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  • Half Marathon Training with Printable Workout Plan

    Half Marathon Training with Printable Workout Plan

    Whether it’s your first or your fiftieth, training well in advance is key for a successful half marathon. 

    Train for a half marathon with this printable workout schedule.

    When I was in 2nd grade I ran my very first race. It was a 5K put on by the elementary school, probably as a fundraiser. I remember running the trail, grabbing cups of water, and finally finishing with a feeling of exhilaration.

    As the trophies were passed out, I knew I wasn’t going to get one because I was the last runner in. To my astonishment, and utter pleasure, I received the first place trophy for my age group – because I was the only one my age running! From there, my fate as a runner was sealed. Oh I tried other sports like Softball but found I really enjoyed the solo aspect of running, and not worrying that I would hold a team back. Really though, I just had no interest in other sports.

    Indy Mini Half Marathon Training

    Last spring I ran my very first half marathon. I never thought it was something I would do, because it was never something I wanted to do. 5K’s were plenty long enough, and adequate exercise. 

    Then we moved to Indiana near my brother-in-law and his very active family. One of their favorite races is the Indy-Mini. A 13.1 mile race in downtown Indianapolis. They convinced me that first year we were here to sign-up and run with them.

    I did, and then I postponed when we decided to have baby #5. There was just no way my body would be ready for that kind of distance. After Harold was born, I decided I really should start training for this half marathon, but I had no idea where to start.

    I turned to my Sister-In-Law for help. S She worked out a schedule that would increase my endurance and physical strength up to a 10K. You can download a copy of our workout for yourself. 

    *The Ghost and Goblins 5K+5K is a local 5k race that we then added an additional 5k run onto after crossing the finish line. 

    If you are fairly new to running and haven’t been out exercising much prior to your half marathon training, the first few days of interval runs I would say are crucial!

    I have always hated interval running, but as I had just come from 9 months of a hard pregnancy this was basically a couch to 10k training. Those intervals are what helped my legs strengthen and increase my stamina. 

    After our 10k we took a small break during the cold months. We tried to get out, or at least head to the indoor track, but winter was well, winter. So with 6 weeks left before the race, we turned to Makeup Marathons for her training plan. It’s a great plan that closely followed our 10k training, with the big difference being we ran more miles leading up to the race. 

    6 week Half Marathon Training

    Good luck and happy racing! I’d love to hear your tips if you’ve run a half marathon!

     



     

  • Everyday Enzymes that Help Digestion

    Everyday Enzymes that Help Digestion

    Start getting the most out of your food with the help of Everyday Enzymes. 

    Everyday Enzymes help promote healthy digestion. ad

    I had the opportunity last week to talk to Dr. Liz Cruz, the creator of Everyday Enzyme’s. I’m no health nut, and struggle understanding most health-related topics. Being able to talk with Dr. Cruz about the Everyday Enzyme’s was extremely helpful to me, and I hope it will, in turn, help you. 

    What are Enzymes?

    Enzymes are biochemical catalysts. They work to break down our food into molecules so that our body can process more of the nutrition held within. 

    The following are the questions I asked Dr Cruz, and her answers summarized by me. 

    Dr. Liz Cruz creator of Everyday Enzymes.

    Why make Everyday Enzymes?

    Dr. Cruz works as a gastroenterologist in Arizona. She had many clients complaining of issues such as feeling bloated, not feeling that their food was digesting, acid reflux, heartburn, low energy, and feeling moody. In her words “it’s much more than just gastrointestinal.” Dr. Cruz went on to explain the phenomenon known as the Enzyme Gap, which is a study that says every 10 years our bodies enzyme production goes down. She says there are 2 ways to combat this gap. #1. Eat Healthy. #2. Eat Enzymes

    For awhile she would suggest over-the-counter enzymes but found because of the lack of quality in many pills, they still weren’t helping much. So she decided to make Everyday Enzyme’s as pure and natural as possible.

    What would you say is the most important ingredient in Everyday Enzymes?

    This was a fun conversation that I found very telling about the product. Dr. Cruz gave it a lot of thought and finally admitted to me that she didn’t believe anyone ingredient was more important than the others. She has worked to create a pill full of different enzymes all equally important to break different nutrients. 

    What makes Everyday Enzymes better than eating Activia Yogurt?

    This is where I learned quite a bit. Activia and other good yogurts are full of probiotics. Probiotics and Enzymes are not the same things. The probiotics add good bacteria that help keep our guts healthy, while Enzyme’s actually helped break down the food. 

    How will I know if Everyday Enzymes is working for me?

    Everyone is different, so it depends on the individual and why they are taking it. For her clients, it should help get rid of the feeling of bloating, or undigested food. In her own words “I take them, not because I have issues, but I’m 52, and in the long run I know they’ll help me.” 

    So whether you’re taking them as something to benefit you, or to specifically help with gastrointestinal problems, how they show their effectiveness will be different. Dr. Cruz suggests taking them for at least 30 days, but preferably 90 days to start seeing any difference in health. 

    Are Everyday Enzymes FDA approved?

    Since this is not a drug, but a health supplement, the FDA does not treat it the same. However, because getting quality enzymes into these pills is important to Dr. Cruz, all of the ingredients are FDA certified.

    I’m Having a Cholecystectomy, how will Everyday Enzyme’s benefit me?

    This was a more personal question, as I was getting ready to have my gallbladder removed, and wanted to know if there were any specific benefits I could find taking Everyday Enzymes. Dr. Cruz told me whenever one of her patients has a cholecystectomy she encourages them to take enzymes. The function of our gallbladder is basically a back-up to help with our digestion. By taking away that back-up, I can use all the extra help in the digestion tract available. 

    If you’d like to learn more about Dr. Cruz and the Everyday Enzyme’s visit www.drlizcruz.com/

     


  • Root Beer Float Game Night

    Root Beer Float Game Night

    There’s nothing quite so refreshing as a parent, to get together with other adults and enjoy some good games and a root beer float. This post is sponsored by A&W. All opinions are my own.

    From game choice to ice cream choice, it's Root Beer Float Game Night!

    When I was a kid, we didn’t have all the electronics we do now. Our screen time consisted of Saturday morning cartoons, and 3 1/2 inch floppy discs of Crystal Caves and the Oregon Trail.

    While I loved the TV and our DOS game systems, my favorite time spent as a child was sitting around the table playing board and card games. It wasn’t really a game night without some kind of snack to go along. We’d have bowls of candy, chips with dip, sometimes even a veggie tray, but it was a rare occasion that A&W Root Beer was not present. 

    From game choice to ice cream choice, it's Root Beer Float Game Night!

    Nowadays, my favorite night of the week is when we get together with Mark’s brother and his family. Games are always a must, and treats – well they’re the icing to the night. For our last game night, we pulled out all the stops with good old fashioned Root Beer Floats. 

    Every game night starts with the question, what do we play? The best answer to that comes with a closet full of well-loved games. Our go-to’s for game night are, and in no particular order –

    • Ticket to Ride
    • Smash Up
    • Five Crowns
    • Alhambra
    • King of Tokyo


    Similar to choosing what game to play, when making our Root Beer Float, we had options. It starts with the ice cream. A purist will pick Vanilla, but chocolate, cookie dough, and well just about any flavor of ice cream can find its place in a root beer float. With its rich creamy taste, and sentimental value to my own childhood, the only root beer for a Root Beer float is A&W. 

    For Root Beer Float Inspiration check this out!

    The next decision is the toppings. I like to have a good mix, so we had brownies, bananas, sprinkles, chocolate and caramel, whipped cream, and cherries to pick from. Not a kid came through that didn’t try dumping all of the sprinkles into their float. Who can blame them when they make such a fun colorful topping.

    From game choice to ice cream choice, it's Root Beer Float Game Night!

    When my aunt and uncle played games with us as a kid, we still all played. Maybe it was because they had no young kids for us to go play with. These days when we get together there are 9 kids! That’s quite a bit to try and fit into any board game, so sometimes a few will ask to join our game and we let them. More often they want to hang out with each other, usually on one of the myriads of available screens. 

    From game choice to ice cream choice, it's Root Beer Float Game Night!

  • Simba or Emma Mattress, Which is Better to Sleep On?

    Simba or Emma Mattress, Which is Better to Sleep On?

    Side by side comparison of the Emma and Simba mattress

    Having a good night’s rest is not something we want; it is one thing our bodies need. A necessity rather than just a mere want. What constitutes good sleep? Having a proper workout? Eating healthy and at the right times? A good companion to see you through the night?

    Sure, all these things may fall in peoples list of a good night. But what could be a better companion than a good mattress that offers you the support and comfort you deserve? What could be a better company than a good bed which will stand and hold for years?

    Hence, deciding on a mattress becomes a crucial decision; one that will determine our health levels. And with new brands popping every day, you might find yourself spoilt for choice. Having reviewed a variety of mattress brands over the years, Emma Mattress and Simba Mattress brands particularly impressed me. Their unique composition and simplicity make them stand out as top notch and a definite choice for most people.

    But even with these two, some may prefer one to another. So let’s have a light review on both of them.

    You may also enjoy reading A Comparison Guide of the Top Online Mattress Dealers

    Simba Mattress

    What makes the Simba mattress perfect for you?

    Did you know the word ‘Simba’ is African Swahili for ‘Lion’? This 25 cm thick hybrid mattress has been optimized to give you the sleep you so much longed for. Some qualities I found after a Simba mattress review include:

    • A sleek cover with a stretchy polyester fabric that allows for airflow.
    • 4cm thick synthetic latex cover.
    • Pocket spring coils to improve on contours and offer a bouncy feel.
    • 5cm thick responsive memory foam layer that eliminates pressure.
    • A high density of 33kg/m3 sure to add on stability and ultimate durability.

    Whom It Suits Best

    You will opt for a Simba mattress if:

    • You either sleep on your back or side as lightweight stomach sleepers may experience pressure spots and end up uncomfortable.
    • Prefer a cooler sleep with hot spots reduced.
    • Seeking pressure relief with its composition assured to deliver just that.
    • Looking for a hybrid as Simba is a composition of synthetic latex, memory foam and coil springs; combined, you’ll wake up wanting to carry your mattress with you to your 9-5!

    However, you shouldn’t opt for Simba if you are looking for an organic option as the foam is CertiPUR Certified. Also, if you desire a real firm feel, Simba may not work for you as it falls under soft mattresses with a medium firmness.

    Emma Mattress

    What makes the Emma Mattress perfect for you?

    With a firmness valuation of 6/10, Emma best works for hybrid lovers who prioritize support and comfort. What’s more, it supports various kinds of sleeper; the stomach, back and side sleepers who opt to keep it cool during the night. This is as a result of the microcoils, foam and cover designed to allow for breathing space. It also has a traditional bouncy feel that breathes new life each morning making it one of its most exclusive features.

    Nevertheless, Emma mattress is not suitable for people weighing more than 130 kilograms. This lot might experience support issues, ending up uncomfortable for most of the night.

    More Qualities

    Just like Simba, Emma mattress is 25 cm thick with 4 different layers. These are:

    • The cover which is 100%polyester making it very stretchy.
    • 4cm thick top comfort layer made of responsive Airgocell foam.
    • 2cm contour layer which consists of the conical pocket spring system.
    • A transition layer made of 3cm thick Viscoelastic memory foam that deals with pressure and pain relief.
    • A 16cm thick foundation.

    Having given you the different qualities of these two unique mattresses, the ball is in your court. Choosing between these two identical mattresses is totally based on choice and preferences. However, as highlighted above, lightweights might opt to go for an Emma mattress as there will be no restrictions on the positions they decide to sleep with. So which mattress entices you personally?

  • Star Map Art from Modern Map Art to Celebrate 13 Years

    Star Map Art from Modern Map Art to Celebrate 13 Years

    We’re celebrating 13 years of marriage with an eternity to go this year. I received a Star Map in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

    Star gazing I grew up in the country, where lights didn’t touch the sky, and the heavens were always clear for star gazing. Many summer nights were spent on our back lawn, listening to Dad identify the constellations. I could always find the big dipper, but for some reason, I struggled to find all the stars for the little dipper.

    Then one day, I discovered Orion. His 3-star belt became my own little connection to the world. He lived outside my bedroom window, and during times of preteen and teen angst, he was my constant. It didn’t matter how bad the day was if I could look up to the night sky and find those 3 stars. 

    Sealed in Heaven, this Star Map Art is the perfect wedding gift. When I heard of Modern Map Art and their addition of the Star Map Art, there was no question that a piece would become part of our home’s decor. My connection to the stars has been lifelong, and will continue to the eternities. 

    With Modern Star Map Art, you choose the location and the date, and then you get a beautiful piece of art showing the night sky at that date and location. 

    When the stars align, you find true love. Decorate your home with this unique Star Map Art

    Obviously, I chose the most important date to our family – the day Mark and I got married. What you see here is what the night sky looked like on that very special day almost 13 years ago, from the location of the Mount Timpanogos LDS Temple. 

    Sealed in the Heavens for Eternity. Celebrate your marriage with a Star Map Art. As I was creating our Star Map Art, I wasn’t sure what I wanted the bottom to say. It would have been easy to just put Mr + Mrs Priddis, but it just didn’t look right. As I discussed it with Mark, agonizing over the perfect saying, he did what he does best and got the perfect saying. 

    Sealed In Heaven

    I loved it. See, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, when we marry in the temple we call it a sealing. Instead of marrying until death do us part, we marry for “time and all eternity.” We believe very literally that we are partners forever. This life and beyond. 

    Sealed in Heaven for eternity. Custom Star Map Art makes a great wedding gift.

    Life is not always easy, and marriage is plenty hard in itself. When those rough patches come, I know I don’t need to look outside at the heavens anymore because this Star Map Art will be there day and night. With the Sealed in Heaven phrase that Mark added, it’s a reminder that we have committed to more than just this life together. 

    Our trials and heartaches, they are just mere moments in the eternities of heaven. And on the days that are really really good, I see this and my heart flutters like it did 13 years ago. 

    Art in the home should speak individually to the owners, and this Star Map Art does just that for me. They come in different sizes, and in poster or canvas. Making it art fit for every budget. 


  • Action Plan for Overcoming a Stretch of Illness

    Action Plan for Overcoming a Stretch of Illness

    This post is sponsored by Clorox®, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

    January through March were some of the worst months in our house. I don’t know what happened, but one bug came in and it just wouldn’t leave. Cycling through the kids and yes even the parent. Our record for good health was being blown out of the water. I needed an action plan.

    Keep things clean with Clorox® Ultra Strength with Blue Fibers

    Come April, we finally all began feeling better. We started the month by heading out of the house and out of town. We needed to celebrate our good health, and let whatever may have been lurking in the home time to really go away.

    I stripped the beds of their sheets before we left, and cleaned out all the leftovers and any food that could go bad before we left. I spent the night before our vacation cleaning off every surface in our kitchen – determined not to let anything sit and fester.

    We’d come home to aired out beds, a sparkling kitchen, and a fridge ready to be filled with good quality foods.

    Keep things clean with Clorox® Ultra Strength with Blue Fibers

    Day 1 of returning home I knew I’d have to be on top of things around the house to keep our good health going strong. As soon as the car was cleaned out from the road trip, we moved on to the laundry. Two loads later, and all our trip clothes were washed!

    However, living with 5 kids, the messes really started to pile up fast. Toys they hadn’t seen in a week were pulled out like long lost friends – every.single.one. Blankets were piled on beds for forts, and the experimentation going on in the sinks I try not to think about too much.

    Keep things clean with Clorox® Ultra Strength with Blue Fibers

    Kids will be kids, and while mine are decent at picking up after themselves, there’s always some kind of residual mess left behind. Fingerprints on the fridge, mud on the floor, and crumbs – well the crumbs are everywhere.

    I wasn’t going to let our good health be ruined though. After getting back into our daily routine of being home with regular mess making agenda’s, I headed to Walmart to pick up the new Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes with Ultra Strength Blue Fibers. These 15% thicker antibacterial wipes hold more cleaning power with dual-sided blue fibers to reinforce the wipe and scrub of messes.

    Keep things clean with Clorox® Ultra Strength with Blue Fibers

    I use the Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes on just about every surface in our home. From the kitchen counters to the table and chairs, to the couch and all throughout the bathroom. The dual-sided cleaning action makes these scented wipes suitable and safe to use on an array of kitchen and bathroom surfaces like counters, sinks, tubs, showers, finished hardwood and sealed granite.

    The grime fighting, fingerprint removing wipe helps me feel like our health will stay on the up and up. At least until a kid wipes his nose on my face…

    Let’s break this down now. If you suddenly find yourself and your family sick and you just can’t shake it, follow this action plan for getting better, and staying better:

    Action Plan

    1. Remove all the bedding
    2. Deep Clean the Kitchen
    3. Clean out the fridge
    4. Go on vacation, and let the mattresses air out
    5. Come home and keep it clean with Clorox®

    Our vacation brought us good health and a stronger family bond. We’ll keep that going by continuing to make messes, and eventually clean them up together too.

    Keep things clean with Clorox® Ultra Strength with Blue Fibers

    Buy New Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes with Ultra Strength Blue Fibers at Walmart

  • DIY Kissing Booth

    DIY Kissing Booth

    Nothing says “I Love You” like puckering up for a kiss with your loved one. This Valentines Day, get the whole family in on the love with a DIY Kissing Booth full of chocolate kisses. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you click on and make a purchase. Take a guess and win some kisses with this DIY Kissing Booth. Related post: DIY LOVE Blocks
                             Coffee Filter Wreath

    Two years ago, I was asked to help put together a Valentine’s Day dance for the adults in our church ward. I was excited because what parent doesn’t love getting out with their spouse? 

    I took on the charge of making a candy guessing game. We thought it would be fun to make a little kissing booth to set the jars in. I got home from our planning meeting and told him I would need a miniature kissing booth, just big enough to hold 2 mason jars. 

    He went to work in the garage, making my idea come to life, and I went to work counting kisses and filling jars. 

    DIY Kissing Booth game jar

    I’m kind of particular about using my canning lids for things other than actual canning, so I whipped up these cardstock lids on the computer. You can download and print your own here

    DIY Kissing Booth

    To make your own Kissing Booth you will need:

    1 board – 27 1/2″ x 4 7/8″
    1 board – 8 3/8″ x 3 7/8″
    1 piece of wood 16 3/4″x 1″ x 1″
    nails
    wood glue

    Cuts:
    Begin by cutting the 1st board into 4 pieces – 2 measuring at 9 7/8″ long and 2 at 3 7/8″ long.
    Cut the 16 3/4″ piece equally in half to 8 3/8″ long pieces. 

    Assemble:

    Nail the 3 7/8″ long pieces you cut to the outside ends of the 8 3/8″ board, creating a base for your stand.
    Using the wood glue, glue one of the 9 7/8″ boards to the top of the base.
    Next glue the sticks to the back of the 2nd 9 7/8″ board, creating your signage.
    Once the glue has dried, use more wood glue to attach the signage to the base.
    Allow the glue to dry, and then paint.

    DIY Kissing Booth with a twist. The kissing booth has come out every year since as part of our home decor. I try to keep it stocked with a variety of candies for the kids to enjoy as they show love to each other. One year I envision throwing a Valentines themed party with the kids, and letting the winning guess take home a jar of candy.


  • How to Clean Quietly – Tips for Silent Cleaning

    How to Clean Quietly – Tips for Silent Cleaning

    How to Clean Quietly – Tips for Silent Cleaning

    How to clean quietly. Tips for staying on top of the housework without waking the baby.

    There are many reasons why you may need to keep the noise down when it comes to cleaning. Maybe you live in an apartment and can only clean late at night. Or perhaps you like waking up early on the weekend to get a head start on the cleaning but don’t want to wake the rest of the family up.

    The main reason people feel the need to be quiet around the house is when there is a sleeping baby. The usual advice for new parents is to catch up on some sleep while your baby is sleeping, but it doesn’t quite work like that. Nap time is a precious time, a time where you can fully focus on a task with the knowledge that your baby will be fast asleep.

    The one thing you don’t want to do is cut that time short by making a lot of noise. Certain cleaning tasks can be quite noisy, and today I’m going to show you some tips that should minimize the noise, and reduce the risk of waking a sleeping baby.

    Related Content: What Every New Mom Needs

    Catch Up On Laundry

    Fold laundry while baby sleeps for productive cleaning.

    If there’s one job that doesn’t make much noise, it’s folding laundry. If you’re anything like me, you have no problem washing and drying the laundry. It’s the endless piles of clean clothes in the laundry basket that is the problem.

    Baby’s nap time is the perfect opportunity to fold and put away the mountains of laundry. It can actually be quite therapeutic, and you’ll feel a great sense of satisfaction if you manage to get through the whole pile!

    The washing machine can be noisy, but you may still use it if you time it correctly. If your little one usually sleeps for an hour, you can start a washing cycle that lasts for one hour and thirty minutes. When the machine gets to the end of its cycle and the loud spinning and thudding starts you can be confident that baby will be fully awake again.

    Another trick you can use is to lay some carpet underneath your washing machine. The majority of the noise is the vibrations going through the floor, and a piece of carpet will absorb most of these vibrations.


    Invest in a Quiet Vacuum Cleaner

    low decibel vacuum cleaners

    It may seem obvious to mention that one of the things you should not do if you want your baby to continue sleeping, is use the vacuum cleaner. You might be surprised to learn, however, that there is such a thing as a quiet vacuum cleaner.

    Now, when I say “quiet”, I should really say “quieter”. There is no such thing as a completely silent vacuum cleaner, but there are several models available that claim to output around 50 decibels of sound. This is the same noise level as a regular conversation, so you can probably get away with vacuuming the rooms next to your sleeping child. Whether you want to risk vacuuming the same room as baby, that’s entirely up to you!

    Clean Things that you Have Been Putting Off

    Do the things you put off while baby is sleeping, like make the beds.

    There are a few chores around the house that need a certain amount of time to complete, and can’t be done successfully when you are watching your young child. Cleaning out the fridge is one of these tasks, and it can be done without making too much noise.

    Take all the food out of the fridge, give all the surfaces a good clean, and then put the food back in an organized way. This is also a good time to dispose of any out of date food, or any food that smells a bit iffy.

    Another quick and quiet job that often gets forgotten is making the beds. This is one of the best things to do when you are short of time, because it helps maintain the appearance of a clean home and will lift your mood as you go from room to room.

    Having a baby is a magical time, you feel like watching their every move, even when they are sleeping! It’s a good idea to use this time to do things you normally can’t, and I hope these tips will help you to clean quietly and avoid prematurely waking a sleeping baby.

    Author Sammy Dolan:
    Sammy Dolan, guest author. Sammy is a proud parent who loves nothing more than spending time with his family and teaching them the ways of the world. He loves writing about any topic related to home life.  He currently runs the blog at Home Clean Expert.


  • Upcycling an Old Fence Into a Hat Rack

    Upcycling an Old Fence Into a Hat Rack

    Any little boy will love this hat rack upcycled from an old fence. I received product for review. All opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you click on and make a purchase through them. 

    Upcycle an old fence into a hat rack. ad Lincoln has started amassing a bit of a hat collection. Around the time Harold was born, my Dad sent him a coon skin hat after a trip to the Davy Crockett Museum. On our family vacation to Illinois we picked him up a stovepipe hat at Lincoln’s home in Springfield. Then of course he has his ball caps, robot head, and Astronaut Helmet. 

    Related: Teaching Kids to Reach for the Stars

    After spending a lot of time trying to organize and clean up his room, it was apparent that he needed a hat rack! I proposed the idea to Mark, who is my go to awesome build anything hubby. 

    Upcycle an old fence into a hat rack. ad With the idea and plan in mind, I then picked some fancy looking hooks from Abodent. Abodent specializes in vintage style hooks and knobs, and while based in Bristol, they ship internationally! The Porch Coat Hook was exactly what I had envisioned. Hats, dress ups, coats, and medals will all look nice hanging from these hooks. 

    Check out the Cupboard knobs and Coat Hooks from Abodent.

    While I was looking for the hardware, Mark got to work on the actual hat rack. We’ve been collecting old fencing from neighbors and family over the past year or so (our dining room table is all old fencing!), so we had all the wood we needed on hand.

    The fence top and old nail holes give this hat rack a vintage style that matches the vintage style hooks. 

    Upcycle an old fence into a hat rack. ad Lincoln and I spent a bit of one on one time whitewashing the hat rack. While it dried, we headed to the hardware store for some hanging supplies. Finally, we got this little project hung up, and put to use. Eventually, I see LEGO creations, and maybe a trophy or two gracing that top shelf. I’m sure the hats will change over the years, but this is a timeless piece that will last a lifetime.

    Upcycle an old fence into a hat rack. ad  


  • Tips for Buying a Used Car

    Tips for Buying a Used Car

    Tips for Buying a Used Car is a Sponsored Post.

    Here’s the deal. I’ve never ever owned a new car. Even as a kid, my parents always bought used cars. 

    Don't buy that car just yet! Get these tips for buying your next used car. ad
    See, when you drive off that car lot in a brand new car, all that money you just spent will never get back to you. New cars can lose between 10-20% of their value within the first year of ownership. 

    Used cars, however, well they’re valued what they’re valued. Just as everything loses a little value over time so will your used car, but not at nearly the same rate a new car does. For this reason, we always buy second hand when it comes to our vehicles. 

    Of course, when buying used it means making some compromises. You won’t have that new car smell, and there will be some wear and tear. However, with these tips, you can avoid clunkers and pricey repairs on your ‘new to you’ used vehicle. 

    Research. Reseach. Research. 

    A car might look pretty. It might have a cool name. A cool car does not always a reliable car make. This one time we bought a car because it sounded like a fun ride. Well, a day after making our purchase we found the car dying at every stop sign. The fun car was no longer so fun. Lesson learned. Cars.com is a fantastic resource to find reviews of every car you may be considering purchasing. You’ll see pros, cons, and what others think of the vehicle.

    Take it for a Test Drive. 

    Head out on a few different terrains (that you normally drive). If you live in the country with dirt roads, make sure the car you are driving will handle well on the dirt. If you drive more inner city, and freeways, your car should be able to handle higher speeds and frequent stop and go’s. 

    Call in a Mechanic. 

    Usually, on our test drive, we’ll run the potential vehicle to our trusted mechanic – one not affiliated with the dealership. For 10-20 bucks you can get a full inspection. Just remember, it is a used car. There will be some problems. The question is how big are the problems, are they problems you can live with? Common problems you will run into with used cars are:

    • tires
    • cv joints
    • control arms
    • link pins
    • brakes – rotors/pads/brake lines
    • fluids – deposits in coolant, dirty oil. 

     

    Look Up the Car’s History

    Every car has a history. It’s a good idea to know what your car has been through. A car’s VIN number can tell you whether the car has been to the dealership for routine maintenance, if it’s been in a crash, and how many owners it’s had. You want a car that has been taken care of with only normal wear and tear going on. Unfortunately, a full history won’t always be available if the previous owners did the maintenance themselves. This would be an area to ask your mechanic to check if the car appears to have been taken care of properly. You can check the history of a car on Cars.com

    Check for Recalls

    I wouldn’t have thought to check for recalls until the last few years. Our newest used car purchase has gone through not 1, but 2 airbag recalls. Thankfully the company contacts us and replaces everything for free. However, you don’t want to start out buying a car that is full of recalled parts. Ask the dealer if there are any known recalls, and whether they have replaced the needed parts, or if you would need to have that done.

    Sleep on it.

    And by that, I don’t mean sit on the car. Sit on your decision to purchase. Rushing into buying a used car is never a good thing, no matter how much you may want a car right that moment. Letting yourself sleep on the decision, and coming back to test drive a day or two later will help you see any components of the car you don’t like. If we had waited a bit more, I would have realized just how much I don’t like the small trunk in our current car. 

    Don't buy that car just yet! Get these tips for buying your next used car. ad

    Now you are ready to purchase your car! Congratulations on what should be a reliable car for years to come.