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Tips for Negotiating Closing Costs

When buying a home, many people seem to have tunnel vision on the list price and focus on nothing else. However, the list price isn’t the only thing you have to worry about when buying a home, as there are a wide variety of other expenses you need to pay. These expenses are known as closing costs, and they can vary wildly depending on the home and the seller. If you’re not properly prepared for closing costs, they can really do a lot of financial damage to you. However, with some good negotiating tactics, you may be able to lower closing costs to a much more manageable level. So how exactly can you negotiate for lower closing costs? Let’s take a look.

source: pixabay

Have the Seller Contribute

One of the best ways to get around paying less in closing costs is by getting the seller to contribute some money. Rather than negotiate with your lender about closing costs, this idea has you negotiating with the seller. A seller may be reluctant to cover some of the closing costs, as it’ll eat into the profits they gain from selling the home. However, if they fear the deal may fall through, they may contribute just for convenience’s sake and to close the deal. Be careful not to ask too much, though, as you don’t want to add too many new factors to their seller closing costs calculator since it could jeopardize the deal. However, if done correctly, negotiating with a less experienced seller and getting them to contribute could be a much easier prospect than negotiating better rates with an experienced lender.

Shop Around

When making any big purchase, you should always shop around for the best deal. If you engaged in talks with a lender, then you don’t need to limit your conversations with just them. Shopping around and finding different vendors can find you better rates and may even land you a lender with fewer fees. You can then go back to your lender, using the lower rates as leverage. Some lenders will match any deal you find, while others will turn you away and make you switch. Regardless of what happens, you’ll be saving money, sometimes upwards of a thousand dollars.

Close at the End of the Month

One of the best ways to pay less for closing costs is to close at the end of the month. While this isn’t really a negotiation tactic, it still is a great trick to spend even less on closing the deal. First, you’ll pay less in prepaid interest since there are fewer days between the day you close and the end of the month. In fact, just delaying your closing a few weeks and wrapping everything up at the end of the month can save you a few hundred dollars. The lower closing costs can open up some financial flexibility for you, allowing you to spend that money on other closing costs or in other areas entirely

Factor Costs Into the Mortgage

A last resort that you may want to consider is folding your closing costs into your mortgage. This idea has obvious advantages and drawbacks. On the positive side, taking out slightly extra to cover closing costs can quickly eliminate a major headache for you. This can be especially helpful if you’ve exhausted all of your savings on the down payment and have little money to cover the remaining costs. However, the major drawback of this idea is the money you’ll have to pay back in interest. Since you’ll have a slightly bigger mortgage, you’ll end paying even more in interest. As a result, in the long-run, this idea will actually lose you money in exchange for temporary convenience. That being said, in certain scenarios, this could be a good option for you to close the deal out.

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🇨🇦 Fam of 4 + 🐶 Internet marketers | Travellers | Foodies | Organic | Lifestyle | Soccer Obsessed | Downtown TO -> Rural NS | Follow our adventures!

So my husband just did it - he put up his first co So my husband just did it - he put up his first course on the Outschool platform:  Blogging for Kids 101!

Teaching our children online marketing skills is big for us - it's what made it possible for us to both work from home full-time for the last 16 years (we built our online business while we were still in University, so we have never had a “traditional” job outside of the house.)

During quarantine the past 6 months, our then 11-year-old, started his own blog.

He is such an avid soccer fan and plays elite-level soccer, so that's what he decided he was going to write about.

Little did we know that in just a few short months his blogging passion would see him:

👉 Interview more than 20+ professional players on his own YouTube show and podcast
👉 Be interviewed by CBC Sports about his blog
👉 Have him nominated for an award by the Canadian Premier League for his reporting 

It’s certainly been a whirlwind!

Andrew and I have had so much fun teaching him how to blog and if your child is interested in blogging, Andrew has a class for kids who are interested in learning how to start a blog, even if they have zero experience! 

You can check out the class using the link in the BIO.

What I love about blogging is that it is such a beautiful way for your child to express their inner passions and thoughts. It gives them a voice to provide feedback and value in the world that they live in and is a great way for them to explore new ideas.

Do your kids blog?

What do they blog about? 

Feel free to drop their links in the comments section, my boys are always looking to connect with other kid bloggers!

#kidblogger #homeschooling #homeschoolinglife #homeschoolingrocks  #homeschoolingbyheart  #homeschoolingfamily  #homeschoolingmama  #homeschoolingideas  #homeschoolingboys #homeschooling2020 #homeschoolingfun  #homeschoolingadventures  #homeschoolingmoms101 #homeschoolideas #homeschoolidea #virtuallearning #virutallearningplatform #virtuallearningforkids #virtuallearningforkid #outschool #outschoolclasses #outschooleducation #outschoolteacher #outschooler #outschooling #outschoolclasses #outschoolclass
As he was getting dressed to play outside, Henry w As he was getting dressed to play outside, Henry was struggling to put on a glove and he said to me, “Mommy, I don’t think I have enough fingers for this.” 😂
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#snowdays #playinthesnow #thisis5 #5yearolds #lovethisboy💙 #lovethisboysomuch #outdoortime #novascotialife #christmassnow #whitechristmas❄️ #mybabyboyforever #thingskidssay #funnythingskidssay #funnykidstuff #kidssaythefunniestthings #kidssaythefunnieststuff #lovewhathesays #lovewhathesaid
As I mentioned the other day, I have been making t As I mentioned the other day, I have been making these "Name Word Art" boards, and someone asked me to make them a slight variation of that and requested a "Goals for 2021" board.
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I thought it was such a brilliant idea because in our house, Andrew and I have always had a practice of creating vision boards, and it's something we taught to Jack and Henry at a very young age.
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The vision/dream boards are something that we build with the kids quite frequently as their goals change, albeit they are built on bristol board or on their cork boards, but with the New Year coming up, in addition to our own, I decided that I would offer a personalized vision board for people who wanted a "visual" reminder of their goals for the New Year - Bring it on 2021! 
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If you're interested in having one of these made, pm me. I am having an absolute blast building all these boards! Check out my newest board below!  Plus, if you’re coming from this post, pm and I will give you one of my Etsy shop coupons for being friends here on Insta!! 
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#newyearsresolutions #newyearsresolutions2021 
#goalsetting2021 #custompersonalizedart #goalsettingworks #visionboards #dreamboards
✨New Announcement✨ I’ve been making these li ✨New Announcement✨ I’ve been making these little personal visual boards for friends and family for awhile, and just recently someone said I should look into opening an Etsy shop, which is what I’ve just done...eeeek!!!!
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Can’t even explain how excited I am for this little store as making these little graphics make me so happy 🥰!
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I can make these cute little graphics and all you need to do is provide the details for the person it’s being made for!
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Also, no need to ship as I provide the high quality digital file that can be printed at any shop for less than $5.00 (or at least that’s what it is for us) at any local shop - we went to Staples.
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So since I’ve just opened my new shop, I’m offering a special! 
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They are normally $15 for one as they have quite a bit of customization (all part of the fun) but now for the Holiday season I’m offering my Insta friends 2 for $25. 
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They are a great little present 🎁especially if you’d like one for each child - and they make great stocking stuffers! 🎄✨🎅
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If you have any questions, let me know.  I’m so excited and yes, slightly giddy about my mew shop - ShinesDarlingDesigns, and I’d love to make one for you and your loved ones a personal and surprising gift! 
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#etsyshop #newetsystore #mynewetsystore #digitalprintsgiveaway #stockingstuffersideas #personalgiftsarethebest #christmasgiftsforkids #christmasgiftsforher #christmasgiftsforhim #personalizedgift #customgiftservices #etsyspecial #etsyspecialoffer
Looking for something to get the soccer player in Looking for something to get the soccer player in your life? ⚽️✨
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As many of you know my son Jack, is a brand ambassador with RIOBOL, the size 2 Brazilian ball (weighted like a size 5 that improves precision, touch, and control) and from November 27-30th RIOBOL has everything in their shop for 40% off. 
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Use Jack's link: http://www.CPLFever.ca/riobol and enter "BLACKFRIDAY" at checkout to get 40% off! 👍
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#riobol #ballmastery #rioboltraining #rioboltrainingball #soccerskillstraining #soccerballkids #improveyourtouches #1000touchesaday #improveyoursoccerskills
Can’t get over how sweet these pj’s are, Star Can’t get over how sweet these pj’s are, Star Wars themed with storm trooper gingerbread men! 😍 
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They came from a lovely package sent by my cousin all the way from California.
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Do you have Christmas pj’s that you  love?  Tell me all about them!  Our house is all about the Christmas pj’s! 😂😀🎄✨🎄✨
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#starwarspj #starwarschristmaspjs #stormtroopergingerbread #stormtrooperpjs #hestoocuteforwords #thisis5 
#christmastimeintheair
✨✨ The boys made some Linzer sandwich cookies ✨✨ The boys made some Linzer sandwich cookies the other night as we decorated our first of the Christmas trees for the holiday season! 🎄🎄🎄
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They made these sweet little cookies all by themselves as they listened to their Spotify Christmas playlist made by our tween! 
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Love these 2 little boys with all my heart! 🥰
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Scroll through to see their finished product!! I think the cookies turned out pretty perfect and they tasted amazing!  Our doggo was pretty excited about them too - look at him eyeing Henry 🤣🐶
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Of course we ended up eating them as we took in the Netflix premiere of the “Switched Again” which was fun and by the end of the movie, they were all gone.
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I’ve been informed that after our eldest’s soccer practice tonight, we’ve got more of this on tap for tonight!  Love this time of the year!
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#christmastime #christmastree #christmasiscomingtotown #themostwonderfultimeoftheyear🎄 #christmascookiesfordays #christmasbakinghasbegun #christmasbaking #netflixchristmasmovies #christmaswithmyboys #linzersandwichcookies
Made a crustless pecan pie the other day, and it t Made a crustless pecan pie the other day, and it turned out really well! 
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We are gluten free in our household, and lean paleo, but had a huge craving for pecan pie.  Not enough GF flour meant I needed an alternative crustless pecan pie it was!
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#pecanpie #crustlesspecanpie #pecanpierecipe
Callum, Mage from “The Dragon Prince” 🎃👻 Callum, Mage from “The Dragon Prince” 🎃👻
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#halloween2020 #halloweencostume #halloweencostume #halloweendiycostume #callumdragonprince #thedragonprince #dragonprincecosplay #dragonprincecallum #dragonprincenetflix
Courtesy of my 4 year old. . . . #dresserdrawer #d Courtesy of my 4 year old.
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#dresserdrawer #dresserdecor #stickersonfurniture #noahsark #animalstickers #dadolddresser #antiquefurniturelove #4yearoldart #thisis4 #4yearoldinthehouse #inlovewithmylife #momofboysonly #thesweetestboyintheworld #thesweetest
Today I picked up these yummy, non-dairy ice cream Today I picked up these yummy, non-dairy ice creams for the kids!  Made by @yellofruit I’d never heard of the brand before but was thrilled to find them.
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I’m a person who loves to read labels, so I was happily surprised at the clean, organic ingredients, and was thrilled that they were both so delicious! 
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I’ve got a picky little 4 year old at home and when I pulled the ice cream out of the freezer his eyes lit up - I think judging from the packaging he thought he was going to eat something delicious!
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I’m happy to report that both flavours were eaten eagerly, the strawberry was lovely and the chocolate was a big, big hit! 👏👏👏. 
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#nodairyicecream #nondairyicecream #nondairyicecreamforthewin #yellofruit #yellofruitsummer2020 #yellofruiticecream #yummyicecream #nondairyalternatives #nodairynoproblem #nodairyneeded #nodairynoglutennoproblem #nodairynogluten #nodairydiet #nodairyproducts #nodairylife #soyummythough #lovethis #nodairydesserts #nodairydessert
I love picking fruit in the summer!☀️ . . The I love picking fruit in the summer!☀️ 
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The kids have such a great time and eating fruit off the tree is such a delicious treat!
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Here was our cherry 🍒 bounty last week!
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#cherrypicking #cherrypicking🍒 #fruitpickingseason #cherryseason🍒 #lovecherries🍒 #sourcherries #cherrytarts #cherrypie🍒 #fruitorchards #sweetcherries #cherrypickingseason #getoutsidemore #getoutsidens #naturesbountybeauty #summertimefun #summertimevibes #summertime❤️
My son is giving away a FREE RIOBOL! If you or yo My son is giving away a FREE RIOBOL!  If you or your kid or someone you know plays soccer and would love one of these, enter the giveaway!  Go to @jackmurraytv for more details! 
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Posted @withregram • @jackmurraytv ✨It’s GIVEAWAY time! ✨
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I’m giving away a FREE RIOBOL this Monday!
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To enter is super simple, all you need to do is the following 3 things:
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⭐️ Follow RIOBOL
⭐️ Tag 3 friends
⭐️ Follow me @jackmurraytv 
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Good luck!
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The RIOBOL is an excellent training tool! Weighted like a size 5 but in a size 2 ball, it creates control, precision and confidence!  Be sure to get yours today!
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#createconfidence #createconfidencecontrol #getbetterfaster #ballmastery #ballmasterymonday #soccertrainings #futsalskills #canadasoccer #brazilianfutbol #braziliansoccer #riobolgiveaway #technicaltraining #instasoccerkids #instasoccer #footwork #footworkdrills #soccertechnique #soccerdrills
My little man doing the “Samba” using his RIO My little man doing the 
“Samba” using his RIOBOL.
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For more on the RIOBOL go to www.RIOBOL.com and use the 20% discount code “JACKMURRAY” for any merchandise purchase.
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#ballmastery #ballmasteryfootball #soccerdrills #soccerdrillsforkids #soccerdrillsdaily #soccerfootwork #soccerfootworkdrills #soccertraining #soccerplayer #improvefootballskills #footworkchallenge #braziliantoetaps #braziliantoetouches #brazilianfutbol #brazilianfútbol #futsal #soccerfootworkspeed #soccerprecision #practicemakesprogress #onethousandtouches #thousandtouchesontheball #thousandtouchesaday
I’m pretty excited about today's post because Ja I’m pretty excited about today's post because Jack just recently partnered up with an amazing company, RIOBOL.
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RIOBOL is a Brazilian technical training ball that is a size 2 ball but as heavy as a size 5 soccer ball.
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Since Jack started working with it, and testing it out, he’s really enjoyed using it and has been really impressed at how it's helped with his touch and how in just a short period of time he’s seeing improvements.
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As a soccer player, you want to be able to create.
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Creativity on the ball is one of your best assets and in order to have the freedom to CREATE, players need the confidence and the ability to control the ball. 
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The mission for RIOBOL is to develop that instinctive ball control.
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Over the next few days Jack will be sharing videos on how he uses his RIOBOL and will also be doing a super sweet GIVEAWAY so that you can enter to win one of your very own to start using right away!  If you’ve got anyone who would love to practice their soccer technique  and ball mastery skills with this ball, be sure to enter!
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And just so you know how awesome this company is, they donate a portion of every RIOBOL sold towards building soccer parks in the poorest communities.
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So be sure to check out the riobol by going to http://www.RIOBOL.com 
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And right now, to get a 20% discount on all purchased merchandise (check out their cool 😎 shirts!) be sure to use the code “JACKMURRAY” on checkout!
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GET • BETTER • FASTER with RIOBOL
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#trainingball #soccertraining #soccerequipment #rioboltraining #getbetterfaster #futsal #giveaway #braziliansoccer #ballcontrol #ballmastery #futboltraining #technicaltraining #thebeautifulgame #weightedball #streetsoccer #canadasoccer #ussoccer #controlconfidencecreate #juggling #soccerjuggling #soccerjugglingpractice
The Mojave. . . . Sadly, we’re not doing much tr The Mojave.
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Sadly, we’re not doing much travelling these days (hard for us as we work from a laptop and the kids are homeschooled), but these photos came up in my memories the other day.
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It was 9 years ago today, we took a barely 3 year old Jack, flew to the States, rented a car and went on a road trip travelling through the Mojave desert from Nevada to California.
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It was a very surreal, and magical experience.  I had just lost my father a little less that a year before and being in the desert, in the silence, with no one around made me feel like he was with me and gave me so much comfort in my personal grief.
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This trip was so good for my soul and so many of my favourite memories are of my little family and I road tripping.  I’m looking forward to planning more.
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What are your favourite travel memories?
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#mojavedesert #mojavenationalpreserve #mojave #mojavedesertcalifornia #roadtripmojave #roadtrippin #roadtripusa #roadtripping #oasisofmara #joshuatreenationalpark #desertphotography #desertlandscape #
I can’t believe my last post was at the beginnin I can’t believe my last post was at the beginning of May!  It was a family picture of us and our masks and since then, I’ve gone silent 😳
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Truth is lots has happened but I’ve been mostly living life off my own social media and helping our little guy (our 12 year old) with his blog and his new found passion of interviewing pro soccer players ⚽️⚽️⚽️
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During quarantine our son, who is a ball retriever for the professional soccer team in our city, started a blog and started interviewing players.
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Since online marketing is what Andrew and I do for a living, we’ve helped him set it all up, have taught him how to use YouTube and certain software to his advantage and given him the checklist for SEOing his blog posts etc...
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Happy to report he likes it and he even got his first influencer/brand repping gig in this quarantine period by building his blog, YouTube and Instagram following!
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Personally, I’m going to try to post with a little more consistency as my social media accounts help me remember what goes on in my life, lol, but how have you guys been doing? 
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How has quarantine been?  How are you feeling now that things are re-opening?  Lots of conflicting thoughts and feelings on my end, but trying to work through them.
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Hope you guys are having a good Wednesday!
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#imback #quarantineactivities #quarantinelife😷 #kidblogger #kidbloggersonig #kidbloggersofig #kidbloggers #kidbloggersinstagram #kidbloggersofinstagram #kidbloggerofinstagram #searchengineoptimizationtips #youtubekidsblogger #youtubekidsvideo #youtubeinterview #youtubeinterviews
Our masks. Henry is wearing his slightly askew bu Our masks.  Henry is wearing his slightly askew but it does fit well despite how it looks in the picture.  Keeping it on him though may prove to be tricky...
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Did your family get masks?
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#maskselfie #clothmasks #clothmasksforthehealthy #clothmasksforkids #maskscovid19 #cottonmasks #maskswithpocketforfilter #maskswithpocketforfilter #masksforall #newnormal2020 #newnormalcovid19 #familypicture2020 #quarantinestories #quarantinediaries #makingthebestofthings #facemaskselfie #facemaskhomemade #facemasktime #facemaskinpublic #iprotectyouyouprotectme #iprotectyouprotectme #iprotectyouandyouprotectme #socialdistancingwithkids #socialdistancingtogether #socialdistancingsaveslives
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