7 Tips & Tricks for Your Maiden Property Investment

To increase their income people often choose to invest their money. There are several investment options like bonds, stocks, etc. which can give the needed boost to the income. People often want to spend where the risk of losing the money is small. One of the safest investment options is investing in property. If it is the first time you are investing in property, then you may find the process overwhelming. It is important that you are careful when entering into the property business.

Here are some tips that are critical for successful investments in property.

1. Always Have a Business Plan:

Investing your money is a business whether you are investing in bonds or property. You need to take it seriously and treat it like one. Before you put your money in this business, you need to have a whole plan. You should know why you are investing in property, how much to invest and the returns you expect to see.

2. Get an Expert Opinion:

Getting an opinion from a professional is always a good idea. They know the patterns of industry and where it is best to invest. You can go to your lender or any mortgage broker to get an expert opinion. You need to know exactly what your financial condition is so you can determine how much you can afford to invest. Checking the credit rating, reducing the limit of credit cards and debt is necessary before putting your money in the business.

3. Keep in Touch with like-Minded People:

It is important to surround yourself with individuals who have a better understanding of the industry like a solicitor, accountant, financial broker, etc. Keeping in touch with people who are also investing in property is important. The advent of social media has made it easy to create an interactive forum. People can share their stories on a social network, and it is an excellent way of learning from the experience of other investors.

4. Know Your Budget:

Before you invest your money, it is important that your budget can handle it. You need to know your expenses and income. You should be aware of the debt levels so that you can keep the property from negative returns. It can happen when the flow of cash is not enough to cover the repayments of loans, taxes, interest rates, insurance, etc. You can also decide the down payment assistance options according to the financial conditions.

5. Be Realistic while Determining the Demand for Property:

It is important that you calculate the value of the estate realistically. Whether the investment is short-term or long-term, it will get better profits if you are smart and the investment is based on a sound evaluation. The location which attracts more customers can maintain their value among the investors. You also need to consider the resale value of the property if you wish to get a good profit. So make sure that you are paying enough for the property and it can get you the best returns.

6. Get Assistance from an Agent:

Investing in property without professional help is a bad idea. You can always take advantage of the professional opinion of the real estate agents. You need to hire an investor who is an experienced realtor. He will know the technicalities of investing in the property. It is important to understand the terms such as profit, debt, return on investment, etc.

7. Taking Advantage of the Tax Perks:

If you want to make sure that the property investment is profitable, then the important thing is continuous cash flow. If the bottom line is not stable, then the whole asset base can be in danger. There are so many income tax incentives that are available to the investors of residential real estate. You can take advantage of these incentives to increase the cash flow. You should discuss the possibilities with an accountant so that you can save money.

By keeping all of these important things in mind, you can make your investment highly profitable.

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Meditation Demystified: 3 Easy Tips to Get it Right

Throughout my life (and I assume just about everyone’s life!) I’ve tried many different things to improve myself. Usually, I’m looking for ways to reduce my stress levels, develop better habits and think more positively – basically to be a happier person.

I’ve tried keeping a bullet journal (didn’t work for me), hypnotizing myself to eat less dessert (nope), reading a million self-help books (hit and miss), downloading productivity apps (which usually distract me from actually working). A lot of these things were either hogwash or just weren’t for me (some of my friends really like bullet journals!)

The one thing I’m fully confident of, the one thing that actually worked for me is meditation. Over the last year, I’ve been meditating consistently for 15 minutes a day. How has it changed me? I’m generally less stressful about insignificant things, I’m more focused at work, and my personal relationships are the strongest they’ve been in my entire life.

It has definitely changed me for the better.

The Health Benefits of Meditation

You should start meditating today, if you’re not already. The benefits I’ve seen from meditation have been profound, but that’s merely an anecdote. What does the science say?

The scientific community has come to the resounding consensus that meditation is good for you (duh!) People have known this for centuries, but now scientific studies are finally catching up. Meditation helps us manage stress, reduce anxiety, and in some cases prevent depression.

People who meditate are generally less distracted and can focus on tasks for greater periods of time. Basically, it helps you work harder and for longer periods of time.

Another interesting scientific finding on meditation is that it can aid in drug recovery. Studies have shown for a long time that stressful situations and experiences can lead to relapse in recovering addicts. Now we’re beginning to understand that meditation can be a powerful tool to deal with stress and prevent relapses.

Common elements among all meditation styles

There are many different meditation techniques out there, as well as schools of thought on the theory behind meditation. One book on meditation will tell you one thing, and the next book will tell you another. My suggestion to you, for now, is to ignore all that noise and just begin your meditation practice. You can always learn the theory and try new techniques later.

The different schools of meditation thought all share a few common elements regarding meditation. To summarize these points, we can say that meditation consists of three things:

1. A peaceful, quiet area in which you can meditate. Perhaps this is a special room in your house or if you’re trying to meditate at work, an unused conference room. The important thing is that you feel safe, it’s quiet, and people aren’t coming and going in it, which could distract you from your practice.
2. A comfortable meditation posture. Some people will recommend sitting cross-legged on a pillow on the floor, your back straight. Some will recommend sitting on the edge of a chair. Still others will recommend lying on the ground. At this point in your meditation practice, it doesn’t matter. Choose a posture in which you’ll be comfortable for up to 15 minutes – but not too comfortable or else you might fall asleep!
3. An object on which you can focus your mind. Many people mistakenly believe that to meditate means to clear your mind of all thoughts, everything. While this is the end goal for many meditation practitioners, it’s not something many people can or want to achieve when they first begin meditating. Instead of thinking of nothing, fill your mind with a relaxed focus on one object. This can be nearly anything: your breath, the tip of your nose, the repetition in your mind of a few words (AKA a “mantra”). The important thing is to fix your mind on this object and try to not let your mind wander away from it.

After you’ve achieved these three fundamentals, resolve to meditate for a set period of time -10 minutes is a good place to start. After 10 minutes is up, pat yourself on the back. You’ve completed your first meditation session!

Your First Meditation Routine

The last section showed you how there’s no one correct way to meditate. Many different paths and techniques are available to you as you embark upon your meditation quest. Find your own way; there’s no real way to do meditation wrong, as long as you dedicate time and effort to your practice.

I did, however, want to share one meditation routine that has worked well for me and will work well for beginners. But feel free to modify it as you see fit!

Beginner Meditation Routine

When: Morning, soon after you wake up. (Meditating early in the morning will help you to maintain the peace you gained in your session with you throughout your day.)

Where: On the floor in your bedroom

Posture: Sit upright. Use a balled up pillow if the floor is hard or your hips aren’t flexible

Time: Set a timer on your phone for 10 minutes. Cease meditation when it goes off

Objective: Breath through your nose. Focus your mind on your breathing in and out. Focus especially on the sensation of the breath entering and leaving your nostrils. When your mind wanders from the sensation of the breath, gently lead it back to your objective.

One Last Thing to Consider: Guided meditation

Before I leave you to begin meditating, I wanted to throw one last thing out there. If you’re having trouble focusing throughout a short meditation session, consider doing a guided meditation. Guided meditation is simply meditating while someone else guides you through what you should be focusing on, how you should be breathing, etc. When I first began meditation, following guided instructions were invaluable in focusing my attention on my meditation session.

You can either use a recording of a guided meditation. (Look on YouTube and Spotify for high quality and free recordings.) Or you can attend a class at a local meditation center.

Featured photo credit: Pixabay via pixabay.com

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Top 10 Coolest Holiday Gifts to Buy

Every year, there is always at least one person on your holiday gift list that is extremely difficult to buy for. They either already have everything that they need, or they are very picky about things and it can be difficult to make the best choice for them. No matter who you are shopping for, there are always things you can find that will be perfect, even for the most quirky of personalities. For instance, check out our top 10 coolest holiday gifts to buy.

1. Lifestraw Personal Water Filter

We all need to drink at least eight glasses of water daily, but it is not always easy to find clean water, especially if one is camping or hiking. Give your friends the gift of clean water. This cool gift is the only one of its kind that meets all EPA standards.

2. Galaxy Lollipops

If you have someone on your gift list who has a sweet tooth, they will love SparkoSweets Galaxy Lollipops. In fact, some people may even think that these are way too pretty to eat, because they are basically edible art.

3. Adult Yoda Socks

Who doesn’t love the Star Wars series of movies? You don’t have to be a kid to love this series, and these socks prove it. Give Yoda socks to the adult Star Wars fan on your gift list this year, and they can wear “the force” every day.

4. Dancing Water LED Fountains Speakers

Music lovers on your list will really love these low-priced, quality speakers that feature hypnotizing water beats that they can control. They can crank their favorite tunes, and watch the water dance in four beautiful colors to the beat of the music. The louder the music is, the more the water dances.

5. Go Bookmark

These hand-crafted bookmarks are ideal for the avid readers on your holiday gift list. They are made with polymer clay, acrylic paint, metal, and varnish, and there are five awesome designs to choose from. These are great for both adults and children who are into reading and gaming.

6. Christmas Pattern Engraved Rolling Pin

The cooks on your gift list will love being able to make engraved holiday cookies and other treats when they use this rolling pin. With the rolling pin comes a gift pack with advice on how to get the best looking cookies, and there are loads of great recipes for recipients to try out.

7. Cardboard Mugs

Surprise your friends with ceramic coffee mugs that look like they are made out of cardboard. At first glance, no one would ever know that they are not actually cardboard, making this a fun gift idea for any coffee lover.

8. Dried Pressed Flowers Phone Case

Most people have iPhones these days, and most iPhone owners like to keep their devices in cases. This beautiful case is made with real, dried, and pressed flowers, and is the perfect gift for your friends who love flowers and want to keep their devices protected.

9. Cute Manatee Planter

This adorable little planter is perfect for small plants. Gift it by itself to a friend, or plant a succulent, cacti, etc. in it. This has no drainage hole, so it is best for plants that do not require a lot of water. It is ideal for a windowsill, office desk, shelf, etc.

10. Personalized Docking Station

This charging station is great for the men in your life who are difficult to buy for. Each station can be personalized, and each one is one hundred percent hand-crafted in a smoke-free and pet-free studio. This is a gift that the ladies on your list will like as well.

Featured photo credit: Annie Spratt via unsplash.com

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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Headphones in 4 Steps

In the last few years, headphone technology has made huge strides forward. In light of the recently released Apple’s iPhone 7 having no 3.5mm jack, this is especially clear.

And if you’re in the market for a new pair of headphones you might be confused by all the various headphones, earbuds, and earphones on the market. How can you make sure to make the right decision without overpaying by tens or hundreds of dollars?

Don’t worry; in this guide, I’ll explain how you can pick the perfect audio accessory without breaking the bank.

1. Don’t Worry About the Brand

In 2014, ConsumserReports.org found that Grado headphones beat both Beats and Bose devices when it comes to sound quality.

And yet most people have never heard of Grado.

What does that tell you?

First, that great marketing doesn’t necessarily make a product great. Dr. Dre is an iconic music producer but the headphones he endorses may not be your best choice – especially since rumor has it they only cost around $14 to manufacture.

And this is rule #1. If you’re serious about getting great quality for your hard-earned money, don’t worry about the brand of the headphones you’re buying. And if you do care about brands, just buy whatever’s popular; I won’t tell anyone.

2. Pick a Headphone Type

Modern headphones come in 4 general types:

1. Over-ear headphones. These tend to have a powerful bass range but can be bulky to carry and loud to the people around you.
2. Earbuds are easy to carry in your pocket and can provide amazing sound quality. Even better, many companies offer custom earbuds that fit your ear perfectly.
3. Noise-canceling and noise-reducing headphones block external sounds fully or partially. In the past, they were extremely expensive – especially the noise-canceling variety. Today, you can get a pair for as little as $20 – or $200 for a high-end pair.
4. Wireless headphones. The new apple AirPods released concurrently with the iPhone 7 are one example. These operate via Bluetooth and require no wire to use, which is convenient.

Consider the pros and cons of each headphone type before looking at any specific models. Nowadays, most stores help you make the right choice by separating headphones into general categories – and Amazon even has a few extra sub-categories like “foldable headphones”.

3. Read Reviews or Visit a Store

The best way to find out whether a headphone is good is by listening to it personally – or reading a review made by someone who has. At the end of the day, a device can be made from great materials, look good on paper and seem like a bargain…

But unless someone you trust has recommended it, be careful about ordering it online.

Fortunately, plenty of websites offers extensive headphone reviews. Cnet has a wonderful “best of 2016” review series that covers various kinds of headphones. Other websites get as specific as listing the best wireless headphones for TVs available on the market.

That means there’re lots of places to look for information. Just remember to…

4. Buy Your Headphones From a Reliable Store

It can be easy to confuse real brand headphones with cheap imitations at first glance. Many unscrupulous online sellers take advantage of this by selling fakes that resemble the real deal.

Unfortunately, the whole point of nice headphones is that they reproduce music well – and you don’t get that with a pair of knock-offs. That’s why it’s important to buy yours from a store you trust; preferably, one recommended by friends.

Maximize Your Headphone’s Usage

Don’t you hate it when your headphones get tangled? How about losing small earbuds; isn’t that a pain?

I think so too. Here’re just a few things you can do:

1. Turn headphones into speakers using paper cups
2. Wrap headphones without tangling them
3. Turn the wire into a headphone case (!!!)

If you like the sound of these useful hacks, here’s more information – and have fun choosing and buying your new headphones!

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4 Things That Will Happen When You Stop Washing Your Hair Daily

Around a century ago, it was common to wash hair just once a month. But today, Americans are washing their hair on average 5 times a week. This is twice as much as Europeans who averaged just 2.5 weekly shampoos. According to many stylists and barbers, we should wash less often for hair that is healthy and easy to manage. Here are a few things that will happen once you forego daily shampooing.

1. You’ll Save At Least An Extra 30 Minutes Every Morning

One of the biggest benefits from washing your hair less often is the ability to sleep in. According to one poll, the average woman spends 10 minutes each day washing their day and another 30 minutes blow drying and styling for a total of 40 minutes. If you wash your hair 5 times a week, you’ll save an extra 3 hours each week to spend as you please.

2. Less Exposure To Harmful Chemicals

You’ll reduce your exposure to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, also known as SLS, a harsh chemical found in many shampoos as well as a household cleaning product. SLS is responsible for creating the rich later and bubbles when we wash. Frequent exposure to SLS strips hair of its natural sebum and has been linked to cancer as well as skin irritation.

3. Your Hair Will Become Healthier

Your hair produces it’s own natural hair oils or sebum which helps to keep it smooth, moisturized and prevents breakage. Excessive washing strips hair of its natural oils and can lead to hair that’s dry and brittle. Invest in a boar bristle brush which is more efficient than a synthetic brush at redistributing your hair’s natural oils which form at the scalp throughout your strands. This will not only help to condition your hair naturally but also give it more sheen.

Less frequent shampoos also equal less time spent blow drying for healthier hair. When you do decide to heat-style, pick a hair dryer with tourmaline technology which emits infrared negative ions for less heat damage to your hair.

4. Your Hair Color & Highlights Will Last Longer

You can extend the life of your hair color and highlights by washing less frequently. Colored hair can be more porous from damage and daily shampoos can cause the color molecule to leave the hair color.

Hair color experts suggest washing dyed hair just twice a week with a gentle shampoo to preserve your color.

How to Get Started

So how often should you wash your hair? Experts agree that there isn’t one hard and steadfast rule; it depends on your hair type, comfort level, and daily activities. For example, if you exercise vigorously a few times a week, you may still end up having to wash more frequently compared to someone who keeps their hair dry.

Find the thought of not washing your hair every 3-4 days a bit daunting? Here are a few simple tips to help you ease into it.

• Start Off Washing Your Hair Just Every Other Day

Start off slow by washing hair just every other day. When shampooing, concentrate at just the scalp since this is the area that tends to accumulate the most oils. When applying conditioner there’s no need to apply it all over since this will weigh hair down; instead, concentrate the product towards the ends which tend to be driest. Once you’re comfortable with washing your hair every other day, you can try not washing for two days in a row.

• Incorporate A Dry Shampoo

Start using a dry shampoo on the days you don’t shampoo. Dry shampoos work to absorb your hair’s oils and keep it smelling fresh. Most popular dry shampoos are available in aerosol form. Make sure to hold the can an arm’s length away from your scalp and concentrate the product at the roots which tend to get greasy first. Gently massage or brush the product into your scalp. One trick is to apply dry shampoo before you go to sleep; this will help to absorb oil at night.

• Try A Scalp Tonic If You Have Thick Curls

Anabel Kingsley, a scalp hair specialist at Philip Kingsley Salon, suggests those with thick braids or curls to use a scalp tonic to help soothe and moisturize your scalp instead of using a dry shampoo. A scalp tonic can help to increase blood flow and diminish a flaky scalp for those who may find it difficult to use dry shampoo due to their hair type.

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5 Things To Do Before Going On A Deer Hunt

People do not need to hunt for food anymore but there is a certain charm to eating fresh deer meat that you worked so hard to kill. It must be this charm that many enthusiastic hunters gather their hunting gear every year and walk into the wood looking for action despite all the hardship awaiting them.

If you are one of those people interested in hunting your own fresh deer meat, here are 5 things you must do before going on a hunt.

1. Get your license and tag.

First thing first: Get yourself a hunting license. If you want to hunt, you are legally obliged to obtain a hunting license. Forget hunting, even if you are not hunting, you will need a license to be armed in the field during the season.

The paperwork and requirements to get a license differ depending on where you plan to hunt. State hunting regulations specify the area, time periods, and the weapons you may use to hunt among other things. In addition to the license, you may also need to purchase a tag to hunt a deer.

Most states will make you take a course on safety. The purpose of the course is to make hunters safe and responsible as well as to educate them about wildlife conservation.

2. Get familiar with your tools.

This one is pretty obvious. In order to hunt, you need to have a weapon. Whether you hunt using a rifle or a bow, be comfortable with the weapon of your choice. In addition, make sure they are in accordance with state deer hunting regulations and are in excellent condition. Get your gun checked for any faults and ensure they are operating properly and shooting straight.

In order to improve your shooting ability, confidence, and familiarity with your weapon, practice a lot. Get into a firing range and shoot from a range of distances regularly. Know your shortcomings and try to improve on them. Find out the limitation of your gun so you can know exactly when you can rely on your gun and when you cannot.

Finally, but on a very important note, always practice gun safety. You should always be sincere while handling guns.

3. Scout the area.

Knowledge about the area you will spend your time hunting will give you a considerable advantage in landing a deer. You will know what to expect from your surrounding which itself is a big advantage. Furthermore, you can make an educated guess about the whereabouts of deer.

You can start your research of the hunting region with a look at satellite and topographic maps which are just a click away. However, you will need to scout the area in person or with trail cameras days before the opening day if you’re serious about hunting.

When you’re scouting, look for signs like tracks and deer droppings that indicate whether deer are present in the area. Place trail cameras in the woods to spy on deer and find out places where they are most likely to wander.

Also, check the weather forecast of the area before you make your trip. Weather will determine the dress you need to wear and things you’ll need to pack for your hunt.

4. Pack other hunting essentials.

Aside from the obvious arms and ammunition, there is an array of other hunting equipment that you need to carry in your backpack. For example, after you hunt a deer, you’ll need tools for field dressing and carrying your prize home for which you will need a sharp knife.

Likewise, your hunt will most likely take a few days which means you will need to set up a camp. Tarps or tents and sleeping bag are necessary for you to get proper sleep.

Your hunting checklist must include items like binoculars to spot deer, ropes, flashlights with extra batteries, maps and compasses, matches/lighters, camouflage smear, first aid kit and toiletries like oil, toothbrush, wet wipes and toilet papers among others.

5. Wear proper clothes.

You will have to pay sincere attention to two things when you go on a hunt. First, make sure your clothes are in accordance with the weather. Second, do not wear something that will scare away your prey.

Once you scout the area and figure out the surrounding and weather, you can choose your clothes appropriately. The nights and mornings are colder, but days can get hot. So take warm clothes and make sure to wear clothes in layers.

You can always remove a clothing if it’s hot. Wear caps, neck warmers and gloves with yourself to keep your head, neck and hands warm. Get yourself a comfortable pair of hunting boots. In the case of rain or snow, take waterproof clothes as well as a waterproof backpack to keep your clothes.

Your clothes can be the difference between you catching a deer or returning home empty handed. Choose the right camouflage pattern so that you can easily blend in the surrounding. Deer can’t see orange, so wearing oranges is highly recommended. On the other hand, do not wear blue as deer’s eyes are more sensitive to them. Similarly, wash your clothes in scent free soap to remove odor that the deer might smell.

The aforementioned pointers are essential if you are serious about hunting. However, they will not bring you overnight success. In order to be a successful hunter, you will need a lot of practice, patience, intelligence and on-field experience.

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