Archives for 2019

There are a lot of benefits to being self-employed. You get to choose your own hours (in theory), do something you love, and explore new opportunities with amazing people.

However, self-employment also comes with a lot of challenges to consider. For instance, there’s no-one in the background to make sure that you still get paid if you need to take some time off work for sickness, personal reasons, or just a good old fashioned break.

There comes a time when we all need to take a break from work, but it can be very difficult for self-employed people to find a way out without struggling financially. However, you can’t just commit yourself to working every day, no matter what.

Here’s how you can make sure that you’re prepared for a much-needed absence when you’re self-employed, freelancing, or working as a contractor.

1. Keep Monthly Costs Low

First things first, the easiest way to make sure that a day off work isn’t a disaster, is to ensure that your monthly expenses are as low as possible. Check out the outgoing expenses that you commit to each month and ask yourself what you can do to reduce fees. For instance, if you’re taking out a loan, it’s crucial to ensure that you check you’re getting the lowest possible price first. If you’re currently committed to a specific gas or electric provider, can you check to see whether you can get a better deal elsewhere?

Cutting your monthly fees to an absolute minimum will ensure that you know exactly how much money you “have” to spend to keep yourself and your family safe each month. If you know how much you generally earn per day, you’ll also be able to calculate how many unpaid workdays you can afford each month without having to worry about unpaid bills.

2. Ensure yourself Against Unexpected Changes

If you’re new to freelancing or self-employment, then you may not know this, but you can insure yourself against the possibility that you won’t be able to work. As a self-employed person, you probably already have business insurance and other forms of coverage. Income protection insurance is a kind of cover you can get to replace your monthly income if you’re unable to work because of unemployment, accident, or illness.

If you’re worried about your long-term health, you can also try applying for critical illness cover as part of your life insurance. When you have this insurance in place, and you’re diagnosed with a medical condition, listed within your policy, you receive a lump-sum payout. It’s up to you which insurance seems more appealing. You could even get a combination of both.

3. Prioritise your Savings

The more money you have in your emergency savings account, the less stressed you’ll feel when you decide that you need to take time off work for holiday or sickness purposes. When you give yourself your income each month, you should be splitting your earnings into a series of different categories. First, you’ll need to put money aside for the taxes that you’ll owe at the end of the year – remember, you’re responsible for paying those.

Next, you’ll have to ensure that all of your critical expenses are handled, including office rent, mortgage, food, clothing, car insurance, and so on. Finally, when you’re left to assign “spare” money

to other things like entertainment and savings, make sure you put your savings first. The more you can have in your “just in case” fund, the better. Peace of mind when you need it will feel better in the long-term than extra shopping sprees and nights out now.

4. Plan in Advance

Finally, you can’t plan for when you might be sick or unable to work. However, you can plan for certain dips and lulls in your work schedule. The more time you spend self-employed, the more you’ll begin to notice changes in your calendar that happen every time of year. For instance, you might notice that you don’t make as many sales during April and March, but you earn double during June and July. In that case, you can spread your money out throughout the months by assigning extra savings during the months that you earn more.

Lulls in your income will also help you to figure out when you should be planning your family holidays and work breaks to experience the lowest impact on your income. The more prepared you are, the less money you’ll lose over the course of the year.

Divorce is a difficult time for adults, but for children, it’s much harder. When it happens, it changes their entire lives, including their family and living conditions. It also challenges their ability to trust in the stability and reliability of their parents’ support. When children are particularly young, it’s very easy for them to misinterpret that reason for the divorce and exaggerate how it’s going to affect them.

They are likely to experience a range of different emotions, including confusion, anger, shame, embarrassment, and outrage. They may also become very afraid, withdrawn, anxious, or clingy. Divorce affects children in different ways, but it leaves a mark on most of them.

If you’re going through a divorce, doing what you can to minimize the impact is very important. Below are some tips to help you help your children cope.

Tell Them It’s Not Their Fault

Children very often think that they are the reason their parents are getting divorced. This is because children tend to be very self-centered and believe the world revolves around them. Both parents should make it very clear to their children that the decision to divorce is not because of something they have or haven’t done. Reassure them that both of you still love them dearly and you’ll always love them and protect them after the divorce. You may have to repeat these sentiments over and over again before they’re accepted.

Maintain Consistent Routines

You can help shield your children from the trauma of divorce by keeping your children’s living arrangement and routines the same. It is a way of keeping their trust and helping them feel secure, safe, and protected. If possible, this means staying in the house they’ve always lived in, going to the same school, and sticking to the same routines. Sometimes change is unavoidable, but there are ways you can provide continuity.

Keep Boundaries

If you keep parental and child/parent boundaries, you’ll be able to parent in a more coordinated and effective manner. The parenting boundary can be preserved by staying calm and avoiding arguments in front of the children. Don’t use your children to pass messages between you and your ex and most definitely never ask them to spy on the other parent. Never put your children in a situation where they must side with one or other of you. It can be very tempting to confide in your children; after all, you might not have anyone else to talk to. They’re probably not mature enough to handle such a role, and it can easily overload them, leaving them feeling anxious, angry, or depressed.

If you haven’t got any friends or family to talk to, there are plenty of professionals who can provide support.  When it comes to support for any legal issues, you should contact divorce lawyer Barrington IL or solicitor who specializes in divorce and family law, for example, a Bristol divorce solicitor.

Encourage Them to Talk

It’s possible to help your children work through their negative reactions by encouraging them to express and talk about them in appropriate ways. Children express their feelings in a different way. Some prefer to talk about them while others are more comfortable acting them out. When they’re ready to talk to you, show them respect and listen to what they’ve got to say. If their adjustment is proving particularly difficult, you should consider taking them to family therapy with a qualified therapist.

It’s not going to be long before the summer is over and your kids will be going back to school. If you’re also going to be saying goodbye to the last of your brood, you might be wondering what you’re going to do with all your spare time. When all your children are at school full time, it’s going to be another chapter in your life. While there’s nothing wrong with being a stay-at-home mom, you might feel the need for a little more interaction and a new challenge.

It might be a few months away, but it’s never too early to start making plans. Such momentous transitions take time, research, and planning. It’s also something you’re going to need to discuss with your partner, and if your kids are old enough, it might be interesting to hear what they’ve got to say on the matter.

Whatever choice you make, it has to be one that’s right for your family. Here are five options you should consider.

Continue Being a Stay at Home Mom

Of course, this is the most obvious option, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider it. Never feel guilty or embarrassed about choosing to remain a stay at home mom – there are plenty of good reasons why it’s the best possible choice, and you’ll have no problem filling your days.

Think of all those years you’ve felt like a headless chicken running around never getting anything done as well as you’d like to. With the little ones packed off to school all day you’ll be able to focus on keeping your home spotlessly clean, be better organized, plan healthy meals every day, run errands and perhaps even tackle that project you’ve been meaning to do for years.

You’re also going to have more free time so relish it. You’ve been a full-time mom for quite some time now so you deserve a rest and have earned some relaxation time. There’s also the flexibility that comes with this role. If your kids are ill or can’t go to school, for whatever reason, you’re going to be available. You don’t have to worry about arranging care for them if the school decides to close for the day.

Think about how you can lighten the load for your partner now you’ve got more time on your hands. There may have been no complaints from them when they’ve got a long list of jobs to tackle after a long day at work, but that doesn’t mean it has been easy for them. You’re going to be able to take over some of the mundane tasks that were always left to them. Your partner is going to be able to enjoy coming home from work and being able to relax.

It’s the Perfect Time to Pursue a Passion

When you’ve got a household to run and kids to take care of, there’s little time for pursuing the things you love to do. Would you like to be able to spend more time in the garden creating a beautiful oasis of calm? Perhaps you’d like to try your hand at growing produce of your own and maybe keeping chickens. Have you always dreamed of writing a book or learning how to take breathtaking photographs? If there’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing but never found the time or energy, now’s the perfect time to fulfill your dreams.

Some might think of this as just a hobby, but you’ve got the opportunity to make it something more. A passion project is something a little more than killing time. Find something that stirs you and that you’re longing to do.

Work from Home

Thanks to technology, there are endless opportunities for anyone who wants to work from home. It tends to require a specialized skill but there are definitely more opportunities to work from home than ever before. If you want to know what’s available, the best thing to do is visit a range of different job websites. In the search options make sure you type in remote jobs and you’ll be surprised how many hits you get. Here are a few examples of the type of remote work available.

· Writer or blogger – you’ve got lots of relevant experience to share with any would be parents, so why not share it by way of a blog or website content?

· Travel consultant – this is a remote working option that’s becoming very popular, possibly because it often includes the benefit of travel credits that can be used for family travel.

· Social media specialist – this is more than posting selfies and family news on social media channels. You might be involved in checking ads and content for relevancy or creating content for a company’s social media sites.

· Recruitment Coordinator – would you like to help others find jobs? This type of role involves helping HR personnel with their recruitment process. It might include looking at resumes, performing background checks, helping with interviews and bringing new employees on board.

· Graphic designer – if you’ve got an artistic flair, there may be a job for you as a graphic designer. You could find yourself involved in a variety of tasks from designing a book cover to creating company logos.

· Proofreader – this role involves checking formatting, confirming facts, checking grammar and much more. You need to be a very detail-oriented person with a high level of language skills.

· Online teacher or tutor – you might not realize it, but education has been part of your daily routine for a number of years. You’ve helped your kids with their homework and taught them important life skills. These are skills that can be turned around to earn you an income.

· Data entry specialist – this can be a very flexible role that allows you to manage your daily routine by working when you’ve got the spare time. You’ll need strong keyboarding skills and sharp attention to detail.

· Customer service agent – do you like talking to people and helping them solve a problem. Why not try being a customer service agent?

· Health coach – you’ve been working hard to stay in shape all these years, so why not use your experience to help others? A remote role as a health coach can be a good way to help others lead healthier lives while keeping your own on track.

· Marketing specialist – in this role, you’ll be working to promote a product or service through branding and outreach. It’s the type of position that takes many forms including content strategist, SEO specialist, or marketing coordinator.

Go Back to Work

If you had a career before deciding to stay at home and raise a family you’ve always got the option of returning to that career. You may have been lucky enough to work for a company that would happily have you back. If you don’t, all is not lost. You will need to ask yourself a few questions, such as how many hours do you want to work and will you be looking for a full or part-time position? If you’d like to work full time, think about who is going to take care of the kids before you get home from work and if they’re sick or not in school for some reason.

Do you think your skills are up to date or are you going to have to think about further study? Thanks to technology it is possible to train or study for qualifications from home. If you’re interested in a career in infant nursing or midwifery, for example, there are NNP schools that offer courses online.

Before you start applying for jobs, get some advice writing your resume. As a parent, you’ve got a wide range of transferable skills that a prospective employer would love to hear about.

Become a Volunteer

One last option worth considering is volunteering. It’s the kind of work that can be very rewarding and fulfilling. Put those few spare hours to good use by helping out at a local charity or community center. There are lots on non-profit organizations who are always looking for people to lend a helping hand. It’s also going to look very good on your resume and may provide you with some opportunities to brush up on your skills, network and get some professional references.

Look for charities or community organizations in your local area. Get in touch and offer your services. You might find yourself helping at a local animal shelter getting the animals accustomed to human contact. You could help elderly people with their shopping or sit with them for company, dishing up hot dinners for the homeless, cleaning green spaces of rubbish, providing entertainment at an elder home, or helping at a local school or kindergarten.

Now you’ve got a few ideas for spending your time productively all your children heading off to school might not seem such a daunting prospect. This is a new chapter in your life, and nobody else is going to write it for you. Who knows, you might discover some things about yourself you never knew.

Although we could all benefit from a tropical getaway, our bodies can benefit from the fruits of those regions on a daily basis. By adding tropical fruit to your diet, you not only increase your daily value of vitamins but also can prolong your overall health and well being.

These fruits can mostly be found in the produce section of your local market. You may also find them in the frozen section as well. The particular fruits discussed in this article are considered among the healthiest and most beneficial for the human body.

Mango

The mango is a stone fruit because of the inedible stone-like seed found at its core. The yellow fleshy meat is very soft and juicy. Mangos are cultivated in Southeast Asia, the West Indies, and Mexico, but the largest source comes from China.

This magical little fruit is overflowing with goodness and nutrients, including vitamins A and C, B6, Iron, Folate, Zinc and vitamin E. The high amounts of A and C can replenish the skin and reduce signs of aging. Vitamin C plays an important role in the elasticity of your skin. Vitamin A is needed by your cells for growth in your hair, skin, and nails and helps to protect them from the damaging elements found in our environment.

Just like most fruits, mangos don’t have to just be consumed raw. They can be used in a variety of ways such as ice cream, sauces, and even mango syrup.

Papaya

The papaya is probably among the least common and probably the most overlooked. The papaya originated in Mexico, more specifically in Chiapas and Veracruz. Now they are grown in both South America and Central America but enjoyed worldwide.

In Asia, papaya is used as a post-meal fruit due to the high amounts of fiber it contains. This helps aid in digestion and in several studies has shown to improve constant constipation. Daily consumption can aid in weight loss as well.

Papaya contains 200% of the daily requirement for vitamin C, combined with the fiber and natural antioxidants, it can prevent cholesterol build up in your arteries.

Papayas are great served in sauces, desserts, and puddings.

Banana

This wonderful fruit is not monkeying around when it comes to your health. The aromatic banana can be found growing all over Central America in such countries as Panama, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Costa Rica.

Bananas are a very common fruit here in the US, but you may not realize that these fun little fruits are team healthy body all the way. The banana is a powerhouse of potassium. Potassium helps to prevent muscle aches which is especially beneficial during the hotter months of the year. In fact, a medium-size banana contains 422mg of Potassium and 3 grams of dietary fiber. There are many recipes for easy desserts using banana such as a No Bake Banana Pudding Pie.

Pineapple

The pineapple comes to us from Brazil and Paraguay. Pineapple comes from the Bromeliad Family. Bromeliad is a cluster of berries that grows around one central point. That means that each scale of the pineapple is actually an individual berry and can be pulled off in pieces.

Pineapple contains 75% of the daily value of manganese which is essential for normal brain and nerve function. Manganese also supports strong bones and connective tissue. Pineapple is often used as a natural decongestant and also contains thiamin and B vitamins.

Pineapple can be used in sauces such as the Asian sweet and sour sauce. For some people, it is perfectly acceptable as a pizza topping.

Avocado

Last but not least, let’s address the tropical superfood, the avocado. Avocados are grown all over Mexico and is a staple in most average cocinas.

This odd little fruit, that could resemble a dragon egg, is a powerhouse of nutrition. Avocado contains vitamins C, E, K, and B6. In fact, the avocado contains 25% of the daily recommended value of vitamin K, supporting strong bones and preventing osteoporosis later in life.

Avocados are best served in salads and on sandwiches. For information on preserving your fruit at its peak in order to make it last, see this article from the New York Times.

Decorating Your Bedroom and Having a Total Blast

Redecorating a living space can be a ball. It can be particularly exciting to redecorate your bedroom. Bedrooms are crucial sections of homes, after all. They’re places for rest and serenity. The last thing you want is to design a bedroom that’s the opposite of soothing and welcoming. If you’re thinking about redecorating your bedroom, then you don’t necessarily have to recruit a costly interior designer for the project. That’s because you can just as easily handle things on your own. It’s vital to take all sorts of things into consideration any time you’re redecorating your bedroom as well. You should think about everything from mattresses to art pieces on the walls. The more thorough your design approach is, the better things should be for you in the end. If you have a mattress that makes your back hurt, then you’re ready to swap it out.

Exciting Ways to Redecorate Your Bedroom Independently

Decorating your bedroom without the services of a professional interior designer doesn’t mean that you can’t recruit any outside help. If you want your redecorating project to be thrilling and fulfilling, you can ask your closest friends to lend you helping hands. You can ask your closest family members to do the same. Coming up with design concepts in the company of your favorite folks can be amazing for bonding. It can be a recipe for laughter and smiles as well. If you want to be able to connect with all of the human beings you cherish the most on the planet, then you can have a superb experience decorating a room together. It can make for an outstanding and enriching weekend project for all.

A cozy bedroom is always ideal. If you want your sleep space to be 100 percent cozy, you need to consider lighting elements. Think about the type of lighting you want. Think about task lights, accent lights and beyond. Think about the lighting tone as well. Soft lighting can make you look softer to others. It can also induce feelings of peace. If you want your bedroom to feel cozy to the max, then you need to put a lot of care into the lighting selection process, period.

Flooring should also be high up on your consideration list. Some people prefer to install carpeting in their bedrooms. That’s due to the fact that the carpet is soft and often feels fantastic right next to the feet. If you admire the smoothness of carpeting, yet don’t want to commit to it fully, that’s totally okay. That’s because you can opt for a gorgeous area rug, instead. Area rugs appear in all kinds of wondrous designs, colors, and patterns. They appear in all kinds of sturdy and hardwearing materials. If you want to choose an area rug that can make your exhausted feet feel incredible, then you should test out all sorts of material options in advance.

Furniture selection is always paramount. Think carefully about all of the things you need for optimal bedroom coziness. It’s vital to invest in a tough and firm mattress that can cater to your wellness requirements. If you want to sleep soundly no matter what, then you need to assess mattresses exhaustively prior to completing any and all purchases. Some mattresses aren’t appropriate for specific body types. If you’re particularly tall, then you may want to steer clear of mattresses that are rather small. Twin mattresses in many situations just aren’t suitable for people who have taller physiques. Think in detail about firmness levels. Some people favor mattresses that are remarkably firm and hard. Others favor markedly softer ones. It’s always a matter of simple preference. Nothing can top the coziness of an amazing and well-made mattress, period.

Think about color choices any time you redecorate your bedroom. If you want your bedroom to have an energetic feel, you may want to pick colors that are radiant. If you want your bedroom to be particularly soothing, on the other hand, you may want to opt for colors that are comparatively muted. Tan bedroom design schemes can do a lot for individuals who are eager to establish spaces that can encourage restful sleeping habits each night. If you want to sleep for eight blissful hours consistently, then you may want to think about colors that are particularly pacifying.