Christmas On A Budget: Tips For A Fun And Affordable Holiday

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Giving gifts during the holidays can be stressful, both mentally and financially. I've compiled a list of ideas for spending less money on Christmas this year.

As you get older, your attitude toward the holiday’s shifts. Even though your feelings of happiness and friendliness should remain, your attitude toward gifts should shift.

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It goes from being something you are looking forward to being something you dread doing.

Maybe not, but when you're expected to give as much as you receive, gift-giving takes on a whole new meaning. When you're working with a limited budget, spending a large sum of money on a large number of people can feel like an imposition. It should come as no surprise that so many Americans end the year with credit card debt, unable to pay it off before the next holiday season rolls around.

Christmas shopping, on the other hand, does not have to be expensive. There are a number of strategies that can be used to reduce or eliminate holiday expenditures. All that is required is an openness to new ideas.

Make A Plan

When shoppers fail to plan ahead for Christmas, their spending often exceeds their budgets. Determine your Christmas spending budget, and then make a list of all of your responsibilities, including gifts, travel, and decorations, and stick to it. Add a monetary value to each item, erring on the side of overestimating.

Saving money this year may be difficult, but consider this: it will allow you to get a head start on your debts next year if you spend less this year.

One of the best ways you can create a plan is to read some budgeting tips on frugal living blogs. 

Look Out For Extra Savings 

A long list of gifts to buy? Here are a few favourite ways to look out for savings:

• Look for coupons.

• Join a store's mailing list

• New subscribers usually get an extra 10%-20% savings. Even creating a new email address to receive several discounts.

• Use a rewards card

• Credit card with a cashback offer

• Buy used gift cards

Talk To Your Loved Ones

If you are struggling to make ends meet, Christmas may seem like an imposition. Stress during the holidays may cause people to harbour ill will toward their more prosperous relatives and friends.

Discuss with your loved ones the possibility of skipping the gift exchange or spending less money. You don't have to tell them everything; just enough information to make sense to them is sufficient. Your brother-in-law who has recently become a parent might appreciate a year off from the madness of holiday gift-giving.

Summary

As an adult, purchasing gifts for friends and family members become a chore. Although it's not really enjoyable, coming up with non-traditional gift ideas is.

Remember that there are many different ways to be creative, so continue to think beyond the box.

Do you have any other ideas that could help? Please share some of them in the comments below. 

How to Improve Your Mental Health from Today Onward

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As the world becomes more connected, it's easier for people to feel like they're not enough. This can lead to low self-esteem and mental health issues that impact your relationships with others and yourself. However, there are many ways you can improve your mental health from today onwards - here are just a few of them!

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#1 Meditate

The first step to improving your mental health from today is learning how to meditate. Meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety, as well as improve memory and focus over time. In order to start a meditation practice, it's best for you to try out different types of yoga mats until you find one that works for you. For example, you could sit down with a paper or journal in silence, take a walk outside while breathing deeply, listen to calming music - there are endless ways to meditate! 

Just make sure not to do anything too strenuous before bedtime so that you get the most restful sleep possible. Be patient with yourself if, at first, this seems challenging-it takes effort, but it will be worth it once you notice changes in your moods and energy levels over time.

#2 Practice mindfulness

Number two on the list of how to improve your mental health from today is practising mindfulness. Mindfulness can help you become more aware and present in every moment, which then helps you be less reactive towards things that stress you out or make you feel insecure. Practising mindfulness doesn't need to take a lot of time either - it could mean taking notice of the colours around you as you walk down the street, noticing sounds like birds chirping or wind rushing past. It all counts!

#3 Exercise

Number three on the list of things you can do to improve your mental health from today is a simple one - exercise. Exercise helps release endorphins which in turn make you feel happier and less stressed. It also has even been shown in scientific studies that regular physical activity reduces anxiety, depression, insomnia and many other common mental health issues people experience every day. 

So it's safe to say when it comes to improving your mental health from today onwards, getting up off the couch will be beneficial for your mind as well as body! But, of course, even just going outside for a walk or taking an extra trip up and down the stairs at work counts, too, so don't put off being active any longer if this hasn't been off your daily routine until now.

And if you're not a fan of going to the gym, that's okay! There are plenty of other options for exercising at home or outside, and since we all know how busy life can get sometimes, then it makes sense that having an exercise routine that doesn't require much time is ideal.

#4 Cut any negativity from your life

The final step to improving your mental health from today is cutting any negativity from your life. Negative people who are critical of you or others can be draining on a physical and emotional level, even if they're family members, friends or co-workers. So why not start by saying something nice about yourself once a day? This helps counter the negative thoughts that might otherwise get stuck in our heads without us realising them.

4 Tips for Jump Starting Your Recovery

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The road to recovery is far from being an easy trip. This is a journey that has a lot of bumps, ups, downs, forks in the road, and lots of obstacles. There may be an array of reasons why you’re wanting to begin the recovery process. Maybe you’re fed up with your past decisions? You could just want to end this dependency, maybe you just want to improve your life for the better. There are plenty of reasons why addicts end their addictions, and it’s possible.

 If you’re looking to end this, it’s first important to understand how difficult it’s going to be but how worth it that it’s going to be in the end. No matter your reason behind this big decision, here are some tips to help you get started on this recovery journey. 

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 Start by being honest about your motives

It’s fantastic that you’re wanting to begin living a sober life! With that in mind, it’s very important to understand why you’re wanting to do this. What is the cause behind wanting to get sober? What was the cause of your addiction in the first place? Was it due to trauma? A physical injury? Mental health? If you’re wanting to get mental health treatment, then you must first begin by addressing what caused you down the path you were on. These questions and thoughts must be raised, they cannot go unaddressed. If left unaddressed, then there is a higher chance of a relapse.

Look into services you can use to help out

There are thankfully plenty of ways to seek help for addictions. While there are plenty of different types of addictions, it’s important to find a helpful service or facility that can help with yours. If you’re addicted to alcohol or substances such as drugs, then it’s very important to look for rehab. If you are someone with other addictions such as food, gambling, sex, shopping, or anything else then it’s very important to find the right mental health professional to assist you.

Recovering from an addiction isn’t entirely a one-size-fits-all. There are many different types of addictions, reasons for getting an addiction, and other factors that need to be taken into account as well.  This is why it’s very important to do thorough research on a service, facility, or specialist that can help you out.

Read success stories

Reading success stories can help a lot. This is a great push to remind you that if someone else can recover, then you can too. Sometimes, we just convince ourselves that we’re not strong enough. This is already making you lose the battle! You have to surround yourself with positivity. You need to believe that you can recover and reading other people’s recovery success stories is going to be that helpful push you need to remind you that you’re more than capable of getting through this recovery journey.

Don’t be afraid to open up about your recovery journey

Simple practices will help your mental health and they’ll also help you with your emotions. This also massively helps with health checks. If you want to build up a strong support system then you can’t shy away from this journey. Be completely open, as this is going to help your communication skills, and it’s also going to allow you to cope with this in a healthy manner. Your support system is still going to be there, and they’re still going to love you. Even during your low points, they want to be there to help. So you have to be open about this, don’t be afraid to open up about the milestones that you reach. 

PPD & Me: 5 Tips That Can Help You Manage The Situation

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Post Partum Depression is a very common issue facing new mothers and the symptoms can feel even worse in the post pandemic era. After all, we all (not just parents) have been more prone to bouts of sadness and a lack of energy. The truth is that there is no magic cure for the situation. On a brighter note, however, you can learn to manage PPD in a better manner.

The first step is to accept the situation and realize that it’s not your fault. You wouldn’t punish yourself for any other health complaint and should never consider ignoring PDD. Focus on the following responses, and you should see a noticeable improvement in the way you feel.

Focus on providing for your child

Becoming a parent changes your life forever. Even when you do not feel in control of personal matters, giving your child the best start in life will be a major triumph. Experts at Foryourlittleone can help you find the perfect baby products for the nursery and daily life. Aside from the right surroundings, you will want to master some nutritious meals for when your baby reaches the wearing stage. Remember that your childcare workers are available to answer your questions and provide any advice that you may require too. 

Establish a sense of organization

PPD can often leave you feeling all over the place. Therefore, restoring a sense of control should be one of the top items on your agenda. While it’s great to set long-term goals, learning to take each day as a new challenge is equally vital. There are many reasons to create a daily routine, but it will ultimately allow you to stay on the right track at all times. Likewise, you will find that a schedule is hugely beneficial for your child. It may help you with issues like establishing a positive sleep routine.

Talk

As a new parent, most of your time is dedicated to your child. While it is an amazing and beautiful thing, there is no doubt that it can leave you feeling a little lonely from time to time. Social activities with other adults will have a positive impact, and this should include time with non-parents too. Perhaps more importantly, you must also remember that keeping your PPD locked up inside will do you no favors. Mental health experts are available while even using forums like Whattoexpect can be useful. You will no longer feel alone on this journey.

Try to reduce stress

It would be impossible to eliminate stress from your life. However, high stress levels will continue to make your PPD symptoms feel worse. So, any opportunity to reduce stress should be grabbed with both hands. Gaining control of your financial health is a good starting point. Avoiding people and habits that trigger stress or responses that indirectly cause stress will help. If nothing else, it will free your mind and allow you to enjoy the moments where PPD isn’t in control. 

Live Healthily

As a new parent, your child will be the priority. Still, you must remember that a healthy and happy mom is a better mom. With this in mind, there should be no sense of guilt about taking care of yourself. Make time for meditation and exercise. Eat the right foods. And be OK with the fact that you need personal hobbies and daily activities that focus on you rather than your child. In many cases, your baby will still be involved. Even when they aren’t, the balanced lifestyle will allow you to become an even better parent while also reducing PPD.

How To Improve The Aesthetics Of Your Home

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We spend a lot of time inside our four walls, so when we plan home improvement projects, we tend to prioritise those that take place inside the home over those that take place outside of it. While this makes perfect sense because we live inside, not outside, it is worthwhile to spend some time investigating ways to improve the exterior of your home. First impressions matter, and you'll be surprised at how different you'll feel about your home after transforming the outside space. Keeping this in mind, here are four tips for improving the exterior of your home.

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Consider its kerb appeal

Approach your home with fresh eyes and consider the overall first impression. You will then want to break down this impression into finer details and determine which areas require attention.

A new front door can do wonders and completely transform the frontage. Similarly, window replacement can improve both the appearance and the insulation.

Your driveway may benefit from resurfacing, and any fencing and gates may need to be replaced. Maintain even and weed-free pathways to ensure that they are both attractive and safe for visitors.

If you have a garden, try to keep it tidy, and if it's difficult to maintain, consider covering it in gravel and putting a few pots out there instead. This will give you a very tidy and appealing low-maintenance appearance.

Maintain your roof and brickwork

This is probably the least exciting project on the list, but it is also the most important.

First and foremost, you must ensure that your roof is in good working order. If you have a flat roof, it may have a shorter life than a pitched roof, so consider EPDM rubber roofing to improve and resurface it. If you find any leaks or notice that heat is escaping through it, call in an expert for advice and quotes.

As brickwork weathers, it may require repointing, and you may also need to consider cavity wall insulation or damp proofing installations. Again, bring in professionals to seek advice in these areas.

Spend some time on your garden

Your garden can drastically alter how you use and perceive the exterior of your home.

A garden, unlike other areas of your home, is constantly changing, so this can be an ongoing project. You could try different elements each season for a year or two to get it to the point where you're happy with it.

You can design features, pathways, lawns, container areas, wildlife areas, fruit and vegetable plots, beautiful shrubs and flower beds, and more. Add to that an inviting seating area, and you'll want to spend a lot more time outside.

You could also include a garden room to increase your living space while also creating an interesting feature and focal point in your garden.

Give your doors a lick of paint

Finally, if you don’t want to replace your front door but it’s looking a little worn down, consider repainting it to freshen up its look. Similarly, you could do this for any other visible exterior doors such as a garage or side door.

These simple but smart ideas will help you improve the aesthetics of your home.

Daily Routines of Successful People

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Daily Routines of Successful People

 

If you want to become more successful, daily routines can help. Just look at some of the most successful people in the world and you’ll see the one thing they have in common is they follow a strict routine.

The question is, what does a daily routine of a successful person look like? To give you inspiration, below you’ll discover some great examples of what successful people include in their routines.

Start With a Morning Routine

One of the main things that successful people have in common, is that they all have a morning routine, as well as afternoon routines, and evening routines. It might not be the exact same routine, but they do have one that they follow religiously.

Interestingly, you’ll also find that successful people tend to wake up earlier than most. It isn’t uncommon for them to start their day anywhere from 3.30am to 5am. This gives them time to carry out their routines and it is also the time they feel most productive.

Limit Social Media

 Another habit successful people have in common is that they take regular breaks from social media. In the mornings, they may avoid checking social media, watching television, and checking their emails for at least an hour. they may take time away from it in the evenings instead. Taking breaks from social media does wonders for our mental health. It can also help you to feel calmer and more relaxed.

Prioritize Important Tasks First

Successful people know how to work smarter. They take care of the important tasks first, ensuring they aren’t as stressed out throughout the day. When you get the important tasks done first, you will feel much more relaxed and more proud of your accomplishments.

Practice Gratitude

A lot of successful people regularly practice gratitude. I know what you’re thinking “it’s easy to practice gratitude when you are already successful.” However, these people were also practicing gratitude before they made it big. By focusing on the things that you are grateful for, it creates positivity. This in turn helps to boost productivity, helping you to achieve much more in your day.

Exercise Daily

Exercise is another key factor to success. When you exercise regularly, it keeps your brain more focused and alert. You’ll have much more energy helping you to deal with whatever your day throws at you. Many people choose to exercise early in the morning to get it out of the way, and to get a great energy boost.

These are just a few of the things you’ll find included in the daily routines of successful people. By looking at how you spend your time, you can figure out what your daily routine should include and you will begin the journey to success, just as the most successful people did.

Do Word Puzzles Keep Your Mind Sharp Or Not?

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For years, companies have been encouraging adults to engage in regular “brain training” to train their neurons, just like their muscles, and make them stronger. But the relationship between solving puzzles and cognitive performance is anything but clear cut. Doing crosswords doesn’t seem to have a one-to-one relationship with the sharpness of our minds. So what the heck is going on? 

What Does The Evidence Say? 

When psychologists and brain researchers examined the question, they found conflicting results. A 2001 study in Brain and Cognition, for instance, found that as people get older, they perform worse on games designed to test working memory. Younger subjects almost always had the upper hand.

A study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology from 1999 found that older people who do crosswords don’t experience any reduction in the speed of cognitive decline. So, the researchers concluded that the brain might not be analogous to muscle tissue at all. 

But then another study in Psychology of Aging in 2000, found that doing crosswords regularly did, in fact, reduce the speed of memory loss as people get older.

So what the heck is going on here? Can you really train your brain like the rest of your body to keep it youthful?

The Importance Of Hidden Information

Although the science is mixed, some researchers think that certain types of word puzzles can actually help cognition. 

Consider a riddle, “what is full of holes but still carries water?” 

You can’t just read the statement and then think it through analytically to solve it. You won’t get anywhere. No matter how long you stare at it, the answer won’t pop out at you from the words on the page. 

Instead, you have to think “out of the box,” drawing on your knowledge of context. Eventually, if you think broadly enough, the idea of a sponge will enter your mind, and you will solve the riddle. 

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The cognitive processes here are profound. Not only do you have to unscramble the problem, but you also have to open yourself up to novel ideas. Otherwise, you can’t resolve the riddle at all. It is a necessary part of the process. 

Finding hidden information is essentially what riddles are all about. They appear to allude to something that doesn’t make sense on the surface, but that can be resolved with the right idea. 

Riddles have appealed to people down the centuries, partly because their solutions are so unexpected and novel. You get a buzz of satisfaction when you solve one that makes you want to go on and do the next. 

Word puzzles, like riddles, therefore, could help train the mind by creating new connections in a way that many other types of problems don’t. Perhaps that’s why there have been mixed results in the literature. Performing rote calculations (in sudoku, for instance) uses well-worn neural pathways. But solving a riddle necessarily implies having to come up with an entirely novel solution. 

What do you think? Can solving riddles make you a better thinker overall? 

Surprising Mental Health Boosts

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At the moment, many of us are struggling with our mental health. You might have been spending most of your time in your home, especially if you are in a high-risk group. You might be worried about your future health and employment, and the Covid-19 pandemic may have hurt your finances. All of these worries, as well as spending less time with our friends and family members, means that many people are feeling anxious, stressed out, or depressed. 

Having a Baby? Here are 3 Top Tips to Ensure You’re Prepared

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Finding out that you’re pregnant is one of the most exciting experiences in your life. However, it’s also one of the most daunting. Although no one can be fully prepared for what comes your way, it’s good to do your research so that you’re as prepared as possible. Motherhood and fatherhood is a journey unlike any other, and without this preparation, it might come to the due date and you’re not ready for the changes.

How To Improve Your Next Business Trip

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You may have a job that requires you to travel often for business purposes. In this case, it’s worth you taking the time to learn how you can improve your next experience away so that it’s smooth and productive.

Remember that you’re representing your company while you’re away so you must act professionally in all circumstances to uphold your reputation. You not only want to survive these periods away from the office but truly thrive so you can return home feeling satisfied with your travels. Follow these suggestions, and you’re likely to start looking forward to your future business trips instead of dreading them.

Research Hotels in Advance

Improve your next business trip by researching places to stay in advance. Read up on hotels in the area and reviews by other travels before booking a room. You want to make sure that you’re not only in a safe location but that the hotel will be comfortable and cozy for sleeping. You may also want to confirm there are amenities available such as a restaurant and exercise room. Verify that your hotel isn’t too far from your daily meeting location so that you aren’t wasting a lot of time commuting. Monitor prices and watch for deals to pop up so that you can get the best rate possible and save some money.

Be Prepared to Work Remotely

You’re going to want to stay in touch with your coworkers about projects that are unfolding back at the office when traveling for work. Your business trip will be a lot less stressful if you’re able to work remotely when you have breaks in your schedule without running into any obstacles. It’s a wise idea to ensure you can access important files and email messages while you’re away. Turn on your out of office so that people aren’t expecting an immediate response from you. Furthermore, do your homework about which screen-sharing app you might want to have available to you by reviewing this information https://setapp.com/how-to/top-screen-sharing-mac-apps. Having this capability will be useful if you happen to have technical problems with your computer and need an expert to access your machine while you’re in another location quickly.

Pack & Travel Light

Your next business trip will be a lot more enjoyable when you pack and travel light. There’s no sense in bringing extra clothes and gear with you that’s only going to weigh you down. Check the weather forecast and plan out what you’ll wear each day, so you have the right amount of clothes packed. You can always buy what you don’t have or forget if need be. It’s good practice to try to fit anything you’re taking along in a carry-on so that you don’t have to check it or risk your luggage getting lost. Wear your largest and bulkiest shoes on the airplane, so there’s more room for your belongings in your carry-on.

Know the Purpose of Your Trip

You should avoid going on business trips for show or because you think it’ll make you look good. Instead, there should always be a valid reason and purpose for your travels. Improve your next business trip by thinking ahead about what sorts of takeaways you’re hoping to get out of your visit. The ultimate goal should be for you to be able to do your job better when you return home. Get the most out of your trip by meeting with as many clients in the area as possible, so you’re not continuing to travel back and forth repeatedly and having to spend money on flights and hotels. Take the time to plan out your schedule and agenda before you depart so that you can make the most out of each day.

Get Plenty of Sleep & Rest

Your business trip will be a lot more pleasant of an experience when you’re well-rested and don’t have to drag yourself around from one place to the next. Be sure to get plenty of sleep and rest in advance of your departure. Also, make it a point to when you’re on the plane and in your hotel room at the end of the day. Although you may have the opportunity to stay out late some nights, it’s in your best interest to go back to the hotel at a decent hour and get plenty of shuteye. Sleep will help you to think more clearly on your business trip, boost your mental health, and you’ll have more energy in the morning. Set boundaries for how long you want to work each day so that you can give yourself a break away from your responsibilities and the computer screen.

Eat Healthy & Exercise

Take good care of yourself while you’re away so you can have a better business trip. Improve your travel experience by making your health a priority, even though you’re away from home. Eat healthy meals as often as possible and try to stay away from or limit your intake of sugar and caffeine. You may also want to consider sticking with your workout routine and getting some exercise even though you’re out of your regular routine. Take advantage of your hotel’s gym or go for an early morning walk or jog outside and take in the new sights. You can avoid getting sick or feeling run down when you continue to care for your mind and body properly.

Work Ahead at the Office

The last situation you want is to feel stressed out and distracted while you’re attending a business or client meeting away from home. Therefore, commit to working ahead at the office once you know that you’ll be traveling for your job. Take care of any loose ends or important matters in advance so that you don’t have to think about them once you’re on your way to your meeting location. Ask someone from the office to pitch in and help cover for you so that you don’t have to feel pressured to check in with your team all the time. Your goal should be to allow yourself to remain as focused as possible while you’re on your next business trip so that you get the most out of it.  

Be Open to Meeting New People

Traveling for work is an excellent opportunity to network with and meet new people. Put yourself out there and be friendly and approachable so that you can interact with a variety of individuals. If you’re at a conference or seminar, sit with different people throughout the event and at lunch and hand out your business card so you can stay in touch with those you meet at a later date. It’ll be helpful to have people who you can feel comfortable contacting after the meeting if you have questions or need advice on a particular topic that was covered. You never know when someone you cross paths with will turn into a future client, boss, or friend.

Explore Locally

Improve your next business trip by taking the time to explore locally and check out the area where you’re staying. While work is what brought you to your destination, you’re also going to have some downtime that you should be sure to utilize wisely. Traveling is a chance to expand your horizons and learn new facts and information about places you’ve never been or seen before. You may even meet some new business contacts in the process of getting out and about in your location. Try new restaurants, go to a museum, and walk around sightseeing on your breaks so that you get the most out of being away from home.