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How to Become Friends with Your Mother-In-Law

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Are you wanting to become friends with your mother-in-law? Perhaps you even want to become best friends with her. Whatever your reasons or motives are—it is possible to become friends with your mother-in-law. After all, whether you like it or not, your mother-in-law is going to be around for a long time. It only makes sense to make sure you do what you can to be on her good side and make things much easier on your husband. So let’s chat over some coffee about How to Become Friends with Your Mother-In-Law.

How to Become Friends with Your Mother-In-Law

How to Become Best Friends with Your Mother-in-Law

#1. Ask her over for coffee.

Everyone loves coffee so why not invite her over, so you can talk about anything and everything. Okay, maybe not everyone (some things should be left between you and your spouse) but letting her hear your heart and letting her into your life (even just a little) can really help your relationship with her.

#2. Listen to her talk.

Mother-in-law’s get a bad rap just because they care deeply about their sons. They want to know that their sons are well cared for, taken care of, and the new woman in his life is ready to take on the role of being just as loving as she is. Listen to her when she talks and more importantly, don’t assume everything that comes out her mouth is bad.

#3. Don’t assume she’s out to get you.

The worst thing you can do is assume your mother-in-law hates you just because you are the women with her son. Yes, some mother-in-laws can be overly protective even if their son’s are grown men but most of them welcome a new woman in their son’s life. In the end, she wants see her son happy and he married YOU for a reason. So cut her some slack and don’t allow some assumption ruin chances of you being friends with her.

#4. Do something nice for her.

Go out of your way for her. Bring her breakfast, a cup of coffee, or even spend the day with her. You do the same for your best friends in life, right? So do the same for your new mom (she’s your mom now too). She will be grateful and happy and you will win her over in no time!

#5. Take interest in her hobbies.

Maybe your mother in law has a hobby of gardening or even exercising. Ask her if you can join her! Nothing creates a better bond than meeting someone on their level. You never know what your mother in law can teach you about her favorite things in life and who knows, you two might have more in common then you think!

#6. Treat her son right.

In the end, all that truly matters to your mother-in-law is how you treat her son. She wants the best for him and if that’s you – you have the ultimate way in. Give her son respect, love, and show that you care and in return you will get the same from her.

When it comes to being friends with your mother in law, there is no magical potion to make that happen. By being genuine and trying a few of our suggestions, you will be on your way to an everlasting friendship and relationship before you know it.

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What other tips would you offer to someone trying to become friends with their mother in law?

How to Plan a Home Remodeling Project

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Maybe you’ve just bought a new home, or maybe you want to revamp a room that’s clearly out-of-date. In either case, a home remodel doesn’t have to be complicated. We’ve teamed up with GoHaus to make planning your next home remodeling project effortless if you follow our 5 easy steps on How to Plan a Home Remodeling Project.

How to Plan a Home Remodeling Project

How to Plan a Home Remodeling Project

  1. Write Down What You Want

The first step is to nail down the end-goal for your project. Are you doing a floor-to-ceiling remodel of a basement to convert it to a game room, or are you updating a kitchen? Determine which room you want to remodel, and everything you want to change. Write down every detail you want, and what the results are when the project is all said and done. Dreaming of new Tigerwood flooring in the living room? Write it down. Take down all necessary measurements of the room, walls, and whatever else that may be replaced. This way, you can better plan the materials and contracted work needed for the remodel. Creating a mood board or Pinterest board will help inspire ideas as well.

  1. Set a Budget

Every project needs a budget. Set a realistic budget to allow for materials, labor, and unforeseen events. If necessary, do the research on the average cost for a similar project in your area to make sure the costs are within your means. This means getting an estimate from a contractor if you’re planning on outsourcing the work, and researching the average cost of materials online. For example, Home Advisor reports that most homeowners spent between $11,000 and $29,000 on a full kitchen remodel last year. The average kitchen remodel costs $20,000. Make sure these numbers are in-line with what you plan on spending.

  1. Set a Timeline
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Setting a timeline is especially important for large remodeling projects. Be sure to include timing for shipping, acclimation of materials, and installation for each phase of the project. This will help keep both you and your contractor (if you choose to hire one) on schedule. No one wants to be displaced from his or her home for too long!

  1. Source Materials

Surprisingly, you can find a lot of remodeling materials online at a much cheaper cost than if you were to go to Lowe’s or Home Depot. Since these online stores don’t have to pay for a brick-and-mortar retail space, they transfer their overhead savings into the cost of the product, which makes things cheaper for you! It’s also easy to order samples in case you want to see the materials first before you buy. For example, www.gohaus.com offers 100% free samples for all of their flooring, which includes getting it shipped straight to your doorstep. Not only is this convenient, it frees up your time to shop for contractors!

  1. Select a Contractor

If you’re not planning on completing the project yourself, you must find a reputable and reliable contractor to do it for you. It’s recommended to interview at least four or five contractors. If you’re not sure where to look, ask friends and family, or check Yelp and Angie’s List. Both of these sources will allow you to read candid reviews of your prospective contractor. During the interview, ask questions about their previous work, get information on insurance, bonding, and permits, and ask for references. Make sure everything checks out. Once you find a contractor that will fit your needs on timeline and costs, request a signed contract that includes all of the agreed upon details.

Get to work!

That’s it! The planning process is done, and now it’s time to execute. Happy remodeling!

How to Create The Perfect Budget

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Whether it’s to take a vacation or splurge on something fun we all wish we had a bit more cash to play with. Before you start digging into the couch cushions looking for spare change, know that you can have the money you seek but it’s going to take some planning and work on your end. Let’s talk about How to Create The Perfect Budget.

How to Create The Perfect Budget

How to Create The Perfect Budget

I am about to share the best tips on creating the perfect budget but before I do, you need to know that you have to be committed to doing this. Money won’t magically fall from the tree in your backyard so you have to be proactive with the money you do have. With that being said, here are some tips on how to create the perfect budget.

  • Write down expenses – The first rule of fight club (just kidding) but the first rule in creating a budget is to know where your money is going. Write down EVERY SINGLE expense. Including those Netflix fees. Seeing it all out on paper might just be a bit overwhelming but we are going to help fix that!
  • Separate your wants and needs – Look I know many of you might disagree that your subscription to HBO every month is want because I get it, Game of Thrones is something I like to watch too, but it isn’t a need. Separate your wants vs your needs into columns on another sheet of paper. Then take a look to see what you can eliminate. Remember even a $5 subscription to US Weekly can free up a lot of your budget over time.
  • Decide what is worth keeping – Now you know what you are spending monthly, where it’s going, and the difference between a want and something you need. Obviously, things like food, shelter, clothing, utilities are needs but if there is anything you can remove from the want category – do it to initially free up some money in your budget. Then each month pay on your needs and if there is anything left over use it to pay down debt or stick into savings.
  • Do it together – If you are married or have a partner you share expenses with, make a budget together. You need each other now more than ever and you have to come to a middle ground. Talk about expenses, talk about wants and needs, and create the budget together.
  • Use Cash – Something that I am passionate about is the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University program and within that program he teaches how to use cash to stay within your budget. You create an envelope for each expense and put cash to cover that expense inside. It keeps you from over spending, getting into debt, or paying high interest on credit cards. Cash is the best way to create a budget and stick to it – it hurts more to give away cash then it is to charge it.
  • Time to save for the wants – So now you have your budget and you are paying for all of your needs. If you are out of debt, have savings built, and are ready to add into some wants into your monthly budget, you can create envelops for those. Look at your monthly budget and see where you might have some spare money to play with. Then, decide what you want to use it on. Maybe it’s a monthly pedicure or date night out to a fancy restaurant, whatever it is, reward yourself for all of your hard work. You can also start saving the change you get from using all that cash. Put it into a jar with a fun label on it to work towards adding something fun and special to your budget.
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  • Reassess your budget often – Creating a budget is the easiest part of this entire thing but maintaining it is another story. You can’t just create a budget once and then never look back. Expenses often change from month-to-month (unexpected illnesses, changes in work hours, increase in hourly rate, etc.) so you have to adjust your budget accordingly. I usually look at my budget once a month and if there is something I see I can’t afford or extra money left over, then I know what to do. Just think of your budget like a baby you have to constantly care for.

Now you know how to create the perfect budget. Be proactive in the way you handle money and always know where your money goes. You will be on your way to having extra cash in your hands each month in no time!

How to Apply for a Home Loan

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Owning a home is one of the most exciting times in your life. Having a house that is YOURS and that no one can take away from you is pretty awesome. Not to mention, it can be cheaper to own instead of rent because of the way a home loan is set up. However, unless you have a huge amount of savings you will be applying for a home loan and if that is the process you are looking into, here is exactly How to Apply for a Home Loan.

How to Apply for a Home Loan

How to Apply for a Home Loan

#1. Write out your budget.

One of the biggest things you should do when it comes to applying for a home loan is know what you can afford. You can do this by writing out your budget. This is a simple step that shows what you have coming in and what you have going out financially.

#2. Save for a down payment.

This should probably happen within a few years of you wanting to buy a house. A down payment is important because most banks won’t give you the full amount to borrow. You’ll need anywhere from 3.5-20% down on your house once you decide to buy. If you aren’t able to save, look into state funded programs that help provide down payment assistance to first time home buyers.

#3. Have a Steady Stream of Income

Another important step in applying for a home loan is making sure you have a steady stream of income coming in. Most banks will want you to have a job with the same company for at least a year before they will approve your home loan. However, this varies by mortgage company. If you are a small business owner, expect to have a profit and loss statement ready, bank statements, and many other forms to prove your income.

#4. Gather All of Your Important Financial Documents

Something you will quickly see when you’re applying for a home loan is that you will need every financial document you can get your hands on. Typically, you need paycheck stubs, taxes, bank account information, and any other information they give you. You have to be ready to gather all of your financial documents and hand them in! And one more thing: your credit score will also have a huge impact on your ability to get approved for a home loan.

#5. Pay Attention to the Interest Rates

Most mortgage companies will lock in an interest rate for you, so it’s important that you pay attention to this interest rate. This will be what determines your payment over the next 10 to 30 years, so it’s a vital part of the loan process. In the long-term, a fixed interest rate is better because you know exactly what you are paying but there can be some benefits to variable rates especially in the beginning so make sure you fully understand both.

#6. Get Pre-Approved

Most realtors won’t even show you a home unless you are pre-approved. Keep in mind that being pre-qualified and pre-approved are two different things. Pre-approved means you fill out the home loan application and the loan officer gets every financial document he needs from you beforehand. Pre-approved also means you are approved up to a certain amount (a rough amount) based on your credit history and income.

#7. Start the Home Buying Process

Once the mortgage company gives your pre-approval, you can start the home buying process. Your actual loan approval won’t go through until after you have chosen a house and you follow the dozens of steps right up until closing day.

One of the best tips for applying for a home loan is to get everything ready beforehand and turn in everything your loan officer asks for. Good luck on buying your first home!

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How to Use Your Kitchen Aid Mixer

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You see everyone who is awesome at cooking with a Kitchen Aid Mixer. However, what is it and how do you use it? Kitchen Aid Mixers are known to be a cook’s best friend. They have the ability to mix and stir almost anything you need. It’s nice to have a “one product” fixes all of my cooking problems, solution. Now knowing how to use one can be an entirely different story…here is How to Use Your Kitchen Aid Mixer.

How to Use Your Kitchen Aid Mixer

How to Use Your Kitchen Aid Mixer

  1. Open up the box and place the Kitchen Aid Mixer on the counter- Find a place in which you can keep your kitchen aid without having to move it around too much. Those beautiful creatures can get heavy when moved around a lot. Plus, it’s safer just to have them in one spot.
  2. Mixing bowl heights are adjustable- When it comes to using your Kitchen Aid Mixer, you should know that the bowl height is adjustable. This means that you can move the bowl up and down to suit your mixing needs. It’s also been said my thousands of Kitchen Aid users, that you should definitely invest in several other bowls. The different foods you’ll be making and mixing come in many shapes and sizes.
  3. Invest in various attachments- Okay, so your Kitchen Aid Mixer will most likely come with a regular metal blade, you can actually purchase other attachments for it. Consider what you will be making most often and base your purchase off of that. One of the best parts of a Kitchen Aid Mixer is that you have the ability to do purchase and use various attachments.
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  4. Clean after every use- Although it may be highly annoying, you’ll want to clean your Kitchen Aid Mixer after every use. And I don’t mean after every literal use, but once you are done for the day, you will want to put it away. Cleaning the Kitchen Aid Mixer often will make sure it doesn’t get build up overtime. You’ll want to wipe down the outside of the Kitchen Aid as well with a damp cloth. Don’t spray cleaner on it, you don’t want to ruin any part of it. A tip that you should also know from Kitchen Aid users all over the world is that you can store the attachments from the Kitchen Aid right in the bowl. That is nice, so when you do want to use it, you can find everything right in one place.

Using a Kitchen Aid Mixer isn’t complicated, but it can get messy. Use a towel to lightly cover up the bowl as it mixes. This makes cleanup super nice for you!

How to Stop Your Child from Screaming in Public

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We’ve all been there. You’re shopping and suddenly one of your kids decides to start screaming in public. It’s frustrating, annoying, and makes you panic. However, one thing you should realize is that most moms have been there. Having a child that’s screaming in public doesn’t make you a bad mom. Here are some ways on How to Stop Your Child from Screaming in Public!

How to Stop Your Child from Screaming in Public

How to Stop Your Child from Screaming in Public

#1. Stay Calm- It seems as though the screaming of your child in public only gets worse whenever you’re no longer calm. By staying calm, you’re going to get better results out of your child. Keep this your #1 tip as you try to get your child to stop screaming in public.

#2. Take your child to a quiet spot- Sometimes it’s just the store in general that makes the child scream uncontrollably. You can help this by taking your child to a quiet spot. Get them away from everyone because it only makes them want to scream more.

#3. Don’t temporarily give in- Another reason most kids scream in public is because they don’t get their way. If you give into a child who is screaming, you’re only going to create a monster of sorts. Don’t give into your child just because they are screaming.

#4. Stop it before it starts- How can you do this? A lot of times you can feel a screaming tantrum coming on before it starts. One thing you can do to keep your child from screaming in public is to stop it before it starts. Try to divert the situation or distract them from getting too upset. If you can do this, you definitely win mother of the year.

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Never think you’re a failure just because your child is screaming in public, it happens to the best of us. You can follow these tips to try and stop your child from screaming. Last case scenario is that you drop everything you’re doing and leave the store or public place, you can always come back later.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

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How to Apply for Financial Aid

This rollercoaster of a life is full of twists and turns, but there are ways you can get the help you need. If just can’t pay for college tuition on your own, you can most likely get financial aid from the federal government to help. If you aren’t sure where to start with that process, here’s exactly How to Apply for Financial Aid:

How to Apply for Financial Aid

When you being with deciding to head to college the first thing that pops into one’s mind is the aspect of paying for the college tuition. Whether or not you received a scholarship or have some savings, college can be a huge financial burden.

So to lessen the burden, you can apply for what is called “Federal Student Aid”.

Federal Student Aid is a free website where you can apply for help to pay for college. Of course, it is a bit of a lengthy process but in the end should you qualify, you will be that much more closer to your dream career.

Here is how to apply:

  1. Go to FAFSA Website: When you search for financial aid for school or FAFSA, you will get a ton of sites, but it is much simpler to go directly through the government site. You can find the site here.
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  2. Click on Start a New FAFSA: You will need to start a new FAFSA if you have never applied for financial aid before. In order to apply for this, you will need to be enrolled in a school of your choice or know the school’s ID code of where you are planning to attend. You do not need to be actively taking classes to apply.
  3. Make Sure you have Everything: If you are unmarried with no children and under 21, you will need not only your information but your parents information including their current taxes. Make sure to have your parent’s taxes for the prior year, your taxes for the prior year, all of your social security numbers, and financials. FAFSA is very particular on this. If you are married, the same type of information will be used but you will use you and your spouses information to complete the application.
  4. Wait: Once you have filled out your FAFSA, all you need to do is wait. The government will contact you via email if they need more information so check your email often. Make sure to turn in any additional items they may need. Once they have determined everything is accurate and you qualify, they will send money straight to your school.

The beauty of applying for Federal Student Aid is that there is FREE money from the government in the form of a government grants typically available. This means you do not have to pay it back like you would a student loan. The money is free just as long as you attend school and meet all the eligibility requirements. Aside from the free money, there are several other types of aid that are offered and available to those that qualify so be sure to read through the application entirely.

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Making the decision to head to college is a big step but to avoid graduating with more debt than you can handle, apply for financial aid. Take your time when you apply and give accurate information for a quicker process.

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