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Top Nine Ways to Treat Yourself-Within Your Means

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Because you work hard, shuttle the kids around town and tidy the house, you deserve a break. Deciding to treat yourself without breaking your budget reduces stress and gives you a better outlook on life. Here are nine ways to indulge in some affordable “me therapy.”

  1. Drink something delicious. Do you prefer a sweet coffee drink with whipped cream, a cup of chamomile or a simple glass of wine? Regardless of which drink you choose, the key is to set aside time when you can focus on enjoying this drink, not just gulping it down between bites of overcooked meat. Focus on the flavors and texture. If you want more, rinse and repeat. This cheap treat won’t set you back too far when you go for seconds.
  2. Watch something funny. Hilarious videos are as close as your computer. Find old episodes of sitcoms, even obscure ones, and take in some mindless entertainment.
  3. Give yourself a pedicure. Dig out that scented lotion, light a candle and give your toes some love. Choose a cheap polish from the drug store in a color you normally wouldn’t wear. You’ll smile every time you look at those sparkling lime green toes.

 

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  1. Read something that’s longer than a tweet. Find a comfy spot where you can browse a catalog, read a magazine article, or (gasp!) make some headway on the neglected novel that’s been on your nightstand.
  2. Set up your ReachCard and indulge in retail therapy. Block off some time after the bedtime stories for quality online browsing with your ReachCard in hand. Then, securely pay for that cute sweater that’s priced 80 percent below retail. Knowing you’re paying with money from your paycheck rather than with credit will make your treat even sweeter.
  3. Catch up with a friend. You know you’ve been meaning to call, so actually do it. Chatting with someone who can offer a sympathetic ear can be nearly as good as therapy and way cheaper.
  4. Get moving. Whether you hit the gym or pavement, physical exertion gets the blood pumping and feel-good endorphins flowing. As an added benefit, your body burns calories after your workout. Feel the stress (and pounds) melt away.
  5. Start a “therapy book.” You’ll need a notebook, tape and scissors. Go through old magazines, postcards and brochures and clip out words and pictures that capture how you want your life to be. The clippings can be whimsical, funny, inspiring or thought-provoking. Then, attach them to the pages of your notebook. This is a low hassle, low cost way to create a book that reflects your dreams, musings and aspirations.
  6. Soak in the tub. When was the last time you did anything other than take a hasty shower? Sprinkle in some bath salts and indulge in the warmth of a bath. It’ll feel luxurious.

Treating yourself doesn’t have to cost a lot, so set aside time for some pampering every now and then.  You deserve it!

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

Five Ways to Improve Your Overall Productivity

In today’s fast-paced and hectic world, it seems that you need to do so much more in less time. Everyone handles this differently. Some are more productive than others in less time. Others are able to perform tasks quickly and easily, with positive results.

Is it possible to actually improve your personal productivity level? Yes! Whether you are simply searching for an online auto insurance quote, or completing a more complex task for your business, these five tips can help improve your productivity.

Get Used to a Routine

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Get up early–on a regular basis. Stop hitting that snooze button, and get up when the alarm goes off. This will give you a bit more time in the day. Additionally, find a morning routine that suits you and doesn’t cause you to feel rushed or harried.

Record Your Thoughts and Ideas

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Many people have experienced the loss of an idea or thought simply because they didn’t have something with which to record it. Start carrying a pad and pencil or a mini-recorder. Whenever an idea, thought, or task comes to mind, jot it down or record it. You may think of a solution to a problem that you’ve been working on, and you’ll have it recorded so you can work on it at a later time.

Use Lists

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Many people try to do too much in one day. Create a daily list of two to three tasks that you can complete. If you actually completed those tasks early in the day, make another list with more tasks. Completed tasks and lists will make you feel very productive, and that is one of the main parts of productivity — feeling productive. You will also produce higher-quality work when you work in smaller quantities.

Exercise and Eat Healthy

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You will feel more energized and productive if you have a regular exercise routine. Exercising gives you more energy, as does a healthy diet. You will be less likely to feel run down and tired with a good exercise routine, combined with a healthy diet.

Don’t Be Distracted

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Eliminate any unnecessary internet browsing. This type of activity is a major factor in productivity loss. If you use the Internet as part of your job, stay on track with the task at hand. In addition, cut down your personal phone and text messaging activities. While you do want to maintain healthy relationships, spending too much time on these activities can lower your productivity.

Improving your productivity is not hard; you just need to focus on these few tips. After your productivity level goes up, you may find that you have more time for the leisurely things in your life.

Filed Under: Productivity, Tips & Tricks

Nine Unusual Uses of the iPad

iPad 64 GB Wi-Fi with the case.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

iPads may not be able to do everything, but iPad users are learning that the powerful little machine is capable of much more than they ever imagined. People are using their iPads to do everything from cooking dinner to entertaining friends. Here are nine things the iPad can do that you may not have thought of.

               1. Grocery List. The iPad is easy to handle, so it’s perfect for taking with you to the grocery store when you do your shopping. It can store your recipes for your favorite dishes and keep track of your electronic coupons to help you save money on the grocery bill.

               2. GPS. Your iPad can be taken in the car to help you get where you’re going. The GPS provides directions and even helps you find restaurants and gas stations along the way.

               3. Book Reader. You can turn your iPad into an electronic reader that will let you scroll through the new best seller or your favorite newspaper or magazine. It’s more convenient to use your iPad than having to carry a separate unit just for reading like a Nook or Kindle.

               4. Telephone. Your iPad can function just like the iPhone if you download certain apps like Skype, so you can use this gadget for almost every purpose!

               5. Photo Frame. The gorgeous digital display makes the iPad perfect for displaying photos. Set it out on a bookshelf during a party and use it like a digital frame to show your favorite photos. It may be the most expensive picture frame you have ever bought, but great deals are available if you buy your iPad on eBay.

              6. Jukebox. Another great use for your iPad is to play music at a party. You can program the list of songs you want, or play DJ and pick songs that make people want to get up and dance. It also works as a music player in the car for long trips.

               7. Sketch Pad. Whether you want to design that new backyard garden or sketch the layout for the new kitchen, the iPad makes a great sketch pad. Then you can take it to the hardware or garden store to find the supplies you’ll need for the project.

               8. PowerPoint Presentation. Need to make a sales presentation to a small group or have a proposal for a charity fundraiser? The iPad is perfect for playing PowerPoints.

                9. Watch Movies. The iPad is also an excellent movie player and is portable enough to take in the car. The movie player is great for keeping kids occupied when you are on the run.

The iPad is truly a great invention, and we will continue to learn more about how to use it as new applications are developed. What unique ways do you use Apple’s new gadget?

Filed Under: Technology, Tips & Tricks Tagged With: ,

9 Practical Times to Get a Cash Loan

There are a number of reasons to get a cash loan but basically boils down to having the cash you need when you need it. Cash loans from Plain Green Loans are optimal at times when you need cash fast in order to meet certain deadlines, such as bill payments. The following are 9 Practical Times to Get a Cash Loan.

1. Loss of Income

There are times when an individual experiences a significant loss of income whether as a result of a death of a loved one, divorce, job loss, health issues that render a person unable to work, and more. However, even though you may have lost part or all of your income, the bills still arrive on time. Cash loans are a great way to pay your bills on time and avoid things like late payment fees, foreclosure and repossession. It can also serve as a huge stress relief knowing these things are taken care of properly.

2.  Immediate Medical Costs

When it comes to your health and the health of your loved ones, getting the immediate medical attention you need can be essential to protecting your health. There are times, however, that some insurance co-pays and certain types of medicine can be quite expensive, and if you don’t have insurance at all, you don’t want to wait until you get paid to receive the medical attention you need.

A cash loan can help get you the medical attention you need and can help you avoid extra expenses with up-front payments to a doctor instead of dealing with overwhelming emergency bills later.

3. Pay Urgent Bills

There are times when no matter how hard you try, you don’t seem to have enough cash to cover the entire monthly bills. Maybe the reason is the electric bill triples during the summer months and you find yourself behind on payments, with the possibility of your utilities being shut off.

A cash loan can save you from getting further into debt with the reconnection fees you will have to pay in order to get your utilities back on.

4.  Replacement of a Major Appliance

When a major appliance in your home stops working, such as the refrigerator or stove, you are either going to need to get it fixed right away or entirely replaced. If you have an old appliance, it may be more beneficial financially to just get a new one.

If you are going to get a stove or refrigerator right away and don’t have the credit to get it with, you can very quickly get a cash loan and most major appliance stores can offer same day delivery. This way, your daily activities will not suffer too much inconvenience.

5.  Air Conditioner Goes Out

There’s no better time to appreciate what an air-conditioner can do for an environment until it stops working. This can be especially truthful in the summer months as the temperatures rise above 100 degrees. You and your family don’t have to suffer in the scorching heat when you can get a new air-conditioner as your old one goes out. You can be approved for your cash loan in as little as 24 hours, and can be cool and relaxed once again.

6. Major Plumbing Disasters

When you are hit with a major plumbing disaster in your home, you are going to have to do more than put down a few towels. When your sink or toilet overflows onto the floor you may be talking major clean-up expenses in addition to the cost of a plumber.

If you need immediate money for plumbing expenses and the cost of replacing your carpets and other things that were damaged in the flood of your home, cash loans can help relieve you of that stressful situation and get you home back to normal.

7. Family Travel Emergency 

It can be a hard and stressful situation when a loved one dies. Added to your stress may be the fact that this family member lived a far distance from you and you are at a loss of what to do when you need to travel for funeral services since you are strapped for cash. Getting a cash loan will mean that you will have enough money to share in the grief with your loved ones and pay your respects.

8.  Fire, Flooding, Earthquake Disaster

In Bismarck, N.D., on June 24, Minot received an overwhelming amount of water as the Souris River started to swamp an estimated 2,500 homes with nearly 4 feet of water in less than a day. According to city officials as much as 4,500 homes are expected to suffer extensive damage by the time the river was to peak.

Many times residences are left with absolutely no resources after a natural disaster, and if they are evacuated to another area they are going to need money for items such as water, food, shelter, clothing and more, and a quick cash loan can help you and your family get some relief.

9. Start-Up Costs in Business

It is very important to put a lot of effort, work and research in starting a new business. However, all this is worthless unless you have sufficient capital to begin your business. Some of the common start-up business expenses include:

  • Supplies
  • Office furniture
  • Remodeling costs
  • Employee wages
  • Taxes

If you have been doing a lot of spending in order to get things ready and realize you fall short of what you need for opening day, you don’t have to panic and throw in the towel just yet. Don’t let others down who have been depending on this moment right along with you; get a cash loan to cover your needed business expenses.

Conclusion: Cash Loan Basics

A cash loan is a short-term, small loan that is usually used to cover the expenses of the borrower until they can receive their next paycheck. This can be a great option for those who are in need of immediate cash for emergencies, but are unable to wait until their next pay period.

The loan process is simple; a lender provides a loan that is short-term, to be repaid by the borrower as soon as their next pay period comes. If you are in need of immediate cash to cover things like bills, household expenses, travel and more, a cash loan may be just what you need.

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

Fickle Finances? Don’t Get Scared, Be Prepared

Piggy bank 

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Your family probably experienced its fair share of rugged economy woes. Now that things are slowly improving and your employment is intact, it’s time to ask yourself this question: how can I be more prepared should financial skies cloud over again?

 

More Than Just Budgeting

 

You may think budgeting and ditching bottled water are the only safeguards you have against sudden unemployment or fiscal dips. In reality, a budget is just the beginning. With these steps, you’ll prepare your family for a more secure future, no matter what financial disaster strikes.

 

  • Build a money safety net. Set aside money every month for use only during emergencies.
  • Pay off debt as quickly as possible, and avoid incurring any more.
  • Monitor expenditures. There may be more ways to save than you thought.
  • Stock up. Take advantage of sales to purchase multiples of food and necessary items. Stored food and toilet paper, can be used during emergencies or tight financial times.
  • Learn to garden. Growing your own herbs and produce saves money, and can be done in an apartment.
  • Fix it! Learn basic household repair so costly pros don’t destroy your budget. A skilled friend can teach you plumbing and electric techniques, and changing your car’s oil is easier than you’d think.
  • Invest in education. Take steps to make yourself more hirable should you face sudden unemployment. A certificate or degree completion can open previously closed doors, and loans and grants can help deflect costs.

 

There is a peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re doing all you can to prepare for a sturdy future. Do you have a plan? It’s never too late to get started!

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Help your office function outside the office – tips for mobility

Whether it’s due to employees out of town or unexpected circumstances that can’t wait until 9 am the next day, every office has at least one reason to be mobile. Not to mention, mobility helps offices save time and money. However, an office that functions outside the office means much more than employees taking a few work papers home with them. Following are a few tips that any office can utilize in their quest to become mobile.

Use Mobile Devices and Apps

Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets have as many business capabilities as most computers. For one, these devices offer a lot of computing power, especially for storing data like documents and images. In addition, they feature all the basic communications systems from telephony to email. However, their greatest benefit lies in the business apps available for download that cover many operations usually found in an office. For example, the metrofax internet faxing app allows users to check out office faxes right on their phone. With mobile devices with these kinds of capabilities, office employees can do just about anything while on the go.
Additional useful business apps include:
  • Evernote
  • GoToMeeting
  • Dragon Dictation
  • Dropbox
  • Bento
  • WebEx logo used by WebEx as an independent company

    WebEx

  • DaVinci

Acquire Remote Computing Access

Sometimes an office’s data is much too big to try and manage on a mobile device, or it can only be accessed through the company network. These stipulations will certainly limit the mobility of your office. Unless, your office implements business solutions for accessing your network remotely. One such solution is the Cisco OfficeExtend that provides users the ability to effectively use the office network from anywhere as if they were sitting at their office desk. This kind of mobile connectivity lets workers turn their homes into their own office space, as well as gives the company the ability to hire off-site help, like freelancers and independent contractors.

Outsource Operations

It’s hard for an office to become mobile when certain operations require constant attention. To increase mobility, companies should consider breaking the chains of such operations that keep it tied to the office. A primary example is customer service. It is typically a 24-hour operation that demands employees to be on call at all times. However, while it is an important business division, it too can be outsourced. By using a remote customer service provider, a business can have full-time coverage without keeping the office lights on year round. This is a mobility enhancer that provides major money savings by eliminating the need to pay labor and equipment costs. And think of all the free time an office would have while not answering phones.
With mobility, the work of an office goes far beyond the walls of the building it’s housed in. In fact, by applying the tips above, a company can turn the entire world into its very own office. Your office employees no longer have to worry about maintaining regular nine to five hours. How mobile is your office?
Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

6 People to Include in Your Choice to Start a Family

Congratulations! If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve either just decided to start a family or you’ve just found out you’re pregnant. Either way, this will be one of the most exciting times of your life. Because you can’t keep this information to yourself for the entire nine months, review this list of important people to tell after you make this life-changing choice:

1. Your Partner

The very first discussion should be with your partner. If you’re not pregnant yet, it would be unfair to take this step without agreement from the future father. This choice will not only change your life forever, it will alter his, as well.

If you and your partner have been actively trying to get pregnant, a positive pregnancy test will be the best news he could ever hear! Prepare a private celebration before you share the good news with anyone else.

2. Your Doctor

Whether you’re pre-planning your pregnancy or you simply think you could be expecting, talk to your doctor as early as possible. He’ll make sure your health is in order and provide advice about how to feel your best at all stages of the pregnancy. Most moms-to-be find that using a pregnancy checklist as a reminder helps them know when to do everything from scheduling an important medical test to preparing the nursery.

3. Your Other Children

Having a new baby will change the lives of your other children in addition to your own. By involving your kids as early as possible, you can prevent any jealousy and a certain amount of sibling rivalry. Make sure they know just how important they will be in the life of the newest family member and that you will be depending on them to help.

4. The Rest of the Family

In most cases, your family, especially the new grandparents, will be just as excited as you are. Depending on whether or not your children can keep a secret, you might need to share the news to your extended family right after you let the kids know. You wouldn’t want anyone’s feelings to be hurt because they think they were the last to know.

5. Your Friends

Who doesn’t want to share good news with friends? Again, no one wants to be the last to know. Before sharing, organize a phone list or create an email distribution list so that you can let everyone know within a short time-frame. Be prepared for some of your friends to spread the news for you!

6. Your Employer

During your second trimester (before you show up in the office in maternity clothes), it’s usually a good idea to let your employer know you’ll be taking maternity leave in the near future. This timing provides plenty of advance notice, but doesn’t impact your right to privacy.

As you share your decision to start a family with the world, be prepared for a lot of questions and more than a little unwanted advice. When will you share your news?

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

Plan for a Fabulous Fourth—on the Cheap

Fireworks on the Fourth of July 

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Fourth of July is a few weeks away, which means now is the time to start planning your amazing Independence Day shindig. What’s that? “July 4th bash” didn’t show up for the budget meeting? No need to miss out on the festivities! Leave the over the top galas to the celebs and host a fabulous birthday party for America without breaking the bank.

 

 

DIY Is an American Do!

 

Americans have always been a thrifty lot—heck, Betsy Ross pulled out her sewing kit for a little American flag-DIY. Utilize a few tips in party thrift and your 4th will be fantastically cheap.

 

  • Make it a potluck. It worked for the pilgrims! Ask guests to bring a favorite dish. Jazz it up with a food theme if you like: red, white, and blue, summer memories, New England, or best dessert wins.
  • Use splashes of color. Inexpensive patriotic tablecloths are festive, and when paired with twinkle lights, guests, and piles of food, they’re all the decoration you need.
  • Make patriotic windmills. Hand held windmills are inexpensive and easy with a downloadable template. Display them in buckets for decorations or use them to entertain children.
  • Borrow some nature. Pretty wildflowers gathered in buckets are perfect for rustic America-style gatherings.
  • Strike up the band. Burn a CD of patriotic songs to play at the party. A few Sousa tunes will get everyone in the mood.

 

What about the fireworks? There are hundreds of free, breathtaking displays all over the country. Get online to find one nearest you. Start spreading the word now—your 4th is going to be fantastic without sacrificing a bit of frugal.

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Avoiding Debt

American Express

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With the world becoming more and more materialistic and credit cards being so easy to obtain, our country is in more debt now than ever before. It’s so easy to find yourself thousands of dollars in debt. So what can you do to avoid debt? Here are some tips.

Avoid Credit Cards

One way to avoid debt is to not use credit cards at all. It’s so easy to think that you’ll be able to pay off the entire bill so it doesn’t gain interest, but unless you’ve been able to do so consistently, month after month, it’s better not to use them at all. Especially since if you’re carrying any balance at all, then anything you purchase is instantly gaining interest.

Instead, use cash for everything. You never have to worry about whether you have the money if you use cash. Budget out how much you want for each type of purchase (groceries, entertainment, gas, etc.) and then withdraw that amount. Have an envelope for each type and once there is no money in that envelope, you can’t get that type of item until the next month.

Create a Budget

This leads us into the next point. Have a budget. So many people wing it and it hurts them in the end. First calculate all of your needs — rent/mortgage, utilities, car insurance, etc. — and then calculate a percentage for savings, which is typically 10 percent. With what’s left over, decide what you want to spend on fun stuff like movies and eating out.

By using these tips, you can be closer to saving rather than spending.

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How to Live a Greener Life

Many people have tried to embrace a green lifestyle by turning to recent developments in technology. Although hybrid cars and energy-efficient appliances can certainly make the world a better place, you don’t have to spend all that money to change your lifestyle. Instead, learn a few lessons from the lives of generations past.

Before Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Was Cool

Your grandmother recycled everything. She didn’t do it because it was the cool thing to do. She did it because it made sense. Instead of throwing away aluminum cans, save them until you have enough to recycle them. You can often sell aluminum cans to recycling centers or beverage distribution companies. Just use Canada 411 to find one near you.

Some other items that you should consider reusing and recycling include

  • Twist ties
  • Paper and plastic bags
  • Jars
  • Scrap paper

Your grandmother knew that making the most out of every product would save money. You can apply that same ethos to your life.

Walk, Don’t Drive

When it comes to transportation, you might need to look beyond your grandmother’s generation for the inspiration that you need to live a greener lifestyle. Your great-grandmother certainly didn’t hop into a car every time that she needed to visit the store. She walked, and you should do the same. It will save you money, reduce pollution, and keep you in better shape.

Few of us think about the luxuries that surround us. Air conditioning, cars, plastic bags, and disposable cameras are things that no one had several generations ago. Try living like them and you’ll certainly find ways to have a positive impact on the world.

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