admin, Author at 3 Kids and Us

Why A Good Amount of Sleep Is Needed For Overall Health

July 27, 2018 by admin

For many of us, our health is one of the most important parts of our lives, and many people invest a great deal fo time, money and energy into trying to create a healthier lifestyle for themselves. Naturally people will look into the health benefits of various diets and exercise routines, but how many people look at their sleep pattern as a contributing factor to their overall health and general wellbeing? The short answer is not very many, which is surprising given the fact that a great night’s sleep has the power to do a lot of good.

Sleep Factors

To begin with we need to understand how to get that perfect sleep. To begin with you shovel have an excellent mattress which provides support and comfort whilst you sleep, a memory foam mattress is a great option here. Secondly you need to have a solid routine whereby you go to bed and wake up at the same time most days and nights. Finally you need a pre-bed routine which involves no energy inducing drinks or snacks, and no electronic devices for at least an hour before bed.

Energy Levels

To stay on track of our healthy lifestyles we need to have the energy to keep us pushing through the day. If you have not had enough sleep or if you have had a poor quality of sleep, your body and mind will not have had the sufficient time needed to process and recover, which will lower your energy supplies for the day.

Productivity

As a result of your lower energy levels, your productivity will be lower, and your ability to focus and concentrate will be worse. The consequence of this, is that you will become more frustrated and less able to deal with stress. Your stress levels raising is something which is very unhealthy and should always be avoided.

Weight Loss or Bulking Up

Whether you are looking to try and lose weight or trying to gain muscle, rest time is equally as important as what you do in the gym, or what you eat throughout the day. If you are not able to get a high quality amount of sleep during this time, you won’t see the physical results that you are looking for. You must allow your body the time to process, recover and rest, if you want to see positive results in line with your new health plan.

Disease and Illness

A lack of sleep has been linked to diseases which can occur later in life such as Alzheimers and Dementia. The reason for this is that a long period of time whereby your body is not getting the rets it needs, can result in the brain not being able to function at 100%, because it has not been given the necessary time to process data and recuperate. This is a very real danger and if you want to avoid neurological diseases such as this, you need to ensure that you are sleeping well.

There is no excuse for not sleeping well, get your routine right, get the right bed and mattress, and sleep your way to a healthier you.

What To Think About Before Purchasing A New Home

July 25, 2018 by admin

Purchasing a new home is a major decision and not one you should take lightly or determine on a whim. It can be a drawn-out process, and there’s a lot that you need to think about, consider and contemplate before buying a property.

It’s worth your time and energy to find out what these aspects are and then sit down with your spouse and go through them one by one. Ultimately, you want to feel completely comfortable and confident in your choice to buy before you go through with the transaction and spend your money. Keep in mind that once the deal is done, the house is yours and you’re responsible for it from that point on.

Where You Want to Live

Think about where you want to live before purchasing a new home and identify the reasons why you feel this way. For example, this could be your chance to get a new job someplace else and move your family to a new city or neighborhood. Maybe you’ve had your eye on a particular area for a while and always pictured you and your loved ones selecting a home close to good schools and decent shopping. It’s important to thoroughly research various neighborhoods and know exactly what you’re getting before you move in, so you know you’ll be happy there and not regret your decision later on.

Features You Desire

Sit down and make a list of all the features you desire and then put them in priority order. This way you’ll know what to look for when you’re touring homes and narrowing down what you want to buy and can afford. For instance, it could be that you want a large finished basement or big backyard with a lot of land and privacy. Think this through and make sure you’re not settling for any house when you’re out and about and on the hunt. Be patient and wait for what it is you want so that you can truly be happy in your new house one day.

Your Finances & Credit Score

You’re not going to get approved for a loan or mortgage if you have a poor credit score and your finances are all out of sorts. Refer to a company such as Bonsai Finance to learn how to starting building up your credit today, so you come across as a more attractive homebuyer. Think about all the expenses that come with owning a new home and the amount of money you’ll require for a down payment. It’s better to buy a house you know you can afford than to make a purchase with the understanding that you’ll be living on an extremely tight budget from here on out.

If You want the Additional Responsibility

Owning a home is a huge responsibility and is a big commitment you’re signing yourself up for. Think through if you’re ready for this extra work and if you’re willing to put in the time, money and energy it takes to upkeep a home. Your weekends will now entail you making updates, fixing repairs and taking care of your landscaping instead of relaxing on the couch watching your favorite television show. It’s now your job to make sure the home you own stays in good condition and that you don’t let important projects linger for too long.

Working With A Trusted Realtor

You’ll want to seek out and find a trusted realtor who you can work with to help you purchase your new home. They have access to additional listings you can’t see on your own and will be able to get you into the homes you desire to check out quickly. Build a good relationship with this person and make sure they understand exactly what it is you’re looking for in your next property. A trusted and respected realtor can help walk you through the buying and inspection process and make sure you’re getting your monies worth and aren’t being ripped off. Listen to their advice and what they have to say before making any final decisions or commitments.

Your Future

It’s not a wise idea to purchase a home that solely fits your current needs. Instead, think about your future and what your requirements will be down the road. For example, maybe you’re thinking about starting a family and will need more bedrooms in the years to come. Keep in mind that you’ll likely be at this property long-term, so consider how your life might change going forward and if the home you’re considering will be a good option for you. Your goal is to make sure the house you’re looking at it could be the one for you and your family for years to come versus finding a quick fix.

Other Options

You don’t have to buy a house just because that’s what people do, or you see your friends and family members making the commitment. Remember that you always have other options such as staying where you are or renting a property. Think about if this is truly the move you want to make or if you’re happy with your current situation and don’t necessarily need to find a new place right now. If you aren’t in a pinch to relocate then take your time and go about the process the right way, so you don’t make any major mistakes. Check out new neighborhoods, determine if you think you’ll be at your job for the long haul and don’t rush into a commitment just because you’re feeling pressured to buy.

Conclusion

Buying a new home isn’t a decision you make overnight without putting any thought or effort into it. It’s a wise idea to think about all of these factors before you move forward with a purchase, so you feel absolutely comfortable with the end result. Be sure to consider all of the different variables and your options before you proceed and close on a house. You’ll thank yourself for doing so down the road when you’re living in a property you adore and can see yourself staying in for the future.

How to Choose the Best Car Insurance for Your Family

July 24, 2018 by admin

It has that wonderful new-car smell, it comes with plenty of leg room for all your little ones, and it’s spacious enough to get all of your camping gear without feeling confined for a single moment. It’s a great feeling when you get that awesome ride for you and your youngsters, as you can already envision all the adventures that lie ahead. However, owning a car, especially when you use it to take your kids to school or soccer practice every day, let alone those lengthy trips, comes with a high level of responsibility.

It takes time to get to know your car, to learn how often you need to fill the tank, how well it handles weather changes, and how reliable it is on the road. But all of those factors aside, having a peace of mind means insuring your car properly and for all those specific family needs you’ll have. So, before you schedule your first test fishing trip ride, let’s see how you can pick the right insurance and enjoy your family car hassle-free!

Ask around

Much like with anything else you want to buy and use every day, and especially something as important as this particular safety feature, you want to see how happy other customers may be with any given insurance policy. Talk to your friends and family about their own insurances and see what perks they have, and if any of them are suitable for your own family.

On the other hand, talking to independent repair shops can be another way to learn useful information. They won’t benefit personally whether you go to one insurance company or another, and they have plenty of first-hand experience when it comes to people who have filed claims with many of them. You should always go for financially stable, reliable names in the business, even if some of their rates might be slightly higher.

Check for pricing options

Now that we’re on the topic of pricing, one could assume that the highest price always comes with the most perks, but since you have a specific situation, learning more about your price options depending on the package can make a difference in choosing the right policy.

The key here is not to be lazy or quick to make the call – use this time to get at least three or more quotes from different agencies, in order to evaluate which one fits your budget as well as your needs. Maybe the initial rate could be higher for a particular company, but they might offer reward programs for reliable drivers, or discounts on joint insurance for spouses. Check all the boxes with your insurance quotes before you eliminate your options.

Prioritize your needs

Every family is different, and as you get to know your first family car, you can already understand what you will need your policy to contain both in order to keep it affordable, and to increase safety. Have your car evaluated for its existing safety features and consider all the situations when you’ll be using it. What would an ideal policy ensure in addition to cost-effectiveness for your wallet?

Perhaps a fast-responding customer service for any of your inquires, or a more flexible policy that gives you more wiggle-room in case an unwanted situation occurs. Depending on where you live, you will see if it’s best to focus on fire and hazard protection, or burglary and theft. All these factors will affect the final price range, so make sure to cover your bases and discuss them with your insurance agent.

Know your insurance basics

We’ve already established that there is no templated solution for all family cars, and considering your own situation, you should also start a conversation by getting educated about the basics of each insurance policy. Make sure you know what the legal minimum is for your country, as having third-party protection often is the starting point for each policy. However, you should also protect your family and your vehicle with insurance that gives you access to a courtesy car in case your needs fixing, as well as a rescue service for those unexpected mishaps on the road.

Essentials such as windscreen repairs and replacements and lost or stolen keys are other details to keep in mind, but when it comes to your personal belongings, each policy comes with a different minimum rate they cover. All in all, education is key before you start a conversation with your chosen insurance agency, and it’s best to armed with information so that you find that ideal policy for your new family car!

Just a Handful of Reasons Why a Ford Should Be Your Next Car Choice

July 19, 2018 by admin

If you are on the lookout for a new car then you will know that this can be a confusing decision to make. With so many makes and models about there, so many mixed reviews about cars and of course, a wild variation of prices, it can be challenging for you to select which your next car will be. Having owned over 15 cars during my lifetime, I can honestly say that I have never owned a better car a Ford, and they are now the only cars that I will buy. I wanted to write this piece then, to let you know just why I love Fords, and why I think that it would be your best choice to get one as your next car.

Great Value

In almost every range of car on offer across the market, Fords will almost always come in cheaper than the competition. This lower price is not only on the new models either, you can get a good deal on used Ford cars too! Ford is always competitive and will try their very best to offer the best value on the market.

Loyalty

A great indicator of just how great Ford cars really are is to take a look at their loyal following, thousands of people just like myself who have bought a Ford, and been so impressed with it that they have gone on to stick to the brand for their next car choice. A recent poll conducted by magazine Which! found that Ford have the largest amount of loyal customers than any other car brands, hard to argue with that.

Green Engineering

A great amount of consumers have a desire to buy cars which are environmentally friendly and that look to leave as little a carbon footprint as possible. Ford has been leading the way for many years when it comes to green engineering, and you can count on many of these eco-features as standard.

Perfect for Family

If you are looking to invest in a family car, you really cannot go wrong with a Ford. The reason behind this is because the majority of Ford models, be it an SUV, sedan, truck or even sportier models, are all designed with family in mind. Whether you are looking for a robust car, a safe car, a spacious car or all of the above, these are aspects that you will find in most models of Ford.

Low Cost of Ownership

Ford are constantly looking for ways in which they can reduce the cost of owning one of their cars, making these some of the best on the market for value. Fuel economy is always high in a Ford vehicle, parts are low cost because of the sheer volume of Fords on the road and insurance costs are some of the lowest when it comes to these vehicles, because they usually are very high in terms of safety.

These are just a few reasons why I love Ford cars, the truth is though, I could go on forever, why not make your next car a Ford?

Everything Entrepreneurs Need to Know About Student Loan Refinancing

July 12, 2018 by admin

Refinancing a student loan, as well as qualifying for any other type of loan, is a straightforward process for most people who have regular full-time jobs with a weekly salary. But when you’re an entrepreneur, it’s different.

Whether you are self-employed or own a small business, your income may fluctuate from week to week, monthly, or seasonally. A financial institution may not want to take a risk on the owner of a business with a short track record. However, in most cases, you can still refinance if you know how to prepare for the process. Here are a few tips to help.

Ask the Lender About Alternative Documentation

Full-time employees are required to provide copies of their last few pay stubs when refinancing student loans and other debts. Unless you’re the owner of a business that is structured to give you a regular paycheck, you won’t have that. Instead, your lender may be willing to accept bank statements and tax returns as proof of regular income. You will need to have a conversation with the lender to find out their policies about this and might need to shop around to find one that is accommodating.

Keep Excellent Business Records

Image via Flickr by 401(K) 2013

All business owners and freelancers should keep excellent records no matter what, but this is even more important if you might be seeking a new loan or a refinance — whether it’s for business or personal reasons. A lender will want to see growth from year to year to make sure your business is profitable and will continue to succeed. Having organized and thorough records also is a good indication that you’re responsible and good at managing finances.

Think Twice About Tax Write-Offs

Nobody wants to pay taxes. Many business owners scour their records for every possible tax credit and deduction they can claim to reduce their tax burden. However, when it comes to applying for a loan refinance, this can work against you. The lower the total income the business reports on its tax return, the less likely its owner will be approved for a loan refinance.

Boost Your Credit Score

Everyone should try to keep their credit score as high as possible, but this is especially important for an entrepreneur. Without a regular source of income, a lender needs proof that the borrower is good at paying bills on time, and the best indicator of that factor is a strong credit score. Experts agree that 750 is a good number to aim for before applying for refinancing.

Obtain a Co-Signer

If all else fails, you can ask a co-signer who has a regular full-time job to help you refinance. Often this is a parent or a spouse who has excellent credit and traditional employment.

If you’re bogged down by student loan debt, not only will refinancing save you a bundle of money, but it can also free up resources that you can invest in your business. If you’re an entrepreneur without a regular salary, don’t give up on the idea of refinancing. The results are worth the extra effort.