Modern-day homes are characterized by state-of-the-art appliances. Interestingly, most of these appliances are found in the kitchen or have a close association with the kitchen’s environment.

Before purchasing any appliance, be sure to do thorough market research to ascertain the prices and quality. Above all other things, budgetary allocations have to be put into consideration before you decide your next step.

Keep reading to understand when to save or splurge on home appliances.

Family Lifestyle

Before proceeding to buy any of the home appliances, you have to include the family in the whole design. What kind of life do you dream of living in the future? How about the size of the family? These are some of the finer details that have to play out in such situations.

In as much as you will be after saving some cash, make sure that you don’t go for substandard items that don’t meet the needs of the family. Make arrangements and visit your local retailer to get a glimpse of various items.

Such visits give room for interaction with the sellers. This eventually provides you with the necessary information on where to save and where to splurge.

How About Home Design?

Spending on home appliances requires some early planning which dates back to the designing of individual rooms. While buying materials, you must be sure that they complement the general appearance of the home.

In case you find something that matches the finishing design of the home, don’t hesitate to splurge. However, if it is the opposite, there is a need to save as you will end up replacing such items in the future.

 Budget

The budget is the most critical aspect when stocking your new home. All purchases that you make will be dictated by the amount of money you have. However, the budget has to be realistic to give your home a luxurious look.

At some point, you may have to make compromises based on your budget. For as long as an item meets your expectations and budget plans, don’t be afraid to spend cash on it. Even as you do this, put into consideration the operational costs that come with individual appliances.

With all these factors in place, you can easily decide where to splurge and where to save.

Dishwasher

A modern-day kitchen is defined by the machines that are in it. Among the most crucial ones is the dishwasher, which comes in a variety of models. The model you pick might largely be influenced by your family lifestyle.

The latest models are known for their convenience when it comes to noise pollution and energy efficiency. The presence of insulators means that the sound that would traditionally emanate from them is no more. They are also self-regulating, which makes it effective.

Dishwashers have a variety of sizes, and your choice will depend on the size of the family and how often you take your meals indoors. In case your family spends most of the time indoors, it means you will take meals from there, thus the need for a bigger device.

In such instances, you have no option but to splurge. There will be value for your money as the machine will get busy when need be. With smaller families, there is no need of wasting much cash on it. An 18-inch device is more than enough for you, and this is where you save.

Oven

Similar to almost all other appliances, the size, and adaptation of the family will determine which oven works best for you. Do you have a big family? Do they fancy cooking? If the answer to these is yes, then you need to invest in bigger ovens with more than one cooking space.

At the same time, there are these small families that will hardly cook two meals at once. Members of the category should save by purchasing an oven with a single cooking unit.

Refrigerator

This is one of the few appliances in your home that run for the longest time, thus the need for top-notch quality. They too have a wide range of prices depending on the size. A 36-inch fridge is big enough to accommodate all the needs of a big family.

If the family is small and does little when it comes to cooking, medium-sized fridges will serve you better. However, if you are planning for the long term, take the 36-inch home for it is worth the splurge.

Water Heater

In most cases, families find themselves buying this equipment not because it was in their original plan but because the previous one is faulty. If you are a beginner, it is always good to buy quality from the word go.

Every household has a varied capacity for water usage. In case you are the type that is addicted to water, a smaller energy efficient heater is all you need. It might be expensive, but in the long run, you will not regret it.

For the individuals who don’t do much cleaning, you can stay without this equipment. It will make no sense by you buying hardware only to keep it packing.

Slow Cookers

These are valuable for people who spend most of their time working such that they are exhausted by the end of the day. All you will do is set the ingredients before you go to work and leave it cooking.

If you are a stay at home person, slow cookers are not for you.

Food Processor

This is a one-stop appliance that should never miss in your list. The good thing with it is that it can be used to make coffee, mix substances as well as blend fruits.

Feel free to splurge in this tool as it serves numerous roles.

Pimping or renovating a home is an uphill task, especially when you don’t know the appliances you need. Always draft a list of the required tools for your new home and begin by getting the most important ones first. All this process has to be guided by tastes and finances.

Resources- Forbes, The Spruce, Bankrate

As Japan prepares to host the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo next summer, disabled athletes are preparing for the Paralympics as well, which will also be held in Tokyo from August 25 to September 6. It will be the 16^th edition of this significant multi-sports event. 

In 2020, there are 22 Paralympic events, including goalball, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball for both men and women. Men’s football and wheelchair rugby will be held as a mixed sport for both men and women. As in previous Paralympics, athletes will travel to venues in mobility van conversions, which accommodates disabled athletes along with those who require a wheelchair.

The International Paralympic Committee is predicting that 4,400 athletes will compete in the Tokyo games for 537 medal events.

History of Paralympics

The very first Paralympic competition for athletes with disabilities began in 1948 for British World War II veterans who had spinal cord injuries. In 1988, the Paralympic Games competition began In Seoul using Olympic venues. As the years passed, the size and scope of the games increased to include many sports for non-ambulatory athletes. Conversion vans are in use today to shuttle athletes around venues and living quarters. 

Tokyo is working hard to make the city more accessible for both athletes and disabled visitors. At many of the Olympic and Paralympic venues, conversion vans will be used to help transport disabled people requiring wheelchair accessible transportation. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is working to promote barrier-free facilities and remove all obstacles that might impede people with disabilities.

New Paralympic Sporting Events

Six exciting new sporting events will debut in the 2020 Paralympic Program, including amputee football, basketball for intellectually impaired athletes, electric wheelchair hockey, Para-badminton, Para-taekwondo, and Powerchair football. It is hoped that the upcoming 2020 Paralympics will send a key message of inclusiveness throughout Asia, building on previous successful Games in the area.

Top Paralympic Sports of All Time

From archery to wheelchair tennis, there are games for everyone to enjoy and compete in regardless of disabilities. There are both team competitions as well as individual sports where athletes can compete for medals in their respective sports. 

Athletics offers a combination of track and field events for men and women with a wide range of disabilities or impairment. Athletics are played by both individuals and teams and was one of the original games at the beginning back in 1960. Athletes from more than 120 countries participate in athletics, which makes it the most practiced Paralympic sport. 

Swimming is one of the most popular sports and has been around since the first Paralympics – the 1960 games in Rome. More than 500 athletes from over 70 countries compete in swimming events, which are available to athletes who have physical, intellectual, or visual impairments. Several modifications are made for the athletes, depending on their level of disability. 

Wheelchair basketball is another one of the top competitive sports and has been around since the first Paralympic games in 1960. Both men and women play the sport on a court that’s the same size as the one at the Olympics, with the same basket height as well. Scoring is similar to Olympic basketball, including two-point shots, three-point shots and one point for free throws. 

Road Cycling is another favorite sport and features both road events and stadium racing for men and women. The Paralympic athletes compete using the same cycling rules that are in the traditional Olympic games. Road cycling includes time trails, individual and team road races, and sprints.

Wheelchair rugby is another exciting sport that is played during the final weekend of the Paralympics. It’s often referred to as “murderball” because of the level of intensity the Paralympic athlete’s display. It was first played in 1996 in Athens and has grown in popularity since.  

Other top sports include table tennis, archery, shooting, rowing, and many other sports. With a legacy spanning 50 years, the 2020 Paralympic games will provide excitement for all athletes and spectators alike.

As you probably know, there are thousands of skincare tricks and tons of skincare products that promise to give you a smooth and glowing skin. But even the best skincare tricks and products won’t work if your beauty routine isn’t right. This article highlights three basic skincare rules that will make a difference to your skin if you follow them every day. 

1. Double cleanse your face

When we were young, our mothers made us wash the face every day. Most of us hated it, but it turns out that our mothers were right. Cleaning your face regularly is critical to maintaining healthy and glowing skin. The most crucial benefit of facial cleansing is to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and other unwanted substances from the skin. Washing your face daily removes these impurities and gives your face a fresh look. 

When you clean your face the first time, it removes the surface dirt, some makeup, and other pollutants that stick on your skin all day. But washing your face for a second time helps to remove all the leftover makeup and sebum. Double cleansing helps water to penetrate the skin pores hence boosting hydration. But how do you double cleanse your face?

Start by cleaning your face with an oil cleanser. It helps to dissolve makeup, sebum, and other pollutants. Then use a water-based cleanser such as foam, gel, or cream to remove impurities such as sweat, dirt, and leftover makeup. 

2. Apply skincare products in the correct order

Most people fail to accomplish their goals of having a healthy and smooth skin because they don’t layer their skincare products the right way. The rule of the thumb is to apply the lightweight skincare products first and then the thickest formulas in your beauty routine. For instance, the correct order would be; cleanser, toner, spot cream, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, and oil. 

3. Exfoliate your skin

You should exfoliate your skin regularly, at least once a weak. Exfoliation helps to remove dead skin and also to open up the skin pores. Exfoliating your skin will not only help to remove dead skin and dirt, but it will also brighten your complexion. Some products used for exfoliation contains ingredients that can help clear fine lines and improve the appearance of wrinkles. 

Your skin type will determine how often you can exfoliate your skin. Individuals with oily skin can exfoliate up to three times a week while those with sensitive or dry skin can exfoliate once a week using gentle exfoliators. 

About Jeunesse Global 

Jeunesse Global is a direct selling company that focuses on improving peoples lives by encouraging healthy living and youth enhancement. Randy Ray and Wendy Lewis founded the company in 2004 as a multilevel marketing company. They have penetrated the beauty industry by manufacturing high-quality beauty products and supplements that are sold in the U.S and distributed by their agents to other countries. 

Jeunesse Global has designed most of their skincare products for youth enhancement. Some of their popular products include Luminesce, Instantly Ageless, NV foundation, primer, and bronzer. Besides skincare products, Jeunesse Global also manufacture and distribute supplements that helps our bodies in many ways. One of the most popular supplements from the company is the AM & PM Essentials. This supplement is packed with multiple vitamins that enhance energy production during the day and helps the body to relax at night. 

Cannabidiol (CBD) has reportedly tripled in sales from 2014 to 2017, working its way from $108.1 million to $358.4 million in just three years according to Hemp Business Journal.  By 2020, CBD sales are predicted to reach $1.153 billion.

More than 64 million Americans now use CBD oil on a regular basis for a whole range of benefits, which, in the long run, are hoped to make us live longer and healthier lives.

However, if we’re going to describe this as being a great way to live to 100, then first we better explain what it actually is.

What is CBD?

CBD is a chemical compound that is extracted from the cannabis plant. It’s now used widely across a whole range of products, including vapes, creams, gummies, brownies, and even smoothies.

Unlike smoking cannabis, CBD doesn’t contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which means you won’t experience the psychoactive effects from taking it – the ‘high’.

In fact, it’s illegal to sell a product that contains more than 0.3% THC, because then you’re selling the high. However the FDA currently struggles to regulate CBD as it is such a huge market – so before taking, you need to practice self-caution. 

So why do so many people choose CBD oil to cure medical conditions?

Here are 6 ways CBD can help you live to 100.

Helps to stop smoking

We are all aware that smoking is terrible for our health. As a matter of fact, smoking is responsible for 480,000 deaths in America each year.

CBD is considered by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health to have ‘better’ side effects than other drugs, meaning it is better for a smoker to switch to a CBD vape nine times out of ten.

CBD is also considered to have a similar effect on the body as it produces dopamine. This relieves the body of anxiety and leaves smokers feeling fulfilled. 

Weaning off the cigarettes can significantly reduce a smoker’s risk of developing serious health issues such as lung cancer, throat cancer, respiratory diseases, anxiety, high cholesterol, and cervical cancer, helping them to live longer, healthier lives.

Manages diabetes

A five-year study  found that people using CBD on a regular basis had fasting insulin levels that were 16 percent lower than those who had never used cannabis.

It is also suggested that CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties could reduce insulin resistance, which is a key cause of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Other studies have shown that CBD may help to delay β cell damage in patients with Type 1 diabetes, preventing the immune system from weakening and the patient relying so heavily on insulin.

This can massively improve the strain put on a patient’s health, giving them the chance of a longer life.

Relieves pain

According to Healthcare Weekly, the use of CBD-rich cannabis to alleviate or manage pain is something that goes way back.

It can actually be traced as far back as 2900 BC when the Chinese used it for a variety of medical conditions.

CBD can help to influence our endocannabinoid system, which looks after bodily functions such as our appetite, sleep, immune response, and pain. It can encourage the production of more serotonin and melatonin which give make the body feel happy and soothed to alleviate pain.

We’re not just talking about bumps and bruises, either – CBD can seriously help people living with chronic pain to have a better quality of life.

Makes for a better night’s sleep

Getting a good night’s sleep is a  key part of a healthy lifestyle and can benefit your heart, weight, and even your mind.

It’s vital that you get enough of it, and if CBD can help, it may be worth trying. 

Boosting serotonin in the brain through the use of CBD is fantastic for reducing symptoms of depression, reducing anxiety and alleviating chronic pain, inflammation, seizures, and digestion problems. 

These are all known causes linked to insomnia, so by deflating them, you’ll be able to have a much deeper and longer sleep. 

Not only that but the production of the hormone melatonin can actually aid sleep to make sure you wake up feeling well-rested and ready to start the day

Reduces the risk of heart disease

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in America. According to CDC around 610,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year–that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.

Cool Things Chicago claims research has indicated that both phytocannabinoids and endogenous cannabinoids can reduce vascular tension to reduce the risk of heart disease.

CBD oil studies have shown that the substance can actually be great for the heart, blood flow, and circulation system, and is most commonly linked to regulating blood sugar levels and blood pressure rates.

It is often concluded that this is down to the anti-anxiety and anti-stress properties of CBD.

It is also considered possible for cannabidiol to prevent the death of cardiovascular cells and reduce inflammation around the body, often linked to heart disease.

Helps to burn fat

Obesity is a growing issue across America. It is preventable, however, some people find that medical conditions make it hard to lose weight.

CBD oil has been proven to shed the pounds through the conversion of bad to favorable fat and antagonizing effects which help to curb appetite.

Some studies have even shown that CBD could help to tackle metabolic disorders in a similar way.

Losing weight is crucial to living longer to avoid type 2 diabetes, strokes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and variations of cancer.

If you love reading and also giving back, you’ll be happy to know that many authors set up their own charitable contributions. Some books help a reader through a specific and sometimes debilitating problem while others provide philanthropy from a portion of the purchase price.  Some of the most successful authors even set up a foundation to deliver aid to multiple non-profits. While other authors give back by providing free services to readers.

If you’re looking for a great book that has the added benefit of giving back to people in a powerful way, here are a few highlights. Each book below contributes in a different way, but is equally effective in impact.

Next Therapist Please – by Laurie Finkelstein

What a fun and inspiring book! Next Therapist Please combines the pure joy in Laurie’s storytelling with a real understanding of what it’s like to suffer from anxiety and OCD. How does this gem of a book accomplish such contradictory goals? Well, first of all, it’s based on the author’s real life experiences.

Janie is a wiz as an artist and home bartender. She makes killer cocktails when her OCD doesn’t prevent her from making a market run. Attending art receptions stretch her social anxieties to the stratosphere leading her right into the ladies room to hide. If only her OCD and issues with public bathrooms didn’t send her right back out into the art-collecting shark infested gallery. Is there no reprieve from awkward situations and devastating interactions for our heroine? Follow this compelling if not tortured woman as she hops from one therapist to another in search of a meaningful, functioning, lifestyle.  Will there be romance for Janie? Maybe, but nothing is typical in her world.

Not only has this book been instrumental in helping families of those suffering with anxiety and OCD, understand what their loved ones go through on a daily basis, but with every sale of Next Therapist Please, Laurie Finkelstein donates 10% of the proceeds to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).

The Divorce Recovery Ladder – by Susan Shofer

No doubt about it, divorce can be challenging. From thorny legal issues to emotional, mental, and financial wellness, divorce seeps in and impacts every part of life. Wouldn’t it be great to find a book that walks you step by step through the process and is a guide on how to handle the frightening and isolating experience of divorce?

The Divorce Recovery Ladder: Your Step-By-Step Guide to Successfully Climb Out of Your Divorce is the book that gives back. It answers in a straightforward and pragmatic manner your most burning questions regarding all aspects of divorce. Along with Susan’s personal divorce, her experience in the financial industry and a twenty-five-year career as a private investigator bring you sensible ways to navigate the divorce recovery journey.

Here’s the best part. The Divorce Recovery Ladder Guide is interactive and includes downloadable PDFs that will help you stay organized and on-track, understanding and taking control of your divorce process.

Author Susan Shofer is passionate about helping those dealing with parental alienation, an issue many divorcees experience. She has set up a free webinar for those looking for guidance on the topic.

Susan truly gives back in a way that’s helped many people get through a very challenging time in their life.

Vision in White – by Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts is a New York Times bestselling author and highly acclaimed philanthropist.  The Nora Roberts Foundation gives vast resources to support and promote literacy, education, youth services, arts & culture, animal rescue and humanitarian aid. The foundation, funded by proceeds from her book sales, makes grants to about 140 organizations each year. From ProLiteracy to Habitat for Humanity, Nora exudes the giving spirit.

With all this great work it’s easy to forget that Nora Roberts is an amazing author. Vision in White is a compelling and warm novel of love, friendship, and family. Wedding photographer Mac Elliot is most at home behind the camera, but her focus is shattered moments before an important wedding rehearsal when she bumps into the bride-to-be’s brother.

A stable, safe English teacher, Carter Maguire is definitely not Mac’s type; however, a casual fling might be just what she needs to take her mind off her troubles. Of course, casual flings can turn into something more when you least expect it. Mac will have to turn to her three best friends and business partners to see her way to her own happy ending.

Next time you go looking for a new book to read, check below the surface to see if you can find one that’s trying to improve the human condition. Pick a book that can entertain as well as do some good in the world.

Gift cards are truly the best gift to give during the holidays, birthdays, or any special occasion. Here are 3 reasons why gift cards make the best gifts.

80% of holiday shoppers buy gifts every year, spending a total of $29.8 billion on their love-to-hate-it present.

Say what you want about gift cards, “they’ll ultimately be forgotten,” “they’re too impersonal,” “they’re a lazy option,” but they remain a must have on your holiday shopping list.

Gift cards are as good as handing someone cash – and who wouldn’t want that? The beauty about these cards is that they prevent the awkward moments where you open a gift you hate from someone you love.

Most restaurants and retail location offer gift cards. Some will have set amounts, while others provide the option to choose your amount.

Gift cards are truly the best gift to give during the holidays, birthdays, or any special occasion. Here are 3 reasons why gift cards make the best gifts.

1. They Make Receiving and Giving More Fun

Many people don’t shop by themselves because they don’t have a lot of cash in their budget for it. However, if you give them a gift card to their favorite clothing store, there’s nothing they’ll love to do more than roam around looking at cropped rib sweaters and mini dresses.

If you know such an individual in person, you’re familiar with the store where he/she loves to shop. So, when you’re giving out the card, you know that they’ll enjoy picking out for themselves. 

2. Gift Cards Can Be Used in Store or Online

These days, you can conveniently shop at home because most stores offer online gift cards. So, why can’t you take advantage of gift certificates templates from Adobe Spark to create your card in minutes? You also get to customize them with personal messages and graphics.

Some retailers have the option to email an electronic gift card to someone. This is convenient for you as the receiver can keep track of the card. Take note that not everyone can visit a retail location, especially if they’re not living near a shopping area. So, gift cards allow them to spend the money online.

3. They Guarantee Gifts People Will Love

Whether you’re giving free downloads to that music lover in your life, or buying a gift card from someone’s favorite clothing store, gift cards guarantee that people will appreciate what you’re offering them. You’ve got the option to select whatever you want, and you don’t have to go through the pressure of finding the perfect gift.

Some online retail outlets sell everything from electronics to books. So, if you purchase gift cards from such general retailers, it guarantees you that they’ll be something for everyone, especially the picky people in your life.

Explore The Convenience Of Shopping With Gift Cards!

The holiday season is a time of gifts giving and merrymaking, and the only way not to surprise your loved one is by offering them a gift card. This way, they have the option to shop for what they want. Gift cards are acceptable in stores or online, so you’ve limitless possibilities on what to buy.

Are you still figuring out the best gift to give your kid’s birthday? Check out our blog to learn about the best gift ideas for teens.