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Nicole

DIY Tricks To Attract Nature To Your Garden

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Want your garden to be a hotspot for local wildlife? By adding particular features to your yard, you may be able to attract specific animals. Such features could include bird feeders and birdbaths. You can buy these pieces of garden apparatus premade – however, for those that want to save money, it’s also possible to go DIY and build your own. Below are just a few DIY solutions for attracting nature to your garden that could be worth trying. 

Create your own bird feeder

Bird feeders are a great way to attract local birds. While you can buy a wooden bird feeder, there are so many DIY solutions that won’t cost you a penny. Pretty much any container that you can hang from a tree can be turned into a DIY bird feeder for placing seeds in – a few great options could include empty tin cans, an empty plastic bottle or an empty cereal carton attached to a string. Make sure that any sharp edges are smoothed over or covered in tape.

Create your own bird bath

A birdbath could be effective at attracting birds wanting to drink water or bathe. Instead of splashing out on a premade birdbath, why not consider building your own? This guide on how to make a birdbath at home offers tips on how to build one using a shallow bowl and wooden dowels. Make sure to keep it topped up with water in the summer months. 

Start a woodpile

Woodpiles can be useful for keeping if you have a fire pit or chiminea. However, this isn’t the only use for a woodpile. A woodpile could be effective simply for attracting animals such as possums or chipmunks that like to nest in these places. The end of the garden could be the perfect location for such a woodpile. 

Build your own pond

A pond can be a beautiful feature in a garden. It can also be a great feature for attracting local wildlife. Animals such as frogs, newts, and dragonflies are often attracted to ponds. On top of this, it could be a great location for keeping pet fish. Many people hire a professional to build a pond, but it’s possible to save money by digging and laying your own pond. You can check out this guide to building a pond for more tips on how to build one. 

Plant a tree/more shrubs

You can also attract wildlife to your garden by adding more plants. Adding a tree to your garden is certain to attract animals such as birds and squirrels. Planting a large tree yourself isn’t advised – however you may be able to plant a sapling or small tree without the help of professionals. Other plants (especially those with strong fragrant scents) may help to attract pollinating bugs such as bees and butterflies. Make sure to plant trees and large shrubs in locations where their roots won’t eventually cause disruptions (don’t plant a tree right next to your house for this reason).

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How To Get Rid Of Your Stuff The Green Way

Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay 

If like many people you care about the environment and want to do your bit for climate change and global warming, then one thing that you could be doing is looking after your things better. Our need for wanting new things all the time is having a hugely negative impact on the environment as companies make products to meet the demand for them. For every new product you buy, suppliers will keep producing more because they think that’s what you want. However, this isn’t doing the planet any favors and is depleting the earth’s valuable resources, such as oil, forests, and water supplies. The more we start repairing our things, upcycling or even buying second-hand, the more that companies will reduce how much they are making. So, before you decide to buy something new, look at if you can repair it first or do something else with it. Take a look at the following list to see what and when you should be throwing your things out and what you should be maintaining for the sake of the environment. 

Electronic Devices

When it comes to electronic devices such as a phone or laptop, then while a cracked screen can be annoying, you need to think seriously about whether you need a whole new device or you can get it repaired. Try fixing things yourself first because there are a number of tutorials online which can help you and whether it’s troubleshooting hearing aids or fixing the backlight on your TV, there is information out there on how to do it. This will not only help the environment but it will also save you money. When it is time to get a new device then you should look at how you dispose of the old one. There are places you can go to recycle computers and phones or you could consider selling them for parts. Whatever you do, don’t just throw them in the bin. 

Appliances

When your fridge or washing machine breaks, if it is under warranty, then obviously you can get it fixed and that is the sensible thing to do. However, if you don’t have a warranty on it, then you have a decision to make and you should look at how long you need the appliance for and how long this one should last. If you think that the appliance has a long life expectancy and you can find the part easily, then repairing it is probably the best option. Look online for parts to see if what you’re looking for still exists. If you do decide it’s time to get rid, then again, see if you can sell it for parts or donate it for parts so that the appliance doesn’t just go to waste. 

Clothes

Clothes are something which people tend to buy often to keep up with fashion and then because many clothes are so cheap these days they are easily thrown away and replaced. However, if you want to do your bit for the environment, then repairing your clothes either by learning how to sex and fix clothes yourself or taking items to a tailor to see if they can fix it, will not only reduce waste but it will mean that you can keep your beloved items for longer. If you do decide however that you have clothes you don’t want anymore then rather than just throwing them away, you could donate them to charity or think about selling them on Vinted or Depop. You could make a nice bit of money from them which is never a bad thing. 

Furniture

Rather than spending hundreds or thousands on replacement furniture, even the oldest chairs and sofas can be recovered or reupholstered to look as good as new. This is something you could either look at doing yourself using an online tutorial or if it’s too big then you can take it to an expert to see how they can help. Older furniture is often really well made and it will be worth saving rather than replacing and there is so much you can do with it now that there’s no need to worry about it looking old-fashioned. 

Before you throw anything away, think about where it is going and if that is the best option for it. Remember some people don’t have much and could really benefit from some old furniture and there are also some very clever people out there who could make something out of old parts.

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When Negotiations Fail: 4 Ways to Respond to Low Settlement Offers After an Accident

When you find yourself involved in an accident, whether car accidents with sustained injuries, workplace injuries or medical malpractice, chances are that you might have to negotiate a settlement with an insurance company. It can be daunting and stressful, especially while dealing with the aftermath of your accident. However, about 95% of accident cases end up being settled out of court. While this success rate is impressive, what happens if your offer is not good enough? If you feel that you have been given a low settlement offer, here are a few actionable steps to ensure that you get what you deserve.

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1. Do not lash out

One of the most important things you can do is remain polite and calm when you have been given a low settlement offer even if you know you are deliberately being taken advantage of. It might be tempting to lash out at the insurance claims adjuster, but that might be to your detriment. Your anger could make you seem like an unreliable witness, and that could jeopardize the negotiation. What you can do instead is to stay calm while rejecting the offer. If you have not done so, it would be best to hire a car accident lawyer to help you go through the process on your behalf. 

2. Be prepared to present facts

One of the most crucial things to do when you find yourself involved in an accident is to document everything as soon as possible. That includes jotting down relevant information such as medical costs and taking pictures, especially any injuries you sustained. The more evidence you gather, the stronger your damage claims will be. With sufficient documents and paperwork to back your request for a higher settlement, the insurance company will find it challenging to offer low compensation. 

3. Ask several questions

When you are hit with a low offer, you can respond by asking the claims adjuster questions. You can ask about their reasoning behind the low settlement offer or why they evaluated your case the way they did. Their responses might help you make a more informed counteroffer. For example, find out if you were given a low offer based on insufficient documentation of your injuries. You can provide them with updated medical records to increase the bid provided you have that documentation.

4. Settle in court

This should be your last option and must only be used when all negotiations and mediations fail. That is because sending your settlement claim to trial can be time-consuming and even more expensive for you. Nonetheless, you are entitled to settle in court if you believe it would yield the best results for you. Ensure that you have all the correct documents and the right legal backing when deciding to try the case. Many law firms like Whittel & Melton promise their clients ‘no fee or costs unless we win’ services to guarantee that you are more successful at trial. 

When you are in settlement negotiations, remember always to reject the first offer. You must also ensure that you do not allow any insurance company to force you into accepting an offer. Look out for common bad faith insurance tactics and learn how to respond to them accordingly. For the best results, hire an attorney to help you through the process. 

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Enjoy Comfort Food Without the Discomfort- Boiron Acidil Meltaway Tablets

Disclosure: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links

Having struggled with occasional acid indigestion since my late 20s, I know first-hand the daily struggle of acid indigestion at home. A predicament that requires me to mindfully shop for groceries, prepare foods, and strictly adhere to regulated portion control daily at home. This is why I was excited to discover Boiron Acidil Meltaway Tablets. A natural way to aid in the relief of heartburn and acid indigestion symptoms at home and on-the-go.

With eight in ten Americans between the ages of 25 and 44 living with acid indigestion issues at home digestive issues. While once considered a degenerative issue, acid indigestion has become more and more prevalent among young millennials due to stress eating, food deserts, and ever-changing diets.

Comfort Food Without the Discomfort

Boiron believes your health is of great value and concern. This is why Boiron Acidil Meltaway Tablets are a quick and effective way to minimize occasional heartburn or acid indigestion symptoms. Including an upset stomach, bloating and, gas.

Boiron Acidil, homeopathic medicine made with sustainably sourced, organic, plant-based active ingredients. The #1 best-selling heartburn homeopathic medicine in natural food stores is an unflavored meltaway tablet that dissolved in the mouth and appropriate for use by adults and children 12 years and older.

When taken before a meal of high-acid, or trigger foods, can quickly and naturally, aid in ending acid reflux and indigestion issues at home. With no artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, or preservatives, or no known drug interactions.

My Experience in taking Boiron Acidil Meltaway Tablets

For two decades, I’ve dealt with weekly acid reflux symptoms at home. Within the past few years, it’s become a daily struggle. Between stress, aging, favorite trigger foods, tomato-based foods, as well as eating too much or laying down shortly after eating, has caused acid indigestion flareups at home.

As I enjoy varied foods due to their comforting, downhome nature, I’ve had to learn new ways to manage my acid indigestion symptoms at home. Including abstaining from sleep for an hour before eating and limiting my intake of spice, tomato-based, or fatty foods from my weekly meal planning and meal prepping sessions at home.

With Boiron Acidil Meltaway Tablets I’m able to enjoy my all-time favorite comfort food without the discomfort. Easy-to-swallow, flavor-free Boiron Acidil Meltaways works great at helping to prevent acid indigestion sessions at home or on-the-go.

Where to buy Boiron Meltaway Tablets

Boiron Acidil Meltaway Tablets, along with Boiron Gasalia Gas Relief Meltaway Tablets and Diaralia Meltaway Tablets, is available to purchase at RiteAid, Walgreens, Sprouts Farmers Market, Whole Foods Market, Vitamin Shoppe, and online at amazon.com, iherb.com, and vitacost.com. With each 60-tablet retailing for only $9.99-$11.99.

Friends, do you live with acid indigestion symptoms at home? Have you tried or plan to try Boiron Acidil Meltaway Tablets at home? Or do you have tips for reducing acid-induced indigestion issues at home? Leave your thoughts below.

Learn About Boiron Meltaway Tablets Online

*CLAIMS BASED ON TRADITIONAL HOMEOPATHIC PRACTICE, NOT ACCEPTED MEDICAL EVIDENCE. NOT FDA EVALUATED
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Managing Financial Difficulties During the Pandemic

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For many of us, it would be an understatement to say that 2020 was a difficult year. There are a huge number of cases where 2020 financially destroyed a lot of families, putting people through hardship and resulting in widespread financial difficulty. Even the most stable individuals could have faced huge issues as a result of company collapse, redundancies, or reduced working hours and pay as a direct result of the coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic. 2021 is set to continue is this manner – or at least until an effective vaccine has been rolled out – so it’s important that if you’re facing any sort of financial hardship or difficulty right now, you manage your situation to the best of your ability rather than giving it the opportunity to get completely out of control. It is possible to get back on track, you just need to practice some effective financial management and reach out for the support that you may need. Here are some steps that can help you along the way!

Know There Is Support Out There

The first thing that you need to keep in mind when facing financial difficulties right now is that you are not alone. As we briefly highlighted above, 2020 has been a tough financial year for the vast majority of us and countless people are struggling to keep in the black. Debt has skyrocketed to the point that lenders are reducing credit limits and rejecting more applications than previously. So, don’t feel isolated in this situation. With so many people facing debt, support has increased too. It’s important that you’re aware of the huge number of different forms of support out there. Chances are, there will be one that you’ll find useful. You may find the assistance of a financial advisor useful. You may benefit from talking to a helpline or support group. If you are considering bankruptcy, you could be helped by a lawyer from Boulder Legal Group. The key point we’re making here is that you don’t have to face this alone. There is help and you should take advantage of it where possible.

Consolidate Your Debts

Many of us have turned to borrow to pay our bills and keep things afloat. If you’ve used multiple providers (loans, credit cards, and more), you may want to consider consolidating your debt so that it’s easier to monitor and manage. Consolidating debt involves taking out a large loan or a credit card with a high credit limit. You can then use the loan to pay off your individual debts, placing your outstanding balance in one place. Alternatively, you can balance transfer your multiple credit cards onto one credit card, so that everything can be seen in one place. This will prevent missed payments, which can impact your credit score and result in further fees, fines, or penalties.

These are just a few pieces of information that should be able to help you. Hopefully, they come in useful and allow you to get back on top of your finances as quickly as possible!

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Why’s nows the time to sell on eBay

 

Did you know that according to Forbes magazine, the average American has over $3,500.00 worth of liquidating, unused belongings, per person, per home? In my personal experience, this figure may in fact be on the low end of savings. Coupled with so many of us currently working, and living, at home, full-time making we all ever so aware of the clutter in our surrounding spaces. Making now the perfect time to sell your unwanted possessions on eBay.

Many of us have bags upon bags of unused clothing, toys, books, collectibles, and the like ready to be sold, stored, and donated. Items we keep on-hand just in case we might need them down the road. selling the items we cleared out of our home last week. Things we clearly will not miss once removed from our favorite spaces at home that can help bring in extra cash this season.

So why eBay?

  • eBay is a popular shopping website where individuals and businesses can buy and sell new and second-hand items. 
  • eBay is essentially a massive marketplace, which offers seller tools and features that make it easier for you to feature your brand, as well as sell non-standard items.
  • You don’t have to have a brick-and-mortar store. Nobody visits eBay searching for a particular store. But they may be searching for – and discover – your products. Products they may not have discovered otherwise, or that they may have purchased from a competitor.
  • eBay allows you to integrate plug-ins, like those used to sell on Google Cloud Marketplace.
  • eBay offers everyday individuals a chance to win repeat business through excellent service and fulfillment; this is especially the case if you’re selling products in a category that encourages frequent, repeated purchases such as hobby supplies or fishing gear.
What you’ll need to get started:
  • a computer with an internet connection
  • a credit or debit card.

PicMonkey Collage

Here’s how to start selling on eBay:

  1. Go to the eBay website.
  2. You can only buy or sell on eBay if you’re registered, so if you don’t have an account, now is the time to create one. If you’re new to eBay, click register above the eBay logo.
  3. If you’re already registered, click Sign in, enter your user ID, then your password, and you will be logged in; you can then skip to Step 5. 
  4. To register, you’ll need to fill out details such as your name, email address, and chosen password.
  5.  Click the blue Submit button at the bottom of the screen.
  6.  A confirmation email will be mailed to you.
  7. Check for this email.
  8. Click Continue if you are happy to proceed, within the email prompts. 
  9. You will be taken back to the eBay homepage.
  10. Click on Sell at the top of the screen, and a ‘Update your information’ page will open.
  11. Complete your address information and click Continue.
  12. You will now be taken to a new page where you can start to list your item for sale. 
  13. Type the name of the item you want to sell in the box provided and click Get started.
  14. A new page will open with step-by-step instructions on how to create your listing, including how to give your item a clear, specific title and how to upload a photo.
  15. It will also show you how much money it will cost to list your item; these fees will be added to your seller’s account, payable monthly.
  16.  Once you’ve filled in all the details for your listing, click List with displayed fees at the bottom of the screen.
  17.  A new page will open. Here you’ll see how your listing will look before it’s posted on eBay.
  18. Click Continue if you’re happy with the way it looks.
  19. Click Edit listing if you want to make any changes.
  20. A new page will open asking you for extra information. Click Continue.
  21. Review your account information, check the box, and click Continue if it is correct. 
  22.  eBay will then verify your information.
  23. You will then be asked to verify your phone number. Click the Call me now button and an automated service will call to give you your PIN. Once you have this, enter it into the PIN field and click Continue.
  24. You will then need to log back in. 
  25. When you sell items on eBay, the website charges a small fee. You now need to choose how you will pay any fees. Select the payment type you wish to use; credit card or PayPal, and continue.
  26. If you chose to pay via PayPal, you will now need to agree to the PayPal user agreement. When you have read it, click I agree.
  27. A new page will open giving you the chance to review your listing again. 
  28.  Your item is now posted!

Pro tips:

  • Start with no more than 10 items; this will lessen your chance of any listings being reviewed by bots.
  • Click Track your listing in My eBay to see if anyone is bidding for or buying your item.
  • You can also click My eBay at the top of the screen at any time to look at these details.
  • Potential buyers may ask you questions about your item via email,  to ensure you get good feedback later.
  • You may receive haggle offers, but you are not forced to accept any offer.

When an item sells:

  •  When your item is sold, you’ll receive an email from eBay.
  • Go back to ‘My eBay’ and click Sold.
  • There you’ll see the name of your item as well as the price it sold for.
  • Click Send payment details to send your buyer an invoice, which PayPal prepares automatically if you’re using that method of payment.
  •  Once the payment has been received, you’ll receive an email from PayPal.
  • Go to the PayPal website and enter your email address and password to log in to your PayPal account. 
  • Always promptly mail parcels, as soon as possible.
  • Always mail items with SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION delivery options; this avoids people charging back offers for non-receipt of items, once you’ve mailed a parcel.
  • Always offer a “no-refund” policy, except if an item is grossly misrepresented, and list items as no-shipping refunds, no return refunds, too; this prevents mailing scam issues.
  • Always list shipping tracking numbers on both eBay and Paypay.

So, that’s it. That’s how to successfully sell on eBay! So, naturally… today I challenge you to:

  1. Create an eBay/Paypal account.
  2. List 10 items.
  3. Have fun selling!

Friends, I hope this mini-guide on why now’s the best time to sell on eBay will inspire you to clear out your most-loved spaces at home. Now I want to ask, which items will be you selling this season on eBay? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

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9 Must-See Virtual Museum Tours For Children

Being stuck at home can be frustrating, especially young kids. While at-home, online education has been a tremendous blessing in terms of academic advancement during the past year of the COVID-19 Pandemic, no education is complete without arts and humanities education. And I should know. As one of my own degrees is in Art History. The hours and days spent exploring art museums, living history museums, and children’s museums are amongst my favorite memories of my youth. Particularly my teens years studying in France and visiting museums like the Louvre, Rijksmuseum, and Bayou.

Luckily, children around the world will be able to browse these hallowed halls in the digital era. As many museums have put their collections online or created virtual tours. Google Arts & Culture, and its namesake app, has digitized the collections of numerous museums, from the Van Gogh Museum to New York’s MOMA. As well as foundations, including The Mona Lisa Foundation, the premier patron of fine art museums in Zurich, Switzerland, known for its patronage of children-centric collections including the Isleworth Mona Lisa.

While tastes are different, and art appreciation is subjective to culture and experience, and not every gallery or space will appeal to every child, there is still plenty to enjoy. So whether you need a trip to the aquarium or scope our King Tut and the gang, here are some virtual museum tours your kids will enjoy.

glass building during nighttime

The Louvre

The Louvre may be closed, but many of its greatest treasures can be seen online. The landmark’s virtual tour takes you to some of its galleries, including into the basement ruins of the building’s original moat, which dates back to 1190 and the Egyptian antiquities from Napoleon Bonaparte from the pharaonic period. As well as the museums crowned jewels, including the Mona Lisa.

photo of staircase and glass roof

The British Museum

Ever wanted to see the Rosetta Stone or a real-life mummy? The British Museum has you covered. Their virtual tour is interactive, with artifacts searchable by era, region or type, and you can discover all sorts of interesting objects, including a bank check from Barclays and an ancient Egyptian papyrus poem.

woman in white dress statue

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

New York’s Met Museum’s MetKids is an online-only experience features a time machine, where you can search by time period, idea or location to uncover objects and artwork from the museum’s various rooms. There’s also a “Big Ideas” search tool allows kids to look into topics like inventions, fashion and battles. Including dozens of videos and interactive maps of the museum that allows you to check out various exhibitions around the building.

two women standing near Almond Blossom painting by Vincent Van Gogh

The Van Gogh Museum

If you love Van Gogh, then be sure to spend an afternon with your little one’s exploring the digital collection from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Particularly impressive in this digital collection is Almond Blossom, one of Van Gogh’s best-known patenting created during his trip to Japan.

dinosaur structure in museum

Boston’s Children’s Museum

The Boston Children’s Museum welcomes online visitors into its exhibits sharing everything from science instillations to colonial American history. Making this museum a great supplement to early American Studied and Social Studies curriculum at home.

brown concrete building near green trees and body of water during daytime

The Smithsonian

Whether your looking to brush up on your at-home paleontology trivia or see a real-life indoor castle, a virtual tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. is not to be missed. With a myriad of integrative videos, activities, reading, and interactive audio and visual experiences kids of all ages will find something to enjoy at the Smithsonian online. Make sure to check out the virtual tours of both the Smithsonian Castle and the Hirshhorn Sculpture Gardens.

assorted color ceramic decorative plates lot

Also, check out the Smithsonian museum’s National Gallery of Art. Hosting thousands of items and paintings online via Google. You can explore the current exhibition Fashioning a Nation to learn about American fashions from 1740 to 1895, or search through the various periods, from baroque to modern art. Favorites include Vermeer’s Woman Holding a Balance, Cassatt’s Little Girl in a Blue Armchair and Gauguin’s Words of the Devil.

white concrete statue on brown wooden ceiling

The Uffizi Gallery

Lover of Renaissance-era art? Treat yourself, and the kiddos, to the Florentine Uffizi Gallery virtual tour. can be explored on Google Arts & Culture, and there’s a lot of art to see. Most of the works are from the Renaissance, with an emphasis on paintings by Italian artists. You know, turtle-power masters like Da Vince, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello. Including Italian history and its impact on European history.

virtual musuem tours for kids roald dahl museum

Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Fan of James and the Giant Peach? Then be sure to check out the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, located outside London, before having a marathon day of reading The Witches or The BFG to your kids. Search through the exhibits and learn about the picturesque countryside of Buckinghamshire, the inspiration for many of Dahl’s best-oved works.

Friends, I hope this list of virtual museum, gallery, and scientific centers will help you and your little ones continue to explore all that is wild and wonderous in this great big world. Then, one day, when the world again makes since, be sure to plan trips to see your most-favorite virtual tours spots. Now I want to ask, which tour are you most excited to see? Leave your thoughts below.

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