Monday 30 May 2022

Why I love a no spend day.

Hey readers, 

I love a no-spend day and I try to fit one or two in twice a week to help save me some money. But if you may not have heard of this concept so let me explain what a no-spend day means down below. 

Why I love a no spend day.

What is a no-spend day?

In simple terms, it is a day (24 hours) where literally spend no money whether it be physical in a shop or online to help stop you from buying unnecessary items. It gives you a pause button to stop and reflect on your spending and notice if there are some areas where you think you need to improve on and you can work out ways to make changes.

Having a no-spend day is an excellent way of breaking a cycle of spending if it becomes addictive and it is a way to move forward with positive spending habits. 

I have found them really beneficial to do and try to do one or two a week and really helps puts things into perspective. Definitely makes me think twice about what I am spending my money on. 

Although it is probably best not to do a no-spend day when bills go out so make sure you time it around a day when no money is going out of the bank so you have a 0 money bank transaction. 

Like all good no-spend days the key is planning and making sure that you have food that you need to eat, drinks, and anything that you need shower gel, etc. so you don't get tempted to go to the shop and may give you the urge to break the commitment of a no-spend day. 

Why I love a no-spend day. 

1. It is simple. 

It is a simple rule you don't have to spend any money on that one day, there are other rules and complications that you have to stick to. At first, it is a bit weird to get into it but once you do it just gets easier to do. There is also no tracking involved so I don't have to constantly think about what money I have spent. 

2. Get creative. 

With a no-spend day, that means you have to use whatever resources you have at home such as rustling a lunch up with the food you have in the fridge or snacks in the cupboard. Or finding entertainment that is free locally to you so you don't have to spend any money. It helps get you more organised and plan your days out with how they are going to be structured, which isn't always a bad thing and can be more productive than days that just go with the flow. 

3. Control. 

Doing the no spend challenge leaves you feeling more in control of your finances because you are taking positive action with the no spend days. You are watching your habits and working out if there are any flaws in your spending and how can you adapt to make improvements this all gives you the power of control.

4. The buzz. 

The buzz of completing a no-spend day is good as it makes you feel like you can work on improving your finances and that you are in control of money. It allows you to reflect on your habits and gives you the time to see what your relationship is like with money. 

Have you tried no spend days? Do they work for you? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X 

Sunday 29 May 2022

My Sunday Photo 29/05/2022



My boys sang in the school choir with loads of other school choirs for especially singing event at the Royal Alber Hall this week, they absolutely loved it. It was easy to spot one of my sons as he had a red cast on lol. 


         RachelSwirl


Friday 27 May 2022

How to have a smooth school morning run.

Hey readers,

Now we are back at school some of us *ahem* struggle with the morning run. It seems chaotic and rushed so here are some ways that have helped me to have a smooth school morning run without the stress.





Preparation do in the evening. 

So. where shall we start? well, I think the first important thing to incorporate into your school routine is preparing the night before to reduce the stress. 

This will help give you the confidence that everything is under control. Making sure that the schoolbags have been emptied of the millions of letters, getting the bag ready, and having all the school uniforms gathered and placed neatly for the morning. 

Therefore once it is morning all you have to worry about is getting your darlings motivated to get dressed.

Lunch.

If you have a child who takes lunch to school preparing it the night before can help save some time in the morning. As parents, we need to do the minimum as it is important to make sure we have a HOT tea, crucial!

Reward Chart. 

If you are struggling to get your child motivated one way to help in the short term is a reward chart. Plan out each section - get up, eat breakfast, get dressed, brush teeth etc and give a star when that routine is done, once the child collects x amount of stickers.

They will be rewarded for their good behaviour. This can help ease your child into a productive routine and hopefully with time they know what to expect and it is a much calmer affair.

10 minutes early.

If you have children like that are what you would call speedy when they walk to school (ironic as any other time you would think they were Bolt).

Then leaving 10 minutes early to get trot school can be a solution to getting in on time. It also means you don't have to stress and can take your time without rushing and shouting, "hurry up"!

Being aware of what is happening. 

A thing that I have in the past struggled with is forgetting to check if there is something important happening at the school. Make sure you have a diary to put important information such as needing to bring in money or food for a special occasion.

 Therefore you can feel in control and know what is happening beforehand. Make sure that you read the newsletters or any letter from the school bag the night before.

Breakfast.

I make sure that the cereal boxes are out, bowls and spoons the night before can really save some time in the morning. 

Doing the baths again the night before is another you can do to reduce the amount you have to prepare in the morning.

Anxiety. 

My eldest suffers quite a from anxiety because of having autism. What can help settle him and reduce any conflict is talking to him the night before about anything that is bothering him and if you can try to come up with a solution.

Hope this helps and is there anything that helps you reduce the stress of the morning routine? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X

loopyloulaura

Monday 23 May 2022

5 ways to make money.

Hey readers,

Needing some extra money well there are so many good ways to do this online and offline. I am going to discuss five ways to make some money, levels vary in difficulty but it is always good to gain more knowledge in this area. 

5 ways to make money.

5 ways to make money. 

1. Rent your space.

If you have a free parking space that you aren't using you could rent it out., this is a particular handy id if you live in a busy area. Websites like Parklet or Just Park are brilliant for advertising your parking space. It is a great passive income and you could earn up to £200 literally doing nothing.  

2. Sell sperm or eggs. 

For this next one, I would suggest really thinking about what you are doing as you are giving your egg or sperm to create another human being. Of course, this is fantastic for people who have genuine issues surrounding naturally conceiving. 

However, one issue that you need to bear in mind is anonymity now from 2005 the law changed regarding this issue and when the child reaches 16 they can access information about you. Yes, it is easy money on the one hand but it is a big thing to do and the costs very. So before jumping headfirst speak to someone to make sure you know exactly what you are getting yourself into. 

3. Tutoring.

Online tutoring has become really popular over the last few years as you can do it anywhere online. There are many sites to help set you up as a tutor such as my tutor, fleet tutors, and super prof for example. there are many topics you could tutor such as maths and science and even learning a musical instrument. 

4. Participate in medical research. 

This is an interesting one and it really does vary from the research as to how much you get paid. For instance, some might shop gift cards for £50 while other studies offer £100 all the way up to  £1000s. The thing that you need to ask though is why is the money so high what does the research involved and how will it impact my own body.

 Remember some of this research is new and testing drugs on you and they don't know the impact hence the money thing. It is tempting but if that scares you go for the low-end research things like looking at sleep research that isn't so scary but is interesting and you earn some pounds, win-win. 

5. House sitting. 

Moving on to a move safer option is house sitting, this is a great way to earn money. Some people are away for a period of time and want someone to keep an eye on their home, pick up their posts water their plants, and make sure the place is tidy and clean for them. 

Depending on what they want from you and your location you may pop around each day or you may just stay at length in their home while they away. The lengths can really vary from a week to a few months but you could save money as they pay for the bills such as heating etc so great little earner. 

What do you think of my ideas for making money? have you tried them? have you any other good ideas to make money? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading x 

Saturday 21 May 2022

My Sunday Photo 21/05/2022

 

My Sunday Photo 21/05/2022

My yougest is so proud of his drawing of a dalek he did, he absolutely loves Dr Who!


         RachelSwirl


Friday 20 May 2022

10 fun things kids can do with a broken arm.

Hey readers, 

A week ago my son decided to brake his arm, how inconvenient ;). So, it can be quite challenging to lose control of your arm and it does make you think of how much you do take for granted in terms of what you do with your arms.

 So, it got me thinking of some fun but safe things kids can do with a broken arm, as believe it or not there still are some stuff that is achievable and you can see that by my list down below.  

10 fun things kids can do with a broken Arm.

Fun things kids can do with a broken arm. 

1. Books.

You can't go wrong with trusted books and is a great opportunity to catch up on books that you want to read. Of course, it can be tricky at first but with fingers, you can slowly turn pages and if you have a reader then that may be of use also. 

2. Films. 

A safe activity to do with a broken arm is films because you can relax with your arm on the sofa with a fun film or if you feel flush with cash you could go to the cinema and check out the latest blockbuster. 

3. Games console

You can play games on game consoles with a broken arm but you are limited to less vigorous type games that require less action in both hands such as Minecraft or The Sims. Slower placed games don't require lots of forceful movement in the hand.

4. Board games.

Board games are a lifesaver such as Monopoly, double, Uno, charades... you get the gist are a god-sent because kids board and frustrated so board games can really help keep kids entertained and have fun with the family. 

5. Listen to music.

If your kids love music then this may be the one and even better than that turn on youtube and get the lyrics to the song so your kid can sing their heart out to their favourite tunes. 

6. Do a jigsaw puzzle. 

A jigsaw puzzle is another option as it is a relaxing activity that can take you time and doesn't take a lot of physical strain. 

7. Go for a walk. 

It can be very frustrating having a broken arm as it can limit you and stop you from doing the normal fun things you want to do. So sometimes a walk to get some fresh air can really help clear the head

8. Colour or draw. 

 A relaxing activity to do is drawing or colour. If you are not that confident sometimes just copying a tutorial on Youtube can be a fun way to learn especially drawing something like your favourite character in Minecraft say. There are plenty of colouring-in books on the market and it is something that you can do on your own or do with an adult which is a calming affair. 

9. Make a list of things you want to do when your cast comes off. 

Now for something a little bit different to the usual suspects and that would be to use up that free space on your cast and write all the things that you want to do once you are free from the cast. 

10. Visit a museum.  

If you are feeling frustrated at home due to restricted movements then why not check out your local museum as they often have free openings where you see collections and it is another great way to get out of the four walls. 

Have I missed out on any activity that you think is worth mentioning that is suitable for a child to do when they have a broken arm? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X

loopyloulaura

Monday 16 May 2022

55 of the best Father's Day Instagram captions!

Hey readers, 

Looking for sweet to silly quotes then look no other as I have the perfect ones to capture the words needed for this coming Father's day Instagram post to share to the world on social media the special father in your life.  

Don't know what to write for a fathers day caption don't worry I have it covered we have quotes, sayings, and puns to meet all the needs of a good quality caption in case you are stuck for words then here are some simple inspirations to get you feeling inspired. 

55 of the best Father's Day Instagram captions!

Sweet father's day captions. 

1. A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.

2. A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.

3. Dads and daughters don't always see eye to eye, but always heart to heart.

4. Dad: A son’s first hero, a daughter’s first love.

5. Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever.

6. A dad is someone who wants to catch you when you fall. Instead, he picks you up, brushes you off, and lets you try again.

7. In the darkest days, when I feel inadequate, unloved, and unworthy, I remember whose daughter I am, and I straighten my crown.

8. Some people don’t believe in heroes, but they haven’t met my dad.

9. Fathers hold their kids' hands for a while and their hearts for a lifetime.

10. Life doesn't come with a manual — it comes with a father.

11. My dad will always have a special place in my heart.

12. My dad gives Superman a run for his money. 

Funny Father's Day Captions. 

13. Dad, you’re one in a million, which are roughly the odds of everybody being ready and in the car when you want to leave.

14. I finally checked the oil in my car. Happy Father's Day!

15. Dad, thanks for saying "yes" whenever Mom said "no."

16. Without me, today is just another day. You're welcome.

17. A father is someone who carries pictures of his kids where his money used to be.

18. Here's to one of my favorite parents!

19. Dad, I can never repay you. Literally

20. I feel bad for other people today. Obviously, my dad is the best.

21. I might not be perfect, but that's okay. I forgive you!

22. Thanks for killing all those spiders.

23. Dad, you're the cool parent. But I'll deny it if you tell Mom.

24. Worst jokes. Best dad.

25. I'm sorry for everything, Dad. Unfortunately, the list is too long to explain.

26. I'll always be your little girl. And your financial burden.

27. You're the greatest father I've ever had.

28. Thanks for putting up with me, Dad!

29. We all know that Mom did the hard part. But Happy Father's Day anyway!

30. You're so hip, you had a dad bod *before* it was cool.

31. In honor of Father's Day, I promise to laugh at all of your jokes.

32. Not all heroes wear capes. Mine wears cargo shorts.

33. Happy Father's Day, Dad. You were right—about everything.

34. You'll always be a dad to the bone.

35. This might sound cheesy, but you're the gratest, Dad.

Quotes for Father's Day Instagram Captions. 

36. "When my father didn’t have my hand, he had my back." – Linda Poindexter.

37. "I love my daddy. My daddy’s everything. I hope I can find a man that will treat me as good as my dad." – Lady Gaga.

38. "I am a princess not because I have a prince, but because my father is a king." – Unknown.

39. "It was my father who taught me to value myself." – Dawn French.

40. "The best fathers have the softest, sweetest hearts. In other words, great dads are real marshmallows." — Richelle E. Goodrich, Slaying Dragons.

41. "I'm so lucky to have such an amazing man as my dad. Thanks for teaching me to work hard and laugh harder." – Kate Upton.

42. "A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way." – Unknown.

43. "My daddy was my hero. He was always there for me when I needed him. He listened to me and taught me so many things. But most of all he was fun." – Bindi Irwin.

44. "I know that I will never find my father in any other man who comes into my life because it is a void in my life that can only be filled by him." – Halle Berry.

45. "She did not stand alone, but what stood behind her … was the love of her father." —Harper Lee.

Puns for Father's Day Instagram captions. 

46. A father’s love is un-beet-able.

47. Whiskey-ing you a happy Father’s Day.

48. Dad, you’re Pa-some.

49. Pa & Order.

50. Have a beer-y happy day.

51. Every dad has his day
 
52. Dad, you’re tea-riffic.
 
53. Dad hair, don’t care. 
 
54. Papa goes the weasel.
 
55. You’ve got the best dad yolks. They crack me up!

Cheers for reading X 
  

Sunday 15 May 2022

My Sunday Photo 15/05/2022



My eldest was happy this week as he got a cast and he got to choose the colour he wanted :) Luckily he should only *fingers crossed* only have to wear it for four weeks.
         RachelSwirl


Friday 13 May 2022

100 fun things to on Father's Day.

 Hey  readers, 

Father's day is just around the corner and you may be thinking of doing something special with him. So do check out my extensive list of 100 things you can do with your dad to spend some extra quality time with him this coming fathers day (or any other day to be fair) check it out below. 

https://www.canva.com/design/DAE9Hen_kqo/GzuTOUT2gDDkxdEJyx0Pig/edit?utm_content=DAE9Hen_kqo&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

100  fun things to do on Father's Day. 

1. Go for a bike ride.

2. Go for a hike. 

3. Work on a puzzle together. 

4. Have games night. 

5. Go fishing. 

6. Go bowling. 

7. Visit a museum. 

8. Play golf.

9. Play mini-golf. 

10. Change a tire. 

11. Go for ice cream. 

12. Learn the family history. 

13. Make dad a playlist of his favorite songs. 

14. Go bird watching.
 
15. Make breakfast together. 

16. Take an online cooking class together. 

17. Build a campfire. 

18. Watch all the Marvel films in order. 

19. Get your karaoke on. 

20. Craft together. 

21. Go for a picnic. 

22. Pamper him with a spa day. 

23. Head to a theme park for the day. 

24. Fire up the grill. 

25. Go camping. 

26. visit a historical site. 

27. Scrapbooking.
 
28. take a music class together. 

29. Have a photoshoot. 

30. Read a book together.

31. Attend a community event

32. Create a first aid kit. 

33. Play miniature golf. 

34. Play laser tag. 

35. Visit a splash park. 

36. Visit the library. 

37. Play hide and seek. 

38. Perform magic tricks. 

39. Have a zoom call with extended family. 

40. Play Uno. 

41. Fly kites.
 
42. Test drive a car.

43. Visit a national trust property. 

44. Complete a lego challenge. 

45. Build a rope swing. 

46. Complete a science experiment like the coke cola and mentos challenge. 

47. Go on a miniature railway. 

48. Go on a steam train. 

49. Create a rocket. 

50. Do a park run. 

51. Make a birdhouse. 

52. Look for shooting stars. 

53. Do a performance. 

54. Visit the beach. 

55. Go wild swimming. 

56. Roll down a hill. 

57. Jump in puddles. 

58. Play pooh sticks. 

59. Do some colour in. 

60.  Make a daisy chain. 

61. Find frog spawn. 

62. Climb a tree.

63. Feed wild birds. 

64. Go on a night walk.

65. Draw self-portraits. 

66. Look for crabs at the beach. 

67. Plant some seeds.

68. Bird watching. 

69. Skim stones. 

70. Ride a donkey. 

71. Make art with wild items such as leaves. 

72. Visit a farm. 

73. Volunteer at an allotment. 

74. Make printable coupons. 

75. Make up a board game.

76. Read a story together. 

77. Send a care package. 

78. Look at dads old photo albums. 

79. Fill out fun facts printable all about dad. 

80. Tackle a DIY project. 

81. Make a terrarium.

82. Make a memory box. 

83. Play catch. 

84. Build a bookshelf.

85. Do a BBQ. 

86. Tell jokes. 

87. Ask him about his childhood. 

88. Plant a tree. 

89. Go to see live music. 

90. Go to a lido. 

91. Go to a car show. 

92. Take a segway tour.

93. Go to a buffet. 

94. Visit a national park. 

95. Solve a problem together. 

96. Watch a play. 

97. Watch a parade. 

98. Make a video. 

99. Have a campfire. 

100. Make a photo collage. 

What do you think of my list of ideas of things to do with your dad? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.

Cheers for reading X 

loopyloulaura

Monday 9 May 2022

7 benefits of breakfast.

Hey readers, 

We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day but do you know the benefits of eating breakfast.... well I will tell you down below. 




1. Fight daytime cravings. 

When you skip breakfast, you may feel ravenous later and be tempted to reach for a quick fix such as vending machine candy or doughnuts. In addition, eating breakfast may reduce cravings, especially for sweets and fats.

2. Keeps are brain sharp.

Studies have shown that when people eat breakfast, things like concentration, memory, and energy all improve, making them more alert as well.  Eating first thing in the morning raises blood sugar levels and keeps them steady, which can improve mood and help people have more energy.

3. Improves concentration.

Cognitive function and memory improve as a result of people having breakfast. Studies have shown that when people eat breakfast, things like concentration, memory, and energy all improve, making them more alert as well.

4. Breakfast kickstarts your metabolism. 

Breakfast jump-starts your metabolism in the morning. Getting your metabolism working early helps burn calories throughout the day. Skipping breakfast your body to converse, rather than burn extra calories. 

5. Better Mood. 

 When you’re hungry, you tend to be grumpy and irritable. Your body is running on empty because it needs fuel. This affects your entire system. Who wants to be around you when you’re like that? DO yourself and everyone around you favour each day…eat breakfast.

6. Family time. 

Having breakfast together as a family is an opportunity to spend time with one another. It allows you to enjoy your thought and the opportunity to talk. 

7. You can prevent type 2 diabetes. 

You read that right. There is significant research showing that you may be able to prevent diabetes by regularly eating a healthy breakfast. In a study conducted over a 10-year program, researchers found that people who regularly ate breakfast decreased their Irish of diabetes by almost 30%. A possible explanation for this is that skipping breakfast can cause insulin resistance, which is a feature of Type 2 Diabetes. 

Cheers for reading X

  


Sunday 8 May 2022

My Sunday Photo 08/05/2022


Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 
         RachelSwirl


Friday 6 May 2022

Autistic adulting sucks!

Hey readers,

I hate people, seriously all they ever seem to do is fake it. Why can't people be honest and just tell the truth because you think it hurts people's feelings. But here is the thing I already know so don't pussy around the subject.

It sucks being autistic, the constant rejection of people, pretending to be nice when really they don't give two monkeys.

Autistic adulting sucks!


I am sick of it and sick of this world that I live in. It doesn't help I am stuck in places where people don't really know where to put me. Let's face facts first impressions count and no one likes the awkwardness of autistic people, it is much easier to just deny us the opportunity. 

Even though we autistic people would so bloody hard, more so than the average person because we have to-it's a fight to fit in when your just totally failing on the outside. I feel lost and I don't belong, this place feels lonely. Sometimes, I just can't face it anymore but once again you have to find the strength to get back up again even though you are plummeting into a dark, dark place.

It sucks to have to undergo interviews when clearly they are not autistic friendly and again I feel like my needs are met.  Don't you understand we autistic people can't cope with question after question without getting burnt out, not to mention the social interaction, it takes all our resources to get through it to then be told that actually, we are not looking for people at the moment? 

Why put me through this hell, what you really mean is you are not a suitable candidate, just be honest, at least I know where I stand. Right now I feel insulted and taken for a full. It took all my energy to get out of my comfort zone and I am devastated. It really does suck because of the effort I put into these things but never get the opportunities, I don't know why I bother.

Even as an adult I am always dealt with the hand of rejection and you know what people it sucks, big time for us autistic people to be treated like this. I am just thankful for my blog as it is an outlet when other times I can not muster the words to anyone about the pain I am battling every day. Rant over!

Cheers for reading x

loopyloulaura

Monday 2 May 2022

Benefits of learning through play.

Hey readers,

We all know that play is really good for a child but do we know the benefits? That is why I want to explore why playing is so good for the learning of children. 

Benefits of learning through play.

1. Natural way to learn. 

 play is a natural way to learn for a child. Children learn through practicing skills, trying out new possibilities. Not to mention play helps revise hypothesized and discover new challenges which then leads to deeper learning. Play allows children to communicate ideas, to understand others through social interaction, paving the way to build deeper understanding and more powerful relationships.

2. Choice. 

 play gives children the choice such as if they are given different toys to choose from that they want to play with. This is a form of self-expression because they are picking toys that they like.

3. Play helps develop communication.

Play allows children the child an opportunity to communicate through using speech and language skills as a way to express their desires and wants. If the child is playing with others there is a conversation occurring through role-play or making decisions together on what to do. 

Even if the child is playing by themselves you most likely find the child will still use self-talk as a form of expressing themselves such as playing with cars they may say such words as wee or beep beep. If the child is playing with others and the other speaks they can learn to interact and maybe learn new words if they haven't heard from them so therefore developing their vocabulary. 

4. Helps creativity.

with play, children use their imaginations they do this by doing make-believe games or getting lost in present worlds. Children act out different situations whilst boosting their confidence. The child makes their own rules and learns how to follow them or adapt if needed. These skills are helpful in life as they teach children how to navigate life and develop relationships with others. 

5. Gives children space.

When children have time and space to play without restriction, their imitations can roam and they can explore ideas you don't need a large play space. Just try adding simple materials like cardboard boxes to your existing space. This can inspire lots of pretend play, even in small spaces. 

6. Physical. 

Physical play is important for children to keep fit and healthy. Physical play is the type of play that gets your child moving from big movements like running and jumping to small movements like picking up a pencil or tying a knot.

7. Helps increase self-esteem. 

Play is a safe place to practice decision-making and build confidence. Letting children participate in risky play allows them to test what they are capable of. It helps them safely experience their limits and achieve their own goals, ultimately boosting their confidence

8.  Gains independence. 

While interaction with adults and other children during play builds important cognitive, language, and self-regulation skills, independent play also has benefits. When a child plays alone, it can foster imagination and creative play, build persistence and problem-solving skills, and teach patience and resilience.

What are your thoughts on play? Love to hear them in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X