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3 Ways To Craft a Sustainable — And Beautiful — Wedding

March 12, 2020

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, but it’s also one of the most expensive. Worse yet, it can sometimes also be bad for the environment, especially if it results in a lot of trash and decorations. If you’re one of the many people who want to help the environment, it makes sense that you would be worried about waste on your wedding day. Here are some of the best ways to have a beautiful wedding that doesn’t harm the environment.

Ditch the diamond

Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but not if they were mined at the expense of others. While diamond mining doesn’t harm the earth in the same way that oil fracking does, there is a lot of controversy over the diamond trade as a whole. In fact, there have been whole movies dedicated to exposing the blood diamond industry and showing how many people have suffered as a result of this industry.

Luckily, there are ways to avoid contributing to this controversial industry. There are plenty of beautiful, sustainable stones that can be used in place of a diamond. In fact, garnet is almost as hard a stone as a diamond, and opals are becoming increasingly popular for those who want a unique ring. If you can’t resist the allure of a diamond, though, there are alternatives there, too. Lab created diamond engagement rings are cheaper to produce than traditionally mined diamonds. On top of that, these gems are often clearer and more beautiful than natural diamonds, which might have inconsistencies in color and other clarity issues. While these diamonds are created in a lab, they are no different in beauty or materials from the diamonds that we know.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

During the chaos of a wedding, it’s tempting to cut corners. Tossing plastic in the trash and forgetting to compost leftovers are just a couple of practices that might go over your head. Worse yet, buying decorations that are meant to be used once can cost a fortune when everything is said and done.

It’s important to try to recycle anything and everything possible. Put recycling bins out around the venue in order to encourage people to use them. Additionally, using paper decorations and recycled options can help eliminate trash from the start. While you don’t need to visit a scrap yard to find these parts, performing a cursory internet search can help you find sustainable options for your wedding. For example, plants specializing in ferrous metals recycling can help you find party tables that are durable and can be used for a variety of events and situations. When you invest in these materials, being able to use them more than once is essential. If you’re not interested in keeping these items at the end of the day, you can always donate them to a good cause, too.

You might even consider buying a second-hand wedding dress for your special day. The odds are that few people will own the same dress and it might even have a few unique flairs thanks to its previous owner. In some cases, you might be able to pay homage to a family member by wearing their dress. Since you’ll only be wearing this dress once, it’s more sustainable to use dresses that have been worn before instead of shelling out for a new one. You can always take it to a tailor if you want to make it something truly original.

Ask for eco-friendly gifts

As you begin your new life with your spouse, you want to start off on the right foot. As such, asking for sustainable gifts on your wedding registry is a great first step. Encourage your guests to buy from sustainable shops with an emphasis on giving back. You can also search for environmentally friendly goods in major chains to help break the cycle of cheap, disposable goods. More often than not, these goods will last longer, look better, and be a great reminder of your special day for years to come.

Are you ready to get married? Consider these tips when you want to have a beautiful, sustainable wedding this year!

Join the discussion on this topic with Piccolo Universe by visiting our contact page.

5 Things You Should Teach Your Teen About Personal Safety

March 10, 2020

As children become teenagers, the threats they face change. Once your teen is in high school they will have greater independence and you will not always be present to guide them. That is why it is crucial to educate teens about how to identify potential risks and stay safe. Covering these essential topics will empower your teen and enable them to recognize and avoid potential threats.

1. Awareness of Surroundings

An individual’s personal information can be accessed via a free person lookup site. GoLookUp is a great tool that enables you to run background checks and review court records and arrest records. As teens age, they will come in contact with more adults. Teach them to be cautious and run a background check to determine if a person has a criminal record. Demonstrate how this can help them identify sex offenders or others who may pose a threat to their safety. Teaching your teen that it is okay to ask questions and to use tools to investigate new associates is a way to ensure that they do not put themselves in vulnerable situations with people they do not know well.

2. Temptations of Drugs and Alcohol

Despite the fact that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21, the majority of teenagers have had the opportunity to access alcohol and studies show that almost 60% of teens in the United States will have consumed alcohol by the time they are 18. High school students are also likely to binge drink. Binge drinking can cause health issues, such as alcohol poisoning, high blood pressure, and liver inflammation. Although teens are more likely to use alcohol than marijuana, teens consume both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical drugs. Teenagers are also vaping in greater numbers than ever before. Discuss the risks of consuming alcohol and drugs. Teaching your teens to identify warning signs of substance abuse can also help them identify peers who may have an issue with drugs or alcohol.

3. Cognizance of Bullying

Bullying is not limited to physical assault or name-calling. It can include excluding a person, destroying their property or gossiping about them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified a link between bullying and youth suicide rates and prepared materials for use by public and Catholic high school academics. Parents can help by discussing what bullying is and the potential impact of bullying on a person’s mental and physical well-being. Teach your child from a young age that bullying is unacceptable and should be reported so that you will be able to intervene if they are the victim of bullying. Take action when they are bullied to ensure they feel confident coming to you with any future issues. Knowing they have a parent who will help them can keep them from feeling hopeless when bullied.

4. Rules Regarding Sex and Sexting

More than half of all teenagers are sexually active by the age of 18. Despite health classes about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the risk of pregnancy, not all teens use contraceptives. Protect your teen’s health by educating them about the risks of sexual activity. You can opt to provide contraceptives to protect them from STDs and unwanted pregnancy.

It is also important to talk to teens about sexting. Sexting is the act of taking and sending sexually explicit images, videos or messages to others via text message. Over 27% of those between the ages of 12 and 17 have received sexts and these numbers are on the rise. Discuss the risks of sexting and cyberbullying to ensure your teen knows the risks involved with sexting and how that can impact their life if their images are shared.

5. Dangers of Cybercrime

Once your teen knows how to use GoLookUp to research new associates, discuss how search engines can be used by others to locate personal information about them. With their phone number and basic details, someone else may be able to access public records, identify their family members and learn their current address. Sharing personal data on sites like LinkedIn can enable strangers or associates to locate this data.

Teach your teen to use their computer responsibly and be careful about sharing personal details with others they play games with or interact with via their social network online. Teens may be approached by predators online. Discussing the risks can help your teen understand how important it is to protect their personal information and be cautious when encountering new people online.

Join the discussion on this topic with Piccolo Universe by visiting our contact page.

How To Make a White Room Feel Grand

March 1, 2020

To some people, an all-white room may feel stark, impersonal, and bland. This is often the result of an amateur effort at interior design Malibu. However, when a white room is created by a professional, it can seem very crisp and classy.

There are many potential advantages to decorating in white. It can make a room feel taller and more spacious than it actually is, and it reflects the natural light beautifully, giving the room a bright and airy feel. Here are some ideas for decorating a white room that you may want to discuss with your interior designer Brentwood.

1. Subtle Variations

You may think that choosing to decorate a room in white would be the simplest step. However, there are actually over 100 shades of white to choose from. That might seem overwhelming at first, but it gives you a lot to work with. You can combine different shades of white to produce a unique effect.

However, even if you choose to work with only one shade of white, you can incorporate varied textures, materials, and finishes to add some visual variety to the room.

2. Large Wall Art

You can think of a white wall as a blank canvas. A large, colorful painting or photograph is a good way to decorate it, and if the rest of the room is all white, the eye will be drawn to the artwork automatically. You can look for unique wall decor ideas at studio tours, local galleries, or antique stores. However, if you are on a budget, you can sometimes locate hidden treasures at a thrift store.

3. Natural Elements

To prevent a white room from becoming too antiseptic and clinical, you can include furniture with natural finishes or a hardwood floor to give the room a more organic look. You can also incorporate natural elements such as potted plants or bouquets of flowers. If it is not practical for you to grow your own plants, an alternative is to use floral-print fabrics in decorating.

4. Colorful Accents

Accents such as furniture, throw pillows, or curtains in the color of your choice can go a long way toward making a statement and warming up your white room. Remember to encourage the eye to move about the room by putting some space between your accents.

Don’t rule out black as an accent color. The contrast of black and white creates a look that is both clean and dramatic.

5. Warm Lighting

It can be difficult to make all-white spaces look as inviting at night as they are in the day. However, by choosing your lighting carefully, you can create the same effect. For example, you can choose lamps with white shades made of silk or cotton. During the day, they will blend in unobtrusively with the white décor. At night, however, they will cast the room in a soft, warm glow.

The Professional Touch

Decorating a space in all white isn’t necessarily that difficult, but it is also easy to do incorrectly. A professional interior designer can provide guidance specific to the space you want to decorate.

Join the discussion on this topic with Piccolo Universe by visiting our contact page.

Wedding Season Is Near: Time To Start Reserving Your Rentals

February 25, 2020

Every year, the optimal wedding season extends from late spring through early fall. If you plan to get married during this time, you should start planning now. The later you wait, the fewer options you will have when it comes to wedding rentals such as venues, wedding table rentals and other things. To help you plan the perfect wedding, here are a few things you should know about wedding rentals and other wedding planning tips.

Guest Count Should Come First

Before you can select a venue that will be the perfect fit for your big day, you need to make sure you have enough room for your guests. For this reason, figuring out the approximate number of attendees should be the first thing you do. Generally, it’s best to allow for approximately 25 square feet per guest. This may seem like a lot, but keep in mind that this space includes all tables, dancing space, etc.

Figure Out What Furniture You Want

You’ll need furniture at your event, so take some time to figure out what you need. From tables to chairs and even lounge chairs, make sure your guests have someplace to sit to eat and relax. You may even want to rent dressers or shelving units so you have more space for decorative elements.

Don’t Forget the Bar

Want to serve drinks at your event? If your venue doesn’t already come with a bar, don’t forget to rent one in advance. It doesn’t need to be huge. Just make sure it’s large enough to accommodate your attendees.

Pay Attention to the Little Details

The little details can really make things come together on your wedding day. In addition to your main table settings, add a few charming touches, such as stemless glassware or a water goblet rental. Make sure all the small details complement each other and fit in with your overall wedding theme.

Add a “Wow” Factor

When you’re choosing wedding rentals, consider adding one or two things that really stand out and demand attention. For example, a vintage trailer could be the perfect backdrop for your vintage wedding. An old-fashioned soda shack could take your rustic wedding over the top. And driving off to your honeymoon on a vintage vespa will make the crowd go wild. Look for unique items to rent that will help you make a statement and create an unforgettable impression on your guests.

Rent the Perfect Lighting

The venue you choose should have lighting already, but you may decide to add a little more character with rented lighting. From gorgeous chandeliers to understated solstice lanterns, you can find lighting that will add just the right touch of magic to your big day.

Select the Right Backdrop

A backdrop or arbor is a necessity if you’re getting married outdoors. Even if you’re getting married indoors, the right backdrop can become a beautiful focal point. Backdrops and arbors tend to get reserved early, so make your selection as soon as possible. There are many options to choose from, including wood pergolas, macramé backdrops and circle arches.

Deciding on wedding rentals can be a lot of fun. Get creative and remember that reserving early is key to getting exactly what you want.

If you like the Piccolo Universe and want to read more on the topic of Budget, check this out.

Joining the Airbnb Business Model: What to Look For

February 25, 2020

Many people are looking for new ways to create passive income. One of the best ways is through vacation rentals through a popular service called Airbnb. Whether you use AirBnB or do something similar to it, there are a few aspects to keep in mind in order for your business to be successful. This article will discuss those aspects, so you can have the best chance of success.

What is the Airbnb Business Model?

Before you can succeed, you need to understand how the business model works. Airbnb allows everyday people to invest in properties that they turn into rentals. These rentals could be as simple as an extra apartment, a guest house, or a separate living space entirely. Those individuals then rent the living space out to vacationers for a set value of money each night.

Some Airbnb hosts go above and beyond for their clients. They may offer to cook meals for them, provide them with fine wine, shuttle them around the area, or just leave them alone in peace if their guests wish it. How you choose to operate your own business is entirely up to you. Just keep in mind that the added service could warrant an increase in their nightly stay cost.

Many people choose to rent small cabins, homes, guest homes, and even apartments for their vacations because it gives them some autonomy. At a hotel, they’re always reliant upon the hotel staff for doing things for them. They’re also typically crammed into a smaller space with a lot of people around them.

Vacation rentals give them room and privacy. They’re able to feel like they’re at a resort without paying for the resort prices. For some vacationers, they may feel more like the locals, which is the kind of experience that they’re going for.

This business model is a great method for being in passive income because it allows the hosts to pay for the cost of the house out of the money that the business makes. It also gives them enough of a profit to use themselves.

Hospitality can be a booming business if you know what aspects to look out for in order to boost your return on investment. Here are a few of those aspects.

1. Know City and State Regulations for Your Business Model

Depending on what state and city you live in, you may have regulations that govern how big the vacation rental has to be. There may also be other regulations that dictate whether or not you can rent a space out if it rests on the property of your primary residence.

If you intend to build a vacation rental, then you also need to make sure that the construction follows all of the regulations of the city and state. Even your local township may have rules about its construction.

Taxes, especially, are important to understand. Real estate income taxes can be difficult to understand. You’ll want to make sure that your city and state doesn’t demand a ridiculous cut of your profits through taxes alone.

2. Calculate ROI

As with any business, you’re going to invest a great deal in it. This might mean renovating certain parts of the rental to make it brand new. Most vacationers will want to stay in a home that looks clean and new. This is especially true if you’re going to charge a high price for their nightly stay.

Some additional investments that you may consider are putting in a hot tub, a small pool, or a game room. These added amenities can bring in a lot of traffic to your rental. However, if the cost of putting them in takes a heavy toll on your returns, you may not be able to make enough money for those investments to pay off in any great way.

You’ll also need to consider costs like electricity, water, sewer, property taxes, and other costs that you’ll have to pay for. While the business should pay those off itself, if you’re not making a return in the 5-10% range, then your investment isn’t exactly worth it.

3. Property Taxes

When choosing a place to either buy or build a vacation rental, you’ll also need to consider property taxes. These can be hefty prices that will drive up the monthly cost of owning the rental. If you’re not seeing a lot of traffic in the rental throughout the year, you might have to pay those taxes and monthly costs out of your own pocket.

It’s a good idea to try and find a place that has low property taxes. However, if you can find a sweet spot in an area that has a lot of tourists, then you might be able to take on higher property taxes as long as you have a steady flow of vacationers using your rental.

The gamble is ultimately up to you.

4. Location, Location, Location

Perhaps the most important decision you’re going to make is where to place your rental. You’ll want to choose an area that has a heavy tourist flow like Old Town Scottsdale in Arizona. This area should see tourists, but it should have a heavy business flow.

Businesses should hold regular meetings at a conference center nearby. This allows you to attract not only vacationers but also business executives who have to travel to the area for their meetings. In this way, you can diversify your renters and ensure you have a steady income throughout the year.

Another aspect to consider is having a rental close to a conference center for comic cons. Every year, thousands and thousands of nerds travel across the country for comic conventions. Many of the hotels quickly become filled up. These travelers are eager to find a space where they can stretch out and have fun while attending the comic con. Your rental could be the perfect choice for them if it resides close to a convention center.

City and downtown areas also offer a lot of opportunities for bachelor and bachelorette parties. You could market your rental as the place to party and prepare for a wedding. You could even take it a step above their expectations and give them bridal or groom gifts as a token of appreciation for choosing your rental. They’ll likely remember the gesture and use your rental again in the future.

Sticking close to tourist hotspots, conference centers, and in areas that see a lot of seasonal traffic is a great way to ensure that your rental sees traffic throughout the year. Take the time to research an area to determine just how active its city center is before you make an investment.

5. Affordable Property Value

One final thing to consider is the property value. You don’t want to spend all of your money on just buying the rental. This won’t leave you much for renovating it to suit the needs of your guests.

However, the investment might be worth it if you can find a rental that’s close to the city center or a conference center. This is because you might be able to charge higher nightly costs. People are willing to pay more if they’re closer to the shops and activities that they’re there for in the first place.

One good way to ensure you keep seeing business is to lower your price just that of the popular hotels in the area. Those looking for a deal will choose you even if it’s only a few dollars cheaper than the hotel.

If you happen to be looking in the Scottsdale, AZ area to start in Airbnb, look up the Scottsdale realtor team The Kay-Grant Group. They specialize in this type of investment property.

A Branding Guide For Realtors

February 25, 2020

As a real estate agent your brand is everything. Developing your brand should be your primary focus when you are starting out as a real estate agent. The competition is fierce and you are constantly facing the ever-changing landscape that is being developed by experienced, seasoned professionals who are always looking for cutting edge advantages and techniques that make them stand out from the crowd.

There are a number of methods that the most successful realtors in the business employ that you should embark upon right at the start of your career. These tried and true methods will help you establish a foothold in the business and will propel your career onward and upward.

Digital and Social Media Marketing

Many realtors that are beginning in the business already have social media accounts. Take advantage of your personal following and begin to transition them to a business page you will create for yourself as a real estate agent. Do not take for granted the fact that your friends and family know you are a real estate agent. You will be surprised how many people have no idea what you do for a living-you must make it a point to specifically tell them. Do this by launching a campaign on your social media accounts announcing that you are now working as a real estate agent and are actively soliciting buyers and sellers for their business. Take the time to create a professional-looking business page on all of the available social media and digital platforms. Do the research as to which ones are the most effective and invest the time. The more time you invest in developing your own business, the more results you will see. You are now an entrepreneur and “if you don’t make the deposits, you cannot make the withdrawals“.

Interact heavily with your audience-post your business card and any listings you may have frequently. Always develop fresh content so that people continue to follow you and come back for more. Engagement is vital, so set up “frequently asked question “forums and live broadcasts so that people can get to know you virtually. Having a first-time home buyer question and answer session on Facebook or Instagram live is a great way to draw traffic to your professional pages. This is only one of the many methods you can employ as a realtor to generate interest in your brand and to develop a genuine and transparent reputation.

Word of mouth

Everyone you see is a potential client. This is because pretty much everyone you interact with lives in a house of some sort. Present homeowners might be looking to list their home or have friends and family that might be doing the same. Renters might be looking to purchase a home for the first time. Do not take for granted that anyone you meet is outside the scope of your sphere of influence. When you go to the grocery store, introduce yourself to the person behind the counter and tell them what you do. Spread the word to the local community constantly-every single person you meet is a potential client or knows a potential client. You will be surprised how many people do not know a reputable real estate agent and will say to you “I was looking for a realtor – I am happy I met you”. Collect as many business cards as you can and immediately enter the full contact information into your cell phone. Create a separate section of contacts in your cell phone for professional relationships. Organize your business cards and send out text messages regularly to stay in front of them. The “open” rate of text messages is much higher than that of emails. Almost every single text message is opened and you should take advantage of this.

Little wrinkles such as sending birthday cards to your clients, anniversary cards and small reminders go a long way. Very often, homeowners who you represent when they purchased the home will come back to you to list their home at the time of sale simply because you remain in touch with them through the years. Do not discount this – it is a very real circumstance that successful professionals make use of on a regular basis. Stay in touch with your clients because they will refer their family and friends to you and your network will grow rapidly.

Local community activities

Join your local Rotary club and begin looking into local charities that appeal to you. Make your presence felt in person at all of these events. This is great public relations for you and your brand. Giving back to the community is essential, not only as a real estate professional but as an overall theme. Do you want to push to write a professional wholesome image and become ensconced in your local community? Making friends with local business owners and contributing to their local businesses is essential. Visit with as many local business owners as you can and become involved in as many personal appearances at local community events as possible.

Direct Mail

Making use of direct mailing websites such as Wisepelican.com, who specialize in postcards for realtors, will grow your client base at a very fast pace. Using wisepelican.com, you will be able to create custom mailers and launch campaigns anywhere in the country. This platform will manage your email lists and track the campaign delivery for you. The mailers themselves will display your picture and photographs and details of your listings. This will introduce you to a wide range of buyers and sellers across your geographical region. This is a consistent source of marketing that is employed by realtors throughout the country. At just $.70 per post card, which includes postage, and no minimum order, you can create a custom campaign that suits your budget and preferences.

Putting the aforementioned strategies into practice from day one is essential to the success of your real estate brand and business. Commit yourself to at least 2-3 hours per day to build your brand. At the outset, it will require an investment of your time but it is worth it. People are looking for genuine, authentic, approachable individuals who they can trust when it comes time to sell or purchase a home. Do not discount this and be certain that you are fully transparent with everyone you interact with. Hand out your business cards, attend functions in person and follow up with your clients regularly. Be engaging, cheerful, upbeat, smile, have a firm handshake, be on time and arrive in a vehicle that is always clean and neat. These are very important factors to keep in mind. If you make use of this message, you will see that more and more referrals will come your way and your brand will build organically over the years.

Join the discussion on this topic with Piccolo Universe by visiting our contact page.

Tips To Help You Attract Top Employees of Your Competitors

February 20, 2020

Headhunting is becoming common among different companies these days. It’s a strategy to allow you to bring into your team someone who works for another company. Apart from crippling your competitors, you’re also boosting your company. However, it’s not easy to convince employees to move to the other side. Some of them already established loyalty to their employers, and they don’t want to leave because they received an offer from your company.

If you really want to attract these employees, you can consider these steps.

Partner with head-hunters

You can find firms that specialise in headhunting. They know how to convince employees of different companies to work with a competitor. They don’t only study these potential candidates, but they also determine if they perfectly match with your business. They also have different tricks to make these employees believe that moving to a different company would be in their best interest.

Offer a competitive salary

The best way for you to convince these employees to work with you is to offer a competitive salary. Some of them might feel frustrated with their current employer because they’re not getting enough pay. By giving higher pay, they will consider moving. They don’t want to stay with the same company that doesn’t recognise their value. You need to know the current average salary for the same post so you can determine how much more you’re going to pay to attract the employee.

Offer opportunities for growth

Some of these top employees remain loyal to their employers because they don’t want to start over again. However, they also recognise that they are already becoming stagnant due to the lack of opportunities for growth. By giving them different options for personal and professional development, you might persuade them to move to your company. Sometimes, top employees are not only after how much they’re getting from the job but how much they can really grow as a person.

Offer a leadership post

One of the ways to show that you value an employee is by offering a leadership post. Some employees have been around for a long time, but are yet to receive an opportunity to lead a team. If you’re offering them a salary bump, and a high post in the company, it might be enough to convince them to move over to your side.

Highlight the relaxing work environment that your company has

Another reason why employees might leave their job is that they don’t like the work environment. If they can find a new job where they don’t have to deal with the same toxic workplace all the time, they might grab the chance. Therefore, you have to talk about how relaxing your workplace is, and how much your employees love working with the company. For instance, if you’re organising a fairground activity, it might be an excellent way to entice these potential employees. It’s unusual for a company to host this event, but it can be a lot of fun. Partner with a company offering fairground rides for hire if you are yet to try hosting such an event.

With these tips, there might be an excellent chance that you can convince someone else’s employee to move to your company.

To read more on topics like this, check out the business category.

7 Simple Ways to Save More Money Every Month

February 10, 2020

Unless your income greatly exceeds your expenditure or you’re expecting a windfall, the best way to save money is little and often. What might start as a regular trickle will soon turn into a puddle, and before you know, you’ll have a pool of money that you can use to help you achieve your long-term financial goals, whatever they may be.

Here are seven simple techniques you can use to save more money each month. And, if you need a little extra help sharpening your saving skills, this online guide should help. So let’s get started!

Track your expenses

Save all the receipts for the purchases you make in a month and gather your monthly bills together to get an accurate idea of what you’re spending. You should then split your costs into two categories: needs and wants, to see which expenses you could do reduce or completely do without.

Delay impulse decisions

Are you a sucker for a sale? Rather than splashing the cash, always delay impulse decisions that you might make online or in-store until the next day. If the purchase is still one you really want to make, that’s fine, as long as you don’t break your budget.

Reduce your energy bills

Energy is one of the largest monthly expenses for many people. You can do your wallet and the environment a favour by being more mindful of the energy you’re using. Turn off appliances at the mains when they’re not in use, cut down on your shower time and wear more clothes around the house to reduce your heating costs.Here’s a few additional bonus tips to help you reduce your energy bills.

Get a cheaper phone and broadband deal

Has it been a while since you changed your broadband or mobile phone contract? Then you’re almost certainly paying too much. Mobile phone and broadband providers do not reward loyalty, so it’s well worth shopping around for a new deal to see how much you could save. You can also watch free TV on Infinity Dish instead of having a big monthly cable bill and save tons of extra money per month.

Be smarter about spending on food

Many people overspend on food by eating out too often, having regular takeaways or buying food during the day while they’re at work. Taking the time to prepare your meals at home can help you make a significant saving over the month while improving the nutritional value of the food you eat.

Cancel subscription services you don’t need

Many people have gym memberships or Netflix subscriptions they don’t use nearly enough to justify the expense. Break it down by cost per use and if it doesn’t make good financial sense, cancel it right now. There are plenty of cheaper options out there such as free streaming services or going for a run in the great outdoors.

Negotiate everything

Consumers are just waking up to the fact that prices for many products and services can be negotiated. Many people don’t feel comfortable negotiating initially, but it’s a habit that’ll quickly become second nature when you realise how much you can save. You can haggle on everything from car insurance to utilities and products brought in stores.

Share your tips with our readers

Do you have any money-saving tips of your own? Please share your experiences with our readers in the comments section below.

To read more on topics like this, check out the budget category

What Does Rhinoplasty Nose Surgery Involve

February 8, 2020

You may have been thinking of having a nose job for years, with an idea in your mind and how you would love your nose to look. You make look longing at someone else’s nose, a small petite nose, wishing yours was just like theirs. Perhaps you have a bent or broken nose, or a hump on the bridge, enlarged nostrils or a particularly long or wide nose. So you’re probably thinking about a rhinoplasty nose surgery, what does this involve?

What Does Rhinoplasty Nose Surgery Involve?

A rhinoplasty involves a surgical change to your nose shape. It can be carried out through the nose, so no outward scars are visible, or can be carried out through an incision in the front of the nose between the nostrils to give the surgeon full access to your nose. This second approach will be done in a discreet play where scarring is faint. During the surgery the surgeon will take away any unwanted flesh, restructure the nose by taking away or replacing cartilage in the nose structure, using cartilage from the ear or ribs to build a new framework. They may also reduce nostril size and reshape the nose.

Pre-surgery you will agree with your surgeon what you would like the end result to look like and they will produce visuals showing what your nose should look like following the surgery. You can then make adjustments to these images until you feel that the end result is what you want.

Nasal surgery can also be done to help with the function of the nose, perhaps you have always struggled to breathe through your nose or since it has been broken you have suffered with this issue. So the nasal structure can be altered to improve breathing using cartilage to support the nasal passages.

Recovery Following Rhinoplasty

A rhinoplasty surgery should take a few hours and will be carried out under anesthetic. It is likely you will be released home the same day following your surgery wearing a nasal splint to protect your nose. The second and third day after recovery you may feel worse with a lot of swelling and pain, but by the fourth day this will subside and you will feel a lot better. A full recovery is expected after two weeks when the nasal splint will be removed. However you are best to avoid strenuous activity and certainly contact sport for a couple of month until your nose is fully healed from the surgery.

If you have had open rhinoplasty surgery then your scarring may take awhile to fade and should become unnoticeable after six to twelve months when it is no longer red.

Rhinoplasty is certainly a good option for someone who has had nasal trauma, has difficulty breathing or would like to change the look of their natural nose. It is a relatively simple and quick procedure and recovery time shouldn’t put your life on hold too much. A new nose could make all the difference to you.

To read more on topics like this, check out the health category.

How To Choose Top Rated Stainless Steel Nails

February 8, 2020

Selecting the right nail for the job can be difficult, there are so many options, in terms of type of nail, size of head, length, grade, construction material and galvanization. How can you pick top rated stainless steel nails?

Top Rated Stainless Steel Nails

Let’s run through some of the types of nails and what they’re used for. First of all finish nails which include micro pins, brad nails, straight finish nails, and angle nails. Micro pins are used for very fine detail finishing on furniture, trims and fine carpentry. They are headless nails to avoid splitting and to leave minimal entry holes. Brad nails are slightly larger with a small head to again cover furniture assembly, beading, decorative trims, and panel assembly.

Flooring cleat nails are for hardwood floor application and come in an L-Shape for ease of application. They are engineered with a ribbed shank to increase power and prevent floors from squeaking. Coil nails are those that come on a coil for ease of application, primarily for roofing projects. Strip nails are again collated in strips for nail guns and angled for precision delivery.

The material the nails is finished in can make the difference to the longevity of the lifespan of a nail based on where the finish product is located. Standard electro galvanized nails have some corrosion resistance but should only be used for interior work. The very thin layer of zinc coating will prevent rust and corrosion in an indoor environment.

If you finish piece will be outdoors, then you should opt for 304 grade stainless steel finish which is suitable for outdoor applications. The nails shouldn’t rust and corrode or discolor the surrounding wood. They can also be used in acidic and oil based woods such as ACQ treated timber, redwood, cedar, and exotic woods. However, for marine and tropical application you will need to upgrade to 316 grade stainless steel nails. These nails are suitable for tropical, seaside, and even saltwater contact and are viewed as marine grade fasteners by the industry.

Copper nails are sometimes used for roofing and slating purposes. They match copper flashing and they have proven durability and holding power. Although copper is more expensive than aluminum and stainless steel, it is proven to withstand more years of wear and tear, particularly in outdoor environments subject to rain. So although they may be more expensive initially they will save you from future repair and replacement.

To accompany your nails, if you’re someone who does a lot of nail work you may also want to invest in a nail gun. Different types of nails require different nail guns though so ensure that you buy the right tool for the nails you use most often. A standard nailer will nail some grades of bard nails but not fine nails and some smaller brad nails. Some guns only nail coil nails, and others strip nail collations. So if in doubt speak to a specialist at your tool store.

To read more on topics like this, check out the home & garden category.