Depending on where you live, summers can go from pretty warm to unforgivingly hot in a matter of days, and that’s the time when everyone’s electric bill goes through the roof. Well, if you don’t feel like losing money faster than your AC can spit out cool air, you’re going to need a plan. Lucky for you, we happen to know a thing or two about surviving the hot summer with minimal AC usage, and we’re going to share those secrets with you in this blog.

Keep in mind that these are all tips to keep yourself cool with minimal AC use, which means that you shouldn’t just outright rip the thing off the wall, but save it for when the heat is particularly scorching inside. Remember, your well-being comes before any bill!

Keep your curtains/blinds closed

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first: A lot of heat enters your house through the windows. Almost 30 percent of all that unwanted heat inside your house enters it this way, so blocking them will lower the temperature inside considerably, sometimes up to 20 degrees depending on the time of the day. This is especially true of windows facing south and west, which get the full force of the sun during the afternoon. Invest in blackout curtains, which act as natural insulation from the sun and are a great way to keep the house cool in days of extreme heat.

Reverse your ceiling fans

Did you know that your ceiling fan has to be rotated depending on the season? Well now you do, and you’ll be able to make the most of them if you make them rotate counter-clockwise during the summer (while increasing the speed) to create something called a wind-chill breeze effect that will help your family to keep cool in a more natural way using only the air that’s already inside your house. Reversing the fan makes it suck up the warm air and leave everything below a lot cooler. Just don’t forget to reverse them again once the summer is over.

Sleep downstairs for a while

Heat rises, as you might know. This means that the upper floors of your house will have hotter air in them around summertime. If that’s proving too much for you at night, try hitting the couch or improvising a bed downstairs so that you’ll be surrounded by cool air. If you have a clean enough basement (and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t), you can also try setting up your mini-bedroom there if things get too hot elsewhere in the house.

Use your grill more often

OK, this might sound like an excuse to organize more impromptu BBQs… and it really can be, but it’s also very helpful in reducing the heat inside your house. See, using your stove or oven is sure to make the house much hotter, right? So not only are you suffering through the cooking process, but then you have to eat the food in a really hot kitchen or dining room. If you use the grill more often (even for simple dishes, not a full-blown BBQ), you’ll be spending more time outside AND keeping the temperature inside at a reasonable level during the day.

The icy wind method

If you want to know how to keep a room cool in the summer without the AC, this is as old-school as keeping cool gets, but it’s also quite effective. You’ll essentially create a DIY air conditioner with materials you have at home during the summer. Take a shallow bowl or plate and fill it with ice, then place it in front of your preferred fan so that the cold coming from the ice is blown towards you. It sounds too simple or cartoonish to work, but it does, and you’ll love the feeling of an ice-cool breeze that only costs a small fraction of what your AC does.

Use a cold water bottle to fall asleep

If you need to stay cool just long enough to fall asleep, then you should get a hot-water bottle (filled with lukewarm water, of course) and put it in the freezer for about an hour. When you’re ready to climb into bed, put your now frozen hot-water bottle and place it at the foot of your bed or under your pillow. It won’t stay frozen or too cold for long, but it will be just enough for you to nod off without having to turn on the AC for some sweet relief.

Father’s Day is around the corner, and getting the right gift for their father is something that a lot of people dread every year, and the amount of cliché gifts out there makes it harder to think of something good. Don’t get us wrong, a nice tie or a “World’s Best Dad” mug is OK, but don’t you wish you could surprise him this year with something unexpected and original? Something that will make him feel like the world’s best dad that you both know he is.

Well, we want to help you out! The following is a list that will tell you all the hottest gifts for Father’s Day in 2019, and we’ve included a wide variety of differently priced items so you’ll surely find something good regardless of your budget. We also focused exclusively on gifts that your dad will find enjoyable at any time of the year, so you’re not only raising the bar on Father’s Day, but you’re also getting more bang for your buck!

Valeo Ab Roller Wheel

It’s inexpensive, useful, durable, and is as much a gift for dad as it is for mom. This efficient workout tool will give dear old dad the six-pack he’s been wanting to get since he was your age, and the non-skid grip and small size will make it a fitting and welcome addition to any gym station. Perfect for the dad that likes to take care of his physique, and for the one that wants to start doing so as well. And if dad doesn’t have a lot of time to exercise during the week due to his many chores, how about getting some extra help around the house once in a while?

Thor Hammer Tool Set

Is your father a man who takes matters into his own hands? Is he the handiest handyman you know, able to repair anything broken within sight? Is he a confident and empowered man who wouldn’t be out of place in an ancient Viking ship? Is your dad a nerd? Then he’ll love this charming-yet-useful toolset in the shape of Marvel’s god of thunder. The Thor Hammer Tool Set includes 44 standard pieces to tackle any DIY chore that threatens the safety of Val-house-la. Your dad is sure to get a chuckle out of it every time he uses it.

Allbirds Men’s Tree Runners

Most dads have a couple of things in common: They like to wear sneakers and runners as casual footwear, and they’re very unhip about it. For a double whammy of a gift, choose the Allbirds Men’s Tree Runners, which are not only fashion forward but environmentally friendly as well, since they’re made from eucalyptus tree fiber, making them breathable and smooth to wear. Dad will be able to run all of his chores using a comfortable shoe that’s hip-looking, flexible, lightweight, and machine washable. Now, if you could only do something about those straight-cut, navy blue jeans…

Mack Weldon Radius Travel Pants

There are no better pants for the weekend father than these water, wind and stain-resistant pants. Made out of flexible, high-tech stretch fabric with a back ribbed cuff, complete with belt loops and hidden zip pockets, these pants strike the perfect balance between being comfortable and looking good. These are built for mobility and come in all sizes so your father will be able to get around easily while looking pretty modern at the same time, something mom will appreciate as much as he does. Hey, they’re so good that they should be a Father’s Day gift idea for every wife.

Harry’s Deluxe Travel Kit

In this day and age of bushy beards and rough-looking stubbles, a weak shave is not fashionable anymore. Íf, your father, likes to keep his facial hair in control, Harry’s Travel Kit is the perfect piece for him on this Father’s Day. The TSA-friendly kit includes Harry’s signature Truman handle and razor blades, travel-size shave gel, a travel cover to protect your blades, and a soothing post-shave balm. You can choose your favorite body wash scent (Shiso, Fig, or Stone), and it all comes packaged inside a flexible, water-resistant travel bag. Harry’s shaving products are famous for their quality and durability, and at $35, you really can’t go wrong.
As you can see, there’s plenty of good ideas in our Father’s Day gift guide that beat the usual ties and bottle of whiskey (although the latter can complement any of these items perfectly). We hope that you found the perfect gift to give your dad this year and that it manages to broaden his horizons at the same time that he gets hours of enjoyment out of them. Good luck!

If you love camping and opened this article, then it’s safe to assume that you’re planning a family outing soon, right? That’s great! Few experiences are as fun and great for bringing the family together like spending a night or two sleeping under the stars, making breakfast over a campfire, and taking in the beauty of natural open spaces far from daily life. You should, however, remember that there’s a lot to prepare for, especially if you’re bringing kids with you.

If that’s the case, then you’ve come to the right family camping checklist. We’ll tell you about all the necessary things for camping from the moment you leave your driveway to when you close the car door and drive back home. The truth is that packing up for a family camping trip, while needing to double check a couple of things, is not as daunting as it looks, and you’ll be able to adapt this list to better suit your needs. Ready now? Let’s check it out!

Base camp

Tent: You don’t want to be sleeping directly under the stars, do you? Get a tent that’s spacious enough for the whole family if you have kids, or a separate one if they’re older teens. Make sure to also bring your tent pegs, mallet, and windbreak to set it up properly.

Sleeping bags: One for each family member, of course, while resistant and warm enough to let you sleep comfortably through the night. Bring along a pillow for each person as well, since you’ll find the floor a little uncomfortable in comparison.

Airbed and pump: If sleeping bags are not your thing, bring a large airbed and enough blankets to accommodate everyone. If space becomes an issue within a single tent, you’ll probably need to bring along two sets of each, one for each parent and a group of kids. The air pump is a basic since you’ll never manage to inflate on your own; a mechanical one will take some more effort, but you won’t risk draining all the juice from your car like with an electric one.

Tent awning, carpet, doormat, and dustpan: These are all together because they serve a similar function, which is keeping the inside of your tent super clean (don’t you wish it was that easy in real life?). An awning will help you keep the morning dew away from your tent, further protecting you from humidity or rain; a doormat will keep the dirt clinging to your shoes from going in, while the dustpan and brush will help you take out any straggling soil. Finally, the rug will protect the floor of your tent from pebbles or other rough objects that could damage it, making it unusable.

Camp clothing and personal hygiene basics

Shoes and boots: Always bring proper footwear on your camping trips. If you plan on hiking, a sturdy pair of outdoorsy boots are a must. Wellingtons are also good to have in case the soil or the area itself are a little humid.

An outfit for each day: We’re talking shorts, t-shirts, socks, underwear, and pants. Jumpers and coats can be worn repeatedly, but you don’t want to carry around the same sweaty clothes on you for the entirety of your stay, right?

Weather-appropriate accessories: Sun hats, rain gear, bathing suits, snowshoes, etc.

Toiletries: Liquid and bar soap, shampoos or shower gels, deodorant, toothpaste and brush, toilet paper, lots of sunscreen, a comb or brush.

First-aid kit: Not exactly part of your clothes or toiletries, but you can store this in the same place. Make sure to cover everything; from bruises and scratches or cuts to headaches, nausea, stomach pains, and more. Any personal medication should be included but stored separately.

Food preparation:

Depending on the length of your stay, you may not need to bring along a super complex cooking setup. If you prepare your meals ahead of time, then you won’t have to worry too much about cooking, just be sure to make food that won’t spoil at room temperature, or bring enough non-perishables to feed everyone. In general, the less you have to handle food directly, the better, so steer clear of complex recipes.

You can probably reduce your load to:

Water carrier, stove, fuel, lighter, plates, mugs, a supply of ingredients (properly stored), non-perishables, emergency rations, cutlery.

Miscellaneous useful camping items

Maps: Always useful, but you have to know how to read it.

Reservation record: If you’re camping at a national park, you might need to show proof that you got permission to do so. Keep these documents safe.

Water filter: For the same reason that you bring emergency rations: You’re not anticipating needing it, but you should be prepared for anything.

Fire extinguisher: Nothing is more dangerous than an out of control fire at a campsite. Keep it at hand, away from the fire.

Umbrella: Not just for the beach. Lets you rest in the shade without having to stay inside the tent all day.

Small shovel: Any good campfire is more than just a couple of sticks and stones thrown together. This will help you set it up and put it out.
Spare tire and car tools: You don’t want to suffer a malfunction with no way to repair it.

Most people know from experience that the teenage and pre-teen years can be particularly hard on the relationship between parents and children. There’s no other point in both of their lives where attitudes and opinions differ more, which leads to defiance, rejection and even outright ridicule.

A preadolescent child is no longer the person they were just a year ago. They are changing at an alarming pace, both emotionally, socially and physically. It can be an overwhelming process, but it’s important to know that at this point, they need you more than ever. It won’t be easy, but knowing how to set a strong parent-child relationship while respecting their autonomy is necessary.

Here’s what you should know as a parent to confront your pre-teen carefully.

Taking their independence as rejection

At this age, your children will start relying more on their social circle for everything instead of their family, including your guidance.

So instead of being angry at their new independence, you should understand that it comes from a distance they create to accommodate more people into their life as they grow older.  

The key is to understand that the pre-teen years are the time when children start to actually have their own secrets, and it’s natural that they should want to keep them away from us. Being too inquisitive —or worse, showing low tolerance or a short temper about this— can alienate them from you. If you push too hard, you risk pushing them away entirely.

Expecting the worst every time

Yes, teenagers all through the ages have a reputation for getting in the worst kind of trouble for little (or no) reason at all, but it’s time to look at the role parents can be playing in this. A Wake Forest University study showed that, when you openly expect teens to partake in risky behavior, they are more likely to do so one year later. That is to say; if you constantly fear that your teens to make a mess of their lives and they pick up on this, they won’t feel that you trust them enough to do any different.

Dr. Richard Lerner, director of the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University, advises parents to focus their attention into their child’s interests and hobbies, reinforcing your positive image of them. After all, a lack of real trust is one of the biggest teenage problems with parents.

Intervening in every little problem

It’s understandable that, as a parent, you want the life of your children to be as free from pain, disappointment, and mistakes as possible, even now that they’re teenagers. The thing is, well, mistakes and disappointment are a big part of life, even for adults! Don’t get us wrong, it is important that you try to teach them how to avoid it where possible, but the world is not going to end because a small problem arose from their own decisions, like a bad haircut, a little love disappointment, or taking ages to clean their room.

This doesn’t mean that you should be.

Ignoring the big problems

No matter the time or age, a parent’s two worst fears when it comes to teenagers are sex and drugs. Each of these subjects is usually part of a “big talk” that we have with our children, but it’s important to know that, even if close together, each teenager develops at their own speed, and we shouldn’t force this information until they are ready.

It’s key that you build a strong foundation with them and that you provide developmentally appropriate information and resources on sexuality, drug abuse and eating disorders instead of relying completely on a “big talk” that comes entirely from you. It will help them know that you have their best interest at heart instead of just denying them something outright.
One thing you should never forget during your children’s tween years is that, well, they won’t last forever! It’s a critical stage, and the way you handle it (and help them cope with it at the same time) will set a foundation for your future relationship that will be hard to change down the line. There’s no real secret on how to be a good parent to a teenager, but knowing hot to communicate is necessary at every step of the way.