Category: Lifestyle

Family Cars: Getting It Right

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

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If you have kids, chances are you’ve considered getting a car. Being able to drive and having access to your own vehicle can just make family life so much easier. Rather than trying to cart everyone around on public transport, worrying about your little ones disturbing others, wandering off or otherwise getting into trouble, you can simply get into one, controllable and contained space and transport yourselves from A to B with minimal hassle. It really can make all the difference. This has become more apparent since the coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic. Many of us are looking for ways to minimise our contact with others and a family car can really help with this. Of course, a car is a big investment. It’s likely to be the second most expensive thing you invest in – second only to your family home. So, you’re going to want to take multiple factors into consideration before buying or signing up to a finance plan. Here are some suggestions that can help you to secure the best car for your family’s needs!

Find the Right Price

Of course, if you have a family, one concern you probably have is cost. Driving and maintaining a car can be expensive, so you may want to keep costs as low as possible. Remember that the cost of the car itself isn’t the only thing you need to take into consideration. Instead, you’re going to need to take additional costs into account. You’re going to need to insure your vehicle. You’ll need to tax it. You’ll need to pay for fuel. You’ll need to carry out services and MOTs. Then there’s additional maintenance costs, such as oil, new tyres and more. Put simply, you need to make sure that the whole cost of having a car fits into your budget, while ensuring that you can still pay your bills and have disposable left for you and your little ones to enjoy. Consider all of your options. Very few people buy a car outright. Instead, most will use finance agreements, an interest free credit card or a low interest loan. Make sure to consider interest rates and compare deals to get the best option for your money.

Find the Right Size

Different families will need different size cars. If you have two children, you should be fine with a five seater car. If you have five children, however, you may need to look into getting some sort of seven seater car or mini bus. This will ensure everyone can fit in at once. You also need to account for things like baby seat space, booster seat space and luggage space for prams, bags and more. If you are living in a rural area, you may also need a larger, more rugged 4×4. So, ask yourself questions like Is the Mokka X a 4×4.

Take Your Time

Remember that this is a big decision. Don’t feel rushed and don’t allow salespeople to pressure you. Take your time. Think things over. You want to make sure you’re definitely happy with your choice before committing.

Hopefully, all of this information will guide you on the right path to the perfect family car for your needs!

Thanks for reading and hope your all doing well.

Jade x

free homeschooling resourses 2021

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi everyone short one today thought id just share a few online resources, I have come across this few weeks. We have work from the school but last week some wouldnt load we found our own and hoped for the best. I’m actually really enjoying it but have the worry we will run out of ideas. We don’t have a strict schedule a little every day as well as some of these online activities below I’ve listed the ones we like and a few bonus entries at the end. I must admit i didnt think 2021 was gunna begin like this but i suppose we must make the best of a crappy situation. These resourses will defiantly come in handy for the foreseeable until we can all resume our normal lives. I’m so proud of my children not once have they complained although we have had a few tears and tantrums this has been a huge change for them for everyone globally at the moment if we all stick together and follow the guidelines it’ll be ok just focus on now and hope for a better future.

Free Learning sites for children

These are for mainly primary school ages children but I have added one or two for older children too all are free and easily accessible if an app version is available I will list that too.

BBC bitesize a range of subjects for all ages :ehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

Math factor can be customised to your child age free until the schools open:https://www.themathsfactor.com/

For key stage 2 free online lessons from Atom, learning choose the free option: https://atomlearning.co.uk/

Free Courses for adults

The open university has a great selection of free online courses to help keep your mind busy or to simply learn something new or to brush up on old skills to help you get through this isolation time. I’ve personally done a fair few.

Alison free online learning Really great selection ive done a couple on here too.

Vision to learn  Not as many available but still useful and great for keeping your mind busy.

(will add more when i find them)

You can also watch on youtube at a more convenient time I subscribed so we don’t miss out(Here).

Museum –    LONDON- BRITISH MUSEUM 

PARIS- The LOUVRE

(will be adding more these are all I’ve looked at for now)

SPECIAL LESSONS

PE WITH JOE WE KNOW WHERE TO FIND HIM this time round you wont beat me mate haha.

Online ballet classes :https://www.ballet.org.uk/whats-on/filter-type/on-screen/

Hopefully, these will be helpful for you and your family and you’re all staying safe if you have come across any online resources you’ve found useful please comment below. This is a very uncertain time but we can make the best of it  WEVE got this!

Thanks for reading

Jade x

Ps will be updating as i find more resources .

disclaimer:  nothing in this post is sponsored there merely resources I have come across and decided to share with you i will be adding more through the weeks feb half term is a while away yet.

Homeschooling week 1 2021

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi everyone hope your well. Let me start by say wow what a whirlwind 2021 has turnt into I don’t think any of us though we’d be here again but I’m im trying to look on the bright side. This week has been quite testing and quite frankly I don’t think I’m the best teacher but we’ve been having a good go.

Emily was due to go back to school Tuesday we had lots of tears and tantrums because at six she just can’t comprehend why this is happening again. I’ve spent this week trying to console her and make the best of the situation many of us are in. I’ve created a sort of routine by planning out each day making we’ve got some fun stuff as well as learning I’ve found this time round we’ve found a much better balance. I have been to hard on us and our capabilities and I’m still filled with anxiety and doubt we’re doing a good enough job but we’re sticking to it best we can.

Wednesday was our first proper homeschooling day on Tuesday I let the kids have free reign before it all had to get serious which I feel was a good decision for us and everything seems to plan out. Back to Wednesday I tried to create a calm non stressful learning environment I put away all the unnecessary technology and turned off the tv. I set Emily up with some home-learning book which we already had left over from the last time and read through the work I had been sent. The school kindly sent over a work with a time table which for the most part we stuck too but some wouldn’t load… thanks sky and your brilliant connection not! We managed to get through it took us a very long time but we got there in the end.

Thursday I woke up feeling like death thank you to my lovely monthly surprise that make me feel so ill so we didn’t do much work but we focused on reading and phonics. I did feel quilt by the end of the day and felt angry at myself for not doing more. It wasn’t until the evening and I finally sat down I thought to myself you did your best isn’t the end of the world I think throughout all this we need to be a lot kinder to ourselves it’s ok to have a bad day.

Friday back to normal learning still felt like death but was alot better. We managed all the school work and Emily even read me a chapter of George’s marvellous medicine I was so impressed at how confident her reading has become and her willingness to learn. It really showed me how resilient and how well she has been able to adapt through all of of this pandemic I’m feeling very proud and I’m looking forward to Monday when we start a new week. I’ll be sharing all the resources I’ve come across tommorow evening all free of course us parents have to stick together and support each other.

How did your first week of homeschooling go and what are your top tips for getting stuff done through this lockdown. Thanks for reading and I hope you all safe and well.

Jade x

Tips On Finding The Perfect Travel Company For Your Trip

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

https://www.pexels.com/photo/mother-and-children-walks-near-body-of-water-1157399/

When going on holiday, it is vitally important that you book your vacation through the very best tour operator company for you. After all, you are going to be spending a good proportion of money on your holiday and thus you want to ensure that you have a fantastic time. 

This is especially important when going on family activity holidays because there is a lot of elements to consider, and therefore the company you go for needs to have the capacity to deal with all of your holiday needs in a professional and organised manner. 

This blog post will give you a helping hand by providing you with an insight into some of the most important points to think about when picking a travel company.

First and foremost, it is obviously vitally important that you opt for a company which offers value for money holiday package deals. It is advisable to have a look at quite a few websites online to get an idea of the general cost for the sort of holiday you are considering. For instance, if you are thinking about going on a skiing holiday then search ‘skiing holidays’ in at least five tour operator websites. Make a note of the average price, and make sure the company you are considering falls somewhere around this price. However, it is also advisable to be wary of going for merely the cheapest deal, as this can result in a lack of quality. Furthermore, using the example of skiing holidays again, check to see if equipment and other potential add-ons are included in the holiday package. Because if they are not, then this can end up significantly raising the cost of your holiday. 

In addition to the cost of your holiday, you should also consider the reputation of the company in question. This is really easy to do, all you need to do is go on a search engine, such as Google, and search the name of the company you are contemplating. Have a look at relevant websites and forums to see if previous customers have been left satisfied with the service they received and the holiday they went on. By doing this you will be able to avoid any potential red flags, as customers who have been left unhappy will be more than willing to express their disappointment.

A final point of consideration is to look at the experience of the travel company you are considering. The more experience the better, as this shows that they have the capability, capacity and connections to deal with all of your wants and needs. Furthermore, you will feel safe in the knowledge that your holiday is in the hands of a company which has been providing people with a similar service for many years. Make sure the company has experience in the specific vacation you’re interested in. From school trips to beach breaks, there are companies for all types of holidays today.

If you carefully think about and consider all of the points mentioned in this blog post, then you will be able to find the very best travel company to book your holiday through. They will also have all of the tools available to deal with all of your family activity holidays wants and needs. 

Hopefully we can all get away soon and everyone is well !

Thanks for reading Jade x

Tildabow’s review

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi everyone, hope you are well today I have a very colourful fun review for you. Some of you may no Emily is a brand rep for Tildabows which is run by the lovely Liz. She creates so many wonderful and unique bows and accessories I decided to write about, as i myself and Emily really enjoy the bow-tiful designs. We love having the collection we have and I don’t care if I’m too old to bow I’m gonna anyway hahaaaaa.

There are a vast array of bows that suit all budgets as well as lots of fun extras like bow holders and reward charts which I  cannot wait to arrive this week we definitely need them… send nanny McPhee. Im very accustoms to the skull snap clips I bought so well made and actually tame this crazy hair of mine. The quality of the bow trumps any you can buy at the shop so precisely cut and made impeccably I really can’t fault them at all.

Emily favourite is its beautiful giraffe called lucy but to be honest, I think there all her favourites she can never wear just one and is always on the prowl for more on my  Instagram haha.

Tildabows also has a giveaway running atm any order on the website is eligible to win ten-pound store credit and you can use code EMILY10 for a discount on your order. we do not get a commission but we do get a discount for our own orders. This isn’t a sponsored post I’m just sharing with you a bow company we believe in we’ve never been a brand rep before so please to be able to do it just for fun and to support a small business which we loved long before we were reps.

Shop here: https://www.tildabows.co.uk/ Follow here: https://www.instagram.com/tilda_bows/

This is Emily birthday bow couldn’t resist literally bows for all occasions and all ages.

Today tilda bows opened after her christmas break some new and wonderful items avalible now use code emily10 for a discount.Thanks for reading and good luck.

Jade x

Tips For Creating A Timeless Decor In Your Kid’s Bedroom

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Your child’s bedroom is likely something that you’ll need to re-decorate every so often. However, that can often become expensive over time, and so it’s worth trying to create a space that is able to see your child through most of their childhood without needing much doing to it. Here are some tips for creating a timeless decor in your kid’s bedroom.

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Stick With The Right Colour Scheme

Firstly, think about the colour scheme. When your children are young, they’re not likely to pay much attention to the room’s colours unless they’re fascinated with certain colours when it comes to toys. Try not to give in to painting your child’s room a bright neon pink or green and instead, with the more permanent features, focus on neutral colours. The brighter colours are something that you can incorporate through the soft furnishings within the room.

If they’re old enough, then you can always ask what type of theme they’re looking for when it comes to the room. At the end of the day, it’s a space that you want them to get plenty of enjoyment and fulfilment out of, so ask them if they have suggestions. The more neutral you can keep it though, the likelier it will be that you don’t need to do much in the way of painting or wallpapering walls.

Pick The Right Furniture

The right furniture is an important element to the room because it needs to function for the space but also do what it needs to for your child. There’s also a lot of kids’ bedroom furniture to choose from, so if you’re getting their input, it may be best to give them a limited choice of two or three. That way, you don’t need to do too much in the way of online or in-person shopping. Find the right furniture that suits their personality but also provides what you need for the space itself.

Keep It Minimal

When it comes to timeless decor, try to keep the kid’s bedroom minimal where you can because that will help simplify the look of the space. The less clutter you have, the better the room will look and feel too. Try to arrange the room so it fits the space and if something feels out of place, try finding a new area where it works better. The more minimalistic, the better so that they can have more space to have fun but to also play with their toys too.

Find Storage For Toys

Storage for toys is important because they’ll certainly have a lot of them. Try to find ways of incorporating storage where you can and that also includes hidden storage. The more that you can hide, the less messy the room will look overall. Storage is going to be a big help in creating an attractive room.

Creating timeless decor can be challenging as it’s easy to want to switch to something that will be short-lived. Use these tips to help with that!

Thanks for reading hope your safe and well

Jade x

Removing Debts For A Better Future

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Photo: Unsplash

There are many types of debt today but not all of them are bad and if you are struggling, there are ways to help. There are secured debts, for example, a mortgage loan where the property is the same guarantee in case the payment or the car loan is not fulfilled, where if it stops paying, the bank or company that granted the loan validates the execution of the guarantee and takes it to recover part of the credit granted. Another type of debt is unsecured, where, in case of not paying or canceling the loan, in addition to the accumulation of interest, legal measures can be applied, in addition to the immediate effect. You should look at debt consolidation. 

STEP BY STEP HOW TO PAY A DEBT

  • Make a budget and allocate a specific amount for the payment of debt.
  • Eliminate unnecessary expenses or postpone some purchases until after you have paid off the debt.
  • Avoid applying for new loans until you have finished paying the debt beforehand.
  • In case you have problems paying, go to your bank and explain your situation.
  • You can also go to a credit repair company and design a scheme to pay your debt.
  • Notify your creditor. As soon as you identify that you will not be able to cover a debt, credit or payment, you must contact the bank or financial institution to let them know the situation. This opens the possibility of an agreement to restructure the credit and pay it in a longer time with smaller amounts. Extending the term will increase the interest and the final amount to pay, but it is an alternative to maintain a positive credit history. 
  • Avoid hiring a new loan. Acquiring another financial commitment to pay off a previous one will only aggravate the problem and cause the original debt to become larger. It is a momentary solution, but detrimental in the long term. 

Getting out of debt.

We should always seek to manage our personal finances. It is a skill that we must reinforce as the years go by. This way we can look at many different tools to assist us and help us with the areas that are difficult: such as credit cards. If you don’t take care of it, then severe  consequences will ensue and you should always seek to get out of debt. 

“Having a credit card is a blessing or a curse, it all depends on whether you know how to manage money or not” – Mortgage Advisor.

There is no secret formula to get out of debt fast, that’s impossible. What you can do is enter a healing program and even try to pay what you owe, if you don’t, your account may fall into default and you won’t be able to settle soon. A credit repair or paying your debts on time you should do.  Once you get out of your debts, take a savings method, where you look for a way to continue paying your debts and saving. Make a budget of your expenses to avoid that your cards are exceeded in interest. Seek professional help to encourage a culture of savings. 

Thank for reading Jade x

Important Questions To Consider Before Starting Your Own Family !

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Have you ever considered starting a family of your own? It’s completely natural for people to want to have a child with their partner to begin a family of their own. It comes with many challenges and hardships, but it’s also one of the most magical experiences that you’ll go through as a person. However, there’s a good time and a bad time to start your own family and it’s important to make those distinctions.

In this post, we’ll be looking at some of the most important questions to ask before you start your own family.

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/DUrU_bZV8So (CC0)

Do you feel like you’re being forced into starting a family?

There’s a big difference between having a child by your own decision and feeling like you’re being forced into it. There are times where you might feel forced due to your partner pressuring you, and sometimes you might feel like it’s your parents who are pushing you to find a partner and have a child. If you’re not making the decision on your own, it’s going to introduce many problems in both searching for a suitable partner and also having a child. Make sure you and your partner are on board with the idea before you decide to commit.

Are you physically healthy and capable of raising a child?

It’s also a good idea to consider if you’re physically healthy enough to raise a child and start a family. Everyone’s body condition is different and we all decide to have children of different ages. If your physician determines that your body isn’t capable of raising a child or if there are concerns, then you may want to consider the egg donation procedure to see if there are suitable alternatives to natural childbirth. It’s also worth discussing the possibility that you may need to have a cesarean delivery due to your body or any other conditions.

Are you ready to take time off your career to focus on your family?

One of the best ways to understand your children and ensure they have a healthy upbringing is to spend a lot of time with them. Unfortunately, this does involve taking some time off your career and other activities in order to commit your time to them instead. If you’re not ready to take a little break from progressing up the career ladder, then you may want to reconsider starting a family.

Are you financially prepared to start your own family?

Raising a child isn’t cheap. It’s going to take a lot of money to pay for medical costs, supplies and potentially renovations to ensure your home is suitable for a family. As such, it’s important to understand that you need to be financially secure if you want to start a family. Yes, there is plenty of financial assistance you can claim too, but it’s important to have a steady flow of income and reduced amount of debt if you want to be prepared to start your own family.

Thanks for reading and happy new year

Jade x

Preparing for 2021 compers editions

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi everyone,  Merry Christmas and happy new year. Hope you everyone been really lucky in the advents . Whether your a seasoned comper or not here are some tips and tricks to get your comping in order ready for 2021. The week between Christmas and New Years is a very good time for a post-Christmas digital clear out. So as the comps are slowing down or like me you’ve been banned on Instagram here are some ways to spend your post advent withdrawals time.

1. Notebooks and diaries.

Keeping a diary of wins is a great way to keep track of what you’re waiting for as well as documenting all the wins you’ve had throughout the year. You can also keep track of yearly special dates which you might encourage seasonal comps or 3 hehe. Thank you to my friend mummy overload for my lovely notebook,

2. Instagram clear out I use the Instagram cleaner app but be careful not to unfollow too many or you may get a ban I tend to do 50 a day so far it’s been ok. I Started with the inactive accounts. The app does cost 1.99 but in my opinion so worth it saves so much time.

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3. Twitter clear out I use unfollowerstat to unfollow inactive accounts so easy to use you can unfollow 30 a day for free. Unfollowerstats.com simply sign up with your twitter so good :). I had 1000 accounts that hadn’t even logged in for 2 years .

4. Unsubscribe from mailing lists but don’t be too hasty as some wins may still come in the new year if you’ve gone advent mad like me.

5. Create a wish-list I put mine on the first page of my diary and hope for the best!

There are probably many more tips I could have included but I’d say these would make a great start. What do you do to prepare for a new comping year I’d love to know please comment below. Thanks for reading and I hope you have a very lucky and happy new year.

Jade x

Savvy ways to give your food shop the chop!

Published on by Jade RiceLeave a comment

Hi all hope you are well, it’s been a crazy few months and being frugal is more important than ever with unemployment rising and the children being home 24/7 and constantly demanding food. I’ve been working hard to get our bills down and to eliminate the amount of food waste we create. I’m actually quite embarrassed to admit most of our money was going on food and stupidly I’d order a take away when we had a full fridge. Cancelling our weekly takeaway has saved us 30 quid a week.

  • My first tip is to meal plan and stick to it. This is a new thing for me but I’ve found over the past three months has really helped to not only waste less food and money but is probably helping waistline too. This has saved us another £30 a week.

  • Buy own brand where possible. Usually tastes the same or very similar to the bigger brands and you’ll also find the salt and sugar content may be lower too so double win really.

  • Order online with your meal plan in tow and always check the cupboards before you shop. I’m guilty of having 6 packs of fish fingers in the freezer because I didn’t check.