Erin Sluka - Parenting Healthy

5 things to consider before selling your home — Photo by khloe arledge on Unsplash

Selling your home can be a tricky and stressful process without the help of a good agent and
some tips to stay on track. And while Real Estate Brokers like Compass pride themselves on
working with people to make their real estate dreams a reality, it’s important to know what to
expect when selling your home. Here are the 5 main things to consider before selling your home.

How flexible are you willing to be on the price?

It’s important to do your research and check what the price ranges are for similar homes
being sold around your area. Then compare those prices to yours and allow yourself a little
time to reflect on how flexible you’re willing to be on the selling price.
Remember, a great deal of ‘window shopping’ is now done online. What does that mean for
your place? It means there are many house-hungry shoppers who have set very strict price
brackets in their search engines. If you price yourself too high at the start, you may miss out
on the perfect sale.

A common real estate trick is to underprice the home a little, which creates more buzz,
attracts more interested parties, and bumps the price up as they continue to bid on your
home.

Leaving sentimentality out of a sale

When it’s time to make a final sale, it’s important to leave sentimentality where it belongs –
as far away from the deal as possible.

No one expects you not to feel a myriad of emotions when it’s time to pull out of your old
driveway for the very last time, but adding sentimentality to a potential sale situation can be
the kiss of death.

Making the viewings feel more special

Each new home viewing is the chance to entice buyers into making an offer and feeling like
they’ve found their perfect new home. It goes without saying that a fresh lick of paint and a
good clean are important parts of the process, but don’t forget about making it feel like a
warm and inviting place to live.

Appeal to the senses – the smell of freshly baked goods, the crackling of a fireplace, or the
look of a perfectly set dinner table can all add to the experience of an open home viewing.
The curb appeal of your home

While many people hear the term ‘curb appeal’ and roll their eyes, it’s actually one of the
most vital parts of selling a home. And if you want to get the right price, it’s something you
need to consider.

What is curb appeal? It’s that very first impression a buyer will get when they see your home
from the outside. So paint those fences, mow that lawn, pull out those weeds, and try to view
your home with a critical eye. Would you buy this place based on how it looks from that first
step into your front yard?

Don’t lose sight of what your end goal is

Selling a home can be a tricky process, but if you remember what the end goals are, and
work with a reputable realtor, you can make sure it’s smooth sailing from that first listing to
finally handing over the keys.

Education

Studying at Home: 6 Tips To Study Without Distractions

July 19, 2022July 19, 2022 Erin Sluka

The opportunity to get an education online has helped thousands of people to accomplish their goal of receiving a certificate or degree. Online learning has multiple advantages and helps people who deal with other responsibilities in their lives, such as working or parenting, that may have formerly inhibited them from continuing their education. Some people simply prefer studying online.

Getting an education online, however, presents some potential disadvantages to students, but nothing that can’t be overcome. For some people, studying from the computer and without any classmates there can be distracting and can make it hard to stay motivated. Here are six tips that will help you reduce distractions and be more focused during your online study time.

1. Get Ready for School

Before studying, take a shower and get dressed. If you really want to, you can put your pajamas back on. However, you should make an effort to care for yourself before you begin. Online students often do not see the importance of looking neat, but how you look influences how you feel. When you strive to look presentable, you will feel more confident in yourself and your abilities while you study.

2. Organize Your Space

Keep your computer properly connected and your desk area organized and clean. If you eat or drink while studying (which is totally fine, by the way) be sure to clean it up immediately afterward. If you were attending a college or university in person, wouldn’t you do the same? Additionally, make sure you have enough light to read any materials you have, and that you have pens and paper on hand for notes within reach.

3. Use a Planner

Studying at home offers you flexibility, but you should still work to be organized. Take time to plan your week. Make time for each course and plan out the homework or projects you know will be due to ensure you finish them on time. Establish priorities with your school work every day and review them each morning. Write down due dates so you don’t miss any. Arrange your schedule around work and family responsibilities.

4. Set Alarms and Breaks

While studying, it can be helpful to set an alarm. You should give yourself enough time to get through all of your different courses and homework. You also need to schedule some breaks. Focus for an hour and then take a 5-10 minute break. It will help you to stay focused for the next hour.

5. Communicate With Your Family

If you do not live alone, communicate with your family about your schedule. For example, if you are a parent, prepare your kids ahead of time by letting them know you will study today. If they are more independent, ask for their help with home chores. Sit and talk about your goals with everyone at home and find ways to help each other.

6. Turn off Social Media

Social media is one of the biggest distractions to online learning. Turn off your phone or silence notifications during study times.

Now that you have the tools, what are you waiting for? Now is a great time to get started on improving your education.

2022 Brands, Natural Beauty, Sustainable Brands

Eco Lips Mongo Kiss Organic Lip Balm is a seasonal must have

July 18, 2022July 19, 2022 Erin Sluka

From sunscreen to lip gloss, the ingredient list matters to me. With so many products on the shelves full of chemicals and other artificial ingredients, I am just not willing to lather those on mine or my kids bodies every season. Lip balms are a product we use year round from ski season in the winter to the summer sun, our lips need constant hydration with ingredients that make me feel comfortable using it on my lips as often as I need. This summer I am stocked up on the Mongo Kiss organic lip balms by Eco Lips.

Why Eco Lips? Every time you purchase an Eco Lips organic lip balm, you get authentically sourced ingredients and can be ensured that the growers receive a fair price – a practice that’s vital in helping developing communities grow as well. Eco Lips cares about every ingredient they use and the planet their ingredients come from. Their production facility runs on renewable energy and these lip balms are packed in our exclusive Plant Pod®. It’s 100% plastic free!

The Eco Lips Mongo Kiss line of organic lip balms use mongongo oil and Fair Trade Certified™ cocoa butter. According to Eco Lips, Mongongo Oil is high in Vitamin E, essential fatty acids and other nutrients perfect for nourishing & hydrating skin. Mongongo oil is a known body oil in African areas and is derived from the fruit of the manketti tree. Read more about all of the benefits of this oil here! Now we get these benefits (naturally) in the Eco Lips Mongo Kiss line that comes in great flavors/scents. Shop Eco Lips products on Amazon and stock up for the next few seasons and back to school!

Gift Guides

The Best Gifts to Buy for Every Occasion in Your Family

July 13, 2022July 13, 2022 Erin Sluka

Who doesn’t love a holiday or a birthday gift? There’s something about receiving a thoughtful token of affection that brings us immense joy. But coming up with ideas for those you care about can be challenging, especially if you don’t know them well or live far away from them. Fortunately, the retail sector recognizes this challenge and has come to our aid with various gift-giving occasions throughout the year. Some of these may not be as widely recognized as others, but they are all opportunities to get inspired by new ideas. Read on to discover useful tips when it comes to buying gifts for loved ones based on their age, gender, and other factors. This way, you will never be stuck again in finding the best present ever again!

Finding the Right Gift for Every Occasion

Before you go shopping for gifts, you first need to understand the person’s interests, likes, and dislikes. This way, you can avoid giving them a gift they’ll never use again. Some tips to keep in mind when finding the best gifts to buy are:

– Consider their personality. If the person you’re buying for is expressive, creative, or sentimental, gifts that reflect these characteristics will be fitting.

– Observe their lifestyle. If the person you’re buying for is sporty, health-conscious, or frequently travels, gifts that reflect their lifestyle will be fitting.

– Understand the occasion. You’ll want to buy something that reflects the significance of the occasion with a gift that will be appreciated and put to good use.

Birthdays

For birthdays, you can’t go wrong with gifting a personalized gift that reflects the person’s interests and passions. If you know their zodiac sign, you can find plenty of options to choose from. For people who are into fitness, yoga, or other sports, you can get them a special yoga mat, sports equipment, or other accessories that fit their interests. For people who are creative, you can give them art supplies, a pen and paper set, a personalized sketchpad, or a framed art print that features the recipient. For people who love to read, you can gift them a special reading pillow, a book-themed mug, or a personalized bookmark. For people who are sentimental, you can choose from a wide selection of personalized keepsake boxes, mugs, journals, and other keepsakes.

Holiday Gifts

Holiday gifts can be a bit of a challenge to buy because the occasion doesn’t revolve around a single recipient. You will want to find gifts that are appropriate not only for your loved ones, but for their family and friends as well. If you’re buying for a child, it’s best to go with toys and/or games that are age-appropriate. You can also consider gifts that revolve around their interests, like a photography kit, a model car kit, a craft kit, a science kit, etc. If you’re buying for a parent, grandparents, or an aunt or uncle, you can go with the tried and true gift of a coffee mug or personalized gifts that they can keep at their desks at work. If you’re buying for an adult, you should choose something more special. You can go with a travel gift card, a subscription box, a personalized item, or a gift that reflects their hobbies or interests.

Graduation Gifts

For graduations, you can give gifts that will help the graduate transition from school to the working world or to school itself. You can give them useful items, such as a nice piece of stationary, a laptop sleeve, or a stylish backpack. You can also give them gift cards to places they will frequently visit, like coffee shops and restaurants.

Mother’s Day

When it comes to Mother’s Day gifts, you want to find something special that shows your mom that you love her and appreciate all that she does for you and for the rest of the family. You can go with signature gifts, like a hand-made item or a sentimental item such a piece of jewelry. You can also go with gift cards to places that your mom would frequent, such as her salon or her favorite coffee shop.

Father’s Day

For Father’s Day gifts, you want to find something that shows your dad how much you appreciate him and how much you love him. You can go with a sentimental gift or a gift that has a special meaning like a quality watch, you have to search for an authorized watch dealer such as My Gift Stop. You can also go with gift cards to places he would frequently visit, such as his favorite restaurant or his place of work.

Anniversary Gifts

For anniversary gifts, you want to find a gift that both of you would enjoy using. You can go with a special piece of jewelry, a romantic getaway, or a gift that you know they would like. You can also go with gift cards to places they would frequent, like their favorite restaurant or their favorite store.

Choosing the right gift for someone can be quite tricky. However, by following this guide, you should be able to find the perfect gift for anyone in your family. So, go ahead and surprise someone today with a thoughtful gift that they’ll love and appreciate. For your convenience, we have provided a summary of useful tips when it comes to buying gifts for loved ones based on their age, gender, and other factors. This way, you will never be stuck again in finding the best present ever again!