Monthly Archives: January 2020

Unknown's avatar

How To Save Money On Home Repairs

by

Pixabay. CCO Licensed.

Home repairs are one of the biggest expenses of being a homeowner. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce the cost of home repairs. Here are just a few ways to make home repairs less expensive.

Know when to go DIY

Taking on repairs yourself can save you the cost of having to hire contractors. However, you should be careful of which repair jobs you attempt. If you’re not DIY-savvy you could botch up the repair and then pay more to get this fixed. There are also some jobs such as electrics and roof repair that can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. The key with any home repairs is to do your research. How-to blogs and YouTube tutorials can be great for teaching DIY skills.

Use your network

There may be people in your close network with handyman experience that you can call upon. They may be able to offer their services at a discount or even for free (providing it’s not a major repair). Such people are also likely to be trustworthy if you know them relatively well.

Shop around for contractors

If you decide to use contractors, make sure to shop around. By collecting lots of quotes, you can find the best price. Make sure to also research into the reputation of contractors so that you hire a company with a good track record. Positive reviews and glowing testimonials are often a sign that a company is reliable and trustworthy.

Source your own parts and materials

Many contractors are able to source parts and materials for you, but it could be cheaper to source them yourself. Contractors will generally try to make a profit on any parts or materials that they have to buy, so you’re better off buying yourself directly. You can find niche parts such as Berkeley pumps online for affordable prices. You can also find discounted materials online by opting for reclaimed materials.

Time it right

If the repairs don’t need to be made urgently, it could be worth waiting until the right time to schedule repairs. You’ll often find that many contractors lower their prices in January when there’s less demand (fewer people can afford repairs after Christmas and so many companies reduce their prices to attract business). Certain repairs may also have a seasonal demand – you may find that looking into repairs out of season saves you money. For instance, heating system repairs are generally cheaper in summer, while air conditioning unit repairs are cheaper in winter.  

Take preventative action

The best way to save money on home repairs is to take preventative action where possible. When making upgrades to your home or buying new appliances, don’t just settle for cheap low-quality options. Investing in decent appliances that are built to last and hire professional companies to carry out renovations so that you know you’re getting high quality results. Certain repairs can also be cheaper when made early. For instance, it pays to fix leaks from pipes early – ignoring them for some time could result in water damage to walls and ceilings, plus your water bill is likely to be very high.   

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

Taking The Next Step On The Career Ladder

by

Have you started the year with grand plans to try and get a promotion or secure your dream job? Are you preparing to leave college? Are you thinking about changing career? If so, you may be wondering how to go about making your goals a reality. If you’re keen to take that all-important next step on the career ladder, this guide should come in handy. 

Picture taken from https://pixabay.com/illustrations/business-carrier-company-earth-764929/

Applying for a new job tips

If you’ve spotted an opportunity at your current place of employment, or you’ve seen an advert that has made you think twice about staying with your employer, it’s wise to take time to prepare your application. Before you fire off a resume and craft a quick cover letter, take a few moments to read the resume, and make sure it is up to date and relevant to the position in question. It’s a good idea to tweak your resume, even if you’ve recently updated it. Look at the job description carefully and tailor your application to ensure it ticks all the boxes. When revising or reviewing your resume, remember that employers skim through applications. You need to be concise and clear, highlight your strengths and stand out from the crowd. If you get through the first stage, and you’re invited for an interview, prepare thoroughly. Try and preempt questions, run through presentations several times and practice speaking aloud. This will help you stay calm and confident and make sure you don’t miss any key points. 

Improving your chances of moving up the ladder

If you’re hoping to get a promotion this year, or you want to try and apply for a more senior role, there are various steps you can take. One of the most beneficial things you can do is take advantage of training and development opportunities and further study. If you lack experience, or you haven’t got the qualifications you need to progress in your chosen industry, look at courses and programs you can take. If you have dreams of becoming a real estate agent, check out real estate training programs. If you want to be a team leader in a sales office, undertake management training. If mentoring has got you thinking about being a teacher, explore courses you could take to make this step. There are possibilities in almost every field and sector. Even if you don’t get the job you want first time around, having extra skills and qualifications on your resume will benefit you moving forward. 

Changing career

Changing career might not be the easy path to take, but it could bring incredible rewards. If you’re unhappy in your current job, or you know you want to be doing something else, why not start taking steps towards getting the job you do want? Find out what kinds of qualifications you need and look for training opportunities and internships to gain experience. Search for entry-level posts and sign up with recruitment agencies that specialize in your chosen field. 

Image courtesy of https://pixabay.com/photos/job-interview-interview-job-3410427/

The arrival of a new year often makes us think about what we want to achieve in the months ahead. If you dream of getting a new job or securing a promotion at work, hopefully, this guide will point you in the right direction.

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

Making New Friends As An Adult

by

It can be hard for adults to make new friends. Maybe you’ve moved to a new place away from your old school friends, or maybe you’ve simply decided that it’s time for you to be more socially active. Whatever the case, your peers are out there. It might not be as easy to mingle with them as it was when you were in school, but there are definitely ways to meet new people in your age range. And we’re not just talking about dating. Finding a partner is easy, given all of the dating apps out there, but what about finding friends? The following pieces of advice should help you to start making new friends as an adult.

Picture Source

Go out in your local town or city.

It might seem like a rather basic piece of advice, but simply going out in your local town or city is one of the best ways to meet new people. Obviously, you have to go out to the right places. You could start by going to your local coffee shop and having a quick lunch break there. Maybe you could even ask if there are any local groups or clubs that gather there, but that’ll be discussed in the final point. You might also want to visit your local pub on quiz night. You could meet some great people by doing that. You might end up in a team with some new people, and that could spark some new friendships.

Try new things.

You should also try new things if you want to make some new friends. It’s good to get out into the world and explore. This is about going beyond the suggestions in the first point. You should try adventurous things to both have new experiences and meet new people. You could take up biking and take part in events, for example. If that were to take you from place to place, you might want to check out these roof racks. You could store your bike safely on the roof of your car when you take it to events.

Picture Source

Join a club.

As has been discussed throughout this article, getting out into the world and trying new things will help you to meet new people. You can make new friends on nights out or by stepping out of your comfort zone and trying adventurous new things that you might not usually do. But how do you make lasting friends that you’ll see more than once or twice? Well, joining a club is a good place to start. Think about an interest you have, and do some research to find groups of like-minded people in your local area.
Maybe you love reading, for example. So, you could find a book club in your nearest town or city. You’d be around fellow readers, and you could make some new friends. Obviously, you don’t have to choose a book club; you need to find a club that suits your interests. When you find people with fellow interests, you’ll already have some sort of connection before you’ve even got to know each other. That’s the great thing about joining a club. You’ll find a group of people that you can see on a regular basis, and you might just make some new friends.

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

Modernizing Your Healthcare Practice

by

So many small doctors surgeries are precisely the same as they were 10, 20 or even 30 years ago. They have the same uncomfortable school seating, and possibly even the same magazines and outdated leaflets. Their practices are also the same. The booking systems are difficult and largely ineffective; there’s no online presence; they just exist to get a job done. While this is great, and doctors should focus on the core reason for their existence; diagnosis and treatment. They still need to move with the times. If you run a healthcare practice, small or large, you should be looking at ways to modernize. To become a practice that offers more and maintains trusting relationships with your patients. Like any other business, your healthcare practice needs to grow and develop. It needs to make money. Let’s look at some of the ways that you could make things a little more modern. Starting with ditching those ten-year-old mags. 

Source – CC0 Licence

Get Social

All successful businesses today utilize social media. You might not think that it’s a place for a healthcare provider, but it can be. On a basic level, you can use social media to communicate important information and changes, such as new opening hours, to your customers. But, you can also use it to answer their questions and offer extra content. In the winter, something simple like a short video explaining how to fight flu can be exceptionally effective. 

A healthcare blog could also be a useful addition to your practice. Use it to share more seasonal content, such as defeating hay fever in the spring, and posts about any illnesses that are going around. Use your internet presence to educate patients, and the wider community and give them ways to improve their health and protect themselves. 

Change the Design of Your Practice

The design and layout of your practice need to be practical. Your staff need to have the space for everything that they need to work. Their offices need to be close to other rooms that they might use. It should be spacious, and the reception area needs plenty of space and accessibility. But, it needs more than that. With the help of Perfect Practice, you could design a practice that is welcoming. That can help your patients to feel safe, and give them a chance to take greater control over their health. 

Become More Involved in Your Community

In days gone by, local healthcare practices were a big part of the community. People met there to attend groups and classes, and waiting rooms were filled with chatter. This community spirit is sadly lacking in the modern world, but it is something that can easily boost mental health. So, think about ways that your practice can inject some community spirit. You could start by offering extra support, running breastfeeding support clinics, advice sessions for elderly patients looking to get more exercise, and even things like fun art therapy sessions. Advertise these sessions online, and when possible, try to run them outside of your practice, to bring new patients in and help educate and support the wider community.

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

Effective Ways To Reduce Car Repair Expenses

by

Everyone knows how expensive car ownership can be. Automobile experts and non-drivers alike understand that the cost of driving is typically quite high. There are many expenses that drivers must cover, including insurance, fuel, and even cleaning. Car repair is another expense that can easily cost you a small fortune. This cost is among the most frustrating too, as most repairs can be prevented. If you’re worried about the cost of repairs, here are six effective ways to save. 

Credit To – CC0 License

Read The Owner’s Manual

An effective way to lower car repair costs is to prevent car repairs. Although accidents can cause serious damage, most car troubles are the result of poor maintenance. Because of this, you should read your owner’s manual, paying close attention to the maintenance schedule. Following this schedule will help to keep your car in good condition, preventing breakdowns. 

Put Yourself To Work

Owning a vehicle is a huge responsibility. Along with driving safely, you must look after the car. Most mechanics will happily carry out any maintenance or repair tasks for you if you ask them to, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they should. There are countless repairs you can DIY, such as replacing dead batteries. Carrying out these repairs yourself will work out much cheaper. 

Find The Right Mechanic

When you come across a repair you can’t handle, allowing an expert to help makes sense. After all, you don’t want to cause any additional damage. However, before handing over your keys, you should research the mechanic you’ve chosen. Having customers and the right insurance doesn’t make a mechanic good. Finding a reputable expert is sure to save you money in the long run. 

Hunt For Cheaper Parts

Having to replace a part will significantly increase the cost of any repair. That is why you should source the parts yourself. Whether you need Mercedes, Audi, or Porsche parts, you must hunt for them online. Not only does this give you an option to purchase second-hand parts, but brand new parts typically work out cheaper too. Just search for what you need and compare prices. 

Make Use Of Warranties

Any vehicle purchased from a dealership usually comes with a warranty. This warranty might cover the entire car or certain parts, and could come with a limited or lifetime guarantee. To learn what guarantee you have, you should check your receipt or contact the dealership. If your vehicle is still in warranty, make sure you take it to that dealership any time you need repairs carried out. 

Credit To – CC0 License

Slow Down Your Driving

Driving efficiently will help to keep your vehicle healthy. Sticking to the speed limit and avoiding harsh braking will not only prevent car trouble but reduce the likelihood of car accidents too. Whether you passed your driving test last week or several decades ago, there is always room for improvement. Consider how you could be a better driver and take the actions necessary. 

Vehicle repairs can easily cost a small fortune, but with the effective advice above, you can reduce the expense and lower your motoring costs.

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

Feeling The Pinch As A Student – Here’s What To Think About

by

January can be a great month for setting goals and making plans for the year ahead. You may have a whole host of resolutions you want to embark on, and you might be filled with the inspiration and motivation to get things done. But there is the other side of January that many of us know all too well. It is often referred to as the January blues, and more often than not, this is because people start to feel the pinch of the festive spending, and really struggle to make ends meet or pay off debts. So how as a student can you combat that? With that in mind, here are some of the ideas you could implement right now that could help you to see some improvement to your financial situation, and therefore, enabling you top put all of your efforts back into those new year’s resolutions and study. 

Image source – Pixabay – CC0 License

Take a look at your outgoings and make some changes

One of the first things to do is look at your outgoings and what is coming in and see if any changes could be made. Perhaps looking at your bills might highlight some direct debits you didn’t realise were leaving your account. You could also look at rejigging your finances, perhaps researching things like student loan refinancing or balance transfers for things like credit card debt. You can also think about things like reducing the costs of travel, while still getting the experiences that you want. There are websites like NST that could be a great way to expand your horizons as a student, but keeping the costs down. There are often things you can action to help ease your financial strain, and sometimes our current situation identifies areas of improvements. Doing this could also highlight where you might be overspending, which leads me nicely on to my next idea for helping you improve your financial situation. 

Could you be saving on the food bill without sacrificing?

Your food spend could often be one of the biggest outgoings you have after rental payments or debt repayments, so you may want to look at some of the ways you can make a difference to this, without sacrificing what you eat. First of all, meal planning can be a great way to lower your weekly spend. Knowing what you plan to eat can help you to write a list of what you need, which then helps you to deter from buying anything else. You could also consider changing where you shop, which could also see you decrease what you spend. One last thing when it comes to food is staying away from the brands, and trying supermarket own brands instead. They can offer a huge saving on your overall shopping spend. 

Got anything lying around you don’t want anymore?

Finally, there is money lying around. You may even be looking at it, you may know it is hiding in a drawer or wardrobe. We all can hoard things at times, but now is a great opportunity to declutter some of the things you no longer want and pop them for sale on websites like eBay. It can be a great way to boost your income in a month that feels like it is so long. Plsu doing this can help you get organised for study ahead this year. 

Let’s hope that these ideas help you to get back on the straight and narrow with your finances this month. 

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

Don't Work Harder, Learn Smarter (4 Genius Tactics For Learning At College Level)

by

If you are a college student hitting the books, knowing about the most effective ways to learn is vital to success. Sadly, many people still believe that just reading textbooks over and over is the best path to educational achievement. Of course, this is not the case. In fact, there are several strategies you can use to make learning much less laborious while also ensuring it is as effective as possible. Read on to find out what they are. 

Interact with the information you are given 

One of the most significant changes in the way we see college level learning over the last few years is interaction. That is doing things with the information you have been given rather than just trying to memorize it by rote. 

In fact, there are two main ways to approach this. One is to use a hypothetical situation and apply the knowledge you have to it. This being something that can be done via formal questioning, role play, and even creative writing. 

While the other is to find ways to play and interact with the information that you are working with. Happily, this is not as difficult as it first sounds. In fact, you can easily do things such as make bingo cards online now that are customized to the info you are using. Something that will allow you and your peers to consolidate your knowledge in a much more fun and interactive way. 

Use sketch notes 

Another popular way of working smarter rather than harder is to use a technique known as sketch notes. This is a combination of concise written notes and visual representations of what is being covered. 

The idea is that most people find it much easier to think and remember things in pictorial form that in walls of text. You don’t even need to be good at drawing to do this as simple stick people and diagrams will get the job done. Just invest in a few different coloured pens and highlighters and a dotted journal and you are good to go. 

In fact, some people go so far as to create an entire lexicon of icons that can be used in their sketch notes. Something that allows them to structure their learning effectively, and can make it much easier to recall when it comes time to writing an assignment or sitting an exam. 

Keep organized 

Lastly, when it comes to making learning effective, it really pays to be as organized as possible. Yes, I know that this doesn’t come naturally to all of us, but setting up a simple folder system in real life and online can make such a difference. 

Picture located at Pixabay – License CC0

In fact, if you know precisely where your notes and activities for each subject are, it will stop a lot of procrastination that can occur before you sit down to study. What this means is the time you set aside for learning can be used much more effectively on the critical things. These things, such as the strategies listed above that will actually will make a difference to your performance and overall success. 

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

Things to Consider When Choosing a College

by

Deciding whether to go to college or to continue your education can be tricky enough. Choosing which college is right for you can take you even longer. There are lots of things to think about, from the location to the cost, and you want to get it right. Before you make your choice, consider the following things.

Your Field of Study

What you want to study is obviously going to be a factor in which college you choose. You won’t always know what major you want to choose, but you can still look for a range of subjects and classes that interest you. Of course, if you have something specific in mind, you can narrow your choices down further.

Location

When a college is will also make a difference to whether it’s right for you. It can be cheaper for you to attend a college closer to your home. However, looking elsewhere might give you opportunities that you otherwise wouldn’t get.

College Life

Academics are important, but most people also want to know what their college experience is going to be like. There are various things to consider, such as what sort of activities might be available or what clubs or societies you might be able to join.

Take Work Experience into Account

When you’re studying, it’s also smart to look ahead to the future. Finding work is usually the goal of continuing your education, so looking for a college that partners with employers and offers opportunities for work experience could serve you well.


Infographic Design By Northeastern University

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

Tips To Be A Greener Company

by

It’s no surprise that the subject of climate change weighs heavier than ever on the minds of everyone. The dramatic shifts in weather patterns and the increase of waste that we as humans produce is having a severe effect on the earth. It could result in fewer generations being able to enjoy the wonderful planet that we live on. As a business, there are things that can be done to help improve that. Here are some tips to be a greener company. 

Image Source

Recycle Your Electronics

Technology is evidently one of the most important things for most businesses nowadays. It helps quicken work processes and makes them more effective. It can help us cheat time and do more than we humans are able to do without it. However, as much as technology is advancing, it does mean that older computer models and other electronics can slow down to the point of being more of a hindrance than a help. Recycling your electronics is a great way of helping contribute to a more greener way of working as a business. By doing electronic recycling, you are helping cut down on those elements of a machine or device that could be used or worked on in order to make a new machine out of recycled materials. There are plenty of e-waste recycling services out there, so start building a collection and get more of your electronic equipment recycled. 

Be More Mindful Of Waste

Waste is something we all create a certain amount of on a daily basis, and that can add up over the course of our lifetime. Reducing your carbon footprint and the impact you have on the environment, in general, is essential. There is a lot more that you can do in a business to reduce your waste, especially as you are contributing more because of its size. Being more mindful of the waste you create is important, so start looking at the areas where waste is being created. Whether that’s through the stationary that’s used or what is or isn’t being recycled or disposed of properly. There are lots of areas in the business where waste is created, so it’s worth exploring and trying to reduce where possible. 

Teach Staff To Be More Resourceful 

Being more resourceful can be advantageous. Your staff are where that can be implemented in a number of ways. Could your staff use less of stationary or perhaps only use the kitchen’s appliances a limited time each day? One less kettle boiled or sheet of paper wasted can all help contribute. Some of these changes may seem very insignificant or pointless but can make a difference in the grand scheme of things. If your business can help influence the minds of your staff, then they might end up being more resourceful in other areas of their life, outside of work. This domino effect is what can end up making our world a healthier place in general.

Go Paperless

With technology being such a much-needed requirement for most businesses, there’s really very little use for paper. Wasting paper on documents that could easily be created on a computer and kept online or in files on a workstation, is going to affect the amount of impact your company has on the environment. Think about how your business might be able to provide a more paperless work environment or to remove the need for paper completely. It is possible to achieve in this modern day and age, so try to do it to some degree where you are able to.

Contribute To The Community

As a business, the community that exists around you is one that is important to involve your company in. When change for the sake of the local environment is needed, the focus is usually pinpointed to businesses that exist there. Doing what you can to contribute to a greener environment is essential, and that might involve sponsoring or contributing to local initiatives that work on making the surrounding area a more greener place to live or work in. Start connecting with these outlets where possible and show those around you that you’re making a visible effort to contribute positively, instead of doing nothing at all. 

A greener company is always going to be beneficial, not only to your company but for all those you work with and for. Leading by example is essential, and the more you can do to help make the world a greener place, the better. Try to implement some of these changes where you’re able to. 

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

Health Advice for Nurses and Other Healthcare Professionals

by

Working as a nurse or any other healthcare professional can be a tough job. You’re often on your feet all day and can be asked to carry out long shifts of 12 hours or sometimes even more. Staying healthy as a nurse can be difficult, but it’s possible if you know how.

Stay Comfortable on Your Feet

When you’re on your feet all day, it’s often a struggle not to go home with sore feet, legs and a bad back. One of the most important things you can have is a comfortable pair of shoes with plenty of support, which should also be practical for wearing in the workplace.

Balance Moving and Resting

It’s not always easy to find a chance to sit down and rest when working as a nurse, but it’s important to take any opportunities to do so. However, when you are on your feet, it’s better to try to move around, rather than standing still.

Pack Healthy Food

Instead of relying on the cafeteria at work or raiding the vending machine, it can be a smart idea to take lunch, dinner or even breakfast to work with you. That way, you know you have healthy food and snacks ready for you when you get the chance to eat them.

Know How to Survive the Night Shift

Working the night shift can be the hardest thing of all when working in healthcare. However, with a few solid tips, you can survive anything and still remain healthy, with adequate levels of sleep.


Visit Bradley University to learn more

Contributed Post.

If you like what you’ve read here, please let others know of this post, blog, and site.

And thanks for reading!  🙂