4 Gadgets To Get If You’re Trying To Lose Some Weight

Whether you have quite a bit of a tummy tyre to lose or you’re just trying to get rid of the last 5 kilos, losing at least a bit of weight is a priority for most people. However, succeeding at our weight loss goals is much more difficult than setting them! With some helpful gadgets at home however, you can set some goals you can really achieve, and get to your goal weight in less time.

 

Skipping rope

 

A skipping rope is an amazing, yet underrated gadget to help with weight loss. While most of us haven’t played with a skipping rope since childhood, skipping provides an excellent cardiovascular workout that can be used pretty much anytime and anywhere. A skipping rope helps to get your blood pumping and heart racing in a short time, meaning you reach a heart rate where your body is burning fat and calories quickly. In fact skipping can burn up to a massive 1300 calories an hour, whereas slow walking burns just 300 calories an hour!

 

A skipping rope is also a great tool to practise high intensity interval workouts, where you work very hard for anywhere from 10 second to one minute, then take a short rest, and repeat the procedure. This style of exercise has been shown to more effectively burn fat and calories and strengthen muscles than continuous cardiovascular exercise like walking. And with skipping ropes being dirt cheap, there’s no excuse not to use this awesome fat burning exercise gadget to lose weight!

 

A treadmill

 

Owning your own home treadmill is the ultimate tool to help you build fitness, lose weight and keep it off. Everyone dreams of having their own exercise equipment at home to work out on their own time and terms, in the privacy and convenience of their own home. Although many people feel that buying a home treadmill is perhaps too expensive or bulky for their home, the reality is that there are a fantastic range of treadmills on the market today to suit any budget or any sized home. With highly rated budget models starting at just US$200, that have a range of amazing features and even fold away for storage, you shouldn’t look past this excellent option to lose weight at home.

 

A treadmill is a highly effective workout gadget that allows you to walk, jog or run in your own home, away from crowds at the gym, and no matter what the weather. Using a treadmill means your joints are more supported by the specially engineered running surface, unlike the surface of the road or pavement. This means your joints are more protected while you workout and lose weight. With versatile functions and features that make it appealing for everyone to work out, a home treadmill is the perfect choice of a gadget to help you lose weight.

 

A workout DVD

 

If aerobics, dance, or circuit training are your favourite work out styles, or you love the motivation and inspiration an exercise instructor can provide, then check out some of the incredible workout DVD’s on offer. With a huge range of different programs and styles, at many different skill levels to suit all users, you can find something you will love, to help you lose weight and maintain motivation over the long term.

 

Ensure you have enough space in your TV room and your doctor gives you the go ahead to start a home work out program, because many of these programs really give you a fantastic workout and are not for the faint of heart! Workout DVD’s are generally inexpensive, although some may require the purchase of other inexpensive equipment, like small dumbbells or resistance bands. A good DVD can provide an awesome fun workout in the comfort of your own home – something everyone will love!

 

A rowing machine

 

A rowing machine is a fantastic gadget to help lose weight at home, providing an intense total body workout that burns fat and calories, and strengthens muscles considerably, helping you to lose weight and tone your body fast. Rowing machines have the added benefit of putting no strain on your lower back and joints, unlike some other forms of cardiovascular exercise.
Rowing can burn up to 750 calories an hour, an incredible fat burning workout. Providing all the other benefits of an effective cardiovascular workout, such as improved endurance, increased muscle strength, better moods and stress relief, rowing is a great exercise for an extremely effective work out that is still gentle on the joints and back.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

What Does Your Car Do for You?? What To Look for in a New Car

I got my license in 1997 after a year of driving on my temporary permit. My Mom & Dad wanted to make sure that I had plenty of practice before driving on my own; knowing how to merge into traffic, when to go or stop when the light turns yellow (that was a rough one for me), and of course parking. Since I’m still here 19 years later – I guess I did an OK job. But not everything went so smoothly.

 

When I was 17 portable GPS systems were not available. We got places by using handy dandy road maps, and eventually online help like Mapquest. I remember taking my little sister with me to pick up balloons and a cake for one of our family members birthdays. It was one of the first times I was on the interstate by myself, and I had no idea which way was home. East and West was a foreign concept to me (and to be honest, still pretty much is). I figured that I could just pick one way and eventually I’d see something I’d recognize… and I was right. After completely looping the i275 loop instead of going the opposite way and getting on the right exit – 2 hours later we were home. I’m pretty sure that I will never live that story down; and thankfully I didn’t take us anywhere we shouldn’t have been. But what a time waster right? After my trip to Florida from Cincinnati just a few weeks ago I realized that I would have never made it without my GPS. . and a few other tech features.

Which got me thinking, What do you look for when buying a new vehicle?

Mommy-Blog-BU-Cam

GPS. When a GPS is installed in your vehicle, you don’t have to worry about forgetting it, it getting lost, or someone borrowing it. It usually has a voice activation which means you don’t have to worry about pushing buttons or trying to select a location while you drive. Safety first!

 

Back-up Cameras. Where have you been all my life?? Though I don’t 100% rely on these cameras (you still need to look because people or pets can come from the sides where your camera doesn’t see) this helps give you a direct view behind your vehicle – which can be extremely helpful if you are driving a larger vehicle where it would be hard to see little kids in the rear view mirror. Some even help ‘direct’ you to show you where you are headed as you back up based on the way your steering wheel is turned (I think this will help a lot of soon-to-be drivers with their maneuverability test!)

family in the car

Lane Change Notification. The first time I drove a vehicle with this feature it was when I rented a SUV to take the kids and my best friend to Myrtle Beach. I thought I was going crazy at first – each time I changed a lane (or started to veer towards the line) my seat vibrated on that side! If I veered to the left, the left side vibrated, and then if I did to the right, the right vibrated. This is a great feature, especially for long drives!

 

What other car safety features help you keep you and your family safe on the road??

 

#MyCarDoesWhat4Me is a national campaign to help educate drivers on new vehicle safety technologies designed to help prevent crashes. These technologies range from increasing the stability and control of cars to providing warnings about crash threats to automatically intervening to avoid or reduce the severity of a crash.

The campaign’s website, MyCarDoesWhat.org, includes educational videos and other information about a variety of safety technologies including back-up cameras, blind spot monitoring systems, forward collision alerting and other systems that help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of a crash.

The National Safety Council and the University of Iowa partnered to launch MyCarDoesWhat to educate the public on how to best interact with these safety features to have better, safer driving experiences. #MyCarDoesWhat4Me

my_car_does_what

 

Posted in Money Matters | Leave a comment

Back to School with Groupon

This is a sponsored post; though all opinions are 100% mine.

Every year I do the same thing – stress and complain about the cost of going ‘back to school.’ Three kids with a list as long as Santa Claus’, it can really do a number on your wallet. Can I tell you that this year it’s even worse with a Freshman??!

back_to_school

They don’t just need notebooks and pencils – it’s headphones, and flash drives and planners, printer toner, portable chargers, and the list goes on.

That’s why I love Groupon Goods. So many great deals on the kids back to school needs; and even quite a few things Mom wouldn’t mind having for herself!

Like this 6 port USB charging station for just $18.99

Re-usable Dry Erase Study Pouches for $24.99

Apple iPhone 5 (unlocked) for just $129.99

Apple earpods with mic just $9.99

and soo much more!!!

back_to_school2

I love with Groupon that you can save money on so much more than just entertainment! It’s a great money-saving resource, and the deals I’ve been able to find – they are unbeatable!

You can also find a ton of coupons for some of your favorite products with one easy click!

groupon11

 

Posted in Deals, Money Matters | Leave a comment

7 Ways to Boost Your Pension Nest Egg

Retirement is the time to start all those jobs you have been putting on the backburner for years. Alternatively, you could take off and spend a few months travelling to new places. Whatever your plan for retirement, one thing is certain: if you don’t spend time building a nest egg, retirement is not going to be much fun.

1. Invest in Property

Property is an excellent pension investment. In most cases, property outperforms traditional savings accounts by a wide margin. However, this does depend on the type of property you buy and where it is located. It also depends on how you buy the property. Paying cash is always preferable, but you could also look at hard money loans Virginia from Washington Capital Partners if you don’t have the cash and you want to make a quick purchase.

2. Retire Later

The later you retire the more money you will accumulate in your pension pot. If you are healthy, this is a sensible plan. An extra year working can make a big difference, especially if you make extra contributions during that time.

3. Start Saving Early

Too many people leave it too late to start saving into a pension. You might have more disposable income in your 40s, but it is much too late to build a decent pension pot. Pensions benefit from accumulated interest, so the sooner you start saving, the more interest you accumulate. Ideally, start saving into a pension when you are in your 20s. So tweak your w4 calculator and start saving some money! Yes, retirement is a long way off, but the years soon pass!

4. Spend Less

If you live the high life, whatever pension income you have will soon dwindle. Instead of spending like tomorrow is never going to come, keep an eye on your bank balance and build some savings for a rainy day.

5. Invest in Stocks and Shares

Investing in the stock market is a risky proposition, but if you have a reasonable amount of disposable income and a good knowledge of the financial markets, you could generate some extra income. However, don’t gamble with what you can’t afford to lose and spread your investments across a wide range of different investments to minimize the possibility of a cataclysmic loss.

6. Invest in Art

Do you have an eye for art? If so, look out for up and coming artists and invest in their work. Work by undiscovered artists is usually inexpensive, but if they hit the big time, it becomes far more valuable. Imagine how rich you would be right now if you had bought one of Damian Hirst’s creations before he became famous.

7. Start a Business

A successful business is an enviable pension plan for its owners. By the time you retire, your business could be worth millions and when you eventually sell up, you get to pocket the proceeds. Isn’t that a nice scenario?

Retirement planning is complex and professional advice should always be sought before decisions are taken. Don’t leave retirement planning until it is too late, or you might not have the income you need.

Posted in Money Matters, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Help, Rodent’s Infesting Your Home? These Tips Will Help You Keep them At Bay

It’s one of those things that can send shivers down your spine. Unexpected noises that are coming from the roof or walls of your home. Droppings littered around your house with no explanation as to where they came from. This is where you could be in a serious threat of a rodent infestation. They are never nice.
While it’s always best advised to get in a rodent control company to clear your home from the problem, there are things you can do to keep them at bay. With that in mind, I thought i would share with you some of those tips. Hopefully helping you rid yourself of this problem for good.

mouse

Rodents are attracted to the smell that foods give off. This is what can attract them into your home in the first place. Which is why it is always best to keep your food in sealed containers to avoid any contamination and encouragement.

 

Take care of your outdoor disposal area

 

While it’s just as important to keep food sealed indoors, the same rule applies for outdoor waste. This is where your problem could start. Ensuring your bins have secured lids and that your waste is properly disposed of often is a great way to keep rodents at bay. It’s also a great idea to keep waste disposal areas clean, to avoid attracting unwanted pests.

 

Credit

 

Consider a pet cat

 

While it may not be the best answer, a pet cat can be a deterrent to rodents. They will avoid places where they can feel threatened, and a cat should do the trick here.

 

Look out for any holes in your home

 

You may be very aware of taking care of the general maintenance of your home, but sometimes these things can go unnoticed. Rodents can fit through very small spaces. So look out for holes around pipework that will allow them to gain entry into your home. If needed, seal them up as best you can.

 

Remove potential homes and breeding grounds

 

Rats like to burrow in leaf piles and under bushes where they are sheltered. So try and keep these kinds of things to a minimum. Clear your garden away and keep things tidy and also cut back your bushes. If you struggle with garden maintenance, it may be good idea to consider having a gardener visit regularly. They also consider nesting areas to be things like shredded paper so keep your recycling area as tidy as possible with all bin lids shut.

 

Keep the toilet seat down

 

While this may be an extreme situation rats can swim and round bends. Sp getting up pipework is no problem. You would be a greater risk if you lived close by to rivers or canals, where rodents are more prevalent. So keep that toilet seat down, you have been warned.

 

While some people will struggle with this issue more than others, it’s vital to keep your home and outside areas as clean as possible. This will always be a deterrent to rodents and hopefully, will avoid you having to call out the exterminators anytime soon.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment