Category: young professionals

How To Get Your Uber Taxi Driver Career Off To A Flying Start

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Becoming an Uber taxi driver is becoming a viable and lucrative career for an increasingly large number of people. The company now offers numerous opportunities for budding drivers, looking to make a better living.

But what do you need to do specifically to get a career as an Uber driver off to a flying start? Here’s everything you need to know: 

Work On The Basics

The first step is to ensure you have all the basics in order. Making sure you meet these makes your life much easier. 

Bring together all your essential documents first, including your vehicle registration and driving license paperwork. It also helps if you can provide Uber with evidence of your driving history and any motor vehicle collisions you’ve been involved with., 

Also, check your vehicle fits in the desired category. Uber has various classes, including UberX and UberXL. Ensure the vehicle is eligible and in a reasonable condition. The rideshare app has various quality requirements you must reach, similar to Airbnb and other sharing apps. 

Understand The Platform

Next, you’ll want to check you understand how the Uber platform works. A deeper knowledge will allow you to figure out how the outfit makes money and what it does. 

Furthermore, it can also help you on the job. For example, you could investigate driver-specific features and navigation tools. These make it easier to get around and pick up passengers. You could also look into the earnings dashboard, telling you how much money you’ve made so far, and what your earnings are for the week, month or year. 

Depending on your city, you may also have to comply with additional regulations. Many local authorities are trying to protect their conventional taxi services against better options from rideshare apps by limiting the supply. This factor may determine whether you can be a driver or not. 

Aim For Higher Ratings

Ideally, you want to aim for the highest ratings from the start so more customers get lifts from you. Working on the inside of your vehicle is, therefore, essential. 

For example, your top priority is to ensure that the cabin smells good. You want to avoid certain odors, particularly stale air, and flatulence. 

If you operate in a polluted city, it also helps to put advanced filters in place for the air conditioning system. These reduce particles getting into the cabin, protecting users from smog and other nasties. 

It can also help to put a car tablet holder on the back seat. This way, you can provide riders with entertainment on demand, similar to an airline. 

Other ways to increase ratings include: 

  • Greeting customers in a polite and friendly way
  • Sending them a courtesy message if there is going to be a delay in picking them up
  • Telling them about any traffic en route that might delay them from reaching their destination on time
  • Offering conspicuous safety systems to keep passengers secure
  • Sticking to speed limits and driving smoothly

Figure Out How To Grow Your Earnings

At the same time, you also want to figure out strategies to maximize your earnings. Following simple tactics can be an excellent way to grow the amount of money you make. 

For example, driving close to high-demand locations is always a good tactic. These regions often have a large population of professionals who need to get to destinations across your city fast. 

You can also do the same for rush hour and special events, like weddings. Surge pricing allows you to charge more and win customers with the greatest need to travel. 

Using Uber’s incentives and promotions can also help. Keeping an eye on these allows you to adjust your pricing without affecting your profits. 

Finally, keep your car in good condition. Optimizing fuel usage and taking it for regular servicing can reduce overall vehicle usage and maintenance costs significantly. If you can fill up the tank when fuel prices are low, that’s even better. 

Keep Up To Date

Lastly, when you do start driving, ensure you remain up to date with Uber’s policies and look for ways to improve. Sometimes the company will change how it operates, forcing you to adapt your style or change how you process passengers. 

Of particular importance are changes in payment structures. These dictate how much of the profit you keep, and how much you need to pass over to the company. If these numbers rise, then it is sometimes worth seeking alternative rideshare opportunities with different brands. 

Always take time to gather feedback and adapt. Work out what your customers like and make improvements.

This Year, Gift Memories—Not Things: Thoughtful Holiday Ideas For Kids

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Ditch the Toys for Gifts That Build Skills, Spark Interests, and Create Bonds

The holiday season often brings a rush to find the latest toys and gadgets for our kids, but those material gifts often lose their appeal over time. What if this year, instead of giving more “stuff,” you could give your children experiences that help them grow, learn, and create lasting memories? By focusing on non-material gifts like time together, learning opportunities, and new adventures, you’re providing something far more valuable—the chance to enrich their lives for years to come.

Give the Gift Of Experiences

Experiences stay with children throughout their lives. They broaden their horizons, teach them about the world, and create precious memories they’ll cherish long after the holiday season ends.

Here are some experience-based gifts you can give your children this holiday season:

  • Museum or Zoo Memberships: A year-long membership to a local museum, zoo, or aquarium means multiple outings throughout the year, filled with fun and learning.
  • Tickets to Events: Whether it’s a children’s theater performance, a sporting event, or a concert, experiences like these stay with children long after the event is over.
  • Adventure Day: Plan a day trip to a nature park, amusement park, or even a local hiking trail for an exciting day of exploration.

Enroll Them In Lessons Or Classes

Instead of filling your child’s holiday with more toys that will eventually gather dust, why not give them the opportunity to develop new skills and passions by enrolling them in lessons or classes? Whether it’s a creative outlet, a physical activity, or an academic pursuit, these gifts provide experiences that can ignite lifelong interests and foster personal growth.

  • Music, Art, or Dance Lessons: If your child has shown an interest in a particular creative outlet, enrolling them in music, art, or dance classes can nurture their talents and passion.
  • Sports or Martial Arts Classes: Keep your child active and build their confidence with sports or martial arts lessons. Not only will they develop physical skills, but they’ll also learn discipline and teamwork.
  • STEM or Coding Workshops: In today’s tech-driven world, giving your child the gift of a coding or STEM workshop can spark their interest in technology and problem-solving.

Share the Gift Of Time

One of the most precious gifts you can give your child is your time and attention. This holiday season, instead of focusing on material presents, consider gifting special experiences you can enjoy together as a family.

  • Family Activity Coupons: Create a coupon book filled with fun activities you can do together, like movie nights, baking sessions, or family game days. Let your child “cash in” these coupons throughout the year for quality family time.
  • One-on-One Days: Plan a special day where you spend one-on-one time with your child doing an activity they love—whether it’s going to the park, seeing a movie, or exploring a new museum. These moments create lasting memories and deepen your bond.
  • Cultural Experiences: Take your child to a local cultural festival, museum, or historical site to expose them to new traditions, foods, and ways of life. It’s a fun and educational way to spend time together while broadening their worldview.

Teach Skills and Share Knowledge

One of the most meaningful gifts you can give your child isn’t something you can buy in a store—it’s your time and the knowledge you’ve gained over the years. Teaching your child a new skill or sharing a family tradition can create priceless memories while passing down valuable lessons they’ll carry with them for life. This holiday season, instead of focusing on material gifts, think about what you can teach them and how you can spend meaningful time together.

  • Gardening Together: If you have a green thumb, share your love of gardening with your child by teaching them how to plant and care for a garden. This is a great way for children to get outdoors and engage in a hands-on activity that they can enjoy throughout the year.
  • Cooking or Baking Lessons: Pass down family recipes or teach your child basic cooking and baking skills by spending time together in the kitchen. Whether it’s baking holiday cookies, preparing a family dinner, or experimenting with new recipes, cooking together is a fun and interactive way to spend quality time with your child.
  • DIY Craft Days: If you’re handy or crafty, plan a DIY day where you and your child can create something special together, like homemade decorations, artwork, or woodworking projects. Not only will your child learn new skills, but they’ll also have a physical reminder of the fun time you spent together.
  • Sharing Family Traditions: Do you have a hobby or tradition that has been passed down through generations? Teach your child how to fish, knit, sew, or play a family card game, sharing not only the skill but the story behind it.

Invest In Their Future

Another meaningful gift idea is to invest in your child’s future by contributing to their education or savings. While this might not feel like an exciting present now, it’s a gift that will provide long-lasting benefits when they grow up.

  • UGMA Accounts: These custodial investment accounts allow you to set aside funds for your child that can be used for education or other important life expenses when they come of age. It’s a practical gift that will give them a financial boost later in life.
  • 529 College Savings Plan: Contribute to a 529 College Savings Plan, which offers tax advantages and helps cover future educational expenses. This investment will grow over time and can help significantly reduce the financial burden of college.
  • Books and Educational Resources: Gift your child a series of books or educational resources that encourage learning and spark curiosity. Whether it’s a subscription to a science magazine or an online learning platform, you’re investing in their intellectual growth.

No matter if it’s contributing to their education, building a nest egg, or teaching them how to manage money wisely, you’re giving your child the tools they need to build a secure and successful future.

As the holiday season approaches, remember that the most meaningful gifts aren’t always the ones you can wrap. By giving your children experiences, lessons, and quality time, you’re providing them with opportunities to learn, grow, and create lasting memories. These non-material gifts will stay with them long after the holidays are over, enriching their lives in ways that toys simply can’t. This year, focus on giving your kids gifts that will truly last—time, love, and meaningful experiences.

Master Your Mornings: Simple Strategies for a Stress-Free Commute

Scott AsaiLeave a comment

Morning routine tips for a stress-free commute and a productive morning

We all know the struggle of rushing through the morning, trying to get everything done before heading out the door. But what if your mornings could be calm, organized, and even enjoyable? With a little planning and the right strategies, you can turn your mornings into a time of peace and productivity. Here are some tried-and-true tips to help you start your day right, ensuring a smooth commute and a successful morning.

Start Your Routine at Night

The secret to a stress-free morning begins with a little bit of evening preparation. Take care of a few essentials the night before, and you will wake up feeling relaxed and ready to take on the day. Here’s how you can make that happen:

Plan Your Outfit

Take a few minutes the night before to decide what you’ll wear the next day. This is the simplest step you can take to eliminate the morning “what-to-wear” dilemma, saving you time while ensuring you step out looking your best. 

Think about the weather and your plans for the day to make the right choice. Don’t forget to plan your accessories and shoes, too!

Pack Your Bag

A well-packed bag is a lifesaver in the morning. If you have to lug a laptop to and from work, consider getting a backpack with a laptop compartment to make commuting a breeze. Take a moment to pack your bag, making sure your tech is safe and your belongings are organized. This way, you can grab your bag and head out the door without any second thoughts.

Include everything you might need: your laptop, charger, important documents, and any other essentials.

Get a Good Night’s Rest

Quality sleep is key for a productive day. 

Aim for 7-9 hours to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go. Adding some relaxing nighttime rituals to your bedtime routine, like reading a book or taking a warm bath, helps to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. Avoid screens and stick to a consistent sleep schedule, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.

Wake Up Earlier

Rushing through your morning routine sets a stressful tone for the rest of the day. By waking up earlier, you give yourself the luxury of time.

Take a shower, get dressed, and eat your breakfast at a relaxed pace. Instead of frantically searching for your keys or throwing together a last-minute lunch, you can move through your morning with ease. 

Consistency will be your best friend when making an earlier wake-up time work for you. Try to wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your body’s internal clock and makes it easier to get up early without feeling groggy.

Plan for Traffic

Traffic can be unpredictable, but a little planning goes a long way. As you wake up in the morning, take a minute to map your commute to see if you need to leave earlier to get to work on time. 

Many traffic apps allow you to set up alerts for your regular commute routes. This feature can be incredibly helpful as it gives you a heads-up on any potential issues before you even leave the house. You can set these alerts to notify you of traffic conditions at specific times, ensuring you’re always informed.

Make Your Bed

Though it might seem like a small and inconsequential task, making your bed can have a surprisingly positive impact on your day.

Making your bed is a quick and easy task that you can accomplish first thing in the morning. Completing this task gives you a sense of accomplishment and sets a positive tone for the rest of the day. It’s a small win that can boost your confidence and motivation, making it easier to tackle other tasks.

Silence Your Phone

Your morning should be time for yourself, free from work-related stress. Enjoy a peaceful morning by silencing notifications and focusing on your routine. It’s a simple way to give yourself a little bit of time back in the morning. 

Squeeze In Time for a Workout

Working out in the morning is a fantastic way to kickstart your metabolism and energize your body. Physical activity increases blood flow, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and brain. This heightened energy can last for hours, making you feel more awake and ready to tackle your tasks.

If you’re pressed for time, even a short workout can be highly effective. High-intensity interval training (HIIT), a quick yoga session, or a 20-minute walk can help get your day started. These shorter workouts can easily fit into your morning routine taking up too much of your time.

Exercise Your Mind

Just as physical exercise is essential for your body, mental exercise is crucial for keeping your brain sharp and healthy. Here are some ways you can effectively exercise your mind each morning:

  • Read the news – Starting your day by reading the news keeps you informed about current events and stimulates your brain.
  • Play brain games – Games like Sudoku, crosswords, and logic puzzles challenge your brain, improving your memory, problem-solving skills, and concentration. The New York Times offers popular games like Wordle, the Mini Crossword, and Connections, which are perfect for a quick mental workout in the morning.
  • Learn something new – Dedicate a few minutes each morning to learning something new. This could be a new word, a fun fact, or even a short article on a subject you’re curious about. 
  • Meditate – While not a traditional “mental exercise,” mindfulness and meditation practices can significantly benefit your brain. Spending a few minutes in quiet meditation can improve your focus, reduce stress, and enhance your overall mental clarity.

Nourish Your Body

Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day, and for good reason. After a night of fasting, your body needs fuel to kickstart your metabolism and provide energy for the day ahead. Skipping breakfast can lead to mid-morning energy crashes and increased cravings for unhealthy snacks.

Mornings can be hectic, so preparing your breakfast ahead of time can save you precious minutes and reduce stress. Overnight oats, chia pudding, or pre-made smoothie packs are excellent options. Simply prepare them the night before, and they’ll be ready to grab and go in the morning. Meal prepping ensures you have a nutritious meal waiting for you, even on the busiest days.

Mix Up Your Morning Playlist

Switching up your playlist regularly keeps your morning routine from becoming monotonous. Curate a new set of songs every week or month, adding tracks that resonate with your current mood or goals. 

Get recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues. Everyone has different tastes and favorite artists, so you’re likely to discover new genres or songs that you wouldn’t have found on your own.

If you’re looking for a change from music, try listening to podcasts or audiobooks during your morning routine. Choose something that interests you, whether it’s educational, entertaining, or inspiring.

Ease Into Your Day

When you arrive at your workplace or start your workday at home, take a few minutes to set up your environment. Grab a cup of coffee or your favorite morning beverage and ease into your workday routine.

Begin your day by checking your emails and clearing out any clutter. Respond to urgent messages and flag important emails that require follow-up. List out the tasks you need to complete, prioritizing them based on urgency and importance. Take a few minutes to review your calendar for the day. Note any meetings, deadlines, or appointments and plan your tasks around them. 

Creating a stress-free morning routine doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistency and a bit of planning, it’s entirely achievable. By incorporating these tips into your daily life, you can transform your mornings into a time of calm and productivity. Remember, the way you start your day can significantly impact how the rest of it unfolds. So, take the time to invest in a morning routine that sets you up for success and watch as your days become more enjoyable and efficient.

3 Practical Tips For Young Financial Advisors

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A career as a financial advisor can be a rewarding one in more ways than many people might expect. Not only could it boast an extraordinarily high salary, but you’ll help clients achieve their financial goals and improve their life.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy to do, especially when it comes to younger professionals. You can make it easier, however. With the right tips for young financial advisors, you’ll see more success than you would’ve thought.

If you’re early in your career, three of these are worth focusing on.

Tips For Young Financial Advisors: 3 Practical Options

1. Take Advantage Of Marketing

You’ll need to advertise yourself as a financial advisor so you can start bringing in clients. Rely on more than simply trying to convince friends and family, as well as their friends. Online marketing can be a great way to do this, and you’ll have various ways to bring in more leads.

The better you can take advantage of these, the more leads you should generate. While you’ll still need to actually close the sale, you’ll be in a much better position to actually make a living as a financial advisor.

2. Invest In High Standards

The higher your standards when working on behalf of clients, the better you can serve them. You should end up delivering much better results for them, but you’ll need to invest in and achieve these standards so you can do so. GIPS standards, among others, can be some of the more notable.

These don’t just give you the skills you need to excel in financial advising, but can help convince leads to become clients. They work as a sign of trust, making it more likely you can get more clients for yourself.

3. Listen More Than Talking

In many cases, you’ll need to be in sales mode to bring in new clients and start making money. While that’s an understandable approach to take, it doesn’t mean you should be talking constantly. Instead, you’ll be much better served by actually listening to potential clients.

It lets you understand their needs and desires and then tailor your approach accordingly. You can then develop a plan that better serves them, making it more likely you’ll close on the sale and get them as a client. Ask questions and learn as much as you can so you can do this properly.

Tips For Young Financial Advisors: Wrapping Up

With the right tips for young financial advisors, you should see a decent amount of success in your career. It doesn’t have to be as long and complicated as you could think, especially when you know what you’re doing. Using the right tips makes sure you see success as early as possible.

Listening more than you talk, using marketing the right way, and investing in high standards are all part of this. With a little effort, and possibly a bit of time, you’ll end up having a much more profitable financial advising career.

How To Keep Your Online Activities Secure

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Admittedly, the online world is not always friendly. Indeed, massive data breaches have alerted businesses and governments to watch for criminal cyber-attacks. Online privacy is your basic right to protect your information from bad people, and defending your digital privacy starts with keeping your online activities fully secure. These simple tips will greatly help as you strengthen your security barriers.

1. Share less info online

Sensitive information is like gold to cybercriminals. It’s advisable to share very little personal information about yourself when interacting with others online. Be mindful of pictures you post with tags potentially revealing your geolocation. Indeed, the social media domain could be the first place to start guarding your private life responsibly. Apart from that, virtually all your apps collect some information. Governments may enact data privacy laws, but few companies observe these protocols. An example is the Facebook and Cambridge Analytica scandals. 

2. Create strong passwords and activate two-factor authentication

You don’t want to keep using a lazy password in 2023, as it can jeopardize your online security. Strong and unique passwords are essential to your web safety; sometimes, they are the only way to keep out malicious hackers. It helps to periodically change your password and active two-factor (2FA) to boost your security. Activating multi-step verification gives your online account an extra security barrier if your password lands in the wrong hands.

3. Install antivirus software

The best antivirus apps protect your computer from malware, including trojan horses; this virus can hide behind your device and steal your vital information. On the other hand, bots can turn your PC into a zombie soldier and further infiltrate your system with spam. Experts recommend you update your antivirus software and upgrade your operating system to the latest version. Most antivirus scanners show a green button when everything is in order, but don’t forget to watch out for the red flags.

4. Don’t be too comfortable with public WIFI

Cybercriminals can threaten security if you love connecting to public WIFI routers without minding your privacy. FCC advises users to stick to their home network connections to help lower their risks of exposure online. If you must use public WIFI, ensure you don’t enter sensitive details about yourself everywhere. And you can achieve this in several ways. For instance, learning how to bypass school WIFI with VPN apps is beneficial if you always utilize it. Virtual private network applications secure and encrypt your connection to the internet, including your school WIFI. This way, you can hide your IP address and browse it anonymously.

5. Desist from installing sketchy software

Not every app you see is healthy for your consumption. Some sketchy apps can track you 24/7 and harvest your crucial information without seeking permission. You create security loopholes when you install untrusted browser extensions and other pieces of software online. Make it a point to configure your privacy settings in your devices to ensure no app is broadcasting your sensitive info like location, contacts, email, etc. As far as your online activity is concerned, security starts with being careful about your digital behavior.

Top Tips For Meeting New Friends As A Busy Adult

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Collaborative post – may contain affiliate links

Making friends as an adult can be more of a challenge than it was when you were a child. As children, we make friends at school, but as an adult, it’s more difficult. It can be hard to meet like-minded people to make friends with if you’re single, don’t have roommates, work freelance, or have moved somewhere new for a job or a relationship. Here are some ideas to help you meet and make new friends as an adult.

Find meetups for your interests 

Joining something new doesn’t always have to be as formal as a club or class. Look online for meet-ups for things you’re interested in. Do you love to play Dungeons And Dragons? Do you love watching action movies, or reading historical fiction? There’s probably a meet-up you can go to online or in person. Check forums and local newspapers for some ideas. 

Take a class

Always wanted to learn how to make your own clothes or how to bake cakes? Join an evening class. Whether you’re learning a language or car repair, you already know that you have something in common with everyone in the class. Be friendly, and chat to people in your class. Suggest a drink after class to someone who seems nice, and you could soon become great friends. 

Ask your existing friends

If you have some friends in the area but want to meet more people, ask the friends you already have to introduce you to their friends. This can be very effective, especially if you’ve moved to a new city where you only know a handful of people. Ask if you can join them when they meet up with other friends. If your friends like these people, there’s a good chance you will too. 

Join a club

A club of some kind, whether it’s a sport or a book club, can be a good way to meet people. Sign up for five-a-side football, a book club, or a motorbike club, and you’ll be swapping stories and recommendations for sports gear, books, and Motocross Accessories in no time. Like joining a class, invite people from your club out for a coffee or a glass of wine when the club finishes for the day.

Look for support groups

If you’re struggling to make friends because of a challenge like being a carer to elderly parents, or after a move due to a divorce or bereavement, you could look for a support group for people in your situation. This can be work well, as not only will you be able to get some much-needed support, but you’ll also meet people who understand your situation. You can skip the unpleasant stage of meeting new people where you have to answer difficult questions about your life, as everyone in the room has the same experience. There are support groups for all kinds of things, from living with a chronic condition to being a struggling new mum. 

Making friends as an adult takes some bravery and putting yourself out there. Bite the bullet and meet someone new.

Placing The Finishing Touches On Your First Home

Scott Asai1 Comment

Collaborative post – may contain affiliate links

Moving into your first proper home is a true life milestone, something that fewer people each  year seem to be able to achieve. Remember – no matter how humble your home is, if it’s yours, it’s yours, and you can make it a beautiful home perfect for your family. For this reason, it’s worth considering the little elements that transition a building from a house to a home, and what that means in the long run.

In this guide, we hope to discuss that wonderful fact, and potentially help you develop a more competent and coherent outlook when decorating your home to your own personal standards. Remember that while there are some ground rules that anyone can recognize, there are no ‘rules’ to this effort, per se. What matters is being creative, focusing on function and form, and enjoying yourself. 

Furthermore, you don’t have to worry about making a home perfect for you in the span of one week. It takes time to settle down, and to feel provided for. Try not to forget that, because it can make a tremendous difference.

With this advice, you’ll no doubt see just why that is:

The House Number/Name

It’s nice to have something that marks your property as its name or number, and of course, this is also important if you hope to have deliveries placed seamlessly at your door. If you have a particular name for your property, it can be nice to have it carved in wood and proudly shown at the front of your house, or perhaps next to your garden gate. Numbers can work the same, with proudly crafted ironwork number plates that stand the test of time. A little embellishment hurts nobody.

Your Exterior Mailbox

If you have an exterior mailbox, the condition of which can truly contribute to how your home looks and feels. Furthermore, it will serve a dual purpose of keeping your mail safe and cared for. Your exterior mailbox, in this capacity, is one of the first functional decorations anyone sees, and so it can really define how your home is seen then on. That might sound silly for such a small implement, but it’s true. You may even add a little flag that could be upturned when the mailbox is full, or, perhaps, you can simply place a mailbox for packages next to your front door, that drops down and collects the parcel when placed in the enveloping hood. 

Perfecting Your Driveway

Perfecting your driveway is often a great idea, because it will not only be used for years and years (or even up to a decade if you’re lucky), but it can prevent chips and wear at the vehicles that use it, as well as ensuring that it stands firm against potential weather damage. In this respect, you’ll find that thorough and properly laid driveway paving helps your home take on not only an essential function but a new and uniformly applied aesthetic worth caring about.
With this advice, you’re sure to remain placing the finishing touches on your first home.

The Things That will make you know you’re officially an adult

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Collaborative post – may contain affiliate links

Of all the things we were taught in school or by our parents, the biggest thing was that there is no real moment in time where you truly know you’re an adult. Physically, you could get to 80 years old but still feel mentally as you did at 21. 

However, there are some real home truths that will remind you that you’ve made it to adulthood on a daily basis that will have you thinking ‘yeah, OK, I guess I’m an adult now…’ 

If you read some of these things below and find yourself agreeing aloud- welcome to the crew. You made it. It’s OK, really…

You Got Bills (and mortgage, tax, insurance, car maintenance)

When you were a kid and starting to look at jobs you may have looked at jobs and thought of all the wonderful and fun things you could buy with a $18k salary after you left college. But for an adult facing the stark reality that if you want to keep a roof over your head, $18k really isn’t going to get you very far at all. That’s a harsh reality of adulthood–your entry level job may not give you the lifestyle you wanted. You get your salary in your bank and then it’s stolen by rent, utilities, your car, and then you’re left with pennies at the end of the month. Having too much month at the end of the money is one of the biggest signs that you’ve unlocked the adult achievement. 

You Relish The Thought of Being On Your Own 

You work hard all day and then might spend time crammed up against people on the train on the way home so the thing you crave most is being on your own. Kids hate the idea of doing anything on their own, but by the time adulthood comes, you feel lucky if you can spend a few hours  on your day off at https://www.laurelridgeexperience.com/golf-course rather than having to do boring things like clean your car or go grocery shopping. Dull! 

When a spouse and/or kids come along — you can forget it! 

You Can Eat Whatever You Like–But You Don’t 

If you have kids, then you know that if you ask them ‘What do you want to eat?’ they will reply with a list of all of the things that scream ‘blood pressure meds’ or ‘high blood sugar’. Yes, you’re in charge of the grocery shop now, but you know that if you eat like a literal child let loose in the candy shop your aged body will not thank you. Eating poorly as you get older will make you realize exactly why your mom would enforce the occasional broccoli floret on your fork as you navigate through dental and medical bills to boot.

All in all, the realization that you have become an adult isn’t so bad. You get to earn your own money, eat what you want and drive a car- what could be better than that?

Moving Into Your First Home: Essentials That You Might Overlook

Scott Asai1 Comment

There might be a lot of reasons for you to buy your first house. You might want to start a family or just invest in real estate after saving a considerable amount of money. After tons of research, house-hunting every day and countless realtors, you’ve finally found a house worth living in. Now that you have finally signed the papers, it’s time to set up your new house. There are a multitude of things that you have to take care of before shifting. Shifting is quite a hassle for most people, with the endless hours of packing and getting ready to move, it can be quite overwhelming to stay on top of what all you might need for your new house. To ensure that you are not caught off-guard, we have curated this list of essentials for you so that your move can be made as easy as possible.

Cleaning supplies

The worst kind of feeling is moving into a new home and not being able to spend the first night there because you forgot to get cleaning supplies. There can be quite a lot of cleaning to do once you have unpacked most of your boxes. Be sure to pack up a broom, tile cleaner, detergent, a lot of sponges and even toilet cleaners. Every new house needs to be cleaned regularly for a week in order to get the dirt out from every nook and cranny. It is important to clean the walls, cabinets, kitchen countertop, the sink and the floor before you start unpacking in your new home.

Lockbox

It is well advised to keep a lockbox that contains all your important documents and other expensive belongings. Even if you hire a moving truck to help shift things for you, carrying this lockbox yourself will give you the peace of mind of not losing your valuables during your shift. A few weeks before shifting, gather all of your important documents and valuables into a safe or a box in order to keep your birth certificate, educational certificates, passport, banking statements and other important documents. You can always buy a bigger box to keep your expensive jewelry in too.

Hangers

You have finally bought your first house. Most people want to organize every part of their house perfectly. If you are one of them, one important thing to remember is to bring hangers. If you have a house that has huge closet space, hangers are the key to help you organize it into a dream space.

Home security

One of the most important things to remember is to get a security system installed at your new house. No matter how safe the neighborhood might be, it is always better to keep your safety in your own hands. The experts at https://ccsecurityservices.co.uk/commercial-security/ suggest using modern technology to keep intruders out of your house. There are a ton of home security options available in the market today. You can browse the various alarm and surveillance systems available at your location. These systems offer round-the-clock protection to your house from burglars. Some modern systems also notify you on your phone if suspicious activity is at play.

Smoke detectors

Now that you are a home-owner, it is time to pay attention to things that were always installed in your previously rented accommodation. This includes, but is not limited to smoke detectors. They can help you prepare for the event of a fire if they are placed strategically in all the right places. It is your responsibility to ensure safety for everyone living in the house. There are even detectors available in the market that not only detect smoke but carbon monoxide as well.

Fire extinguisher

Since we have already talked about smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher should obviously be on this list as well. In case of a major fire that cannot be put out easily, aerosol fire extinguishers should be invested in for your house. They should be kept in fire-prone areas, such as your garage workstation or in your kitchen.

A new lock

The first thing you should do when you reach your new home is to change the locks. It is important to remember that you are not the only one to ever call this house their home. The previous owner might still have the keys to the house and to make sure that you are the only one with a pair of keys to your home, it’s best to change the locks.

Shifting into your new home can bring a lot of emotions to the forefront. Be prepared to handle anything while making the move to your new humble abode. Use this list to help you ensure that your first home is a happy and safe house.

5 Things To Consider Before Buying New Doors For Your House

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Collaborative post – may contain affiliate links

If you’re looking to replace the doors in your house but you’re unsure where to start then don’t worry, you have definitely come to the right place. Whether you’ve just moved into a new house or you fancy a little bit of a change, you need to ensure you know exactly what you’re doing when it comes to buying your new doors. From measuring the right size to setting yourself a budget, the more prepared you are the better. With that in mind, here are 5 things to consider when buying new doors for your house: 

– What Is Your Overall Budget?

One of the first things you need to consider when it comes to buying new doors for your new house is your overall budget, as this will ensure you’re not spending more than you need to. Whether you’re buying one door or you’re buying ten, you need to be sure you know exactly how much you’re expecting to spend. The best way to do this, of course, is to research the average prices of the doors you’re looking for at several different retailers. It will take some time but you’ll have a much better idea once you’re done. For a guide to setting a budget for home improvements, you can visit this site here. 

– Where Do You Need Them For? 

Another important thing to think about is the rooms that you’re going to need them for. Although you may not need to replace all of your doors at once, you might want to consider whether or not you want to have matching doors throughout your home. If so, you’re going to need to replace all of them. 

– Have You Done All Of The Proper Measurements?

Once you know where you’re going to be using your new doors, you need to measure each and every door frame separately. Although you may think that all of your door frames will match, you may find that one of two of them are out by just a couple of inches. To avoid buying the wrong sizes, it’s much better to measure them all in advance. For tips and tricks when it comes to measuring your door frames, you can visit this site here. 

– What Type Do You Need?

Another thing to consider when you’re looking for door manufacturers is what type of door you’re looking for. With various different options to choose from, it’s important for you to do as much research as you can beforehand. 

– Where Are You Going To Be Buying Them From?

Finally, you need to think about where you’re going to be buying your doors from. Although you may not have many choices locally, you need to choose somewhere that you know you can trust. 

Are you looking to buy new doors for your house? What do you need to consider to ensure the process is as smooth as it can possibly be? Did we miss anything? Let me know your thoughts and ideas in the comments section below.