All posts by Anne Younger

Anne is a 30-something full-time SAHM mom of 5 ranging from 3 to 17 and grandma of 1 who resides in Ashwaubenon (Green Bay) Wisconsin. She started blogging in 2008 as a way to regain her sanity. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, cheeseburgers and vodka along with spending time with her husband and kids.

Great Incentives on the 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan at Legacy Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM

The standard features of the 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan SE include Pentastar 3.6L V-6 283hp engine, 6-speed multi-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat mounted airbags, curtain 1st, 2nd and 3rd row overhead airbag, driver knee airbag, airbag occupancy sensor, air conditioning, 17″ steel wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, electronic stability.

Right now at Legacy Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM you can take advantage of a variety offers to save on the 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan including both finance and cash offers!

In addition to the 2019 D0dge Grand Caravan, you can also find great incentives on the following vehicles:

  • 2019 JEEP Cherokee SUV
  • 2019 JEEP Grand Cherokee SUV
  • 2019 JEEP Compass SUV
  • 2019 Ram 1500 Truck
  • 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Truck
  • 2018 Chrysler 300 Sedan
  • 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Van
  • 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Van
  • 2018 Dodge Challenger Coupe
  • 2018 Dodge Charger Sedan
  • 2018 Dodge Durango SUV
  • 2018 Dodge Journey SUV
  • 2018 JEEP Cherokee SUV
  • 2018 JEEP Compass SUV
  • 2018 JEEP Renegade SUV
  • 2018 JEEP Wrangler SUV
  • 2018 Ram 1500 Truck
  • 2018 Ram 2500 Truck
  • 2018 Ram 3500 Truck

AND MANY MANY MANY MORE!!!

The various teams at Legacy Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM are trained to address your needs from the moment you walk through the door, whether you’re in the market for your next vehicle or tuning up your current one.

Military Savings

If you are active military, active military reserve, retired military (honorably discharged), and retired military reserve (honorably discharged), the Military Consumer Cash program offers eligible consumers a $500 cash allowance to be applied toward the retail purchase or lease of an eligible vehicle.

Be sure to visit Legacy Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM in Island City, OR and see what they can do to help you save on your next vehicle today!

 
 

 

 

 

Best Cosmetic Treatments for Moms

Becoming a mom is a truly beautiful and amazing milestone. However, motherhood can take a toll on a woman’s body. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and lack of sleep during those early months can cause major changes that you sometimes can’t reverse on your own. Fortunately, there are a few effective surgical and non-surgical treatments that can help restore your body and your confidence. You deserve to look and feel your best!

Tummy Tuck

The physical changes in the abdominal area due to pregnancy can rarely be corrected without surgery. A tummy tuck is a procedure that surgically removes excess fat and skin from the abdomen and tightens the abdominal muscles for a smoother, firmer midsection. Even women who lead healthy lifestyles after having children and are in good overall shape can benefit from a tummy tuck. That’s because exercise and healthy diet cannot correct loose stomach skin.

Lifestyle can only do so much when it comes to separated muscles as well. This condition is referred to as a diastasis recti. Diastasis recti often affects women who have had repeated pregnancies, multiple births, or a baby with a high birth weight. According to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Janssen, a tummy tuck at his Appleton, WI, practice can correct this issue, which approximately 2/3 of all women experience during pregnancy. 

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation can improve the appearance of breasts that have lost volume post-pregnancy or after breastfeeding. The production of breast milk and increased breast size can cause the breast skin to stretch. It’s not uncommon that after you are finished breastfeeding, your breasts become less dense and may sag or look deflated. This understandably causes some women to feel insecure about their physical appearance, so it is not uncommon for women to undergo surgery to restore their breasts in this situation.

Additionally, many women combine their breast augmentation with a lift. This combination can be custom-tailored to help:

  • Increase breast volume and cup size
  • Remove of excess skin
  • Reposition breasts higher on the chest wall
  • Enhance overall contour
  • Correct asymmetry
  • Improve size/shape of the areola

ThermiSmooth® Body

For women who are not ready for surgery, ThermiSmooth is a completely noninvasive option that tightens and smooths the skin. Treatment areas include the arms, abdomen, hips, back, buttocks, knees, calves, and ankles.

The treatment begins when the area of concern is prepped with a cooling gel. Then the ThermiSmooth handpiece is moved back and forth over the skin, and radiofrequency energy is emitted at a specific temperature. Most patients describe the treatments as comfortable. Each area is treated for about 15 minutes, and patients typically schedule a series of 4 to 6 treatments. There is no downtime associated with ThermiSmooth, so it is great for busy moms who don’t have time for long appointments or recoveries.

ThermiVa™ Vaginal Rejuvenation

Vaginal rejuvenation is becoming more popular among women in the Green Bay area, especially moms. ThermiVa offers you a non-surgical alternative to a labiaplasty. This treatment can tighten the vaginal canal, improve the appearance of the labia, restore sensitivity, and reduce mild to moderate incontinence.

It is a safe and effective procedure that requires no downtime. ThermiVa works by gently heating the vaginal tissue using radiofrequency energy. This stimulates the production of collagen, leading to dramatic rejuvenation. Most women opt for a series of 3 treatments spaced 1 month apart. You’ll begin to notice gradual improvements after about 2 weeks.  

Dermal Fillers

As a mom, a full night’s sleep is sometimes out of the question. When you aren’t getting enough sleep, the delicate skin under your eyes can sometimes appear dark, sunken, and hollow. Dermal filler injections can add volume and hydration to this area. This treatment can smooth out indentations and bags and the shadows they create.

Fillers can also be used to restore volume and reduce wrinkles. Filler treatments are completely customizable and can be combined with BOTOX® Cosmetic and other non-invasive procedures for comprehensive rejuvenation.

Treatments are quick and typically only have minor side effects, such as slight redness, soreness, or bruising. The longevity of the results depends on the type of filler you choose.

If you have any questions about these treatments, contact your local board-certified plastic surgeon for more information.

Couples 101: Get Out of Debt Together

Money has a greater effect on our relationships than many of us would like to admit. While it’s much more romantic to believe love alone determines the success of a relationship, financial logistics also play a large role. To make it work, each individual in a partnership must commit to doing their share: communicating freely, being honest about financials, spending wisely and working to eliminate debt, to name a few key actions.

Debt in particular can drive a huge wedge in any relationship because it’s psychologically taxing, not to mention limiting in terms of accomplishing larger life and financial goals. For example, a couple may dream of buying a home someday. While not out of the question, this aspiration is made much more difficult with the presence of debt. The same goes for planning a wedding, having children, traveling, or buying a vehicle.

Consumer debt in the U.S. has surpassed $1.3 trillion, with the average American household carrying $139,500. This means many couples must figure out how to deal with debt, for their sake as individuals and for the sake of their partnership.

Here are some tips on getting out of debt as a team.

Communicate Openly About Money

The first hurdle to clear is simply opening the lines of communication. One financial advisor who specializes in helping couples offers this advice for productively kick-starting the conversation:

  • Get all [financial] issues out on the table.
  • Work through a budget.
  • Come to some agreement on “yours, mine, ours.”
  • Enact spending limits if needed.

In terms of debt, you need to know how much, what type and to whom it belongs.

Strategize to Eliminate Debt

As Business Insider reports, one survey “found that starting a marriage with consumer debt has ‘a negative impact on newlywed levels of marital quality.’” Couples with $20,000 to $50,000 in debt, the highest tier included in the survey, had the lowest marital satisfaction scores of everyone who participated. From this information, we can infer that debt tends to take a toll on serious relationships. This is just part of the reason it’s beneficial to get out of debt.

Whichever strategy you choose, you should be on the same page as your partner from the get go. Otherwise, you may end up inadvertently sabotaging each other’s efforts to eliminate debt.

For example, let’s say a married couple with $20,000 in high-interest credit card debt decides to pursue debt settlement through a debt relief program. They’ve perused multiple companies offering this service and like the positive Freedom Debt Relief reviews they saw online. After enrolling, they will make regular contributions to a dedicated account. When this account contains enough funds, negotiators from Freedom Debt Relief will contact creditors and try to negotiate settlements that ultimately reduce the amount owed. But if one partner is spending indiscriminately, it will be difficult to contribute the amount needed to zero out these credit card balances once and for all. Both individuals need to commit to resolving debt for it to work—quitting halfway through is only a recipe for further conflict and disappointment.

The same principle applies for couples pursuing a do-it-yourself debt elimination strategy. In a marriage with shared finances, both partners have a vested interest in communally eliminating debt. Even in a relationship with separate finances, the partner with less or no debt can still motivate the person actively working to get rid of debt—and modify their behavior so as not to enable excessive spending. For example, they could plan a cost-effective annual staycation instead of taking an expensive trip with airfare and lodging costs. They could spearhead meal planning so both partners free up some extra cash in their budget each month, useful for paying down debt, bolstering savings and more.

Getting out of debt together, as a couple, can be empowering—provided you communicate effectively throughout and hold each other accountable.

Eight Indispensable Tips and Pieces of Advice for Those Who Are New to Birmingham

Moving to a new city or town can be a very stressful period in a person’s life. It may coincide with a new job, perhaps starting school or even a new relationship. When you first arrive, there is that time period where you need to get used to your new surroundings, learn where the basics are, figure out the best way to get around and, of course, it would be nice to meet some new friends. That’s a whole lot to embrace and attempt all at once, which is exactly why it can feel a bit overwhelming.

If you have recently moved to Birmingham, then the good news for you is that it is known for its welcoming vibe. The city in is located in the West Midlands and just so happens to be the second largest city in the UK. It is approximately 177kms northwest of London, so it’s definitely a jaunt but can still be reached via rail and road. It features both commercial and industrial area in the city and is known for being a cultural centre. What this means for you is that it’s got a bit of everything.

In order to help you adjust a little smoother, and start to realise all that the city has to offer, you’ll want to check out this list of nine indispensable tips and pieces of advice meant for newcomers to the city like yourself.

Tip One: Meet Up with People You Know in the City

It can feel rather scary and lonely arriving in a new city if you have moved all on your own, which is why it can be helpful to meet up with any friends or family you may have located there. You can have them show you a couple of their favourite hang-outs and hidden spots, and then you also have the opportunity to ask them about Birmingham in general.

Obviously, having that friend or two will help you adjust, but at the same time, you don’t want to rely too heavily on them. This is your opportunity to branch out and meet new people.

Tip Two: Go Ahead and Be a Tourist for those First Few Days

Sure you aren’t a tourist in Birmingham, you are now a resident, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy those first few days in the shoes of a tourist. This is actually a great way to start to familiarise yourself with your surroundings, and it gives you a chance to appreciate what the city has to offer.

Some of the sights and activities you may want to check out include a visit to the Symphony Hall, the National Sea Life Centre, St. Philip’s Cathedral, Cannon Hill Park, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses and, of course, sampling the nightlife.

Tip Three: Travelling to the Airport

At some point, you may choose to go on holiday abroad and travel by air, which means you will be flying out of Birmingham Airport. The airport sees more than 12 million people flying through it each and every year, and a large number of destinations are served, so it tends to stay pretty busy.

One factor that newcomers don’t often think about is what they plan to do with their car when they arrive at the airport. Rather than driving around aimlessly trying to find a parking spot, and watching the precious time on the clock tick away, you may want to think about using birminghamparking.com which provides you with access to the Birmingham Airport car park 7, 5, 2, 3, and 1. What’s great about this service is that you can book a spot in advance so that you are guaranteed a place, and at a great rate. The gate prices are pretty hefty, so this is a great way to save time and money.

The company also offers meet and greet, park and ride, and drop and go services. It’s all about making your trip to the airport as worry-free as possible.

Tip Four: Enjoy Birmingham’s Top-Rated Food Scene

Did you know that just last year Birmingham was chosen as one of the premiere food destinations in all of the UK by Booking.com? That’s right, your new city of residence has quite the reputation in terms of dining, which means you’ve got a whole lot of cuisine to get out there and enjoy.

The city is home to a whopping five Michelin starred restaurants, which include Carters of Moseley, Adams, Turners, Simpsons, and Purnell’s, and it doesn’t stop there. Not only does it have a wide array of restaurants in all price points and featuring a vast selection of cuisine, but its street food scene is also well-known.

Tip Five: Make Use of the Public Transportation System

The great thing about living in Birmingham is that residents don’t have to own a car in order to get around the city. This is a city that is easily accessible by bus, metro, taxi, train, bicycle, canal, vehicle hire, and foot. What’s fun is that each method of transportation also opens up new pockets and views of the city that you can experience.

Tip Six: Do a Mock Run-Through of Your Work Commute

If you already have a job secured in Birmingham, then it’s also a good idea to do a mock run-through of your commute to and from the workplace before you actually get started. This can take a lot of stress out of your first day on the job, and it can help ensure that you don’t end up being late. If you’re having problems figuring out the best route, perhaps you can contact your boss and ask for some advice.

Tip Seven: Unpack as Much as Possible

You want to feel comfortable and at home in your new city as quickly as possible. Much of that will have to do with familiarising yourself with the surroundings, but there is also the fact that the sooner you unpack your belongings and get your place set up, the more at home you will feel. Perhaps you can set a daily goal for yourself where you will plan to unpack “X” amount of boxes each day. Getting your new place organised and set up will also make it possible for you to entertain that much sooner.

Tip Eight: Say Yes to Invitations You May Usually Pass Up On

The final tip is to step outside your comfort zone a little and start saying yes to invitations you may normally say no to. Putting yourself out there and being open to new experiences in Birmingham is a great way to start to fit in and build your own network of friends. Yes, it can feel intimidating to try new things, but at the same time, the results can be well worth it.

Making the Absolute Most of Your New City

By following these tips you’ll find that your big move to Birmingham can be a lot smoother, feature much less stress, and really open your mind and eyes to all kinds of wonderful new experiences. It’s all about embracing your new city and learning as much as possible about it.

How to Introduce Your Dog to Your New Baby

Many young couples decide to get a dog to make their new house a home. It is their first step into the world of family life, and often, the dog takes on the role of the child in the family. It seems harmless enough, but can lead to problems when a real baby enters the equation. How will your four-legged friend adapt to the new family dynamic? Will he feel excluded and neglected when Baby starts getting all the attention?

It’s something that can cause real worry – after all, one thing you can’t do is put your new baby at any kind of risk. But with the right preparation and an organized approach, your family of three can become a family of four without drama.

Preparation is key

Let’s be honest, you’re not going to be able to give the dog so much attention when Baby comes along. Dogs are creatures of habit and highly adaptable, so get ready for the change ahead of time. Instead of constantly being around your dog, give him periods of undivided attention, for example going for walks or playing fetch, and then spend more time in a different room so your dog gets used to you having other things to do.

You can also get the dog used to baby noises by playing recordings in the house – you could even start carrying a realistic baby doll that moves and makes sounds. Reward the dog for being calm and well-mannered around the doll.

Bringing baby home

The house will be in uproar for a few days. There will be lots of visitors turning up at all hours, so ensure everyone knows there is a dog in the house. This signage website has a choice of suitable warning signs for your door or front gate. You can get your dog ready for the homecoming by bringing some of baby’s clothes home from the hospital in advance. Remember, dogs use their sense of smell more than anything else, so this will be a more powerful introduction than sights or sounds.

Making the introductions

With the preparations complete, the key to the introductions is to make them as casual as possible. If you make a big performance of showing baby to the dog, your pet will think there is something out of place. If, on the other hand, you behave as if nothing could be more normal than having a screaming baby around the place, your dog will follow your lead. Remember, you are the pack leader, so lead by example!

Watch the body language

Like people, every dog is different, so you can never be 100 percent certain as to how they will react until the moment comes. Watch for any signs of aggression or stress, for example growling, bared teeth, trembling or panting. If the dog does growl, do not punish – a growl is a warning, and if you deter the dog from expressing himself in this way, he might simply go straight to overt aggression next time.

Nine times out of ten, family harmony will ensue, but always take a safety-first approach. Never leave your dog and your baby alone together in those early weeks, and if you have concerns, seek advice from a professional dog behaviorist.