This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.

My sister and I make sure that we have a shopping day at least once every two months. We always tell ourselves that we work so hard to have enough money to live a comfortable life, we might as well use the extra ones we earn to pamper ourselves with, to buy the things we like so much.

Our go-to resource for our shopping day? Groupon Coupons! Our first step in shopping is to check out the coupons that we can use from Groupon. Like right now, my sister found a top that she plans to wear on New Year’s Eve. She is excited to use a Bebe coupon where she can save up on free shipping for orders over $100. I, on the other hand, found something from Coldwater Creek which I plan to wear to our holiday party in the office. Can you imagine buying and saving money in the process? Woohoo!

I know they say that we should save up for the rainy days ahead but my sister and I think that we should also indulge ourselves from time to time as rewards for working hard. Anyway, when we use Groupon Coupons, we save money in the process.

There are so many other coupons you can use. Know more about it by following Groupon in Facebook and Twitter.

With everything that is happening in the world today, both at home and abroad, national security has become a critically important issue. Along with this comes the question of who should be granted access to some of the most serious issues affecting the national security of American, and how that access should be granted. Out of this has arisen the need to talk about security clearance issues at the national level in an effort to ensure that information does not makes its way into the wrong hands.

Security Clearance Defined

It is first important to define what security clearance involves. As Tully Rinckey has stated, security clearance is the term used by the United States Government to identify which people or companies are eligible to access various pieces of information that is deemed to be classified. With this comes the term referred to as eligibility for access. This run parallel with security clearance and is commonly used today in many government record systems. It is important to note that there are two main types of security clearances in play today, and these Personnel Security Clearances and Facility Security Clearances.

Various Levels of Security Clearance

Rinckey also notes that there different types of security clearances granted by the respective agencies of the United States government. The primary agencies concerned with granting such clearances include the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Central Intelligence Agency. Out of these agencies, the Department of Defense handles roughly eight percent of all security clearances. The there main levels that a person or company can be granted are: Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret.

Information Required To Gain Security Clearance

The application form to gain security clearance is quite comprehensive in scope. Among other details, one must include a great deal of personal identifying data. This includes questions related to citizenship, education, resign, employment history, any foreign connection and travel abroad, as well all all family an associates. Applicants will also need to reveal any information about past criminal convictions, any involvement with illegal drugs, financial issues including any delinquencies, the attainment of any mental health counseling, military service, and any prior national security clearances that have been granted.

Length of National Security Clearance

A person who is granted a national security clearance classification will generally retain it for as long as the position is held for which the clearance was granted in the first place. As soon as a cleared person no longer can justify the need for access to classified information may have their clearance level downgraded or withdrawn until it is required again at a later date. These provisions are in place to help streamline the process, get access to classified information to those that truly need it, while making certain that it does not fall into the wrong hands once such clearance is no longer necessary.

Security clearance at the national level is a serious matter. A clearance can revoked at any time, particularly if information contained on the initial application is later found to be false or misleading. As times continue to become more precarious, the process will likely become more involved in an attempt to keep information classified and in front of only the very people that need to know.

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.

Traveling has been my stress buster. I am always on the lookout for anything travel-related and you know what my latest find? Groupon Goods! There are great deals on luggage sets, travel accessories, carry-ons, backpacks, kid’s travel bags, and so much more. It is perfect timing considering the family is preparing for a 3-city tour by March next year. We will need new stuff for my 3-year-old nephew who will be traveling out of the country for the first time.

I am not sure if you feel the same way but I feel a renewed love for everything and everyone around me after traveling, even for a short period of time. That’s why I make it a point to travel at least once every three or four months. It helps strengthen my love for life and gives me hope for something more.

Now, if you are a traveler like me, or a first-time traveler like my nephew, check the deals and coupons at Groupon. Who doesn’t love a discount, right? I know you do. We all do! Save some money on stuff you need for travel like luggage. Use the money you save in your other travel expenses.

It’s win-win when you shop using Groupon!

You want to know more about Groupon? Follow them in Facebook and Twitter.

Communication is a complicated skill. While all people are born with the ability to communicate, not everyone will be given the same advantages. There are people who are natural communicators because it effectively aligns with their developing personalities. This does not mean, however, that people without an innate ability for exceptional communication are stuck in their positions. Becoming a better communicator is simple if you take time to think over your course of action. Whether you are thinking about going to USC to finish an advanced degree or you simply need to open up more, there are ways to improve.

Go Back to School
One excellent way for you to become better at communicating is by going back to school. When you have already obtained your undergraduate degree, it might seem like a burden to head back to a college environment. In truth, you are likely to see many benefits when you go back to school. Not only are you able to learn more about a chosen area of study, but you will also be given the chance to become better at communicating ideas. Obtaining your undergraduate degree is a start, but an advanced degree can work wonders for your abilities.

Communication is sort of like an art form. The more that you practice communicating your thoughts and ideas to a wide range of people, the easier it will be for you to see if your words have had an impact. This is not always possible in the working world, where your thoughts might go unheard for years. If you are looking to continue your career while simultaneously improving the way that you communicate, it is a good idea to look into the programs available through institutes of higher learning such as USC online.

Reach Out More
Outside of going back to school, there are plenty of other options for you to think over. Communication skills are applied to many areas of your life. If you want to get better at communicating, you can start at home. Talk to members of your household, whether you live with family, friends or strangers, and be sure to express how you are feeling. When an issue arises, a solid communicator will be able to take stock of his or her thoughts and feelings, then get those thoughts across to others in a calm and rational way.

You are not going to be perfect at this on your first try. If you are someone that is naturally shy, quiet, nervous, or unable to get your thoughts together, then this will require practice. The only way to get better is by honing your skill at every chance that you get. Speak to everyone that you can, specifically about ideas or thoughts you need to get across, and you will find that you are getting better at speaking to others in the way that you would like.

Start Today
Communication skills can always use a bit of work. Whether you decide to go back to school to obtain your advanced degree or you start your trials at home and begin to speak out more frequently to those in your circle, you will find that each day brings you closer to your goal. Once you have found the path that works for your needs, you will have no trouble communicating like an expert.

When you have been injured in a car accident or hurt from medical malpractice, there comes a point in the claims process where the insurance company makes an offer to settle your claim. Typically, the insurance claims adjuster represents the insurer during negotiations. Their job is to get a settlement that is favorable to the company. For obvious reasons, your focus is to get the best offer for yourself. Medical expenses, time from work and ongoing treatment are financial burdens you simply cannot afford to bear without some type of compensation. Once you present the insurance company with a demand letter, negotiations begin. Here are a few tips to help you navigate this process on terms that ultimately resolve in your favor.

How Negotiating an Insurance Claim Works

The initial call with the adjuster is typically the time when both of you make points about the validity of your claim. Expect the first offer from the adjuster to be much lower than the amount that you listed in your demand letter. Your counter offer should be lower than the demand letter request but higher than the adjuster’s initial offer. This process may take two or three telephone calls before the settlement figure falls somewhere between the adjuster’s low and your high figure.

Determine What Your Claim is Worth

Throughout the negotiations, you should have a settlement amount in mind, which is the lowest that you are willing to accept. Never let the adjuster know your bare minimum; keep that to yourself when you feel pressure during the negotiations.

Never Accept the First Offer

Jumping at the first offer is never a good thing. The adjuster will usually offer you the lowest amount first. This is often used as a tactic to see if you are aware of the process. Counter reasonable offers and never accept an amount you know will not cover what you have lost because of the injury. Countering with an amount that is slightly lower than your demand letter amount demonstrates that you are willing to compromise.

Get the Agreed Settlement in Writing

Once the negotiations are complete and you have agreed to a settlement, make sure you get it in writing from the adjuster. You can also confirm the amount in a letter to the insurance adjuster. Include everything that the stated settlement should cover: your injuries, damages and the date that you expect to receive settlement documents.

The frozen yogurt industry is one that is growing every year. More people are looking for a healthy alternative to desserts, and frozen yogurt is a product that gives the satisfaction of a sweet treat without the higher calories that are seen in ice cream, cakes and cookies. You can add slices of fresh fruit and other items to the yogurt to give you the flavors that you desire. Owning a frozen yogurt store is a fun way to sell the product while interacting with customers. It’s best to contact a frozen yogurt supplier to find out exactly what is needed in the store to keep the product cold and to get a few tips on the flavors that sell best at various times of the year.

Do a little research about the customer base before you open your store. This will help to determine the kind of products that you should sell and what people are looking for in a frozen yogurt shop. Surveys are a good way to find out what flavors people might like and to see what decorations and amenities that they might like to see when they enter the store. You want to talk to people from all backgrounds to see what they think about frozen yogurt so that you can cater to the target area of customers who will buy the most from your store. Think about the income levels of the people who live in the community. You don’t want to set the prices so high that customers can’t afford them, but if you know that customers can spend a little more money, then you might want to consider a slight increase in order to make a profit.

Look at the competition in the area. How many stores are similar to yours, and do those stores sell anything in addition to frozen yogurt? Before opening your store, you need to make sure all of the paperwork has been submitted to the county and the state and that you have followed all of the regulations that are set forth by the health department so that you aren’t breaking any rules with the business.

Most would agree that life is too short to be unhappy and dissatisfied. However, it’s often hard for people to make the necessary changes to evoke more joy in their lives. Happiness is a choice that often requires work to achieve. The more dedicated we are to living a meaningful and authentic life, the more motivated we are to make the changes necessary to bring balance harmony and ultimately happiness to our lives.

Just who are you?
This is the first question we must ask ourselves when it comes to creating happiness. We have to know ourselves enough to develop a relationship with ourselves. This keeps us rooted to our truest selves, and the process begins with self-acceptance. Self-acceptance opens the door to personal growth and self-love.

Being Purple in a Yellow Crowd
It’s hard to be openly different. It takes a lot of courage and self-acceptance to go against the status quo. This becomes an extremely difficult rite of passage during the teen years. Most of us don’t master this ability as teenagers. It takes years of learning about ourselves and what brings us joy and happiness, to develop the strength needed to stand on our own. Pop culture is often a source of pressure, because the media often promotes sameness in a broad sweeping sense, and downplays authenticity if it’s not catchy and broadly popular. In order to fully embrace who we are, it often requires respecting our own personal uniqueness even if who and what we are are not widely popular.

Happy Being You
When we hide who we are, or simply refuse to truly embrace it, it becomes impossible to maximize our peace and happiness. It’s a way of denying ourselves the opportunity to continue to grow in our own uniqueness and authenticity. We instead force ourselves to live counterfeit lives, showing the face that garners the greatest amount of peer approval, instead of the face that accurately depicts who we are and what we value. We can enjoy cooking and dream of opening our own restaurant, often spending hours combing the internet for the perfect ribbon blender, but if we hide this, we stifle our own uniqueness.

Learning self-acceptance naturally leads to personal growth and development. As we bloom, we discover things we didn’t know before, as a result. The more we commit to being true to ourselves and our own personal growth, it makes it easier for us to stand out, if need be. When we are fearless enough to openly practice our own unique authenticity we inherit all the benefits of this practice: peace, joy, harmony, self-love, and ultimately…happiness.