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As an owner of 4 very energetic dogs as well as some of them having health issues, I feel pretty comfortable talking about ways to keep them safe while letting them stay active.


Even though I have small breed dogs they can still get joint and bone issues like any other breed.  So how do I let them live but also keep them safe? Well let's discuss....

I took this photo one night shortly after I brought home all the rugs and my OCD was going crazy because nothing matched.

Safe Floors
So almost my entire house has hardwood floors which is great for humans but can be tricky for pets.  Dogs can definitely slip on this type of floor especially when they get excited all at once and try to run towards the door when a visitor arrives.   Stella recently injured her ACL and through conservative healing she's doing so much better but one major change I had to make was putting rugs down everywhere.  We do have a few area rugs but I added some runners on the parts of the floor she usually travels.   This way she isn't slipping and possibly re-injuring herself. 

Safe Heights
This is especially important for small breed dogs but have you ever watched them jump off a high couch or bed? It's so scary because they can easily injury their bones.  Always invest in ramps or dog steps.  Slowly get your dog used to using them even if you have to gradually do so.  Use treats to reward your dog when they correctly use the stairs or ramp and always encourage them to use it when getting on and off furniture.  Even when they are excited they may try to bypass them so keep a close eye.



Smart Treats
A great way to give your dog the extra supplements and vitamins it may need is through treats. They won't even know they're eating something good for them!

Loving Pets makes these ActivPetz Treats that are calorie friendly and made from real meat. They are a soft chew so it's great for dogs with little teeth.   I use the Hip and Joint treats that contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin which are good for bones and joints in any size dog.   They don't have any gluten, soy, wheat, or corn so they're definitely a smart treat choice.

Closely Monitor Activity
Any time your dog is playing outside or even roughhousing inside, pay attention to what they're doing.  If they happen to hurt themselves you'll likely have a better idea of what happened because you were watching the whole time.  Dogs are like kids, and you always have to keep a close eye on them.




What steps do you take to help your dogs stay safe when they're being active?

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5 Important Finance Tips

When it comes to money, everyone seems to think they know what they're doing but yet we all still struggle. Why is that? Maybe it's because we aren't educated enough on how to properly manage our finances. So today I'm going to share 5 important finance tips that can help you get your money in order regardless of your financial situation.

Set a Budget
A great way to know where your money goes is to look at 2-3 months of bank statements and receipts. Break everything into a category and it'll give you a rough estimate of what you spend each month. Obviously some of those expenses aren't necessary (clothing shopping every weekend) while others are very important (groceries). Create a budget spreadsheet of your monthly net income and then track how much money you spent per month in each category. See what your leftover amount is and if it's negative or zero you may want to refine your categories and expense amounts. This will allow you to create a smooth flow of where all of your money goes. You may need to create new categories for expenses that come up a few times a year like car maintenance.

As useful as spreadsheets are, people can also benefit from using the best apps for budgeting out there. Many people like spreadsheets because they have to manually input things, but for those who have very little time, using an app can ensure that you do have a better understanding of your overall expenses without laboriously inputting information into a spreadsheet. Both options are there; it all depends on which is best for your life.

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How to Save Money on College Education

A college education can be a great thing that gets you far in the world but it can also be a huge expense.  In order to make the most of your education you should make sure you do as much as you can to save money so that you end up having less expenses and debt when you're finished.


Here are a few ways to save money on a college education.




Scholarships
Scholarships are a vital source of funding for your education so make it a point to find as many possible scholarships to apply for as you can.   Take the time to carefully apply, review your applications, and track which loans you applied for and how much you can get.  There are all kinds of scholarships, both big and small, for all kinds of things so you should absolutely apply to anything you can.


Here are a few resources for scholarships:
Rusty Tweed
Mark Alvarado
JMD Furniture
Chrissy Weems
Nationwide Debt Reduction Services
All Year Cooling
Associates Home Loan




Financial Help from Family
Some people have a family that really wants to help them out and if they are financially able to do so, that's a great resource.  Have a discussion with your family about any possibility of financial assistance from them and decide whether it will be on supplies, housing, or general tuition. 


Know What Expenses You're Looking At
It's a good idea, long before you go to college, to sit down and map out how much every aspect of it will cost.  Make sure you get an idea of what you'll spend on everything from housing and fuel to groceries. This will also help you set up a monthly budget and if you get scholarships and take out student loans you can better allocate those funds.


Smart Housing
If you can commute to college and live at home still with no housing expense that would be ideal but not everyone can do that.  Consider getting a roommate or even several if you decide to live off campus.  Consider the utility bills as a living expense as well, not just your rent!


Being A Smart Spender
Student loans can benefit you if you use them for only what you need.  Some people decide to use their student loans on general living expenses like fun, going out, shopping for clothes, etc.  If you don't have the actual money up front to do those things, you shouldn't.  Keep a frugal state of mind.  Don't purchase things you don't need and have a budget set up to manage your finances and your spending.


Looking for Secondhand Supplies
Books and general supplies can be expensive so look for secondhand books that others are selling.   When you're finished with your own books, consider selling them to get some money back.   While it's easy to get sucked in to shopping for college supplies, make sure you are very frugal and try to find the best deals possible.  Make every dollar count!


Hopefully, with these tips you can save money on your college education and have less debt to pay off afterwards.

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A Garden Update for May

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So finally the weather seems to be staying consistenly warm which means it's garden time!


This year I'm keeping it a bit more simple. 

I'm doing butternut squash in my big garden bed and lettuce in my small bed.  I'm also doing a tomato plant in a container, 2 zucchini plants in containers, and a few sweet pepper plants in containers.  This year is a wild one not just because of the weather but also because we are having a patio put in this month.  I can't wait to show you that when it's done!

Groundhogs destroyed the fence to my one bed last year so we double reinforced it this year.  James wants to redo my beds for next year so we'll see what he has in mind. 


The lettuce was actually planted when the weather was still crappy and it's starting to sprout! Salads galore in a few weeks!


Our garden toad hasn't returned this year (yet) but maybe the patio will entice her to reappear. 

Also we dug up the ground outside the screened in porch and put stones in.  Once the patio is done we will have some pavers down on the stone creating a path from the patio to the other side of the porch where the garden beds are!

We still have more to do and once the patio is in it'll look so good with other planting and landscaping stuff I do.  Luckily we were able to save money by using the stones we had put in the old garden beds where the patio will be.  We literally moved them shovel full by shovel full over to this new area.

I got all my flower pots for the patio ready too but I'm keeping them out front for now until it's in.



Check back next month for updates and hopefully new patio pics!!


How is your garden doing this year so far? And what are you planting?!

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How to Know if Your Dog Has Bad Teeth and How to Fix It

Dogs really are just like people. They can break their teeth and they can also get gum disease as well. On top of this, studies show that dogs are five times more likely to develop gum disease when compared to humans as well. There are a lot of different reasons for this, but the main one is that they have a much more alkaline mouth. When you have high alkalinity, you are much more likely to develop disease and even plaque formation. On top of this, it’s super hard for you to brush your dog’s teeth every single day. So how do you get around this?


Be Aware

If your dog has a cracked tooth or even a diseased tooth then your dog may not make this obvious. They may wag their tail whenever you walk in the room and they may also act as though they are the same dog that you know and love as well. Your dog could be in a tremendous amount of pain and you would never even know it. So why does this happen? Dogs have natural instincts and some of their instincts are that they have learnt not to show pain. This is a survival mechanism so your dog could have very advanced signs of periodontal disease and you would never even know. 80% of dogs also suffer from periodontal disease by the time they are 3 years old and most people are not aware of this at all, which can open the door to even more problems down the line.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-short-coated-tri-color-dog-879788/

The Signs

Bad dog breath can be a sign of gum disease. If you suspect that your dog has advanced gum disease then there are a couple of things that you can look out for. This can include gums that are red or bleeding, and blood on their chew toys. You may also look out for vocalisations when they eat or when they yawn, and to also see if they have loose teeth as well. It’s also completely normal for your dog to be head-shy, as well. The last sign is that they may always chew on one side of their mouth, to try and avoid causing themselves even more pain. A lot of pet owners blame signs like this on ageing but this is not the case at all. Age has very little to do with the condition of your dog’s teeth and there are plenty of things that you can do to try and turn the whole thing around.


Oral Health

If you want to take care of your dog’s oral health then this is very similar to taking care of your own. You have to make sure that you take them for oral examinations annually, and it even helps to get a deep clean done as well. This is usually done under general anaesthesia. It’s understandable that you may not think that this is worth it and that it is dangerous for your pet, but your vet will be able to advise you on this and they will also be able to give you all the help and support you need along the way as well. Your vet will also be able to take out dead tissue, and this can help you to prevent even more health complications at a later date.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/animal-animal-photography-animal-portrait-ball-422220/

Brushing your Dog’s Teeth

Cleaning your dog’s teeth can be a great way for you to prevent more problems. All you have to do is get some pet toothpaste and a pet toothbrush. With a little patience and a lot of treats, you can be sure to teach them how to have their teeth brushed and this is a great way for you to give them the support that they need with their oral health.


Chew Time!

Chew toys are essential if you want to keep your dog’s mouth in top form. Try and opt for toys that are hard and rubbery. Rawhide chews are also great as they can easily bend. Vets do recommend staying away from nylon bones or even rawhide chews that don’t bend. They also recommend staying away from animal bones as well, as these can wear your pet’s teeth down and they can also cause gastrointestinal problems as well. The occasional dental chew won’t go a miss either, and these are very affordable for you to buy.

So there are plenty of things that you can do to try and keep your pet safe, and there are also many ways for you to eliminate those bad breath problems as well.

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Wise Investment: It's Time To Give Your Family Home Some TLC

Your property will always be a wise investment, and many are putting their money into their family home to build up extra income by increasing its value. Those who are savvy and make all the right moves when it comes to investing in their property, will have a bright financial future ahead, not to mention a beautiful and comfortable family abode to live in.


Remember that spending on the right areas of your house will ensure that you can increase its market value with ease, and you’ll have a happier life with your family during your time there. As long as you understand when to employ the help of experts, where to outsource certain jobs, and how to save as much time and money as possible without cutting corners; you’ll know you’re spending your money wisely. The following are some things to consider if you’re ready to make your family home your ideal property, because it’s in need of some TLC.

Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/apartment-architecture-art-books-276724/

Start With The Contents


It’s worth going through your home and its contents from top to bottom. Throw out all those unloved and unused items, sell them to those who will get use out of them, or give them to charity. A clutter-free environment is the best way to open up the space and see what you’re working with. Make sure you’ve checked out companies like One Sure Insurance so that you can ensure that all of your valuables and the rest of your home is covered with insurance. You’ll give yourself peace of mind and will be able to work out your budget for protecting your biggest asset and what lies within.


Focus On High Traffic Areas


Once the building and your items are organized and protected; it’s time to focus your attention on the rooms and areas that need work. High-traffic areas, or places in your home that are used the most frequently, are often the last on the decorating or renovation list. However, the sooner you solve these parts of your home, the quicker you can enjoy a space that functions well and works for family life.


Living areas may need to be opened up; this is when you need to contact professional builders to create an open plan environment for you and the kids. Kitchens and bathrooms will be utilized daily, so you need to think about if they’re living up to expectations. It’s also worth bearing in mind that you might want to sell in the future, so make wise decisions regarding any extensions, additional rooms, and how families will use the space. As for decor; you can put your personal stamp on the space so that it feels like home, as these can always be changed with a coat of paint should you wish to sell.


Give The Outside A Spruce


It’s not just the inside of your home that your family will use. Therefore, it’s worth investing some time and effort in your garden and front lawn area. Tidying up is the best way to start, then you can begin to enhance the space with fresh fencing or paving, and the addition of decorative plants and foliage. You’ll never regret the time you’ve spent on making your family home a dream environment for everyone, so start as soon as you can.

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