Being apparent is all about preparing your child to make it on his or her own. One of the biggest and most important milestones before your son or daughter becomes an adult is buying his or her first car. Making such a significant purchase helps teens learn how to make decisions that will help them become responsible grown-ups, and it’s your responsibility to guide them through that process. Although you may be tempted to take the wheel, so to speak, it’s better for you to take a backseat and simply be there as a resource as your teen considers all the options.
For instance, you should show your teen how to set a budget and do the research before he or she commits to anything. If your teen knows how much he or she is willing to spend and is prepared to walk away from a car that doesn’t fit into those parameters, that’s an important step toward maturity. Helping your son or daughter find a reputable mechanic who can inspect the vehicle before buying it shows him or her the value of due diligence, forward thinking and planning.
Even after the sale is complete, there are a lot of responsibilities your family’s new driver will have to learn. These include following a regular maintenance schedule, avoiding aggressive driving and keeping the gas tank filled. There’s no doubt that having your teenager get behind the wheel can be one of the most stressful experiences for any parent. However, the lessons he or she can pick up along the way can last a lifetime and help lead him or her successfully to adulthood.
If your child is preparing to buy his or her first car and you’re wondering what steps you’ll need to take, look at the accompanying resource. It contains several important tips and facts to help you guide your teen to success when buying a car — and possibly beyond.
Taking on home improvement projects is a fun way to update your home, save money and boost your home’s value. But some projects are easier than others, and if you find yourself struggling to finish a current project (or even how to get started on something new), there are plenty of home renovation apps out there that can help you get the job done.
Whether you need help measuring out how much supplies you need, or you just want to garner some inspiration for your next project, the following apps from the team at Hippo will help you get where you need to go.
20 DIY Apps
Compatible on both Android and iPhone apps, the following apps are great to add to your phone’s library to help you decorate your home and finally finish that home improvement or gardening project.
Chairish
Available on: IOS
Average rating: 4.9
Cost: Free (in-app purchases available)
Home Improvement Calcs
Available on: IOS
Average rating: 4.8
Cost: $1.99
Houzz
Available on: IOS, Android
Average rating: 4.7
Cost: Free (in-app purchases available)
Pinterest
Available on: IOS, Android
Average rating: 4.7
Cost: Free
IKEA Place
Available on: IOS
Average rating: 4.6
Cost: Free
iScape
Available on: IOS
Average rating: 4.6
Cost: $29.99 per month or $299 per year
Magicplan
Available on: IOS, Android
Average rating: 4.6
Cost: Free (in-app purchases available)
Palette Cam
Available on: IOS
Average rating: 4.6
Cost: Free
Havenly: Interior Design
Available on: IOS
Average rating: 4.5
Cost: Design packages start at $79
Photo Measures
Available on: IOS, Android
Average rating: 4.4
Cost: $6.99 for IOS, $4.99 for Android
RoomScan Pro
Available on: IOS
Average rating: 4.3
Cost: Free (in-app purchases available)
Roomle 3D & AR room planner
Available on: IOS
Average rating: 4.1
Cost: Free (in-app purchases available)
Home Design 3D
Available on: IOS, Android
Average rating: 3.9
Cost: Free (in-app purchases available)
Angi
Available on: IOS, Android
Average Rating: 3.8
Cost: Free (in-app purchases available)
Pantone Studio
Available on: IOS
Average Rating: 3.7
Cost: Free 7-day trial with download (then $7.99 per month or $59.99 per year)
Handy
Available on: IOS, Android
Average Rating: 3.6
Cost: Free (in-app purchases available)
Project Color by The Home Depot
Available on: IOS, Android
Average Rating: 3.5
Cost: Free
roOomy
Available on: IOS
Average Rating: 2.8
Cost: Free
HomeZada
Available on: IOS, Android
Average Rating: 2.7
Cost: $59 a year (upgrades available for an extra cost)
Outfit
Available on: Android, IOS
Average Rating: N/A
Cost: Free with the purchase of a project kit (prices vary)
Smart Tech for Your Next Home Reno
Technology isn’t only there to make your next home improvement project easier. There are plenty of smart home devices available that not only improve your home’s value but also make your day to day life at home much easier.
For example, did you know that just adding a few smart home devices can improve your home’s value by up to 5%? And if you notify your insurance company about these new additions, you can even get a discount on your premiums (up to 20% in some cases).
Try out the following smart tech items in each room of your home for a money saving (and money making) renovation project.
Your little one is nearing that stage where they get interested in something, and I mean really into it. They want their bedroom, toys, dishes, school bag, and everything related to their interest.
It could be anything for some kids its princesses; for some its cars or dirt bikes. For others, it’s dinosaurs or horses. At this age, they have quite fantastical ideas of what they like.
Whatever their current obsession, they will probably want their birthday party to be in the same theme. With children’s birthday parties come decorations, food, and party favors which all need to be according to the awesome theme your child has decided on.
What is a party favor?
Party favors are gifts for your guests; a thank you for them coming to join in your child’s birthday party.
They can be anything, from something they can use there and then as part of the celebration, or things they can take home, like personalized pins, mini toys, treats like chocolate, or a handwritten note.
You can buy party favors from stores or get them made from companies that specialize in birthday parties, or you can create them yourself at home. But, of course, it all depends on the price of the favors and how much time you have.
With how busy moms and dads are in sending invitations, setting up decorations, and getting their little one ready, it can be easier to just buy party favors.
Themes for kids’ birthday parties
This can be pretty easy to decide if your child has a specific interest. For example, if they love Disney princesses, then pick their favorite process, and you have your theme.
If your little one dreams of being the next BMX dirtbike champion, then throw them the best bicycle birthday party they will ever have.
All your party details will depend on the theme you choose, from the site to the gifts for guests to the dessert to be served.
Ideas for the best bicycle birthday party
Think decor, think bikes.
Add a fun spin to your bike party. Contact your local party planners for decorations to use at your child’s (girl or boy) bicycle birthday party.
If you’re going for a theme, then go all out. Have bike-themed invitations. Use balloons shaped like wheels, set up an obstacle course for the children to ride on their bikes.
Games
Games are a great idea to keep the kids busy and make sure they have a great time at the party.
You can ask your guests to bring their children’s bikes (two-wheeler or tricycle) and have bike races.
Pin the wheel on the bike (because it’s a bicycle birthday party) is always a fun game to play.
If the parents don’t mind, you can have the kids decorate their bikes with awesome bike-related stickers (Etsy shops are the best for these).
If there is a park near your home, you could have a party there. It’s a great site for an outdoor party, and there is a lot of space for the kids to go on bike rides. It also has room to create a super fun obstacle course for the children to enjoy.
There are many more fun bike-themed games you can set up to celebrate the day.
Bike Party Favors
Divide these into things to gifts kids can take home and those they can use at the bike party.
There are so many ideas you can customize to make your own dirt bike birthday party favors. You’ll just need to get a little inventive.
Food
You can hardly go wrong with food as a party favor for the bicycle party and the children to take home.
Have bicycle-shaped cookies made or bake them yourself. First, give the kids icing and let them get creative with the cookies. Then, let them go crazy with their ideas and decorate their bike-shaped cookie.
Then whether they eat it there and then or take it home is up to them.
There are many ideas on sites like Pinterest for a dessert customized specifically for a bicycle birthday party. For example, you can have macaroons or cupcakes decorated to look like wheels on a bike.
If you’re a busy mom or dad who can’t make these adorable sweets yourself, not to fear they can be bought from your local business (bakery, event planner) at a reasonable price.
Noisemakers and more
Nothing adds to a kid’s excitement, like the joy of making a lot of noise. So hand out noisemakers and party poppers (make sure they work correctly, fiddly things they are), and let your little guests go crazy with the stuff.
You can cover the part popper and snow spray cans with bicycle prints or any number of bike-related ideas. Just try to make sure they keep the mess minimized to the one site.
For party hats, you can give out bike helmets, the perfect addition to a bicycle birthday party. Think how cute all the kids will look celebrating in their bike helmets.
Helmets have the added advantage of keeping your children safe while they ride their bikes.
Goodie Bags
This is a bag of adorable little treats and gifts that you can give out once the birthday party is over. An awesome birthday should always end with a goodie bag. Most moms fill the bag according to the theme of the birthday. The idea is to always include a memento of the occasion.
To stick with the bike theme, you could call it a bike basket and use a small basket in place of a bag. You could add toy bikes, bike-shaped chocolates (Etsy is the place for these), stickers, and more. The ideas are endless.
Stickers
Who doesn’t like stickers? They’re cute, fun, and the best part is you can get blank ones that the children can color as they please. Plus, they make for great bike party favors.
Just make sure your art supplies work correctly before the day; you don’t want to have dry or leaky markers on the day.
Have them created in the shapes of your choice, bicycle, helmet, wheel, race flag, anything at all. You should probably try Etsy for these things.
Give them out during the party as a fun activity to do or put them in their take-home bags to enjoy once they get home.
Photographs
Take a picture of each kid while they ride their bicycle or whenever they decide to sit down. Then, print it out on the spot and place it in a frame.
Hand them to the parents as they leave. I can’t think of a better way of saying thank you, you’ve saved a beautiful moment for them to treasure and thanked them for coming simultaneously.
This can be for parties other than a bicycle birthday.
Where to shop for ideas and items
Pinterest and Etsy are two places that have become extremely popular lately. They have what you need no matter the occasion.
If you can imagine it, someone has a Pinterest board about it, and Etsy has the things you need to make your vision a reality.
It could be a bike-related birthday or a wedding. These two places will cater to your every need. All you need is an account, and you can start browsing away to find the idea that suits you.
Pinterest
If you don’t have a Pinterest account, make one. There is post after post for anything you want to search for.
It is the perfect platform to site to get an idea about what you will need to throw your very own bicycle birthday party.
If you have an account, you can make a board to add every idea that you think you can recreate for your party.
It will provide you with the tools you need to make your baby’s wish come true. The bonus is that it is completely free to use, so you can research as much as you please.
Etsy
This is a great site with almost everything to cater to your exact needs, no matter what the occasion or theme.
It’s an online marketplace where you can find whatever you need to make the perfect party. Etsy can be slightly pricey, but simply because they work to cater to your exact requirements.
If you want crafts like stickers, badges, or invites, you can find them here. They will be made according to the requirements of the occasion that you specify.
Anything from party supplies to vintage items, you can find whatever you need on Etsy. The perfect place to purchase bike-themed party favors.
Final Words
With party favors becoming more and more popular, it’s a good idea to be prepared. You should be able to give your guests the joy of bringing something memorable home.
It doesn’t need to be handmade or something that will last a long period. It should just be suited for the theme and something to commemorate the occasion.
It’s also a really sweet way of thanking people for being a part of you and your child’s happy day. Everyone ends the day on a brighter note, and all the guests get to open gifts, which is always fun.
So, whether you give out handwritten notes or some artfully crafted chocolates, have fun giving out your bicycle party favors because pretty soon you’re going to have a baby that’s all grown up and wants a “Low key” birthday (whatever that means). So enjoy it while it lasts.
This is the age of the digital world. If you are in some business, be it small or big, it is becoming a must to get a hold on the online marketplace if you want to sustain in the market or expand your business. Everybody wants everything at their doorstep with the minimum effort. So, if you’re going to keep up with the majority of the customers’ requirements, then you must have an app operated marketing feature for your shop.
Besides, there are many more practical reasons why you should upgrade to an app facility for the benefit of both you and your customers. Customers can see your stock and orders accordingly. However, if you don’t have any medicine, you can arrange for it and deliver it to your customer. This builds a positive seller-customer relationship.
Moreover, online delivery apps for medicines also lessen your workload. Suppose you are a chemist and running a pharmacy of your own. In that case, your duties include reviewing the doctors’ medications, explaining the benefits and intake of the dosage and process to the patients, overseeing the other staff working in the shop, etc. But in online marketing, there is no extra load of customer handling. It is a simple, easy, and effective way to expand your business exponentially.
Five Reasons At a Glance Why You Need a Mobile App
Order Medicines Online
Design an app with all convenient features but with an easy-to-use interface. You need to make sure that they can get several discount offers and incentives to encourage them to shop more with your app. You can also advertise other features and programs led by your shop on the app. You can give an option where they can communicate with you. But most importantly, never compromise with your products. You need to produce the best medicines at the right price and in minimum time.
Offer Diagnostic Tests at the Doorstep
The pharmacy apps not only deliver medicines but also offer diagnostic tests. You can increase your income by promoting additional healthcare services at a lower cost like those through the apps. On booking a lab test, the customers will also have the service at their doorstep by producing proper prescriptions. But again, do not ever compromise with the quality of the services. You need to appoint the best of the technicians to serve in the best way possible.
Boost Your Reach and Get New Customers
Every customer who has downloaded your app has the access to all your products. In turn, you can also have access to their mobile numbers so that you can use them to send promotional push messages for your pharmacy-related marketing schemes and offers. A well-designed app with an easy and convenient user interface will help you to increase the credibility among customers. Once you start getting recognised as a brand through these apps, it will significantly boost your reach to a potential customer base, which cannot be done in any other way.
Advertise the range of products and services
These apps can be an effective way to advertise the products and services that your pharmacy has to offer. Apps work almost the same as websites. You can showcase your e-brochures and catalogues on the app very easily. But always remember to upgrade the contents regularly to make the app more engaging for the clients.
Increase revenue with an effective marketing plan
Making more money is the prime intention of doing any business. The app keeps you connected with your customers 24×7. Developing a great app is not everything. Proper promotion and marketing plan for the app with appropriate service is the key aspect. Today, excellent marketing skills can take your business to another height, if implemented in the right way.
The online market for the pharmacy business is becoming very competitive day by day.To cope up with the need of the hour, having an app associated with your business is becoming essential. After discussing the above points, you must have understood the reasons. Now it is your call to take your business to the next level or stay with the conventional business tactics.