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Top Benefits Of Having An Awning At Your Porch

Kathryn R. Bown
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Top Benefits Of Having An Awning At Your Porch
Photo by Athena

The idea of having an awning on your porch is surprisingly not new. It has been used for centuries, with archeological findings from the ancient Greeks and Romans depicting primitive versions of awnings. Today, however, thanks to advancements in technology and materials, awnings have become more sophisticated and provide many benefits. From providing shade on hot summer days to blocking harmful UV rays that can cause sun damage, the right awning can help you enjoy your porch even more than before. Let’s explore some of the benefits of an awning on your porch.

Increased Comfort

Awnings are a great way to add comfort and convenience to any porch or patio area. An awning can provide shade, protection from the elements, and even protection from insects. When you install an awning on your porch, it will increase the amount of comfort available in the space and create a visually appealing addition that can improve curb appeal and property value.

Shade is one of the main benefits of having an awning installed on your porch. By providing extra shade coverage for outdoor areas, you can drastically reduce the direct sunlight that hits your furniture and guests during certain hours of the day. This helps keep everyone comfortable and prevents sun damage from occurring on items such as wooden chairs and tables.

Additionally, an awning can provide much-needed protection from rain and other elements. Chicago, for instance, has significant seasonal contrasts in terms of temperature and weather conditions. During the summer, the sun can be scorching and unbearable, while temperatures can plummet to below freezing during the winter. An awning from a Chicago awning company effectively regulates these temperatures and makes your porch more comfortable for yourself and visitors year-round. Strong winds, rain, snow, and ice can damage furniture and ruin outdoor gatherings without the proper coverage. With an awning in place, you don’t have to worry about inclement weather ruining your plans or damaging any belongings outside.

Finally, an awning can also help keep out unwanted insects, such as mosquitoes that can make spending time outdoors unpleasant. By blocking or reducing their access to certain porch areas, it will be much easier for everyone to enjoy their time in an insect-free zone.

Added Privacy

Having an awning on your porch is like having your own private space outdoors. An awning-up is a barrier between you and the outside world, allowing for added privacy in your outdoor area. This extra layer of security gives you more peace of mind when spending time outdoors with family or friends. Whether you are just looking to relax on the porch swing, host a BBQ party, or enjoy some fresh air, having an awning can give you the added privacy and comfort needed to make the most out of any outdoor activity.

The additional coverage also keeps unwanted guests away from your outdoor living area. An awning will provide shade and protection from prying eyes while allowing natural light and air to flow through your outdoor space. This allows you to make the most of your outdoor living area without worrying about who may be watching or listening in on your private conversations.

Improved Aesthetics

When you have an awning installed on your porch, it can add much more than just protection from the elements. Because of its structure and design, an awning can also help improve your porch area’s aesthetics. A well-chosen and expertly installed awning can become a beautiful focal point that adds visual interest to your outdoor space. This is especially true if you choose a vibrant color or unique pattern that coordinates with other elements in the surrounding landscape. Not only will this make your porch look inviting and attractive, but it could also boost the value of your home by increasing curb appeal.

Cost Savings

An awning on your porch can save you money in many ways. It not only provides shade from the sun and protection from rain, but it also helps reduce energy bills by blocking out heat and preventing air conditioning units from working overtime during hot days. Additionally, awnings are typically made of durable materials that don’t require frequent maintenance or repairs, thus helping you save on repair costs. Furthermore, certain types of awnings may even offer tax benefits! Finally, investing in an awning today could help you save more money over time due to its added value to your home when it comes time to sell.

Reduced Sun Damage

Having an awning on your porch can provide you with many benefits, but one of the most beneficial is reduced sun damage. Sun exposure damages the skin, contributes to premature aging and increases the risk of skin cancer. You can reduce this risk by blocking out harmful ultraviolet rays from reaching your porch and home with an awning. An awning also helps to keep your furniture and other items on the porch from fading due to excess sunlight. In addition, an awning provides excellent shade when you want to enjoy spending time outside without being directly exposed to strong sunlight. This makes it more enjoyable outdoors and reduces glare and heat penetration inside the house.

Increased Resale Value

Installing an awning on your porch is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase the value of your home. An awning can add charm and style to your exterior, making it more attractive to potential buyers. It’s also proven to be a great way to save money in energy expenses by providing shade that helps reduce cooling costs during hot days. An awning on your porch can also significantly boost your property’s resale price.

Awnings are highly durable and long-lasting, which makes them stand out when it comes to increasing the value of your property. Since they protect from sun damage and excessive rain, they can maintain good condition even after many years of use. The benefits of having an awning on your porch extend beyond the enhanced resale value. As mentioned earlier, it also adds aesthetic appeal to your home. Improved curb appeal makes your property more attractive, leading to increased demand and higher sale prices in the future.

Photo by Luke Witter on Unsplash

Having an awning on your porch can provide many benefits. From increased comfort and privacy to cost savings and improved aesthetics, there’s no doubt that the right awning can take your outdoor space to the next level. So if you’re looking for ways to spruce up your porch area, consider investing in a quality awning today! You won’t regret it.

4 Tips for Coloring Your Hair at Home

Kathryn R. Bown
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4 Tips for Coloring Your Hair at Home

Looking for a simple way to change up your look in the new year? It might be time to dye your hair!

Changing your hair color is a simple way to give yourself a quick makeover and can help boost self confidence; unfortunately, getting this done at a salon can be both pricey and time consuming. While some expert hair stylists might advise against coloring your hair at home, the truth is that it can be done successfully with the right preparation and precautions in place.

Ready to color your own hair at home? Read these tips and tricks to ensure that your hair will turn out correctly and safely, so that you can avoid an emergency trip to the salon or to a medical clinic like ThriveMD.

Photo by Jonas Svidras form PxHere

Always Test a Strand

While many people ignore the “test strand” part of hair dye instructions, this is actually one of the most important steps in ensuring that your DIY hair color will turn out the right shade, and to avoid negative or even allergic reactions of the skin. Testing a strand of hair before dyeing your full head might be an extra step that adds a little time to the overall coloring process, but it will be worth it when you get the exact shade you wanted with no difficulty the first time you apply dye.

Don’t Mix Shades

While some beauty influencers in online tutorials might recommend mixing different colors of hair dye in order to get your perfect shade, this is not recommended! Hair dyes can interact with one another in a way that creates a completely different shade than you anticipate once applied to your hair, and can quickly result in a disaster. Instead, ask an employee at your local beauty store to help you find the closest available shade to the color you want.

Use Vaseline to Protect Skin

If you’re worried about getting dye on your skin, applying Vaseline to your face, ears, and other exposed areas can help prevent dye from staining your skin. Additionally, you can apply this product to countertops, sinks, and other parts of your home to keep dye from staining as much as possible.

Apply Coconut Oil

To keep your hair feeling soft and healthy even while being colored with harmful dye, apply coconut oil before applying color! This will create a barrier between your hair and the harmful chemicals in the dye, to reduce the amount of damage being done to your strands while keeping them feeling soft and silky.

Happy New Year! 2023 Welcomed Around the World

Nancy Clayson
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Happy New Year! 2023 Welcomed Around the World

Happy New Year to Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Shanghai, Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei and Perth!

As the new year sweeps across the globe, 2023 is now being welcomed in Asia.

The South Korean capital of Seoul the latest city to celebrate.

Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, which has just entered 2023, saw its official New Year’s Eve fireworks display cancelled due to severe winds and rain across the region.

2022 has been quite a year, and now it’s time to welcome a brand new one; we’ll guide you through the day as 2023 is marked around the globe

Among the first places to see in the new year was Kiritimati Island in the central Pacific Ocean.

Auckland in New Zealand became the first major city to start celebrations welcoming in 2023, with fireworks launched from the city’s Sky Tower

Sydney has also entered the new year, the city’s fireworks launched from its Harbour Bridge, Opera House and barges in its famous harbour

Happy New Year to those of you living in Queensland, Australia.

Brisbane and the Gold Coast have becomes the latest cities to welcome in 2023.

New York’s Times Square is set to reach full capacity for the first time in two years when crowds gather to watch the annual ball drop on New Year’s Eve later today.

The event is one of many new year festivities across the globe to be scaled back in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

Revellers were allowed to attend last year’s celebrations but crowd numbers were limited to 15,000.

Attendees had to show proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid test if exempt. In 2020, it was closed to spectators but a small number of health workers were allowed into the square for the event.

The spectacle will go ahead this year without any restrictions.

The ball, made up of nearly 2,700 Waterford crystals, will be placed at the top of the pole in Times Square just before 18:00 EST.

The drop, will begin at a minute to midnight and takes exactly 60 seconds.Replacements for the ball’s crystal panels have been made by hand by Irish craftsmen at Waterford Crystal.

Each year a new theme is chosen and this year’s theme is the “Gift of Love”.

Happy New Year!

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Dies Aged 95

Diane A. Wade
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Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Dies Aged 95

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95, almost a decade after he resigned because of ailing health.

Former Pope Benedict XVI led the Catholic Church for fewer than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.

He spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican where he passed away at 09:34 on Saturday, December 31.

His successor Pope Francis will lead the funeral on January 5.

The Vatican said the body of the Pope Emeritus will be placed in St Peter’s Basilica from January 2 for “the greeting of the faithful”.

Bells rang out from Munich cathedral and a single bell was heard ringing from St Peter’s Square in Rome after the former pope’s death was announced.

Benedict XVI was already 78 when he became Pope in 2005. Age and ill health quickly took their toll, prompting his resignation less than eight years later.

No other pope had stepped down since Gregory XII in 1415 and Benedict was the first to do so voluntarily since Celestine V in 1294.

Pope Benedict XVI has announced today his resignation after nearly eight years as the head of the Catholic Church, saying he is too old to continue at the age of 85

When he became 265th Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church it was the culmination of the rapid, and highly controversial, rise of Joseph Ratzinger.

Supporters portrayed him as a highly intellectual man who laboured to protect the spiritual inheritance bequeathed to him by Pope John Paul II.

To his critics Benedict XVI was the ultimate exponent and guardian of the Church’s dogmatic approach to issues like abortion and contraception. The outrage he sometimes caused seemed typical of a man who was never afraid of upsetting people – if he believed something had to be said or done.

Joseph Aloysius Ratzinger was born into a profoundly Catholic family on 16 April 1927, in the southern German state of Bavaria. He was the son of a police officer with, as he later put it, “simple country roots”.

His youth was indelibly marked by World War Two. Forced to join the Hitler Youth, he served in an anti-aircraft unit which defended a BMW plant outside Munich.

Joseph Ratzinger became a prime candidate for rapid advancement and it was no surprise when his ideological soul-mate Pope Paul VI appointed him Archbishop of Munich, and then cardinal, in 1977.

The call to Rome was not long in coming. In 1981, Pope John Paul II appointed Ratzinger as prefect of the Vatican’s office to protect the purity of Church theology – once known as the notorious Holy Inquisition.

Ratzinger had criticised the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as “an all too smoothly functioning [body] which prejudged every question almost before it had come up for discussion”.

But he took to his work with typically energetic enthusiasm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLpzjxT4OSA

Pele: Brazilian Soccer Legend Dies at the Age of 82

Clyde K. Valle
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Pele: Brazilian Soccer Legend Dies at the Age of 82

Soccer legend Pele, arguably the greatest player ever, has died at the age of 82.

The Brazilian player is credited with scoring a world record 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during a 21-year career, including 77 goals in 92 matches for his country.

Pele was the only player to win the World Cup three times, lifting the trophy in 1958, 1962 and 1970. He was named FIFA’s Player of the Century in 2000.

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has declared three days of national mourning.

Pele had been suffering with kidney and prostate problems in recent years. He had surgery to remove a tumour from his colon in September 2021 at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, after the tumour was detected in routine tests. He was readmitted to hospital in late November 2022.

Edson Arantes do Nascimento was born on 23 October 1940 in Tres Coracoes, a city in south-eastern Brazil.

His birth certificate states he was born on 21 October, but Pele insisted that was incorrect: “In Brazil we’re not so fussy about accuracy.”

He was named after the inventor, Thomas Alva Edison, because, according to Pele, electricity arrived at his home just before he did.

Later his parents dropped the “i” from his name.

He grew up in relative poverty in the city of Bauru, and contributed to the family income by getting part-time jobs in local cafes.

His father taught him to play soccer, but the family could not afford a ball – so the young Pele often kicked a rolled-up sock around the street.

He made his international debut against Argentina at the Maracana, where Brazil lost 2-1.

Their goal was scored by a 16-year-old Pele, making him the youngest player to score in an international.

His hopes of playing for Brazil in the 1958 World Cup seemed to have been dashed when he suffered a knee injury.

But his team-mates pressured the management to select him and he made his World Cup debut against the USSR.

Inevitably, he became the youngest player to score a World Cup goal, putting one past Wales in the quarter-finals.

In the semi-final, Brazil were leading 2-1 against France when Pele scored a second-half hat-trick to put the match beyond doubt.

It seemed he could do no wrong as he stroked two goals past Sweden in the final, as Brazil won 5-2.

Pele’s name is a brand,it is instantly recognised by those who have no interest in or knowledge of football.

He once even joked that there were only three truly international brands: Jesus, Coca Cola and Pele.

He was one of those rare figures who transcended his sport to become known across the world.

In later life, he struggled to overcome the effects of a hip operation: appearing in a wheelchair and often unable to walk.

Bomb Cyclone: North America Winter Storm Pushes Million into Darkness on Christmas Day

Diane A. Wade
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Bomb Cyclone: North America Winter Storm Pushes Million into Darkness on Christmas Day
Image source: PxHere

A massive winter storm left more than one million Americans and Canadians facing Christmas Day without power.

A bomb cyclone, when atmospheric pressure plummets, has brought snow, strong winds and freezing temperatures.

Nearly 250 million are affected, and at least 19 deaths have been linked to the storm that extends more than 2,000 miles from Quebec to Texas.

Thousands of flights have been cancelled during the festive period.

The western US state of Montana is the worst hit by the cold, with temperatures dropping to -50F.

Near white-out conditions have been reported in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan. In the city of Buffalo, New York state, the US National Weather Service (NWS) reported “zero mile” visibility.

In the Pacific Northwest, some residents ice-skated on frozen streets in Seattle and Portland.

Coastal flooding has been seen in America’s north-eastern New England region, inundating communities and downing power lines.

Even the usually milder southern states of Florida and Georgia are experiencing hard-freeze warnings.

The only region that has largely been spared the cold weather is California where continental mountain ranges are helping to protect the Golden State.

In Canada, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec were bearing the brunt of the Arctic blast.

Much of the rest of the country, from British Columbia to Newfoundland, was under extreme cold and winter storm warnings.

A number of the storm-related fatalities have involved road traffic accidents, including a 50-car pile-up in Ohio that killed four motorists. Another four died in separate crashes in the state.

Travel problems across the country were being exacerbated by a shortage of snowplough operators, with low pay rates being blamed.

The NWS says more than 100 daily cold temperature records could be tied or broken over the next few days.

3 Tips for Self Care After the Holidays

Kathryn R. Bown
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<strong>3 Tips for Self Care After the Holidays</strong>

The holiday season can be tough. From spending excessive amounts of money on presents for friends and family to traveling around the country to visit loved ones, the months surrounding the holiday season can be a lot for some people. After all the excitement of visiting family, opening gifts, and ringing in the New Year, it is understandable to feel drained. Taking the time to incorporate a little extra self care into your daily routine at the start of the year can help revive you emotionally, mentally, and physically. Keep reading to learn a few simple but effective tips for self-care after the long holiday months.

Image from PxHere
  1. Sleep

This might seem obvious, but many people do not get enough sleep in the months leading up to the Holiday season. From working around the clock to buy and wrap presents, decorating your home, preparing baked goods and even gourmet meals for guests, and traveling to visit friends and family, it’s normal to feel a bit deprived of sleep. For a few weeks after the holidays, free up your plans in the evening to allow for an early bed time, or give yourself permission to sleep in extra late. This is a great way to regulate your mental, physical, and emotional health, and give yourself the extra care you need.

  1. Treat Yourself

After spending months shopping for the perfect Christmas gifts for your loved ones, why not splurge on a little gift for yourself? Whether it’s the luxury hair tool you’ve been eyeing since before Christmas or skincare treatments from inhstl.com, don’t shy away from treating yourself to a physical gift or indulgent experience to reward yourself for pulling off the perfect Holiday season.

  1. Practice Mindfulness

Even after the holiday season has come to a close, you might find yourself dealing with leftover stress from dealing with the hustle and bustle of holiday prep. To help yourself unwind and regulate your emotions, it can be helpful to meditate in order to ground yourself and allow your mind to return to the present. If you’re new to meditation, there are plenty of tutorials and guided sessions you can follow on YouTube or even on special meditation apps like Headspace. If you are struggling to relax and unwind after the chaos of the Christmas season, doing a short, guided meditation can help immensely.

4 Ecommerce Tips for Improving Your Product Pages

Clyde K. Valle
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4 Ecommerce Tips for Improving Your Product Pages

When selling online, the product pages are perhaps some of the most important pages on your website. While you can wow with your homepage, about us page, and other pages on your site such as an informative business blog, the truth is that the product page is going to have one of the biggest impacts on your customers when it comes to them making the decision whether or not they want to buy from you. Because of this, improving your product pages is one of the most important things to do on a regular basis. Revisiting your product pages to ensure that they provide all the information that customers expect and are easy to use is crucial. Keep reading for some tips on how to improve your product pages.

Keep the Navigation Easy

Many eCommerce website owners focus heavily on making sure that it’s easy to navigate their site, but how easy are your product pages themselves to navigate? When designing a product page, it’s crucial to ensure that users are easily able to find their way around that page, especially if you are selling products that have a lot of specs and use different sections of the product page or a table with different tabs in order to provide users with all the information that they need on the product.

Add Reviews

While users can probably find reviews of your overall business and website online at Google and many other third-party review sites, it’s a good idea to add reviews to each product page, something that’s demonstrated well here by an online retailer focusing on bulk pricing. Adding the option for customers to leave a review on individual product pages is a great way to provide more information about the product itself, including what others think of it. Ultimately, being able to read the opinions of other customers on the specific product could be what encourages some users to add the product to their cart and buy it.

Use Product Videos

While online shopping is one of the most popular ways to buy things and it’s certainly here to stay for a long time, one of the drawbacks of shopping online is that customers do not have the chance to see the product in action, as they might if they were shopping at a retail store. While there is no way for eCommerce stores to offer the same kind of experience that they would be able to in-person, one of the best ways to get around this is to offer product videos. Videos are a great way for any product to be showcased in action, giving the customer a better idea of what to expect compared to if they were only viewing static images.

Keep Content Short and to the Point

When writing product descriptions for your product pages, it’s important to consider how much text you are using. If you are passionate about your products, it’s only natural that you might want to make sure that customers have as much information on them as possible. However, you should try to condense your product descriptions as much as possible and keep them short and to the point. Any further information, such as specifications, can be added further down the product page in a bullet point list or in a table for customers who are interested in learning more about them.

Good product pages are essential to getting more sales from your eCommerce store and turning visitors into paying customers. Regularly revisiting and improving your product pages is essential for any good eCommerce store. Keep these tips in mind if your product pages are in need of a revamp.

How Young Adults Can Better Manage Their Money

Clyde K. Valle
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How Young Adults Can Better Manage Their Money

Understanding how to manage your money can set you up for financial success, especially if you start building healthy habits as a young adult. Learning about some basic financial rules will help you make the most of your money.

Image source Max Pixel

Look for Ways to Reduce Your Monthly Spending

The lower your cost of living, the more likely you are to be able to save for other goals, like homeownership or retirement, even if you are working an entry-level position. Creating a budget can help with this. One of the most common monthly expenses for young adults is student loans. Making multiple payments each month can be a drain on your finances, and it can be hard to keep up with them, and if you miss one, it could impact your credit score. But refinancing your loans into one loan can simplify finances and reduce how much you have to pay each month.

Educate Yourself to Avoid Bad Advice

If you don’t know how to manage your money, you could fall victim to bad advice. Some may have bad advice, such as financial planners looking to benefit themselves. Others may have good intentions but not fully understand your circumstances. Some relatives may pressure you to buy a home, even if they don’t know you are in debt. Instead of taking this type of advice, educate yourself so you can be in charge of your finances yourself. Read up on personal finance and don’t let anyone throw you off track, whether it’s friends who want you to go out with them or a significant other who wants you to support them.

Create a Budget

One of the most common pieces of financial advice is to create a budget, which can prevent your finances from exceeding income. A budget is a personal spending plan that helps you see how much you have coming in and how much you have going out. As you track your spending, you may realize how much those little habits can add up. You might be too tired to cook at the end of a long day and find yourself ordering out.

However, unlike a raise at work, it is up to you what changes you choose to implement at home. Implementing changes, like cooking for yourself, can have a large impact on your finances. Keeping other monthly expenses low can help save even more. Even if you enjoy living in a place with many amenities, finding someplace simpler lets you put aside cash that might allow you to own a home much sooner than you expected.

Create an Emergency Fund

Saving money for your future can help you stay out of financial trouble, and it might give you greater peace of mind at night. Even if you have a tight budget, you can still make sure you are putting at least something toward your emergency fund. If you are already in the habit of putting aside money each month, you are less likely to treat your saving as optional.

Why Waterbrook Builders Is Getting So Many Negative Reviews

Nancy Clayson
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<strong>Why Waterbrook Builders Is Getting So Many Negative Reviews</strong>

Waterbrook Builders is a real estate development company based in South Florida. However, it serves clients all over Broward and Palm Beach County. Waterbook Builders has built homes in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Pompano, Lighthouse Point, and many other cities across South Florida. The company is owned by Thomas Yianilos. The company has been building homes and commercial properties in South Florida for many years. However, the company has been getting a lot of bad press recently for homes Tommy Yianilos built that were so defective that two of his clients had to sue him and are battling with him to make over 1 million dollars in changes and repairs to their damaged homes before they are even able to move in according to court records and documents.

There are numerous complaints online about Waterbrook calling them crooks, scammers, ripoffs, and more. It’s important to note that this review is solely based on sharing the experiences of others who have used the builder and public court records that talk about the Tommy’s past bankruptcy filings and lawsuits. You can see the details at the Waterbrook Builders Complaint site that share the details.

Photo by Mohamed Hassan form PxHere

Bankruptcy History

In 2008, Waterbrook Builders filed for bankruptcy during the real estate market crash. In the Chapter 11 filing, Thomas Yianilos, a real estate developer and businessman, was listed as the principal signing. Chapter 11 calls for liquidation because an entity or individual lacks sufficient income to service their debts. In the Chapter 11 filing, Thomas Yianilos listed $10 million in company assets and $50 million in liabilities. The top unsecured creditor in the filing was Vercon Construction Company which was owed $3 million. Palm Beach County and the City of Boynton Beach came in second and third with claims of $129,000 and $47,000 respectively.

Pending Lawsuits

Waterbrook Builders has recently had some serious issues with their clients.  Some of the disgruntled clients have filed lawsuits in court against Thomas and the LLC. Currently, there are two notable pending lawsuits.

1. Jamie A. Danburg vs. Waterbrook Builders LLC

This pending lawsuit was filed electronically on November 19, 2021. So far, eSummons have been issued and a request for submission made. A motion to compel was submitted on February 3, 2022. The outcome of the case is yet to be determined.

2. James Verillo vs. Waterbrook Builders LLC

This is yet another pending lawsuit that was filed on October 4, 2021. It was filed electronically, but no other motion has been filed since then. The case is still pending in court.

More details regarding these two lawsuits can be obtained online. All you need to do is put your internet searching skills to good use.

Negative Reviews

A history of bankruptcy and pending lawsuits in court are two of the warning signs that consumers should always look for. However, customer reviews should also be read before a decision can be made. Yelp and Google Reviews are some of the most informative.

i) Jeff G. from Boca Raton, Florida

Jeff G. hired Tommy Yianilos and Waterbrook Builders LLC to build his home. On the first day of occupancy, Jeff discovered that he had a leaking shower. The water was leaking through the ceiling below. According to insurance adjusters and expert engineers, the leaks were due to poor installation of linear drains and shower pans by Waterbrook Builders.

ii) S. L. from Illinois

These business owners from Illinois hired Waterbrook Builders to build a house in Fort Lauderdale. The company gave them a lot of promises, which they were never able to fulfill. They claimed they would complete construction within 12 months, but 21 months later, the project was incomplete.

Golden Visa Options for Citizenship in the EU

Nancy Clayson
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<strong>Golden Visa Options for Citizenship in the EU</strong>

A lot of global citizens are attracted to the many opportunities the European Union offers. Golden Visa programs operated by some European countries are one particular way to help you get citizenship in the EU.

What is a Golden Visa?

A Golden Visa is an immigration route by making an investment in a specific country that offers you and your family a temporary residency permit. Those with a Golden Visa in the EU can continue to renew as long as they keep their investment, or until they qualify for permanent residency. In general, the programs require either a capital transfer, investing in a local company, real estate acquisition, or a charitable donation that benefits the host country.

Basic requirements for EU Golden Visas:

Here are some most common requirements to apply for a Golden Visa in the EU:

●      You must be a non-EU citizen who is at least 18 years old

●      You must own and have proof of the funds you’re going to invest

●      The funds must be proved to be from a legal source

●      There should be no criminal record on you or your family

●      You must have resources to sustain yourself and your family for the time you plan to live in the EU country

●      A valid health insurance

Note: The specific requirements vary according to various countries.

The most popular Golden Visa options in the EU

Spain

The Golden Visa program was launched in Spain in 2013. After obtaining the visa, you can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after ten years. To apply for citizenship, you need to spend majority of your time in Spain during the 10-year period.

Investment options for Spanish Golden Visa:

●      Make an investment of €500,000 or more in real estate

●      €2 million in Spanish government bonds

●      €1 million in bank deposits in a Spanish bank, or invest into a business

Portugal

The residency by investment program launched in 2012 is one of the most popular Golden Visas in Europe. It gives an opportunity to apply for citizenship or permanent residency after five years of getting your first residency card. The difference from the Spanish program is the very minimal stay requirement, you only have to spend on average seven days in the country.

Most popular routes to Portuguese Golden Visa:

●      Real estate purchase starting from €280,000

●      Making a €500,000 investment in an investment fund

Greece

The Greece Golden Visa has increased in popularity in recent years. There is no minimum stay requirement for residency. However, if you want to get a citizenship after 10 years, you’ll have to spend minimum 183 days in the country and become a tax resident for at least seven years. You’ll also have to pass a citizenship test.

Investment options:

●      A minimum investment of €250,000 in real estate

●      Capital transfer of €400,000

Some other European countries that offer Golden Visas

Ireland

Ireland is a popular choice because of its stable economy, technological advancements and better career options. However, the capital contribution needs to be at least €500,000 to get a Golden Visa, and there is no real estate purchase option. Additionally, your net worth needs to be at least €2,000,000.

After living in Ireland at least for five years, paying taxes and passing the test, you can get a citizenship. However, the investment only needs to be kept for 3 years. If permanent residency is your goal, then you only need to spend one day per calendar year in Ireland.

 Italy

To get the Golden Visa to Italy, you’ll have to make a donation or invest minimum €500,000 in an Italian company, or €250,000 if the company is a start-up. Similarly to the Irish program, you can’t acquire this visa via real estate purchase. Alternatively,  you can make a €1,000,000 donation towards education, research, arts, or heritage preservation.

This visa programme has a ten years citizenship requirement. After five years, you and your family can apply for permanent residency in Italy, and there is no need to keep the investment further from this point.

Malta

The Malta Golden Visa has two main routes through real estate: either buying or long-term renting property for a period of five years. The price depends on location, but the purchase price needs to be at least €300,000 and rent at least €10,000. Malta also offers attractive tax system.

Something to consider on top of the investment is high administrative fees in Malta. There’s one-time fee of €40,000 to Maltese government that everyone needs to pay, plus €28,000 when purchasing property, or €58,000 for renting.

Malta also offers a so-called Golden Passport program, where you can apply for citizenship after two or even one year by making an investment into national developement fund. For this, the investment amount is at least double starting from €600,000

There are more Golden Visa programs in Europe, but these have been the most favored ones offering permanent residency or citizenship options for nationalities outside the EU.

Find Out What You Need to Know About Air Miles Credit Card

Kathryn R. Bown
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Find Out What You Need to Know About Air Miles Credit Card

Air miles are a type of credit card bonus related to airlines. The cardholder earns air miles with each purchase. An air miles credit card helps earn miles for every dollar spent and uses to book future flight trips in the first, economy, or business class cabin. The more you purchase, eat, and fly, the more air miles you earn.

Credit card companies work with airline companies to offer cards that reward customers for their purchases. Some businesses provide customers with a specific number of airline miles in exchange for applying for a credit card. Others allow customers to earn bonus miles for spending in specified categories. If you have a lot of flying points, you can use them to get a plane ticket. The air miles you earn depends on the terms of your credit card.

You can redeem your air miles points by finding airlines that allow you to use them. Several air miles programs have blackout dates. You cannot use your miles for travel during this time. These dates are usually close to major holidays when flight travel is at a peak.

An annual fee is charged by the majority of credit cards that provide air mile benefits. When using a card to purchase a flight ticket, have a look at the airfares, deals, and discounts. To make the most of your credit card, pay off the dues every month to prevent paying interest. Check to determine whether your air mile credit card is a smart buy.

How do air miles work?

If you’re looking for a way to save money on travel, a credit card that grants air miles is one possibility. Suppose your credit card requires 20,000 frequent flyer points to cover a domestic round-trip ticket. You will receive 5,000 air miles as a one-time bonus on opening the account. Each $1 spent on air travel earns you 10 air miles, whereas every $1 purchased elsewhere earns you two air miles.

Over six months, you would spend $1,200 on airline travel and $12,000 on some other expenses. Flying earns you 12,000 air miles, and additional purchases earn you another 12,000 air miles.

What are the advantages of having air miles credit card?

Domestic and international transactions allow you to accumulate miles redeemable for future flights. There is no necessity to spend much money when flying the next time. The total number of miles that you will obtain is limitless. Other perks include a free airport transfer service, travel insurance, and an airport lounge.

Some points to consider while selecting a mile credit card?

You are also required to keep these points in mind:

  • Mileage earning rate – How many air miles will you get for every dollar you spend?
  • What classes will provide you with the most mileage for your money?
  • How much is the yearly charge, and do you need to pay it?
  • Aviation partners – Would the bank provide a loyalty program? 

For instance, the DBS Altitude Credit Card offers you flight miles accumulated that will never expire. The card rewards you with three air miles for every dollar spent on hotel and airline reservations online, two miles for every dollar spent abroad, and 1.2 miles for every dollar spent domestically. To add more, the card comes with a far greater earn rate of 10 miles for every $1 spent on Kaligo or Agoda, and 6 miles for every $1 spent on Expedia flight and hotel bookings.

Who are eligible for a mileage card?

Nothing beats collecting and using credits for a “free” flight if you enjoy traveling. Chasing miles can be a rewarding endeavour if you enjoy traveling. Can you not afford to pay more for a non-economy seat? A rewards card may enable you to buy a first-class ticket on Singapore Airlines. Several air miles credit cards also offer free lounge access.

A large-ticket purchase helps you to expedite your air miles journey, especially when combined with the bonus miles perks provided by some credit cards. Air miles credit cards are generally used for international travel but not for flying within the country.

The Importance Of A Successful Marketing Strategy In Achieving Business Goals

Clyde K. Valle
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The Importance Of A Successful Marketing Strategy In Achieving Business Goals

It’s no secret that to achieve business goals, a successful marketing strategy is essential. But what many businesses don’t realize is just how important it is to have a well-thought-out and executed marketing plan. Without one, your business will undoubtedly struggle to reach its full potential.

This article will discuss the importance of having a successful marketing strategy in achieving business goals. It’ll also provide tips on how to create an effective marketing plan and outline some of the most common mistakes businesses make when it comes to marketing. So if you’re looking for ways to take your business to the next level, keep reading!

Photo by Mailchimp on Unsplash

Better Brand Awareness

One of the most important benefits of having a successful marketing strategy is that it can help you to achieve better brand awareness. In today’s competitive marketplace, it’s more important than ever to make sure your target audience is aware of your brand and what you have to offer. A well-executed marketing plan will help you to reach a larger audience and create a positive association with your brand. SEO is the number one tool that will improve your brand visibility and awareness. By hiring a reliable SEO company, you can ensure that your website is ranking high for relevant keywords, making it more likely to be seen by potential customers. In addition to SEO, there are several other marketing channels you can use to reach your target audience and improve brand awareness. Social media marketing, email marketing, and content marketing are all great options for reaching a wider audience and creating a positive association with your brand.

Generate More Leads

Another key benefit of having a successful marketing strategy is that it can help you generate more leads. To grow your business, you need to continuously bring in new leads. A well-executed marketing plan will help you attract more leads and convert them into customers. There are several different ways you can generate leads, but one of the most effective is through content marketing.

By creating high-quality blog posts, infographics, eBooks, and other types of content, you can attract new leads and encourage them to take action. In addition to content marketing, lead generation can also be achieved through SEO, social media marketing, and email marketing.

Improve Customer Retention

In addition to generating new leads, a successful marketing strategy can also help you improve customer retention. It’s not enough to just bring in new customers – you need to keep them coming back for more. A well-executed marketing plan will help you create long-lasting relationships with your customers. There are several different ways to improve customer retention, but one of the most effective is through email marketing.

By sending out regular newsletters, you can stay top of mind and keep your customers updated on what’s new with your business. You can also use email marketing to promote loyalty programs, special offers, and other initiatives that will encourage customers to keep coming back.

Increase Sales

S successful marketing strategy can also help you increase sales. This is the ultimate goal of any business, and a well-executed marketing plan is essential for achieving it. There are several different ways to increase sales, but one of the most effective is through content marketing. By creating high-quality blog posts, infographics, eBooks, and other types of content, you can attract new leads and encourage them to make a purchase. In addition to content marketing, lead generation can also be achieved through other digital marketing channels.

When And Where To Incorporate Traditional Marketing Strategies

Traditional marketing refers to any type of marketing that is not done online. This includes things like print ads, television commercials, radio ads, and more. While traditional marketing can be effective, it’s important to incorporate it into your overall marketing strategy. Traditional marketing should be used in addition to digital marketing, not as a replacement for it. There are several different ways to incorporate traditional marketing into your plan.

  • One way is to use it to supplement your digital marketing efforts. For example, if you’re running a social media campaign, you can also include print ads in local publications. This will help you reach a wider audience and maximize your results.
  • Another way to incorporate traditional marketing into your strategy is to use it to target a specific demographic. For example, if you’re trying to reach senior citizens, you might use traditional marketing channels like direct mail or print ads.

Why Content Is Crucial

Quality content, whether it be video, text, photo, or audio content, needs to be a key component of your marketing strategy. Not only does quality content give your brand an edge over competitors, but it also helps to build trust with potential and current customers. Some of the most prominent benefits of creating quality content include:

  • Improved SEO Rankings – This is because search engines like Google place high importance on relevant and keyword-rich content. When you create content that is optimized for search engines, you are more likely to rank higher in search results, which can lead to more website visitors.
  • Greater Engagement With Customers – By providing informative and interesting content, you encourage customers to interact with your brand. This interaction can lead to greater customer loyalty and conversions.
  • Increased Social Shares – Quality content is more likely to be shared on social media, which can help to increase your brand’s reach and expand your customer base.
  • Generates More Leads – Content that is relevant to your products or services, as well as your overall marketing strategy, can help generate leads for your business. By providing valuable information, you can encourage potential customers to contact you about your products or services.
Photo by Windows on Unsplash

A successful marketing strategy should include a mix of both traditional and digital marketing techniques. While digital marketing is essential for reaching a wide audience, traditional marketing can be used to supplement your efforts. Quality content should also be a key component of your strategy, as it can help improve your SEO rankings, engage customers, and generate leads. Whichever strategy you choose, make sure to monitor your results so you can adjust your plan as needed.

Donald Trump Launches 2024 White House Bid

Diane A. Wade
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Donald Trump Launches 2024 White House Bid

Former President Donald Trump has announced his presidential candidacy on November 15, declaring: “America’s comeback starts right now.”

At his Mar-a-Lago estate, Donald Trump, 76, said: “We have to save our country.”

His announcement comes as some fellow Republicans blame him for the party’s lacklustre performance in last week’s midterm elections.

President Joe Biden, who defeated Donald Trump two years ago, has said he may run for re-election in 2024.

Speaking to an invited crowd from the ballroom of his Mar-a-Lago private club in Palm Beach, Donald Trump said: “We are a nation in decline.

“For millions of Americans, the past two years under Joe Biden have been a time of pain, hardship, anxiety and despair.”

He continued: “In order to make America great and glorious again, I am tonight announcing my candidacy for president of the United States.”

“Donald Trump” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Gage Skidmore

Shortly before the speech, the former president filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission formally declaring his presidential candidacy and setting up a fundraising account.

Meanwhile, outside Mar-a-Lago, supporters gathered to wave Trump 2024 flags.

Donald Trump’s speech lasted for more than an hour and touched on many of the same themes he has been repeating on stage for months.

These included border security, energy independence and crime, as well as attacks on Joe Biden’s record in office.

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His wife, Melania Trump, joined him on stage at the end of the speech. But there were fewer family members present than at some of his past events and Ivanka Trump and Donald Jr did not attend.

At the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, President Biden was asked whether he had a reaction to Donald Trump’s announcement.

“No, not really,” he said. Last week, he was filmed laughing when a reporter suggested Donald Trump’s support base remained strong.

Donald Trump’s unusually early declaration for the election of November 5, 2024 is being seen as a tactic to steal a march on potential rivals for the Republicans’ White House nomination.

Although he is the first to enter the race and instantly becomes the front-runner, he is expected to face challengers.

They may include his own former VP Mike Pence, 63, and rising star Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, 44.

In his remarks, Donald Trump largely steered clear of rehashing his baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him by mass voter fraud.

He left office after one term in 2021, refusing to acknowledge his defeat by seven million votes.

His debunked conspiracy theories riled up supporters who rioted at Capitol Hill in the final days of his presidency as lawmakers met to certify President Biden’s victory.

Donald Trump became the first president ever to be impeached twice, although congressional Democrats were thwarted in their bid to remove him from office by Senate Republicans.

Jay Leno Suffers Serious Burns from Gasoline Fire

Lisa.Felice
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Jay Leno Suffers Serious Burns from Gasoline Fire

Jay Leno says he is “OK” after being burned in a fire on November 12 when a vehicle at his Los Angeles garage burst into flames.

“I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire,” he said in a brief statement on November 14, adding: “Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.”

The former host of The Tonight Show suffered burns to his face and hands.

Jay Leno was scheduled to appear at an event on November 13, but canceled due to a “serious medical emergency”.

According to TMZ, flames burned the left side of the comedian’s face, but “did not penetrate his eye or his ear”.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

Jay Leno Hosts Final Episode of The Tonight Show

Jay Leno, 72, was taken to the Grossman Burn Center where he is continuing to receive treatment.

A spokesperson for the hospital said in a statement that Jay Leno “wants everyone to know that he is in stable condition and receiving treatment” for injuries from a gasoline accident in his garage over the weekend.

“He is in good humor and is touched by all the inquiries into his condition and well wishes [and] wants to let everyone know he is doing well.”

The Burbank Fire Department said in a statement it responded to an emergency call at 12:28 local time on November 12, where they “assessed and treated one adult male patient”.

Jay Leno left The Tonight Show in 2014. In 2015 he launched a TV programme called Jay Leno’s Garage, where he drives and discusses rare and vintage cars with celebrities.

In an episode last month, President Joe Biden appeared and raced a 1967 Stingray Corvette, reaching speeds of 118mph.

Jay Leno owns more than 180 vehicles, according to a US News & World Report magazine.

Istanbul Attack: Six Killed and 81 Wounded in Istiklal Explosion

Roy Siemens
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Istanbul Attack: Six Killed and 81 Wounded in Istiklal Explosion

Six people have been killed and eighty one wounded in an explosion in a busy area of central Istanbul, Turkish authorities have said.

The explosion happened at about 16:20 local time on November 13 in the shopping area of the Istiklal street, in the Taksim Square area. Turkey has blamed Kurdish rebels.

A suspect – a Syrian woman – has been arrested, the interior minister said.

Vice-President Fuat Oktay earlier said the blast was thought to be a terrorist attack carried out by a woman.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the perpetrators would be punished.

Speaking at a news conference in Istanbul, he condemned what he called the “vile attack” and said “the smell of terror” was in the air.

(AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told Turkish media a woman had sat on a bench in the area for more than 40 minutes, leaving just minutes before the blast took place.

On November 14, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said a Syrian national – Ahlam Albashir – suspected of having left the bomb had been arrested by police. She was among 47 people detained by police. He accused the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) of responsibility.

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The PKK denied any role in the bombing, saying “we will not directly target civilians”. The militant group has been battling for decades to achieve Kurdish self-rule in south-east Turkey. Turkey, the EU and US regard it as a terrorist organization.

No one has so far claimed responsibility for the blast.

Government minister Derya Yanik wrote in a tweet that a government ministry employee and his young daughter were among the victims.

In the wake of the attack, condolences to Turkey have poured in from around the world.

The US said it stood “shoulder-to-shoulder” with its NATO ally in “countering terrorism,” according to a statement from White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in a tweet in Turkish: “We share your pain… We are with you in the fight against terrorism.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, also writing in a tweet in Turkish, said: “The pain of the friendly Turkish people is our pain.”

Countries including Pakistan, Italy and Greece also expressed their solidarity.

Istiklal street – one of Istanbul’s main arteries which is usually packed with shoppers – was previously targeted by a suicide bomber in 2016.

PR: Alfred Laurețiu Mihai, a Senator for the Social Democratic Party (PSD), will be present in Chicago, IL, this month

Dana R
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PR: Alfred Laurețiu Mihai, a Senator for the Social Democratic Party (PSD), will be present in Chicago, IL, this month

Alfred Laurețiu Mihai, a Senator for the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the Ilfov precinct, will be present in Chicago, IL, between the 14th and 15th of November.

During his visit, the Social Democrat will entertain multiple meetings alongside member of the General Assembly in Illinois, the Association representing the legislative body of the American state.

In addition to that, the Romanian politician will engage in communication with several US politicians, will participate in interviews and will engage in debates on topics of major interest, amongst which the military conflict carried out by Vladimir Putin’s army in Ukraine.

Alfred Laurențiu Mihai will be joinning not just the US politicians, but also the close to 150.000 Romanian nationals that constitute the Romanian community in Chicago.

The Romanian politician informed that this visit will concentrate, amongst others, on the security of the Eastern Flank, as well as the protection that NATO offers Romania as the war in Ukrain continues to unravel.

„My visit to the US marks a key moment, that is the moment in which we work towards being more unitated and towards strengthening the Eastern Flank. I’m here to encourage communication between Romanian and US men of state, so that, together, we find o solution for surpassing the crisis that bestowed upon Ukraine and their nation. As NATO stands for protection, so does the solidarity between Romania and the US stands as a guarantee not just for Ukraine’s protection and safe keeping, but the protection and safekeeping of the entire European continent. The time has come to work together to defend our democratic values, to protect what is, for each and every one of us, of the utmost essence: freedom. We fight to protect the freedom of living and o living in peace. Now more than ever, we acknowledge the importance of unity, regardless of one’s nation, against the horrors of a futile and unjust war, that does nothing but deem the lives, the culture and the future of Ukraine. We stand by Ukraine and we condemnt the needless violence that Russia displayed, since day one, as well as the unfair and unjustified attempt to attack the suveranity of an independent state”, stated the Social Democrat Senator.

6 Common Dieting Mistakes to Avoid

Kathryn R. Bown
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6 Common Dieting Mistakes to Avoid

Most people who start diets don’t see them through to the end. They fail to achieve the kind of results they’re hoping for because they make some of the dieting mistakes we’re going to list for you below.

Cutting Out All the Foods You Like

Going from eating whatever you want to eating a very restricted diet is incredibly difficult. Most people do not have the willpower to keep up with a diet like that, and so they fall back on the foods that are not good for them and that they’re trying to avoid eating. If you want more success in your diet, try to pick a diet that allows you to have some cheat days or at least lets you have some of the foods you really like. One way you can make this work with most diets is to modify your favorite foods to make them compatible with the diet and yet still taste good. Check out a variety of recipes for your favorite foods online to see if there are any that gel with the kind of diet you’re wanting to go on.

Not Tracking the Diet

If you’re not keeping track of what you’re doing on your diet and what you’re supposed to be doing, you’ll quickly fall off the rails. Your diet won’t work very well if you don’t constantly keep in mind what you’re supposed to be eating. A diet is a constant balancing act between doing what you’re supposed to be doing and trying to control what you want to do. If you’re tracking your diet and keeping up with what you’re taking in, you’ll be more likely to see the success clearly and keep going. It’s really important to keep track of your meals and see how far you’ve come in order to stay motivated.

Not Planning Ahead

It may be fairly easy to plan out the foods that you eat at home, but what about when you go out to eat? If you don’t have a chance to make the food yourself, how are you going to ensure that you’re eating foods that are part of your diet wherever you decide to eat? You may have to carefully choose restaurants and check out their menus before you visit them. Otherwise, you could feel compelled to eat something that’s not part of your diet.

You also have to plan ahead very well with your grocery shopping to make sure that you have foods at home that work with the diet. It’s really easy to fall out of proper eating habits just because you didn’t plan very well. You may end up taking a trip to the corner shop to get a quick snack fix because you don’t have something at home to eat, and then you could end up eating snacks you’ll regret later.

Planning is incredibly important for your diet to make sure that you are eating foods that are consistent with the diet and that you have them on hand for when you need them.

Getting Stressed Often

Everybody gets stressed from time to time and needs a chance to settle down and collect their thoughts. However, if you feel stressed a lot of the time, you’re likely to make poor dietary decisions. You may turn to the foods that give you comfort, which could be unhealthy for you or not part of your approved diet.

When you binge eat foods for comfort, this is called stress eating, and it’s really difficult to keep up a diet with that kind of behavior. So, you want to look for ways to reduce your stress. The diet can be really taxing on you, so you may want to hire other people to handle some responsibilities for you. Maybe you need a little help with the house cleaning and want to hire professionals who do that occasionally. You may want to take a taxi or an Uber when you need to go somewhere and you’re stressed rather than trying to drive yourself. You’ll also be less likely to stop off somewhere and get something unhealthy to eat this way.

There are many other ways you can help yourself and decrease or eliminate stress. Some of the more common methods are to lie down, listen to relaxing music, talk to a friend, read a book, or watch a movie. These kinds of activities can switch your brain over to something else so that it doesn’t feel as stressed and threatened.

Setting the Standard too High

What kind of dietary standards should you be setting for yourself? The mistake that a lot of people make when they’re starting a diet is that they set their goals too high or they expect too much for themselves. They may try to change their entire range of dietary habits, switching up when they eat, what they eat, and how they eat. This level of change can be so difficult to keep up with that they end up quitting on their diet. It’s a lot easier to start low and slow and work your way up to the standard you want to achieve. This way, you can acclimate yourself and prepare your body and brain for what you’re trying to do. While it may take longer to reach your goals, you’re more likely to reach them at some point.

Cutting Back Food Too Much

The final dieting mistake we want to cover is cutting out too much food from your diet. If you’re restricting how much you eat in a big way, you’re going to cause your energy levels to plummet, and you may not have the energy to get through the day. You’re also going to affect your mood and make yourself feel weak and lethargic, and you may have trouble focusing. When you’re preparing yourself for a diet, you want to ease into it so that you don’t try to do too much at once and do more than your body can handle.

4 Equity Examples to Set for Your Employees | Leadership Tips

Nancy Clayson
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4 Equity Examples to Set for Your Employees | Leadership Tips

Organizations have recently spent many resources and time improving workplace equity, diversity, and inclusion. Many companies already incorporate diversity in their workplaces; however, people from marginalized backgrounds have raised awareness about being excluded from conversations and opportunities.

This exclusion has increased calls for businesses to build a culture of inclusion, equity, and diversity. When we talk about equity, we refer to the provision of equal opportunities to every individual in the workplace based on their needs. In this era of polarized political views, it is crucial to understand the difference between equality and equity, especially as they pertain to the workplace.

Most people use the two words synonymously, but they mean different things. While equality is an important concept that drives the company in the right direction, equity recognizes each person’s needs and access to privileges and resources.

In equality, resources and opportunities are distributed among workers on the same level. Equality doesn’t consider the barriers any team members may have to utilize these resources or opportunities; its focus is to provide every team member with the right to assess the resources or opportunities.

Photo by Christina Morillo from Pexels

In equity, resources are not provided to everyone. Rather those with less access to those opportunities are given priority or support before the others. Equity looks at the privileges and access to resources each person has had before providing the resources. Many organizations do not know how to create equity in the workplace. For these organizations, equality is the same as equity in their books, but this couldn’t be any further from the truth.

Applying equity in the workplace can be complicated because what many people consider equitable and fair is mostly subjective and a product of individual experiences. Notwithstanding, business leaders can still achieve equity by supporting marginalized groups and creating an environment where everyone can have civil discourse. Maintaining equity in the workplace rests majorly on the shoulders of the leaders.

When the leader sets the ball of equity rolling, it is easy for team members to follow suit. As a leader, you should be able to foster equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Leaders should promote equality in the workplace by treating every employer with equal respect and dignity irrespective of their background and providing them with the same opportunities as everyone else. In the same way, it is also crucial that equity, the proportional representation of the same opportunities, is practiced in the workplace.

For a company to succeed, it must promote equity and inclusion to level the playing ground and provide a positive team member experience. The promotion of equity in the business environment might seem easy enough. Still, for most leaders in the workplace, it is a hard task.

To promote equity in an organization, a leader should:

1.    Hire Based On Skills

Going to school and acquiring a degree is a privilege many did not have. Higher education is expensive, so it’s not surprising that not everyone can afford it or access it. Nevertheless, this should not limit them from opportunities if they have the skills necessary to accomplish the task.

Instead of making the recruitment process a degree-based process, the focus should be on prior work experience and skills. Suppose your organization has a workforce education program. In that case, it is an opportunity to give employees without a degree a chance to earn one.

2.    Ensure Equitable Benefits

Any company that provides spousal health insurance can promote inclusivity and equity by making health insurance available for non-traditional families and all couples. Also, fathers should be able to benefit from parental leave just as mothers do.

3.    Offer Inclusive Incentives

Many incentives that most companies offer revolve around formal dress codes or alcohol. This can prevent some employees from being involved. To avoid exclusion, the company should make the incentives recognition-based or financial.

4.    Make Equitable Access Available For All Employees

As a leader, you should ensure that all team members have access to opportunities and resources provided by the organization. There should also be access to materials and physical spaces. For instance, is your office room wheelchair accessible? Are there adjustments for employees with sensory sensitivities? It is also necessary to put captions on a video presentation if there is none.

Still, if all these things are there, it will be for naught if the employees do not know they have access to these resources and can take advantage of them. As a leader, you must inform your team members about these resources and how to assess and use them.

Final Thoughts

Diversity, equity, and inclusion have come to stay in the workplace, and any business that wants to succeed must incorporate these concepts. Business leaders should be at the forefront of promoting equity in the workplace because it will level the playing field and ensure that every team member is given the unique resources they require to assess the opportunities the organization provides. When done, the business environment will be more cohesive, and productivity will increase.

What You Need To Know Before Moving Your Business Abroad

Nancy Clayson
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What You Need To Know Before Moving Your Business Abroad

The idea of tapping the potential in international markets is promising. However, there are several things that you need to know before moving your business abroad. With the right strategies in place, your business can be successful in any country. However, this is only possible if you are fully aware of the challenges of international competition. Most importantly, you need to know the pillars on which your success depends.

Photo by Samson on Unsplash

Create a Plan for Growth

You must have an in-depth understanding of the industry you are entering before planning to move your business abroad. This is because markets within your home country might differ from those you will find abroad. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a growth plan that considers the differences between these markets. Your plan should include benchmarks and projections of your sales, profits, product development, and customer retention. Generally, it would be best if you had clear goals and a timeline for achieving them. Many are times when businesses move abroad without knowing their expectations and end up with disappointing results.

Understand Local Customs and Laws

Research is crucial when moving your business abroad. Understanding the countries you are considering for expansion, and any legal requirements or government regulations that might affect your operations is essential. For instance, you need to know whether there are restrictions on the products you will sell in Singapore or how your prices should be set. You may also need licenses and permits to do business in a particular region. Additionally, you must understand the culture of local customers so that you can deliver products and services that meet their needs.

Follow the Right Company Registration Process

Before moving your business abroad, you must know the options for company registration in your preferred country. This will depend on whether you want to set up a local subsidiary or establish a representative office. To follow the appropriate company incorporation Singapore steps, gather the correct information. The internet is the best hub to get such details. However, target credible and comprehensive sites.

You can target the agencies that can offer paperless company incorporation services. That’s because they can let you know the required procedures and which package will be ideal for your business. Generally, following the correct procedures is necessary for local authorities to recognize your company. This will result in legal and financial issues that can hinder your success abroad.

Invest in Marketing and Advertising

You will need to create effective marketing strategies that consider the unique features of foreign markets and local trends and culture. For example, you might have to adjust your messaging or use different images or channels, depending on your target country.

You might also have to explore new ways of internationally marketing your products and services. It can involve using social media platforms, collaborating with local influencers, or organizing promotional events in target markets. Learn also about the channels the companies in the country use to market their products. It helps you know the best strategies and how to make your business stand out from the competition.

Research the Local Market

This will help you understand how businesses in the target country operate, which products and services are popular, and the pricing and distribution methods other industries use.

You can also get insights from surveys and customer feedback and meet with potential partners or distributors to understand their requirements. By doing this, you will have a clearer picture of the environment in which your business will operate, including any challenges that you might face there.

Find Local Partners

Working with local partners is an effective way to grow your business while moving abroad. These partners can act as representatives in their respective countries, helping you to reach more customers and get feedback on your products. They can also provide invaluable insights into the local market and help you understand the business environment in their region.

When looking for local partners, you must find companies whose values align with your organization’s. This will ensure that both parties are committed to working together and meeting their goals over the long term.

Understand Shipping Costs and Regulations

Photo by Andy Li on Unsplash

As you expand your business, you will need to ship products and services to your target markets. To do so, you must understand shipping costs and regulations in your target country. It includes any requirements for packaging and labeling and import taxes or duties that may apply. Some countries also restrict specific products or materials that can be imported. You must ensure that your business complies with these requirements, as failure can result in delays and fines.

Expanding your business abroad can be a great way to grow your business and gain new customers. However, you must take the necessary steps to ensure that your company is successful in this new environment. This includes investing in marketing and advertising, researching the local market, finding local partners, and understanding shipping costs and regulations.

Where Can I Rollover My IRA Into Gold?

Clyde K. Valle
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Where Can I Rollover My IRA Into Gold?

With today’s financial market, it makes sense for people to be considering other options for their retirement.

Traditionally, people would work hard and save a percentage of their salary into an IRA to keep them comfortable during their retirement years. However, with the unstable climate, we are dealing with, more people are looking for other investments to make.

Fiat currencies no longer hold the same value as they once did, which can mean that when the time comes to cash in your IRA, you will struggle to live.

This has resulted in a large percentage of the population investing in precious metals like gold, as these maintain their value and can support you during retirement when done right.

Gold
Photo by Pixabay

Can I Retire Using Gold?

For many years, people have been using IRA accounts to save a percentage of their salary and see them through retirement.

With the rise in living costs and many other financial issues, it is difficult to find the money to save in the first place, let alone ensure this will last until your retirement. With this in mind, many people have been investing in gold and other precious metals because these maintain a high value.

Gold has been used as wealth protection for centuries and, in today’s market, is offering a good solution to those who want to preserve their investments for years to come.

If you want to use gold as part of your retirement fund to ensure you have something to live off even during times of financial turmoil, then you need to find an account to support this. There are gold IRA accounts out there that can preserve your investments and provide an ongoing retirement fund, much like a traditional IRA.

If you have already been saving into an IRA and want to use some of these funds for a lasting investment, like gold, then you can also consider gold IRA rollover companies.

These will use your savings to invest in gold which can offer long-term financial protection and ensure you have something to live on, no matter the financial market when you retire.

How To Invest In Gold For Retirement

As gold investments are becoming a popular option once more, many companies are appearing in the market that claims to support this.

You will find in your search for gold IRA companies that there are more options now than ever before, which can make it tricky to find the right place to go. After all, you want to find an account that will support your needs and preserve your investments to see you through to retirement.

For long-term wealth protection, consider reliable and established IRA companies where you can keep your gold safe and live comfortably in all financial climates.

Gold IRA companies will help you rollover your savings and use gold to ensure you have protected wealth in the future. With the future being uncertain, relying on gold is a great option for all.

Jerry Lee Lewis Dies Aged 87

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Jerry Lee Lewis Dies Aged 87

Notorious Jerry Lee Lewis has died at the  age of 87, his agent has confirmed.

One of the last survivors of rock ‘n’ roll’s golden age, his life was also marred by scandal and violence.

Jerry Lee Lewis’s career was briefly halted when, aged 22, he married his 13-year-old cousin Myra Gale Brown.

The singer’s agent described him as “perhaps the last true, great icon of the birth of rock’n’roll”.

In a statement, Lewis’s publicist Zach Farnum said: “He was there at the beginning, with Elvis, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, and the rest, and watched them fade away one by one till it was him alone to bear witness, and sing of the birth of rock’n’roll.”

Image dource: Wikimedia Commons

Jerry Lee Lewis passed away at his home in Desoto County, Mississippi, with his seventh wife, Judith, by his side, his publicist said.

The news of his death comes days after a hoax announcement of his death was reported by gossip website TMZ.

The Country Music Association tweeted: “It is with great sadness we’ve learned about the passing of Jerry Lee Lewis, who was just inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame this month.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Born in 1935 in Ferriday, Louisiana, Jerry Lee Lewis later moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he found work as a studio musician for Sun Studios.

He made his performing debut aged 14, and through his childhood developed his love of boogie-woogie and blues by sneaking into a Ferriday nightclub that featured the era’s best blues musicians.

Myra Gale Brown, the singer’s cousin and the daughter of his bass player at the time, was only 13 in 1957 when she married the singer, who was then 22.

She claimed on the marriage licence to be 20 and the controversy of their marriage brought the singer’s career to a halt.

Jerry Lee Lewis ended up in jail in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1976 after he was found brandishing a pistol and demanding to see Elvis Presley outside Presley’s Graceland mansion.

Earlier that year, Jerry Lee Lewis had accidentally shot his bass player, Norman “Butch” Owens, in the chest. Playing with a loaded .357 Magnum, Lewis had reportedly been trying to shoot and hit a Coke bottle.

Norman Owens was badly injured but survived, and later sued his boss, winning $125,000 in damages. Jerry Lee Lewis was also charged with shooting a firearm within the city limits.

He suffered from various illnesses and injuries in the final years of his life, with doctors telling him they should have taken him decades ago.

The musician was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s first class in 1986 and a few years later, in 1989, he was honoured for his contribution to the recording industry with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Jerry Lee Lewis’s career got another boost in 1989 when he sang his songs for the movie Great Balls of Fire! in which Dennis Quaid portrayed him while Winona Ryder played Myra.

His last album was a gospel record with his cousin, lifetime televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, who had preached against his music when they were younger.

Elon Musk Completes His 44BN Takeover of Twitter

Nancy Clayson
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Elon Musk Completes His 44BN Takeover of Twitter

On October 28, Elon Musk tweeted “let the good times roll” as he completed his $44 billion takeover of Twitter.

After building a stake in Twitter at the start of the year, Elon Musk made his $44bn offer in April, a price tag that looked too high almost as soon as it was agreed.

The billionaire said he was buying it because he wanted “civilisation to have a common digital town square”, and pledged to clean up spam accounts and preserve the platform as a venue for free speech.

On April 14, Elon Musk publicly stated that he wanted to buy Twitter – lock, stock and barrel.

He offered $44 billion for Twitter in a take it or leave it offer. Twitter’s board initially rejected the offer, even creating a “poison pill” provision to try to prevent Elon Musk from forcibly buying the company.

Then another change of heart. Twitter’s board decided that, on reflection, they would take the deal and on April 25, Twitter announced they had accepted the offer.

“Yesssss” Elon Musk tweeted.

But by the summer he had changed his mind about the purchase, citing concerns that the number of fake accounts on the platform was higher than Twitter claimed.

Twitter executives took legal action to hold Elon Musk to his offer, arguing that he was balking after becoming concerned about the price.

The deal closed on October 27, when a company controlled by Elon Musk purchased the firm for $54.20 per share, according to a filing on October 28 with the US government.

Despite playing a large role in public debate, Twitter remains a relatively small social media platform, claiming about 240 million accounts that are active daily, compared with nearly 2 billion on Facebook.

Twitter has struggled with the wider market decline in digital advertising.

Earlier reports suggested 75% of staff at the social media company were set to lose their jobs.

A Guide to Financing New vs. Used Cars

Clyde K. Valle
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A Guide to Financing New vs. Used Cars

If you’re in the market for a new car, you’re probably wondering whether to buy a new or used model. Both have their benefits, but it ultimately comes down to what makes the most financial sense for you. To help you make the best decision, we’ve put together a guide to financing new vs. used cars.

Do your research

Before you decide to finance any vehicle, it’s important to do your research and compare offers from multiple lenders before making your decision. Financing can help you get the car you want without having to empty your savings account. It can also increase your credit score as long as you can consistently make all of your monthly payments. Be sure to utilize a used car loan calculator to get a better idea of what your costs will be.

The benefits of financing a used car

When it comes to financing a car, many people assume that it is always better to finance a new car as opposed to an old car. However, there are several benefits to financing an old car instead of a new one.

  • Old cars are much cheaper than new cars, so you will save money on your monthly payments.
  • Some older vehicles have better engines than their newer counterparts. For instance, Ford has stopped making 7.3 diesel engines for their vehicles. However, if you can find an old 7.3, it will probably outlast any of Ford’s newer engines. In this case, financing a used Ford would be better than financing a newer model.
  • Old cars are less likely to depreciate in value as quickly as new cars, so you will owe less money if you decide to sell the car before the end of the loan term.

The benefits of financing a new car

When it comes to financing a new car, there are a few key benefits that you should be aware of.

  • A new car is likely to have a lower interest rate than an older car. This means that you will save money in the long run by financing a new car as opposed to an older one.
  • A new car is likely to have a longer warranty than an older car. This means that you will be covered for any repairs that may be needed during the life of the car.
  • A new car is likely to have better resale value than an older car. This means that you will be able to get more money back when you go to sell the car down the road.

How to decide which option is best for you

There is no easy answer when it comes to deciding whether to finance a new or used car. Ultimately, it depends on your personal circumstances and what makes the most financial sense for you.

If you are looking for the lowest monthly payments, financing a used car is probably your best bet. However, if you are looking for the best long-term value, financing a new car is probably your best option.

If you are still undecided, we recommend talking to a financial advisor who can help you make the best decision for your unique situation.

4. What to do if you can’t afford a new or used car

If you can’t afford a new or used car, there are a few things you can do to try to make it more affordable.

  • You can try to get a loan from a bank or credit union. You may be able to get a lower interest rate if you have good credit.
  • You can try to get a loan from the dealership. Many dealerships offer financing, but the interest rates can be high.
  • You can try to find a cheaper car. There are a number of ways to do this, including buying a used car, looking for discounts, or negotiating with the dealer.

If you still can’t afford a car after doing all of these things, you may need to reconsider whether or not you can afford a car at all. In some cases, it may be better to wait until you have saved up enough money to buy a car outright.

When it comes to financing a car, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution – it all depends on your personal circumstances. If you have good credit and can get a low-interest loan, then buying a new car may make the most financial sense. However, if you have bad credit or limited funds for a down payment, then financing a used car might be your best bet.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to buy new or used comes down to what makes the most sense for you financially.

What Questions to Ask to the Contractor When Maintaining Rooftop?

Nancy Clayson
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0
What Questions to Ask to the Contractor When Maintaining Rooftop?

Are you planning to do a little change around the rooftop? And you are planning to get the roofing maintained and cleaned properly? If yes is the answer to your question then it is important that you get in touch with professional contractor who can help you with maintenance and the cleaning of the rooftop and the overall house. But whenever you are planning to get the maintenance done, you will need to hire a professional contractor. But what questions can you ask to the professional contractor regarding the maintenance? If you are clueless then we have compiled some of the questions that can help you out.

Image source: Libreshot

What kind of roofing material to be installed?

The first question will be regarding the durability and the proper and better maintenance. If we talk about roofing material that needs to be installed on the ceiling or the roof, then the quick and easy answer is that the metal roofing is the best option. Not only it is easier and better to maintain but also it is long lasting and has incredible functionality. The attractiveness and the resistance to weather is also one of the bigger benefits that makes the metal roofing option the best among the other options. However, you can also explore some of the other options but metal roofing is highly recommended by the professional roofing contractors.

What is the way to clean the roof properly?

One thing that one must keep in mind that the roof does not needs cleaning regularly or quite often. You can do it once a month or even once in 2 months. However, the cleaning might require water and mixture of bleach and water that you can spray around the rooftop. Moreover, you can just rinse the area and you can also just wipe out the surface properly. However, scrubbing is not recommended, and you should also make sure that you are being extremely careful. The pressure washing will not work for the roofs and ceiling cleaning. A simple mixture of water and bleach is the best option that you can consider when you are planning to get the ceiling cleaned properly.

How to find out if the roof is installed appropriately or not?

Well, this is the question that is the most appropriate one for the professional contractors. It is highly recommended that you get in touch with a professional contractor for roofing maintenance and cleaning who will help you understand if the roof is properly installed or not. Make sure that after replacement of the roof you find out if the other roof is properly installed or not. If not, you might need help from a professional contractor.

Usually, the roof can last up to 50 years or more. And the minimum timeline can be at least 15 years. However, whenever you want to get the roof maintained a professional opinion is always recommended. Make sure that you get in touch with the professional contractors or the companies who are providing similar service. If you are looking for one you can always get in touch with the Hamilton roofing company.

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