Monthly Archives: August 2017

New Driver? Here Are The Vehicle Tips No One Tells You At First

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Getting roadworthy can be a difficult time. It might feel like there is an overwhelming amount of requirements you need to make before you can happily call yourself roadworthy. At the very least, making sure that you have an operational car, the correct insurance and road tax, as well as the confidence to do well on the road is required. As a new driver trying to figure out all of this information and begin your driving career safe, it’s likely that there are many driving insights you simply aren’t told as a new driver. Some people don’t figure them out for years, or neglect to even learn them at all.

 

You’re an intelligent reader, and so if you’re a new driver, or even a driver looking to brush up on their roadworthy knowledge, it’s worthwhile reading the following advice. Who knows? One day, it could help you out in a pinch.

 

Road Rage Will Come Your Way

 

It’s natural to feel frustrated while driving. It’s not natural or wise or acceptable to let it inform your driving behaviours. You will experience a plethora of personality types on the road, from those with attitudes, those showing off to the inhabitants of their car, as well as people who are overly cautious such as a small percentage of the elderly. All of these people can cause you stress on the road, especially if they cut you up or drive dangerously near you. While it might be tempting to flip the bird or honk the horn, or even yell out of the window, all of this adds to the distractions of yourself and other drivers on the road.

 

Don’t add to a situation his danger through your own anger, even if it will take saintly patience to prevent yourself from doing so. The dangers far outweigh the benefits of letting out some of your frustration. If someone has seriously inhibited you from driving safely, or has put you in harm’s way, memorize the license plate or read it out to someone else in the car, pull aside and call the police on them. They will notify the highway authorities and track the vehicle down. If they do, it’s likely that they will require a statement from you, and that’s where you can have your justified ‘revenge,’ for lack of a better term. Getting a dangerous driver officially penalized can maybe even save lives at a later date, and at the very least you will feel vindicated from having to experience the situation.


Ignoring Small Repairs Lead To Big Repairs

 

You needn’t be the wisest or most adept car mechanic to understand that ignoring the smallest fixes will lead to big repairs needing to take place. Depending on your model and make of your vehicle, this can get VERY costly. Some small repairs, while seemingly insignificant, can actually render your car less than roadworthy without you knowing. Most people have limited knowledge about the model of car they drive, so they are unable to identify the errors and issues that can accumulate from them.

 

For example, small chips which occur from flying chipped tarmac or rocks on the road can leave you with tiny cracks on the windshield. Why the small crack might not seem like much, it heavily reduces the structural strength of the tempered glass, and as such provides an unsafe environment for you to drive in. Over time, the crack is sure to spread, and if you’re really unlucky, a crash will make the entire screen collapse and smash in on you. For a small preventative cost, using a auto glass repair and replacement firm can help you immediately fix the issue and continue driving with peace of mind. It’s not just the windshield which can be subject to problems like this however. Even seemingly innocuous issues like frayed seatbelts can be a major problem if you leave them too late.

 

The world of driving is a world of unpredictability. Think about it. You are driving a thick metal and plastic vessel in a line next to plenty of others at high speed. You want this vessel to stay as structurally safe and sound as it can, and for the safety features to be like new at all times. What’s more important, a saving here and there or the solid understanding that you are safe alongside your family during your holiday travels?

 

These tips can get you far on the road, but they’re usually not explicitly told to you as soon as you begin driving. Knowing them can help you stay a more temperate, patient and more importantly safe driver. Who knows, with these correct attitudes, you may even enjoy your driving experience more.

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Alone Ranger: Quality Ways To Make The Most Of “Me Time”

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There is a little stigma attached to spending time on your own. A lot of people view it as being some sort of social pariah, yet some people love their own company and would prefer it to be that way more often. But if you are one of those people who struggle to enjoy your own company, there are many benefits of being on your own for a short period of time. The one main positive is developing resilience and relying on your own resources, so how can we find more suitable methods to enjoy your own time?

Traveling By Yourself

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The most clichéd of methods to spend alone time is actually one of the most beneficial. By travelling alone and seeing other parts of your country or the world (depending on your budget) you can broaden your mind and get a unique sense of perspective on things. A lot of people get in a car and go, and a lot of people are now taking to obtaining a motorcycle license, getting on a Harley and heading down that open road until they find what they’re looking for. This is an extremely romantic idea, but there are plenty of people that do it as an alternative to meditating or mindfulness. So if this is an option for you, you can find out from American Motorcycle Trading Company on what types of motorcycles are suitable. The open road is a great way to clear your mind in whatever form, be it hiking, spending time in a foreign land, or just getting on your trusty hog and finding out what you’re all about in the great wide open.

Creating A Journal

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For a lot of us, we don’t really know what makes us tick. By creating a journal that is for the purposes of your own thoughts and feelings, that no one will ever have access to, means that you can spend a lot of time getting to know yourself better. It’s also been shown that getting our thoughts onto paper is a very suitable method of beating stress and gaining a unique perspective on our problems. So even if you aren’t physically able to spend time alone, this could be a suitable pastime to be engrossed in your thoughts and make you feel like you have had some quality alone time. A lot of people swear by writing a diary because it acts as a very effective “brain dump” too.

Get Into Gaming

You don’t have to do anything particularly adventurous to enjoy a bit of “me time”. Often, just doing a spot of gaming can totally make your day. 

Sites like https://winiota.com/ explain how it works. Some games are free to play, while others require a subscription. There are many games that will actually pay out money under the right circumstances. 

Find a game that’s right for you. Choose something that you naturally find compelling. Don’t feel like you have to choose all the most popular games, like PUBG. Any will do.

Take A Nap

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Even if you don’t go to sleep, having a bit of quality alone time during the day to muse over the more pressing thoughts in your mind will give you that breathing space from your day to day life that you didn’t even know you needed. A lot of us are worried about spending time on our lonesome, but it may be just what the doctor ordered for you to go through the thought of the day and to reduce stress and anxiety. But also you may realize that life isn’t always as stressful as you’ve built it up in your head. If you can afford yourself the luxury of 10 minutes a day where you are doing something for your own benefit, this could be the rejuvenation process you need.

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Is Your Company Compliant?

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Of all the things your business needs to be, compliant isn’t one of the most exciting. Reputable, prosperous, fruitful – these are all exciting prospects that most business owners would love to assimilate with their companies, but complaint? Not so much. In reality, we all know that our businesses need to operate to a certain standard, but compliance is definitely not one of the most exciting areas that you have to take care of. Either way, it has to get done. So, you’re going to want to get this one ticked off of your list and fast. But what does it mean for your company to be compliant?

The main idea of making sure that your business is compliant is to make sure that you’re operating in a manner that is considered within the law. But this can be across a wide range of areas, and not just legal concerns. As your business grows and does well, it’s in your own interest to make sure that you’re operating as you should be in each area. You want to protect your business, so in order to keep trading, you should make sure that you tick all the boxes you have to across each of the following areas of compliance.

Finance

One of the most common areas of compliance across any business if finance. This may be one of the areas that you’re most familiar with. But, it’s also important to ensure that you are operating above board when it comes to your finances. The legal implications of not doing this are not worth the risk. So ensure that you’re recording all of your business finances and transactions, and writing off your expenses fairly and in compliance with your local tax law.

Taxation

Following on from this, you may also want to consider taxation compliance. There is a lot you need to know about filing taxes, so make sure you are familiar with everything. Even if you hire an accountant, you should try to understand as much as you can to ensure that you are accountable for what you are declaring. Because it is vital that you declare everything fairly and that you’re paying the relevant taxes as you should be.

Employment

There there’s also human resources (HR) compliance to consider. Even if you have a small company with only a handful of employees, you may be bound by the relevant employment laws in your area. So it’s vital that you read up. You’re going to want to make sure that you have the right policies and procedures in place to keep yourself compliance and ensure that your staff is content too.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/office-working-app-computer-97077/

Insurance

By law, you may also be responsible for arranging certain insurances. In order to be compliant with your state laws, you are going to want to take out the right policies and ensure that the cover you for the necessary requirements. To do this, you may want to speak to your local state department as your insurances could vary by your business type, your turnover, and your business size. However, it’s likely that you’ll require liability insurances as a minimum.

Data

Then, you should also think about how your business operates with its data. In this guide to data protection, you should be able to understand what is required of you. Not only should you aim to be compliant to protect your own interests, but also to ensure that any customer information that you hold is kept safe and secure and that you’re not liable to any lawsuits.

Verification

Next, you could consider the compliance you have with the way you operate your business. Depending on the industry you work in, it may be a standard procedure to check the identity of your customers. But to do this, you may need real-time identity verification to provide the assurance you need in today’s digital world that will help you operate smoothly. When your customers need to be verified in order for you to supply your product or service, you will have to ensure you have that verification process in place to stay compliant with industry standards.

Health & Safety

Finally, there’s also health and safety to think about. Even if you’re a small business, you may be liable for health and safety laws. So, you’re going to want to check what is expected of you and work to put the necessary plans and policies in place to ensure that you’re compliant with local laws. In doing so, you should be able to reduce your liability should things go wrong.

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Is The Volkswagen Jetta A Good Buy?

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The Jetta is a great family car, well regarded as one of the top sellers on the market. It’s know to be a reliable, practical machine that is perfect for transporting lots of people to their destination without any hassle. But how does it measure up in terms of the specific categories such as safety, cost, and style, and is it a good overall investment? Read the post below to find out.

Ticket Price

One reviewer at https://ca.motor1.com/reviews/99836/review-2017-volkswagen-jetta  refers to the Jetta as a big car for a small price, and they are certainly not wrong. The basic level model that is one without all of the bells and whistles is little over $15K. While the top of the line spec, filled kitted out version will usually set you back under $30K. Not bad for a family vehicle.

Safety

One that is regarded as very safe, with a plus rating from the IIHS, scoring good in front, side, rear, and roof tests.  The Jetta comes with brake assist, plenty of airbags, and ABS too. So it is a truly good choice for those concerned about the safety of their families when they are on the road.

Interior

It is also praised for having a spacious interior, large enough to comfortably seat adults in the back. As well as a roomy boot, so it’s a  great choice for driving vacations or families that have large pets like dogs that they want to transport with them.

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Insurance

Also, in favour of the Jetta is that it is relatively low cost to insure as it’s seen as a safe, stable, and reliable choice by insurance providers. Of course, to make it even cheaper, shop around using an independent comparison site like https://www.gobear.com/sg/car-insurance as well. As then you can guarantee that you get the lowest quote, and it won’t even cost you a penny! After all every little helps when you are paying out to run a car!

Fuel Economy

However,  if you are assuming you will get the fuel economy up in the 70 that we see from some of the smaller new cars on the market with the Jetta, you will be sadly mistaken. As you are looking at 55- 65 tops. Not bad, as a whole for a large and roomy car like this, but certainly something that you will want to take into consideration before you buy.

Looks

Lastly, we also need to consider how this car performs on looks. Unfortunately, despite being a sedan version of the sporty VW golf, the Jetta seems determined to keep its dates look. In fact, the 2017 version looks almost like a twin for the 2015 version, with hardly a difference between them. Something that is especially noticeable when you have a model like the Toyota Corolla in the same category to compare it to. I mean sure we get that it’s best not to reinvent the wheel if you’ll pardon the pun, but even the owners of family cars want models that look modern too!

So, if you are looking for a safe, well-priced family car, the Jetta is a good choice. As long as you aren’t too bothered about outside look a fuel economy.

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The Big Cosmic Show – Total Eclipse 2017

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Hi everyone! On August 21st, the solar eclipse took place and what a show it was. The path of totality, where one would see a total eclipse, crossed the U.S.A. from Oregon to South Carolina. I had heard the reports that there would be tremendous traffic in the areas around the path of totality, but, being within 100 miles of a total eclipse for the first time in my life, I decided to go for it. I’d never seen a total solar eclipse and felt it would be almost criminal for me to miss this one because of fears of heavy traffic. And, to get an idea of what to look for during a total eclipse, and also ways of making pinhole viewers, I checked out YouTube, which can be very helpful in finding out about lot’s of things.

The Trip There

I was prepared. Totality in Salem, Oregon would take place around 10:17am local time, so, I got up around 4am and left about 5:15am. I mapped out a back road route in advance and armed with my maps, gps, and a packed lunch, eclipse glasses, a home-made pinhole viewer, and my camera, I set out. Traffic going to Salem was much better than I expected and I arrived there in about an hour and 15 minutes, which is near normal. I realized, people had been arriving over the previous 4 to 5 days, so the influx was more gradual, and I figured this might be the case, but, being a possible once-in-a-lifetime event, I wasn’t taking any chances.

My Viewing Site

I didn’t go to one of the advertised venues, but instead opted for a supermarket parking lot on the east side of Salem. I found easy, and free, parking. The beautiful thing about an event like this is, you can view it from anywhere, it’s not like a greatly anticipated movie, rock concert, or sports event where you have to go to a specific place, this is visible across a wide path from anywhere in town or between towns for that matter.

There were a few others there, including someone with a telescope, using it to project an image of the sun and eclipse on a large white sheet of paper, and this was actually more effective and safer than the glasses, and more detailed than the pinhole viewer, though the pinhole viewer was definitely effective in showing the advancing eclipse.

Total Solar Eclipse 2017. Man with telescope using it to project image of eclipse on large white paper. Looks great! – 8/21/2017

Remember! – Never look at the sun without certified eclipse glasses or filters! Best and safest is to look indirectly using a projection on a surface or a pinhole viewer! Otherwise your eyes can be damaged instantly! Only during totality in an eclipse is it safe to look with the naked eye!

What I Saw

At first, when the eclipse started, you didn’t notice much darkening or lessening of the amount of light. What you could notice, as I had learned from YouTube, is that, the light coming through the leaves of a tree will actually show the crescent sun as the eclipse advances! I saw this for myself! And, this effect is visible whether or not the eclipse itself is total, partial, or annular. (Where the moon doesn’t quite cover the sun but leaves a full circle of light instead of totality.)

Total Solar Eclipse 2017. Crescent suns on the ground after totality as seen through the tree leaves. – 8/21/2017

There is another effect which is sometimes happens just before and after totality, called “shadow snakes”, in which these shimmering shadowy lines appear, but this is somewhat rare and I didn’t see this, but, in retrospect, I could see where it may have been close to happening.

As the light dims, which you do start to notice at around 85-90 percent totality, it looks different from the dimming of light when the sun sets normally or when clouds move in. And, you can “See” the moon’s shadow coming, as a darkening of the sky. It also looked to be changing to a darker blue, again, different from a normal sunset. And, the street and parking lot lights come on as well! Then, totality hits and it gets almost as dark as night much quicker than it would in a normal sunset. At this point, you can look at the sun without protection, with the naked ye, safely. And what a sight!

Total Solar Eclipse 2017. Sun in totality. Light from corona makes sun look like it is shining but in actuality, it is dark as it is covered by the moon, which one would see in person or with a better camera. – 8/21/2017

You do see the sun’s corona from behind the moon, which is a pitch black circle in the sky. You can also see stars and planets. I saw Venus, which, where it was, would be completely obscured by the sun’s light before and after totality. In the photo I took, the light of the corona does overwhelm the dark circle of the moon, and no photo does it justice.

The temperature does drop, though I was too engrossed in the eclipse to really notice it myself. Also, all along the horizon, you see distant light as in a sunset, but overhead and nearly to the horizon, it’s a night sky! They refer to this as a “360 degree sunset or sunrise” And it is really different and worth seeing.

Where I was, totality lasted about a minute and 56 seconds roughly. When the sun starts reappearing, there’s a sort of flash at one end of the moon’s rim making it look like a diamond ring. At this time it is no longer safe to look at the sun with the naked eye!

And, the light again looks different from normal sunlight. It first looks like the light is coming from a very powerful electric spotlight from far away, like standing in a big football or athletic field at night with only one light on, shining down on the filed. Then, still slowly but seemingly faster than before totality, the light starts coming back, still with that strange dimness, but then returns to normal. And, on the projection of the sun or through a pinhole viewer, you see a now reappearing and growing crescent sun, the crescent appearing on the opposite side.

Though the totality only lasts a very short time, the partial eclipse usually lasts about two hours, so you can still use the pinhole viewer to view the remaining partial eclipse.

In Conclusion – My Thoughts

Total Solar Eclipse 2017. Me just after the totality phase of the eclipse, as shown on the projection in the background. – 8/21/2017

I had considered staying where I lived to view the eclipse, where it would be 99.2 percent totality, but everything I’d read from those who had seen a total eclipse said that there was a huge difference, like the difference between “going to the prom vs actually getting married”, or “hitting 5 numbers in the lottery vs hitting 5 plus the mega or power number for the top jackpot”, so I went and it was worth it! It did take me 2 1/2 hours to get home using back roads, but I’d do it again even if it took me twice as long to get home! I found that the comparisons that I read about are true and I’m glad I went down to Salem to see my first total solar eclipse! It was quite a show and not one to be missed!

Here’s  the video I took during the eclipse. Enjoy!

Happy Observing!

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Save $Money$ on Hotels with a VPN

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When traveling, most of us try to find the best deals for hotels. Hotels and lodging options often take a big bite out of your travel budget but finding deals are usually quite a challenge. Going through many comparison websites just to find the best deal can be time-consuming, though the worst part can be the fluctuating prices.

The main reason why it’s nearly impossible to pin down that elusive good deal is that those comparison websites usually track the location you’re accessing the site from. From this tracking, the sites give you prices based on where you browse from and demand the rate in your specific region. (Flight websites are the same, but you can also find deals on them with a VPN.)

Comparison websites track your location using:

  • Cookies – Cookies track and store your browsing history, which allows comparison sites to detect when you query the search engines for the same search item several times and as such increase the price of available hotels.
  • IP Address – Your IP address also known as Internet Protocol, is the easiest way travel sites are able to detect your location and therefore serve you different hotel prices accordingly.
  • Mobile tracking – The GPS feature on your mobile device, like your smartphone or tablet, can indicate your location. If you are browsing travel sites from your mobile device you will likely see different prices depending on your location.
  • Wi-Fi – If you give websites permission, they will be able to detect your location using your Wi-Fi.

Here’s how to save money on hotels

August is a big month for summer holidays and travel. We decided to check out staying at a luxury hotel, The Goring, in London. This five-star hotel is right next to Westminster Palace, the hub of United Kingdom and right on the doorstep of the Queen herself.

If this place seems a little too pricey, don’t worry. What we’re showing you can be used with any hotel.

We decided to stay for a week from August 11th to 18th on our fictional holiday and the prices below are per day of stay. Here is the original cost of staying at The Goring for one adult:

As you can see, £475 per night for one adult is quite steep even with the promotional offer of 11% off but is the best price available with free cancellation.

Browse from a lower income country

Using a VPN, set your IP address to a lower income country and watch the price difference. For example, if you set your IP address to a server in Indonesia whilst browsing the comparison site Kayak, you will see the prices in the native Indonesian currency. Quickly Google the exchange rate to find out the cost.

A single night’s stay at The Goring costs 8,078,384 Rupiah. However exchanged into GBP, that becomes £470, £5 lower than the original price. It isn’t much, but it adds up over the week stay.

However, if we were to change our IP address to the USA, the price changes again.

When we exchange currencies from USD to GBP we find that the price has gone down from the original £475 to £392, which is a saving of a whopping £83 per day. Over the week that adds up to £581 saved! Whilst in London that can be turned into a shopping spree or a luxurious few days at a spa. Even though the timing for the bookings is the same, the prices vary from the original.

Although browsing from lower income countries typically results in lower hotel rates, it is not always true. Take for example Greece, which has been hit with increasing amounts of debt since the financial crisis of 2008-2009. Greece recently joined the European Union and in doing so rid itself of its former currency and now uses the Euro.

When we exchange the currency of the Euro to GBP the price actually increases by £1. It is not a monumental increase, but you don’t want to be spending more if you don’t have to.

The greatest saving we found happened to be using an Argentinian server:

When we exchanged the Argentinian Peso to GBP we found the price to be £387, which is an even greater saving of £88 per day. This low price is also because of the promotional offer of 18% off as can be seen above.

Not only have we saved due to the currency exchange, but we also saved from a promotional offer on the comparison site itself. Double win! With prices like these, staying in a luxury five-star hotel in the middle of London just got more affordable.

When quoting hotel prices, comparison sites consider your location, the currency you pay with along with the point of sale, and other factors. It is common for customers in different countries using different currencies to see different prices for the hotel.

It goes without saying that if you are looking to save money on hotel bookings, without wasting too much time going through the different sites for a good deal, your best bet is to simply hide your location using a VPN.

Alternative ways of saving money on Hotels

Clear your browsing history

As mentioned earlier, comparison sites track your location and browsing history based on the cookies stored in your browser. They take that information and adjust the prices accordingly. Clearing your cookies and browsing data can help to reset those prices and allow you to see the initial booking cost of your hotel.

However, there is no guarantee that you will be able to secure the cheaper prices you seek, just as if you were browsing anonymously using a private browser session or VPN. It may be beneficial to use the international version of a comparison site e.g. (.co.uk) for Britain or (.in) for India to see different price quotes for hotel bookings, so you may get lucky.

Choose Off-Peak times of the year

If you are more concerned with saving money rather than the time of year you’d like to book your hotel stay, consider booking a hotel during off-peak periods.

Off-peak periods tend to be during the school term as well as when there isn’t a public holiday coming up. Choosing these times to book your hotel getaway can significantly lower the price you’re offered compared to when everyone else is also booking their hotels at peak times.

Is it legal?

If you’re worried about the legalities of using a VPN to book your hotels, rest assured thatcomparison sites don’t have a problem with this. These sites quote different prices for customers in different locations and browsing with a VPN can help you take advantage of these differences and make a considerable saving.

Looking for a good VPN to save money on hotels? Check out our top VPNs.

 

Rank Our Score User Rating
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Stuck In A Rut? Give Yourself a New Lease Of Life!

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Life can get busy, and before you know it; you’ve been stuck in a routine that you don’t particularly enjoy. Repetitive tasks, jobs, and behavior can have a negative impact on your mood if you find them unfulfilling and if you’re growing tired or feeling stressed and fatigued. Therefore, you might need to shake things up a little and make some vital changes. Change and new experiences is often a positive thing, and you’ll give yourself a new lease of life and the boost you need to continue feeling motivated. The following are some ideas for those who feel their stuck in a lifestyle rut that’s no longer making them happy.

Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/sunset-sun-silhouette-orange-36463/

 

It’s Time To Travel

 

A break from you’re used to doing or seeing will enrich your mind and help to give you a boost; especially when you’re enjoying new things in another country. Backpacking, or booking a vacation can seem a little intimidating, so book your first trip for a short time, and you’ll see (and feel) what a positive impact it’s had on your life. Check out sites like Shape.com and discover where you should be heading to clear your head and soak up a different way of life. You’ll return from your trip inspired and full of ideas; it could have the butterfly effect that you life needs and you’ll begin to make more changes as a result. Many say that nothing good comes out of your comfort zone; keep this saying in mind when you’re off on your travels and step out of your routine with vigor and enthusiasm for the best results possible.

 

A Career Upgrade Or Change

 

Being stuck in a job you hate will impact your mind and health badly; you spend a large majority of your time at work, so you should be somewhat happy with your situation. You may well return from your travels inspired to do something new or develop your skills further in your current field. Take a look at websites like DontPayFull.com for some vouchers or deals on retraining and qualifications; focusing on developing the new you will bring you happiness every day, and you’ll be able to enjoy the challenges of life, rather than dread them. If you’re determined to stay in your chosen career path; ask your boss about your options and future in their company so that you’ll be able to decide whether to move on to a new role somewhere else. There’s nothing less motivating at work than no prospects, so it’s time to create your own.

 

Do More Of What You Love

 

Sometimes the simplest things in life will make you the most happy and can help to beat stress; so take a step back and think about what, who, or where makes you the happiest. Once you’ve figured out your happy places; spend more time in them. Learn to say no to things you’re not going to enjoy; life is short and you’re not being selfish by putting your health and wellbeing first. The sooner you prioritize getting out of our rut; the quicker you’ll feel a new zest for life.

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Beat The Commute – How To Work From Home More Often

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Most full-time workers hate their morning commute. It takes too long. It’s stressful. There is never anywhere to park. These are just some of the complaints from commuters who have to drive to work. There are, of course, many more. What if you could eliminate the commute from your day? Would it make any difference? The technology exists for many workers to work from home. Is it something you would consider?

 

Why Would You Want To Work From Home?

The average commute in the US is over four hours per week. In other countries, it can be much higher. These are the hours of your life when you can achieve little else. You have to focus on the road, even if the traffic is stationary. Worst of all, you’re not getting paid for those hours, yet you have to sacrifice them to get to work.

 

The cost of commuting, even by car, is much higher than you would think too. The fuel costs can be very high if you have long distances and lots of stops and starts. There is wear and tear on the car too. The cost to the environment can be quite substantial too. It’s not just the exhaust fumes you might worry about. The particles in the air from brake pads and tires are now known to be causing ill health for those that live close to main roads.

Image credit

 

Parking’s not a lot of fun either. It costs a lot to leave your car in a garage all day, and the time taken to find a spot is more time you lose from your day. Then, of course, are all the accidents that occur during the morning and evening commutes. According to this car accident lawyer, the losses you might experience from a typical crash could extend far beyond a couple of days wages.

 

Would My Boss Approve?

More and more big businesses are keen to be seen as supporting the varied lifestyles of employees. This can include workers with school-aged children and those that have additional needs in the workplace. If working at home means you are more productive, then why wouldn’t your boss agree? Take the commute out of your day, and you’re likely to be less stressed, less tired, and less likely to start the working day late!

 

Not all bosses are happy to let the employees work remotely. There is a trust issue there. You might need to prove yourself first. Why not ask to take a single day working from home? You’ll have a chance to get a feel for it as well as proving to your boss that you are productive.

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Some managers firmly believe that face-to-face meetings work best for team collaborations. It’s worth proposing video conferencing as an option here. It is also possible to stay logged on to a video call all day so your boss can see you are at the computer and working. This might feel like an invasion of privacy, though, especially as you are in your home. However, you might prefer it like this as you can still feel like you’re part of the office culture. Of course, cloud-based collaborative working will confirm you’re online, and your colleagues will see your input as it happens.

 

How Do I Set Up My Home For Working?

The most important thing you need is a high-speed internet connection and a good computer. This is often all a remote office worker needs. The rest will depend on your home lifestyle. If you live alone, you might be happy sitting on the sofa working. Of course, an appropriate desk and chair are less likely to cause back pain, neck pain, and postural problems!

 

A dedicated home office is ideal if you have a family at home with you. It gives you a separate environment for work to your home life. It will also be quieter, and you can work undisturbed while your family gets on with things elsewhere in the house. If you have to handle hard copies of documents, it’s essential you have a fireproof lockable cabinet to keep these things private and protected.

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Many people like working from home because they can enjoy TV in their lunch breaks and the chance to catch up with housework and cooking. However, it can be really easy to let your work life and home life leak into each other. This isn’t always a good idea and can lead to stress and even overworking.

 

Ideally, you should have a cut-off point or set hours for working that are similar to what you would have in the office. Yes, you should definitely get up, shower, and dress every day for work. It just puts you in a better. More professional mind-set for the job. Why not try a fifteen-minute walking commute around the block each day? It’s good exercise and is a healthy approach to working from home.

 

How Often Should I Work From Home?

Many freelancers and self-employed people work only from home. If you have a job, then you might only be able to work from home once or twice a week. The choice is down to you and your boss. Sometimes it’s nice to head back into the office for some company. Life at home can get quite hectic when you have to work there as well!

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Working from home should be beneficial to you and your employer. It shouldn’t just be about saving costs and time. You should feel less stressed and more productive, and that should be evident in your work. How many days a week will this be true? Every day can be different. The number of days you choose to work from home might vary from week to week.

 

Beating the commute is certainly something most of us wish we could do. Working from home might be just one answer to the problem. Moving closer to your office, or taking a job closer to home could change your commute dramatically. Would you prefer to work from home more often?

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Seven Steps To Financial Freedom

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Things like retiring can seem like a long way off for many. But if you are in the same situation now as you are then, will you even be able to afford to retire? Many of us do just put it to the back of our minds as it can seem like so far off. But it can come around quite quickly. And if you’ve not put any plans in place, then you can get there, and you won’t be prepared at all. So here are some steps to take and tips to follow, so that you can be better with your finances and be able to enjoy life (and retirement). Money and financial concerns can be a massive stress in your life, but it doesn’t need to be.

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Plan Early On

 

No matter your age, it is never too early to start planning for the future. You might think that you only need to start planning for your retirement or later years when you are in your forties or fifties. But really, you should be planning for your retirement at any age. Think about how much money you could save by putting aside a hundred dollars a month for the next thirty years. That is a lot of money; over 35,000 dollars! So starting early can mean that you enjoy life later on and achieve financial freedom. Look for a good savings account to set up and just get started. There is no time like the present.

Set a Budget

If you don’t already live by a budget, then that needs to change pretty quickly. If you don’t plan your finances, then you are planning to fail with them. When you don’t set or stick to a budget, you could get into debt, and things could spiral out of control. And if you’re not keeping track of what you earn and what you spend, you can easily get into debt. It is tempting to just spend on a credit card when you have no idea what is in your bank account. So sit down and figure out how much money you have coming in each month. You can then figure out how much you spend each month on the necessities of life, like your bills and groceries, for example. From there, you can decide how much you can save a month. Then what is leftover, is what you have for other things. You can still have fun when you set a budget. It just means that you’re living within your means and not spending what you don’t have. You don’t want to get into your later years with masses and masses of debt. So start early by setting a budget, and then most importantly, stick to it.

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Earn an Extra Income

If you are looking at your finances and feel that at the moment, you can’t save any money each month, as what comes in goes right back out, then you could look for ways to earn a second income from home. If you can earn an extra income from home, by doing relatively little, then why not get that extra income? It could be used for savings or put towards special things like vacations or family events. So why not look online for 70+ legit work from home jobs with no start-up fees? If it doesn’t cost you anything to set it all up, then it makes it easy to get started, with much less pressure too. So what are you waiting for?

Keep Savings Separate

As has been said, setting up a savings account is a really good idea. You can earn a good rate of interest on your money, which is much better than it sat in a low-interest checking account. The key to having a separate savings account is that the money is gone right away. If it sits in your current account, then it can be tempting to spend it. So with a savings account, it certainly is out of sight and out of mind, which can only be a good thing when you’re trying to save. So keep things separate where you can. It will help!

Consider Your Family Situation

What you can save as a family will depend on your family situation. So talk with your family about what they are doing to prepare for the future. If you have a spouse, what are their plans for the future? Are they saving too? If they aren’t, then you need to think about potential pensions and what it will cover. Will there be enough for your spouse or any dependents that you might have? It can feel like a bit of an awkward conversation to have. But it is a really important conversation to have.

Look For Ways To Invest

If you have some spare cash, or you want to use some of your savings, then investing in the right thing could be a really good option to make more money. If you’re new to investing, then it could be worth speaking to a financial planner, for example. As they could guide you to the right thing for you to invest in (though nothing is ever a guarantee). You could look at something like matched betting or the stock market, if you think that you have knowledge in those areas. It helps to feel confident in what you are investing in, as otherwise, you could sell your shares too early if you’re lacking confidence in it. So speak to others for guidance, but only go for what feels right. But it could be worth a try in order to maximize your savings and help you to prepare for the future.

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Be Frugal

It is nice to have nice things in life. But it is also nice to have the necessary things in life. So get in the habit of only spending what you need. If you are a bit of a shopaholic, then it could be detrimental to your future, especially if you haven’t budgeted well and keep spending money that you don’t always have. So learn to be more frugal in your life. It could be that you repair clothes rather than buying new ones or you make more of your own food from scratch, rather than eating takeout that costs more. You could grow some of your own food, as well as looking at cheaper alternatives for things in the home. Switching brands for things like washing powder, including making your own, could certainly save you quite a bit of money. So why not give it a try? Make sure you assess what needs and wants are in your life too. Do you really need those new shoes because your other pairs are falling apart? Or are they just pretty and you only want them? Questions like these will help you to live within your means and save. Standing you in good stead for the future.

The bottom line is that there are several factors that will affect your retirement, and they need to be dealt with now. You are the one that can decide the future of your finances, making sure that you enjoy your life later on. So start today and make some changes, even if it is just setting a budget or opening a savings account. If you’re already in your retirement years, then these things still apply and can be started at any point. Starting will make things easier, no matter what stage of life you are currently in.

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I Can’t Stress The Importance Of Beating Stress Enough…

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Stress is something that all of us will encounter at one stage or another. Unfortunately, though, many of us find ourselves coming up against it on an increasingly frequency basis.   

 

Knowing how to fight stress is essential if you want to lead an enriched life. After all, those mental strains will take their toll on virtually every aspect and activity. Here are five ways to reduce the damage caused by your next bout while also reducing the likelihood of it coming back anytime soon.

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#1. Pay Attention To Your Needs

 

In this fast-paced modern world, it’s very easy to get our priorities in a muddle. Overlooking the importance of self-care and attention is one of the most common issues. This guide to giving your mind and soul the TLC it deserves can have a huge impact on your mental state of mind. Furthermore, it should go a long way to boosting physical health as well as the way you are received by others. Perfect.

 

#2. Spend Time With Loved Ones

 

People are the central focus for happiness in this life. Many people go through their adult lives without seeing their nearest and nearest nearly enough. Of course, social media and video chats are a great substitute. However, there’s nothing like human interaction to relieve the sense of stress. Family hikes and bike rides can be particularly good as the exercise releases endorphins too. Meanwhile, making time for seeing friends is vital too. If nothing else, it gives you a chance to open up about those fears.

 

#3. Build A Happier Home Environment

 

Home is the foundation of your lifestyle, and it has a huge impact on daily activities. If those four walls are making you unhappy, it will quickly become a major source of stress. Even if funds are tight, you can easily transform your home with a few coats of paint. A decluttering session will also make the property look and feel far bigger. Add a few house plants, and everything will start to feel more relaxed.

 

#4. Don’t Become A Victim

 

Life is hard enough without mistakes. Personal errors are a great source of frustration. In truth, though, nothing will harm your mental state quite like being the victim of mistreatment. There is help out there to fight those moral and financial injustices. Whether it’s contacting car accident lawyers or the local workers union, the expert touch can be hugely helpful. You don’t have to fight those battles alone. The sooner you realize it, the better.

 

#5. Avoid The Unknown   

 

There’s no greater stress than worrying about the unknown. Worse still, there are many occasions where you’ll be fearing things that are solely in your head. This is most common when dealing with health aspects. Speaking to a medical expert is the only solution. Meanwhile, prescription discount cards can remove the financial fears. Getting into the habit of self-diagnosis is only going to harm your emotional health as you’ll never have concrete answers. Besides, if there is an issue, it’s better to fight it early.

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