Tag: tips

Eating Out

Do not eat fast food while you are traveling on the road. Fast food has many more calories than a good meal from a restaurant. The fast will likely cost more than a good meal from the restaurant. Eating something good for you is worth a bit of wait time. I would rather have a salmon meal with vegetables, soup, or baked potato. Fast foods are very fattening; if you order a hamburger and fries, you hardly get any vegetables except one lettuce leaf and one tomato slice, and they generally throw in a large soda loaded with calories. Eat healthy, wiser, and better foods for a better and healthier life. I knew a person who ate fast food all of the time while on the road, and she could hardly move, and it led to an early death.

Give Yourself Time

If you tire of driving, take a coffee and take a break. Find an attraction in the area and check it out; you will most likely be glad you did. Give yourself at least two hours’ leeway, as there may be road construction and detours to your destination. Never show up late, as that says a lot about you. It tells the other person your time is important, but their time is not.

Finding Lodging

Always try to make reservations. Driving all night to find a place to rest will wear you out even more than driving in heavy traffic. Always plan, and then you will eliminate many problems. If you find your lodging unacceptable, tell them and find a better place to stay the night. I had excellent lodging at this cabin-like house.

Snacks While Driving

If you want chips, eat a healthy energy bar, almonds, walnuts, or baked potato chips. Avoid sugary foods and fried foods if you can. You might want to drink a healthy energy drink as many new ones do not have sugar except natural juice. I like natural juice drinks, vegetable drinks, and water.

Go For A Walk For A Break From Driving

I like to find a park to walk in or walk while looking at the stores in a town. After driving for three hours or more, walking relaxes the muscles in your legs and helps your back. Talk to other people walking, and they may tell you about a must-see attraction in their town.

Driving Everyday On Busy Roads

Always watch out for the other guy on the road. The other guy may do the unexpected. I had a lady do a U-turn at a one-way intersection. I honked at her, and she finally realized she was going the wrong way when another car and she met face to face. At least no one got killed or injured since they did not collide.

You Have Arrived At Your Destination

I hope you have a good and successful business trip and that your vacation is everything you want it to be. Ask people what you should see and find the top ten attractions by asking Alexa or Google. Read what travel bloggers have said about things to do and see where you are. Safe driving and safe travels.

Tags food, tips, Travel

Do Not Put Off Things For Another Day

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date April 1, 2024
No Comments on Do Not Put Off Things For Another Day

Do Not Procrastinate

Get things done right away, especially if you dread doing it. If you wait and wait, the dread will get worse, and you will be very stressed by doing it at the last minute. If you do not want to talk to someone about a business deal, speak to them anyway, and it may go much better than you ever dreamed of. Then, it will be out of your mind and crossed off your to-do list. If you keep procrastinating, the time will come when you can no longer function to accomplish what you wanted to get done in your lifetime. Some people do not want to plan their funeral or write their will. If you do not, someone will do it for you, which will most likely not be exactly how you wanted it to be. Tell people you love them, for the day will come when they are gone, and you wish you had told them how you feel and appreciated them being part of your life. Life waits for no man, and it continues, so make the most out of your life, live it to its fullest, and do not procrastinate.

Reach For Your Dreams As No One Can Do It For You

If you want to travel, do it and stop talking about it. You will never regret any of your travels, as they are a great learning experience and one of the joys in life. If you have your heart set on a particular career, put your heart and soul into it, along with college and late-night studying, and you will achieve your goals. Nothing in life is handed to you; you must work for it. A strong work ethic is what will get you far in life. You will not get far living on handouts, and you will not feel a great sense of satisfaction or self-worth. If one is unable to work because of health or a disability, you are entitled to handouts. If you do not reach for your dreams, you will have an unfulfilled feeling that will remain with you forever.

Have All Of Bussiness Papers Filled Away

Put your important papers in a file or lockbox. If they are filed and organized neatly, papers are easy to find. No one wants to search for important documents at the last minute. Ensure you can immediately find your birth certificate, social security information, work forms, insurance policies, and abstracts. Keep all necessary papers for at least seven years if you are audited.

God And Church

Praise God daily for the blessings he has given you, not just when tragedy knocks on your door. No one wants a rainy-day friend. Put God at the top of your priority list, and never procrastinate on your relationship with Him, or you will be lost. We are nothing without God in our life. Go to church or listen on Facebook as church brings you and others closer to God. Get things done ASAP.

Tags do not procrastinate, Inspirations with Laura, tips

Always Try To Be Compassionate And Understanding

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date March 22, 2024
No Comments on Always Try To Be Compassionate And Understanding

Put Yourself In The Other Person’s Place

How would you feel if you did not feel well and someone was mean and uncaring of your situation? I would feel worse than I did, to begin with, and most of us would. Try to help someone who is not well. Call them and reach out to see if you could help them get groceries or take them to an appointment. Buy a book for them to read or candy or flowers for them to look at. Talk to them on the phone as another person’s voice can be calming and healing. Never tell someone I know how you feel because you have no idea how they feel until you have been in their situation.

Be Slow To Anger

Yelling or upsetting someone is always uncalled for. Talk out the situation after you have thought about it for a while. Remember, maybe some of the blame lies on your shoulders. Never write a letter to anyone until you have cooled down and thought over the situation entirely. Stay calm, relaxed, and collected, and you will be glad you did when everything is said and done. A person who can talk things out is much wiser than one who lets his serpent tongue go. Never go to bed being angry at anyone. All of us make mistakes or grievous errors now and then.

If You Do Not Get Your Way, Do Not Have A Hissy Fit

You do not always have the ride away in traffic, and you have to wait your turn. Some people start yelling because of a traffic jam. The traffic jams will not clear up any sooner if you lose your temper. Remember, all good things come to those who wait patiently and silently. Children may have a temper tantrum, but adults should know much better. In front of your children, act like you want them to behave as adults. After all, they learn by example.

God Is Always Compassionate And Understanding With Us

God is slow to anger. He forgives us for our sins if we truly repent. He is very compassionate with us when we are sick and frail. God understands our thoughts and tries to lead us in the right direction in our lives that will serve him and others. God loves every single hair on our heads. God answers all of our prayers in his timeframe. He does not want any of his children to suffer. With God by your side, you will not suffer for long as he will care for you. God understands you better than anyone ever can and is more compassionate than anyone else.

Lift People Up And Have Joy When They Have Accomplishments In Their Life

If someone writes a book, congratulate them on their accomplishment. If a young person graduates from college, compliment them on a job well done. Honor people who go the extra mile to make someone’s life better and more pleasant through caring deeds. Be a go-to person for others and lift them to the highest mountain top so they can get a bird’s eye view of their accomplishments while on earth. Bring joy into people’s hearts.

Tags calm, clear up misunderstandings, cool, Inspirations with Laura, tips, watch your temper

Page

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date March 1, 2024
No Comments on Page

Do Not Get Stuck On One Page In Your Life

If you focus on one thing that happened in your life years ago, you will not be able to move to the next page. Life is like turning the pages in a book. Somedays, everything will tend to go wrong that, possibly, can go wrong. If you turn the page and proceed to the next page, you could potentially have a fantastic, memorable, and relaxing day. I am glad to turn the pages in my book of life because that is living life to its full potential.

Your Life Will Have Many Chapters In It, So Keep Turning Those Pages With Joy

The first chapter will be the day you were born and how much joy you gave your parents. They watched you walk across the room for the first time and say the word, Momma. They took you to school for the first time and accused you you would be fine. They asked you how you liked school. You finally walked or rode your bike to school on your own. The teenage years can be complicated for parents and teenagers. The teenager thinks they know it all, and they try to test out their boundaries. By high school, the teenager is more mature and can drive and decide what they want to pursue. The parents are happy to see their young adult graduate from high school, get a job, or go to college to further their education. When I graduated from high school, I celebrated at home, and friends and relatives came. We had ice cream and cake. I went on to college and took all the business courses I could, which have helped me with my career. You may get married and start a family that brings great joy and love.

Travel Can Be A Wonderful Chapter In Your Life

You will have many pages to turn in your book of life when you travel. Traveling opens up a whole new world for you to see and explore. Traveling enriches the soul and mind. I loved traveling to the countries that my ancestors came from and walking down the same streets they did in the 1600s. I learned what some of them had done years ago when I mentioned their last name. When I went to the country my great-grandfather came from, I saw the farm he grew up on and met with one of my cousins and her children. The farm where he grew up had a brick home built in 1949, and the man who lived there was still related to my family. The church my grandfather went to was still there and held some family history. I am sure glad that I traveled to the countries where my great grandparents on both sides of my family had come from. I loved turning to the next page of my life.

The Key To A Long Life

You look forward to another day and think, “This the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” You long each day to turn another page in your book of life.

Tags chapters in your life, Inspirations with Laura, keep moving on, tips, Travel

Buying New Furniture

Compare Different Brands Of Recliners

I have compared many different brands of recliners over the years. Never buy a recliner that does not have a well-known brand name. We purchased a nice-looking recliner once that did not have a famous brand name, and the mechanism for the footrest wore out in only two years. The furniture store would not stand behind it. We have purchased lazy boy recliners that have held up reasonably well over many years. We once purchased Pontiac brand recliners, and the material wore out before the recliner did. Lazy Boy makes a good-quality recliner. My favorite brand of recliner overall is Flexsteel. I have one that is at least ten years old, and one of the springs broke. The company sent us a new one ASAP, and an upholstery store replaced it for us. I have had no problems whatsoever with the other Flexsteel recliners.

Bedroom Sets

I want wooden furniture that is dove-tailed and is a well-known brand name. My bedroom sets are seventy to fifty-five years old and in excellent condition. I like a bed that has a headboard and no footboard since I am tall. I prefer a chest of drawers over dressers because they hold more clothes. Our bedroom sets also have a desk, which is excellent for storing papers. I’m not too fond of things crowded in drawers as I want to find my items quickly, and I do not wish to have everything wrinkled up. Never buy pressed wood dressers; they fall apart quickly, and you cannot repair them once the wood breaks into pieces.

Couches

We currently have a Lazy Boy couch, which is 35 years old and is in perfect condition, and the upholstery is not even faded. We had a Flex steel couch, but the seat was short and uncomfortable. We also had a Pontiac couch that lasted for many years. I always want a sofa with reversible cushions, as they last much longer than those without. I do not like hide a beds as it feels like you are sitting on a rock, and the bed part is the same way as you think those springs on your back all night long.

Kitchen Set

Buy a table with leaves, and you will have plenty of room for guests. Buy well-built chairs with anti-stain fabric for life’s little messes. Make sure you have plenty of room in your kitchen for the set you have in mind.

Beds

We have had various brands of beds over the years, and you get what you pay for. A low-end bed will not give you enough back support, and you will wake up with a bad back in the morning. When your bed is ten years old, it should be replaced because the stuffing has been crushed by laying on it, and the springs are not very flexible anymore. My favorite brand of bed is Sterns and Foster. Serta beds are good beds also. Beds you can flip over last longer than those you cannot flip. If you are tall, buy a queen-sized bed as they are longer than a twin or double bed.

Buy From The Owner

You can ask for a discount if you are a volume buyer or a regular customer. I like to buy from the owner as he knows everything there is to know about his merchandise. Get your warranty in writing, so if there is a problem down the road, you have it in writing. I hope you enjoy your new furniture for many years to come.

Tags buying items, furniture, quality, tips

Bookwork

Be Organized

Have a file for each category, such as checks, health bills, etc. Do not be the kind of person who has receipts and cannot find them when needed. Never put all receipts in one big group; you will be sorting through them frantically when tax season comes. Make sure you print out receipts for items ordered online right away, or you will have lots of emails to go through before you can print out the receipts you need. Have record books and write down expenses in them regularly. Keep your items in a place where you can locate them ASAP. You may want to put non-deductable items in separate folders so you have proof that you paid them if needed. The last thing you tax man wants to see is a giant shoebox full of your receipts, but he would make more money when he gets everything organized for you. Put your receipts away when you get home so you do not lose them, and write them down soon. Store your records and keep them organized for seven years before you get rid of them because you will need them if you are audited.

Record Books

I write down my expenses in record books at least every two weeks. I want to stay on top of my bookwork and not have much to write down all at once. I have tabs on my record books for the various expenses. I also have folders with tabs for multiple items. When an old record book gets filled up, start a new one and put the tabs you will need in it.

You Cannot Deduct That

If in doubt about deducting something from your taxes, leave it off. You cannot deduct non-prescription items. If you donated and received a gift for doing so, you must take off what the gift is worth. If you donated $40.00 and the gift is worth $20.00, you can only deduct $20.00. Some people have told me they tried to deduct food they gave someone. That is a gift, and you cannot deduct that. If you give something to charity, it is only worth market value and no more. Get a receipt from the charity with their signature on it.

Do Your Bookwork Early

You can write down all your expenses on the papers you give your tax man now. I always have all of my bookwork done by Dec. 26th. I have my car mileage written down, health insurance, medicines, taxes, property insurance, and other expenses that occurred throughout the year. I bring this to my tax man so he can work on it early. I do have to wait on the 1099 ‘s for income, and if I am lucky, I will receive those by Feb. 15th. I then take that to my tax man, and soon, I have my taxes paid and do not have to try to get it done at the last minute. Do not put off for tomorrow what you can do today. Stay organized and on top of your bookwork.

Tags bookwork, receipts, tips

Exercise Keeps Your Body Going

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date January 1, 2024
No Comments on Exercise Keeps Your Body Going

Exercise Helps Keep Your Joints Functioning Correctly

Walking is the best exercise, along with physical labor. I get a lot of exercise when I weed-whack around the trees and bushes at my place. I love to plant a garden, and gardening is an excellent form of exercise. Plus, you can eat fresh vegetables with rich nutrients that help keep your body in peak condition. If the weather is fit, you can also walk outdoors in winter. I have a treadmill with an orthopedic belt, which helps your feet and back as you walk or run away unwanted pounds. I love my electric bike as it assists you with pedaling and is a beautiful form of exercise. If you don’t use it, you lose it, as the old saying goes, which is true.

Exercising Your Mind

Get out and socialize with people often. Read books on subjects that you love. I love to read history books on the history of buildings and towns and ancient history. Games to play include crossword puzzles, word find puzzles, or just putting puzzles together. Get out an old math book from your past and see how long it takes you to solve the equation. Doing bookwork and adding up figures keeps your mind active. Read magazines, books, newspapers, and much more to keep your mind thinking about what you have read. If one stays actively involved in all areas of life, many problems will have to be solved, and decisions will have to be made quickly.

Pain And Exercise

If you have a lot of pain when exercising, take it slower and see if it helps; otherwise, consult your doctor before continuing your exercise regimen. If you cannot tolerate one kind of exercise, try a less aggressive exercise. There is plenty of good exercise that can be done while you sit in a chair. If your feet hurt when you exercise, try a different pair of shoes or put soft insoles in your shoes and see if that helps. Back pain can occur if you have done too much heavy lifting or lifted something incorrectly, or you may need a new bed if it is ten or more years old. I have gone to a chiropractor and gotten results. Consult your doctor if your back pain persists, as you may have a compressed spine or degenerated disk, such as no cartilage between the bones in the spine or your back is out of alignment.

Pain In Your Hands Or Joints

As we age, fingers are not as nimble as they used to be. Our hands may take a while to warm up, so we can sign our name to a document after being outdoors in the winter. Cold weather can make your hands look glued to the steering wheel. Wear thermal gloves that will help. Come indoors for a while and get defrosted. You can continue shoveling or moving snow with a tractor or truck after your hands have warmed back up. Wear wool socks on your feet and heavily insulated boots to keep your feet nice and toasty. Have lots of layers of clothing on.

Tags exercise, tips, walking

Broken

Broken Items That You Ordered

I have ordered two new litter boxes, and each got broken in shipping. One man returned my money immediately after he talked to the shipper that damaged the item. The shipper would have never told him, except I kept asking when the litter box was coming. The company I ordered the other litter box directly from, and the shipper delivered it to my door. The box looked bet up, but I did not see any damage on top of the box. When I opened the box and started to remove the plastic, it had a large fracture in the plastic globe on top of the unit. I ordered a new furnace that had been crushed to pieces by a forklift. Two different shippers and the company I ordered it from were involved. I had to get documents from them and copies of receipts before I finally got a full refund. I ordered new speakers for my old TV set, which did not work. Ebay is helping me get my money back since that seller will not work with me even though he admitted they had many issues with them. Never give up and get your money back, even though you may have to jump through many hoops. If they take advantage of customers, they will keep on doing so. Put an end to their devious ways and methods.

Broken In Many Different Ways

Your car could get in an accident, and you would not be able to use it anymore because it got damaged to a degree where it is unsafe to drive. A relationship could fail and leave you with a broken heart, which will take a long time to recover. If you have a horrible fall, you can end up with fractured bones that will take quite some time to heal, along with lots of physical therapy. A broken man is a man who has suffered more than he can bear. He has suffered emotional pain that has changed the way he lives and sees life, which is generally the result of a very unpleasant event to several events too close together. Broken agreements can be devastating. You should always have an agreement in writing to set it in stone. If an agreement is oral, it could be broken at any time, and you would not have any legal recourse whatsoever. Broken promises can hurt for a long time. If you were going to meet someone and they promised they would, and they did not show up, you wonder if you were the cause even though you are not.

We Are A Broken Society

We have sinned, and no one in this world is perfect without flaws. Jesus died for our sins so that we may be forgiven for our sins and live again after death. Church attendance is broken, as I remember years ago when my church was full of people worshipping God. The church had full pews, a balcony, and folding chairs in the aisles. Remember, God is your best friend, and he is there for you 24/7. Without God in your life, you are nothing. Go back to church or watch a sermon on Facebook. Honor God today and always.

Tags fractured, Inspirations with Laura, tips

Difficult Cats

Gifts

Gifts For Babies

I like to give them baby clothes and baby toys. I provide the parents with a gift certificate so they can buy what they need for the newborn.

Gifts For Young Children

Make sure you buy age-appropriate gifts. Never buy toys with parts that come off that a small one could shallow and possibly die from by doing so. Buy them a talking book so they can learn to read along with it. Buy small kids toys that they will learn something by playing with it. I would buy them books their Mother could read to them at night. As they got older, I purchased books I knew they were interested in, such as a book about horses. Kids like to play with toy cars, bouncing balls, and interactive toys. Stuffed animals are always a winner. I always preferred a stuffed toy cat. I loved playing with a spirograph that made drawings of circles in many different patterns. Toy ovens, soldiers, Tonka trucks, dolls, and more make good gifts. Try to learn what the child likes before buying a toy.

Buying A Gift For A Teenager

Buying gifts for teenagers can be very difficult. I would ask them what they might want. Gift certificates are your best choice so they can get what they want with them. Books are okay if they are on a subject that they like. I loved to read history books, and I still do today. Never buy clothes for a teenager since they are very fussy about what they will or will not wear. You could not go wrong with an Amazon gift certificate.

Buying Gifts For Adults

I think buying gifts for adults is the easiest. Buy a gift card to a local restaurant. If they are older, do not buy items that most people already have in their homes. Buy something everyone can use, such as a gas certificate, grocery store certificate, and many more. If the party you know lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility, buy them toiletries, food snacks, candy bars, etc. Take them out to eat at a nice restaurant or take them on an outing, drive around, see the sights, and have a cup of Java.

Buying Gifts For The Pets

Pet owners constantly need new toys and beds for their pets as the toys can get chewed up quickly or lost. I like the latest GPS trackers that they sell for pets. Plush dog and cat beds are a must-have item. My cats love cat hammocks, and they do wear out after a while, so they will appreciate a new one now and then. Pets love food treats, particularly wet kinds of canned or foil-packed food.

General Gifts For Tenants, Workers And More

Please give them a gift certificate to show them you appreciate what they have done for you. Leave a gift for your mail carrier in your mailbox, or give the FedEx, UPS, and other delivery people a fancy candy bar or more, depending on your budget. Happy gift-giving.

Tags children, gifts, pets, tips

Sharing Is Caring

Share Your Good Fortune With Others

If you excel at something, teach your knowledge in that area to others. Never hide your hidden talents. Teach what you know to others and help them excel. I once knew an older man who did not want to teach any of his abilities to others. He said he wished to die keeping his knowledge in that area to himself. I thought to myself, what a waste. If all of us felt like that, no one would learn anything. Books would have never been written as no one would have known how to write a book. If you have extra vegetables in your garden, share them with others that do not have vegetables to eat. Never leave food just lying on the ground rotting away when it could have fed many people. If you are blessed with monetary wealth, share it with those who need the bare essentials. Give your time to people and help them free of charge for one day of cleaning or shopping. Take time to visit with people, as we all like to talk with others. Please send a card or flowers to someone to help brighten their day.

If You Have Too Many Of Anything, Share It With Someone

If you have furniture you are not using, give it to a charity to sell. Sell your items at an auction and donate that money to your church. Donate extra clean coats, hats, mittens, tools, furniture, and more to worthy causes that help people regain their feet. Order a large pizza, bring it to a friend’s house, and share it with them. Buy some coffee or candy and share it with someone. Donate bedding, beds, cleaning supplies, and much more to a homeless shelter. We all have something we could part with that would help others, as no item is too small or too large.

Help People With Snow Or Lawn Needs And More

As we age, we need help removing snow and mowing our yards in the spring. We may need windows caulked or someone to help us with a leaky faucet. We might need someone to get something down from a high shelf. Many people cannot afford to pay $35.00 an hour for these services when they only make $5.00 an hour.

Stay Overnight With Someone That Just Got Out Of The Hospital

If you just had surgery and are not feeling well, you need someone to stay overnight with you. A good friend or family member should be able to stay overnight with you until you feel more stable from your surgery or illness. One should never charge for this; it should be a caring act of kindness from your heart. Share your walker or anything that they might be able to use with their recovery. Share a nice meal that you cooked with them. God loves people who share their bounty with others and do not hoard things themselves.

Tags caring for others, Inspirations with Laura, tips