Signs You Should Hire A Professional Cleaning Service

Have you ever hired cleaning help? I've done it sporadically, mainly for dishes when my dishwasher was broken and my body hurt far too much to wash my dishes. When the place is a mess and you can't handle the cleaning for any reason, you might want to hire someone to clean your place. This gives a few reasons why you might want to hire a cleaning service, but I'll add to the list that people that are disabled often need cleaning help as well.

Having a clean and tidy home is a must for many people, which is why the average American family spends around $600 a year on cleaning supplies. Most people spend approximately 6 hours per week cleaning and organizing their homes, but some individuals simply don't have the time nor the energy to devote as much time doing these tasks. Moreover, some are unable to keep up a regular cleaning schedule due to mobility or health issues.

Apart from having an unsanitary living space, not cleaning your home regularly can result in many problems that go beyond having to cope with dirty surfaces. Fortunately, you can delegate cleaning tasks to professionals to have a sparkling clean home. But how do you know when it's time to call for some help? Here are the signs that you should hire a professional cleaning service.

Six Ways Storage Units Help Parents

Storage units often store personal items when moving homes or during house hunting. Still, these facilities find several use cases as short or long-term storage solutions. Whether you want to create space in your home or safely store outdoor equipment during winter, self-storage units come in handy.

As a parent needing extra storage space, you can benefit from storage units in several ways. In the sections below, we've discussed the many benefits of a self-storage unit. You'll also learn some things to look for when choosing the best one for your unique storage needs.

Balsamic Green Beans and Tofu Recipe -- Gluten Free, Vegan, Allergy Friendly

When I'm hungry and short on time I sometimes throw together a quick stir fry. Minute steak and frozen veggies or quick cooking vegetables is super quick, and chicken breast cubes instead of minute steak is also quick cooking and can help me have a meal ready to eat relatively quickly.

One day I saw this herbed tofu we'd been gifted and had just been sitting in my fridge unused for a while and decided to use that as a change from my usual meat. I chopped it up and stir fried it until it was crispy without deciding what else to add to it, and then it hit me that it would probably taste good with green beans and fried onions, so I took the tofu out of the wok, sauted up onions, and added the tofu back in with frozen green beans. My go to for seasoning such a dish usually would be to go with Asian style seasoning, with soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil, but I wanted to try something new this time, especially since I wasn't sure how well that would go with herbs in the tofu. I wanted a sauce, though, so it would taste good over rice and give flavor to it (I usually have rice ready and available to eat in my fridge) so decided to try using balsamic vinegar on a whim. It was so good, and my son, Ike, who had some too (the other kids were asleep) told me that it was so good that I had to share it here. I didn't want to since it was so simple and I didn't have an exact recipe anyhow.

The next time I was hungry late in the evening without any gluten free egg free food ready to eat I decided to make the same, and Ike, who also has some, asked me if I posted it on my blog yet. I told him why I hadn't, but also I'd been hesitant to post it since it used herbed tofu and I wasn't sure this was something you could get everywhere, especially similar types of herbs to what was in my tofu package. He told me I still should post it, it was that good.

Once I made it for the third time, I decided to actually measure things out so I could share the recipe, and when my son asked if I'd shared the recipe yet ("because your readers deserve to have it") I told him that I finally planned to share it.

While I am writing the recipe as I made it, I'm assuming you don't have the exact herbed tofu that I do, which contributes to the flavor of the dish. The tofu is called Provence style and in the ingredients there is listed fried onions, garlic, red bell peppers, and Italian herbs. Since this recipe already has tried onions and garlic, if making this with plain tofu I'd suggest adding sauted red peppers (once the onions and tofu are sauted then add peppers until soft before adding the green beans. I'd also add some basil, thyme, and oregano to the dish.

Balsamic Green Beans and Tofu Recipe -- Gluten Free, Vegan, Allergy Friendly

How To Manage Stress During Court Trials

I've been dealing with court cases regarding my divorce for approximately the last four years and without a doubt it has been some of the most stressful things in my life and I've needed therapy to be able to deal with all the stress. Here are some ways you can deal with stress from a trial, or really any stress whatsoever, since these methods are pretty effective regardless of the cause of the stress.

Stress is a psychological or biological reaction to an unfamiliar condition, challenge, threat, or any form of barrier (physical or psychological). And a court trial, for instance, is a form of a challenge and an unfamiliar situation to some people. You'll often have a lot of anxiety and fear of the unknown. The reason may probably be because you don't know what you're supposed to say during the hearing that will tip the outcome in your favor or against it.

Going through a court trial can significantly affect your everyday life and routine. You'll be expected to squeeze in the time to meet your lawyer and attend the court sessions. This can put some strain on your life, causing you to get stressed. As a result, you might undergo different kinds of emotions like anger, fear, anxiety, sadness, and frustration.

That's why you need to incorporate some coping mechanisms to help you through the whole trial process. Failure to do that can affect your health and, worse, the outcome of your case. In this regard, here's how to manage stress during a court trial:

What Are The Main Essentials Of Small Business Customer Support?

If you're running a business to make money to support your family, one of the most important parts of it is customer service, since without happy customers you don't have a business. Here are some things you need to know when trying to deal with customer service.

It’s very easy to have a laundry list of everything you’ll perfect as a business when you start out, and that’s good. If you have a belief that you can change expected norms, or are willing to put the extra work in to stand out, that shows tenacity, grit, and a willingness to focus on the future above all else.

However, it’s also true that as a small business, your resources are limited. It’s very easy to conceive plans, but executing them is another story. Sometimes, even proven firms, like Coca-Cola or Disney, can make mistakes and turn off their audience in short order.

Should this demoralize you? Absolutely not. But it’s best to be realistic and to make your plans in accordance with that perspective. In this way, you can underpromise and overdeliver in every category - which is sure to refine your staying power.

It also means prioritizing that which really matters. Having the coolest and most refined branding logo can be nice, for instance, but ensuring your marketing package is memorable is more important.

Gathering customers and inspiring them to try your business is one thing, but securing their long-term support through capable customer servicing is essential. In this post, we’ll discuss that latter point, discussing the vital and crucial elements of small business customer support:

Scrumptious Restaurant Style Potato Wedges Recipe

I wanted to make a fancy dinner the other day. I decided to do it in the style of a certain type of restaurant locally, and one of the things on the menu there is usually a type of potato that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I went to Google to find these types of potatoes and a recipe for them hopefully (searched in the local language "restaurant potatoes") and found something in common- they all were made with potatoes that were first boiled and then baked, with a lot of oil. And so I followed the instructions from one of them, but made up the rest of the ingredients on my own, and dang it, these were just about the most delectable potatoes I can ever remember eating. Perfect in every way- crispy and creamy, oozing with flavor, and I said I just have to share this here. The first time I made it I didn't write down amounts, and it was so good that I needed to have the amounts written down for the future, so I made another batch and it was just as amazing as the first time.

While it is not in any way low fat or low carb, becaue the fats and carbs are what make this so delicious, this recipe is totally vegan and allergy friendly as well as gluten free. It is also pretty easy to make.  I highly, highly recommend this. I wanted to check with others that I'm not exaggerating by saying these are the best potatoes I've ever had in my life, and I wanted to hear their thoughts, and someone else told me that they're 10/10 and they either are the best she ever had or tied with the other best ones. Basically, I highly recommend.

And while in some recipes substitution is ok, do not exchange the olive oil for anything as that has a big impact on the flavor for these.

Scrumptious Restaurant Style Potato Wedges Recipe

Plan A Budget-Friendly Mexican-Themed Party With These Tips

I love a good party. And sometimes the best way to have a good party on a budget is to have a theme, because with a theme you can spend less money and still have a good party, because you don't need pricey, you just need themed. Here's how you can make a great Mexican themed party without spending a lot.

Planning a get-together or party generally takes a lot of time and can be stressful, even with a lot of careful planning, especially when you’re on a tight budget. But planning a Mexican-themed party while wanting to be accurate, colorful, and fun enough on a tight budget can get overwhelming. It’s no wonder event planning is the 5th most stressful job in the world! If you want to plan a Mexican-themed party but don’t know where to start and what you can afford, this article is here to help you! With these awesome frugal tips, you can have a taste of Mexico right in your home!

Four Reasons You’re Not Getting Quality Sleep

I sleep way too much. Or not enough. I'm not sure, because it feels like I'm sleeping for basically my whole life but my smart watch doesn't think I'm actually sleeping those hours. It must be that my sleep isn't quality and that is why despite all the hours in bed I'm perpetually exhausted. Here are some reasons why you might not be getting quality sleep.

Millions of Americans deal with sleep deprivation each night. Maybe you struggle to fall asleep, or maybe you wake up multiple times throughout the night. If you consistently feel tired, poor sleep quality may be the culprit.

But what causes poor sleep? It could be any number of things. Sometimes, it’s a simple issue, like too much artificial light. At other times, it’s a serious medical condition, like sleep apnea or addiction to drugs. For many people, a combination of factors prevents quality sleep. If you’re not getting the rest that you need, here are four possible reasons why.

Fixing Our Problematic Table

When we first got married, we were on a very tight budget and were gifted a nice, solid wooden table. When we downsized and moved to a tiny apartment we didn't have room to bring it with us. The apartment came with a table that was also decent and solid wood but narrower so it fit into that apartment comfortably.

After moving to our latest place, our table was breaking, and since we finally had room for something bigger I wanted to be able to host guests and my then husband found a really large table online.

The table had a very good price for having 3 large leaves and being able to hold 12-14 people opened and 6 closed. Perfect for our family of 6.

6 Top Tips to Improve Your Post-Divorce Budget

Going through divorce is one of the biggest things that will change your finances. If you were a two income family before, you now have to manage on just one income, and if you were a one income family then you'll either need to start working to support yourself and your kids or likely spend money on the things that your spouse used to do. Then there's the aspect that many people had their spouse do the budgeting and bill paying before so, or had spouses that didn't allow them to keep a budget, so making a budget is something new entirely. If you're newly divorced or heading that way, here are some ideas that will hopefully help you navigate this financially.

Photo by Engin Akyurt

In this article, we’ll be discussing some of the most efficient ways you can cut costs and budget post-divorce…

Divorces are no easy thing to go through, as not only do you have to deal with the emotional side of it all, you also have the financial implications. While separating and living alone can be more expensive, there are ways you can cut the costs and save money.

So, whether you’re yet to contact a family law solicitor and get the court proceedings rolling or you’ve already separated, it’s important to have a plan to manage your finances properly.

Keep reading to find out more on how to budget in your newly single lifestyle …

No Money? No Problem! Here’s 7 Pro Tips on How You Can Get UK City Break On A Budget

I had a wonderful vacation in London a few years back, on a really small budget. Here are some ways you can enjoy a city getaway in the UK on a budget.

It is essential to budget your city breaks. You can do several things to save some money and still enjoy your city break. It is affordable to do most of these things.

It is much better to go on a self-catering city break or stay in self-catering accommodation. We highly recommend you select self-catering accommodations to save money.

In this article, you will learn how to save money and still enjoy your budget city break:

Our Fun Packed Summer on a Budget

When I homeschooled my kids we took advantage of down times, when everyone was in school, in order to go on trips. Going places that are packed on buses that are packed with other people on holiday makes it really stressful to go places, so in general I avoided them once my kids were in school. But this past year my kids worked hard, and had a very stressful year in lots of ways, and my kids asked me to please make sure that they had a fun summer filled with activities and trips so they didn't feel like their only time to have fun passed by without having done fun things.

I understood what my kids were saying, and told them that I would guarantee that their summer would be a fun one, not a boring one where we just stay at home playing on the computer. But of course it would have to be on a budget.

Before the summer started I told the kids that I could do three main outings- one camping trip, one water park trip, and one amusement park trip. Not only because of costs, but also because I deal with chronic fatigue and pain and after each trip I end up literally unable to move for a day or two, completely nonfunctional. They were cool with that and understood.

How To Really Make Money Selling Things Online

As parents we need to find ways to make an income while maintaining a good work/life balance so that we have enough time with our kids. People often look for things that they can do on their own time or from home so they are available. Being an online seller is one way to do that. Here are some tips so you can be more successful in this endeavor should you choose to embark on this path.

Becoming an online seller is a great way to make money online with minimal effort or investment. For all intents and purposes, you are basically setting up your own small business. When done correctly, you should capture lots of customers and make loads of profitable sales. But, this is only possible if you follow the advice below:

How to avoid common financial pitfalls when shopping for a car

Hopefully I'll be buying a car in the near future... and if I do, I'll want to make sure I don't make a mistake that will cost me a lot. Here are some common pitfalls that I'll try to avoid.

When you're shopping for a car, it's important to be aware of the common financial pitfalls that can occur. If you're not careful, you may end up spending more money than you need to or signing up for a car loan that's not right for you. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the most common financial mistakes people make when buying cars and how to avoid them.

Update on Building My Son's Loft Bedroom

I know, I know, it's been a while since my last update, and a lot has happened since then as well, but this is part 2 only, not an update of where exactly we got to yet, so you won't be inundated with a massive amount of information and pictures in one post.

As a quick recap, I'm building a loft bedroom for my son in the area above the stairwell in our house, because the second floor is blocked off and is a rental unit. I am doing it together with my kids instead of hiring someone to do it, to save money. 

Ok, so after we knocked down the part of the cement railing that was sticking up higher than where the floor would be, we then needed to install the wood that would basically be holding up the entire loft. While I know how to do a lot, I also know my limitations, and I know what would be challenging for me to do. Not only that, I wanted to be able to rely on someone else instead of myself when it came to the safety of this loft bedroom, and so I decided that the frame of the room, the part that would be the base of everything and held up the entire room, I'd hire someone to do.

Why Children Should See Other Countries

Ever since I saw a show about a family that took their kids on a trip around the world, I realized how much I wanted to be able to give my children that experience one day. I was lucky enough to be able to take all my children on a trip to Bulgaria in 2019, and those are some of my favorite memories with them, and theirs as well. Taking my children abroad allowed my children to experience the world in a way drastically different than how we live and it helped broaden their perspective on the world. Here are some other reasons why, if you can afford it, taking children to other countries is a good idea.

Have you ever considered taking a family vacation to another country with your kids? Perhaps you haven't, but the problem is that far too few children get to go on family vacations outside of their own countries. Sometimes it's an issue of money, and other times parents don't realize how vital it is to expose their children to the world around them. In the planning stages of next year's holiday, consider taking a family vacation to a foreign country. If you're still not persuaded that taking your children on vacation overseas is an essential part of exposing them to the wider world, think about the following compelling arguments – you might change your mind.

4 Tips to Get Rid of Household Pests

Ugh, don't get me started on pests. I'm dealing with a pest issue here and nothing seems to be working. Here are some tips so that hopefully you won't need to deal with them.

There are few things more annoying than household pests. You work hard to keep your house in good condition, only for insects and rodents to come in and ruin it. They are a real nuisance and frustratingly difficult to get rid of.

If you have pests in your home that you want gone, you can of course buy pesticides and poisons to eliminate them. But these harsh chemicals are not only cruel, they are also dangerous to have around the house, especially if you have young children around. Instead, here are some alternative remedies for keeping pests outdoors.

Tips and Tricks for Managing My ADHD Life Without Medication

I think it is quite hilarious that I'm writing this when specifically my ADHD made me stop and start and procrastinate and I didn't get it written until now... And I also got up a few times while writing this.... But that aside....

I've known I had ADHD since I was a kid. Everyone in my family has ADHD, so it was always a part of me and my life. My siblings were on medication for their ADHD but I functioned well enough in school without it that my parents never attempted to put me on medication. 

When I was an adult, I went to a psychiatrist for the first time when my anxiety and depression got to such a point that I was no longer functional, and I realized that therapy wasn't enough and I needed medication in order to function. While at the psychiatrist the doctor said to me that it was very clear to him that I had ADHD (ya think?) but that if any psychiatrist would put me on ADHD medication it would be malpractice. The reason he said so is that however bad my ADHD is, my anxiety is so much worse, through the roof, and ADHD medication makes anxiety worse. Not only was I told absolutely no way, no how to ADHD medication, but I was also told that I need to avoid stimulants like caffeine, because that also worsens ADHD.

Tips and Tricks for Managing My ADHD Life Without Medication

Why Car Insurance Is Important For Every Mom

I've been renting a car lately on an hourly basis, and you can pay extra for insurance, and I always do, because without insurance, if you need to pay for repairs, it can be prohibitively expensive. Here is why car insurance is really important, especially if you're a mom.

If you’ve ever seen a mom at work and witnessed her hard work and dedication to her family, then you may have wondered if she’s secretly a superhero. Mothers are an indispensable part of every family. As a mom, you have a lot on your plate and it can be hard to balance it all. Moms are the nurturing figure in their children’s lives and are often responsible for taking care of the family, making sure the bills are paid, and ensuring that everyone is safe, fed and happy. Not to mention all the millions of details that they keep in line that are overlooked and underappreciated.

One thing that moms often overlook is car insurance. Many moms believe that they don't need great coverage because they don't drive very often or they only drive within their neighborhood. However, car insurance is important for every mom - even if you don't drive very much. Every mom needs superhero car insurance to go along with heroine acts of courage.

Here are four reasons why every mom should have car insurance:

Top Tips for Stressed Parents

Are you a stressed out parent? I know I definitely am a stressed out Mommy, and stressed out Mommy doesn't always have the patience that mommies need to be able to take care of their kids ideally, so I do my best to try to lower my stress levels so I can be a better parent. Here are some tips if you can relate- and which parent doesn't?

While children are the pride and joy of your life, all parents will get stressed and feel ready to snap. This is completely normal. As a parent who looks after their children, runs the household, and has to keep on top of everything, there’s no wonder you feel like you’re on the edge. Stress can become a vicious cycle when you are a parent because you don’t want to feel stressed with your family. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. It can be a good idea to learn about stress and how you can combat it. This will make you feel better, as well as provide you with stronger relationships and quality family time.

Here are some top tips to help you get started with dealing with stress as a parent and take the pressure off.

My Laundry Rant and Potential Plans

I hate laundry. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. And as a mom, laundry is one of those absolutely never ending things, along with dishes and making dinner. But laundry is one of those things I hate most. And it doesn't help that laundry is always a saga in my house.

I tried liking laundry. Years ago, in our first apartment, we had a washing machine and dryer and all was good. Then the second apartment that we were in for a bunch of years had no space next to the washer for a dryer, so the dryer ended up in my bedroom in a very uncomfortable to reach place (and made me hate my bedroom, among other things) needing to vent out the window, so I rarely used the dryer and line dried everything. But line drying meant getting dressed to go outside, so often my laundry sat too long on the line outside and got sun bleached, or it sat too long in my washing machine and started stinking so I needed to wash it again. My kids helped me with hanging the laundry, but they couldn't possibly do it all, so it was still a lot of work for me. (And it didn't help that if things weren't pegged properly it would fall into the yard below and we'd need to go down to get the items.) It also entailed needing to watch the weather so I'd catch the laundry before it would get rained on.

So once we moved to this apartment with a space for a dryer above the washing machine, we got a condenser dryer, and I basically vowed never to line dry again. Because for all that it is better for the environment, washing loads of laundry twice, or ruining clothes and needing to buy more isn't good for the environment, and mom's sanity is important for the home environment, also an important environment.