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  • 5 Steps to Get You that Promotion
  • 5 Steps to Healthy Teeth & Gums
  • 5 Steps to Finding Your Family Heritage
  • 5 Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle
  • 5 Steps To Dividing Your Finances After A Divorce
Five Ways to Wellbeing

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  • April 9, 2018 Isabel Fisher
    5 Steps to Finding Your Family Heritage
    Where do we come from? Why are we here? These two questions...
    Health Personal 
  • April 5, 2018 Isabel Fisher
    5 Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle
    Living healthy has become more difficult. There are so many processed foods...
    Health 
  • December 7, 2017 Isabel Fisher
    5 ways to keep fit in the winter months
    During the summer months it can seem that keeping fit is easy....
    Health 
  • December 7, 2017 Isabel Fisher
    5 Steps to Losing Weight that Stays Lost
    Weight-loss is something that many men and women dread. It is not...
    Health 
  • November 16, 2017 Isabel Fisher
    5 Ways To Help Combat Grunting Baby Syndrome
    Listening to your baby grunt can be concerning for any parents but...
    Health Personal 
5 Steps to Get You that Promotion

5 Steps to Get You that...

May 3, 2018
5 Steps to Healthy Teeth & Gums

5 Steps to Healthy Teeth &...

April 14, 2018
5 Steps to Finding Your Family Heritage

5 Steps to Finding Your Family...

April 9, 2018
5 Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle

5 Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle

April 5, 2018

Business

5 Steps to a Successful Business Plan

January 4, 2018January 10, 2018
plan1 - 5 Steps to a Successful Business Plan

A successful business plan is very important if you want to start your business right and attract the right investors. A business plan is more than just a way to…

5 Steps to planning the ultimate Christmas party

December 3, 2017April 18, 2018
1720685 ZR iStock Xmas party - 5 Steps to planning the ultimate Christmas party

For most people, planning the office Christmas party can seem a dreaded task. It requires a lot of decision making, and you’ll soon discover that suggestions and requests will all…

5 steps that will help you master your personal brand

November 23, 2017March 18, 2018
Personal Branding Basics Craft of Marketing Banner e1511449022937 - 5 steps that will help you master your personal brand

Do you need a personal brand? Maybe you think you don’t, perhaps you think that your career or business will fly anyway? If that’s the case, you’re taking a big…

Health

5 Steps to Finding Your Family Heritage

April 9, 2018
shutterstock 282305945 - 5 Steps to Finding Your Family Heritage

Where do we come from? Why are we here? These two questions are as old as time and have been asked by hundreds of generations that preceded us. Philosophers from…

5 Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle

April 5, 2018November 6, 2017
healthy2 - 5 Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle

Living healthy has become more difficult. There are so many processed foods and things taste delicious that most of us struggle to stay healthy. It’s not just food either. Our…

Latest Posts

5 Steps to Get You that Promotion

May 3, 2018November 6, 2017
kk2 - 5 Steps to Get You that Promotion

Most of us long to reach certain career goals. We all want to move up in the world and prove that we are good at our jobs. We all want to make an impact and feel good about ourselves. A promotion is one of the ways that we get there. We have five steps or ways to get you the promotion you want, but before we get to them, you need to make sure that boss is aware that you would like to be considered for a different or higher position. If they don’t know that you want a change or a move upward, you may never get it.

Once you have made your desire for a change clear in a non-demanding and simply informative manner, follow these tips.

1. Perform your best everyday

If you consistently perform your best you will be noticed. Employers need people who are consistent and reliable and are guaranteed to do the job and get it done. If your boss knows that you want a promotion and he can see that you are really working hard to get there, you are paving the way to your future.

kk1 - 5 Steps to Get You that Promotion

2. Improve your skills and broaden your knowledge

Never stop learning. It doesn’t matter if you learn more about your existing position or your future position or both just keep learning. Know what your colleagues are doing and learn from them. Do your own research and go on short courses that will make you perform better at your job. In many jobs, the more qualified you are or the more courses you attend and the more skills you learn is a definite benefit to get you that promotion. People with a certain skill level are paid more and will likely be considered for promotion first. So, learn as much as you can and use it.

3. Nurture relationships and helps others succeed

You won’t be doing yourself any favors if you are a bad colleague and a bad employee. Instead of being the office jerk and disrespectful to your boss, opt for the other end of the spectrum. Build relationships with your colleagues, managers, and your boss. Don’t be like a puppy or a push-over. Just build and nurture good relationships in your workplace and you will reap the benefits. If you are respected and liked and known to be good with your colleagues, you are more likely to receive that promotion.

4. Don’t step on others to get there

This links very closely to point 3. If you are going to use back-stabbing, gossip, manipulation, and stepping on your colleagues to get ahead, you may be doing more harm than good. Sure, you might just get the position you want, but you won’t have a lot of respect from anyone you work with. Without people who want to work with and for you, you will have a tough job. If this is your go-to method, you may want to reconsider.

kk2 - 5 Steps to Get You that Promotion

5. Become irreplaceable

Make yourself indispensable and irreplaceable. If you do your job so well that they are reluctant to put someone else in your place, you’re doing good. You are more likely to be noticed and considered for promotions when you are an asset that cannot be lost.

It’s actually quite simple to get a promotion. It’s not easy and will take a lot of hard work from day one, but it is not a complicated process. Be the best, keep learning, and you will soon get that promotion.

5 Steps to Healthy Teeth & Gums

April 14, 2018
dental health 800x432 - 5 Steps to Healthy Teeth & Gums

Smiling like sunshine? Your bright, beaming smile shows that you make an effort and take care of your oral health. It is a reflection of having healthy dental habits where you ensure both your teeth and gums remain strong. Now, if your parents instilled the importance of effective dental healthcare in you as a child, then you believe in its power more than ever.

After all, what we are taught as children stays with us for life. Preventive measures can help alleviate oral issues such as gum disease and cavities. A study conducted by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research discovered that ninety-one percent of participants (between the ages of twenty to sixty-four) have been the victims of cavities.

Also according to this dentist in Seattle, an additional 27% suffered from tooth decay. Hence, the vitality of regular and effectual dental healthcare cannot be emphasized enough.

Let’s not forget our gums!

Just because you may be free from the clutches of cavities does not mean you have escaped from the claws of gum disease. There is no pain associated with this kind of illness and usually goes undetected.

It can commence its destruction when there is an increased occurrence of plaque underneath and along the side of the gum line. It can be detrimental to your gums as plaque is a pasty film-type substance that contains bacteria and can create infections.

Gingivitis, the preliminary stages of gum disease, can be caused because of plaque build up as well. In this oral state, your gums will tend to bleed, turn red, be tender, be swollen and be inflamed.

Periodontitis, an advanced kind of gum illness, can also cause your entire body harm as it has an adverse impact on the bones that connect your teeth in their respective places. If you do not undergo relevant treatment, it can destroy your gums, your connected tissue to the teeth and your bones.

And when the terminal phase is reached, your fibers and linking bones will deplete completely. It will affect the way you take a simple bite and may require the removal of all your teeth. If you constantly feel your gums are bleeding, red or that you have bad breath, it could be a sign that you have gum disease and require care.

Do not worry, we have your back and are here to recommend five simple yet effective steps to ensure the safety of your teeth and gums.

Brushing Your Teeth

It is advised to strive to brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially before you call it a night and decide to go to bed. It will prevent any form of acid affecting the enamel of your teeth that can lead to tooth decay. Hold your brush along your gum line and position its bristles at a forty-five degree angle.

Use an up-down, back and forth action to brush the outside area of your teeth and be gentle as you go along. You do not want to cause any bleeding! Invest in a timer and set it for two minutes with thirty second intervals to move on to different sections of your mouth.

Do not forget to brush the top of your mouth as well as your tongue to get rid of any bacteria that may have formed. One extra little tip: always rinse your toothbrush with water every time before and after you use it. Using a fluoride-based toothpaste will sweeten the deal.

Eat Healthy

Nutrition is an essential part of who we are as it effects our bodies and minds. A lot of edible items contain a high volume of sugar that creates a reaction when it comes into contact with any bacteria present in our mouths. This can lead to the existence of cavities and tooth decay.

Go for healthier dairy alternatives such as cheese, milk and yoghurt. Their consumption decreases plaque increments and cleanses our mouths of any harmful sugars. Avoid drinking fizzy beverages as well if you desire a strong and healthy mouth. Make sure you drink a lot of water as that helps to wash away cavities and acids.

Fan of snacking? Carry celery, apples, and carrots with you. They actually purify your mouth from any food residue.

Visit Your Dentist

Paying a visit to your dentist on a frequent basis will go a long way in ensuring your oral healthcare. Scheduling an appointment every six months is an effective means to achieving this. As you sit on the dentist’s chair and allow him access to your mouth, he will conduct a comprehensive examination and check for any cavities as well as the health of your gums.

Some of the things he may keep an eye out for would include any teeth that are damaged, look for symptoms of oral cancer, diabetes, decay, and any dearth of vitamins and minerals. Don’t fret if he takes an x-Ray of your teeth as that is a normal practice in the field of medicine.

Floss Properly

Yes, flossing is an imperative part of good dental healthcare. If you are able to floss properly, you will be able to access internal areas of your mouth where your toothbrush cannot go. Take about eighteen inches of the dental floss and place it between your middle fingers and have a tight grip on two inches of it between your thumb and forefingers.

Guide the floss in between your teeth with the help of your fingers gently and curve it against your gum line. Let it brush the sides of your teeth and make sure you use a clean portion of the floss as you go through the motions.

Don’t Consume Tobacco

You may know that the utilization of products such as cigarettes can be detrimental to your overall health. It can cause your teeth to stain, infect your gums and cause bad breath. On a more serious note, it can lead to the development of tongue, lip and mouth cancer as well as lead to heart problems. 

5 Steps to Finding Your Family Heritage

April 9, 2018
shutterstock 282305945 - 5 Steps to Finding Your Family Heritage

Where do we come from? Why are we here? These two questions are as old as time and have been asked by hundreds of generations that preceded us. Philosophers from ancient civilizations across the globe have been haunted by these queries. Modern day age thinkers believe that the first place to identify our past is to trace our family roots and learn our place of origin.

Knowing your family history will build your understanding of your relationship to your ancestors and will help you establish a spiritual connection with your past. Turning to family journals, photo albums, and saved letters will provide a glimpse of days gone by and how your ancestors spent their lives. Perhaps you are an American with an Italian bloodline.

That will give you the right to claim Italian citizenship and the associated benefits: such as access to the European Union labour market. It will keep you abreast of your family’s medical history and will allow you to take precautionary steps (if required) for any disease or illness that runs in the family. If you are just beginning your journey of self-discovery and do not know where to start from-do not fret. We have outlined five steps that you can take to explore your family heritage.

  1. Start with Names

Look up all the names possible: first names, middle names, last names, maiden names. Talk to your elderly relatives, look at family photos, refer to old newspaper articles and check old certificates. Stay vigilant when you are reviewing female relatives’ maiden names as they have changed it after marriage. Watch out for any naming patterns that may be currently (or previously) utilized in your family as it will guide you to identify generations gone by.  It was a recurring practice for family surnames to be adopted as nicknames. Speaking of nicknames, these also will help ensure you are on the right ancestral path. Keep in mind that the way you spell your name could be different than your great-great-grandfather’s style of spelling. Variations may exist as people may have used a different lingual dialect back in the day.

  1. Gather Familial Anecdotes

Constant communication with your relatives will be an imperative part of your voyage as you hear and gather family stories. Do your future descendants a gigantic favour and start recording all the stories for all time by either penning it down or storing them digitally in the multimedia format of your choice. Essentially, these familial anecdotes are precious memories that have been preserved and will allow you to get to know your ancestors. These stories will teach you any rituals or traditions that could be unique to your bloodline or may share legends that have been passed down from generation to generation across multiple timelines. It is highly probable that the stories will contain embellishments but will still act as an effective indicator to your next research milestone.

  1. Choose an Ancestor

You will make better headway if you are able to narrow your search process and choose one particular ancestor or family line to learn more about. Perhaps you are curious to know more about whom you were named after or you want to find out more about your mother’s parents. The goal here is not whom you choose to examine or what you study, it is to ensure that your pool of research bears fruitful results by being a manageable project. If you are just now beginning your research process and are starting out on your family tree, then the size of the project may overwhelm you. That is not what we want for you. You could get lost in the data and miss out important hints to your family’s past.

  1. Gather Important Statistics

Ensure that you document any relevant numbers that are associated with your family name search. This can include places and dates of birth, deaths and marriages. Papers, certificates and old photo albums in your own home will help point you in the right direction along with interviewing your relatives. Remember that your current kin will be your most vital asset in your family tree task. After all, it is you and your ancestry VS 23andMe. Even if you gain conflicting information, record it all down. For example, if you get two differing birth dates for Uncle Sam, write them both down. You will eventually come across information that will assist you to identify the correct one. When you assess your research and share it with others, the roadmap that you should be following will become evident to you. To reassess your data, keep reviewing the information you have accumulated. Ask yourself if the source you obtained it from is credible. Refer to official records to fill in the empty spaces. Sites such as Findmypast have more than four billion records that include marriage, death and birth records. These will form the foundation of your research.  Newspaper reports will also serve as a strategic tool of reference.

  1. Piece Your Progress

Genealogy is a big jigsaw puzzle that allows you to dive in and assemble the pieces. If not done in the correct fashion, you will not be able to perceive the bigger picture. Continuous innovation in communication and technology has become a norm in international, modern societies. The advancements in fiber internet technology has revolutionized the way mankind interacts with each other. Smartphones, laptops, desktops, tablets, and such have become common household items and placed the world at our fingertips. It has opened the floodgates to a sea of never-ending information. As communication patterns and styles have adapted accordingly, so have our minds’. Genealogy software programs will facilitate data storage and let you view the factors in a chart form. You will be able to scrutinize the data from a number of different dimensions and comprehend it in various lights. Pedigree charts and family group sheets can also serve as meaningful, effective instruments in helping you piece your family tree. Once you have fit the pieces together in your family puzzle, you will have a realistic idea of where you came from and who your ancestors were.

5 Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle

April 5, 2018November 6, 2017
healthy2 - 5 Steps to a Healthier Lifestyle

Living healthy has become more difficult. There are so many processed foods and things taste delicious that most of us struggle to stay healthy. It’s not just food either. Our lives have become so work-focused and about making money that we just don’t have time to exercise or to relax. A healthy life is a balanced life. Follow these steps by Five Ways to Wellbeing:

Change your thinking. The first step is to change the way you think about health and what healthy living is. It is not the same thing to everyone. For some people, it is exercising in the gym everyday and for others, it is being vegetarian and for others, it is simply keeping things in moderation. You need to decide what healthy looks like to you and make changes to your thinking and your lifestyle that fits with that picture.

Do some research. Once you have the idea of health that works for your lifestyle and your idea of what you need to be healthy, you should do some research. Find recipes for the foods that you want to eat and find exercise routines that suit your lifestyle and the time that you have available. Follow health blogs and take away from them what you need. You can even go and see a dietician or your doctor to give you some starting pointers.

Change your habits. The next step is to change your eating, exercise, sleeping, and relaxing behaviors. Healthy food, exercise, time to relax, and enough sleep are the main elements of a healthy lifestyle. Adjust your habits and behaviors according to your goals and what you need to do to live your idea of a healthy lifestyle. Changing habits can be very difficult in the beginning but if you stick with it, you will be very happy with the results. The general belief is that it takes us 21 days or three weeks to break a habit and create a new habit.

Take it one day at a time. A very important thing to remember when you are changing habits and trying to create a new lifestyle for yourself is that you need to take it one day at a time. For some people it works to just stop all bad habits and start new ones the next day. For most of us mere mortals, however, it works better to start with one thing and build on it. Over time, your new habits will be established and you will be comfortable in your new lifestyle. Baby steps are a good rule to follow when you want to make long-lasting changes in your life.

Don’t give up. Some days it will get really tough and you may feel like all these changes are just too much to handle. This is normal and to be expected. On such days, you need to just breathe and give yourself a break. It also works well if you have someone who can support you and help you through these days. A friend or family member who can motivate you and remind you why you want to change things can help a lot on this journey of changing your lifestyle.

Lifestyle changes take time and they are usually accompanied by discomfort and testing your resilience. You will become a stronger person when you get through these changes. Making changes to live a healthier lifestyle is great and we all can probably benefit from such changes.

We want to hear from you what changes you have made and if these steps helped you. We would also love to help through the tough days. So, write to us and share your story.

5 Steps To Dividing Your Finances After A Divorce

March 26, 2018March 26, 2018
auto martesa1503150627 - 5 Steps To Dividing Your Finances After A Divorce

Going through a divorce or dissolving a civil partnership is a personal, emotional journey that can take its toll on anyone. Apart from the intricate sensitivities of such a process, the burden of division of assets has to be addressed. You may think you need a lawyer for each and every little thing-but no you do not.

Of course, this is dependent on the relationship you hold with your ex-spouse and whether you are able to communicate. If you are able to converse openly and peacefully about fiscal matters, then half the battle is won.

  1. Legal Advice

When you commence your search for professional legal counsel, there will be many paths that you can take. For instance, you can enlist the services of a mediator to assist you and your ex-partner to concur on specific matters. This would be an impartial third-party entity with no conflict of interest or self purposes to serve. You can also book a couple of sessions with a lawyer who can guide you through the paperwork, but ultimately you carry it out yourself and submit it to the courts in concern. Of course, you also have the option to utilize an online service such as https://www.joneswhyte.co.uk/family-law.html or do your own research and follow the procedure. If not, simply retain a lawyer who will do all the work for you.

  1. Handle it Yourself

Residents of England and Wales have the right to dissolve their marriage or to file for a divorce themselves or via the help of an online service. A growing number of people are beginning to take this road whilst many still employ a lawyer or a mediator. Northern Ireland law requires you come forth in person to court in front of a judge and to request a divorce or dissolution. You can apply as a “personal petitioner” and evade the requirement for a lawyer as it can get costly. The benefit of applying yourself is that you will save some precious money and will be able to exert complete control over the process. Scotland has a clear, legitimate roadmap for direct divorce applications and is termed as a “simplified divorce” or dissolution. Given its technicalities, couples have to qualify certain criteria to be eligible.  If you are making an economic claim against the other, you cannot use it (such as an ownership stake in your family house) or if you have children under the age of sixteen.

  1. Requirement

    for Professional Help

If your finances are closely intertwined with your ex-partner’s, then it is likely that separating your fiscal stance will take time and will require external legal intervention. If any of the following conditions apply to you, then you will definitely need to hire the services of a trusted lawyer.

  • If you or your partner has a disability or medical illness that impacts your ability to earn income
  • If your or your ex-spouse own a business
  • If your spouse or you do not agree to the dissolution of your marriage
  • You have been part of a civil partnership or marriage for more than a period of five years
  • Your children are at a stage where they are still economically dependent on you
  • You or your partner chose to stay at home to raise children and that has affected your current marketability to return to work
  • If you have more assets than your spouse (for instance, the family home is not in your name but your spouse’s).
  1. Contract of Separation

If you and your partner are trying to work things out but still need some space, then a separation contract can be drawn up. This will outline and clarify all fiscal responsibilities that will stay intact till you either get back together or choose to dissolve your relationship.

  1. Global Dissolution or Divorce

The legal framework pertaining to law varies in the United Kingdom. Of course, it depends on where you and your ex-partner were born and where you dwelled before moving to your current locality of residence. You can dissolve your partnership as per the laws of a different region in the UK instead of where you live at the moment. If you were born in another nation, you also have the right to apply that relative country’s law to dissolving your civil partnership or divorce. Of course, if you choose this path, you will have to recruit or refer to a lawyer who specializes in international divorce law.

We do understand how trying a period this can be and have some recommendations on how to handle it. First, let’s address what you should not be doing during a dissolution or divorce.

  • Don’t let the bills and letters from your bank gather dust by ignoring their correspondence. Stay in constant touch with them and inform them of the crisis you are undergoing so as to see what your alternatives are.
  • If unfortunately, you have a negative break up with your spouse-try to avoid getting revenge by increasing debt on your joint accounts, withdrawing money from it or freezing such accounts without their blessing.
  • Do not make strategic, important financial decisions when you are angry or emotional as you may regret it later.

What we do advise to do is:

  • Extend a hand of friendship towards your spouse and try to be as amicable as possible on a realistic level. Strive to be solution oriented and seek agreement on the payment of bills in the short term.
  • If you wish to save time and money, try to see “eye to eye” on as many subjects as you can with your ex-spouse. That does not mean you do not convey your opinion if it defers-just do so in a cordial manner where you show your willingness to cooperate.
  • Do your research and know what your legal rights are. This also means you will need to know what your obligations are. What you may think you are entitled to by virtue may not be legally yours. It is feasible that the structure of the law could paint an entirely different picture.

5 Steps to Become a Better Person

March 2, 2018November 6, 2017
happy - 5 Steps to Become a Better Person

Do you feel like you can make a bigger difference in the world? Or maybe you just want to do some nice things? If you want to be a better person towards those around you, we have five simple ways to do that.

Be more considerate – Being considerate is something that is very much lacking in today’s society. Everyone seems to be out for themselves and no-one else matters. However, this is not necessarily true. We all get very caught up in the busy modern world and the race to make ends meet. Luckily, being considerate doesn’t have to take out extra time in your day. You can just start changing how you treat people and how you act around them. Before you do something, evaluate whether it may be disturbing or offensive to those around you. Put yourself in other people’s shoes more often to see what they see and feel what they feel.

 

happy2 - 5 Steps to Become a Better Person

Always be kind – Kindness costs you nothing. Kindness comes from the heart and we all have it. It is simple and easy to be kind. Instead of being impatient, rude, or aggressive, rather be kind. Help people when they least expect it. Give gifts just because. Compliment your friends, family, co-workers and even strangers. It will instantly brighten up their day.

Do simple things for others – This step ties in with being kind. You don’t need money to help someone out. Help a neighbour move or mow the lawn for an elderly person or help someone with their bags, etc. If you can help with small monetary things you can buy someone a bus ticket or a cup of coffee just because. There are many small things that you can do for others that will change their day for the best.

Donate to a cause – Donate your time or money or both to a cause of your choice. There are many to choose from including child abuse, animal shelters, gender equality, clinics, safe havens, cancer research, etc. There are very many. If you cannot donate money, donate your time and become a volunteer.

happy - 5 Steps to Become a Better Person

Smile more – Smiling is contagious. Smile at everyone you meet. Smile especially when you are feeling down. It will make you feel better. Your smile is a very powerful weapon and you should use it as much as possible. The world can be a dark and dreary place, but if you smile at one person and make their day, they will do the same and you will start a chain reaction of positivity.

Being a good person is inherent to humans. We tend to forget because life throws us too many punches or because we get too busy. It doesn’t take much to find the good in yourself. Just follow these steps and see how your world changes.

5 Steps to Reducing Your Cost of Living

February 2, 2018November 6, 2017
savings2 - 5 Steps to Reducing Your Cost of Living

Living costs are higher than ever. It doesn’t matter where you live, it tends to be a problem. There are, of course, certain countries that are more expensive on principal, but we can all try and save a bit on our living costs. It can be tricky, but we here at Five Ways to Wellbeing have a few steps to help you out.

green - 5 Steps to Reducing Your Cost of Living

1. Go green

Believe it or not, but living more environmentally friendly will save you money and reduce your living expenses. If you can install solar panels or wind turbines, you will have to pay a lot at the beginning but you will save so much more in the long run. If you can’t install any of these things, don’t worry. There are many simple ways to live greener. Save power whenever you can by unplugging appliances you don’t use, using the right light bulbs, saving water, planting your own vegetables, etc.

2. Cut out unnecessary and frivolous expenses

We all have these expenses in our lives. Things we just buy because we can or want it. If you reduce your unplanned expenses, you will save a lot of money. Also, see if you can bring down your car insurance and health insurance premiums. Rather take the bus or train instead of driving everywhere. This will save you on petrol costs. Cook and eat at home instead of going to restaurants every other night. Don’t always buy the most expensive stuff if the cheaper one is just as good. You will find these expenses when you start looking. Cut them out.

savings2 - 5 Steps to Reducing Your Cost of Living

3. Save more

All the things you do in step 1 and 2 will save you money. However, you can also start paying more attention to your actual savings. If you can save up enough money to pay off a big chunk of debt, you will immediately reduce your monthly expenses.

4. Be creative

Put on your creative cap and start thinking outside the box. You can find creative ways to save money and reduce your living costs and you can find creative ways to make more money. If you have a talent that you can use to make money, go for it. Sing, dance, paint, craft, build, etc. and have fun while you do it.

5. Get the family involved

It is easier to change something like money matters when the whole family works together. Get the kids involved in your plans to reduce costs and save more money. They may have some very creative ideas on what you can do to reduce living costs.

Life is expensive. There is no arguing that. Luckily, you can do something about it if you analyse spending behavior and make changes.

If you try these steps, let us know what creative ideas you have come up with and whether you could reduce your living costs.

5 Steps to a Successful Business Plan

January 4, 2018January 10, 2018
plan1 - 5 Steps to a Successful Business Plan

A successful business plan is very important if you want to start your business right and attract the right investors. A business plan is more than just a way to show potential growth and projections. It is about having a clear vision and action steps to get to where you want to go. To build the best possible business plan, follow our five-step plan.

Do your research – Always start with research. Knowledge is power. Read up on what exactly a business plan should have and why. Find different examples and templates that you can learn from and build your own structure based on that. The internet is a valuable asset when you need information like this.

Understand what exactly a business plan is – It is important that you understand what a business plan is and why you need it. It isn’t just something you show investors to get their money. Your business plan must be your blueprint for the future. Whatever you put in that plan, you must do. A business plan gives you direction and meaning and shows you where you need to go.

Be very thorough and realistic – A successful business plan is one that is thorough and realistic. After you have done your research, you should have a relatively good idea of everything that has to go into this plan. Make sure that you include everything from the name to the salary projections to the overhead costs and the printing costs. The more thorough your plan the better. A thorough, well thought out and realistic business plan will take you far.

Bring it all together – Once you have your business plan built and typed, print it and bind and keep it to use as your map. You should know everything in that plan like the back of your hand. If an investor queries something you must be ready with a good answer. You must know how to present yourself and the plan to get the funds that you need and to make the impression that you want.

Get professional help if necessary – If you are building a business plan for the very first time and you feel a bit lost or confused, consider hiring someone to guide you. You may find consultants at banks, legal firms, etc. These guys will be able to steer you in the right direction.

It is a time-consuming process to build an excellent business plan, but it is necessary and you will be grateful that you did a thorough job. A well-planned and well-executed business plan are one of the keys to success.

5 Ways To Stay On Budget This Christmas

December 15, 2017January 10, 2018
Christmas or Xmas - 5 Ways To Stay On Budget This Christmas

Christmas can be an expensive time of year. From the arm-length list of ingredients you need to buy for Christmas dinner, to the yearly stash of chocolate baubles that only make it onto the tree for a day or two before they’re snaffled by the kids, there’s lots of bits and bobs that need buying. When everything is added together, it makes for one costly season! What’s more, that’s without even thinking out the money you’re expected to fork out on gifts – it’s the season of giving, after all.

Luckily, there are measures that can be taken to keep gift spending to a minimum. So, if you’re looking to make it through the festive period without breaking the bank, here are five handy tips for staying on budget this Christmas.

  1. Shop with a plan.

Before you even step foot in a store or start adding items to your online basket, begin by making a list of everything that you need to purchase. At first, this can just be a list of people who you’re buying presents for. If you know what you’re going to be giving everyone, then you can add that to the list too. Alternatively, if you like to browse for inspiration before picking the perfect gift, then that’s fine too. As long as you update your plan with details of what you’ve bought for each person. Not only will this ensure you don’t accidentally miss someone out, it will help you keep track of how much you’ve spent on each person. That way, you won’t have to worry about spending an arm on a leg on your niece, before panic-buying stuff for your nephew to equal out the costs.

Make sure to take the plan with you when you go shopping, so you’re not tempted to buy any unnecessary extras. For the super organised gift-giver, you can even add the shop you’re heading to onto your plan. All in all, sticking to a plan is an excellent way to avoid unnecessary purchases and stay on budget at Christmas.

  1. Use coupons.

This method takes quite a bit of preparation, but can really pay off. Throughout the year, most companies will offer vouchers and discount codes to customers, to drive sales during otherwise quiet periods. To stay on budget this Christmas, you can make use of these coupons to make your money go further. It takes quite a bit more planning throughout the year, but even luxury brands will have a sale period where you can grab your expensive gifts for a cheaper price than if you leave present buying until the last minute. Black Friday is only a few weeks before the big day, so is a great occasion to get lots of your shopping completed. Some online discount codes will remain valid for a couple of weeks after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so don’t worry if you think you’ve already missed out.

If you’re the type of shopper who prefers to buy their items in store, make sure to have a quick check online first to see whether you can get a gift card for less than its face value. The likes of reward points can also be a massive help at Christmas.

  1. Spread the cost.

For many people, purchasing every Christmas gift from one pay-check is an impossibility. Under the ruse of being ‘organised’ some even start buying their gifts in September. The extremely organised will have everything sorted by the end of the January sales. While this approach is definitely a great way to stay on budget at Christmas, it makes it difficult to buy someone a gift they want. It’s also a bit dangerous, as the person may purchase the item for themselves over the course of the year, or it may even become something that they no longer want or need.

But fear not, there’s an alternative. Instead of giving your bank balance a bit of a battering (or spending the entire year in ‘Christmas mode), who not consider buying gifts on credit?

That way, you’re still able to buy the items on your loved one’s Christmas list, and can then split the cost over the next few months. There are even options that offer 0% finance. If your credit score isn’t the greatest, don’t worry about missing out as there are plenty of no credit check catalogues.

  1. Do Secret Santa.

Large families and big friendship groups are the enemy of the budget Christmas dream. How can you possibly keep costs down when you’re buying presents for so many people? Don’t worry, you’re probably not the only person in the family or friendship that feels this way. Therefore, suggesting that everyone participates in Secret Santa is a great idea, and will probably go down well. It can cater for small budgets and large budgets alike depending on the budget you set. Or, it can even encourage everyone to get in touch with their creative side by incorporating a theme, like ‘homemade gifts’ or ‘baked goods only’. That way, you’re also more likely to get a gift from the heart, as your loved one spends their time making a scrapbook or knitting you a beautiful scarf, rather than scouring the web in a panic before buying you yet another shower gel gift set.

  1. Cut down on the extras.

Sometimes, people are so focussed on what money they’re spending on Christmas gifts that they forget to apply their budget to the rest of their life. A great way to cut down costs during the Christmas period is to take a long, hard look at all those little luxuries that you afford yourself and seeing whether you’re able to give them up for a couple of weeks. For example, could you cut down on the number of gingerbread lattes you buy each week from Starbucks? Can you take a packed lunch to work instead of eating at a café every day? Is it really urgent that you go to see this film at the cinema, or will it be just as good on DVD in a few months? It may seem like you’re sapping all of the fun out of your own life, but these changes are only small and they don’t have to be permanent.

5 ways to keep fit in the winter months

December 7, 2017March 19, 2018
winterwonderland - 5 ways to keep fit in the winter months

During the summer months it can seem that keeping fit is easy. Walking, running, just simply getting out in the fresh air, it is something that we can all do. But, in the winter months, it can seem hard for us to get motivated to get out.

The trouble is, fitness is important to get right all year round, not just when the weather is fine. However, how can you keep fit in the winter months when all you want to do is hide away indoors? The truth is, it isn’t easy. Particularly if you find in the summer that you lack motivation, in the winter this is going to be even worse.

The first thing to do is to always keep your fitness goals in mind, as having those as a focus is going to give you the push that you need. Not only this, but as the weather isn’t particularly kind, you may be short on outdoor fitness activities that you can actually do.

Next, you may need to go out of your comfort zone a bit. Trying new things, particularly things such as fitness classes or a new gym can be daunting, but in the long run they are not only going to help to keep you active, but also help you to make new friends and be social too.

Join a new fitness class

Not being able to get due to the weather is the perfect excuse for you to try something new. Why not spend your winter trying out a new fitness class? Body Pump, Spin, Circuits even Zumba or Aqua-aerobics, all of these classes are a great idea to get your heart pumping and keep you active. The great thing about these classes is that they still run no matter what the weather outside is doing, which means that you can always get your fitness fix. Not only this, but by signing up to something new, you will be challenging yourself and this means that come the New Year, you won’t have to make any resolutions. The main reasons for this is because you will already be doing it, rather than just think about it.

Embrace the weather and still get out there

Sometimes, the only thing for it is to embrace the weather and get out in the fresh air. Despite it being cold and grey. Take a nice walk in the crisp are, explore some of the woods, fields and other natural places. Just because the weather isn’t great, it doesn’t mean that these places are still not great to visit. It just means that you may need to wrap up warmer whilst you are there. If you have a bike and you are a regular cycle commuter, then the cold weather can put you off, but if it isn’t too icy or dangerous outside, then you should try and grab your helmet and cycle.

Head for the gym rather than the park

Being able to exercise inside is a great way to keep active during the winter months. This is why the winter months often see more and more people signing up to the gym. The great thing about the gym is that not only does it not matter what is going on outside, but it has plenty of things for you to try too. With so many different pieces of equipment for you to use, you may find that once the Spring has come around and things have stated to warm up, that you still don’t want to give up your gym membership!

Do some fitness at home  

The ultimate winter workout has to be when you can do it in the comfort of your own home. There is nothing better then knowing that you can be active, but not having to worry about getting all your winter woollies on. Gone are the days when you could only rely on exercise DVDs to get your home workout fix. Now there are YouTube channels that are dedicated to a variety of different workouts, ideal for you to try out without leaving the house.

Ice Skating

Why not fully embrace the wonder of winter and get yourself on the skating rink? Ice skating is not only the perfect winter fitness activity, but it is also a really awesome workout too. The only problem that can arise with ice skating is that you can find it tricky to find the perfect skates.

One way that you can try and source them is to check out some of the ice hockey skate reviews such as these CCM Super Tacks reviews. A source for all things skating, these websites are designed to help you to find out more about the different types of ice skates that are on offer, and that you always find the right style and brand for you.

So, as you can see, it doesn’t have to be hard to be healthy and active during the winter months. All it takes is some planning, and thinking about the different ways that you can embrace the chill and keep yourself healthy, no matter what the weather is doing outside!

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