Monthly Archives: November 2016

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Stretch Your Money By Making Your Purchases Last Longer

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One of the cardinal sins of managing your money is buying things you don’t need. You should always think twice before spending your money on something and question whether it’s necessary.

A big part of the problem is the fact people buy replacements for things they already have. We seem to live in a culture where far too many things go to waste. Finding ways to make purchases last longer is a useful trick for financial stability. Here’s some advice for making major purchases worth the cost.

Vehicles

Buying a car takes a significant chunk of your bank balance, so you’ll want to make sure it’s worth the money. Keeping your car well-maintained is a big part of this. You should have your car regularly serviced and try to prevent issues from developing.

You should also get repairs as soon as problems occur. Simple maintenance jobs such as a transmission replacement can increase the longevity of your vehicle. Many companies specialize in this, such as http://www.trannyman.net. Sometimes people make the mistake of leaving car faults to fester. It will only cost you more in the long run, and can even damage your vehicle for good.

Some people find it more practical to lease a car. That way, you don’t have to worry about your car depreciating. You can also get an upgrade every few years. It’s a useful way to get your money’s worth.

Furniture

Far too many people throw old furniture out without a second thought. It’s something that often costs hundreds of dollars, so you should do whatever you can to make it worth the price.

Keep in mind that many furniture problems can be fixed. It’s easy to find furniture recovery and repair companies like https://www.furnituremedic.com. Using services like these can make your sofas and cabinets as good as new and prevent the need to buy new ones.

You can also find ways to reuse old furniture. Even if something’s broken, you might be able to use it elsewhere. You can find some ideas from sites like http://www.diynetwork.com.

Computers And Smartphones

Consumer electronics are another thing people often spend a lot of money on. But they can be problematic. Many errors can quickly develop with computers and smartphones. These often lead people to get replacements prematurely.

When you have a problem with your computer or smartphone, look online for solutions. Sometimes your laptop running slow can be fixed by uninstalling some programs. You can often fix security issues with a simple malware scan.

Sometimes when everything else fails, a factory reset can fix everything and make your device feel as good as new. A well-maintained computer or smartphone can hold value for years, so use it for all it’s worth before selling it.

Clothes

Many people replace their wardrobe far too often. Instead of throwing articles of clothing out each season, you should get practical clothing that lasts you for years. Sometimes the best bet is to buy expensive clothing that’s made to last.

You should never simply throw old clothes out. You might want to hand them down to a friend or family member. Sometimes you can sell clothes you don’t want online or in yard sales. You can even find fun ways to repurpose old clothing.

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Everything You Need to Know About Looking After Your Vehicle’s Braking System

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Your vehicle’s braking system is something that it relies on. It won’t be roadworthy if the brakes don’t work as well as they should. That much should be pretty obvious to you. So, how can you make the most of your vehicle’s braking system and ensure that it lasts for a long time to come? There are plenty of little things you can do to look after the braking system, so don’t worry. Read on to find out more and then start putting the advice outlined into action.

Keep Changing the Brake Fluid

Changing the brake fluid in your car is known as flushing. And it’s something that has to be done regularly. If you don’t do it often enough, your brakes will suffer. The brake fluid keeps everything flowing and healthy. Without that fluid, the brakes simply start to rot away and become stiff. That’s not what you want. And if you leave it too long without thinking about this, it could mean that parts of your brakes have to be replaced. That’s an expense that you shouldn’t have to pay for, so don’t let it come to that. Instead, you should flush the brakes and keep them healthy.

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Drive More Smoothly

The way you drive your car can change the way in which you use your brakes. If they are used too much or too forcefully, you could have problems with your brakes later on. First of all, make sure that you only ever use your right foot to apply the brakes. Then you should try to coast a bit more when you drive. This is a smoother and steadier way of driving, and it reduces the need for braking. When you don’t use that brake pedal as much, you will find that the car’s braking system lasts longer and faces fewer difficulties in the future.

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Upgrade Them

Your braking system doesn’t have to stay the way it is. If you think that it is a bit weak or underpowered at the moment, why not do something about that? When you upgrade your brakes, they will be much better equipped to cope with whatever is thrown at them when in use. Companies such as Pirtek sell brake hoses that might be able to add something new and more sturdy to your brakes. You could even upgrade the disc if you wanted to make a bigger change.

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Make Your Car Lighter

The lighter your car is, the better it is for your brakes. There is no need for your braking system to be put under more pressure that it already is. This simply causes problems that can be avoided. So, if you have lots of things inside your car or attached to it, you should try to get rid of these. By making the car lighter, your brakes will have less to deal with, and that can only be a good thing in the end. When the time comes to buying a new car, make sure you check the weight and only buy a car that is relatively light.

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A Good Manufacturer Is Hard To Find: Tips To Ensure Mass-Production

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You might have hit the mother lode, an idea that corners the market and the product is patented and ready to go! Generally, the start of any business is spent researching the market, allocating funds and sizing up the competition. If you are running a business that is in its infancy, then you can spend a long time trying to find the right manufacturer for your product. This can stop you in your tracks before you’ve even begun. What can you do as a small business to get the right attention from manufacturers?

Set Up A Partnership That Benefits Both Sides

As a small business, it is easy for the bigger manufacturers to completely ignore you. If you set up a mutually beneficial partnership by creating the right incentive, then this can pique their interest. Look at the manufacturer that you have your eye on, what can you give them? Can you persuade them to branch out into another aspect of manufacturing on top of their already thriving export? From injection moulded parts to robotics, whatever the manufacturer’s specialty is, you can find a new angle to appeal to their sensibilities.

Do Some Background Checks

When looking for the right manufacturer you need to check their references. It is difficult to find the right manufacturer. So if you check their references, you can be sure that they are suited to your product, and you can work together more efficiently.

Start Out Slowly

You are investing a lot of money and time. Mistakes are detrimental and cannot be afforded by the company. Start out with baby steps. Don’t jump into buying a property when you are not sure that the company can afford it. Instead, rent out equipment and lease a building until you can really ensure business success. The product may require a few changes and could go through different incarnations before being ready. So make sure that you start slow and stay at that pace in the early days.

Do Your Research

You need to make sure you are well-versed in the manufacturing business before you sign with one. If you look at trade journals or go to business fairs to network with manufacturers, it will help you find the right type of people you want to go into business with.

Make Sure You Have More Than One Open Partnership

Keeping your options open makes sense in the long run. Your vendor may decide that there is another company with a more lucrative contract. Or there could be unexpected issues to force them out of business for a few months. Make sure that you have a handful of reliable vendors that you can go between.

Make Sure You Have The Legal Details Sorted Out

Before purchasing equipment and hiring employees, research the regulations and look at what you need to know before trading. There may be specific licenses and certifications you need. As soon as you know what these are, then you can push on with the business.

Get To Know Your Employees

The manufacturers are the most important part of the business. So make sure you get to know them properly. Your company is in their hands, so treat them accordingly!

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Business Productivity Hit A Wall? Let’s Locate The Source Of Your Problems

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Every business owner will encounter a few obstacles throughout their time in management. However, some issues are a little more worrying than others. Reduced workflow is undoubtedly one of the biggest concerns, especially as it can impact the success of the entire venture.

Productivity will inevitably slump from time to time, and temporary issues can be legislated for. It’s the long-term issues that should set the alarm bells ringing. There’s no question that it can be a frustrating time for any entrepreneur. On a brighter note, the source of those problems is probably quite simple.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most likely situations, along with how to fix them.

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Faulty Machinery

They say a bad workman blames his tools. In truth, though, even the best workers will see limited results if the facilities aren’t in place. Even the slightest fault with machinery could cause a major impact on the speed and accuracy of tasks completed. This is why quick action is essential.

From office equipment to construction machinery, it’s vital that those systems are in great health. If a tool that using liquid power energy becomes faulty, it will cause a negative impact on the entire process. A hydraulic pipe repair could be key to restoring those systems back to full health. With those elements firing on all cylinders, there’s no reason the business can’t perform as expected.

Time is money in business, which is why regular maintenance is key. Likewise, a stitch in time saves nine and a faster response may prevent more costly damage further down the line.

Poor Team Atmosphere

As well as the facilities, the success of your business relies heavily on the quality of your team. However, building a team of capable of employees is only one part of the challenge. Keeping them motivated and on the same wavelength is often the difference between a good business and a great one. Do not forget it.

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Focusing on the culture of your working environment is vital at all times. One lapse can soon snowball to cause huge damage. Worse still, those problems might not simply influence the workflow. In many cases, a poor atmosphere can lead to a worse experience for the customer.

Lack Of Organisation

Getting your team to do things is one thing. But getting them to complete those tasks in an effective manner is another altogether. If the organisational aspects are lacking, there’s a very good chance that this will be the source of your troubles.

Embracing new technology can make a monumental impact. Turning the office into a paperless environment, for example, can save valuable minutes. Meanwhile, you should invest in new tactics in board meetings to ensure that they run fast and smooth.

Every minute spent searching for items or direction is another 60 seconds wasted. It might not feel like a big deal, but they’ll soon add up to blow a hole in the productivity. Find the right balance, however, and you’ll be destined for greatness.

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Perfect Jobs For A People Person

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Are you a people person? If so, there are plenty of career opportunities for you to explore, all of which will give you plenty of job satisfaction. Don’t forget, being able to work with people is a skill in itself, and it’s one that you should put to good use. The simple fact is that not everyone can raise a smile, help others, or be the perfect ear to listen to problems. So, if you can identify with this fantastic personality trait, read on. I’ve pulled together some of the best career moves for you to consider. Let’s take a closer look.

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Nursing

The medical world is full of people who love helping others – it’s part of the reason why they go through all that training. And sitting at the top of the people person tree has to be the nurse. They are closer to their patients than any other person in a hospital, and being kind, caring, and friendly at all times is a critical part of the job. It can be tough to keep smiling, of course. You will be dealing with very sick people at times. But those are the skills that will help them – and their families – get through some of the most difficult times of their life.

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Marketer

While marketers don’t have to talk to lots of people every day, they need to understand them! You have to know what makes people tick if you want to compel them into taking action. You need to master the art of persuasion, communicate to a focused audience on a large scale, and understand what drives them on in life. I recommend getting a qualification in marketing as it will give you a boost up the ladder in the early stages of your career.

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Therapist

Do you love getting into people’s minds and finding out who they really are? If so, why not consider becoming a therapist or counsellor? You will get to meet new people every day, each with their own set of problems. You will need to listen, and have the ability to empathise – while at the same time, diagnose their problems. Again, it’s not the easiest line of work, but the impact you can have on people’s lives can be incredible.

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Pub landlord

Pub owners are often known as the working man’s therapist. It is essential that you are good with people, and can relate to your customers. You could become an integral part of the community, and despite the fact many pubs are closing they are still in high demand. Choose your location wisely, however. There’s a lot of investment to make, from pub stools to decor, and you will need to establish yourself quickly. Many bars go out of business within the first couple of years, and a poor location is often the primary culprit.

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Restaurant manager

While we’re in the food and beverage sector, why not consider becoming a restaurant manager? It’s true that the catering sector isn’t thought of as highly in this country than others, but there is still a lot of career potential. You’ll need to be great with people, of course, and be able to make them feel welcome. But you will also need to have excellent organisational skills, a cool head, and ability to diffuse tense situations!

Are you a people person?

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Have You Hired The Wrong Person?! Let’s Find Out!

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You’re in a tough position. You’re a small business as it is, and you can’t afford to hire much staff to help you out. But, now you’ve found yourself in a situation where you think you’ve hired the wrong person. Is there any hope? Have you really put the wrong person in the wrong role? It’s time to find out.

Schedule Issues

This is something you’ll hopefully have worked out before the person was hired. You never want to be in a position where someone is seeking preferential treatment. If they tell you that they “can’t come in on Friday” because of a pre-arranged appointment, why is that? Why was this not mentioned during the interview process? Ultimately, if you find that scheduling issues are becoming too regular, you might both need to part ways.

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The Complainer

Alright, so we’re fairly expectant that some employees might grow tired of the company after a long period there. It’s OK for the odd complaint to be bounced around by veterans of the company. It can even be beneficial for us! But, if you’ve got a new hire that’s complaining after weeks of service, it’s a big warning sign. It’s only going to get worse from here, so you’ll need to put a stop to it quickly before it elevates further.

Unable To Adapt

When you get a new hire that won’t stop talking about how things worked at their old job, you need be wary. Ultimately, they’re not working at their old job anymore. They need to get their fascination with it out of their minds because things work differently at your place! An inability to adapt signifies an unwillingness to do things a different way. When this becomes an issue, you might find that they bring the rest of the team’s morale down in the process.

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Not A Team Player

You’re running a start up business, and that means you’ve probably got a small team of loyal employees. If just one of those employees causes a problem to the team morale, you’re in huge trouble. It can bring the entire productivity of your business crashing to the ground, causing irreparable damage in some cases. It’s imperative that you bring someone into the company that can act as a team player. If you’re unable to do this, don’t be surprised when your current staff gets frustrated and disillusioned.

Learning Curve Problems

Every job has a learning curve, and you expect new hires to struggle for a while after they’ve been employed. There comes a time when this needs to stop, however, and this is where you need to be careful. If an employee is making the same mistakes over and over, it’s a cause for concern. It might show that you’ve hired the wrong person for the wrong role, or it might just be a training issue. Figure this out quickly, as you need to solve the problem before it gets worse.

Have you hired the wrong person? Hopefully, you don’t need to resort to showing them the door just yet.

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Off The Grid: Three Fabulous Tech Free Activities

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Does is ever feel like technology completely dominates your life? As if you can’t go thirty seconds without the beep of some gadget or another grabbing your attention. Not to mention the fact that most of us spend the majority of our days staring at screens. It can all get a bit… clinical feeling, not to mention claustrophobic. It’s easy to forget just how wonderful and fascinating the world around us really is. There are so many incredible things to see and do in the natural world that it’s a real shame we spend so much time staring at our phones that we miss them. Fortunately, that means that there is always the chance to get away from it all and enjoy some tech-free activities. Here are a few of my favorite ways to get off the grid.

Surfing

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You know what a major issue with a lot of gadgets is? Waterproofing. Anyone who’s ever dropped their phone in the bath and then spent hours with it sat in a bowl of rice will know that for certain. Luckily this turns out to be a blessing in disguise if you want a way to rid yourself of technological temptation. Surfing is one of the most fun and exciting things that you can do. Nothing makes you feel closer to the world around you than the smell of sea air and the refreshing splash of the waves. There are lots of different places to try surfing no matter what your skill level. And if you’re a bit afraid of getting up onto the board then you can try bodyboarding as well.

Hiking

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Now this one might take a bit of discipline because you can technically bring your gadgets along with you. But not only will that defeat the purpose entirely, but it’ll also burden you with extra stuff that you probably won’t want to carry for long. All you need to do is find a trail and get lost in nature. You might be tempted to snap some pictures for social media but why not just enjoy the sights. You’ll always have those memories, and they’ll look that much nicer when you’re not looking through a screen. Places like Big Bend hiking allow you to pick trails to suit your level and they all provide some incredible scenery. And the best thing about hiking? It’s free! Make sure you pack some decent boots, though!

Camping

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If you need a five-star hotel with room service, then you might want to look away now. Camping is just about the best way to get off the grid and back to nature. Sleeping on the ground with just a sleeping back underneath you and a tent keeping you safe from the elements. Cooking up beans in the can with nothing but the sounds of nature for company. There really is nothing like it! Now, of course, there are lots of campsites that offer more modern conveniences, like indoor toilets, if you don’t want to go completely rough. But for the full experience try to avoid bringing your gadgets along with you at all. After a while, you won’t even miss them anymore!

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Sick Of Working At A Desk All Day? Here Are 3 Cool Jobs You Should Try Instead

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We all make decisions that we end up regretting. For a lot of people, deciding on your career path can be the biggest regret of your life. You end up with a 9-5 job behind a desk all day. It’s boring, and you wish you could break free and have a fresh start.

Bearing that in mind, I have three cool jobs you should pursue and get out from behind that desk!

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Broadcast Journalist

There are many journalists that spend their days behind a desk typing up articles. Then, there are the ones that have the most fun. Life as a broadcast journalist can be extremely exciting. You get to stand in front of a camera and report on various news events. Who knows, you could end up reporting live from the scene of the biggest news story of the century! The nature of broadcast journalism means you’ll be on your feet a lot and will travel all over the place. You could be in one country today and then another tomorrow. It’s a frantic job, but, it certainly beats sitting at your desk all day.

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Helicopter Pilot

Have you ever dreamed of flying? Well, you can, if you join the Army and become a helicopter pilot. Granted, you’ll need flying lessons before you can even attempt to travel down this career path. But, you can get those from Heliventures and other similar companies before you join up. Then, the army will fine-tune your skills and get you ready for an exciting job. As a helicopter pilot, you may have many different tasks. Some will be more dangerous than others. For example, you could be dropping infantry soldiers into battle. Or, picking people up in the middle of a war zone. Then, you might have a simple recon mission where you fly in the sky as someone looks down below to map out the area. You might even get asked to take supplies between camps. It’s an interesting job, and there are many crazy things you could get asked to do. Of course, you can get a job as a pilot that isn’t in the army. But, this is definitely the coolest way to approach this career.

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Dentist

Most people probably grow up hating the dentist. This hatred grows as you get older and need fillings with every visit. As such, you probably wouldn’t grow up with aspirations of being a dentist. So, you end up with a desk job like millions of other people. But, becoming a dentist is a great career move. You may not think so, but it’s actually very exciting. You learn a lot about the human body, and will always have different tasks to do. This includes making fillings, removing teeth, creating dentures – and so much more. It’s a job that will never be dull, and will always produce a few stories to tell your mates about after work. One thing’s for certain, you won’t be sat behind a desk all day.

Add some more excitement to your life with these three job ideas. Stay well clear of any desks, and enjoy a life that’s more fun and worthwhile.

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Everyday Health Problems And How You Can Beat Them

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Even the most healthy of us experience a wellness issue from time to time. That is just the nature of being in our bodies. But there are a lot of issues that people grit their teeth and bear, but they could actually do something about. Read on to find our what they are, and what you can do to beat them and regain your health.

Breathing Problems

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Firstly there are a lot of people who suffer from respiratory issues. If you have been struggling with your breathing the first thing on the lists is to pay a visit to your doctors. Its is important to get any breathing issues looked at by a medical professional in case there is a serious underlying cause.

Once you have a diagnosis, you can also make some changes in your own life that can help to alleviate the problem.

The biggest thing that you can do to help improve your breathing is to give up smoking. You can go cold turkey, use nicotine patches, or even switch to a vape pen instead of normal smoking tobacco.

Even though you will still receive a dose of nicotine by using a vape pen, it can be hard to get used to at the beginning. That is why it’s a good idea to get it all the supplies you will need including a charger, an extra battery, and a stash of e-liquids. Or, join a flexible subscription service that will post you supplies monthly. You can look at this website for more information.

Headaches

Headaches are a very common ailment, but these can cause a significant amount of suffering. Headaches can be caused by a number of things such as allergies, dehydration, stress and even the way that we sit.

Of course, sometimes they are symptomatic of other issues.  Such as needing a stronger prescription in our glasses or the onset of migraines. If you have explored the most basic solutions like your posture and water consumption. It is best to get it checked over by a medical professional.

Backaches

Backaches are also a common problem, especially as we get older. They are often caused by overstraining to lift things, or by long-standing injuries. Backaches can be tough to deal with because it’s hard to get comfy in any one position for a length of time.

If your problem is caused by an injury then seeing a chiropractor can help. As they will be able to realign your back and other joints so there won’t be as much pressure on them.

Depression

Depression is diagnosed as a feeling of sadness or hopelessness that has been present for over two weeks. Depression is not the same as having a bad day. In fact, it can be devastating to the person suffering from it and to those around them.

Depression can affect how that person sees themselves, what choices they make and how much enjoyment they can get out of their lives. If anyone you know is suffering in this way, it is best to work in small steps. Ask them to see a medical professional first to assess the problem. Then you can help them to incorporate more exercise and a better diet into their lives.

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Don’t Put Off Talking To Your Teen About Drugs And Alcohol

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Studies show that teens who have discussions with their parents about drugs and alcohol are less likely to develop an addiction. But unfortunately, many parents are still failing to talk to their kids about this important topic. Many feel that it’s something they won’t have to worry about until their teen is older. But statistics show that many a large percentage of teens have their first alcoholic drink at 15. Kids who are just starting high school can also be offered drugs by older teens in their school. So to help your kids make smart choices, start the conversation by using these top tips.

Ask your kids what they know

One of the best ways to start this conversation is by asking your kids how much they know about drugs and alcohol. They might be embarrassed at first, but encourage them to share their knowledge. You might be surprised by just how much they know or have learned from TV or social media. This gives them an opportunity to ask you questions while also giving you a chance to fill in any gaps in their knowledge. You should also ask them whether someone has offered drugs or alcohol to them and if they tried. Encourage them to open up and share their concerns with your. Once, they have told you of their experiences and their knowledge, you can then tailor your approach more effectively.

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Talk about your experiences

During your conversation, don’t be afraid to share your past experiences with drugs and alcohol too. After all, you were a teenager once too. Talk about how you felt and what they consequences were for your actions. You don’t have to go into a lot of detail. Just share basic details that will show your kids that you have been in the same situation as them. This can be incredibly insightful for your teen as they can learn from your mistakes and make better choices. It can also make them more aware of how these situations can arise. You can talk through what they should say if someone offers them a substance and how to distance themselves from negative influences.

Explain what the risks are

When your kids are encouraged to try a substance by others, they are likely to be told how amazing and fun it is. If they don’t know what the risks are before this happens, this can entice them to try drugs or alcohol even more. So during your talk with them, outline what risks and consequences there are. They might get expelled, end up in hospital or rehab and even spend time in jail. While you can prevent them being offered drugs or alcohol, you can give them the knowledge they need to stay no.

While it can be easy to put off this often difficult conversation, you need to make it a priority. Talk to your teenager and answer any questions they may have with complete honesty and openness. If you suspect your teen might already have an addiction, get further advice from a young person’s rehab center.

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