Innovative Ways To Save Money In Business

As the saying goes, you should work smarter, not harder. Of course, you have to hustle and work hard when you are starting a business. You need to innovate and ideate to launch your product. Once your goods are at market, it is not time to slow down. You need to keep going to figure out how you will make money as well as save money. Sometimes, that last part - saving money - will be a major part of your business success. This is due, in part, to being financially savvy in your efforts to reduce overhead costs and expenditures.

Keep reading to save money within your company. 

 Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Interchange Optimization Solutions

Accepting credit cards at your points of sale is almost synonymous with breathing in today’s world. Plastic is everywhere. When customers opt not to carry it, they have their cards synced to their phones or smartwatches for contactless payments via the aforementioned credit cards.

One thing about these payments is that you, the merchant, will pay a fee to accept credit cards as payment options. All is not lost, however, you can utilize features within interchange optimization learn more here. There are strategic ways to work within the system to utilize different rates for various companies, such as those that use government or business cards.

When you prioritize interchange optimization, you are looking at significant savings and changing your profit margins for the better. Do not settle, do your research instead, and find out if you can benefit from different levels of savings.

Watch this video for an explainer on interchange fees.

 

Focus On The Little Things

 

Sometimes, small changes can lead to a larger impact. Take a look at these tips for reducing cost and waste in your workplace.

 

• Phantom Power - If your office energy bill is higher than you would like, take time to conduct an assessment of phantom power usage or vampire energy loss. Walk around and look at every outlet in your building. Document the items that are plugged in, and note whether they need to maintain an electric current 24/7. If not, go ahead and unplug them.

These devices are unnecessarily using electricity and driving up your monthly energy bill. While each device may only increase the usage in small increments when you add up all of the items that are plugged in over time it can really add up.

• Lighting - As you are assessing energy usage, look at the lighting within and outside of the building. If you have not switched to LED light bulbs, now is the best time to make it happen. LED bulbs will save you in the cost of energy usage and replacement bulbs over time even though the upfront cost of the bulbs is more than the once common incandescent light bulb. Make sure you look at task lighting, as well, and replace those bulbs as needed.

 

Photo by Kristina Paukshtite from Pexels

 

Take these ideas to heart and get ready to make changes to your profit margins through interchange optimization and small adjustments around the office. Be the leader you need, and you will see the benefits in no time.

This Guide Will Help You To Start Cooking More At Home

Do you feel as though you aren’t cooking at home as much as you could be? If so then you have to understand that you are not alone. So many people are in the same situation as you are right now, but there are things that you can do to try and turn things around. Take a look below to get some great hints and tips.

Find Out The Reason You’re Not Cooking 

The real work starts with introspection. A lot of people who don’t cook at home tend to feel as though they do not have time or they simply don’t feel as though they are good at it. That being said, if you can get to the root of the issue then this will help you to address it in the right way. If you don’t feel as though you are good at cooking then it may be that you need to take a class, or that you need to focus more on simple recipes, to begin with. If you don’t know where to start then this cheesy potato soup recipe is not to be missed.

Photo by Ella Olsson from Pexels

Address The Issue

Now you have uncovered the reason why you are finding it difficult to cook food on a daily basis, you have to make sure that you address it. It may be that you just need to try and work things into your routine more. A good thing to do is plan out every Saturday what your meals are going to be for the week and then write out a full grocery list so you can then plan for them. By doing this, you can then make sure that you are always one step ahead when it comes to your healthy eating regime.

Start Out Small

With any new habit, the key is for you to try and start small. A lot of people fail at exercising and this is because they try and go from being a couch potato to being a gym nut. You need to try and avoid this because it will make it much harder for you to stick to your routine. If possible, work your way up slowly. Cook once a week to start out with and don’t try and over commit. If you do then you may find that you end up shocking your system and this is the last thing that you want.

Make Bigger Portions

If you refrigerate your leftovers then this can cut your cooking time in half throughout the week. When you start cooking once every week, you need to make enough so you can have the meal again another day. If you do this then you won’t have to worry about cooking every single day and you may also find that cooking homemade meals is much easier to do. Sure, it can take a bit of adjustment for you to get into the routine of this but at the end of the day it’s very easy for you to get the results you’re going for if you simply take it slow.

Few Things To Consider When Hiring A Local Structural Engineer

As a homeowner in the UK, you may be considering adding an extension to your property in order to increase its size and value. While it may be tempting to undertake this project on your own or with the help of a general contractor, it is essential that you also find a chartered structural engineer. 

Structural engineers are experts in the design and analysis of building structures, and they can help ensure that your extension is safe, stable, and meets all necessary building codes and regulations by calculating the required size of elements such as foundations, beams, and columns for your extension project.

One key aspect of any residential extension project in the UK is party wall matters with your neighbors. This is a legal requirement for any work that involves the shared walls of a semi-detached or terraced property. The survey involves an inspection of the party wall by a surveyor, who will assess its condition and make any necessary recommendations for repair or reinforcement. A structural engineer can help you understand the results of the survey and advise you on the best course of action for your extension project.

In addition to the party wall agreement, it is also important to obtain building control approval for your extension project. This involves submitting detailed plans and specifications to the local building control office, who will review them to ensure that they meet all necessary safety and building regulations. A structural engineer can help you prepare the necessary documentation and work with the building control office to ensure that your extension project is approved in a timely manner.

Another important consideration when planning a residential extension project is structural stability and longevity. A structural engineer can help you design a structure that will stand the test of time and withstand the various forces that it will be subjected to. They can also advise you on the best materials to use for your extension, taking into account factors such as cost, durability, and sustainability.

Finally, if your extension project involves any complex design features, such as cantilevered balconies or multi-level roofs, it is essential to have a structural engineer on board. These types of features require special attention to ensure that they are safe and stable, and a structural engineer can help you design and engineer them properly.

For structural engineers, chartership is awarded by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), a professional body that sets standards and promotes the structural engineering profession. Chartered structural engineers are recognized as being highly qualified and are often sought after for their technical knowledge and problem-solving skills, hence it is important that you choose a fully qualified, professionally accredited engineer to ensure they are up to standard.

When looking for a good local structural engineer in London, there are several factors to consider:

Qualifications and experience: Look for an engineer who has a degree in structural engineering and is a chartered member of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE). This demonstrates that they have the necessary education and experience to competently handle your project.

Local knowledge: It is beneficial to work with an engineer who has experience working in the local area, as they will be familiar with the specific building codes and regulations that apply.

Reputation and references: Ask for references from previous clients and do some research to learn about the engineer's reputation in the industry. A good engineer should have a track record of successful projects and positive feedback from clients.

Communication and collaboration: Choose an engineer who is easy to communicate with and willing to collaborate with other professionals involved in your project, such as architects and contractors.

Fees and services: Consider the engineer's fees and the services they offer. Make sure to get a clear understanding of the scope of their services and any additional costs that may arise during the project.

In conclusion, hiring a structural engineer is an essential part of any residential extension project in the UK. They can help you navigate the legal requirements of a party wall agreement and building control approval, ensure the structural stability and longevity of your extension, and assist with any complex design features. By considering the above factors and using these methods, you should be able to find a good local structural engineer in London who can help ensure the success of your building project.

Through working with a local structural engineer, you can be confident that your extension project will be successful and meet all necessary safety and building regulations, all whilst being delivered on time and to a high standard.

How Should You Train Your Staff In Fire Prevention?

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There may be internal debates within your team, disagreements about the direction your firm should take, or friction between some members of management. This needs to be ironed out, but isn’t uncommon. However, everyone in your building would likely agree that safety is essential, because it affects each individual who works within that business.

Fire safety is one of the core principles of safety, especially as it relates to working within a commercial building where the power demand, development or manufacture of goods, and general movement of people is pronounced. For this reason, it’s good to consider how to train your staff in fire prevention accurately and effectively, and also to renew this knowledge every six months to a year so that people can act completely naturally when such a threat is detected.

Moreover, we must always be careful to showcase that yes, fires can happen in your building no matter how many prevention measures you work on, so that no one lets their guard down in any capacity. With that in mind, please consider the following advice:

Regularly Practice Fire Drills

An important part of instructing staff members about fire safety is conducting regular fire exercises. These exercises provide workers a chance to practice what to do in the event of a fire and can help you find any potential flaws or problems with your evacuation strategy. In order to make sure that everyone on staff is aware of the evacuation procedure and that the plan is effective, it’s a good idea to hold fire drills on a regular basis, such as once a year or every three months. Also make sure that signage is paramount, as showcasing the closest evacuation route should be shown, not remembered.

Determine All Possible Fire Hazards

Finding potential fire dangers at work is one of the first tasks in fire safety training for personnel. This is taking the time to evaluate the workplace and spot any elements or routines that can raise the possibility of a fire. This might involve items like combustible objects, overloaded electrical outlets, or obstructed exits. The danger of a fire happening can be decreased by taking action to mitigate any potential fire hazards. It also means ensuring that those who cause those issues are held accountable and disciplined.

Apply Safety Laws And Guidelines

Finally, to help prevent fires from starting in the first place, it's critical to implement safety laws and regulations. This involves following electrical safety regulations and forbidding smoking in the workplace. It also includes storing flammable goods safely. You may lessen the possibility of a fire developing and make sure that your workplace is as safe as possible by strictly implementing safety rules and regulations with the aid of a service like Industrial Fire to guide you in their commercial application.

With this advice, you’re sure to train your staff in fire prevention correctly. After all, fires may be a rare occurrence, but they can happen to you, and if they do, you need to have prepared. If you do regularly focus on this, the possibility of everyone making it out the building is improved.

LUSH Cosmetics x ARTHOUSE UNLIMITED | The Art Of Christmas Bathing Gift Set Review

Disclosure: I was sent LUSH Cosmetics' The Art Of Christmas Bathing Gift Set as a PR gift. All opinions in this blog post are 100% my own and honest.

PR Sample: Hey guys! I wrote a blog post two weeks ago, about LUSH Cosmetics Holiday Gift Sets. I mentioned in that post, that they were going to send me some LUSH products to review. Well a couple of days before Christmas, I received two big boxes of goodies. One was this beautiful LUSH Cosmetics Dreamland Gift Set and the second one was LUSH's collaboration with ARTHOUSE Unlimited. This box is called The Art Of Christmas Bathing Gift Set. Although no longer available online, you may be able to find one in your local LUSH store. 

The Art Of Christmas contains 17 limited edition holiday bath bombs and bubble bars: Sweet Pudding Bath Bomb, Snowman Finger Puppet Bath Bomb, Snow Drift Bath Bomb, Snow Fairy Roll Bubble Bar, Snow Fairy Bath Bomb, Snow Dragon Bath Bomb, Sleepy Bear Bath Bomb, Shoot For The Stars Bath Bomb, Partridge In A Pear Tree Bath Bomb, Moon Bath Bath Bomb, Magical Santa Bath Bomb, Golden Angel Bubble Bar, Gift Horse Bath Bomb, Crystal Snow Bath Bomb, Cinnamon Roll Bubble Bar, Candy Cane Bubble Bar and Butterbear Bath Bomb. 

I can't wait to try everything! I'm already impressed with the Sleepy Bear Bath Bomb from the Dreamland Gift Set. With scents such as cotton candy, cupcake, candy cane, eucalyptus, citrus, lavender, caramel, pear, apple, lemongrass, lemon & lime, cinnamon, peppermint, vanilla and such what is there not to love. 

To learn more about this delightful collaboration and other products are designed, click here. 

LUSH Cosmetics Dreamland Gift Set Review

Disclosure: I was sent LUSH Cosmetics' Dreamland Gift Set as a PR gift. All opinions in this blog post are 100% my own and honest.

PR Sample: Hey guys!  I wrote a blog post two weeks ago, about LUSH Cosmetics Holiday Gift Sets. I mentioned in that post, that they were going to send me some LUSH products to review. Well a couple of days before Christmas, I received two big boxes of goodies. One was this beautiful LUSH Cosmetics Dreamland Gift Set. I was shocked, because I was only expecting a couple of products from their PR team, so I am very thankful for this gift. Although no longer available online, it might be at your local LUSH store (and now at a great price, as they are doing their Boxing and After Christmas Sale). This set contains everything you need to relax, calm & wind down and sleep. 

This set contains nine products: Sleepy Shower Gel & Body Lotion, Twilight Body Spray & Bath Bomb, Sleepy Bear Bath Bomb, Sleepy Bubble Bar, Butterbear Bath Bomb, Blackberry Bath Bomb and a Unicorn Horn. 

I've already dived into the Sleepy Shower Gel & Body Lotion, Twilight Body Spray and Sleepy Bear Bath Bomb. Everything they say is so true. The scent is lovely. I felt relaxed after using these products and I slept like a baby last night. So if you can grab this box, do so. These products are also sold separately for purchase. So if you can't get this box, you can purchase individually. I can't wait to try the rest. I just wanted to share my thoughts with you. Be sure to check out my Instagram reel regarding this gift set.

Lancome x Tai Jewelry x Meagan Morrison of Travel Write Draw

Not Sponsored: Hey Everybody! Happy Holidays! I hope everyone had a really nice Christmas or Hanukkah. Also the celebration of Kwanzaa begins today. I had a really nice Christmas. It was quiet and peaceful. In the next couple of posts, I would like to share several Christmas gifts I received from companies I collaborated with this year. 

In this post, Lancome sent me a beautiful Christmas card. After doing a little sleuthing, I found out the artist/illustrator for the card is the talented Meagan Morrison. Here are her links and her website is called Travel Write Draw. She has worked with some really impressive brands. She's New York based and Canadian born. I've always liked illustrators. I find their work to be so creative and  magical. When I first started blogging, my favorite illustrator was Sandy M (here) I still cherish a card she sent to me (here). It makes me smile every time I sit in my makeup room.

Lancome also sent me a beautiful bracelet from a company called Tai Jewelry. Tai Jewelry is Asian owned by Tai Rittichai (CEO and Founder). She was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. Her upbringing and interest in jewelry blossomed into a full time business (2002). You can read more about her here. The bracelet is absolutely lovely. Her company makes all kinds of necklaces, bracelets, rings etc. You should definitely check out her website. 

It's been such a pleasure collaborating with Lancome, and I love how they are supporting women-owned business brands. So I wanted to take a moment and share both of these superstar women with you.

Gourmetgiftbaskets.com | Candy Canes And Peppermint Christmas Gift Basket Review

Disclosure: I was sent Gourmetgiftbaskets.com Candy Canes And Peppermint Gift Basket for review. All opinions in this blog post are 100% my own and honest. This post contains affiliate links. I get commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post.

PR Sample: Ok guys! Christmas is only 2 days away! Many people have been programmed to feel that gift-giving stops with Christmas. Well that shouldn't be the case. The holidays actually go on for a week more into the New Year! Many people are off from work during this time. Why not give someone a delicious and yummy gift!?! Also, who doesn't appreciate a good snack!?! Especially with sky-rocketing food prices. Trust me, your gift will be appreciated. Also, almost everyone in the United States right now is dealing with this Winter Storm Elliott cold weather blast.  I don't know about you, but I've eaten half the snacks I've purchased from being nervous about this storm ... already! HaHaHa So I was happy when Gourmetgiftbaskets sent me this Candy Canes And Peppermint Gift Basket.

Well, Gourmetgiftbaskets.com is also here to help you! They have a lot of scrumptious holiday cheer to deliver to you and your loved ones door. You may remember how impressed I was with them, when they sent me a gift basket for Valentine's Day.

In my order, I received a beautiful holiday card (you will as well). I think it's a really nice touch to add to an order.

Your gift basket will be plastic sealed and wrapped. All products were in their place and neatly arranged. A festive red ribbon graced my gift basket. I loved the Candy Cane Patterned Paperboard Gift Basket. You can see a video of my unboxing on my Instagram page. I plan on repurposing both candy cane designed boxes. They are so pretty!

What yummy-ness is inside the Candy Canes And Peppermint Gift Basket? 

LOTS ... and you guys, it is at an AMAZING price! 

You get these Candy Cane Caramels by Marich - 2.1 oz. These are DELICIOUS! I'm really not just saying that, because I don't like chocolate and mint together. But I ate all of these! It's majority caramel and chocolate (really good caramel and chocolate) with just a hint of mint. LOVE THEM!

You also get these Peppermint Cookie Straws by Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory - 1 oz. You're not going to want to share these cookies. HaHaHa If I were you, I would just hide the box in your secret place. It's a great tasting shortbread cookie with a dust of peppermint. Perfect for the holidays.

Well, my mom snatched these from me! These are Butter Toffee Peanuts by Hammond's - 3 oz. I've never had butter toffee peanuts before! They're roasted peanuts with Hammond's toffee. Excellent combination of both sweet and salty. They are also made with gluten-free ingredients.

I devoured these Dark Chocolate Cubetti by Fusion Gourmet - .9 oz and Hazelnut Cubetti by Fusion Gourmet - .9 oz. wafers that were in my Valentine's Day gift basket. So I was delighted to also see them in this Christmas gift basket. They're actually called Dolcetto Cubetti wafers. I like the fact that they're not overly sweet. Also, when you get tired of cookies these wafers really are pleasing to the palate. They make for a very nice snack.

And last but not least, POPCORN was in the gift basket. I love popcorn! But this is not just any kind of popcorn, it is Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Kettlecorn by GourmetGiftBaskets.com - 4.2 oz. It has such a great taste you guys. It's so light, fresh and tasty! This time I received an even BIGGER box of these delicious treats. Yeah, my mom took half of this as well. HaHaHa  So good!

I would like to thank Gourmetgiftbaskets.com for sending me this Christmas gift basket and also the Valentine's Day gift basket earlier this year. I am very impressed. I sent a really big gift basket (they have a huge selection) to someone who was ill and they were equally impressed. Everything is FRESH, TASTES GOOD, PRESENTED WELL AND GETS THERE ON TIME. So whether it's a gift for yourself or someone you know and love, they will be pleased. I highly recommend them. Also, don't forget to use Rakuten when placing your order to get cash back.

How To Care For Your Hair After A Hair Transplant

If you’ve just had a hair transplant, congratulations! You’re on the way to achieving your aesthetic goals. However, it is essential to understand that hair transplantation does not provide an instant fix for baldness; rather, it is a major step towards improving the appearance and shape of your hair. To maintain results and achieve healthy, attractive-looking locks after the procedure, proper care must be taken during the recovery stages as well as throughout all future phases of your hair development. Here we will discuss key tips for caring for your transplanted strands so that you can maximize their potential in terms of both health and beauty.

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

1. Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo and conditioner every day 

Taking proper care of your hair after a hair transplant is vital to ensuring its success. It is important to gently wash and condition your hair every single day, using products that are mild and non-irritating for best results. This will help nourish the newly transplanted follicles so that they can survive in their new environment and grow healthy again. Keeping your scalp clean will also prevent problems like dryness, itching, or oil buildup. Make sure you use warm water rather than hot when washing and try not to scratch or tug at newly implanted strands as this can stunt the growth of the new hair. By following these tips, you'll be able to ensure the health of your newly transplanted follicles and have wonderful looking hair.

2. Avoid using any heat styling tools, like a hair dryer or curling iron

Taking care of your hair after a hair transplant is essential. To ensure successful results and keep your locks healthy and strong, avoid any heat-based styling tools. This includes hot air dryers, hairdryers, and curling irons. These all contribute to brittle strands by drying out the scalp’s natural oils, resulting in breakage of the hair follicles or further damage that could put your investment to waste. Alternatively, use only mild products like all-natural shampoos and detanglers and air-dry when possible to get beautiful tresses. With some extra care your post-transplant hairstyle can look just as fabulous as it did before!

3. Be careful when brushing or combing your hair - use a soft brush and be gentle

Having a hair transplant is a serious decision to make, and there are important steps to consider afterwards. It's essential to look after your hair carefully in the following weeks after the transplant, especially brushing and combing. Doing this too roughly can disrupt the delicate follicles, so it's vital to use a soft brush which won't tug at your scalp or pull out newly planted follicles. Gently brushing or combing regularly will help to stimulate new growth, ensuring you can achieve the results of your treatment over time. Taking care when brushing and combing your hair should never be overlooked; it plays an important part in allowing the new hairs to settle in.

4. Avoid wearing hats or helmets whenever possible

After a hair transplant, it is important to avoid wearing hats or helmets that can put pressure on your scalp. Pressure can cause the newly transplanted follicles to become dislodged from their position and interfere with the healing process and success of the treatment. For this reason, whenever possible it is recommended to forgo caps and headgear for at least two weeks following any hair transplant procedure. If an individual must wear a hat or helmet for some time, they should make sure it is loose-fitting in order to minimize stress on the undergoing scalp area.

A hair transplant is a great way to achieve the natural-looking, fuller head of hair you’ve always wanted. However, it’s important to take care of your new hair in order to ensure its longevity and avoid any unwanted side effects. Luckily, with a few simple steps and some extra TLC, you can keep your new locks looking their best for years to come. So if you’re considering a hair transplant Perth, be sure to read up on how best to take care of your new mane.

Reasons To Spend On Home Security

CCTV cameras were invented to ensure that people felt safe. When we think of CCTV cameras we often think of the fact that an office or a government building or a business on the High Street has them outside. CCTV installations were brought in to not only monitor those who come and go, but to play a role in internal surveillance.

Businesses often have a security room with live cinematic multicam screams showing you exactly what your cameras are seeing through the day. We can agree that CCTV cameras were designed to protect us, but we often overlook that this asset also can help with the safety of our homes and our families, to. Business security is one thing, but home security is another thing entirely. Domestic TV installations are on the rise, with ring cameras and Wi-Fi cameras set up around the home to be able to monitor the kids on the inside and the potential dangers on the outside. So, here are the top reasons you should get CCTV installed at your residence.

Photo by picjumbo.com from Pexels

• You can monitor your house and your family on the inside no matter where you are. If the kids are at home on their own and you are still at work, you can use your cameras to see what they're up to and to ensure that they are safe. It doesn't matter whether you are looking to monitor the perimeter of your home or your keeping pets while you are away, CCTV around the house is going to allow you to do that whenever you need to. Anytime you want to, you can check the camera footage on your device.

• They are a deterrent for burglars. CCTV cameras work as a very strong deterrent for robbers and burglars who want to break into your home. They know that they will be captured on camera which will make your home a lot less acceptable to break in. If your house does not have CCTV, it's more susceptible to people thinking that you're home would be a sure thing. If you have strategically installed CCTV, keep the cameras where people can see them on the outside, you will deter any potential break-ins.

• CCTV can record everything that happens in and around your house. Happens when you are on vacation, you can scroll back through your footage and ensure that you find out what happened and how they got in. It records everything that happens so that you'll be able to go back and get that footage if you need it. It can serve as very reliable evidence in a court of law, which will help to bring somebody who breaks into your home to justice.

• It's a good investment for your long-term safety. Yes, the initial upfront cost of cameras around your home may feel expensive, but can you really put a price on your safety? Can you really afford to replace everything that gets stolen if you don't have insurance? You need to have cameras at the ready so that you can deter this from happening and then clawback your things if it does happen.

Charbonnel et Walker Gingerbread Truffles Review

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

Not Sponsored: I've always wanted to try Charbonnel et Walker (UK) chocolates! Well my wish came true via my long-time blog friend from LittleLuxuryList. You should definitely check out her blog and Instagram page. She travels to the most exquisite places and wears the prettiest dresses. I've known her for many years now and she is the kindest, gentlest, sweetest and most genuine blogger I've ever met. She truly cares about people and wants the best for them. I love her and she has been blessed with the most beautiful family. She's truly an angel. She's been a blessing in my life.

Charbonnel et Walker is one of Britain's first and finest chocolatiers. It was founded before you and I in 1875. Charbonnel et Walker formed as a partnership between Mrs Walker and Mme Charbonnel, the latter from the esteemed Maison Boissier chocolate house in Paris. The original Charbonnel et Walker store can be found on Old Bond Street (there's also a New Bond Street), in which it is surrounded by such stores such as Rolex, Saint Laurent, Max Mara, Alexander Queen, Salvatore Ferragamo and many more luxury stores, hotels and restaurants. I must visit. 

Charbonnel et Walker makes chocolate bars, truffles, chocolate figurines, Christmas crackers, drinking chocolate (hot chocolate), thins, logs, almonds and so much more. My eyes prance every time I visit their website. So I can only imagine if I were to walk inside their store. HaHaHa You don't have to go to the UK to get these goodies. Although not a wide selection, they can be purchased at Macy's, Williams Sonoma, Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman, Horchow, Saks Fifth Avenue and even Amazon. 

I was sent Charbonnel et Walker's Gingerbread Truffles. They are milk chocolate truffles infused with the distinctive flavor of real ginger, hand rolled in milk chocolate and biscuit (cookie) pieces. You guys, this chocolate is so SMOOTH & CREAMY. It truly tastes like high quality milk chocolate (only a hint of gingerbread). I love the biscuit pieces as well. It gives it a nice crunch. It's a beautiful mix. I also love the box! I plan on keeping and repurposing it. It has the cutest pictures of chocolate wrapped in beautiful boxes and chocolate truffle candy stand displays. 

Any of their chocolate boxes would make a really nice gift! You will feel like a queen after eating one!

4 Ways To Improve Your Smile

Having a good smile is really useful and important for quite a few reasons. For one thing, it means that you are going to be able to feel a lot more confident in yourself, at the same time as presenting yourself to the world in a much better fashion, so that is something that you should definitely be keen for. It also means that you are going to be more attractive, which might be important to you too. Let’s take a look at some of the ways to improve your smile right now.

 Photo by Justin Shaifer from Pexels

Build Your Confidence

Just as working on your smile will help boost your confidence, so will boosting your confidence improve the way you smile. So it’s certainly worth thinking about approaching things this way around as well. The more confident you are, the more naturally you will just smile with confidence, and that is something that you are definitely going to want to think about doing. Make sure you are working on your inner confidence first and foremost, because that will mean that you are going to be doing it the best possible way with the best possible results.

Work On Your Cheeks

Perhaps you actually feel that you need a little help with your smile itself, and if so then one way is to take a look at whether you want some help with your cheeks in particular. These are obviously a really important part of smiling, and the happier you are with your cheeks, the more likely it is that you are going to be happy with your smile itself. So think about whether you want some help with keeping your cheeks as you ideally want them to be, such as the two popular options of restylane voluma or anything else you might have heard of.

Project Inner Wellbeing

The more inner wellbeing you have, the more that this is going to naturally project outwards when you smile, and that will therefore mean that the smile itself is going to be a lot more genuine and a lot better and fuller. So think about projecting your own inner wellbeing outwards when you are trying to work on your smile. You might find that you are going to really make a huge difference here, and it’s the kind of thing that can really help. Once you just start thinking about it in this way, it is probably going to affect your smile already.

Photo by Moose Photos from Pexels

Improve Dental Issues

Finally, if you have any dental issues that might need some care, then you should certainly make sure that you are focusing on improving those as best as you can. The more you work on these, the better, and it’s the kind of thing that is going to help your smile to look so much more natural and beautiful as well. Make sure in particular that you fix any missing teeth or anything of the sort, because that is going to make a huge difference to how your smile comes across.

Signs Your Elderly Loved Ones Need Assisted Living

Photo by Matthias Zomer from Pexels

When your parent starts getting older it can be hard to deal with. This is because you are used to them being your caregiver and when it seems as if the roles have to reverse it can be challenging. It can also be very challenging for them as well.

However, there are certain times when inevitably you have to ask yourself whether or not an elderly parent needs assisted living. There are always telltale signs that you cannot afford to ignore.

Ignoring them can be detrimental to their health and well-being. Take a look at the top signs that assisted living has become necessary for your loved one.

Failure To Take Medication

When an elderly parent does not remember to take medication it can be very harmful. Often elderly people have chronic illnesses that need to be managed with medication consistently.

If your parent is forgetting to take their medication very often, then this could have adverse effects. If you're unable to help them administer medication it may be time to look into assisted living facilities.

Loss Of Mobility

A loss of mobility is another reason why your parents may need assisted living. Being unable to move around freely means that they will not be able to get from one place to the next.

They may not be able to go to the doctor by themselves or even to the supermarket. This means that their basic needs will not be taken care of. Once mobility starts deteriorating it often does not return and the best thing you can do is to make sure that you are prepared for that.

Bear in mind that when your elderly loved one has mobility issues it might increase their risk of falling. Falls can be dangerous to the elderly and can lead to severe injuries. An assisted living facility can provide all the help your loved one needs.

Isolation And Depression

As people get older their friends and even their spouses may pass on. This can leave them feeling isolated and depressed. This may begin to overwhelm your loved one so much that they start to feel isolated and very depressed.

These feelings may lead to them having mood swings and putting on or losing weight. A loss of weight and excessive weight gain cannot be problematic for elderly people. Once you notice these symptoms, get help from an assisted living facility.

In a facility like this, they will feel less isolated, be able to socialize with others, and have someone to take care of their needs.

Make The Right Choice

You must make the right choices when you are taking care of an elderly parent. It can be difficult to accept that your parent needs help, but it is a must.

You can help them adjust to the idea of being in an assisted living facility by involving them in the process of selecting the facility they want. This will help them feel more comfortable with the entire process.

Benefits Of Investing In Cryptocurrency

Every year, more and more people are using digital currency. As an alternative to traditional cash, big internet retailers and even entire nations use cryptocurrencies. And you can make money with it.

Photo by Mathieu Stern on Unsplash

In this article, we will tell you about key benefits of investing in cryptocurrencies.

Earnings

One of the most, probably, the kay advantages of investing, of course, when you understand this business is earnings.

A lot of people have raised a whole fortune on investments in cryptocurrency:

Changpeng Zhao – $96 billion;

Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss – $1.4 billion each;

Matthew Roszak – $1.2 billion.

Having earned on investing in cryptocurrency, you can afford what you could not before. If it is not the purchase of a new modern car, then in the early stages you will be able to afford suv rental dubai. After all, Dubai is famous for expensive cars. Some of them are owned by someone, but most of them are rented. You can also afford to rent a business class car to go to a meeting, or by renting a sports car you can ride the autobahn with a breeze in a rented Bugatti Chiron.

Rapid market development

Cryptocurrencies are one of the fastest growing assets with a capitalization of over $3 trillion. Of course, most of the market is bitcoin, but its competitors are also “catching up”.

Over the past seven years, the daily trade volume has increased and is presently $16 billion.

Availability

The entry barrier for cryptocurrency investments is still low; anyone can invest in them. For instance, the minimum transaction volume on the same Binance exchange is essentially unlimited; it is entirely feasible to spend only a few rubles on the purchase of a token. Online exchangers show a similar pattern. In addition, it is very simple to locate resources for buying and selling cryptocurrencies, and a substantial portion of them don't require registration or verification – all you need is a wallet to hold your money. By the way, it may also be accessed online in a matter of seconds without supplying valid personal information.

Inflation protection, security and privacy

The value of various currencies has fallen over time due to inflation. Almost all cryptocurrencies are first released with a set amount.

One of the biggest issues with cryptocurrencies has always been privacy and security. The blockchain ledger is built on a number of challenging mathematical challenges..

Diversity of assets

Interested in projects with a gaming or social component? There are StepN, Axie Infinity, Sandbox and many more.

Do you believe in the future of blockchain and want to invest in a technology project? High-speed Solana, focused on Algorand developers, the main competitor of Bitcoin Ethereum, etc.

Do you think that cryptocurrency can compete with traditional financial institutions? Aave lending platform, Function X bank replacement, another lending platform, more popular and versatile JUST, etc.

Liquidity

The system works equally fast in both directions, as rapidly as you can acquire bitcoin, you can also sell it. Therefore, if an investor needs cash, he will be able to get it back almost instantly, unlike the sale of gold or shares. Investing in crypto is a dynamic thing.

Anytime is a good time to buy or sell cryptocurrencies: day and night, weekends and weekdays.

Price spike

The price increase is the key perk of investing in cryptocurrencies, which can occur in a fairly large corridor – 20%-30%. Stocks, on the other hand, rarely rise above 20%.

The timing of cryptocurrency purchases must be taken into account as well. You should not enter the market when demand is very high. After purchasing coins, you become either a trader or a HODLer.

Proponents of cryptocurrencies argue that this downside risk is offset by the possibility of higher returns, and that risks can be managed by appropriately sizing a cryptocurrency position in a portfolio of other investments. The final decision regarding whether to include cryptocurrency in a portfolio is based on a personal evaluation of the relative importance of the benefits and drawbacks.

How To Make Money Online Without Getting A Traditional Job

If you have been wondering how to make money online without getting a traditional job, then you're in luck. You can make a living online by leveraging your skills and knowledge to earn a small passive income. You can do this by selling an ebook, freelancing, promoting products on affiliate marketing, or even renting out your car.

Image Source: Pixabay

Freelancing

Freelancing for remote passive income can be a great way to supplement your regular income. However, this is not an overnight process. The process will likely take months to see results. This is because you will need to spend time and money on marketing.

The first step is to decide on a goal. The next is to determine which passive income stream you want to pursue. There are many options available. For instance, you could work on your website or blog or as an affiliate marketer.

A popular choice for a freelancer is to develop a digital product. This is a practical middle ground as it serves your client and yourself. It is also a sensible way to earn a passive income.

Renting out your car

Renting out your car can be a lucrative passive income opportunity. The earnings vary depending on the type of car you own and the demand in your area. However, most options will require significant driving.

Whether you're driving for a ridesharing service, a task marketplace, or a traditional car rental, it's important to consider whether the time you spend is worth the money you make. If it's not, consider looking into other side gigs.

Renting out your car can help offset the cost of a car loan and provide a way to cover extra expenses. For example, you can use the extra cash to take a vacation or boost your emergency funds!

Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a great way to make a passive income from home. This business model allows you to sell products online without needing inventory or a brick-and-mortar store. You can find niches to focus on, such as fashion, beauty, or home decor.

You can set up a dropshipping business through a website builder such as Shopify. You can also automate many parts of the process using apps like Spocket.

You must create an online store and have an excellent supplier for a successful dropshipping business. It is important to do a lot of research on the item you are selling before you start. Choose a product that has high demand and low competition.

Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing for small passive income sounds attractive. It's a great way to augment your income or even generate a full-time living. But it requires some work and a little bit of skill. You may also have to invest some money into setting up your site.

First, you need to decide on a product to promote. A good way to do this is to find a relevant product for your audience.

Next, you need to build a relationship with your audience. The first step in this is to understand the problem your audience is facing. Then, it would help if you offered a solution to the problem.

Print-on-demand graphic designs

Consider print-on-demand graphic designs if you are looking for a new way to generate passive income. A business in this area is not just an easy way to earn money; it can also become a lucrative passive income source.

A print-on-demand business involves working with a third-party company that prints and ships products for you. For example, your business can produce apparel like t-shirts, mugs, and smartphone covers.

The benefits of a print-on-demand business include flexibility and ease of use. You can set up your website or use one of the many available online options. In addition, it does not require a significant amount of capital.

Selling an ebook

If you want to make money online, consider selling an ebook. If you have the right information, this can be a lucrative source of income.

The best place to sell an eBook is on a publishing platform like Amazon. This way, you can reach a huge audience, and you don't have to deal with the hassle of delivering it to customers.

Another way to promote your book is to write a blog about the topic. Organize your articles logically, and then add a little introduction.

You can also use a service like Tradebit to create an ebook and sell it on sites like eBay and Amazon. These sites offer you access to millions of digital products. You can also use affiliate programs to help you earn more.