3 Kids and Us

Moving House With Your Cat The Stress-Free Way

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Most cats develop strong bonds with their environment so house moves can stress them out. If cats could choose, they would prefer to stay put at where they are comfortably settled in. Making the transition as stress-free as possible for your pet cat can have immense benefits, including reducing the risk of anxiety-based house soiling, excessive meowing and crying, hiding, escape attempts and aggression.

While a move is a big change for your feline companion, it is possible to reduce the stress your pet feels. This is a list of things you can do for your cat before the long drive and throughout the move.

Get your cat to get used to traveling in the car – The easiest way to do this is to start going on drives — begin with short trips around the neighbourhood then go a little longer leading up to the move. Ensure that your cat is riding how he will be during the move: either in a harness, carrier or crate.

Introducing the carrier – To get your beloved cat familiar with his carrier, put it somewhere he likes to hang out and open the door. Place a few treats inside to lure him in. After he has ventured into the cage several times for treats, start feeding him in there, slowly moving the food bowl from the door entrance to deeper inside.

On moving day – ensure that your cat is safe and placed in an empty room that will not be disturbed. If this precaution is not taken, your cat would be in danger by getting into open boxes or in the way of movers. It also prevents them from hiding and not being located when the time has come for them to be moved. Also, place their toys, food, water, and bedding in their temporary room for comfort.

At the new home – Upon arrival, confine your feline to just one room until unpacking is completed and the movers have left. Place a sign on the door to ensure that no one lets him escape. Put his bedding, litter tray, food and water in with him to give him some familiarity.

If you are moving interstate and overseas, it’s important to check quarantine regulations long before the trip is planned. The cat may need to spend some time in quarantine or proof of vaccinations may be required.

Cat Transport Services

If you cannot transport your beloved cat to or from a location yourself, this is where cat transportation services can offer their services. However, finding the best cat transport service is not always easy, with a lot of time needing to be spent researching services and requesting quotes individually.

You can book a Shiply cat transportation service and quotes will be sent to you via email. It’s hassle-free and no phone calls are required. All it takes is to fill out a simple online form and the quotes will be emailed to you. There are numerous cat transportation services on Shiply’s platform who are ready to bid on your job, often at up to 75% less than typical rates.

May these tips help your move go smoothly and safely for both you and your beloved pet cat.

Life insurance for parents in post pandemic UK

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The last 6 months have seen a great deal of change in the UK; home schooling became the new normal, well known brands shut their doors to the public and we spent days on end never leaving the house.

But more alarming than these changes, we have experienced a huge death toll of over 40,000 in the UK alone due to COVID-19. This unprecedented time has brought human mortality to the forefront of our attention.

This focus on the uncertainty of human life has led even more parents to seek out life insurance to protect the future financial stability of their loved ones should the worst happen to them.

But has the pandemic caused the life insurance industry to change? Should parents be taking additional precautionary steps to ensure their children are fully protected?

Keep reading to find out…

Writing your life insurance policy in trust

Whilst not a new concept, writing your life insurance policy in trust can be a huge advantage to your family if the worst were to happen to you. COVID-19 has caused significant financial strain amongst many families in the UK, making it more important than ever to ensure your loved ones receive the full benefit of a pay out.

The value of your life insurance policy automatically comprises part of your estate. In the UK, this overall value is subject to inheritance tax on anything above £325,000.

Whilst this value may seem a particularly significant amount, a £200,000 life insurance policy combined with a house worth £225,000 would subject your loved ones to £40,000 inheritance tax. And that’s before even taking into account any additional savings or investments you have in place.

Writing your life insurance in trust detaches the value of your policy from your estate, ensuring that your family will receive 100% of the sum assured, as well as reducing the remaining amount subject to inheritance tax.

The process is easy and completely free, and many insurers and brokers (such as Reassured) even provide a service to help you with the process, offering peace of mind that it has been completed accurately.

Pandemic exclusions

The good news is that many existing life insurance policies would not be affected by the recent pandemic, and that the large majority of policyholders would be covered if they were to pass away due to COVID-19.

However, some policies include a ‘pandemic exclusion’. Written into the terms and conditions of a policy, this invalidates cover if cause of death is due to a national or global pandemic. For policies with such exclusion in place, a pay out would be declined if you were to pass away from COVID-19.

The only way to determine whether or not your life protection includes such exclusion, is to review the individual terms and conditions of your cover.

Until recent events, the ‘pandemic exclusion’ has not been widely used within the industry, however, it can be strongly predicted that it will become a much more common occurrence. Therefore, when arranging life insurance cover in post pandemic UK, it is essential to review the terms and conditions of your policy – Especially with the likelihood of a second spike on the cards.

Cost of premiums

The cost of life insurance is calculated based on the likelihood of a claim being made. Insurers take into account a number of factors including age, health and more recently current world affairs. Until now, frequently visiting specific countries across the world could result in you paying higher monthly premiums due the increased risk.

However, COVID-19, whilst showing different rates across the globe, has been very prevalent on UK soil. Therefore, it is likely that arranging life insurance during the heat of the pandemic could result in you securing higher than usual life insurance premium costs.

Personal factors will still be used, meaning that your monthly costs will still be more favourable if a claim is less likely, but pandemic risk will also be taken into account. As a result, it is more important than ever to compare quotes to ensure you receive the best deal.

Conclusion

As we enter a ‘new normal’ many elements within the UK will take some adapting and life insurance is no different. As always, anyone who has some form of dependant in their life is likely to benefit from having life insurance protection in place.

It is essential to be aware of the specific terms and conditions attached to your policy and comparing various cover options to ensure you have the right protection to suit your needs.

8 AMAZING REASONS TO VISIT KUALA LUMPUR

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Kuala Lumpur is a tourist destination for many holidaymakers across the world. Malaysia’s capital beams with a myriad attraction site, a multicultural community, and iconic skyscrapers. Cathay Pacific enables travelers to behold the beauty of this sprawling city center.

1. PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS

These two towers are the tallest twin in the world. Built with post-modern architecture style and Islamic designs, the Petronas Twin towers are lined with endless shopping stores, restaurants, and movie theatres. The twin towers receive a plethora of visitors daily. Designed with steel and glass façade, this architectural masterpiece displays Islamic design the predominant religion of Malaysia’s people.

Connecting these twin towers is a sky bridge on the 41st floor, which is approximately 170 meters off the ground. This provides a scenic view for photography and breathtaking views of Kuala Lumpur city.

On this twin structure is the Observation Deck, where one can enjoy a 360-degree view of Kuala Lumpur’s splendor. Set on the 86th-floor visitors can exhibit the tower’s history and enjoy digital displays of the twin towers.

2. KLCC PARK

At the feet of the Petronas Twin Towers are Kuala Lumpur’s urban park and upmarket shopping mall popular with tourists. This park was designed to showcase a heritage of tropical greenery to Petrona Twin towers. Suria KLCC Park is a combination of man-made designs such as water features, cement, and shrubs. Its primary influence of this park was biodiversity and conservation. At least 1,900 indigenous trees and 66 species of palms were deliberately selected to attract Malaysia’s local birds.

At the middle of this magnificent park is a man-made Lake Symphony. Two musical fountains display more than 140 unique programmed animations. The magic combination of water, color, and sound gives a beautiful sight to behold. Scattered around the park are various ornamental water features like fountains, cascades, and waterfalls. To the west of the park are a children’s playgroup and a public swimming pool.

3. BUTTERFLY PARK

Kuala Lumpur’s butterfly is the most extensive of its kind in the world. Home to over 5,000 butterflies from 120 species, it stretches an area of 7,500 square meters. Butterflies dance nonchalantly on ferns amidst scented, colorful flowers, vines, and exotic plants. Located adjacent to Kuala Lumpur’s Bird Park Lake Gardens, this park houses an exhibition area with information on the butterflies’ species insects such as beetles and other creepy crawlies.

This is a popular spot for families looking to escape the bustling city center. Once you get in the canopy, you will notably find fluttering butterflies of various colors, sizes, and shapes floating on your clothes while others stick on your hat like badges.

4. KUALA LUMPUR BIRD PARK

Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is home to approximately 3,000 birds. This includes imported species of birds. This park is rated as the most extensive public aviary in the world occupying over 20 acres of land. The birds roam free, giving you a fantastic interaction with mother-nature. The rich flora and fauna in the park provide a natural habitat to the birds. If you are a bird or photography enthusiast, this is a fun place for you. Other attractions include the Orchid and Hibiscus Gardens, Butterfly Park, Deer Park, and an artificial lake. The park has an incubation center, a bird gallery, flamingo pond, a hornbill park amidst other spectacular bird species.

5. SRI MAHAMARIAMMAN TEMPLE

Sri Mahamariamman Temple is the oldest religious structure having been built in the 19th century. If you want to learn the diverse culture, religious beliefs, and values of Malaysia, visit this temple. The temple is adorned with a dazzling colorful façade and decorated range of Hindu deities. It is the place of worship for the Tamil community. However, visitors are allowed to explore the wonder of architecture displayed on it,

Around the main prayer hall are four smaller shrines dedicated to two Lords. Murals and frescos on its walls decorate the most spacious prayer hall. The roofs of the three shrines are embellished with ornaments of precious stones and gems.

6. SUNWAY LAGOON THEME PARK

Enjoy the whirl and swirl of the water slides at Sunway lagoon theme park. The park has a variety of dry-land activities and watery rides for kids and adults. There are man-made surf beaches and a wave-pool that will be exciting, especially on a hot day. The park has a total of five different regions-the Scream Park, the Water Park, Amusement Park, Extreme Park, and the Scream Park. Each of these five parks has a wide selection of unique experiences.

7. THE NATIONAL MUSEUM

Explore the culture of Malaysia at the National Museum located near Lake Gardens. This museum is designed in the shape of an ancient house. Its walls decorations are a blend of contemporary and traditional designs.

The display of the history, art, craft, and culture of Malaysia’s history is spread out onto three floors. On the ground floor, there is an impressive collection of ritual weddings, traditional Malaysian lifestyle i.e. farming, fishing, weaving, and pottery. The 2nd floor is a zoological section with stuffed animals and birds. You can mistake it for a hunting parlour.

Alongside, the animal is a collection of parangs, kris, swords, miniature canons that were weapons used to hunt. As you wind down the hallways, you find a section dedicated to musical instruments. These traditional musical instruments include the drums popularly known as rebana, the Chinese gongs, flutes, lutes, and fiddles. To navigate through these sections, you will get the dedicated services of tour guides who offer free services to the tourists.

8. BATU CAVES

The Batu Caves are the most frequented tourist site in Kuala Lumpur. The 100-year-old temple is made up of three limestone caves. Around and inside these caves are Hindu idols and deities. Its interior foundation is alleged to be approximately 400 million years. It is a landmark religious feature for the Hindu religion in the world.

At the foot of Batu Caves are three cave temples. Cathedral cave is the most popular and the largest of the three. It also houses many dedicated Hindu shrines. The Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave are found at the foot of this limestone hill. These caves attract thousands of people and devotees during the Thaipusam Festival in Hindu annual Hindu festival.

Most Beautiful Churches and Cathedrals in San Francisco.

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San Francisco is a cool, elegant and hypnotizing consolidated city-county in California composed of large streets providing stunning views of one of the world’s greatest bays. Take flight to San Francisco from Hong Kong and enjoy the attractions it has to offer but the tour is not complete if you skip these 10 most beautiful churches in San Francisco.

  1. Grace Cathedral.

Grace Cathedral is the third largest cathedral in the US shining on the Nob Hill. It is simply stunning with a spectacular organ, grand archways, and stained-glass windows. The aura of old-world is gifted to Grace Cathedral by its Gothic revival architecture style. You will love the walk around indoor and outdoor labyrinths which depicts the history of the site together with the mosaic murals and art installations. Visitors are not allowed at the time of their regular services unless you visit before or after. Yoga lovers are invited weekly on Tuesday evenings for a donation-based class.

  1. Holy Virgin Cathedral.

“Joy of All Who Sorrow” , which is also known as the Holy Virgin Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox Cathedral that stood in the Richmond district of San Francisco. It can be introduced as the largest Russian Orthodox Cathedral outside of Russia. Its building is a design of Oleg N. Ivanitsky. Cathedral’s five sharp onion domes are enveloped in 24-karat gold leaf.  Similarly, its interior shines with rich mosaics and statues of gilt paintings and religious scenes.

  1. Saints Peter and Paul Church

Saints Peter and Paul Church is honored by the name “Italian Cathedral of the West”, standing on the Washington Square of North Beach. This church has appeared in a few movies, Dirty Harry, Deadpool and Sister Act 2. Perhaps you recognize the steps of this church from the wedding photos of Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe. Although the original cathedral was destroyed in 1906 by an earthquake and fire, the current church stands over the city firmly with 191 feet high twin spires since 1924. The bright interior of the church draws inspirations from Italian Gothic style and features the magnificent ecclesiastical artwork.

  1. Mission Dolores.

Mission Dolores is the oldest standing building in San Francisco. It is rather a museum than a historic church, yet it is an active museum beneath the exhibits of Native American history. The mission is located next to basilica with bell towers. Visitors are impressed by the simple mission architecture of the building. You’ll love the small cemetery behind the mission amongst bustling neighborhood.

  1. Dominic’s Catholic Church.

St. Dominic’s Catholic Church is another gorgeous church in San Francisco with a mega-building in lower Pacific Heights. You’ll feel the holy atmosphere by the moment you walk in through the door. The impressive Gothic revival architecture and the shrine of St. Jude draw here thousands of visitors annually. This is the fourth parish located in this church completed in 1928. You’ll realize that there’s a lot of prized statues and artworks inside St. Dominic’s church. It remains alive through life changing talks and beautiful music. I recommend you to attend here mostly on holy days of obligation to hear the talented chamber choir and pipe organ.

  1. Patrick Church.

St. Patrick Church is another massive Roman Catholic Church in the heart of San Francisco founded in 1851. You’ll find it as the best place to spend time with Jesus having reflecting prayers. It is unique due to its historic brick buildings with very well done masses amongst modern buildings. Inside is absolutely beautiful with very high ceilings, stained glass windows and statues of saints. The tranquil interior awards you a divine moment of silence and respite. A must visit place, even if you’re a non-Catholic.

  1. Saint Ignatius Church.

One of the largest churches in the city which was built in 1914 as a part of the University of San Francisco. The present church is the fifth parish of Saint Ignatius church. Inside is incredibly decorated with a mixture of Italian and Baroque elements architecture on a floor plan based on ancient Roman Basilica. This becomes a prominent landmark in San Francisco by its twin spires and dome. Four alcoves inside the church have been converted into an art gallery called Manresa Gallery participated by a number of Bay Area artists.

  1. Old St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Old St. Mary’s Cathedral is one of most beautiful cathedrals in the city which exhibits Gothic Revival architecture style. You can witness the photographs of its survival from the earthquake and fire. One will hardly miss this church as it is located in the heart of Chinatown. It is best to visit here on Tuesdays afternoon to watch the lively classical music performances. This church with a lot of history and a tranquil atmosphere makes one feel that the world is away and only God matters.

 

  1. National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi.

The National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi is the real heart of San Francisco. Although the complete site is solemn and quite its warmer interior is breath-taking with stained-glass windows, rich woods, holy relics of Saint Francis and beautiful Gothic architecture. Although it is no longer a parish this is the best place to talk to God. Moreover, this is connected with a school. Thus, walking around the church will also be educational.

  1. Notre-Dame-Des-Victoires Church.

Log on Notre-Dame-Des-Victoires Church to make a wish under respite while visiting around the bustling San Francisco. This Roman Catholic Church was built originally to serve French Immigrants. As this is a French National Church there is a separate center for French community of San Francisco inside. The two staircases at the entrance extending either side give a positive impression for visitors but the architecture is a model of Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere in Lyon.

The Value of Customer Service Calls

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Let’s face it. Not many of us look forward to calling a 1-800 number. In the vast majority of cases, we call a company to receive an answer to a question or to lodge a complaint. Rarely, do we ring up any business just to say we’re happy with the product or service it provides, as we often dread the lengthy maze of options directing us from one concern or department to another and can resent the barrage of questions we receive in response to our own inquiries. Nevertheless, customer service calls serve an important purpose; without physically visiting a company’s headquarters or relying on a prolonged written exchange of correspondence, how else could we voice and have heard our concerns? Maybe it’s time to consider the benefits of customer service calls. Here are three:

They Provide Quick Feedback

Of course, first and foremost, the customer service call is a (relatively) quick way (when possible routing nightmares are set aside) for us as customers to receive pertinent and individualized information. We might be able to locate or generate instruction on a website, product packaging, pamphlet or brochure, but only direct, verbal communication offers us the opportunity to receive information that is prompt and personalized. Emails and written correspondence can provide similar results, but both necessitate time for the back and forth relay of conversation.

They Provide Individualized Feedback

As mentioned, in addition to being quick, customer service calls have the advantage of offering us all personalized service. Not only can customer service representatives provide quick information over the phone, they can provide specific information that takes into account the details of our own unique relationship with the company. In this way, exceptions to policies might be made or special benefits might be given to us that wouldn’t or couldn’t be provided via other means.

They Can Be Used to Train Staff

Finally, when customer service calls are recorded, they can also be used to train staff. In fact, a hosted call recording can be a crucial part of employee training, offering examples of common customer concerns and providing best practices for representatives to replicate in future calls; specifically, characteristics of an exemplary rep’s pattern of speech, including his or her volume, cadence and clarity, can be used as a model of effective communication with consumers for future call center staff, ensuring the subsequent customer service calls are met with professionalism and any complaints are dealt with in the most most efficient way. This benefits us all in the long run, providing future customer experiences with staff that are better informed to manage a range of customer service issues.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!