How to Treat Your Mom This Mother’s Day Without Breaking the Bank

On Mother’s Day, we celebrate the women that gave birth to us, raised us, and put up with us even when it was incredibly hard to do so (we were all teenagers once). Mother’s Day should be a day where your mom gets to relax. Being a mom is stressful - whether her kids are 2 or 42. It’s also a year-round job. Moms can’t take a break from being a mom. That’s why pampering her on Mother’s Day is so important. Here are some ways to make her day special without breaking the bank.

Don’t let her touch a dish

Sure, it’s a generalization, but there’s a pretty good chance that your mother has cooked for you your whole life. Not only that, but there’s also a good chance that she’s the one who does most of the cooking for every special event or holiday your family celebrates. This Mother’s Day, give her the gift of staying out of the kitchen.

Mother’s Day brunch is a great tradition that opens up many possibilities for great food. Who doesn’t love brunch? A great gift is to plan, prepare, cook, and serve brunch for your family without accepting any of your mom’s help (even if she demands it). Here’s a good list of recipes to put you on the right track.

Help her cross something off her to-do list

This great idea won’t cost you a penny and it will do wonders to help your mom relax. Ask to take a peek at her to-do list and offer to do one or two things for her. Do the gutters need cleaning? Tell your mom that you can handle it. Does she need to drop a bunch of clothes off at the dry-cleaners? Don’t worry about it mom, I can handle it. The gestures don’t have to be grand for your mom to appreciate it.

Make her a basket

If you want to actually give your mom a physical gift this Mother’s Day, make that gift all about health. It’s vital that your mom takes time to focus on her overall wellness, and in order to do that she needs to be able to find time for herself. A sporty jacket, chef subscription box, cookbook and dark chocolate are some creative and healthy gift ideas, courtesy of Plexus (find more here). You can give your mom the best gift of all - an opportunity and reason to focus on her own health.

Make her a coupon book

It’s important to reiterate that relaxation (with time to focus on herself) is one of the best gifts you can give your possibly stressed-out mom this Mother’s Day. But it’s not enough to simply give her one relaxing day. By making her a coupon book full of offers to help her relax, you can let her know that you’re willing to help her take a load off year-round. The vouchers can say things like “1 free lawn care activity” or “1 trip to the movies”. Write down things you know your mom loves to do or needs done, but would rarely ask for or do by herself.

The less you spend on a Mother’s Day gift, the more you have to be creative. This will lead to unique gifts that show your mom that you really care. By focusing your gifts on her relaxation, you can give your mom a treat that she truly needs, though would never ask you for directly. All moms deserve time to de-stress.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

Fun and Affordable Spring Activities for Your Family

When spring hits, so does the overwhelming urge to get outside. You and your kids might have been stuck inside all winter, but now that sunshine, flowers, and warm weather abound, no one is keeping you in! It’s easy to assume that weekend outings will cost some cash, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Plan your trip a bit, pack a lunch for everyone, and see where the day takes you.

Go Hiking or Biking

Getting out into the heart of nature isn’t just fun for the kids, it’s fun for the adults, too. It gives your brain a break from the mental stressors we’re exposed to. It also allows us to have some quiet time to try and reset our minds and our priorities. The physical exercise will make everyone happy and will help you get a good night’s sleep, and you won’t feel bad about skipping the gym!

Visit a Farmer’s Market

A local farmer’s market is always different. Sure, some of the same people are there, but most of the time you’ll see something different every time you go. Attending is almost always free, so all you really have to worry about is what you spend once you’re there. A large part of the draw of farmer’s markets is the environment and atmosphere, so you don’t have to pay a ton. Any money you do spend goes directly into the hands of your neighbors and friends. You get to support your community while having fun at the same time!

Clean Up the Park

Once the weather starts to get warmer, people start hoping for volunteers for outdoor activities. Kids that frequent parks outside might even have seen these people out cleaning up public areas before! A quick internet search will give you a good idea of what kind of options there are to volunteer around your town.

This can be anything from cleaning up trash to planting trees, so pick an activity that your kids will enjoy with you. Younger children may not be as adept at planting trees yet but could get a huge kick out of planting a flower bed! Volunteering isn’t just about helping your community. It also has a lot of benefits for you. Roll up your sleeves and get planting!

Hit Up the Park

When you head out for the day, the kids will be overjoyed to learn that you packed lunch and drinks and you can all spend hours at the playground. This should be an excellent opportunity for the parents to sit down and relax as the kids run around and have fun making new friends. Make sure to keep safety in mind when you’re there, though! Over 200,000 kids get injured on playgrounds each year, so don’t let them run entirely buck wild. Keep an eye out for burns on metal equipment and make sure everyone stops for frequent water breaks.

Have a Picnic

Spending time outside is always the key to summertime fun. A picnic is a great way to do that, especially with little kids. They can eat all the messiest foods, and you won’t have to clean the carpets! Bring a ball or Frisbee for the kids to play with. If you can, go to a dog-friendly park to bring your whole family, furry feet and all!  

Head to the Zoo

The zoo isn’t an everyday activity and can be pretty pricey. But it can also be amazingly affordable if you do it right! With tax season already here, you might be getting some money back. If so, a family membership to the zoo is much more affordable than you might think. Most memberships will pay for themselves with only two visits, and you can go as often as you like! The kids will never get tired of seeing the animals, and you can bring your own food, so you don’t have to buy it there. It’d be pretty easy to visit the zoo ten times over the summer if you don’t have to pay for it each time!

Plant a Garden

A garden is one of the best ways to teach kids about the environment. It lets them get their hands dirty and keeps them involved. If you have picky eaters, you might be shocked to see them getting a week’s worth of veggies when it’s time to harvest! If you don’t have room to plant your own garden, it’s usually very affordable to join a community garden. They will set you up with learning opportunities, materials, and volunteer options. Many community gardens will donate extra produce to food kitchens, so you don’t even have to worry about planting too many tomatoes!

Sell Your Stuff

Spring cleaning is always a daunting challenge, but it’s a bit more exciting if you know you’ll make some money doing it. Plus, teenagers and preteens are much more likely to part with their things if they can keep the cash they get for doing it. You can embrace the entire idea of minimalism by getting rid of a lot of your stuff. It gets you outside, takes care of your stuff, and helps reduce other people’s carbon footprint since no one is buying new materials!

Spring is here. Embrace it, but don’t feel like you have to “keep up with the Jones” while you’re at it. Spend your time focusing on time with friends and family and you’ll make memories that last a lifetime

What Is Powder Coating And How Does It Work

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Powder coating is the process of finishing metal with a protective coating. The process was introduced to North American back in the 1960s. It now makes up over 15% of the industrial finishing market and goes onto numerous products nationwide. Hawaii Powder Coating is one company that creates these finished. Some of the companies that conduct the process also handle other types of metal work. Others specialize solely in powder coating and nothing else.

Powder coating is known for creating a durable, high-quality finish that makes a product look complete. However, the process is known for improving a part’s efficiency, as well as making is environmentally compliant. Powder coating isn’t limited to one single color. Instead, it can be quite decorative. The types of powder coatings that can be applied are practically limitless, thanks to technological advancements. Of course, none of this answers the question “what is powder coating?”

Powder Coating – How It Works

Powder coating is a polymer resin. It’s a powdered type of plastic that is mixed with many other things to come up with a final, applied formulation. It could be mixed with leveling agents, pigments, curatives, and flow modifiers. All of these are what make up the final finished coating. To apply powder coating to metal, those ingredients are melted together, mixed up, and then cooled. Finally, they are ground into a very fine powder. This powder ends up being kind of like paint, only much thicker and sturdier.

The powder coating process involves something called electrostatic spray deposition, also known as ESD. The powder goes into a spray gun that uses ESD to get it to stick to the metal surface. After this is complete, the metal parts go into an oven where they are cured.  The heat alters the chemical composition of the powder, turning it into a very hard substance that is very scratch resistant. We keep mentioning metal, but powder coatings can also be applied to hard plastics and even MDF (medium density fiberboard.)

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Bed Applications

In some cases, powder coating is applied in a process called fluidized bed application. This application involves preheating the parts and dipping them into the powder. The powder coating then melts and any excess sloughs off. After this, the coated part is treated to ensure that the coating sticks. No matter how the powder coating is applied, it is very durable. The process is also environmentally friendly.

Powder Coating and Durability

Powder coating appears on thousands of products. Everything from standard household items to metal shopping carts is powder coated. There are many industrial applications for powder coating as well. Why? Because it’s very durable. Powder coating is scratch-resistant and will last for years, making it very useful for parts that are used in high-pressure situations. Overall, as the people at Hawaii Powder Coating will attest, these coated parts and items are resistant to extreme weather conditions, moisture, impact, ultraviolet light, and chemicals. Powder coating is very tough indeed.

7 Easy DIY Easter Decorations

No holiday celebration is complete without some homemade decorations. You don’t have to be a DIY master to create these festive Easter projects. All that they require is a little creativity and some simple supplies. Before you know it, these items will be on display for all of your guests to see. Thanks to these suggestions, completing your holiday decorating is as easy as finding a church near me.

1) Easter Sock Bunnies

To make this craft, you need some socks (preferably small ones, such as those for infants), thread, a sewing needle, scissors, a fabric marker and some toy stuffing. Draw on the bunny face and ears, stuff the sock, and then sew it closed. You can even glue on some embellishments. This amazing post by Feeling Nifty can show you how to make these little cuties step by step!

If you’re not into the sock bunny thing you should take a look at this night light kit. It comes with everything you need to make an amazing Easter themed night light. 

2) A Cute Basket Centerpiece

A basket centerpiece requires four small picket fence pieces, a piece of square wood, some foam and ribbon, as well as wood glue and spray paint. Once you have these items, start by gluing the foam to the top of the square wooden piece. Then, attach the picket fences pieces, one on each side of the wooden square. Finally, decorate your basket with spray paint and then fill it with whatever items you want. Blue Sky At Home has this great post on how to make these little cuties perfect Easter Basket Centre Piece!

If you are looking for a more simple solution that comes with everything take a look at this pack of Easter center pieces.

3) Wreath Made From Peeps

Making a wreath from marshmallow Peeps sounds like a waste of food, but the results are very cute. To make this craft, you need a wooden wreath frame, a package of Peeps, a length of ribbon, and enough floral pins to hold everything together (one per Peep). Attach the Peeps to the wreath, wrap a ribbon around it, and tie a nice bow. Tried & True has a beautiful tutorial for the perfect peep wreath!

This bunny wreath is one of my favourites so if you don’t have time to make a peep wreath just grab one of these bunny butt wreaths because they are adorable. 

4) Paper Rabbit Garland

Garland isn’t just for Christmas and birthdays – it can be an Easter decoration as well. This craft requires a length of the colorful paper, a traceable bunny pattern, pencil, scissors, and some additional embellishments. Repeatedly trace the pattern onto the paper, cut it out, and then add glitter, pom poms, or anything else that you want. Miss Sue Living has created a great how to article for making paper bunny garlands.

Colourful garlands are always a good idea to help brighten up your space as well. 

5) An Easter Tree

While you’re out looking for a church nearby, you can create an Easter tree. You need a small tree branch, a bag of colorful jelly beans, and a hot glue gun. Glue the jelly beans onto the branch and then place it into a vase. For an additional touch, you can even fill the vase with jelly beans and then “plant” the tree in them. 

Tilly’s Hub has a great list of the most beautiful Easter Tree Ideas!

There are some beautiful light up trees you can use for every holiday available on Amazon.

6) Easter Mason Jars

If you can draw an oval, then you can create Easter mason jars. This project requires some water-soluble paint, a paintbrush or two and as many mason jars as you wish to decorate. Paint an egg shape onto the mason jar (or trace an oval onto them), and then decorate the inside of the eggs. You can add as many eggs to the outside of the jar as you wish. Tired Super Mom has a huge list of mason jar ideas for Easter and they all look like lots of fun! I love the ones that can also be gifts!

These adorable little mason jar cards are the perfect way to pair your jar crafts!

7) Easter Topiary Ornament

This is similar to the Easter tree, only with additional floral elements. You need a small flower pot, a fabric egg on a stick, and some fake flowers, as well as a piece of foam. Place the foam in the bottom of the pot and then insert the elements into it. I love how simple and fun Bee Inspired With Carol has made her topiary tutorial.

These cute little topiary tree bunnies would make the most amazing entry way decor. You can also decorate them to make them bright and cheerful as well.

It's High Time You Need To Take A Look At Korean Cars

Two South Korean automakers exceeded expectations in 2011 when they outsold European automakers. Car buyers in the United States purchased more cars from Kia and Hyundai that year than from all of their European counterparts combined.

In 2011, both of these South Korean auto manufacturers saw their sales rise dramatically, setting new records. Hyundai saw 23 percent growth, while Kia’s was 28 percent. All of this was in spite of the fact that the American economy was low and people avoided purchasing new vehicles during the time period. The reason for the success of Hyundai and Kia is because of their strong products. The Kia Sorento is on the truck top ten list, while Hyundai's Sonata and Elantra are both frequent bestsellers.

Differences Between The South Korean And Japanese Auto Industries

Japan is the main reason behind the South Korean automakers rise to power. First, a massive earthquake hit the country, and then their currency lost some of its value. As a result, Japanese automakers stopped focusing on design, while at the same time, those in South Korean, notably the Hyundai Auto Group, stepped up. The results are well-designed, sleek looking cars that are very reliable. Also, both Hyundai and Kia price their vehicles affordably.  

Behind Kia’s Success

Kia’s sedans hit all of the major safety milestones. Their vehicles, which used to look like leftovers made from scavenged parts, now are sleek and modern. They make many top-design lists and are very dependable. Dealerships have a hard time keeping the Optima in stock, although thankfully consumers can view inventory here. It helps that the competition, especially the Toyota Camry, keeps repeating its body styles. This really makes the Optima stand out from the crowd.

Mong-Koo Chung And The Hyundai Auto Group

Although Kia and Hyundai are seen as two separate companies, they are actually owned by the Hyundai Auto group. Chairman Mong-Koo Chung oversees this chaebol (conglomerate) and is credited with helping Kia rise from its original position as a manufacturer for other automotive companies. Thanks to a few creative advertising campaigns, Kia’s vehicles are now memorable.

Hyundai, on the other hand, has three models that draw in consumers. The Elantra, Sonata, and Tucson are all fuel-efficient and well-designed. The interior of the Elantra is comfortably designed, yet modern. It makes the Toyota Civic pale in comparison. Even better, Hyundai ran a number of ad campaigns showing off the Elantra’s capabilities. On top of this, these ads captured consumer’s attention with a useful buyback guarantee.

However, it’s not just about the creative ad campaigns, great design, and reliable vehicles. It also helps that the Hyundai Auto Group builds their cars in the United States. This gives consumers confidence, as they help support some of their fellow Americans.

Consider A South Korean Car

The next time you’re ready to purchase a car, don’t forget to test drive some of these South Korean models. You can view inventory right on their websites and check out the offered features. There’s a reason why these cars are at the top of the charts.

Get 300 bonus SB when you sign up for Swagbucks in April

All throughout April you can earn large bonuses when sign up as my referral on Swagbucks. Swagbucks is a rewards site where you earn points (called SB) for things you're probably doing online already, like searching, watching videos, discovering deals, and taking surveys. Then you take those points and exchange them for gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, or PayPal cash. 

When you sign up through me this month, you can earn a 300 SB bonus! Here's how: 

1. Sign up using this link 

2. Earn 300 SB total before May 1st, 2018. You'll get a 300 SB bonus for it! 

3. That's it. It's super easy, and Swagbucks is for real. I use it myself, and I've earned hundreds of dollars in gift cards I squirreled away for Christmas and birthdays! 

Essential Elements Of Any Successful Small Business

There is nothing easy about starting your own small business, but running a successful one is much more difficult, especially when you have a family that also need your time and attention. Thankfully, while it is difficult, it certainly isn’t impossible, and there are momtrepreneurs out there, slaying it every single day. Unfortunately, there aren’t any one-size-fits-all recipes for business success, but there are a few things that all of these successful businesses do have in common (aside from a great product or service, of course). If you want your small business to be a success, make sure you have these essential elements.

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A Passionate Owner

A business is never going to survive unless it’s owner (that’s you!), truly cares about it. If you start a business because you want some extra cash, or need something to do while the kids are at school, then you aren’t going to be motivated enough to handle all of the problems that you’re sure to face in the near future. The only way that you’re going to be able to do this is if you’re passionate about what you’re doing and can’t bear to see it fail.

A Flexible Plan

Although some business owners can get away with winging it for a while, at some point, even they have to start planning. Without a plan, you never know what you should be doing each day, as you have no idea which direction you want your business to go. However, as important as a plan is, it’s even more important to be flexible and understand that sometimes your plan is going to have to change because the world of business is constantly changing. If you can’t adapt, your business won’t survive.

Great Money Management

Unfortunately, no business can survive on passion and drive alone; You also need a fair amount of cash to buy stock, pay employees and vendors, and to invest, expand, and grow. To make sure that you don’t run out of money, you need to be great at managing it or should employ someone who is. Of course, even with the best management, there are going to be times where you need money, but don’t have it, in which case you should consider applying for a small business working capital loan. Just do your research before applying, as this is a big decision.

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The Right People

You probably started your business alone, but there is going to come a time when you need some help and should consider starting to hire employees. When this time comes, it’s essential that you hire the right people for the right jobs, and that you hire people who are as passionate about and committed to your business as you are. If you hire the wrong people, this could have a huge negative effect on your business, and you could go under as a result.

Every small business has its ups and downs, but a successful one can survive the hard times and come out of them stronger than ever. A lot is needed for a business to be a success, but if you’ve got the elements above, you’re in with a fighting chance.

5 Reasons to Install a Murphy Bed in Your Miami Home

If there’s one thing in your house that you need to invest in, it’s your bed. After spending a long day at work, the idea of going home at night and finally sleeping in your comfortable bed is everything that you need to re-energize for another busy day ahead. However, deciding what type of bed to purchase for your new home can be tricky. You must take into consideration how big it should be if you want a headboard or not and if you prefer low bed Japanese style, and so on. There are so many choices and the last thing you want is to be pressured into choosing something that you will regret later. A great type of bed that is becoming trendy and practical is a Murphy bed. Here are five reasons why installing a Murphy bed in your Miami home might just be a perfect choice.

1. Great Space Saver

Mortgage in Miami is not cheap. It is one of the popular cities in Florida and often visited by tourists for its sunshine and endless beach waves. To get the most of your apartment or house, you have to be wise on how you choose your furniture and place them around without invading all the space. A Murphy bed is a genius innovation that keeps the bed hidden away when it’s not hidden so you can have more space to walk around and stretch without bumping into things. Try out different Murphy beds in Miami to find one that suits your needs.

2.   Easy to Use

There is a misconception that a Murphy bed is heavy so it becomes more of a hassle to use every day. But, Murphy beds have come a long way and there have been a lot of improvements to make it safer, easier and quicker to lift or fold. There Murphy beds that slide automatically when detached from the wall and if you have a few extra dollars to spare, you can opt for a remote-controlled Murphy bed.

3.   Minimalistic

Installing a Murphy bed is one way to keep everything simple and practical. During the day when the bed is folded, the rest of the furniture can be used as a shelf to store books and even clothes, towels and sheets. It’s one way to maximize storage in a seamless way. You can also install an outlet on the sides to plug a lamp or use to charge your phone.

4.   Comfortable

Murphy beds are made to be really compact and you can definitely still use the high-quality mattress to fit into the frames. This will secure the mattress in place so even if you move around during your sleep, the bed will stay in place. You can eliminate squeaky box springs and pick your favorite mattress. If you have family or friends coming over, you have a much better option for a bed instead of using an air mattress or futon.

5.   Customizable and Multi-functional

There are Murphy beds that you can purchase ready-made but you also have an option to customize the size and style according to your preference and situation. You can consult with a professional and present them the layout of your house to get a better idea of how the bed will fit in the room. Some Murphy beds are multi-functional so that when it’s folded, other parts can be used either as an office table, chair, and storage.