The Importance of Staying Fit With Your Kids

As soon as that baby comes, it's difficult even to find time to sleep much less exercise. But if fitness was a priority for you before your kids, it's important to keep that routine going for your physical and mental health. Even if you weren't into exercising before, picking up an activity now can help you teach your kids the importance of staying fit. Here are some reasons why fitness is so important for you and your kids.

It Can Keep You and Your Partner Close

Did you and your partner meet in a gym? Run races together? Don't give up your mutual passion after having kids. Just as some couples schedule "date nights," you can schedule a time to go to the gym together and get a workout in. Include your kids on the weekends to make it a family workout. Everyone will get the benefits of exercise, but your kids will also get to see their parents doing something they love.

It Helps You Spend Quality Time Together

Older children especially have busy schedules. From school to homework to other after-school activities, you may feel like you never get to spend time with them until the weekend. Plus then there's work, making dinner and running your kids around on your end.

Fitness can help you spend quality time with your kids. Try sleeping when your kids sleep, so you're up and active when they are. Once they're awake, take them on a jog in a jogging stroller or go on a hike, visit a local park or take them to the gym. You get a workout, and your kids get to spend quality time with their parent.

It Gives You All an Opportunity for Fresh Air

Spending time in nature offers numerous health benefits including stress relief, improving blood pressure and decreasing the risk of cancer. When you take your workout outside, you get the benefits of exercise and being outdoors.

Take your kids outside so you all can enjoy the fresh air together. Try running with them in a jogging stroller, biking together or even swimming. Older kids will also love going on family hikes together. You can even start a garden together to not only teach kids about the importance of physical fitness but eating healthy.

It Can Teach Kids About Sharing

Younger kids who aren't necessarily ready for an organized sport can get the benefits of fitness while playing on a playground. Focus on playground equipment that's appropriate for your child's age and motor skills to avoid any injuries.

Taking your kids to the playground isn't an excuse for you to push your workout aside. Try a fun playground workout where you can get in some exercise while still having fun with your kids.

It Can Spark a Lifelong Love

When kids get older, more demands pull at their attention and exercise may fall to the wayside. Maybe they have a packed schedule at school or a lack of active role models. Whatever the case, you can step up and show them the importance of staying fit.

Find an activity that you can all enjoy together based on your child's personality type. If they're a natural athlete, look for a sport they may want to play for the rest of their lives. If they're not an athlete but interested in physical activity, try hiking or even yoga classes. The activity your child chooses could turn into a lifelong passion.

It Helps Cognitive Development in Kids

If neither you or children want to go to a gym or go for a run outside, try dancing it out together. Music helps with cognitive development in children, and dancing will get your heart rate up and help you laugh together. Small kids will also love dancing because it helps them get used to exploring their bodies in motion.

You can also try signing up for a Zumba class or other dance class for both parents and children. You'll sweat it out, and your kids can learn the important lesson that fitness is fun.

It Can Keep You on a Schedule

Schedules are rough whether you have a new baby or a 12-year-old middle school student. However, exercise can help you all stay on a consistent schedule throughout the week and the weekend.

Block out a chunk of time during the day where you'd like to work out. Then check with your children's schedules to see if they're also free. When the times line up, schedule a group fitness activity for the whole family. It can be going to the park or hiking along a new trail together. This helps your children learn the importance of scheduling and exercise while you get a workout in as well.

Don't Stress if Things Go Wrong

At the end of the day, it's important to remember that you still have kids and things can still go wrong. If you don't get that 30-minute jog in one day, don't sweat it. Make a commitment to exercise with your kids, and it will eventually happen.

Hidden Figures Behind Buying a Home

One of the most exciting moments in anyone’s life is when they purchase their own first property. However, this is also perhaps the biggest expense you will have in your life. And the price tag of the property is far from the end of the story. The mortgage is just one of the expenses you will face down the road, and the fact that many people tend to overlook additional costs when planning their budget can result in a headache or two in the end. However, being well-prepared and well-informed before jumping right in can help in lowering some of these unexpected expenses. So, for a start, here are some of the hidden figures behind buying a home you should be aware of before you sign that contract.

First off, inspections

Once you have your property of choice, you have to schedule inspections before anything is set in stone. Get a general home inspection that will point out any reason for concern. If you’re lucky, this is all you’re going to need; however, a general inspector may very well point out signs of damage that will require you to turn to another specialized inspector and so on. A lot will depend on how old the property in question is and how well it was maintained by their previous owners. However, even if it looks new and well-maintained, a proper inspection is advised, sometimes even required. So, be prepared to pay anything from a few hundred dollars up to over a thousand on this front.

Prepare for a loan origination fee...

You might already know that more often than not, paying a mortgage rather than rent is a better deal: not only is it cheaper, but you also own your property. However, taking out a mortgage comes with some extra expenses. Be aware that when you’re taking out a loan, your lender is going to charge you with an origination fee you have to pay upfront. This fee can become quite hefty considering it represents about 0.5-1% of the overall amount of your loan. Make sure you research how much different lenders charge you in this regard to save a few dollars!

...as well as closing costs

Another often overlooked expense that many forget to include in their calculations is closing costs. This represents a fee paid after the seller accepts your offer and the transaction is completed. These costs will, again, vary depending on the price of the property as well as other factors such as your loan type, your lender and, of course, your country or state, but be prepared for 2-5% of the value of the home. This is no small amount we are talking about, so it should be included in your budgeting from the very beginning.

Be smart

A mistake especially inexperienced first-time buyers make is trying to do everything themselves. While it is true that you can do your own research on the neighborhood and compare prices, the information you will get is nowhere near as extensive and insightful as the one professionals can provide you with. So, while this is not exactly a “hidden cost”, if you handle everything on your own, you might end up paying considerably more than what you could have. On the other hand, experienced professionals such as Curtis buyer agents can find the best bang for your buck and perhaps even negotiate several percent off the price. So, don’t let sellers make you pay more than you should!

Insurance, taxes and so on

Another expense that you’re going to have to think about as a newfound homeowner is insurance. It’s not a good idea to leave this for the last minute, as deciding in a rush and choosing the wrong option can cost you a lot of money, especially in the long run. Here, too, you might want to speak to a professional to make sure you get the best policy and coverage, no more and no less than you actually need. Moreover, a new property means new taxes which you’ll have to familiarize yourself with. These can change over time so make sure you keep yourself up-to-date whenever you make a bigger change to your home.

For the future

On top of all of this, you have to make sure you don’t completely empty your funds. You have to have an emergency fund for any unforeseen circumstances. Owning a property comes with a slew of new responsibilities, and you never know when a major appliance is going to break down or when you’re going to need to call repairmen to fix up something around the house. Moreover, if you are moving into a house from an apartment, you will find your bills skyrocketing, which may set you back for a while until you get the hang of things. All in all, the long list of expenses does not stop when you finally buy your property and move in; a bunch of things will be waiting for you to balance them financially in your new home.

Buying a home is not a cheap endeavor, but it can be even more expensive if you are not well-informed and don’t plan your budget properly beforehand. Don’t forget to include all of the “hidden” costs, as those hundreds of dollars can add up quickly, and save yourself from trouble.

Essentials For Decorating Home Office

More and more people are opting for working from home. You don’t have to spend hours commuting back and forth to the job, or sit for hours in a crowdy and steamy room, and be overwhelmed with constant noise and commotion. When you have your own space where you can work uninterruptedly and effectively, you can undoubtedly progress better and faster, and even earn much more money.

Since your home office is the place where you spend most of your time, you need to decorate it with a few necessary essentials. From basic and vital furniture to some posh wallpapers and ornaments, you should add some essential to feel content in your home office. Here are some of the must-have items that every entrepreneur should have in order to equip and decorate the home office.

 Adequate lighting

Before you head out to buy much-required furniture, you must think about the place where you would set up your home office. It should be somewhere in the house where you feel most comfortable, you can either set it up in the corner of some room or completely use a spare room or basement as your office. That place must have enough natural lighting above all. Two windows should be just right. If you don't have adequate lighting, your eyes would get tired much faster, and you won't be able to do your job properly. In addition to natural lighting, it is vital to have good artificial lighting. Place a decorative table LED lamp, which would also sparkle up and enliven the office.

 Vital gadgets

As you start working from your home, there are a few essential technological items that you have to have. First of all, a computer or laptop with a wireless Internet network is on your number one place. You should make sure that you have undisrupted and fast wifi. Then, in accordance with your business needs, having a printer and a scanner are quite helpful gadgets. Whether your work involves contracts, invoices, receipts, or briefs, you would surely need to copy, scan or print. For that reason, having a printer with the scanner is really a useful thing to have. Let's not forget about the phone. Many things could be done via business phone, like conference and business calls, checking and responding quickly emails, and so on.

 Bring the inside in

One thing that is absolutely essential for a workplace is to have a quiet but productive place to work in. Sometimes that can only be achieved if you go outdoors. You can, for instance, shift your home office in the terrace if the weather is nice, place quality rubber matting to ensure soft and non-slip surfaced floor, and place a wide enough shade awning. Since you are working from home, you can move your laptop anywhere you wish and feel more comfortable. Especially if you wish to be out in the fresh air while working, transferring everything on the terrace is a good option. On the other hand, if you don’t feel like going outside, you can always place a few vivid and luscious plants. Wild blue lilies, magnolias, or the classical spider plant are a nice choice.

 Add comfy elements

In order to have a fun and comfortable place to work in, you need to add a personal touch to your home office. Placing dazzling and statement accessories are the fun part, but you first need to add certain elements that would make your working space satisfying and serene to work in. Set up fundamental pieces of furniture first, then add your own personal touch. Get a comfy emerald green chair that will be both decorative and practical, or place a few family photos framed in a lush old-fashioned frame. You can also place a few books that you really like. Only don't go overboard and pile up things that you don't need, otherwise, you will clutter the workplace.

 Storage space

You will probably have a lot of papers, files, and various boxes, but you should avoid having your office look like a mess. If you work with documents, you need to have a proper storage area to place all the papers and documents neatly. If you have a larger home office space, then you can easily put shelves on the wall and use them as an organized storage place. If you happen to have a smaller office area, then you need to get creative. You can either call professionals and make a piece of customized furniture for storage. Bear in mind that you should have a lot of drawers to put all your documents. You can also get a couple of funky and colorful cardboard boxes. Besides looking cute, you can place a lot of things in them, put on the top of the shelf and avoid clutter.

 Proficient desk

The most essential things, next to the computer and phone, are certainly a desk and a chair. If you are going to spend most of your time working on the desk, then you had better get a businesslike desk. It should be wide enough to place all your important things and a few accessories. Pick a desk or a large table that is light, easy to maintain, and stable. It doesn't have to made out of hardwood, only make sure that it is functional. It would be rather handy if you could also place a calendar, basic stationery, and family photos so that you make it more personal as well.

 Small essentials

No home office is utterly equipped without a planner, a to-do list, a small whiteboard, pencil cup, and other office supplies. Those small essentials are extremely important to have by your side. Keep those small and basic office supplies organized and on-hand at all times. You should also get a sharpener, tape, paper clips, post-it notes, scissors, and a wall clock. Without those essential items, you won't be able to do your job diligently. All traditional offices have them, and they do make your job function much smoother and effortless.

You need to equip and decorate your home office the way it suits you the best and on the way, it reflects our character. Once you do that, you would have an enjoyable and productive workplace.

Maple Syrup Season with Cabot Trail Cream

With the cold weather in full swing, maple syrup season has finally arrived and there is no better time to enjoy the uniquely Canadian taste.  

 

What’s more Canadian than warming up with a cocktail by the fire this winter?

 

When spending your days indoors, why not create some fun winter cocktail recipes to enjoy with family and friends. For an authentic Canadian taste, make them with Cabot Trail Maple Cream, a distinctly Canadian maple liqueur made with Grade A Canadian maple syrup.

 

Learn more about Cabot Trail Maple Cream here and check out these recipes to enjoy this winter.

 

Canadian Coffee

 

Ingredients

30 ml (1 oz.) Cabot Trail Maple Cream

Hot coffee

Chantilly cream

Chocolate pearls or maple cookie (optional)

 

Preparation

1.    In a coffee cup or toddy glass, add Cabot Trail Maple Cream.

2.    Top up with hot coffee.

3.    Garnish with Chantilly cream and chocolate pearls.

 

Flying Canoe 

 

Ingredients

30 ml (1 oz.) Cabot Trail Maple Cream

15 ml (1/2 oz.) red vermouth

20 ml (3/4 oz.) cassis liqueur

20 ml (3/4 oz.) Lot no.40 Canadian Whisky

Sour cherries

Mint leaves

 

Preparation

1.    Shake and strain liquid ingredients into an old-fashioned glass.

2.    Garnish with sour cherries and mint leaves.

 

How to Start a Statue/Decor Business

Cement decorations last for years and create great gifts, amazing decor, fun art projects and unique conversation pieces. Depending on where you live you may have access to cement or plaster pieces to purchase and they can be quite expensive depending on size. The amount of work that goes into hand pouring and painting statues and decor is quite substantial and requires an artistic flare!

If you are looking for a fun and unique business venture it may be worth your time to look into creating cement decor. It can be a very profitable business to hand paint cement pieces and sell them. You could also sell unpainted pieces to up and coming artists or families that love to do art projects together. You could also teach a class on how to pour cement and create statues. There are a lot of different options for business ventures involving cement statues and decor. 

So where can you get these beautiful molds from to create your new works of art? There is a wonderful and very reputable mold making business called Latex Mold Makers! They make hundreds of beautiful molds and are some of the highest quality molds ever seen. They not only use and make the best products but their customer service is absolutely amazing! You can stock up on hundreds of different styles and make a huge collection to sell and become a booming business in no time! 

Follow these steps to start your statue making business:

• Choose molds from Latex Mold Makers
• Create a number of different statues
• Choose if you will paint or sell as is
• Advertise your work
• Sell from home or at craft markets or shops
• Enjoy a profitable and creative business!

Making statues that last for years to come could be the legacy you leave behind. As you grow old you will begin to wonder how you will be remembered and what you will leave behind. If you create beautiful works of art that will last a lifetime you will live forever in the hearts of many. Check out the stunning molds created by Latex Mold Makers today and start your legacy! 

Why It’s Important To Get Your Kids into Wildlife from a Young Age

Since kids are curious at a tender age, it is important to feed their curiosity with education on wildlife. You can do this by incorporating a few wildlife lessons into their holiday vacations, weekends, or by enrolling them in a wildlife club. Teaching kids about wildlife helps them understand, connect, and appreciate what surrounds them. The benefits of getting your kids involved in wildlife include:

1)    Conservation

Wildlife depends on future generations to exist. Your children will be part of that generation. Teaching them how to take care of wildlife is the first step to ensure they build interest in this area. You can start by introducing them to small and fun activities such as feeding birds and enlightening them on the appropriate type of bird food to go for.

Once they understand and appreciate this, you can give them bigger responsibilities like volunteering and taking care of zoo animals. You can also teach them how to take care of the environment that the wild animals live in. This can be done by teaching them how to plant trees and water them for a better future home for the wildlife. You can also teach them better practices to protect the environment such as recycling and the proper disposal of waste.

2)    Responsibility

Having kids take the step of caring for wildlife can be a life lesson. The children get to learn how their activities affect animals and if applied in real life, they learn how their actions affect others. This can help reduce bullying in schools and at home. Additionally, children who take the bold step of standing up against actions against wildlife develop leadership skills that can be used in the future to propel change and development. Teaching children how to protect nature from a tender age ensures that they grow without harming the environment.

3)    Career Choice

Children career choices are influenced by those around them and the exposure they get. To increase these options, expose them to wildlife. Exposing children to the beauty and problems faced by wildlife helps create a new career choice option. Those who get to fall in love with wildlife will choose careers that aim to protect and conserve wildlife. This creates a career path for them and ensures that there is a protector within the next generation to take care of the wildlife we leave behind.

4)    Make Connections

Lately, kids have been stuck to screen activities such as games on their phones and PCs. Despite learning in schools about wildlife and having a collection of images and videos, kids rarely get to see them in real life. You can make plans to visit the zoo or take nature trips and help them connect what they learn with what they can see. It is also an opportunity for kids to interact with their parents or other children once they spend time together creating bonds. This also helps them understand the effects of their actions towards nature and wildlife.

5)    They Can Make a Difference

Teaching children and nurturing their appreciation for wildlife helps conserve wildlife. Your kids can start by getting involved in activities geared towards wildlife conservation such as campaigns, walks, and even clubs. This helps them create awareness about wildlife conservation to friends, family, and neighbors. Their actions once practiced by all creates a better environment and planet for wildlife to live longer.

Family-Friendly, Budget -Friendly Decorating Tips

 Before you spend money trying to replicate a room design you’ve seen in a magazine, store display or on television, stop and think about how well that design fits your current lifestyle. If your home is a haven for energetic children and lively pets, practicality is a key factor to consider when decorating. You can have an attractive home décor that’s frugal and practical simply by making wise decorating choices. 

Choosing Furniture

When choosing furniture for a family-friendly, pet-friendly environment, it’s best to purchase the most durable, well-made furniture your budget allows. Buying long-lasting, quality furniture can prevent you from having to repeatedly replace inexpensive furniture that can’t hold up in an active household. You definitely want to select furniture with upholstery that’s easy to clean and durable. Leather, twill, denim and natural-fiber material are good choices. Furniture with rounded corners is a smart choice if you have small children.

Storage Ideas

A well-used family room can quickly become cluttered if you don’t have ample storage space. Built-ins such as a bookcase or bench seat are an excellent way to gain storage and organizational space. Selecting accent tables that have an open space underneath is a smart move. You can place baskets under the table to serve as storage space for toys, blankets, magazines, books and lots of other items. Take advantage of vertical space to store items that you want to keep out of the reach of children. Storage ottomans can be an invaluable accessory in a family room. 

Define Spaces

Lodge style rugs work well in a family-friendly décor. They add a burst of color to the room and are durable enough to withstand a high activity level. Roth rugs are a great way to define spaces in a room. A seating arrangement placed in the middle of the room leaves space for a play area against the wall. Lodge style rugs can be used to unify the seating area. A colorful rug can provide a comfortable play space in the family room. 

Wall Art

By putting a large portion of your decorating budget into furniture, you may need to be frugal when choosing decorative art. Framing and hanging pieces of your child’s artwork is a frugal decorating tactic. It’s also an excellent way to boost their confidence and make the family room unique. Wall words or wall hangings with a quote that reflects your family’s humor or feelings are an inexpensive way to decorate the family room.

When you have young children, furnish and decorate your home so that everyone feels comfortable there. Enjoy their exuberance. Leave the high-end décor for later years.

How Screen Time Affects Sleep

If your child or toddler is begging for screen time, know that you are not alone. Televisions, phones, and tablets are often used as tools to teach children new things as well as to distract them while their parents get some much-needed work done around the house.

However, when it comes to their sleep schedule - and yours - screen time might be causing more problems than it is solving. Limiting it, at least at key times, could solve many of your children’s sleep issues.

Delays Sleep & Melatonin Production

The reason that your toddler pays so much attention to the electronic screen that you put in front of them is because that screen emits a type of light that is known to tell the brain to wake up and pay attention to it. This light is on the blue wavelength spectrum. This is the same kind of light that you would find in bright white LEDs.

This wouldn’t be a problem if the effect didn’t stick around even after you put the devices away. This type of light tells your brain to stay awake for up to four hours after you use it, which means that the brain will not produce melatonin until its effects are out of your system.

Disrupts Sleep Routine

When your brain doesn’t produce melatonin when it should, you’ll struggle to go to sleep, whether it’s for nap time or for bedtime. This disrupts their - and thus your - sleep routine, which makes for a much crankier child overall.

Sleep routines are important for setting the stage for your child to be successful. Everyone does better during the day when they can predict exactly what is going to come next. In order to promote a healthy sleep routine, try setting up a bedtime routine that starts with putting the electronics away every night. A routine like this can include anything from reading for a little while together to brushing your teeth to getting your things ready for school the next day - whatever your child needs.  

Can Increase Anxiety & Depression

As your child gets older, social media can become a problem for both their sleep schedule and mental health. They’ll be more likely to want to stay up talking to friends or scrolling through their timelines and feeds.

Limiting screen time can help you to ensure they aren’t getting bullied on social media or at school, and make it possible for you all to spend time together as a family. To avoid using a phone as an alarm clock, try getting an old-fashioned one that only shows the time. This will help them to avoid picking up their phone to check the time and getting sucked into their notifications when they should be sleeping.

If even limiting screen time doesn’t work to improve your child’s sleep, make sure that your child’s bed is comfortable.No one wants to sleep somewhere uncomfortable when they don’t have to. You should also try talking to your pediatrician to see if they have any recommendations for your child.

Take a look at these amazing guides to help your night time routine become a success and wake up rested and happy each day: 

Kids' mental health and sleep guide: https://sleepopolis.com/education/kids-mental-health/

Kids sleep calculator: https://sleepopolis.com/calculators/kids-sleep/

Easy DIY Hanging Planter

With spring right around the corner, adding plants to your home is always a good idea. They’re a great way to brighten up any space and easy to match with any style and decor. Houseplants have incredible air purifying benefits and many varieties are known to help people with allergies – like the Marginata or Chinese Evergreen. With that in mind, I thought I’d share this beautiful yet easy DIY hanging planter from our friends at Shutterfly. Hang in your kitchen or living room for some added texture and color. You can even have your kids help decorate their own planter to hang in their room! All you need is some colorful paint, a paint brush, jute twine, scissors, a frame and your favorite potted plant to get you started.

Mommy's Challenge: How To De-Clutter After Your Move To Your New House

Moving to a new house can be a perfect time to start anew and build a clean and clutter-free home that you always deserve. If you keep your new place more organized, life becomes much simpler and stress-free. Plus, you can save yourself on emotional stress by staying streamlined long after your move.

If you want a relaxing experience after the entire moving process, here’s a simple guide on how to de-clutter your new house.

1. Remove excess while unpacking.

As you go from box to box to unpack, you’ll definitely find some additional items that you no longer use. When this happens, it’s a good idea to sort through all your belongings again and make sure you don’t fill your new room with unwanted items. Make a checklist to help you figure out which thing is worth to keep or not. You can make sound decisions about the clutter by asking yourself whether they still serve any purpose or if they have a place in your new home.

Also, many movers NYC offer unpacking services to their customers. Hence, if you’ve moved to New York City, your moving crew may be able to help unpack your stuff before they go, making decluttering a straightforward process.

2. Get rid of your moving boxes.

Right after unpacking, you need to deal with piles of moving boxes that take up the entire space of your new living room. If it’s your first time to move, you may not know what to do with all these storage supplies you’ve gathered. If you want to get rid them of them and put them to good use, follow the tips below:

Give them away – Instead of letting these boxes add up to the landfills, giving them away for free in your neighborhood can be an excellent idea. Make sure these boxes can still be utilized for another move in the future.

Donate – If you know someone who has been planning a house move, you can donate your moving boxes provided they’re still in good condition. That way, you’ll be able to help them prepare their move with ease.

Re-sell – If you spend money for your moving boxes, you can opt to sell them to other people. Look for places to promote your boxes like newspaper classified ads and noticeboards. Also, you should ensure your moving boxes are still in good condition. On the other hand, if moving companies NYC supply their own boxes for your relocation, they also have the option to collect them once the transition is complete.

3. Develop good clutter-clearing habits.

After moving, there are many things to do to make your new place feel like home. From several piles of boxes in the living room to all the stuff that needs to be unpacked, you should start developing healthy clutter-clearing habits. To do that, you should focus on these following steps:

Don’t delay cleaning – Delaying your cleaning assignments has nothing beneficial to offer you. After your move to a new house, don’t let procrastination overpower you if you want a clean and organized new home to live in. Thus, always find time to clean your clutter right away to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Establish a routine – It’s always a smart idea to create a method or schedule to manage the things that you keep properly. Regardless of the way you do it, you should never forget to stick with it to experience a stress-free life after the move. Some of the routine you can follow include:

Put items back in their respective places

Clean the kitchen after you finish your meal.

Complete household chores right away.

Assign designated areas – Ideally, things should be in their designated places. For example, your dirty laundry should have its own space. If you have specific areas for everything in your new home, you can quickly de-clutter and dispose of items.

4. Slow the influx of things in your new home.

Moving to a new place doesn’t mean you need to buy everything that you want. As you aim for a fresh start, it’s about time to change your mindset and go for the slow accumulation of things in your new space. By doing it, the entire process of de-cluttering can be done efficiently. So, it’s best to assess your purchases and think whether it’s worth your time, money, energy once you move. Before heading to a local store and make impulsive purchases, try to ask yourself if you’re buying the item for a good reason or if you have an area to store when you get home.

The Bottom Line

Follow these vital tips, and you’ll be on your way toward a clutter-free life after you move to your new house. Not only will these steps guide you but it’ll also keep your home from collecting items that you really don’t need in the first place.