Author: Family Fun

Save Money and Break Out of the Norm with This One Wedding Detail

Post author By Family Fun
Post date January 26, 2015
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One of the best things about getting married these days is that you can pretty much plan whatever you want. These days wedding are more about the bride and groom’s preferences and the ceremony and reception are more reflections of their unique relationship. Rather than about tradition and custom, weddings are more than ever about the couple. If you’re itching to break out of the norm, an easy and fun way to do it is to opt for a morning ceremony and an after wedding brunch. Here’s why.

1. It’s Pretty Inexpensive
One of the biggest draws of having a brunch wedding is that it’s going to be less expensive. Many people opt to have weddings in the evenings, which means that many venues offer discounted rates in the morning hours. Additionally, brunch foods are going to be a lot less expensive per guest than say, a steak dinner for the whole wedding.

2. Brunch Dishes Are a People Pleaser
Another reason having a morning ceremony and brunch is such a fun and easy idea is that people just love brunch. There is a reason that Sunday brunch is so popular, and it’s because people love breakfast food. They love having cocktails like mimosas and Bloody Marys with their meals. You’re not going to have to worry about dietary pickiness among your guests because brunch has something for everyone.

3. After Wedding Time
Another reason to have a morning ceremony and brunch reception is to be able to enjoy the day after the festivities. There’s no reason not to party all day long and spend as much time with guests, family, and friends, but you could also spend the remainder of the day with your new spouse gearing up for the honeymoon or just relaxing.

What do you think about wedding brunches? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. References. Continue reading here.

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Three Things to Think About When Designing a Custom Shed or Garage

Post author By Family Fun
Post date January 26, 2015
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Garage doors are not only a functional part of your home but also a significant factor in its curb appeal and security. Choosing the best quality garage doors can enhance durability, insulation, and appearance, making them a worthwhile investment for any homeowner. High-quality options often include steel, wood, and composite materials designed to withstand weather and wear.

For added convenience and security, a wireless garage door sensor is a popular addition. These sensors allow you to monitor and control the garage door remotely, alerting you if it’s left open or accessed unexpectedly. They add a modern touch to garage management, providing peace of mind with easy smartphone integration. Garage security doors take protection a step further, built with reinforced materials and locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access. These doors are ideal for safeguarding tools, vehicles, and stored valuables.

A complete garage setup may include storage solutions, workbenches, and lighting to turn it into a functional space for hobbies or projects. When combined with a high-quality garage door and security features, a complete garage setup can serve as both a practical and secure extension of your home. Call your local garage door company or local contractor today to get started and find the garage door system that is right for your home!

Buying a new shed or garage can be a pretty stressful process, since there are so many options and you’re going to want to find the perfect structure for your needs and your property. The problem is that you’re probably not going to find one that’s going to suit your needs unless you opt to customize it. If you are going to shop for custom sheds and garages, there are a few things you need to think about when you are designing one.

1. Materials
The first thing you need to think about when you’re designing custom sheds and garages is what material you’re going to use. This largely depends on what you’re going to be storing in the shed and the weather in your region of the country. Plastic and resin sheds tend to be more durable than wood or metal, and if not well-cared for, wood could rot.

2. Shelving and Organization
Another thing you need to think about when you’re designing a custom shed or garage is the interior. During the initial construction is the perfect time to add built in shelves and rafters in the ceiling to optimize storage space and make it ready for organization. You can also add things like hooks, bars, and other organizational tools before you start putting things inside.

3. Size and Dimensions
This is one of the most important things you’ll need to think about. Depending on the purpose of your structure, you’re going to want to think about exactly what size the structure should be. You don’t want to take up valuable real estate on your lawn if it’s not necessary and you can’t have a structure that’s too small, so finding the right size and dimensions is key.

Do you have any tips for designing a custom shed? Feel free to share them with us in the comments section below. References.

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The Benefits of Donating Gently Used Clothing

Post author By Family Fun
Post date January 23, 2015
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Military families often face unique challenges that while civilian families may be able to empathize with, seldom experience first hand. Getting involved with an organization that helps military families and veterans may help you to better understand the difficulties these families face.

While it’s common for many people to make charitable donations during the winter holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s important to realize that helping military families is a full time, year round job. Helping families in need by volunteering your time or making donations can be done during any time of year.

Not only is volunteering or donating an excellent way to give back to the military community, it’s a great way to get involved with other members of your local community and unite under a common cause.

Volunteering or making a donation can take time, time which many people unfortunately do not due to hectic work schedules and other obligations. However, there are a number of easy, simple ways to give back to the military community that require little to no time.

Clothing donations are a perfect way to show veteran and active duty military support while also supporting environmental efforts. Donating clothes significantly reduces the amount of textile waste and pollution in landfills.

They can be picked up directly from your home or office, dropped off at a designated clothing donation bin, or donated in person at a charity. However, many donors choose to have the donations picked up from their homes or work as a matter of convenience.

The beginning of the new year brought frigid, sub-zero temperatures across the nation. As such, winter clothing donations are in high demand. Items such as jackets, hats, coats, gloves, and scarves are all needed.

In addition, gently used professional attire and business casual items such as jackets, button down shirts, dress shoes, pencil skirts, blouses, and heels are often requested by military and veteran charities. Veterans office face higher rates of unemployment, therefore, donating professional clothing helps to save them the expense of purchasing interview-worthy clothes while giving them a competitive edge.

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Market Favorable for First-Time Home Buyers

Post author By Family Fun
Post date January 23, 2015
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In 2014, only 33% of United States home buyers were first-time homeowners, the lowest percentage since 1987. That number is expected to change in 2015, as real estate market conditions shift to be more favorable to first-time buyers. The home buying process is becoming easier for more house hunters, and with several economic factors changing, first-time buyers may be at an advantage.

One of the biggest factors allowing first-time buyers back into the market are new lending standards. Lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have put new guidelines in place to make it easier to obtain a mortgage, including offering mortgages with 3% down payments. Several cities also have incentives in place for first-time home buyers, such as lowered tax rates and down payment grants.

Builders are also taking a break from construction of luxury homes to build smaller homes for first-time buyers. The influx of new, smaller homes is expected to allow the prices of existing homes to fall, especially in high-demand cities. Existing homeowners are also likely to take advantage of lower prices to move to bigger, better housing, making their current homes available for first-time buyers.

With rents on the rise and so many lending and government incentives, experts predict that it will be less expensive in 2015 to own a house than to rent. The Federal Reserve has stated that they do not plan to raise interest rates until the summer of 2015, if not later. Real estate market analysts expect interest rates on mortgage to peak at 5% at the most, but believe 4.5% is more likely.

If a new home has been in your dreams for the future, you should brush up on your checklist for buying a home and start looking at real estate agents. With so many favorable market conditions, now is the time for people who were considering the purchase of their first home to act. Visit here for more.

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Why Volunteering is the Gift That Keeps on Giving

Post author By Family Fun
Post date January 23, 2015
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The holiday shopping season between November and December is the busiest time of year for retailers, and the time in which they make the most profit. The same is true for non-profit organizations that help military families. While they may not be turning a profit, the holiday season is the period of time in which they receive the most charitable donations. While the chaos and excitement of last year’s holiday season is in the past, there is still plenty of work that need to be done.

There are several ways you can give back in the new year, many of which can be done from the comfort of your home or work. The first few weeks of January have been bitterly cold, with areas across the nation experiencing subzero temperatures. As such, warm weather clothing donations have been in high demand. In addition to winter clothing, professional and business casual attire is in demand year round. These donations allow veterans to reenter the workforce with confidence.

Clothing donations are perhaps one of the easiest and most convenient charitable donations to make. There are several organizations that pick up clothing donations directly from your home or work.

Non-perishable food items such as canned goods, rice, pasta, and others also make for excellent charitable donations. Take advantage of store deals and coupons that make stocking up on these items easy and affordable. Or, if you have a natural affinity and love for cooking, why not volunteer to cook a meal at your local military and veteran organization?

Volunteering your time is an not only an excellent way to to give back to the military and veteran community, it’s an excellent way to network and meet other like-minded community members. In addition, volunteering has been shown to have several mental and emotional benefits, such as increased mood and sense of purpose.

Donating and volunteering allows you to contribute to a great cause, help those in need, and enjoy a sense of accomplishment.

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GPS Shoes May Keep Dementia Patients Safe

Post author By Family Fun
Post date January 22, 2015
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Tragedy struck an Ohio nursing home earlier this week, when a resident who had been diagnosed with dementia wandered outside sometime overnight and died of exposure. Martha Jensdrix was found in the parking lot at 7:30 the next morning, when it was too late to help her. Family members say that the staff of the nursing home was aware of her condition when she moved in, and many people are wondering how no one noticed that she was gone. While an internal investigation is underway at the nursing home, technology is stepping up to try to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again in other nursing homes.

Two separate companies have developed a way to track a person’s movements via their shoes, an ability that could save the lives of countless Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, as well as giving their caregivers peace of mind.

The Aetrex shoe has a GPS device embedded right in the heel of the shoe, providing real-time tracking that can be linked via satellite to any computer or smartphone. The shoes have a USB charger, and can be connected to a computer to upload the data. The shoes cost $299 initially, with a $30 monthly charge for the satellite tracking.

SoleTrackr is another company with a similar product: a small GPS device built into a removable insole. The SoleTrackr is powered through a cellular network for increased range, and is designed for people who don’t normally carry a cell phone, such as young children and the elderly.

Both the Aetrex shoe and the SoleTrackr have an option for the caretaker to set up an acceptable area for the wearer to be in at a certain time, so that the device will notify the caregiver if the shoes exit that area. For example, if a resident wanders outside their assisted living facility, the staff can be immediately notified. The Aetrex shoes also notify caregivers of prolonged periods of rest and changes in battery life.

As the technology improves, it could really revolutionize senior citizen housing options. Nursing homes would be able to spend less time chasing down patients within the facilities, making it easier to find them quickly and administer assistance in case of emergency. While the cost of assisted living facilities may rise slightly to cover the costs of the shoes, many caregivers and nursing homes agree that it would be worth it for the added security and peace of mind. It may be too late for Martha Jendrix, technology may be the best way to prevent such a tragedy from happening again. Refernce materials.

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Three Things to Keep in Mind as You Search for Memory Care Options

Post author By Family Fun
Post date January 22, 2015
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When most people think about their senior care options, they often think of factors that don’t always deal with medical care. From the accommodations at an assisted living home to the activities in a community, these are often the aspects of senior living that are prioritized when assessing a facility. However, some seniors require their elder care to go beyond their room and board, especially if they’re looking for senior living options that specialize in treating dementia and Alzheimer’s.

People who are seeking assisted living communities with memory care have several things to think about when they consider these homes beyond the decisions that the typical senior has to make when choosing this care. Treating dementia and Alzheimer’s requires special care and attentive staff members who will make residents feel safe and comfortable. If you are looking for this level of care for a family member, here are three features you should look for in memory care for seniors:

1. Safety: Patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s may have a tendency to wander and become lost, which can put them in serious danger. In order to protect your senior relatives, make sure that the facility they live in has plenty of security and attentive staff members who won’t place them in harm’s way.

2. Treatments: As of now, there is no cure for memory loss. However, treating dementia, Alzheimer’s, and related conditions is possible through various drugs and therapies in order to keep these seniors happy. Find out what an assisted living community with memory care can do for you or a relative.

3. Care: Above all, your senior relatives should feel cared for by friendly and dedicated staff members. Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients can often feel frustrated and confused by their conditions. A skilled nursing care staff will help them calm down and stay comfortable in their assisted living facility.

Have more questions about the best senior living communities for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients? Leave a comment below. Find out more about this topic here.

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Three Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Public Adjuster

Post author By Family Fun
Post date January 16, 2015
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If you live in a part of the country frequently plagued by natural disaster, it can be tough to successfully file an insurance claim for property damage caused by these disasters. That’s because most homeowner’s insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by floods, hurricanes, wildfires and other severe weather events.

Because of this, you may find yourself seeking the help of public adjuster services to get your insurance claim successfully filed. However, not all public adjusters are alike — and some use less-than-reputable business practices!

Not sure if you’re hiring the right public adjuster services for your needs? By asking these three questions, you’ll be able to learn whether or not you should be hiring that public adjuster to help you with your flood damage or fire damage claims:

Are you licensed to practice in my state?

Before hiring any public adjuster, it’s imperative to know whether or not he or she is licensed to operate in your area. There are usually online directories with lists of the public adjusters who practice in certain areas — be sure to talk to a few of them before settling on the one you’ll hire.

Can I consult reviews and testimonials from your former clients?

A great way to see how successful and effective a public adjuster is with adjusting insurance claims is to read testimonials from his or her former clients. Many of the best adjusters will have these testimonials ready to give to potential clients, as well — so don’t be afraid to ask.

How do you charge for your services?

Public adjusters have a few different ways of charging clients for their services — typically, they will charge a percentage of the insurance claim settlement they helped win for their clients. But because these percentages can range from just 2% to as much as 50%, you should find out how much your public adjuster will charge you before signing any contracts.

Have any other tips or advice for people searching for the perfect public adjuster services? Share your knowledge with your fellow readers in the comments below and get the discussion going!

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How to Nail Nautical Decor

Post author By Family Fun
Post date January 13, 2015
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Believe it or not, nautical decor is not all about nautical home decorations. You can’t just stick a replica diving helmet or other nautical items on display, and think you’re done.

No, nautical decor requires a holistic approach. If you really want your interior design to mimic that of a place by the sea, you need to think about the colors. Here are a few tips to help.

The Colors You Should Focus On.

Nautical decor typically focuses on navy, khaki, and white. Those three colors should be your primary focus, and be the dominant colors you use to decorate. Consider painting your walls or ceiling these colors; buying furniture that is, compliments, or works with these colors; and laying down a rug of these colors.

The Colors You Could Also Possibly Use.

Now, this doesn’t mean you only need to use navy, khaki, and white. Many interior designers often use red, yellow, and black as secondary nautical decor colors. These are the colors you want to use as accents, painting the mantle and eaves of a room to compliment the dominant colors.

The Colors You Should Avoid Like a Maelstrom.

Some colors, however, you have to avoid like a ship steers away from a massive storm. Bright pinks, lime greens, and day-glow oranges are all utterly and completely antithetical to nautical decor. Basically, if it looks like something a teeny-bopper would wear to a pep-rally or to a nightclub, it shouldn’t belong with your nautical decor.
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It’s not hard to nail a nautical theme, but you do have to put a bit of thought and planning into things, considering all of the different components that make up a room. If you’re designing a nautical themed room, use navy, khaki, and white as your dominant colors, red, yellow, and black as your secondary colors, and avoid neon colors. If you do, you’ll be fine.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments.

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Three Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing the Best Senior Living Options for Mom and Dad

Post author By Family Fun
Post date January 7, 2015
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When most people look for adult care options for an elderly parent, they are often faced with tough decisions. Questions come up about where their parents should live, or which type of elder care is best for them. There’s also the misconception that senior living isn’t too exciting for the residents of these homes, which may push some seniors to put off the decision of moving into assisted living.

However, senior living doesn’t have to be a “boring” option for your parents, whether they want to retain their independence or not. Here are some tips to consider when looking into the inspired senior living options in your area.

Choose a location.

Compare activities and amenities.

Don’t ignore safety.

Need more advice on finding the most inspired senior living options for your relatives? Be sure to ask others around you for advice, especially if they’ve moved their parents into one of these facilities. You can also leave a comment below for more suggestions on finding the right senior care for your mom and dad. Continue.