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Why Poor Bookkeeping and Cash Flow Kill Small Businesses
Many small business owners think profit is the most important number.

I used to think that too.

But after running a business, I learned something far more important:

cash flow and bookkeeping matter more than profit especially early on.

A business can look profitable on paper and still fail if the money is not managed correctly.

When I took on debt to buy my business, I didn’t fully understand how cash flow would affect every decision. I explained that experience in Is Taking a Loan to Start a Small Business a Mistake?

Profit vs Cash Flow (Simple Explanation)

Profit means:
- You made more than you spent (on paper)
Cash flow means:
- You actually have money available to pay bills right now
Here’s the problem:

You can be profitable and still not have cash to pay rent, payroll, or loan payments.

That’s where many businesses get stuck.

How Poor Bookkeeping Hides Problems

When bookkeeping is messy or delayed, problems stay hidden.

Poor bookkeeping often means:
- Not knowing how much cash is really available
- Mixing personal and business money
- Falling behind on taxes
- Guessing instead of knowing
Without clear records, it’s easy to think things are “okay” until a payment is missed or a surprise bill shows up.

Why Cash Flow Problems Feel Sudden

Cash flow issues rarely happen overnight.

They build slowly:
- Sales fluctuate
- Expenses increase
- Loan payments stay the same
- Taxes come due
If bookkeeping is not updated regularly, these warning signs are easy to miss.

By the time the problem is obvious, the options are usually limited.

Why Lenders Care So Much About Your Books

This is something I didn’t fully understand early on.

Lenders don’t just look at ideas.

They look at numbers.

They want to see:
- Clean financial records
- Consistent income
- Clear expenses
- Predictable cash flow
When bookkeeping is weak or incomplete, lenders see risk—even if the business is working hard.

This is one reason many small business owners struggle to qualify for traditional financing.

How Weak Bookkeeping Affects Big Decisions

Without clear numbers, it’s hard to answer questions like:
- Can I afford this loan payment?
- Is this slow month normal or dangerous?
- Do I need to cut expenses now?
- Can I hire help or should I wait?
Poor bookkeeping forces decisions based on stress instead of facts.

What I Learned the Hard Way

From experience, I learned that:
- Waiting too long to organize finances creates pressure
- Cash flow matters more than short-term profit
- Clean books give clarity, even when numbers are not great
- Knowing the truth early is better than being surprised later
Bookkeeping didn’t fix everything—but it made problems visible sooner.

Simple Lessons for New Business Owners

If you’re just starting, these lessons can save you pain later:
- Track income and expenses regularly
- Separate personal and business finances
- Know your monthly fixed costs
- Plan for taxes before they’re due
- Watch cash flow, not just sales
You don’t need perfection. You need visibility.

Final Thoughts

Many small businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas.

They fail because of poor cash flow and unclear finances.

Good bookkeeping won’t guarantee success, but poor bookkeeping almost guarantees stress.

Understanding where your money is going—and when it’s coming in—can make the difference between surviving and slowly falling behind.

Disclaimer

This article is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes only. It is not financial advice.
February 10, 2026
Is Taking a Loan to Start a Small Business a Mistake?
When people talk about starting a small business, loans come up almost immediately.

Banks, credit cards, and lenders often make it sound simple:

Borrow now, grow later.

I believed that too.

I’m writing this from real experience after starting a business and learning—sometimes the hard way—how debt changes everything. Taking a loan is not automatically a mistake, but it can quickly become one if the risks are not fully understood.

A big reason many people take on debt is because startup costs are higher than expected. I explained those costs in detail in How Much It Really Costs to Start a Small Food Business in California.

Why Many New Business Owners Take Loans

Starting a business requires money long before it becomes profitable.

Some of the most common reasons people borrow include:
- Purchasing equipment
- Paying rent and security deposits
- Covering permits and licenses
- Renovations and repairs
- Buying inventory and supplies
Very few people have enough cash saved to cover all of this, especially when buying an existing business. Borrowing often feels like the only realistic option.

Common Types of Loans People Consider

Most new business owners explore a mix of financing options, such as:
- Credit cards – quick access, but very high interest
- Personal loans – faster approval, but personal risk
- Traditional business loans – structured, but hard to qualify for
- Government-backed loans – lower rates, but long and complex
Each option comes with trade-offs that are not always explained clearly at the beginning.

Why Government-Backed Loans Don’t Work for Everyone

On paper, government-backed loans sound like the best option. They usually offer lower interest rates and longer repayment terms.

In reality, the process can be very long and complicated.

I personally went through this process, which involved extensive paperwork, long waiting periods, and repeated follow-ups. In the end, the experience mostly led to lists of potential lenders rather than actual funding.

One of the biggest challenges was business history. Even though I had purchased an existing restaurant, I did not have a long operating history under my own ownership. That made approval slow and uncertain.

When you are trying to keep a business moving forward, waiting months for a decision is often not realistic.

Why Some Owners Turn to Alternative Financing

Because of delays and limited approvals, many business owners look for faster alternatives.

In my case, I chose a form of financing that allowed me to move forward quickly but required strong personal guarantees. This made funding possible, but it also shifted a large amount of risk outside of the business itself.

These options can help when time is critical, but they often come with higher interest, stricter terms, and more personal pressure.

My Real Experience With Business Debt

I want to be honest here.

To start and keep the business running, I took on multiple loans using both personal and business credit. Over time, that debt grew into a six-figure amount.

The loans did not mean I failed.

But they made every mistake more expensive.

Monthly payments added stress, especially during slow periods, and limited flexibility when unexpected costs appeared. The debt didn’t create the problems—but it amplified them.

The Biggest Risk of Borrowing Too Early

The biggest mistake isn’t borrowing money.

It’s borrowing before the business is stable.

Loans come with:
- Fixed monthly payments
- Interest that compounds over time
- Pressure even when sales are low
Payments do not pause during slow months, emergencies, or learning curves. That pressure can affect decisions, focus, and long-term planning.

When Taking a Loan Can Make Sense

A loan can make sense if:
- You clearly understand your monthly cash flow
- Your sales expectations are realistic
- You have reduced unnecessary startup costs
- The loan supports growth, not just survival
Borrowing with a plan is very different from borrowing out of urgency or fear.

When Loans Become a Problem

Loans often become a problem when:
- Payments are too high for early revenue
- Sales take longer than expected
- Repairs or surprise expenses come up
- Multiple debts stack at the same time
At that point, the business starts working for the debt instead of the debt supporting the business.

What I Wish I Knew Before Borrowing

Looking back, I wish I had:
- Planned for longer slow periods
- Borrowed less at the beginning
- Better understood how interest compounds
- Focused more on cash flow than growth
Debt does not disappear when things get difficult—it becomes louder.

Final Thoughts

Taking a loan to start a small business is not automatically a mistake.

But it is one of the most serious decisions a business owner can make.

If you are considering borrowing, slow down, run the numbers, and be honest about the risks. A loan can help you move faster—but it can also make recovery much harder if things do not go as planned.

Disclaimer

This article is based on personal experience and is for educational purposes only. It is not financial advice.
February 8, 2026
How Much It Really Costs to Start a Small Food Business in California
I’m sharing this from real experience after opening a small food business in California and learning many of these costs the hard way.

Starting a small food business in California sounds exciting.
But what most people don’t realize is how fast the costs add up.

I learned this the hard way.

Before opening, I thought I had a rough idea of the expenses. I was wrong. There were many costs no one clearly explained, and some showed up only after I had already committed.

This article breaks down what it really costs, in simple terms, so you know what to expect.

The Big Costs People Expect

Most people plan for these:
- Equipment (grills, freezers, refrigerators)
- Rent and deposits
- Ingredients and supplies
- Basic renovations
These are expensive, but they’re not the biggest surprise.

The Hidden Costs No One Warns You About

This is where many small business owners struggle.

Some of the costs I didn’t fully expect included:
- Business licenses and permits
- Health department inspections and fees
- Fire inspections
- Insurance (liability, workers’ comp, etc.)
- Payroll setup and taxes
- Sales tax and reporting tools
Each one may seem small alone, but together they add up fast.

Permits and Paperwork Costs

In California, food businesses must deal with multiple agencies.

You may need:
- City business license
- Health permit
- Seller’s permit
- Food safety certifications
- Sign permits
Some permits renew yearly, which means ongoing costs — not just one-time fees.

Equipment: Buy New or Used?

This is a big decision.
- New equipment is expensive but reliable
- Used equipment is cheaper but risky
If used equipment breaks, repairs can wipe out the money you thought you saved.

Financing: Where Many People Get Stuck

Because of these costs, many people turn to financing.

This can include:
- Personal savings
- Credit cards
- Personal loans
- Business loans
Financing can help you start sooner, but it also adds pressure. Monthly payments don’t stop just because business is slow.

What I Wish I Knew Before Starting

If I could go back, I would:
- Budget more than I thought I needed
- Plan for delays and surprise fees
- Learn more about taxes and payroll upfront
- Be more careful with debt early on
Starting a food business is possible, but going in blind makes it much harder.

Many of these startup costs lead business owners to consider borrowing. If you’re wondering whether that decision is worth it, I break it down in detail in Is Taking a Loan to Start a Small Business a Mistake?

Final Thoughts

Opening a small food business in California is not cheap.

But understanding the real costs ahead of time can save you stress, debt, and mistakes.

If you’re thinking about starting one, take your time, plan carefully, and don’t underestimate the hidden expenses.
February 8, 2026
The 4 BEST Learning Apps that Helped My Toddler Read Fast
We all want our toddlers to learn to read as early as possible even as they begin to speak. And there are tons of ways on how to teach them in simple yet fast way of learning. One of them is through educational learning apps that are free to download online.

Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below and I may receive a small commission for purchases made through the links in this post, but these are all the apps I highly recommend and proven effective for my baby.

How Did We do It?

When kids begin to recognize letters and sound them out, they are already learning phonics.

It’s an easy process, with good resources, time, and patience, your little one will learn to read in no time.

Mia, my 4 yr. old toddler began to recognize letters and sounds at the age of 1 right when she started to speak and at the age of 2, she started learning phonics. Early at 3 yrs. old, she started to learn blends of letter sounds and sight words.

Now, at 4 yrs. old, she’s able to read kindergarten books and level 2 scholastic books. Resources are limitless nowadays with the internet and technology readily available for everyone to use.

As for the first-time Mommy like me, I take time to find educational apps and games from library websites for my 4-year-old toddler.

These resources helped her a lot in learning how to read at a very young age.

This is the list of resources that worked for me and for my 3 year old toddler. I hope that it would be a great resource for you to use for your little one too.

Educational Mobile/Computer Applications for Toddlers
1. Jolly Phonics

I put this first on the list because my little one started with this app and it really helped her develop her literacy with letter recognition and sounds. I started to introduce this to my toddler when she was almost 2 years old.

It is a free app best for beginner readers learning in entertaining and interactional method by using letter sounds. Phonics is easily learned by being familiar with sounds which is very useful in reading and writing. Features include letters of alphabets to read and write, actions, stories, flashcards of words and songs.

This is not only for parents but also a great tool for teachers to use for their small learners.

Download online in google play and app store. Get more lessons from Jolly Phonics here.

2. Endless Reader

After getting familiar with phonics, my baby started learning about sight words using Endless Reader app by Originator.Inc.

Endless reader offers early reading success by using sight words. Kids get familiar with the words by sight and they learn to read them in context with the adorable monster characters. The characters and the sounds that this app contain are very entertaining for early learners especially for toddler

s. The letters come alive and make sounds forming word puzzles to sentence puzzle. The entertaining animations make it best for kids to learn in fun and interactive way.

Although this is free to download online, know that it only includes a trial lesson of sight words. If you want to get access to more words for your little one to learn, you have to make purchase to unlock more words.

3. Epic

You might have heard about this app. because of its popularity in schools and among teachers. This is one of the favorite app used by educators and parents at home for their littles.

I first discovered Epic when I was doing my research online about the best learning apps to use for my daughter. This app. appeared to be one on the list of most articles I read so I downloaded it for free and upon trying it with my baby, she instantly fell in love with it.

Epic is a learning platform where reading is develop through thousands of books and videos. It offers free download online but you need subscription to be able to access all the resources for your kids.when I was doing my research online about the best learning apps to use for my daughter. This app. appeared to be one on the list of most articles I read so I downloaded it for free and upon trying it with my baby, she instantly fell in love with it.

What I love about epic is that there are wide selection of books from top selling authors. There are also audiobooks and learning videos that your kids can choose whether they are beginner readers or advanced. They can explore their interests in different fields from adventures, crafts or arts to anything there is to explore in the world.

4. ABC Mouse

Also one of the subscription based educational learning platform is ABC Mouse. There are numerous ads about this learning platform that you might see anywhere on the web and so I would assume that you are also familiar with this app.

I started using this app for my toddler just recently when we are transitioning from TK lessons to kindergarten lessons.

ABC Mouse consists of kids learning activities and lessons for ages 2-8 years old. They offer a virtual classroom and a progress tracker which can be used online or offline. Unlike epic which focuses more on reading, this app contains games and other fun activities other than songs and videos. It covers re

Lessons with ABC Mouse are easily learned by early readers like toddlers because they’re simple to understand and the lessons are laid out carefully in a manner of “step by step learning”. The transition between easy to moderate to difficult is slowly applied through the activities. Subjects include reading, language, arts, math, science, health, social studies and music.

These are my top four educational apps that so far have worked for my early reader who is 4 years old right now, and who can read kindergarten books all by herself and writes words and simple sentences.

Jolly Phonics

Endless Reader

Epic

ABC Mouse

For me personally, the best app to use are those that makes your child learn in any way while they’re on it, either doing games, playing songs or watching videos.

It should be a fun way of learning, interactive and engaging, not distracted or for them to get sleepy or bored.

Choose an educational app where you think your child develops her interests more and connects more on what he/she already knows.

I hope this would give you some ideas what to try for your kids or if you have tried some that are on my list or you have some more recommendations for other parents, feel free to leave it on the comments!
January 23, 2022
TOP 5 Mobile Apps to Sell Stuff Fast in U.S (Work from Home Side Income)
Whether you’re selling stuff from your own closet or you’re a reseller of a certain product or any items, these 5 selling mobile online apps are my most guaranteed apps to sell your item fast and easy in the comfort of your own home.

These are buy and sell platforms that are free to download online.

A place where you can sell anything from apparel like clothing, accessories, etc., or big items such as kitchen wares or even furniture.

These e-commerce platforms also have the most possible buyers online since they have a bigger and wider audience.

1. Facebook Marketplace

Being one of the most widely used apps online, Facebook Marketplace is the fastest way to make a sale. It’s easily accessible through Facebook app and unlike some e-commerce selling apps, it has the easiest platform to navigate with when listing a product.

You will only need to upload photos, put in a title, indicate the price, categorize the product and add a simple item description until then your listing will be active.

Among other apps, I sold most of my products through Facebook, from small items such as bags to house furniture. The marketplace will allow you to sell within your community or outside your area if you choose to ship the item.

Choosing the shipping option will give you more exposure to possible buyers and more chances to make a sale!

Transactions are made easy too, once the buyer sees your listing, Inquiries will be sent through Facebook messenger.

As a seller, you have the option of how you would like your customer to pay, either through meet-ups or online payment since it’s also possible for your buyer to pay you through this app.

2. Mercari

If you have heard about Mercari, you know that items here are priced almost the same as Facebook Marketplace.

Even the shipping fee doesn’t cost much compared to other selling mobile apps like Poshmark.

Also, the prices of items listed in Mercari are less expensive compared to Poshmark since it has lower seller fees.

It just takes some time to sell on this platform compared to Facebook Marketplace.

Base on my experience, I prefer listing on Mercari second after the marketplace.

It’s easy to list and post items, and after listing, you don’t have to update and update your listing to sell, unlike other platforms.

You have the option to include the shipping fee on your product’s listing price, meaning the buyer will pay the fee or you can cover the fee for your buyer and offer free shipping.

Transactions are not too complicated, you can have a conversation with your buyers through the app and negotiate fairly about the price and shipping without ease.

Printing labels through the app is also an easy process.

I sold mostly garments through this app from clothing to shoes and bags.

Unlike Facebook Marketplace, where you can meet your buyer for payment and delivery, here, every transaction I made was online, this includes payment and delivery.

3. Offer-Up

When selling locally and posting slightly used products from your own home, Offer-Up is a great platform to sell!

Aside from no fees, the process is pretty easy, and posting an item is done just like in Facebook Marketplace.

Take a photo, add a description about it, and set your price.

Once you made all these steps, your listing will be visible to the platform’s feed.

A notification will be sent as soon as buyers make an offer after seeing your listing.

Transactions can be made in person or through the app from payments to delivery.

The best thing about Offer-Up for me is when I’m selling big items such as furniture.

I get great deals from buyers and sometimes they get to pick up the item from my home so it’s less work for me.

Although I allow house pick-up, I am very careful about my transactions since there are a lot of scams and shady people on this platform nowadays.

One piece of advice, choose your buyers, only make transactions to people who have been verified by the app.

This platform verifies a profile through an I.D, a social media account, or a phone number.

This makes it more secure for sellers and buyers as well.

4. Poshmark

If you’re planning to clean up your closet and want to earn some cash for it, you can list it on this platform.

Poshmark is the place to sell preloved clothing including shoes, bags, etc.

It’s a free app to download, with no listing fee, easy shipping options, and it’s a huge market to sell.

However, among other selling mobile apps, Poshmark has a bit more complicated process of listing an item. It requires more work than others.

You have to be active to sell items fast and make sure that the items you’re going to sell are in great condition or slightly used.

One more downside of this platform is that it has the highest fees compared to Offer-Up and Mercari.

The listing fee is free which is very helpful for beginners but if you sell an item, they charge a 20% fee for each sale.

This is only competitive if you’re listings are selling really well.

I sold some of my items here and got good deals with some of my buyers. I didn’t really see much earnings with my sales after Poshmark takes their fees.

Poshmark is also like a social platform where you have followers in your closet and you share your listings with them. If you are active on this platform most of the time, you will most likely sell your items fast.

The more active you are in sharing, the more visibility you will get in search results.

5. Craigslist

Craigslist has been widely used in the US as an advertisement website. In 2019, a third-party mobile app was made and it has been easier for people to use this platform.

You can list an item and get notifications once there’s an inquiry or if a new item is listed. Just like other selling apps, you just need to take photos, add a description and the price of your item.

This platform has a bigger market since it has been there for a long time.

It has gained its reputation when it comes to advertisements and sales.

I also made some sales with Craigs from furniture to old appliances. It’s a good way to get rid of some old stuff in your house and make it into cash.

These are the Top 5 Mobile Selling Apps I have listed above:
I recommend to get good quality photos in each of the item you want to list online. It’s also essential to have a clear and detailed description of the items that supports the photos you have uploaded.

Whatever platform you decide to list your items, I hope this helps you make money in the comfort of your home. Happy Selling!
April 25, 2021
My 3-Year-Old Toddler Learning Journey: MyLiBook Book Review

My little one, 3 yrs. old- a beginner reader

As a first time mommy, I wanted to teach my growing toddler how to read as early as possible. I wanted her to learn the phonics and be able to blend the sounds of the letters in a word. And so, I began teaching her the alphabets when she was one year old, along with numbers, different shapes, colors, fruits and vegetables. By the time she began to speak at about 2 years old, she easily learned to pronounce all of it and she developed skills on identifying each of them as well.

Start with Phonics

We know that building phonemic awareness is very essential in the process of learning to read as it helps the child blend the sounds of each letter to read a certain word. Phonics also teach kids about syllables.

My three year old toddler is a little bookworm, she enjoys opening her books whenever Mommy is busy with work. At times, I could hear her reading aloud some words through phonics. At this very young age, my daughter is starting to read 3 to 5 letter words through phonics and also beginning to learn about sight words as well.

It’s imperative that parents give their full support to their kids at this stage of their development. Young readers need books with fun stories and easy to read texts to develop their skills and see progress everyday.

Introduce Early Reader Books

Today on the blog, I’m excited to share these wonderful personalized book series from “MyLiBook“, text by Estelle Bardon and illustrated by Aya Suarjaya. The first time we received these books, it easily captured my daughter’s interest and she was so amazed that her name is included in the story that she was reading.

MyLiBook is a book series featuring personalized, easy to read, fun short stories with phonics and sight words. Perfect for early readers like your child and a good treat this coming holidays too!

The series has seven books in a set, each feature a personalized story with your child’s name in it and consists of single-syllable words for literacy. There are cute illustrations that are colored accordingly to your child’s choice and what’s more amazing is that there are parts in the story where your child will enjoy coloring the rest of the drawings in the book.

With these kind of books, my three year old toddler enjoyed reading in a fun and artistic way of learning. She had a good focus in finishing the book and was not distracted at all by other things.

If you wish to get your own personalized books like these for your little one, visit the official website of MyLiBook and enjoy their deals!

You can use our coupon code “ifillLife” to get free shipping upon purchase of your customized books from MyLiBook.

Surely, young readers like your child will be excited to have this kind of treat this coming holidays.

Reading Together

The stories of MyLiBook series are simple and straight-forward, it is easier for little kids to explore the book by themselves and enjoy reading on their own. But as a mommy like me, I love reading with my baby. I enjoy listening to her while she reads the story but when she has difficulty with a certain word, I was there to guide her.

I also make sure to ask her after each book if she understood what the story is about and have a conversation about it. This is essential for early readers, for them to nurture the joy of reading while developing their literacy skills.

We have the responsibility as parents to help our child succeed as readers. Through reading, we are helping them boost their imaginations and understand more about the world. More importantly, this helps them develop their literacy skills, language and even their listening skills too.

Let’s help our kids enrich their minds at an early age through books. As a tool for them to get knowledge while they explore more about the bigger world ahead of them. With knowledge they will have power to face the world!

December 4, 2020
Media Smart: Helping Kids through Media Interaction

WHO IS MEDIA SMART?

Article of Sulma Lopez

The Media Smart is a Canadian nonprofit organization whose mission is for “children and youth to have the critical thinking skills to engage with the media as active and informed digital citizens.” The organization’s objective is to encourage children and teens to develop their skills of thinking in situations where the media is involved.

This organization also builds children’s confidence in themselves by showing them the proper tools to use the media and by showing them the positive side and negative side of the media.

The institution also helps parents that are struggling with teaching their children what they need to know about the media by supporting them and providing them with information and tools so they can help children with the right information on how to navigate the media and so that they do not get lost because of its influence.

This organization is focused on three main areas which are education, public awareness, research, and policy.

WHAT DO THEY OFFER?

The Media Smart organization was founded in the early 1990’s. The Organization offers in-school programs and online resources. The organization provided all the educational resources online which are free on their website which include “classroom lesson plans with worksheets, backgrounders, tip sheets, and essays, and multimedia games and quizzes.”

In other words, they provide children and teens knowledge of how to use the media properly. Some of the programs they offer is to teach children how to use the internet and it also raises public awareness of how important it is to get the right information so that they become more aware of the surroundings that they are in.

The Media Smart works with a lot of people to help them create more programs that can teach the youth to know more about the media.

HOW DO THEY HELP?

In this institution, some of the topics that they discuss are gender representation in the media. One example of this is how young girls view themselves, for instance, the popular film and television show message like being taller or thinner is better.

That is the kind of misconception that the Media Smart can help with, which is also a great resource for boys. One of the projects that they do is the awareness events which is a Media Literacy Week that is held once a year in association with the Canadian Teachers’ Federation to engage Canadians in media literacy activities across the country.

Other activities that they provide are Class Tutorials and PD Workshops, the class tutorials are for children 4th to 8th grade students to help them develop their critical thinking skills. Also to show them how to use the online and the websites in a secure way.

Some of the areas that they focus on are “online safety, authenticating online information, recognizing online marketing ploys, protecting their privacy, managing online relationships, dealing with cyberbullying”.

A PD workshop is for teachers to give them information about what they can improve in their teaching skills. The organization provides a lot of assistance to make children’s and parent’s life easy.

Their website is equipped with many resources to inform and educate children about the influences of the media that the younger generations are exposed to nowadays. It also provided advice to children and teenagers that can help them understand the message that is portrayed in the media such as movies, social media, and TV shows.

One thing that I like the most about the Organization is that they give information to parents and children to be aware of the influences of the media that most of the kids these days are engaged with.

I like the fact that the website provides information about the different programs that they offer to teach about different topics that are related to the media and that can prevent kids from being influenced by pop culture that is influencing society.

The institution’s work gives young adults the right information to help them understand the problem deeply so that they can pay more attention to what they hear or watch in movies or any other media influences.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

This Organization is helping a lot of kids understand the danger of the media.

One way to support their mission is to become involved with the organization and we can do that by donating money to the organization, by volunteering, and by supporting their work to help them grow by following the activities and events that take place in classrooms, libraries, and community groups.

Another thing that we can do is take advantage of all the resources offered on their website page and spread the information to people that we interact with. By learning all this I would definitely like to volunteer to work in the organization someday to help with the cause and give awareness to other people.

If you want to read more about current issues and articles like these read our previous post about The Effects of Technological Devices in our Lives: Concerns and Solution post.

September 10, 2020
PAINTING PROJECT: How to Do it Yourself?
Article of Juana Lopez

Take a good look at the room that you are currently in, how’s the paint doing?

Is it clean, is the paint chipping off, and if you have kids you might find fingerprints all over the walls or stick figures drawn with color pencils on it?

If that is the case, then I would suggest your room probably needs a fresh coat of paint.

Now, you might be thinking to yourself that is a project that you would not dare to tackle because honestly, it can be daunting, but you might be surprised to find out that you can easily do it with a quick few steps.

My dad has been a painter for over 20 years, he has painted many houses, more than I could ever count. Occasionally my brother and I would go with him and help him out in whatever we could.

Obviously, we were not the ones climbing the ladder and cutting straight lines to where the walls met the ceiling or spraying or any of the tasks that required a great length of experience but we would help organize his materials in the van and do the cleanup.

Accompanying my dad at work for a couple of years has helped me picked up a few painting techniques about how to paint a room.

There are a few reasons why you should consider painting a room in your house.
- For starters, it can be fun, and you can invite family members and friends to help you out.
- It can give you a sense of accomplishment as you work your way through the steps. After you are done, you can take a few steps back and admire the work that you just completed with your own effort.
- You get to enjoy a freshly painted room with a color that you like.
What are the 3 Main Steps:
1. Choosing a color
2. Preparation/Material
3. Painting
The room that you choose to paint does not necessarily have to be your bedroom, it could be your living room or even a small closet, in fact, I would suggest you start with a small project like a closet or a laundry room.

According to my dad, it is best to have a professional paint bigger project because it could cost more if you do it yourself. Especially when cutting straight lines up to the ceiling, otherwise you will have to use a lot of masking tape.

Choosing a Color

Beginning with the colors. From my own experience, most people prefer to go with a light color. My father’s costumers rarely chose strong colors and most of the time they chose one color for the entire interior of their house instead of choosing one color per room because lighter colors are generally easy to maintain.

This of course is a personal preference and some people like bold colors, according to Goodhousekeeping.com, designers’ top seven colors in 2020 are a mixture of both bold and light colors which include: classic blue, white, blush, burnt orange, peacock, hunter green and clay.

If so, you desire, you can opt with any one of those colors.

Preparation/Material

I assure you; you will not have trouble finding any of the materials that you will need for your project.

According to Statista “the Home Improvement Research Institute” estimated that the home improvement products market in the United States [grew] by 4.1 percent in 2019.”

Moreover, most of the home improvement products are specially made to help make DIY projects easier to tackle. Sometimes not knowing where to buy the right materials can be time-consuming but when it comes to painting a room in your house, you can locate these items in any home improvement store.

Here is a list of materials that you will need beside the paint.
- Paintbrush
- Masking tape
- Rollers
- Paint tray
- Roller extension pole
- Rugs
- Calk
- Caulking gun
Assuming that the room that you are painting is empty, the very first thing to do before you do anything else is to cover your floors with drop cloths.

Then you will want to make sure to fill in any holes with some calk using your calk gun. After that, you will go ahead and use your masking tape to mask off the trims of the windows, doors, baseboards, and along the lines on the ceiling.

This will help you cut straight lines along the edges of the trims. It is also important to remove the outlet cover and place a strip of tape on the outlet so that it doesn’t get covered with paint when you start painting.

Painting

Once you are done with all the preparation, with a paintbrush begin painting along with the trim, baseboards, and corners.

Pour the paint in the paint tray and roll your roller back and forth until it is fully soaked with paint, place it on the wall and begin rolling until the wall is completely covered.

Repeat process for a second coat.

According to my dad, if you uncover major damages as you are doing any preparation, it is best to consult it with a professional.

Painting a room in your house can be one of the most enjoyable projects, all you need to do is: Decide on a color that you like, either going along with the top seven designer’s colors or choosing any that sparks joy and comfort for you.

Your project will not take long to be finished once you buy all the needed materials which can easily be found at any home improvement store. Finally, once the materials are all gathered, you can begin working on bringing a dull room back to life!

So, take a look around and you might just realize that the room that you are in can do with a coat of paint of your favorite color. As my dad says, there are no projects too big or too small, with the right tools, motivation, and an eagerness to learn you can accomplish anything!

Check out more of our DIY projects here!
September 5, 2020
The Effects of Technological Devices in Our Lives: Concerns and Solutions
Article of Juana Lopez

I was sitting on the passenger seat the other day when I noticed a person walking his dog on the sidewalk. It was a perfect evening for a walk, there was an orange pinkish sunset and a warm breeze, so it didn’t surprise me to see this man and many other people come out for a walk.

Then I noticed that this person was not even paying attention to the beautiful sunset or even to the road ahead of him. Rather, he seemed blind as though his fluffy small dog was a guide dog pulling him forward because all his attention was on a device that he was clenching with his right hand and to the sound coming from his earphones.

“Surely,” I thought “this must be the only person being careless and deliberately blind on a gorgeous evening like this” but as the car swarmed past, I spotted many other people doing the same. All glued to their phones as they were walking to their destination.

From that day on, I started to notice more and more people doing the same, they are either too engrossed in whatever they are doing with their phones, listening to music, or talking to someone they are with.

Clearly, when people are out for a walk, they are doing much more than that and that is what puts their lives at risk in America’s extremely busy streets.

I for one, have caught myself using my phone while walking to check my email or to reply to a text and I am sure some of you or someone you know is guilty too guilty of doing so. We do this without giving it a second thought of the danger that it places us in.

Statistics

In fact, according to an article by Jeff Grabmeir from The Ohio State University called Distracted Walking: Injuries Soar for Pedestrians on Phones “more than 1,500 pedestrians were estimated to be treated in the emergency room in 2010 from injuries related to using a cell phone while walking.”

And as the article stated the number of injuries doubled in 2005 and 2010, a time when social media was just emerging. There is no doubt that that numbers since then have doubled or even tripled.

What is the problem?

More and more people walk the streets with their heads down instead of staying alert these days. The number of injuries involving this kind of risky behavior has recently skyrocketed to the point that the National Safety Council called it a significant safety threat to citizens in 2015.

People are more distracted than they have ever been with all the technological devices that have come to existence along with social media. These devices clearly pose a greater threat that can possibly outweigh their intentional good use.

For years and years now, we have heard of countless accidents that have occurred due to people using their devices as they drive. People have died and sometimes they got lucky and survived with merely a few scratches but unfortunately, that is not what happens in most cases, sometimes people even end up killing pedestrians on the street.

However, much of our attention has been there, we have that clear picture in our head of a driver using their phone as they drive but actually pedestrians use more of their phones as they walk. The reason this issue does not get as much attention as texting while driving is because people do not believe that they have this issue.

According to a study conducted by The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in 2015 out of the 78% of Americans that believe that distracted walking is a “serious” issue three quarter say it is an issue that other people have but not them.

How does the problem affect us?

Most people will say that that is not them, that they see others walk distractedly but not them because they only use their phones indoors. What they don’t realize is that that is precisely what they are doing eat home in the comfort of their house.

The National Safety Council stated that 52% of distracted walking injuries involving a cell phone occurred at home.

Some of the injuries could be minor such as scratches or bruises but a study about the injuries associated with cellphones concluded that about 18% included internal organ injuries.

These types of injures can be detrimental to health and can cost thousands of dollars.

What is the solution?

We need to become aware of how big this issue is so that we can stop this risky behavior. Especially when it comes to children because they learn from the behavior of others.

In the U.S there are now cities that have reinforced no cellphone use while walking law and many more will probably follow soon.

There are a few simple steps that we can follow to minimize the risk of getting into an accident because of distracted walking.

How can we participate in the solution?
- Never walk while texting or talking on the phone
- If you must text, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk
- When walking, make sure you do not have headphones in your ears
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Always walk on the sidewalk if one is available; if you must walk on the street, face oncoming traffic
- Look left, right, then left again before crossing the street
- Cross only at crosswalks
What will happen if we do participate in the solution?

Distracted walking can lead you or your loved ones to get into accidents that can cause more than just a bruise, it could lead to hospitalization that can be very costly.

What will happen if we don’t participate in the solution?

But if you take these simple precautions, you can avoid unnecessary injuries and can serve as a role model to the new generation whose lives will revolve around distracting devices that can lead to extremely serious injuries.

Don’t be like the man who walks blindly on a beautiful sunset, rather put your phone away, take a deep breath, and enjoy your walk. You will do yourself a big favor by being in the moment and avoiding any distractions.

We have other articles about other issues that are very concerning today such as Child Obesity in Poor Latino Communities, see previous posts to read more.
September 2, 2020
North California Top Family Destinations: Our Favorites

Our Top Five Family Travel Destination in NorCal

We dream to travel full time as a family and explore places with our 2-year-old toddler, but as of the moment, as our world is experiencing a crisis, we are stuck at home. While we stay safe at home, we enjoy watching our favorite trips last year and reminisce the moments we shared in that particular place.

Here are our Topmost Favorite California Travels from last year and the reasons why you should visit these places too with your whole family! I assure you, once this pandemic is over and you are boost with excitement on where to go next, don’t miss to visit these spots!

1. California State Capitol Museum

Located in the capital city of California, the State Capitol Museum is the number one tourist attraction in Sacramento. With free admission, it’s truly a perfect destination for the family to explore.

This is one of our favorite spots in Sacramento since we took our baby here for the first time when she was only 1 year old and it was her first experience to meet new friends with kids who were enjoying their school tour.

2. Burney Falls and Lassen Volcanic National Park

Who would not love to see a gigantic waterfall and hike up the snowy mountain close to a volcano? It sure is the main attraction in Redding, California. You will not only enjoy the waterfall and the hiking but also the beautiful scenery from crystal clear and colorful lakes!

These 2 places in California gave us the big “OH WOW! experience”, it was an incredibly beautiful wonderland of nature! Indeed, a treasure to explore in this city.

3. Squaw Valley & Alpine Meadows, Lake Tahoe

Welcome to the SKI CAPITAL of California: Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows! Your next holiday destination for a fun family adventure! Although we don’t know how to snow ski or snowboard, we have the sleds that gave us the best time in the snow. It was surely a fun trip for the whole family, especially for our little one.

Very memorable and lovely experience! First snow sledding and first time to see people snow skiing and snowboarding, being an Asian coming from a tropical country I was so amazed!

4. Año Nuevo State Park: Elephant Seals

It was just last year when we first visit this place and during that time we didn’t get the chance to see the giant elephant seals on the shore. So we decided to visit again early this year of 2020.

These are the giants we’ve been waiting to see in this place. Elephant Seals were finally back after their feeding months. Even they were as enormous as how they are, these giants are harmless since you can see them just lying down in the shore sleeping or battling at their own kind. They don’t care about people but it’s a good reminder for all of us to respect their privacy in their natural habitat.

5. Napa Winery & Night Bloom Festival

We came for the wine and for our toddler to see a real-life castle! Castello di Amorosa is a family-friendly winery where kids can enjoy the animals that they have outside the castle and also enjoy their best grape juice drink.

While the Lighted Art Festival is an annual event in Napa every month of January and part of this festival is the Night Bloom where they showcase a display of majestic hot air balloons tethered in the beat of the music. It’s a free event that started last January 11.

We hope you can visit all these places too soon after the pandemic and when it’s already safe to travel. You can watch more of our travel adventures in our Vlog at Boss Traveler. Kindly follow us too by subscribing to our channel if you enjoy traveling like us.

August 28, 2020