Captivating Photos From Disneyland’s Opening Day (24 pics)

Back in 1955, this is what Disneyland’s opening day looked like.

How to Handle your Mailboxes Efficiently

Despite email being widely used, traditional mail still holds its importance. Most of your credit card and utility bill statements, along with other promotional material, still come in the physical mail. Discount coupons and offers, too, are a few of the common material which you receive along with your personal post and parcels.

Managing your physical mailbox can be a challenge, especially if you are traveling or find little time to actually read it in a timely manner. Here are some tips on how to manage your physical mailboxes efficiently:

1. Talk to Direct Marketing Association.

If you are fed up with the amount of marketing material (junk mail) you receive, you can simply request Direct Marketing Association or DMA to strike off your name from its database. DMA has a comprehensive database as it supports multilateral marketing by its members. However, it has a comprehensive program in place allowing anyone to request the removal of a name from its database. This virtually ensures that you will stop receiving most of the promotional material.

2. Convert postal mail to digital email.

You can easily convert your postal mail to digital email by using virtual mailboxes. Virtual mailbox suppliers collect mail on your behalf and inform you via email if you have received any mail, along with its description. All you have to do is to pick and choose which postal mail you want to receive and same will be delivered to you easily.

3. Put your mail on “vacation hold”.

If you are traveling or on a vacation, it is possible to ask for a hold on your postal mail. However, this service is not available in every country. Further, the U.S. Postal Service allows vacation hold for 30 days only. Though this time is brief, you can use it to at least limit the inflow of mail for 30 days.

4. Post “Addressed Mail Only” on your mailbox.

Though this method may not work perfectly, if you place the sign on your mailbox chances are that your overall postal mail will lessen. Writing on the mailbox “addressed mail only”, or “former resident does not live here”, or “no tenants are living here” can ensure that the postman will not drop the unnecessary mail into your postbox.

5. Avoid magazine subscriptions.

Magazine subscriptions are not only expensive, but magazines often sell your information to third parties. Magazines actually cross-sell your information to third parties and large magazines do it on a regular basis. It is often the case that you can opt out of giving your information to third parties but some magazines still sell out your information to third parties.

6. Hire third party services to get you off lists.

Besides hiring third party mailboxes, you can use third party services to call subscription and other third party multilateral agencies to strike your name off their records. For a small fee, they will take over this task and call all the agencies which are on their record. Though this service is fee-based, it can be effective to get you “off the grid”.

If you are a small business owner and want to go on a long vacation, you can even consider selling a business to others so that you can avoid receiving piles of junk mail upon your return.

You can also hire locksmith services to properly lock-in your mailboxes, doors, and windows so that no junk mail is dropped inside your business premises or home.

You can easily manage your physical mailboxes and above are some of the options available to you. Some are paid but with proper planning and careful handling of the junk mail, you can permanently resolve this issue and receive only the mail which is important.

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4 Secrets of Financial Freedom

Everyone is looking for financial freedom, and we try to do it by getting involved in something we are passionate about. Many people have found this freedom by starting a business or working their way to the top in a company. In the past 5 years, there have been more millionaires than in any other period looking back. Much of their success can be attributed to the popularity of the internet, and the resources available online. The cool thing is that many people have written about this success offering their insight into what makes a person successful, or what someone must do to stay ahead of their competition. These same people have mentioned the “secrets to financial freedom” and have written lengthy books while making millions of dollars through sales. Today, we’ll be going through something very special…

We’ll be exploring the “so-called” secrets and what you can do right now to start working your way towards financial freedom. However, it’s very important to mention that this freedom does not necessarily mean you’ll be happy because no amount of money can buy happiness. However, you can use the money you earn to help others and build a wall of happiness around you.

Let’s get started and your feedback will be greatly appreciated:

1. Money Management

You might have a great foundation with your family supporting you or have a high paying career, but you won’t get closer to financial freedom if you don’t know how to manage your money. I know many people who spend more than they make, and this doesn’t bring them closer to their bottom line. To achieve true financial freedom, you must know how to manage your money and learn how to save, letting your money work for you. Many of the top money managers have stated that if your spending habits are uncontrollable, then you’ll end up worst off then some of the people who don’t make much at all. Therefore, saving money is one of the most important steps to financial freedom.

Start to understand your spending habits, and jump back on track by controlling your expenses, learning about savings and budgeting. Know what’s important right now in your life and what you can do to reinvest into your savings. Identify the areas where money spent truly pays off in a better quality of life for your core interests. For example, some people spend money on their business because they know long-term this will increase profits, grow their customer base and ultimately their business.

2. Your Career Choice

This is going to be one of the most important decisions you’ll make ever, and you should spend time making it by researching growth markets. For you to get closer to financial freedom, you must love what you do, and be earning enough money doing it. However, on the other hand, I know a lot of people who make enormous money but are miserable getting up to go to work in the morning. Follow your passion and everything else will fall into place accordingly.

Some of the best advice I can give you about choosing a career is to get involved in one which plays to your best strengths, and where you’ll be an asset to the company. If you start your own business, then base it around those very same set of skills.

3. Always Set Goals

Someone once provided me with a great analogy about why setting goals is important, here what they said –

“When you set goals, you’ll be like a ship with a compass knowing exactly where it’s going. However, without goals, you’ll be lost at sea”.

Therefore, you should have a clear-cut plan about what you want to accomplish, and how you’ll get there. You should set small goals which, when combined” will lead you to a higher purpose. Setting smaller goals provide you with motivation each time you check something off your list. So, what makes a great goal plan?

Let’s look at some of the questions you should be asking:

• What is my main objective?
• How can I achieve my end goal?
• What is the time-limit I must meet this goal?
• Can I network with others for help?
• What other way can I achieve my end goals? Hiring help, working for others, etc.

4. Network with Others

This can also be commonly grouped with helping others, and building a network of people that you can rely on to get the job done No matter what successful entrepreneurs you ask, they’ll all give you the same advice – you must get help and then help others to succeed. There are people who have been involved in the same business before you so know creative ways to get the job done. They know the right people which will be a great asset when trying to grow your business, and to your bottom-line. However, for you to benefit you must reach out to people in your industry and build close relationships with them. These people can help increase your brand awareness, profits, guide you in the right direction, and finally help you from making common mistakes.

How can you find the right people to network with? Luckily, we live in a period where resources are available online so all you should do is a quick search. I would search in Google and find bloggers, companies or even marketing companies who are in your niche. Find and connect with the right person and reach out to them making sure your follow-up afterward. Tell them about your passion and ask them for advice on how you can grow your business leading you to faster financial freedom. Remember, financial freedom is all about making enough money to save, invest and using it to provide you the freedom you are looking for.

Final Thoughts

In the end, everyone is trying to achieve that complete financial freedom so they can live a more enjoyable fulfilling life. However, gaining this freedom does require smart investing and money saving. For example, it’s difficult to gain that freedom when you have uncontrollable spending habits without a clear vision. It’s time you start saving and investing in your business so you achieve that complete financial freedom.

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How To Paddleboard With a Child on Board

Paddleboarding with your kids makes for a great experience on activity vacations for families. We have got some tips for your to consider before you travel out with your kids.

If you have a passion for paddle boarding, you may be looking forward to the day when your children are mature enough to join you on the water. Active holidays for families are much more fun when everyone can participate, and paddle board is not a contrary!

The good news is, once your children have at least two years of age, they will be able to go board with you! But first, here are a few points before you go.

Safety and Equipment

Before taking your children onto paddleboard, make sure that your board is the right size for the weight of you and your little handsets. Otherwise, it will be a challenge to balance, turn and steer effectively. It is highly recommended you take one or two kids between the ages of two and six out on your paddleboat with you, and older children on their own child’s paddleboard.

Because paddleboarding and surf culture are closely related, life jackets are still worn by paddlers. However, we have always encouraged to wear life jackets during the holiday activities for families who are planning to spend time in the water. It is important that your kids wear life jackets, even if they are excellent swimmers and even if you choose to abandon wearing one yourself. If the paddleboard were to flip over (and it probably will at some point), your kids may suddenly end up in the water. Life jackets will help protect them and to stabilize themselves in the water immediately.

Starting

To start, choose an area in the water that is calm, free from waves and the wind, and away from other water activities. It is best to set your kids on the board in very shallow water and get them comfortable with deeper water. Put them in front of the mid-point of the board to get them used to the swaying motions of the waves before encouraging them to move from the sitting position to their knees and then back to the sitting position.

Then it is your turn to ride behind in a kneeling position for a start while you and your youngsters start to feel comfortable with it and can paddle in deeper waters.

Extras

Add to the fun of a day out paddleboarding by taking along a few sand toys for your kids to play with while on the board to prevent them from getting nervous or bored. Snacks are advisable for any activities especially when taking them paddleboarding.

And do not forget to make good meals to control hunger, as well as water. Be sure to take along all empty containers and wrappers back on land so as to keep the water free of trash.

You don’t have to wait for your kids to grow up before enjoying a day of paddleboarding with them! They will love being out with you on your board and will look forward to the day they can also paddle on their down beside you.

Paddleboarding is a child-friendly activity that is easy enough to teach, but you may want to consider signing your offspring up for a lesson if you lack experience and are unfamiliar with the strokes. Any place that rents paddleboards will most likely offer a beginners’ class to get the kids started. You may also want to look out this lesson together so that you can enjoy the day together out on the water on paddleboards!

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6 Foolproof Steps to Launching a Unique Online Business

In a market that is saturated and filled with strong competitors, you need to come up with a practical but unique idea for a business. Trying to find a business model that fits your skills, doesn’t make you want to kill yourself at the end of the day, is profitable and has room for development isn’t an easy task.

However, there’s a pattern you may follow which can make things a whole lot easier for you. Starting your own business is a risky move and you’ll need to invest your time, money and yourself to ensure that it works out as planned. If you’re ready to go the distance, you should know it’s worth it.

1. Make Sure There Is Market Demand

Many brilliant minds of the past ages have been a center of mockery because the world wasn’t prepared for them. Let’s remember the most obvious example for this claim – people thought Earth was the center of the universe for very, very long time and to say otherwise was to be labeled as a heretic or madman.

My point is that even if you do have a revolutionary business model or an innovation of some kind in mind, you need to make sure that people are ready for it. Therefore, make sure that there’s a demand on the market that can enable you to develop your startup and work your way up from there.

2. Budget Distribution

Even if you do have a great idea and you can wiggle into the world of business thanks to market demand, you can still end up bankrupt, if you don’t know how to handle your money. As a business leader, you need to be prepared for various outcomes and you need to think several steps ahead and count various different factors into your equation, so you’re practically able to predict the future of your business.

Startups are all about prioritizing – there’s no room in the budget for nothing more than necessary. Other than covering paychecks, your budget also needs to be distributed to utilities, rent, inventory, and promotions.

3. Get together a Professional Squad

Team assembly might be the most troubling step here. If you’re starting out with an acquaintance or perhaps a friend, it might be easier for you because you’re already familiar with someone’s skills and abilities – you have more than just an unfamiliar resume and a stranger’s word backing it up.

The fact you’re only just beginning with your business implies that you don’t have enough money to pay for experts to work for you. The chances are you’ll employ young people who lack experience but compensate that by being eager to work and earn money.

Your best chance is to build a small team as soon as possible and transfer your work ethics to them – values you share with them will be the glue that holds you together through both the good things and the bad. On the other hand, a lack of those values will create anarchy, lack of authority and team spirit, which is one certain path to imminent bankruptcy.

4. Create a Unique Proposition

Experts claim how the most important thing to build your business around is differentiation. Let me draw you a little picture; when a person who is in need of a service they have never used before start browsing for a proposal, they won’t be able to tell you apart from your competitors. You need to give them a strong reason to remember you and find you unique.

First of all, you need to strive towards profiling your ideal customer. Once you figure out their characteristics, the next step is to fashion your business around them. Applying this strategy to your business will enable it to grow in the right direction from the very beginning, which is quite efficient. If you create a functional version of your business in the beginning, it won’t be necessary for you to make big changes later.

5. Take Your Online Presence Seriously

Even if you already own a brick-and-mortar business, launching your business online is paramount – if you’re not present on the internet, you don’t exist. Your website is your business card and everyone who gets there by browsing online will make judgments based on what they see.

When making a website, you need to stick to the current trends, but don’t try to implement all of them because that can only create a mess. The selection of design options you decide to go with need to be in accordance with what you do and be capable of showcasing your offer in the finest light.

However, it’s not just what’s on the surface but also what’s beneath it. When trying to decide about your tech support, you need to do thorough research in order to select a good hosting option based on reviews and make sure it fits your budget. Be very confident that your visitors won’t waste their time trying to load a single page of your website if it takes too long, and be sure that they will turn to your competitor in a matter of seconds.

6. Tweak according to Feedback

Social networks are your most trustworthy partner when it comes to business development. Managing your profiles on these platforms is something that needs to be handled carefully; these accounts will be a way for your audience to reach out to you, leave their comments and share you with the rest of the world.

The feedback you receive through these mediums should be most precious to you, whether it be a praise, suggestion or a simple complaint – you should look at reviews as if they were pointers for further changes. Even the finest tweak you plan on making should be based on profiling your ideal customer and trying to meet their needs and possibly predict them.

Following these steps will enable you to transfer from a startup to a full-fledged small business quicker – each of them is a growth hacking method based on sound business logic. One last piece of advice; you should take risks only when necessary, but don’t hesitate from being brave enough to follow your gut when you’re most certain that’s the right thing to do.

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