How-To Traveling Tips and Tricks for the Smart Traveler 6:24 PM Traveling Tips and Tricks for the Smart Traveler With the internet’s help in making travel plans and vacations easy, everybody’s becoming a wanderlust. Questions about the luxurious place you want to visit? Google travel blogs or ask a luxury travel expert. Need the cheapest deals on fares and accommodation? Travel agencies are just a click away. But how do you make your vacation memorable and as stress-free as possible? How do you upgrade your next trip to a luxury vacation without breaking the bank? Here are some traveling tips and tricks for the smart traveler.Traveling Tips and Tricks for the Smart Traveler 1. Make a plan. So you have your bucket list of places you want to visit. Now what? Where to start? Plan. It may be exciting to book a flight on a whim, and oh, how wonderful it would be if you had no budget restrictions. But a sudden splurge for luxury travel may not be practical if you have a limited travel fund. So what should you do? Plan your itinerary. List the places you want to visit, how to get there, etc.Research the culture, traditions, and laws you must observe and follow to avoid any problem with the locals or authority.See to it that your passport is not expiring soon. Paying for rush processing costs more, so make sure you do this ahead of time.Check for any upcoming events. The dates you choose can affect the price of the place and fares. For example, if a concert, conference, or important event happens, the prices might increase due to high demand. So you might want to stay away from those dates. 2. Consider all options. Promo fares or seat sales are tempting. But before you book, check competing airlines for fares. For accommodation, compare prices on Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Orbitz, and the like. Sometimes, travel agencies offer cheaper packages for flights and accommodation too so you should also check them. Will the travel tour help you save, or will it be better to rent a car, join a group or explore by walking and commuting? Weigh the pros and cons and see where you can save more. 3. Ask around. Be careful of hidden charges. Ask before you book or pay. What is the coverage of the promo? For example, does the room rate include complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, linens, towels, and the like? Do they allow pets if in case you're traveling with your fur baby? Are they changing the flight schedule or the hotel’s price anytime near your travel date (if you are booking months ahead)? Before booking anything or checking a place, read reviews and blogs from legit guests. First-hand feedback is the best so ask your friends or travel experts you know.Also, ask if you can get an upgrade. For hotels, you are most likely to get it if you check in before 4pm or 6pm. 4. Check the timezone How many hours difference are there from where you are coming from to where you’re going?Some tips for traveling smarter: consider the time difference (if there is one) in booking your flight and schedule your itinerary accordingly to avoid inconvenience. There is no fun in traveling if you’re dizzy, fagged out, or suffering from jet lag. Allot a day to rest before you start exploring the place. You don’t want to pass out in the middle of an unfamiliar place. 5. Pack light and smart Travels are more manageable when you don’t over-pack. Not only will you avoid going over baggage (you might see something you want to bring home as a souvenir or buy keepsakes for friends), but it will also be less hassle. Bring travel-sized toiletries. Pack the basics (intimates, comfortable and versatile clothes and shoes), pocket money, charger, and power bank. It is wiser to bring a photocopy of your passport and ID and send a coit to your email too. Try to pack lunch or some snacks that are convenient but also nutritious, like food bars. This will help you avoid hypoglycemia and save on your travel money. 6. Be early If you're traveling from a city that gets crazy traffic no matter what time of the day, like Manila, give at least an hour's allowance for your trip.To avoid long lines and being late, check in online. Now it is possible to do so days before your flight. Don’t waste your time and energy on lines so you can focus on the fun instead. Conserve your energy for what matters most. 7. Look luxurious Keeping your clothes presentable so you can look posh is not as hard as you think. Plan your outfit. Keep your clothes crease-free by spraying water on your clothes and letting them dry in the open. Choose basic, comfortable, and versatile garments, and dress smart. 8. Find promos Take advantage of promo fares and discounts in hotels. Find vouchers you can use or use your credit points in booking accommodation. You can enjoy a night or two in a luxury hotel if you know where to look. The best way to find deals is by signing up for the newsletters of different airlines or following them on social media. Find a reputable travel agency or check out your favorite travel vlogger, as they sometimes promote a brand with their promo code. Just because you’re traveling luxuriously doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay the price.The smart traveler doesn’t just hop on a plane but carefully plans and checks everything. A wise, luxurious wanderer doesn’t necessarily splurge on everything but looks into how he can make the journey comfortable and pleasant. Most of all, be flexible enough to make the most of the trip and enjoy it even when things don't always go as planned.Do you have some tips and tricks for smart traveling?
Love and Relationship Building Intimacy Through Nurturing Fondness and Admiration 3:59 PM Have you ever looked at an elderly couple who seem deeply in love with each other and wondered what the secret to their success is? John Gottman and colleagues have spent years exploring the question of what accounts for success in long-term relationships. According to Gottman, couples such as these are not happy because they never fought or have entirely compatible needs and interests, but because they took the time out to create a positive, enduring, intimate friendship. Gottman’s work has spanned understanding communication and conflict resolution and has focused increasingly on the central importance of generating positivity in intimate relationships. Based on his research, he generated 7 principles that are key to healthy relationships. I have also previously focused on three of these fundamental features of successful relationships. These principles are elements of the seven principles that Gottmann identifies as the key to healthy relationships. Let’s explore another one of these principles: nurturing fondness and admiration. Building Intimacy Through Nurturing Fondness and Admiration We are all familiar with the first stage of a relationship where you are “totally head over heels in love” with your partner. You can’t get enough of him or her, you want to spend every waking (and sleeping) minute together, everything he/she does is adorable, and you have so much admiration for him/her. This initial stage of infatuation is characterized by intense fondness and admiration for your partner, but as any of us know who have been in a relationship for a little longer, that first phase starts to fade after about two years. Tumblr What we used to find endearing can quickly become a habit that really irritates us. In fact, this phase alone is likely a primary reason as to why so many people have sought out relationship/marriage counseling. This initial phase is sustained and bolstered by romantic attraction and as it begins to fade the couple starts to view their relationship in a more realistic light. It is from this more realistic perspective that a foundational basis for the relationship going into the future can be built. That is not to say that romantic attraction is not a significant element of an intimate relationship nor that it is incompatible with building genuine admiration and fondness for your partner. However, the romantic attraction that sustains infatuation is just a phase in a relationship that waxes and wanes (more often wanes) over the course of the life of the relationship. So how do you nurture genuine fondness and admiration? How do you develop, sustain and express genuine fondness and deep appreciation of your partner? Let’s start with exploring how you can develop fondness and appreciation for your partner. Adopting a conscious process of developing fondness and appreciation is essential to this principle. Fondness, a pure affection for your partner, needs to be rooted in an actual awareness of the qualities that generate this feeling towards your partner. Buzzfeed Similarly, admiration that is simply loose and ungrounded in specific qualities lacks substance and may not weather the storm of challenges to the relationship. So, spend the time working out exactly what it is about your partner that nurtures your feelings of fondness and admiration for him/her. Complete statements such as “I love how you “, “I enjoy spending time with you because “, “I admire you because “and “I am proud of you when “. Take the time out to consider these questions in relation to your partner and make this active appreciation of his/her qualities a regular feature of your life. Developing and sustaining fondness and admiration is only step one of this principle. In order to nurture a loving connection with your partner, it’s essential that you express the love and appreciation you have developed. Through sharing your affection with your partner, you express and actualise the feelings you have for him or her. Make this expression a discipline and regularly communicate the positive feelings you have for your partner. You may think that your partner is aware of the fondness and admiration you feel for him/her but openly expressing these feelings in as specific a way as possible (e.g. “I love the way you always kiss me goodbye in the mornings”) will only serve to nurture positivity and strengthen the relationship. Communicating your feelings gives a certain reality and maturity to the admiration, appreciation and affection that you feel, and has a positive cyclical impact on the relationship. A partner who is the recipient of fondness and appreciation is much more likely to be open in his/her expression of fondness and appreciation for the other. Nurturing fondness and admiration is a core tool for generating positivity in a relationship. Giphy The focus on positive interactions is the underpinning feature of Gottman’s understanding of relationship success. So, take the time to develop and express the positive feelings you have for your partner. Make developing and expressing fondness and admiration a part of how you interact with your partner on a day to day basis, and notice how it enhances the loving friendship you are building with your partner. Author Bio: Dr. Stacey Leibowitz-Levy is a highly-experienced psychologist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and a PhD in the area of stress and its relation to goals and emotion. In addition to her private therapy practice, she currently runs a mental health guide with self-help guides on stress, anxiety, depression, and many other areas. During her spare time, Stacey enjoys spending time with her husband and children, being outdoors and doing yoga. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Guest Blogger Perfection 7:00 PM A guest blog by Christine Fisher: This past Sunday, I had the honor and blessing to snuggle and love on just one particular baby boy at the NICU of one of local hospitals. I am so honored and blessed to be a small part of this special ministry. I was able to hold this little guy two different times for about a total of two hours. Whenever I am sitting there rocking one of the wee ones, I get lost in thought and prayer just gazing upon their precious face, lost in the tranquility of the moment, especially as they are sleeping so peacefully. As I did that to this baby this week, a word, along with a few thoughts, came to mind that I want to share with you this week. The word is… Perfection My youngest son shortly after birth…..PERFECTION! Let me explain……. This particular little one has a reputation with the nurses of being a “screamer.” Sadly, it is because he is in the unfortunate circumstance of being an opiate baby. These babies usually get off to a rougher start in life and tend to have tremors, are more irritable and may have sleep problems as symptoms of withdrawal. I did observe him crying earlier and giving the nurse a hard time as she changed his diaper and tended to his needs. When I first picked him up he fussed some, struggling at first to take the pacifier, eventually taking the pacifier, as I softly sang to him and rocked him. I thought about all the problems and issues he was dealing with but as he lay sleeping peacefully in my arms, he looked so angelic and that is when I was overwhelmed with the thought and word PERFECTION which popped in my head. Yes, such PERFECTION God looks at this little guy as PERFECTION! All the issues this baby is dealing with does not change God’s perception of him! And, you know who else God looks at and sees only PERFECTION? Yes, YOU……YOU the one reading these words….. YOU are PERFECTION to God! I bet you are thinking, “What? That can’t be right!” Yes, we are far from perfect and don’t always make the right choices…. Yes, we may have physical imperfections… Yes, we may even sin daily despite trying so hard not to…. Yes, we may have emotional scars from types of abuse we have experienced…. Yes, we may even get mad and scream at God for the “bad” things we are experiencing…. Yes, we may even have an addiction of some sort….. But, you know what? Despite any or all of those things, when God looks at YOU, He sees only PERFECTION! Photo courtesy of fabQuote.co under Creative Commons License (CC BY NC-2.0) You ask, “How can that be?” Because…. YOU ARE MADE IN HIS IMAGE! This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. –Genesis 5:1 (ESV) YOU ARE GOD’S SON OR DAUGHTER! For in Christ Jesus you are all sons (daughters) of God, through faith. –Galatians 3:26 (ESV) YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY GOD! Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. –Ephesians 1:4 (NLT) YOU ARE LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY BY GOD! But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. –Romans 5:8 (NLT) YOU ARE MADE PURE, HOLY, AND FREE FROM SIN BECAUSE OF GOD SENDING JESUS TO DIE FOR YOU! God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. –1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT) Think about this….If I can look at that little baby, who I don’t even know and have such LOVE for him, imagine how God, our Father, looks at you and has so much LOVE for YOU, His own son or daughter who He created!! Keep in mind as you are sleeping soundly tonight, I guarantee God is looking down on you, His son or daughter, with such love and peace seeing PERFECTION…just as I was doing with that baby boy! (And, even if you aren’t sleeping I’ll add!) This week, I’m thinking some “homework” is in order! After reading the ending of these thoughts, go to a mirror…Pause for a moment and see your reflection and say “PERFECTION!” Yes, that is what God sees too! God sees PERFECTION! “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.” –Deuteronomy 32:4 (NASB) Images provided by Christine. About the Author I’m Christine, a Christian, hoping to inspire you by sharing what is in my heart about our faith and our great God. Take some time, read some of my thoughts, and feel free to comment and share your thoughts…It would be a blessing to hear from you. My prayer is that you may be inspired and blessed in some small way by reading! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Guest Blogger 5 Things You Can Do To Be Happier Right Now 5:55 PM 5 Things You Can Do To Be Happier Right Now Many of us believe that happiness is a destination that one must reach in order to enjoy it. We’ve been taught that happiness is that new job, that bigger salary, or that handsome/beautiful partner when in reality, true happiness comes from the inside. Since happiness is internal, you can experience it right now. The best part is that no one can take it away from you. Here are 5 simple things you can do right now to experience a little happiness today. 1. Express Gratitude Start each day by saying one thing you are thankful for. Is it your family? Is it your job? Is it your cat? Whatever it is, just express gratitude. In doing so, you slowly began to appreciate the small things that bring you joy. These little moments of gratitude become little moments of happiness. Over time, saying thank you can become a habit and ultimately lose its impact on you. Each time you thank someone, reflect on what their actions mean to you and think about the little piece of joy they have granted you. Gipher 2. Be Generous There is a saying that goes, “you make a living from what you get, but you make a life from what you give.” This saying is true. In order to feel happiness today, try being generous. You can be generous with so many things. Your time, your attention, your words, and your skills are all things that can only be found in one place in the world: YOU! Being generous is a surefire way to be happier, and you have so much to share with the world.Tenor 3. Identify One Thing You Love About You Your uniqueness is a gift worth sharing. At no point in history will there be another person quite like you. You have talents and gifts that make you special. Identify them. Are you patient? Are you empathetic? Are you dedicated to self-improvement? Find your gift and cherish it. Understanding that you are fortunate to be yourself, even in small ways, allows you to be a little happier.Gifer 4. Tell Someone One Thing You Love About Them Just as generosity brings happiness, so does kindness. When you tell someone about something special you see in them, you turn on a light for them. You let them know that they are special and that you appreciate them. This metaphorical light, in turn becomes contagious and shines unto you as well. This shining creates a feeling of accomplishment because you made someone else happy and a feeling of closeness because you’ve reminded yourself of the value another person brings into your life.GifDB 5. Smile This tip may seem mundane, but it is scientifically proven that you can alter your emotional state just by smiling. By physically acting out happiness, you can actually begin to experience it. TenorBonusSmiling is contagious. When you smile, you subconsciously give others permission to do the same. This means that you will be making others happy with your presence.Do you have a happiness trick up your sleeve? Do share! About the Author: MarQ Jeffries is a poet, writer, and lifestyle coach. You can find out more about him at www.callofliberation.com.
Listicle 5 Financial Tips For Our Millennial Children 9:32 PM The world our children are growing up is not the same world as we grew up in. This is not always a bad thing; we just have to help guide them to make good financial decisions and other life choices to help them be as successful as possible. When trying to train our children, there are several financial tips that will help them when they grow up. Here are a few: 5 Financial Tips for Our Millennial Children 1. Pay Down Debt As Soon As Possible Teaching your children the freedom you feel when debt is paid off is one of the best gifts you could ever give them. If you are currently trying to pay off debt, keep them involved in the process and let them celebrate with you as different things are checked off of your list. Helping learn this important life goal will help them have more freedom to do what they want to do in life instead of always owing money to a credit card company or bank. 2. Start Saving For Retirement When your child is 18 years old, the last thing they are thinking about is their retirement years. In fact, all they can think about is getting through college to start their future career or dream job. Teach them to put aside a portion of their pay every month into IRS’s and investment accounts. Discuss with them how compound interest works so they can see how money grows over time. The earlier they start the earlier they will reach their financial goals. 3. Choose Low Interest Loans When obtaining a credit card or student loan, encourage them to take the option with the lowest possible interest rate in order to save the most amount of money. People don't realize how much they throw down the drain on high interest rates to lending companies. The lower the interest rate, the better off you will be if you are having to take out a loan at all. A great example you can give your kids is taking out a private student loan. These loans are personally guaranteed by the borrower which means they have to pay it back or severely damage their credit. To ensure they are able to pay the loan back, it’s essential that they get a low interest rate. These low interest rates come from good credit history and can be refinanced later on to lower the interest rate. 4. Prepare For Emergencies An important life lesson to teach your children is to always be aware of their surroundings and prepared for anything life throws at them. This means physically, emotionally as well as financially. Having an emergency fund will come in handy when your tire blows on the interstate or you drop your cell phone and the screen shatters. Life happens and you need to help them be as prepared as possible to handle these various situations. Making it a hurdle for accessing the money might be beneficial to keep them from spending it on the newest gadget or romper they just had to have at the department store. 5. Don't Be Afraid To Talk About Money This goes for parents to children as well as your child to their future spouse. When getting married, you need to be on the same page as your spouse financially so you can achieve your goals together. As parents to children, don't be afraid to talk about money in front of them, as long as you speak in a positive manner about it. They don't need to know if you are struggling, necessarily, but they do need to know that making money decisions is a group effort and it is okay to talk about. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Listicle Things To Keep In Mind When Traveling To Zurich 9:25 PM Zurich is a vibrant city that is steeped in artistic beauty and yet has a contemporary feel to it. The pulse of Zurich lies as much in its historical sites as in its trendy neighborhoods and luxury boutiques. As a cosmopolitan city that blends nature with urban life in an incredible manner, Zurich is truly a traveler’s delight. Being the financial nerve center of Switzerland, the city attracts business travelers and tourists alike. If you are planning to travel this largest metropolis of Switzerland, remember that the city has a culture of its own. Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind when traveling to Zurich: Things To Keep In Mind When Traveling To Zurich Euros don’t work in Zurich The whole of Switzerland, including Zurich, doesn’t use euros as their official currency. Swiss Franc is the currency that works there. In other words, you will have to convert your money to Swiss Franc when you travel to Zurich. Otherwise, you will have to depend on your credit cards when making transactions. If you want to get the best exchange rate for your currency, get them exchanged at the banks in Zurich. Hotels or currency exchange offices may charge a fee for the service. You can also withdraw the Swiss currency from an ATM. It is an expensive city There’s no escaping the fact that Zurich is one of the priciest cities in the world. In 2017, Zurich was declared the most expensive city in Europe. So, if your currency pales in comparison to the Swiss Franc, do your calculations well ahead of embarking on the trip. Else, you may find yourself quickly drained of money when you are in the city. But one good thing is that you can enjoy tax-free shopping in Zurich. So, a visit to those luxurious boutiques of Zurich may not hurt your pocket so much after all! It’s better to plan ahead your transportation Although Zurich has a very good public transportation system, you may not want to hop on a train after you get down from a long flight. Also, if your flight is scheduled for a late night landing or gets delayed and lands after midnight, it can be a problem for you to arrange transportation to your destination. Opting for an airport transfer service can be a great way to make sure that your transportation remains ready at the Zurich airport, regardless of when your flight lands. If you are to travel straight to one of the ski resorts in and around Zurich, you can hire the services of an Airport ski transfer provider for the purpose. The city is small in size but big in natural sights Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland, but it doesn’t boast of a very large area. Even then, the city offers some of the most delightful natural sights on Earth. There are a number of things to do in Zurich. Right from the museums and the art galleries to the active nightlife, there is something for everyone in Zurich! This post was made possible by site supporter. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Listicle 4 Good Reasons To Use PayPal For Online Shopping 3:34 PM Years ago, who would have thought that shopping can be a breeze and can be done without leaving the comforts of your home, paying without physically getting cash from your wallet, and handing it to the cashier? Times have changed. And what a beautiful change it is! Now you can shop with endless options at your fingertips and you pay hassle-free using online banking. Or the safer way---PayPal. Why PayPal? Here are 4 good reasons to use PayPal for online shopping. 4 Good Reasons to Use PayPal for Online Shopping 1. Safe transaction Security is very important as nowadays, thieves are getting smarter and advanced too. They change with time and are also using technology to do their schemes. With the internet, it is easy for them to access your information especially your credit card or bank details. PayPal is the safer way to purchase online because you can link your credit card information with PayPal. They keep your information private with their secured system. When paying through PayPal, your credit card information will not be stolen. 2. Fast and Convenient Who doesn’t love convenience? In this day and age, people are always busy with work, business, or pleasure. You are able to do many things. One of which is doing important transactions online. You can pay your bills, receive payment from clients, send money and shop online without the hassle of going out, lining up to the bank or payment centers, or physically going to the store. When you create a PayPal account, you enter your information and it is stored in their system. When you need to pay for the items in your cart, there is no need to enter them again. You can also check out faster when you use PayPal. Using PayPal is easy, fast, and convenient. 3. Buyer’s Security PayPal makes it a point to regularly update its system in order to avoid external threats or frauds.They also allow you to reimburse your money if by any chance the item you bought online did not arrive or if you had an issue with the seller. PayPal allows full reimbursement and shipping for up to $20,000 per item. (You may check PayPal’s policy for updates). 4. Ubiquity PayPal payment is accepted in thousands of merchants, online stores, and apps. Top online retailers like Zaful, eBay, Google Play, and Best Buy allow you to transact using PayPal. Apps such as Starbucks, Uber, Air BnB, Netflix, Spotify, and the like accept PayPal payments too. Some stores give promos and exclusive offers when you buy through PayPal like free shipping and free returns and discounts. But how do you know if your favourite brand or the business you need is accepting PayPal? PPaccepted.com is a reliable website with a list of major online stores, web-based service providers, and software tools that take PayPal as a form of payment in their database. Their site is easy to navigate with categories (shopping sites, internet services, web tools, software applications) to make it easier for you to browse, find and compare stores that accept PayPal payment. Conclusion The world is at your fingertips. That may sound cliché but with what we can do with a swipe and a click, that is not far from reality. With this possibility though comes the risk and disadvantages of exposing your private information to the public. It is wise to use the better, safer way in doing transactions online. For online shopping, PayPal is by far the most popular choice. Is your favorite shop on PayPal?
