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5 Tips For Paving Your Driveway

July 23, 2020July 23, 2020

Paving your driveway can bring forth many considerations, including those of aesthetics, practicality, maintenance, and even home value. But what is the best way to go about paving your driveway, given all these considerations? Here are 5 tips for paving your driveway, and what to think about before getting the job done.

1) CONSIDER YOUR DRIVEWAY’S AESTHETICS

Consider your driveway in relation to your own home, to other homes/driveways in your neighbourhood, and to your own personal tastes. Does a light-coloured tar & chip driveway match the brick exterior of your home? Would a beige resin-bound driveway surface be more suitable? Or would you rather be the owner of one of the darker-coloured tarmac driveways Hertfordshire has to offer?

There are no right or wrong answers here. However, if you are choosing a driveway pavement, consider your home’s exterior, colour, surrounding landscape, and that of your neighbors.

2) CONSIDER PRACTICALITY

Consider how you will use your newly-paved driveway. Will it be solely for your car, or lined with potted plants? Or will it be used to entertain guests?

If your driveway is only for your car, consider a durable and stain-resistant material. Think about how often your car may be parked there, and the potential for water and chemical leaks.

That said, a beautiful, geometric block paving surface may be ideal for entertaining. But overall, it is best to consider your purposes when choosing how to pave your driveway.

3) CONSIDER MATERIALS

You will also want to choose the best materials for your purposes. A beautiful block paving surface may be a great conversation-starter, but may not be the best surface for regular car maintenance.

Conversely, tarmac or a resin-bound driveway may be great for automobiles, but not for entertaining guests. On the other hand, these car-friendly materials are resistant to water, chemicals, and the elements, making them better for daily use. Consider all these things when choosing paving materials for your driveway.

4) CONSIDER MAINTENANCE

A well-paved driveway should be durable. Consider your climate (especially winters) and the surrounding landscape.

Is your driveway prone to freezing or flooding? Will it hold up under heavy vehicles? If these things are an issue, consider a porous material like resin-bound surfacing or tarmac to ensure the long-term lifespan of your driveway.

5) HIRE A PROFESSIONAL

Finally, you will want the right professionals to pave your driveway. A trusted, experienced professional will more than makeup for the time and money spent in hiring someone else. Ask to see your contractor’s other finished work, if they are licensed and certified by local authorities if they have written agreements or warranties with their clients, and if they offer quotes.

This will ensure that your project is done professionally, sufficiently, and in a reasonable amount of time. Paving your driveway should not be a headache, and if you have done your research, it doesn’t have to be. In this way, you can enjoy the benefits of a well-paved driveway, for a long period of time.

Managing Money For Beginners

July 13, 2020July 13, 2020

Money is an intimidating topic for a lot of people, but many believe that managing their finances requires a lot of technical knowledge and that that technical knowledge is too difficult for them to learn, that is not true, you do not need a degree in finance to manage your money there are only some concepts you need to learn to be great with managing money those are tracking where your money is going, building a substantial emergency fund, paying down debt, adopting a simple investment strategy, creating a goals-based budget and pulling the two levers of financial independence

Track your spending

Tracking your spending is not as complicated as many people believe it to be, you must begin with keeping a record of all you statement and credit card statements and tally up your monthly savings into a few different categories. Break all of your spendings down into spending on housing transportation and food values which is n any money you spend on things that make you happy. Any non-essential expenditure that doesn’t really provide any amount to your life tracking your spending is a lot of work though which is why most people don’t do this.

Using a tracker

The problem of managing money is both challenging and straightforward, which is why the right mindset is often more important than technical knowledge. You can manage your money by using a custom-built expense tracker and being a part of the 30-day money challenge, and if you want to join the 30-day money challenge, it’s free. The expense tracker is quite simple, enter what you spent, your short description of it and whether it was valuable or not. Enter each expense you got, what’s cool then is that you get this little pie chart when you’re done that tells you how much of your money is going to your essential spending values and also tells you your total amount in dollars.

Plan post tracking

When people think about managing the money, they typically think of investing or paying down debt or complicated issues. Start tracking where your cash is moving so that you can erect an emergency fund made up of your savings. If you have a burden of debt hanging over your head that you want to be relieved of immediately, you must wait and plan until your adequate emergency fund your goal is not merely to get out of debt as quickly as possible your goal is to pay off your mortgage and never fall back into debt again.

Conclusion

Make sure you do not accumulate debt again, some financial stability which means having some cash set aside in case of a financial emergency, so life is going to pull the rug out from under you at some point. The problem is we don’t know when that is so what happens if you have an unexpected cost come up and you don’t have any cash on hand, you’ll need to borrow money and go back into debt.

Baby Loading- Best Healthy Eating Foods to Gobble Up During Pregnancy

July 13, 2020July 13, 2020

Pregnancy changes the way you think and act forever. It’s going to make you realize how valuable and fragile life can be and why to protect it till the end of your life. Being pregnant makes the women realize how mentally strong she is to convert her fears turn into her strength. When you are pregnant, you need to eat for two people. The food must be rich in nutrients, proteins, iron, and iodine. One must eat healthy as it is vital. Here are a few nutritious food items to consume when you are pregnant.

Check out these healthy foods to eat during the pregnancy period

One must consume high protein and calcium-rich food for you and the growing baby. Greek yoghurt is very beneficial for pregnant women. Intake of probiotic supplements during pregnancy time reduces complications such as vaginal infections and preeclampsia.
Drink lots of water. During pregnancy, your body volume increases so you must always be hydrated. Also, drinking a lot of water reduces the chances of getting urinary tract infections, which is common during pregnancy time.

You must eat everything that falls under legumes category. They are an excellent source of fibre, iron, B9, and folate, which is must-have during pregnancy. Folate reduces the risks of birth defects.
Pregnancy women must eat lean meat as they are very rich in protein, iron, and other vitamins. Intake iron more as the blood volume mass increasing and is necessary during the third trimester.
Berries contain vitamin C, water and other nutrients. Vitamin C is essential for the skin and helps to soak up iron. You can consider them as a great snack.
Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, which help the womb to build the skin and tissues of the foetus. Avocados also contain potassium, which helps to reduce muscle cramps.
Sweet potatoes are highly rich in a plant compound called beta-carotene when consumed it transforms into vitamin A, a must for the growth of the foetus. It contains fibre, which reduces blood sugar, enhances mobility, and improves digestive health.

Leafy greens are recommended for pregnant ladies as it helps to reduce constipation, which is a common problem among pregnant women. Consuming leafy vegetables also eradicates the risk of low birth weight.
Lastly, you can drink non-fat milk as your body soak up twice the calcium when you are pregnant.

Conclusion

Whatever you eat during pregnancy affects your child’s well being. Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal, but you have to ensure that you eat a lot of healthy food. You must eat the right amount of calories, vitamins, minerals, and gulp down a lot of water. Apart from these, you must not smoke, reduce caffeinated drinks, and stop alcoholic intake.

Ideas to Make the Right Investments with Your Savings

July 13, 2020July 13, 2020

Increasing your income and cutting down your expenses are the only ways to boost your savings. Investing them in the right places is a completely different thing. If you are earning a paycheck every month and is finding it difficult to save money, you need to follow effective tips to make it happen. No matter what your age is, saving money is always important. Try to choose the right fields to invest in so that you reap the benefits when they mature. Spend less every month by bringing down the expenses to a budget that includes only the basic needs. Emergencies may come with huge demands; so, you need to have an amount stored for such purposes. If you have a part of your salary left apart from the money put into your savings account, invest it into the lucrative areas. Here are a few investment ideas that you can use.

1. Look for Plans You Already Know

Many investment plans can promise you everything you have always desired, but they don’t always turn out to be the most profitable investments. Your decisions should be based purely on your intuition and not ons omeone else’s opinion. By taking up the investment plans that offer you everything, you might find it hard to handle. So, it is best that you invest in a field you are already familiar with. Loss of money can be reduced to a great extent when you are investing in such areas.

2. Pick a Quality Business

Most people might think that it is a great idea to invest money in stocks of high profile industries that pan generate amazing returns. New companies or developing organizations are sure to have lesser lustre in the long row of options. However, you might be amused to know that it works conversely. Putting huge amounts into an established company is a lesser recommended method than investing small amounts into building up a growing company. The stock value of the emerging company can appreciate when it becomes a reputable firm, thereby helping you gain more out of it. On the other hand, if you put your money into a business that is relatively established but of a lower quality, the returns from stocks is likely to remain constant.

3. Keep Stocks for a longer Duration of Time

Make sure to hold on to the stocks once you buy them. Don’t make the mistake of buying and selling it the same day because it could erode your capital money. Sit back after buying shares from good companies and enjoy the appreciation that takes place over time. Earn dividends and better returns over this duration of time, and sell it only when the company has reached almost close to saturation.

4. Diversify Investments

While investing your hard-earned money into stocks, try and diversify it. Choose different companies to invest in and wait for a few months. Keep track of the graph of every company and earn more dividends and returns from another company when one of your major investments crash. You can make up for the losses with the profit you earn out of that remaining stock.

Top 7 Healthy foods for weight loss

July 13, 2020July 13, 2020

If you’re one among the millions of people who have signed up for a weight loss journey, then we feel you, because with so many options out there it can be intimidating to choose the right kind of foods that help you satisfy your cravings, protein and carbohydrate needs. W have jotted down top 7 healthy food that both meet your mid-week cravings as well as responsible for a balanced diet. Check them out!

Broccoli omelette with toast

It is a straightforward breakfast recipe that can be prepared in under 15 minutes, which will not only satisfy your daily carb intake but also keeps you satiated until lunchtime. Broccoli, high in fibre content with eggs that is high in protein is a perfect combination to start your day.

Green tea smoothie

If you’re trying to lose those inches on your waistline, then the benefits of green tea is not alien to you. It contains high antioxidants that are beneficial to boost your metabolism. Sipping on this spiced green tea smoothie is a perfect alternative for breakfast when you’re running late to work. Spiced with cinnamon, cayenne peppers, lemon and agave, it is not only yummy but also refreshing.

Chocolate dipped banana bites.

It is no brainer that when you’re trying to lose weight, you definitely cut down on your sugar intake, that’s when your sugar cravings hit you. Good news is you do not have to avoid taking sugar. You just need to replace it with the right alternative like chocolate dipped in banana. It will be better if you opt for dark chocolate rather than the regular ones as they’re a healthier option.

BBQ Turkey burgers

Turkey is an excellent source of lean protein, and one serving can satisfy your daily protein intake. Replacing the regular buns with wheat buns, with turkey filled with barbeque sauce is the best lunch option when you’re cutting calories.

Rice salad

When we talk about burning fat and increasing muscles, rice always outshines chickpeas. It is a great salad option for the vegetarians who crave for multivitamins and nutrients. This salad is a great option to fill you up without weighing you down.

Avocado cups

Fat should definitely be avoided during weight loss, but healthy fats are always welcomed inside the body. Avocado being creamy, is an excellent source of healthy fats. With creamy fillings and nuts inside the cup, which complements right with the creaminess of avocados, it is a great snacking option between your mid-day working hours.

Dark chocolate and oat clusters

Another one for that sweet tooth’s. Oatmeal is high in fibre and starch, and dark chocolate is high in healthy fats and sugar. Hence, it is a great snacking option during your evening beverages that can not only curb your cravings for chocolate but also keep you on track without a sense of guilt. You can even elevate the taste by adding a tablespoon or two of peanut butter to it and enjoy.

Tips To Effectively Manage Your Finance During COVID-19

July 13, 2020July 13, 2020

Managing and monitoring of money is a very crucial step. You have to give extra attention when it comes to managing it during tough situations like COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Coronavirus has already shaken up the groundwork of economy. It affects financial space and stress induced by it grows no border. Taking care of your financial situation during these tough times can also increase anxiety and stress. So, practising some steps to control your money will help you to manage your finances better. With the stock market going down, it is easy for you to get stressed out.

Here, we provide a few simple steps to overcome a financial crisis during severe times.

Manage your expenses. You don’t know whether your job is secured. Use money wisely and reduce your costs.
It would help if you prepared yourself to welcome the unexpected. You may lose your job, be underpaid, or not paid at all. Be prepared to embrace unemployment.
Keep money in hand and prepare a list of properties or gold you can liquidate. Make a plan to attain the credits if your salary is affected by the outbreak.
Try re-evaluating your goals. Check whether you had invested enough last years. The main agenda is to save at least 30 percent of your take-home salary.
You can rely on your health insurance. Health insurance plays a vivid role in helping you in a financial crisis, especially during coronavirus days.

During these times, do not buy, lend, or even use credit cards. You can consider switching to debit cards for the time being until the crisis contained.
Do not fall into traps. For instance, snake oil sellers can make you buy properties mentioning its the best time to buy for cheap. Do not trust them and their fable; also, this is not a good time to gamble.
Multiply your current income. Depending on your single source of income will be very difficult and is a threat to your financial moment. Think about how to start a side job that monetizes your expertise and increase your income source.
Lastly, check your entire expenditure. Before the crisis started, the expenses may have been 50 percent of your take-home income. Since you started working from home, check to tabulate if you are saving from restricted transportation facility, work clothes, and online lunches, thereby increasing your monthly savings.

Conclusion

COVID-19 outbreak has not only jeopardized the lives across the world, and it has shaken the financial platform too. A lot of employees lost their jobs and their only source of income. The economy is undergoing a recession, and worth of profits is wiping out from the market each day. In such difficult situations, you need to take measures to protect both your life as well as your finance. Once it all gets over, we can expect growth in the economy slowly.

Weird But True Facts About Technology

July 13, 2020July 13, 2020

Technology is growing, and all we can do is to marvel at some of the absurdities that we have created. Technology can be quite weird if you look into it and we have some of the weirdest facts which can be quite shocking to you.

Changing fonts to save printer ink

People create different fonts to help with different kinds of reasons to help convey a message, decode, embellish, etc. The main theory for this is that using less ink on the page will help you in saving a lot. This is one fact which applies to the business where printing is involved, but when it comes to home uses, one can see no benefit.

Email existed even before the world wide web

This is one of those facts that is hard to believe, but it is true. There was a time where emails were sent even before the world wide web. You can also look into youtube where you will be exposed to a lot of channels which show how they used to send emails way back in 1984. There has been a lot of improvement since then.

QWERTY was designed to slow you down

This is another theory which will allow one to have a manual approach to typewriters. This is something which will allow you to have the right words when typing. QWERTY started by placing the common letters in the corner, which will slow the typist down. But, later the Dvorak layout came in, and you can easily change your language setting or buy a Dvorak keyboard.

92% of the world currency is digital

Most of us earn money with the help of transactions, goods and services, but most of which is only digital. It is estimated that 8% of current global money os physical. There are many black money piles which come from 8%, and this is a fair estimate that the economists agree upon. This is a low percentage which can be absurd, and the transactions are done electronically. Banks also store electronically and can include all kinds of transactions which can be done credits/debit cards and wire transfer.

Domain names were free till 1995

Back then, people used to not know what the computer is capable of, and this gave people a huge opportunity to have all kinds of domain names. Then in 1995, the company called network solutions was granted rights to charge people for a domain, and they rated it at higher prices. This fee was later revised in the year 1997, where the price was brought bow by 30%.

5MB of data weighed a ton

Today we have sturdy drives to store data, but back then, it was difficult to store data as it was stored in magnetic disks which used to access and write. It was considered a massive leap in the technology where everything was punched into the cards and stored in the magnetic tape which needed to be controlled. RAMAC was a cabinet which easily consisted of 1000kg which used to store 5MB of data in a huge aluminium disk.