Tag Archives: technology

Dec8

A Perfect Match: How Education Can Fit Around Your Life

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A Perfect Match: How Education Can Fit Around Your Life

When you think back on your life, achievements that can really change your circumstances are some of the most important changes you can make. If you feel that you have more to give and would like to go back to college or start studying again, you can make it happen. With work and family commitments, many people write it off as a pipe dream. But with today’s flexible educations styles and virtual platforms, it doesn’t have to be a choice – you can fit your continuing education goals into your life. Studying for a degree while also having a career, especially if you work irregular hours, can certainly be a challenge, but putting a little thought into your approach can make it work.

Many institutions recognize that people are wanting to study later in life and have designed programs specifically for working adults. These are structured flexibly from purely online modules taken in your own time for some courses that involve a mix of virtual learning and physical seminars. Many are designed to complement an existing career, such as a bachelor of policing program designed for actively serving officers. Here’s how to get started:

Research Your Options Carefully:

Choosing the right program for you is much more of a considered decision when it needs to fit around your life, so make sure that you do plenty of research to find the right provider for your individual needs. If you have existing college credits, some programs will take that into account, allowing you to graduate faster. If you don’t have the capacity to travel, a degree delivered via online learning is a good choice. Hundreds of universities now offer bachelor and graduate degrees in subjects like public administration, criminal justice, and management skills. Or if you feel you want some in-person contact, try a hybrid degree that combines online with sessions of traditional classroom learning across evenings and weekends.

Work Out A Sustainable Schedule:

Studying can be a big time commitment, so the key to making it work alongside a job and a busy life is being strict on scheduling. Plan all your classes and study hours alongside household commitments, working hours, and time to spend with family and friends – all of these areas are important. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family members to collect kids from school, prepare meals, or help around the house. You have to be organized to make all these elements work together so plan in advance and batch-make meals to fill up the freezer.

If work commitments get intense, don’t be afraid to speak to your degree supervisor about adjusting your study plan to avoid conflicts if necessary. Take full advantage of any study resources offered, as well. Most places have academic centers to help make your study skills better. Also be sure to use study groups to connect with fellow students and share tips and coping strategies. Make sure that you have a quiet space to study when it comes time, and don’t allow outside distractions to pull you off course. The trick is to give 100% to whatever you’re doing at that time, and try to shut the rest out.

It’s never too late to begin a new career, and with constant advances in classroom technology, there is no time like the present to start!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov23

Fed Up With Car Failures? It Could Be Time To Upgrade!

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Fed Up With Car Failures? It Could Be Time To Upgrade!

Our cars really are our ticket to independence, and having your own vehicle gives you the ability to go where you want, when you want. If you’ve been driving for a while your car probably feels like an extension of you, and so when things go wrong it can spell disaster. If your car is giving you trouble and it’s reaching the end of it’s life, here are some things to consider:

Reasons For Upgrading:

There are plenty of reasons why a newer car is a good investment. First of all, if you’re considering scrapping your car it’s likely to be because it’s unreliable. Newer cars are generally more reliable, as all of the parts are less worn. Plus, it’s easier and cheaper to find the parts to replace them if they go wrong, too. In more recent years pollution and car emissions have become a hot topic, and car manufacturers have taken this on board. This means newer cars tend to be more environmentally friendly – not just through electric or hybrid models, either. New cars also have better safety features, so if you are unlucky enough to be involved in a crash, you massively improve your chances of surviving or, at least, avoiding serious injury.

Choosing Your Next Car:

There are many factors to consider when you’re buying your next vehicle. You should never just rush into it and choose something based solely on price or looks. When shopping for a new car, make a list of “must haves” and “nice to haves” for your new vehicle with safety being paramount. Keep in mind that extra features in a car will have an impact on the price and that might not be within your budget so be reasonable and practical. This could include more cost effective upgrades like Private Number Plates to personalize your car or a subscription to satellite radio. The most important thing is that you have a safe vehicle to get from Point A to Point B.

Keep an open mind as you consider different options for your car as they might not check every box you have. Then, you can utilize sites like autoeasy.com/cars to give you options for cars that fit most of your preferences. It will help simplify the process because, let’s be honest, car shopping can be really frustrating sometimes! Of course, you should run some quotes through comparison sites to check out how much insurance will cost and if it’s affordable for you. If you have a very specific model in mind you might struggle finding one local, but luckily companies like Shiply do vehicle delivery. This is useful as you don’t need to travel or sort out insurance costs for driving it back, you can sort everything from the comfort of your own home, instead. And who doesn’t love online shopping?

As you consider your next car, it’s beneficial to research any common problems that that specific vehicle might have as well as a solution to the issue. Then, you will have the knowledge and a shop ready to go should your car need repairs. For example, you could enter a search for “volkswagen t-roc air conditioning service” (or the issue for your car) to find a body shop that specializes in that repair. It’s always a good idea to have a local shop on standby!

How To Get Rid Of The Old Model:

If your car is an older model, and either something major goes wrong or a few things all go at once, you can find yourself in the position where the costs of the parts and labor can be more than what the car is worth. In this case, it makes the most sense to scrap your car for cash or find a car yard that does trade ins, and then put the money towards a newer vehicle. If your car is particularly well maintained or a rare model, you could even sell it and make some good money, as collectors will be prepared to put in the cost of parts.

If it’s long past its best you could have it scrapped – just make sure that you choose a licenced car scrapyard. This prevents the vehicle from being unlawfully sold, where it could potentially end up in criminal activity while still registered to you!

A new car makes an excellent gift to yourself this holiday season – especially if you are in desperate need of a new one. Hit those holiday sales and drive away in your dream car!

Oct12

Hi-Tech Your House Out

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Hi-Tech Your House Out

 

Technology is every where and is used for almost every thing. A trip to the shops? You take the car or other transport. In the stores themselves you can see aisles full of the latest gizmos and gadgets. So why let your home fall behind in the times? There’s so much cool technology out there that it would be silly to not deck your home out with it. There’s not just the tech for showing off, but there’s also the ones that will actually aid you and save you a lot of money in the long run. Let’s have a look at what you can put in each room to help you get the most bang for your buck in your home:

Kitchen:

Let’s start with something that’s going to aid you in the long run. A dehumidifier. You may not realise it, but whenever you cook and the room gets a little steamy, opening the windows doesn’t stop it from sticking to the walls to begin with. If you’re one of those people that chooses not to open the windows, then chances are that over time you’re going to get a build up of mold somewhere. A dehumidifier is perfect for preventing this. They don’t cost that much, and it could save you a lot of money from preventing an unneeded mold issue.

Living Room:

This is the center of the house, so why not have the best tech in it? Whether you’re having a cozy night in or family and friends round, use it as the room to wow them with the biggest most beautiful television that you can find. The way that TV tech has advanced in the last two years is incredible. Look into getting yourself a large, preferably 50-60 inch curved 3D TV. As big of a mouthful as it may be, the picture quality it’ll give you is insane. Try and get a 4K one and you’ll be blown away. Your kids will absolutely love the 3D element, and it’ll definitely amaze any guests that you have over. Yes, it may be pricey, but a TV lasts a long while, so it is definitely a worth while investment. Couple it with a surround sound system and it will really give that cinema quality to any film you’re watching.

Another essential piece of tech, for both the summer and the winter months, is a dual heating and cooling system, also known as an HVAC. During the colder months that are approaching, you can use it to keep your home nice and toasty. Come the summer months, reverse it and it’ll be an excellent cooling system. They are more efficient and easier to control than normal heating, and the fact that it can heat and cool is so handy. Look for HVAC contractors that can install it for you. You’ll be loving your lounge before you know it!

Bedroom:

The bedroom is the place where you retreat to escape the madness of the day. So put some tech in there that’s going to make life that little bit easier. Take the Amazon Echo for example. Yes, it can be used anywhere in the house, but it has some neat features to help you out. Simply say “Alexa, set an alarm for eight AM”. Pretty lazy right? But we live in a lazy generation, so finding a few shortcuts along the way can only help! You can also ask it about traffic on your route to work whilst you’re getting ready, this gadget finds out everything for you. So utilise it!

The Dyson Eye can be used anywhere in the house, but it is wonderful for your bedroom quarters. It’s basically a little robotic hoover that’ll go around on its own vacuuming areas. This is perfect for the bedroom, as it’s usually the room with the smallest amount of walking space. This little robot buddy will prevent constant bashes into the wall with your clunky old vacuum!

Technology is changing daily and can only make your home even more amazing. Do your research and find out which gizmos will work best for you!!

Featured Image By: Flickr 

Oct10

Technology – The Secret Ingredient Of Success

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Technology – The Secret Ingredient Of Success

More and more businesses are relying on technology to make their operations more, well, awesome, efficient, productive, secure, and profitable. The big problem is keeping up with the Lewis Hamilton paced world of advancing tech, which is complicated further by the fact that business leaders, like you, already have their hands full with the other tasks that keep their company in the here and now.

Luckily for you, we have taken the time to cast a rather glorious spotlight on exactly which areas of your business can be greatly improved by the introduction of the right technology. What’s more, we’re not going to waste any more of your time getting to the point:

Mobile Is The Number One Must-Have: For all of the different technology that there is out there, none has crashed into our lives like a New Year’s Eve fireworks display more than the mobile. Last year alone, more than six billion people tuned into a mobile device. Of course, this is quite a big entity in its own right, so to narrow it down a bit more, the areas you need to concentrate on are having a responsive website, a well-tested app, interactive social media, and mobile payment capabilities to keep your company in check with the tech savvy. Don’t forget that your business needs to be easy to communicate with and countless calls can be daunting. To ensure that every customer is tended to, you might want to enlist the help of a voice broadcasting service for the most efficient way to communicate. This service can include ringless voicemail and sms that will be fully automated so you can focus on your to do list.

Never down play the importance of a great website and social media. Every second of the day, millions of people are scrolling through their newsfeeds and preferred sites. Why shouldn’t it be yours?! When utilizing the most effective industrial content marketing strategies, you will surely find an increase in traffic and sales which means you are on the right track to even more success.

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 Off the subject, but I like that bag!

It’s Time To Automate Your Marketing: In a world where time is the most valuable commodity and marketing is the number one way to grow your business, being able to combine the two is becoming increasingly important. Not only this, but they will also dent your need to hire another costly marketing agency-slash-executive. The major benefits on the efficiency front come in the form of lead generation, segmented messages, tailored responses based on actions, and their seamless integration with CRM platforms. AI Helpdesk Software is also especially beneficial as it can keep track of customer conversations, improve your ticketing system, and ensure that every customer can solve their issues in real time. With these tasks fully automated, it can allow you to focus completely on all of the other items on your to do list for the day.

Nothing Is More Important Than Security: Making sure that your business is safe and secure falls into the category of “Pretty Darn Important” for a plethora of reasons. There is the trust you give to your customers, the peace of mind you give to your clients, the reputation you need to protect and, of course, your profit margin. In terms of technology, we recommend you look for a home surveillance camera for sale, something that will let you monitor your physical space and employees from your mobile and not just online threats. That said, the advancements in tech have also made it easier to protect your email accounts, bolster your firewall, and secure both your wireless network and your browsers.

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 Hands up for security!!

Call In The Collaboration Tools: There are a thousand reasons why you need to adapt to the remote world in which we live; reasons that range from attracting top talent and acquiring B2B manufacturing leads to keeping business overheads down. However, in order to make remote working a viable option, you need to invest in the best collaboration tools. Sure, this may not be much of an issue now, but it is projected that over 60% of workers will work remotely by 2022. The platform we are loving at the moment is Google Team. It offers real-time collaboration on a virtual chat-based work space that is designed to make collaboration more accessible and efficient. Music to your ears, huh?

The world of technology is fast paced and constantly changing, and it is up to you as a business leader to keep on top of the ball so that you can keep your company at the top of the ranks.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug15

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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Flickr Image

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

Jun14

Keeping Multiple Doors Open Throughout Your Career

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Keeping Multiple Doors Open Throughout Your Career

Securing a great career is one of the most rewarding accomplishments that anyone can ever achieve. But given the fact that we are individuals, you cannot fall into the trap of placing all of your eggs into one basket. Maintaining a sense of flexibility could be the key to finding a pathway tailored to your unique needs. As such, keeping multiple doors open is essential.

Gaining a sense of direction is important, or else your career could start moving backwards. Nonetheless, retaining a sense of versatility will bring many benefits as you aim to juggle the various aspects of your life. Here’s how you can achieve that goal in just five easy steps:

1) Don’t commit to the longest course: You never know when an opportunity may surface. You may even have a chance to secure your dream job without taking your education to the very highest level. Community college transfers allow you to switch over to an advanced course after graduation from a foundation level. Split your education into two parts and see where you stand at the end of part one. With the money saved thanks to reasonable community college tuition costs, you’ll be glad that you did!

2) Be open to digital opportunities: The evolution of modern tech has opened up several new doors ranging from freelance work to working at home. Build a suitable home office space, and your prospects will look better than ever. Not only can this enable you to reduce the need for commuting, but it may allow you to work during hours that are better suited to your current lifestyle. If you’re a parent, for example, this can make a world of difference to your family life and financially.

3) Consider learning a new language: Let’s face it; the world of business is a smaller place than ever, and even small companies now do international deals. Having the ability to work with clients and partners from all over the world will make you a far more attractive prospect for employers. Moreover, it could potentially open up the possibility of relocating for another role. That might not be an avenue you wish to take, but having the option can only be a positive. And, if nothing else, learning something new is fun!

4) Sign up to job sites and networking channels: In business, it’s often who you know that matters. As such, using LinkedIn and similar platforms can be hugely helpful. Meanwhile, posting your details for potential employers to find you could result in new jobs being offered to you. Even if you’re happy in your current role, you should never rule out the possibility of something better being out there. You might not necessarily chase those vacancies. But still, shutting the door on them completely would be a tragedy.

5) Have the ambition to do something on the side: This could mean increasing your skills with additional courses and experience. Alternatively, you may wish to start a small business of your own with a goal to eventually make it your full-time career. In any scenario, following your passions in a productive fashion can bring many rewards. Not only for your long-term earning potential but for your continued happiness, as well.

The business world is expanding daily with new advances and ideas. Being open to all of the future possibilities only makes sense in a world of constant change!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jun6

Making Sure That Your Home Is A Safe Environment

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Making Sure That Your Home Is A Safe Environment

As the saying goes, home is where the heart is. So it’s not surprising that we all want to protect our homes from any possible harm that may come their way. Most problems can be easily avoided, so here are some of the main issues that pose a risk to the safety of your home and the best ways to deal with them:

Burglary: Any home is a target for burglars. Regardless of the place that you choose to live, your home could be broken into if you are not careful. But there are several precautions that can be taken to put would-be burglars off. Some precautions are common sense: making sure that all doors are locked and that windows are closed when there is nobody in the room to supervise them. There are also some extra steps that you can take to put your mind at ease. Always pull curtains closed at night. This means that potential thieves won’t be able to take a look in and scout out certain prize items that they might like to take.

You can also install motion sensor lighting around the perimeters of your home. These will be activated by the slightest movements, alerting you to anyone’s presence in the vicinity of your home’s grounds. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also install CCTV cameras near access points into your home, such as windows and doors. To protect your home from the inside, you might like to consider investing in a home security system. This will alert you to intruders downstairs when you are upstairs asleep.

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Not today, burglar. Not today.

Accidental Damage: Despite our best efforts, there will always be some form of accidental damage in the home. A little one might kick a ball indoors and send a TV set falling from its wall mount. Or perhaps a pet will walk along your mantelpiece, knocking off precious ornaments and crockery. Regardless of the cause of accidental damage, it is important that you are prepared for it. This is where home insurance comes into play. Make sure that you have a generous policy that states it will repair or replace anything that is accidentally damaged in your home. Remember though: prevention is better than cure. Lay down some house rules with your family and visitors to minimize the chances of accidents occurring in the first place.

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 Yikes!

Faulty Goods: In a similar vein to accidental damage lies faulty goods. Sometimes stores will unknowingly sell you an item that just isn’t quite up to scratch. Faulty goods can often break before you have gained much use from them. At best, you are left with a worthless item lying about your house in need of repairs or replacement. At worst, faulty goods could pose serious risks, such as fires or electrical hazards.

Your products should always live up to your expectations. Good quality products most often will. This is why you should always invest in items with a good warranty. A long lasting warranty displays the manufacturer’s confidence in their product. What’s even better? If something does go wrong, you will be able to have the faulty item replaced free of charge. Check out some of the best warranties on the market at https://warrantyguides.com/best-home-warranty-companies. This site will show you the most promising guarantees on the market.

Many home warranty companies will allow you to customize a plan that makes sense for your home, lifestyle, and budget. Do a walk through of your home and make a list of the items that you think should fall under the warranty and ones that you have questions about. Then, enter a search for “home warranty companies in Arizona” (or your local area) for a consultation. Should any problems arise, you will be so glad that you took this step.

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 Lol, why is there a game controller in the fridge?

Fire: Fire can destroy homes in a matter of minutes, so they are to be avoided at all costs. This mainly takes a little common sense. Don’t leave candles burning unsupervised. Unplug items that are not being used. Make sure that you turn the oven off as soon as you have finished cooking with it. If you are a smoker, refrain from smoking in the house. Stub out your cigarette ends and dispose of them safely in an ashtray.

However, sometimes accidents can occur. You should be prepared for these, even if they are unlikely. Regularly check that your smoke alarms are working properly. You should also have basic fire safety equipment in your home, such as a fire blanket in the kitchen. Make sure that you have a plan in place for the unfortunate event of a fire. Know your exits and the fastest routes out of your home.

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Check your batteries often!

Child Proofing: Even if you don’t have any children, your home should always be child-friendly. This means that if visitors arrive with children, that your home is immediately ready to accommodate them. There are certain key elements when it comes to making sure that little ones are safe and sound in your living space. Make sure that blind cords are rolled up and out of the way. Children can easily become tangled in them, which could prove fatal. Cover plug sockets, as little fingers will often stray into them and this could result in a nasty shock. For the same reasons, make sure that there aren’t any exposed wires lying about. Remove any piles of objects balanced on top of each other, as they can topple and knock a small child down.

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Flickr Image

Garden Safety: The garden can often be overlooked when looking at a home’s overall safety. But it is just as important of an area as the rest, especially in the summer months when people will be tempted to spend more time outdoors. Make sure that any tools are stored away in a locked shed when they are not being used. Loose tools scattered around the garden pose a serious trip hazard or could be stood on, resulting in twisted ankles or injuries from sharp edges or points.

The same goes for bicycles or garden toys. Keeping belongings in a shed is also beneficial for deterring potential burglars, who are likely to take desirable items such as lawn mowers or bicycles from gardens at night. Make sure that any ponds or water features are clearly visible and marked to avoid people falling in. You should also check the perimeters of your garden every so often. Broken or splintered fences can catch on clothes and skin as you brush by.

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Lock your shed at night!

Creating a safe living environment means creating a happy one that is free from injuries and unneeded stress. Follow these tips to ensure that your home is as safe as can be!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May23

The Decisive Blogger

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The Decisive Blogger

If you’re starting a blog, you have a lot of work ahead of you. Though you may not have realized it when you started, it’ll soon become evident that starting a blog is a lot like starting a business. Only, instead of a product, you have yourself and your content. And, instead of customers, you can gain some wonderful followers and friends. But, the logistics are the same. As with a business enterprise, there are a lot of decisions to make. Bear in mind, that you don’t have to get everything right on the first go around. Some bloggers take years to be happy with their following. Here a few of the things that you might need to consider, and a look at how to make choices that work for you:

What’s Your Topic?

Without a topic, you can’t get your blog off of the ground. The chances are that you already have something in mind. You wouldn’t have started this journey otherwise. But, you may be afraid that your topic won’t work. Or, you might worry that you won’t have enough content. For the most part, a blog does need an angle. Your audience needs to know what they can expect from you. But, the topic may not be as rigid as you think. Say, you want to be a beauty blogger but are worried about running out of beauty tips. That’s okay. Give it a go and see where you get. You may find, once you have an audience, that the occasional blog that isn’t beauty related will still get good feedback.

Just be sure not to limit yourself. Step out of your comfort zone or topic niche and try something new. You never know where it might take you!

To Photo, Or Not To Photo?

Blog posts need photos. It’s a good way to break up the text and make things more visually appealing. At the end of the day, none of us internet trawlers like big chunks of text. We want easy to read, accessible posts. And, something about the inclusion of photos enhances that. So, this isn’t a debate about whether to use photos at all. In short; you should. This is more of a debate about whether to use photos you’ve taken, or stock photos. This comes down to personal taste. Both have their benefits and downfalls. If you take your pictures, you know that they’re unique to you. You can tailor them to your image. But, if you’re not skilled with the camera, your posts could end up looking unprofessional. Stock photos have the bonus of giving you options. But, there’s also a risk that a lot of other bloggers are using them. Why not try both and see which you prefer? Play around and experiment and you are sure to find or create an image that works for you.

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Okay, book, camera, and glasses: Say cheese!

Get Guest Bloggers On Board?

Some bloggers decide to publish guest posts from other successful blog owners. There’s nothing wrong with this, as long as you disclose the fact to your audience. In truth, this could be a fantastic way to share readers with the other blogger. You could also write a post on their site. Again, though, this is a personal decision, which you need to make. Do you want to keep your blog for your posts only or are you willing to let other people in? I personally love having guest bloggers on my site. With every season, I try to offer a new guest bloggers series – like my Salute To Summer series, coming soon at the end of the month!

Blogging can be an amazing hobby/career/online journal. It’s up to you to how much or little you put into it but be aware of the decisions that you are making and how they can affect your overall blog image.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May23

Keeping Yourself Entertained On Vaca

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Keeping Yourself Entertained On Vaca

Are you one of the lucky ones heading abroad on your vacation this year? Whether you’re on the road, in a hotel, or on a cruise, there can be moments, particularly after a long day of exploring, when all you want is to settle down and relax. An evening in the hotel with Netflix or a good book can be just what the doctor ordered after you’ve been on your feet all day sightseeing. But staying entertained and ensuring that you don’t run out of things to do while you’re abroad isn’t quite so easy as when you’re at home. Here are just a few ways that you can make sure that, even in your downtime, you’re fully fighting the boredom blahs:

Don’t Rely On Books: If you love to get a jump on your summer reading list while on vaca, books can become far too cumbersome. Whether you read while you travel, relax by the pool, or just as you go through life, it might be time to invest in a bit of a technological helper. Rather than packing a book a day into your luggage, a Kindle is a cheap, lightweight, and easily transportable alternative. With literally millions of books to choose from, all accessible online, you’ll never be caught short without a book again.

Keep Some Entertainment Downloaded: Sometimes WiFi is obscenely slow, and sometimes *gasp* you just can’t connect at all. The worst thing in these situations is to have no backup plan. Keeping a few shows downloaded onto whatever device you’re using can be a real lifesaver in moments of boredom. Netflix has options to download now, as do many other video hosting sites. And be sure to double check that your Spotify Premium account is up to date before you set off so that you can still access all of your favorite music, even when WiFi isn’t an option.

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Pixabay Image

Netflix Is Your BFF: When you need some reassuring familiarity and an evening to yourself, it’s all about Netflix. Whether you’re entertaining young ones or just chilling on your own, being able to get a few of your favorite shows online is essential. While Netflix, ordinarily, won’t work abroad, using a VPN enables you to bypass that. Check out securethoughts to find out exactly how to do it. Then, all of your favorite shows are just a button-push away.

Portable Chargers Are Everything: We rely so heavily on electronic devices in this day and age, from smartphones to laptops and tablets to Kindles, that it’s not surprising that portable charging devices are growing in popularity. When you’re in an airport or hotel room, chances are that you’ll have access to power, but when you’re on the road, public transport, or walking around the city, it could be a bit more tricky. Keep a fully charged portable power supply in your handbag all of the time, and you’ll never find yourself caught with the power out again.

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Is your device fully charged??

Traveling the world doesn’t mean that you don’t want a few moments of R&R every now and then, and if they take the form of your favorite books or TV shows, it’s always best to be prepared. Happy traveling!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr25

Should You Major In Liberal Arts Or STEM?

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Should You Major In Liberal Arts Or STEM?

There was a time, perhaps a couple of decades ago, where the liberal arts – a.k.a. the humanities, dealing with the study of literature, history, philosophy, art, and the like – and STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) worked together in harmony. These days, there seems to be a major divide between the two when it comes to college. At least, that’s what a lot of commentators and even politicians believe.

Back in 2014, Barack Obama called into question the usefulness of a liberal arts degree. He caught quite a bit of heat for suggesting that a degree in art history may not provide you with the job opportunities that an education in trade and manufacturing will. Oddly enough, this actually put him on common ground with the Republicans, who have long questioned the usefulness of degrees such as literature and anthropology!

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He didn’t always please the liberals!

But how right are the critics of an education in liberal arts? Before people even get an opportunity to ask “How do you get a bachelor’s degree?”, they seem to be hounded by such a question. If you feel a bit torn and confused about the whole thing, here are a few points that you should keep in mind:

Manufacturing and Trade Aren’t Dead: So many people out there seem to think that we’ve moved past the need to have so many students doing STEM subjects because there isn’t much career potential in manufacturing and trade. Here’s the thing: Obama wasn’t actually so much criticizing liberal arts as he was criticizing this idea. The fact is, that these are still essential fields in our economies, and fulfilling and lucrative careers are still common in those fields. Don’t dismiss manufacturing and trade as dead fields because they are very much alive and kicking if you know where to look.

Liberal Arts Education Isn’t Just “Training for Starbucks”: An education in the humanities does not doom you to a dead-end job, the way that a lot of people tend to dismiss it. Having said that, there are certainly courses out there that are so steeped in postmodernist denials of reality or objective truth and so much closer to ideological indoctrination rather than education that job prospects after graduation are genuinely lackluster.

But, a degree in philosophy has been shown to get people into well-salaried positions. In fact, the average philosophy major earns more than the average accounting major. As for an English degree, so often mocked by humanities haters, it’s a massive boost for many careers due to the degree showing your ability to read and analyze deeply. Talent in theory and criticism is more useful in business and technology fields than you may think! You can also combine philosophy with technology with a NU London Philosophy and AI Masters degree. This offers the best of both worlds in creative thinking and analyzing the constant changes in our increasingly technological world.

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Starbucks & studies!

And Remember: while Bill Gates has dismissed liberal arts degrees, Steve Jobs has pointed out that his company would never work it if hadn’t been a perfect marriage of STEM and liberal arts.

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Take that, Bill Gates!

Remember Part 2: the value of a degree is both overestimated and underrated – it’s the former in a more general sense, but the latter when you take into account oft-disparaged subjects such as those you’ll find in the humanities. At the end of the day, higher education isn’t pointless, nor is it a waste of time – as long as you pursue your education with purpose, you’ll get something out of it.

Featured Image By: Wikimedia