We have another awesome guest post to share, How to Stay Connected with Loved Ones Through Tech and Gifts, by Sarah Bull from Economy Mom this week. Thank you for providing this great article for us!! We really enjoyed it and appreciate the time you took for us!!
Your family is your rock, your guidepost. And one of the most important ways we show our families the love and devotion we have for them is to support them even from afar. As a US immigrant, perhaps one of the reasons you came to the U.S. is to be able to financially support your family back home, or maybe you wanted to follow your dreams and the only way to do it was to move. Whatever the reason, Living 4 You Boutique outlines some ways to support your family and community back home.
*Note: This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
HOW TO STAY CONNECTED WITH LOVED ONES
THROUGH TECH AND GIFTS
Photo courtesy of Pexels
Tap Into Technology to Keep in Touch
Keeping in touch with loved ones is a huge theme in today’s world. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, families have had to learn new ways to stay connected, and technology has been a critical component in this equation for many families. Even before the pandemic, families separated by oceans and continents were finding ways to use tech to stay in touch.
As PC Magazine points out, apps, tools, and other technologies are proving useful in helping families feel more connected while remaining apart. There are even creative ways to really feel like you’re physically participating in each other’s lives. For instance, you can start a folder of photos on your app of choice (Google Photos or Family Album are two easy-to-use apps) that everyone can use, or you could opt to play digital games.
Using video apps like Zoom and Google Meet allows us to talk face-to-face, no matter where we are. You can even set up a regular video chat schedule — but make sure to take time zones into account!
A Phone Call Can Do So Much
If you feel physically and emotionally drained by video conferencing, PBS notes that just picking up the phone and hearing someone’s voice can make a world of difference. You may still be constrained by time zones, but you can start or end your day with a phone call to your beloved family back home, and they will appreciate hearing your voice. You don’t even have to break the bank to do so — use a VoIP app like Skype or a calling card to make free or low-cost calls.
Show Your Love Through Gifts and Financial Support
Sending gifts to family back home to countries like Mexico or India is another great way to stay connected, and it shows that you’re thinking of them. The best gifts are the ones from the heart, so sending things that speak to these relationships is best. Look for great gift ideas that offer comfort and give warm regards, but be sure to keep customs restrictions in mind as well as how to properly package your gifts. Use a platform like Parcel Monkey to compare rates and timeframes and ensure that your package arrives at its destination.
If you plan to send money, look into your transfer options as there are several online services that make this process easy and inexpensive. Services like Remitly will even allow you to send money for little to no fees, transactions that can take place and deposited nearly instantly. For example, funds transferred to Mexico can be done for free when $500 or more is sent.
Bottom line: Keep in touch
Whether you have family outside the country you are supporting, or you simply want to stay connected as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, using technology, gifts, and financial support are great ways to keep in touch. And as you support your community back home, you should also consider your community in the US, as well.
Looking for other great articles Sarah wrote for us? Take a look below.
6 Ways to Be Authentically You This Year
WRITE GUEST POSTS FOR US
Living 4 You Boutique is looking for bloggers who would like to write free guest posts!! We are accepting submissions in the following categories:
- Recipes
- Travel
- Dieting
- Health
- Exercise
- Saving Money
- DIY Tutorials on Projects or Crafts
- Organizing Tips
- Relationship/Love
If you are interested in having your article published on our site, click here to see how to get started!! We would love to hear from you!!
The Living 4 You Boutique blog shares experiences, ideas and knowledge that is enjoyable to others. Connect with us for more info! Living4youboutique@gmail.com