The holidays, such a wonderful time of year, came and went by so quickly this year. While we were busy decorating, shopping and cooking, hopefully we all enjoyed true peace of mind. Now that it’s the New Year, here are a few practices you can adapt into your everyday life that can allow you to be at ease in 2023 and beyond.
In Custody Situations – Parents are encouraged to make phone calls to each other to discuss upcoming plans in a timely manner. If there is a custody order in place, keep it on hand for reference. Custody orders often outline specific days, times and vacation time for each parent to adhere to as best they can. Wonderful plans can be made around the outlined custodial periods which makes it less stressful for everyone. Turns can be taken for visiting family, getting together with friends and attending special events so that everyone benefits. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Engaging a Contractor – Before hiring a contractor of any type and giving them a deposit, check out reviews on Angie’s List, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau and Google, as well as any other applicable sources. Check with your municipality and the state’s website to see if they have information about the contractor. Insurance information and certifications should be on file, so request a copy of them from the contractor.
Shopping Online – Always delete the internet history after each purchase, and do the same thing when banking online. Hackers love to get your information from your internet history. You will know if you are ordering from a secure site when there is a picture of a lock or it states in the browser that it is a secured website. Make a list of your purchases to make sure you receive everything ordered.
Shopping at Stores – When you go shopping, make sure the area is well lit, take a friend along, park as close to the doors as you can and keep your eyes open and on your mirrors for any approaching strangers. Secure your packages in your car before responding to anyone asking for help. If you feel that perhaps you’re being followed or targeted, go straight to the police station instead of going home.
Enjoy the New Year, and remember that when you smile, people will smile back.