Sasha Says… – Page 78 – Family and Home. Money Matters. Life in General. And More.

Go The Distance: Looking Ahead To Prevent Financial Pitfalls In Your Startup

September 12, 2017 No Comments

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They say that preparation is key, and it’s is never truer than for any individual that is starting their own business. Every little detail needs to be put in place before you can get your product out there, your staff are hired, and even before you go to the bank for a loan. The finance aspects are major turning points for any business. It’s also a veritable Catch-22 situation, you need money to make money, and so the cycle can be getting yourself into debt to push your services a bit further. But you don’t want to end up getting into that debt cycle, which can be a struggle, not just financially, but emotionally on you. So how can you prepare your business to avoid these typical financial pitfalls?

Don’t Quit Your Day Job Just Yet
Yes, it’s very tempting to jump in with both feet, but the fact of the matter is that you will end up treading water for a long time. It’s better to build up a roster of clients and contacts alongside earning a full-time wage, so by the time you have got enough work as a freelancer that the scales can tip in your favor, then is the right time to set up your business.

You Don’t Need An Office
There are plenty of people that run a business from home successfully in the first year of their business, so take this on board if you are trying to find ways to cut back on expenses. The working at the kitchen table scenario may not be beneficial for everybody but you can find ways of renting out a small office from an existing business, or you could become a member of a co working space. As long as you have somewhere that brings minimal distraction, this will be the best way to focus your efforts and your finances.

Look At The APR
Of course, if you need to borrow money to cover a certain expense, or you are onto something that you feel deserves financial backing, there are various ways to get financial loans, but you need to weigh up the pros and cons, as well as the interest rates on each loan. A site like businesslineof.credit shows the options for a business line of credit and the various criteria you need to possess in order to be granted this line of credit, which shows there are various interest rates attached. If you feel that your business needs this financial injection in the short term and it will prove beneficial, only you can decide. But beware of the additional interest rates on top that could add to your expenses.

Use Limited Staff Where Possible
If in the first year you can get by with just you and your laptop, then great. If not, then hiring staff on an as-needed basis is far more beneficial for you and your bank balance. You can use plenty of websites like upwork.com for short-term freelancers. Beware about scaling up your business too fast, because you need a skeleton staff to bring everything off the ground, not a full fleet of workers.

Preparing a business for these pitfalls is a very common issue, but there are plenty of ways around it.

Brain Wave, Money matters

Don’t Let Your Home Business Leave You Bankrupt!

September 8, 2017 No Comments

For a lot of people, running their own business from home can be the perfect career choice. After all, it puts you in far more control over when you work, it gives you the freedom to work from home, and it takes away a lot of the pressure of having a boss staring over your shoulder all day long. Of course, just because there are a lot of positive things about it, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t also involve some challenges as well! One of the most significant challenges that you’ll face when trying to run a business from home is, of course, financial. Sure, you don’t have anyone breathing down your neck all day, but that means that the buck stops with you, including any and all financial responsibilities. With that in mind, here are some ways that you can avoid letting your home business leave you bankrupt.

Getting into debt

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There’s a pretty good chance that, unless you have a pretty hefty amount of capital just sitting around, you’re going to need to take out some kind of loan in order to get your business off the ground. This isn’t a bad thing by any means and many business loans offer fantastic rates, but far too often small business owners turn to creditors to solve all of their financial problems. This can lead to a lot of accumulated debt from a lot of different direction. If you have a look at this debt consolidation loan payment calculator, you can see that, by consolidating your debts, you can make things much easier for yourself. Sure, you’re still going to need to pay back the loan, but having a single, smaller loan rather than multiple debts can be a lot easier to manage.

Undercharging

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When you first start your business, it’s tempting to do anything that you need to in order to make yourself tempting to potential customers. This leads many business owners to make one of the worst possible mistakes: undercharging for products and services. Sure, you might think that by doing this you’ll be able to undercut your competitors but in reality, you’re just putting yourself in a position where you’re not earning a fair profit on your products. Even if it does work, eventually you’ll want to grow your business, and that will require higher earnings, which could lead you to want to increase your prices. However, by raising your prices, you’re likely to end up upsetting many of your customers who were used to paying the smaller amount that you’d been charging previously. There are plenty of ways to compete with more established companies, but undercharging is certainly not one of them.

Of course, this isn’t going to be the only difficulty that you’ll face as a business owner. You’ve got to be aware of just how much responsibility such an endeavor requires. If you’re not ready to deal with all of that responsibility, then running a business might not be for you after all.

Family and Home living, Work at Home

Personal space to work at home.

September 8, 2017 No Comments

I used to take for granted that I have my own work area in our old home. I designated a small space in a corner of the living room for me to work at. I have a computer table, a comfortable chair, and my own electric fan for when it comes really hot in my little corner. It was my home office and my income-earning little space.

We now moved into a new home. Bigger than the one we used to live in but this time, I don’t have a nook where I can put my home office at. I tried taking a corner but it’s just not the same.

It finally dawned on me how important a personal space at home where I can work and not be disturbed. I can’t do as much work in our new home because I don’t have the same personal space as I used to. I really miss that corner!

I do believe that there’s a way for me ‘capture’ that ambiance of my old corner. I just don’t know exactly how.

Maybe I should start with a table and chair I’d feel comfortable using. And… any other ideas?

Brain Wave, Work at Home

Ensuring That Your Home Office Is As Productive As Possible

September 8, 2017 No Comments

If you work from home as a freelancer, blogger, or you run your own business; it can be a challenge to stay motivated and ensure that you’re being productive during the working week. There are plenty of distractions and potential disturbances in a home setting; from other family members to odd jobs and chores that need to be done. It can be difficult to make sure that a short break doesn’t turn into something longer, and before you know it; it’s the evening and time for dinner and bed.

However, creating a productive workspace and home-office will help to boost your work and make each day more advantageous. Therefore, it’s worth spending some time and effort making your office, studio, or work area the best it can be, and investing in changes and upgrades for a fruitful future. The following are some ideas and tip for those whose home office space, and work routine, needs a push in the right direction for added productivity.

Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/blur-bottle-bright-building-273238/

The Decor

Your office should be a space where you can clear your mind and separate yourself from the rest of the house; you need to feel cool, calm and collected so that you’re ready to tackle your workload. Therefore, you’ll need to invest in a fresh coat of paint for the walls and ceilings, and ensure that it’s in a light, neutral hue, or even a cool, crisp white. A non-invasive background colour will help prevent brain-fog and headaches, and your thoughts will be able to run freely so that you can boost your productivity. You’ll also be able to add decorative touches, like artwork, ornaments, and photographs with ease, and the environment won’t appear to be too cluttered; which can also stifle your thought process.

When it comes to flooring; you need to think about practicality and design. The colour doesn’t have to be a light shade to match the walls; however, the more neutral, the better. You want to be able to incorporate your office furniture with ease and ensure that any rugs or mats you want to add will fit in seamlessly. A hard-wearing floor, like wood, laminate, or tiles, will ensure that your office or work nook won’t look tired from wear and tear over the years. If you’re working full time from home; the space will be a heavy traffic area, both from you moving around the area, and your office chair rolling to and fro, so you’ll need something that withstand the test of time and usage.

There are plenty of options to suit every style and taste when it comes to desks, office chairs, and furniture. If you’ve kept your walls and floor neutral; you’ll be able to incorporate a wide variety of items, whether they are antique family heirlooms or fresh, modern pieces that you’ve treated yourself (and your new office) to.

It’s worth adding plenty of storage and seating into your space, without making it feel cluttered. An armchair or small sofa makes the perfect addition to a home office; you can sit and use your laptop or tablet on there, or take a coffee break without having to back into your living area where there’ll be plenty of distractions. It’s always great to have multiple seating options; it’ll give you flexibility and comfort in your workspace, and you can figure how you like to work best. Make sure that your storage, like your shelving and drawers, are all easy to access and fill them with items that you’ll utilise each day. Don’t overcrowd your storage or give yourself too much to look at when you’re at your desk; keep everything as minimal as possible, so your mind will have room for all the work ahead.

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The Layout

When it comes to the layout of your office environment; You need to focus on the feeling of openness, space, and how easy it is to maneuver around the room. Therefore, it’s important that you don’t buy a desk, or any other furniture, that would overwhelm the office. Place your shelving and storage in nooks and corners of the room: if they’re not a feature of your workspace, you don’t need them to be in your line of sight, and you can tidy things away so that you have a clear and productive room to work in. You could consider putting your desk facing towards a window; natural light is a great boost for the brain and will allow you to think clearly, and you’ll get a boost to your mood.

Although you don’t want it too big; make sure that your desk can house your computer, laptop, and all of your stationery comfortably. You’ll want to have everything close by, without it feeling claustrophobic or untidy. Take away any heavy curtains or blinds, and fill the room with natural light and fresh air when possible; the sunlight should bounce off the light wall colours and fill the space with a lively feeling that will boost your ability to produce quality work. If you do decide to bring in comfy seating and a rug or two; pop them in corners and nooks too. You want your desk space to feel open and vibrant; however, you might want you chill-out zone to feel separate and cosy.

A large wall mirror can open up your office room; put it in sight of where you sit at your desk so that you can always catch a glimpse and get the feeling of a larger work environment. Keep you filing and paperwork in the storage you popped in the corners and along the walls; these are things you don’t need to look at every day, but you’ll know where to find them should you need to. Again, it’s not about over-filling the room, but carefully placing your items and furniture so that they’re accessible and make the most of the size you have to work with. Your layout should boost the feeling of space and function in your office so it can increase your motivation and the momentum of the work you’re producing.

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The Organisation

Maintaining a productive office is key to the success of the work you produce at home. Make sure you have your lists and calendar not only digitally, but somewhere written down, and insight too. Writing down notes and putting them where you can see them is a great way to keep on top of tasks and work that needs to be completed. Keep your vital contact details, like mobile computer repairs, clients, and stockists written down physically too; you’ll be grateful you did so if anything happens to your computer, phone, or laptop. Backing your work up on more than one USB is another great way to ensure everything you’ve worked on is safe, and nothing gets lost. Back-up regularly to avoid a month’s work disappearing due to a computer crashing.

It’s worth investing in a safe, lockable drawers or a cabinet, to ensure that your expensive items are at risk of family life, or theft. Put any cameras, laptops, tablets, and USBs that you purely use for work, in the secure, lockable storage and give yourself some peace of mind when you close the door to the office each day. Clever storage solutions and an organised approach to your space will ensure that your focus will be on your work, so put some time and effort in now to reap the rewards in the future.

Image from PEXELS

The Personality

Now that you’ve painted, decorated, added the right furniture and put it in a great place, and you’ve organised everything you need for a productive day of work; you can focus on the fun stuff. You’ve decorated the interior of your home office with neutral and plain shades; therefore you can bring in pops of colour and inspiration in the form of books, your favourite artwork, interior accessories, and photographs of your loved ones and places you’ve enjoyed. Brightly coloured and patterned cushions and throws are a great addition for your chill out zone, or to make your office chair a little more comfortable. Soft furnishings are always a great way to switch up a room’s style without spending too much money, so as your tastes change; so will your office.

House plants and fresh flowers in your favourite pots and vases are another way to add colour, and you’ll be bringing in a natural element which is great for calming the mind and helping your thought process. Treat yourself to an office mug, or cup and saucer from a ceramic designer you admire; you want the room to feel personal and special so that you can be creative with your ideas and comfortable enough to sit and work hard. Coasters, stationery holders, and photo frames will all add interest and characterful design additions to your desk space. Remember not to over-clutter the space, but don’t leave it soulless and free of your personality.

The more effort you put into each detail of your home-based office, the more you’ll be comfortable, organised and inspired, and your productivity will increase immediately.

Brain Wave, Health and medicine

A Stronger Body Is A Better Body

September 8, 2017 No Comments

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You only get one body in this life, which is why there is a huge responsibility to treat it with care. Frankly, we all dream of having the best body for a life of quality and quantity. While many factors contribute to the overall situation, there is no doubt that strength is one of the most integral elements.

Why A Strong Body?

There are many reasons to want a stronger body. Firstly, the athletic appearance is the one that modern society deems to be most beautiful. While those factors are somewhat superficial, there’s no doubting that looking good makes us feel good. Conversely, being overweight is a known source of stress and mood swings. Essentially, a strong body makes you look and feel your best.

Moreover, a strong body can allow you to do more in life. This could be something like completing endurance races to achieve a personal goal. Alternatively, it may mean doing jobs around the home. In some cases, increased strength can even open up doors to new career paths.

There are many other reasons for wanting to get a stronger body. The real question, though, is how to get it.

The Route To Increased Strength

Most people assume that weightlifting is the only way to increased strength. While finding a great workout to target key muscle groups provides a solid foundation, it’s not the only key factor to consider. Meanwhile, it’s worth noting that using the body’s natural resistance is often the best source of muscle growth exercises.

Cardio can boost your strength too. Not only does it actively work muscles in a different way to provide a comprehensive approach. But it also burns the fat. This doesn’t necessarily make the body physically stronger. However, carrying less weight will unquestionably improve the performance of muscles as well as organs.

The body’s core needs to be equally solid. AlgaeCal plant calcium and other natural dietary additions can be key to maintaining strong bones. Given that this provides the support for muscles, it can go a long way to avoiding injuries and extending workout times. While this is particularly useful as you get older, it can be utilized at all times.

Physical strength isn’t the only key component, however. A strong mindset is the greatest weapon you’ll ever possess. Developing a sense of motivation will help you break through the barriers. Subsequently, it’ll let you achieve greater results than you ever thought possible.

When Is The Right Time To Make A Change?

The first step is often the hardest, but it’s never too early or late to get started on a personal journey. A strong body can transform the way you think about yourself, as well as the response you gain from others. In truth, that’s something everyone will enjoy.

There is no set timeframe on how long it might take to complete the transformation. However, all progress is good progress, regardless of how slow it comes. Getting stronger isn’t about the speed of the journey. The important factor is that you get to reach the intended destination.

It will improve your life dramatically.

Brain Wave, Internet-Web Devt

Reading Glasses And Perfumes Are Cheaper Online

September 6, 2017 No Comments

Recently, I have been spending quite a lot of time with an elderly couple. Their son is married and he and his family, which consists of the son, daughter-in-law and three grandkids, are now staying with this elderly couple. It is a good arrangement because both sides are able to help take care of each other’s needs. They have a live in maid with them to do the housework and to look after their youngest grandchild who is a toddler.

The daughter-in-law of this elderly couple enjoys online shopping and she buys all sorts of things online and every now and then, the courier van will be found delivering the purchased items to their house. According to her, the perfumes she uses are all bought from wholesale womens perfumes. The eldest grandson of this couple is now about thirteen years of age and he has picked up after his mother and he too enjoys online shopping. Since young, he has been very good with modern technology and using smartphones and computers is as easy as ABC for him. If anyone of us from the older generation needs any help with smartphones or computers, he is the one we will look to.

Talking about online shopping, this teenager grandson of our friends need not have to go out shopping to get what he wanted. He will just go online to look up whatever he is interested in, check out the prices and buys all kinds of gadgets to upgrade his computers and whatever he is interested in. He and his mother are not the only ones who love online shopping. Most from the younger generation are also enjoying online shopping which the older generation are not quite used to. We older folks are less comfortable with anything online. There are some from the older generation who have also learned from their young ones how to shop online but the percentage is still low.

The elderly couple has recently received a gift box from their grandson which he has purchased online from www.ApparelCandy.com. It was a very pleasant surprise to the grandparents when they opened the parcel to find 2 pairs of reading glasses. He has specially chosen 1 pair for his grandpa and 1 pair for his grandma for their coming wedding anniversary. His mom has directed him to her regular website and from the wholesale reading glasses, he picked 2 pairs as gifts for his grandparents.

Brain Wave, Computers and gadgets

Timeless Tech: Instruments For The Elderly

September 5, 2017 No Comments

For an elderly person, the world can often be a daunting and confusing place. In the blink of an eye, modern living has changed by a huge amount, making it hard for those used to a different way of life. Of course, you probably aren’t in this position just yet, as you were able to find and read this blog. But, this doesn’t mean that you’re left completely unaffected by it. Most people have older relatives, have experienced the call to arms which often comes when they’re struggling with a piece of technology, and understand the difficulty their loved ones have. But, solving this issue isn’t just a matter of doing things for them, as this takes away their independence. Instead, you should be looking for tools and resources to make this whole area easier for your elderly family members. To help with this, this post will be going through some of the best options you have to make their techy life nice and easy.

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– Communications

When you can’t go out and do the things you used to, being social and talking to others can often be one of the greatest gifts out there. Being unable to communicate into old age can be a horrible curse, and it will make a lot of people get sad. Of course, you don’t want this for your loved ones and will need to work hard to make sure that they have access to phones which they know how to use. Phones for hard of hearing or people with bad eyesight can be found all over the web, with some options being incredibly easy to use. Along with this tool, though, you should also give some lessons to help them use it.

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– Information

Over the last few years, the Internet has blessed much of the world with the ability to find a seemingly endless source of information, surrounding almost any subject. The largest demographic to still be avoiding this technology is the elderly, and this makes sense. Modern computers aren’t easy to use unless you’ve grown up with them or use them in other parts of your life. Thankfully, to solve this issue, companies like Google have been working hard to create computers which are very simple to use. A Chromebook is very cheap, fast, and easy to control, making it perfect for someone struggling with tech. Having access to a tool like this could change the life of your loved one, making things much easier for you.

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– Entertainment

Finally, it’s time to think about entertainment. This is one of the areas elderly people struggle with the most, often being stuck to sit in a chair or lie in a bed for much of their time. Over the last few years, smart TVs have come a very long way. Through the use of voice commands, all of your entertainment can be handled with ease, creating a great system to use with people confused about technology. Along with having easy ways to control them, smart TVs often include features like the ability to record and watch shows without a physical media device, like a DVD or VHS. This sort of gift would be perfect for your parents, in-laws, or other older loved ones, as it will take all of the work out of their hands.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start working harder on the technology you put into the hands of older people you know. In most cases, patience and time are all it will take for elderly folks to pick up the skills they need to use these devices. But, of course, choosing the right device to help them makes a huge difference, too.

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