Traveling is a great way to explore the world and make memories that will last a lifetime. However, as exciting as it can be, it can also be hard to keep up with your oral health. With different climates, foods, and water, it can be challenging to maintain the same level of oral care that you would at home. But no matter where you go, staying on top of your oral health is essential. From packing the right items to visiting your dentist, here are some crucial tips for keeping your smile healthy and happy while traveling.

Pack a new toothbrush

If you are on a long trip, you should bring an extra toothbrush. This is because bacteria and toothpaste can build up on your toothbrush quickly if you do not change it. This is especially important if you have braces or use retainers, as you may have more bacteria build-up due to the brackets. Keeping your toothbrush in a case for prolonged periods can speed up bacterial growth, so ensure you always have a spare and you keep your toothbrush clean and dry at all times.

From packing the right items to visiting your dentist, here are some crucial tips for keeping on top of your oral health & keeping your smile happy while traveling.
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Take fluoride toothpaste with you.

If you want to be extra careful with staying on top of your oral health while traveling, consider bringing your own toothpaste. Taking your current fluoride toothpaste from home ensures you are still getting the right level of protection rather than worrying if different countries and locations use the same amount of fluoride and the same quality as you are used to. The same goes for floss and mouthwash if you use it too.

Avoid overly sugary foods and drinks.

Avoid eating excessive amounts of foods with added sugar, such as cookies, pastries, and candy, as tempting as they can be while you are away. This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget to limit your sugar intake while traveling. Instead, opt for water or sparkling water and low-sugar drinks such as unsweetened tea. Not only will this help preserve your oral health but also your physical health and energy levels.

Pack chewing gum for flights or long journeys

If you are taking a long flight or journey, chewing gum may be a helpful tool for staying on top of your oral health. This is because chewing gum can increase the flow of saliva, which can help clean your teeth and gums. It can also help reduce the risk of dry mouth caused by dry cabin air too.

Visit your dentist before you leave.

Visiting your dentist before you leave is essential. Book an appointment in plenty of time so you can get any treatment or even advice from your dentist before you travel. This will allow you to ensure there are no issues within your mouth you need to have treatment for or that it will cause a problem during your travels.

Now you have a Reason to Smile

When traveling, staying on top of your oral health is essential. This may be easier said than done, especially if you travel for an extended period or to a less developed country. But with these tips, you can stay on top of your oral health while traveling. 

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Favorite Bucket List Board!

The post Staying on Top of Your Oral Health When Traveling appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

This decade has gotten off to a rocky start so far, for reasons that we need not go into right now, because you already understand. Such a large societal shift like this can cause us all to lose our direction for a little while, allowing bad habits to build, and sometimes, leaving us with a sense of dismay.

That said, tomorrow always brings new hope, and new potential to be actualized. For this reason, making 2022 the year of resolutions kept and goals achieved could be a great way to revivify your spirit, and look forward to the future with confidence.

A great way to get there is to focus on an art, discipline or skill that helps us feel better and allows our daily life to be structured in a worthwhile way. We believe that fitness is a great prerequisite for all that and more. In this post, then, we’ll discuss how to make 2022 the year of your personal fitness, how to avoid falling into traps, and how to undo some of the indulgences of the festive period after the fact.

Without further ado, let’s get started:

What Goals Do You Have?

Of course, if you’re going to build momentum, it’s important to know which direction you hope to go in. Setting some goals for the new year automatically gives you structure when it comes to fitness. Otherwise, you may find yourself attending the gym, moving from machine to machine and never really making any progress or keeping your workouts consistent.

The good thing about having goals is that you can design them based on your capabilities right now. For some people, simply being able to walk for an hour is of major benefit. Someone reading this may have suffered and injury and by consequence mobility issues in the last year, and so being able to walk unaided for a certain amount of time might be top of their list, before any ideas of bodybuilding or training cardio comes into the picture.

For some, just getting to exercise again is a goal. For that reason, programs like ‘Couch 2 5k’ can be helpful, as they provide you an incremental means of getting fitter and healthier via planning your cardio sessions ahead of time. Make your goals smart, realistic, manageable, and write them down. Also, give yourself a deadline. Perhaps this month, you hope to attend the gym three times a week for an hour each to get the ball rolling. 

With a little effort & focus, discover how you can make 2022 the year of personal fitness in order to feel healthier and more confident as a result. #NewYearsResolution #HealthierYou #GetInShape
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Consider A Practice You’d Like To Follow

When you set your goals, you can then move on to think about the best method of achieving those. When you hope to get in shape, there are many methods, technique and practices to follow. 

For instance, it might be that you wish to improve your cardiovascular conditioning but have joint issues or would rather not inflame your knees. Swimming, then, might be the best option for you, as even aggressive swimming through the water won’t harm or cause thudding responses to the use of said joints in a natural movement. There’s almost no exercise more ergonomic than suspending yourself in water, after all.

For some, hiking is important as Covid restrictions temporarily hit the gym. For others, old-school work such as having kettlebells in their outdoor training area as well as hitting tires with a sledgehammer is key. Depending on your goals, it’s best to consider all the practices available, but make sure not to overtrain.

Preparing Yourself Accordingly

Investing in the equipment and accessories you may need to get the best out of your fitness is key. This can also provide more of a financial incentive to get your money’s worth, and to actually attend your fitness sessions.

Purchasing a good water flask/bottle can keep you hydrated, wearing Nike fitness gear can allow you to be athletic without restricted movement, and the correct footwear can help you run properly. For some people, specialist footwear may be needed to counteract the effects of low arches, for example.

Depending on your discipline, certain investments may need to be had. Specialist weightlifting shoes provide more of a solid platform to lift from, for instance, while chalk, an armband to hold a smartphone, or a swimming cap may be key for other disciplines.

Plan Your Routine

It’s important to know the difference between exercise and training. Exercise is generally known as a workout you repeat in order to get your activity for the day. Training is a focused approach that improves you incrementally, allowing you to improve at whatever is put in front of you.

Planning your routine is the first step for getting that right. Let’s say you’re weightlifting or cycling using the high-quality stationary bikes at the local gym. When you walk into that space, it’s important to know exactly what you’ll be doing that session. This can help you avoid waiting around or simply making things up as you go and will aid you in seeing how you’ve progressed. Of course, this is only true if you:

Track Your Progress

It’s very important to make sure you keep notes about your performance during every workout. After all, it’s better to lift light weights now and make sure that your form is correct. Then you can work on increasing very slowly and incrementally over the weeks, then simply lifting too much to satiate a sense of ego.

When you track your progress, you can more readily see how you’ve been improving, or slow things down a little if you find you’re pushing too hard. Over time, you will be able to see just which exercises you’ve been excelling at, and which are very difficult to keep up with. Such an approach can help you feel much more confident in yourself. Plus, it will give you a perfect record of your achievements thus far. That’s certainly worth celebrating and can motivate your future progress.

With this advice, we believe you’ll be able to make 2022 your year of personal fitness. So, here is to a year of feeling healthier and more confident as a result.

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Bucket List Board!

The post Here’s How To Make 2022 The Year Of Personal Fitness appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

It might not sound as big and adventurous as, say, bungy jumping or climbing Mount Everest, but if a sewing project is on your bucket list, it is still important to get off on the right foot. If you have never completed a big sewing project, it can be difficult to know where to begin. This guide is here to help by helping you learn all you need to know in order to successfully start a new sewing project.

Purchase the Right Equipment

The first step that you will need to take when it comes to starting your first sewing project is to purchase the right equipment. Having the right equipment will ensure that you are not going to run into any unnecessary and time-consuming problems later down the line. Some essential equipment you will need when you are starting your first sewing project include:

• Fabric scissors
• A tape measure
• A ruler
• A pin holder
• Chalk or a washable marker
• Fabric
• Thread

There is, of course, other equipment that you might need, such as a seam gauge or a needle threader, but this will depend upon your needs and the particular project you are undertaking.

There is a lot to know when starting a sewing project. But getting prepared can save you headaches & perhaps a few less stitches. Discover a few tips to successfully start your first sewing project. #LearnToSew #SewingProject
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Choose The Right Pattern

Once you have all the necessary equipment in place, the next step that you will need to take is to choose the right pattern. There are many considerations you will need to make when you are choosing a sewing pattern. Firstly, you will need to think about the level of complexity of the project. You don’t want to undertake a too difficult project, as this will limit your ability to successfully complete the work. You will also need to think about the end product, after all, sewing can take time, and if you are not excited about the end outcome, you might find it hard to motivate yourself to finish.

Practice First

If you are completely new to sewing, it is usually a good idea to practice before you dive straight into a new project. As GST explains, sewing can initially be a challenge, especially if you are using a new machine. Practicing techniques with some scraps of cheap fabric can make your life much easier when you are sewing your pattern pieces.

Triple Check Your Measurements

Many people rush the pattern cutting part of the project because they are so eager to start sewing. While it can be tempting to rush the cutting part of the project, this can be a serious disadvantage later on. You should make sure to cut all of your pattern pieces carefully to ensure you are not making any mistakes that might cause serious issues later.

You should measure and remeasure all of your pieces to ensure they are going to be suitable when you have finished the project. If you are sewing clothing, it is vital that you remember to factor in a seam allowance to ensure you are not inadvertently cutting pieces that are too small to be wearable.

What Will Be Your First Sewing Project

As you can see, there can be a lot you need to know in order to successfully start your first sewing project. But getting prepared properly can save you a lot of time, headaches, and perhaps a few less stitches. Plus it will be so worth it as you harness your creativity to build something all your own. So what do you plan on creating with your first sewing project? Are you using sewing as a way to release stress or increase self-esteem? Either way, let us know in the comments below what your first sewing project is going to be so we can follow your adventure too!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Favorite Bucket List Board!

The post How To Start Your First Sewing Project appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Traveling can often inspire us to think about making changes to our lives. While some people choose to explore more and spend as much time traveling as possible, others may think about relocating to a different city, state or country. So if you are toying with the idea of a long-distance move, here are some pros and cons to consider. 

The pros of a long-distance move

Moving house is often viewed as a stressful experience, but it can also be an exhilarating adventure. Whether you’re considering relocating overseas, or you’re looking at the possibility of cross country moving, putting down roots in a different place can create all kinds of opportunities. If you move, you can discover new places, think about changing your job, meet new people and even embrace a completely new kind of lifestyle. Perhaps you’re now finding city life exhausting and you crave tranquility by the sea, or you want to swap a rural neighborhood for urban adventures, for example. Relocating can help you to realize dreams and enjoy a healthier work-life balance, and it’s also an excellent way to get out of a rut and get more out of life. 

On a practical level, moving can also prove lucrative if you’re thinking about exploring a new career path, or you want to expand your skill set. It may also provide you with experiences that will benefit you later in life, for example, learning new languages or working in different environments and settings. 

Are you considering a long-distance move? Moving can be a great bucket list adventure. But if you are toying with the idea of a long-distance move, here are some pros and cons to consider! #MovingAbroad #ExpatLife
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The cons of moving long-distance

Many people will approach moving house with a sense of excitement, but others will dread going through the motions of packing and unpacking and tying up loose ends to work through a seemingly never-ending to-do list. If you’re in the second camp, the thought of organizing a move to a different region or country may be daunting, and it might be enough to put you off the idea. If you are worried about relocating because you think it’s going to be too stressful, there are ways to keep stress at bay. Hire a removals firm, ask friends and family to help you pack, make a list of tasks to get through in advance, give yourself plenty of time and organize your stuff so that it’s easy to pack and label boxes. 

In addition to the stress of moving, another downside that may be a concern is bidding farewell to friends, relatives and neighbors. It’s natural to feel sad about leaving loved ones behind, but it is easier than ever to stay in touch. You can email, chat and make calls online and use video calls to see each other regularly even if you’re hundreds or thousands of miles apart.

So is it time to pack up?

Are you considering a long-distance move? If so, it’s a great idea to weigh up the pros and cons of staying and moving before you make a decision. Moving can be an adventure and it often creates opportunities, but it can also be stressful and you may miss the people you’re leaving behind. Take your time to make a decision and think about which route would be best for you. 

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Bucket List Board!

The post Considering A Long-Distance Move? The Pros And Cons appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

WWE wrestling superstar, John Cena once said, “If you were given one wish, what would you do with it? I don’t know if ‘Hang out with John Cena’ would be at the top of my list. But the fact that that is on someone’s list is the coolest thing.” This is probably why he has granted over 650 wishes for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. His enthusiasm to help others encouraged us to add #53) Fulfill 1 Child’s Wish in Person through Make A Wish Foundation to our Helping Others Bucket List.

But how can someone who isn’t necessarily a superstar or independently wealthy go about making a Child’s Wish come true? Good news, according to their website there are multiple ways to get involved with Make A Wish. But perhaps the easiest way for most of us is to simply donate! That is why we are very excited to learn about Omaze’s latest giveaway where you can Win a Miami Dream House!

Win a Miami Dream House

Of course, we all know it is better to give than receive. But let’s be honest, sometimes it is awesome to donate and win a great prize too! That is why the latest giveaway from Omaze is truly remarkable. When you enter the Win a Miami Dream House contest, you have the chance to win a 7 bedroom, 6 bathroom home in the Kendall neighborhood, just south of downtown Miami. Equipped with a backyard pool you can spend your days lounging. Plus, with its great location, you can also explore areas like Little Havana, Biscayne Bay, or the countless beaches along the coast.

How can someone help a Make-a-Wish child’s dream come true? Perhaps the easiest way is to simply to donate through Omaze’s latest giveaway where you can also Win a Miami Dream House! #Omaze #MakeAWish #MiamiDreamHouse
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What if you already have your Dream Home?

Now we understand that some of you may already be living in your dream home. Maybe you won your Dream House in Austin, Texas. Don’t worry, because Omaze has a plan B if you win! Omaze offers you the option to choose a cash prize instead! Essentially, you become an instant millionaire with whichever option you go choose.

How does this Help Make A Wish?

This contest is special because 100% of donations raised by Omaze for this sweepstakes go to support Make A Wish.  When you Click Here to Enter To Win A Miami Dream House Or Cash Prize the donation you use to enter will help grant future wishes. For example, 9-year-old Khushi is currently battling cancer and it is her dream to become a princess. So, your donation will help her & countless other kids with critical illnesses fulfill life-changing wishes.

Where do I enter to WIN?

Are you wondering how to enter to win your Miami Dream House & help Make A Wish? Well, it is quite simple. All you have to do is Click Here to Enter To Win! Of course, you can enter without contributing anything. But for a minimum of $10.00, you can donate to Make A Wish and receive an additional 20 entries into the competition! Plus there are higher donation amounts that equal more entries to give you a better chance of winning. Just make sure your entries are received by December 18, 2021. The winner will be announced around January 5, 2022. Simply click the button below and go from there!

By the way, when you click on any of the links below & set up your donation for entries into the Miami Dream House Contest, make sure you also enter Promo code: AFF50 for 50 extra entries into any Omaze experience!

What Time is the Pool Party?

Is it on your bucket list to win this Miami Dream House? Or will you take the $1.8+ Million Dollar cash payout to chase other items on your bucket list? Either way, how good will it feel knowing that you were able to find a simple way to help others? If you do win, don’t forget to invite us over for your next house party! We will bring the daiquiris!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Favorite Bucket List Contest Board!

Disclosure: This post, “Win a Miami Dream House” may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post Win a Miami Dream House & Support the Make-A-Wish Foundation appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Can you remember when you last tried something completely new? Maybe not; most of the time, people tend to stick to what they already know, afraid to step out of their comfort zones. This is entirely understandable, and it’s not surprising if this is the way you live your life. In truth, there is nothing wrong with being comfortable, and there is nothing wrong with not trying new things, but when you do try them, wonderful things can happen. So it might be worth considering attempting something out of the ordinary. Read on to find out why it’s good to try new things.

Time Slows Down

A strange thing happens as we get older; time seems to speed up. When we’re children, days and weeks stretch ahead forever. As we grow up, that time seems to compress, and by the time we are in middle age, days go by in a flash. You might think back and wonder what you have done over the past week, month, or even year – and this is because you have stuck to the same routine, so there is no real way to tell one day from the next. 

When you try something new, that day will stick in your memory. The more new things you try, the more days will stay with you. The result is that time feels as though it’s slowing down, and you will have many more memories to enjoy. If you can try to do something new every day, your life will become much more exciting and full.

There's nothing wrong with being comfortable. But if your willing to step out of your comfort zone, your could be much more exciting & full. Discover why it is good to try new things. #DoSomething #Adventure
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You Will Stimulate Your Brain

One of the best things about trying new things is that your brain will be stimulated, and studies have shown that a new activity such as skiing or pottery or even preparing for a new activity such as buying a new ski boot bag or looking for old clothes to wear in the pottery studio, can enhance your brainpower. This is especially true when it comes to your creativity. 

Every time you are in a new situation, your brain has to work harder, learning how to deal with this new scenario. You will also develop new skills as a result. So your brain is growing and thriving, something that is crucial at all stages of life. The more new things you allow yourself to try, the healthier your brain will be. 

You’ll Find Your Sense Of Adventure

Another compelling reason to try new things is that you will find your own unique sense of adventure, and in doing so, you will overcome any fears you might have had. Fear is just a reaction to anything you are unsure about, anything unknown, and once you know what to expect after trying something new, your fear will disappear. 

 Once your fear is gone, it will be replaced by a sense of wonder and excitement that will make you feel happy and boost your mood incredibly. It makes no difference if the thing you are doing is big or small, if someone else finds it scary or they wonder why you do; every adventure is your own, and every new thing will benefit you in some way. 

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Personal Growth Bucket List Board!

The post Why It’s Good To Try New Things appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Willie Nelson once said, “There’s a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin, Texas.”

Now, of course, he may be biased since he semi-retired and moved to Austin, Texas in 1972.  But there is no doubt that Austin is a booming city! Perhaps this is because it offers so much diversity, opportunity, and the overall quality of life for people of all ages. With an unbelievable music scene, amazing food, and a thriving tech market that is creating a booming economy it’s why it is easy to see why it was ranked #3 of the top 150 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2020-21 by U.S. News & World Report.

So, why aren’t we all setting up our dream home in Austin? Well, it may have to do with rising home prices within the Austin-area housing market! In 2020, alone, the price of your dream home in Austin probably rose by more than 10%. Yikes!

But what do you do if it is on your bucket list to buy an Austin dream home as Willie did? Well, for one lucky person, obtaining an Austin Dream home could be as easy as winning one.

Win This Austin Dream Home

Now, let’s talk about the prize cause if you made it this far then you must have owning a dream home in Austin on your bucket list! When you Enter To Win An Austin Dream House you enter for a chance to score a newly built 3,235-sq-ft urban oasis with 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms in Austin’s upscale Travis Heights neighborhood. But the location isn’t the only great part about this Austin dream house! Inside, you will be greeted with high ceilings, hardwood floors, an open kitchen, a spacious living room, and a yard that will make your neighbors jealous!

With an amazing music scene, great food, & booming economy, it’s easy to see why living in Austin is enticing! So, if living in Austin is on your #bucketlist see how you could win a dream home! #AustinDreamHome #ContestAlert
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What if you already have your Dream Home?

Look, we get it, maybe you are not ready to move to Austin. Or maybe you are not ready to own a major home yet. I mean the property taxes in Austin can range anywhere from 1.8%-3.3% of your home’s assessed value. But even though we strongly believe that buying a house should be on your financial bucket list, Omaze has a plan B if you win! 

If for some odd reason you decide to pass on the modern home built by Urban ATX but your name is drawn, don’t fret. Instead, Omaze offers you the option to choose a cash prize instead! Essentially, you become an instant millionaire with whichever option you go choose.

What’s the Catch?

Man, aren’t we a bunch of jaded humans. But we get it. When making a donation, even if there is a chance we could win a massive prize, we want to make sure it’s going to a worthy cause. That is perhaps one of the biggest reasons why we are Climbing Devil’s Tower for ALS! 

So, in doing our research we discovered that 100% of donations raised by Omaze for this sweepstakes go to support Folds of Honor.  When you Click Here to Enter To Win An Austin Dream House Or Cash Prize the donation you use to enter will help provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled service members.  

Where do I enter to WIN?

Step right up, step right up & be the next big WINNER! 

But in all seriousness, if you are ready to win a dream home in Austin, Texas, or cash out to become an instant millionaire all you have to do is Click Here to Enter To Win! But don’t lollygag because all entries must be received by October 10, 2021. The winner will be announced around October 27, 2021. Just click the button below and go from there!

By the way, when you click on any of the links below & set up your donation for entries into the Austin Dream House Contest, make sure you also enter Promo code: AFF50 for 50 extra entries into any Omaze experience!

What time is Dinner?

So is it on your bucket list to win this Austin Dream House? Or will you take the $1.3+ Million Dollar cash payout to chase other bucket list items on your list? Either way, if you win make sure you send us a nice Christmas present or at least invite us over for dinner? We will bring the wine!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Favorite Bucket List Contest Board!

Disclosure: This post, “Win a Dream Home in Austin, Texas” may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post Win a Dream Home in Austin, Texas appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

For many people, this past winter has been a particularly cold one. Couple that with being trapped inside due to the pandemic, I am sure most are eager to get outside! But even if you aren’t quite ready to start traveling in search of where it is Summer right now, that doesn’t mean you get get outside! That is perhaps why many people are excited to start gardening again. It is the perfect way to tackle one of those personal growth bucket list items while collecting your vitamin D and even getting a little exercise in.

But in order to get you gardening, I am sure we need to gather our equipment and make sure it is all in quality shape. So in order to get you ready, we want to cover perhaps one of the more important items you will be using, the Garden Hose Stand.

How to Recognize a Well-Made Garden Hose Stand

Likely, many of us don’t have time to consider the quality of the hose reels we use. We expect a hose reel to do its job  so that we can continue every spring and summer—or year-round in some cases—to enjoy our gardening, landscaping, and everyday uses of our water hoses.

So for most of us, we might look up something quickly online or take a quick trip to the local hardware store. Of course that may be good enough. But, unfortunately, in this day and age of mass production and manufacturing, with some unscrupulous practices and cutting corners to offer the lowest price, cheaper is no longer better. Many of us are no doubt tired of finding their garden hose stands so rusted after winter as useless or poorly made to be dented after one season of use and find ourselves having to replace them continuously.

To help you avoid the frustration of subpar hose reels, let’s tell you how to recognize a well-made garden hose stand that you’ll love to own. 

If #gardening is on your #bucketlist then it's time to make sure your tools are in quality shape, especially your hose. So to help, discover how to recognize a well-made garden hose stand that you’ll love to own.
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1) Materials

If the garden hose stand is created from or has parts made out of plastic, wood, resin, or fiberglass, be wary. Plastic, fiberglass, and resin do not withstand the UV rays in constant sun exposure well. Therefore, they will begin to turn brittle, break down, become yellow or crack very quickly. Wood also has several challenges. In general, it is exceptionally susceptible to moisture which in turn causes the wood to start to decay.

Now, a well-made garden hose stand will use a premium rust-proof, corrosion-resistant heavy-duty aluminum alloy with stainless steel components. Additionally, a good quality garden hose stand should offer a rugged powder coat paint that further creates a hard, smooth, and protective finish.

2) Drinking Safe Materials

While not everyone has plans of drinking directly out of their hoses connected to a garden hose stand or reel, it is still vital to own one that is drinking safe. Questionable materials and chemicals can easily contaminate hose water if the hose is made of materials such as PVC. As the water sits in the hose and the sun warms the hose, PVC hoses can release chemicals. Depending on the garden hose stand’s connection materials, they too may contaminate your hose water with lead. To keep children, pets or your even animals from being potentially exposed to these chemicals, a well-made garden hose stand should be entirely constructed from drinking safe materials.

These two quick and easy-to-spot qualities are crucial factors in spotting a well-made garden hose stand quickly. With this information in mind, you’ll be able to spot exceptional quality and a worthy investment in no time.

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Bucket List Gardening Board!

The post How to Recognize a Well-Made Garden Hose Stand appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

I can still remember the excitement! It was Sunday night and my sister, parents, and I would set up the T.V. tables, turn on the Magical World of Disney, and sit down for dinner and a movie. Sometimes we would have leftover seafood from Friday night or other times my dad would make us “quesadilla sandwiches” and pop fresh popcorn. Occasionally, he would even grill up shish kabobs and make fresh hummus or baba ghanoush. But perhaps one of the best memories I had growing up of this Sunday night family tradition was when he made us Grandmom’s Pizza Pie!

Restoring a Family Tradition 

I was reading a story about Michael Strahan and he was describing his favorite memory. He said, “I have the best memories as a kid eating ice cream. It was a family tradition that I had with my father. It was nice.” 

This got me thinking about my own past while creating my Personal Growth Bucket List. Whether I wanted to make them for myself or give them to my future family, I wanted to create amazing memories.

See, growing up, we lived pretty far from family. Therefore, it was up to my parents by themselves to find ways to create memories for our family. It couldn’t have been easy doing it somewhat alone. That is why our Sunday dinner was often my favorite family tradition looking back. It was during those nights that we laughed, talked about what was coming up, and just relaxed together. It was a memory I will carry for all time.

Therefore, it became quite evident that in order to accomplish my goal, I needed to restore a family tradition. I needed to learn how to make Grandmom’s Pizza Pie!

Some of the best memories growing up often occur around Sunday Night Dinner. But nothing was more magical then when we made the family tradition of Grandmom's Pizza Pie! #PizzaPieRecipe #FamilyTradition #FamilyDinner
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How to Make Grandmom’s Pizza Pie

So let me start of with some disclaimers about myself! In no way am I, or do I consider myself a chef, a cook, a food blogger or anything of the sort. I do like to make good tasting food, but in all reality, I am a recipe follower who needs to go down the list and check all the boxes off as I complete them! I mean seriously, what do you think this whole Bucket List Project thing is but one giant check list!

The second disclaimer is that no one in my family is Italian, including my Grandmother, Armen Gamble. She was actually Armenian so if you want some Baklava or dolmades she had some amazing recipes. Plus, to be honest, I am not 100% sure this was an actual creation of hers or just something she found and shared with my dad and thus we called it Grandmom’s Pizza Pie.

Now, I am sure some of my best Italian friends will have better recipes for a deep dish pizza pie. They may even have ways to help or improve this one. However, this is the recipe that was passed down to me as part of my family tradition. It is the one I can vividly remember smelling in my house and to be honest, it makes my heart happy.

So without further ado let’s discuss how you too can make this recipe for your next family dinner! 

The Ingredients

Like I said, when making dinner, I am a check list, recipe follower. So if you are like me, then you will be quite happy with this recipe for pizza pie because it doesn’t need much, anything unusual, or anything expensive. Personally, it drives me nuts when I see a recipe online and it asks for some bizarre ingredient that you can only find at one store in a mountain in Tibet that is only sold at $523.00 per pound yet you only need a teaspoon! 

If this is truly my Grandmother’s recipe, then I am sure you can find most if not all of these ingredients at your local grocery store. We were able to obtain everything we need from our local Walmart. So if you like to shop online or like to pick up curbside, then click here to get your ingredients from Walmart Grocery online!

So here are ingredients you will need for this recipe:

• • 1 lb Ground Beef
  • ¼ lb grated Mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ tsp Minced Garlic
  • 1 tsp Parsley or Italian seasoning
  • 6oz can Tomato Paste
  • 8oz can Tomato Sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups Bisquick
  • 5-6 TBSP Milk
  • Salt and Pepper

Instructions on making the Pizza Pie

When it comes to making my Grandmom’s Pizza Pie recipe, most of the prep work before baking is pretty easy to follow. First, you are going to want to preheat the Oven to 400°.

Then in a large non-stick skillet, brown your beef. As it browns, add garlic, parsley, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Now, while your meat is browning, make the pie crust by adding milk to Bisquick. You should stir it with a fork until dough forms into ball and it should not be too sticky.

Now after the dough has been made in the pan, roll it out on a floured dusted board or table. You are going to want to shape it to fit a 9” pie dish. 

Learn from our mistakes: So as you see in the picture above, I originally spread out my dough on a wax paper covered in flour. I thought this would be less messy but in reality, it was a disaster. The dough got stuck to the wax paper and essentially, I had to try it again on just the table. Growing up, my dad just used our kitchen table. He would dust 1/3rd of the table with flour and then roll out and knead the dough. So that is what I did the 2nd time and it came out perfect. 

Then when the dough is kneaded, add it to pie pan or baking dish. My family tradition was always to add the dough to a glass pie dish but I am not sure if that was a true tradition or just because that is what we had. As seen above, we used a very classic pie tin and it still worked perfectly.

After meat mixture is ready, place it in the crust covered pie pan. Then you will cover the top of the beef with grated Mozzarella cheese. Make sure you spread the cheese evenly over all meat.

Now here comes the tricky part, if you are messy like me. Next you are going to need to spoon tomato paste over meat. Of course tomato past is kind of thicker so go slowly and try to spread it everywhere. We used one of those plastic cake icing type spatulas and it worked great. 

Then after you have spread the tomato paste over the whole top, pour your tomato sauce over that. You are going to want to make sure that the tomato sauce completely covers the meat.

Then when you are done, take your pie over to the hot oven and bake at 400° for approximately 25 minutes. This of course is the time when you clean up the kitchen table that you now have turned into a science experiment gone wrong!

Fun Addition: Growing up, my dad often had or perhaps even made extra dough. He would then take that little bit of extra dough, flatten it out onto a flat pizza pan. Then he would cover it with any remaining sauce, cheese, and Italian spices and bake it up for about 5 – 10 minutes. He would then offer us little deformed pizza appetizers while the full deep dish still baked. So if you have extra, don’t waste it…have a snack!

Now with all things that come out of the oven, the insides of this pizza pie are really hot! I am sure it is not part of your family tradition to burn the insides of your mouth! So please let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving. You will know when it is fully done when not only the pie crust becomes golden but pie inners are set.

While the pie cools, this is often a great time to get your sides ready like salad or peas or whatever your family enjoys. But we recommend to grab all family members together, set the table, pray, and get ready to create some wonderful memories with your new family tradition.

Now Get Baking Your Own Family Tradition

Ronald Reagan once said, “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” It is quite evident for me that some of my best memories were created at family dinner. Of course, there are other amazing ways to create memories and unique family traditions. So what is of your favorite family tradition? Is there something that you have carried down from generations? Or like someone shared in for Couple’s Bucket List item #261, have you created your own tradition together with your spouse or family members?

Either way, let us know in the comments below. Perhaps you will inspire someone to create a new tradition with their family!

Print Grandmom’s Pizza Pie Recipe

Yield: 4-8

Grandmom's Pizza Pie: A Family Tradition

Print

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground Beef
• ¼ lb grated Mozzarella cheese
• ¼ tsp Minced Garlic
• 1 tsp Parsley or Italian seasoning
• 6oz can Tomato Paste
• 8oz can Tomato Sauce
• 1 1/2 cups Bisquick
• 5-6 TBSP Milk
• Salt and Pepper

Instructions

1. Pre Heat Oven to 400°
2. Brown beef in large skillet, add garlic and parsley, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. While meat is browning, make crust by adding milk to Bisquick, stir with fork until dough forms into ball – should not be too sticky.
4. Roll out on floured dusted board or table to fit a 9” pie pan. Then add dough to pie pan or baking dish.
5. After meat mixture is ready, place it in crust in pie pan & top with grated cheese spread evenly over meat.
6. Next spoon tomato paste over meat, and then pour tomato sauce over that. Tomato sauce should completely cover meat.
7. Bake in hot oven (400 degrees) for approx. 25 minutes when the pie crust becomes golden & pie sets.
8. Let sit 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Disclosure: This post, “Grandmom’s Pizza Pie: A Family Tradition” may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post Grandmom’s Pizza Pie: A Family Tradition appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

When I created my personal growth bucket list, I never had buying a house as part of my financial bucket list. Don’t get me wrong, I had always assumed that one day I would own a house. I guess it was just never a priority for me compared to other financial goals. This may be because I always considered myself somewhat nomadic. However, now that I am a married and a bit older, buying a house seems to be a new priority.

With mortgage rates being so low, many may feel this goal even more urgently than before. The question is, is buying a house worth it?

According to a recent survey from Forbes Advisor, the answer seems to be “yes!”

In the survey, Forbes asked about two dozen financial and real estate experts if the American dream of homeownership is still a good long term investment. The result? Nearly 57% said that buying a house is definitely a smart long term investment.

Should buying a house be on your financial bucket list? Well, let’s dive into reasons why it should be!

Buying a House is often Cheaper than Renting

Don’t get us wrong, saving enough money for a down payment can be difficult. Also, a lot of your monthly costs will depend on where you live. But by using the Renting vs Buying Calculator from MortgageCalculators.info you can easily see if this is a benefit for you. When doing your research also remember to think long term. In most places, landlords seem to increase rent about 7% a year. So though it may seem like you are saving money now, in the long run, this might not be the greatest deal.

For many people, buying a house is a big item on their financial bucket list. But is it still worth it? Let’s dive into reasons why it should be! #FinancialBucketlist #BuyingAHouse #AmericanDream
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It will help organize your other Financial Bucket List items

It seems weird to say this, but setting the goal to buy a house can help you with your other finances too.  Just like when you start a Travel Savings Account, buying a house takes organization, focus, and tasks to help you complete your goal. In fact, Realtor.com came up with a 12 point checklist to help get you organized. But what we found interesting was that before even talking to a realtor, you need to take stock of your own personal finances. Then they offer ways to improve your situation so that when you are financially ready, you can obtain that dream home.

Buying a House is Tax Deductible

To paraphrase Ben Franklin, “in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” 

Every April, most people scramble to figure out their taxes and in general how much they owe. It can often be quite a stressful time. But one of the financial benefits of buying a house is that several of the expenses are tax deductible! This can be seen, especially in the beginning, when you’re able to deduct things like your Mortgage Interest and possibly your property taxes. Therefore, with the added savings, you might receive a bigger tax refund to put towards other financial bucket list items.

Your Credit Score will Improve

Now, don’t get us wrong, initially when you buy a home, your credit score will drop. Of course this should make sense as you just took out a pretty big loan. But this is only temporary while you prove that you can pay it back. According to an article from the SFGATE, paying on time should increase your credit score. In fact, according to their research, making regular payments is “the single most important factor influencing your credit rating.” So, just be organized and diligent on paying on time to help that credit score grow.

It is a Good Investment for your Financial Bucket List

When we are little and play Monopoly, one of the first things we learn is that owning houses and hotels is the best way to increase the rent of a property. In fact, the more houses equals more rent paid, leading you to becoming the richest player and thus the winner.

Now, in real life, buying a house isn’t always about collecting rent and sticking it to your friends on game night. But there is no doubt that buying a house can be a great financial bucket list investment. This can easily be seen when you check out CoreLogic’s home price index to review the year-over-year changes of different home markets around the country.

So is it Time to go Shopping?

As you can see, buying a house can be quite beneficial to most people these days. This can be especially true after exploring all the costs involved when using an Advanced Mortgage Calculator. But everyone’s financial bucket list is different. So, is buying a house on your personal growth bucket list? Do you equate home ownership with financial success? Or is there more important goals that you have to accomplish first financially? Let us know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin this to Your Favorite Financial Bucket List Board!

Disclosure: This post, “Should buying a house be on your Financial Bucket List?” may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post Should buying a house be on your Financial Bucket List? appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Being involved in a traumatic event – be it a car accident or something else – can have a huge impact on your life in a number of ways. One area of your life that can be significantly impacted by any kind of traumatic experience is your mental health and wellbeing – it’s not easy moving past a traumatic situation, and it’s important to understand that.

However, a lot of people find that after being involved in a traumatic situation, take a leap of faith and doing something different, such as going traveling, for instance, could be a good step to take. By taking some time out of normal life to go somewhere new and experience new things can be a great way to start to move past what happened to you and where you are now.

Wondering what it would take to go traveling after being involved in a traumatic event? Below are a few reasons why traveling could be a great step to take, as well as a few tips to help with the practicalities of making your dream trip a reality.

You will rebuild your confidence

Often, after experiencing a traumatic event, people tend to lose some of their confidence and self-assurance. This can have a huge impact on your life in a number of ways and can be really difficult to manage. However, by taking a trip abroad and ticking off some destinations on your bucket list, you can begin to rebuild that confidence and start to feel better about your mindset and mental wellbeing.

A Traumatic event of any sort can have a huge impact on your life. But you might need a way to help you to start to move past what happened. Discover a few reasons travelling might help you heal after a traumatic event!
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Don’t forget to think about the financial side of things

After a traumatic event, sometimes your finances can be negatively impacted, so it’s important to take the time to think about how you will afford your trip. You may have savings in the bank that you can dip into or you may be working with a team of car accident lawyers who actually care and are able to help you to get what you are owed after being involved in a serious car accident – whatever the traumatic event was that you were involved in, it’s worth looking into whether you are able to make a claim.

You will find a new lease for life

It’s easy after being involved in something traumatic to feel that you have lost all of your zest for life. However, that doesn’t have to be the case – by choosing to take some time out to and see the world, you should start to find a new lease for life, and begin to heal from the traumatic experience that you had. Travel is an amazing way to learn more about yourself and find out where your passions truly lay. If you’re someone who has never loved their job, for instance, you might find that by traveling you find a career path that is perfect for you, something that previously you never would have considered.

So as you can see, after suffering a traumatic event, taking some time out to travel and see the world could be the perfect step to take. Have you ever taking a trip somewhere to help you heal after dealing with a traumatic event? Did it help? What are some key points you felt helped you heal or overcome that painful moment in time. Share with us in the comments below and perhaps help someone else too!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Bucket List Board!

The post Why Travelling Could Be The Perfect Way To Heal After A Traumatic Event appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Big City life is overrated. There, I said it.

When I was growing up in a small town in Wyoming, moving to the big city was always something that sounded so appealing. It’s become mythologized, this idea of gathering up everything you own and starting anew in some glitzy metropolis where the horizon is full of towering skyscrapers and blinking lights.

In real life, though, a big city is not all it’s cracked up to. Starting anew actually means starting from the very bottom, and all those tall buildings are really only good for blocking out the stars.

If you really want to move to a big city, I’m not going to stop you. Don’t get me wrong, I love living in New Orleans. Though, this may be because New Orleans is a relatively small city that is easy to explore by foot like Salzburg. But don’t be fooled, a really big city is not all it’s cracked up to be. Here are some uncomfortable truths to keep in mind before you make a decision you could end up regretting.

It’s overpriced in a big city

Everything’s bigger in a big city. The streets. The buildings. The crowds. And, oh yeah, the costs.

Even a small but beautiful piece of New York, Los Angeles, or Toronto real estate can eat up a big chunk of change, and that’s not even taking into account additional expenses like utility bills, groceries, and transportation. In NYC, the cost of housing is a jaw-dropping 369% higher than the national average. In LA, a median-priced home costs a whopping $600,000. And in Toronto, the average cost of living is more than $6000 more expensive than the annual earnings of a full-time employee on minimum wage.

Some people dream of escaping small town life to move to the big city. But Big City life can be overrated! Discover a few reasons why you shouldn't move to a Big City! #BigCityLife #SmallTownGirl #lifeinthebigcity
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It’s not better connected in a big city

There’s also the fact that being in a big city no longer affords the extra connections it once did. Thanks to cheap high-speed internet rolling out in the countryside and more rural areas, it’s easier than ever to build a network online and supercharge your career. 

Sure, big newspapers will write about how working remotely harms productivity and damages your psychology, but that’s mostly naysaying. The reality is that remote work gives you more time and freedom than a regular employer ever would.

It’s unclean in a big city

Here’s the thing about living in the city. When you put that many people, that many businesses, and that many automobiles in one place, you’re gonna be left with a whole lot of waste. And that means pollution.

With over 40% of the American population regularly exposed to unhealthy air and one in every eight deaths worldwide being caused in part by air pollution, that’s nothing to sneeze at. Studies have shown that air quality improves the farther you move into more rural areas, meaning that people who don’t live in cities not only enjoy cleaner lives, but longer and healthier ones as well.

It’s dangerous in a big city

There may be a number of reasons to move to the city. Job opportunities. School. Being closer to loved ones. But one thing no one has ever moved to the city for is safety. In fact, the worst thing about city life arguably isn’t how expensive or dirty it is, but how perilous it is.

Crime rates are much higher in cities than in smaller towns, suburbs, or rural areas. It’s simple math. More people plus a high cost of living plus intense pressure minus adequate protection equals increased crime. To wit, the FBI has ranked such cities as St. Louis, Detroit, Baltimore, and Memphis among the most dangerous places in the U.S. And don’t think the freaks only come out at night. A recent study found that city crime is actually more likely to occur during the day, meaning you’re not even safe in broad daylight.

So what do you think about big city life? Have you ever wanted to move to a big city? What are some reasons that have stopped you from packing up and moving? Let us know in the comments below!

About Our Guest Poster:

Darcee Snider Gamble is a Wyoming native, who appreciates the work ethic and strong values that growing up in the Cowboy State afforded her. No matter where life takes her, she will always be a proud Wyomingite. New Orleans has been a part of Darcee for a long time. But now she is excited to now be a part of New Orleans. She believes there is truly nowhere else like the Big Easy and the experiences it affords its citizens; she can’t wait to share them with the family and friends that are sure to visit.  Passion for literature, food, history, adventure and music are reasons why living in New Orleans is such an important part of Darcee’s story. She writes each chapter by enjoying the wonders of the Carousel Bar, exploring the WWII Museum, walking the streets of Uptown, navigating the hidden gems of the French Quarter and eating a Po-Boy at Mahony’s.

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Personal Growth Bucket List Board!

The post Why You Shouldn’t Move to a Big City appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

The world we’re in is a super hectic place. Even in the quieter areas of the world, there’s always something going on. It’s all necessary as we need the billions of inhabitants to all be working systematically in order to achieve a balance, but sometimes it can cause a little too much stress and worry. Pretty much every single society on the planet is fast-paced and if you stop or stutter through anything, you could be left behind. That doesn’t seem like a fair deal, does it?

It’s easy to become completely chewed up and spat out by this dog eat dog world, so we all need to have a cool, calm, and collected head from time to time. Some do it better than others, so it’s understandable that it might seem impossible, but we can all take steps to look at life with a less worrisome and more relaxed attitude. Let’s go through some stuff you can do that may ease that anxiety and allow you to take things a little easier.

Exercise

We’ll start with the simplest idea of the lot: getting your heart rate up a little from time to time. Not only is this a great hobby to have, but it also improves your life mentally somewhat. Your brain releases endorphins that make you feel positive about thoughts that you might otherwise stress over. You’ll benefit in the long term as you’ll be physically more adept and mentally more prepared for things.

There are many steps to look at life with less worry & a more relaxed attitude. Discover a few Personal Growth Ideas to ease anxiety & allow you to take things a little easier. #WaysToRelax #PersonalGrowth #SmellTheRoses
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Less Of The Technology!

Putting the technology down for a while and just enjoying the situation you’re in now isn’t ease in 2019. We’re all glued to technology, unfortunately. If you can spend just a little while away from a social media platform, then you’ll be happier – trust this. Social media is great but it makes people very upset over the smallest, most pointless things!

We tend to rely on technology a lot, too. We base a lot of our lives around it. Perhaps you should take back a little more control of your life and stop being overly high-maintenance with your tech. Whether it’s worrying less about the security details on your smartphone, like multiple layers of protection (see here: https://setapp.com/how-to/turn-off-two-factor-authentication-for-apple-id) or whether it’s the need to capture everything you do on film for people to see. In this age, it’s easy to become obsessed with that stuff. It’s okay to go a while without it all.

Learn A New Skill

Keeping your mind occupied with something productive is a good way of cooling your mind during hectic times. You can get away from it all and focus on this new world. You may also be able to use it later on down the line. For example, learning a new language could open up endless opportunities occupationally and recreationally!

Gain Perspective

Life isn’t amazing all of the time, but you better believe you have a much better life than some. There are people, right now, that are going through unfathomable amounts of suffering. Whilst that’s a horrible thought in itself, all you can do is live your life where you are. Recognize that it really could be worse and be thankful that your problems aren’t anywhere near as bad.

Try Not To Sweat The Small Stuff

We all do it. An awkward conversation or a silly mistake in public. We look at something we’ve done and crawl into a ball thinking about it. The fact that we all do it should make you realize that it’s not actually a problem. Cringing isn’t great, but you should own the cringe a little bit. Then find a way to make amends and get on with your productive life!

So what things do you do to help you ease your mind in this hectic world? Is it on your Personal Bucket List to find ways to reduce stress in your life? Let us know some of the best ways you have found to enjoy the amazing world in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Personal Growth Bucket List Board!

The post Things You Can Do To Ease Your Mind Amid This Hectic World appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

It is said that with more than 400 million native speakers, Spanish is second most spoken language in the world. So it is not shocking that many people like me have “Learn to Speak Spanish Fluently” on our bucket lists. Perhaps, this is because learning Spanish can help with business or give us a leg up while we travel. But for me, becoming fluent in Spanish holds a very important and personal meaning. Finding a way to learn Spanish will allow me to connect to my Cuban heritage.

If you explore The Adventure Travel List part of The Bucket List Project, it won’t take you long to find the item titled “Visit Cuba: Visit my Cuban Family Homeland“. In fact, it is one of the top items on my entire list only behind some Personal Growth items. But with it now being easier to travel to Cuba from America, why haven’t I tackled it with full enthusiasm? Why haven’t I walked the streets where my mother and grandparents walked many years ago?

The main reason for me: because I speak Spanish very poorly. You see growing up, I took classes and spoke Spanish with my family whenever I was given a chance. But, we didn’t live near our Cuban relatives. Plus, growing up in New Orleans, I never really had an opportunity to practice my Spanish. Therefore, without practice and more study, my level of Spanish stalled at a child’s speaking level.

Now don’t get me wrong, this basic level of Spanish has worked for me while travelling the world. I was able to manage while walking the Camino de Santiago across Spain, backpack to Machu Picchu in Peru, and explore the amazing street art in Cartagena, Colombia. But with Cuba, I don’t want to just manage it. When I get to Cuba, I want to interact with the locals, find my mother’s childhood home, and really dive into the culture more than just the way a tourist would do.

So now what?

Well, I created the bucket list project as a way to make a conscious effort to start tackling items on my list! Therefore, to go to Cuba, I need to first take care of item #36 – Learn Spanish Fluently. Thus, I have researched 5 of the best way to learn Spanish and then some advanced techniques to help you practice what you have learned! If learning Spanish is on your bucket list, hopefully one of the five below will help you too!

1) Learn Spanish with a 1 on 1 Language Trainer

For me personally, Language Trainers are hands down the best way to learn Spanish. There is just something about having someone 1 on 1 to hold you responsible for your learning. What I like is that it forces you to study even if just for an hour with your trainer. For example, I had a Spanish language trainer before I went to Spain. She would work not only on my grammar and pronunciation skills but hold me responsible on days I didn’t do my homework. Plus, everyone learns differently, so a good language trainer can tailor lessons to your level rather than a blanket approach.

To learn with a 1 on 1 Spanish trainer we recommend: Language Trainers

Learning Spanish can help with business or just give you a leg up while you travel. But what is the Best Way to Learn Spanish? Discover a few great ways to help you learn Spanish today! #LearnSpanish #SpeakSpanish #LanguageApps
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2) Learn Spanish with a Language App

Probably the 2nd best way to learn Spanish is via a language app on your phone or mobile device. The reason why I like language apps is that they combine effective education methods with state-of-the-art technology. Plus they are extremely convenient to use whenever you have a break. Rather than checking Facebook or crushing some candy, you can score points while playing interactive games in Spanish. In general, these games will help you learn the more commonly used words and phrases in Spanish. But it is a start!

Apps that are the best to learn Spanish are:

• Babbel – Babbel is currently the #1 selling language learning app in the world. What I like is that most of their lessons can be done in 10 – 15 minutes. Plus, you can practice dialogue based on real-life situations rather than asking where the damn “biblioteca” is! Plus, can get 50% off a 6-month subscription at Babbel when you click here to download Babbel for your computer, smartphone, or tablet.
• Duolingo – Probably the 2nd most popular language app, Duolingo operates in a similar manner as Babbel. With this app, it seems that you can schedule a fixed amount of time every day and it fits your lessons around your schedule. What I like is that Duolingo turns learning into a game where you earn points for correct answers as you race against the clock. So now your boss can’t yell at you for playing because you keep playing that word tile game on your phone. Instead tell him you are studying!
• Memrise – So in doing my research, Memrise is becoming more and more popular from the looks of it. From what I gather Memrise takes old school flash cards to the next level. But it is not just another flash card app. (Yes they make flash card apps if you’re into that!) Essentially, it teaches you Spanish by showing you a limited amount of words, phrases, or concepts per lesson. Then they test your retention with multiple choice quizzes. One of the features that many people like is that there is plenty of Spanish lessons. But you can also words or phrases you need to learn whether for business or otherwise.

3) Learn Spanish with Classic Language Software

If you been conscious for the last 25 years, then you will recognize the infamous yellow box from Rosetta Stone. This software has been the leader in learning Spanish on your computer. Their comprehensive self-paced program offers ways to learn words and phrases that will help you in real life Spanish conversations. Plus they offer great audio tools to help you not only with pronunciation but also understanding natives in a real conversation. There is nothing worse than being told something in Spanish and replying, “huh? can you repeat that MAS LENTO!” because he spoke too fast or with a proper accent! My only issue with Rosetta Stone is that for the price you better be committed to using the software. But with that said, like anything, if you use their software properly, you can find success.

4) Learn Spanish with Old School Books

There is something to be said for digital Spanish learning tools. They are always accessible, easy to use, and often very interactive. But just like the resurgence of music records, there is a new interest in old school Spanish lesson books. Perhaps this is due to people suffering eye strain from staring at a their screens too long or just the desire to hold a real book again. Either way, there is no lack of books at your local library or BooksAMillion that can help you learn Spanish!

Here are a few books we found that are the best to learn Spanish:

• Living Language Spanish – This book teaches Spanish with proven techniques that will help you express yourself rather than regurgitate words you memorized like a parrot.
• Spanish for Dummies – So this may seem really silly to add Spanish for Dummies but after doing a lot of research they have an entire series of books that cover every aspect of learning Spanish. They have books for intro, intermediate, grammar, verbs, common phrases and more.
• See It and Say It in Spanish – So this book by Margarita Madrigal has been around for a while. Yet, it still maintains itself as one of the best ways to learn Spanish. I remember getting it for Christmas from one of my Cuban uncles several years ago who wanted to help me improve my skills. It’s great because right from the start, the book leads you into speaking conversational Spanish. One of the best features is that it implements line drawings that illustrate the words you are trying to learn!

5) Learn Spanish by Studying Abroad

I love the book in this picture because “Via Fora” essentially translates to “GET OUT!” Sometimes you just need to get out of your current environment to learn something new. This can definitely be true with learning a foreign language like Spanish. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t always easy. But if you are going to go on vacation anyways, why not spend it doing something for yourself! In my personal experience, I learn far more Spanish while being forced to engage locals in another country. Plus, there are several international study abroad programs that offer unbelievable experiences that go well beyond the class room.

Study Abroad Programs that we like are:

• ESL – ESL offers study abroad programs in over 250 destinations around the world. What I like is that they offer programs that fit anyone from business professionals to young adults enjoying a gap year.
• International House – With over 160 schools in 52 countries, International House tries to make learning Spanish or any language enjoyable and functional. While learning Spanish they throw you into cultural experiences so you not only learn but have fun too.

Advanced Techniques to Help You Learn Spanish

One of the problems with learning anything is retaining what you have learned. This has always been a problem for me. So after doing some research, I have found ways to help you practice your Spanish no matter what method you choose to learn. Since I am a sensory learner, I find these ways engage me in different ways that will hopefully solidify the Spanish language.

• Watch things in Spanish – Whether you watch Sesame Street on your tv or you subscribe to fun educational Spanish shows on YouTube, your eyes will reinforce your skills. Plus, it will help you put visuals with words to help make them easier to remember.
• Listen to things in Spanish –  There have been countless studies that prove that music can help with memory. So bust out your favorite playlist and sing along. On top of music, there are countless podcasts that teach Spanish in a fun yet educational way.
• Read things in Spanish – Obviously you can always read some of the books we listed above. But you should also add fun magazines, comics, or your favorite novel in Spanish. I remember my parents giving me Castor and Pollux or Pitufos (the Smurfs) comics in Spanish when I was kid. It was a great way for me to be entertained while secretly I was learning Spanish.
• Write things in Spanish – Writing things out is a great way to commit them to memory. So whether you write out a daily journal that you share with your Language Trainers or you plaster all the things in your house with sticky notes written in Spanish, it can all help.
• Learn a new hobby in Spanish – One of the best ways to learn Spanish is to engage in a way outside of the classroom. It doesn’t matter if you decide to learn how to work out, build something, or take up a new talent. By trying to read the instructions in Spanish, can possibly help you strengthen your skills.
• Talk to other people in Spanish – Obviously, real life practice with other people is a great way to further learn Spanish. There are often meet up groups in your own community where you can go to practice your pronunciation skills and for an added bonus you make new friends.

So there you have it. Some of the best ways to learn Spanish along with some advanced techniques to help you practice what you have learned! Is learning Spanish is on your bucket list? Have you used any of the five ways above to learn Spanish? What has been the best way you have learned Spanish or any other language? Let us know all about it in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Bucket List Board! 

Disclaimer:  This is a collaborative post. With that said, all opinions in “Best Way to Learn Spanish” are our own. Also, “Best Way to Learn Spanish” may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep The Bucket List Project Blog free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post Best Way to Learn Spanish appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Editor’s Note: The 4 Leaf Clover Project: Sharing a Little Luck was originally published May 2016 and has recently been updated and revised for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

When I was creating my Bucket List Project several years ago, I remember being able to bang out 80+ things in the initial writing of my list in that old composite notebook. It came easy to put down travel, adventure, and even personal growth items on my list! But when I went to read what I had written down, almost off of them were about me! This kind of disturbed me a little cause I was raised to always help others whenever a situation presented itself. So I thought that I needed to make sure that I created a part of my bucket list devoted to trying to give back to the world or offering help to those who may need a little bit, hence The Helping Others List.

Now anyone could put “FIND THE CURE TO CANCER!” or even a bit more sensible, “#7) Do Missionary Work in a 3rd World Country” on their list like I did. But then I came across a quote that inspired me:

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” ― Mother Teresa

Can you image, Mother Teresa admitting that? I mean she must have cared for more sick and helpless people in Calcutta than I can even imagine. But I stopped. I realized that it even if I cant do something major (like toss a boulder) then maybe I can manage small. Maybe, a little genuine project could be my little stones to cast! Right?

Therefore, I started dreaming of creative little ways to help, say thank you, or just give back to the world! Now this The Helping Others List is a work in progress but its hands down one of my favorite parts of my overall Bucket List Project because it allows me to come up with creative ways to accomplish the main goal of this category like:

141) Find a Leaf Clovers & Give it away to Someone Who Needs Luck!

Why Share a 4 Leaf Clover with Someone?

So why would anyone need a 4 Leaf Clover? How does that Help others & make ripples in waters of life?

Well sometimes we hit a bump in the road. We may pray for improvement & hope for a bit of Luck to carry us out of a storm! So my thought was that these 4 Leaf Clovers, I had found would hopefully assist people who needed some hope. It may or may not actually be Lucky but to me, they are Symbols that someone out there is rooting for, praying for, & Loves you!

Now according to lore, they Say that each of the 4 Leaves of a Clover stands for Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck! So whichever of the 4 someone needed (perhaps all 4), my hope was they got them!

Then when they had come to their Lucky Place, my hope was that they would “Gift” the 4 Leaf Clover to someone who truly needs it & if Possible, let me know where it is

A few years back, The Bucket List Project found SIX 4-Leaf Clovers in New Orleans! Of course it was hard but what they did with them was so EASY that even you can do it! Find out how you can Share a Little Luck with others!
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How to find a Four Leaf Clover

So is finding a 4 leaf clover totally dumb luck? I mean we all hear the stories of 4 leaf clovers but has anyone actually seen even 1 in person? I mean tradition holds that if you find a white clover that has four leaves, you are lucky. So am I trying to force the impossible? The answer is and was for me, not if you believe you can find them and then a little research.

In doing our research, we found that just 1 out of every 10,000 white clovers has four-leaves. If the odds of finding a four-leaf clover are truly 1-in-10,000, how much area do you need for 10,000 clovers and where do you find those patches? Well in New Orleans, after a little research, good weather, and “Luck”, I found four leaf clovers in two separate places!

The 4 Leaf Clover Project: Sharing a little Luck

So, as you can see, between the 2 areas, I was lucky enough to find six actual 4 Leaf Clovers (3 in each area).

Awesome, right?!?!

After bringing these 6 shamrocks home, it was time to create some magic! I went online and found these 3.5×5 Rustic Distressed Wooden table top frames from Amazon so that I could display them.  I wrote special notes for each frame discussing where I had found this specific 4 leaf clover, the idea behind our project to share a little luck, and what my hopes where with these special shamrocks.

But then the hard part came. Who out there needed me to send them this token of Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck?

To be honest, I struggled at first to figure out the who and the why! This was strange because I didn’t have issues like this when I was putting together my Wizard of Oz Dinner idea! I mean, like the famous Wizard said in the book, “I’m a very good man (At least I try to be). I’m just a very bad Wizard.” 

So I sat down and thought and tried to discover the inspiration behind these specific 4 leaf clovers. Perhaps where they were found could help me find the right people! 

The 4 Leaf Clovers of Hope

Now, with the two 4 Leaf Clovers I found by Flood St & Dorgenois St in New Orleans, I realized that they were coming up in vacant lots where homes were destroyed by the levee breach from Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. To me, these lucky little shamrocks reminded me that despite unbelievable devastation, life would find a way to bring beauty back! Therefore, I felt that these 4 leaf clovers embodied a spirit of Rebirth, Regrowth, & Renewal! So, I needed to send these 2 clovers with their story to someone who needed a 2nd chance!

The 4 Leaf Clovers of Strength

Next I found two 4 leaf clovers in Audubon Park next to the Famous Etienne de Boré Oak, or the Tree of Life. But for some reason these clovers gave me a different motive. See, the Tree Of Life is a famous oak tree here in New Orleans, that’s nearly 400 years old. It has seen New Orleans through its greatest and worst times yet still continues to Stand Strong and Grow! But to Celtic People, the Tree Of Life represents Wisdom, Longevity, & most of all, Strength!  So, I felt that these 2 needed to go out to people who were searching for strength.

So with these inspirations in mind, I went on a mission to find these 4 leaf clovers a home. It was a bit weird asking for people in pain or were just needing a bit of luck. But with a little effort, we gave away the last of my 4 frames in the Summer of 2015.

Perhaps these very, small “stones” that were cast across the waters can create many ripples.

Have you ever found a four leaf clover before? Do you feel that they are lucky? Would you be willing to share them with someone else who needs it more than you? Or More importantly, what Ways to Help Others do you have on your own Bucket List? Let us know in the comments below & perhaps inspire someone to make a small ripple today!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board!

Disclosure: This post, “The 4 Leaf Clover Project: Sharing a little Luck” may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post The 4 Leaf Clover Project: Sharing a little Luck appeared first on The Bucket List Project.