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The Approaches To Finding A Creative Career (Without The Financial Hardship)

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We all feel frustrated on occasion with our current career. We find that we are dissatisfied or we need to do something that gives us more fulfillment. As a result, we start to think about a more creative career. But before you leave your current job and dive into something that you are incredibly passionate about, you have to remember the importance of financial stability. Many people would love to do something creative but in the current climate, and in general, it can prove to be a struggle. But is there a balance to maintain? Can you choose a creative career that doesn’t involve you being a starving artist?

Taking The Opportunity To Research

There are so many courses out there that can point you in the direction of a creative career but this is only one piece of the puzzle. It’s crucial to do your research but even if you decide to do a degree in movie producing does this mean you will actually start being a producer when you finish? There are plenty of careers that have a structure but also gives you the opportunity to be creative. Marketing is a very good example. Because there are so many aspects of the marketing industry, from designing products to promoting, that you can find an entryway that suits you. You could partake in a product design masters course or learn the ropes in terms of social media marketing or PR. There are so many different opportunities out there that will rely on your ability to be creative to a certain extent. You need to find the right level for you.

The Importance Of Harnessing Your Skills

If you are looking to be creative in a certain area but you don’t necessarily have the skills you don’t have to jump ship on your career. In fact, you could turn this into a hobby rather than anything else which means you have the stability of a career. It’s a very hard balance to get right. You need to be earning a regular wage but you also need to feel that you are being challenged. And this is why you have to take a long hard look at your current skills and see where these can apply in another creative outlet. For example, if you are a people person and you like working in groups there are creative careers that you may not have considered to be traditionally creative. Being a teacher is a good example. These days there are so many online opportunities to teach English as a foreign language that you can harness your creative skills in a more traditional sense. Because if you’re not willing to start all over again and undertake a new course it’s important to look at what you already have that you can sell. This is a very important thing to bear in mind when you are looking to change your career. Careers can be creative without being an art designer or working in the theater!

These two components will serve you well. It’s important to remember when choosing a creative career that if you have an aptitude for a certain type of career you may feel drawn to it but you still need to check if you have to get the relevant qualifications. And this is what will give you the edge.

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Power to the Filipina: Investments for Every Young Filipina Professional

Keeping up with every trend is the modern woman’s downfall. While you’re busy updating your social media, you miss out on the opportunity to invest your time and finances on what will truly make an impact on your future.

There’s no better time than today to step up your game by focusing on the more relevant things in life. This means long-term investments to yourself, your relationships, and your financial security.

Your Own Place

Many assume that investing in real estate when you’re young is for generating passive income. While it’s an opportunity that comes with buying a property, there are better reasons to do it. This is especially true if you’re getting one for the first time.

Scout for a condo unit for sale in Makati to establish your independence. Housing options like condominiums are best for those who are new to living alone.

The size of your property doesn’t end all your challenges, though. You might still fall into bad habits like eating out all the time or neglecting to clean. There’s also the strenuous task of keeping track of your bills and paying them on time. Consider these a test to your character and an excellent opportunity to grow. Nothing matures a person like surviving in the world alone, especially when you’re a woman. You’ll discover it makes you a more competent person, partner, and parent in the future.

Your Personal Network

Relationships are what makes life fulfilling. This is true in your social and professional circles. With the world a smaller place today, thanks to technology, you must grow your network to get ahead in life.

“Getting ahead” doesn’t always mean staying competitive in the workplace. It’s by building relationships with people from different demographics, races, and world views that you mature.

If you’ve always found it challenging to engage strangers, sign up for personal development skills training. Join a volunteer organization. Dare to go to events alone even if they make you uncomfortable. Expanding your network might mean trying new things and spending on membership fees, but they’re investments that guarantee many returns.

Your Own Business

Starting a business, no matter how small, is daunting. Even investing in somebody else’s company can leave you restless. The reason you need to dare anyway is that entrepreneurship gives you better chances of gaining financial security. While you can achieve it with high-paying jobs, there’s more freedom and opportunities when you’re the boss.

It’s not unheard of for young female entrepreneurs to rise in the ranks and create names for themselves. Consider Melanie Perkins, the CEO, and co-founder of Canva. She pitched the idea behind the platform at nineteen years old. A little over a decade since she’s grown the business to one billion dollars

Whatever you want to invest in, make sure it’s something you’re passionate about. You might not get it right the first time, and it’s rare to make it big soon after starting. What’s important is you’re setting the momentum for an endeavor that can change your finances five to ten years from now.

No Time to Wait

Buying your own place, meeting new people, and starting a business might not be things you’ve considered doing alone. There’s a popular notion that women should reserve these for later in life or after marriage.

Don’t let these dated opinions stop you. They haven’t stopped the many women who are already headed in the direction you’re aiming for.

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Why Stainless Steel Is The Choice For Commercial Sinks?

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When buying a sink for commercial purposes you need to give a greater level of contemplation to the decision you make. After all, a commercial sink is likely to be used a lot more frequently than one that is found in the home. Therefore the need for high levels of quality and durability are evident if you wish to benefit from a sink that is going to withstand excessive use and last for a long period of time. 

Your main area of concern should be regarding what type of material the sink is made from. In general, the main options at your disposal include; stainless steel, cast iron, glass, granite, stone, plastic, marble, ceramic, and terrazzo. Nonetheless, despite the vast selection, when it comes to commercial sinks stainless steel is the clear winner.

One of the main reasons why commercial stainless steel sinks, strainers, and sanitary tubing are the first choice for businesses is because of their low price tag. In comparison to most of the materials mentioned, you will find that stainless steel sinks are cheaper in cost. This is obviously particularly important when dealing with commercial use as businesses aim to keep their costs as minimised as possible. 

Aside from this, you will fail to find another sink with the vast levels of durability that stainless steel offers. This is extremely beneficial if you own a business, such as a restaurant, whereby the sink is going to be used non-stop throughout the majority of the day. You need not worry if you accidentally chuck pots and pans in the sink whilst in a rush. Your sink won’t chip or dent. If that wasn’t good enough, stainless steel is also stain-resistant too. Thus, you can rest assured you won’t need to experience the hassle of a repair or replacement anytime soon. 

In addition to this, commercial stainless steel sinks are really easy to maintain. You don’t need to buy any special cleaning products nor do you need to embark on extensive upkeep. This is especially advantageous when dealing with commercial sinks as it is unlikely you will have the time to spend time cleaning excessively. 

And let’s not ignore the aesthetic beauty of a stainless steel sink in your commercial kitchen. There is a wealth of different sink styles available in this material. Nonetheless, they all share the same qualities of looking sleek and shiny. Not only this, but they are easily matched with other commercial kitchen appliances and with the decor of the kitchen too.

Before concluding, there are different types of commercial stainless steel sinks available. You can differentiate based on obvious qualities, such as size. However, in order to reap the gains of the highest quality sink, you need to look for a higher percentage of nickel and chromium in the steel. Thus, seek a sink with either 18-8 or 20-10 printed on the product information.

If you are looking to purchase a sink for commercial purposes then look no further than one made from stainless steel. Not only are commercial stainless steel sinks affordable, but they are also highly durable, easy to maintain, pleasing on the eye, and versatile too.

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The top FOUR reframes for looking at Time, Money, and Success

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As I marched into the living room grabbing my laptop to begin tackling just one more project, I barked at my husband, “I don’t have enough time.” After all he did was so kindly offer a suggestion for my business. This was the stark reality of what my life was becoming when I entered my first business. I truly believed that more time in the business was the only vehicle to more income and more success.

Luckily, I was able to disarm this lie pretty quickly and I will preface this with, if I had not disarmed this immediately, I would not own a business today.

MORE TIME DOES NOT EQUAL MORE SUCCESS

Believing that more time spent in the business equals more success is a lie. Yes, time is certainly a factor, but working smarter not harder is truly the secret sauce. From then on I decided to lead with simplicity and intentionality in all that I did.

Now I want to share with you the top FOUR reframes for looking at time, money, and success differently.

These are rooted in simplicity, aren’t glamorous, but I promise, will help propel your success that much faster.

1. BELIEVE THERE IS PLENTY OF SUCCESS TO GO AROUND

Believe there is plenty to go around (abundance mindset) and do not say yes out of scarcity because it will bleed into the next tip.

I see so many entrepreneurs at varying stages in their businesses say yes to a project, contract, collaboration, basically any type of opportunity because of FOMO.

Let me just say that often these clients and opportunities are enticing and maybe they “could” be that stepping stone in getting you to where you want to be. However, here is a question I offer my clients to help them say yes from their best mindset, “if you were in the place you wish to be in six months, would you say yes to this client or opportunity?”

I am all for taking what you need to take to get started and seeing opportunities as stepping stones, but people tend to forget that opportunities are endless and that just as quickly as that one came, another will be on its way.

I say this because I want you to know and believe that you don’t have to take the breadcrumbs. There will always be another and better opportunity. Take some time to say yes. Often if you wait even just a few days, another one will have already presented itself, which could be even more ideal!

2. DON’T SCALE SO QUICKLY

This one is part two from the first tip. Here’s something to chew on, when you do your work with excellence, word will spread quickly—people will start talking about your ethic and happily share with others. 

And unfortunately, I see so many talented business owners have difficulty setting limits with themselves. They set out to take on a set amount of work, but they begin getting word-of-mouth referrals and rather than set a limit and say “I am booked solid at the moment and can put you on the waitlist or I’d love to offer you a referral,” they instead say YES and later shoot themselves in the foot.

I see this happening more often than you would think and it’s that fastest way to lose your business.  They are excited to see all the work come in so they do one of two things, take it all on themselves and spread themselves so thin, or begin contracting work or hire on someone to take on the work because they don’t want to miss out on an opportunity.

Then what happens next? They can’t keep up. They’ve maybe had a business just a few years, have never had employees, and realize they can’t keep up on their work, their contractors work, and the quality plummets.

Those loyal and happy customers are no longer happy anymore and decide to find someone else to replace you. Just as quickly as word of mouth spreads from happy customers, unhappy customers spread twice the speed. Now you are stuck paying a contractor or employee with no customers to serve. I know this may sound harsh, but I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen this happen.

So in a nutshell, don’t scale too quickly. Grow a solid base of happy and loyal customers. Serve them and serve them well. Keep that waitlist. Once you’ve got a good handle on running a FULL business, time management, and really have some trustworthy people you might be able to slowly pass some work to (not out of scarcity), then slowly scale.

3. SET REALISTIC INCOME GOALS

Set realistic income goals where you won’t burn out. This also plays off of the last point, don’t set an income goal for yourself just because.

It’s so important you are intentional with your reasoning behind your money goal. I hear so many new entrepreneurs say, “I want to have my first 10k month before Q2 for the year.” Ok that’s cool, but why? And how?

You made 3k in your business each month so far and now you want and need to make 6k extra starting next month? Just doesn’t make sense!

How about we first look at how long you’ve been in business, how much time you have to pour into your business, what type of resources you already have set up in business, then ask yourself, do I have the capacity to take on that much extra work right away (without burning out)? And lastly, where will this money go?

If there is no intention behind why you want to make it and you set that number only because you think you should or it sounds successful, you will not hit it.

Here is a reason to want to hit a specific goal, “to have enough money leftover that I can make a big dent in my student loans or to have enough saved up for our dream honeymoon.” When you can visualize where the money will go, it makes it more tangible.

But then ask yourself, “realistically, how long will it take me to pay off my student loan or save up for that honeymoon without burning out?” Set little mile markers based off of your past earnings, time available, and resources to help support this goal. Set yourself up for SUCCESS friend!

4. BET ON YOURSELF FIRST

I see so many entrepreneurs reinvest all of their money into ads before they fully understand what their business even is. Even in year FOUR of my coaching business, I’m hiring an agency for the first time to set up ads for my book launch. I’ve dabbled with them in the past and have only lost money.

I think it’s crucial those first few years to really understand the buying behaviors of your customers. Get to know who these people are. Who is saying yes to that discount code you are offering? Who is engaging with you on social media?

Really jump into the trenches. Get dirty. Learn who your people really are and learn their buying behaviors.  Yes, it may take a little longer to grow your business this way, but it’s a heck of a lot safer betting on yourself than some ads that could possibly bring in a potential customer or a small sale. Friend, trust me on this one!

If you can keep these four reframes top of mind, I assure you that you will feel more confident, fulfilled, and at ease throughout your business journey!


This article by Kate Crocco was originally published at honeybook.com

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Life in the Stimulation

Originally posted on March 26, 2020 on changeroots.com.

What’s the latest?

  • Cases / Deaths: US : 80,857 / 1,163;  Italy: 80,589 / 8,215; World : 524,010 / 23,670
  • U.S. health response: Testing and tracking are crucial to curbing the spread; the U.S. isn’t doing enough of either.
  • Economic response: The Senate passed a stimulus bill twice as large as one from the 2008 financial crisis. The House votes on it tomorrow, Friday March 27th.
  • Bottom line: The more COVID-19 spreads, the more people die, the more drastic actions the government must take, and the more economic damage occurs.

Economic Impact

  • How bad is it: The initial economic decline from the COVID-19 will likely be sharper and more painful than during the 2008 financial crisis. Unemployment could reach 20%, compared to 10% in the 2008 crisis. 
  • Gov response: The Senate just passed a $2 trillion stimulus bill. This is in addition to $8 billion for vaccine research and $100 billion in economic aid already passed. Tomorrow, Friday, March 27, the House will vote on it.
  • Compared to 2008: The 2008 stimulus and industry bailout bills totaled $1.4 trillion.

What’s in the stimulus bill?The stimulus is an attempt to boost employment and economic output through grants, loans, and tax breaks to state and local governments, individuals, and businesses both large and small.

Who gets what? Source Politico

  • Individual Americans: 
    • Single Americans who make under $75,000 would get $1,200
    • Married couples who make under $150,000 would get $2,400
    • Parents would see $500 for each child under age 17
    • People who are unemployed would get an extra $600 per week for up to four months (in addition to state unemployment) 
  • Airline and other industry loans: $500 billion
  • Hospital Industry: $100 billion 
  • State and local governments: $150 billion

How does it compare to the 2008 stimulus 

The 2008 stimulus and industry bailout bills totaled $1.4 trillion. 

  • Individuals would receive up to $600
  • Married couples would get up to $1,200
  • Those with children would be sent $300 per dependent child

Did the 2008 stimulus bill work?

The recession ended in July 2009, five months after Congress passed the stimulus. Economic growth immediately improved. It expanded 1.5% in the third quarter of 2009 after shrinking 4.4% in Q1 2009. Within 18 months, the economy added 4.1 million jobs, after losing more than 500,000 jobs a month during the recession.

Our Post-Partisan Take

This crisis is forcing both parties to remember that everyone’s common goal should be serving the American people. The Senate voted unanimously on this bill with aspects of it that each party had to compromise on. Hopefully, this can carry forward in tackling problems beyond COVID-19 and result in more prompt legislation.

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Hacks To Save On Your Auto Insurance

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What is auto insurance?

Auto insurance is essentially a contract that offers protection if you have an accident or your car is stolen. You pay a set premium, and then your insurance company will pay out your losses, as stated in the policy. Auto insurance offers coverage for liability, for example, if you injure others or their property. You’ll also get coverage for medical expenses, for instance, the expense of treating any injuries you sustain. Auto insurance also covers costs associated with damage to your own vehicle or theft. Of course, there are plenty of different auto insurance policies out there, and not all are the same price. To save money on your auto insurance, try the following hacks.

1. Improve your credit rating 

Many auto insurance companies will check your credit rating to determine which kind of policy they can offer you. Supposedly, auto insurance providers view an excellent credit rating as an indication of a responsible person, who is not a risk to insure. Now, this may not be the case in all circumstances; however, improving your credit rating is one way to get yourself a good auto insurance deal. There are a few sites online where you can check your credit rating for free.

2. Look for discounts 

Some Auto Insurance providers offer discounts under certain circumstances, so when you’re looking to bag yourself a good deal, it’s useful to know which discounts are available. Low mileage discounts are available for drivers who habitually keep their mileage average or below average, so if this is you, it’s worth checking if you qualify. Another discount available is a ‘multi-policy discount,’ meaning that you will pay less if you buy another policy from the same provider. The second policy could be life insurance or home insurance, for instance.

3. Compare costs

It’s impossible to save money unless you compare prices first. You might be tempted to renew your current auto insurance policy, but if you don’t shop around, you could be missing out on a better policy elsewhere. There are several handy price comparison websites online which will allow you to suss out the best deals!

4. Increase your deductibles

When you are looking for auto insurance, you can generally pick a deductible that suits you. A deductible means the amount of money it will cost you to get your insurance provider to payout ( if your vehicle is stolen or you’re in an accident). Usually, deductibles range from around $250 to $1500. If you put your deductible up, then you’ll benefit from paying a lower premium.
With plenty of motoring costs to pay out for, you’ll be glad to keep your auto insurance costs down. While you’re at it, look at other ways you can save money on your car expenses. One thing you can do is to use apps like ‘Gas Buddy’ to check the price of fuel stops nearby. When you check the app beforehand, you can find out the cheapest deals and drive on if you’re not happy with the price!

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Congress Picks Up the Bill

This article was originally posted on ChangeRoots.com 

Congress passes relief bill 

By now, you’ve heard about the coronavirus (COVID-19) that is spreading across the globe. As of March 18, 2020, all 50 states are reporting cases of the virus. The total count in the US has reached 5,881 confirmed cases and 107 deaths (source NYTimes). 

With city-wide shutdowns, people are spending and earning less, businesses are suffering and it looks like we’re headed towards an economic recession. 

Congress just passed the Coronavirus Relief Bill to support citizens and the economy with overwhelming bipartisan support on March 18, 2020. President Trump signed it that night.

What’s included in the bill?  

  • Pays for coronavirus testing 
  • Requires paid sick leave for those affected
  • Helps businesses pay for sick leave
  • Strengthens unemployment insurance benefits for those fired or have hours reduced
  • Helps low-income families afford food

What’s next? 

The bill passed Congress and has been signed into law by President Trump. Trump requested a separate and huuuuuge (like $1 trillion) stimulus package and things like immediate relief in the form of $1,000 checks for all citizens (s/o to Andrew Yang) and bailouts for industries impacted like airlines. That’s what’s coming in part 3. 

Recap:

  • Part 1: $8.3 billion to fund spurring coronavirus vaccine research and development (passed March 6)
  • Part 2: $100 billion largely focused on paid sick leave and unemployment benefits for workers and families (passed March 18)
  • Part 3: $750 billion – $1 trillion to prevent a recession (being drafted). This would be larger than the $700 billion economic relief bill passed during the 2008 recession. 

What’s the Post-partisan take? 

It’s a scary and trying time as information and the world around us seem to change daily. And while we’re in a state of uncertainty, we’re also looking for glimmers of hope. Congress passing a bill with such overwhelming bipartisan support? A huge glimmer. President Trump demanding relief by putting cash in the hands of struggling Americans, with Democrats supporting the demand? Triple huge glimmer. 

We’re seeing small examples of what we can happen when we put down political loyalty and pick up protecting the wellbeing of all Americans first. Now imagine if this was how we operated all the time. That’s the post-partisan world we’re fighting to create. 

What Does the Coronavirus Bill Mean for Me? 

If you get sick…

  • The government will pay for the test confirming you’re sick. 
  • Your health insurance (or lack of) determines how much the rest of your care cost. 
  • The government will pay your company to pay you for sick leave – if you work at a company between 50 and 500 people
  • If you are told to quarantine the government will cover part of your loss of income

If you get laid off because of coronavirus…

If you are an hourly worker and your hours get cut…

You may become eligible for food stamps

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How To Make Your Business More Economically Friendly

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Everyone is looking for new ways to make their company more eco-friendly that will also save you money in the long run along with controlling the amount of pollution you create daily. Even though many items seem great for boosting your projects they often aren’t great for the environment, so ensuring that you do some research before making a big purchase can contribute to saving the plant one bit at a time. 

Industrial air compressor 

Having an air compressor like at https://cbeuptime.com/compressor-central/ is the glue to the day to day running of your business. They can save you a lot of money in the long run as well as helping you to control your pollution. Large-scale air is released when electricity is produced so switching up your air compressor will be more economical. There are multiple air compressors that can help every sort of business. 

Cut down on your existing problems

We forget to assess how our daily routines can affect the environment, like disposing of any ink and toners from any printing safely using the facilities that are provided in the supermarket, stationery shops, and other places that can recycle them into new items. You can hire paper recycling stations if your business still uses paperwork that can be shredded and reused, or if your company can, then transferring your database and paperwork on to computers can save a lot of printing and help protect our forests. 

Lights and appliances

Switching light bulbs from the regular type to an energy-saving option can make a massive difference which can be done instantly and will save you money too. Every time you leave a room or when your business is closed for the day, briefing your staff members to turn off any lights and to switch any appliances off will leave you noticing that you are saving a lot of money. Don’t forget that items left on standby still use electricity. 

Green cleaning products

The chemicals that are in some cleaning products can be harmful to the environment and your health so keeping an eye out for non-toxic products will reduce this. You will also find that it will protect your staff members’ skin if it becomes in contact with them. Looking for moisturizers that are built into your hand washes can prevent your hands from cracking or getting dry or providing hand cream for your staff members to use throughout the day.

Plant trees or shrubs

Trees and shrubs can play a big part in our ecosystem. You could maybe create a team-building exercise to plant some trees to learn about how they can act as a filter for pollution. It can make the surroundings of your building look aesthetically pleasing and especially with trees you’ll find that they don’t need much maintenance to look after them.

Using these five ways to make your business eco-friendly will save you money whilst protecting the environment. It’s also very appealing to customers when you look to change what you do to save the planet.

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Three Clucking Good Reasons To Go Organic On Your Farm

Farming and agriculture are two of the oldest industries in the world. Our ancestors likely kept at least a few chickens, and so did their ancestors before them. In short; getting stuck into the ag-business means following in a long line of your forefathers. But, there’s a pretty high chance that the industry has changed since they were hoeing their fields and supporting their families.

Now, a focus on healthier food sources and what goes into them is forever driving farmers to consider their practices. This, alongside the vegan revolution, has left countless farmers struggling to pull the profits they once enjoyed. And, many are finding that farming alternatives like organic options are the best way to weather that storm.

Essentially, organic farming involves removing the chemicals from your processes. Instead, organic farms rely on natural pesticides and even antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) alternatives when it comes to supplementing livestock feed, etc. These may seem like pretty extreme steps away from what you know, but here are three clucking good reasons why this organic shift could be worth your while.

Image Source: CC0 License

# 1 – Potential for profit increases

Everyone knows that organic produce costs more, and this is perhaps the main reason to get started here. While standard farming practices have long been falling out of favor and losing money, the opposite can be seen from organic trends. In fact, produce from farms certified by bodies like USDA can typically sell for around 60% of average retail prices. This is particularly the case if you focus on farm shops, local markets, etc. Even better, you should find that consumers are more than happy to pay the difference if they can feel good about the purchase afterwards.

# 2 – An eco-focus

In the current climate, consumers are forever favoring greener companies with clear eco-focuses. And guess what? Going organic right now proves precisely that. After all, pesticides and harmful food additions are doing significant damage to water supplies, soil quality, and more. None of these is going to do you any good, and could even see consumers turning away. By comparison, that organic label proves you use only natural processes, meaning not only that your food is healthier to consume, but also that the ecological damage you cause to produce it is minimal or next to none.

# 3 – Land preservation

Along roughly the same lines, it’s worth noting that a shift to organic practices is far better for preserving your land in the long-run. Your resources (soil, water, etc.) will undeniably stretch further and reap better growing grounds than they would with the addition of nasty chemicals. As such, a farm that goes organic now is far more likely to stand the test of time than one that continues to practice harmful agricultural habits.

As if these benefits weren’t enough, making the switch to organic is often easier than you realize. All you need to do is think about alternative farming practices and habits that could make it possible.

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More Space, More Value: Home Additions that Increase Property Value

Thinking about staying or moving to another home in a few years? Whatever it may be, certain home additions are worthwhile undertakings, especially when they significantly increase the price of your home.

Patios and Carports

Many urban homes in Brisbane have carports, patios or sometimes both. These house extensions effectively expand a house without requiring extensive construction. A patio can increase your home value by 10 to 20 per cent, and a carport is an attractive addition for families with more than one vehicle. If you’re not planning to sell your home, you can still make use of an extended patio. It extends your living area while keeping the sun at bay and keeping your house cooler. The larger space is perfect for gatherings and barbecues, afternoon tea time or evening parties. A carport will protect your vehicle from the sun, maintaining its paint job and allowing you to drive off without suffering from suffocating heat during summer months.

Conservatories and Greenhouses

A garden won’t affect your house’s valuation, but a well-made conservatory or greenhouse would. A conservatory or a separate greenhouse will give your house a more refined look. You can make full use of a greenhouse even if you have no plans to sell your house. Australia is particularly hot, so make sure you choose your crops properly. Vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage, spinach and peppers are popular crop choices. If flowers are more to your liking, geraniums, petunias, chrysanthemums or orchids can be good options. You can even opt for specialty plants like cacti and other succulents or Venus flytraps and other carnivorous plants. Modern greenhouses can be constructed using polycarbonate sheets instead of glass, so you don’t have to worry about damage or accidents – especially if you have kids or pets in the house.

The Usual Backyard Cabin

Granny flats are everywhere in Australia. An extra living structure in your property will certainly raise its price, but you will probably choose to stay if you opt for a backyard cabin. While popularly used to provide a living space for older relatives, granny flats can have multiple uses. It can serve as an office if you work from home or run a business; you can even list it as a coworking space online. Use it as a workshop for wood-crafting or hobby space for the whole family. Keeping the mess outside of the house can make your family a lot happier and saner. If you don’t want to make a lot of changes, just rent it out as an Airbnb accommodation or perhaps a short-term lease. A backyard cabin is easy to maintain, and contractors can easily reconfigure it if your elderly parents finally decide to move in.

House additions cost money, but they make your house more spacious and comfortable or give it more character. The right additions pay for themselves by either raising your quality of life or raising your house’s valuation if you plan on selling in the future. So choose a project that best suits your needs.

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