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5 Tips To Forwarding Your Mail In The US

Moving is often regarded as a complex affair that demands great caution. More than 45 million Americans move residences in the US every year. Naturally, people who relocate always want their mail forwarding to their new address. Wondering how this is possible?

Forwarding your mail in the US

Here are 5 tips to forwarding your mail in the US:

 

  • Figure out whether your move is permanent or not

 

If you’re planning to move permanently to another state, you’ll need to apply for a permanent address change. When you select this option, all important mail is automatically forwarded to the new address. On the other hand, your move could be temporary: maybe you’re on an extended vacation or you’re nursing a sick relative. In this scenario, signing up for a temporary address change is certainly the best option for you. This mail forwarding service covers anywhere between 15 days to 6 months. You conveniently get all first-class mail and monthly periodicals forwarded to your temporary address for the specified period.

 

  • Subscribe to premium forwarding service

 

If you’re away for a brief period (two weeks to one year), the USPS premium mail forwarding service is an exquisite option for you. For just $19.35 per week, you’ll get your pending mail shipped to you once per week. All your mail is first allowed to accumulate at the post office, then it’s sent to you as a bunch once per week. This is cheaper and more efficient than having each and every letter expressly delivered to you on a daily basis.

 

  • Change your address online

 

If you’re moving locations, you’ll definitely want to settle everything out before the actual move. This includes notifying the U.S. Postal Service of your new address so they can conveniently forward your incoming mail. Good news is, there’s an easy, hassle-free method of subscribing to the USPS Mail Forwarding service: simply go online and visit USPS.com/move and fill in the relevant forms. A small charge of $1 will apply. It’s the easiest, fastest way to apply for a change of address. Be sure to avoid scammers who may charge you exorbitant rates for this straightforward service.

 

  • You can cancel a change of address request

 

There are a variety of reasons that could make you cancel your moving plans. For instance, your work transfer directive could be cancelled last minute or your previous yearning for a change in scenery could fade dramatically. If you’d already requested for a change of address, not to worry: this request can be reversed. Simply note down the confirmation number you were assigned, visit the official USPS site and use this number to cancel your request. It’s a quick, easy process that can be performed at any time.

 

  • Be careful when filling the change of address form

 

Although moving is a hectic affair, you want to ensure that every issue is handled correctly. Before filling out the appropriate change of address form and submitting it to the USPS, figure out who among your family members are moving with you, then included their names as well. If you’re relocating as a family, utilize the family option distinctly located on the form. However, if some occupants are staying behind while others are moving, the best option would be to fill separate forms for everyone who’s moving. This will help you avoid any confusion.

There you have it, 5 helpful options for anyone who desires to have their mail forwarded.

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Reviews & Adverts

The top 5 cleaning tools you need as a homeowner

Ever find yourself in a situation where you have to fix or clean something and you end up not being able to do so because you don’t have the proper cleaning tools? That can be frustrating and a lot of homeowners find themselves in this situation. In order to properly and easily clean your home, you are going to need some cleaning tools on hand. This way, you have easy access to it whenever it is necessary. There are a lot of cleaning tools and you might want to check this website which ones you need for your home.

 

Here are the top five cleaning tools that every homeowner should have.

 

  1. Vacuum cleaner

 

There are things in your house that are impossible to clean without a vacuum cleaner. This includes carpets and rugs. This cleaning tool is one of the most essential things to have if you are a homeowner as it can give you a lot of uses. It’s also efficient when it comes to cleaning every nook and corner of your walls, blinds, and upholstery. If you have a busy schedule, having a vacuum in your home can greatly help in making your cleaning process fast and efficient.

 

  1. Broom

 

Wherever you are in the world, one can never argue that a broom is one of the most important cleaning tools to have in your home. It helps in cleaning every area of your home easily without having to use electricity. They are also lightweight and do not take too much space. You have to take note that there are several types of brooms. Determine which one is the proper one you need to use so you don’t risk any scratches to your floors.

Cleaning tools - mop, brush, dustpan

  1. Towels and rags

 

Wherever you are in the house, you are going to need some rags and towels for wiping or cleaning. Most importantly, it is useful in absorbing any moisture, especially in the kitchen area. It’s a good idea to always keep one in your cleaning toolbox so you won’t have to always get a new one every time you clean something. Be careful in choosing coloured clothes as you might encounter issues in dyes transferring to the surface area that you are cleaning. Moreover, choose ones that can absorb moisture and liquid quickly.

 

  1. Scrub brush

 

A scrub brush can be considered the king of all cleaning tools. It’s one of the cleaning tools that can help you get rid of tough stains on floors, carpets, walls, and more. Sometimes, a cloth or sponge just won’t do all the work for you. Invest in a high-quality and durable scrub brush that you can use for any type of cleaning.

 

  1. Spray bottles.

 

One of the cleaning tools that can make your life easier is a spray bottle where you can put your cleaning solutions. When cleaning windows or any surfaces in your home, you don’t have to bring a bucket with you all the time. Just use your spray bottle and easily wipe off any dirt or grime.

Cleaning tools - spray bottle, cloths and soap

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Reviews & Adverts

Vaping Really Helped In The Quest To Quit Smoking

Like losing weight, quitting smoking can be a really hard task to undertake. There are multiple treatments available to help you quit smoking such as nicotine patches and gum, hypnosis and even tablets from the doctor.

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Crafts, Reviews & Adverts

Homemade Father’s Day Gifts

It’s Father’s Day here in the UK on Sunday, June 17th. Ant prefers homemade Father’s Day gifts so I’ve picked out a few ideas from Pinterest that the children can make for him.
If you’d like more ideas, I have lots of pins on my Dad Gifts Pinterest board.

Father’s Day Card

First up we have a fun Father’s Day card. It’s from HomeSchoolPreSchool.net

KayCee and Ella love making their own cards and there are loads of ideas on Pinterest.

homemade Father's Day gifts - Dad, You're the Coolest card

Check out HomeSchoolPreSchool’s Pinterest boards.

Nuts About You, Dad

Ant loves all kinds of nuts so this would be a great gift for him. If you can’t find a big tub of nuts like this one, you could buy a cheap Kilner jar and fill it with his favourite nuts.
The tutorial and a link to the printable label can be found on Don’t Waste The Crumbs

homemade Father's Day gifts - We're Nuts About You, Dad

Here’s Don’t Waste The Crumbs Pinterest profile

Lolly Stick Pen Holder

We have different coloured lolly sticks that we got from The Works so we wouldn’t need to paint them. It’s quicker but less fun for the children!
Ella would love making this because she likes being able to use the hot glue gun!

Lolly stick pen holder

You can find the tutorial for this craft on Mama Of Many Blessings.

My Dad Rocks – Paperweight

KayCee and Ella love rock painting. This is an easy one for little ones to do.

We did loads of rock painting last summer. We planned on putting them around the garden. Unfortunately, we never got around to coating them with varnish so they’re still in a box somewhere.
I really must get that sorted because they’re too nice to be hidden away in a box!

homemade Father's Day gifts - My Dad Rocks paperweight

Visit Our Family World for the tutorial

We Love You To Pieces

Finally, we have a cute little bottle filled with Reece’s Pieces. Mind you, if the children made for this Ant, I don’t think he’d see many of them…..Reece’s Pieces are my favourite!

homemade Father's Day gifts - Reece's pieces in a bottle - We love you to pieces

You’ll find the printable labels at Nothing But Country

I hope you have fun making a gift with your children, however, if you just don’t have time to make a gift this year, I’ve seen some great gifts at places like Argos and B&M.
Before buying from Argos I always check online for promotions and discount codes. Usually, you can save up to 25% or £50 off.

Emoji Golf Balls

These very colourful and fun Emoji golf balls! are only £9.99

Emoji golf balls Argos

Nikon D3400 Camera

For something a little more extravagant, you can currently* get £50 off a Nikon camera using the following code:

DSLR50

Nikon DSLR

 

I have a Nikon Coolpix camera at the moment. I would LOVE this camera and it’s going on my ‘when we win the lottery wishlist’!

 

Whether you get homemade Father’s Day gifts or something picked especially for you from the shops by your precious little people, I hope all the fathers out there have a wonderful day 🙂

 

* Correct at time of publication

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Reviews & Adverts

Should You Go On A Ketogenic Diet For The Summer?

What could be better than cooling down on a hot summer day with a tall, icy glass of sweet lemonade? You may crave the taste of your childhood with syrupy drinks, but as more and more research surfaces about the danger of eating excess sugar, it’s time to rethink our favourite snacks and think about a better alternative for our children. Here we’ll look at the ketogenic diet as a way to eat less sugar and ways to help you stick to this eating plan.

What Is The Ketogenic Diet?

As opposed to all the low-carb, high protein diets out there, the ketogenic diet is actually a high-fat diet. The dietary guidelines are about 70% fats, 25% protein and 5% carbs per day.

 

The point of this diet is to allow your body to reach ketosis. Because you are not providing enough sugar for your body to use as energy, it is then forced to break down stored fat cells. Not only can losing weight help your health but going on a ketogenic also has many cognitive benefits. In fact, this diet is even recommended for children with epilepsy because of the benefits to the brain.

foods for a keto diet

However, if you have diabetes, this diet can be dangerous. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any lifestyle change.

Easier Than You Might Think

If you’re a carb-a-holic you may not believe it, but it’s true that going on a ketogenic diet may be easier than you think. However, there are 2 major hurdles to clear before getting fully immersed in the keto lifestyle.

1. The Keto Flu

As your body gets used to being on the ketogenic diet, you may experience flu-like symptoms. It can be discouraging, but there are ways to get through it while sticking to the diet. Many people attribute their success on getting through this difficult time by using a natural plant product. Take a look at reports at www.reviewcritic.org/ to see various ketogenic products and the differences between them.

2. Breaking Your Sugar Addiction

During the first two weeks, you will still be craving your usual sugary staples. It’s a difficult period but if you can get through them, your tastes will change and you will become more sensitive to sugar and therefore not need as much of it.

 

Ways to successfully break your sugar addiction include:

  • Staying hydrated – Think you’re always hungry? You may actually be thirsty. If you are not hydrated properly, you will always to be looking to put something else in your mouth. Concentrate on drinking water throughout the day and you will surprise yourself by not being as hungry as you normally are.
  • Meal planning – Don’t wait until you’re starving to start looking for food. Make sure your house is stocked with good, healthy food and that you always have snacks at the ready.
  • Enlist a friend – Studies show that sticking to a diet is really all in your mind. Give yourself all the positive mental energy you can by enlisting a friend who is committed to this lifestyle as well. Motivate each other and have fun in order to reach your goals.

Take Away

With type 2 diabetes on the rise, cutting out sugar is not just essential for our health but also for the little ones in our lives. Modelling an eating lifestyle that is low in sugar can help inspire our children to reach for low-sugar alternatives to their favourite snacks.

 

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Reviews & Adverts

What Makes People Want To Visit A Website?

The internet is an incredibly useful and incredibly entertaining place. It hosts millions and billions of websites, all with their own algorithms and patterns for numerous different sectors of people out there. It is the world wide web after all, and it all seems to be able to monitor itself with little input from us human users.

 

However, that’s quite a naive view to take! The web only works because of the people who are savvy to it, and you need to be one of those people! After all, humans are creatures of habit, and everyone has a favourite website to head to, meaning they’re unlikely to deviate to you if you can’t match up. If you have a website, the amount of work you put into it is going to show in the finished product and the user experience.

 

When something works and works right, people are going to love looking into it, which means it’s time to understand why your website isn’t getting as many hits as it could be.

A person holding a computer tablet, looking at websites

People like to surf websites wherever they are, so make sure you’re always available to them! (Credit)

 

A Friendly and Simple User Interface

 

If somebody logs onto your website and doesn’t immediately see some tabs for them to navigate their way through, there’s a strong chance they’re going to immediately click off of you. So the key here is to not sacrifice usability for the aesthetic you feel like you need, and there’s plenty of ways to do that.  

 

For one, you could go the professional route, as [Herdl] are one of the leading web design agencies out there for your time and money. And if you want a google friendly website to constantly be available for the billions of users that pass through the engine each day, this is a good bet! Or you could instead be a little more clever with your themes, colours, and design, which you can draw inspiration from by looking at some of the most creative websites out there.

 

Fast Loading Times

 

The loading time on your website is going to be the main barrier for any users that come to you, as a website that even takes 2 seconds long to load can lose you about 90% of your possible viewership. People online have a very low attention span after all, and people rarely believe it’s their own fault when it comes to network latency (computer upgrades need to happen more often!)

 

So you need to have a homepage that isn’t too image-laden to load, and you need to have a good and robust domain to handle everything you load into it. Don’t worry, there won’t be too much of a price hike here if you take it in stages.

 

Visiting a website is something we do every day, multiple times, so make sure you design your own website as one you would want to use. Your own experiences matter more than you think here, so put them to good use!

 

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Reviews & Adverts

How To Build A Beauty Routine

Having a beauty routine is essential, regardless of whether you are a woman or a man. At a first glance, building such a routine might be a bit overwhelming. However, taking good care of yourself is worth it. As time goes by, you will realise that looking after yourself makes a true difference. Having a pamper session every now and then is a good way of eliminating stress or unwanted energies from your life, but it is not enough to make you feel you feel like a brand new person. After all, everyone takes a relaxing bath every once in a while and applies a face mask before an important event.

Building a beauty routine is not that hard, but it is important to keep in mind that it only brings results if you are consistent. Although not everyone out there is a fan of routines, this is the only effective way of making sure that you take good care of yourself. If you don’t know how to build such a routine, the following tips might come in handy.

  1. Start with the Skin

As the skin covers such a big part of the body, is it critical to know how to look after it properly. A healthy, glowing skin is easy to maintain with the right skincare regimen. Nevertheless, as there are so many products out there, it is difficult to know which ones to pick. First of all, you need to work out your current skin type, continue by cleansing and moisturising it each day. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water. By doing this, you’ll notice radiance and glow to your skin.

How to build a beauty routine

  1. Appreciate Your Hair

Looking after your skin is relatively easy once you figure out which products you need. Nonetheless, not many people take good care of their hair. Factors such as sun exposure, heat and strong chemicals from shampoos and hair sprays can deteriorate it and lead to hair loss problems. There are many causes that trigger hair loss, some of the main ones being genes, hormones, ageing and stress. Understanding those causes and taking preventive measures are important steps for anyone who wants to enjoy healthy hair all their life.

  1. Watch Your Diet

Another important aspect to consider when implementing a beauty routine is your diet. The foods you eat on a daily basis have a direct impact on the way you feel and look. For glowing skin, shinier nail and hair, it is important to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible. This is a lot easier during the summer when there are a lot more fresh fruits out there, but during the winter frozen fruits are just as good. Eliminating sugars from your diet for a week or two does make a difference.

fruit and berries to help maintain good health - how to build a beauty routine

  1. Get Enough Sleep

Since this is a beauty routine, it is vital to include sleep in it. The quality of your sleep does not only affect your mood and levels of energy, it also affects your complexion and the functioning of the internal organs. Therefore, sleeping like a baby for around 8 hours each night makes you feel beautiful. You could prepare to go to bed by drinking some calming tea and listening to some relaxing music.

Getting into a routine is not always easy, but seeing results makes it worth it. The tips described above are easy to stick to and bring incredible results in a short period of time.

 

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Reviews & Adverts

5 Things To Look For In A Vacuum Cleaner

Having a vacuum at home definitely makes cleaning easier. Choosing the right kind makes cleaning a fun chore. There are so many types of vacuum cleaners out there, each offering its own set of perks, but not all vacuums are made equal. Even if you head out and research which ones are the best at TopTenVacuums.co.uk, it doesn’t mean all of them are right for you. If you’re looking for the best vacuum cleaner for your home, here are 5 important things to consider:

vacuum cleaner

 

  1. What’s the size of your house?

Before deciding which vacuum cleaner to purchase for your household needs, consider the size of your house. How many levels are in it? Is it so big you would need to get a cord extension just to get around the house entirely without switching plugs? Are you going to move from floor to floor which makes big and bulky equipment a pain to carry? Thankfully, there are lots of options that would satisfy your needs with regards to the size of your home. You can get light and easily manoeuvrable canister type vacuum cleaners that are cordless and lightweight. You can also get the more fancy ones if you wish, cordless and rechargeable vacuum cleaners that pack a lot of power even when it’s not hooked to an outlet.

 

  1. What type of flooring do you have?

Most vacuum cleaners can handle a variety of the most common floor types: tiles, laminate, and vinyl. Still, there are those more suited to specific types of surfaces such as carpets or hardwood. Another consideration, since we’re on the topic of flooring, is the additional surfaces you would clean with your vacuum cleaner. Make sure to get a unit which has the necessary attachments for you to be able to clean other surfaces as well. When vacuuming dust from couches, curtains, and baseboards, an assortment of accessories would help you out big time. There are different nozzles, brushes, and tools you could attach to your vacuum that would help you clean specific surfaces better.

 

  1. How often must you use the vacuum cleaner?

Believe it or not, your cleaning schedule should be considered when choosing the right vacuum to use. If you clean regularly, let’s say once or twice a week, you’d want to get a vacuum that’s easy to store and take out whenever you need it. If your house accumulates dust quite fast, vacuuming should be a frequent activity. And as such, you may want to consider a robotic vacuum to spare yourself time. If dust and debris tend to be concentrated on a specific section of your house, then a stick vacuum would be a convenient choice.

 

  1. Are you concerned about allergens?

Aside from keeping your floor clean, some vacuum cleaners have the ability to filter the air it sucks in to produce better quality indoor air. If you have pets around or some of your family members suffer from asthma or allergies, getting vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters would be a great option. They work to filter the air sucked into the vacuum to exhaust air that is cleaner, odour free, and of better quality.

 

  1. Is the vacuum easy to maintain?

Depends on your own definition of high-maintenance, most vacuum cleaners would require emptying the dirt bag when it’s full, and cleaning the filters and attachments. The filters should be cleaned periodically and replaced when it’s already showing signs of wear. You may also need to lubricate the bearings on the brush roll to ensure it rolls smoothly when used. All the accessories and attachments must also be cleaned every after use to avoid accumulation of dust and dirt.

 

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Reviews & Adverts

Surprise! Throwing a surprise party, what you need to consider.

With everything we want more a less a click away, it can be difficult to know where to begin when it comes to birthday gifts. Many of us have the mentality of if you want it, get it. Which is great in our modern age, but it doesn’t give us gift-givers much hope!
Have you thought about throwing a surprise birthday party instead? Arranging a few drinks at a local bar or pub might sound adequate enough but if you really want your S.O. to have a birthday to remember, consider pulling out all the stops!

throwing a surprise party

Read on for some of the things you need to consider when you’re planning a surprise party. Go on, we won’t tell anyone!

The planning

You need to be on top of this if you want this party to be a success. With a conventional party, you could be forgiven for running to the shops for more drink an hour before the guests arrive, with a surprise party, you don’t have that luxury!

  • Think about the food, a freezer full of frozen party nibbles might arouse suspicion, as well as all those additional bottles of wine and beer, so why not hire someone to do the catering for you? It could be a Hog Roast Machine or even a delivery from a local restaurant who is in on the surprise.
  • The venue. The venue is crucial in terms of where you’re all going to party and it’ll help keep the secret going. Try and keep it somewhere normal, or somewhere the person in question regularly visits. Don’t head to the posh new restaurant in town – go to the same restaurant you both eat at on a Wednesday night! A party at home would be ideal but keeping the guest of honour out of the house for several hours while your army of helpers decorates isn’t always easy.

party food

  • The decorations. You’ll need to have a theme or a colour scheme in mind and have all these items bought/created and well hidden from the birthday boy/girl well in advance. You might be able to hide these at the venue or at someone’s house until you can get to the location to decorate. Be prepared to ask for help from friends and family here!
  • The guests. Here you have two options, a small gathering of their nearest and dearest or an all-out birthday bash. You need to think logically here. How realistic is it to get a hundred people to one venue without arousing suspicion? Are you able to keep on top of the R.S.V. P’s? How likely is it that the majority of your guest list will be able to make it? A larger group will certainly be harder to coordinate. But the risk of a small group is that you might miss someone out…
  • If possible, tell people about the party Group chats through social media are also a good bet. But just be careful that your S.O doesn’t accidentally see a notification from the “surprise party” group.

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Reviews & Adverts

5 Tips To Losing Weight Fast

The majority of people want to be in good shape, have a fit life or just be healthier than they currently are. Most of these probably require you to lose a bit of weight. There are many ways to reach your target but not all of them are recommended and not all of them are easy or cheap. You must make a decision on how you want to lose the weight and commit to it. Make sure you find the most suitable option for your lifestyle and of course, your budget. Here are some great ways to lose the weight quickly; maybe you will find the right option for you!

losing weight with liposuction

1)    Liposuction: By far the fastest way to lose weight, it is also the riskiest! Before considering this option, you definitely will want to get more information about the procedure. Clinics like liposuction Sydney can help you to find more information about the risks and benefits involved. It is important to research this procedure because it is not one size fits all. Keep in mind that this is a very invasive but very efficient way to achieve quick results. A doctor can give you all the details and run some tests on you before they confirm that you are a good candidate for the operation.

2)    Cardiovascular exercises: Of course, one of the most effective and healthy ways to lose weight is by doing exercise. However, not just any exercise – if you want to lose weight fast, you have to do at least 45 minutes of cardio every day. This method is not easy, requires a lot of discipline and consistency but certainly, it is the best way. Because it is a natural way to lose weight, your body will adapt easier and may not need any esthetic procedure after you reach your goal.

3)    Drink water: When you replace all your usual drinks for regular water, you are making one of the best changes possible. You will be keeping your body hydrated and cutting sugars that are not good for you, and of course, that don’t help with losing weight. Even if you are sceptical about whether this will really work, it is definitely worth giving a shot – you have nothing but weight to lose!

4)    Balanced diet: It doesn’t matter if you exercise or opt for surgery, if you don’t have a balanced diet, you won’t see any results or you will quickly revert to your initial weight. It is the main pillar on which weight loss stands. If you are not sure what you should be eating, speak with an expert and they will create a diet that fits your lifestyle. A nutritionist is the best person to consult in this situation.

5)    Drink coffee before working out: A cup of coffee before your workout routine activates your metabolism and helps to burn fat quicker. Besides that, it will hit you with a shot of energy, so your workout will be more intense. This will automatically will make you burn more calories and of course, lose pant sizes and weight.

 

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