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The Ultimate Back to School Checklist You Need to Have

BearfruitBasics — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 16:04:25 +0000

Back to School Is a Bittersweet Time for Most Families If you are looking for a back to school checklist, most likely you or someone in your family is gearing up to get ready to go back to school. Back to school is a bittersweet time in our household. On one hand, we’re not ready to give up our lazy, summer mornings that come after late, energetic sleepovers from the night before. However on the other hand, back to school allows for a new year of excitement and starting fresh. Your children will be making new friends and enjoying new clothes. There is even some respite for us, the parents at home. In any case, one of the appealing things about going back to school (as a mom anyway), is learning what everyone is into. For starters, is my middle schooler still obsessed with Hamilton, I wonder? Meanwhile, are the boys still into Star Wars and Dinosaurs these days? Going back to school shopping is a great way to connect and bond with your child. They can express themselves and their interests by picking their favorite clothes and themes, giving insight to what’s trendy for them at the moment. Conversely, back to school shopping can also be a tiring and stressful time in your life. For example, I don’t look forward to the crowds and the frenzy back-to-school shopping brings. Because I have a budget to stay within, getting the best deals are important to me, especially when you have multiple kids (or a large family like I do) to buy things for. School Supplies Are Slightly Different for Each Child We’ve compiled a basic back to school checklist for you to save time. This checklist should hopefully create a stress-free shopping experience for you and your student. If you prefer to get your things online, I’ve linked the items to Amazon for a smoother shopping experience. In addition to this back to school checklist, I encourage you to research with your child’s teacher first to make sure you are not missing anything. Again, this is a generic, basic list that should help you jump-start the year with the main items needed for school (but might not cover everything). Of course, remember to tweak it to cover yours or your child’s needs based on their grade and age, etc. Teachers will tell you that some items are required, while other items are only optional. If you have the means to donate school supplies, you can ask teachers for their “wish list” for their classroom. Certainly, any donation helps by giving kids the materials they need to have a successful school year! Basic Back to School Checklist: What They Will Need for their Classes Back to School Checklist: What Is Needed for the Student In addition to the list, don’t forget to see if your state has a tax-free week where you can take advantage of your back to school purchases. Back to School Checklist for High Schoolers Undeniably, the older kids are still going to need the basic school supplies. As has been noted above, that list includes: Also, did you know that Amazon offers a program just for students? (I just learned about this, too!) It’s called Prime Students, and it includes a lot of added features to really enhance your student’s journey through school. At the present time, if you are a student (or your child is old enough for their own account), you can sign up for Prime Student and receive discounts and deals such as: As a result of signing up for Prime Student, you can enjoy a free trial, and then prime monthly fee is discounted off the regular price after that. Lastly, many other places also provide student discounts, such as cell phone services, school programs, and travel industries. So, be sure to check out other student discount programs that you can take full advantage on! Back to School To-Do List Getting ready for back to school is not just about a list of physical items you need to purchase. For instance, it’s also about preparing yourself and your student for a prosperous start by making sure you handle everything on your to-do list before school starts. Therefore, here are some other things to keep in mind when getting ready for school: Kid’s Physicals Does your child need a physical to go back to school? Check with your state’s regulations to see if they need one to start school. If so, make sure you schedule one with their doctor or local pharmacy. Scheduled Bedtimes When it comes to preparing for back to school, getting everyone on schedule begins with having a set bed time. Try to train your bodies for earlier bedtimes (if you’ve been ignoring the clock all summer). For the most part, bedtime at my house tends to be, well, a mere suggestion. 😑 We are getting better though! It’s horrible how bedtime hits and that’s when everyone all of a sudden remembers how thirsty they are, or about the clothes they forgot to fold and put away earlier on in the day. Having a set bedtime helps everyone wake up in time to leave for school or catch the school bus in the morning without feeling groggy. Adjusting a few nights before school starts with a set bedtime will help the mornings go by without a hitch. Clean Out Closets Another advantage of getting ready for back to school, is taking the time to clean out closets. Things the kids have outgrown or worn out this last summer can be thrown away or donated if it’s still in good shape. Make some room in dressers and shoe racks for new clothes and shoes to take on the adventurous school year ahead. Checklist for the Younger Ones at Home If you have multiple children, there are some things I highly recommend you have for the young ones at home who aren’t quite ready for school, but are impacted nonetheless. Medicine Unfortunately, the start of a new school year usually means new germs. Getting sick is a normal part of childhood. With the older kids going to school, make sure you are prepared for sniffles and coughs by having children’s medicine on hand. I highly recommend this medicine, as it does not include all the unnecessary artificial dyes and ingredients, and touts to leave out all artificial sweeteners, preservatives, parabens, alcohol, and no common allergens. It is also certified gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO. Nursery Updates Having the kids back in school leaves a huge void of entertainment for the younger crowd in my household. Here are some things that help me keep the younger ones amused at home while the older ones are away at school: New School Year, New Habits! As of the beginning of this school year, I’ve tried really hard to get my night-owl, reality-TV-and-Netflix-watching self up earlier. Undoubtedly, as a Christian mom it’s important for me to try and squeeze in morning worship before the kids go to school. But, sometimes it can be difficult to make that happen with the rush of things and there are some days I struggle to get morning worship done. In any case, having a daily devotional book really helps me stay on track with making sure Jesus is at the center of our day. As we gather in the morning getting ready for the day to start, I love pausing for a few minutes while every one munches on their breakfast. We read and pray over one another before we all leave for the day. If you haven’t done worship (especially in the mornings), I challenge you to try! You will see a huge improvement in your family’s communication, behavior, and even daily gratitude. In Conclusion Back to school is a great time to start fresh. Begin by using a basic back to school checklist to prepare for the new school year ahead. Again, keep in mind that this blog only covers some generic suggestions for some basic back to school needs. Not to mention, it’s important to follow up with the teacher! Next, declutter and donate old clothes and shoes that no longer fit to free up space for new clothes and shoes. Remember to include Jesus in your daily routines to have your focus remain on Christ throughout the rush of the busy day! I hope this blog post has helped you prepare for back to school. How did you find back-to-school shopping? Was it stressful, or a piece of cake? Let me know in the comments below if you shopped online or in person. If you found this article helpful, please sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on our latest blogs.

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10 Best Flexible Work From Home Jobs for Moms

BearfruitBasics — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 16:06:00 +0000

As most mothers know, having children and juggling a career can become overwhelming and exhausting. It wasn’t until COVID-19 hit, that a wave of employers began allowing their employees to work from home. This opened up a world of opportunities where a lot of parents realized they were able to have a healthy work-life balance by working from home. Surveys show the need for flexibility for working parents. With the child care crisis, virtual schooling, and other inconveniences the pandemic causes, we see what many call the “Shecession”. The term Shecession was coined in regards about the many women losing their jobs in hospitality, child care, and other professions hit hard by the pandemic. Many mothers are the primary caretakers for their families, where they have no choice but to stay home with their children when schools and daycares are abruptly closed. I personally had to resign an in-office job that I absolutely loved with the most amazing people in order to find a work-from-home job that better suits my post-covid lifestyle. Working from home allows me the flexibility I need without experiencing mom-guilt from being in the office during a pandemic. As a mother, I believe that you can find well-paying remote jobs that allow you to make an income, whether you are looking for something full time, part time, or even contract work. There are many options out there that can suit your needs. Let’s explore 10 best work-from-home jobs for moms below and where to find them! 1. Graphic Designer I might be biased, because this is actually my work-from-home career. I work as a graphic designer and marketing specialist and am fortunate to work remotely. I’m able to take my kids to school, and pick them up and not have to spend extra money on after-school care. If you are creative, and enjoy making things such as flyers, advertisements, marketing collateral, logos,etc., then this job could be for you! Having the right skill set, you can apply directly to a company that is offering remote work. Some graphic designers charge per hour, while others offer a flat-rate fee per project. Social Media Management is a great, monthly income you can depend on if you also offer to post online for your client in places such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. You don’t have to be an expert in Adobe programs such as Photoshop to create stunning images. I highly recommend a design program like Canva, as it is super user-friendly. Their free plan includes so much. You can start your career in graphic design without expensive materials, as a computer, internet connection, and creativity are all you need. I use an Apple Macbook Laptop Pro, and I absolutely love it. Depending on your experience, I’ve seen jobs pay up to $75/hour! Start a collection of your designs (take a look at my graphic design portfolio to get ideas). Employers or clients will want to see your work and what you are capable of. If you don’t want to work with employers or clients, another option is to sell your design work online. 2. Freelance Writer Many companies are looking for freelance writers to help out with their content creation. Online job boards, such as Indeed.com, allow you to search with the filter for “remote” jobs. Search for job titles and keywords such as: Being a freelance writer, you’re able to begin with minimal start-up costs. Again, all you need is a reliable internet connection and a computer to get started. The bonus of this is being able to work from anywhere! (Poolside with a Virgin Piña Colada, anyone?) When it comes to starting a career as a freelance writer, make sure you keep your writing examples to create a portfolio. One of my best friends is a copywriter with two small children. I tend to write my blog posts at night time when the kids go to sleep and the house is quiet for me to concentrate. When you are ready, you can pitch to potential clients by reaching out directly to them with story ideas that would fit well with their content. Don’t be discouraged if they say no, or if your pitch doesn’t work out right away. Keep trying and don’t give up. Overtime, you can build a profitable business by writing for popular websites or magazines. 3. Virtual Assistant Being a virtual assistance is a great work-from-home option. The main role of this would be to provide administrative support for your employer or client. With online team management programs (such as Wrike and Microsoft Teams) it’s easier now more than ever to work remotely from home and still maintain a presence with your company. Some tasks you might be expected to do may include: handling emails, maintaining calendars, and even arranging meetings and travel for your client. Many virtual assistants are able to set their own hourly rate and choose a schedule that better suites their lifestyle. You can browse for positions using websites such as Flexjobs and Upwork. 4. Customer Service Representative Many companies have an abundant need for customer service reps. One of my first jobs out of college was working for an insurance company. I was translating Spanish phone calls and helping callers understand their insurance paperwork. Although I was able to work from home, this job definitely requires very minimal distractions. Having a work-from-home job in customer service might work better with older children in the household that understand you’re not able to be interrupted while on the phone. If you can set up a quiet, dedicated space that you can work from, it will be worth it. Moms with small babies or toddlers in the house might need a sitter or help from family while working. You can check out job listings on linkedin.com to see remote customer service work. 5. Babysitter/Nanny Speaking of sitters… As a mother, who is better qualified for childcare than you are? A wonderful work-from-home job, that offers little disturbance to your every-day home life, is to be a nanny or babysitter. If you love children and are staying home with your own children, why not get paid to help out another mom who needs childcare and watch their kids as well? If you are looking for local families in need, you can check out care.com to make a profile. Facebook groups also offers opportunities to connect with local moms that are desperately looking for childcare help. Some states have regulations regarding the number of children you are able to watch. If you are starting a business, you’ll want to look into getting a child care license. You can also go through first aid training to make you more qualified. Having references of people you have worked for in the past will be a huge help when you start looking for families that are in need of day care services. 6. Online Teacher/Tutor Being an online teacher or a tutor is a fantastic job opportunity for a stay-at-home mom. If you love teaching children, and have a knack for English, Math, History, Science, or any other school subject children need tutoring in, then this job is for you! You might be required to have a college education, depending on the company that hires you. Pay range will depend on your experience, but you can research the median wage for online tutors in your area for a general idea of what your pay rate might start at. Being an online teacher or tutor is not limited to just children. If you consider yourself an expert in a certain area, you can think about coaching others to reach their full potential as well. As a virtual teacher or coach, you can use video services to communicate with your clients. FaceTime, Skype, or Google hangouts allows you to work from the comfort of your own home. Start by advertising your services and create an online presence by being active on social media. Hang out where your target market is, and develop meaningful relationships to bring on clients. 7. Data Entry Clerk Data entry is pretty self-explanatory: you’ll be tasked with responsibilities such as entering information from documents into a software system on your computer. If you are willing to deal with the tedious task of data entry and consider yourself to be detail-oriented, data entry is pretty straightforward. It can be an entry-level job with little to no experience required. Some skills that will make it easier for you as a data entry clerk are: Data entry jobs require that you enter and transcribe large amounts of information in a precise and timely manner. You can make a great living once you become a highly skilled specialist with reliable services in data entry. Look for data entry job positions online at indeed, linkedin, careerbuilder, and other job boards. 8. Start an eCommerce Business Online If you are an artist or maker, you may want to think of opening a store. Many stay-at-home moms find great joy in selling their handmade items online. Share your passions by opening up an online store or creating a profile on a popular eCommerce company, such as Etsy. Popular objects that many successful stores sell include jewelry, art, accessories, vintage items, and clothing. Keep in mind, success will not happen overnight. If you enjoy what you do, try not to run out of steam until you see some traction. If you love crafting, think of doing things that people will pay good money for quality items. For example, you can create special, unique gifts or custom products that are memorable things people can order for their loved ones. Starting an online store will require a lot of dedication where you’ll have to wear multiple hats: photography, copy writing, and great customer service are just a few of the skills you will need in order to launch an eCommerce business. 9. Selling Flipped Items If you love shopping, and know how to find a great deal, then maybe selling flipped items is for you! You can turn this into a stay-at-home job by buying low and selling high. Being frugal and knowing how to negotiate will help you get larger profits in the end. Turn your passion for thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales into a lucrative reselling business. You can flip small items from valuable collectibles and jewelry, to larger things like furniture. Some things have great bones that just need a fresh coat of paint to take it to the next level. Sell your great finds on places like eBay or Facebook Marketplace. You can even create a Facebook business page for free to showcase your current finds available for sale! 10. Pet Sitter A flexible job that you can do from your home is to become a pet sitter. Pet sitting offers you a a paying gig that works around your schedule. If you love animals, and are a responsible pet caregiver, this job can be very rewarding. You can choose when you work, set your daily rate, and even pick which days you are available for pet sitting. Try online pet sitting companies, such as Rover.com, to sign up and offer pet sitting services to your local friends and neighbors. You can interview your client with their pet to make sure it is a good fit for you and your family before you take on the job. Conclusion In conclusion, there are many opportunities for moms who are looking for remote, work-from-home positions. Mothers should not have to pick between their careers and families. Finding the perfect balance looks different for everyone. Whether you are looking for a full time career, or just a quick gig to make money for the moment, there are plenty of work-from-home opportunities out there! I hope this list has helped you realize that you can make a reasonable living, or an income for either pocket money or to help out with your family’s finances. Let me know in the...

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25 Cheap and Easy Ideas for Valentine’s Day

BearfruitBasics — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 21:57:00 +0000

Fall in Love, Without Falling in Debt! Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. It can be a great holiday to show your loved one how much they mean to you. But as JLO sings in her famous hit, love don’t cost a thing! There is no price tag on spending some good, quality time with your significant other! If you’re thinking of what to do – but have a tight budget – we’ve compiled a fun list of 25 cheap (or free) easy ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day. 1. Cook Them a Valentine’s Day Meal Certainly, you don’t have to get a sitter for the kids and spend a fortune eating out. A romantic idea of celebrating Valentine’s Day is to cook your partner a special meal. Use groceries you already have in your fridge to keep the cost low. But if you want something special, or you just suck at cooking, (it’s okay, you can say it), buy an already cooked meal (think sushi, chicken, KFC, or whatever takeout you want). Make it extra special by decorating your own dining room table, dimming the lights, and using candles for that romantic touch. 2. Have a Romantic Movie Night Nothing beats watching a movie in the comfort of your own home. So, get your popcorn and candy ready and snuggle up to your honey with a movie night. Therefore, with online streaming readily available (such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, etc.) you can watch the latest movies right in your own living room. 3. Enjoy a Cheap Paint Night Likewise, a cheap and creative way to spend Valentine’s Day is by having a paint night. You can keep the cost low by getting budget-friendly art supplies from dollar stores or getting a paint set from Amazon. To set it up, all you need are some newspapers over your table, canvases, paints, and paintbrushes. For example, you can Google pictures you want to re-create (or use an online paint tutorial for beginners) and print them off as a guide. Being creative is a great bonding experience for both of you. You can even gift your painting to the other as their Valentine’s Day present. 4. Host a Valentine’s Day Game Night However, if you are one for hosting and enjoy having friends over, then having a game night is for you! The fun thing about game nights is that there are endless possibilities you can do. From board games, to smart phone apps you can download right on your phone, hosting a game night is great for a couple’s date night at your home. 5. Have Breakfast in Bed A sweet and super cost-effective way of celebrating Valentine’s Day is to have breakfast in bed. Surprise your loved one with their favorite breakfast before the rush of the day begins. If you have a special tray, you can make a healthy homemade meal with ingredients you already have in your kitchen. Most importantly, you can make it romantic by decorating the tray with flowers and a handwritten love note. 6. Give Each Other Massages Nothing beats a romantic Valentine’s Day evening than when you give each other massages. The materials you need for a massage are extremely cheap, and you might already own them. You can use lotion, fractionated coconut oil, or divinely-scented massage oil. Make the occasion special by playing spa music in the background and lighting some romantic candles. 7. Take a Charming Walk on the Beach They don’t say walks on the beach are romantic for nothing! If you happen to live nearby a beach, a romantic hand-held stroll with your toes in the ocean can be just what your soul needs this Valentine’s Day. (Unless, of course, the water is freezing – it is February after all!) 8. Go on an Adventurous Hike or Camping If you are an outdoorsy type of person, turn Valentine’s Day into a fun outdoor hike. You can take it one step further by camping out and enjoying nature just the two of you. However, depending on how you like to go camping (or “glamping” for my bougie mamas 😆), the cost can range on the varying types of camp methods. For example, if you like to pitch a tent at a campsite, or whether you choose to bring your own RV, to renting out a cabin suite, the prices will vary. See what is in your budget and try to enjoy the peaceful environment around you this Valentine’s Day. Fishing anyone? 9. Start a Valentine’s Day Tradition Another Valentine’s Day idea that barely costs anything is to start a new tradition. For example, will you visit someplace new every Valentine’s Day? Will you decide to write each other letters? Perhaps a special restaurant will become your Valentine’s Day thing. Starting a new tradition is literally anything you want it to be, and can be something to look forward to every year! 10. Take a Joy Ride This one is for the adventurous spirit. Other than a full tank of gas and a reliable car, taking a joyride can be a great Valentine’s Day idea that barely costs you a thing. You can take out a map and decide to go to a place you’ve never been to before, or you can literally flip a coin (heads means turn left, tails means turn right) and see where you end up. Maybe have your phone fully charged so you can always GPS your way back home and not end up lost lol. 11. Watch the Sunrise or Sunset A free Valentine’s Day idea is to watch the sunrise or sunset. Stargazing is romantic and can be great quality time to have a conversation with your honey as you gaze into the galaxy. That is to say, find a wonderful view and bring a warm, cozy blanket to snuggle up with and watch as the sky changes its celestial colors. 12. Have a Picnic in the Park Having a picnic in the park is a tried-and-true Valentine’s Day date that can’t go wrong. It’s dreamy, special, and of course, romantic. You can make your own sandwiches and food, or get your loved one’s favorite meal. Therefore, you can pack up a picnic basket, a blanket to sit on, and surprise them with a picnic in a serene park. If your partner can’t get away from work, see if you can surprise them during their lunch hour by bringing the picnic to them. 13. Rent a Boat Depending on where you live, you can rent a boat or take a boat ride for a scenic view of a beautiful lake or river. Tour guides offer some historical value, so if you are a couple that enjoys learning something new about your city, this would be a great Valentine’s Day gift. Groupon offers a lot of boat tours near you, and has discount codes often. 14. Ride Your Bikes If you own a bike, loading up your equipment and driving to a new place (for example, a national state park) would be a great way to spend Valentine’s Day. You can explore new trails, and even pack a picnic as mentioned before. Other options instead of riding your bike could be kayaking, roller-skating, or any other fun sport that allow you both to spend quality time together. 15. Be a Tourist in Your Own City Becoming a tourist in your own city is a lot easier said than done. It might be a little more on the costly side if you want to partake in new restaurants or different activities your city has to offer. You can Google “Things to do in my city” for more entertaining ideas. In short, to keep your budget low, look for free concerts, free museums, or other free local events. Valentine’s Day can be the perfect time to explore where you live with your wonderful partner. 16. Make a Romantic Bonfire February is still winter, so making a bonfire is a great way to keep the romantic spark going. (See what I did there?) Bonfires create a romantic environment when it’s just the two of you. Make a hot cup of cocoa or bring crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate to make s’mores and enjoy the cackling of the fire as you take time out from your busy schedules to slow down and enjoy each other’s company. 17. Find a Free Event To Go To Valentine’s Day is a great time to find a free event to go to. Many local restaurants, companies, and communities love to promote themselves during a special holiday. Check out your local newspapers or Facebook groups to see if there is anything news worthy to attend. Other than maybe paying for parking and perhaps food at the event site, this is a low-cost Valentine’s Day date idea to try something different. 18. Make Homemade Valentine’s Gifts for Each Other The possibilities are endless when it comes to making homemade gifts for one another. Flowers from your own yard can you turn into a beautiful bouquet. Feeling crafty and enjoy making projects? You can make personalized gifts with your loved one’s name. If you are looking for sentimental gift boxes, there are plenty of online stores that offer cute varieties of gift boxes that can be delivered just in time for something special. Keep in mind shipping delays if you do decide to order something, do it ahead of time so it does not arrive late. 19. Take the Day Off Set your out-of-office reply and use some PTO for the day! Not only do I mean take the day off of work, but you can seriously just skip Valentine’s Day if it’s not your thing. However, make sure you communicate your intentions with your partner beforehand. You don’t want them expecting to celebrate a day with you when you have already checked out. Skipping Valentine’s Day is a personal choice, so don’t feel the need that you have to partake in a holiday tradition if it’s not for you. Bonus: Taking the day off of work does allow you to spend quality time with each other, regardless of the holiday! Finish of your day by chilling by the pool, or enjoying a quiet, relaxing day at home. 20. Write a Valentine’s Day Love Poem I am a sucker for a love note or a love poem. Because of this, I highly recommend that this Valentine’s Day, you take the time to write something special for your loved one. Let them know how much you really care and all the things you love about them. Write them a poem, love note, or even create fun coupons they can cash in with you at a later date. Coupons can range from anything such as daily chores (cleaning the kitchen, doing the laundry, etc.), to something fun and exciting, such as a foot massage, ice-cream date, you name it! 21. Recreate Your First Date Re-creating your first date might be difficult to do if you no longer live by the place your first date happened. However, it doesn’t have to be the exact same location because it’s really the thought that counts. If you are able to visit the first place you dated, it would be a wonderful sentimental date for you both to ponder how far you’ve made it. *Cue Shania Twain’s “You’re still the one” song in the background. * 22. Post Love Message Notes All Over the House A cute Valentine’s Day idea I saw one time was to post love notes all over the house. You can use sticky notes to put them in places your partner isn’t expecting. For example, put them on doors, mirrors, in their closet, maybe in their backpacks or purses if they carry one. Shower their Valentine’s Day with love notes that they continue to find throughout the day. Not only is it sweet, but extremely cost-efficient as all you need are some sticky-notes, a pen, and...

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The 4 Simple Christmas Gift Ideas for Minimalists

BearfruitBasics — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 03:41:06 +0000

All I Want for Christmas Is… Christmas can be such a joyful, and special holiday for families. However, it can also be a stressful time for those who might not have the means and funds. We want to lavish our friends and family members with gifts and presents, even if we can’t afford to. A few years ago, our family adopted what we call the “four asks” for Christmas. This is a great way to keep Christmas gift giving stress-free. Basically, we are trying to narrow down the Christmas items we all ask for. Not only does this help with finances, but it also helps our children be more intentional with what they want. By doing the four Christmas gift ideas, they are more appreciative of what they do get and learn to cherish it more. I also notice that they receive much more quality gifts, since we don’t bombard them with smaller, cheaply-made toys. Gift Ideas for Minimalists The four simple Christmas gift ideas are great for those wanting to minimize their lifestyle. Although I myself am not a minimalist, it’s a goal of mine every time I declutter and clean to get rid of things I don’t use or that no longer fits me – thank you Covid lockdown. Donating or selling clothes makes me feel great knowing I’m helping people as well as creating more space in my house. (I might obsess slightly over Marie Kondo’s folding technique and cleaning up method!) The four asks are very simple and goes as follows: 1. Something You Want This one is an easy one and probably the most favorite of my kids. Instead of preparing a long list for Santa Clause full of all their “wants”, they slim it down to the very most important present they truly want. Prepare yourself to receive multiple versions of this Christmas lists and hearing an excited child declare, “Wait, mommy, can I change my answer?” If they start early enough, you’ll know what they really want when they haven’t changed their answer in a while. If you’re kids are a little too young to really know what they want, a quick google search can be helpful for you to find out what Christmas gifts are trending at the moment. Amazon also recently just launched a “Toys We Love” section to reveal the most popular holiday toys. 2. Something You Need This Christmas gift helps expand their thinking into something more than toys and entertainment. It helps children realize that other things (especially things we consider normal or mundane) are actually gifts as well. I’ve seen new shoes, socks, even underwear pop up in this category. My daughter did effectively argue why she “needed” a Chromebook for her homework. “Everything is online nowadays anyway,” she successfully giggled. “And if it can be a touchscreen, that would be great,” she gleefully added. I did cave and get her one, but the price was significantly cheaper than I thought! Asking for something you need is a great Christmas gift idea to really get kids to ponder the difference between a necessity and a frivolous holiday gift. 3. Something to Wear Our kids tend to ask for new Christmas pajamas for this one, but you can get creative with this Christmas gift category. Think outside the box, as it doesn’t just have to be clothes! Asking for something to wear can range from new eyeglasses, to jewelry, to makeup, to a comfy spa bathrobe. I’ve always loved new slippers every Christmas, as boring as that may sound. We don’t wear outside shoes in the house so I have a great need for them once the year is up. Of course, a new fancy dress or clothing items still make it on the list, too. 4. Something to Read This Christmas gift is a favorite for the whole family. The topics range from comic books, to gardening, to history books, to novels. Getting age-appropriate books are great, but it’s also a neat idea to get your kids something a little more challenging to read. Nothing beats spending the day after Christmas, snuggled up with a blanket, and a new book. In conclusion, these four Christmas gift ideas aren’t hard rules we follow, but somewhat of a guide. Our children might get a little more than four presents each, especially when you include presents from loving grandparents, proud aunts and uncles, and excited cousins. If you are wanting a more refined and precise Christmas list full of Christmas ideas that are very well thought out, try the four Simple Christmas Gift Ideas! P.s. Have you tried making your own Christmas room spray? These non-toxic recipes will help your house ring in the holidays with the sweet scents of Christmas. It’s safe for your family and pets, and makes a great homemade gift as well! If you found this article helpful, sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on our recent blog posts and be entered to win our giveaways.

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How to Travel on a budget Stress Free

BearfruitBasics — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 11:26:01 +0000

The Stress-Free Frugal Traveler’s Guide: How to Travel on a Budget Time off for the holidays, but you’re bougie on a budget? Does the thought of spending too much money hinder your ability to enjoy a family vacation? If so, this blog post on how to travel on a budget is for you! If you want to live a luxurious lifestyle, but don’t want to break the bank – or rack up credit card debt – there are tons of ways you can travel with a small or very limited budget. We just got back from an amazing, adventure-packed vacation visiting family in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Our plans to visit the UAE went from a far-away unreachable dream, to a realistic trip to paradise. Surprisingly, there are many affordable methods in traveling stress-free, even when you’re not swimming in dollar dollar bills, y’all. For those of you that don’t already know, I gave up my full-time, corporate America job to be a stay-at-home mom. I work from home doing Marketing and Graphic Design. With my husband’s full-time income, we try to budget for one big vacation a year; it’s important for us to get away from time to time. Having a “family escape” to enjoy the fruits of our labor and, most importantly, enjoy time with each other is vital in strengthening our bonds with one another. Our trip to Abu Dhabi and Dubai was hands down one of the best and memorable vacations we have ever done. We follow these tips and advice to aim to have a stress-free vacation by learning how to travel on a budget. Travel on a Budget: When Is the Best Time to Fly? Firstly, did you know that there are best days to fly? Flights tend to be more expensive during the weekends, due to more people being free to travel. Try and fly during the week, Tuesday through Friday if possible for a cheaper alternative to stay within budget. If you are planning on leaving the country, it’s important to know when is the best time to fly to your location. Depending on your final destination, there are busy seasons and off-peak seasons. Aim to plan your travel when it’s not the busiest season and during off-season. This allows you to find plane tickets within your budget. Research to see when peak season is and what the weather will be like, to see if it aligns with your vacation desires. For example, if you are aiming for beach weather, try for the end of summer. Prices are more inexpensive but still warm enough to have salty hair and sandy toes. You can visit your destination’s official website to discover more information on weather conditions and any events that you might find relevant in order to catch them on your vacation. Visit Family Members or Close Friends Overseas If you are fortunate enough to have family or friends in a location you’ve never been to before, go visit them! There are some places that are naturally cheaper than others to travel to, but if you have the advantage of crashing with the fam, then by all means go and enjoy! Knock out two birds with one stone by having family time as well as indulging in a new place. Our magical adventure in Abu Dhabi and Dubai would not have happened had we not been able to lodge with our loving and generous cousins overseas. They allowed us to stay in their guest room and eat and drink all their juice and snacks. The amount of money we saved simply by being able to live at their loving home was THOUSANDS for a two-week stay in the UAE. Talk about a stress-free, living-on-a-tight-budget answered prayer! Uncertain if you can stay with someone you know? Another route to traveling on a budget is to find housing for much cheaper than a hotel. Airbnb is a great alternative to a hotel, as it offers multiple variations of lodging and activities. I have personally used them multiple times. We book housing and activities for our whole family to stay. Some places are pet friendly, where I’ve been able to bring my German Shepherd dog, Leo, too. This helps me stay within budget by not having to spend money on dog boarding. Book Well in Advance to Travel on a Budget Booking in advance really helps you save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Not only do you get the best deals when booking so far ahead, but you get additional options or promotions that might not be available to you if you procrastinate. Take advantage of being able to pick which possibilities work best for your family and budget by planning months in advance. Although last minute deals can be a great surprise, often times booking ahead of time allows you to find cheaper transportation, activities, and accommodations all of which permits you to stay within your travel budget. Pack Light but Clever When it comes to packing, I suggest to pack light but clever. Most of the time, you won’t use everything you pack. Think of clothing items that have multi-purpose use that you can wear several times. Airlines charge extra if your suitcase is overweight or if you have too many bags to check. That’s why it’s important to pick a good travel bag to store all of your things conveniently. It’s important to look up your baggage allowance with your airline company so you know the weight and the luggage pieces allowed before you get to the airport. There is nothing more stressful than having to move items around and/or pay extra because you didn’t check the terms prior to boarding. Conversely, although you should pack light, it’s vital to still take everything you need so you are not wasting time or money trying to find something you forgot at home. Here are some ideas for simple things that you can take with you to save money later on: Ask Locals for Ideas on What to Do There are plenty of free experiences you can partake in, but you have to research and know the best spots. In my experience, asking locals for their opinion on what to do has been a great source of budget-friendly knowledge. Don’t be scared to meet new people and ask what local things are worth doing. There are plenty of art galleries and museums that are free, or charge a small entrance fee for visiting. Places like beaches, hiking trails, and city monuments tend to be free of charge as well, depending on where you visit. Find Reasonably-Priced Restaurants or Pack a Lunch! Most hostels, rooms for rent, Airbnb’s, and some hotel suites have access to a kitchen. By eating in, you can save money by stocking up on groceries and cooking at home. This option is so much cheaper than when going out for a night in the town and eating out. You can eat breakfast at home, then pack a lunch if you’re on a tight budget and go explore! However, if eating out is an important part of your vacation and experience, you can still eat well on a budget. I highly recommend checking out restaurants in advance. You can read google reviews, find an online menu, and even check out prices ahead of time to see if the new food spot falls within your dining-out budget. Again, ask locals where they like to eat for traditional food that doesn’t break the bank! Shop at Local Markets When traveling abroad, the well-known malls and plazas tend to come to mind or may be much easier to find. However, shopping at local markets or souks tends to be much cheaper. Not only can you find better prices, but you’re more likely to find homemade products where you can support locals and their small business. Asking for a deal if you buy in bulk is always a nice way to save a little money, but definitely recognize when a price is fair and worth their hard work and craftsmanship! Shopping locally allows you to have a closer experience with people who actually live where you vacation. A lot of small businesses are family owned. They are ecstatic to share their products with someone who appreciates their work. Local shopping allows you to feel good about saving money, but also support ethical, smaller entrepreneurs. In Conclusion To wrap it up, if you put a family vacation on hold because you can’t afford it, please know there are viable options that you can take to travel on a tight budget! Don’t procrastinate and find good deals in advance. Check different days for flights, seek lodging with friends or family, and shop local for a true, authentic experience. Please remember, it’s not the worse thing in the world if you end up using your credit card (within reason) to enjoy an amazing, lifetime experience. If you found this article helpful, sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on our recent blog posts and be entered to win our giveaways.

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