known as the curb appeal, the view of your home when you pull up. Simple changes here make a big difference and investment in a new front door and garage door will pay for themselves when you sell the property. Getting the front garden redone, repainting the home at the front and even replacing the roofing has all been shown to increase the chances of buyers and adding value to the property .

Kitchen Update

You may think that putting a new kitchen in the home will cost you big money but for an investment of $1,500 you can expect to get at least $2,000-$3000 added on to the value of your home, not to mention making your home that bit more appealing to the buyer. Millennials in particular are heavily focused on getting a home which has a kitchen which is ready to use, so this could really boost your chances of nailing that sale.

Plumbing and Electrics

Updating your plumbing and electrical systems may set you back somewhere in the region of $1,000, but doing both could add up to $3,000 on the property of the home. Increasingly buyers are looking to purchase homes which are ready to live in and even if they like a property, the prospect of having to carry out work like this can often put people off. This is a perfect example of how you can make a small investment and see your home sell quicker and for more as a result.

Don’t just put your home on the market as is, invest a little and reap the rewards.

by

How Debt Collectors Operate And Why You Must Work With Them

Being in debt is not always a bad thing but if you are in debt and you aren’t able to manage it then the consequences which this can have can be very severe. When we talk consequences there are two main concerns which you should have, the first is on your health as living under a mountain of debt which you cannot afford will affect your stress and your anxiety. The second risk which you will run is that ultimately debts must be paid and you may lose your home, your car or whatever possessions you obtained with the credit that you took out. When debt collection agencies like Brennan & Clark LLC get involved, it is time that you face up and work with them, and here is why.

How Debt Collection Agencies Operate

Debt collection agencies will buy debts from the original lender, they purchase your debt for a reduced rate and this is generally accepted because for the lender, it means that they are at least getting some of the money back, and they can cancel the debt out without putting effort in to changing the person who borrowed from them. Debt collection agencies will then try their best to make a deal with the debtor and failing that they will be forced to take out a court order to get the value of the debt back, something which they very rarely want to do.

Working With Debt Collection Agencies

Unfortunately for many people who are in debt, they think that the best option when they receive communication from a debt collection agency is to simply bury their head in the sand and ignore it, this in fact is the worst thing that you can do. They are not going to disappear and forget about your debt, and the more that you ignore them the worse that things will become. If you have been contacted by a debt collection agency then you should always respond to their communication.

Benefits of Working With a Debt Collection Agency

Something that many people don’t realize is that debt collection agencies actually have more scope and flexibility than the original lender when it comes to negotiating how you are going to repay the debt. Because they have bought the debt at a far lower cost than its value, they are able to freeze interest payments, accept a low one time payment or offer a structured payment plan that fits around you and your situation. Not only should you make contact with the agency when they reach out to you, it is important that you are also honest with them about your current situation and what you can afford to pay. As long as you keep them in the loop about our financial situation and any changes in your finances, they will be able to offer you a payment plan which ensures that you chip away at your debt, without it putting too much pressure on your finances.

Don’t ignore these companies as things will only get worse for you.