So if you've been a long time reader and you follow me on social media, you've likely seen I've lost all of my original 4 chihuahuas.  We lost Stella unexpectedly at 10.5 years old in July of 2020. In July of 2022 we lost Pixie (my first dog ever) at just shy of 17 years old.  And then of course in February 2023 we lost Rocky at the age of 18 years and 8 months.  And finally, on September 1st, 2023, I lost Grace just after her 16th birthday. That's a lot of loss in a 3 year period and many have asked how I managed to survive. So today, I'm sharing some of the ways I coped in the hopes that it can help others feel strong enough to endure their losses.

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Fall Activities that Fit Any Budget

Looking for some fun things to do this Fall that won't break the bank? Look no further!  

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Yummy Fall Recipes

Fall is my favorite time of year to change up my menu planning ideas so I figured I'd share some of my favorite fall recipes.

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Why Board Games Are the Ideal Presents for Game Night Fanatics

 

Board games are versatile activities that allow players to experience the thrill of competition at a fraction of the cost of going to the movies or traveling for a major sporting event. Psychologists have even cited them as tools to teach important life skills. Board games are also a great way to bond with friends and family.

They’re Unique

Board games have a way of creating memorable experiences for the people who play them. Whether it’s a discussion about a great die roll in a push-your-luck game or the enthralling story behind a campaign-based game, these memories stick with gamers long after the game ends. In addition to bringing together family and friends for laughs, play, and bonding, board games can also have an educational element. From simple games that help young children learn their colors and shapes to advanced language games like Balderdash (which challenges students to create dictionary definitions for words before they’re read aloud), various options are available to suit any interest or age group. The social aspect of playing board games is also important for those who suffer from anxiety. Many people find that playing games makes them more comfortable in social situations as they can focus on the game itself and what the rules dictate instead of worrying about their surroundings or other people present.

They’re a Great Gift

Whether they’re racing to the finish line, raiding dungeons or conquering galaxies, your giftee will enjoy the fun and social benefits of playing board games. It’s one of the best gift ideas for board game players. It’s a great way to connect with family and friends while honing valuable life skills like critical thinking and teamwork. Board game enthusiasts love to express their passion for the hobby with t-shirts, accessories and other memorabilia. They’ll also appreciate this table mat's functional and decorative qualities, which protect tabletops from drink condensation and spills during games. This gift is perfect for any avid board gamer, regardless of age. They’ll love the challenge of crafting the longest path in this award-winning strategy game. The game’s spatial reasoning skills are tested as players create new ways, build castles and earn points.

They’re Fun

Board games are a fun and engaging form of entertainment that all ages can play. They can be used to build social skills and foster a sense of belonging in family and friends. They can also be a great way to relieve stress and promote creativity. Whether seeking a unique and thoughtful gift idea or needing a break from the digital world, various board games can fit the bill. From laugh-out-loud, funny, family-friendly games to challenging strategic epics, there’s something for everyone. The best gift for a board game lover will be something they will enjoy playing with others or on their own. Look for a fun game that gets players up out of their seats, acting and shouting. These games can be especially beneficial for shy children and adults, allowing them to express their creative side in a safe and comfortable environment. They can also be an effective way to practice patience and focus. Using timers, like those found in kitchens, to measure the duration of a game can help players improve their timing while increasing their awareness and attention span.

They’re Social

The social component of board games is one of their biggest benefits. It allows individuals to connect with others and display their creative side in non-intrusive ways, which can benefit shy people. In addition, it can help to lengthen attention spans if a game is played without interruption. Additionally, many board games require high levels of skill and concentration. This can help to increase brain function, improve memory, and foster critical thinking skills for players of all ages. It can also be a good way to practice coping with stress and anxiety by safely simulating the body’s natural fight-or-flight response. Whether racing against each other to victory or working together to defeat a monster, board games are the perfect way for friends and family to bond. This is especially important for those with mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety. In addition, it is a healthy alternative to spending time with electronic devices. This can lead to greater happiness and stronger relationships.

They’re Engaging

Board games are an engaging activity that requires players to interact with each other. They encourage social bonding, role-playing, and negotiating skills. This starkly contrasts puzzles or video games, which are generally solitary activities. Having others around you while playing a board game can also help alleviate anxiety by providing a sense of safety. In addition, playing board games can help boost confidence and self-esteem. This is because it teaches players that they can successfully overcome obstacles in a social setting with other people. When players win a board game, they feel elated. This can boost their self-esteem and improve performance in different social situations. For kids, it can help improve their hand-eye coordination and dexterity as they move cards and pieces on the game board. It can also teach them to wait for their turn and follow simple rules. For older players, it can lead them to use their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It can also help them sharpen their math and vocabulary skills. It is even a great way to practice reading!

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Estate Planning Tips For Blended Families

 

Blended families, where a married couple has children from previous relationships or marriages, present unique estate planning concerns. Failing to plan properly can lead to legal issues, family disputes and assets being distributed in a way that does not align with your wishes.

Following these estate planning tips for blended families, you can help ensure that all family members are cared for after your death.

Consider a Prenuptial Agreement

While prenuptial agreements may have a negative reputation in media and rap music, they can offer significant long-term benefits for blended families. A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract that can be drawn up before marriage that outlines what will happen to the couple's assets should the relationship end. This can help to prevent disputes and disagreements about finances that could lead to family strife in the future.

It is also beneficial for blended families to update their estate plans to ensure that all parties are protected. This involves ensuring that individual documents such as RRSPs, insurance policies and workplace pension accounts reflect the new familial status and include the proper beneficiaries. In addition, a trust can be used to protect assets from creditors and to avoid unnecessary taxes.

A financial planner experienced with estate planning for blended families can assist you with creating a comprehensive plan to ensure that your goals are met, and all parties are taken care of. The most successful programs combine careful documentation with open communication and regular meetings.

A final note: it is important for couples, whether they have children or not, to consider their choice of agent for their medical and durable power of attorney. The person chosen must be someone who will be able to make decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated.

Review Your Will and Trusts

A well-drafted will, drawn up with the help of excellent landowner law and estate planning attorneys, is the cornerstone of every estate plan. It provides instructions on who should manage is the cornerstone of every estate plan. It provides instructions on who should manage your affairs if you become incapacitated and who you want to receive your assets and possessions upon death. It also specifies how you want your spouse and children to be provided for in the event of your death. In blended families, unclear or unstated instructions can lead to confusion and conflict after your death.

For example, if you outright distribute to your spouse, it could result in your children from a previous relationship being unintentionally disinherited. To avoid this problem, a marital trust allows you to balance providing for your spouse and leaving the remaining assets to your children.

Another benefit of a marital trust is that it can help protect your estate from creditors and lawsuits brought by former spouses. It can also provide greater flexibility and security for beneficiaries, including the ability to avoid taxable transfers.

Reviewing your will and trusts after marriage or remarriage, or whenever any major life events occur, is important. Taking the time to update your estate plan now can prevent problems later on. This includes updating beneficiary designations on your RRSPs, insurance policies and workplace pension plans. Also, having open conversations with family members regarding your wishes and expectations is a good idea.

Review Beneficiary Designations

When individuals die, they typically leave behind assets such as their family home, bank accounts, investments and life insurance policies. If a person has not created a will, state law determines how these assets are distributed, usually leaving everything to a surviving spouse and their descendants. This is problematic for blended families, as it may cause children from prior relationships to be disinherited.

In addition, remarried couples often need to pay more attention to review individual beneficiary designations for RRSPs, insurance policies and workplace pensions, which may cause their spouse to receive an inheritance they did not intend. Ensuring these individual documents reflect the new familial status can avoid conflicts and litigation after death.

Furthermore, remarried couples should also ensure they know who will act as their agents for financial and medical decisions if they become incapacitated. This can include a power of attorney that names an individual to manage their affairs and a health care power of attorney that designates an agent to make medical decisions on the individual's behalf in case they cannot do so themselves.

In addition to these legal documents, individuals should review their funeral and burial wishes while everyone is healthy. Discussing these matters can alleviate stress after death and foster communication throughout the family's life.

Review Your Assets

Everyone needs an estate plan, but it is especially important for people in blended families. It's common for spouses in second marriages to have children from previous relationships, making family dynamics more complex. A clear plan can prevent conflict and disputes after one's death and ensure one's wishes are fulfilled.

The most basic form of an estate plan is a will. Without a choice, state law determines who receives your assets after death. This may mean that your current spouse will inherit everything, or it might include your children from previous relationships and your biological grandchildren. In either case, it is unlikely that this will reflect your true desires.

In addition to a will, an estate plan should include trusts and beneficiary designations in addition to a choice. Trusts can help protect assets from creditors, avoid probate and provide tax advantages. Often, individuals will name their spouse as the trustee and their children as beneficiaries of these trusts.

It's also a good idea to inventory all your assets, including cash, real property, insurance policies, retirement savings accounts and investments (Vanguard has a helpful worksheet). This will give you an accurate picture of your wealth and will allow you to determine whether any changes need to be made.

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A Step-By-Step Guide to Calculating Pallet Shipping Costs

 

Pallet freight offers several advantages to both the customer and the carrier. A palletized shipment provides strength and extra protection for the products while allowing carriers to transport and store your goods efficiently.

Most carriers use a standardized pricing model with dimensions (length, width, height) and weight to determine shipping costs. Properly packing your shipment will also condense its volume, helping it fall into a cheaper freight class.

Size and Weight

A pallet is a flat structural foundation that goods are loaded onto and secured for shipping. Pallets help to reduce handling and transportation costs, maximize trailer space, and prevent freight damage. The size of a pallet depends on the type and weight of the items being shipped, as well as how often it will be used. Wooden pallets are the most common, but plastic and metal options exist. When choosing a pallet, consider the weight and dimensions of your freight, as these will impact shipping costs. Many carriers use dimensional weight rather than actual weight to calculate pricing. To determine a pallet’s dimensional weight, multiply its length by its width by its height. Then, divide that number by 139 to find the cubic inches of your shipment. To avoid being hit with unexpected fees, measure and record the dimensions of your freight accurately. Whether you’re measuring manually or using a pallet dimensioner, this will help to ensure compliance with carrier guidelines and accurate freight invoicing. Another way to minimize your shipping costs is by distributing the weight evenly on the pallet. For instance, placing heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones on top can improve stability during transit and handling. It can also improve efficiency and safety for the transportation company and those who load and unload your pallets.

Freight Class

Generally, shipping items on pallets is more cost-effective than transporting them in loose containers. That’s because it takes up less space and reduces the risk of damaged items in transit. However, the type of items you ship will also affect how much they’ll cost to transport. This is especially true if they are bulky or require specialized handling, such as chemicals and hazardous materials. The freight class of a pallet is another factor that can increase or decrease its shipping costs. To calculate freight shipping costs, freight carriers determine the freight class of your shipment by analyzing its dimensions, weight, density, lane balances, travel distance, and fuel costs. They will then apply a tariff based on this information. This tariff will vary between different carriers, so it’s essential to understand the factors that affect freight class before you start shopping around. To calculate the freight class of your shipment, start by measuring its height, width, and length in inches. Be sure to include any packaging. Then, multiply these measurements to find the total cubic inches of your shipment. Finally, divide this number by 1,728 to convert the cubic inches to cubic feet. The higher the freight class, the more your shipment will cost. To avoid high shipping costs, make sure your shipment is adequately stacked and packaged. This means that the heaviest items should be on the bottom and that there are no protrusions that can damage other cargo.

CBM

CBM, or cubic meter volume, is the measurement used to determine the freight volume of your shipment. It is calculated by multiplying the width, height, and length of your package together. CBM is often required when requesting a freight quote and plays a significant role in determining your shipping costs. Understanding how to calculate cbm for a pallet can save you time and money by avoiding overpaying for your freight. Most shipments are shipped on wooden bases known as pallets. These are then loaded into containers or lorries for transport to their final destination. Its length, width, and height determine the CBM of a pallet. A standard-size pallet is 80 cm x 40 cm and can be stacked up to 72 inches high. If you have a non-standard-sized package, you must calculate the CBM of your cargo using the formula length x width x height. The height plays a lesser role in calculating the CBM of a shipment because most packing materials are rectangular. Once you have the cubic meter measurement of your shipment, you can find the dimensional weight by dividing the cubic size by 139. This is the weight your shipment will be charged for air and ocean freight. This is different from the actual weight which your shipment will be charged for because it takes into account the size of your packaging and not its contents.

Distance

Shipping items on pallets reduces handling costs and improves efficiency. It is also safer for the freight and its handlers. However, many shippers don’t understand how their pallets contribute to freight costs. Pallets can be made from wood, plastic, metal, or paper. They are a staple for most shipping operations as they can be stacked securely to maximize trailer space and reduce transportation costs. When choosing a pallet, it’s essential to consider the dimensions and weight of the shipment. For example, imagine you are preparing to ship a pallet of flat-screen televisions. Each television will weigh 30 to 35 pounds, and the overall shipment will weigh 750 ft3.

Then, you’ll have to factor in your pallets’ size and weight. Since most shipping carriers use a base rate per 100 pounds, the ft3 will be multiplied by the carrier’s standard freight class, determining the total cost for the shipment.

To calculate the pallets’ density, measure each one’s length, width, and height. Then, multiply those measurements to find the total volume of your shipment in cubic inches. Finally, divide this number by 1,728 (cubic inches in a cubic foot) to find the shipment’s density. Remember to round any fractions to the nearest whole number. This will help you accurately estimate your freight class and prevent surprises.

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