Author Archives: lifewithlilred

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About lifewithlilred

Just your average gal blogging an average blog!

If The Shoe Fits: Guess Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Guess Edition

Hi everyone and happy weekend! So in Lil Red’s world, summer time is all about the heels. Platforms, wedges, pumps, heeled sneakers and sandals, the works. But when it comes to fall, I say bring on the boots! Thigh high, knee high, ankle booties, riding boots, combat boots, ALL BOOTS EVERYTHING. With fall fast approaching, a recent trip to TJMaxx helped me kick start my excitement for my favorite season with these gorgeous Guess combat boots. Take a look:

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Literally as soon as I saw these boots, I knew that they were coming home with me. When it comes to my boots, especially combat ones, the more punk rock the better. These forty dollar glorious Guess boots have everything that I love in footwear: The color black, badass buckles, and stud detailing. The more that I stared longingly at my boots, the more I fell in deep, passionate love with them. They are perfect.

Besides for being obsessed with everything about my new darlings, I definitely was loving the price, too. To get a pair of really nice combat boots from such a reputable brand like Guess for forty dollars was such a steal, to me. Honestly, a higher price would have made me stop and really think about purchasing them, so the forty dollar price point was perfect for me. Anything higher would have more than likely been a no go but I still felt like I was getting an amazing deal for them. There was no original price tag on my boots but the TJs “Compare at” price was sixty-four dollars, which I have a hard time believing because they look way more expensive than that, in my humble opinion!

But the best part about these shoes is all of the styling possibilities that come with it. I plan on taking my boots to a whole new level of Anarchy Cool with one of my favorite shirts from Zara, seen here, the blackest, skinniest jeans that I can find, a deep red lip, tousled hair, and chunky chain jewelry for a look fresh out of England’s old school punk scene. I CAN’T WAIT.

Like I said, fall is all about the boots, and I can’t wait to ring in the season with my newest pair in this issue of If The Shoe Fits: Guess Edition! What is your favorite style of boots? How do you style combat boots into your fall wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Understanding Reverse Mortgages

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Understanding Reverse Mortgages

A reverse mortgage is a way to increase the money that you have during your retirement by accessing part of your home’s value in the form of actual money. You can borrow up to a certain percentage of the value of your home, and you won’t have to pay it back in the same way that you would a regular home loan. The only monthly installments involved will be the ones that the lender pays to you, unless you request to borrow a large amount at once. You can pay back a reverse loan whenever you want, as long as you don’t move away.

As soon as you leave, the lender can exercise their right to call in the loan, and they can also sell the home to get their money. But, as long as you plan to stay in your house for a while, a reverse mortgage can provide a much needed financial boost in times of trouble.

Who qualifies for a reverse mortgage? There are certain requirements in order to qualify for a reverse mortgage. An individual must own their home outright. If there is still a mortgage balance owed, it must be low enough that it can be paid off at closing. The homeowner is still required to pay property taxes and insurance, so they must have the finances to do so. The individual must be at least 62 years old or, if there are multiple owners, the youngest must be at least 62 years old.

When does a reverse mortgage become due? The reverse mortgage becomes due when the homeowner sells the house, moves out of the property, or becomes deceased. If there are multiple owners, the mortgage does not become due as long as at least one of them still remains in the home as a primary residence. Once the reverse mortgage is due, the balance of the loan must be paid back within six months. If you are nearing retirement, for instance, then you may want to think about how else you can pay your mortgage. You will want to find out the latest RIO mortgage rates from the Halifax Building Society, or a similar company, as you decide if this option is feasible or not for you and your family. You never want this to overextend your budget.

What happens with the estate? In the event that the homeowner or owners are deceased, beneficiaries of the estate can choose to place the property for sale. If the estate sells for more than the amount of the reverse mortgage, the proceeds become the property of the beneficiaries. Should the house sell for less than the total amount of the reverse mortgage, the lender must take the loss. The debt cannot be passed along to the heirs of the estate.

The estate beneficiaries may, instead, choose to pay back the reverse mortgage in order to retain ownership of the property. In this event, they must pay back any balance remaining on the mortgage. This can be done either by using financial assets or by refinancing the mortgage.

What if I change my mind? If a senior citizen obtains a reverse mortgage and then reconsiders, they have the option of paying back the loan early. Prior to September of 2012, lenders could charge a penalty for repaying the loan prior to term. Since then, penalties for prepayments are illegal. However, lenders may charge other administrative fees for processing the early discharge of the loan.

Reverse mortgage counseling: Deciding if a reverse mortgage is right for you depends on many factors, and consumers need to understand all of the pros and cons. An impartial reverse mortgage counselor can fully explain exactly what the loan entails. They will also be able to inform you of other mortgage solutions that you can consider. This is a big decision and you must know all of the facts before making your choice. This counseling is mandatory in order to protect consumers. Counseling may be done face-to-face or over the phone. After providing counseling, the counselor must sign an HECM Counseling Certificate and mail a copy to the homeowner. The copy is presented to the lender along with the reverse mortgage application.

Let’s be honest, any type of financing when it comes to your home can be confusing. It is always best to handle your affairs with the utmost care and to consider how each of your options, like a reverse mortgage, fits into your current lifestyle.

Featured Image By: Flickr

If The Shoe Fits: Coconuts By Matisse Edition

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If The Shoe Fits: Coconuts By Matisse Edition

Hi everyone and TGIF! Okay, you guys all know how much Lil Red loves shoes – specifically heels. But two of my latest footwear purchases from TJMaxx sport barely there lifts, which I’m shockingly okay with. The mule shoe is the it thing right now, and I have been on the prowl for the perfect pair since they made their debut late in the spring.

The mule hunt has proven to be extremely difficult. I don’t want them completely flat like a slipper but I also don’t want a huge, chunky heel like a clog. I thought that all hope was lost until a TJs trip last weekend, which resulted in these Coconuts By Matisse baroque beauties:

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Having size six feet truly is a blessing, because the pair seen above was the only one in the entire shoe department and it felt like they were sitting there just waiting for me. My new Matisse mules were stationed on the bottom shelf, tucked into the corner of the size six section looking forlornly for a new owner. Thank god I came along to help out with that!

These beautiful slip ons were the first thing that caught my eye upon entering TJ’s shoe section and as soon as I saw them, I knew that they were “the one”. The stunning pattern? The tiny heel? The pure craftsmanship of the embroidery? The twenty-five dollar price tag? As if my leg didn’t need twisted to buy them before!

The small lift of these mules was the selling point for me when it came down to it. Frankly, if my new babies were totally flat, then I don’t think that they would have been coming home with me. I don’t like flats. I really just despise how they look on me and this mini kitten heel made me feel excited to not be wearing four plus inches high shoes. That’s not just saying something, that’s screaming something.

My Coconuts By Matisse mules are going to be so extraordinarily perfect for fall. The rich jewel tones will add spice to the black skinnies that make up my cold weather wardrobe and will look simply stunning among the fallen leaves on the ground. I’m looking forward to wrapping up the summer by wearing these with shorts during errand days, but will be transitioning them into the autumn season with A-line skirts and sun dresses with thick tights underneath.

There’s no doubt that my marvelous mules will be making a huge statement in my autumn wardrobe and I can’t wait to kick up my mini heels for some fall fun! And for more heelless hootenanny, be sure to tune in for the next edition of If The Shoe Fits where I discuss an edgy new pair of combat boots perfect for a punk night out at the Marilyn Manson concert that I so desperately want to attend!

So there you have it, the latest issue of If The Shoe Fits: Coconuts By Matisse Edition! How do you rock the mule trend? What is your favorite brand of shoes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Five Satisfying Job Options We Don’t Hear Enough About

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Five Satisfying Job Options We Don’t Hear Enough About

Satisfaction. It’s an important word, which means something different for each of us. For some, it’s getting to the next level on that challenging computer game. For others, it’s saving lives on a daily basis.

In all its forms, satisfaction is valid and important. When it comes down to it, it’s often the thing with which we judge our lives. When we look back on each year, we consider how much we have achieved. When we look back on our lives, many of us wonder how much of an impact our actions have had.

It’s no surprise, then, that many people look for jobs which bring bucket loads of satisfaction. Despite care work not being the best-paid job in the world, many people seek it out. If nothing else, that’s a true testament to how important we consider satisfaction in our lives. For some of us, though, the care industry isn’t the right path. It takes a lot of patience and inner strength to get along in a career like this. As such, it’s not going to suit everyone.

But, not wanting to care for others shouldn’t put an end to your dreams of job satisfaction. In fact, there are plenty of other jobs which can bring just as much joy. We may not hear about them often, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t out there. To give you some idea of your options, we’re going to look at a few here:

Working With Children: What could be more satisfying than having an impact on future generations? While teachers may not get the same credit as, say, doctors, they definitely deserve to. These are the people who are shaping young minds. Many big ideas for the future will be planted in today’s classrooms.

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Cute!

If you don’t fancy the classroom, why not consider social work? Again, you’ll be having an enormous impact on the futures of kids. You’ll get the opportunity to form real bonds with the children you work with. It’s no easy task, though, as you’ll also have to decide when you separate families. To go down this route, you would also need to get the right qualifications. But, with options like online master’s social work courses, there’s no reason why you can’t get going. A job worth caring about is worth working for.

These are by no means the only options when it comes to kids, either. You could also opt for something like youth club supervision or pre-school work. The satisfaction will be there, but you won’t have to return to study to achieve it.

Working With Animals: They say don’t work with children or animals, and we’ve broken both of those rules already. But, if you have a soft spot for four-legged friends, an animal option could be the career for you. In many ways, this is like a care job. If anything, the satisfaction levels could be higher because fewer people consider it.

Again, there are a few different options. At the extreme end of the scale, you could become a vet. Bear in mind, though, that veterinary studies are extensive and will take a long time to complete. As an excellent alternative, you could always work as a veterinary receptionist. You’ll still get the chance to give advice and make a difference, but you don’t need qualifications to do so. If you have a desire to work with animals, search for veterinarian jobs near you to get your career started.

Or, you could opt to work in a rescue center. These jobs are often hard to come by, but making a difference to unwanted animals is about as good as it gets. If you manage to work your way to the top, you’ll be going into some nasty situations. There’s no denying that it can be traumatic, but you’ll be able to remove animals by working with the police. A good way to start would be to volunteer. This in itself will help your quest, and, if they like what they see, big things may follow.

Last, but by no means least, you could work as a conservationist in a zoo. Here, you’ll be working hard to breed and reintroduce animals into the wild. Not only does this help the animals themselves, but also the planet as a whole. Go get ‘em, tiger!

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Get Artsy: How about trying your hand at an artistic pursuit? Artists often get a bad rep and, let’s be honest; it’s one of the hardest careers to make a go in. But, the satisfaction stakes here are high, because many of us measure our overall satisfaction based on the mark we leave. And, nothing’s quite so good at making a mark as art in all of its forms.

Of course, your artistic pursuit can be whatever you want it to be. Have you been songwriting for years in private? Do you have a secret skill with paint that no one’s seen since school? Whatever your strength, it’s time to take it out of the closet. The majority of us have some creative outlet we could put to use and there’s no better time than the present to use it!

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Pixabay Image

Open A Restaurant: Who would have thought that a restaurant would find its way onto the most satisfying jobs list? We did, which is why it’s here! Owning a restaurant may not be up there with saving lives. But, its place on this list is well deserved and here’s why:

Life is stressful. Work gets on top of us, and there’s rarely a respite. Even when we’re at home, we’re often thinking about what we need to do the next day. It never ends. Unless you don’t head home after work. You get dressed up and go out to eat. Finally, you can enjoy yourself and relax. There’s no worries, no pressures, and best of all, no washing up! If we didn’t have restaurants to escape to, the world would be a much darker place. We joke, but it’s true. Everyone needs an escape and someone needs to create it. Let that person be you by opening up a restaurant.

In a way, the artistic aspect comes into play here, too. Because it’s not just enough to open any old space and serve food. You need to leave your mark by creating a beautiful place to spend time in. You’ll need to get everything right, from the decor to the ambience and the food. Your restaurant could provide a new favorite spot for customers and it is up to you to keep it that way. You will want an excellent, welcoming, and well trained staff as well as making the building accessible to everyone. And, of course, it is important to have the right protection like Vermont Restaurant Insurance (or your local area) should something go wrong. The right insurance can give true peace of mind so be sure to explore your options carefully.

five3And who DOESN’T love eating?!

Reasonable Real Estate: When you think about it, it’s baffling that real-estate doesn’t appear on more satisfying jobs lists. What could be better than knowing you’ve put roofs over people’s heads when they needed them most? You may not be restarting their heart with your bare hands, but you’re ensuring that they have a high quality of life. At least, you could be.

Unlike the other jobs mentioned, the satisfaction involved depends completely on you. If you become a bad landlord, you won’t see the rewards. You won’t be able to rest easy if you’re overcharging or failing to fix issues. In fact, the plan will backfire in a major way. Sure, you’ll make more money. But satisfaction isn’t about money, remember?

Instead, you need to do things right. Offer as reasonable a price as possible so that you give more people a chance to get a place. Make sure that you’re a reliable contact, by answering any queries as soon as humanly possible. And, make sure to pay for repairs the moment they need doing. It’s all simple stuff and that’s all it takes to make real-estate a satisfying option. Give it a go and see where it gets you!

So, there are a few of your options. As you can see, they all have their benefits, even if you wouldn’t have assumed them to be satisfying. And these aren’t the only unexpectedly satisfying careers. You can make a difference in any number of ways if you know how!

#blessed

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#blessed

Hi everyone and happy Thursday! This post is about to be TMI so if reading about female hygiene problems grosses you out, then feel free to tune in with a new addition of If The Shoe Fits tomorrow! I won’t be offended, I promise.

Okay, so the other night I was so excited because I had on my brand new Calvin Klein sleep pants. If you forget what they look like, here they are:

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They’re cute, right? Really, really white, right? The type of pants that you wouldn’t want Aunt Flo visiting you in, right? Well, of course, that’s what happened. The sequence of events went like this:

  1. I changed into my pajama pants.
  2. I made it a point to announce to everyone in my home how happy I was about said pajama pants.
  3. Promptly did a little twirl to show off.
  4. Sat down to watch TV after realizing that no one cared.
  5. BOOM. Started my period. -___-

After realizing that a really unfortunate “accident” happened on my brand new white jammies, I didn’t know what to do. My mom wasn’t home, so I couldn’t tell her and hear her sage advice. And my dad gets upset whenever I ask him to shave the back of my neck compliments of my short hair, so I knew he wouldn’t be of any help. But, boy was I wrong.

The thing about my dad, is that he HATES 1) Talking about bodily functions and 2) When I use the washing machine. The few times that I’ve tried to do laundry, I royally messed it up and after those unfortunate incidents, my dad doesn’t want me anywhere near an expensive piece of technology. With this knowledge, can you imagine approaching my father with a period related laundry problem? Yeah, yikes.

So, instead of using the washing machine without asking, I casually changed my pants, applied stain remover to the problem area, and asked my dad, “Do you know how to get stains out of white clothes?”. Of course, my dad had to ask, “Well, what kind of stain is it?”. I literally didn’t know what to say. Honestly, I think I would have preferred to tell him that I peed my pants. ANYTHING but my period. I shuffled my feet for at least five seconds and finally said, “It’s blood, if you really have to know”.

And what did my dad do? If you’re thinking that his head exploded from the sheer shock that his adult daughter was menstruating, then you’ll be surprised to know that he calmly replied with, “Okay, did you put stain remover on it?”. He then proceeded to ask me what material the pants were made out of and then GOOGLED “how to remove blood stains from cotton clothes”. Like, what?

My dad then walked me through, step by step, how to use the washing machine and how to remove the stain according to Google. How to presoak the pants, that I should put more stain remover on after the soak, which setting I should wash it on next, how to dry it without the pants shrinking. Every step in the dance of removing a period stain from white pants, my dad covered in detail.

And guess what? It worked! Thanks to my dad helping me and keeping a level head, the stain out of my WHITE pajama bottoms was gone. I was shocked, but after it happened, I don’t know why I thought that he would have reacted any differently. I think my dad saw that I really just needed help and taken care of. I’ve had a rough few weeks and instead of telling me to figure my woman problems out myself, he taught me how to handle it.

My dad faced his fears of 1) Me being within a foot of the washing machine and 2) Me talking about my body problems because he saw his daughter in distress. I don’t know, this just really showed me the man that my dad is so clearly and it was special to me. I put him in an awkward situation and he handled it in the way that I so desperately needed. I love my parents so much, but I’m genuinely happy that my mom wasn’t home so that my dad and I could tackle this #periodproblem together.

I feel so #blessed about my Aunt Flo scenario, but I think I’ll be waiting until after my period is done to wear my new sleep pants again! Has anyone ever had an awkward moment with their parents that brought you closer together? How do you beat the period blues? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Is There Such A Thing As The Ideal Career?

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Is There Such A Thing As The Ideal Career?

Many people dream about having an ideal career. However, lots of people don’t even know what that would be – they just assume that the job they have now is not it. How can you find your ideal career? Is there such a thing? Read on…

Surprise! There Is No Such Thing!

First of all, there’s no one ideal career for you. There will be multiple. This is actually much better than there being only one. You have more choices and less pressure to find that one dream job in all of the world to rule them all.

Finding An Ideal Career (There Are Multiple!)

Finding your ideal career is all about considering your skills and qualifications, as well as the things that you have an interest in. You should be passionate about what you do, considering that you’re going to be doing it most days. If your job doesn’t challenge you and interest you, what’s the point? Start brainstorming things that you enjoy and then write down anything you can think of that comes to mind.

Find Out As Much About The Career As Possible

If you think that you have an idea for one of your ideal careers, find out as much as possible. Is there anybody you can speak to who could give you insider information? Make sure you consider the lifestyle that will come with the career, too. What hours will you be working? How much time will you have off every year? What are the benefits included in having that job?

Figuring out what one of your ideal careers may be can be tough. It’ll help to know the differences between the following sectors:

University of Southern California Online

With the advice above from this amazing infographic, your dream job is only an application away!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Pajama Party: My Calvins Pt. 2 Edition

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Pajama Party: My Calvins Pt. 2 Edition

Hi everyone and happy Hump Day!! I would by no means say that I care deeply about designer clothing and accessories. A majority of my shopping is done at Target, TJMaxx, and Forever 21 and I’m extremely okay with that. However, we all have our favorite high end designers that we love to ogle over. Myself, for example? I love Michael Kors shoes. I adore Kate Spade and Betsey Johnson accessories. And, I also can’t get enough of Calvin Klein everything!

I would never ever pay full price for any of the designer goods that I listed above, but I definitely am inclined to make a purchase if I see any of their duds at TJMaxx. I’ve gotten gorgeous Michael Kors booties, darling Betsey Johnson jewelry, and sweet Kate Spade accessories for a fraction of their original price tag. However, my past two times at TJs has resulted in Calvin Klein sleepwear that I’m simply obsessed with, including these new pajama pants that I purchased this weekend:

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  • Original Price: $42
  • TJMaxx Price: $15

I genuinely love pajamas and I’ve accumulated a collection this year that I am very happy with. To me, there is nothing better than slipping into a sweet nightie or a cozy flannel top and pants set and crawling into bed. It’s such a simple pleasure but, to me, it feels luxurious and I am all about a ballin on a budget life of luxury. And to think that up until now I was literally just sleeping in unwanted, god knows how old t-shirts!

I was so excited about these pajama pants because I had recently purchased the matching pair of boxers, which I love! They also had a nightie in this pattern that I shied away from because I didn’t much care for the shape. These pajama bottoms look cool and comfortable and I can’t wait to wear them during a chilly fall night while tucked under a million blankets.

What I love the most about these sleep pants is the feeling of “treating myself” that I got when I made the purchase. You would be a fool to spend over forty bucks on a pair of pajama bottoms. But fifteen? I can swing that! I get to hit the hay in one of my favorite designer’s sleepwear and it feels kind of naughty and absurd. But the fact that I got it for an amazing price makes the feeling of almost foolishness that comes with the territory of sleeping in designer duds totally guilt free and a whole lot of fun.

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So there you have it, Lil Red’s Pajama Party: My Calvins Pt. 2 Edition! How do you treat yourself? Who is your favorite high end designer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Productivity Boosting: Simple Guidance For New Company Bosses

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Productivity Boosting: Simple Guidance For New Company Bosses

When anyone starts a new company, they often have to navigate many different stumbling blocks. If the individual manages to do that successfully, they should have a profitable business on their hands. However, there will come a time when it makes sense to implement new measures to boost productivity and efficiency, which helps to increase profits and ensure that the company can satisfy as many clients or customers as possible. The problem, is that most new entrepreneurs have no clue where to start. With that in mind, the guidance below this introduction should assist in providing some advice. Use one or more of the strategies mentioned in this post to increase productivity and take the brand to the next level:

Educate Employees: Sometimes the best way to increase productivity is to provide educational opportunities to the workforce. With a bit of luck, that process will help employees to learn new skills that they can apply to their roles within the company. It could be as simple as doing typing test practice for people to increase their WPM or involved as investing in certificate programs. The business owner just has to work out which course is most appropriate. Most entrepreneurs won’t want their workers to spend too much time out of the office. For that reason, it makes sense to select online programs that allow employees to gain their qualifications at home. MBA management online degrees could benefit people in team leader positions. Likewise, anyone working as part of the marketing team would learn the latest techniques from advertising and promotional courses. Employers just have to:

  • Present workers with suitable education programs
  • Offer to pay for the courses
  • Provide support for all learners

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Knowledge is power!

Make Use of the Latest Technology: There is no getting away from the fact that we are living in the digital age now. New technology reaches the market every single day and business owners need to keep their fingers on the pulse. Failure to do that could mean that the company never reaches maximum productivity and it could also mean that the brand loses out to their competition. Many different software packages could assist in reducing workloads and making the operation more efficient than it was in the past. For instance, entrepreneurs might like to invest in:

  • Cloud storage
  • Accounting software
  • Inventory software
  • Social media management tools
  • 3D printing technology

Many tech blogs and websites release articles discussing the latest advancements. It only makes sense for business owners to bookmark those addresses and take a look at new posts every day. In addition, brainstorming creative ways to increase efficiency should be happening regularly. This could include tech training seminars or finding a frontline enablement solution that works for your company.

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#technology

Offer Bonuses to Workers: Human beings are simple creatures and they tend to respond well to incentives. Bosses who want their employees to go the extra mile should offer financial bonuses. People who do that should notice a vast improvement in productivity almost immediately. The process is much the same as dangling a carrot in front of a donkey. Of course, some companies don’t have enough money in their accounts to hand out cash bonuses every week. In that situation, it’s wise to think of some alternative perks for employees who make an effort. For instance, bosses might consider offering:

  • Cinema tickets
  • Food vouchers
  • Alcoholic drinks (for the weekend)
  • New job opportunities
  • Workplace discounts

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$$$$

Know When to Outsource: Most business owners have read about the process of outsourcing in the past. However, a significant percentage of entrepreneurs never push ahead with the idea. That is a terrible mistake to make for anyone who wants to boost productivity. There are going to be many tasks within the company that take a long time to complete. It often makes sense to employ outside specialists or distributed teams to handle those processes. For instance, many firms choose to outsource their customer service departments these days. That is a fantastic move because it means other people deal with correspondence and employees can focus on pushing the operation forward. Customers don’t know the difference because the business owner will create a script for the call center staff to follow. Another example would be employing services like those offered by this US software testing and QA team to ensure that all of your necessary software is always functioning properly. Other jobs individuals tend to outsource include:

  • Parts of the manufacturing process
  • Marketing and promotion
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Human resources

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Flickr Image

Move Towards Automation: Experts claim that automation is the key to success in the modern business world. That is especially the case for people who own manufacturing companies. There are many specialists out there who develop custom-built robots that can perform many tasks without human interaction. Automating the production process would mean business owners can get their products made in the fastest time possible. It should also mean there are fewer mistakes than before and the items are made to the highest of standards. However, even those running an office can benefit from automation. With the right tools, it’s possible to automate:

  • Employee salary payments
  • Leases, which can be achieved if you consider lease tracking software
  • The recording of financial information
  • Inventory monitoring
  • The placing of supplier orders

Business owners just have to search online for the best-automated software packages.  If they can’t find anything suitable, the entrepreneur should get in touch with developers. There are people out there who will build almost anything for a price.

Remove the Weakest Links: Just as company bosses have to reward hard workers, they also need to remove the weakest links from their team. If there are employees who show up late every day and never perform as expected, it’s time to terminate their contracts. Of course, all employers will have to follow a standard disciplinary process to avoid any disputes. Some workers will say mistreatment has taken place and that can result in them taking the boss to a tribunal. However, that should never happen if the entrepreneur treads carefully. Anyone who needs to understand the process should get in touch with experienced lawyers. People in that profession know how to get rid of useless workers without creating repercussions. Listen to their advice and put it into practice. In most instances, company bosses will have to:

  • Give the employee a verbal warning
  • Offer two written warnings
  • Present the employee with a final warning
  • Hold a meeting to discuss the situation
  • Fire the employee

People who follow that strategy will have done everything possible to resolve the issue in the eyes of the law. While some ex-employees might try to take the business to court, they will not succeed in their bid for compensation.

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Bye bye!

Remain Flexible: All entrepreneurs should aim to stay as flexible as possible when it comes to their working processes. That is the only way to ensure that they always maximize profit potential. Maybe a new piece of software appears on the market that could slash working times in half? Perhaps a new material could assist in reducing the cost of product production? Only those with flexibility will manage to implement the changes quickly and reap the rewards. Time is often of the essence when it comes to making use of new ideas before the competition. All company bosses should ensure that they can change any part of their operation at the drop of a hat. Strategies for that might include:

  • Ensuring all departments are self-reliant
  • Improving workplace communication channels
  • Employing experts who can adjust the structure of the company quickly

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The tips and tricks listed in this article should be enough to point all entrepreneurs in the right direction. Boosting productivity can help to increase profits and make sure that the business has enough capital in its accounts to expand. Failure to use the advice from this page could mean the company becomes set in its ways. That is the worst thing that can happen to any modern operation, because it is only a matter of time before a rival blows it out of the water. Out of all of the guidance in this post, remaining flexible is the most important, so start working on that as soon as possible!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Mystery Blogger Award #4

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Mystery Blogger Award #4

Hi everyone and happy Tuesday! I am so excited to do this post for lifewithlilred’s fourth Mystery Blogger Award nomination. I am so appreciative to my friend, Rachael, at A Little Moore for thinking of little old me while completing her award post. Please be sure to check out her page and give it some love! And special thanks to Okoto for creating this award. Now, let’s get on to the rules:

The Rules:

  • Feature the award logo/image on your blog post
  • List the rules
  • Thank the blogger that nominated you
  • Mention the award creator and link to their blog
  • Tell readers 3 things about yourself
  • Answer the questions provided
  • Nominate 10-20 bloggers and notify them by commenting on their blog
  • Ask your nominees 5 questions of your choice
  • Share and link to your best post(s)

Fun Facts:

  1. I love amusement parks and rollarcoasters but, ironically, get sick if I’m riding in a car on curvy roads.
  2. Nine times out of ten when I’m writing, my darling little dog named Ollie is at my feet keeping me company.
  3. The horror genre in film, books, and television is my favorite and I’m always looking for suggestions for new material to enjoy!

Q & A:

What inspired you to blog? Lol, enough people telling me that they would read my page if I ever began one! Lifewithlilred was started solely on the suggestions of others since I’m apparently fashionable and reasonably funny.

What is your favorite movie and why? Oh wow…Uh, I guess I’m going to say Pan’s Labyrinth because it’s visually stunning and I love the story. To me, that movie is perfect. But, believe me, I could name like ten more favorites if given the opportunity.

What is your favorite song at the moment? I don’t have one. I have a lot of favorite songs so these questions are actually really difficult for me to answer because I kind of can’t!

What is your favorite thing about the country that you live in? That there’s a Taco Bell one mile away from my home.

When was the last time you full on belly laughed at something? I find hilarity in lots of different scenarios so I have a good laugh at least once a day!

My Nominees (I’m only doing three):

My Questions For You:

  1. What is your favorite memory from this summer?
  2. What would you consider a perfect day?
  3. What is something that you’re afraid of?
  4. What are qualities that you look for in a friend?
  5. What is your favorite thing to treat yourself with?

My Best Post:

  • Meh, I don’t really have a favorite or one that I consider my best, so there’s that.

Thank you so much again to Rachael from A Little Moore for lifewithlilred’s fourth Mystery Blogger Award! How would you answer some of Rachael’s questions? How about some of mine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Basic Space: Creating Your Songwriting Haven

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Basic Space: Creating Your Songwriting Haven

Do you remember the early days when you were locked away in your room learning the guitar or piano and finding out there is no such thing as B-sharp? It was your continual curiosity that piqued your interest in becoming a musician in the first place. And if you are moving on to that next stage where you are trying to create your own music and writing songs, it’s important to get back to that metaphorical head space where you were curious. But it’s also important to get a good physical space in which to create, so here are a few things to think about:

Learn From The Best: The greatest thing about being a songwriter is that you have thousands upon thousands of people to get inspiration from and you can spend countless hours learning from others. You could spend your time reading books and listening to other artists to help you keep fresh when you are in a creative lull. If you are ever feeling dry, it’s very likely because you’re not assimilating enough inspiration.

Create a Space Conducive to Songwriting: If you haven’t got somewhere that you can tune out the world, you’ll be lucky to get any semblance of songwriting completed. But it’s also vital for your practice that you have somewhere where you can be free to experiment in a place that’s your own, but also be surrounded by a constant source of inspiration.

A good place to start in your space is with the classic vinyl records that are clearly pointed out to be a superior listening experience (which we all know deep down). It’s important to be surrounded with the right materials. New Order’s recording studio had a poster on the wall with a lot of old film titles which ended up being the basis for a lot of their songs in the 80’s including Cries And Whispers. So if you have the right environment in which to create, with adequate inspiration from books to posters and, yes, records, it will start you off on the right foot.

Throw The Rule Book Away: Thom Yorke (by way of Tom Waits) said that it was the ignorance of certain instruments that made them more infinitely fascinating. Noel Gallagher has been using the same 4 chords for 20 odd years but is still able to make them sound like new. So sometimes it’s important to unlearn what you have learned to free you up. If you are bound by structure, it can be inhibiting in certain ways, which is why it’s important to be able to make mistakes and play a bum note because you are in the experimental stage.

People place a lot of pressure on getting things right the first time especially if you’re in a band, but even a band like Genesis (love them or hate them!) made the vast majority of their later songs out of studio. The musicians were freer with each other by this point to experiment. Your own worst critic will always be yourself and when it comes to songwriting and creating the right atmosphere in which to do it, it’s important to create this space inside of your mind as well as in a physical location.

Featured Image By: Pexels