Supergoop! Every. Single. Face. Watery Lotion SPF 50 Sunscreen Review

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

Not Sponsored: Do you know, I've never tried anything from Supergoop!? It's not that I didn't know about the brand, but I was just so pleased with the sunscreen brand Coola, that I stopped trying other brands. Coola Sun Silk Drops (Revolve, Harvey Nichols, Macys, SpaceNK, Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Tillys) are my ride and die when it comes to sunscreen for my face. It's super lightweight, invisible on the skin (doesn't compete with my makeup), protects you from UVA/UVB rays (SPF 30), blue light (HEV light), organic, cruelty free, IR and pollution. Pretty much perfect right? The only problem I have is traveling with it. It's a bit cumbersome. So that situation, led me to want to try Supergoop! Every. Single. Face. Watery Lotion. I needed another sunscreen option for my face. 

Supergoop! has a MULTITUDE of sunscreen options for your face: Glow Sunscreen (SPF 40-50), PLAY (SPF 30-50), Unseen Sunscreen (SPF 40), (Re)setting Refreshing Mist (SPF 40), Daily Dose Vitamin C SPF 40 Serum, Sheer Mineral Screen (SPF 30), Lip Screen (SPF 30), Mineral Matte Screen (SPF 40), CC Screen (SPF 50), Zinc Screen (SPF 40) and you guys (can you believe) the list goes on and on. But Supergoop! states that Every. Single. Face. (Revolve, Saks Fifth Avenue, Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Shopbop, Free People, Urban Outfitters, Athleta) is their most powerful protection in their simplest formula ever. It protects against UVA/UVB Rays (Water & Sweat Resistant (40 min)), blue light, pollution and IR (infrared radiation). It's clean (vegan) & reef friendly. While trying this sunscreen, I found it to be lightweight (not quite as lightweight as Coola Sun Silk Drops), but still lightweight indeed. It applied really well and didn't leave a white cast (so it didn't compete with my makeup). It has a slight scent (but no synthetic fragrance), but it dissipates as soon as you rub it into the skin. I love its high quality of SPF 50 protection. I never had any problems while out in the sun. And for your information, sun protection for my face is not an option for me. I must wear it on my face or around my eyes will swell. The packaging for ESF is super cute, but is it functional!?! The cap easily twists off and I didn't have any problems squeezing the product out. It's also easy to pack, carry in your purse or keep in your office. So I really like Supergoop!'s Every. Single. Face Watery Lotion Sunscreen. Here are the reasons why Supergoop! made ESF (it was a great read). The bottom line "weightlessness".

I'm currently trying Sheen Screen, Unseen Sunscreen and PLAY by Supergoop! I'll let you know the differences in my upcoming review. Sunscreen is so important! I can't empathize enough. The sun's rays are very strong and can cause irreversible damage to your skin, cancer and age you. Please take wearing sunscreen seriously (even on your ears).

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 

  Supergoop! Every. Single. Face. Watery Lotion SPF 50 Sunscreen is Supersweet

 

How to Take Advantage of Solar Incentives in Florida

Image by NxTide from Pixabay

The state of Florida has enough solar energy to power over a million homes, making it one of the premier states to own solar panels. With that said, investing in solar panels is quite an undertaking without the right incentives.

So are there solar incentives in Florida? If so, what are they and how much money does it really save you?

That's what we're here to look at today. Read on to find out more about Florida solar incentives and how they work.

Florida Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption

Arguably the most well-known Florida solar tax credit is the Florida Solar System Property Tax Exemption.

This provides a 100% tax exemption for properties with renewable energy. It also provides an 80% property tax reduction for any non-residential property with renewable energy systems installed.

Eligible renewable energy systems include solar panels, solar energy storage systems, solar water heaters, and wind energy systems. As long as these were installed onto your property after January 1, 2013, it's exemption-eligible.

The exemption also applies to certain equipment related to renewable energy systems. This includes generators, windmills, and thermostats.

Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption

Floridians also don't need to worry about sales tax when they purchase solar panels or any related equipment. This sales tax exemption has been active since 1997 and has been made permanent in 2005.

Solar energy homeowners don't need to pay sales tax on any piece of hardware used for collecting, converting, storing, or otherwise using solar energy. This makes it quite beneficial when investing in solar panels.

Florida Net Metering

Net metering is one of the most important mechanisms for saving you money when using solar panels. It essentially lets you sell any excess power generated from your panels back to the grid.

It's available in many states that support solar energy and is a staple in Florida. Utility companies like Duke Energy and Florida Power & Light are key proponents of net metering.

This is a particularly great incentive for solar energy homeowners since most net metering programs work on a credit system. Homeowners get credits for their utility bills, meaning they can save them up for the winter.

While Florida is a warmer state, there's no harm in having a few utility credits to use when things start to get chilly in the wintertime. Leveraging Florida net metering is an excellent way to keep saving money with solar.

Federal Solar Tax Credit

Finally, there's the federal solar tax credit. While not exclusive to Florida, no article about solar incentives is complete without talking about this long-standing tax program.

This lets homeowners with solar energy systems installed claim about 26% of the cost of their solar panels from their annual taxes. That means you'll be saving big on your annual taxes just by owning solar panels.

Anyone who owns their solar panel systems is eligible for this credit. You can even save up your credits if you don't need to use them during any given year. If you want to invest in solar panels and get a tax break, click here.

Using Solar Incentives in Florida

There are plenty of solar incentives in Florida that make installing solar panels a smart choice for anyone. Use this guide to help you understand what these incentives are and how you can take advantage of them!

For more informative articles on solar and other topics, check out the rest of our site!

The Top Five Tips To Improve Social Interactions Between Employees

Employees who feel socially connected to one another are more productive and have a better work experience. In fact, social interactions in the workplace can improve morale, teamwork, and communication. This blog post will discuss the top five tips to help get your team to interact with each other positively.

Photo by Matheus Bertelli from Pexels

1) Encourage employees to get to know each other personally.

One way to encourage social interactions between employees is to simply encourage them to get to know each other on a personal level. This can be done by hosting regular team building ideas or creating opportunities for employees to interact with each other outside of work. Additionally, you can create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing personal information with each other. For example, you can set up an "employee of the week" program where employees share something interesting about themselves with the rest of the team.

By encouraging your employees to get to know each other on a personal level, you will help build trust and communication within your team. This will also lead to increased morale as employees feel more connected to each other.

2) Encourage employees to share their ideas and opinions.

Another way to improve social interactions between employees is to encourage them to share their ideas and opinions. This can be done by hosting regular team meetings where employees are encouraged to share their thoughts and feedback. Additionally, you can create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas with each other. For example, you can set up a "suggestion box" where employees can submit their ideas anonymously.

By encouraging your employees to share their ideas and opinions, you will help promote open communication within your team. This will also lead to increased morale as employees feel appreciated and valued.

3) Encourage employees to help each other.

Another way to improve social interactions between employees is to encourage them to help each other. This can be done by creating opportunities for employees to work together on projects or tasks. Additionally, you can create an environment where employees feel comfortable asking for help from each other. For example, you can set up a "buddy system" where new employees are paired with more experienced employees.

4) Encourage employees to take breaks together.

Another way to improve social interactions between employees is to encourage them to take breaks together. This can be done by creating opportunities for employees to take breaks simultaneously. Additionally, you can create an environment where employees feel comfortable taking breaks together. For example, you can set up a "coffee break" where employees can relax and chat with each other.

By encouraging your employees to take breaks together, you will help promote teamwork and communication within your team. This will also lead to increased morale as employees feel appreciated and valued.

Last but not least,

5) Encourage Employees To Give Each Other Compliments:

One great way of getting people to interact more is by encouraging employees to give each other compliments. This could be done in several ways, but one way is to have a "compliment of the day" where employees write down one nice thing about another co-worker and put it in a jar for everyone to read at the end of the day. Not only will this make people feel good about themselves, but it will also get them talking to each other more.

So there you have the top five tips to improve employee social interactions! Following these tips will help build trust, communication, and morale within your team. Additionally, you will create an environment where employees feel appreciated and valued.

Oribe Côte d'Azur Replenishing Body Wash and Restorative Body Creme Review

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

Not Sponsored: It never ceases to amaze me ... despite reviewing hundreds of products ... there are still brands I have never tried. Oribe is one of them. Oribe is a very popular hair care brand, that now offers body care, home products and fragrance. For those unfamiliar with the brand, it started with its founder Oribe Canales. He was a celebrity stylist, born in Cuba, trained in New York, had many successful shops (Manhattan, Miami and Soho), but unfortunately passed in his early 60's. He worked with popular models such as Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista. He worked backstage with designers such as Gianni Versace. He worked with celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez. Kao USA Inc. purchased the brand and continues its legacy. I've never tried any products from the brand, so I decided to order a couple of things from the body care line.

One of the items I purchased was the Oribe Côte d'Azur Replenishing Body Wash (Ssense, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom). This body wash promises to gently cleanse and nourish the skin's moisture barrier, leave your skin soft and hydrated, replenish and restore lost moisture and envelop the skin in Oribe's signature Côte d’Azur scent. Again, I have never tried Oribe's hair care products, so I was unfamiliar with the brand's signature scent. This is how the scent is described by the brand, "The much-celebrated signature scent for our hair care line was created by one of the oldest French fragrance houses, providing us with the perfect foundation for a fine perfume. With its sun-drenched notes of Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine and sandalwood, Côte d’Azur embodies the glamour and heat of the legendary destination." This body wash does everything it says. It works into a really great lather. It cleans well. It feels great on the skin and it's nourishing & moisturizing. I just have one little issue. Its signature scent. It's a great scent, but I find it a little masculine (at least for me). So, if you're not familiar with the signature scent try and smell it before purchasing it. If you don't care for it, you can always give it to your favorite guy! But scent aside, this is a really good body wash. 

I also purchased the travel size of the Oribe Restorative Body Creme (Ssense, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus). The Oribe brand describes this product as "an indulgently rich crème that envelops skin in our signature Côte d’Azur fragrance, while smoothing, softening and delivering the deepest hydration." Its benefits are as follows: It smoothes, softens and protects skin’s moisture barrier. It restores skin’s youth and radiance. It envelops skin in our signature Côte d’Azur scent. It has an ultra moisturizing and hydrating formula. I found the body creme to be really smooth and creamy. It's not heavy, oily or greasy. Now my thoughts regarding moisture! I have super-dry skin. When I applied it, my skin felt moisturized, soft and smooth. But after a couple of hours, it didn't feel as moisturized. My skin didn't feel dry, but I wouldn't say this formula is "ultra moisturizing" or delivers "deep hydration". It's perfect if you don't have super dry skin. But if you're prone to be dry, you will have to reapply. Again, scent is an issue. It has the same scent as the body wash. I just found it to be a bit masculine. But all in all, it's a really good product.

Sweet-Bittersweet-NotSweet

supersweet(run & buy it) sweet(really good,buy it) bittersweet(ok, issues)not sweet(not good,don't buy this stuff) 
  Oribe Côte d'Azur Replenishing Body Wash is Sweet

Oribe Côte d'Azur Restorative Body Creme is Sweet

Oribe Côte d'Azur Replenishing Body Wash

Oribe Côte d'Azur Restorative Body Creme

Emile Cordon NY Nude Kissing Chic Set Giveaway (value $170) Must be a US Resident with US Address

Disclosure: Emile Cordon New York PR is giving one lucky reader (must be a US Resident and have a US Address) of A Very Sweet Blog a chance to win their Nude Kissing Chic Set valued at $170 by signing up for their newsletter (mandatory). View all the details in the Rafflecopter widget below.

Sponsored: Hey everybody! The beautiful people at Emile Cordon want YOU to try some of their fabulous lip balms. They sent me a set to try and I absolutely love them! I'm a new customer and after you try them, I know you will be one too! I was that impressed! They are giving one lucky reader (you must be a US Resident and have a US Address) of A Very Sweet Blog a chance to win an Emile Cordon Nude Kissing Chic Set (valued at $170). Isn't that awesome!?! The three luxury lip balms in this set are Rose Petal, Lisa, and Canele Classic Lip Balms. The benefits of using these lip balms include softer lips, smooth lips, a reduction in lip lines and anti-aging benefits. Emile Cordon lip balms are made in the USA and the key ingredients in each are Coconut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Squalene and Vitamin E. Your lips are in for a treat! All you have to do to officially enter is sign-up for the Emile Cordon Newsletter (mandatory). For extra chances of winning, follow some of A Very Sweet Blog's social media options. So good luck everybody and cheers to beautiful & healthy lips! By entering this giveaway, you agree to the official rules located on the Rafflecopter widget.

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The Top Five Things To Keep Clean In Your Business

Maintaining a clean work environment is essential for the health and safety of your employees. Not only will it help keep them healthy, but it can also improve their productivity. This blog post will discuss the top five things to keep clean in your business.

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

1) The Restrooms:

The restrooms are one of the most important areas to keep clean in your business. Not only do they need to be cleaned for the health of your employees, but they also need to be cleaned for the safety of your customers. Restrooms should be cleaned at least once a day and more often if they are heavily used.

Some of the things you should pay attention to when cleaning restrooms include: toilets, sinks, floors, and mirrors. Make sure all surfaces are free of dirt and grime. Also, ensure that there is enough toilet paper and hand soap for everyone.

If you have a lot of employees or customers, you may want to consider hiring a professional cleaning company to clean your restrooms.

2) PPE:

Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is another essential thing to keep clean in your business. This includes items like gloves, goggles, and masks. It is important to keep these items clean because they protect you from harmful chemicals and other materials. It would help if you washed your hands after handling any PPE. You should also store PPE in a clean and dry place. If you work with hazardous materials, you may need to dispose of PPE after each use.

You can also hire Custom PPE Laundering Services to clean your PPE for you. This method is preferred because it ensures that your PPE is properly sanitized.

3) The Office:

The office is another critical area to keep clean. A clean office will help improve the productivity of your employees. It can also create a better impression for clients and customers. When cleaning the office, pay attention to dusting, vacuuming, and mopping. You should also empty the trash cans and sanitize surfaces like doorknobs and light switches.

4) The Kitchen:

If your business has a kitchen, it is essential to keep it clean. The kitchen is a high-traffic area and can be a breeding ground for bacteria if it is not cleaned correctly. Some of the things you should do when cleaning the kitchen include washing dishes, sweeping and mopping floors, and wiping down surfaces.

You should also ensure that food is stored properly and that there is no expired food in the pantry. If you have a lot of employees, you may want to consider hiring a professional cleaning company to clean your kitchen.

5) The Lobby:

The lobby is the first thing customers and clients see when they visit your business. Therefore, it is essential to keep the lobby clean and presentable. Some of the things you should do when cleaning the lobby include dusting, vacuuming, and mopping. You should also wipe down surfaces like tables and chairs.

By following these tips, you can maintain a clean and safe work environment for your employees and customers alike. A clean business is a happy business!

Starting Up Your Business Requires Dedication, Time And Effort

A lot of people think that they can start a business, but a lot of them don’t actually realize just how much work goes into it. It’s not just a case of having a good idea and then being a success. No, there is so much more that goes into this and you have got to be willing to put in the effort. Not only effort, but it is going to require a lot of time and effort as well, so if you think that you’re not going to be able to dedicate yourself, then there’s no point in even starting the process. But, if you think that you have it in you to make a success of this company, then you need to give it your all. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you’re going to need, so keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.

Have A Fantastic Idea

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First, of course, you’re going to need to have a fantastic idea. You’re not going to get very far if you don’t have an idea in mind for what your business is going to be. It’s got to be something that you know about and something that you feel passionate about as this is going to help with dedicating yourself to it. It doesn’t matter if there are other businesses on the market that are doing the same thing either, because you can always take their spot. While a lot of people don’t feel comfortable talking in those kinds of terms, it’s exactly what’s going to happen.

It might be true that your idea starts small and then flourishes into something big and beautiful, or it might remain quite tight in the beginning. Don’t worry too much, because you always have the option to expand and grow as the business sees success.

Start With Feelers

Once you’ve got your idea sorted, then you can start putting out feelers to see how people would respond to your business. This gives you a good idea as to what your target demographic is going to be, and what you can do to appeal to them. Let people give you feedback on the initial idea and thoughts, making amendments to your business idea as you see fit. This will ensure that by the time you are ready to actually launch your business, it’s the best that it can be, appealing to the largest number of people.

There are too many out there right now that don’t take the time to start with feelers, and this is where people end up falling down. Slow and steady wins the race, so there’s no need to try and race ahead.

Social Media Is Your Best Friend

Photo by Tracy Le Blanc from Pexels

We cannot stress enough how important social media is to your new business. This is where most people are the majority of the time. Even if you’re just mindlessly scrolling through your social media accounts, we’re sure that you do this too so you should already know. A lot of the time, we come across things that we didn’t even know we were looking for but that catch our attention nonetheless. When people are looking through their social media, they’re just looking for something interesting and that is the perfect opportunity for you to give it to them.

You should be posting on each and every single one of the main social media platforms. For example, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and even TikTok nowadays. Some businesses might struggle to use the video only platform, but it’s well worth trying to figure it out because it’s fast becoming one of the most popular social media sites.

The reason that social media is so important is because it’s free to use if you’re using the basic versions, and it gives you a wide reach. Through the use of social media, you will be able to reach so many more people than if you were just marketing in the traditional way.

Build Your Website

Not only do you need super social media, but you also need to build a fantastic website. Now, you can do this yourself using a website builder like Vert, or you can hire a professional to do this for you. Both options are okay, but it depends on your level of experience when it comes to doing stuff like this. Ideally, if this is your first business and you want it to be as successful as possible, you want to hire a professional web designer. The reason for this is that you don’t want your website to end up looking the same as everyone else’s simply because you didn’t take the time to customize it. This is the quickest way for customers to lose interest and forget all about your business, losing you in the sea of businesses.

However, if you know what you are doing, and you are willing to take the time to dedicate to building your site, ensuring it doesn’t just become another standard website, then you should try it yourself. You can always get a professional to make changes and fix it down the line if needed. If you’re determined to do it on your own, go for it.

Work On Customer Service

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Customer service is perhaps one of the most important parts of any business. Without your customers, there is no business and there are a few businesses out there that seem to forget that. You need to work out how to provide top level customer service to each and every single individual that wants to use your business. From start to finish, you should be making their life as easy as possible, providing them with exactly what they need.

Think about having multiple contact methods for people to speak to you if they are experiencing issues. Consider hiring people who are bilingual to give a few more options to those who struggle with English. Have a web chat so that people don’t have to wait in ridiculously long queues on the phone or wait 5 days for a reply via email. These are just some basic suggestions that will give you a leg up, the rest is up to you.

Don’t Forget To Encourage Word Of Mouth

While people often forget about it, word of mouth is one of the most powerful marketing methods that you have in your arsenal. You want as many people talking about your business as possible, you just need to make sure that it’s for all the right reasons, rather than for the wrong ones. In the initial stages, people won’t likely have too much to say, but that doesn’t mean it won’t come as you grow. When people talk about your business in a positive way, it makes the people that they are talking to want to try out the same company. It moves them in your direction if you are ever in need of the services that they offer, and that is exactly what you need. This is going to take a lot of dedication in the beginning as you are the one who is going to have to start this off. You’re going to have to talk about your business in a positive way, not being embarrassed or shy about how good you are.

Hire The Best Team

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The final thing that we are going to say is that you need to hire the absolute best team possible. There is no doubt about this, if you don’t have the best possible team onside for your business, you’re not going to be able to see success. They do a lot of the heavy lifting as well as you, so it’s important that you’re not just hiring people to fill positions. The launch of your business can wait if you don’t have a full team, it doesn’t need to be rushed.

When you are interviewing people, make sure that you look at the way they are acting, the things that they are saying and their entire demeanor instead of looking at what’s on paper. Sure, it’s helpful to be properly qualified, but people can learn. If your choices are between someone who is slightly less qualified but comes across as a hard worker, or someone who is highly qualified but seems perfectly content to not bother, then there’s only really one option.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you are going to need to do when starting up a new business. It requires a lot of dedication and focus from you in the beginning stages, to the point where you may feel as though this is all you think about. It might well be, but that’s okay for now, and it’s what needs to happen to make the business a success. We wish you the very best of luck, and hope that you manage to start up your business soon.

Some Of The Most Important Ways To Prepare Financially

Photo By Jonathan Borba From Pexels

If you are thinking about trying to get ready for the future, money will usually play into all of that in some way or another. Because of that, you are going to find that preparing financially is, in its own right, one of the most important things you can ever do. As it happens, there are a huge number of ways that you can hope to prepare financially, so it’s something that you are going to want to think about in a few essential ways.

In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the best of these. As long as you have got these under control, you should find that you feel much more ready for your future, and hopefully a lot less anxious about your finances in general too. That is a very good position to be in.

Take A Look At Your Mindset

One of the first things to think about doing is to take a look at your mindset to see whether you might benefit from altering it in some way or another. It’s often surprising how much of a difference this can really make, so it’s one of those things that you are definitely going to need to look into early on in the process of improving and planning for your financial future. When you start to look into your mindset, you will probably notice that there are all sorts of improvements that might be made, anxieties and fears and so on which are not necessarily serving you, and these are the kinds of things you might want to focus on in particular.

Don’t underestimate how important this can be. Your mindset really does affect everything else in your life, so it’s one of those things that you might be surprised at how much of a difference it really makes. The only way to discover how important it is is to take a look at yourself and see what you might want to do about it. Before long, you will find that you intuitively grasp many of the changes that you need to make - and that you are able to make them pretty easily.

Photo By Karol D From Pexels

Be Aware Of Potential Crises

Although it’s not much use to assume the worst all the time, nor is it a good idea to ignore the potential problems that can arise. Because of this, it’s a good idea to try and be aware of potential crises that might happen in the future. Some of them are pretty much certain to happen at some point or another anyway, after all, and the more prepared you are, the better. The great thing about this is that you can then have a much better sense of what you need to do financially to prepare for those crises. This is going to lead to a much better situation on the whole, one in which you are going to find yourself much more capable of being able to do what you need to with your money.

Revisit Your Plan

You should of course have a financial plan in place at all times. Most people are aware of this, and few people fail to have some kind of budget to work from. However, you are also going to want to think about regularly revisiting your plan, to help with keeping it up to date and ensuring that it is still relevant and appropriate. This is important because there are so many things that can change throughout the weeks and months and years - from global events causing economic downturns to your own personal life changes. So revisiting your plan is one of the most important things you can do.

Get Clued Up On Pensions

When it comes to preparing for the future, one of the most important things of all is that you have thought carefully about your pension options. For this to be the case, you really need to spend some time getting clued up on pensions - including the various kinds and options there are, and what you can do to ensure that you are putting enough money in. This will also require some careful calculations on your part. Pensions are something of a gamble, so remember that, but you should still make sure to put a healthy amount into them each month. This is going to help you to prepare for the future financially much more effectively.

Photo By Karolina Grabowska From Pexels

Get Healthcare

If you live somewhere where you need to pay for medical services, then you are going to need to think about how you will pay for those. Most people will only reliably be able to pay for that using some kind of healthcare package, so this is something that you need to look into to ensure that you are able to look after your health and your money at the same time. As it happens, here as with pensions and other financial aspects, getting healthcare can be complex because there are so many options available to you.

One option that you are certainly going to want to consider is medicare. With this, you should be in a much better financial position when it comes to your healthcare, so it’s really one of the main things to consider. Knowing how and when to apply for medicare can be challenging, but it is vital if you are going to be able to look after your wellbeing and your money.

Pay With Cash

Although this is becoming harder and harder to do, thanks to the fact that the world is gradually becoming cash-free, it’s a good idea to make use of this while it lasts. Generally you are going to find that you spend so much less money if you pay with cash, and it will be easier to exert a decent modicum of self-control, so paying with cash is one of those things you are going to want to make sure you are doing as much as possible.

Just try it out for a week and see how much money you spend. You might be pleasantly surprised at the difference it makes to your ability to stay in-budget.

Photo By Joslyn Pickens From Pexels

Aim For Independence

There are many aims you might want to go for if you are keen to prepare financially for the future effectively. One of the most inviting, one that really makes a world of difference to the ways in which you operate, is to aim for financial independence above all else. This means that you are reaching to get to a place where you never have to rely on anyone else. This is not simply a way of trying to live like an island - it’s more a security thing. As long as you are financially independent, you’ll find it a lot easier to save your cash and to know what to do in an emergency, which is the most important thing in all of this.

Make Your Forecasts Realistic

When you are making financial forecasts, it is of course going to be hugely important to make sure that you are making them as realistic as possible. There are many reasons you might want this to be the case, but mostly it’s because you are going to be keen to ensure you can properly prepare, and that means knowing what the most likely outcomes really are. So you should try to do whatever you can to make your forecasts more realistic, and if you do that you’ll find that it makes a huge difference on the whole.

To achieve this for instance, you might use multiple scenarios, so that you have a few key probabilities that you are tracking as best as you can. Or you might decide to spend some time trying to identify your assumptions more clearly, as you can then see how these might be affecting your forecasting. The more honestly you do this, the better.

Photo By Min An From Pexels

The Emergency Fund

If you haven’t looked into this yet, it’s one of the most important things that you should focus on if you are keen to try and prepare as best as you possibly can. Everyone needs to try and develop their own emergency fund, and if you are keen to do that then you will certainly want to think about how you can make it happen. First of all, you need to figure out how much you need in that fund. That could be simply figuring out three months’ worth of expenses for instance. Bear in mind it’s an emergency, so just go for the absolute basic expenses you might need to pay in such an instance.

After that, you need to make sure that you are putting money aside each month in order to put money into that fund. This is of course the important bit, and the part that is generally the most difficult to achieve. But it’s all about being honest and strict with yourself and keeping up with it. If you can do that, you’ll have that fund in place in no time.

How Do I Set Up A Small Recording Studio At Home Within Budget?

We live in a time where anyone can practice their passion at home and showcase it to the world. So, to all the music aspirants, you can easily build a home recording studio setup and release your work. Fortunately, it is possible within a budget and will help you continuously improve your skill set.

So, here's a complete guide to setting up a small recording studio at home within budget. Let's have a look!

What Do You Need For A Basic Studio?

 

First, start by picking the right space that will fit all your essentials. It can be a small space, a corner, or an extra room. Then, de-clutter the room and add the basics for any home recording studio, which are:

Computer

A computer, laptop, or tablet is any recording studio's backbone. These days, laptops and tablets come with powerful configurations that can support your home studio. Look for good storage, speed, and capability to process your audio recording.

DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

A Digital Audio Workstation is a software you require for recording, editing, and performing other tasks on the audio. There are many DAWs like Pro Tools, FL Studio, Ableton Live, Cubase, Logic Pro, Reaper, and Bitwig. If you're new, you can start with compatible plugins too.

Microphones

There are many microphone options in the market ranging from affordable to expensive ones. You can go for a microphone made from both large diaphragms and small diaphragms for recording every beat. A microphone suitable for recording your music instrument is advisable.

Headphone

Like microphones, you can get headphones on all budgets, which minimize external noise and lead to hassle-free recording—always use recording headphones for quality content.

Audio Interface

An audio interface is important to build a successful connection between your computer's microphone, speakers, and headphones. You can start with a budget-friendly USB Audio interface.

Music Instruments

Bring in your favorite musical instruments like guitar, drums, piano, a Singular Sound Looping Pedal etc., and organize and designate a place for each. It will give a complete look at your home recording studio setup.With this, bring compatible cables, stands, etc., to make your recording studio more efficient.

Prepare The Walls To Soundproof Music Studio

 

A very practical home studio room is soundproof. Not only does it minimize outside noise but inside noises too. The noise from equipment and movement within the recording room should not hinder the audio recording. So, first of all, get good soundproofing tapes for windows and doors.

In addition, you can foam panels, Rockwool, or glass wool at strategic positions to minimize the sounds. These materials absorb sound and cause low or negligible disturbance in audio recording.

Do Not Forget The Design And Decoration For Recording Studio

The design and decoration of a home recording studio are as important as anything else. A perfect ergonomic environment with some character will motivate you to work hard. It will help you to follow your passion. Some of the essentials are:

Decorate Your Studio

Adding something to look upon is essential in a home recording studio. Add art to the wall with something you love, like exceptional and trending guitar wall arts. Wall arts in front of the desk, on a large wall, or grid on any adjacent wall look fantastic. It will make your recording studio more inviting, reflect your personality and introduce happy colors.

Desk

Place your desk so you can view the door diagonally, facing the window or any wall with interest. It creates good flow energy. Go for a desk that accommodates computers, monitors, cables, and all other essentials. Adjust its height so that your thighs and arm are parallel and are at rest.

Chair

An ergonomic chair that is breathable and supports the lumbar and neck region is crucial. In addition, it will reduce bad posture. Opt for recliners and movable computer chairs.

So, this was a complete guide to setting up a home recording studio. Gradually bring in all essentials and build a perfect recording studio!

What State Uses The Most Solar Energy?

Image by Maddy Bris from Pixabay

Are you interested in solar power but aren't sure where it's a good investment?

Everyone is concerned about saving energy these days, but some places are further along in finding the best ways to reduce their carbon footprint. If you're wondering what state uses the most solar energy, there are few clear choices for those interested in making moves towards greener living.

Solar energy is an important market in the US, and it keeps getting more important each day. Some areas of the country rely on solar, read on to find out!

In California

California is one of the best states for solar energy. Solar energy is a clean and renewable resource that is becoming important as we look for ways to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

California uses more solar energy than any other state in the United States. In 2015, California generated enough solar energy to power 6.2 million homes. Solar energy is growing in California and other states because the cost of solar panels is becoming affordable.

In North Carolina

North Carolina ranked second in the nation in installed solar capacity. It has a favorable climate for solar energy, with plenty of sunlight and low temperatures. Solar energy provides many benefits such as protecting the environment, reducing the state’s dependence on fossil fuels, and providing job opportunities.

The state has Solar Rebate and Incentive Programs to encourage people to install solar power systems in their homes and businesses. Besides the rebate and incentive programs, North Carolina has built many solar farms in recent years. These farms can provide power to the grid, which helps offset the demand for power from traditional power plants.

In Arizona

Solar energy is a great choice for Arizona because it is an abundant resource in the state. Arizona is one of the sunniest states,  making it the perfect place to harness solar energy which can give you the most solar savings estimate.

Arizona uses solar energy with more than 2,000 megawatts of solar capacity installed, enough to power more than 400,000 homes. You can often find solar panels on rooftops and in parking lots. Also, Arizona has the best cities for solar energy usage.

In Nevada

Interest in solar energy in Nevada has escalated in recent years due to economic, environmental, and policy factors. The state’s high amount of sunlight and large expanses of open land make it ideal for solar development.

Solar energy is clean and emissions-free, making it an environmentally-friendly option for power generation. With the cost of solar panels falling, and the efficiency of solar technology improving, solar energy will likely play an even bigger role in Nevada's energy mix in the future.

What State Uses the Most Solar Energy Where You Can Best Invest On?

Many states are investing in solar energy, but what state uses the most solar energy? California is the state that uses the most solar energy. It is a viable and popular option for states looking to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

With more and more states committing to solar power, we will likely see even more solar energy being produced in the coming years.

Did you find this article on solar energy useful? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more!

Why Moving Locally Is The Best Move You'll Make

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay 

We often think of moving as this massive, slightly scary experience that involves upending your life and heading somewhere new. But this doesn’t have to be the case. If you’ve started to feel like you want to move - maybe your house isn’t suited to you anymore, or you just fancy a change - you don’t have to go hundreds of miles away: you can just move locally.

Moving locally has plenty of benefits: you get to stay in an area you love, around your family and friends, all while getting a new space you work with better. So, if you want to move but aren’t ready for a big move, consider moving locally.

Stay near your friends and family

When you live in an area, you develop connections with the people around you. You build a network of friends, colleagues, and neighbours. One of the hardest parts of moving is leaving these connections behind. But moving locally gets rid of this problem. If you move nearby, you can still meet up with your work friends for coffee or have your university pals around for dinner once a week.

Plus, you’ll make new connections with the new people you meet through your new home. By moving locally, you are given a chance to expand your circle of friends.

You already know the area

If you’re moving to a new city, you don’t know the area very well and might be nervous about finding a new job, finding friends and more. However, if you’re moving locally, you already know your way around the city and don’t have to worry about getting lost or finding your way to work. You know your favourite spots for meals or your favourite cafe to meet your friends. You still get to keep all the sentimental sites where you’ve made memories over the years.

Moving locally also means that you’re already familiar with the schools in the area, which is an excellent plus for parents looking for apartments for their kids to attend. Moving locally means you don’t have to learn how to navigate a new area, which can be stressful and time-consuming.

The moving process is much less stressful

Moving is stressful at any distance, but if you’re moving locally, you don’t have to worry about hiring expensive long-haul movers, driving cross-country with all your stuff in a truck, or even shipping your things overseas. If you’re close enough, you might even need to use a removalist. You could just use SecureSpace Self Storage to keep your items safe, then pick them up for the new house when you’re ready.

If you’re moving locally, you can hire a local moving company to come and pack your stuff for you and put it in a truck for you to drive to your next address. Moving locally also means you don’t have to pay as much for the moving process, which can be a significant saving. Companies like SMARTBOX Solutions, Inc. have specialized services for local moves, ensuring the process is not stressful.

Plus, when you move locally, you can enlist the help of your local friends!

Upgrade your living space

The point of moving locally is to get a better-suited apartment or house. Moving locally, given the lower costs associated with moving, knowing the area, and using your friends’ help, means you have more money spare to invest in a really great home that suits and excites you. By moving locally, you can definitely upgrade to a better house.

How To Help Your Employees Stay Healthy At Work

Photo By Alexander Suhorucov from Pexels 

Every successful business depends on a solid team to provide the support it needs to thrive. Your team is the backbone of your business, and without dedicated employees, it will be challenging for your business to operate, let alone succeed. When you are dependent on your employees, you need your team to run like clockwork, with everyone playing a part to make the business operate efficiently, and your team to run like clockwork. If you have high sickness levels and employees are frequently absent from work, this can severely impact your business.

Absenteeism is damaging for companies on many levels. There is the cost of sick pay to consider and the impact on other team members left to cover the workload as well as their own. However, presenteeism, when your employees come to work when ill, can be even more damaging. A culture where team members feel obligated to go into the office even when sick does not benefit anyone. Presenteeism is arguably more disruptive and costly than absenteeism, so the best course of action is to create a workplace that helps your employees to stay healthy.

Here are some of the ways that you can help your employees stay healthy at work:

Offer Health Insurance

Depending on the size of your company, you may not need to provide health insurance for your employees. But, no doubt, providing healthcare as an employee benefit has many advantages. When your team can access healthcare quickly and easily, they are less likely to need time off work sick and can get back to feeling their best much faster.

Have Illness Response Measures in Place

The first wave of COVID-19 caught everyone unaware and was a unique situation. However, now that everyone has experience living with the virus in circulation, it is essential not to get caught unaware again. Preparing your business for any future outbreaks of COVID and putting measures in place to ensure that it can be dealt with quickly and effectively is essential. The coronavirus has a devastating impact on every area of life, so doing all you can to protect the health of your employees and your business's finances is vital. Implementing measures such as making rapid covid test available to your team will help keep infection rates in your building low and identify cases quickly before they spread. Having the capability to get potential COVID infections confirmed quickly will help you to minimize the impact of the coronavirus and to continue trading as best you can with minimal disruption.

Increase Hygiene Levels

Reducing the chances of germs spreading in the workplace is essential to keeping everyone healthy. Employing strict hygiene measures and increasing cleaning in the office should lower the chances of illnesses such as stomach flu, coronavirus, and the common cold circulating in your building and spreading among your team. Introducing more hand sanitizer stations and cleaning frequently touched surfaces such as doors and elevator buttons regularly will help reduce the chances of germs spreading throughout your building.

5 Best Ways Businesses Can Receive Payment

Thanks to the vast array of technology that is at our fingertips, now more than ever has it become so much easier to make transactions and get a profit for the business. In fact, there are so many ways and so many options when it comes to receiving payment for your goods and services. But, you have to keep in mind when it comes to financial things, you need to choose what is best for you. It’s really going to depend on multiple factors such as how much fees are, the days to receive said money, and how much protection is there as well. So, here are some of the best ways that businesses can receive payment.

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

1. Business Can Receive Payment by Invoice

This is one of the old-fashion ways to receive payment. This can be sent via email or even through certain payment platforms. It’s an older method, but this is ideal for businesses that offer services.

2. Business Can Receive Payment by Credit Card

With the ever-increasing use of online shopping, many retailers have turned to accept payment by credit card. Credit card payments are becoming more widely accepted and popular among businesses, including small businesses. This is because credit card transactions may be processed faster than cash transactions and have lower fees than checks. Additionally, credit cards are a convenient way to make purchases online and offline.

3. Business Can Receive Payment by Bank Transfer

In this day and age, it is important that businesses receive payments by bank transfer to avoid any potential complications. Whether you are a company that has already been paid or you are waiting for your payment, it is important that your business have a solution in place to receive transfers. Businesses all over the world are now able to receive, send and keep track of their transactions with a bank transfer.

This is a method of payment that can be made with just one click, which is convenient for both businesses and consumers. However, just keep in mind that this payment method may be better for foreign transactions. While payment may take longer, there are less fees compared to credit cards.

4. Business Can Receive Payment through a Mobile App

Businesses are embracing mobile apps to make the payment process quick, easy and convenient for customers. Some businesses are even using apps to accept payments from customers. You may be surprised that apps like CashApp and Venmo are becoming more common for businesses.

5. Businesses Can Receive Payment through PayPal

PayPal is a payment service that allows consumers and businesses to send, receive and request funds digitally. PayPal is currently the largest online payment service in the world with over 100 million active accounts worldwide. There are some positives and negatives to PayPal. Businesses can remark on the major fees, but, payment is nearly instant and getting it to your bank account doesn’t take so long either.

What Can Be Done If There Are Unpaid Bills?

Unfortunately, even with the ease of payments nowadays for companies, it can still be difficult to ensure that some clients and customers pay what they are owed. So, what could be done in situations like that? Well, there is the best collection agency for small business that could be an option.

Even though small businesses aren’t exactly too keen to resort to a collections agency to receive what they are owed, this is sometimes what needs to happen. Collection agencies will due whatever they can to help out small businesses, so this could certainly be a go-to option for you in the chance that you’re ever in this situation.

How To Diminish Toxins In Your Body

Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash

There's no denying that the human body does an excellent job of flushing out any unwanted toxins. Each organ within the body has a special set of functions to ensure nothing should hang around that doesn't belong there.

That being said, the body can sometimes do with a helping hand to ensure that toxin levels within it are low.

While it might be tempting to consume some heavily marketed magic shakes or fad diets, the truth is there are only a few steps you can follow that offer real results. They are as follows:

Stop Drinking Alcoholic Beverages

It seems crazy that some people purposely consume things that poison their bodies, yet that is what happens each day when individuals consume alcoholic drinks.

Around 90% of all alcohol consumed gets metabolized by the liver, and that process creates acetaldehyde - a chemical proven to cause cancer.

If that sounds like a scary thought, the good news is that you can prevent that from happening by avoiding all drinks containing alcohol.

Use Natural Remedies For Ailments

Whenever you have a headache, for instance, you're likely to reach for some Panadol to ease your symptoms. The problem with such an approach is that you're introducing all kinds of chemicals into your body, and some of them will cause you some side effects.

That's why it makes sense to opt for natural remedies to help ease any symptoms you might be experiencing.

You could also consider having an ayurvedic cleanse to detox your body and minimize the prospect of ailments occurring in your daily life.

Eat Plenty Of Fruit And Vegetables Each Day

Are you guilty of snacking on foods that offer little nutritional value? If so, don't worry because you're not alone. Many people lead busy lives and seldom have the time to prepare meals from scratch - especially when faced with long days at work.

Still, it makes sense to attempt to eat some fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Doing so introduces various nutrients and vitamins into your body, helping your body flush out toxins quickly.

Drink Plenty Of Water Daily

There is confusion concerning how much water everyone should drink each day. Water offers scores of health benefits, such as flushing toxins from the body and having youthful skin, and it's a fluid essential to all life on Earth.

Everyone has different body heights and weights, so there's no point suggesting an "ideal" number of glasses of water you should drink. Instead, simply drink water whenever you feel thirsty, and if you feel hungry between main meals.

Get Enough Sleep Each Night

Lastly, it makes sense to look at how you can improve your quality of sleep each night. Medical experts recommend an average of seven to nine hours of sleep every night to promote good health and minimize fatigue and lethargy during the hours you are awake.

If you have trouble sleeping at night, consider upgrading your mattress and pillows to more comfortable ones.

Final Thoughts

Following the above suggestions will make a significant impact on the level of toxins in your body.