Fatherhood Factor

For all the "dealings" of dads...

Emily Joswiak

What to Consider When Buying Off-Road Tires

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There is no universal off-roading tire. Because drivers go off-road in all kinds of terrain across the United States and vary in their degree of adventurousness, there are specific tire qualities that differ considerably. Tread depth and shape, void size, and sidewall reinforcement are just a couple of these varying features. If you want to go off-roading but don’t know how that will look yet, read what to consider when buying off-road tires to gain some clarity and look forward to getting off the beaten path.

Your Nearby Terrain

If you’re in a relatively flat area, odds are you may not get the same use out of a tougher tire meant for more uneven terrain. For this reason, consider your area before anything else. While you may want to take your off-roading vehicle cross-country, odds are you’ll go off-road much closer to your home. If you are in a flat area, of all the different types of automotive tires, you’ll likely want to shy away from highly reinforced and heavy mud tires. Instead, try flexible and lightweight all-terrain tires.

That said, if someone is determined, they can find all kinds of terrain near them. So, gauge your level of adventure, too—if you’re invested in seeking out rough areas, then maybe you should consider more heavy-duty tires.

How Often You’ll Drive on Paved Roads

Another consideration when buying off-road tires is how often you’ll take them on paved roads. Mud tires are excellent at gripping sloped rock surfaces, but their deep treads and large void size are not conducive to frequent road use. This wears them out quicker than it does all-terrain tires.

Your Tire Size

If you purchase tires that are essentially standard-sized, then you can easily install them. If you’re thinking of getting larger tires for added grip, you may need to make other modifications. For example, many people will need to lift their suspension to accommodate larger tires and to prevent undercarriage damage from rocks they pass over.

Your Fuel Economy

The bigger the tire, the lower your fuel economy when driving your off-roading vehicle. If the terrain calls for it and you won’t use them often, then large tires may be necessary. But if you’ll go off-road in tamer environments, consider a lighter tire so you don’t overwork your engine constantly turning heavy tires.

Main Areas of the Home You Need to Organize

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The spring-cleaning season is upon us, and there are quite a few areas that need more care than others. A lot of people start with the easy areas and make their way from there, but most people end up stuck about a third or a half of the way through the cleaning regiment. If you want to make sure that you’re productive with your cleaning, take a look below. We’ve created a short guide on the main areas of the home you need to organize. From figuring out how to organize your mess of tools to making the kitchen a clean place of creation, these are the spots you should truly focus on in your spring-cleaning regiment.

The Garage

This is an area a lot of people just pretend doesn’t exist during the spring-cleaning season. It’s understandable; garages tend to be the place that we put stuff when we don’t know where it should go. But this creates a ton of clutter that needs to be taken care of. Don’t skip over your garage this year—especially if you use it for actual storage and not just things that should be donated but haven’t been. For example, if you keep your tools in the garage, then you have to organize them. Whether that’s with different tool storage bags and containers or by getting rid of most of them, it must be done either way!

The Kitchen

The kitchen is another big spot that needs focused attention with your spring-cleaning plan. Chances are you keep your kitchen pretty clean and wiped down, but it could also use a good decluttering. How many cups, mugs, plates, bowls, and utensils sit unused but take up a lot of space anyway? Think about donating those neglected items, and then consider reorganizing the rest of the cabinets to fit your kitchen’s needs.

The Basement

Similar to the garage, the basement is an area that we often avoid decluttering. People choose easier cleaning tasks like the kids’ bedrooms. And although the clutter of the basement may be intimidating, it’s also vital to feeling like you actually accomplished something. Better yet, once you clean, declutter, and organize, you can turn that space into a place where the whole family can relax!

The Small Spaces

Once you’ve tackled those rooms, then you can get started on the smaller spaces. It will act as a reprieve from the overwhelming task of those larger, much more daunting spaces. Things like linen closets, laundry rooms, and other closets in the home aren’t very exciting, but when organized and maintained, they can make the home a much more efficient space. Since they’re smaller, it’ll be much easier to keep them clean as well.

How to Throw a Promotion Party

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A promotion is an exciting moment in someone’s life. It signals a reward for past work and a company’s anticipation for their future. This is a reason to celebrate—here’s how to throw a promotion party that your coworker, friend, or family member will love.

At Work

People earn promotions by working hard and going above and beyond. There’s great power to showing appreciation, and when companies make an effort to show their appreciation for a promoted employee, it helps them start their new phase of life well.

Be Mindful of Others

When considering how to throw a promotion party in the workplace, you’ll want to be careful about how you plan it. It’s not uncommon for several internal candidates to be vying for a promotion, and those who don’t secure it may not be happy. If the person promoted was the only logical candidate, then go ahead with the party. If not, then stick to a small private work celebration.

Do Something Small Outside Work

To get away from the awkwardness of a work party, bring your celebration outside work. Spend an evening at a bar toasting your coworker, or have some fun at a bowling alley. A nice, casual event that dedicates time and creates space for coworkers to show their appreciation fits the occasion nicely.

For Family or Friends

Meanwhile, friends and family don’t have the same inhibitions as coworkers do when planning a party. They can be fully happy for them and not hold back.

Enjoy a Night (or Weekend) of Fun

Friends and family have so many fun options to pick from. For one thing, you can surprise your loved one with a party. If you go this route, deck their home out with decorations on the day they start their new role, and then make sure you’re there for the big reveal. If you want them in the loop, you can host them for a night in or even carve out an entire weekend to celebrate. Take this opportunity to go somewhere they have been talking about visiting. They will likely be making more money, so they may be ready to indulge a little.

The Top Reasons Relationships Fail

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Relationships are hard. They take work and understanding to keep them healthy and ongoing. Relationships with friends are hard enough. Carving out time to cultivate relationships and let them grow is a challenge—now throw love, sex, and emotions into it. What a minefield. It’s a rare case where two high school sweethearts meet, fall in love, and live happily ever after. Most of us have many awful relationships that end in heartache before we finally figure it out and either find the love of our life or settle because we are tired. That might sound terrible, but it happens. The top reasons relationships fail might surprise you, but heed the warning. Look for these signs, and if you see them, then it’s not meant to be.

The Awful Truth Is Revealed

Sports is a big part of American culture. Year round, with a few exceptions, sports are available to watch on TV and in person. Fans are loyal to their teams, almost to a fault. Find out right away if your partner is a fan of sports and demand to know who they root for. If you’re a Bears fan and she loves the Packers, it’s not going to work. Steelers and Ravens? Same thing. Don’t waste each other’s time and keep looking.

She/he Eats Food Wrong

Certain food habits can be overlooked, like flavored creamers in coffee or not putting butter on popcorn. You can look past that. But there are other food sins that are unforgivable. If you meet someone who puts ketchup on a hot dog, or AI steak sauce on a ribeye steak, they are awful people. They will only frustrate you and continue to do embarrassing things at restaurants like order off the kids’ menu. Next!

Communication Problems

Communication problems are often cited as the number one reason relationships end. Not for the reason you might think. The problem is too much communication, not too little. Sometimes you don’t want to hear about the idiots at work, or the last out of the softball game. It’s perfectly acceptable to sit in silence in the car or at home. Not every minute of the day must be filled with noise.

It’s the Little Things

The details in life, as in relationships, are everything. Take a wide view of life but know it’s OK to focus on the little habits and manners of a partner. People’s behavior in the kitchen hints at larger issues. If they leave toast crumbs in the butter, peanut butter in the jelly jar, or put a wet spoon in sugar bowl after stirring their coffee, leaving tiny coffee balls, get out of there. They are either slobbish or self-centered, and neither of those traits are admirable.

5 Signs You Need to Lose Weight

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There are many reasons why it’s important to stay healthy, especially when you are a parent. Take some time to take care of yourself so you can be around for years to come. Besides seeing the scale move up, be wary of the signs you need to lose weight—learn more ahead.

1. You’re Always Tired

The first sign that you are overweight is that you find you are always tired, even when you get seven to eight hours of sleep. Not having the energy to get through the day is likely due to having a poor diet. When you get the appropriate nutrients you need, you won’t feel groggy.

2. You Snore

Another sign you need to lose weight is if your loved one has to deal with your snoring. When we gain weight, we tend to do so in our neck. Snoring can be dangerous because it’s a sign that you could be suffering from sleep apnea, which means you aren’t breathing as you sleep.

3. You’re Always Hungry

When you eat a meal, you should feel satisfied afterward. However, if you find yourself looking for that next meal right after you finish one because you are still hungry, you are likely gaining weight. Adopting a healthy diet and portion control might be a change you need to make.

4. You Have a Big Waist

If you find your clothes becoming tighter and tighter, this is an easy sign you need to lose weight. Unless you are purposely building muscle, you shouldn’t have a large waistline. The appropriate waistline depends on your height, so it’s different for everyone.

5. You’re Always in Pain

When you don’t exercise and work your body, then it usually leads to pain. If joints such as your knees, hips, and back hurt often, it’s time to get more physically active. If you haven’t worked out in years, ease your way back into it and you will be fit in no time.

If you do notice any of these signs, the best thing you can do is see your doctor and have them confirm your health status.

Best-Selling Paint Colors for Mustangs

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The Mustang has gone through many color changes during the years. From its original Wimbledon White to today’s rainbow of color options, there is something for any Mustang enthusiast. For the type of father looking to buy himself a fast, new car, know these best-selling paint colors for Mustangs. These are the current color options for the sixth generation 2018 Mustangs. Newer models may offer different color options than these.

Shadow Black

Shadow Black is a rich, dark color that adds some serious depth to your Mustang. Since 1975, black has remained a staple in the vehicle’s history. Interestingly, the first generation of Mustang (1964-1971) offered Raven Black but it wasn’t popular with consumers. Therefore, from 1972 to 1974, black wasn’t even a color option. While its shade changed during its years, black didn’t become popular amongst Mustang owners until 1994 when it became one of the top three colors.

Race Red and Ruby Red

This is an iconic color for the sports car. It’s no surprise, given that a red car is a natural head-turner. Roughly one in five customers purchases a red Mustang. If that weren’t enough, to prove its popularity, Ford has released over 140 different shades of red in the car’s lifetime. For those who want a deeper and not-so-obvious shade of red, another popular choice is Ruby Red. This is a darker crimson that can look simultaneously aggressive and majestic.

Lightning Blue and Kona Blue

Blue is another very popular color. The two shades on the market today are Lightning Blue and Kona Blue. Lightning Blue, like Race Red, offers an obvious blue color to any recent model of Mustang. It’s impossible to miss on the road. Many owners opt for a white stripe across the top to accent the car’s exterior. Kona Blue is similar, but not as intense. It’s a bit darker than Lightning Blue, almost an indigo shade. While it might not pop as much as the Lightning Blue, the Kona Blue is still striking.

Oxford White

White was one of the original colors used in the first generation of Mustangs, so it makes sense that it’s still a sought-after color. A neutral color like Oxford White is a natural color option for a sports car. Not to mention, white is extremely versatile. You can add any color stripe or accessory to your vehicle, and it will only improve your ride’s look.

Magnetic Metallic and Ingot Silver

For those looking for a solid base color, you can’t go wrong with Magnetic Metallic and Ingot Silver. These are approximately a grey and silver, respectively, which are great base colors alone. These don’t need racing stripes or additional color options to improve their aesthetics, because there’s nothing to improve. These are serious colors from the jump.

Triple Yellow and Orange Fury

Last on this list, Triple Yellow and Orange Fury offer intense, bright visuals wherever you drive. Both are commonly neglected Mustang colors, but these are truly standout shades. How often does one see a yellow or orange car? Like many of the other colors on this list, you can add any color stripe to improve these base colors’ appeal.

5 Tips for Remodeling Your Garage

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A garage is meant to be primarily a storage place for your vehicles, lawnmower, bikes, and other large outdoor items. However, so many people use only for storage and can’t get the proper use out of it. With a packed garage, your car suffers during the winter and it becomes incredibly difficult to find items you need. If this is the case for you, here are some tips for remodeling your garage.

Take Everything Out

When remodeling your garage, the first thing you should do is take every item out of the garage and go through everything. This is the perfect opportunity to toss unnecessary junk that has been sitting in your garage and taking up a ton of space.

Take Advantage of Ceiling and Walls

Once you have sorted through your belongings, it’s important that you return them in an organized manner. The best way to take up the least amount of space possible is to take advantage of the ceiling and walls. There are shelves and racks you can get that you can then hang up on your walls and ceiling. Also, if you are someone who owns a Jeep Wrangler, you can easily hang up your hardtop on the ceiling when you want to drive with the top down. Utilizing the walls and ceilings will clear up space in your garage so you can actually fit a Jeep Wrangler and perhaps another vehicle inside.

Install New Lighting or a Window

An additional upgrade to your garage that can make a big difference is adding new lighting or installing a window. Quality lighting is helpful for finding items stored in your garage and is even more helpful for doing repairs on your vehicle. A window can also let in some sunlight—which can, in turn, prevent mold.

Get New Flooring

Another addition you should consider for your garage is new flooring. Brand new garage flooring looks and smells nice; it can actually enhance your garage in a big way. There are various garage flooring options you can choose from. Whether it’s traditional coating or tiles, consider replacing your old, cracked garage flooring.

Add Insulation

A helpful tip for remolding your garage is to add insulation. Insulation can keep your vehicle and everyone else in your garage in even better shape over the winter because you can regulate the temperature. Plus, adding insulation brings your garage one step closer to becoming a man cave or a home gym.