If you are in the process of buying your first home it is an exciting time. Moving out to your own place is the first step to real independence and getting on the property ladder is always a wise investment. However, it is also a big undertaking as the maintenance of the property is something you always need to bear in mind. Keeping on top of DIY jobs around the new home is vital to help it maintain its value and also to be safe to live in. Of course, keeping your new home well maintained also ensures it is a pleasant environment in which to live.

But what are the best DIY tips for those looking to buy their first home?

Get a home inspection first

Okay, this is not strictly a DIY tip as a home inspection needs to be carried out by a professional, however, it is an important step to take in terms of buying a home that it merits a mention. This is something you do need to have carried out before you buy a property. The inspection will flag up any problems with the property such as damp so you can either renegotiate the price or give it a miss altogether. Although there are some costs involved in a home inspection it is definitely worth it as the home inspection cost will be a lot less than having to fix a serious hidden problem with the property after purchase.

Don’t overstretch yourself

As Dirty Harry once said: “A man’s got to know his limitations.” It is easy to feel under pressure as a new homeowner to fix all the various repair jobs that may crop up. However, first take a minute to look at what is involved and decide if you think you can do a good job without injuring yourself. If the answer is ‘No’, then you need to call in professional help. This is essential if you have problems with things like your electrical wiring or fittings, or a gas heating system. Don’t tamper with either!

Consider all DIY products

There are a lot of things you can consider doing yourself. Painting the walls, updating furniture and decor. A ‘fresh’ makeover will do wonders. As with painting you can save a lot by learning how to do that yourself. Updating furniture can also be thrifty, consider purchasing second hand pieces and showing them a bit of love. Refurbish, and Reuse. If you must buy new, consider buying online as you will often save a fortune over brick and mortar stores. Moving into a new home often means brand new window coverings, those are items that you usually cannot reuse or refresh. If your window furnishings are past their use by date, consider DIY blinds, these are purchased online, and measured & installed by yourself! It’s the new way to purchase blinds.

Get a basic toolkit together

There is nothing worse than starting to undertake a standard DIY job in your new home and discovering that you don’t have the necessary tools. It could something as simple as not having a hammer to put a picture hook up or not having filler to plug gaps in walls. To save time having to head to the DIY store each time a job comes up, invest in a basic toolkit when you move in. This will make DIY less frustrating and mean you always have the right tool at hand. Common items to include are a hammer, pliers, Stanley knife, a screwdriver set, and a tape measure.

Get ready for DIY nirvana

Although you may not do much home improvement work if you move into a newly built home you will always have little jobs to carry out. As long as you work safely with the right tools and only do tasks you feel able to complete, you will be fine. Home inspections will also help as they will ensure if you buy an older house that there is no major work required to bring it to an acceptable modern standard.

 Outdoor Event

It comes as no surprise that hosting an outdoor event is a responsibility that few people are willing to put up with. After all, even if it might be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience, there are plenty of ways in which it can go wrong. Fortunately, you do not have to tackle such an endeavour alone. It is vital not to let the risk of things going wrong discourage you from the experience of hosting a wonderful outdoor event. Here are just a few methods to ensure that the event goes just as planned!

Always consider the timing of your event

Even with the strides made in technology, it can still be somewhat challenging to predict the weather accurately. While the odds are good that your chosen day will end up going smoothly, it is never a hundred per cent guaranteed when it comes to the weather. For example, if it starts raining during the event, you could end up having to pay for damages that rented equipment sustained.

Always consider the possibility of rain during your outdoor event. Even if it might be too much effort to have a backup venue planned, you could very well make use of a shaded area nearby as a contingency. You can also cover the equipment no matter the situation!

Smart marketing can make a tremendous impact

Considering how many aspects tend to factor in when it comes to hosting an outdoor event, it is common for some organisers to overlook a few things. One such aspect would be the use of quality banners for a bit of extra marketing. It might feel like a good idea to go for cheaper banners to cover more space, but it could end up making your event feel rather unprofessional.

Instead, go for quality material and advertising such as a pop up banner stand and simple but easy-to-digest design for your banner. Not only will it make things easier to manage, but it will also give your event a professional flair.

Ensure that the little things have been taken care of

As previously stated, it can be far too easy to neglect a few ideas as you manage and organise your event. However, there are certain factors that can significantly improve the odds of success, and it would be a shame to overlook them. For example, aside from getting the necessary permits for your venue, have you considered the state of pest control in the area? You would be surprised how much of an impact pest control can make to any event. If the pests are too challenging to handle, you can instead offer repellent to those attending.

While it might be quite challenging to host an outdoor event, there is no denying how rewarding it can be to have all your bases covered. Following the methods above, you simultaneously reduce risk while ensuring that you do not suffer too much stress during the process.

gomed stone

Ever heard of the Hessonite stone?

The Hessonite or otherwise known as the gomed stone is a special kind of stone most popular with the Hindu. It carries with it a lot of significance for the communities that believe in it.

As per the Hindu scriptures, the gomed stone has an association with Rahu. Rahu is the ruler of the Hessonite stone. Such a unique stone is not popular in the ordinary world as not everyone knows of its religious significance.

The importance only lies in the eyes of the followers of the Hindu religion. Hessonite or gomed is the gemstone for Rahu and is believed to have astrological benefits for positive energy. Learn more about the benefits of gomed stone.

The Gomed Stone Calms the Mind of the Wearer

The Hindu scriptures and religion focus on ensuring that believers have calm minds at all times. The religion also values the importance of conducting affairs while at ease. Values such as tranquility, calmness, and swiftness are the identifying values of the Hindu religion. As a result, many of the believers keep finding ways to attain calmness.

There are different ways that religion prescribes as the best possible ways of attaining calmness. The easiest of all is through wearing the gomed stone. As the teachings indicate, the wearer of the gomed stone easily attains calmness while conducting his/ her affairs. This calmness helps the wearer to avoid depression and its causes.

The hessonite stone also benefits the wearer by ensuring little or no anxiety levels as well as reducing mental problems. According to the Hindu teachings, the gomed stone helps to ensure that the wearer is in a good state of mind at all times.

Fascinating right? Well, that’s how powerful the Hessonite stone is.

Brings the Five Fruits of Life

The Hindu scriptures mention five distinct fruits of life that its believers should seek at all times. According to the Hindu scriptures, attaining all these fruits of life is the highest rank towards divinity and achieving internal peace.

The five fruits include salvation at times known as Nirvana, financial prosperity, meditation, righteous living and pleasures of the body. Salvation or Nirvana mainly relates to liberating yourself from your soul and your former self that existed in another world.

Meditation, righteous living and pleasures of the body all have a common ground. The common ground is that the believer has to be in good terms with self, the holy gods and with those people around them. Financial prosperity is a little different in that it focuses on the attainment of worldly wealth.

One of the benefits of the gomed stone is that the wearer reaches all these fruits with ease. According to the Hindu believers, attaining all these fruits is the biggest blessing of all. Hence, the gomed stone is precious of importance.

Brings Peace and Happiness in the Marriage Life

Marriage life has its difficulties for all those who are in it. The difficulties and challenges vary from one couple to another. Bottom line is that no marriage is perfect. The Hindu believers, like everyone else, work towards finding peace and happiness in their marriages.

The scriptures give different guidelines on how to attain peace and happiness in marriage. The simplest way of reaching peace and happiness is through wearing the gomed stone. Both husband and wife who put on the gomed stone have peace and happiness in their marriage.

Still wondering what measures to take to make your marriage a happy and long lasting one? Consider wearing a gomed stone and encourage your spouse to wear one too.

Increases Concentration, Focus and Gives a Sense of Direction

Are you struggling with concentration and lack of focus? Are you a student or worker in the field of research? Is the lack of concentration and focus dragging you from reaching your goals? The best solution is to wear the gomed stone.

The Hessonite stone has a lot of significance when it comes to boosting the concentration levels and the amount of focus of an individual. According to the teachings of the Hindu religion, the gomed stone has the calming power. It makes the wearer remain at peace. Such a good state of mind helps to ensure that the wearer has good concentration and maintains focus.

The fruit of having good concentration and focus is having a sense of direction and clear goals. It is important to know where to wear your gomed stone. Learn more from this helpful resource.

Helps in Improving Public Speaking Skills

Public speaking is not as easy as it may seem. There is more than just what meets the eye. The well-known public speakers did not wake up one day and become good at public speaking. It takes a lot of practice and confidence to be good at it.

The audience that you speak to also needs to pay attention and understand you. An easy way to get your audience to pay attention and understand you is through wearing the gomed stone. The wearer of the gomed stone finds it easy to pass a message to big crowds as the stone enhances understandability.

Are you worried that your public speaking skills let you down? Consider wearing the gomed stone and enjoy the benefits that come with it.

Provides Professional Progress and Improves Social and Financial Position

Majority of individuals struggle with making progress professional. Other individuals also struggle with making improvements in regards to their social and professional positions. The question that all these people have in their mind is what they need to do to reach all these desires.

The solution is simple and straightforward. Wear the gomed stone. According to the Hindu teachings, the gomed stone has the ability to help the wearer in making professional progress and improving their social and financial position.

Why wait any longer? Get yourself a gomed stone and live to make progress.

Powers of the Gomed Stone

All the benefits listed are as a result of wearing the gomed stone. The gomed stone has many other benefits that the wearer enjoys. The benefits differ from the person’s desires. However, the ones listed here are the most common and which the majority seeks to achieve.

Read more on our blog about the astrological benefits of the gomed stone and many other insights on business topics, sports and traveling among others.

There’s no doubt that Los Angeles is one of the most beautifully designed cities in the United States. Here are some of the more stunning pieces of architecture that can be found in the City of Angels.

The Theme Building, LAX

Many travelers get an eye full of Los Angeles’ unique brand of architecture upon landing at the biggest airport in the area. The Theme Building is a testament to space-age ideology, accentuating sweeping lines with brilliant colors and incredible heights.

 

Designed by Paul Williams in 1961, it has until recently been home-base for The Encounter Restaurant. Though the food is no longer available, visitors can still enjoy the observation deck on the weekends.

Grauman’s Chinese Theater

If you’re looking for condos for sale in Los Angeles because you love the film and entertainment industry, then paying a visit to the Chinese Theater should be at the top of your list. Arguably the most famous landmark in LA, its distinctive red columns and Asian style grabs attention like no other building.

Now renamed the TCL Chinese Theater, this architectural masterpiece was designed by Raymond M. Kennedy in 1927 and maintains its allure to this day. Stop in for a tour and you won’t be disappointed.

Bullocks Wilshire

Only in 1929 Los Angeles could you have a department store crafted in loving art-deco style like Bullocks Wilshire. With a front tower crowned in tarnished copper, there are few sights that brink back days long gone better than this gem.

The interior was designed by Eleanor Lemaire and Jock Peters of the Feil & Paradise Company, while the exterior was crafted by John and Donald Parkinson. It’s currently owned by the neighboring school but has since been the local for numerous film scenes.

If you’re wondering “are there LA realtors near me,” so you can get a good look at these sights, check out agents in the Los Angeles area. Don’t hesitate to find the perfect home and really take in these sights!

As much as you may love your home, you can’t afford for your own sanity to be in it 24/7.

That said what kinds of things do you like to do that involve getting outside of your home?

From trips across the country or even further to doing things not far from home, there are options for you to enjoy.

With this in mind, how can you go out and have fun and still save some money in the process?

Be on the Lookout for Deals

When it comes to saving money when you are away from home, keep these keys in mind:

1. Finding deals before you head out – One of your best ways to save money when out of home is finding deals ahead of time. So, you might be thinking about going to Disneyland, one of America’s greatest theme parks. If so, you can go on the Internet and search for discount Disneyland tickets. By securing those tickets ahead of time, you will often save and not have to worry about buying at a ticket window. No matter the business you want to work with in saving money, also know you may have other options. You might find tickets to an event or locale you want by getting them from an approved ticket reseller. No matter the choices you have, save money and make your experiences even more enjoyable.

2. Getting more social – If you use social media, you have taken an important step on the road to trying to save more. It is not uncommon for consumers to talk about their spending on sites such as Facebook and others. As a result, you could win when viewing or even taking part in such conversations. Whether you know the people chatting online or not, see what they have to say. Often, you can pick up some tips from others on how to go about saving money when away from home.

3. Knowing what kind of budget you have – It is also a good idea to know what kind of budget you may have when you plan to go out. This can be everything from a trip to a theme park or taking a vacation to a routine visit to your local store. By knowing what you can and can’t afford, you are less likely to run into financial predicaments. If money has been tight for you for a long time or in more recent times, have you done any budgeting along the way? By coming up with a budget, you are less likely to spend more money than you need to. As an example, grocery shopping can add up rather fast if one is not careful. That said have a list of what you absolutely need when you go to the store. Try your best to stick to that list. Also, avoid if you can going to the grocery store when on an empty stomach. Going when you are quite hungry can lead you to buying and of course spending more.

By trying your best to save dollars when outside the home, you can relax more once you do in fact get home.

For businesses that utilize Point of Sale Systems it is a time of transition and adding on new products that reflect how customers want to interact with your business and purchase your products. One big addition that is needed to reflect how to accommodate customers is to utilize mobile point of sale (mPOS) technology like the Booker Clover Mini mPOS system. For businesses including retail, hospitality and other industries that are seeking to service their customers without the use of a fixed or set payment terminal mPOS is becoming a core technology.

There are many specific reasons that mPOS technology is being adopted so quickly and these reasons are listed here:

It is the Hot New Tech

We live in a digital world today and this technology is quickly replacing anything analog. There is also a big push for anything connected to the internet and additionally anything mobile is also being utilized as part of today’s hottest trends. mPOS systems like Cloverflex ticks all of the boxes listed above and as a result it is now one of the hottest products in industries that utilize POS displays.

Companies that utilize tech products at the heart of their businesses cannot work with older and outdated products. Customers expect to see the latest technology and to know that the company is using the best tech with the latest features.

It Helps to Provide the Highest Levels of Customer Service

The retail businesses that thrive today understand that the customer must be at the center of their business. This has always been the case but now it is more important to focus on this to create new customers and repeat business.

Today customers are interested in having a great experience with retailers. They want to feel appreciated and that their time and energy are noticed. This manifests itself in loyalty programs, quick responses when there are problems and businesses processes that get them taken care of on the terms they want.

Retailers can use Merchant Account Solutions Clover POS System to assist customers in new and powerful ways. They can locate and order inventory from an alternative location if the store the customer is in, is out of stock, it can give customer service to customers no matter where they are in the store (not just at the checkout counter), and it can be used to manage store resources on the fly with much more efficiency. The end result is customers have a much better experience with the retailer.

Retailers Can Easily Diversify and Coordinate Their Sales and Marketing Efforts

Hospitality and retail companies are in a race today to build their online presence and capabilities even as online retailers begin to build retail locations. The goal for each type of company is to be able to meet customers in every way they prefer. Establishing these multiple sales channels is certainly the wave of the future but the biggest challenge is maintaining quality and consistency across each channel.

Utilizing tablet computers and the Clo, companies can reach this level of Omni-channel effectiveness. The devices are tied into each channel and updates and reports to all creating consistency and better outcomes for customers.

Mobile point of sale software is the newest and best technology tools for increasing sales and improving customer satisfaction.

No state in America can boast the amount of beautiful and highly desirable big cities as California. The state is blessed with three great cities. San Francisco in the North, Los Angeles in Southern California and San Diego at the southern tip of the state.

Each city has its own treasures and reasons to love it. San Francisco is the state’s most cosmopolitan city attracting inhabitants and bi business from all over the world to set up their homes here. It is also the birthplace of Silicon Valley. Los Angeles has Hollywood which is the entertainment capital of the world. The movie and music stars live here and you can see them when you visit. San Diego is the quietest of the three but also boasts the best weather and perhaps nicest amenities for travelers. There is so much to do here that few who come are disappointed.

If you own a company and are thinking about having a company outing in San Diego, here are some great things to do in the city.

Take Your Group Sailing

How about taking your group on a beautiful ship that sails off the coast of San Diego?  If you are interested in a private charter cruise San Diego has a lovely sailing yacht called America for charter by companies for an afternoon. This 139 foot vessel holds up to 76 passengers and is an exact replica of The America that won the original America’s Cup boat race in 1851. This luxury sailboat offers corporations complete privacy and the perfect environment to have a wonderful corporate event no matter what the occasion.

Your team can take part in team building exercises as they help to commandeer the yacht and hoist and lower the sails. They will also spot whales off the boat as the Blue and grey whales migrate past San Diego throughout the year. You and your team can also have a world class dining experience aboard the America. Finally, the boat is completely licensed and fitted with an experienced crew and best of all “no sea sickness” is guaranteed.

Many people who take a corporate tour on the America come back on their own and do a San Diego harbor tour which can be done day or evening and includes meals and great sightseeing.

Del Mar

This city by the sea with the popular race track, is one of Northern San Diego County’s most popular beach communities. Companies can come here and find the perfect getaway location to have a corporate outing. There is access to the beach from several locations including right through the heart of town. If you want to do something outdoors with your group, there are hiking trails and two parks in the city that overlook the water. There are great restaurants and bistros that invite groups to come and have some of the local seafood. And, there are many lovely hotels along the water with ballrooms and conference areas. Each reflects the mood of the city which is relaxation and calm. If you want your group to kick back a bit and leave their work cares at the office Del Mar is the perfect place.

San Diego offers companies great ways to get their teams together on retreats or corporate events. These are two of the best in the area.

How would you say your small business is doing these days?

If things in fact could be better, do you have a plan to improve your small business?

For many small business owners, they are getting by but could be doing better.

So, what steps can you take to move your small business ahead?

Are Finances Holding You up?

In looking at moving your small business to where you want it to be, keep these keys in mind:

1. Finances – How are you doing with finances? If things could be better, do you have a plan in place? One option would be to go online and look into business loans. If you are able to secure a small business loan, you can better position your business for the things you need. With that loan in your hands, you are able to use the funds for any number of needs. An example would be replacing some of your workplace equipment. This is especially the case if some items are past their prime. Any smart owner knows that their equipment is essential to getting the job done. If equipment is breaking down or not working at all, it can stymie one’s productivity. You might also use the loan money towards bringing on more employees. If you rely much on your workers, you may be in a position now where you do not have enough manpower. If this is true, it once again can halt your ability to get the job done as you would like to. No matter what the funds go towards, look into getting a business loan today.

2. Customer service – How good is your company’s customer service? If you are struggling with this all-important need, it can reflect in slower sales. With slower sales of course comes less revenue. Take the time to see if your customer service could be improved. It may be a case of where some of your customers are leaving you over the lack of top-notch service. If they are going to competitors, you may never get them back. As part of your customer service, do you ever seek feedback from your customers? Doing surveys and other means of obtaining feedback will help your business out. The only way you can know if you are getting the job done is to know what your customers think of you.

3. Growth – Finally, do you see growth for your small business on the horizon? While you never want to jump the gun on growing your brand, you also do not want to wait until it is too late. Doing so can allow the competition to pass you by sooner than later. Keep your eyes and ears open to what is trending in your industry is key. Read the tea leaves to see if the time is now in fact for you to grow. If it is, do you have all the resources in place to do so?

In improving your small business, always look to see what it will take to get ahead.

You have worked hard to get to this point.

That being the case, you want to do whatever it takes to move your small business ahead.

One of the most important things about feeling comfortable at home is having good lighting. That’s one of the main reasons why lighting design is such a hot topic recently. Nobody brings out the best features of any room better than good lights. There are a lot of ways to improve your lighting at home or at work, and it really does make a difference.

Keep scale in mind

One of the first and foremost rules of lighting is that there is no one-size-fits-all light. That means you can’t use the same type and strength of light in all rooms. Sometimes, you just want smaller table lamps; other times, you need a large chandelier. Smaller rooms go much better with smaller, yet tactically placed sources of light, while large rooms generally require a centerpiece. Keep that in mind when you’re figuring out how to improve the light quality at home.

Dimmers work wonders

Having a dimmer to change the mood and tone of the room makes an enormous difference. What was before a vibrant and bright living room can easily become a moody room that exudes ambiance. Besides, if you spend plenty of time in a single room, you won’t want the lighting to be constant. It should adapt to the time of day, and dimmers are a great way to achieve that.

Pick the right shade

Window shades play an important role in how people perceive the mood of your room. If your room has a lot sunlight during the day, consider using different colored shades. White shades are great if you want to have more light in, but they can sometimes add a cold feeling to your room. To contrast that, colored shades will tint the light, and they will slightly darken the room, but add a warmer and creamier feel to the room.

Light dark corners

Small utility lights are often underutilized in the home. Most homes have a lot of corners that aren’t properly lit, which is why a lot of rooms might feel cramped and smaller than they actually are. Lighting these dark spots will often make the room feel bigger and add even more beauty to the space around the lights. This goes for different parts of the home as well, like closets, kitchen counters, cupboards, and shelves.

Replace old lights

If you live in an older home, chances are you have a lot of old fixtures. Truth is, just a couple of decades ago, thinking about light as a natural part of design just wasn’t part of the equation. So a lot of these old fixtures might be functional, in a way, but don’t really bring out the best of the room. Consider replacing them, and you’ll immediately notice just how beautiful a room can be.

Light is one of the most important parts of the home. Without good lighting, you won’t feel comfortable, productive, or simply at home. Good lighting really does work wonders, and it’s something every home should have.

Hong Kong is one of the most illustrious cities in the world. Since colonial Britain, the province has remained a global beacon for finance and commerce. More than just being a port city, Hong Kong has anchored both the Asia and Asia-Pacific market for many years. The province plays a big role in finance globally simply because the city has so much wealth.

In fact, the average Hong Kong resident is believed to be a millionaire and commercial real estate is just as expensive. Even in the midst of this opulence, there is room for the small guy where business is concerned, as newer office formats make it possible for businesses of all sizes to work in even the most prestigious spaces, namely the virtual office.

While some might discount the benefits of the virtual office, let’s see why it is increasingly becoming an important part of the landscape.

An Alternative To High Rents

First and foremost, Hong Kong, as of a few years ago, was rated one of the most expensive places to lease office space worldwide. Finding space in a great location might be difficult, but not impossible, though. When looking for virtual offices in Hong Kong – Servcorp, for example, can place your business right in the middle of the province’s famed Finance Street or Kowloon District.

For a fraction of the price, your business can have access to valuable offices without having to pay the ghastly rents characterised by most CBDs. The reliable internet connection and access to office support can round out your virtual office in the province. In terms of levelling the playing field, the virtual office has proven itself valuable, if not important.

Dense Landscape

Commercial real estate in the province has been forced to move outward away from the centre of the province simply because, in terms of size, space is densely packed. The virtual office proves itself important simply by solving the problem of searching for space in a place where there is very little room. Of course, coworking spaces can also offer businesses office space, especially in Causeway Bay, but the virtual office eliminates businesses having to lease physical space unless they want access to conference and meeting rooms. Even in this case, they only need to rely on the right serviced office provider.

Access Without Excess

The virtual office allows businesses to choose from a menu of options. Depending on the plan, you might have access to a simple business address, so your business appears more professional or you might gain access to actual suites and meeting rooms. Other plans help foreign business register their businesses, which can be great if you need help with this process. Ultimately, your business can choose from an a la carte menu of options, pay for what you only use, and avoid paying excessively every month.

Great Way To Transition

If you happen to be in business in Hong Kong and are waiting for an office to become available, the virtual office is one of the best temporary solutions, especially through any of the serviced office providers. The virtual office can help you grow comfortably online while waiting for office space to open up because today’s technology provides businesses with a wide array of tools to work comfortably. If you do decide that the virtual office is probably a better format, then simply adjust your online platform for business growth.

More Than Important

Being able to secure a great place in Hong Kong’s thriving business scene is very important. SMEs and start-ups can actually afford to position themselves to work in prestigious locations in and around the CBD. Just in terms of providing a platform for having access to typically expensive areas, the virtual office is more than important but very valuable as well.