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It’s safe to say that no one really enjoys the administration side of running a business, but unfortunately, it is a necessary evil. However, it doesn’t always have to be such a chore. There are always ways of making admin tasks simpler and quicker – here are some of the best essential tools you need to help you tackle that business admin.

Invoices

If you’re not getting paid for your work, there is no point in doing it. Freshbooks is a super simple system that allows you to track the time you spend on projects whilst keeping a handle on all your expenses and send invoices – click the link to see their free invoice template. It’s perfect whether you are a freelancer just starting out, or a larger business who has several employees to keep track of – send easy to create professional-looking invoices in minutes.

Project management

If you’re working with several clients, or on a few different projects at once, it can be incredibly difficult to keep up to date with who is doing what, and where things are at. Using a project management system such as Asana or Trello means that you can keep everything in one place and share access to tasks and timelines etc with the other people working on that project. You can oversee jobs and allocate specific tasks to team members so that everyone is on the same page and no one has to wade through a million emails to find out what’s happening.

Appointment scheduling

Another job that often takes a lot longer than it really should is scheduling appointments, but if you use something like Calendly or an alternative to Calendly, it can take out all the hassle and hard work out of finding the perfect time. If you’re trying to arrange something with members of your team, instead of long back-and-forth exchanges trying to find out a date, use a service like Doodle to allow everyone to choose the best time for them. This way you can ensure you select the date with the highest turnout.

Time management

If you’re billing a client hourly, or want to keep track of how long you are working on a project for, there are several different time management apps that you can install for this. For example, Toggl or Harvest both integrate with project management tools like Trello and Asana, tracking hours spent on projects across teams which can be really important to keep an eye on and analyse.

Email marketing

One of the best ways to market your business, or contact your newsletter subscribers, is through a dedicated app such as MailChimp. Not only can you segregate your audience by certain attributes, but you can also try some A/B testing for subject lines to see what works best for your customers.

Although admin can be frustrating, hopefully these tools can make things a lot easier and smoother for you, taking the headache out of those tasks and leaving you more time to do the work you’re passionate about while the rest takes care of itself.

Quarantine can be a real bummer, and it’s nice to get out of the house for a while. Though social distancing is still a very important part of living in this post-pandemic world, taking a ride with the family is not off the table.

One of the biggest parts of planning the perfect road trip is having the best road trip vehicle for the trip. Take some time now to look through a brief list of some of the best road trip cars on the market, and start planning your retreat today.

Volkswagen Westfalia Camper

If you can manage to get your hands on a Volkswagen Westfalia Camper, you will have one of the coolest retreat vehicles on the road. From the 1950s to the early 2000s, the vehicles were produced in different configurations and built to serve as simple living quarters.

Driving a Westfalia Camper around on your trip will save you the cost of a hotel. The vehicle comes with fold out tables and chairs, side tents, and a pop-up living quarters on the roof.

Toyota Landcruiser 300 Series

If you’re looking for a road trip car that gives your travel party plenty of room to relax as the miles pass, consider the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series. The V6 engine will give you the power you need to get where you’re going without costing you a fortune in gas as you go.

Depending on where you are traveling, this vehicle can serve the needs of the road with its high-tech features. Consider the Landcruiser for your next cross-country adventure.

Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90 is sophisticated and stacked with fancy tech features. The sound system in this vehicle will keep your passengers entertained for miles.

The gas mileage and leg room you’ll find in the Volvo XC90 will surprise you. The semi-autonomous features on the vehicle will make a long drive feel like light work too.

Toyota Prius

Your travel party may value the cost of traveling over the leg room. If that’s the case, a Toyota Prius is the most fuel efficient vehicle on the roads today. The little car has more space than you would expect, too!

If you want to add even more mileage for the price you pay, go for the plug-in Prime model. You can get the efficiency of fuel with a few extra electric miles tacked onto the end before having to stop to refuel.

Honda Odyssey

The Honda Odyssey makes for one of the best family road trip vehicles on the market. The Odyssey has tons of passenger space and tons of adjustable features to make the vehicle fit your travel party with ease.

If you’re currently in the process of learning as much as you can about Boston Terriers and how to care for them, simply continue reading. In order to learn a few Boston Terrier basics which will help you become a responsible Boston Terrier owner.

Boston Terrier Basics:

Don’t leave your Boston Terrier alone for extended periods of time:

Unlike some dog breeds who don’t mind spending time alone, Boston Terriers prefer to spend as much time as possible with their owners. So if you don’t work from home, make sure to spend adequate time with your Boston Terrier before you go to work and when you get home from work. As an example, you may want to go for an early morning walk together and to curl up on your bed while you read a book in the evening.

You may even want to consider purchasing a doggy camera and microphone which will allow you to speak to your dog and see your dog when you’re away from home. Which should prevent your dog from becoming too lonely while you’re gone.

Don’t be concerned if your Boston Terrier is suprisingly quiet:

If you’ve never owned a Boston Terrier before you may be initially worried that your Boston Terrier isn’t vocal and hardly barks. However, as a breed Boston Terriers are quiet and rarely bark. So there’s nothing to be worried about if your Boston Terrier doesn’t bark when someone turns up at your front door or when they meet other dogs at your local dog park.

Start training your Boston Terrier as soon as possible:

As Boston Terriers are intelligent and quickly learn new commands, behaviors and techniques, it’s a smart idea to start training your Boston Terrier as soon as possible. As they’ll quickly learn new commands. Especially as Boston Terriers are easy to please and aren’t as defiant as many other dog breeds which have a stubborn, rebellious streak.

Stick to short walks:

While you may be tempted to take your Boston Terrier for lengthy walks, they only require short walks on flat surfaces as they easily become tired. However, if you want to ensure that your Boston Terrier remains active, play short active games such as tag and tug of war with your dog throughout each day. As Boston Terriers enjoy short spurts of activity over endurance activities such as long hikes.

Use a harness instead of a traditional lead and collar:

To avoid pulling on your dog’s neck, it’s a wise idea to purchase a harness to take your dog for walks. As traditional dog collars can be inhumane and can cause unnecessary avoidable injuries. Just be sure to choose a dog harness which is the correct size for your Boston Terrier, to ensure a comfortable fit.

In conclusion, if you’ve been searching for as much information on raising a happy, healthy Boston Terrier as possible, make sure to use all of the advice listed above to your advantage. Especially if you’re looking to purchase your very first Boston Terrier.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is quickly becoming popular among many users as an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs for pain relief. Many CBD products are out there, and many users have claimed that it has changed their lives for the better. Although CBD was earlier shunned by many because of its sources in cannabis plants, its misconceptions have gradually dissipated. If you are on the lookout for the right CBD products, here is a brief guide.

1. Types of CBD Products

While choosing the right product, you should check the form in which it is available. CBD products are available as tinctures and capsules, creams and lotions, salves, or you could vape it. Which form are you the most comfortable with? Would you prefer to take it sublingually?

In that case, placing a few drops of CBD beneath your tongue will immediately dissolve it into your bloodstream. Or, would you prefer taking a capsule with your morning juice or your bedtime milk?

Would you prefer to massage it into your limbs? In that case, the lotion would be best-suited. Or would you instead pop in a gummy bear? Each product is different, and the time it would take to work would also vary. If you are new to CBD, then consult a therapist who will recommend the right product based on your condition.

1. Nature of the Problem

Depending on the condition, some products would work more effectively than others. If you are taking CBD for psoriasis, then it is better to opt for a cream that you will be directly able to apply to the affected area. If you are taking it for pain relief, then taking it sublingually would be the most effective. Again, if you suffer from swelling in the joints due to arthritis, you could apply a salve and massage it on the joints. The nature of the problem would also determine which is the best product for you.

1. Dosage

As a first time CBD user, the dosage is something you should be very careful about. Since the FDA does not govern CBD products, it can be tricky to determine which dosage you should opt for. Avoid edibles like gummy bears because the dosage can fluctuate widely from one gummy to another, based on the brands.

Some tincture labels might tell you how much CBD is contained in the pack, but not how much CBD is present in each drop. Ideally, choose CBD products where the label reads how much CBD each drop capsule has. Please start with the smallest dose and see how long it takes to work and its effectiveness. Slowly increase the dose till you reach a point where you get adequate pain relief.

1. THC Content

Only those CBD products that contain THC less than 0.3% are allowed for use in the US, and that too only if they are derived from industrial hemp. Check the THC content label to ensure this so that you do not end up flouting rules unwittingly. Always buy from a reputed pharmacy and avoid buying products from underground cannabis markets as the products are of very inferior quality and might contain THC beyond permissible limits.

1. Third-party Testing

Since CBD products are not FDA regulated, the next best thing is to opt for products that have undergone third-party testing. The products are tested in an impartial laboratory to determine if it’s free from pesticides, hard metals, microbes, and additional THC or some other form of cannabis. Reputed manufacturers make sure that the details are imprinted on the labels to make an informed decision.

With these points in mind, you will be able to choose the best CBD products for pain relief and begin your journey towards a better quality of life.

 

The widespread hype about the dangers of vaping and its adverse effects have raised more questions in the minds of enthusiasts across the country. The stimulus package signed by the outgoing Trump administration contained a vital clause that is directed at all kinds of vaping delivery systems. Not just nicotine, but all other CBD oil and marijuana vaping devices are now banned for USPS delivery. The intention here is to make vapes inaccessible primarily to underage users at higher risk from the ill-effects. But, the one controversy that stands out is – nicotine or marijuana – which is worse for your health. Let’s explore some important facts.

Vaping Associated Pulmonary Illness – The Worrying Issue

Lung damage associated with vaping is one of the leading causes for concern for apex health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This fact is true regardless of the kind of e-juices used in the vapes, nicotine or marijuana. Statistics gathered from across the country affirm that 68 people have died and another 2,807 admitted into the hospital for treating EVALI cases. Or, “popcorn” lungs as the condition is also called.

Although E-cigarette or Vaping Product-use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) is mainly associated with nicotine inhalation, health authorities have identified the key culprit responsible for the damage – vitamin E acetate. This chemical is present in all liquids used in electronic inhalation systems. It is extracted from corn and vegetable oils but can also be synthesized from petroleum products.

Vitamin E Acetate is Only Safe for Using in Food and Cosmetics

Vitamin E acetate is a food additive and is often used to fortify breakfast spreads, cereals, and fruit juices. Applying it on your skin in creams and toners is also safe unless you’re particularly allergic to the compound. However, illegal manufacturers often use vitamin E acetate as a thinning agent to dilute e-juices, CBD oils, and THC oils. And, research clearly shows that breathing in the chemical is exceedingly harmful to health.

Vitamin E containing alpha-tocopherol is the most commonly used version since it is resistant to oxidation and has a longer shelf life. When inhaled, tocopherols form a layer on the lung’s fluid lining and interfere with the exchange of gases. As a result, your lungs are unable to absorb adequate oxygen and filter out carbon dioxide. Over time, the lung cells start to die.

Let’s Talk About Marijuana

The federal government considers marijuana illegal, though many states have permitted the drug for recreational use. Medical authorities have also accepted the benefits of marijuana for various conditions such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain management for chronic diseases like cancer and arthritis, and numerous others. Patients can get prescriptions for the drug and consume it in pill form. However, the trouble starts when users combine marijuana with vitamin E acetate and add it to vaping and inhaling devices.

Vaping Marijuana is Not Recommended

Research shows that vaping with liquid marijuana is consuming the drug at high concentrations. You can expect that the high you get from smoking will be faster and much more potent than if you were to smoke the dry herb. The vaping delivery system intensifies the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on your body. If you’re trying vaping marijuana for the first time or use it only occasionally, you could expect to experience more adverse reactions than if you were to smoke the herb.

What About Nicotine Vaping to Quit Smoking

Nicotine vaping is an effective way to give up smoking for good. However, it is critical to use devices, e-liquids, and e-juices sold by certified vendors and online sellers. Should you visit licensed websites, you can read more about the components of the e-juices so you can make an informed choice. Select brands like Hyde Vape that use safe and permitted ingredients like Vegetable Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, and liquid nicotine. You must also match the nicotine content to your smoking habits and phase out the dependence gradually.

Vaping Nicotine or Marijuana – Be Wary About Vitamin E Acetate

Regardless of whether you’re using nicotine or marijuana, take care to eliminate vitamin E acetate entirely. Know that purchasing e-liquids on the street or from unauthorized social media sites raises your risk of getting popcorn lung or hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by your immune system reacting to the damage. Whether you’re using vaping for smoking cessation or marijuana for medical purposes, consult your general practitioner for information about the safer channels for consuming the compounds.

Choose Safer Methods for Consuming Nicotine or Marijuana

The answer to your next question – what are safer methods to consume nicotine or marijuana? Several methods are available to smokers wishing to quit the habit. Aside from vaping with e-liquids without vitamin E acetate, you can try options like nicotine chewing gum, patches, and lozenges. You can also get a nasal spray or inhaler or nicotine-free medications like Chantix and Zyban to help you kick the habit with the proper prescription.

If you need medical marijuana to help you with health issues, you can consume it safely with food. Your doctor will advise you to add it to items like brownies, cookies, candies, and gummy chews. Adding it to your coffee in creamers or drinking a tea made from the herb can also give you the complete benefits with none of the potential downsides. Of course, it is essential to consume only the recommended amount and prevent the possibility of getting addicted.

The Bottom Line – Is Vaping Safe?

In recent times, vaping with nicotine, marijuana, or even CBD oils is being scrutinized. Health agencies are raising awareness about the dangers of vaping with any e-liquid containing vitamin E acetate. This compound has been identified as the key ingredient that causes serious medical complications. When purchasing your supplies, take care to examine labels and get the necessary information. Stay informed about the health risks and phase out smoking – with nicotine or marijuana.

Do you love spending time in the great outdoors? If so, you’re not alone.

Going outside and exploring nature is one of the best parts of life. After all, the fresh air helps keep you young and healthy, and there are so many things to see and do.

Kayak fishing is a great outdoor activity. It combines two popular sports into one, providing a way to have fun and relax. If you’re planning to go kayak fishing for the first time, you’ve come to the right place for help.

This article takes a look at a few kayak fishing tips that will make your experience as enjoyable as possible. Keep reading to get the inside scoop.

1. Buying the Right Kayak

Let’s start by discussing your kayak. After all, the quality of your experience on the water will be determined by the quality of the kayak you choose.

Keep in mind that as a beginner, there’s no need to invest a small fortune in your vessel. And yet spending a little extra money now rather than buying the cheapest kayak you can find will make a huge difference. The key is to look for the best deal possible on a kayak you can use for years.

Many people make the mistake of buying a budget kayak with the intention to upgrade later. But this is ultimately a waste of money. The smarter strategy is to shop around, look for a great deal on a quality kayak, and then select one that fits within your budget.

Here are more tips for choosing the best inflatable fishing kayak.

2. Buying the Right Paddle

The same rule of thumb applies to buying a kayaking paddle. Simply put, invest in the best paddle you can afford. This will make your experience on the water as enjoyable as possible and help keep you safe.

3. Kayaking Safety Tips

These waster safety rules apply to beginners and seasoned kayakers alike. After all, safety should always be your top priority.

First, never anchor your kayak in a swift current. Why? Because you could easily flip your kayak if you get turned in the wrong direction.

Next, always remember to have a straight blade within reach. Why? This will enable you to cut your anchor line or fishing line when you need to get out of trouble quickly.

Third, always wear a PFD or Personal Flotation Device. This is the key to remaining safe no matter your level of experience.

It’s also wise to make sure you are as visible as possible. This means wearing bright colors that can be easily seen from a distance.

4. Casting From a Kayak

Casting from your kayak can be challenging. The key is to become as familiar with your equipment as possible, then relax so that the lower have of your body so that your movements won’t cause your kayak to rock.

5. Landing Fish

Once you’ve hooked a fish, you’ll want to land it without tipping your boat. The key is to put your rod in the hand that is furthest from the fish, keeping tension on the line, and then gently pulling up the fish so that you can cradle the fish without rocking or tipping the boat.

A Guide to the Top Kayak Fishing Tips for Beginners

Spending time on the water is always a blast. Fortunately, these kayak fishing tips will help you have the best experience possible.

Keep scrolling to discover more great lifestyle tips on this blog.

There’s no doubt about it: people all over the world love Disney. Every year, 58 million people visit Disney World and 18 million visit Disneyland!

Whether you’re an adult or have a family of little ones who love the magic of Disney, you probably want to get your fill of these theme parks. In that case, you should consider taking advantage of the Disney Vacation Club.

Are you interested in joining the Disney Vacation Club? Then keep reading, as we’ll tell you all about it in this article!

What Is the Disney Vacation Club?

The Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is basically a timeshare program, but Disney style. If you don’t know how timeshares work, here’s a quick rundown.

When you buy into a timeshare, this means you partially own that property. As a result, you get to use it at certain times of the year.

As the name suggests, you’ll have to share property usage with others. But because you’ve all pitched in for the property cost, this means you get to enjoy something like a resort home for a part of the year by paying a small fraction of what it’d cost to buy on your own.

With the Disney Vacation Club, you don’t actually “own” any properties. However, you own the rights to go vacation at DVC resorts all around the world. DVC even allows you to book cruise vacations and more!

Other benefits of a DVC membership include no resort taxes, free resort parking, home resort priority, and discounts on park tickets. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, so make sure you read more in the fine print when signing up.

How Does the Disney Vacation Club Work?

To be a part of the Disney Vacation Club, you have to buy rental points. With these points, you can redeem them for stays at Disney properties.

When you buy points, you choose a “home resort”, which is a set Disney resort you’ll enjoy additional benefits at.

Do note that not all Disney resorts are available to book through DVC points. For example, in California, the only resort you can book using DVC points is the Villas at the Grand California Hotel.

However, what’s great about Disney Vacation Club points is they’re not just for booking resort stays!

As we mentioned in the introduction, you can also book Disney cruises with your points. In addition, there are some non-Disney hotels you can stay at. They include Concierge Collection Hotels and RCI timeshares.

As you can see, with your DVC points, you’ll be able to enjoy lots of flexible options when it comes to booking vacations.

Buying Points

Every year, you’ll buy the same amount of points; this will remain unchanged from year to year. However, you can always choose to add points later on.

Point Allocation

Points for a vacation at a resort aren’t static either. Depending on the time of the year you want to vacation, the size of the room, and how long you want to stay, you’ll have to spend different amount of points.

For example, if you want to stay in a luxury villa for an extended period of time during high season, you’ll be shelling out significantly more DVC points than if you stayed at a smaller, more basic room during the off-season for a few days.

A room’s point cost won’t stay the same throughout the year either. Again, it’ll cost more points during high season than in off-season.

There are 5 different seasons when it comes to Disney World. So keep this in mind when you’re buying and spending points, as the point allocation won’t always stay the same.

Other Information About DVC Points

What’s great is if you don’t use all of your points in one year, you can roll them over to the next. On the other hand, if you run out of points for a year, you can borrow some from the next.

Of course, these actions do come with some restrictions. For example, there are only certain times of the year you can do so, as well as the number of times you can perform such actions.

Disney Vacation Club Cost

There’s no one single answer for how much DVC costs. Several factors impact your cost, such as which home resort you choose (the more popular it is, the more it’ll cost).

Also, the cost will depend on if you buy directly from Disney or from a resale company. Buying directly will always be more expensive.

In addition, you’re not just paying for your points. There are also dues you need to pay, which will change from year to year. For instance, the 2021 DVC annual dues will most likely be more than what they were in 2020.

Lastly, an important factor to consider is whether you’ll finance your membership or not. By paying upfront, you’ll save some money.

Is Disney Vacation Club Worth It?

It’s hard to say if Disney Vacation Club is worth it for you specifically. It really depends on how often your family vacations and what your preferences are for your stay.

What we’d recommend doing is sitting down and calculating all your current annual costs without a DVC membership. Then, compare it to the price and dues to see if it’s more or less.

From there, you can determine if a DVC membership is cost-effective for your household.

Treat Your Family by Joining DVC

After reading this article, you should now have a good idea of what the Disney Vacation Club is, how it works, and if it’s worth it for your family.

If you do decide to join DVC, then make sure you take full advantage of it. That way, you’ll ensure you get the most bang for your buck. So be sure to read all the terms and conditions, as that’ll get you more mileage out of this club.

For more articles like this one on the Disney Vacation Club, check out the rest of our blog site now.

El Gordo is the most well-known, largest raffle in history. A full “El Gordo ticket” costs €200, which is too expensive for most players, so people mostly buy one-tenth of a ticket, which entitles them to a 10% share.

And guess what?

The Spanish Lottery released the winning numbers for “El Gordo” (The Fat One). In 2020, the Christmas raffle decided to hand out over €2.4 billion in prizes – that is US$ 2.9 billion – which is €28 million (or US$34 million!) more than last year. (WOW!)

It was the first time in history that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that we are currently in and the strict SOPS that need to be followed, only the children and members of the press were allowed to enter the building once the doors opened at 7:15 am. Usually, two children from San Ildefonso school (a former orphanage) sing out the winning five-digit number for the €4 million (which is US$4.9 million) in front of an audience at Madrid’s Teatro Real.

Due to the corona virus pandemic, El Gordo tickets sold a total of €2.58 billion, which is an 11% decreased compared to the previous year, 2019.

But despite the restriction, the show must go on, and it did! Even though there was no audience, the participants and organizers on stage took PCR tests and donned masks.

The winning numbers were sung out by the lovely children, which were 7, 2, 8, 9, 7. Imagine hearing that, and it matches your number – the rush of adrenaline would be unreal!

The top prize-winning number was sold at 17 different locations!

One of O Grove’s sellers, Manual Rodriguez, was so happy at the enormous reward on a challenging year. We can all agree 2020 was a pretty rough year! “I’m going to bring some centollos (spider crab), the kings of seafood, to celebrate.” He remarked.

In Spain’s Christmas lottery, every €20 ticket has one raffle number that can be purchased in full or can be divided into ten identical segments – décimos. As the numbers are divided, there are 1,600 tickets that have the same number sold at points across the country. What does this do? It prevents one person from buying it all.

Many people buy identical segments (décimos) of different ticket numbers just to increase their odds of winning.

Fun fact: A €1 décimo in the winning number is worth €20,000. So, automatically, a €20 full ticket pays out €400,000! (20×20,000 – you get it, right?)

But fear not, if someone misses out on the great “El Gordo”, they can still win a prize!

Yes, that’s right; you can still win a prize. How?

The second prize awards €125,000 to each winning ticket (or €6,250 for every décimo played). The third prize awards €50,000 for each winning ticket (or €2,500 for every décimo played). The (Christmas lottery includes 1,794 prizes of €1,000 per ticket for the Pedrea.)

Players indeed get a chance to cover the cost of their tickets only if the last digit of their number matches the last digit in the six-digit sequence of the ones of first, second, or third prize.

Another fun fact: The winning numbers for the third prize were announced at 11 am, which were 5,2,4,7,2. An hour later, around 12 am, the numbers for the second prize were announced as well, which were 0, 6, 0, 9, 5.

Another thing that changed from previous years was that prizes under €40,000 would not be taxed. The authorities usually were taking 20% of all amounts above €20,000. But the threshold has been raised and will reduce the taxes for the Tax Agency of around €18.6 million compared to the previous year, 2019.

History of the “El Gordo”

Spain’s “El Gordo” is held each year on December 22, and although other national lotteries have larger individual top prizes, El Gordo is still ranked as the world’s RICHEST in total prize money!

It was established in 1763 as a charity during Spain’s King Carlos III reign, and it has managed to remain uninterrupted since 1892! The first time Spain’s national Christmas lottery took place was on December 18, 1812.

Some more on Lottery!

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 100,000 – that’s pretty low, imagine the possibility coming true and winning the Lottery!

To find out more about Lottery tickets and results from all over the world, head on to Lottery Parakeet, where you can find all the details that you would need. Whether you want Arizona lottery results or you want to buy California lottery tickets, you will find all about it at Lottery Parakeet!

When purchasing flooring for your home, you may be weighing up whether to purchase solid hardwood or laminate flooring. Both have extremely valuable features and last a pretty long time. But, which one should you go for? Let’s discuss the benefits of both to help you decide on what flooring will be best for you!

What’s the Difference Between Solid Hardwood vs Laminate Flooring?

Solid hardwood is real, thick flooring boards that are blind-nailed to the floor through tongue-and-groove edges. Of course, it’s made from pieces of real wood that are around an inch thick. They interlock with each other (as does laminate flooring), but it’s recommended that a professional fit the flooring.

Laminate flooring is made to resemble the appearance of real wood but is made from fibreboard materials. The flooring boards are relatively thinner than solid hardwood, as they’re usually around 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Cheap laminate flooring is common, as it’s known for being great quality for a better price.

Appearance

Solid Hardwood

With solid hardwood being made from real pieces of wood, it has a timeless, authentic look. Its rich colours are no doubt a flawless feature to add to your home. There’s no comparison to real wood, as it’s the real deal.

Over time, solid hardwood can fade in sunlight, as does any tree. This only adds to its authenticity and beauty! However, you can re-sand the flooring to create a new, finished. This enhances its durability too, as it lasts a lifetime if you treat it well. Real hardwood flooring needs re-sanding every 10 years or so, which can be time-consuming.

Laminate Flooring

The brilliant appearance of laminate flooring is that it looks like real wood for a fraction of the price. Up close and personal, you would be able to notice it lacks the glamour of traditional hardwood flooring. Although, nobody would notice unless you chose a design that has an artificial appearance, as it’s printed to look like wood.

Unlike solid hardwood flooring, you won’t be required to sand it every 10 years. It has a UV resistance built into the boards, so it won’t fade in sunlight.

Durability

Solid Hardwood

Solid hardwood is quite scratch-resistant, but it’s prone to suffer from scratching caused by furniture legs, shoes and other objects. This could be an issue with families who’s children love to be playful on the floor. Overall, it isn’t too much of a problem, as you can re-sand it to make it look brand new. Also, solid hardwood is famous for its ability to last a lifetime. Once you install it, you’ll be set for years to come.

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is known for being more scratch-resistant than solid hardwood. It has built-in bottom layers to resist moisture, unlike wood which soaks in drops of water. This is ideal for children and pets! Your laminate flooring won’t become warped or out of shape over time. But, when it begins to look old and worn out, it would need replacing. You can’t sand it down like hardwood.

Resale Value

If you’re aiming to sell your house one day and make a profit, solid hardwood has a higher resale value than laminate flooring. With this being said, people are drawn to laminate flooring as it’s easy to take up and place it in different rooms. The ability to repurpose the floorboards can be a selling point for buyers!

Which is Better?

Purchasing solid hardwood or laminate flooring comes down to your priorities and the features you’re most interested in. If you want lifetime-lasting real wood for an expensive starting price, solid hardwood is for you. On the other hand, laminate flooring would be the better choice for a home that embraces being busy, reinvention and the cheaper option.

Are you thinking about taking your next big gathering into the great outdoors?

When it comes to cookouts, there’s no better venue than a campground. There’s fresh air, plenty of space, and when everyone can bring a tent, trailer, or RV with them, the party never has to end!

Are you thinking about hosting a campground barbecue but aren’t sure where to begin? We’re here to help! Here are six must-have tips on how to host an RV cookout your guests won’t soon forget.

1. Plan Your Menu Early

Whenever you’re getting ready to feed a large group of people, the more planning and prep you do ahead of time, the better. If you’re planning an RV cookout, before you hit the RV park, you should start putting together your menu.

Plan on having at least two different entrees your guests can choose from and around three to four sides. By planning ahead of time, you can make sure you get enough ingredients to cover everyone and plan for alternatives just in case something goes wrong.

Need a little inspiration to help you get started? Check out recipeworkbook.com. And remember, it’s better to have too much food than leave your guests hungry.

2. It’s All About the Meal Prep

It’s easy to grill out while camping. But preparing dishes like potato salad can be a bit more challenging without access to a full-size kitchen. While your RV may have a kitchen suitable for preparing some sides, to keep your cookout as stress-free as possible, you may want to consider cooking a few things before you hit the RV park.

3. Gather Some Seating

Nothing kills a cookout faster than having to balance your plate while standing or risking getting dirt in your burger by sitting on the ground. Before your cookout, try to gather up as much extra seating as you can to make sure all of your guests have a comfortable place to sit while they eat.

4. Salt Your Cooler

What’s a cookout without a few frosty beverages to wash everything down? To make sure all of your drinks stay nice and cool for the duration of the night, make sure to take some time to salt down your cooler. You’ll be glad you did!

5. Beyond the BBQ

There’s more to a successful cookout than food. While preparing for your cookout, try to gather up a good wireless speaker and a few fun lawn games, like giant Jenga or cornhole. Having good music and a few activities to keep your guests entertained are both surefire ways to take your cookout from good to great!

6. Don’t Forget Clean-Up

Finally, at some point, your cookout is going to end, and then you’re going to have to clean everything up. So, you may as well plan for clean up ahead of time like everything else. Make sure to bring plenty of garbage bags, paper towels, and a spray bottle with your choice of cleaner to help wipe up messes.

Planning Your First RV Cookout

Ready to hit the great outdoors? Now that you know a little more about how to put together the ultimate RV cookout, it’s time to get cooking!

Are you looking for more advice on how to turn your next big get-together into the event of the year? We’ve got you covered. Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful advice, tips, tricks, and hacks today!