5 Summer Travel Packing Tips

Whether you’re hitting the beach with the family or gearing up for a girls’ getaway in Vegas, it’s important to bring a strong suitcase game to your next vacation. With ever-increasing baggage fees, the art of packing a lot into a little bit of space is more important than ever before! Read on for some helpful hints to improve your packing strategy before you hit the road.

This is How We Roll- Ask any travel expert and they will agree- rolling clothes instead of folding them is where it’s at. Not only do tightly-rolled clothes take up less suitcase space than folded clothes do, but they also emerge from the case a lot less wrinkled than their folded counterparts.

Make a List (Check it Twice)- In this world, there are two types of people: those who fly by the seat of their pants, and those who make lists of the lists they need to make. When it comes to travel, the advantage goes to the list-makers: by creating lists of everything they’ll need to be comfortable and happy during their trip, they’re less likely to forget anything important.

Get the 3-1-1- Have you heard about the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule? If not, get in the know: you are allowed to bring a quart-sizes bag of liquids on board, and these liquids are limited to 3.4 ounces or less per item. FYI- in this case, “liquids” also applies to toothpaste, aerosol cans, gels and creams, so make sure you only have small, travel-size portions of each item.

Layer it On- Pack your bag in layers so the TSA agents can get a better picture of what’s inside. Not only does this make the security check-in process go much more quickly, but it also minimizes the need for TSA to rummage through your bag to make sure it’s safe.

Hang Onto Your Valuables- Everything of considerable value, from expensive jewelry to electronics, should never be checked in the rest of your baggage- make sure to keep it with you at all times. This also goes for items of sentimental value- TSA is not responsible for lost or stolen items, and you will be absolutely heartbroken if you arrive at your destination and can’t find something special.

Travel enthusiasts: did we forget anything? Add your tips in the Comments section!

How to Choose the Right Lawn Care Service

We all love thick, green lawns- the maintenance and upkeep that come with it, though? Not so much. The amount of time, expertise and money that can go into properly maintaining a lawn can be overwhelming and exhausting, especially if the results you yield are less than desirable. We’re not all green-thumbs, unfortunately, but thanks to lawn care services, you can enjoy all of the benefits of a beautiful lawn with none of the hassle. But how do you choose the lawn care service that best fits your needs? Here are a few helpful hints to guide you to the service that will take the best care of your lawn and fit your budget.

Ask questions- Not all lawn care services are created equal- make sure to ask the representative exactly which services are included in the quoted price. Beware of companies whose prices significantly undercut those of their competitors, as it is likely that they don’t provide the same services. For instance, a company can get away with charging $10 less per week if all they are doing is mowing; a company whose weekly service also includes trimming, weeding, edging and fertilizing is going to quote you with a higher price. Be sure to compare apples to apples before choosing the service.

Negotiate- Many lawn care specialists work as independent contractors, which means they are able to set their own prices. It never hurts to ask if they can offer you a discount for a more limited battery of lawn care services, or if they would be willing to knock $20 off your monthly bill if you can refer your next-door neighbor. Larger lawn care companies will not be as willing to negotiate, but it is worth a try when you are speaking to someone wishing to grow their local business.

Ask around- If you want to know if the lawn care service is as reliable as they seem, ask the people in your neighborhood. Review websites like Yelp! exist solely to inform consumers about other clients’ experiences, both positive and negative, with a particular company. You may also wish to ask a neighbor whose yard you admire for the name of the company they use. Since many lawn care companies offer a referral program, your neighbor will probably be more than happy to pass along their business card.

Make sure they are licensed- Lawn care service companies are regulated by your state to make sure they are licensed to apply certain potentially hazardous lawn care products. Make sure the service you are working with is licensed to avoid potential danger and lawsuits.

What do you do for your lawn care?

Recipe- Mango Watermelon Smoothie

For a refreshing summer treat that is as good for you as it is delicious, follow this recipe before kicking back in your hammock!

Ingredients:

5 cups cubed watermelon

1 peeled, diced mango

½ cup water      

1 tablespoon white sugar

Ice cubes

Directions:

Blend watermelon with mango, ice and sugar in a blender on medium or “smoothie” setting until there are no remaining lumps.

Pour into glasses and garnish with pineapple wedges or watermelon slices for a festive look.

Enjoy!

Prep time: 10 minutes. Serves 6.