All posts by R.C. Liley

I'm an ex-mutual fund accountant who left the cubicle world to be a stay-at-home dad to my beautiful little girl, Avery, who entered our life on 11/15/13 and handsome little boy, Wes, who joined our family on 11/19/17. Also happily married to my wife, Kelley, as of 8/17/07. Sorry ladies... :) Fitness and nutrition is of the utmost importance in our family and we strive to reflect this in our daily life. I always prepare our meals at home and only go out if it's a special occasion, and even then I tend to not get much. Food should be fun and a joy to eat, not something quickly consumed from a fast food chain or scarf down before the next meeting. I have come from strictly logging high miles to train for the next marathon to keeping exercise varied and focusing more on strength. I still enjoy going for a run when I can, but nothing crazy, and I prefer hill sprints while pushing my daughter, Avery in the stroller. She loves it and I get a great workout! I want to show the world how to appreciate their body and feed it real, wholesome food while moving more throughout the day. In doing so, everyone would be healthier, happier, and we'd all live in a better place as a result. I blog mainly about my life as a stay-at-home dad and frequently include reviews, participate in campaigns, and share my thoughts on fitness and nutrition. If you ever have any questions or thoughts to share, please reach out as I'm always open to listening or helping others however possible. That is, when I have free time since Avery is and my wife are the number one priorities!
Lifestyle, Tips

Important Factors To Consider When Buying A Car

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If you are in the market for a new car, it is essential to consider all of your options and make the best decision for your needs. There are many factors to think about when making such a necessary purchase, from budget to fuel efficiency to safety features. This blog post will discuss all of the things you should keep in mind when buying a car on your next dealership visit. By considering some of these factors, you can be sure that you are making the best decision for your family and your budget!

buying a car, new car, driving, bought a new car, vehicle, transportation

Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA from Pexels

1) Think About Your Budget

The first thing you need to think about when buying a car is your budget. How much can you afford to spend on a new vehicle? Keep in mind that you will also need to factor in the cost of insurance, registration, and taxes. It can be beneficial to check out these car reviews to find options that suit your budget, just make sure that you are realistic about what you can afford and don’t get carried away by all the bells and whistles of a new car.

If you are not sure how much money you should be spending on a car, there are online calculators that can help you determine this. If you are in the area, you can see East Coast Toyota to have one of their expert associates work with your budget to help you find the right vehicle for you.

Once you have determined your budget, it is essential to stick to it! It will prevent you from getting carried away with all the bells and whistles of a new car.

2) Think About How You Will Use The Car

Another essential factor to consider when buying a car is how you will use it. Do you need a family vehicle that can accommodate large items, or are you looking for a smaller car that is more fuel-efficient? If you frequently drive in the city, you may want to consider a model with good parking options.

It is also essential to think about your driving habits. Do you do a lot of long-distance traveling? If so, you will need a car with good fuel efficiency. Or maybe you need a vehicle that can handle rough terrain? Think about the kind of driving conditions you typically encounter and choose the right car for these conditions.

3) Think About The Cost Of Ownership

It is also essential to think about the cost of ownership when buying a car. This includes things like maintenance, fuel costs, and insurance premiums. These costs will vary depending on the type of car you buy (e.g., a hybrid vehicle may have higher fuel efficiency but lower insurance rates).

One way to reduce these costs is by doing your research beforehand to know what kind of expenses you can expect once you purchase the vehicle. You should also consider how much time it takes to maintain your car and whether or not this is something that fits into your lifestyle. For example, if driving fast cars makes me happy, I would want one with low maintenance requirements! In general, though, most people enjoy having some level of control over their lives so they might be willing to put up with more hassle than someone who doesn’t like taking care of their car.

4) What Features Should The Car Have?

When buying a car, it is also essential to think about the features you need. For example, do you need a vehicle with air conditioning? What about heated seats? Does it need special wheels? Have you thought about preventative protection measures? For instance, your car is not always going to remain pristine (inside and out), there is always a chance that it will be scraped either due to an accident or just wear and tear, so you might want to consider ceramic coating to prevent this. You can search “ceramic coating near me” to see who can do this for you. It’s important to keep these in mind.

It is also essential to think about the safety features of the car. Does the car have anti-lock brakes? What about airbags? It is crucial to choose a car that will keep you and your family safe in an accident.

If you are unsure what features you need, consult with a car dealer or read online reviews from other buyers. This will help give you a better idea of which cars have the features you are looking for.

5) What Is The Car’s Resale Value?

Another thing to consider when buying a car is the car’s resale value. This will determine how much money you can sell the car for down the road.

There are a few factors that influence a car’s resale value. These include:

-The age of the vehicle

-The make and model of the vehicle

-How well the car has been maintained

-The geographical location of the sale

It is vital to keep all these things in mind when choosing a car, as it will impact how much money you can get back if you decide to sell it later on.

In conclusion, there are several things to consider when buying a car. By following these tips, you can be sure to find the perfect car for your needs.

Life, Lifestyle, Tips

Effective Tips For Strengthening Your Home Security

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home security, home alarm, alarm, safety, alarm system

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Security is important in every aspect of life and hence worth taking seriously. When it comes to home security, statistics show that a little less than 30% of United States households have security systems. This is worrying, given that homeowners and renters are usually victims of various attacks like burglaries. One of the reasons attributed to the inadequacies in home security is the lack of education, which undermines the value. Fortunately, you don’t have to go too far to get information on how to keep your home safe. If you have a family with kids, then this information will be especially useful for you. On that note, here are some tips for strengthening your home security.

  1. Upgrade your locks 

Locks are great for keeping people out, making it essential to leverage. However, the type you may have may determine how easy it will be for someone to break in. Therefore, it’ll be a good idea to upgrade your door and window locks from simple to something more sophisticated. Experts also recommend getting deadbolts for exterior doors and changing old hinges. Currently, due to technological advancement, you can also get smart locks that you can operate remotely. Now you can get a gate entry system that allows you to easily control access with just your phone no matter where you are. You can also get door sensors as an additional precaution. Aside from the main house, also consider locking your garage doors as well since intruders could get into your home through there. Once you sort this out, be more intentional about where you keep your keys. It will be better for everyone to have one key but if not, try your best to be more careful about where your key can be found.

  1. Keep your valuables out of sight

Most of the time, burglars target homes they know have valuables, so it is prudent to keep these items out of sight. Things like expensive paintings, home entertainment systems, and silver collections may be of interest to these thieves. If they are visible from outside the house, you might become a target. What you can do to avoid this is to get some privacy. You can use blinds and curtains to hide what is inside your house. Planting shrubs and other trees can also be helpful, so keep this in mind. And where applicable, consider building a high fence to enhance security. If you live in a property where this isn’t possible, it might be worth taking a look at some info online to find out more about home alarms. Home alarms are especially useful in rented properties where you can’t plant trees or install blinds, and modern designs are often wireless, meaning they can be easily installed.

  1. Lighten up the home

Some burglars hide under the cover of darkness to carry out their activities. Therefore, you can deter them by ensuring your home is well lit. This gives the impression that there’s someone at home, discouraging burglars from intruding. To save cost, you can get motion sensor lights instead. These lights only come on when movement is detected and will catch the intruder off guard. 
These tips are a great place to start, so keep this in mind. Consider getting some self-defense weapons if you live in a crime-ridden neighborhood. If you already have a gun, consider upgrading it with an 80 lower receiver. Keep it in a safe place and out of reach of children.

Going Healthy, Going Strong, Health, Lifestyle, Tips

6 Tips on Getting Your Body Back in Shape Without Burning Out

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It’s that time of year again. The holiday season has come and gone, and now it’s time to face the consequences. Unfortunately, that means gaining a few pounds and struggling to get back in shape for many people. If you’re one of those people, don’t worry – you’re not alone! This blog post will provide six tips on getting your body back in shape without burning out. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to reaching your fitness goals in no time!

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Set realistic goals

You can’t expect to go from sedentary to running a marathon overnight, so don’t set yourself up for failure. Start small and work your way up – this strategy will help you stay committed and motivated when times get tough! Make sure you have the right equipment! This includes everything from gym shoes, sweatbands, gloves, etc. It makes all the difference in the world when you’re out there working hard with proper gear on your side. Don’t have any? Check out our fitness products section! Schedule time in your day for exercise. If you don’t put it in your planner, chances are it won’t happen. Try waking up earlier or going to bed later – whatever works best for you.

Get a Relaxing Massage

Working out causes much wear and tear on your body, especially if you’re lifting weights. A massage is a perfect way to speed up recovery and prevent injuries! Don’t you think you can afford it? Change up your routine. If you always do cardio first, try weight training instead; or switch things up and start with strength training one day and end with cardio the next. The possibilities are endless – make sure you’re challenging yourself! Have fun doing it. It’s less likely that you’ll burn out when working toward a goal means spending time having fun with friends.

Get enough sleep

Working out is only as good as the foundation it’s built on. First, make sure you’re getting enough sleep so your body can recover and be ready for the next day of training! Try our Sleep System for a better night’s rest. Take care of yourself. When we’re tired, stressed, and run down, it’s easy to start neglecting ourselves and letting our health slip away – don’t let that happen! Treat yourself with some extra TLC; eat right, drink plenty of water, and most importantly… give yourself room to breathe. It may seem difficult at first, but before long, you’ll find that taking care of yourself is one of the best things you could ever do.

Eliminate stressors

From your life. If you have a gym partner or trainer that is highly competitive, consider taking a break from working out together for a while. The same goes for any other stress areas in your life – get rid of them! Go back to the basics. Don’t try to add too many different exercises at once; this will lead to confusion and burnout. Instead, focus on mastering perfect form with just a few basic exercises until you’re ready to move on to more advanced moves.

Find an exercise you love

Consistency is the key to any fitness routine, so if you can’t stand doing something, it’s unlikely that you’ll stick with it – no matter how effective the exercise is. Try different activities until you find one that brings a smile to your face each time! You may like running or biking, but what about martial arts? Or boxing? Find something that works for you and embrace it! Just make sure it isn’t too high impact; otherwise, your body won’t be able to recover in time for the next workout session.

Stay consistent!

We all have those days when working out isn’t at the top of our list. But don’t let yourself get discouraged! Instead, try to work it into your routine as often as possible – even if it’s only for 5 minutes. If you keep making excuses, it won’t be long before you find yourself back where you started; whereas if you find a way to chip away at your fitness goals every day (even for just a little while), soon enough, you’ll end up exactly where you want to be.

Fitness is something that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. Don’t get discouraged by the first week or two! It’s extremely common to feel restless and tired at the beginning of any exercise routine, but stick it out, and you’ll be amazed by how much better you feel after just a few weeks.