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Many people choose to own a pickup truck because they want to transport their gears around and if you want to know more about the benefits of having a pick-up truck, you can check out this site here. Whether you’re hiring equipment or you want to move furniture from place to place, the bed of the truck is going to be tested for its durability.

Although frequent use of the truck bedliner can damage the surface, there’s protection available for this. All you need to do is to install some spray liners and save yourself from spending extra on repairs.

Benefits of the Spray Liners

1. Protection from the Sun’s Ultraviolet Rays

If you live in areas where summer temperatures can steadily climb, you may be aware of the damages that UV rays can do to any car.

After a long period of time, the truck can look worn out and crack the paint jobs. To prevent this, you may want to know the spray in bedliner cost and see if you can get some to preserve the colors. The spray will prevent them from peeling, and your truck will look newer than ever.

Test results show that the best ones out there can fend off more than 70% of UV light.

2. Maintain Value

Many things can affect your truck’s value, and this factor is significant if you are planning to sell it later on. Huge streaks and visible damages can cause a decrease in the value of your vehicle. You can be smarter when you protect the truck with the best liners available out there.

You can significantly reduce the risks of wear and tear after you’ve put some furniture or heavy equipment at the back of your car with the right coating. Having the right spray will ensure that you don’t lose too much paint, especially in the process of hauling.

3. Protects against Corrosion

Under the paint job, there’s always the metal frame underneath. The paint exists because it’s going to protect the metal against rust from weather elements. There’s oxidation that is the natural process of metals exposed to the air for a very long time. This can start the corrosion process, and it can cause internal damage to your truck.

When you are frequently moving huge pieces of furniture or equipment against the bed, you may be putting unnecessary stress on the paint. As soon as the damage has started, the other areas may begin to peel, and the metals will be exposed to wind and water throughout the day. You need to avoid the rusting process, and this can be prevented with a bedliner. Know more about the bedliners here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck_bedliner

4. Non-Slippery

Hauling larger items like furniture and equipment can sometimes cause damage to the bed of your truck itself. Whenever you drag them around, you want the floors to be protected as well.

As the truck is moving, the spray can act as a non-slip surface that prevents too much furniture movement. This reduces the chance of damaging your goods even if the road tends to have sharp turns and rocky surfaces along the routes. The spray’s non-slip feature will help protect the truck bed, and this quality alone is more than enough reason why you should get this.

5. Vehicle Will Look Cooler 

Whether you will notice this or not, the fact that the spray can add an aesthetic sleek to your liner can be a pretty cool one. The materials will add a smoother finish, which makes the bed look all the more sophisticated. Ensure that you know precisely how to haul the larger equipment to the bed to maintain the glossy finish.

If possible, avoid the exposures of scars that have resulted from damaged beds. The chipped paint and large dents can create an appearance of neglect to your truck and bed, and it makes the vehicle look more forlorn than ever.

The liner will transform the ragged appearance into a sleek and high-quality barrier. It will protect your truck beds from unexpected scratches and weather elements, and these are the maintenance that you will need for your truck.

Our homes and office spaces usually have some things that are unnecessary and they take up a lot of space. These stuffs are usually better kept in storerooms. However, sparing an entire room for additional things is not always possible and renting another room along with the office space can be quite costly.

Well, one simple solution to this problem is self-storage services.

Self-storage is a facility where you can rent a small or big space depending on your needs and keep your belongings there. There are many advantages to choosing a self-storage unit. You can read more about these services here.

Here are the pros to using a storage service.

  1. A Secure Place For You To Keep Your Things

The first advantage is that these units give you a safe and secure space to keep all your things. From machines that are unused to furniture, documents, and even your vehicles, these facilities can be used to store all non-perishable things. 

The facilities are safe and secure and usually have multiple security features such as on-site guards and CCTV cameras. Additionally, the customers are given passcodes to access their units, thus making the environment a safe and secured one.

  1. Declutter Your Space

With these facilities, you will be able to easily declutter your space and make it look more presentable. It is not always possible to throw or give things away and hoarding becomes inevitable. So, most people leave these rarely-used things laying around the house. 

In the offices, there are many machines and furniture items that are not regularly used and they also take up space. All of these when moved to storehouse facilities can make the space look much organised and neater. 

  1. Convenience and Flexibility

The storehouse facilities have rooms in different sizes as per the need of the users. From small lockers to large rooms, you can rent as much space as you want. The best way to know how much area you need is to measure up all your belongings and then go visit a storage facility to have a clearer idea. Also, time is flexible. This means that you can use the space whenever you want. Most of the places give 12-24-hour access to the users.

  1. Makes Travelling Stress Free

When traveling to another place for a long period, most people want to leave their rented apartments and not pay unnecessary rent. In such a case, you can store all your things at these units and pay one fourth or even less. It is also a good option for college students who cannot take all of their belongings home after every semester. Here are the benefits of self-storage when moving: https://medium.com/@HiveBoxx/the-benefits-of-self-storage-units-while-moving-59a5afde69f7 

  1. Makes Renovation Easier

When undergoing a renovation, you can rent self-storage units for a few days and save your furniture and appliances from getting damaged. A unit can be rented for a week, a few days, or even for months and years. 

  1. Affordable

Storehouse spaces are very affordable. You will be able to find a unit that is suitable for your budget. It is important to note that the more services you take, the higher the cost of these facilities become. Also, the best thing is that you only pay for the space you need. So, the price is also customizable.

  1. Climate Control Storage For Delicate Things

Many facilities provide climate control services. Climate control means that the unit will not get too hot or too cold because there is a climate control system installed in them. A lot of facilities such as Storage Plus offer this service. This is the best option when you want to store furniture that can get damaged or machines and appliances that can also be damaged because of temperature and humidity. However, you might have to pay extra for climate control. 

Self-Storage Tips

If you want to keep your belongings in a self-storage unit, here are some tips that you can follow:

  • Always choose a unit that can fit all your things. Before moving your stuff in a unit, make sure that you calculate the length and breadth needed to store all your belongings.
  • Always make an inventory of the things that you have kept in a unit. This will make it easier for you to stay organized and remember everything that you have stored and where they are.
  • Categorize your things and put each of them in labeled boxes so that it becomes easier to look for them when you want.
  • When you arrange your goods in storage, make sure to keep the things you need immediately at places where you can easily reach them. Also, it is helpful that you use the vertical space of the unit to place your belongings. This will make the space less crowded.
  • Since the things will remain in the space for some time, you need to make sure that each item is wrapped properly. 
  • Never forget about the insurance from the storage services in case any of your goods are damaged because of their fault.
  • Even if your unit has enough security, take all personal measures to keep your stuff safe. This will include buying stronger locks and also having difficult passcodes.
  • Always read the terms and conditions provided by the company so that you know how much you have to pay for each facility. Some companies provide a flat rate for everything and some places will charge you different rates for extra services such as climate control and electronic locks.
  • Find a storage unit that is closer to your office or home so that you can easily move your things.
  • Always research the unit before you put your belongings there. Safety should be your biggest priority.

Storage unit services can be helpful for people who are looking to store their belongings but do not have enough space to do it. Just keep the above tips in mind and also go for storage units that are trustworthy and offer you insurance. 

While this worldwide pandemic created menace all around the world, the only good thing it’s done is to compel people to seek creative gateways to survive it all. Thousands of people reconnected with nature at different levels and discovered joy in simple pleasures of gardening, bird feeding and doing little things that they couldn’t manage time for in their regular schedule.

Birds and insects like honeybees and butterflies are natural pollinators and a happy garden needs them too. If you are brainstorming for some innovative gifting ideas this season, you can check out a painted birdhouse as a gift for your friends or family members. Shopping from a reliable store can ensure high-quality products, ensuring that your loved ones cherish every moment they spend in their yards hosting chirpy birdies.

Serving a Dual Purpose

Your birdhouses can act as a bird feeder as well. With a plethora of options to buy from, you can always pick and choose one that befits your needs and preference. If your friend or colleague is an admirer of nature, you can also look for models that are curated from waste materials. From the ones that are designed as birdbaths and feeders to the hanging houses, you can opt for a design, size and colour that you think would make the best gift. 

You can try the handmade models that are designed with recycled materials as these are eco-friendly and don’t easily chip or fade. From contemporary styles to vintage designs, you can pick any design that complements the garden décor. 

Explore Options 

It would be a good idea to check out a few models before deciding on the model you would like to gift your near and dear ones. Birdhouses make a smart gifting idea not just for house warming parties, but can also be gifted on birthdays, anniversaries and many other occasions. 

There are birdie home models that come with free nesting materials. Not all birds are natural cavity dwellers. For your friends who have yards covered with tall trees, a bird home can house all the species that prefer building their nests on trees and shrubs. Those like the house finches, blue jays, cardinals, robins would love this gesture. 

Do-it-Yourself

There’s nothing like a personalized gift, and something crafted with your hands add that magic to your gift. If you have a creative bent of mind and want to customize your gift, you also have the option of creating a DIY piece. 

There are several tutorial videos on social media that you can check out to tailor-make. Just make sure that you use natural and appropriate materials that appear welcoming to the birdies. A birdhouse with a comfortable environment for the birdies is likely to not only invite them but also house them for a longer time. 

Just refrain from using materials with dyes as it can be harmful to hatchlings. Also, for older nestlings, these may not be safe to use unnatural materials. You can pick raffia, strings or Spanish moss. It is recommended that you stick to using only two or three inches of the moss. Anything over this can get entangled in the birdie’s feet endangering it. Check out simple ways to grow moss indoors at https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Moss-Indoors

DIY offers the liberty of crafting the birdhouse just the way you want it. So, you can add protective layers such as coco liners or extra moss for the nest. This will make more cushion and also ensure that blue jays steer away from the hanging nests. Avoid using dryer lint. Although these may be soft and fluffy the fibres may contain dye. 

In warmer areas, birds start looking for nesting spots as soon as the temperature rises and so is that for colder regions as well. A perfect home designed to meet the basic resting and nesting of the birds can allow them to settle conveniently. 

If your gift recipient is one who likes the hummingbirds fluttering in his/her garden, you can suggest them to simply start by offering all the materials that attract the winged creatures. A great idea to allow the birds to take over is to simply provide nesting materials around the birdhouse. This will enable them to decorate their nest just the way they like it. 

Did you know that birds like the goldfinches, blue jays, robins or even the cardinals adore natural nesting materials and quickly build their nests with the materials you provide them with? 

Be it the window grill, lawn, balcony or your backyard, a bird nest is always a welcome addition for most garden enthusiasts. From sparrows, tits to any other bird that can easily nest in smaller cavities, such bird homes not only provide shelter to the nestles birds but also protect them from other predators. Good quality of nesting boxes is easy to install and thus make it a good gift. 

You can pick models that are handcrafted and hand-painted. Durable woods always have an advantage. If it’s a box, you can ask your recipient friend to leave the side door open so that birds can find their way in. Also, this will make it easy for you to clean every season. Some birds may take a while to locate the nest and find their way through. 

A birdhouse box can be mounted higher than the fence posts as it can prevent any predator from quick spotting or even climbing up to the nest. Removing any perches on the birdhouse is also a good idea. 

Birdhouses aren’t difficult to maintain as they need seasonal cleaning. Yards naturally make a good habitat for such nest boxes. Yes, it will be good to ensure that they are installed away from areas with herbicides or pesticides as these can be harmful to the birds and also impact the natural food source for other cavity-nesting species. 

Log cabin birdhouses, hanging birdhouses to tower-houses, you can be sure that your friend or family that you gift the birdhouse will enjoy watching different bird species at leisure. 

There are designs equipped with modern features that can increase both the show and functionality of the birdhouse in many ways. So, why wait, just find the best piece and place an order right away!

You may have a severe cough or an injury that takes place during the wee hours and if so, the first thing that you may probably think about is to visit the emergency rooms in hospitals so that you can get the treatment that you need. However, historically, you may have to wait for hours even if you only require a few stitches.

The current times contribute to the expensive costs of healthcare, and even a quick visit to the ER may require you to pay costly bills in one day. If you have a non-life-threatening emergency, what you can do is to give prompt care clinics a call in Augusta. Doctors are running these facilities, and you can get urgent care speedily.

About the Clinics

If you want to get blood tests, x-rays, laboratory results, stitches, and other medical care, then the healthcare providers in urgent care clinics can help you. They have lots of medical assistants, nurses, and doctors that are all qualified to deal with medical issues regardless if it’s a walk-in or the visit was made by appointments. There are also senior care and pediatrics available to cater to patients of all ages.

It’s essential to remember that these facilities are specializing in the treatments of non-life-threatening conditions. They will do the necessary check-up and tests but if they see that you require more profound medical intervention because of cancer, arthritis, and other diseases; they will refer you to a specialist in this area.

If you have asthma, bronchitis, gastrointestinal problems, allergies, and flu symptoms, urgent care clinics can cater to your needs and give you some prescribed medications to improve your conditions. Some also handle sprains, back pain, bug bites, and other issues with muscles and bones. Read more on when to go to an urgent care clinic or an ER on this site here.

Some clinics would work with you to know more about your condition. If you need a comprehensive diagnostic test for work or school, they can provide you with drug tests, blood tests, and x-rays for your convenience. The staff can consist of technicians who will analyze the samples you’ve given to get a full report within the day.

They are Ideal for One’s Lifestyle Today

Many people have hectic lifestyles, and some don’t even want to go to the hospitals because of the fear of getting infected with many diseases. With that being said, clinics can help patients to recover by giving them the medicines that they need quickly.

They diagnose, check, and treat the conditions that are sometimes beyond what a typical doctor’s office can do. One of the serious advantages that they can offer for children who go to school and working parents is their availability after hours. 

Many people won’t have to miss their jobs or their recitals because they can always go to a clinic during the weekends or holidays if they want to have a check-up. Other facilities have pharmacies in place, so you won’t need to make several trips to buy medication.

Spend Less

Many people would appreciate the fact that they are going to spend lesser in clinics than in hospitals. The facilities often partner with several insurance providers so that they can get more clients. There are also financing options for people who are not covered with insurance or any healthcare plans. Know more about insurance here: https://www.policygenius.com/health-insurance/learn/health-insurance-basics-and-guide/

It’s sometimes a fact that many ER bills could add up to thousands of dollars even if you have just stayed inside for two days. The good thing about the urgent care clinics is that you can get the same services without too much waiting and only a fraction of the costs. They sometimes even offer concierge options and memberships that allows you to co-pay lesser than the traditional family insurance package you currently have.

As many patients find out, they can rely on these centers to treat their medical conditions in the shortest time possible. While they are not in the industry to replace the primary care given by physicians, they are still excellent alternatives if your doctor is not available. If you need a non-life-threatening medical service, visit a clinic in Augusta and see their website for the available services that they can do for you.

The original Mediterranean diet first became popular in the United States during the 1960s. At this time, health experts realized that certain Mediterranean countries dealt with fewer deaths caused by coronary heart disease compared to the US. The diet was quickly adopted by many households in the US and some other parts of the world. To this day, it remains one of the popular diet plans.

In 2020, a study was published that showed how a new version of this diet, known as the green Mediterranean diet, could further benefit the metabolism and cardiovascular system. Although it’s mostly based on the original diet popularized in the 1960s, it does add some more restrictions and promotes an increased intake of certain foods.

What Is the Standard Mediterranean Diet?

The standard Mediterranean diet doesn’t tell you how many calories you should consume on a daily basis. This is up to the individual to determine based on their own personal goals. If your goal is to lose weight, you should burn more calories than you consume.

In essence, this is not a structured diet in any way. Instead, it revolves around a way of eating popular in some countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, like Italy and Greece. The local cuisine in these countries is quite different, but they share many similar principles.

The standard Mediterranean diet encourages people to increase their intake of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats on a daily basis. It also promotes eating fish, eggs, beans, and poultry at least once a week. If you follow the standard Mediterranean diet, you should consume dairy products in moderate amounts and strictly limit your intake of red meat to an occasional treat.

Foods not mentioned above should be avoided. That means that you shouldn’t consume sugar, unless on special occasions. For instance, it’s okay to have a piece of cake once a month if you’re attending a celebration. To reap the full benefits of this diet, it’s important to take care of your physical health. It’s recommended that you engage in physical activity on a regular basis. Try to squeeze in a 30-minute workout into your schedule at least 5 times per week.

Aside from improving your eating habits and exercising, another great way to maintain your health is to get a good Medicare Advantage plan. With the right plan, it’ll be easier for you to do routine checkups at the doctor and receive medical treatments whenever you need them.

What Is the Green Mediterranean Diet?

The purpose of the green Mediterranean diet is to promote additional intake of plant-based foods while lowering the consumption of meat and poultry. In research that was published in November 2020, it was concluded that this type of diet provides great cardiometabolic protection. In fact, it offers more health benefits than the traditional green Mediterranean diet.

The study was conducted among 294 participants who lead sedentary lifestyles and had an average age of 51. Most of the participants in this study were men with moderate obesity. They were divided into three different groups. Researchers ultimately found that the green Mediterranean diet is able to provide a 20 percent reduction in low-grade systemic inflammation. It was also shown to lower bad cholesterol by four percent.

The first group of participants was given some basic information on how to eat healthier and exercise. The second group was provided with guidance on how to increase physical activity. However, they were introduced to the traditional Mediterranean diet as well. This diet included some calorie restrictions and didn’t allow participants to eat red meat at all. They replaced red meat with poultry and fish – and had the participants eat 28 grams of walnuts each day.

Finally, the third group received the same information regarding regular exercise as the other two groups. Meanwhile, they had to follow the green Mediterranean diet. Just like the second group, they also had to avoid red meat. The participants in this group were also told to stop consuming processed meat of any type. They also had to increase their intake of plant-based foods.

What was significant about the third group is that they’d drink three or four cups of green tea per day. They’d also consume 100 grams of frozen duckweed in plant-based shakes to maintain high protein levels without eating meat. The reason why duckweed was chosen is that it contains all nine amino acids, which is incredibly rare among plant-based foods.

Each group followed rules that were given to them for six months, which is when researchers began examining results.

The Health Benefits of the Green Mediterranean Diet

Researchers found that participants in the third group were able to lose more weight than others. The average person that followed the green Mediterranean diet lost almost 14 pounds over the course of six months. Meanwhile, the participants in the second group lost nearly 12 pounds over this time period. Participants in the first group, which received only basic advice on how to improve their eating habits, lost just three pounds on average.

It was concluded that the green Mediterranean diet can be part of an effective weight-loss strategy. The waist circumference among participants in each group decreased. For the third group, it was an average reduction of 3.4 inches. Meanwhile, the decrease was measured at 2.7 inches for the second group and 1.7 inches for the first.

Those who followed the green Mediterranean diet experienced a 4% reduction in bad cholesterol. For people in the second group, it was a 1% decrease. There was hardly a noticeable reduction in the first group. The green Mediterranean diet offered notable other health benefits, such as a decrease in diastolic blood pressure, an increase in good cholesterol, and improved insulin resistance.

What the researchers concluded was that a whole foods plant-based diet rich in protein can strengthen your cardiovascular health and help you lose weight. Based on their findings, it’s clear that it’s much healthier than the traditional Mediterranean diet.

There is a general notion that having a wedding in Singapore is quite costly. This situation is promoted by the Singaporean wedding culture, a mixture of western and traditional elements. Moreover, the high costs are brought about by hosting a hotel banquet and the need to invite friends from the business circles, rather than the usual paper signing process.

However, there are various ways of how you can avoid spending too much on your wedding. Although some sites, such as https://www.a1credit.sg, have written helpful articles that contain tips for planning a wedding, it can still be a challenge for some others.

If you intend to cut wedding costs, here are 5 essential wedding planning tips that we have for you to consider.

1. Go for Alternative Venues

In Singapore, a significant portion of your wedding cost could be taken up by the banquet. To reduce the amount of money to be spent at your wedding, consider shunning these wedding banquets. Rather, it might be worth hosting your wedding at alternative venues such as parks, restaurants, or event halls. Though it is not a guarantee that these places are cheaper, the prices quoted would provide you with options to make flexible adjustments. From the range of options, you can get a place that provides a suitable wedding reception with romantic themes and in the process, save the extra cash while receiving value-guaranteed services.

Believe it or not, we actually booked and secured our wedding banquet package 3 years before our actual wedding and we saved a lot. I know it sounds kiasu but back then, a table at One Degree 15 Marina Club costs us $888++. Today, I don’t think you can find such a price anymore.

2. Acquire A Bridal Package

This is the most cost-effective method of obtaining all the required wedding services such as photography, suit rentals, gowns, and make-ups. Hence, bridal packages are quite popular in Singapore as the wedding costs could be hiked if couples use separate vendors. There are certain tricks that you can use to benefit optimally from bridal packages. For instance, let your chosen bridal studio comprehensively list down all the items that are included in the bridal package. Then, decide on what is necessary and replace the unwanted items by checking them off the list.

Getting a wedding planner can also be another solution to cutting down extra costs. Though many people believed that hiring a wedding planner can be costly since they do charge additional fees to source the items required and to plan the actual event; wedding planners do have connections with vendors and they can often negotiate for discounts especially for the items that you want. Therefore, when planning to have a large wedding with specific requirements, consider getting a wedding planner to cut down the costs.

For us, we got our bridal package from Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

3. Do It Your Way

This is mostly applicable when you have some creative skills. It helps cut down extra expenses in acquiring some items. For instance, there is no need to splash out hundreds of dollars on things such as wedding favours, decorations, and invitation cards. In fact, you can have all these and other items printed from home.

We actually got our wedding invitation cards printed in China (yes thank God for Taobao) and we had them shipped all the way to Singapore.

When not sufficiently skilled in either of these areas, you can get help from friends who can take care of your actual day wedding photography. Even make-up and hairstyling can also be taken care of by your friends. However, we are not disqualifying the necessity to pay for services from professionals. In fact, for a once in a lifetime event, we recommend that you hire professionals to do the job but if the budget is really a constraint, then these alternatives would help reduce your wedding expenses and go a long way in cutting down unnecessary costs for your wedding. It might even be a creative way of getting your family members and close friends involved in your wedding preparation.

4. Be Selective

In Singapore, everything can really be expensive, especially for events such as weddings. When planning to hold your wedding at relatively lower costs, it is worth being selective with everything you buy as the small things can eventually add up to a huge sum. You can also be selective by screening the list of people whom you intend to invite for your actual wedding event. You do not want to spend a lot buying stuff, only to end with a long list of absentees.

Another vital area that you can be selective about is the wedding menus. Go for food and beverage selections that are wallet-friendly. For instance, instead of hard liquor, serve your guests with wines and beers as that can help you save a considerable amount of money.

5. Use Good Credit Cards

It is not uncommon for newly-weds-to-be to resort to using credit cards in the event their finances take a bitter turn before, during, or after their wedding. This is especially true when buying lavish items and it can sometimes be quite unavoidable in an expensive country like Singapore. To get the most out of your credit card, ensure that the credit card you are using offer discounts at the wedding venues of your choice. A reasonable discount is between 5 and 10% of the reception cost.

Furthermore, you can switch to using cashback cards which allow you to get cash rebates instead. This is quite helpful as you can split the installment payments to cater to the required rebate expenditures. For instance, you can use the UOB One Card which offers a 5% rebate when you spend $2000 monthly for 3 consecutive months. What you get back is a whopping $1,200 in a year. This option is suitable when you shop for wedding items and want to save some cash in return.

If you are planning to accumulate miles for your honeymoon, the American Express® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card is a card to go for. In fact, we have managed to accumulate business class flights for our trip to New Zealand last year.

Closing Thoughts

The wedding culture in Singapore requires one to have proper planning and you can still have a magnificent wedding in a romantic venue while saving money by following the tips discussed in this article. If you are planning for an upcoming wedding, incorporate some money-saving tricks to avoid spending everything from your own savings.

Home delivery services have doubled in popularity recently. The pandemic has played a significant role in the popularity of home delivery services. As their popularity increases, more businesses are adopting home deliveries and launching online shopping platforms and websites like Shift. Below are some reasons why home deliveries are currently very popular;

1. It Saves Time

One of the primary benefits of home deliveries is that they save you a lot of time. The reason is that you do not have to go out of your way to and from stores and this gives you more time to handle other businesses. You also do not have to keep moving around with many bags in your hand, especially if you have more than one place to visit. All you have to do is order the products that you need and wait for them to get delivered. Home deliveries are especially beneficial for people with tight schedules. You spend less time shopping and that leaves you with more time to spend with loved ones and doing more important things like self-care. However, convenience comes at an extra cost.

2. It Helps to Foster Social Distancing

Following the coronavirus pandemic, the WHO issued directives against human contact to reduce the spread of the virus. Home deliveries have made it possible for people to shop and get their items delivered without coming into close physical contact with other people. Companies offering home delivery services have also gone out of their way to ensure that their delivery personnel are free of the virus and are well protected to ensure that they do not pose a risk to clients.

For clients who are sceptical about interacting with strangers, including delivery men; contactless home deliveries are the way to go. Contactless home deliveries refer to situations where the delivery teams do not have any physical contact with the clients. Delivered goods are either placed in the mailbox or outside the house, depending on preferences and locations.

This means that you do not have to sign for the products. Many stores have adopted contactless delivery during the pandemic to reduce social interactions by all means.

3. Convenience

Home deliveries are also quite convenient. They create a means for you to shop without leaving your house or office. This means that you can take a few minutes while taking a break from work or in the middle of the night and even while watching your favorite shows. You also do not have to leave your house to get the items you ordered delivered to you. The convenience of home deliveries is why it has become very popular, and more businesses are adopting it.

4. Environmental Conservation

Another advantage of home deliveries is that it helps conserve the environment. The fact that you do not need to travel from one place to another saves gas and reduces your carbon footprint. A study shows that home delivery services have helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least half. Another study also shows that during the pandemic, the carbon footprint has reduced significantly due to the movement restrictions, and home delivery services have played a significant role in this. The money that could have been spent on gas can be utilized in other areas.

5. More Options in One Place

Home delivery services also offer you more options in a single place. This does not necessarily mean that you will get to shop for everything you need at the same place. What it means is that you get to do it all on your computer and have them delivered. If you had to do this in person, it would be very challenging moving from one store to the next while lugging around shopping bags. You also get to choose from a wide range of options in the least time possible because most online shopping sites are very easy to navigate. There are also online platforms that offer a wide range of products in the same place.

Conclusion

While there are numerous advantages to home deliveries, there are also a few downsides. One of them is that the conveniences come at a fee. However, if you consider all the benefits and compare them to the downsides, then the benefits outweigh the latter. For instance, although you may have to pay for the delivery services, you also get to save money that you would otherwise have used as transportation.

Understanding the basics of guitar, such as its chords, can be essential to your learning process. Those who jump right into learning their favourite songs can certainly practice and improve, but their journey will generally be far quicker and more efficient after getting to grips with the basics.

How many chords are there in total?

There are many different chords and even different groups of them; like power chords, and barre chords. Having a general understanding of these can be important as you learn. Still, as a beginner, you should focus on a specific set before progressing to ensure the best possible chances of success.

How many should I learn?

Since these are the building blocks of songs and harmonies, chords can often be one of the most important things to learn for someone new to guitar. Usually, you don’t need to know all of them to start creating your own riffs – in fact, if you know 8 of the basic ones, you could be well on your way to making music. 

These chords are C – A – G – E – D – Am – Dm – Em. Once you know these, you’ll be able to play a wide variety of songs. In fact, many tunes just use the G – D – Em – C chord progression, so it shouldn’t be too much of a challenge at all for you to start exploring your musical side once you have an understanding of even just these.

Once you feel familiar with the first few, knowing the open chords will allow you to expand and learn more advanced ones too – although you don’t need to stress yourself about those just yet.

Things you should keep in mind when learning:

  • It might be worth beginning with just G – C – D when trying to play songs and then working up from there.
  • Practice your chords daily – it’ll help you to remember them to the point where you can play them instinctively.
  • Press the stings with the tips of your fingers, and make sure that you apply enough pressure
  • Before playing, check each string and try to determine whether or not they sound right – your instrument may need tuning otherwise.
  • Keep your thumb behind the guitar neck, and your fingers as close to the fret as possible. 

Why not use Fender Play?

If you’re looking for an excellent way to get started on your musical journey, Fender Play could be ideal for you. Countless other aspiring artists have used this learning program to further their education and give them a solid foundation to work from. This offers them a chance to become the best guitarist they could be with time and dedication. 

If you’re interested in finding out more about this program, we’d suggest that you take a look at our professional Fender Play review. As experts, we know what to look for in a good guitar learning resource, so you can rest assured that our opinion will be a trustworthy one.

This time last year, we were having a holiday in New Zealand and we really enjoyed the experience so much that we hope to visit again.

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it looks like leisure travel is not going to happen anytime soon, and we hope that all of us (globally) will get through this tough time together.

Since travelling out of the country is not possible at this moment in time, the next best option is to check out what is available in Singapore for us to revisit. Although Singapore is not that big a country (in fact, we are smaller than Hong Kong), there are still lots of things that one can do in Singapore.

Whether you are a thrill-seeker, a nature lover or a foodie; there’s bound to be something that you can do in Singapore.

Thrill-Seeker

Image Credits: Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore is opened for all thrill-seekers and if you need to get some adrenaline pumping, this is the place to go and if that’s not enough, you can head over to AJ Hackett Sentosa to do a Bungy jump.

Nature Lover

There are many green spaces in Singapore that you can explore and if you are up for a challenge, embark on the 36km Coast-to-Coast trail! If you prefer to just chill, grab your beach towel and head to the beach for a simple and relaxing day. You can even organise a simple beach picnic with your family and friends.

Speaking of beach towel, we recently got one from Tesalate and we really love it! There are more than 40 different prints and designs and you get a 10% discount off your first order when you join their newsletter!

Glamping @ Home

We got the, ‘Into The Wild’ design and seriously, the 1.6 m by 0.8 m full-sized beach towel can comfortably fit 3 persons and since we miss glamping out in the wild, we decided to glamp at home.

If you are looking for an ultra-absorbent and compact full-sized beach towel, you should consider getting it from Tesalate.

Foodie

Brunch @ Lola’s Cafe

Singapore is a melting pot of cultures and you can find some of the world’s best cuisines here. Whether it is Indonesian, French, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Chinese, Italian or Spanish food; there are lots of options available for all sorts of budget.

Got any other places or activities to recommend? Share them with us in the comments section below!

Many people view golf as the perfect refuge from family life — and let’s face it, that’s something all of us need from time to time. However, you may be enthusiastic enough about golf to teach it to your kids as well. If you’re up for some family golfing, we’ve got a couple of tips that will help you ease your children into this activity!

First and foremost, though — if you want to get your kids into gold, you should realize that this isn’t your usual Sunday morning game of golf. That is – if you intend to go to a golf course that’s simultaneously used by other people as well. You should try to limit your family golf sessions to a schedule that doesn’t interfere with others who aren’t bringing kids to the golf course. Evening hours are preferable if you want to be considerate to other golfers — but that’s important for your own wellbeing as well.

Believe us – you won’t have much fun seeing a child of yours go straight for the bunker, not when someone else is nervously waiting in the nearby fairway. Sure, if you’re bringing kids to the golf course, they should learn to respect the average pace of the game regardless of their age. Still, not accounting for inevitable delays due to their play is a mistake.

Excite Them

If you want the young ones to get excited about golf, it has to be about more than the pure gameplay itself. Yeah, we all want our children to avoid becoming fixated with solely material stuff. On the other hand, you need to realize that the children’s fun with golf is everything that’s a part of playing it. Get them a ball sleeve from time to time, tees, ball markers — all of this will make them more excited for the game.

Golf Cart Fun

We arrive at another compromise that you’re bound to make when you decide to organize family golfing with children. Many devout golfers feel that walking across the course is an innate part of the game. Plus, it’s one of the rare things that require a certain degree of physical activity in golf — it’s definitely a welcome form of exercise.

However, once you start playing with your kids, one thing is sure to happen — they’ll fall in love with the golf cart. For the kids, these carts are basically small cars that they can have fun with — something like a ride in an amusement park. Even if you like trekking all over the course, you should lean into the kids’ desire to ride around in the cart. At the end of the day, you’ll find that walking around with your kids the whole time makes you a lot more fatigued than when you’re on your own. Try to contain your inner snob when it comes to this particular kind of playing golf.

Consider The Yardage

We should have probably started with this, but it’s obvious enough that many of you will have probably thought of it already. Naturally, we’re talking about the yardage that you’ll play when you’re with your kids. Sure, you can keep the yards that you usually play — but we have to warn you that this is bound to bore the young ones. You want the course to be kid-friendly and for the game to be manageable. Plus, they’re more likely to actually hit the green from closer markers, providing them with much-needed positive reinforcement. And let’s be honest — they’re going to need it, considering how frustrating golf can be.

Course Etiquette

Anyone who plays golf knows that, while this game is becoming more and more accessible to all kinds of people — there is still a certain etiquette that has to be respected, and all newbies should familiarize themselves with it.

If you want to play the game with your kids, this is another thing they must learn, at least to a certain degree. Though, this brings us back to our original premise — you want to play with your family when your golf course is practically empty. If you do that, there’s less chance that your family will come into conflict with someone else’s game.

Still, teach the children some of the basics — for instance, they need to wait for the proper turn to hit, and they mustn’t goof around in the golf bunkers. On the other hand, you don’t want them to view the game as a set of boring rules; they’ll quickly grow bored of the proceedings. All you need to do is to teach them some basic respect. We hope this guide was useful to you and that you’ve learned something new. Stay safe and have a good one, guys!