Tuesday, January 3, 2017

5 Smart Moves For Millennials To Boost Retirement Savings

Retirement might not be coming your way for quite some time, but if you haven’t started planning for it yet, it’s possible that you’re already a bit behind. As the outlook on retirement looks dimmer and dimmer for our generation, the need to contribute early and often to a retirement savings fund becomes all the more important. Fortunately, there are several ways you can boost your savings now to build your funds faster and secure a more stable future for yourself in your older age.

Here are six smart moves you should be making now to boost your chances of building a sufficient fund for the future.

1. Automate Your Savings

Americans are notorious for neglecting the importance of building a savings account. Nearly seven out of ten Americans have less than $1000 in a savings account. One of the best ways to make sure you’re actually putting money away instead of spending it is to automate regular contributions to your savings accounts. Of course, you’ll want to automate your retirement savings so that a small amount comes out each month, but you’ll want to contribute to a personal savings account as well.

Set up an automatic funds transfer between your checking and your savings account. Set an amount that is large enough to build funds over time, but small enough that it doesn’t break your bank each month. For your retirement savings, check with your employer to see if the company offers an automatic payroll deduction that contributes to your 401(k).

2. Take Advantage of 401(k) Matching

While you’re discussing your savings options with your employer, be sure to ask if the company offers 401(k) matching. Many companies will offer this to their full-time employees. In its simplest form, 401(k) matching means the company will match a percentage of your monthly contribution to your 401(k) with its own money to help you build funds more quickly.

Not all employers will offer 401(k) matching, but just asking about it can be helpful in putting the idea of implementing a matching program on their radar.

Before you head in to talk to your employer, it will be helpful to have a little background information on what a matching program entails. Check out this guide for a quick overview of what a typical 401(k) matching program might look like.

3. Refinance Student Loan Debt

Debt from student loans is one of the most common factors affecting the millennial generation’s ability to put money away in a retirement savings account. In fact, about 40 million Americans are currently paying off student loan debt. Although it might seem like you’re stuck with the same monthly installments for the rest of your life, you actually have an option to lower your monthly payments and free up some of your monthly income to put away into your retirement savings account.

Refinancing student loan debt can help you adjust your payments to an amount that makes it easier to have enough money to save each month. The process can even help you identify ways to lower interest rates where possible.

If you have any type of loan out, chances are you’ve received a letter from at least one company offering to help you refinance your debt. What you should know is that not all companies are equal in terms of their abilities to provide a trusted refinancing service. If you’re a bit new to the idea of refinancing, check out this guide to learn a little more about some of the top companies for refinancing student loan debt.

4. Cut the Cord on Cable

The average cable bill is around $99 a month. When you add on your internet connection, this will likely be an additional $20 to $45 per month for a standard connection. Add this up, and the amount you spend each month for entertainment gets pretty high! If you have a monthly cable subscription and are constantly wondering where your money went at the end of each month, this is likely one of the major culprits contributing to your lack of funds. This is why the trend of cutting the cord on cable is growing among the millennial generation.

Although most of us aren’t quite ready to cut the cord on internet, many of us are willing to nix cable and sacrifice the ability to binge watch marathons on our favorite channels to save about 100 bucks a month. You can sign up for a monthly streaming subscription like Hulu or Netflix for around $15 a month to replace cable and save big on your monthly expenses. All you need is a streaming device like Chromecast or Apple TV to stream content from your computer to your television.

Cutting the cord will help you save quite a bit of money each month that will be put to better use in your retirement savings account.

5. Stick to the Same Car for Awhile

We all love the idea of cruising around in a beautiful new car, but what we often don’t realize is that we’re throwing a lot of money down the drain when we insist on swapping out cars every couple years or so.

Experts say that when an individual is able to stick to a plan of keeping a car for at least 10 years, they purchase half as many cars in their lifetime. This means you could save a huge amount of your money and be better set for retirement if you commit to owning a car for awhile before you look into a newer option. Not to mention, after the course of a three to five year loan, you’ll have at least another five years of debt-free ownership of your car if you keep it around for at least 10 years. This means more money in your monthly budget to put toward saving for retirement.

So there you have it, five smart ways you can save money now to boost your retirement savings and prepare for a comfortable lifestyle in the future. Hopefully these tips will help you establish a few healthy saving habits to build an effective retirement savings account. If you have any questions or perhaps a tip you’d like to add for other readers, comment below!

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4 Hacks for Effectively Cleaning Your Attic

dirty attic

Another new year has begun and for most people that means new year’s resolutions. Very few people manage to think of their resolutions in February and beyond, so it is important to get as many done as possible in January while it is still fresh on the mind. The easiest ones to get done now are the ones that involve a single task.

Most homeowners have a lot of resolutions that involve home renovations or home cleanup, and when it comes to cleaning up a home, there is no place more scary or intimidating than the attic. Years of junk piled up and buried under layers of dust and rat droppings are exciting to nobody.

Here are some important things to note and think about as you get started on that big attic-cleaning project.

Get Organized

If you just head up into your attic and start moving things around, then you will likely discover halfway through cleaning that the organizational structure you are using doesn’t really make sense. Part of you will want to start over and do things differently. Another part of you will want to just continue with your current disorganized system because starting over is too daunting.

So before you start make sure you understand exactly where everything is going to go. What kind of stuff will go in the trash? What categories will you use to group things so that you can find them in the future? Once you have these questions answered, you can move on to doing the actual work.

Poop Check

If you have not been in your attic for a long while, then there is a good chance a rodent or two has made its way up there. This can be more dangerous than most people realize. One thing to look for from the start is bat feces. Here is a guide to identifying bat poop and knowing how to clean it up. Bat droppings actually are known to carry a disease called histoplasmosis that can be extremely hard to treat. Mice poop can also be dangerous, especially if inhaled. With this in mind, it is a good idea to wear a mask the first few times you go up.

If you find rodent excrement it may be a good idea to call a professional to remove it. If you are confident in your ability and safety then you can do it yourself, just remember to be careful.

Enjoy Nostalgia

Oftentimes you will be going through old things in the attic and find yourself distracted by old pictures and objects with memories attached to them. You will want to push these aside and keep working, but maybe you shouldn’t. It is actually proven to be extremely healthy to have nostalgia every once in awhile. If you just plan in the extra time, you will not regret it.

This can also improve your current relationships as you look back at the good times you had with your partner or kids. Nostalgic feelings tend to increase the connection to those that are included in those feelings, and may help rebuild relationships that could be struggling.

Don’t Be Afraid to Throw Away

Let’s face it, most people struggle to throw things away. But the reality is that most of the stuff has been sitting in the attic for years and hasn’t been missed. So even though it may seem as if it will be used someday, if years have gone by it may be time to chuck the item and purchase another if you ever have a need for it again.

This will make room for new things in your attic and is an exciting part of life. If something could still be worth something try using craigslist.org or similar sites to sell the items and make a little side money.

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5 Techy Ways to Make Your Home more Eco-Friendly

In 1957, a study on earth’s climate conducted by scientist Roger Revelle discovered a frightening ecological phenomenon with the potential to disrupt the world’s climate, animal and plant life as we know it. By 1970, further scientific research had begun to validate these findings. They showed that human activities and the amount of carbon dioxide we release into the atmosphere had sparked rapid changes such as droughts and famine in Africa, the Ukraine, and India.

This phenomenon was termed ‘global warming’ and the rapid changes it fostered in the twentieth century forced the international community to come up with several solutions to tackle the amount of fossil fuels burned by implementing the United Nation’s Paris Agreement. As admirable as this agreement is, it is also important to note that the task of stabilizing the earth’s ecosystems falls on our collective shoulders and each of us has a part to play in tackling global warming. Here are 5 technological revolutions you can apply in making your home more eco-friendly.

1. Start by Shrinking Your Carbon Profile

The first step in shrinking the amount of carbon dioxide your home produces is to identify the errant products or items that need to go. These products range from your cooling and heating conditioning systems to the food your family consumes. The next step is replacing these items with energy-efficient alternatives. The mobile app GoodGuide has been developed to provide you with a simple means of calculating the energy efficiency levels of the items you buy in your local market. The GoodGuide app has helped many people find eco-friendly products while they shop through taking a photo of an item’s barcode, then instantly providing information on how green the item is through a science-based rating.

2. Light up with Energy Efficient Bulbs

The traditional incandescent 60-watt bulbs used in most homes uses up 0.84 kilowatts per day if used for 14 hours. If you calculate its monetary cost, you will discover that it costs about $30 per year to run. Unlike the incandescent bulb, an energy efficient bulb—either the Light Emitting Diode (LED) or Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL)—uses 25 to 85 percent less energy than the incandescent bulb. These technologically advanced options drastically reduce your energy consumption in the long run.

3. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances

Have you heard of the Energy Star label? In short, the Energy Star label is an initiative of the Environmental Protection Agency that helps manufacturers meet energy efficiency standards. It is quite similar to the ‘Quality Control’ pass but it focuses on pin-pointing energy-efficient products. Products with the Energy Star label are certified to be eco-friendly. An example is the Goal Zero recharging kit, which is a great product that reduces dependency on power outlets through its unique use of solar energy.

4. Power Your Home with Renewable Energy

Incorporating renewable energy sources as a solution to tackling energy wastage problems is not anything new, but its low usage rate by homeowners is quite troubling. Currently, multiple tax breaks and tax credits have been earmarked to serve as incentive for residents of both domestic and commercial building structures to adopt renewable energy policies. The tech community has also played a part in tackling these usage issues. The Green-e Energy project is currently making it quite easy for everyone to seek renewable energy sources.

Through the Green-e Energy project, you to locate and patronize utility companies that generate at least 50% of their energy from green sources by simply conducting a quick online search. Conversely, the Wind Farm Locator app provides another option for locating wind projects, checking out their installed capacity, and taking advantage of the clean energy they offer.

5. Clean with Eco-friendly Cleaning Products

On average, 60 percent of the cleaning products and agents used domestically are harmful to both your personal health and the earth’s environment. In 2000, the US Poison Control Center stated that cleaning agents contribute 10 percent of all toxic exposures the department processed. This means that a large portion of the soaps, detergents, sprays, and disinfectants we use are not eco-friendly. To tackle this, some tech solutions have already been developed which do away with the harmful toxins which are the by-products of cleaning agents. Sanitary Tech products such as eco-resh, which makes use of UV rays, smart sensors, and apps for remote access are also used.

The responsibility of fighting global warming falls on all of us, and with eco-friendly domestic items, we can leave a better planet for generations to come.

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This Could Save Someone: Why Has Air Filtration and Air Quality in Hospitals Become a Necessity?

Pollution has become a major, serious environmental hazard these days. People from all walks of life are getting affected by this, and it has occupied almost every phase of our life. The water we drink is subjected to water pollution; the food we eat is prone to land and soil contamination. Even the air we breathe is now a days filled with air pollution.

Pollution is now present in our everyday life and is harming us externally as well as internally. It has become the pressing issue in almost every large city. Overpopulated cities that have a significant number of factories are the ones that suffer most.  Air pollution is the highly concerned issue in those areas.

Air pollution is not only affecting people’s lives in the present but also their lives in the future (and the future generations as well).

Studies show that air pollution can affect fertility labs, which poses a grave threat to the health of the fetus and can potentially affect fetal growth and development during pregnancy.

Even the air quality in hospitals has become highly affected from pollution, hence it is important to introduce active air filters for places where cleanliness is a priority.

In places like hospitals, fertility labs, etc. where the clean and fresh air is a must, lack of proper oxygen can lead to serious health risks and can result in a variety of illnesses such as breathing problems, lung problems, etc.

Laboratories where the sterile environment is needed for learning and research cannot afford even the slightest contaminated particle or pollutant. Results from the experiments can be affected because of this unwanted mixture.

One of the most common pollutants is VOC. VOC stands for volatile organic compound and is released from the solids and liquid substances like printers, air fresheners, permanent markers, glues, pesticides, etc. These items are common in household goods. VOCs set back the health of individuals, and it is also found that they are two to five times more prevalent indoors than outdoors.

It is known that breathing in very low levels of VOCs for long periods can raise some people’s risk of health problems. VOCs may make symptoms worse for people with asthma or who are particularly sensitive to chemicals.

Some of the health effects may include:

  • Nose, eye and throat irritation
  • Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea
  • Damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system

VOCs are emitted by everyday household items (that are also easily found in laboratories too.) So we need a filter that can not only clean the outside air but can also suck out the VOC pollutants generated inside. Many times, particulate filtration is not sufficient, and it may not be able to provide the sterilized environment.

When deciding on the filters for labs or your homes, here’s what you need to consider first:

  • The size of the space
  • (If it’s a lab) equipment requirements of the lab
  • The temperature and humidity of the room
  • Knowing what chemicals you own that are stored indoors

So before implementing any kind of air filtration strategy it is important to take account of all the factors as any carelessness can lead to degradation of the sterilized environment.

Also, here’s some measures you should take to keep the air around you cleaner:

  • Do not smoke
  • Consider purchasing all-natural cleaning products
  • Keeps lids tight on all chemical products
  • Vent all clothes that came from the dry cleaners

It is pertinent not to overlook the need to get the air cleaner as this could become disastrous in the long run. Therefore, air filtration, should and must not be overlook.

Featured photo credit: Pixabay via pixabay.com

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4 Strange Tips to Quickly Improve Your Hair

healthy hair

There have been a lot of studies that show that hair and hairstyle play a significant part in how attractive to the general public someone is. Because of this, many people spend hours a day trying to get their hair to look just the way that they imagine it looking. For some of these people, even hours a day cannot get them where they want to be. They spend years and years trying to find ways to make their hair look the same way their favorite movie star’s hair looks, but still fail in the end. Hopefully this article can offer some new suggestions. Here are a few ways that can quickly and dramatically improve your hair.

Hormones

This is something that most people are completely unaware of. Hormones significantly affect your overall health, as well as your hair. They are not something you have complete control over, but many people are surprised to find just how much control they do have over hormones.

The two easiest ways to balance your hormones are to eliminate stress and get enough sleep. This is obviously easier written than done, but if hair and overall health really matter to you, then it’s worth a shot. Sleep needs to be given priority over other activities and things that cause stress need to be eliminated or moderated.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil can be the ultimate revitalizer. Many people do not realize just how many benefits it contains, specifically when it comes to hair. If you were to look at the ingredients list to a lot of natural hair products, coconut oil is often one of the first ones.

The problem is that a lot of the hair products that most people use to look good for a single day actually cause a lot of long-term damage to their hair. Sure, that extremely powerful gel might give your hair just the look you wanted for today, but continued use will likely start giving your hair a dead flat look as it struggles to maintain healthy growth.

Fake it

One way people are discovering to give themselves the look they want without damaging their hair is something called hair extensions. These are exactly what they sound like and they actually work to improve the overall look of your hair. You can get real hair from donations, or purchase synthetic extensions that are made to look just like real hair. The perk of extensions is that no damage is done to your hair, and if you do not like the look somewhere down the road you can change it overnight.

While these are not a long-term fix, many people are using them because they like being able to change their hairstyle overnight.

Proper eating

Remember all of those times growing up when you were told to eat your vegetables? Turns out that was real. Eating the right foods actually has a significant impact on how healthy your hair looks. The two biggest vitamins that are contributors to healthy hair growth are Vitamin C and Biotin. As crazy as it sounds, spinach is actually a huge producer of Vitamin C. But don’t worry, if you are not a fan of spinach there are also plenty of citrus fruits that produce nearly the same levels. Something as easy as drinking orange juice with your breakfast in the morning can yield great results.

There are plenty of other ways to dramatically improve your hair, but many are unhealthy in the long run and are expensive to do. These solutions have been proven to work and they are easy to implement. The best part is that they also will provide other benefits to your body and health.

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5 Emerging Trends in Startup Culture for 2017

Startups, new businesses based on innovation, have been trending for a while. Whether in the technological sphere or another sector, a number of individuals are opting for startups over a regular job. This trend used to be primarily male-dominant, however this is no longer the case. Many women are also opting to join a startup business over a more traditional job. The benefits include both monetary and other gains that keep startups a popular trend.

Needless to say, the year is surely going to forecast countless startups emerging with aims of achieving bigger and better. So what are the main trends that we will witness in this upcoming year?

1. Employee Oriented

Startups are more concerned about their employees than other corporations. With the limited amount of resources they have, losing manpower is a great loss. Therefore, startups will continue to go above and beyond to create an environment that is employee friendly.

2. Peppy Offices

A lot of focus is given to the interior design of the offices. Gone are the days of white-washed walls and creaky chairs. 2017 will certainly be a time for peppy office spaces that are neatly designed and departmentalised. The focus is all on promoting the brand name and forming a brand image in the market, which allows the target audience to connect easily.

3. Freelancers Being Hired

Whether it is digital marketing, brand building, content writing, or anything else, for that matter, freelancers are found everywhere. The advantage of hiring freelancers is that it leads to cost cutting, which is necessary for any startup.

4. Perks to Drool Over

Financial stability becomes a cause of concern when working in a startup. Even if you are well-paid for your job, it lacks stability because you never know when the company could crumble. This often makes the candidate hesitant to accept the opportunity. However, to overcome this drawback, startups have found a trending solution. Perks like Friday festivities, free food, and musical Saturdays are offered to employees, which creates a different scene than you would normally find in corporate culture.

5. Chat Box

Communicating with customers as fast as possible has become an important need. One of the emerging trends of 2017 is that the chat box will appear on commercial websites. Adding a chat box aids the customer in getting answers immediately and, at the same time, it opens a channel for the company to pitch their best deals to the customer. This convenient method has been seen on a number of websites these days.

In a world that is evolving with the revolution of technology, 2017 is surely going to be an exciting year for startups. But the success of these emerging trends requires some good habits. Have you ever thought the following:

“Procrastination sucks the productivity out of me.”

“I am tired of wasting my time.”

“There is never enough time.”

“I wish I could stop time so that I can get everything done.”

I have heard these phrases many times, and sadly, I have fallen prey to them as well. The predator of procrastination is always lurking around the corner. But with a new year, it’s time to part ways with these negative thoughts by implementing the following productivity habits for 2017:

1. Make a To-do List

Nothing amps up productivity better than preparing a to-do list each morning. It not only aids in keeping your schedule organized, but also helps to make sure that your priorities are straight. Making a to-do list helps you keep focused on the tasks of the day.

2. Set a Sleep Schedule

Waking up early and going to bed on time can certainly give you ample time to make your day productive. When first adapting to a new sleep schedule, you will likely struggle in the morning, but that is just until your sleep cycle is set. Getting to bed on time and getting up early is also a sign of a healthy lifestyle.

3. Limit Distractions

I totally can relate to pointlessly scrolling through Facebook when I should be doing work. Perhaps we even do this subconsciously. However, needless to say, time still gets wasted. Limit your distractions by keeping your phone away while you work or setting aside specific times when you can surf the web.

4. Balance Your Life

Being productive does not mean working the entire day, but rather it means taking care of your personal, social and professional life in a balanced way. Working without breaks will lead to frustration, which will negatively affect your productivity.

5. Set a Routine

Plan a daily or weekly schedule and arrange your activities accordingly. Also, make sure that you set strong priorities so that you focus on the more important matters first.

6. Keep Learning

Learning should never stop. Whether it is learning from your mistakes or it is about taking up a vocational course, you need to make sure that you don’t stop learning. Putting in daily effort to learn something new will pay off in the long run.

Productive habits are not something that magically happen overnight. In fact, you need the willingness to sustain these habits until they become second nature. These productivity habits will save you a lot of time so that you have more time to focus on what’s truly important.

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How to Select a Great Gift for Anyone and for Any Occasion

wrapped present

Whether it is time for the winter holidays, a friend or family member’s birthday, a wedding, or any other gift-giving occasion, selecting the right item to give to someone can feel like quite the challenge. But, although challenging, it is possible to pick a great gift every time. How can someone accomplish such a feat? By following these six easy steps:

Start with a Budget

Before you start looking for ideas, you need to set a budget. It won’t do you any good if you begin searching and find a great gift option that you simply can’t afford. Most online retailers allow you to set price parameters when you are searching for items, that way you can make sure that you are only choosing between gifts you can afford.

Give Consideration to the Occasion

A gift that would be perfect for a best friend’s birthday might not be the kind of thing that should be opened in front of family at a graduation party. Regardless of whether or not the recipient will appreciate your choice, you need to consider what is appropriate to open in front of other people who may be present.

The occasion may also dictate your goal for the gift. For major milestones, like weddings, you might want to pick an item that is going to be useful as they transition into a new way of living. However, you can often have more fun when choosing items to serve as birthday gifts.

Now, that doesn’t mean a gift can’t have some personality, just make sure its personality fits the tone and overall goal. For example, if you are attending a friend’s wedding and the couple has an affinity for the retro look, then a toaster oven or waffle maker from Nostalgia Electrics might be the perfect finds for the couple you have in mind. They can get all of the function of today’s appliance with a look that suits their style. Other practical gifts for couples can be found at places like All Modern, West Elm, Home Goods, Ikea, and even Target.

Think in Color

Everyone has their favorite colors to wear or with which they prefer to decorate. When you are choosing items that fit into categories where colors matter, like apparel and home goods, try to select an item in a color you know they already favor. If you aren’t sure what options they would prefer, then stick with something that functions as a neutral, like black, white, gray, or even navy.[1]

Refer to Hobbies and Interests

Is the recipient an aspiring photographer? A sci-fi movie fanatic? A collector of vintage holiday ornaments?

Any hobby or interest can guide your gift-giving, so don’t be afraid to tread familiar territory for ideas. You may feel like you are being unoriginal by referring to something they are highly involved in, but giving them a new opportunity to dedicate time to something they love will always be well received.

Think Small

Gift baskets can get a bad rap sometimes, but creating one from scratch can be a lot of fun. Think of a series of small items they may appreciate, and group them together to create an interesting gift. This can be an ideal way to showcase less expensive items that would still be greatly appreciated.

You can choose to work with a theme if you want to be guided through the gift-picking process. For example, a newly married couple may appreciate a gift basket full of various kitchen basics. You can choose utensils, serving pieces, and small gadgets to help supplement the larger items they may receive as gifts. Often, people think of major items when purchasing wedding gifts, but not everyone thinks of everyday items like spatulas, measuring cups, and kitchen towels. For a graduation gift, including gift cards, planners, and a token that hints at their future career might be great things to include in your gift basket.

Don’t Be Afraid to Be Unique

The ability to shop online can open you up to a wealth of options you didn’t even know existed. Some sites specialize in unique offerings that you won’t find at your average big box store. For example, odds and ends like smartphone lenses, breakfast sandwich makers, pencils, and cool vintage wristwatches can be found by shopping online. You won’t find items like that just anywhere. So don’t be afraid to branch out your search and see what inspires you. When you find the right item, you’ll know what to do.

Reference

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