May 30, 2017

Tired of Being a Cog in A System? Here’s How You Become Boss Of Your Own Life

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For some people, the security of a steady paycheck and the comfort of having a stable job to go to is enough. For others, it’s absolutely not. While many people opt for any job once they graduate from college, years down the line, they begin to think of the adventures and life they’ve missed out on just because they played it safe. If this sounds like you, then there’s good news: you don’t have to settle for less anymore. In this day and age, there are more ways than ever to step outside of the regular office job routine and set up a life where you’re in charge. 


Making the Decision 

Of all the steps you take on your journey to becoming the boss of your life, none will be as difficult as making the decision to take a step away from your steady life. This is where most people who want to leave decide not to: you have the wings to fly, but it’s still scary to jump off the cliff. Once you make the decision then it’s absolutely what you want to do, you’ll find everything else comes a little bit easier. It’s only when we have the security of the familiar that we hesitate and falter. When it’s sink or swim, you’ll be able to swim. When it’s sink, swim, or hold onto to the raft...you’ll just hold onto the raft. 

A New Job 

Hand in your notice and start looking to the future. What is it you want to do? Not everybody wants to change everything about their life, but rather just need to change a few key details, chiefly their job. Your job is your life: you’ll do it for more hours on any given week than any other activity, you need to like it! If you’re unsatisfied with what you’re currently doing, look at positions more in line with what you care about. It could be teaching, social work, or something else that contributes to society. You’ll be paid less, and will probably have to start at the bottom of the pecking order, but it’ll be worth it in the end. 

Becoming a Boss 

Who wants to be just a number when they could do things for themselves, make decisions, have responsibilities, and so on? If you want to throw yourself into a new challenge, why not look at starting your own company? You’ll be involved every step of the way, and will be able to really invest your energy into something you care about. If you don’t want to start your own company, then FranNet franchise opportunities could be a terrific alternative. You’ll have the benefits of being your own boss, while at the same time minimizing your risk and being part of a successful business model. 

May 30, 2017

Get People Talking About Your Business (Without Spending A Fortune)

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It can be a challenge to get your business out there to the world. After all, you might have worked on perfecting your idea. And have completed enough market research to know your idea has a future. But now you don’t know how to get customers to discover your business. A lot of people go down the advertising route. But an advertising campaign can leave your company struggling for dosh. However, there are some ways you can get your company out there to the world without spending all your money on advertising. In fact, here are some tips to get people talking about your business without spending a fortune. 

Use the free tool of word of mouth 

It’s time to call in those favors to help your business take the right steps forward. After all, you need people to start talking about your company to others for your business to start drawing in customers. And a lot of people say word of mouth is often the best tool to get people talking about your company. After all, word spreads from person to person and your business will soon be turning over more money. Therefore, it’s worth contacting old colleagues to tell them about your company. In fact, you might want to blast it on your LinkedIn account to ensure people in the field will hear about your business. Tell them to share your company with other people in the industry, and you will soon get interest in your business. 


May 27, 2017

What Employees Really Want

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For anyone who owns a business, it goes without saying that the employees are one of the most important aspects of all. If you didn’t have them on board, then there would not really be a business to speak of. Of course, keeping them happy is famously quite a difficult thing to achieve. However, as long as you are following some basic steps, you should find that keeping your employees happy is relatively straightforward. All it takes is a few key steps, and you can be sure that your employees will feel looked after and respected, perhaps even admired. To that end, let’s take a look at a few of the things that employees expect from you as their employer. 


Job Security 

Your employees are real people, leading real lives outside of their work. It is important that you remember this if you want them to be as happy as possible in their job. They need to feel that they are safe in their job, that they can rely on it to feed their family for the foreseeable future. Although you don’t owe anybody a job as such, you do to a degree owe your current employees the knowledge that they will not lose their job unfairly, without a proper reason and due course. To help keep them from worrying in this regard, it is usually advisable to draw up a disciplinary process flowchart. This can be included in any employee handbook, or maybe on a notice board in the workplace. This chart should show the exact process of what happens when somebody has broken a rule. Having this official process in black and white means that there is no unfairness, your employees know exactly what to expect, as well as what is expected of them. They don’t have to worry that they could lose their job any day now - and that will help them to relax and, ultimately, carry out better quality work.


May 26, 2017

What I Wish I Knew After Passing My Driving Test

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It’s a wonderful thing, hindsight. When I look back on what I've learned in life and what I may pass on to my children, it’s the more practical things that I've discovered make life a little bit easier. Learning to drive was a milestone in my life, but once I passed my test, I thought that was it. But it’s once you’ve passed your test that you really learn how to drive properly. And here’s what I really wish I knew when I passed. 


Get A Good Car 

When I passed my driving test, I got the first car I could see, which was older than my grandmother and wasn’t so much yellow as it was very dark white! It looked awful, and it wasn’t much fun to drive either. The amount of money I spent fixing it up, buying spare parts, tires, and even a replacement seat belt, it would have been cheaper to get a new car. And new cars don’t have to be expensive, there are some great volkswagen deals going around. And even if you can't afford a brand-new model, you can try and get an ex-demo one to make it a bit cheaper for yourself. 

May 25, 2017

This Summer, Make Sure You Sleep Under The Stars

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There’s a lot you can do in summer. City trips, days spent by the pool, lounging in your garden as you fire up the BBQ...it’s all good stuff. But there’s one more thing you can do - no, should do - this summer: head out into the great outdoors for a few days of camping. There’s nothing quite like spending some time in nature, living a simple life for a few days, and what’s more: it’s inexpensive and easy to organize! Here’s everything you’ll need to do. 

night camping, night campting at the beach
Source: Pexels.com
Finding Your Spot 

There’s no right way to go camping; it’s all about finding your way. Some people get a thrill from a rustic experience, staying at campsites that have just the bare bones of facilities (like a fire pit, pit toilet, and nothing more). Others want to spend some time under the stars, but don’t want to give up the modern conveniences that make life comfortable, like showers and toilets with a flush. Wherever you’re based, you’ll find campsites offering both kinds of experiences to campers. Find a campsite that looks good, and book it possible - campsites get busy in summer, and you don’t want to miss out!  
Gathering the Supplies 

It’s completely possible to have a whole cellar full of camping supplies, but the beauty of this type of living is that you can do it with just a few essentials. Make sure you’ve got a tent or sleeping hammock, warm clothes, food for the night, a source of cooking, sleeping bags, light, and plenty of water. Everything else, more or less, is optional: though, since you’ve got a car, you may as well load up with a few more camping items! 

bonfire
Source: Pexels.com

Kitting out the Vehicle 

Your car will be your best friend when it comes to camping. It’ll get you to the off the beaten path spots, will carry all your belongings, and offer refuge should things get a little wild out there. It’ll also give you the capacity to transport the recreational items that’ll ensure you’re able to have some fun when you’re camping. If you have an off-road vehicle, take a look at the TMJ Perth 4x4 shop and install a bike rack or roof rack to your car; it’ll enable you to bring the bulky items with you on your trip. It’s also a good idea to install a car device charger to the interior, just in case you need to charge your devices when you’re out in the wild. 

Sinking In 

If you’re not usually a camper, then it might take a little while for you to sink into that style of vacation. It’s not always pleasant, especially if it rains or there are mosquitoes, but everything can’t always be perfect! Ride out these rough moments and wait for the fun to begin. When you’re sitting around the campfire, sharing jokes and good times with friends and family, you’ll perfectly understand the appeal of spending some time out in nature, under the stars. And if you don’t like it, you can always book a beach holiday when you’re home!
May 24, 2017

Essential Legal Considerations For Any Start-Up

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When you’re first starting a business, there are all kinds of factors you need to consider. You’ll need to think about the gap in the market that you’re going to exploit, how you’re going to secure finances needed to get your idea off the ground, and the best way to market your product or service to a given target audience. One of the most important things to do is making sure you’re staying in-line with all the laws that apply to whatever business you’re starting. Here are some of the most important legal considerations you’ll need to cover… 


Choosing the Right Structure 

Choosing the correct legal structure for your business is absolutely essential, as it will have major implications for the long-term future of the business. The structure you select will depend on a number of things, including the niche you’re planning to occupy, how much financial risk you’re willing to take on, your required level of flexibility, and tax consequences. Generally, there are four main structures that you can choose from: sole proprietorship, limited liability company, partnership, and corporation. Do a little research on the legal implications, pros and cons of each one, and make your decision accordingly. 

Document the Structure 

If you’ve settled on a partnership structure, or you’re otherwise going into business with another person, it’s always a good idea to document the arrangement. Having the rights and obligations of all involved parties is particularly useful in the event of a massive success, or disputes between the different owners. Either or both of these might seem very unlikely, but nothing’s ever certain in the life of a business! Partnership agreements and shareholder agreements are two of the most common documents used to outline the relationships between different parties, but you may need something bespoke depending on the kind of business you’re planning to launch. Again, a lot of diligent research, coupled with some discussions with an experienced commercial lawyer, will put everything in perspective for you. 

May 24, 2017

The Benefits Of Blogging For a Small Business: Is Your Business Part Of It?

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If you run a small business or are thinking of taking the leap towards being your own boss, then you might be wondering about blogging. Is there a place for it in your business? There is no doubt that it will take up time and money to spend the time writing a blog, so it is understandable to have these kinds of concerns. But the resounding answer to is blogging for your business going to be worth it is yes, it really is! It can be a relatively inexpensive way to boost your website traffic and reach people that you otherwise wouldn’t have. Here are some of the other benefits of blogging for your business.

man using ipad

Gives Your SEO a Boost 

Let’s face it, if you’re a small business, you want to be getting your site onto the first page of a search engine search. It helps draw people to your site, which in turn, leads people to learn about your business and the product or service that you offer. Search engines like to have plenty of fresh content, though. So it is a must to be updating your website, via a blog, regularly. You’re not going to get onto that front page without it. If you find that you need to outsource to do so, then do it. A company like https://www.qorusdocs.com/ can let you know the benefits of content management and the costs of doing so. Content is king! 

Develops Consumer Relationships

With a blog, it allows you to share thoughts on current affairs, as well as things going on in your business, or seasonal topics like holidays or national days. If you’re a green smoothie company, for example, then you want to get in on those people searching for a St. Patrick’s day smoothie recipe, right? Loyal customers will follow along and engage with you. But it also allows you to reach out to potential new customers as you can get feedback through comments, as well as through social media. You can get a real insight into the things that your customers want and need. This post explains that in more detail if needed: http://blogs.forrester.com/customer_insights

Makes Your Business Personable 

Through a blog, you are able to share a much more personal side to your blog. Blogging gives you the chance to share your values and ethos in a way that normal outbound marketing doesn't. It can help people relate to your business, as well as help customers get to know you. That is one thing that a small business has over a large corporation. So you should use it to your benefit. 

Creates the Chance To Share 

Every time that you share a blog post, people can share it on social media. So it is a great way to keep the conversation going. It is a great way to reach new customers and have people engage with your content. If you've written something that really resonates with people, or that is especially useful, like a tutorial or a gift guide, then people will share. The value of a customer giving you that kind of free marketing can’t be measured.
May 22, 2017

Helping Your Child With The Stress Of Moving Home

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Moving home can be hard for all of us, but if you have children, the upheaval can be especially stressful for them. They may not have been involved in making the decision to move so there could be a lot of anger and resentment. While they may not fully understand why you are leaving, there are ways in which you can alleviate their stress. 

1. Inform your children as early as you can about the move so they can begin to adjust to the idea. 

2. As children need familiarity and routine, the idea of moving somewhere unknown could cause them fear and anxiety. Put their minds at ease by telling them as much as you can and answer any questions they have honestly. 

3. If you are moving a distance away, show your children photographs of the new home and location. This will get them used to the idea that the move is real and provide a knowledge of where they are moving to. If you are moving nearby, take them to see the home and explore the new destination. There may be some great facilities nearby that will attract your child’s attention. 

4. When it comes time to pack toys, clothes, and furniture away, involve your children in the packing process. If you have very young children, be sure to tell them that they will see their belongings soon, whether they are being taken away by interstate removalists or just in the back of your car. It may be worth for keeping back a few toys for your child to have with them on the journey. 

5. Give your children responsibility within the decision process. When talking about their new room, ask them what color they would like it to be. It may be time to buy some new furniture for their bedroom, so give them options to choose from.

6. One of the biggest concerns children have about moving, is saying goodbye to their friends. Allow them the time to say goodbye properly, and remind them that they will still be able to keep in contact through social media, Skype, and telephone. 

7. Another worry for children is beginning a new school. If possible, arrange a visit before they start, letting them meet their new teacher and the opportunity to meet other students. 

8. Moving home is particularly hard for teenagers who may be in a relationship with somebody, and have close friendships. They may also be in the middle of the exam period or close to an important school event such as the prom. If you can, work the move date around their schedule, or let them stay with family or friends until the timing is better for them. Assure them that they will be able to stay in contact with their friends and that what is happening now is a learning experience for later on in life. 

The move will be challenging for all of you, but try and let it bring you closer together in the process. Change is always hard, but it can be a positive thing.
May 22, 2017

When Good Business Planning Goes Bad

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There’s nothing worse than being a meticulous planner and having things go wrong, but it’s even harder when you’re a business owner trying to make it! Every business has their difficulties, but a solid business plan can help you out of most of them. When things go wrong in a business, it’s because a business plan wasn’t adhered to, or written at all. 


A lot of small start-ups don’t understand the importance of sticking closely to a business plan. The business planning cycle of today is as intricate as it is vital for the survival of a new company. Strategy that isn’t executed correctly happens to most businesses, but if you want to create a solid business foundation, follow our business plan tips to stop your business from falling apart! 

Focus on the customer – not you. Your business may be your baby, but it’s all about the customer. Your focus needs to lie with the customer first before anything else instead of how they fit your company goals. You need to meet the needs of the customer and you should fashion your business plan around that. Customers are constantly bombarded with what they should be buying every single day – so make it easy for them to choose what you can offer. 

Get your finances straight. Business plans need clear, concise forecasts showing projected profit and loss and where you plan to get your financing from. If you have finances in place, show this alongside debtor finance options to help you bridge the gap between invoicing clients and clients paying you. This way, you will never be left out of pocket. If your finances are straight and forecasted correctly, then you will have a much easier time of things when it comes to approaching the bank for financial backing! 
May 13, 2017

3 Signs You Know A Modern-Day Luddite (And How To Cope With Them!)

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The Luddites were a section of the working class who, in the 18th and 19th centuries, set about destroying machinery that was taking work from them. They fought against the Industrial Revolution that was denying them jobs, and though they lost, their name has gone down in history to signify an attitude that is resistant to change and modernization. 

How many Luddites do you know? 

Okay, so they’re probably not out and about destroying machinery or protesting outside of an Apple store - but they do still exist. For those of us who have seen the advent of the Digital Age and responded with a big “yes please!”, there’s nothing more frustrating than a modern Luddite, a technophobe. It can mean a huge clash of cultures over something some basic but which has, over time, become so fundamental. 

Do you think you know a modern-day Luddite? Maybe you do! After all, they all tend to give off the same signs and sayings… 

#1 - “People Are On Their Phone Too Much These Days!” 

The idea that we all use our phones non-stop is a favorite of the modern-day Luddite. This is despite the fact that phones have replaced a huge amount of technology; it’s not like we’re all just playing games all day. 

Okay, it’s not like we’re only playing games all day. 

A smartphone is not just a phone or a portal to the internet. It’s a calendar, an alarm clock, a schedule, a way to track your health, and a method of managing your financial affairs. Everyone is ‘always on their phone’ because our lives tend to be on our phones now - it’s just the device that gives us access to them! 

May 12, 2017

Boredom Busting Websites

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Despite the fact we all live busy lives, there are still times when we get bored. The latest superhero film doesn’t appeal, we’ve finished watching that new Netflix show and the websites we usually visit are starting to look very samey – what to do? Check out some of these great boredom busting websites and those dull moments will be a thing of the past… 

TED 

TED is without a doubt one of the best websites on the web right now. Packed with around 2000 videos of the most interesting and informative talks you are every likely to hear, there’s something there for everyone. Whether you’re into future technologies, mental health or charitable giving, you’ll find something to keep your attention for a while. 

Difference Between 

Difference Between is one of those websites that you should have bookmarked for those moments between tasks when you want to take a little break and perhaps learn an interesting fact or two. As the name of the site would suggest, this website is all about illustrating the difference between two things, like Nation and Country or Socialism and Communism. It’s a lot of fun, and it might just make you smarter. 

May 12, 2017

Life Lessons You Learn at the Blackjack Table

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blackjack table

You might think that blackjack is nothing more than a simple card game, a bit of fun where, if you’re lucky you might double your money and leave the table victorious. However, the game of blackjack can be a lot more than that. When you play the game, there are a number of important life lessons that will flash before your eyes. Here’s what you can learn from a humble game of blackjack: 

Don’t Go in With Your Eyes Closed 

When you’re playing the game of blackjack at the casino, it is important that you know the rules, you have an idea of what to expect, and you go in armed with tips and tricks to help you beat the house and increase your number of chips. This is an important life lesson, which can be applied to everything from going prepared to a job interview to knowing how to play the stock market before you invest your money. If you do your research, prepare yourself for success and have a good idea of what’s coming, you’ll do much better in life. 

Embrace the Highs and Lows

When you’re playing blackjack, you will experience many highs and lows. One turn of the cards can make you richer or poorer, but you must learn to take each turn with grace, humility, and calmness. After all, things can change again on a dime, and your current situation will not always remain the same. This is true of life too. Whatever the world throws at you, it’s important that you enjoy the ride, instead of thrashing against the things you don’t like and trying to cling on to those high moments no matter what. 

Maintain Self-Control 

As you can see from the people who review the Foxy Casino app, it has never been easier to play blackjack – you don’t even have to go to a casino – you only need to have a smartphone at your disposal, and you can play to your heart's content. However, when you’re playing the game, you need to know when to quit. You need to set your limits before you start playing and you need to be able to bow out when the time is right, lest you end up losing too much money or blowing your winnings. In every aspect of life, being disciplined and knowing your limits will see you well. 

Know When You Should Walk Away 

Related to self-control, it is important that you know when to walk away and leave the table or close the app completely. It can be tempting to try and persist in a bid to make things better, but sometimes you just have to accept that things are not working out and leave them behind for the good of all. This is a lesson you learn in blackjack which can be applied to relationships, work situations and most important aspects of life. So, next time you’re playing blackjack, as well as doing your best to hit a big win, take the time to think about the lessons the cards can teach you. Apply them to your life, and you might just be surprised at the results.
May 12, 2017

Making A Little More Money From Home, Without Further Employment

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It’s a pleasant feeling to earn money as a side to your job. If you work at home, you’re probably not prescribed to set hours, but if you are, you can likely structure your day how you’d like in some regard. This gives you a huge opportunity to supplement your income using some tested, reliable methods that anyone who can navigate software user interfaces can accomplish. Some of them might even give you other benefits, as explained in the following article. 

Some people enjoy winning money through sites such as Foxy Bingo. Others enjoy selling their cluttered goods. The most popular methods that people adopt are as follows: 

Freelancing (Without Employment) 

Freelancing doesn’t necessarily have to mean you’re working for a freelancing agency. It can mean taking on odd jobs. It can mean providing wedding photo touch-ups from your home desktop for your cousin. It’s best to register as a self-employed firm and have a business contact number so people can contact you and make official payments to you. You may also be able to get a tax write off if you earn a significant amount of income through your side hustle. 

May 11, 2017

What Businesses Could You Run From Home?

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Running a business from home could be a dream, or it could be a nightmare. The fact is this - running your very own business from the comfort of your own homes comes with a set of specific rules. You need to be dedicated, disciplined, a hard worker and productive. Perhaps more so than if you were working in an office environment. Working from home asks a lot from us and our abilities. The home is a very unique environment for work - that much is true and some can thrive while others find it difficult to succeed from within their own four walls and a roof. Some businesses aren't suitable to run from home - now a lot are, but some ideas need space to breathe. If you are unable to be productive in your home environment, then every single idea for a home business is going to be a bad one. Not because working from home is bad, but because of your attitude. That being said, there are some ideas that will thrive in the open world, while others will be suitable for home working. It all does come down to what type of person you are - will you be able to find success working from home, or will distractions cripple your productivity? 


May 10, 2017

Helping Yourself Develop: Making Sure That Your Startup Is As Synergistic As Possible

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If you’re a new startup owner, there’s a lot to consider. How to find the best suppliers, how to manufacture your product safely, and how to chart realistic growth goals are just some. However, articles like this one, promoting the ‘best ways’ to open and run a startup can actually only serve to make you afraid of making a mistake. It can be easy to fall into the feeling that you need to get everything right the first time, and that there’s zero flexibility when it comes to making mistakes. 

This feeling, while somewhat well intentioned, can end up harming even the most capable startup creator. It can lead to them overdoing tasks that don’t need to have so much thought put in them in the first place. It can lead to a difficulty effectively managing a workforce. It can mean that you separate all of your interlocking functionings, meaning that you have disparate elements of your machine working in the wrong ways, as opposed to working together. Make sure you follow these two items to improve the synergy in your startup, to give yourself the easiest operational workflow possible. 

May 10, 2017

Bustin' The Ghosts In The Machine

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In any industry now, the state of your machinery is vital to your staff’s productivity. Starting a business in manufacturing or engineering means that you are placing such a reliance on the machinery’s ability to work, that you'd better have every known method of precaution in place. You'd be hard-pressed to think of any business that doesn’t use tech in one way or another, which is why you need to look after the equipment like it is a member of staff. But so many companies don’t even think about this. A ghost in the machine will have a massive impact on your business, and if you are a fresh new company, you need to get a system in place for your systems to work properly. 


The first thing to think about is a maintenance schedule. This is vital if you have purchased used equipment. While most machinery comes with its own schedule, you need to put your own in place. The key to a healthy workplace is prevention, and by helping to prolong the shelf-life of your equipment, you are prolonging the business output. The safety of your employees is all about regular checks and making sure that the equipment is fit for purpose. Even the basic instruments your employees use on a daily basis will eventually succumb to wear and tear. Using a certified calibration service is so important to maintaining the basic equipment that it can be a bit of an oversight on occasion. Calibrating all of the basic instruments is vital otherwise all of the measurements will be out of sync and the amount of time it would take to reset the machinery will equate to a big loss! So be sure to look after your equipment regardless of how recent the safety checks occurred.

May 10, 2017

Save Or Splurge? How To Invest In Beauty

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make-up, beauty

Beauty is one of those areas that we either love or hate. Some love shoes and handbags, others love beauty products. When you’re a beauty addict, it can be easy to spend endless amounts of money on all kinds of lotions and potions. However, when you struggle to find anything you like or have a bad experience, beauty can seem like an area you want to stay away from. Whether you’re buying too much to know which products or best or you’re too scared to find out, take a look at the places to save on and the ones to splurge. 

Moisturiser 

It’s always, always, always worth investing in a good moisturizer. Preparing your skin is always important because it forms the base of your makeup. Alongside cleansing, you should never skip the moisturizing process. If you struggle with different skin concerns, ensuring that your skin is both clean and hydrated could help you. First of all, you’re going to want to find out your skin type, and then invest in the best product to help you beat your problems. 

Lashes 

In recent years, eyelashes have been getting more and more attention in the beauty world. First, there were false lashes that you could stick on to get extra length or volume. Then, came the extensions. Eyelash extensions can be a great investment if you lack in either volume or length, or want to be able to be able to speed up the makeup process in the mornings. Alternatively, you might find that LVL procedure, which tints and curls your own lashes, is a little more natural and easier to maintain. 

Electrical Beauty

When it comes to electrical beauty, you could either save or splurge depending on what sort of products you need. However, if you’re looking for a good blow dryer or curling tong, you don’t have to break the bank to have a good hair day. You can pick up great hair curling wands for under $25 that can create incredible curls - it’s the same for blow dryers. This is definitely an area to save on if you’re looking to invest in other places. 

Foundation 

Everyone has their preference when it comes to foundation, but as a general rule, investing is best. Some drugstore brands can create great products, but if you’ve got a difficult skin type, you might want to invest in something a little more expensive. However, if you’re looking to try out a few different colors, it might be worth picking up something like the RCMA Kehoe Foundation Palette. That way, you can try out a range of colors, mix and match them and even have shades ready for when you have a tan and when you’re a little paler. 

Lips 

Whether you wear lipstick or gloss, you can always save a few bucks when it comes to your lips. Designer products can often look pretty, but they also have great dupes that look just as good. Sometimes, you can’t even tell the difference if you’re wearing that $40 designer shade of its $5 drugstore dupe. So, if you’d prefer to invest elsewhere, shop for your lip colors at the drugstore and pocket the extra cash.
May 05, 2017

Why You Should Definitely Be Sleuthing On Your Employees

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Face-to-face interviews have had a long history. But in many businesses, they're slowly becoming a thing of the past. It turns out that they're just not that effective at figuring out whether somebody is suitable for a particular job - and employers know it. 


As far as traditional interviews go, there are two main problems. One of the problems is hiring bias. Hiring managers have a terrible habit of hiring the candidate who is most like them, rather than the person who is right for the job. As a result, companies with traditional hiring practices lack diversity and put themselves at a disadvantage. The other problem with interviews is that even without hiring bias, you never really get to find out what somebody is like to work with. They may be great in the interview situations, but they might be incapable when it comes to performing on the job. 


So what can be done? 

Well, one of the things that companies are increasingly doing is sleuthing on potential job candidates. They’re looking at their social media account and using free warrant search tools to find out whether they really do want this person to join their business. They’re also delving into their CVs and asking awkward questions about the career attitude of a potential candidate. If you’re an employer, here’s what to do. 

May 03, 2017

A Guide To Buying Your First Car

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buying new car, buying car, buying car tips

Just passed your driving test? Well done, it is an incredible achievement. Chances are you will be keen to get behind the wheel in a car of your own. However, navigating the way to buying one can be confusing. A car is one of the most expensive things you will ever buy so don’t make any hasty or uneducated decisions. Follow this handy guide to steer you in the right direction. 

Do your research 

Your first car shouldn’t be about status, rather safety and dependability are key. Don’t rush out and buy the first car you see. Yes, it may be in the color you like, have four wheels and a CD player. It may also be a piece of junk. Therefore take it for a test drive to ensure it drives smoothly with no noticeable faults. It is wise to hire a mechanic to check the car, too. It may cost you a little bit more money, but it will be worth it for your peace of mind. You don't want to drive the car off the lot, and it breaks down an hour later, stranding you in the middle of nowhere. 

Consider what kind of car you need. If you have a family, it is likely you will need a larger car such as the Vauxhall Astra Hatchback to accommodate everybody. If not, perhaps a smaller car such as a Ford Fiesta or Renault Twingo, both easy to handle and good for maneuvering into those tight parking spaces. 
  
As you are a new driver, expect to pay more insurance than somebody who has been driving for a while. Insurance companies consider you to be at higher risk than more established drivers. To keep costs down, buying a smaller car with less engine power will help, as will adding another driver to your insurance policy. If you drive for a year without an accident, the cost of insurance will gradually go down. Always go online and seek out the cheapest insurance options available to you. 

May 02, 2017

Controlling Your Love Affair With Handbags

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Accessories can help to complete an outfit. In fact, they can add character to your outfit. But it’s easy to go a bit OTT when it comes to accessories like shoes. In fact, it’s easy to get a tonne that just end up sitting in your wardrobe. And one thing, in particular, this can happen to is bags. After all, girls just can’t help themselves when they see a gorgeous handbag in the store. But to keep your funds intact (plus save room in your wardrobe), you need to be more careful before buying more bags! In fact, here are some questions you can use to help you control your love affair with handbags. 

handbags

Is it something you will use on a daily basis? 

Before you take the cute new bag to the till you need to consider when you are actually going to use the bag. After all, if it’s just for one particular occasion, it might not be worth buying the handbag. In fact, if you do want to get a new bag, you want something which is suitable to use on a daily basis. That way, you will actually utilize the bag, and it’s less likely to just sit at the back of your wardrobe. After all, it’s so easy to get drawn in by a beautiful bag that you think you need. But when you consider it properly, you can see that it’s not actually something you will never make use of! 

Is it worth the cost?

A lot of us fall in love with a handbag without checking the price tag first. After all, we like the style or the pattern. And it instantly makes us want to rush to the till. But to ensure you don’t end up with another bag denting your bank balance, you should check the price tag first. After all, the cost of the bag might not actually be worth it. For one thing, you need to check what material the bag is. After all, if it’s not proper leather, you might actually be paying out way more than what the handbag is worth. Also, check the quality of the inside of the bag too. After all, you don’t want a new handbag which is going to have holes in by the end of the week! Also, before you buy, you should make sure you can’t get it cheaper elsewhere. After all, there might be a good discount like a michael kors coupon which could save you a tonne of money. Therefore, it might be worth looking online instead to save you money. 

Will it go with your wardrobe? 

You also need to consider what the bag will be like with the rest of your wardrobe. After all, you don’t want to buy a brightly colored bag which doesn’t go with half your clothes. Otherwise, you will be limited to time you can use the handbag. And then it makes no sense purchasing the bag. Therefore, think through your wardrobe and decide whether it would make a handy addition. That way, it will stop you making an error buying another handbag you will never use! 

And remember to think about the style of the bag. After all, if you already have a tonne of tote bags, there’s no point just getting another one to add to the pile.
May 02, 2017

Fab Home Styles From Ancient China To Tudor England

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When it comes to housing, you’re not limited to one particular look. There are dozens of different styles to choose from, each of which creates its own distinctive mood. But which is right for you?

Oriental 

One of the most exciting styles on the market at the moment is oriental. Technically speaking, it’s not really oriental. Instead, it’s a westernized version with Asian features inspired by ancient Chinese culture. One of the primary sources of inspiration are the pagoda-like roofing elements. Rather than just having the roof overhang the top of the house, oriental style houses have a roof that overhangs that lower windows too, giving a multi-tiered effect. 

In traditional Chinese buildings, the roof over overlapped the exterior walls by a couple of feet. Modern oriental design homes do the same, providing ample protection from the damp. 

Cottage 

When people think of cottages, they think of small houses with low roofs and little attic space. Although that’s true of authentic cottages dating from the eighteenth century, it’s not so true for current builds. Modern houses might be given the “cottage” moniker, but that doesn’t mean that they have all of the features of traditional cottages. 


The similarities are clear: cottage style homes tend to be small. But rather than this being out of necessity, as it was when the first cottages were built, it’s now out of choice. Some homeowners, it transpire, want a small, manageable floor plan. 

The exterior of cottages is usually made from stone or wood siding, and often there’s a single attic room that serves as a bedroom. 

The Victorian Mansion

The Victorian era was the first period in which real wealth came to the masses. New industrialists rose up through the social ranks, thanks to the money generated from their businesses. As a result, they were able to build fantastic houses, many of which survive to this day. The main era of Victorian homes was from 1830 to 1910 - all the decades that spanned Queen Victoria’s reign. During that period, some older styles, like Romanesque as well as Italianate came back into fashion and influenced the architecture of the period. Before long, Victorian homes - characterized by their ornate design, bright colors, and asymmetrical shape - began popping up all over the place. 

Tudor 

If you’re looking for a new house for sale, you might worry that Tudor homes aren’t an option. But it turns out that they’re actually a very popular new build style. Yes - it’s unlikely that you’ll find an original Tudor build that’s in your price range, but there are modern copies that are arguably better and more livable. 


The Tudor style is easily recognized. Tudor homes have high, pointed roofs, decorative timber frames and lots of chimneys. This makes them ideal for cold, wet climates, like England or Newfoundland. They’re also equally at home in the Midwest and other areas that see a lot of rain. 

Townhouse 

Would you like to live in a townhouse? Did you know that townhouses have a particular style? 

Townhouses became more popular in the 19ths century as more and more people moved into cities. Many of the migrants didn’t have much money, so home builders looked for ways to bring down the cost of housing. They realized that if they made one large building and then divided it up into smaller living compartments, they could save buyers money. And so the townhouse was born - a design concept that allowed many new homes to be built on a small plot of land. For people who love living in close-knit communities, long lines of townhouses provide the perfect opportunity. 

Prairie 

Frank Lloyd Wright was an innovative architect and designer. He looked at other home designs but concluded that they were too showy or formal. He didn’t like neo-classical or Gothic designs. Instead, he set about creating a new type of home. He believed that homes should be able to cater for all the needs of the family without having to be embellished in any way. As a result, prairie homes are highly practical and highly understated. Driving past a luxury prairie home, you wouldn’t know whether it was valuable or not. 


From the outside, the prairie style is deliberately low key. Homes are characterized by shallow roofs, horizontal lines, and a few shrubs. They look more like government offices than a typical suburban residence. 

Neo-Classical 

Classical buildings are non-existent in the Americas. But that doesn’t mean that we’re any less interested in classical design. Ever since the Renaissance, architects have been using design elements from the ancient Greeks and Romans. 

Neoclassical design is a way of paying homage to those ancient styles. Expect to see a lot of symmetry and columns in neoclassical homes, representing order and strength. Also, expect to see a lot of elaborate doorways and entrance halls, designed to impress visitors. 

The Founding Fathers in the US were keen on neoclassical revival. The most famous example is perhaps Thomas Jefferson’s house in Virginia, with its columned entrance and classical dome on top. 

Modernist 

In everyday English, we use the word “modern” to refer to something new or contemporary. But in the world of architecture, modern refers to the stylistic movement of modernism whose heyday was more than fifty years ago. 

Real “modern” homes are those that were built in the 1950s. They incorporated clean lines and geometry, a little bit like classical designers, but they got rid of many of the bells and whistles. The result is a modest appearance with an emphasis on function over form. 

Italianate 

Italy has always been the center of European culture and sophisticated, especially since the great renaissance artist of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Out of this movement came the Italianate home style: a style characterized by ornamentation rather than functionality. 

Most Italianate homes were built towards the end of the nineteenth century and feature things like rounded windows, columned entryways, and tall, rectangular windows. Architects will tell you that Italianate homes are modeled on authentic Italian villas. But as the style developed, it became something very different.
May 01, 2017

Warehouse Rules: Making Sure That Your Warehouse Is Running Smoothly

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Every business comes with certain complications, whether they are technological or staff-based. But few things require more effort and understanding than running a warehouse as a part of your business. There are huge benefits to running your own warehouse. You get to have complete and total control over the production and movement of your products and can often save a lot of money compared to outsourcing those kinds of requirements. However, the other side of that is that it becomes your sole responsibility to make sure that the whole thing is running as smoothly as possible. Of course, there are plenty of things that are pretty standard and apply to all parts of your business. Employee training and motivation, infrastructure, etc. but there are also some specific elements to a business that you need to be aware of in order to make sure that things are always running and one-hundred percent. Here are just a few of the things to consider if you want to ensure that your warehouse is always running smoothly. 

Equipment maintenance 

Your machinery and equipment are likely to be at the very center of the day-to-day functions of your warehouse. Without them, there's a very real chance that it wouldn't be able to function at all. Because of this, you need to make sure that you're always aware of your need to keep your equipment well maintained at all times. If something goes wrong with an essential piece of machinery, then that can bring your entire warehouse, and many other parts of your business along with it, grinding to a halt. Taking the time to check over your equipment and keep it maintained might seem like it's going to take up a lot of your time, but it's certainly less inconvenient and time-consuming than having you make serious repairs when something goes wrong. 

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