Collaborative Post

What do you do with your old mobile phone that’s been gathering dust in your drawer, storage box or garage?

Good question. Truth is, you can still use old smartphones that are way past their prime. Here are 5 of the best ways to get started.

1. Put Your Phone Up For Sale

Turn your smartphone into quick cash by listing it up for sale on the internet.

Test the device first and see if it works. Hold the “on” button and see if it powers up. Then, plug in the charger and any accessory. Your old cell phone can still fetch a tidy sum if you have the box, manual and cables along with the unit.

Post your old tech up for sale on Facebook, Craigslist or eBay. Upload a clear photo so interested individuals can take a closer look. Include a helpful description regarding its condition and hardware specifications, for example. Wait for the perfect offer to come up and you’ll have your device exchanged for money.

Recycling sites such as Plunc can give you a reasonable quote for used tech. Fill up a form online, then send the gadget in. Once they receive the item, you’re immediately given the payment.

2. For Backup Purposes

Smart phones are usable as long as they can still make a call, download an app or browse the internet. If your phone can do any of these, then you can use it as a sort of backup when your primary device fails.

Power up your phone, give it a full charge and activate its network. Keep it within easy reach, such as your locker, glove compartment or bag and charge it up once or twice a week. You’ll rest easier knowing that you have a backup phone that can call, send a text or give you directions when your main smartphone’s battery is dead.

Do you have a son or daughter that doesn’t have a phone yet? Give them your old cell and you’ll have a line between you at all times. If it’s an old model, teach them how to initiate a call or how to send an SMS.

3. Turn It Into A Cool New Gadget

The beauty of mobile phones is that they can be made into a specific device, for example a radio, a remote control, a dedicated music player, eBook reader and others.

Music Player. Slot in an expansion storage, add your favorite playlist and you can have a music player. Download your preferred streaming app or music subscription service and connect the phone to a speaker system. Plug it to a static charging dock or a 2-in-1 Bluetooth speaker and dock and turn it on for a wonderful acoustic experience.

eBook Reader. Access the Play Store or App Store and download a suitable e-Reader app. Sideload some books and open it up when you’re in the mood for some reading. For added value, you can also download podcasts or audiobooks and listen to them on the go.

VoIP Device. Do you do a lot of Facetime or video calling for work? A dedicated VoIP device will keep you from seeing a “low battery” phone at the end of the day. Get your old smartphone and affix it to a nearby Wi-Fi area and a charger, and your primary phone will never run out of power again.

Remote Control. TV and set-top box manufacturers have apps that turn any smartphone into an extra remote. You can go on Play Store or the App Store and get these for free (or for a nominal price) so you won’t have to spend a long time searching for the remote.

4. Donate Your Old Phone

Donating your old tech for a good cause is a great option if you have more than one old device. Visit the local hospital, charity organization, school, library or goodwill centers and hand your item as a gift. You can be sure they’ll put it to good use.

5. Recycle And Help Reduce E-Waste  

Recycling your old gadgets is the most responsible thing you can do to save mother earth. Don’t just throw it in the bin or it will end up in a landfill and pollute the environment. Give it to recycling centers and they’ll be able to extract valuable materials and dispose of it in a proper manner.

Remember, you can always sell your phone for cash, donate it to charity or re-purpose it into a new device. Be responsible and you’ll save the environment in your own special way.

COLLABORATIVE POST

With the long summer holidays looming, if you’re anything like us you’ll no doubt be planning things to do to keep the family happy. Day trips, weekend breaks or the big summer holiday, none of which are quite as spontaneous as they used to be! Instead I do like to plan things to make sure we all have a great day out.

With a busy family, days out need to provide us with a variety of activities to suit everyone in the family. I don’t want to be driving from here to there just to keep everyone busy. It uses up valuable family time, and adds to the stress every time we have to battle with car seats and collapsing the buggy! I want a destination which has lots to offer for all the family.

So, a family destination like Liverpool One is ideal. Offering more than just shops and restaurants, it really is a hub of activity. Boasting 170 stores, perfect for picking up the a cinema, Roxy Ball Room (think pool or ping pong, not dancing!) and even over 5 acres of gardens – perfect to relax in. There’s lots for everyone, but that’s not all!

Liverpool One also has an extensive events programme, covering everything from Sports events to favourite kids tv character appearances! They even host their own Comic Con – as a self-confessed Star Wars geek I think this is really exciting! There really does seem to be something to keep everyone busy, check out the guide below showing you what’s on!

It’s been a while since I visited Liverpool, the last time I was there I remember vividly thinking I needed more time to spend exploring. There’s so much to see in the city, and I especially loved the Cathedral and seeing the Eleanor Rigby Statue. But I think Liverpool One was still under construction – I said it was a long time ago I visited!

Collaborative post.

It’s BBQ season – yes even if the forecast is for rain over the next week, I still anticipate a BBQ in between the showers! I have to confess that until recently we were stuck in a rut with our BBQ offerings. But, we have made some simple changes to our barbecue essentials, meaning we’re looking forwards to BBQ’s once again!

Meat?

One thing we’ve looked at when BBQ’ing is meat. Do we need meat to BBQ? What meat, and what alternatives? There are so many alternatives to meat, from Fish to Beetroot burgers and Halloumi. Personally, I love grilled Halloumi and it is now always on our BBQ menu.

Sides

I always used to go out of my way to make lots of salad, which invariably got wasted. Instead I will offer up a homemade slaw and a variety of crudites rather than a traditional salad. This mix and match approach appears to leave less wastage! Oh, and home made potato wedges are a must – so easy to make and cheap too!

Sauce

Sauces, we’ve discovered Real Good Ketchup which contains 100% natural ingredients, naturally-occurring sugars and 78% less salt than regular ketchups!
Flavour wise it tastes much more of a rich tomato sauce and less acidic than other brands. It is great as a dip or with your BBQ food. They also do a barbecue sauce flavour, but I think it is still very much a tomato sauce with a hint of smokey. Great for all the family!

Desert

Well, you can’t have a barbecue without marshmallows in my house! Smores are a popular choice, as are toasting marshmallows on over the flames! If you don’t like marshmallows, I love barbecued pineapple! Yes it’s actually a fabulous desert and looks amazing when served, I like to serve it with ice-cream! You can leave out the rum if you’d prefer too.

So, that’s how our barbecues are looking this season!

Collaborative Guest Post

I am always looking for ways to make the most of the pieces in my closet and maternity clothes can be tricky items of clothing to work into a wardrobe rotation. Obviously, there comes a point in time when you need to purchase them because regular pants and plus size clothing don’t fit anymore! But what kinds of clothes can you buy so that you spend your money well on the pieces that count the most? You will not wear these clothes forever, but they need to be versatile enough to wear them throughout the postpartum period and while breast-feeding.

There are so many maternity clothes options available to women who are pregnant! How do you choose which clothes to purchase in order to maximize your wardrobe? Maternity dresses are a favorite staple in every expectant mum’s wardrobe. Here’s why:

1)      They are comfortable! Have you ever tried to squeeze your cute 7-months-pregnant bump into those paneled shorts or pants? The panel in maternity pants can be quite itchy and uncomfortable. A maternity dress is always breezy and comfortably covers your bump without making you itchy.

2)      They are versatile! How many ways can a maternity dress be styled? A more versatile piece you will not find. With a cute pair of heels? Perfect. Boots for autumn? So chic. A cardigan? Cozy! Sandals? Perfect for warmer weather. The ways a maternity dress can be styled is seemingly endless.

3)      They show off that sweet bump! This time is a beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime, 9-month period where your sweet baby is on display on the inside of your body, meaning you are on display too!

Even though you might not want strangers coming up to touch your bump the pregnant mum’s form is beautiful and should be appreciated!

Tell me – what was your must-have, favorite, go-to item of clothing when you were pregnant?    

Collaborative Post

Camping is an amazing activity if you’ve got children (or if you haven’t!). Select a site that’s close to the sea or enveloped in woodland, and you’ll wake up every morning surrounded by natural beauty. It’s the perfect antidote to your stressful daily life back home.

However, it’s important to be prepared when you go camping. Failing to plan can put a dampener on the experience. Here’s a handy guide to help you.

Camping with the family – the basics

Firstly, when you’re choosing a campsite, think carefully about what sort of holiday you want. Popular ‘holiday parks’ have lots of amenities (useful for keeping the children amused), but can be noisy. Remote campsites are likely to be situated amidst stunning scenery, but the facilities might be basic. Consider your specific needs before you book.

Look at what’s around the campsite too. Are there scenic walks you can go on? What about activities for the children? What’s available if the weather takes a turn for the worse? You don’t want to be stranded on a campsite in the middle of nowhere in the pouring rain.

What sort of pitch?

Usually, there are two types of pitch – electric and non-electric. The advantage of having an electric pitch is that you can charge your phones in the tent, or plug in a portable heater if the evenings are cold. However, some people feel that this takes away from the experience of being ‘immersed in nature’. It’s a matter of personal preference, and you should select what works for your family.

What budget?

Some campsites are more expensive than others. The most expensive tend to be the holiday parks, particularly in popular locations like Cornwall or Devon. At the other end of the scale are farmer’s fields, which in terms of facilities, might offer a couple of portaloos and that’s it. If you’re feeling really daring, there are areas where you can legally go wild camping, but this can be tricky with kids.

Remember that you’ll be spending money on eating, going out, and keeping the kids entertained too. Factor the costs in before booking your site.

What you’ll need:

It’s useful to know what basics to buy. Here are few useful suggestions.

• Cooking / eating paraphernalia. If you’re staying away for an extended period of time, it’s wise to take a portable stove with you, as eating out every day can get expensive. Remember to pack plates, mugs, cutlery, and preferably a cloth or drying rack to leave them to drain after you’ve washed them up.
• ‘Entertainment’ items. Think about what you’ll be doing each day. If you’re planning on hitting the beach, you’ll need sunscreen, towels, buckets and spades, and possibly body-boards and wetsuits too. For the evenings on the campsite, you might want to bring a few easy-to-pack board-games or some playing cards.
• Sleeping arrangements. If you haven’t got a sleeping bag yet, choose wisely. A good all-rounder will keep you warm in colder nights. As for what to sleep on? Cot-style beds have the advantage of being raised off the floor, but they take up a lot of room. Blow-up beds are a good option, or well-padded roll-up mats.
• ‘Going out’ items. Camping is generally a casual affair, but there might be times that you want to dress up and hit the nearest town. Remember to take at least one nice outfit, and if needs be, some make-up, jewellery or the latest top men’s perfume. In short, whatever you feel you need; but don’t go overboard. You’ve only got limited space in the car.