Family Ever After Blog

Family Ever After Blog

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Turning Point USA – Why We Need More Young Voters

There are more youngsters interested in politics than ever before and political youth groups like Turning Point USA are reporting high figures when it comes to sign ups. Whilst this is of course wonderful news, it isn’t enough and we must work hard as a global community to get more and more young people interested in the world of politics and their role within it. Young people have always been important in terms of voting yet for a great many years we saw declining numbers of young voters. The recent figures are encouraging but here is why it still isn’t enough.

Almost Half

Young voters make up almost half of the entire electorate which of course is a huge proportion of the country. Unfortunately however older voters are still more likely than their younger counterparts to go and make their vote count when election days come around. For any young people who believe that their vote doesn’t make a difference, these are the figures which we need to show them, that in fact it does count and if they all came together then they really could make sure that their vote brings about change.

Diversity

There is a common misconception that the majority of younger voters are liberals but they are in fact the most diverse demographic here. Young voters are passionate about many different political themes and they have shown over the years that they are not unanimously on the right or the left, but rather they have opinions which span the entire political spectrum.

Planning Ahead

Something else which young people must understand is that they are not necessarily voting for now, but for the next four years. If a voter is 20 now then they will be 24 at the end of the Presidency, during that time their situation will change dramatically, they may start a career, they may start a family and their changing situation means a changing attitude and a changing of what is important to them.

Directly Impacted

Young people’s lives are heavily influenced by the government who decide on college fees, childcare support, medicaid, housing prices and job opportunities to name just a few. In fact the reason why we often see so many young people disaffected by politics is because the government doesn’t represent them yet they are still making decisions about their futures. Young people can put an end to this and make their voices heard when it comes to issues which will directly impact them.

It is our responsibility as teachers, tutors and parents, to properly educate our children and young adults on politics and what their role is within it. We must also encourage the youth to form opinions based on what is important to them, and not what they see their fave celeb supporting on social media. If we can politically charge this next generation then we could see some very positive change ahead of us.

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Jared Seyl – What You Should Know About a Homeowners Insurance Policy

Whilst it may not be a legal requirement every homeowner should have an insurance policy against their home. This insurance can help to protect all assets within the home and the home itself which is vital for any homeowner as accidents and incidents can, and always will, occur. To find out more about what you need to know about this insurance option we spoke to industry expert Jared Seyl. Jared has worked in insurance for over a decade and here are his tips on what you should know.

Valuable Items

If you have specific items within the home which are of a high value then you should always look to get these insured to their full value. Often when you are looking for an insurance policy the high value numbers may not be what you need them to be in terms of protecting your valuable assets so it is an area which deserves your attention. More often than not you will be able to list these individual items on your homeowners policy.

Excess

The excess is what you will pay when making a claim and if you decide to go for an excess which is higher, you will be able to reduce the overall cost of your premium. Of course should something happen in the home then your high excess could cause issues but many people prefer to opt for a high excess and low insurance premium.

Away From Home

An additional coverage which you can opt for that many people enjoy the benefit of is away from home cover. What this basically does it to protect items like cameras, phones and laptops, even when you are not in the house. If you have a child who is at university for example, this coverage can help you to make sure that their possessions are protected.

Keys and Frozen Food

Make sure that you check whether or not your policy covers the theft or the loss of keys as not every insurer does. Equally the coverage options for frozen food is also an important feature and this will cover you if there is a power outage and the food in your freezer is affected.

Contents

When it comes to the contents cover on your homeowner insurance policy you need to make sure that it fits your needs. In order to do this you will have to have a rough idea how much all of the contents in your home are worth. Whatever you do here make sure that you do not underestimate the contents in your home, or you may find that you don’t get all of the money you were expecting should something happen. The best course of action then is to work out what you think your contents are worth and then add an additional $10,000 to cover for miscalculations.

Make sure that you spend time on getting the right policy for you.

 

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5 New Year’s Resolutions for the Entire Family

With every new year comes new motivation to accomplish something in life. Establishing a New Year’s resolution that encourages personal growth is common for everyone. Why not try and start fresh and focus on your individual goals and aspirations in the coming year?

If you are a mother or father, this can be a challenging feat. So much of your focus is directed towards your young ones, and there is often no time left over to worry about your own wellbeing. Being a parent is a wonderful thing, but it is true when they say that your kids become your life.

This, however, does not mean that you can’t set out to achieve goals or better yourself in 2019. There are plenty of things you can do as a family that will bring you closer together. Here are the top 5 New Year’s resolutions for the entire family to accomplish together this year.

Plan your next family vacation together

Getting away with the family once or twice a year is quite possibly the best bonding experience. Whether you head to the same vacation spot every year or you’re looking for a new getaway, try planning out an itinerary together. Ask each of your children what he or she would like to do on vacay, and spend a day focused on that activity.

This also goes for you too, mom and dad. A vacation is not just meant for the kids to enjoy, but also you guys! If possible find childcare one day during vacation and do something you love together. Sign up for a couple’s massage, go sailing, or head out on a date night.

Schedule a weekend outing once a month

During the school and work week, it might feel like family time gets put on hold. Busy schedules that don’t always match up can make it difficult to spend time together. This is why weekends are crucial. Your number one option that will be fun for everyone is to pick a unique activity. Go paintballing, head to the park, or play with baby goats.

Cut back on screen time

Easier said than done, cutting out screen time is the perfect resolution for 2019. We have all become more and more dependent on our smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Lots of parents resort to screens as a distraction for the kiddos (completely understandable at times). Try to get away from this unhealthy habit in the new year.

Volunteer as a team

Volunteering in the local area is something that plenty of families talk about but rarely ever do. The struggles of daily life get in the way, so the prospect of volunteering your valuable time fades away. This year, try to set aside a few hours every and donate your time together, not just your money. It could be an enriching experience for everyone.

Eat together

This resolution might sound cliche, but a family that eats together, stays together. Although family dinners every single night might not be possible, sit down with everyone at least once a week. You could even go a step further and cook the meal together!

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Everything You Need To Plan A Surprise Backyard Party

Parties are a great way to showcase your love and affection for someone. While house parties have become the trend these days, you can go a step further and host a backyard yard for your special someone. Whether it is your girlfriend’s birthday or your boyfriend’s or it is your parent’s anniversary, a backyard party is a single solution to all the occasions. Requiring very less effort, this can be arranged quickly and can be the perfect party place to leave your loved ones awestruck. However, if not planned properly, this can be a disaster party too and thus, to make the backyard happening and to make all things fall in place, following few instructions will make sure to make you the perfect host whom everybody will come after for their future party planning.

1. Plan Before Hand

Whenever you plan to throw a surprise party, it is very important to preplan. Planning beforehand gives you the opportunity to jot down everything in advance and if there’s any type of changes, you still get to rectify them with not much effort. Thus, pre-plan the guest list, order the gifts and keep the check on the deliveries, shop for the clothes and make arrangements in advance.

2. Get all the supplies, decorations, and gifts

Last minute rush proves to be the worst. Thus, make the list of all the party supplies you would need, the decorations such as flowers, balloons, party poppers, and the first and foremost, the birthday or the Valentine gift for wife, girlfriend, husband or boyfriend. Keep a track on the deliveries and make sure every time you venture out to procure the items, you have a list ready.

3. Pick a Date Wisely

Often the special day lies in the middle of the week or especially when most of your guests are occupied, thus, pick a weekend day or a day when you expect your loved ones can make time for the grand occasion. Also, considered to be the best, plan a midnight party when the special person is asleep.

4. Pick a Party Theme

You can pick a dress code, a common color combination, or a theme as per the occasion or as per the favorite choice and make the loved ones feel closer. In fact, you get the special one of yours, a luxurious dress to adorn their special day with.

5. Invite Individually

Whether it is the family or the friends, make an invite and reach out to invite them personally. The invite can be made in respect with the birthday theme or the anniversary theme and can be sent via post to the closed ones residing far away.

6. Reconfirm the Deliveries

Keep track of the online delivery of the birthday cake or the anniversary cake, the dry clean delivery, the caterers who are supposed to deliver food on time.

7. Throw Surprise Party on Time

Once you’ve got everything planned and ready, throw a grand surprise party with music, lights, and everything happy.

Now that you know what all to keep in mind, hope you will make the party happening and exciting.

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Best Beaches To Visit in Perth this Summer

Australia is blessed with thousands of stunning beaches scattered around its coastline, but arguably the best of them all are located in Western Australia. The state capital, Perth, has a long coastline that is filled with beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise water. In the summer, the city enjoys hot, sunny weather that is perfect for hitting the sand. From trendy inner-city beaches to remote island paradises, Perth has beaches for everyone.

If you’re looking for a destination for your next summer holiday, book with AccorHotels for a beach stay in Perth. Make sure to visit some of these beaches during your stay.

Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe is the most popular beach in Perth and has always been at the top of the list throughout Perth’s history. This historic beach has long been a local favourite, located close to the city, with a gorgeous crescent of white sand, gentle clear waters and amazing facilities. This is a patrolled beach where you can safely swim between the flags. The pavilion here really catches the eye, as does the lovely grassed terrace where you’ll always find people sun baking. Grab some fish ‘n’ chips and sit beneath the Norfolk Pines on a hot summer’s day, and then cool off in the warm, clear waters of this Perth icon.

Scarborough Beach

Heading north from Cottesloe, you’ll come across another of Perth’s most popular beaches. If you’re looking for that city-meets-beach experience, this is the place to go in Perth. Scarborough has a strip of high rise hotels and apartment buildings, shops, restaurants and cafes, all located along the beach front. The beach itself is beautiful with white sand and blue water, and you’ll find more waves here than at Cottesloe. It is still a great swimming beach with patrolled areas and gentle dropping sand.

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Trigg Beach

The next beach north of Scarborough is Trigg Beach, quite possibly the most popular surf beach in Perth. The waters here are a lot rougher than its gentle neighbours, so this is one more suited to experienced swimmers, beach walkers, and of course, surfers. Surfing is huge in Western Australia, so you’ll always find people on their boards bobbing up and down on the waves at any of Perth’s surf beaches. Trigg gets some good, consistent swell and is a great spot to watch the surfers.

Mettams Pool

This beautiful northern beach is no secret to the locals, but it feels like you’ve stumbled upon a secret little cove when you get there. Just north of Trigg Beach, Mettams Pool is gorgeous thanks to its perfect white sand, rocky outcrops and flat reef that provides calm, sheltered water that is perfect for swimming. On a fine day, Mettams Pool is one of the best spots in Perth to go snorkelling thanks to its reef that is home to a plethora of interesting marine life.

Leighton and Port Beach

South of Cottesloe, you’ll find a long stretch of beautiful white sandy beach that basically runs all of the way from Cottesloe to Fremantle. This starts off as Leighton Beach and then becomes Port Beach as you head to Fremantle Harbour. These beaches are great spots to go to escape the crowds as there is so much beach to choose from, and they aren’t as popular as the more crowded beaches to the north. Leighton Beach is also dog friendly, so bring your four-legged friend along for the holiday.

Bathers Beach

If you’re in Fremantle and don’t want to leave the city centre, Bathers Beach is a small stretch of sand located right in the middle of the city, perched between the harbours. Not as pretty as other beaches in the area, what Bathers Beach lacks in looks, it makes up for in convenience. You can just walk here from downtown Fremantle for a quick dip and a sunbake, and all the restaurants of Fremantle Harbour make a great spot for lunch.

South Beach

A nicer beach to go to in Fremantle is South Beach, located in South Fremantle. This beach is popular with locals and families as it has sheltered water that is great for swimming, and good facilities including grassed areas with tall shady pine trees. It’s the perfect spot to go to in Fremantle for a picnic and a day on the beach. Just south of South Beach is CY O’Connor Beach, a quieter alternative that is also dog-friendly.

Rottnest Island

Off the coast of Fremantle is one of the highlights of a visit to Perth. A 30-minute ferry ride from Fremantle brings you to Rottnest Island, a place that feels like it should be somewhere in the Mediterranean. This limestone island is full of gorgeous, postcard perfect beaches with white sand and turquoise water. Rent a bike and ride around the island, finding a hidden little beach all to yourself. Hidden little coves and bays surround the island, and you’ll often find yourself in paradise. Some of the best beaches on Rottnest Island include The Basin, Ricey’s Beach and Little Salmon Bay.

Rockingham Beach and Point Peron

Heading south from Fremantle, past the industrial port of Kwinana, you will come to the pleasant beachside suburbs of Rockingham. The foreshore in Rockingham has some lovely beaches that sit in a sheltered bay. You will often find pods of dolphins swimming around in the bay and if you’re lucky, you can swim with them as well.

Just beyond Rockingham Beach is the rocky outcrop of Point Peron, where you’ll find old WWII bunkers, and lots of hidden coves with small sandy beaches that are great for snorkelling and a bit of seclusion.

Shoalwater Bay

On the other side of Point Peron in Rockingham is the picturesque Shoalwater Bay Marine Park. A narrow, sheltered beach follows along the shoreline, but perhaps more intriguing are its offshore islands. The bay has several islands and reefs that are teeming with wildlife. Hire a kayak or join a cruise to visit Penguin Island, with its cute Fairy Penguins, and Seal Island with its colony of male Sea Lions. Penguin Island is another nice little island that is worth visiting for its little coves and beaches.

As you can see, Perth is full of amazing beaches to explore and relax on. Consider this interesting city for your next summer beach break.

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Considerations Before Getting a Recreational Vehicle Loan

If you are looking into buying an RV then you are going to be in for some real fun and adventure. Recreational vehicles are lots of fun and they can be the perfect vessel to take you and your family on a world of experiences. When it comes to looking into recreational vehicle loans in order to fund your purchase, there is much for you to consider and it is important that you are not swept away by the emotion of buying the vehicle. Beyond getting the right RV at the right price, you first need to take the following into consideration.

Checking Credit

Your credit score is not only going to dictate whether or not you can get a loan, but also the terms and the possible interest rate which you will be offered. It makes sense therefore that before you even think about looking at financing options, that you know what your borrowing power is based on your credit score. If you have not previously obtained credit then you will have a poor score and this can also restrict your ability to borrow with good terms.

Budgeting

For any loan such as this you will have to give a down payment and then of course the rest of the payments will be made on a monthly basis. It is therefore imperative that you have a very clear understanding of how much you can afford to pay down and how much you will be able to afford each month. The importance of doing this prior to even looking for an RV is that many people can get emotional upon finding the vehicle of their choice, and will then look for ways to stretch their budget to afford it. In such a situation the person could be putting themselves under financial pressure. Remember that a budget is not what you have in your hands, it is what you can afford to give after taking into consideration other financial responsibilities. If you are left with $300 after all of your bills and spends have been taken out, allocate $150 to your repayment and $150 for things outside of your control, never commit the full amount.

Insurance

Insurance on RVs is more expensive than on cars so you must understand exactly how much of a financial commitment the insurance on the vehicles will be. Furthermore you will be offered credit insurance from the lender and you need to understand whether or not this is something that you perceive to be worthwhile. Before you jump the gun, see what insurance cover you already have with banks or even with your employer. You may find that you already have an insurance in place which can cover you should you fall into financial difficulties.

Remember to shop around for the best deal once you know your borrowing power and your budget, in order to get yourself the very best loan deal for that RV.

 

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Hemp Oils For Dogs, What Can It Help With?

Have you seen hemp oils for dogs on the market yet? The chances are that you probably haven’t as they are mainly sold online, with some stores slowly beginning to introduce them. Now if you are anything like I am, a conservative middle-aged lady, you may be somewhat surprised at the notion of giving cannabis to your dog. And you should be because we are not talking about cannabis or Mary Jane here, no we are talking about hemp tablets and oils which are made using CBD. CBD is a cannabinoid which is found in the male cannabis plant and it differs greatly from the cannabinoid THC, which is the one that people use to enjoy themselves, however I digress.

CBD is actually a miracle cure which we are finding out more about as each day passes, and when used in oil form, it can be wonderful to help treat our dogs for a huge range of health issues. If you aren’t convinced, listen to the issues which it can help your go to overcome.

Cancer Fighter

CBD oil has been scientifically proven to help reduce tumors in dogs and to boost their immune system to fight back against cancer cells. Some dogs have managed to cure cancer completely as a result of taking CBD oil and others have taken huge strides towards minimizing cancer cells which they have inside their bodies. If the development for CBD oils continues, we may be looking at a huge reduction in mortality rates for cancer sufferers.

Anxiety

It can be a nightmare to watch your dog suffer when there are fireworks outside or when the rain starts lashing down and many dogs have real anxiety issues when it comes to noise. Other dogs suffer from separation anxiety which can make it tough on the owners when it comes to leaving them alone. A dose of CBD oil however has shown in many studies to greatly reduce anxiety in pets and they do not even need very much in order to help them calm down. This not only helps out the owners but it greatly reduces the stress on your dog. After all, your dog is part of your family.

Epilepsy

More than 5% of dogs will suffer from seizures which are either related to epilepsy or not, something which can be traumatic for both the dog and the owners. What could possibly be the answer to helping your pooch to stop with the seizures? You’ve guessed it, our new friend CBD oil which has recently been found to work miracles in dogs with epilepsy, helping to reduce the seizures by 100% in 80% of all cases.

These are just 3 of many health benefits which CBD oil can have on your pets, so it is time that you started to do a little more investigation and discover if the oil can help your dog with any health issues which they may have.

 

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The Eye Doctor Near Me And His Beautiful Mazda 6

There is an eye doctor near me who always seems to have the most beautiful cars, cars which he seems to change every 6 months. At the beginning of this year my neighbor came home in a beautiful Mazda 6 and we spoke at length about the behicle, as I am a huge fan of the Mazda. After taking it for a quick spin I knew it was the one for me, and thanks to him I am now the proud owner of one.

Following many years where it looked like SUVs were going to become the most popular car model on the market, the sedan is very much back with a vengeance and is once again the most popular car type. One sedan which is leading the way is of course, the 2018 Mazda 6, a beautiful car which has found immense popularity since it was launched. I have always loved Mazdas and I usually get a pre-owned Mazda when the time comes to upgrade my car. The first new car I have ever bought however was when this year’s Mazda 6 thanks to some help from my good neighbor.

Race Car

I may have never driven a race car but I can imagine that they drive much like my Mazda 6 does. The car is paced, sharp, powerful at both ends and the handling is simply a dream, eating corners as though they were mere bends in the road. When you drive the car you really feel like a part of it and that the car is really driving you rather than the other way around.

Beauty

In my view Mazda have always produced beautiful cars but the Mazda 6 has got to be their masterpiece. The car is simply gorgeous inside with white leather and intricate piping around the seats and the dash making it look very classy and very chic. The exterior is also a thing of beauty with its aerodynamic curves, swooping light display and minor touches such as the subtle grill, all of which exhibit the finest in Mazda design.

Affordable

The Mazda 6 may look like a concept car and drive like a race car, but it has the price of an everyday sedan. The standard model sells for just over $20,000 and the full loaded offering retails at just under $30,000 making the price very competitive within the sedan market.

Safety

Make no mistake, this is a sedan which is not only great for the boys who never grew up, it is also wonderful for families and even has a 5-star safety rating. There are lots of safety features in the car such as blind-side monitoring, an emergency brake and adaptive cruise control, all great features that will keep you and the passengers safe.

Gas Guzzling

For all its torque and horsepower the Mazda 6 is actually very economical and I can often last more than a week from a single fill up. Long distance driving sees the car switch to fuel efficient mode and even doing errands about town won’t see you gas consumption rise very high.  Which means you can save money when filling it up. Officially speaking the gas consumption sits at between 26 and 38 MPG, which is very good in terms of what other sedans are offering.

Simply put the Mazda 6 is one of the best sedans that the manufacturer has ever made, it looks beautiful, it drives with ease and it simply oozes with style. Any budget conscious car buyers will also love this sedan as it is cost effective and cheap to maintain.

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How GPS Trackers Can Benefit Hikers

When you speak to most people who enjoy hiking and ask them what it is that they like so much about it, they will probably reply that it is the feeling of being list, and off the grid which they relish. Whilst this is of course one of the many great benefits of hiking, being completely unreachable is not a good idea and it can cost lives. This is why taking a GPS tracker with you on the trail makes so much sense and whilst it will still mean that you are connected somewhat, you will still have your freedom. There are many benefits of GPS trackers, and these are just a few which you can depend on when you hike with one in your bag.

Emergency

Many hikers like to up the ante when they hit a trail and they will take routes which may be dangerous or routes which perhaps have not been taken before. Of course in such a situation there is a far higher risk of something happening. Let’s say that you have a fall and hurt yourself, you shout for help and nobody answers, and then you remember that you have your cellphone, a device many use for the GPS tracking. Unfortunately in this situation there is unlikely to be any phone reception, so what do you do? A GPs tracker has an SOS feature which can send an alert to one of your contacts, letting them know that there is an emergency situation and letting them know of your location. This technology benefits people of all ages in any situation like hiking.

Showing Up

Whilst there is a real freedom to hiking it is always a smart idea to plot your movements some days ahead, knowing at which coordinates you will stop for the night. A great idea which the GPS tracker can help you with is to let someone know what your itinerary is, so that they can ensure that you turn up to where you are supposed. You may have thought about the prior example and considered being knocked out, how would you be able to send the SOS code then? Should someone have your itinerary however they will be able to see that you haven’t arrived to where you were supposed to, and then alert the emergency services.

Kids

If you have teenagers who like to go hiking then you can use a GPS tracker simply to make sure that they are alright. My kids go for many day trips with their backpacks and these days I let them go alone, as long as they have their tracker. I never monitor the kids too much but as a parent it gives me great comfort to know that I can see them whenever I need to. Equally should something go wrong, I can find them in super quick time, time which may be very precious.

If you like to hike, why not get a new GPS tracker to throw into your bag?

 

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What Free Background Checks Will Find

A key part of any recruitment strategy is performing background checks on the potential candidates. With so many free background checks online there is really no reason why someone shouldn’t thoroughly check out a potential candidate before they start to hire. There are so many reasons why a background check is important and avoiding doing this could have dangerous ramifications for your business. These checks are designed to show a person’s history and you can use it to verify that what they have told you is correct, and to understand more about a candidate. Here is what a background check will find out.

Credit History

If you are looking for someone to work for you in a financial capacity where they will have to look after accounts or handle cash, you want to make sure that they are financially responsible. A credit check can certainly give you an indication of this and whilst it won’t exactly tell you the incomings and outgoings of a person, it will give you an idea as to how they manage their finances.

Driver’s Check

If you are going to be putting someone on the road under the name of your company then you need to make sure that their driving history is up to scratch. With a driving check you will be able to see if this person has any penalties or points on their license, any accidents which they have had, any traffic violations and even any driving-related convictions. This check is going to be very important for any company who advertises a position which involves driving vehicles.

Criminal Check

Probably some of the most important information which a background check will find out is the criminal history of the person that you are considering to hire. Now hiring ex-convicts is completely up to you and in fact should be encouraged, as long as the cards are laid on the table from the outset. If the criminal check brings back information about someone that they have not declared then their integrity can be fairly called into question. Equally if you have someone seeking employment who has committed a heinous crime which you cannot look past, they may very well avoid declaring this. A criminal check is so important as if you hire someone that has a history and you didn’t check it out, something could take place within the workplace and your company reputation could be greatly damaged.

Education

Many people like to embellish their education or the qualifications that they have in the belief that they have more of a chance of a position, but these people can be quickly found out using background checks. These educational checks are about verifying someone’s educational history, and to give you an indication as to how honest that person is.

These checks are critical to ensuring that you have the best person for the job, so make sure that it is an important part of your recruitment strategy.