Megan Santiago's Blog, page 27

The Ultimate List of the Best Stores To Coupon + Money Saving Apps You NEED!

11 of the Best Stores to Coupon

1. Walgreens

Walgreens is a drugstore that is popular in the couponing community. They offer a ton of different ways to save money in addition to couponing. To name a few, if you buy their brand items, you can receive cash back. You can also earn money back to spend at Walgreens by signing up for MyWalgreens.

The best places to find Walgreens coupons are:

Walgreens weekly ad newspaperWalgreens appCatalina coupons2. CVS

CVS is another drugstore that is great for couponing! They allow for coupon stacking, as they allow you to stack their coupons and manufacturer coupons. One cool thing about couponing at CVS is that they will enable you to use BOGO coupons on items that are already BOGO so that you can get two items for free! They also allow you to use manufacturer coupons on sale and clearance items.

The best places to find CVS coupons are:

CVS weekly ad paperCVS appCarePassEmail3. Walmart

Walmart is a great store all around when it comes to saving money. Their prices are already lower, especially their personal store brand. They price match and have an excellent return policy! You can return an item without even having a receipt. You need a driver’s license. However, returning items this way is only allowed a couple of times per year.

Another way to save money by shopping with Walmart is to use their grocery pickup or delivery. You can use coupons, and you don’t have to go in the store and end up spending money on things you didn’t plan on buying.

The best places to find Walmart coupons are:

Walmart.comCoupons.comWsj.com4. Kroger Stores

While Kroger has their store, many other smaller grocery chains carry Kroger products, like King Soopers, Fresh Market, City Market, Smiths, Fred Meyer, and Fry’s. These stores are all over the U.S.

The best places to find Kroger store coupons are:

The store weekly newspaper adsKroger.comCellfire.comCatalina coupons5. Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby is HUGE and has so many different things. Every craft item you can imagine, games, decor, floral, gift wrapping, fabric, holiday item. They offer a great variety. And they always have easy-to-find coupons! You can also find many items in the store that are already on sale. They will have a sticker on the item itself.

The best places to find Hobby Lobby coupons are:

Hobby Lobby weekly adHobbylobby.comOffers.comCouponcabin.com6. Target

Target is a hugely popular store with really great brands. And for some reason, it’s where the moms love to shop. They have great clothes, great toys, and excellent home appliances. If you go to a Super Target, they also have groceries and a bigger selection of other items.

You can also get a Target RedCard, which allows you to save 5% when you use it. That can be a great way to save money if you shop at Target often.

The best places to find Target coupons are:

Target AppTarget.comCapitaloneshopping.com7. JoAnn’s

JoAnn’s is a craft store similar to Hobby Lobby, only a little smaller. The best thing about JoAnn’s is that it allows coupon stacking on top of their already good prices. Also, they have killer Black Friday sales.

The best places to find JoAnn’s coupons are:

JoAnn’s appRetailmenot.comCouponcabin.com8. Dollar Tree or Dollar General

The coolest thing about couponing at Dollar Tree is that everything is already a dollar, which means with a coupon, you are getting the item for LESS than a dollar. So awesome! And some of their coupons are over a dollar off, which means you can get the item completely free.

The best places to find Dollar Tree coupons are:

Dollar Tree newspaper (outside the store)Dollar Tree Value Seekers ClubPggoodeveryday.com9. Rite Aid

Rite Aid is a top-rated couponing store. It’s a drugstore similar to Walgreens. Rite Aid is excellent because it allows you to stack coupons on the same item AND use multiple coupons in one transaction for different items. So you can get things for less than a dollar, or possibly even for FREE.

The best places to find Rite Aid coupons are:

Riteaid.comRebate apps such as iBotta and Checkout51Couponcabin.comRiteAid’s newspaperGroupon.com10. Costco & Sam’s Club

Costco and Sam’s Club require memberships. Luckily the memberships are relatively affordable. They offer much lower prices on the same products that other stores offer. And they have excellent sales. Add coupons to the mix, and you’re saving some good money!

They also have Costco brands that are of excellent quality and significantly cheaper. Their brands cover clothes, groceries, supplements, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergents, diapers, wipes, and formula. These are great stores if you are trying to have a baby on a budget!

These stores also sell most things in bulk. So if you’re the only one using the products, this can work for canned goods or freezable products. But produce or milk might end up going to waste.

The best places to find Costco and Sam’s Club coupons are:

EmailTheir sales packets they send via mailCoupons.comCouponfollow.com11. Trader Joe’s

For the people who enjoy more of the healthy alternative stores, Trader Joe’s can be great. If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s, then Good Earth, Whole Foods, and Sprouts all accept manufacturer coupons as well. Some of these stores have their coupons as well, while some of them don’t.

That is great because health food stores can be pricey, so coupons can make it a lot more reasonably priced. If you are a student or a senior, some of these stores also offer discounts for that as well.

The best places to find Trader Joe’s and other health food store coupons are:

Any site that offers manufacturer coupons

Rebate Apps, Cashback, and Other Couponing Resources

1. Thrive Market

If you want to eat healthily and save hundreds, Thrive Market is the way to go!

This one isn’t a cashback or coupon app, but it is a discounted health food store and you get FREE full-sized items almost every order.

9/10 I go to place an order, I am offered multiple free full-size items, from maple syrups to chocolate, soup, coffee, you name it.

Here is why I recommend Thrive Market to anyone who wants to eat healthier:

Eating healthy has been a BIG priority when it comes to my family, but it can be really expensive. Thrive market is as cheap as $5 per month and you make that back in your first purchase with the number of discounts you get.They have different sales every week ON TOP of their already discounted prices. They are cheaper than Amazon quite often (I’ve checked).They give free memberships to families in needThey recycle their packaging so they help save the earth (yay, go green!)If you don’t save at least your membership cost over the course of a year, they will refund your membership.They offer cashback within their app on many items They are a one-stop-shop with toilet paper, diapers, supplements, canned goods, frozen foods, meat, wine, you name it!

So If you want to save hundreds of dollars on your grocery bill with groceries delivered to your door, then I HIGHLY recommend you give Thrive Market a try.

Thrive Market | Healthy living made easy | Save Hundreds on Groceries, Supplements, Organic Meat and More!

Never leave your home and have your groceries delivered to your door! Here's why I LOVE Thrive Market

It's a cheap membershipI get free full-sized products every time I orderThe regular prices are cheaper than other large retailersThey gift memberships to families in need when you sign upThey sell TONS of organic, natural, non-gmo, sprouted, fair-trade, eco-friendly productsYou get free shipping on every order over $49Great Customer ServiceThey offer meat, frozen items, baby products, and moreYou can shop by diet (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, keto, etc.)The reasons to join thrive are endless!! Buy Now We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 2. Groupon

Groupon is an online couponing service offered via web and mobile apps. Groupon has a lot of different coupons for local retailers and eateries. The great part about this is that you can change the location to look at deals in other cities and states. This is a great way to save some money while you’re traveling.

3. Coupons.com

Coupons.com is a website that has a TON of different manufacturer coupons. It has printable coupons, digital coupons, cashback offers, and promo codes. They are all categorized by type of product as well, so you don’t have to filter through coupons that don’t apply to you. You can find anything on there.

4. iBotta

iBotta is a cashback rewards app offered as a mobile app or web extension. It works by scanning your receipt and getting immediate cashback on qualifying purchases.

The great thing about iBotta is that it has a ton of generic coupons such as $1 back on any bag of cat food. This means it doesn’t matter the brand or size! It also has a lot of brand and size-specific cashback rewards as well. Many of the items on the app are very commonly used items, so you can get some cash back.

To maximize your cashback, look at the app first to see if you can plan meals and grocery lists around, or maybe a new brand you wouldn’t mind trying to make sure you will buy things you will use. iBotta also offers cashback through referrals, so if you refer someone to use their cashback tool, you can get a cashback referral bonus!

iBotta works with HUNDREDS of stores, including grocery stores, retail stores, gas stations, and many more. Check out this article for a complete list of all supported stores you can shop with to earn cashback with iBotta.

Ibotta can be combined with in-store coupons, credit card discounts (of course), other cashback apps, and rebates and rewards programs. This really allows you to stack all of the benefits!

The great thing about iBotta is that I can use it when I order curbside groceries and I get individual discounts on the items I buy, like $1.00 off water bottles, $4.00 off a certain protein powder, etc.

You also get bonuses when you add a certain amount of discounts to your cart and purchase those items, you get a bonus for fulfilling say 10 deals, they will give you a few dollars extra.

You can cash out and get actual cash that goes right back into your bank account or you can purchase a gift card!

Ibotta- Cash Back Rewards- Bonus Sign Up Reward This Free App gives you Bonus sign-up rewards, it changes every month but it is typically $10 cash!You can save hundreds of dollars on your everyday items AND you can get $ discounts per item, instead of just a certain percentage back on your total purchase! Buy Now We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 5. Capital One extension

The Capital One extension is a free, easy-to-use browser extension that works in the background. Once it’s installed, it automatically applies coupons to online shopping for a ton of different stores. It also compares prices for products and shipping to other online retailers and informs you if it found a cheaper option elsewhere. You don’t have to have a capital one card to use this extension.

6. SwagBucks

Swagbucks is an online tool that allows you to earn gift cards to stores you love. How it works is; you sign up online and earn points by shopping online, watching videos, and answering survey questions. Your points add up and are redeemable for gift cards to popular stores like Amazon, Walmart, and even PayPal.

7. Rakuten

Rakuten is a cashback tool that offers a browser extension for online shopping, or it allows you to connect your card so that it can track your in-person purchases to apply cashback that way as well.

Rakuten also offers cashback through referrals, so if you refer someone to use their cashback tool, you can get a cashback referral bonus!

Rakuten has saved me hundreds of dollars on things like my tires, groceries, Christmas gifts, and everyday essentials.

I promise you will thank me when you get that FREE $30 for signing up and using Rakuten right now!

Rakuten: Shop. Get Cash Back. Repeat. Get $30 Back Get a Free $30 for signing up with Rakuten to spend on whatever you want!!Save money on almost every single thing you buy including baby essentials, hotels, flights, groceries, tires, you name it! Buy Now We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 8. Coupon Sherpa

Coupon Sherpa is a couponing app that focuses more on local deals. One cool feature that this app offers is that it allows you to find and save coupons for easy access later, which is better than sorting through screenshots and searching for coupons you saw a couple of days ago.

The downfall to this app is that it seems to be only for Apple users, not Android.

9. Checkout 51

Checkout51 is very similar to iBotta. It is so similar that you can often find the same sort of deals on both apps. So you can get double the cash back by scanning your receipt through iBotta and Checkout 51! So if you’re going to have one, you might as well have both!

10. Dosh

Dosh is an automatic cashback app. No receipts are required! It works by connecting your debit and credit cards, and it automatically applies cashback based on your purchases. Dosh even offers cash back on hotel stays!

To get the most out of using Dosh, check out their partners, and see which purchases you can earn the most cash back on.

11. Join Your Favorite Store’s Loyalty Programs

Most stores now offer loyalty programs. You typically sign up with your phone number or email and start receiving cashback, points, or coupons. This is especially common with smaller grocery chains, as well as retail stores and restaurants.

12. Krazy Coupon Lady

The Krazy Coupon Lady is a website full of great information for new couponers. It has a ton of coupons and deals for different stores. It also has a ton of tips on couponing, budgeting, and saving money.

They also have a useful app! Krazy Coupon Lady is the ultimate couponing resource.

Summary

Couponing can be a fun and effective way to save a lot of money on products your family uses anyway. Whether you want to start simple with couponing or jump right into extreme couponing, you can’t go wrong!

To make your journey less of a hassle and more of an enjoyable hobby, we hope you can use these tips, tools, and a list of best stores to coupon to get you started.

This post originally appeared on Your Money Geek. 

10 Secrets You Will Not Want To Know About Traveling With Kids

Traveling with kids can be challenging. So it’s important to know what to pack, how to make traveling more manageable, and how to avoid disappointments. With these top ten tips, traveling with your children will be a breeze.

1. Planning the Trip

When traveling with kids, you need to take a bit more time planning each trip detail. Plan your trips differently than you do when traveling without them. It may sound like a simple suggestion, but in reality, it is one of the most important parts of planning to travel with kids.

Depending on the age of your children, you will need to consider their nap schedules, meal times, bedtimes, and how active you think you can be each day. In addition, you will need to consider if you want to keep a similar routine that you have at home or be more flexible when it comes to naps and mealtimes.

Consider spending more on accommodation when traveling with kids as you are more likely to spend the bulk of your time there. Try finding a hotel that is a destination in itself, so you are not disappointed that you can’t spend all day on adventures and activities.

When you plan the trip, make sure to leave room for spontaneity and a change of plans along the way. It’s always better to be prepared, but travel is all about being adaptable too. Build downtime into your itinerary so that you have some lazy mornings to sleep in or afternoons where you can spend poolside.

Take advantage of traveling via train or bus if possible, so you have more room to maneuver around and stretch out when traveling with kids.

2. Take Extra Time to Pack

Try not to pack at the last minute when traveling with kids! It is a good idea to pull out your luggage at least a week before departure and do an initial pack of everything you think you will need. Make sure to check the weather of your destination so that you are packing appropriate items.

Over the next few days, add or subtract items when you think of them. Packing in this way gives you a buffer to avoid those last-minute forgotten items, giving you a chance to see what works, but most importantly, what doesn’t work for traveling with kids.

Beginning the packing process early also allows you plenty of time to purchase any travel gifts or travel gear that you may not own. Take stock of the essentials and decide if you want to buy any new travel items to make traveling with kids more manageable.

Take the time to pack your carry-on bag so that you are prepared for any situation. Be sure to pack toys, books, snacks, coloring supplies, and anything else that will keep your children entertained on the plane or in lineups. If your child is old enough, allow them to have their suitcase with wheels and give them a small backpack.

Perhaps the most crucial tip for packing is always having an extra outfit on hand in case of accidents while traveling!

3. Pack Snacks

If traveling long distances, it’s important to pack enough snacks for children for those times when you are not able to purchase food. Remember that traveling with kids requires time and patience, so you will not want to stop for food every few hours.

Pack snacks such as granola bars, snack chips, crackers, and dried fruits in your carry-on bag just before departure. If traveling abroad, make sure also to pack some familiar treats like chocolate or gummy bears for those times when traveling is just too hard.

Pack snacks for children that are easy to transport to avoid messing or creating a massive mess in your carry-on bag. Be sure to pack plenty of refillable water bottles as well for extra hydration during long flights and drives.

Make traveling with kids easier by packing lots of snacks and water.

I recommend using a non-toxic alternative to plastic bags to avoid harsh chemicals from plastics leaching into your child’s food!

Zip Top Reusable 100% Silicone Baby + Kid Snack Containers $8.99  The only containers that stand up, stay open, and zip shut! No Lids! 100% pure non-toxic platinum silicone is completely free of BPA, lead, PVC, latex, and phthalates. They won’t leach harmful chemicals like plastics can. Versatile: Zip Top containers are safe for use in the dishwasher (bottom rack too), freezer, and microwave. Designed to fit little hands and cup holders, our large, soft zippers are easy for little fingers to open and close.
Buy Now We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 02/02/2022 12:04 am GMT 4. Download Entertainment on Devices Before You Leave

If you are bringing any devices to use during your travels, be sure to download any movies or tv shows before you leave and make sure to charge them fully. Many different entertainment apps now have options for downloading like Netflix, Prime, and Disney+, so take advantage of them and be sure you have enough space available.

Do not rely on WIFI during your vacation. Shared WIFI at hotels tends to download much slower, and depending on where you are traveling, you may not even have WIFI.

You can also download a new game that your child has been asking about playing, which will help keep them entertained. It will also get excited about the trip and help them endure the long travel days.

Another tip is to download the app for any airlines you may be flying with. Those apps offer many entertainment options, so it is handy to take advantage of them, especially when traveling with kids.

5. Bring Coloring Books, Crayons, and Puzzles

If traveling with kids, be sure to bring coloring books and crayons. There are many different travel-friendly options now that do not take up too much space in your luggage. These can help keep children busy during long flights or car rides which is always a bonus when traveling with kids.

You can also consider bringing a small puzzle along for the ride as well. Most travel puzzles come in travel-friendly boxes that are magnetic, and they are great to pull out when you want to help pass the time. You can also download puzzle apps on your devices if you wish to minimize items to pack.

Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free Coloring Kit $26.49 Includes 12 Poster Coloring Pages and 12 Blank Poster Pages (please note store outside of case), 4 Sticker Sheets, 25 Color Wonder Markers (short), and a Carry Case Stock up your home with fun poster size coloring pages and bring the color-in stickers with you for coloring fun on the go! Mess-free inks only appear on specially formulated Color Wonder Paper! These no-mess markers won't stain skin clothing or furniture.

Buy Now We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 02/02/2022 12:07 am GMT 6. Avoid Packing Too Many Toys

While it may seem tempting to pack many toys to keep your kids entertained while traveling, you should avoid doing this. Often, kids get bored of toys, and you will end up just lugging them around from place to place. It is essential to pack just a few durable and travel-friendly toys, so you don’t lose any pieces during traveling.

If traveling abroad, try to pack items that will be familiar and easy for kids to understand so they feel comfortable while traveling. For instance, if your child loves dolls, consider packing one along and a book about the destination, which is more interactive and will get them excited about where they are going.

You will be amazed at the number of travel-friendly toy options available at your local toy store. Consider buying a couple of new toys and surprise them on the airplane or during a long car ride.

You can also pack new toys in their carry-on so that they discover them on their own during travel. The surprise will delight them and keep them distracted for a while.

7. Get Your Child Excited About the Trip Ahead of Time

In advance of your trip, consider watching movies or reading books about your destination, which will help get your child excited about your trip. By reading travel-related books or watching a film set in the destination country, you can familiarize them with the surroundings to feel comfortable while traveling.

Finding travel books with lots of photos and maps of your destination are a great way to get your kids excited. Pack a map and talk about your itinerary with your child, showing them pictures of any attractions or adventures you have planned.

If you are going on a long road trip, consider letting your child help decide where to stop and let them follow along on a map. The more you can include them in the traveling process, the more excited they will be, and it can help them feel a part of an adventure.

You can also ask your child to pack their suitcase so that they have a sense of ownership over traveling with you. In addition, traveling abroad is an excellent chance to learn about packing light, which is very useful for traveling.

8. Take the Stroller But Don’t Overpack It

If traveling with a small child, be sure to bring the stroller for those adventures when they can’t walk for long distances. However, don’t overpack it so that you have to carry a heavy stroller.

Instead of packing lots of toys and things in your child’s carry-on or suitcase, consider making them their own backpack, which can be easily attached to the stroller when traveling. It is an excellent way for kids to feel independent while traveling and knows that they have everything they need.

If you are traveling abroad to Europe, avoid bringing an umbrella stroller which is challenging to maneuver on cobblestone roads. A stroller with more durable wheels will have an easier time navigating the cobblestone but are often bulkier than umbrella strollers, so it is a bit of a tradeoff.

Consider traveling by train if possible where there is more space to pack strollers.

Getting a stroller with lots of storage underneath and room for your child to grow is essential to help you have a great trip without the weight of carrying your necessities.

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Buy Now We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 02/02/2022 12:07 am GMT 9. Bring an Emergency Kit

Before traveling with kids, consider making an emergency kit for your child containing anything you may need during travel.

An emergency kit should include all essentials like bandaids, allergy medications, sunscreen, antibacterial wipes, etc. This kit should be stored in your carry-on so that you can easily access it during traveling.

A great tip for traveling abroad is to label each of these items with your child’s name if they get lost. Labeling items can help you get them back to them if they drop the container during traveling.

You may also consider making one for yourself, including remedies for headaches, prescriptions, lotions, extra sunscreen, etc. An emergency kit is a must if traveling with a baby to keep them safe and comfortable.

10. Set Realistic Expectations

While traveling with kids, you should always set realistic expectations for your trip. If they are tired or hungry, don’t push it and make traveling more complicated than needed. Don’t expect to be exploring from morning until night. Kids need some downtime, so they don’t get overtired.

Don’t get frustrated if you don’t make it to all of the attractions on your list or if they want to go back and play in the pool for a day. That’s all part of traveling with kids. Of course, you will likely spend more time at your hotel or accommodation than exploring, but that is okay. Kids need downtime, and you may as well enjoy it too.

Being flexible while traveling with kids can be difficult but remember to have fun with them, not to get stressed out about making it everywhere on your list. Not every day needs to be jam-packed full of sightseeing if your kids are tired.

Schedule some time for just you and your significant other as well. For example, go out for a nice meal or go on a date night if traveling with friends where the parents can take turns watching all of the kids so that everyone gets a little downtime away from parenting responsibilities.

There are many things to consider when traveling with children. The experience can be wonderful but also challenging and frustrating at times. If you want your family’s journey to go smoothly, you must have an idea of what to expect in advance so that you can prepare for the challenges ahead or avoid them altogether.

These top ten tips for traveling with kids will prepare you mentally before heading out on the road – whatever stage in life your child may be currently experiencing!

This post originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks.

10 Solid Evidences Learning How To Journal Is Good For Your Career Advancement

Journaling is at the top of many self-care lists, and for good reason. Getting your thoughts out on paper can do wonders for your mental health and help you stay organized.

Learning how to journal isn’t always as simple as it seems, though. To get started, you will need to identify your reasons for starting a journal and what you hope to accomplish during your journey.

People keep journals for almost anything you can think of. The most common reasons for journaling are self-care, self-discovery, and memory keeping, but people also keep journals to keep track of their ideas and progress.

People use art journals to sketch out painting ideas, travel journals to memorialize their adventures, food journals to keep track of their diets, and various other journals for many reasons. Many people often keep more than one type of journal and use different ones for different needs.

One of the most common types of journals, and one that has hit the mainstream in a big way, is a bullet journal.

What is a Bullet Journal?

A bullet journal is designed to be a cross between your typical journal and a planner. While a standard journal is a book that contains lined pages for writing, a bullet journal contains pages filled with tiny dots, or bullets, arranged in a grid.

The point of a bullet journal is that users can design it to be whatever they want it to be. The grid layout makes it easy to draw out rectangles for planners, squares for checklists, and anything else you might need.

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Buy Now We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 02/02/2022 12:07 am GMT How Do I Use a Bullet Journal?

A bullet journal requires some creativity. The first step to creating your perfect bullet journal is to know what you want to get out of it. Are you using it for note-taking and planning? Do you want to have a section set aside for a daily food diary? Do you need space for a to-do list?

The advantage of a bullet journal is that you get to design your journal pages to meet any need that you want. The blank pages are blank slates, just waiting for you to draw out the perfect page for your journal entries.

What Other Types of Journals are There?

Bullet journals aren’t for everyone. Some folks prefer to keep their planners and journals separate, and others don’t want to design their own journals. The great thing about journaling is that there is something available to meet everyone’s needs.

If you want to keep a journal to sketch out art ideas or jot down your creative thoughts, you can get an art journal. Like a sketch pad, these journals have blank pages that let you use the space however you deem fit. The pages in an art journal are generally a little thicker, which allows you to experiment with mixed media art right in the journal without destroying the pages.

There are also traditional journals filled with lined pages. These journals are designed for writing, but you can use them to write whatever you want. A general, lined journal is an all-purpose journal. You can use it to write your thoughts and feelings, for mindfulness, to practice expressive writing, or even to complete writing exercises. It’s intended to be a one-size-fits-all journal that meets most people’s needs.

However, many people want a journal that’s designed specifically for a specific topic. If this describes you, you’re in luck because there are many journals available for various topics. Usually, these journals also include short prompts and writing ideas related to the topic.

You can get a gratitude journal that prompts you to write things you are thankful for, a travel journal that prompts you to make lists of your bucket list destinations, a dream journal that helps you remember to write down your nightly adventures, or a food journal that helps you count calories or keep track of reactions.

These specific journals are designed to inspire you to write about the most important topics to you. Everyone’s reasons for keeping a journal are different, and the different types of journals help address these different needs.

Good Days Start With Gratitude: A 52 Week Guide To Cultivate An Attitude Of Gratitude: Gratitude Journal $6.99

A great way to keep track of what you are thankful for and focus on all the good you have in your life.

Buy Now We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 02/02/2022 12:06 am GMT How Do I Start Writing a Journal?

Learning how to journal isn’t as easy as it seems. It sounds simple to grab a journal and start writing, but it’s not that easy.

The first step is choosing the journal that’s right for you. Determine why you wanted to journal in the first place and get a journal designed for that specific need. If you aren’t sure, you can go with the traditional lined journal and start from there. You can even get started with a simple notebook. All you need to journal your thoughts is pen and paper. However, choosing a journal that speaks to you will motivate you to write in it.

The next step is to make journaling a habit. Journal every day, even if just for five minutes. The important thing is that you write something down, no matter what it is or how trivial it seems. Getting into the practice of picking up your journal first thing in the morning will help you create a daily journaling habit. Building this habit is key to learning how to journal.

What Should I Write in My Journal?

Your fancy new leather-bound journal just arrived at your front door. You rip open the box and excitedly pull it out, then head to your cozy writing alcove. With pen in hand, you open your journal to the first page and put pen to paper.

Nothing happens. Your mind is blank. You’d think that ideas would flow through you, but you’re stuck. What should you write?

Here are a few ideas and journaling tips that will help you get started.

Brain Dump

Start with a simple brain dump.  Transfer all of the information from your brain into your journal. Not only will this help you untangle your mind, but it will also give you a starting point for your journaling adventure. Use it to create your to-do list, jot down important tasks, and remember important dates.

Brain dumps are great tools for organizing your thoughts and clearing your mind of clutter. If you are journaling to improve your productivity, this might be a great way to start.

Self-Care

Journaling for self-care can help you feel better about yourself and your situation. It can make you happier and lift your spirits to put you in a better mood. But on the other end of the spectrum, it can also help you explore any negative thoughts you have and even help you sort through past trauma.

When journaling for self-care, try starting with gratitude. Write down three things you are thankful for. You might be surprised to find that simply acknowledging the good things you have in your life and writing them down can do wonders for your well-being. Next, set intentions for how you want your day to go. Follow up at the end of the day by reflecting upon the things you’ve accomplished.

After you’ve gotten comfortable addressing the positive parts of your life, you can explore journaling for cathartic reasons. That is still self-care, but now we dive into the negative emotions we experience and maybe even reflect upon traumatic experiences. Write down your thoughts, even the negative ones, and explore the reasons why you have them.

Face your inner critic and be honest with yourself about why you feel the way you do. Being mindful of your negative thoughts and emotions can help you overcome them, and writing them down in a journal is a great way to do that.

Free Writing

Freewriting is an entirely different type of journaling experience.  It’s the process of putting pen to paper and writing whatever pops into your head, whether it be a story idea, a to-do list, how you feel, or anything else. In short, it’s writing directly from a stream of consciousness.

Journal writing doesn’t have to have any structure to it at all. When you are freewriting, don’t worry about grammar, coherent thoughts, or that you are jumping from one topic to another without any transitions. Let the words flow through you however they choose to. You may be surprised by what you come up with.

Journal Prompts

Sometimes it’s hard to come up with your journaling ideas. If that’s the case, consider using journaling prompts. Prompts are short questions designed to give you a little push in a particular direction to help you start writing.

There are all sorts of journal prompts available. Some are designed for self-reflection, and others are made to help you express yourself. Others still are just silly ideas designed to make journal writing fun. Many ask you to write a letter to your former self at a certain age or to describe an event that happened at a given time.

Some make you think about the world in different ways, asking you to use a different sense to experience the world, like what does the color red feel like? You can purchase a list of prompts on places like Etsy and then write the answers in your journal each day.

Self-Discovery

Although journal prompts can help with self-discovery, you don’t need to use them. Many people use their journals for introspection and personal growth. Finding yourself is a huge part of journaling, whether that be discovering what you are passionate about, identifying the root of your fears or anxiety, or understanding why you behave the way you do in certain situations.

Writing out your thoughts, feelings, and emotions when they are fresh can give you deep insight into your psyche and help you discover who you are.

Creative Writing

Journaling can be a great way to enhance your creative writing skills. Use the pages to write a poem, start a story, or design your characters. The pages of a journal are a blank slate that you can use to write down all of your story starters and ideas!

If you are having trouble starting, you can use creative writing prompts. Like journal prompts, these are designed to give you a little boost and help you get started. But creative writing prompts are designed for fiction, whereas journaling prompts tend to be questions about yourself. Either way, using a prompt is a great way to get your creative juices flowing.

What is the Difference Between a Journal and a Diary?

There is no official difference between a diary and a journal. In my opinion, a diary is a specific type of journal, one that is generally used for memory keeping. Diary entries usually outline specific events that happened. A food diary outlines the specific things that a person ate, and a traditional diary is a memoir. However, this definition is subjective, and many people use the two terms interchangeably.

Build Your Journaling Habit!

Now that you know how to journal, it’s time to make it a habit. Make journaling part of your daily ritual. Write every day to build it into a routine and make it become second nature to you. You will be amazed at how much better you feel about yourself and your life when you start journaling every day. So what are you waiting for? Grab your journal and start writing!

This post originally appeared on Your Money Geek.

7 Unexpected Ways Nesting Can Make Your Pregnancy Better

The instinct of nesting in the pregnancy phase is a basic biological instinct of mothers to be. It is basically nature’s way of making you prepared to nurture your baby. In this article, we will cover all of the best tips for nesting.

Every animal goes through this natural instinct, so while you are pregnant, you can prepare yourself for this beautiful phase of your pregnancy. Knowing more about nesting will help you get a more in-depth idea about nesting during pregnancy.

What is Nesting During Pregnancy?

The nesting instinct or simply nesting is indicated as the burst of mental energy expecting mothers get in the last phase of pregnancy, which inspires them to make preparations for the baby in order to nurture them in the best way possible. A mother might start cleaning the house and organizing things around. She might start buying new baby toys and clothes in order to prepare herself for nurturing the child.

This productive activity helps the moms to get everything clean, organized, and stocked up for the new member of the family. However, some women don’t experience this urge, and they might want to do nothing about the coming baby. Although it is a rare thing to happen, it isn’t something to worry about. We are all built differently.

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When Does Nesting Typically Start in Pregnancy?

Nesting usually starts around the very end of the pregnancy, the 38th or 39th week of pregnancy, or just around the expected date of delivery. The overall increase in adrenaline rushing through your body at this stage of pregnancy plays a role in the nesting instinct. What’s more, your emotions also play a vital part in initiating this instinct. Nesting induces you to make the most out of the time you have before the baby arrives, which can be quite challenging and hectic for some mothers.

Nesting usually starts as soon as you reach your later stages of pregnancy, typically at the end of most weeks of your third trimester. As these energy boosts tend to occur a bit late in your pregnancy time, a lot of women might believe that nesting is one of the signs of labor.

What Are the Basic Signs of Nesting?

You might have some nesting instinct signs in your pregnancy third trimester if you find yourself having the urge to do the following things:

Wash as well as fold your clothes, sheets, and towelsOrganize as well as clean your refrigerator thoroughlyClean your bathroom thoroughlyPrepare food for the next weekGet rid of any used or unwanted things which don’t contribute to your baby’s nourishment.These are some signs indicating that your nesting instinct is activated.
Is Nesting a good thing?

You don’t need to control your urge to do certain things. However, you need to make sure that you don’t over-exert yourself as you are preparing to nest. Make sure that you are having the rest that you require so that you are able to save up your health and energy for delivering the baby and nurturing your baby as they arrive.
Take the feelings you have for this instinct and do the tasks with delegation. It is among the phases in life that receptivity of delegation is relatively easier.

Tips for Nesting

You need to stay sensible during your nesting phase. You shouldn’t be climbing, overreaching, or lifting anything that’s too heavy. Also, don’t do any risky tasks, such as getting on a ladder to scrub off something. Also, avoid using toxic and harsh cleaners and chemical detergents. Make sure you wear your gloves.
You also need to take adequate rest and take snacks often. Don’t overdo it as the delivery and labor time comes closer. You need to save your energy for the big time.
Here are some other little details you might need to keep in mind as the nesting period approaches:

Restock Refrigerator

As you make preparations for birth, clean your refrigerator and throw all outdated and expired items out of the fridge. Make room for new and fresh produce. Ask someone to do grocery for you or do it yourself as you make a list of the items needed in your fridge. Make sure you have essential items brought for the big time. For example, salad greens, cheese, yogurt, milk, roasted chicken, fruit, and every type of snack and salad that may come in handy a few weeks late is good.

2. Stock Up the Pantry

Make sure you have your pantry stored enough. You wouldn’t have much time to do grocery shopping as the labor pains hit and the baby arrives.

So line up your shelves and organize everything according to the food group. Keep everything in transparent containers so that you can easily find what you want later on. Dried fruits, nuts, seeds, healthy oils like olive oil, cereal, whole-grain biscuits, pasta, brown rice, and a whole bunch of healthy items are helpful.

3. Cook Enough Meals

Prep your meals in your later stages of pregnancy so that you don’t get into a last-minute rush as the time comes near. Keep everything prepared. Make some extra servings of the foods that you enjoy and store them in the freezer in different containers. Use some markers to note down the frozen items, so you don’t end up getting confused when you want to use them later on. It is especially important if you are having cravings and are sick of the hospital food.

You will also be highly grateful for the dozens of meals and snacks present in your pantry as you approach your delivery time. Simply defrost your meals in a pan or microwave, and you are good to go.

4. Do Laundry that doesn’t need to be done weekly

Toss any dirty bedroom sheets, rugs, pillows, duvet covers, throw rugs, and bedroom sheets in the washing machine. As the baby arrives, your dryer and washer will need to be functioning hard enough to spit up any stains and dirt.

5. Do Deep Cleaning

Just like spring cleaning, when you have the energy burst of cleaning everything in your home and wardrobe, nesting season also lets you have the boost in your energy to clean everything. See anything that needs some deep cleaning and go for it. Wipe down any blinds and windowsills.

Do some vacuuming behind the sofa and also below the sofa cushions. There are chances that you might find something long lost as you go through it. Also, do dusting of any furniture and picture frames right before the big time comes.

However, you need to be very sensible about your quest for cleaning up. You don’t have to push yourself if you feel yourself getting exhausted. Instead, delegate the tasks to someone else and don’t do anything that puts you at risk of falling.

6. Buy the Baby Outfits

One of the most sensible choices to shop is to go for some online shopping while you are nesting for your baby. The items that you might want to buy include some sweaters, booties, onesies, and t-shirts. You might want to get anything that keeps your baby clean, tidy, and covered as they arrive.

Onesies are your friend, they are easy to change and the ones with pants make great PJs that keep your little one warm through the night.

7. Buy Your Outfits

You are going to be a mother as your baby arrives in this world. So, make sure you do yourself a favor and stock nursing pads, nursing shirts, and nursing bras as you have your best instinct. Also, buy some fresh and comfortable undergarments that would let you live motherhood with ease.

You might want to get some comfortable and big clothes to wear after your baby’s birth. Make sure there is extra clothing as there is a lot of blood loss and discharge after delivery. You want to make sure you dispose of any clothes that aren’t cleaned through washing.

8. Buy whatever you did not get at your baby shower

This is a good time to buy those extra necessities such as diaper rash ointments, baby wipes, diapers, bibs, and all other important stuff. Make sure you stock up any disposable items that need to be used regularly. You need to stock on some cotton pads, baby soaps, some bottles, and nipples. What’s more, invest in a digital thermometer, nasal syringe, rubbing alcohol, nail clippers, etc.

9. Prepare the nursery

You want to have everything ready, changing table, diapers, wipes, walls painted and decorated.

Get the painting and furniture ready as soon as you find out you are pregnant… or close to it. That way if you have an early delivery, you and your baby will be more comfortable!

A rocker is a VERY helpful piece of furniture I recommend to make you comfortable when nursing or when trying to rock your baby to sleep.

A rocker with a footrest is essential when you are sitting for long periods of time and feeding your baby can take quite some time. It is also safer if you are sleep-deprived to have a safe, soft chair to rest while putting your baby to sleep.

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Also, rugs if you have hard floors or you want to just add a large piece of decor that will fill your space.

Avoid any mobiles or night lights that make the room too bright. If you need a light, try to keep one in the hallway that will not impair the baby’s ability to sleep. Too much light can suppress our body’s natural production of melatonin, including your baby’s.

10. Create a Changing Station

I highly recommend purchasing a few different brands of diaper ointments to see which one you like but the ones that have worked best for my children are the Burt’s Bees Diaper Creams or the Butt Paste.

A good ointment and chemical-free wipes can be essential for dealing with your baby’s dirty diapers and what better time to be preparing for this than when you are nesting?

A pro tip is to add some coconut oil to your baby’s bath to keep their skin soft and hydrated and to give them some serious diaper rash fighting power.

11. Learn About Breastfeeding

This is something that of course takes practice and you can’t obviously do that without your baby. However, learning different techniques, positions, should you use a pillow to nurse or should you skip it?

All these things are things you should spend time researching and getting the necessary supplies for during nesting, to help you feel as prepared as you can be.

12. Prepare for Your After Care

Do your research on what you need to do for yourself as a mother after having a baby. I HIGHLY recommend a perineal spray, ice pads, comfortable clothes, and lots of snacks. Giving birth is exhausting, keeping yourself hydrated and full afterward can help improve your recovery.

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I recommend bringing snacks to the hospital or birthing area of your choice.

Bring a sleep noise machine if that helps you and possibly baby to relax better!

In Summary

These are some tips and frequently asked questions about a soon-to-be mother’s natural nesting instinct. Follow your urge, but remember not to overdo it as you want to save up your energy and health for delivery and post-birth challenges.

Don’t doubt yourself and you may be questioning if you are ready to have a baby or not, but don’t worry every parent has felt that way.

Utilize the help you have and prepare as early on as you can!

When to Start Tummy Time: Essential Tips for Success!

This article points to everything you want to know about tummy time when to start tummy time and almost everything that circles around it.

What is Tummy Time?

Before knowing when to start tummy time, you might want to know what actually is tummy time. For mommys-to-be and new mothers, it is a term referring to the waking time of the baby, when they are awake and lying on their stomach with their weight balanced on their forearms.
This position is good for your baby’s muscle development. Mothers should focus on making the baby used to tummy time.

Just being unaware of this exercise, many mothers can make their babies suffer from flat skull disorder or tight neck condition. So the guardians need to know when to start tummy time for the healthy muscle development of their baby. Do it for about a few minutes until it gets to be a part of your daily routine.

Benefits of Tummy Time

Babies sleep on their backs for a very long time. Therefore, it is highly important for the mothers to alter their positions from time to time so that they can help the babies build muscles. There are multiple benefits of Tummy Time, such as:

It’s perfect for helping build strength of the baby’s neck, chest, and arm muscles.As they usually spend more time lying on their back, tummy time helps in avoiding skull deformation.It will be beneficial for the visual, sensory, and all kinds of other movements for the baby.It saves the baby from developing any spots on the head or flat skull issues.The baby gets a chance to bring the upper body muscles in movement.When to Start Tummy Time?

Now, as we know how beneficial tummy time is for the baby’s development, we need to make ourselves aware of when to start tummy time. Generally, it is advised to start tummy time as soon as the baby comes home. It is safe for a newborn because just after birth, babies start developing their neck muscle development. So it’s the perfect time for a mother to start tummy time for her newborn. It helps them to develop muscles that are useful for crawling, rolling over, and sit-ups. However, for a newborn baby, you will need to be more careful and keep an eye constantly on the baby.

If you are confused or scared to start tummy time for your newborn and want to know if it is safe to start tummy time for a newborn, then don’t worry! We have got answers to all your questions. Tummy time is very important for your newborn’s physical health and muscle development. Just with care and proper positioning of your newborn, you can safely make your newborn enjoy all the benefits of tummy time.

For a newborn, try to start tummy time by placing them tummy-down either on your lap or your chest. Rather than directly leaving them on the floor. Once the baby is used to it, you can start practicing tummy time differently.

When to Start Tummy Time on the Floor?

In general practice, doctors recommend being careful with your newborn’s tummy time and at first prefer to start with your lap or your chest.

Once the baby is stable and able to move the neck without any chance of certain jerks and arms being strong enough to balance their own weight, then you can start with tummy-time on the floor.

Usually, after two weeks, the baby starts working towards the floor tummy-time.

After a month, the baby starts trying to lift their head, so with a blanket on a clean floor, start tummy time on the floor.

What Is The Best Age to Start Tummy Time?

Tummy time is suitable for newborns and infants 1-3 months old. But there are different ways to perform tummy-time for different ages. Research shows that from 0-12 months tummy time improved gross motor skills and total development.

For a Newborn

It is an ideal age for a baby’s tummy time but on your chest or lap. Do not start tummy-time for a newborn on the floor. A newborn needs more care because they are just developing their muscles. Start the exercise by placing the baby’s tummy down on your thigh and placing your hand on the back for safety. You can also use your chest or belly for a newborn’s tummy-time.

For a 1-3 Months Infant

Now this age is ideal for floor tummy-time. At this age, the infants start trying to move their necks and are strong enough to balance their weight on their forearms. So you can place them on a floor covered with a blanket or can use a rolled towel or a bolster pillow under the baby’s chest.

How Long Should You Do Tummy-time?

In the beginning, try to train your baby for a 2-3 minutes tummy-time session. But repeat the exercise 2-3 times a day to make your baby used to it. Gradually change the length of the time. Encourage your infant to do this exercise for 10-15 minutes. And by the age of 3 months, start longer sessions i-e almost for an hour.

How to Make Tummy-Time Interesting

If you want your baby to enjoy this exercise, try to make it interesting for them. Try these different methods to make your baby enjoy tummy time.

Tummy-Tummy or Tummy-Chest

Style your baby will love playing on your tummy or chest as they can see your expressions while lying on you.

Football Hold Position

Hold your baby in an airplane position i-e with your hands in between the baby legs and stretch the baby arms in the air, So they feel like they are flying in the air. And enjoy the session.

Eye or Face Position

You can lie down on the floor to your baby’s eye level. In this way, they can look directly into your eyes and feel more pampered and loved.

Lap-Ease Position

You might want to adjust your baby in your lap in a tummy-down position. This helps the baby to learn how to balance them and gives ease to any stomach ache.

Put Some Toys on Ground

Putting some kinds of toys on the ground will also attract the baby. The bright colors of the toy attract the baby.

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Hold a mirror in front of the baby

To add little fun, hold or place a small mirror in front of the baby. It will make them feel that they have a new friend to play with.

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Talking or Singing

It may sound to you a bit abnormal, but start talking to your baby while they are lying on their tummy or start singing a song to them; you can easily train them for a longer tummy-time session. This is also important for knowing when to start tummy time.

Use a Rolled Wheel for Baby

To add a little more to the tummy-time efficiency, you can place a bolster or a rolled towel under the baby’s chest. It can help babies to lift or turn their heads easily.

Massaging the Feet

To stop your baby from crying and hating tummy-time, you can try gently massaging their feet so they can enjoy the exercise.

Changing the Locations

Another easy way to make tummy-time interesting for babies is to change their location. Frequently change the room, or take them outdoors.

By using these different methods and tools you can easily increase the time duration of the tummy-time exercise of your baby when deciding when to start tummy time. But if they still get cranky, you can pick them up for some time and then start the same practice again.

What Else Should You Know?

As you now know when to start tummy-time and how to perform, there are a few essential things you may want to consider while doing tummy-time exercise with your baby.

Never leave your infant alone on the floor or on a pillow/cushion.

Avoid letting your infants sleep on their tummies. It is suffocating for the babies to protect them from dying of SIDS turn them over to their back for a nap.

There is a chance of the baby rolling off the sofa or the bed. So it’s never safe to do tummy-time on a sofa or a bed.

After feeding, avoid performing tummy-time.

By the age of 9 months, if the baby isn’t still rolling on its own, you should consult your pediatrician. They can guide you better ways to cope with the delay and can tell you other ways to make Tummy-time interesting for your baby.

Final Words

When choosing to try any such exercise on your baby, make sure you are aware of when to start tummy-time and for how long. Tummy-time plays a significant role in your baby’s development of muscles, moving ability, enhancing vision, and sense of touch. Every bit of tummy time is beneficial for your baby’s development in order to know when to start tummy time.

You may find it hard to get the results in the expected time duration in case of when to start tummy time. Once your baby is 6+ months, they will be able to roll over between tummy-time and other positions on their own. If you observe any delay, keep practicing unless the baby starts self-directing tummy time. Do not give up trying the tummy-time for plenty of time over a short to long interval. You can try tummy-time in different areas in your house or even outdoors. During pleasant weather, under the sun, you can place a rug and let your baby enjoy tummy-time and let them grow with nature.

Am I Ready for a Baby: 15 Things You Should Consider When Starting Your Family

How do you know if you’re ready to have a baby? Well, I don’t think you ever know for sure. No one is ready to have a baby. It’s a massive change in your life that you only fully understand once you’re in it.

We are going to talk about 15 things you should consider before bringing babies into the world. You may never be fully prepared to be a parent, but it’s good to prepare yourself as best as possible.

If you’re at the point where you’re asking yourself, “am I ready for a baby?” that might be a sign that you’re more ready than you think. Most people start to think about starting to raise a family once they’ve accomplished some goals like finishing school and you’ve moved out of mom and dads.

When is a Good Age to Have Kids?

The best age to have kids could vary for everyone, but I think the period depends on a few things like; are you done with your education? Do you live on your own or with your partner? Are you financially stable and ready for the additional costs of raising a child? Are you both ready to become a mother and a father?

Usually, the average age where these stages of life are met is around 25-35 years old. But, of course, this can be different for everyone.

The average age to have a kid in 2020 was 26! The average age is up from 21 in previous years. The information I’ve added here was found in this Forbes article if you’re looking for more details.

15 Things You Need to Should Consider Before Having a Baby:1. There is No Perfect Time

You can go through all the things I mentioned, but the reality is that there will always be something else that could be done before you have a baby: more money, a bigger house, another promotion, an event is coming up. The list could go on. So you want to feel prepared but know that there never really is a “perfect time” to have a baby.

2.  A Support System In Helpful

Do you have a support system in place? This is something good to consider since it is so important to know you have a support system. I’m not saying that you can’t raise a baby without one, but it is helpful to have one. You will be going through the most significant life changes, and it’s nice to know you’re not alone.

You’ve heard the saying “ it takes a village,”  and it’s a very true saying for most people. There is nothing wrong with asking for help and needing a support system. Ask the grandparents for help, ask them to take siblings for sleepovers, etc., make it part of your plan to ask for help from your support system.

3.  Are Your Finances in Place?

It’s probably not a great idea to have a baby if your finances are a mess. Having a child will cost you additional expenses that might cause unnecessary stress if you are at a place in life where you are comfortable and prepared for the extra expense. It’s definitely something to consider before having children. If you can reduce some financial stress during this phase of life, it’s probably a good idea to stash some money away.

Children cost a lot of money from diapers to daycare, educational toys, doctor’s visits, clothes, etc.

Daycare can easily cost $1,000 per month PER child and you still have to provide diapers, lunch, etc on top of that.

Thankfully there are ways to save money on things you need for your children such as getting free diapers and ways to work on your frugal living.

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If “me time” is a priority for you right now, you might want to delay your plans of having a kid. Your life will change, and you will forever want to be or need to be around your baby. Once you become a parent, your priorities change, and your time tends to shrink. At least for the first few years anyway. You’ll always have bathroom breaks and hide in your pantry, sneaking food before your kids find you.

You will probably feel selfish at some point but know that this is a normal stage in being a parent, and taking time for yourself is not selfish and is needed.

5. It’s a Very Emotional Ride

Get the tissues out and get ready for emotions to run high all the time. It’s an unbelievable feeling when all of a sudden, your welfare isn’t the essential thing in your life. Instead, there will be a human being that solely relies on you for everything. Emotionally, it’s a lot to handle when you become a new parent in the first few weeks.

Emotions run high because you will be sleep deprived sometimes, you will feel frustrated at times, and again, it’s a significant change in your life. Sleepless nights are in your future as a new parent.

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Move over! Your kids’ well-being now comes first. Your days won’t consist of worrying about you anymore. Of course, once your child is born, you will be so consumed with your child that you will no longer come first, but that’s ok. You’re deep in parenthood and figuring out your way into this new magical world.

7. Your Kids Will Teach You Lessons In Life

That’s right. It’s so crazy to me that your kids teach you life lessons. It’s incredible to watch a tiny human teach us so many amazing things. For example, my kids have led me to laugh more; they’ve taught me to worry less and experience more things without planning every detail. So don’t forget to be open to the things they might show you as they grow up.

8. Your Priorities Will Change

Long gone are the days of prioritizing yourself or your friends. Your child is now driving the priority car. Before you have a child, know that your priorities will be completely flipped upside down. Your perspective in life changes, and so do your preferences.

9. You and Your Partner on the Same Page?

I highly suggest having a conversation with your partner about parenting and how they see parenting. For example, do you both want a baby? Do you guys want a big family or a smaller one? How far apart do you want a second child? How will you discipline? How many kids do you want? What’s going to happen when they start dating or want to go outside by themselves? Cloth diapers or store-bought diapers?

It’s good to have a conversation to make sure you are both on the same page when it comes to growing your family.

10. Motherhood Isn’t Easy

Being a mother requires a lot. It’s very emotional, especially in the new stages of being a mother; it might feel very lonely. Once your baby is born, postpartum blues and baby blues are a real thing. It is temporary, but it’s essential to know and be as prepared as possible. Not everyone experiences baby blues, but having a newborn is a lot. While your body is recovering, the emotional highs and lows are often something mothers don’t expect and might catch them by surprise.

Your feelings while adjusting to being new parents are expected, and you are not alone.

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I feel like breastfeeding isn’t talked about enough. Breastfeeding is not easy for everyone. There are so many things involved in breastfeeding, and it’s normal if it doesn’t come so easy for you. It can be a lot at first. Your baby could not latch properly in the beginning. It’s not as easy for some as it is for others. What you see in movies is not the reality for most mothers.

Be prepared for the first few months of breastfeeding to be more complicated than you think. In most cases, it does get better and is a much easier option than bottle feeding, but it doesn’t work out for some, and that’s ok. The formula is fantastic, and the bottom line is. Fed is best. Period.

12. You May Have Trouble Getting Pregnant

Conceiving a child might take longer than you think. If you’re just starting to get pregnant, you might not know your fertility status or your partners. Sometimes it takes up to a year to get pregnant or more prolonged. Getting pregnant is another topic that I feel is not talked about enough. Not everyone gets pregnant the first few times of trying, and it takes up to a year to get pregnant is normal.

The journey to being pregnant can be challenging for some; if you’ve been trying for a while, it’s a good idea to let your dr know to see if there is anything they can suggest to help you get pregnant.

13. Talk about Daycare

Depending on where you live, you might want to talk about child care and look into costs and waiting lists. They grow up so fast, and as a potential new mother and father, you will want to look into what schools and daycare centers you want your child to attend.

The waitlist might be very long in some places, so this is an excellent topic to run over before having a baby. You will find yourself going back to work before you know it, so it’s good to have a plan beforehand.

14. Babies Cry

Babies cry pretty often, and this is normal. Sometimes new parents are thrown off by how much their newborn baby is crying. Babies crying a lot is normal and the only way a baby knows how to communicate. Know that this is ok and all babies cry. Cluster feeding on day two is regular.

There will be some sleepless nights, and it should be expected when bringing your baby home. Don’t feel guilt around how you’re feeling during these nights. They are complex, but they will pass, and this stage will end.

15. Your Plans as a Parent Might Change

It’s great to have a plan, but things change. You might have twins or triplets. Your birth plan could end up changing. Giving birth is a beautiful and complex thing to plan out perfectly. After giving birth, you might find that how you feed your baby might change. You can’t plan everything when it comes to childbirth and raising children; sometimes, things need to change.

Be prepared for things to not always go as planned as new parents. Things will change, new, unexpected things might happen. I think it’s important to expect a change in plans and adapt and create a new plan when needed. When you have your first child, this can especially be true.

Raising children comes with twists and turns at every corner; try to embrace them as you go through these different parenting stages.

Conclusion

From mommy hormones to maternity leave and parental leave, there is so much that we can discuss whether or not you are ready to have a baby, but the bottom line is that sometimes things happen for a reason, and we can all be fantastic parents. I believe that discussing the topics above is a great idea, but not every scenario happens to everyone. We’re all different, and that is a good thing.

In the end, becoming a family is a beautiful, magical thing and the positives far outweigh the negatives. Unexpected pregnancy happens, and that’s ok; you will be okay and not alone.

There are some hard times, but they’re nothing compared to the joy and wonder a child brings to your life. Having a family brings that new baby smell, those newborn giggles, getting your baby home to meet their siblings. It’s such a beautiful process. From diapers to the car seat, strollers, cribs, monitors, folic acid, tantrums, and the cost of raising a family, it’s a lot, and nothing anyone can fully prepare you for all of that. So enjoy the ride and enjoy life!

This post originally appeared on Your Money Geek.

So after reading all of this do you still question am I ready for a baby or do you feel more confident?

Here is the BEST Melatonin to take if you need to sleep & stay asleep

Melatonin helps you sleep by being naturally produced in your body at night, and supplementing is growing in popularity, around 3 million Americans take it. If you are one of these people and are thinking of having melatonin for sleep, it is smart first to understand how melatonin exactly works. Taking a good melatonin supplement at the right time, the right amount, improving your sleep hygiene and learning what the best melatonin for you is.

If you don’t have time to read and you want to know what the best melatonin is you can click here:

Life Extension Melatonin 6 Hour Timed Release 3 mg, Vegetarian Tablets, 60 Count $10.50 Restores optimal sleep. Promotes a balanced circadian rhythm. Balances immune function. Protects cellular DNA by inhibiting oxidative stress and free radicals.

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In reality, your body produced a good amount of melatonin. It doesn’t make you fall asleep, but the levels of melatonin rising in the evening put you in a state of wakefulness, which helps promote sleep. If you are wondering if can you overdose on melatonin, we will elaborate on this later in this article.

Many people live in bodies that produce melatonin that is enough for sleeping on their own. But there are certain steps that you make take to make the natural production of melatonin go the highest.
You can also try taking supplements on a short-term basis if you have signs of insomnia, don’t want to stay in jet lag, or wake at night but now wants to change the schedule. Let us find out about the best melatonin that you can use to help you sleep.

Consider Taking Melatonin for occasional insomnia an hour before you want to go to sleep.

Even sound sleepers may have issues falling asleep or staying asleep every once in a while. You may try having melatonin for sleeping if you are also experiencing insomnia for over two days.

Research also shows that a supplement might assist people suffering from insomnia fall asleep a bit faster and might have more benefits for people having delayed sleep phase syndrome. Getting to sleep late and then waking up late the coming day.

What is Melatonin?

It is a hormone that your body produces naturally and signals to the brain that now is the time to sleep. Time of the day also influences the cycle of this hormone and its production and release in your body.

The levels of melatonin are naturally higher in the evening, and they fall in the morning, cortisol wakes you up in the morning.

The best melatonin is different for everyone, but typically a fast-absorbing one is great or one that comes with other sleeping aids.

Turn lights off and use candlelight at night to help your body naturally produce it’s own melatonin.

Melatonin Supplements

For this reason, taking the best melatonin supplements has also become very popular as a sleeping aid, mainly in examples where the melatonin cycle is disrupted, such as jet lag.

Anxiety and depression as well can contribute to insomnia in an individual.
What is even better than that melatonin improves your daytime sleep quality and duration. This is mainly beneficial for people who have their schedules where they sleep during the day and working at night.

Moreover, melatonin can improve sleep quality in people having sleep issues.

REM sleep is the “deep sleep” of the cycle, getting enough REM sleep can help you feel more well-rested.

Melatonin appears to reduce the duration people need to fall to sleep and increase the overall amount of quality sleeping time.

While a few studies didn’t observe melatonin having a positive sleep effect, they were mostly lower in number. People that did see benefits mostly provided participants 3 to 10 mg of Melatonin before sleeping.

However, you should start lower and combine with magnesium to see if you are magnesium deficient.

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Melatonin supplements are safe for adults when used for shorter or longer periods. How long does melatonin last is also one major question many people ask when consuming it?

I recommend starting out low and working your way up if you need to but try a lower dosage for a week or so first.

Children can take melatonin as well but always give them a VERY small dose if you give them any at all. But try to turn off the lights, keep the room cool and peaceful, before resorting to giving them melatonin if they don’t need it.

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This is an ideal tablet full of enough Melatonin that will let you restore your best optimal sleep. It will also help you promote a balanced circadian rhythm and a good mental state.

Having this tablet will further support yourself in having bets immune function and fight illnesses away. You can protect your cellular DNA as this capsule inhibits oxidative stress and free radicals in your body.

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These tablets will help you sleep as the melatonin present in them will promote healthy sleeping and waking patterns. It will encourage onset and overall sleep quality and support your morning alertness and overall quality of life.

You can support your whole body by having these tablets because Melatonin helps support your circadian rhythm and immune function. It will promote cellular and DNA health and inhibit oxidative stress and protection from mitochondria.

Other Supplements to Take For Sleep:
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Valerian is a type of herb that is native to Europe and Asia. Its root is mostly used as a natural treatment for depression, anxiety, and menopause signs.

Valerian root is highly commonly used as a sleep-inducing herbal supplement in the US and Europe. But the study is still inconsistent in this case.

Menopausal and post-menopausal women have also observed sleep quality getting better after taking valerian. Regardless of the short-term intake of this root, valerian appears to be very safe for adults with only very minor and infrequent side effects. Safety is still uncertain for longer-term usage and in special populations such as lactating and pregnant women.

It is typically taken in a tea form or an extract and it is sometimes combined with melatonin and the other sleeping aids included in this article.

Magnesium:

It is a mineral involved in many processes in the human body, and it is very important for heart health and brain function. In addition, magnesium might also help quiet your body and mind and make it a lot easier to fall asleep. If you are worried if you can overdose on melatonin, take a lower dosage of melatonin and add 300-500mg of magnesium to it.

Studies have also shown that magnesium has relaxing effects partly because of its ability to regulate the production of the above-mentioned sleep-inducing hormone named Melatonin. Magnesium is known to keep relaxing your body and muscles and induce sleep.

Studies have also shown that magnesium has relaxing effects that may be partly because of its ability to regulate the production of the hormone melatonin. Magnesium is also known as a relaxing mineral for muscles and inducing sleep.

One study has also found that the combination of Melatonin, magnesium, and vitamin B was very effective in treating insomnia regardless of what caused it in the first place. It also appears to help increase levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid that is a brain messenger having calming effects.

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Lavender:

Lavender plants may be found on all continents. It produces beautiful purple flowers that become a household element used in many ways when dried. Lavender also has a soothing fragrance and is believed to help boost sleep.

According to studies, smelling lavender oil before sleep might be enough to improve your sleep quality. This effect is mostly strong in people with mild insomnia, mainly females and younger individuals. You should also know how long does Melatonin lasts so that you don’t over-dose and keep sleeping the next day.

A smaller study done among older people having dementia has shown that lavender aromatherapy is quite effective in helping with sleep disturbance signs. The total sleep time is also boosted.

Through aromatherapy of lavender scent is thought to be safe, and oral intake of lavender has been linked to having stomach pain and nausea in a few cases. Essential oils are also intended for having aromatherapy and not taking it orally.

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The best melatonin-inducing herb is passionflower. It is related to helping with insomnia. The species of passionflower are linked to improving sleep. Passionflower has certain sleep-promoting effects that have been shown in animal studies. But its effects on humans seem to be based on the form in which it is consumed.

The best Melatonin to take if you need to sleep is the natural herbs. These won’t even disturb your body’s metabolism and inner system but will induce sleep. You will find it very helpful to maintain your inner balance and have a peaceful sleep without disturbance.

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Can you overdose on Melatonin?

Melatonin is mostly safe for many people, and most people will not experience any huge complications when they take it too much. Even so, having an overdose of it may cause you some unpleasant side effects. It would help if you kept your dose to never increase 1 to 3 mg every night.

If you are thinking of how long does Melatonin lasts, then the answer is that it takes a half-life of 20 to 40 minutes. Its half-life measures how long it will take for a half dose to get processed and released out of the body.

Reference Links:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-to-take-when-you-cant-sleep-3015261
https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-take-melatonin-3015192
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/melatonin/
https://www.singlecare.com/blog/melatonin-dosage/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention...

Is A Sinus Infection Contagious? Natural Remedies For A Sinus Infection?

Having symptoms like a runny nose, tenderness under your eyes, headache, and around your nose may make you think you are suffering from a cold or a sinus infection. It is very important to know the difference between both.

Colds can become a contagious sinus infection as both of them are caused due to a virus and spread easily from person to person. But there are several times when bacteria may cause a sinus infection. Let us find out about this illness and a very common query: Is a sinus infection contagious?

So, what is a sinus infection?

A sinus infection happens when the air-filled pockets in your face, called sinuses to get filled up with fluid, also inflaming the sinus lining and keeping them from draining. The trapped music may let bacteria grow, which leads to infection. Factors that may increase the risk of sinus infection include:

Smoking AllergiesRecent cold Structural problems with sinuses

Some of the signs of sinus infection include having a runny nose, headaches, facial pain, fever, cough, sore through and swelling around your eyes. If you have thought if the sinus infection is contagious, you should know that as many times a sinus infection is caused by viruses, it may be contagious exactly like all other infections such as colds.

If you have caught a sinus infection, it is very important to use the best hygiene skills. Always wash your hands, cough, and sneeze in the nook of your elbow and make sure you are using disinfectant wipes to clean up daily touched items such as doorknobs and switches. Though the answer to Is a sinus infection contagious is a no, you should be keen to keep it to yourself and not spread it everywhere around you.

Natural remedies for sinus infection:Drink a lot of water:

To help remove all of the viruses from your systems, you should make sure that you are perfectly hydrated. It would help if you were drinking around 8 ounces of water. It will keep you well hydrated, and you will fight off many illnesses, including sinuses. 

Eat foods having antibacterial properties:

To fight off the virus, you can add antibacterial foods such as ginger, garlic, and onions into your meal. You can also try having a cup of ginger tea. Add up raw honey for having an extra boost. Honey is jam-packed with antioxidants and has antifungal and antibacterial properties. This will greatly help you soothe your illnesses and metabolism improvement as well. 

 
Add more moisture:

Keeping sinuses hydrated may help in relieving the pressure built. To get some moisture in, you can try the following tips:

At night, sleep with a switched-on humidifier in your room to help to relieve nighttime and get nasal blockages away. 

2. In the day and when you are about to go to bed, you should use your natural saline nasal sprays. These may be obtained from any local drugstore and sued many times a day to help break up the congestion. It would help if you also avoided any spray that has oxymetazoline in it, as you may become dependent on this spray. 

3. Get your sinuses exposed to some steam. You should take hot showers regularly and breathe in damp air too. You can fill up some bowl with boiling water and lean on it for 10 minutes. Cover both the bowl and your head with a thicker towel. Keep your nose about 10 inches above the water. 

Clear sinuses using oils: Art Naturals-Essential Oil Diffuser and Top 16 Aromatherapy Oils Set for Anxiety, Relaxation, Stress Relief $59.95

This product includes the following essential oils and a beautiful wooden diffuser:

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In some home remedies for sinus infections, you can try healthy oils for it. Eucalyptus oil may help open up the sinuses and get rid of any mucus. A study has found that the major ingredient in eucalyptus oil, cineole, helped many people with acute sinusitis recover a lot faster.

To remove sinus or upper respiratory infections, you can use eucalyptus oil externally over the temples or your chest or inhale using a diffuser when these oils are added to boiling water. You should make sure that you are only using food-grade essential oils. Rubbing one drip of every oil on the roof of your mouth and then drinking a glass of water is the best. 

Use a neti pot:

A sinus treatment that is very easy to do. Nasal irrigation is the process mostly sued to remove or erase the signs of sinusitis. In research, it has been seen that using a neti pot with the saline solution may get rid of some signs of chronic sinusitis. You can follow the given directions for using the neti pot:
1. Fill up the pot with saline solution 
2. Incline your head on the sink on a 45 angle degree
3. Inset the spout of this pot into your top nostrils. Cautiously pour the saline solution into that nostril. 
4. Repeat this process with your other nostril. 

Always be careful to sanitize the neti pot after using it every single time. If you only were using distilled water for it. Water straight out of your sink might have contaminations such as bacteria or some parasites that may make your condition a lot worse. 

Put some warm compression:

Natural remedies for sinus infection include applying some moist and warm heat that may help soothe the sinus pain. Place a damp, warm towel around the nose, eyes, and cheeks to ease your facial pain. It will help in clearing the nasal passages from the outside. This is one of the most used sinus treatments at home. Now you may know if a sinus infection is contagious or not.

Get a prescription:

Your doctor is very unlikely to suggest antibiotics unless you have chronic sinusitis or if the sinus infection you have is bacterial. Your allergist will determine whether your sinus infection is due to bacteria or a virus. This is done by:

Asking about the signs you have Carrying out a physical test Swabbing inside of your noseThen you will be suggested some medicines. 

These are some ways to get sinus pain relief. These at-home sinus remedies are a great way to come out of your painful condition. So, if you were asking Is a sinus infection contagious, then yes, it is contagious in certain cases. You can avoid interaction with your fellows to reduce the outspread of your condition to others.

Reference Links:
https://www.osfhealthcare.org/blog/is-it-a-cold-or-sinus-infection-and-am-i-contagious/
https://www.allinahealth.org/healthysetgo/heal/ten-home-remedies-to-relieve-sinus-pain-and-pressure
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17701-sinusitiscdc.gov/antibiotic-use/sinus-infection.html
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sinusitis-sinus-infection/

65 Funny Life Quotes to Put a Smile on Your Face

Today we live at the crux of many generations. Some of these generations have lived through world wars, the space age, and the rise of computers and technology. Some are still trying to figure out life.

But no matter what generation you belong to, everyone claims that they have the best formula for success and happiness.

Maybe they do. After all, the recipe for success does evolve throughout the years.

But as we all know, the fundamentals of living a good life haven’t changed. Likewise, the benefit of a good laugh in our daily life hasn’t changed either. So, I started snooping around the internet in search of some good clean fun.

They say laughter is the best medicine, and even better if there’s a lesson as well.

Luckily, there are a plethora of funny life quotes out there that will make you laugh. Quite a few of them will give you a genuine reason to laugh. Some of the funny life quotes also may help knock some sense into you, along with a good laugh.

Before I proceed, I want to recognize that most of these funny life quotes are from books, media, and friends. My thanks and kudos to those who said them. All but the last batch are anonymous, so my anonymous thanks to them as well.

Let’s start with 50 anonymous funny life quotes to put you in a good mood. Then, I end with 15 funny life quotes from famous individuals to get you thinking about your life and where you might want to take it.

Good Days Start With Gratitude: A 52 Week Guide To Cultivate An Attitude Of Gratitude: Gratitude Journal $12.65

A great way to keep track of what you are thankful for and focus on all the good you have in your life.

Buy Now We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. 01/12/2022 12:07 am GMT 50 Funny Life Quotes to Make You SmileResearch has shown that laughing for 2 minutes is just as healthy as jogging for 20 minutes. Now I am sitting in the park laughing at the joggers.An employee complained this show is really boring. Boss answered: we are in a Zoom conference, idiot.People are prisoners of their phones, especially the millennials. That is why it is called a cell phone.Tell the millennials that their brain is an app, they will start using it.Many told me that we learn from our mistakes. I decided to make a lot of mistakes to become a genius.With great power comes a great electricity bill.Broccoli says it looks like a small tree, mushroom says it looks like an umbrella, walnut says it looks like a brain, and the banana said, can we change the subject?My bed and I are buddies and get along really well, but the alarm clock continues to break us up!If I had only one hour to live, I’d rather be in a math class; it never ends.Dear math, grow up and solve your own problems. I am tired of solving them for you.Math is fun. It teaches you to sit in the corner when it is cold. It is 90 degrees.You want to know who I am in love with, reread the first word.Life offers you a second chance, just a second, a new second.My spouse’s credit card got stolen. What a relief, the thief spent less than my spouse.If you don’t like me, remember it is mind over matter. I don’t mind, and you don’t matter.I don’t need a psychiatrist to prod into my personal life and make me tell them all my secrets. I have my friends for that.If you have an opinion about my life, please raise your hand. Now put it over your mouth.Why should I prove it is me when I pay bills over the phone? I didn’t call you to pay someone else’s bill. On the other hand, if someone is paying my bills, please let them.Mom yelled at her son, saying, “Why is everything on the floor?” Son replied, “Gravity, mom.”I always thought air was free until I bought a bag of chips!Dance like nobody is watching because they all are checking their phones.I just want someone to hug me and say, “I know it is hard, but you will be okay. Here is a drink and a million dollars.”Dear life, can this day get any worse? Please, it is not a challenge, just a rhetorical question.I try to sing loud to get a break from my problems, but my voice is worse than my problem.Why is Monday so far from Friday and Friday is so close to Monday?My boss asked me who is stupid, him or the employee? Everyone knows you don’t hire stupid people.When you wake up at 6 in the morning, you close your eyes for 5 minutes, and it is already 6:45. When you are at work, and it is 2:30, you close your eyes for 5 minutes. It is only 2:31.In the morning I cannot eat, I am thinking of you. In the evening I cannot eat, I am thinking of you. In the night, I cannot sleep. I am so hungry.If someone is laughing, laugh with them. If someone is singing, sing with them. If someone is working, let them work, don’t ruin their concentration.Can we start the weekend again? I wasn’t ready.On Mercury, a day lasts 1,408 hours. Just like every Monday does on Earth.I’d rather call my bathroom Jim instead of John. Then I can say that I go to the Jim every morning.I got up this morning and ran around the block ten times. Then I got tired and put the block back in the toy box.Your mind needs exercise just as much as your body does. That is why I think of jogging every day.I did a push-up today. Well, actually, I fell down and had to use both my arms to get back up.Every morning I do ten sit-ups just to hit the snooze button on my alarm clock.Teacher: Why are you talking during my lesson? Student: Why are you teaching during my conversation?There are no stupid questions, just stupid people.Why don’t I use my turn signals? It is nobody’s business where I am going.What is the best thing to do when you have a hole in a boat and water is leaking in? Make another hole and drain the water.Did anyone walk out of a store and rip off their mask as if they just finished a disappointing surgery on Grey’s Anatomy?Well, if you have to choose between eating tacos every day and being skinny for life, would you choose the hard or soft tacos?How can you hurt someone with words? Hit them with a dictionary.Do lazy people go to heaven, or do they wait for someone to pick them up?Ever wondered why the pictures are square when the camera lenses are round?Anyone who drives slower than you is an idiot, and anyone who drives faster than you is a maniac. So, you are both an idiot and a maniac.Red, white and blue represents freedom unless they are flashing behind you.Yes, officer, I saw the speed limit. I just didn’t see your car.At the end of the day, life should ask us, “Do you want to save the changes?”Life was much easier when Apple and Blackberry were just fruits.

Hopefully, the above funny life quotes helped you crack a smile. Regardless, I bet these funny life quotes made you think about your life events a bit.

With that in mind, I felt that this article would not be complete without listing some wise and funny quotes from several famous individuals. Even though each will likely make you chuckle, there are many valuable life lessons in them as well.

Whether your goal is to become independently wealthy, make the next scientific breakthrough, be a famous artist, start a business, make a lot of money, or just live a good life, know that it will take some time to develop the wisdom to get there.

The following funny life quotes from famous people will give you strength and a positive attitude even when things may not be going your way. They did for me.

15 Funny Life Quotes from Famous Individuals“Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of lack of wisdom.” Terry Pratchett“The average man does not know what to do with his life yet wants another one which will last forever.” Anatole French“Some people have no idea what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” George Carlin“Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.” George Bernard Shaw“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” Dalai Lama XIV“Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get.” Ray Kroc“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” Attributed to both Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain (Origin Still in Question)“The simple act of opening a bottle of wine has brought more happiness to the human race than all the collective governments in the history of the earth.” Jim Harrison“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” Bernard Baruch“I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.” Attributed to Mother Teresa“There is more to life than increasing its speed.” Mahatma Gandhi“Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.” Alan Dundes“The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.” Albert Einstein“A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it.” Bob Hope “Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.” Elbert HubbardFinal Thoughts

Funny life quotes will give us plenty to laugh at. Of course, that itself is a break from the not-so-funny times of our life.

But the best funny life quotes also make us think, helping us shed some new light on our world and maybe even changing our perspective.

Hopefully, you found the above quotes worthy of a chuckle and also helpful. See what wisdom you can glean from these cracks and how you might be able to apply them to your life.

I would say that it’s hard to be wise without getting a degree from the universe. Can that be my quote? This post originally appeared on Your Money Geek.

Self-Discipline: Follow These Amazing Life-Changing Steps

Developing self-discipline isn’t easy. Procrastination is the enemy of self-discipline. Here’s a perfect example:“I’m going to start the keto diet tomorrow because I want to lose 20 lbs for my wedding. I’m trying to be more disciplined about how I eat.” Does that sound familiar? Most of us like to talk about how we’re going to work on our self-discipline regarding fitness and finances or just life in general.

We all know that we should improve our self-discipline to get better results and get more done. We don’t know where to start, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when developing self-discipline. That is why I wanted to address this topic today based on years of research and to try everything out personally.

Choosing Between Healthy Or Unhealthy Food. Pensive young woman holding red apple and chocolate donut, looking at sweet snack with suspicion, deciding what to eat, standing in kitchen, free space

How can you build self-discipline? Let’s look at 12 ways to develop self-discipline even if you’ve already tried everything.

People have accused me of being disciplined in the past. Often, I don’t know how to respond. Why? In my mind, I feel like there’s always more to get done. I’ve done my best to test out different ideas and try to create a disciplined life to get more done and save more money for what I want to do.

In this article, we’re going to look at what you need to know about self-discipline and the different ways that you can develop self-discipline right now, even if it feels like you’ve tried everything.

What You Need to Know About Self Discipline

Most information out there on self-discipline is just annoying and unrealistic. It’s easy to feel discouraged when advice surrounding self-discipline in a self-help book feels condescending. In the perfect world, we would all wake up at five in the morning, meditate for 20 minutes, and then go through our day without any interruptions or temptations. In reality, this isn’t what happens at all.

Life comes at us quickly. We start the day off with the best intentions and still waste time or not get much done. We don’t always eat the best, nor do we get as much done as we should. There are two things that you need to know about developing self-discipline:

You’re not a bad person if you have cravings or are not constantly feeling disciplined. You’re not a robot, and that’s okay. Don’t let anyone on social media shame you for not being perfect.You can always work on your discipline. You don’t have to stay stuck at your current level. That is a skill that can be developed and worked on overtime. Nobody’s born being 100% disciplined, just like nobody’s completely undisciplined.

Are you ready to get started?

12 Ways to Develop Self Discipline

I’ve put together the best tips that I could find, along with actionable quotes from books and authors that have helped me develop self-discipline over the years.Here are 12 ways that you can develop self-discipline.

1. Set Small and Realistic Goals

Are you setting realistic goals? Have you thought about starting small to make some progress?Too often do we fail to stay disciplined because we set unrealistically audacious goals. We don’t even know where to start or how to begin, so we end up doing nothing.In the book “Essentialism” the following point is brought up on setting small goals:

“Instead of starting big and then flaring out with nothing to show for it other than time and energy wasted, to really get essential things done we need to start small and build momentum. Then we can use that momentum to work toward the next win, and the next one and so on until we have a significant breakthrough—and when we do, our progress will have become so frictionless and effortless that the breakthrough will seem like overnight success.”

The trick is to set small and realistic goals to not set yourself up for failure.

2. Stop Trying to Do So Many Things at Once

Social media has convinced us that we need to be the hardest workers in the room who constantly work on various projects. That couldn’t be further from the truth. To develop self-discipline, you need to ruthlessly eliminate it from your life and figure out what you need to focus on.In the classic book “The One Thing” Gary Keller brings up an excellent point on accomplishing your goals:

“It is not that we have too little time to do all the things we need to do, it is that we feel the need to do too many things in the time we have.”

Try to focus on one thing at a time so that your mind isn’t all over the place. It’s much easier to be disciplined when you’re only working on one important thing.

3. Change Your Environment

Did you know that your environment could be holding you back? There’s a reason so many people work out of coffee shops; or why CrossFit classes are such a hit.According to James Clear in “Atomic Habits,” it’s more important to change your environment than it is to try to rely on will-power:

“The people with the best self-control are typically the ones who need to use it the least. It’s easier to practice self-restraint when you don’t have to use it very often. So, yes, perseverance, grit, and willpower are essential to success, but the way to improve these qualities is not by wishing you were a more disciplined person, but by creating a more disciplined environment.”

When you want to improve your self-discipline, consider changing the environment.Here are a few examples of how you can make this happen:

Don’t keep a bag of chips on the table when you’re trying to lose weight.Have a specific space for work so that you’re not trying to finish that article while you’re on the couch watching the evening news.Hang around with people who are working on similar goals.4. Make It Easy to Stay on Track

Whatever you do, try to set yourself up for success by making it easy to stay on track. The trick is to set everything up so that you don’t have to struggle to stay disciplined.How can you make your goals easy?

Know yourself.Work within your limits.Focus on progress over perfection.

On that note…

5. Hold Yourself Accountable

Are you being held accountable? The truth is that most of us can’t stay disciplined on our own. We need people around us that will keep us accountable so that we have a responsibility to do what we said we would do.How can you hold yourself accountable?

Hire a coach so that you’re financially committed.Find co-workers/friends on a similar path.Make your goals public.Write your goals down everywhere.Use a planner to track your progress.

It would help if you were held accountable to ensure that you’re going to follow through.

6. Know What You Want to Do

Too many of us set vague goals. We want to be healthy or wealthy. We wanted to be more disciplined, but we don’t know what that discipline looks like.James Clear brought this up in the aforementioned “Atomic Habits” book on habit building:

“Many people think they lack motivation when what they really lack is clarity. It is not always obvious when and where to take action. Some people spend their entire lives waiting for the time to be right to make an improvement.”

Direction is much more important than speed.Speaking of motivation…

7. Never Rely on Willpower or Motivation

Willpower is the last thing that you should rely on. You won’t always feel motivated. You won’t always feel like doing the right thing. The trick is to change your environment, hold yourself accountable, and set small goals so that you never have to worry about being motivated 24/7.

8. Ignore the Noise

There’s no easy way to say this. You have to avoid the noise. You have to find ways to ignore the noise to focus on what matters to you.You can’t develop self-discipline if you allow any of the following to distract you:

Everything that’s happening on the newsNotifications from 8 different social media appsArguing with strangers on FacebookGetting upset over every comment that you read

In the book “The Daily Stoic” this point is brought up on focus and attention:

“Think of all the interests vying for a share of your wallet or for a second of your attention. Food scientists are engineering products to exploit your taste buds. Silicon Valley engineers are designing applications as addictive as gambling. The media is manufacturing stories to provoke outrage and anger. These are just a small slice of the temptations and forces acting on us—distracting us and pulling us away from the things that truly matter.”

You’re going to get pulled in every direction. You have to do whatever you can to block out what doesn’t matter so that you can accomplish your goals.

9. Think of Why You’re Doing This

I’m not one of those corny motivational people. I want to remind you that it’s important to remember why you’re trying to accomplish that goal that requires you to develop self-discipline.Here are a few things to consider:

You want to lose weight to be healthier so that you can live longer to meet your grandkids.You want to pay off that debt so that you can finally quit your job.You want to save up so that you can take your partner on that dream vacation.You want to grow that side hustle so that you can follow your dream of being a writer.

That leads to the next point.

10. Find What You Enjoy Doing

Too many of us focus on goals that we don’t even care about.

“Everyone’s motivated at something. It just depends on the thing. Even the people that we say are unmotivated are suddenly really motivated when they’re playing video games. I think motivation is relative, so you just have to find the thing you’re into.” — Naval

You’ll develop more self-discipline when you focus on goals that interest you and keep you excited.

11. Celebrate Your Wins

Being disciplined isn’t just about saying no to everything. It’s okay to celebrate along the way. I’ll even say that celebrating small wins is essential to developing self-discipline for the long run. We all need to look forward to something.

12. Identify Obstacles That Are Holding You Back

You have to figure out what’s holding you back from being more disciplined. The goal is to eliminate your obstacles so that you can replace them with more productive activities.This one quote opened my eyes to distractions and obstacles:

“Most people don’t want to acknowledge the uncomfortable truth that distraction is always an unhealthy escape from reality. How we deal with uncomfortable internal triggers determines whether we pursue healthful acts of traction or self-defeating distractions.” — Nir Eyal

When things aren’t going your way, you must take a step back to identify the barriers holding you back to know what you need to work on to develop self-discipline.

What if you find yourself still struggling with self-discipline?

It’s pretty much impossible always to feel motivated. You won’t always do the right thing, and you’re going to make plenty of mistakes. There’s nothing wrong with admitting that you’re human. The goal will always be for progress over perfection.I turn to this excerpt from BJ Fogg on building tiny habits:

“Most people operate under the assumption that they’ve got to go big or go home. They think that in order to kick a bad habit, destress, or make a pile of money they’ve got to do something radical. Go cold turkey. Sell their house and move to the beach. Put all their chips on the table. Go all in. Those who take these extreme measures and succeed are lionized.If you’ve ever watched a special about an Olympic athlete who’s been training twelve hours a day since she was three or a successful businessperson who sold everything and moved to Italy to find true happiness, you know what I’m talking about. There’s nothing wrong with taking bold action. Life and happiness occasionally demand it. But remember that you hear about people making big changes because this is the exception, not the rule. Narrative drama comes from bold action, not from the incremental progress that leads to sustainable success.”

The key message to remember is that it’s important to focus on the next small task in front of you instead of worrying about 20 different things that you have to do. You won’t develop self-discipline overnight. That will take some time and effort.Good luck with developing more self-discipline. Don’t forget to enjoy the ride.This article originally appeared on Your Money Geek and has been republished with permission.