Shopping For Men at Fashion Nova Men

Clothing shopping for fashion concious individuals can be challenging at times, especially if you are trying to stick to a budget. Finding out about Fashion Nova is really exciting for me, because I plan on taking advantage of their decent pricing and free worldwide shipping (if spending over a certain amount) to buy clothing for my sons, who like what they see on their site.

Fashion Nova Men carries a wide selection of styles, including shirts, tees, jeans, joggers, and more. They also carry a wide variety of sizes, from plus size to petite. Whether you're shopping for yourself or for a friend, you're sure to find the perfect style. If you have any questions about what to buy, don't hesitate to ask a member of their sales staff.

Is an ABSN Program Better Than a Traditional BSN?

If you are looking to increase your earning potential and learn a profession that would work with children, you may have considered going into nursing. But what about an ABSN (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program to learn nursing? Learn more about that option here.

The demand for nursing courses has gradually gone up as more and more students are now interested in nursing degrees. A lot of good institutes also offer a variety of nursing degrees to choose from, and this is where some students might get confused. One of the most common questions is whether to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or simply go for an accelerated program.

People who have a bachelor's degree in a different field and want to change careers may find the accelerated programs available to be encouraging. Also, as the baby boomer generation ages, the skills of registered nurses with a bachelor's degree will be in demand.

The pandemic has also shown how important nurses are to the healthcare system every day and in emergencies. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that between now and 2031, the need for nurses will grow by 6%. A lot of people are hence taking up nursing courses like BSN, MSN, and accelerated BSN programs.

But is an ABSN program better than a regular BSN program? Let’s take a deeper look at both programs.

Budgeting, Once Again

I have a confession. 

I haven't budgeted since the middle of the summer.

As someone who talks about how important it is to have a budget, it is embarrassing to share that. 

I've written before about building a bedroom for my son, something that I couldn't wait any longer to do. He was already nearly 13 and sharing a room with his two sisters, 8 and 10, and he needed his own space already. And I could only do it in the non rainy summer because in order to build it I needed to store the things that were in the stairwell outside during the construction. 

But the summer was already an expensive one. I had promised my children to give them an enjoyable and meaningful summer and though I tried to keep costs down, the cost of the outings did add up. 

Tips for a Successful Parent Entrepreneur

Being a parent while running a business definitely is not easy. Both place large demands on you. How can you do both successfully? Here are some tips.

Parenting is one of the most rewarding and challenging roles a person can take on in life. As if parenting wasn't challenging enough, more and more parents are taking on the extra challenge of starting their own business while their kids are still young. Sounds like a big challenge, right? It's a rollercoaster of emotions and it takes an immense level of determination and hard work to be successful in both roles. For those considering taking this journey, the following are some tips that may help to keep you grounded and increase your chances of success.

How to start earning huge profits from Forex trading today

My dad is an expert when it comes to buying and selling things for profit, like with stocks. Forex seems to have some overlap, predicting trends, buying low and selling high. Some people make enough money this way to have it be all the income they need. But I know nothing about these topics. So I'll leave them to the experts to explain. Here is an explanation on how you can earn money with forex trading.

Forex trading is one of the most profitable and popular online professions that have attracted a huge number of fans in the last couple of years. From the two words "foreign" and "exchange," it is clear that this is the business of trading foreign currencies for profit.

The Forex market is a world-famous financial market that is considered the largest and most volatile, with a daily turnover of 6.6 trillion dollars. Considering that an increasing number of people are interested in Forex, the competition in the market is growing significantly.

Also, many people who once managed to make profits as a hobby now find it much more difficult because Forex requires a lot of dedication and time. So, what does an individual trader need to know to achieve a meaningful professional career in Forex? Here are some tips.

Firecracker Peanut Butter S'mores Recipe -- Easy Homemade Medical Marijuana Edibles Recipe, Gluten Free Vegan Cannabis Cookies

Medical marijuana is a lifesaver for many people. I have been dealing with chronic pain with doctors basically telling me there's nothing they could do about it; I've been on all the medication suggested other than opioids and they didn't work and my situation was written up as being treatment resistant. I went to a pain clinic and the doctor there told me there was nothing he could do for me, while I bawled the entire appointment in frustration. What could be done? The only suggestions both the endocrinologist and spinal specialist had for me were that I should try medical marijuana, and apply for disability. Fortunately, I got approved for medical marijuana within 48 hours (I hear that is extremely quick) and I was lucky in that the medical marijuana almost completely takes my pain away.

I want to interject here and say that I generally call this pot. Or weed. Because why not? Some people think that if you're using something medically you should only call it cannabis, because that's the scientific name, and that using pot or weed makes you sound like someone using illicit drugs, but pot is pot, no matter what you call it. It should be legalized period, but at the very least if I have a license for it, I won't pretend it's something else other than what your "stoner" friend smoke just to sound more sanitized for people. Not to mention all the people that use it illegally either because they don't have a license or because of strict rules that they are in may very well be using it medically as well, since it helps so many different health issues. So throughout this, I will refer to it as either bud (the form it comes in), flower (its a flower bud), weed, pot, marijuana, medical marijuana, mmj (medical marijuana), or cannabis. They all are the same and I see no reason to stick to one specific name.

The thing is this. I never smoked because cigarettes are bad for you, and while smoking marijuana isn't nearly as bad for you as cigarettes are, inhaling smoke on a regular basis isn't amazing for your lungs. Edibles, though, can be really pricey to buy, or difficult to find if you have any food restrictions. 

Homemade edibles theoretically would be the best option, but most of the recipes out there are complex with lots of steps and can be tricky to get right. But I learned about firecrackers and they have been a staple in my house now, the best way to consume medical marijuana without dealing with the smoke. They, unfortunately, can't be the only way for me to use it, because unlike smoking marijuana that goes into your lungs and then your bloodstream and has a close to immediate effect, edibles have to first make their way through your digestive tract and only then will start working, depending on your metabolism. I have a slower metabolism, and sometimes it can take up to an hour or two even for me to feel the effect of weed edibles, so if I am in a lot of pain and need immediate releif I still smoke it, but will use these more when I can predict that I'll be needing the pain releif in the future.

It is important to note that with edibles made at home it is hard to get exact dosing right, so you need to play around with this and figure out how to use what you made. The first time you eat a firecracker, take just a nibble and wait a few hours and see how long it takes to affect you and how much it affects you. This way you can guage it and know in future times how much you need to have the effect that you want.

The original firecrackers are basically a cracker spread with peanut butter and weed and baked together. I updated that and made mine with gluten free tea biscuits (petit burre) since we don't have gluten free graham crackers locally, and then I often add marshmallows and chocolate to make mine into smores, though that is just optional and fun and not required at all if you don't like those.

To make edibles, it's important to know and remember two important facts about marijuana. First is that it needs to be decarbed. This doesn't mean getting rid of carbohydrates, but rather, going through the process of decarboxylation, a process that actives the psychoactive compounds in the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant has both THCA and CBDA in it, acidic forms of THC and CBD that, according to Leafly.com have an additional molecular carboxyl ring, which prevents them from binding to receptors in the brain that make you feel the affect of the cannabis, and decarboxylation makes it more bioavailable. Heating the cannabis does this, so when you're smoking it happens automatically, but when you're eating it, that needs to happen separately.  

The second thing to be aware of is that THC and CBD, the chemical components in marijuana that you want, are fat soluble. So if you want to eat them and have your body be able to digest them, mixing them with fats makes you get the most of it. (This is why cannabutter, cannabis infused butter, is so popular with edibles.) This is why you use peanut butter for this recipe, but you can also use other nut butters or even chocolate spreads like Nutella. If it's a fat and it's a spread, you're good to go.

I knew when making these that I ended up getting more bang for my buck with edibles than when smoking, but I don't have a quantifiable way to prove that since I'm not exactly testing THC and CBD levels in the firecrackers. But I tested it out and using approximately 30 small flowers, 1/4 cup of buds, I made 65 firecrackers. From my estimation, each firecracker gives me the same effect as one flower smoked, but this isn't a scientific thing. You'd have to test this out yourself and see about the effects yourself, trying just a bit at a time, and seeing its effects, to make sure you don't end up too high and uncomfortable.

I use primarily THC flowers because while both THC and CBD work for pain relief, THC specifically works for muscle spasms, and most of my pain is because of spasmed muscles because of subluxations due to my Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. I've found it to work really well, and surprisingly, when I'm in a lot of pain, the THC seems to go straight to the pain and doesn't make me high, whereas when I'm not in as much pain I get high more easily with the same amount. It is very curious.

I learned how to make this from this recipe on hightimes.com. And I either refer to these as my pot cookies or my medicine, depending on my mood. 

Firecracker Peanut Butter S'mores Recipe -- Easy Homemade Cannabis Medical Marijuana Edibles Recipe, Gluten Free Vegan

Successfully Navigating a Household Rodent Problem When On a Budget

I am not scared of bugs. I don't freak out when I see one scuttling across my house. But while I am not scared of mice, when I saw one run across the floor of my house it did get me freaked out a bit. We definitely don't want to need to deal with rodent issues in our homes, but when they come up, here are some ways to deal with them without spending too much money.

About 14 million (of approximately 124 million) occupied housing units in the U.S. reported seeing roaches in their homes during the last 12 months, while nearly 14.8 million reported seeing rodents, according to the 2019 American Housing Survey. While coming across a rodent — whether it be a tiny mouse or a massive rat — can be a frightening event, addressing the matter as soon as possible is essential in maintaining a healthy and hazard free home. Thankfully, there are plenty of options when looking to do so — even when on a budget.

6 Tips for Playing Golf on the Cheap

If you want to be able to play golf but heard that it was pricey, here are some things you can consider to lower the cost.

Golf can be an expensive hobby. There is a lot of equipment to buy, and if you fancy joining a high-end golf club, expect to shell out a lot of cash. Luckily there are ways to cut the cost of enjoying golf as a hobby. In this article, we have some useful tips if you enjoy playing golf but would prefer not to blow a small fortune on your hobby. Read on to learn more.

Vegetarian Luxembourg Bouneschlupp Inspired Green Bean Soup Recipe -- Gluten Free, Frugal

I heard about bouneschlupp, a green bean soup hailing from Luxembourg, from my friend Juli. (She inspires me a lot in the kitchen, can you tell?) The first thing that came to mind when I heard the name is that it sounds like bone slurp, so I assumed it was a bone broth type thing, but nope. 

It is a name meaning bean soup in Luxembourgish, which I didn't know was its own language until I was doing research for this post. It's kind of weird in my opinion that one of the smallest countries in the world (with only 2500 square kilometers) with only 600,000 residents has its own language. Luxembourgish is a Germanic language, but bean soup in German would be called bohnensuppe, and in Dutch, which is the closest language to Luxembourgish, bonen soep, so this bouneschlupp name is something unique to this tiny area of Europe. But I digress, kinda. I like nerding out on languages.

Though I based this soup off of various versions of bouneschlupp that I saw, it is in no way authentic, for two main reasons. Number one is that bouneschlupp pretty much always has bacon or sausage or both in it. That is basically the main reason that this is not bouneschlupp, it is vegetarian. The second reason is that the spice that very often gives bouneschlupp its flavor is summer savory, which I don't have, so I didn't use it. I used smoked paprika to give it the smokey bacon flavor, and I used consomme soup mix

This, therefore, is just inspired by bouneschlupp and it tastes great and is worth sharing, even if it isn't authentic. Feel free to play around with it to make adjustments to suit what is in your house or what your family likes to make it yours.

Vegetarian Luxembourg Bouneschlupp Inspired Green Bean Soup Recipe -- Gluten Free, Frugal

4 Tips on Protecting Your Finances as a Single Mom

When you alone are responsible for your finances and you can't rely on a partner, it can be challenging. Now when you are in that situation and have kids to take care of, as a single mom, you aren't just worrying about yourself but also others, and you have to be extra careful to protect yourself financially. Here are some things you can do to protect your finances.

As a single mom, it can be difficult to keep your finances in order. You have to worry about providing for yourself and your children, and it can be tough to find the time to focus on money matters. However, it is vital to take some time to protect your finances. Here are four tips that can help you do just that.

5 Things Parents Can Do to Help Their Children Stay Physically Fit

If you would like your kids to be physically fit, there are some things you can do to facilitate it. Nothing is a guarantee, but the following will be helpful.

Physical fitness is important for children and adults. In addition to being good for their overall health, it can help them stay active as they get older and prevent certain diseases that may develop later in life. The best part of staying physically fit as a child is that it will also benefit them when they become adults.

Here are some tips on how parents can help their children stay healthy through physical activity.

Is Crypto Staking Risky?

I know absolutely nothing, I mean nada, about crypto currencies. So I'll let others do the talking. If you've heard about crypto staking, you might wonder if it is worthwhile or if there are any risks. Read more about that below.

If you have crypto and want to easily earn interest on it, you can try staking. So, you will not only receive passive income but also support the operation of the blockchain network. The essence of crypto staking is to block a certain number of coins in the wallet to obtain the right, directly or through intermediaries, to participate in maintaining the blockchain of this asset and receive a reward for this.

Crypto staking seems to be a profitable alternative to simply holding cryptocurrencies in a wallet, being an analog of a bank deposit in the crypto industry. The profitability of staking differs depending on the blockchain; its value can reach tens of percent per annum and more. But are there any risks in staking cryptocurrency?

The 12 Days of Ramen Advent Calendar

Another great post from Juli of Pandemonium Noshery. Juli loves interesting and delicious food around the world what better way for a food lover to get excited about Christmas than with unique foods? She decided to share how she made her original advent calendar, with ramen. If you are looking for another way to package this one, feel free to use this idea, perhaps hanging up each of these wrapped packages on a string. And for a little history behind advent calendars, you might find this an interesting read.

Hi Guys! You have no idea how motivating having my own tag is. Seriously, it’s like winning an award, like the Tony of the food world. I have no idea what a Tony is, to be honest, but I know it’s related to Hollywood and famous people so it’s big. Not as big as having your own tag, but it’s big.

12 Scenarios Where You Might Need Your Emergency Fund

I was discussing budgeting with my son today, and he asked about my emergency fund and what types of things I use it for. I reminded him about the car accident I got into this summer (completely totaled the rental car) and unfortunately needed to pay the large deductible. Emergency funds are so important and everyone should have them. Here are some situations where you might find yourself needing your emergency fund.

An emergency fund is an important tool in managing your finances. It's a dedicated account that you can draw on if an unexpected expense arises, such as a medical bill or car repair. But there are some instances where it might be okay to use your emergency fund—though they should be used judiciously. In this article, we'll explore 12 scenarios where it can make sense to tap into your emergency fund. By understanding when and why it's okay to use your emergency fund, you will be better prepared to handle financial emergencies without putting yourself at risk.

12 Scenarios Where You May Need Your Emergency Fund

Have no qualms about asking for what is rightfully yours!

Sometimes we're owed money but don't know it, or don't know how to go about getting it. Other times we feel guilty about getting the money we deserve. Here are some of those times. You don't need to feel guilty.

To put it another way, just because you're young doesn't mean you can afford to ignore your health and avoid doing what you need to do to keep it in top shape. The standard of living you maintain is just as crucial as your physical wellbeing. You could think that no one will take you seriously as a claimant because of your age. However, if you need to hold the liable party accountable for your loved one's death, it must be taken seriously.

Health

The first thing you should do to protect yourself financially in the event of an accident or illness is to get health insurance. Although it's an added cost you'd rather avoid, medical insurance will come in handy if you ever end up in the hospital. Can you fathom being hit with unmanageable medical bills? If you carry insurance, you won't have to worry about paying for any damages out of pocket. Don't forget that staying in good physical shape can help you avoid the need to file any claims at all!

A Chore System that Actually is Working -- My Spin on Chore Sticks with Popsicle Sticks with Points

Before I get to this post, I need to say that if you've heard of "Chore Sticks" before, from what I've seen my method is quite different than the other ones I've seen online, so don't assume that you've seen it already; read on.

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The Messy House Problem

My house has a mess problem. By nature, my ADHD makes it really hard for me to focus on cleaning my house- I'm very scatterbrained, which actually has benefits for me in some ways, but definitely poses large challenges in other ways. People keep try telling me to just "clean as I go" but that feels impossible to me. I've tried multiple times to attempt that but my brain doesn't really allow me to do that.

Add in health issues and other stressors. While I was the stay at home parent throughout my marriage, I dealt with 9 months of nausea and puking (yay hyperemesis) and then once my kids were born I dealt with very challenging high needs babies and toddlers who didn't necessarily get much easier as they got older. This definitely caused tension in my marriage, as my then husband felt that since I was the one home all day long, I should be the one cleaning and organizing the place, but as hard as I tried I simply wasn't able to do as good of a job of it as he wanted, so he ended up pitching in a lot with the cleaning and organizing.

As a single mom now, it is all on me to get the house clean and keep it that way, or get my kids to help. Over the years I tried many different ways to get my kids to help around the house, but they all had their down sides, and all of them petered out because... guess what? ADHD makes consistency hard for me too!

Now it has been more challenging than ever to keep my place clean, since it I've been dealing with significant mental health issues and my body simply doesn't cooperate. Not only does doing most housework cause me immense pain, when my anxiety is bad (and it has been pretty bad lately) sometimes even doing basic life tasks is too much, let alone keeping my house up to snuff.

But while I don't have my ex at home grumping at me about the messy house, I have my sons, who are old enough to appreciate and desire a clean house, and are frustrated enough about the state of the house. I mean, don't get me wrong, I also don't like a messy house, and when it gets messy enough my anxiety gets so bad and it makes it even harder for me to function. But that appreciation for clean doesn't make it any easier for me to be neat.

I want to clarify that my sons do help around the house. They, since I separated from my ex over 4 years ago, have been the ones to take out the garbage. (I've taken out the garbage very, very few times since then.) They pitch in to clean up with various things, as do my girls, but they get frustrated because they feel like their sisters aren't helping as much as they are, and therefore the boys have to pick up the slack. (In the case of my kids, my boys are the older ones, 13 and 15, and girls 11 and 8.5, so its not about the genders, but the ages.) My daughters also have a hard time with neatness and cleanliness (yay ADHD and autism) and in general, it's just a situation where lots of people are frustrated. 

Things needed to change.