When you become an adult, there is a lashing with society boundaries overflowing in boiling elements of logic, strategy, and responsibility that drown our soaring dreams and ambitions. Our outlook into the massive window of the world shuts down. Blinded. We are bogged down with mortgages and bills. The new house and the new car that crowned us with applause from the consumerism society defined sectors of success. If anyone steered away from the rigid routines of predefined success, they were deemed to be shunned away, or boxed as ‘failure’ outcasts.

The twentieth century was a period where all were in the rising in the consumer revolution. Happiness, status, identity, and meaning were sourced from material products.

Psychologists find a linkage between materialism and life dissatisfaction in general.

Intense study reflection in the 1990’s by a team of psychologists and sociologists indicated a link between materialism and life tumbles in the form of narcissism, social anxiety and life dissatisfaction in general^[1]. Buddhism accentuated the philosophy with the notion that materialism becomes the impediment to reaching true happiness.

Research studies by UCLA psychologists Darby Saxbe and Rena Repetti indicates that stress levels increase with accumulation of material goods, and affects good health ultimately^[2].

As soon as material padlocks in the disguise of money enter wallets, we crave for purchases. Every new purchase ignites a sparkle in your being. A few days pass by and…..? That spark disappears, there is no trace of it. Where does happiness walk away to?

True happiness comes from our memories — our experiences.

Psychologist Tom Gilovich studied the subject of happiness for decades and has concluded that experiences are more likely than material goods to lead to happiness^[3].

When we buy something new, it excites us; with time it becomes an everyday usual, and then we start searching for something new to unload our wallets. The cycle is damaging.

Thomas Gilovich from Cornell University Psychology department research indicated that happiness levels are equal when buying something or a traveling escapade, but memories of traveling resonate within us as we relish in the memories. Buying a new gadget or a new car will just become an everyday ordinary.

An object will eventually become old or expired. Memories, however, stay engraved and bring us joy each time we remember the experience.

Experiential Era has dawned on us.

The  21st-century experience revolution ignites the transformation sparks. It is layered in flexible schedules with independence to move freely in contrast to stability and prosperity.

Before chaining yourself down into hubs of materialistic flaws, think, and expand. Imagine the impossible. Live it and make it a reality! Prosperity comes from a wealth of experiences — learn, discover and explore.

Why own when you can rent it? It is like a car with a driver. By taking a mortgage on a house, it’s like renting the same place for forty years when there are available options to rent a place at any destination of your choice. You never know how long you will stay somewhere because job changes, and life changes.

In our personal reactions as well, we are instantly impressed with someone who reached the Kilimanjaro summit or passed an intense challenge, rather than a fancy handbag or new watch. Offload the shackles of materialism and get ready to experience, experiment and explore!

The post Science Explains Why You Should Prioritze Experiences Over Stuff appeared first on Lifehack.

How do you see your weaknesses? Do you hate them a lot? Or do you embrace them with a positive mind?

This animated film “The Present”  tries to remind everyone that no one is perfect in this world. We’re all born to be imperfect in a certain way, no one should hate themselves or anyone for not being perfect. It is a touching story about how the little boy changes his attitude towards himself and and his life after receiving an unexpected present from his mom. It sounds like just another mother-and-son-relationship story, but it’s a lot more than that. It’s a 4-minute story about love, acceptance and life. The present changed the little boy’s life, I hope it’ll change yours too.

“The Present” is based on a great little comic strip by the very talented Fabio Coala. It is a graduation short from the Institute of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Postproduction at the Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg in Ludwigsburg, Germany. It’s been run on over 180 film festivals and winning more than 50 awards.

The post Inspiring Animated Film About A Boy Receiving An Unexpected Gift Teaches Us An Unexpected Life Lesson appeared first on Lifehack.

Today women are faced with a ton of unnecessary pressure and may feel they need to conform to the way our seemingly liberated society deems fit. London-based fashion illustrator, Daisy Bernard acurately illustrates how women are judged and labeled in every aspect of their life. She says she was inspired to create the series after news of a Muslim woman in France was forced to remove clothes on a beach by police back in August. Originally the post was published to a UK website, The Tab, and it had gained quite a bit of attention thereafter.

The main message Bernard tries to get across is that a lot of times women disregard the judgement projected on to them and brush it off as that is just the way it is. However, it should be called out and addressed because it is unnacceptable. Bernard says, “It’s stuff that we often dismiss because it’s just ‘the way of life’ – which it really shouldn’t be.”

It’s very important for women to not fulfill the expectations society imposes on them. It is impossible to please everyone, and trying to do so can lead to depression and an overall feeling of worthlessness and unhappiness. Below, take a look at the creative illustrations by Bernard that created so much hype:

Not only do women deal with the “glass ceiling” issue where they are often thought to not be qualified enough as a man to hold powerful positions within a company, they also deal with the judgement of their appearance and how they conduct themselves.

It’s important for a woman to dress in a way where she feels most herself, empowered, and comfortable. When faced with these issues, it’s advised to address them with human resources. No woman should be treated differently or disrespectfully because of the way she chooses to dress herself. If you never speak up, there will most likely never be a solution.

Relationships are tough in general. How many times do you hear “she’s crazy” or “she’s boring”? And that’s not even cracking the surface. It seems that women are judged more harshly than men in relationships because they tend to be more driven by their emotions.

There is nothing wrong with that. When someone throw these things in your face, maintain your composure and sense of self. Embrace being a woman, you are more powerful than most want you to believe. You know exactly who you are, remember what you deserve and more importantly what you don’t, and do not change who you are to fit in to what seems “acceptable”. Someone will love you and accept you for exactly who you are, crazy mood swings and all.

The one that sticks out to me the most here is “you’re too high-maintenance”. However, I’m sure a lot of you have heard most, if not all of these things before. You’re always going to be too much or not enough for someone. That is not something you can control. What you can control is how you view yourself. Love who you are, dress how you want to dress, love what you do.

As a woman, you all have days when you want to throw on sweats or leggings, an over-sized tee, and a hat. Sometimes you don’t want to shave your legs for a week because I mean, who really wants to spend an extra 20 minutes in the shower only to discover you missed a spot when you’re already in bed? Man, I hate that. Other days you want to dress up and feel beautiful. You want that perfect highlight and contour, perfectly waved hair, perfect outfit, you get what I mean.

Don’t let someone decide what kind of person you are based on how you dress. You are beautiful no matter what!

The post 3 Illustrations Capture The Absurd Double Standards Women Face Today appeared first on Lifehack.

If you have a sibling, you’ll be touched by this christmas ad.

Siblings are like…you don’t show your love easily, or the way you express it is just weird…But as time goes by you know they’re always the most valuable ones that you’d never want to lose.

The post This Touching Viral Christmas Ad Perfectly Shows What Sibling Love Is appeared first on Lifehack.

Cozying up with a warm cup of hot chocolate is a a must for this holiday! Fancy some delicious twists for an awesome cup of hot chocolate? Check out our picks for the best hot chocolate to accompany you this holiday!

1. Caramel Hot Chocolate (Recipe here!)

2. Peppermint & Whipped Vodka Hot Chocolate (Recipe here!)

3. Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate (Recipe here!)

4. Creamy White Hot Chocolate (Recipe here!)

5. Frozen White Hot Chocolate (Recipe here!)

6. Double the Choclate Hot Chocolate (Recipe here!)

7. Spiked White Hot Chocolate Two Ways (Recipe here!)

8. Mint White Hot Chocolate (Recipe here!)

9. Almond Chai Hot Chocolate (Recipe here!)

10. Icelandic Hot Chocolate (Recipe here!)

The post 10 Twists On Hot Chocolate That Will Cozy Up Your Holidays appeared first on Lifehack.

“We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.” 

The familiar melody reminds us that Christmas Day is coming on the fourth Sunday this mouth. People are going to make preparation for Christmas meals, Christmas trees, Christmas cards, Christmas gifts, etc. to welcome the coming of the Christmas holiday. Wait a minute, we can’t forget about one of the most important things we get to experience during Christmas: the Christmas songs. There is nothing quite like Christmas songs that make your holiday brighter and merrier.

A good Christmas song can melt the heart of even the steeliest Grinch, from hardened hipster to a grumpy grandpa. So here are top 10 Christmas songs recommended for you that focus on secular Christmas themes, such as winter scenes, family gatherings, and Santa Claus. This list includes almost all genres of music, like pop, rock, R&B, country and children’s Christmas songs. I hope these Christmas songs can brighten your holiday.

1. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey

This is by far one of my favorite Christmas songs ever! This song is so catchy and gets you in the Christmas spirit from the moment you hear it. It is lively, upbeat and happy, and gets you in a good mood. The song is inevitably racking up more and more cover versions as its popularity continues to mount and it’s achieved classic status. Mariah Carey is a fully-deserved queen of Christmas songs! Every Christmas, when I want to listen to Christmas songs, I will pick this song as my first choice.

 2. “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande

The lyrics are an interesting twist on the old Christmas lyrical standard of “I want love for Christmas,” and addresses the question. What happens after the mistletoe has been taken down? Is there any guarantee for non-snowy love? The song’s lyrics tell us a sad love story, but with a bright melody. Santa also has no answer about the question of “if he really cares.” Ariana’s voice makes the Christmas ambience cuter and the epitome of lovely.

3. “Mary, Did You Know” by Pentatonix

The hearts of children and parents alike will be stirred by this wistful, insightful, and awe-inspiring narrative of the extraordinary life of Jesus. “Mary, Did You Know?” will give rich enjoyment to your family’s time together, not just during Christmas, but during any day of the year. This incredible and breathtaking song has magic and power and will bring you to tears when you listen it.

4. “Christmas Canon” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

The song is the perfect combination between the Christmas theme and Canon just like its name “Christmas Canon” suggests. The beautiful piano and violin melody, along with harmonies of children’s chorales, create such a heart-warming atmosphere in the cold snowy winter night that easily brings you into the happy mood of the Christmas season.

5. “Someday at Christmas” by Stevie Wonder & Andra Day

It was originally released in 1967 and the title track still remains relevant today. Especially during troubled times, the song is an elegant and eloquent hope for a world that is filled with peace, equality, and free from poverty, hatred, and hunger. The song was referring to the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement, but the lyrics can easily be applied to the state of the world today.

6. “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” by Bruce Springsteen

Even though there are various memorable versions of this Christmas classic, like the versions performed by Crystals and The Jackson 5, our favorite rendition of the 1934 song is still from Bruce and the E Street Band. It just wouldn’t sound like the holidays without Bruce Springsteen and this holiday staple is the oldest Christmas song (1934) on our list of the top 10 Christmas songs. The classic surpassed the test of time and will never be out of style.

7. “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms

Such a fun and festive song! As one of the classic Christmas songs, the song is joyful and cheerful and it always fills me up with Christmas cheer. If we say that “ Jingle Bell” is the song for children, “Jingle Bell Rock” is definitely the version that’s for adults. When it appeared in the movie Home Alone, it became an instant holiday classic.

8. “It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Michael Bublé

Michael Bublé’s voice is as classic as the gramophone and he has actually been one of the few singers that’s made his own standards. The song is absolutely eloquent and simple and his talent doesn’t feel like it is wasted. His voice is one of kind and makes for an enjoyable time when listening to this Christmas song. For people who like to remember the past, the song is deserving of being listened to again and again.

9. “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen

The song lays dormant in Cohen’s vast repertoire for more than a decade. Leonard Cohen has always been ambiguous about what his “Hallelujah” is about, with its sexual scenery and its religious symbolism. “This world is full of conflicts and full of things that cannot be reconciled,” Cohen has said. “But there are moments when we can reconcile and embrace the whole mess, and that’s what I mean by ‘Hallelujah’.”

10. “Little Drummer Boy” by Pentatonix

The version of David Bowie and Bing Crosby is well-known by most people, but the cover by Pentatonix is also very beautiful and creative. Their voices touch your soul and make you remember the true meaning of Christmas. This group is amazing. Their harmonies and their ability to blend so well shows a true dedication to their craft. If you love the traditional song, you will love their version even more.

If you want to brighten your holiday, don’t hesitate to visit iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, or any other music sites, and download your favorite Christmas songs for better enjoyment. Merry Christmas to all of you!

The post Top 10 Christmas Songs Recommended for 2016 Christmas appeared first on Lifehack.

There can be a number of reasons as to why we choose to run a blog. For some, it’s to offer viewers a form of entertainment, whereas others may just be looking to showcase a certain art form. Whatever the reasons are for the blog, webmasters can be confident that it has a home in the online world.

Due to many regulations enforced by Google over the last few years, blogs are quickly becoming a commodity within the online world, as they have to offer a brilliant user-experience and killer content for them to rank well within search engines.^[1] As such, more and more webmasters are ensuring that they only employ “white hat” methods when it comes to promoting their blog online.

As more quality blogs are introduced into the online world, more readers are keen to absorb the information. Many people even find that their blog becomes an overnight sensation due to one piece of phenomenal content. As such, your blog can become a hot ticket within the online blogosphere.

Those who have been on the blogging scene for some time will no doubt be aware that many bloggers make money with ad programs, such as Google’s Adsense, Outbrain and Taboola, but are there any other options available to those looking to make a profit on the Internet?

Fortunately, the answer is yes, and the following options should at the very least be on every blogger’s consideration list when it comes to monetizing their blog.

1. Affiliate Marketing

The great thing about affiliate marketing is just how much opportunity it offers both parties if employed in the right way. Affiliate marketing works by a blogger placing an advertisement or a link to a third-party’s product or service on their site, usually in a form of a coupon. Should viewers like the look of what they see, they can choose to make a purchase. This means that the business gets a sale and the blogger gets a percentage of the profit. Affiliate marketing is ideal for a blog that has a certain niche. For example, if you were running a blog that focused on video games, you could look towards affiliate schemes that offered not only video games but also paraphernalia, such as joypads and gaming tablets.

Of course, some research should be carried out in relation to the affiliate programs you wish to use, but if used in the right way, affiliate marketing can be a great way for your blog to generate income.

2. Direct Advertisement

When looking for direct advertisement, you have to prove that your blog is a viable place to advertise. Hence, you should ensure that the user-experience is up to par, as well as your incoming traffic.^[2] However, those who have had their blog for some time may be becoming frustrated with some of the limitations in place by more obvious solutions, such as Adsense.

In this regard, you can either look to pitch your site to businesses within your niche, or you could find that you receive direct offers if your blog has posted some viral content as of late. Of course, you need to ensure that you read all the terms in relation to any advertising that takes place, but, when done in the right way, direct advertisement can be a great way of making money with your blog.

3. Create and Sell eBooks

If you’ve become something of a reputable source within the online world, then it’s likely that you will be the first place people come to when it comes to new developments within your niche. You’d be surprised by the fanbase that can be built with the right kind of research, meaning more and more people are craving the information you offer. As such, why not offer some reading material for your visitors in the form of an eBook?^[3] Even a small charge can help garnish your income, and who knows, you could be writing a lot more books in the future.

4. Run Your Own Set of Services

Have you created your own website and somebody has given a comment as to how great it looks? Maybe somebody has complimented you on your content? Whatever your strengths are, there’s very little reason why you can’t market them within your blog. Some of the things you can consider are as follows:

• Blog Migration
• Logo Design
• Content Creation
• Consultancy
• Social Media Management
• Website Design & Development

Of course, this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what services can be offered. Simply find something that has served you well and pitch its benefits on your website. Before long, you should be able to generate income via the strength of your blog.

5. Paid Reviews

If we deal with a number of reviews, it only makes sense that we monetize our opportunities wherever possible. For example, if someone is offering you a software to review and looking to profit on the back of your review, then it can be worthwhile considering charging for the review. Of course, you need to have a high influx of traffic to your blog to justify a charge, but paid reviews can be an ideal income funnel for your blog.

To Conclude

This is merely an overview of what can be achieved when it comes to making money with your blog, but you do have to be certain that you’re employing the right kind of strategy for your particular blog, which can mean that some research may be required.^[4]

This can mean looking at what past content has done well on your blog, and how this can be used alongside the marketing potential of your blog. Other factors to consider can be the search terms used that bring visitors to your site, which can assist you when trying to choose the right kind of affiliate for your blog.

It’s also worth making sure that you’re not altering the tone of your blog to conform with advertisers. Remember, the success of your blog will always be based on how many people visit and read your content, so be sure that you don’t alienate visitors by introducing too many changes and taking the focus away from the content.

The post Five Ways to Generate Income with Your Blog appeared first on Lifehack.

Your business plan could be the seed that launches your next invention. But presenting a winning plan isn’t easy. Everything starts somewhere and you need to ask some probing questions before you ever present your business plan. These are the ten questions you must ask before going any further.

1. Are these the right people?

Consider whether you’re even presenting your business plan to the right people in the first place. Even the best business idea will fall flat if the people listening were never interested to begin with. The makers of the Pokémon Go craze wouldn’t have presented their idea to a group of accountants, would they?

2. How is it going to make money?

It’s amazing how so many entrepreneurs miss this part. Yes, the business idea might be intriguing, but it ultimately must make money. Anyone who’s going to invest in your business wants to know how they’re going to get their money back.

3. Is it practical?

So many business ideas simply aren’t practical. If they worked they could change the industry, but the foundations aren’t there to make those ideas a reality. Consider whether now is the right time for your idea to flourish. This is why entrepreneurs are starting to embrace augmented reality only now.

4. What’re the long-term prospects?

Investors aren’t there to make a quick buck. They want a business, not a fad. Don’t just talk about your business idea. Talk about the sustainability of your business idea. Think about whether your idea is still going to be there five years from now.

5. How does it fit in with the rest of the industry?

Unless your idea is truly unique, and the chances are it isn’t, you need to think about where it’s going to fit in. One of the dumbest policies you need to ditch is assuming you’re special. 99% of business ideas fit in with already existing companies. Explain how yours fits in and what makes it stand out from the rest.

6. Is your valuation realistic?

Nothing turns off an investor more than an overoptimistic entrepreneur. Your idea might be worth a million dollars to you, but in the real world that is far from the case. Give some serious thought to whether your valuation is realistic. What is it based on? Will it maintain that value? Is it going to grow in value?

7. Who’s running the show and what do they bring to the table?

Anyone listening to your business plan wants to know who’s involved. They want to know the professionals who’re in the key decision-making positions. Employing friends and family won’t inspire confidence. You need to make it clear that you’ve brought in expertise to execute your idea.

To give investors confidence, you need the right people around you.

8. Where is the income going to come from?

Define the economics of your business in clear terms. These upcoming startups all have clearly defined revenue streams, with specific pricing plans and exactly what customers get from those plans. Be as specific as possible about what customers are going to buy and how that can be scaled up.

9. What’s the minimum you need to get started?

The average entrepreneur wants as much money as possible to get started. The average investor wants to invest the minimum amount of money to get your business started. Don’t ask for huge sums. Ask for what you need to get started and be clear about what you need the money for.

You can always ask for more capital later, and if you intend to do so, make this clear in your business plan.

10. How is this plan going to scale?

One of the tools that can help you get the investment you want is scaling. Your business idea may start generating money, but it needs room to grow. Not all business ideas will grow after they start making money. Does your business plan consider the big picture?

Conclusion – The Right Questions

Asking these questions will help to define your business plan and make it clear that you’ve considered exactly how it’s going to make money, where it fits in, and its long-term future. These questions will make it much more likely that investors are going to want to invest in you.

The post 10 Questions You Must Ask Before Presenting Your Business Plan appeared first on Lifehack.

Are you looking for ways to improve the comfort and efficiency of your home’s heating system? If you have a large home or an older home that doesn’t circulate heat very well, zone heating could be the answer. Most homes have a central heating system that’s used for keeping a home’s interior at an ideal temperature during the day.

Zone heating, or spot heating, involves heating rooms you are using and leaving other rooms cool. Find out why you should consider zone heating for your home by reading the reasons below.

Zone Heating Is Less Complicated Than You Think

Image via Flickr by C Jill Reed

Why keep the bedrooms warm all day if you spend your time in the living room and kitchen? Do you need the living area heated up while you’re asleep? Most people spend eight to nine hours in their bedrooms and for one-third of the time, the furnace runs only to heat a few relatively small rooms. Zone heating is a surprisingly simple approach that involves turning down your thermostat and using space heaters to target only the rooms you’re using.^[1]

Closing ducts and doors to unused rooms is a traditional approach to zone heating, but it is also one that doesn’t work well with modern heating systems. A good HVAC system allows heat to flow throughout the house and if you interfere with the intended airflow, your system will work too hard to push air against those closed vents, which can diminish your system’s efficiency. Lowering your thermostat and supplementing your HVAC system with space heaters can improve your system’s energy efficiency.

You’ll Love the Lower Power Bills

Heating the house to a comfortable temperature while you’re using only one room wastes both money and resources. Some families report saving as much as $700 over a winter season by using zone heating.^[2]

If you have a large home, your savings could be greater. The amount you can save depends on a number of factors, such as the size of your house, the number of people in your family, the type of home floor plan (open or closed), and the type of system you’re using to heat your home.^[3]

Save Precious Resources

Those dollar savings could reflect savings on fossil fuels as well. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, an independent activist group that’s been leading the energy movement since the 1970s, electric and natural gas utilities create more than half of the pollution associated with global warming from fossil fuels in the US. Streamlining your home’s energy efficiency is one of the best ways to impact climate change and cut your carbon footprint. Even if you don’t mind paying higher power bills, you might not want to deplete the earth’s natural resources to heat unused areas of your home.

You’ll Enjoy Improved Comfort

Zone heating lets you live comfortably with a low thermostat setting. If you spend a lot of time in one spot — a home office by day and your couch in the evening —  a small electric or ceramic heater in that zone will keep you cozy even in a cooler house. For your bedrooms, look for silent oil-filled radiators with built-in timers that can get the room warmed up before you enter and keep it warm until you’re finished getting dressed in the morning. Add a heat lamp to your bathroom to quickly warm the room when you’re ready for a shower or bath.

Zone heating is a flexible idea that you can adapt to suit many situations. Once you start thinking about heating the room you occupy, instead of heating your whole house, you’re sure to come up with ways to apply this concept to your home.

Featured photo credit: Image via Flickr by StarsApart via flickr.com

The post 3 Reasons Why You Should Be Zone Heating Your Home appeared first on Lifehack.

With desktop computer sales at an all-time low and a vast range of different laptop configurations available, the thought of assembling your own PC from scratch might seem like a rather dated concept relevant only to die-hard enthusiasts. However, contrary to popular belief, the desktop remains the preferred machine both when it comes to power and productivity. The flexibility afforded by having a larger monitor and a versatile upgrade and maintenance plan is second to none, solidifying the desktop’s place in the market. Assembling your own computer is not likely to save you any money these days, but there are still plenty of reasons to go down the DIY route, such as the following:

1. Flexible Design Formats

For most DIY computer builders, flexibility is the key motivation behind the decision to assemble your own PC. Unlike laptops, which only provide a very limited range of upgrade and customization options, desktop computers are available in a wide variety of standardized form factors. The most common of these are the standard ATX, which typically provides five or six expansion slots also popular are micro ATX motherboards and cases since they usually provide enough connectivity and upgrade potential for all but the most demanding among user. However, larger cases are generally better for a multitude of reasons, including improved airflow and easier assembly, upgrades and maintenance.

2. Better Power Supplies

The power supply unit is hardly the most glamorous of all the components that make up the desktop computer, but it’s one of the most important. A poor power supply will severely limit the machine’s upgrade potential and may even cause damage to your computer. Knowing that most buyers don’t even think about the power supply, many manufacturers cut costs by including an unbranded generic unit that might not even be powerful enough to sustain a single high-end graphics card. If you decide to assemble your own computer, you’ll be able to choose a quality power supply from a reputable manufacturer, such as ECGA or Corsair. A better power supply will also provide a convenient modular design and greatly improved connectivity.

3. Quality Retail Hardware

The same applies to all other hardware components that make up a desktop computer. In addition to having a better power supply, you’ll also be free to choose quality parts yourself, including the motherboard, graphics card, storage devices, memory, and processor. While you can usually count on the actual processor inside the machine when you buy a branded retail PC, buyers often overlook the remaining (but just as important) components. For example, relatively few people have any idea what sort of motherboard they have inside their machines since it typically isn’t mentioned in the basic specifications. However, when building your own, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting and who you’re getting it from.

4. Zero Bloatware

Perhaps the most common complaint of all when it comes to buying a new computer, whether it’s a laptop, desktop or even a smartphone, is that they tend to come installed with loads of useless junk software. In fact, one of the first things most experts recommend to those who have just purchased a new computer is to spend a few hours cleaning it of all the off-the-shelf junk. From so-called antivirus and PC “optimization” software plagued by nag screens to unwanted trial and demo versions of other programs and games, bloatware has become a serious problem. However, when you assemble your own computer, you’ll start with a completely blank hard drive and only a retail copy of windows (or any other operating system).

5. Versatile Upgrades

Thanks to coherent support policies directly from the manufacturers of individual components, maintaining, upgrading and troubleshooting a custom-built machine is vastly more flexible and less frustrating. In contrast, if you buy a retail computer, you’ll be subject to their rules and customer support (or lack thereof) for the most part.

Many retailers won’t even let you upgrade your computer without voiding the warranty either, which goes completely against on of the biggest reasons to have a desktop computer in the first place. Thanks to fool-proof designs and standardized components, almost any novice computer user can now assemble their own computers without any problem, provided they do a little research first.

6. The Right Monitor

The monitor is an essential requirement for your PC setup, and having the right monitor can make all the difference in a computer’s usability. This important desktop computer component comes with many different options giving users the possibility to go for what satisfies their needs the best. If you’re intending to use your desktop computer for only surfing the internet and going on social media then using any conventional screen would do the job. For multi-monitor display setups, however, thin bezel monitors will ensure a better continuity between screens as a thick bezel right in the middle of your field of vision can get annoying especially if you are a gamer.

Final Words

If nothing else, assembling your own computer from scratch can be very rewarding, and you’ll also learn a lot about hardware and troubleshooting in the process. With a little care and common sense, the chances of things going wrong are also very low, and the process is now much easier than it ever was before. At the same time, you’ll avoid the enormous frustration that comes with dealing with huge amounts of bloatware, low-quality components and potential hours wasted on tech support phone lines to call centers on the other side of the world.

Featured photo credit: shutterstock via image.shutterstock.com

The post 6 Reasons to Build Your Own Computer appeared first on Lifehack.

More people than ever live alone, making home security a major concern. It is frightening to imagine an intruder breaking in when no one is at home or, worse yet, when you’re asleep. Getting anxious about a worst-case scenario won’t keep you safe, but some simple checkpoints can go a long way.

Believe it or not, it could benefit you to think like an intruder when considering whether your home is secure.

Identify Security Risks

Are there easy-access areas in your home that you may not be aware of? Move through the home and check door hinges, screens, window locks or garage doors that don’t close properly. If you really wanted to get into the house from the outside, could you do it?

If you would think like a thief for a moment, you might guess that the easier the access, the choicer the plum, i.e., your belongings. Thieves notice homes that appear to be easy to burglarize. This is a honed skill, leading to a reward in goods. If you notice something is broken – for example, a gap in a screen or a window that won’t lock – address the problem immediately. If you’re renting, ask the landlord to repair the problems for your safety.

Know Your Neighbors

Today people come and go, and many times people have neighbors whom they have never met. Living alone makes knowing your neighbors a must. A neighbor who keeps watch is very helpful. It is important to cultivate good relationships with people who live around you, and those who have lived in the neighborhood for a while can advise you on the safety of your particular area.

Potential thieves don’t care for neighborhoods where people appear to be observing properties around them. A thief does not like seeing a car in the neighbor’s driveway, nor a person strolling around the yard next door. Robbery is best accomplished unseen.

A vigilant neighbor at home next door is a definite deterrent. A neighbor who is a friend and who will notify you (or the authorities if necessary) is even better.

Install Security Alarms

A study interviewing burglars indicated that the presence of an alarm system sign would send them off to easier pickings. This was especially true for burglars who carefully planned robbery strategies. No thief wants to enter a home and be blasted with a loud alarm system and instant police notification.

Smart home systems create a secure access to a home that no ordinary burglar would consider, and they offer top-notch, dependable technology.

A mobile app provides complete viewing of your residence while you are out, and the cameras can be monitored 24/7. A mobile device can allow residents to lock doors, adjust temperatures, turn on or off lights and open or close a garage door from anywhere in the world. Even such things as an appliance left on or a leak in a pipe can be instantly detected and an alert given.

The system can give a potential burglar the impression that someone is in the home, with lights and television turning on and shades lifting at different times of the day. A potential thief is very interested in whether or not someone is at home. If it seems an occupant is in the home, most prudent burglars will not attempt a robbery.

Be Vigilant to Stay Safe

We all want to keep our homes as safe as possible, and with new technology there are even more way to do it. Above we discussed three tips that could help you increase the safety of your home. It’s important to pay attention and be aware of any suspicious activity around your home.

The post Living Alone? 3 Tips To Make Your Home Safer appeared first on Lifehack.

The New Year is upon us which means it’s time to set some new goals for 2017. Most resolve to lose a pound or two or find a new love interest in the year to come, but as a website owner, your goals are probably centered on the success of your online business.

Whether you’re a profitable blogger or an online retailer, the success of your website relies heavily on your ability to keep up with changing online marketing trends as well as shifts in consumer needs, wants, and demands.

If you’re looking to get a leg up on the New Year by setting your goals and making a plan for success before the clock strikes midnight on January 1^st, you could probably stand to benefit from some helpful tips on how to boost your site’s success.

Here are five ways you can increase your site’s potential for success in the New Year.

1. Build upon your online presence

No matter how great your product is or how much you’ve spent on designing an awesome website, none of that will matter if consumers can’t find your website. This is why it’s absolutely crucial for site owners to build and maintain an effective online presence. This will include things like keeping up on SEO to ensure consumers can find you when they search terms related to your site, establishing your brand on various social media channels, and creating and promoting quality content on your site to keep it in the public eye.

As a site owner, it will be important to track and implement consumer trends in each of these areas in 2017 to make sure you’re keeping up with the digital marketing tactics that are working and identifying ways you can implement them in your offsite and onsite strategies.

If you’re a bit new to the digital marketing world, I recommend checking out this guide which provides an excellent overview of how to build an effective online presence for your brand. Your tactics and approaches may vary with time, but focusing on the elements provided in this guide as you get started will help you move in the right direction.

2. Get to know your consumers

Whether you’re a business owner or a blogger, one of the most important things a site owner can do is to get to know the site’s consumers. What type of content does your consumer base like to see? Are there small tweaks you could make to your site to increase your ability to make an online sale? Are there any changes you could make to your product, service, or content to better meet the needs of your consumers?

Things like A/B testing, consumer surveys, Google Analytics, and focus groups can help you get answers to these questions. You should plan to check your analytics at least every other day to identify consumer trends. As far as surveys, A/B testing, and focus groups go, trying out each of these tactics at least once throughout the course of the year could help you get the valuable insights you need to make profitable changes to your website and its offerings.

If you’ve yet to do any conversion rate optimization on your site, take a look at these simple site tweaks you can make to help you increase the rate at which your site is able to convert shoppers to customers.

3. Listen to the experts

One of the most difficult things a business owner can do is to listen to what experts in marketing and other creative areas have to say about their site. Although most business owners and bloggers understand that marketing professionals have a better grasp on marketing tactics and technical online marketing terms than they do, they often have a hard time taking new suggestions for their sites.

If you’re not working with an outside marketing pro, it’s still likely you’re neglecting what other marketing professionals have to say about the latest tactics because you’re busy working within your own company.

You might be a bit strapped for time, but if you plan to manage any element of your site’s marketing, it’s absolutely essential that you stay up on the latest online marketing news. The field is ever-changing which means that if you miss a simple announcement from Google, you run the risk of pushing for outdated tactics that either don’t work or could leave you with a penalty.

Make a commitment to yourself to seek advice from and actually listen to experts. I recommend following a few different influencers on their blogs as well as on Twitter. Some of my favorite resources are the Moz blog, the Kissmetrics blog, and Rand Fishken’s Twitter account.

4. Re-evaluate and define key business goals

As your site grows, your goals as a business should grow along with it. This doesn’t mean that you should abandon your mission statement or values to accommodate growing trends, but it does mean that you should sit down at least once a year to re-evaluate where your site is headed and what you would like to see in the coming months. Even if your site is just a small blog at this point, you should still treat it like a profitable business as you set your goals and strategize for their execution if you want to see your audience grow and your potential profits rise.

If you’re not quite sure how to evaluate your site’s annual goals like a business owner would for his or her business, check out these five tips to get started.

5. Hold yourself accountable for change

If you’re not strategic about the way you set your goals and track your accomplishments, it’s nearly impossible to maintain full understanding of how your site is performing and what you can do to improve upon its performance. This is why it is important to set up a system for self-accountability that involves goal setting, tracking, deadlines, and evaluation.

The first step in this process is to set specific numbers and time limits for your goals. The more specific you are, the easier it will be to determine why and how you either did or did not reach your goals. The next step is to set processes for how and when you will track your progress. Next, you’ll want to set deadlines for your goals and be sure to mark these on your calendar with notifications that let you know when it’s time to check in on how you’re doing. Finally, you’ll want to set a system for determining your success in your final evaluation at the end of 2017.

Creating a specific process will help you hold yourself accountable for successes and failures that occur throughout the year.

The process of setting a strategy for increased site success in 2017 will be a bit lengthy, but it will be well worth it when you have a direction and focus for increased profits and audience growth in the New Year!

Featured photo credit: iStock via istockphoto.com

The post 5 Ways To Boost Your Website’s Success In 2017 appeared first on Lifehack.

Starting an online business is not as easy as opening a social media network account, since the evolution of the internet, people engage in various online businesses ranging from selling products to marketing other people’s online products and getting paid for it to selling services, the opportunities are endless. Creating a website is a bedrock when creating a solid name for your brand, it is very important because it gives your brand a professional touch, and makes you look legitimate.

It is proven that most online businesses fail during their first few months of existence. Most people often neglect this due to lack of funds and other factors like the technical know-how of building a professional looking website. In the light of this, I introduce to you WiseIntro. The goal of the platform is to assist you in building your business as easy and as quickly as it can get.

One-Stop Solution For Your Business

WiseIntro is a powerful online tool that enables you build your own and operate your own professional website without stress enabling over 650,000 professionals succeed by building their brand and businesses online. You can create your website for your personal use, such as creating an online brand identity for yourself. It is one of the best tools you can make use of to achieve this. It is so useful, you can create a personal website and publish it within seconds the platform is very cost effective and easy to use. All you need to get started is to select a theme out of their numerous professional looking themes, add your details such as your name, contacts, personal details and also your social media handles. As a graphics designer, photographer, engineer, marketer, realtor and so on.

Start With A Professional Website

In a world full of freelance writers, one of the best things you can do to stand out from the crowd is to have a professional website and portfolio of your own. As it is rightly said, “First impression is the last impression”.

WiseIntro is a one-stop tool that enables you create and build your brand. You can also make use of third-party applications, such as YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram to make available and link your content. It allows you create a free web page with their “Create your FREE WebPage” button, after that you get to access functional, and easy to navigate and operate interface where you can perform various customizations on your website, in addition you also have access to an easy to fill contact form that allows your prospective client send a message to you and also you can make use of the call to action app amongst others. You do not have to worry or go through the stress of getting a domain name, hosting, and security, they take care of all of that. It also enables you add your portfolio to your website and increase your chances of getting hired.

With WiseIntro you can generate new business leads, share your work online, make sure people can locate you, and get seen by the prospective customers online for $7 per month billed annually. They also have a WiseStamp service that allows you add a signature to your emails when sending dozens of promotional e-mails. It is easy to use with the “Claim your FREE email signature” button right on the website homepage. When you upgrade to WiseStamp’s Pro version which goes for $6 when billed annually, you can access features such as

• An effective customer support
• Have a large collection of premium and professional templates to choose from
• Save as many signatures as you want.
• Build premium designs
• Design social media icons and also website buttons.

The post Wiseintro: A Powerful Tool To Grow Your Online Presence appeared first on Lifehack.

The world food trade is worth almost $400 Billion.^[1] Luckily for us, we live in a time with some of the best records for food safety. Gone are the days where there is no refrigeration, canning, or preserving. And the adulteration of food is rare because the legislation involved with every part of food production ensures there are stringent controls to keep us all safe. But, how do food manufacturers ensure food is supplied to us safely from the initial raw materials all the way through to the product we receive on our supermarket shelves?

The history of food safety

Commercial refrigeration as we know it today did not exist until the late 1800’s. Before then, people used ice harvested from frozen lakes and stored food in insulated ice houses. Before then, we had to follow our instincts to detect when food was spoiled and there was a very limited lifespan for the freshness of food.

Food safety has Napoleon Bonaparte to thank for at least one innovation. He offered a reward to find a way to preserve food for his soldiers so that they could travel further to invade European countries. It was Nicolas Appert who came up with the idea of storing food in jars with sealed lids to contain cooked foods. It was unclear at the time how the process worked, however, it was the start of a process of providing manufactured foods.

One of the other issues was the adulteration of food by unscrupulous traders who would supply goods that were tampered with to increase profits, for example, flour cut with chalk powder or chocolate containing ground up bricks. The first legislation related to food safety was the British Adulteration of Food Act of 1872, which made it an offense to sell food, drink, or drugs that were not of the “nature, substance, or quality” demanded by the purchaser. It allowed inspectors and private individuals to acquire samples of food for analysis.

In the US, the original Food and Drugs Act was passed by Congress in 1906, the act prohibited interstate commerce in misbranded and adulterated foods, drinks, and drugs and was a precursor to modern day legislation.

Now, there are internationally harmonized food standards maintained by Codex Alimentarius Commission, a World Health Organisation body, that controls international standards for food safety. They have created standards that make certain food is kept safe and can be traded worldwide. The 188 members have negotiated science-based recommendations in all areas related to food safety and quality: food hygiene, maximum limits for food additives, residues of pesticides, and veterinary drugs, and maximum limits and codes for the prevention of chemical and microbiological contamination.^[2]

Why is food safety important?

The US has one of the safest food systems in the world thanks to the work of the Food and Drug Administration and the legislation, however, there are still issues with food safety.

We all realise how important that the food we prepare in our homes is safe, ensuring basic cleanliness and good practice when cooking and preparing food. We have to trust the high standards we employ are matched or bettered by the suppliers of the food we prepare. In the USA, there are approximately 5,000 deaths per year from food poisoning, which equates to 13 people per day who die due to food-borne diseases or other complications.^[3]

When things go wrong with food safety, they can have serious ramifications. A recent example involves the now defunct Peanut Corporation of America that were involved with a massive Salmonella outbreak in the US during late 2008 and early 2009.

Case Study: Peanut Corporation of America

PCA was a large organisation that had annual sales in excess of $25 million and processed 2.5% of all the peanuts in America. The 2008 food contamination incident followed a long history of food safety and quality issues. Prior to the outbreak, there had been reports of issues with sanitation in the company’s plants since the 1980’s.

In 1990, it was found that some of the peanuts supplied by PCA exceeded the FDA tolerance level for aflatoxin, a mold-derived toxin common to peanuts, and they were sued by two confection companies they supplied.

In 2008, there was an incident of Salmonella contamination, which caused the death of nine people and led to over 700 people falling ill from food poisoning. The incident led to the largest food recall in US history and involved 46 states and more than 360 companies, which had all been supplied the peanuts to use within their own products. In the end, almost 4,000 different products were involved and tainted, including school lunch products and even emergency meals supplied to people following a massive ice storm in Kentucky.

In the court case that followed, it was found that the company had knowingly shipped contaminated peanut butter and faked results of lab tests intended to screen for Salmonella. In total, the incident led to the closing of the company, the imprisonment of the company owner for 28 years, and an estimated $1 billion in losses to the US Peanut industry.

Managing product traceability, one of the major issues with food safety, is not only about ensuring that the manufacturer is following correct procedures, but it is also about managing the different raw materials used to make up products. In the PCA example, the raw material of processed peanuts were sold to many suppliers, which caused a mass recall of a large number of products. Thus, it is vital that every ingredient, every additive, packaging, and the processor can be clearly identified.

Therefore, it is vital that the manufacturing process includes a way to trade and record every item involved and that this information is available in the case of a recall. In modern manufacturing systems, this is managed using a complex computerized system that manages enterprise resource planning.

Using software to manage process

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is a suite of applications that automate the processes involved with manufacturing and provide a way to monitor every part of a company’s operations based on a central database. It provides a way to easily monitor any element of the massive number of pieces of information involved with the processes.^[4]

The main tools involved with food safety management are:

1. Batch traceability
2. Automated quality control processing
3. Product life management
4. Recall management

1. Batch traceability

This is where the software records and tracks lot numbers from raw materials and suppliers’ information.

In the above graphic, we can see that a manufactured product is made up of more than one raw ingredient from multiple suppliers. The finished product is part of a lot, which is then used as a raw ingredient for other products itself.

If, for example, there was an issue with milk supplied in batch 1745 from Roan Ranch that required a product recall, the ERP system would identify that this ingredient had been used within lot 897, supplied to an end user bakery in their lot 45888, and an ice cream manufacturer in their lot 24782. Without this traceability information, there is a risk that all the products concerned about contamination could not be identified.

Individual elements are scanned either using barcode scanners or contact-free RFID (radio frequency ID) tags.

2. Automated quality assurance processing

One of the vital elements of any food manufacturing process is quality assurance (QA). This is the process by which both raw ingredients and finished products are tested to ensure they meet acceptable standards for quality and food safety. These can include the following checks:

• Temperature checks: Every batch of a temperature-controlled product, such as milk, will be checked to make certain it arrives at the factory within an acceptable temperature range and that it has been maintained at this temperature during the transportation process.
• Microbiological checks: This is done to make sure that bacteria levels are not harmful within the product or raw materials.
• pH checks: pH checks are performed to ensure that the product has the correct acidity or alkalinity.
• Weight checks: Weight checks are done to make certain products meet the required weight before dispatch.
• Chemical checks: All food products must undergo this check to guard against chemical contamination.
• Metal checks: Metal checks guard against contamination by metals. This is usually done at the packing stage, using a metal detector.
• Organoleptic checks: Organoleptic checks are performed to check flavour, texture, and aroma by sampling the food product.

If the product fails any of the checks, or tests, it is removed and destroyed. The results of tests for each batch of product and each of the raw ingredients is recorded as part of the central software system to allow for reporting for management and licensing authorities.

3. Product life management

Perishable food products need to be delivered to the consumer and allowed an acceptable time for the product to be used safely. Depending on the product, this may be a time measured in months or days. However, whatever the product life, it will have an impact on logistics throughout the product life cycle.

Managing the delivery of products to meet the rise and fall of demand will often require a period of warehousing, as well as logistics and transportation to the retail store. Throughout this process, the product lots need to be managed to ensure they arrive to the store with an acceptable amount of life remaining so the store can sell them without increased wastage.

Failing to manage the life-cycle effectively could see out-of-date food reaching the supply chain, which could be a risk to public safety and would involve increased costs.

4. Recall management

Despite rigorous testing of raw materials and finished products throughout the QA process, there can be issues that are not identified until the product is already in the retail market or has been sold to the public. When these incidents occur, the effective management of recalls is vital.

As we can see with the batch traceability graphic, the recall of a product may be considerably more complex than recalling a single item or batch. A problem with raw material may have contaminated a particular batch of products produced when they themselves could have been used as raw materials in other products. This is an issue that occurred with the Peanut Corporation of America where over 4,000 other manufactures products were involved.

It is vital that a manufacturer acts rapidly in the case of a recall and that they can clearly identify any product batches that could be involved and who those products were sold to. The recording of batch data in the central ERP system can be used to instantly identify exactly what batches are affected and which customers have used these specific batches. This information can then be used by other manufacturers to identify ongoing batches of their own products and to put in place an effective recall. The process can be automated by the computer system to send reports containing information to all parties affected.

The alternative would be to require the recall of all products for all batches for a wide date range, as opposed to being able to segment the recall only to items that are directly affected. Use of the computer systems allow for a considerably more cost effective and rapid recall process.

Maintaining a safe food process

There are a large number of legislative requirements associated with the manufacture of foods for public consumption.^[5] These initiatives require manufacturers to maintain safe systems and to maintain effective record-keeping to ensure that standards are being effectively maintained. These records include every aspect of the manufacturing, storage, and logistic process from source to the end user, including temperature recording for materials throughout the process, the results of all laboratory results, and product life data. Storing and managing such a quantity of data would be impossible without the software systems to manage the process, but this allows for effective management of food safety processes and reporting to licensing and regulatory bodies.

The power of ERP systems allows food manufacturers to manage their processes and food safety seamlessly ensuring that the next food product you select is safe.

The post How Safe Is Your Food? – How Technology Is Used To Ensure Food Safety appeared first on Lifehack.

When it comes to the holidays, the New Year is like the icing on the cake. It’s a time to wind down from the season’s festivities before transitioning back to the commitments of work or school.

That’s why the last few days of the old year – and the first few of the new – should be memorable, setting the tone for January. Planning a getaway is a perfect way to celebrate.

If travel is in your plans, here are some tips to make it memorable.

1. Choose A Favorable Travel Destination

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If you’re looking for a relaxing, memorable getaway, chances are you’ll want to avoid crowds of other travelers.

For instance, if you’re traveling by car, you’ll want to steer clear of highways because they are likely to be jam-packed with people coming back from vacation. And when it comes to flying, most travelers are headed into major cities instead of popular holiday spots.

Spend some time researching potential destinations. Be on the lookout for cheaper flights to far-off holiday resorts in different countries across the world. Affordable spots to consider include the Caribbean, luxury villas in Bali, Indonesia, and also travel safaris of East Africa.

2. Get Low Rates on Holiday Resorts

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Often, you can get low rates at holiday resorts at the beginning of every New Year because of a drop-off in demand. This can be the best time to find wallet-friendly deals on luxurious hotel accommodations. There are many Expedia coupons online with great discount offers on hotel and resorts. Search for as many resorts as you can and choose the ones that fit your fantasies.

3. Carry Essential Equipment

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Be sure to pack lightly but be sure to bring the essentials to avoid overspending on personal services like shaving or manicures.

You should prioritize basic hygiene items and avoid taking bulky and luxurious commodities with you. It’s also important to find out what will be allowed through the airport and avoid carrying items that may be outlawed in your host country. For instance, it is illegal to own Cuban cigars in certain U.S. states, so to avoid having expensive cigars confiscated, make sure you’re aware of the regulations.

4. Purchase Promotional Goods During Your Stay

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Bringing home souvenirs of your stay can be a great way to remember your trip, and sometimes you can get amazing deals. If your budget allows it, take advantage of the chance to find and buy inexpensive – and unique – household goods, clothes, paintings, ornaments, and artwork to take back home with you. Many tourist destinations feature stalls and shopping centers specifically for selling promotional goods to tourists.

It can be fun to wander around hunting for products that you will probably be seeing for the first time. You could land on a major bargain, or find the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for friends, coworkers, or family members. But keep in mind that some goods you purchase during your stay may not be allowed with you on the passenger airplane back. An option to avoid this problem is to arrange for the items to be shipped back to your home. There are many companies that specialize in shipping luggage.

5. Combat Holiday Blues With A Transition Plan

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Sometimes it can be hard to come back home – in fact, the depression that affects people returning after a long vacation is typically a form of “holiday blues.” That’s because arriving home from holiday marks the end of fun. The sudden realization that you have to get back to daily routine can be emotionally draining.

To beat the blues, start preparing yourself psychologically to get back to work or school by creating a transition schedule. One way to do that is to pull yourself slowly into work or study by reading relevant magazines or blogs about your industry or course of study. For instance, business owners might pick up the latest copy of a finance magazine, while students could get a jump on coursework reading.

Featured photo credit: jcomp via freepik.com

The post 5 Great Tips To Make Your New Year Travel Memorable appeared first on Lifehack.

The beauty industry is rapidly becoming more and more accessible to men who want to wear makeup. Nowadays, more men are wearing makeup and they are proud of it! While men who wear makeup are not as commonly accepted as women who do, it’s entirely your choice whether you want to wear it or not. If you are a man interested in wearing makeup, there is a lot you need to know about the different types of makeup to invest in. This can include, but is not limited to, mascara, concealer, bronzer, foundation, and eyeliner. For beginners, making a choice on which to invest is not the only challenge, but also applying them. Just like a light makeup application can go a long way to to hide blemish/scars and enhance your physical attractiveness, a rough application could take you an altogether different direction – one that you might not like.

As beginners, you might face a lot difficulties in selecting, applying, and matching your makeup to the clothes you wear. For men who are interested in makeup, beginners or those already familiar with the craft, these three hacks are very essential to help you achieve the look you desire.

1. Know Your Makeup Staples

When taking on the modern world of male grooming and entering the territory of makeup, it’s essential for beginners to know what beauty staples/products every makeup arsenal should consist of. Male makeup gurus or YouTubers often make some specifications of their favorite and staple products to viewers or beginners desiring the best of their makeup choices and gaining an understanding of makeup application. They also suggest the importance of a daily makeup routine when mastering perfect application.

Some of the staples commonly recommended by makeup gurus that should be present in every makeup routine are:

• Brushes or Sponges: What’s an artist without their tools? Ensure that you have the means for a perfect makeup look by having the right brush to apply your makeup. Sigma brushes has a great line of brushes that are high quality.
• Brow Makeup: To achieve the Cara Delevingne eyebrows of your dreams, or to just perfect your your own brows, rely on a brow pencil or a brow pomade, like Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade or Brow Wiz.
• Foundation and Concealer: Foundation helps you achieve a blank canvas to properly apply your makeup on top of. Some people prefer to have foundation and concealer, while others decide to conceal with a foundation a shade or two lighter than their foundation for their face. Makeup 4Ever has a wide range of foundations for all skin types. MAC’s Pro Longwear concealer is a favorite concealer for most.
• Beauty Blender: Commonly shared by YouTubers, the beauty blender helps evenly distribute foundation, concealer, and bronzer while giving you the perfect blend.
• Highlighters: Highlighters are the most popular products for beginners. Place highlighter everywhere you would like to glow once the light hits. Common placements include the bridge of the nose, the cupid’s bow, and the cheekbones.
• Eyeshadow: MAC Paint Pot is mostly used by makeup gurus on eyeshadows to help achieve a long-lasting and vibrant eye look. It can be worn alone or as a primer for another eye shadow color. It’s a must for every beginner because it keeps eyeshadow from creasing and keeps pigmentation from fading throughout the day.
• Mascara: Help you lashes stand out more with the help of mascara. False lashes are another great way to intensify your lashes, but always add mascara on top of it to make your eyes pop even more.

You can add and subtract wherever you deem necessary. Some men wear makeup to enhance their look by looking healthier and more put together and rely on a simple arsenal of products to do so: foundation, concealer, and bronzer. Other men wear makeup as a form of self-expression and wear makeup because they love it. Pick products that cater to your intention behind wearing makeup.

2. Invest In Your Makeup Selections

Unlike women who typically have a lot of knowledge about makeup, and moderate to little difficulty in selection, it indeed might feel overwhelming for guys who are just starting out in their makeup endeavors. Ladies are often coached by female representatives in beauty industries, sold to by female-centric advertisements, and catered to by those involved in the beauty world (makeup counters, makeup stores, etc.). Therefore, women acquire a knowledge of makeup at a much easier rate. It makes it easy for them to look for makeup in nearby shops and find products suitable for their skin tone.

For men, the case is different. While a lot of men just opt to pick up makeup from beauty aisles in stores that are catered to women, there is makeup on the market that are much more suitable for men. Men might require a heavier product or products that keep the texture and thickness of their skin in mind. You just have to know where to look. For beginners, you might prefer to lean towards the lighter side of makeup and just invest in products like guyliner, foundation, concealer, and manscara, which is where an outlet like Differio might be helpful. Some men might want to wear makeup, but without all the bells and whistles of dramatic eyeshadows and vivid lipstick shades.

There is no shame at all in needing help from experts who possess more knowledge on costs, perfect shades, skin tones, and matching makeup. You need as much valuable information as possible when it comes to making a choice from the numerous men’s makeup products available. Your goal of achieving a flawless complexion is just as important to manufacturers or suppliers as it is to you and they will do their best to give you as much assistance as possible.

3. How To Apply Your Makeup

To achieve a flawless look to your skin with a variety of men’s makeup products available, including bronzer, foundation and concealer, follow the necessary steps in the correct order. Depending on the products you decide to invest in, your routine will differ. If your makeup routine just consists of mascara and concealer, your routine might mean concealer first and mascara second. If you have a full face routine, your routine might be as follows: primer, brows, foundation, concealer, bronzer, eye shadow, blush, highlight, mascara, lip color. Whichever way is applicable, a perfect finish can be achieved if the proper steps are followed.

Before applying your makeup, it’s important to make sure the canvas you start with is squeaky clean, moisturized, and primed.

• Wash your face and rub gently in warm water in a circular movement to remove all dead skin cells. Rinse and dry well with a towel.
• Next, pat gently a wet cosmetic cotton ball with toner on your skin. This will restore the skin to its normal pH and remove any remaining dirt or dry skill cells on your skin. Keep your face clean shaven to prevent makeup from sticking to your beard.
• Apply a moisturizer with sunscreen and an SPF above 15 all over your face and neck. Allow the moisturizer to absorb into your skin before applying anything next.

Once you have these tips under your belt, you’ll be an expert at applying your makeup in no time!

Featured photo credit: LA Times via latimes.com

The post 3 Beginner Makeup Tips For Men Who Wear Makeup appeared first on Lifehack.

My story starts on a country road where I was driving one gloomy Thursday afternoon. I had finished some errands in a town next to mine and was on the way back home when I heard a suspicious noise coming from under the hood of my car. Suddenly, I started slowing down and the vehicle didn’t react to me pressing the gas pedal.

Pulling over on the side of the road was the only thing to do. I was facing a car breakdown for the first time in my life. The possibility of this happening never even crossed my mind so naturally I was beyond surprised and shocked. Luckily my hometown was nearby so I called up a friend who towed me to the nearest mechanic shop.

It turned out that my engine was thrashed, and with a hefty amount of money paid, the mechanic got it running again. He warned and advised me about a few things considering my car maintenance (I admit, I was irresponsible), and told me I should take better care. This misfortune also made me think about different scenarios, for example, what if I had been on a road trip in the middle of nowhere when this happened? Or even worse, have a baby in the car?

This situation would produce a whole different set of problems and potential dangers. Ultimately this event was a learning experience, and it made more cautious and mindful when it comes to using cars. We should all be more aware of this; we don’t need to get stranded to learn to be more careful, right?

Here are some things I realized after my car broke down:

1. Never neglect car oil changes

This was one of my major errors, mostly due to lack of knowledge. So please learn from my mistake and change your oil regularly, according to your car manufacturer’s recommendations. Why is this important? Well, over time the oil gets dirty and runs through the engine leaving all sorts of nasty bits and sludge everywhere.

If this keeps going on for some time, the normal functioning of the engine will be compromised by the dirt which has built up, and the oil will not be able to reach all the necessary spots. This will eventually lead to a breakdown. You also need to know which type of oil is best for your vehicle.

Lately, many manufacturers and auto professionals have been recommending synthetic oil, because of its superior qualities compared to regular ones. It keeps the engine running smoothly and prolongs its lifespan, but you should know that it also costs a bit more. Still, purchasing the best synthetic oil will benefit you so much in the long term, that it justifies the cost.

2. Perform regular maintenance of the car

Changing the oil might be the most significant thing to do for the engine, but your car is composed of many more components which also need to be looked after. For example, checking the battery, getting the tires aligned and rotated, replacing the spark plugs, etc. because, malfunctioning of a single part could prevent your vehicle from working.

The good news here is that many of these checks you can do by yourself with just a bit of education and effort, so getting familiar with the automobile’s functions is quite useful. Unless you are a mechanic, it is also vital to take your vehicle to a general service from time to time.

The frequency of these services is usually determined by a time period or a certain mileage (e.g. every two years or every 20,000 miles), so whichever it is, be sure to respect it.

Since my misfortunate event occurred unexpectedly, my car was a complete mess when leaving to the mechanics’ garage. I admit it, I haven’t paid attention to car cleaning regarding maintenance, so I was pretty surprised when I saw my car got cleaned perfectly.

Why am I telling this? Some places charge this service additionally and don’t even inform you. To prevent this, get a good car vacuum cleaner, and clean your car from time to time.

3. Have means of communication available at all times

If it wasn’t for my cell phone I could have been stranded at the roadside for hours. Of course, these days it is common sense to bring your mobile everywhere you go, which is a good thing in this case, but that doesn’t leave you safe.

An empty battery can happen to anyone so it would be smart to bring a portable battery charger or a fully charged spare phone battery which you can simply keep in the glove box of the car.

Now, if you are venturing out into the wilderness be aware that there might not be mobile service available. In this case make sure to bring a satellite phone with you, because it can be a life saver since there will not be many strangers to ask for help in the middle of nowhere.

4. Bring food and water everywhere you go

It is common to bring snacks and sandwiches if you are going on a field trip or a long drive, but I would suggest having some sort of sustenance in your car available in at all times. In the case of a breakdown who knows how long you might have to wait for help, so it’s better to be safe than sorry, hungry or thirsty.

When it comes to drinks, the obvious choice is regular water. You can buy it in bottles, place them under the seat, and it will be there any time you need it. Another option is to get a larger container and keep it in the trunk. As far as food is concerned, going for canned products might be recommendable because they have a long shelf life and are easy to store.

As far as food is concerned, going for canned products might be recommendable because they have a long shelf life and are easy to store.

5. Keep a cool head

Panic, anger and worry will never bring you any good in a situation like this. Whether you’re vehicle stops in the middle of the city or middle of the forest, the procedure you need to follow is pretty much the same. First, take a breather and accept the situation; you are where you are. Next, think of the first logical thing to do.

Depending on your current location this step might vary, but it usually involves getting some help. Last but not least, have faith that everything is going to work out just fine. Sure some money and time might be sacrificed, but try to see the bright side, and LEARN from this experience. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?

Whether we liked it or not, mishaps occur and some things in life are just out of our control. It is your duty to be prepared for any scenario, and your chances of solving the problem faster and more easily will be increased. Try to view negative situations as a challenge and an opportunity to grow wiser, because only difficulties will give you the chance to do that. At the end of the day, at least you will have a nice story to share.

The post 5 Things I Learned After My Car Broke Down appeared first on Lifehack.

For small businesses all around the country, saving money is a huge deal. Monthly budgets often come down to just a few hundred dollars of leeway, which means one step in the right or wrong direction can mean the difference between staying afloat and crashing down. Thus, affordable tools can be a huge asset.

Here are some small business tools that you’ll want to try.

1. Website Builders

If you don’t have any experience or background in web development and design, then building a website from scratch can seem like an unrealistic proposition. Where do you even start?

The good news is that there are lots of website builders available online. According to an expert review site, the three top website builders for small businesses are Weebly, Wix, and Webs. Each has their own pros and cons, but they’re all cost-effective and highly intuitive.

2. Social Media Automation

Social media is a critically important component of many small businesses, but it’s also highly time-consuming and frustrating. There simply aren’t enough resources to successfully manage all of the responsibilities that come with social media. This is where automation tools come into play.

With free social media automation tools, you can put some of your responsibilities on auto pilot while tending to the tasks that need your full attention. Some of the top time-saving tools include Socialoomph, Post Planner, and Buffer.

These tools do things like help you schedule social media posts ahead of time, track keywords, automate following, identify social influencers, and more. When properly optimized, you can achieve the same results as manual social media management with much less time.

3. Business Planning

Trying to conduct business planning without a formal department dedicated to the tasks and responsibilities can seem impossible. However, if you have the right tools at your disposal, it can instantly become easier.

The first tool you need to know about is Bplans. With Bplans, you can download free business plan templates, pitch presentation templates, SWOT analysis forms, and other related guides on starting, funding, and scaling businesses. The second tool is Enloop, which allows you to write detailed business plans without much knowledge of the process. It also gives you a three-year financial forecasting report and free business plan grade.

4. Graphic Design

Not a graphic designer? Don’t worry. There are a ton of free graphic design tools online, but there are two you really need to know about: Canva and Piktochart.

Canva is a free tool that lets you use preformatted templates to create a variety of marketing materials that look like they came straight from a professional designer. Whether it’s brochures, marketing flyers, social media banners, or anything in between, Canva has you covered.

Piktochart lets you design immersive infographics with no knowledge of the design process. Simply use beautiful templates and drag and drop various elements to create a shareable piece of artwork that draws people back to your business.

5. File Storage

What do you do with all those pesky files? Well, there’s no longer any reason to e-mail files to yourself or to use an inconvenient floppy disk or USB drive. All you need is the right cloud file storage solution. According to one review site, the best options include Dropbox, Google Drive, and Box. Each has its own storage limits and requirements, so find one that works for you.

Arm Yourself with the Right Tools

Don’t let anyone tell you that you need to spend thousands of dollars on small business tools in order to be competitive. All it takes is some patience and a willingness to search for the right solution. There are plenty of opportunities to find free tools, and you should use as many of them as possible. Once you find a handful that you really like, you may even be able to spend a few dollars per month to unlock premium features. Not only does it help you make better decisions in choosing business tools, it also allows you to control your expenses.

Featured photo credit: Pexels.com via static.pexels.com

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Travel is adventure, but this does not preclude taking precautions so that the stay does not turn into a nightmare. Whether you are going for a holiday, study, internship, job or volunteering, here are some guidelines that could facilitate your expatriation:

Get your valid papers and visa

The first thing is to make sure your papers are in order. In the European Union and neighboring countries (Switzerland, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Andorra), a valid identity card is sufficient. But most other countries now require a bio-metric passport that you must carry out with the municipalities equipped with the appropriate equipment (digital photography and fingerprinting). The procedure can take up to two months, so it is better to do it in advance. It’s the same situation for your visa which, depending on the country, may take some time to be issued. Do be aware, some countries may also require that the expiration date of the passport exceeds several months by the date of return. Inquire directly with the consulate or the embassy of the country, to be found on the directory of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs..

Find out about your social security options

To what extent will your care abroad be reimbursed? As part of a professional detachment, especially for civil servants, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of social security. However, an expatriation to study or work makes you dependent on the social security system of the country of destination. If you are going on holiday in Europe, you can get the European health insurance card, which covers medical care when you travel. It must be ordered 15 days before your departure with your health insurance fund. Outside the EU zone, only medical expenses deemed urgent by the medical officer of your health insurance can be refunded upon your return, but you will have to pay for them at your expense. Also you can yourself a city discount card which can save you a lot of money during your exploration of these host cities.

Make an appointment with your doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor to ask him or her what precautions to take for your destination. Check with your doctor if your vaccines are up to date. Some countries require you to show your vaccination record and proof that you have been treated against yellow fever or malaria as soon as you enter the country. For the latter, you may need to take anti-malarial treatment for prophylaxis, starting one week before your departure and continuing four weeks after your return.

If you receive treatment in the UK, take advantage of your visit to the doctor to ask under what conditions to pursue medical treatment in your destination country. In addition, it may be appropriate to take out repatriation insurance if the medical structure of the host country is not sufficient.

Report on arrival

For short stays, missions, internships, holidays of less than two months, it is advisable to register with your government. Complete a brief form with your contact information and dates so that you may be quickly contacted by the center crisis embassy in case of trouble. In the case of a long stay of six months or more, it is important to register with the consulate. Doing so will be able to expedite the renewal of the passport or other official document in the event of loss or theft. You can also go to the nearest embassy or consulate when you arrive in the host country, or contact them by telephone.

Know the law

In order not to risk or receive a hefty fine or spend some time behind bars, it is strongly advised to read the legislation in force in the host country: traffic laws, and laws regarding prohibited products and medicines are particularly important. It is also important to learn about habits and customs in order to avoid offending your hosts. Always bear in mind that what seems self-evident in your country may not be so natural elsewhere. Remember also the expiration date of your visa, so you can either renew it or leave the country without the risk of an outdated date.

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In a fast-paced world, most of us are bound to a desk at a 9-5 job. We struggle to keep our concentration and our hippie spirit wanders far across the ocean. A decade ago, many people feared leaving the comfort of the office and letting go of the peace of mind that comes with getting regular paychecks. While John Lenon may have revolutionized the hippie era, it just seems as if many people haven’t embraced the lifestyle.

However, times have changed. Traveling has been made much more accessible and technology has brought everyone closer; traveling is considered a way of life. This change has formed a new community. Perhaps some would call it a utopia, and Digital Nomads are at the head of this utopia.

Digital Nomads travel the world while making more than enough money to live a rather comfortable life. Despite some skepticism, many of these nomads have prevailed. So how do you become a Digital Nomad? How do you make your dreams come true whilst receiving a steady paycheck?

To answer these questions, we’ve put together a list to help you discover the Digital Nomad in you.

1. Follow The Digital Wave

I remember when I told my seniors that I was going to launch my own start-up through the digital world. I mentioned that I was going to use the vast opportunities online to build myself stability for running my own start-up. Many laughed while others tried to talk me out of it, but I’m glad I stuck to my plan.

The online world offers tons of opportunities. You can either start by answering surveys or by being someone’s bookkeeper. You can also do assignments and research papers for others; people are constantly looking for freelancers, so highlight your skills by picking up freelance work here and there.

If you’re talented in some other areas and would like to put up your own service, then you’re free to use services such as Fiverr. Fiverr is a platform that allows you to offer your services to others, and there are tons of other platforms out there similar to it. Dig around a little bit to find one that suits you. To start, however, you need a laptop, a good old internet connection, and a cup of coffee.

Just highlight your skills and passions and you’re good to go.

2. Take Up Teaching Or Coaching Jobs

The key skill for any Digital Nomad is communication. You need to be able to articulate your thoughts and desires clearly in order to make it in different countries. Sometimes people assume observing is better than talking. You will soon realize, however, that this is the worst mistake you could make while traveling.

That said, why not take up some teaching or coaching opportunities with the aid of services such as Skype? Open up your own course and teach people about your lifestyle and what you do. If you’re good with languages, then turn it to your advantage by giving language lessons in countries you travel to.

You would easily familiarize yourself with the locals as well as create a comfortable lifestyle for yourself.

3. Take This Chance To Be A Writer

If you’ve been an avid writer or have a great niche for storytelling, being a Digital Nomad could play to your strengths. Many writers, as well as journalists, work on their own time and in their own space. Authors Stephen King and J.K Rowling, for example, began their writing careers while they were living in poverty. They are evidence of the fact that any place, even a rundown apartment, is appropriate for writing.

However, now we have the aid of technology. This means that you can easily whip out your laptop and get to writing anywhere you want. With the aid of E-Books as well as freelance publishers, you can get your work out into the marketspace in no time. Instead of waiting for years or months, the process could be over within weeks.

So if you have the talent, why not use it?

4. Understand Investments And Share Markets

I used to watch one of my economics lecturers who was constantly on his computer buying shares. By the time I was graduating, he had quit his job at the university and started traveling the world. He understood one thing that many of us fail to understand until later in our lives: the importance of taking chances.

Being in the share market, it’s very important to know when to take chances and when to be patient. Understanding this immediately gives you a new, profitable, and sustainable career. If you’re looking to fly first class and live in countries which have names that can’t be found in dictionaries, then this would be the perfect job for you.

Just take those baby steps and you are sure to eventually master the art of being a Digital Nomad.

The post 4 Ways To Move From A Full-Time Job To A Digital Nomad appeared first on Lifehack.