Cash Control: Handing Over The Reins

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A lot of people hate being in control of their money. Of course, having money to spend and freedom to choose what you buy is great. But, alongside these benefits, managing your finances also means you have to be very responsible. For some, this work will be too much, and it will be very hard to keep under control. It doesn’t have to be this way, though, as there are loads of ways to put the responsibility into someone else's hands. To help you with this, this post will be going through some of the best ways to achieve this goal, without having to spend a small fortune in the process.

Budgeting

One of the hardest parts of finance is making sure that you don’t spend too much. With shops on every corner and the Internet being filled with temptations, it’s easy to get into the habit of overspending. To avoid this, most people will create a budget, outlining exactly what they have to spend each week or month. From there, you can start to consider the ways you’re going to monitor your money. Using your bank’s mobile app, you should be able to create rules which warn you when your account is getting low. Along with this, you could also consider looking into the idea of a financial advisor. Your bank will usually be able to provide a service like this, but you might have to pay a little bit for the privilege.

Loans And Debt

When people get stuck with debt, it can be very hard to climb out of the hole you find yourself in. New loans have to be taken to cover living costs and the repayments on other loans, and the snowball begins to grow very rapidly. Having multiple loans makes it very hard to pay everything back, though, as you will have to pay more on the money you’ve borrowed. Instead, it’s better to find a company like https://debtconsolidation.loans to help you out with this work. They can help you to find a new loan to cover all of the money you owe, while also coming up with a good payment plan for you. This will usually be much more in line with your current requirements than a mountain of smaller debts.

Saving And Investment

Finally, as the last stage to this endeavour, it’s time to think about the money you’re able to save and invest. This part of finance is very important to those that would like to push the boundaries of their money. Enabling you to earn additional income, investment is a great way to put away your money. But, of course, you should try and have some savings first. There are loads of companies, like www.neamgroup.com, which are dedicated to helping people to invest and save their money. Using a service like this, you only have to pay a small amount of what you make to have everything handled for you. 

Hopefully, this post will help you to start taking the control of your money out of your hands. This sort of approach will usually see a lot more success than trying to manage things yourself, as the people supporting you have a lot more experience than you will with money. Of course, though, this doesn’t mean that you should ignore your own research, as this is important, too.

Be Honest: How Fun Is Your Home?

Once upon a time, humans were simple creatures. They needed food; they needed water; they needed shelter. Our homes are a shelter, but like food and water, they’ve become much more than just their original functions. We know longer eat whatever will sustain us: we season our food. And who drinks just water? The home might provide shelter from the elements, but we should strive to them much more than that. Below, we take a look at a few ways you can make your home more fun, making it a property that friends and family want to visit on its own merit. 

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Hosting Friends

Some homes are set up for receiving friends and family, and some aren’t; but all homes can be, with a little bit of effort. For example, how’s your kitchen and eating space looking? Having an open plan kitchen will make it receptive to visitors, a space that is conducive to socialising and having fun. And while we’re talking about guests, you should ensure that your guest rooms are up to modern standards. If your extra bedroom isn’t solely there for your guest’s use, it’ll be falling short. 

And the Livin’ Is Easy 

A home can be fun all the year round, but it’ll really come into its own during the light, sunny summer months. If you build a patio, you won’t have to go searching for good times in your neighborhood; you’ll have everything you need right in your back garden. Add simple additions like a BBQ and a swing set for the children, and you’ll have everything you need to have a summer to remember. When the days are long, and the weather is fine, you’ll get your money’s worth out of your investment in no time at all. 

A Games Room

If you have a spare room, why not look at transforming it into a fun game room, for you, your family, your friends? It’s towards the top of things people want in their home, but it’s oh so simple to install. All you need is a couple of games consoles, an activity of some sort (table tennis, pool), and a few board games. Hey presto, you have a games room! This will become a go-to for those Friday and Saturday evenings when you’re deeply committed to fun, but when the weather outside is looking miserable.

Taking it Further

Of course, these are only a few things you can add to your home to crank the fun levels. Always remember that there are no rules to what you do with your home: it’s your property, do whatever you want to do to make it a more enjoyable place to be. If you want to have a cinema room, then look at getting a few comfortable chairs, a big screen, and a projector. It’s all that simple!

All that anybody needs to have a fun home is a commitment to having fun. If you do, you’ll have the a house that is the envy of the neighbourhood! 

The Lifestyle Choices That Are Causing Your Back Pain

As you get older, you’ll find yourself waking up with a stiff back. Those twinges that you feel throughout the day have become a normal part of aging that we just seem to put up with. The truth is, while you’re going to be more prone to back problems in your later years, they have a cause. Everything that has a cause, has a solution as well. Working out what is causing your back problems is the first step towards getting rid of them and living a more comfortable life. So, if you’re constantly hobbling around with pains in your back, it could be caused by one of these things that are easily fixed. 

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A Bad Mattress

People don’t pay nearly enough attention to the quality of their mattress, but it can cause you serious back pain if it doesn’t give you enough support. Without a decent mattress, your back will not stay straight while you sleep and putting that pressure on it every single night will make it stiff and painful. Sites like mattress.review can help you to find the best quality mattresses out there. It might be tempting to go for a cheaper one, but it won’t do you any good in the long run. A proper mattress is an investment worth making if you want to maintain good back health into your old age. 

Slipped Discs 

One of the most common back injuries that you can get is a slipped disc. This is when the soft tissue between the discs in your back becomes dislodged. It’s usually caused by general wear and tear but overstraining your back can also cause a disc to slip out of place. It’ll be incredibly painful and sustained so if you’re experiencing severe back pains, it’s best to check with a doctor. However, it can also cause you pain in your hip because it presses on certain nerves. A combination of pain in the back and the hip is a sure sign that you’ve got a slipped disc. 

Muscle Spasms

Overworking your back can also cause muscle spasms in the back that can be extremely painful. They happen when the muscles or tendons in your back get torn, usually from lifting heavy weights. If you’re experiencing muscles spasms in your back, you need to get a lot of rest and make sure you aren’t putting any unnecessary strain on your back. 

Slouching 

Bad posture is a hugely common cause of back problems. So many of us spend the day at a desk at work, but only very few of us worry about our posture. Spending all day, every day, slouching at our desks can soon lead to a stiff painful back. The way to get around this is to get a good, supportive desk chair and make sure to take regular breaks to stand up and have a walk around. 

Back pain is seen as an inevitable feature of old age, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Back pain is usually caused by something that we’re doing and can be easily rectified. So, don’t just live with it.  

Gardening for Wildlife: Tips to Attract Animals to Your Garden

Sitting in your garden with a cup of tea, the day is behind you, and just as the sun is about to set, birds flock back to the trees for an evening chat. It’s the same routine every evening; snacking on berries in couples of two and singing coarsely to each other from across the yard, the wildlife keeps us frozen, hoping we’ll be treated to more of the show by staying as still and quiet as possible.

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As fall approaches and the days get chillier, you can actually line up for many evenings of wildlife entertainment, right here in your own garden. You just need to know how to attract them - and appreciate the sight of a healthy ecosystem in your backyard.

#1 Build a log-pile

Sure, we love the sight of birds, but you can easily accommodate for other types of animals as well. Hedgehogs, for example, are especially fond of log-piles and will even find it to be an ideal habitat if you shape it as a tepee. Besides from the regular hedgehogs, you’ll also be able to attract all sorts of small mammals and amphibians and insects. Visit http://www.discoverwildlife.com for more log-piling advice.

Just by building one attraction, you’ll see your garden occupied with a variety of wildlife in no time. Remember to check that nobody lives in there before you light the bonfire, though.

#2 Don’t tidy up until the end of winter

Garden maintenance is a regular part of preparing your home for winter. Many homeowners do this as soon as the last apple has fallen from the tree, often taking it to the extreme and ruining the chances for any wildlife to find shelter there during winter.

Try to leave the heaviest garden cleanup until the end of winter, and avoid cutting the hedges too so that birds can find shelter there - as well as giving them some extra time to eat up all the berries. Instead of pruning and tidying, go over your garden equipment and make sure everything is up to date for spring; have a look at http://www.chaincutting.com/ for some great reviews on gardening equipment.

It’s also a good idea to have a look at your garden, find the perfect spot for your log-pile, and spot the weaker plants in your beds to swap with some that may attract animals. Spread the fallen leaves you rake up all over these flowerbeds, by the way, to create a foraging habitat for thrushes and blackbirds during the winter.

#3 Clean the feeders

A garden in fall is perfect for wildlife, and you’ll probably notice how the fallen apples, ripe berries, and seeds of plants have kept them returning for more. As the weather gets colder and harsher, on the other hand, birds depend on your garden more than ever to find food and shelter. Clean them now already by soaking them in sterilizing fluid, and keep washing them regularly to make it pleasant for the birds.

If you’re lucky enough to have a pond in your garden, you should clean it between October and January when the wildlife activity is at its lowest. It’s a good idea to put a few clay tiles at the bottom of your pond, by the way, to make it a bit cozier for overwintering frogs. 

They’ll appreciate your warmth this winter - and you can enjoy the sight of a garden full of life, even when everything else is gray and dismal.

Make Gift Giving Hassle-Free with GC Regalo!

I have always considered gift giving as an art, simply because you cannot do it haphazardly. A gift has to be a well thought of token to convey gratitude, birthdays, Christmas, milestone life events, and exemplary work performance.

To ensure that a gift is well appreciated, we must know the recipient very well. What are their interests? What are their needs? Do they have a family? What is their favorite color? What size jeans do they wear? There are so many things to consider! 

Since most of us do not have the luxury of time to shop around for the perfect present, the best gift idea would be a GC Regalo or gift certificate! 

Gift certificates are not a spur of the moment choice for a present, an award, or a bonus. It is actually a way to let someone have the freedom to get something he or she really needs. Honestly, I would be more than happy to receive a gift certificate than the all too common photo frame, bath towels, figurines, stuffed toys or funky scented lotions and shower gels.

There are various gift certificates available for purchase but the best so far, for me, is the Sodexo Premium Pass. Why so? Read on.

I worked in a call center for 10 years before I finally called it quits last year. One company that I used to work for had a fantastic incentive program for Top Performers. Three (3) Top Performers are chosen monthly and each one is given Two Thousand Pesos ( Php 2,000) Sodexo Premium Pass gift certificates . One (1) Quarterly Top Performer is chosen and the incentive accorded are having their name displayed in the Hall of Fame Board in the main lobby, plus a bonus of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000) Sodexo Premium Pass Gift certificates. This motivated me to do my best and hard work did pay off. I got the 3rd Quarter Top Performer of the year award. I bought a new washing machine from SM Appliance Center with the gift certificates I received. Awesome!

Last Christmas, I wanted to give my niece a set of books, a young adult fiction 3-book set series. I knew she loved the books by this particular author. I kept putting off buying those books because I just did not have time to shop yet. That was a blessing in disguise because around two weeks before Christmas, I saw her reading those books I was supposed to get for her! Whew. I was saved from a failed gift giving scenario. What did I get my niece instead? Of course, my go-to choice, Sodexo Premium Pass Gift Certificates. It made me happy that she was able to get other books she liked.

A Sodexo Premium Pass Gift Certificate is my fool proof and hassle free way of gifting. It makes me pleased to know that my family and friends will be able to use it for whatever item they desire not only from SM Malls nationwide but from numerous merchant partners as well! It could even buy them the gift of health. Sodexo Premium Pass Gift Certificate is accepted in selected drugstores, wellness clinics and spas. Now isn't that a fantastic gift idea? I think it is!

This is also the perfect present for those "hard-to-gift" people, like tweens, teens, or those who seem to have it all.  Check out this merchant list below. Totally impressive! 

Gift certificates cannot be packaged or boxed, but you can, just to add to the fun. So to make it more personal, I compose short poems and create special greeting cards for my GC Regalo. Here is a collage of some of the cards I have made so far:

I love making gift cards because it conveys my well wishes which they could read over and over, long after they have used the Sodexo Premium Pass.

I strongly recommend you consider this hassle free gift idea. Be ready to see the smiles, hear the squeals, and receive hugs and kisses as you hand out this gift. There are other GC Regalo Gift Certificates available too, if a Sodexo Premium Pass is not your jam.

I will be celebrating my birthday in two months. I don't give my family a hard time looking for a gift for me. They know what I want. Haha. I want nothing else but some GC Regalo - Sodexo Premium Pass Gift Certificates. I will save them up and then wait for Christmas to come around so I will have more. I have already checked out the item I will get for myself. Hopefully my family will be generous this time so I can get this counter top oven on my birthday and something else for Christmas! 

I hope I have convinced you enough that GC Regalo is the best gift idea for any occasion, whether it be for a birthday, anniversary, baby shower, baptism, or an incentive award for your employee!

Your Wildest Dreams Start When You're Asleep

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If your sleep isn't what it used to be, there are many ways that you can improve it naturally. The first thing you should do is figure out when your sleep started to go down hill - finding the source will be a big help to figuring out why you aren't sleeping so good anymore.

If you're not too sure though, here are some tips on getting a better night's sleep.

Get a better diet.

Certain foods have the ability to give you a better night's sleep, while others make it even worse. We all know that a glass of warm milk before bed can really get you in the mood for sleeping. Chamomile tea is also very good for this. If you prefer something more to munch on, bananas and oatmeal do the job.

Get more regular with your exercises.

There are so many different benefits to exercising which all help to improve your health - sleep being one of them. Don't fit in a workout before bed though otherwise you'll just wake yourself up. Try getting in a session in the morning or afternoon. This will speed up the time it takes you to not only fall asleep, but to dream too.

Minimize your screen time before bed.

Try and avoid emailing, social media stalking, and tv watching before you go to bed. It has been proven that staring at a bright screen wakes up the brain by stimulating it from the glare of the screen, and you should be doing to exact opposite before you try and sleep. 

Take a caffeine inspired power nap.

If you've got things to do but can barely keep your eyes open, have a quick turbo boost nap to replenish your body and mind. Indulge in a cup of coffee, and then take a quick 15-minute snooze. Although caffeine keeps you up, it won't kick in straight away, meaning you can have a quick sleep to restart the brain, and by the time you wake up, you'll be full of energy.

Get the right mattress.

Not all beds will suit you, even if they have great reviews online, some people prefer a hard mattress, while others only like a soft, fluffy one. So figure out what you need, and then cater it to work with your body. Memory foam mattresses are a great place to start because they work with you by molding out your shape and holding you. You can find more information about them here. Before buying anything, go to a bed store and have a lie down on everything they have to offer - you may just find the one.

Use the power of visualization.

The mind is a very powerful tool - so use it. When you're lying in bed wide awake, and can't seem to fall asleep, try out a meditation technique. Focus on shutting things down one by one in your head, until everything is silent and still. If worries on your mind are keeping you up, think about them, and then mentally delete them. Keep doing this until the only thing left to do is fall away into a deep sleep.

Understanding Your Personal Finances Before Applying for a Mortgage

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A property is the largest investment and purchase that most of us will make during our lifetimes. It makes sense. This is the space where you will spend most of your time and hopefully retire in. If you have children, you will see them grow and thrive in this space. It will be home to your pets, a place for entertaining guests and your nest to hibernate in during the winter months. So you want the best that you can possibly get. Before scouring the property market and applying for a mortgage, however, it’s absolutely essential that you understand your personal financial situation. This will prevent you being denied loans (which will negatively affect your overall credit score) or investing in a property that you will eventually have to forgo, as you are unable to keep up with payments. Here are a few things to contemplate before setting your heart on any property.

Know Your Credit Score

A mortgage is essentially a huge loan that you can use to purchase a property. In a way, you are lending the money, paying it to the property’s owner, then slowly paying back your mortgage provider in smaller installments over time. As with any other form of a loan, your mortgage provider is going to base their decision on whether to hand you the cash by evaluating your previous spending and lending habits. If you have a bad record, they are unlikely to approve you. If you have a good score, you have a better chance. As you are likely asking for a large sum of money, the lender is going to want to be confident that you will stick to your contract and pay them back. So, check your credit score to ensure that you have a good record!

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Overcoming Bad Credit

If you find that you do have bad credit, don’t worry. A mortgage isn’t necessarily entirely out of your reach. You may think that all hope is lost, but with good financial management, you could overcome your current negative rating and start building towards being able to apply for a mortgage with realistic chances of being accepted. For whatever reasons, you have built up a negative reputation amongst lenders in the past. So you need to regain their trust and prove yourself to be reliable. A good way to do this is to take out bad credit personal loans or credit cards. These will often start out with a low credit limit and will have higher interest rates than standard loans, but they give you the opportunity to put your foot back on the credit ladder and improve your score. Once you’ve been approved, ensure that you pay back the money borrowed on time, sticking to all aspects of your repayment contract. Avoid being late or missing payments. As time goes on, your limit will be increased and other lenders may begin to offer you loans or cards too.

Once you are confident that your personal finances are in good and reputable shape, you can start searching for the perfect property to invest in.

Don't Let Debt Ruin Your Financial Future

When you find yourself in the position where you’re wondering how you can afford to pay all of your bills, and still eat is a very scary position to be in. Unfortunately, the majority of us don’t seek help where we should and end up in bigger debt than before. There are simple ways that you can free yourself from the clutches of constant calls and letters asking you for money. In this article, I’m going to share with you some ways that you can get yourself out of debt.

Payday loans

Depending on the severity of your debt, payday loans can be a quick fix to all of your problems. If you know that at the end of the month you will have enough money to get yourself back on track then taking out a quick loan will do the trick. Do be wary of the high interest rate though, and if you do decide to take one out then make sure that you will definitely be able to repay the loan back on the agreed date, otherwise you could land yourself some hefty charges.

Debt relief

If the amount of debt that you’re in is too high to be resolved by using a payday loan, and you’re a homeowner, you should consider homeowner loans for debt consolidation. This will allow you to completely wipe all of your debts at once, meaning any letters and phone calls will stop because you will technically be debt free. All you will have to concentrate on paying now will be the consolidation loan which are normally set up in affordable repayments for you. If your income does decrease however, be wary that you may be unable to lower your repayment charge each month.

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Family

It’s understandable that not everyone has this option, but asking your friends or family for some financial help might be the perfect answer for all of your problems. Even though it can be debilitating, it may be worth borrowing money from family rather than trying to do it alone. Often, family members are more than willing to help especially if it’s not a regular occurrence. Consider asking a trusted family member for a short term loan and maybe some advice on how to better look after your money.

Be prepared

Don’t let yourself get into the situation where you’re stuck for money. Much easier said than done, but there are ways of ensuring you have financial stability. Not allowing yourself to get into any debt will prevent you from ever having to take any of these routes. Or, if you’re currently in debt, use this as a lesson so that in the future you can look forward to financial stability.

Remember, for many solutions to solving your debt like using a payday loan, your credit score will be affected. Consolidation loans boast that this isn’t an issue but some companies won’t be able to give you a good deal if your credit rating is low. Take the steps today to get yourself out of debt. Don’t let debt ruin your financial future.

What To Do With Your Empty Nest

It seems like just yesterday when you were looking to invest in a small-family home, and now all your little birds have grown up and left the nest. Suddenly that house that seemed perfect ten or so years ago feels a little big for just you and your spouse. There’s a whole new chapter ahead of you, but first you need to decide what to do with your empty nest.

Sell it

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Your first instinct might be to sell your house and move into something a bit smaller; after all, it’s too big for an older couple with grown kids, but it’s still perfect for another young family. It would be easy to get in touch with a local real estate agency or reach out to manausa.com or Zillow to sell your house. But you might not want to do that so quickly; your kids could visit during Thanksgiving or Christmas, or they might need a place to crash during the summer while they search for work. Many graduates end up moving back home after college because they can’t afford to move out completely. Even if they do manage to afford their own place, there’s always grandkids to consider; it’ll be easier to have the whole family visit in a big house than a smaller one built just for an older couple. 

Home Office

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Most people are now taking the option of working from home, so if you’re one of them you’ll need a proper place to work. Experts recommend that you shouldn’t bring your work home with you, but this is a tough rule to follow if you work at home. The best solution is to set yourself up in a now-empty room and eliminate as many home touches as possible to make the place feel more like an office. Bring in a desk, an ergonomic chair, and set up your laptop. 

Gym

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It’s a cliche to turn your child’s room into a gym once they leave, but if it encourages you to do more exercise then there’s nothing wrong with it. All you need to do is clear out all the furniture - make sure you pack up the personal items and store them somewhere safe - and put in whichever machines you’d like to use. You might also want to put up some mirrors along one of the walls so you can keep an eye on your posture.

Rent it out

If you’re open to making some extra cash, then why not rent out your empty bedrooms to a lodger. It could be a student from a local college, an international student, or someone who’s moved for work but hasn’t been able to sort accommodation yet. Each of these options means you’ll have a temporary tenant, so you can try it out for a few weeks to see if you like the arrangement. At the very least, you’ll be getting help paying the bills, and maybe some help around the house if your tenant is considerate about the mess they make. 

Organising Your Home For A Cleaner Mind

Did you know that having clutter around your home can stop your creativity from flowing and can prevent your mind from working properly? Having a clean and organized space to live will increase happiness, productivity and general well-being. This is because everything has it’s space, and there is nothing confusing the mind from more important things. Here are some ways in which you can organize your home for a cleaner mind.

This isn’t a suggestion for you to bomb around your home and throw everything away. These are simply going to be some tips on how to make your home less cluttered. Follow these four tips and you’ll soon start reaping the benefits!

1. Put things away

Making sure that all items have a place within a cupboard, drawer or closet (obviously unless it’s ornamental) is key to keeping your home tidy and organised. If some of your items don’t currently have their own place, then it’s time for a sort out. A good rule to go by when having a clear out is the six month rule. If it’s not been used in the last six months, and you don’t expect to use it in the next six months, then it’s likely that you’re holding onto it ‘just in case.’

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2. Kitchen clean up

Don’t leave your kitchen out of the mix either. There are so many ideas online that you could adopt to organize your kitchen cupboards. Why not go the full whack and organize your refrigerator too? Not only will it make it easier to find the food you’re looking for, but if it’s done properly you can properly avoid any cross contamination within your refrigerator too.

Having a special place for your utensils, mugs, plates and everything else you use within your kitchen will make it easier to keep your kitchen organised even after regular use.

3. Toys

One thing that many parents struggle with is where to put their children’s toys when they’re not in use. Buy a large basket, or ottoman in which you could put their toys after use. It’s likely you’ll be able to find storage that matches your decor and keeps it feeling like home. Make sure your children get into the good habit of putting their toys away when they’re no longer playing, as this may affect how tidy their bedrooms are too!

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4. Make room

Making room in your garage or shed for items that you don’t necessarily want in the house, but you know will be used again, or are sentimental items is a great way of keeping your home free of clutter, yet being able to hold on to the things that you really love.

Keep your home free of clutter and too much noise will create a much more pleasant atmosphere within your home. Having an organized home makes it easier to keep clean too. Why not apply these tips today and see the improvement for yourself?

5. Declutter

Each time you organise your home, there will be items that you can throw away or sell. Decluttering isn’t just about finding a home for things; you also have to be willing to let go of things. If you have large spaces like basements or attics full of junk, it may be time to hire junk removal services. This is one of the best ways to get rid of large items or lots of items that could be time consuming to get rid of yourself.