Managing Your First Funeral? Here Are Some Tips To Aid You

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The first time you’re responsible for charting your path through managing a funeral, things can often feel quite overwhelming, especially if you have little help. Not only do you have to deal with the loss, but also think about sending off that person in the most respectful and beautiful way.

This post deals with a heavy topic, but we hope that with some of our insight, you can move through this process in the best way, a way that enables you to seek some kind of closure and pay respect to the wonderful person you have lost.

The first thing to consider is booking a funeral director. For a fee, they can guide you through the process, help you book a venue, and make any extra necessary arrangements. If your lost loved one had burial insurance, this will make the whole process a lot easier. Serving as the executor of the estate, you may still need legal help from the solicitor involved in curating the will, and from there make sure every form is filled out and every dispute is mediated through a probate service.

With that in mind, let’s answer some of the most frequented questions by newcomers to this task:

Last Wishes Are Not Legally Binding, But Nice To Fulfill

It can sometimes feel as though the last wishes of your relative are essential to consider, and they of course will be just because of obvious reasons, but if they are impossible to achieve or may not resemble the last wishes they had personally expressed to you beforehand, then they are not legally binding, even if they are nice to fulfill.

This can help you enter a wider conversation with the rest of the family as to how best to achieve a similar result. For instance, if they wished for an open casket funeral but for whatever reason this is less than advisable, then it may be curating a beautiful framed photograph of your relative on top, alongside some beautiful cemetery plaques, could be a nice substitute. In this way, you can avoid feeling absolutely defined within strict and narrow rules, and achieve your relatives’ last wishes in a more suitable manner, a manner they themselves may have agreed with.

Consider The Invite List

Considering the invite list of the funeral can require many tough calls, but sometimes, family and friendship dynamics develop in such a way that a discerning approach could be your best policy. If you relative only wished for a small and humble service, then it could be that only inviting relatives and their closest friends can be important. Just like a wedding, it can sometimes be worthwhile to set boundaries between family members or simply make sure that ground rules are understood before the service takes place. Sometimes, the invite list will be obvious, sometimes it won’t be, we simply advise you to make those calls with confidence and always respecting the wishes of your relative.

The Final Decisions

Some final decisions are larger and perhaps more essential than others. For instance, it may be that your relative had specific wishes, such as being buried in one of the Batesville Caskets available or asking for certain music to be played. Or, they may not have. It can be, then, that deciding the way forward is worth considering.

For instance, considering how much does an urn cost or considering additional burial conditions such as those that plant a tree atop your lot can make a big impact, and can help your relative live on with something of a statement. The final decisions you make are obvious when guided by prior wishes, but may require creative thinking and family discussions otherwise.

We would advise that you have those discussions, and that you speak to the professionals as to what your mainline options are. They can help you flourish in your planning going forward.

Commemorating Them Properly

It’s a nice idea to commemorate your family member properly. This might involve expressions like reciting their favorite poem, getting them their special funeral flowers, spreading their ashes in an area they loved and expressed an interest in retiring to.

You might have old photographs of them restored and framed, or perhaps you can take some of their most precious keepsakes and keep them in cared-for storage, one day ready to pass them down to your children going forward.

As far as the funeral is concerned, you may decide to implement a few structured changes they would appreciate. For example, inviting their old military friends to the funeral, while not in contact for a few years, could be quite heartwarming and worthwhile.

With this advice, we hope you can manage your first funeral with confidence. We’re sure you’ll do a great job.

How to choose the right kitchen countertop for you

Designing and buying a new kitchen can be a daunting task. You want to choose the kitchen, appliances, and material, which will stand the test of time and be best suited to you and your needs. Kitchen’s do not come cheap, and they are a big project that you will probably only embark on once a decade, at best. So you want to be sure you get every aspect right and that you don’t settle or compromise on something you wish you hadn’t.

One of the most significant decisions you will make when choosing your new kitchen is choosing the right countertop. Countertops and benchtops, whether they’re granite or porcelain or caesarstone benchtops, can change the look and feel of a kitchen entirely. Not to mention, they can be costly and impractical if you don’t get the decision right.

Kitchen countertops are available in multiple different materials, so you need to think about the type of material you’d like your kitchen countertop to be made from. Do you want laminate countertops? Solid wood countertops? Granite? Marble? All have their pros and cons, so set yourself a little list of things to consider. Here is some inspiration and information about the pros and cons of each material type to get your list started.

The look.

Whilst it may not be the most important feature for some, it remains an imperative part of the design process. Perhaps you have a traditional kitchen, in which case the ultra-modern Corian countertops probably wouldn’t be the best fit. However, if a modern and sleek look is what you’re going for, then quartz options such as Alpine Mist from Caesarstone could match your kitchen’s aesthetic perfectly. Fortunately, there are so many types of solid surfaces out there you are bound to find a design, color, and texture that suits you and your kitchen, whether it is a chic grey or purple with sparkles. If you do not like pieces from a certain seller, you always have the option to hunt for your favorite material elsewhere! One of the most varied styles of countertops available is quartz countertops. Quartz kitchen countertops can be easily customized as there is a wide range of quartz colors and textures available. They’re strong and resilient with low maintenance. As they’re made out of waste material, they are a great option for the eco-conscious. They aren’t, however, the most heat-resistant surface available, and they’re on the pricier side for countertops.

Photo credit; Pixabay from Pexels

Budget.

Sadly budget constraints are a fundamental factor behind choosing the right countertop, but the good news is there are worktops to fit pretty much any budget. Shop around, get an online quote (or five) and look for special offers – you might even get a countertop you weren’t bargaining on. Some of the more affordable countertops include laminate, ceramic, and wood. All worktops are priced per square foot, so it is worth brushing up on your figures when you start worktop shopping.

Installation.

Installation is a significant consideration not to overlook. You may be a dab hand at DIY and can install a kitchen with ease but installing countertops is not for the faint-hearted. Countertops have to be precisely cut and made to measure, and given the cost of some of the countertops, it may be a challenge you don’t wish to accept. Again this will be something you want to consider when planning the budget available for your countertops and the amount of time you have available to install the worktops.

Daily use.

Think about the use for your countertops and the type of kitchen user you are. Do you need heat resistance surfaces? Are you guilty of putting hot pans down on your existing surfaces? And is that likely to change? Granite worktops are great heat-proof surfaces. Granite is a great strong material that will be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear, but therefore it is expensive and needs bi-yearly maintenance. The maintenance of your countertops is something else you need to factor into your decision-making. Are you going to maintain them properly to ensure their longevity and value for money? For a more affordable heat-proof surface, you might want to consider ceramic.

What about spillages? Some worktops can be easily damaged through spillages. For households with young children who like to try and make their own drinks having spill-proof countertops is essential. If spillages are your key concern, then the affordable laminate option may be for you.

One last thought

Although it may not be a deciding factor, there may be a couple of other things that may still have some bearing on your decision-making. For example, you may be swayed by the affordability and easy maintenance of laminate worktops. You can get some excellent laminate worktops that work perfectly in many kitchen types. However, you may encounter some difficulty if you have a Belfast or other under-the-surface mounted sinks as laminate doesn’t always work well with these sinks. So, what is more important? Your sink and taps or your worktops?

It may also be worth taking a trip to a showroom to view the countertops. Get an idea for the look, texture, and feel of each different type of worktop you are considering. Compare quartz worktops to laminate and Corian to granite. Decide what suits you and go from there.

Top 4 Natural Stones For A Swimming Pool Deck

Your poolside is one of the essential features of the backyard. Besides offering an area for relaxing with family and friends, it also showcases your style and personality. While there are several materials you can use to construct your swimming pool deck, natural stones are the best. They are unique, attractive, and durable. If you’re looking for a cheaper option to revamp your deck, why not consider pool deck resurfacing? This can be done as well as adding natural stones so if you really want to impress this summer, it’s well worth considering.

However, if you want your deck to maintain its beauty, you need to use sealants. These make the stone resistant to excessive use, pool chemicals, and elements of weather.

Here are the top four choices of natural stone that you can use for your pool decking.

Limestone

Limestone is one of the world’s most used building materials. This material, usually sourced from quarries, is hardy and retains its beauty for many years, regardless of the weather. Many pool designers like using limestone tiles because their good looks are useful in pool coping.

Additionally, limestone is durable and can withstand adverse weather conditions and high traffic. These are always used in the preparation of driveways and pavements. You might have seen construction workers using a walk behind trench roller or a similar trench roller to install the materials intact. Moreover, the aesthetic side of limestone makes it a common construction material. It is also available in multiple colours, such as blue, brown, gray, tan, and pink. Moreover, you can cut it into different styles and shapes, making it a popular choice among homeowners.

Travertine

Despite being closely related to limestone, travertine has different qualities. It is mainly found around hot springs and geysers because its formation requires high temperatures. Travertine is heat-resistant, and its light-colored nature enables it to reflect sun rays.

Due to its porous nature, travertine allows hot air to go down while raising cold air. As a result, you never feel cold during summer and hot during the cold season. The high porosity also increases water absorption and makes your poolside resistant to mold and algae growth. If you invest more and install antiskid finishing, you will never experience falling incidences by your swimming pool.

Also, travertine is naturally beautiful because it has fissures, grains, and veins. If you maintain it properly, it can serve you for a lifetime.

Slate

Slate is a variant of flagstone that has been used for multiple centuries. It is heavy and durable, easy to install, and can be cut into different styles and designs. It is also available in various colours, such as black, brown, and different shades of grey.

The standout quality of slate is that its rustic appearance makes it ideal for people who like classic outlooks. Like travertine, it also has antiskid qualities that endure you don’t fall after taking a plunge.

Marble

Marble is undoubtedly the natural stone that exudes the most elegance. You cannot find identical marble tiles, even if they are sourced from the same quarry. Despite their beauty, these tiles are durable and easy to maintain.

More importantly, marble provides timeless beauty. Another quality of this material is its translucency. However, it doesn’t have the antiskid properties of other natural stones. For this reason, it would be best if you avoid polishing it.

Conclusion

Choosing the best material for your swimming pool can be pretty challenging, as the market has several options. Some of the factors you need to consider when buying these materials include durability, ease of maintenance, antiskid properties, and, more importantly, safety. With these in mind, natural stones are the best choice. Speaking of safety, the pool fence regulations melbourne necessitates the use of pool barriers or fences. Therefore, if you reside in Melbourne or any place for that matter, do consider getting fences for additional safety.

While natural stones have several features that make them suitable for pool decks, you also need to maintain them properly to increase their longevity. The best way to do this is by applying a sealant, as it prevents damage by pool chemicals and excess traffic. For variants like marble, avoid polishing to reduce the risk of skidding. Lastly, ensure that you wash your poolside regularly to keep it clean and shiny.

Unique Ways to Express Yourself through Your Style

Some people might believe that expressing your opinions, thoughts, and choices with your appearance is impractical. However, it’s not true. Picking the right clothes to wear, choosing the finest accessory, and wearing your hair in a stylish way are simple tips to express yourself.

All you have to do is learn how to pick the appropriate jewelry and other accessories from a variety of choices at the appropriate retailer. Since many retail jewelry companies frequently work with custom manufacturers, you can typically choose from a wide variety of designs they have in stock. While the new businesses must address issues like How To Find A Jewelry Manufacturer, once they are fully operational, you can check out their collections. So, instead of going to a new jewelry shop to buy accessories, it could be much better if you visit an old shop that is already established. Let us now discuss how you can express yourself in the best way possible.

Wear a Sweatshirt to Make a Statement

Never underestimate the power of a sweatshirt! Although it is ideal for cold and freezing days, this piece of clothing is a universal fashion staple. Sweatshirts are common all over the world regardless of gender and age. You can make a statement by wearing a certain style of sweatshirt. Wearing one with illustrations and quotes helps you express your love for art. The more creative and unique piece you will opt for, the more artistic and glamorous feel you will give.

Apart from this, the types of sweatshirts also help you express your personality and choices. For instance, people who are more into fashion always seem to wear new sweatshirts based on the weather. On the other, teenagers who want to look classy choose to wear fitted sweatshirts. But people who are less concerned with their appearance wear polo sweatshirts. In any case, sweatshirts are the best way to express your nature, personality, and sense of trend.

Use Minimalism Approach

Some pieces of jewelry will complement any clothes from your wardrobe. These pieces are not only pretty but also attract the attention of onlookers. We must say that minimalist bangles, rings, pendants, and other types of jewelry are delicate, simple, and classic. Generally, it includes beautiful and small pearl earrings, gold bangles for women with some carvings, and simple round rose gold-colored rings. Gold bangle bracelets are the ideal and best option for women who prefer to be a bit trendier.

Apart from giving you a glamorous and modern feel, minimalist jewelry suits almost every type of attire. Whether you carry jeans and tees, a black dress, or anything else, you will stand out by wearing your minimalist accessory. So, if you want people to notice you, this type of jewelry is the best option for you.

Go for High-End Gold Jewelry

Wearing gold jewelry is the best way to express yourself and make a style statement. It helps you stand out in the crowd by giving you a luxurious and attractive look. When it comes to gold jewelry, you have two choices: gold plated and gold-filled jewelry. In case you don’t know the difference between gold filled vs gold plated, gold-filled jewelry comprises more amount of gold alloy than gold-plated jewelry. It can maintain its quality, shape, and shine.

Although gold plated pieces have a lower price, they easily get wear and tear, and you will see scratches on their metal surface. If you want jewelry that you can wear daily and that has a long life span, gold-filled jewelry is a suitable option for you. The best part is that you have ample choices when it comes to gold jewelry. You could either shop from online stores (like Wholesale Sparkle, for instance) or your local jewelry store. Alternatively, you can opt for ultra-glam style, bohemian style, tomboy style, classic styles, and others. Depending on the piece you choose, gold-filled jewelry can allow you to master a pleasant, decent, and luxurious look all at the same time.

Tempted to wear some high-end gold jewelry but feel unsure about what to buy first? Why not invest in a gorgeous gold ring? Gold rings never go out of style, and will complement most outfits. You can go for something timeless and classic like a Claddagh ring with a heart shaped detail, or something plain, the choice is totally up to you. You can wear as many rings as you want, so don’t be afraid to mix and match styles to find what works.

Style Your Hair

We must say, hair is the best way to express yourself. You can look polite, happy, confident, responsible, stylish, artistic, and much more by just playing with your hair. If you want a more girly look, you can simply purchase a hairband to keep your hair off the face. Women who want to look beautiful and sophisticated can tie their hair in a tight bun.

Want to have a chic but decent hairdo? Tie your hair back in a bun but let your front hair strands fall on your face. You can also wear some braided buns that add a touch of prettiness to your hair. A tight ponytail by parting your hair from the middle is an ideal hairstyle to wear with almost every type of attire and on all events. For a more fashionable look, just go for an untidy fish braid with front hair falling on your face. In a nutshell, if you want to express yourself, just spare few minutes to style your hair.

Get a Tattoo

There is no better way to make a fashion statement than getting a tattoo. Of course, it doesn`t have to be anything radical. You can start small to get a feel for what you are getting into. Getting tattooed does involve a bit of discomfort depending on the place. Further more, the bigger the tattoo the bigger the costs are.

Bottom Line

So, now you know how a simple piece of jewelry, a simple hairdo, and clothes can help you define and express yourself. Whenever you are getting ready to leave your house, make sure to ask yourself what things can help you express the feelings and thoughts you are experiencing right at the moment. And get ready according to it.

Why Males Are Going Bald in Their 20s: Causes and Treatments

A lot of us think that hair loss is a problem that affects older men only. While this was true to some extent in days gone by, the nature of hair loss is changing. Nowadays, many men in their early 20s are also losing their hair at a staggering pace. More men are having to Toupet online kaufen bei Aderans (buy a toupee online at Aderans), shave their head, or take medication to help improve the appearance of their thinning hair.

Since the young men have no idea why they are losing their hair so early, many of them fail to take the right recovery measures on time. In this blog, we will share the causes behind baldness in the 20s along with the treatments that can help with recovery.

Let’s first discuss the common causes of male hair loss in the 20s!

Causes of balding in 20s

According to a report shared by Toppik, most men notice their hair thinning before they reach the age of 21. Hair loss in men at such a young age could be caused by any of the following reasons:

Hereditary hair loss: This hair loss is one of the most common causes of baldness in young males. This type of hair loss runs in the family. It’s triggered by a combination of hair loss genes, aging, and change in hormones.

In hereditary hair loss, young males notice continuous thinning along the hairline followed by a bald spot at the crown which gradually increases in size. This hair loss condition can result in permanent hair loss if left unchecked.

If caught early, then such hair loss could be mitigated via surgical options, like a hair transplant for example. While many people may prefer to speak to a local clinic’s experts about the problems and their resolution, others may prefer to do some research on the best country for hair transplant and find experienced physicians who can perform the surgery as needed.

Whatever the case may be, hair loss is not something anyone would want to take lightly, and so, looking at root causes as well as treatment options should be a priority.

Browse hair toupees to recover from extreme hair loss.

Poor nutrition: Another common cause of hair loss among men in their 20s. Dermatologists say that lacks of vitamin A, C, D, and E, zinc, B vitamins, iron, protein, biotin, and essential fatty acids in the diet may slow down hair growth in young males and result in hair fall.

Hair loss due to poor nutrition is temporary and can be reversed by improving the everyday diet.

Stress: Our stress levels are generally higher amid pandemic times. In males, stress can push hair follicles into the resting phase in advance and when that happens, they stop producing new hair strands. This hair loss condition caused by stress is called telogen effluvium.

Stress can also intensify the effect of trichotillomania by making young males pull out their hair when they are dealing with negative emotions.

Abusing styling tools: Another common cause of hair loss in millennial males. Human hair is made of keratin proteins and hydrogen bonds. Heat-based styling tools such as blow dryers strip hair of its natural oils and proteins by slowly breaking down the hydrogen bonds.

In the case of prolonged uses, young men highly reliant on such styling products may notice thinner and weaker hair.

Treatments for hair loss of the youthful

Hair loss in young males can become untreatable if timely measures are not taken. Therefore, early diagnosis is important! One of the first things to consider would be consulting a physician who can diagnose the problem and prescribe appropriate hair loss pills canada or in any preferred place. Apart from that, here are widely recommended treatments to prevent hair loss at an early stage:

Minoxidil: Over-the-counter medications like minoxidil have proven effective in dealing with hair loss. The medication not only slows down the rate of hair fall but also helps with regrowth. Minoxidil usually kicks in in 4 to 6 months.

We highly recommend taking a prescription from a dermatologist for minoxidil since it has side effects including:

  • Acne at the site of application
  • Burning scalp
  • Inflammation and soreness at the roots of hair
  • Reddened skin
  • Increased hair loss

Hair system

Unlike minoxidil, hair system products carry zero risks. A hair system is a non-surgical solution for men to recover from hair loss by covering the bald area. It’s highly durable, breathable, and is made of a skin-friendly base.

Men across the globe use hair systems to overcome hair loss because:

  • They carry zero risk
  • They look hyper-realistic.
  • They deliver instant results.

Losing your hair can be emotionally draining at every age. Medications and surgical treatments like hair restoration might work if you are young and have just started losing your hair. In case your hair loss is already at an advanced stage, go for the hair replacement products for risk-free recovery!

Got questions to ask? Drop them in the comments!

In The Book Storybook Giveaway

win a personalized storybook, space kids book, abc book, alphabet book, solar system book

Sponsored By: In The Book

 

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

Winner Will Receive Their Choice of Book:

My Book About Space   OR   Alphabet World!

in the book logo, in the book, personalized kids books

About In The Book:

In The Book has a smorgasbord of books that you can personalize with your child’s or loved one’s name. They have children’s books, books for grown-ups, special occasions, and so much more! 
 
Inside the books, on every page, your child will find their name written into the story and hidden within the images on the page. In The Book also lets you put a special dedication message to your recipient in the beginning of the book and a picture of your child in the back.
Open To WORLDWIDE entrants and must be 18+ to enter

Giveaway Dates ~ 5/18 9:00AM EST through 6/15 11:59PM EST


Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winner will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

These Shoes Were Made For Walking

This barefoot shoe company really has our feet in mind. Created for that purpose exactly, Lems Shoes use the bare minimum when it comes to shoe design. They look to create shoes that fit with the anatomy of the foot; and doing this means the foot moves freely, like not wearing shoes at all.

Lems Shoes offers many different styles of barefoot shoes. Their original – Primal – is a classic and is the first shoe that the owner created. The shoes in this review are the Primal 2. An updated version of the original, this new line was just released a few months ago. There are a few different color options, including two new colors – cloud (the ones that I received) and olive (an adorable olive green shoe that I want to purchase myself!).

These Lems Primal 2’s are just recently released and seriously so cute. I must admit that many barefoot tennis shoes I’ve come across are not on the cute side. They are for sure more practical than anything. But these Lems are the perfect blend of cute and functional.

The colors are my favorite aspect of these shoes. The bright, light blue really pops against the silver-grey. Around the ankle of the shoe and on the inside is a burnt orange color. This is such a pretty color and coordinates with the other two colors. I am all about coordination, so these are just perfect.

Ultra light-weight, these shoes are just 6.9 ounces. For a pair of tennis shoes, they are so, so light. When wearing them they feel amazing. The last thing I want when trekking through any sort of terrain is clunky, heavy shoes. They a really are light as a feather, so it’s very helpful whenever wearing them.

The toe box of these shoes are extra wide. They are shaped just like our feet which allows for lots of room. This unique shape gives freedom to our toes and does not squeeze our toes together like traditional shoes. 

The bottom of the shoe is zero-drop. This means that the sole is completely flat and there is no support or arch. The foot, from the ball to the heel, is laid flat, which gives many benefits. Keeping the foot flat on the ground helps correct posture by aligning the spine. It also allows our feet to build the muscles they need, that they were intended to be strong. Traditional shoes hinder the correct muscle strength our feet need in order to function correctly. 

Connect with Lems Shoes

Facebook        Instagram         Vimeo        YouTube      

 

The sizing of the shoes is pretty on point. There is a great page on their website with lots of sizing information listed that I found very helpful when deciding on a size. Click here to go to the sizing information page.

I highly recommend measuring your foot length to more accurately determine your size. On the linked page there is a tutorial and instructions on how to properly measure. The Primal 2’s are unique in their sizing wherein they only offer whole sizes for men and half sizes for women. This is why measuring the foot is so important.

The fit of the shoe is great. Ideally there is roughly a fingers-width of space between your toe and the end of the shoe, so bare that in mind. They do have great customer support, so if you feel like you have questions, just reach out them and they will help you out!.

Lems Shoes is such a great company and I highly recommend their Primal 2 shoes. The vibrant colors are my style and I love how they look. Not only do these shoes look good, but they feel great. They are SO lightweight – it’s like I seriously am not wearing tennis shoes – and ultra flexible. I have plans to buy another pair of these shoes in a different color because I like them so much. 10 out of 10 recommend!

 

Your home business – management tips

Your home business becomes a member of your family. It’s there at breakfast and it’s still there at bedtime. Let’s look at some management tips to help things go as smoothly as planned.

Become brand aware

If brand awareness has totally avoided your radar thus far, don’t worry, we’re going to get into it (also check out this definition of brand awareness).

Brand awareness begins with why you’re doing what you’re doing. Do you know what motivates you? If money is the answer, give in now. Nobody wants your snake oil. If your sole aim is to hold people up by the ankles and see how much money falls out, you’re not an entrepreneur, you’re on board the SS Get Rich Quick.

Now, the problem with getting rich quick is that you get found out. Fast. And you have to move on to your next project. Many fake-preneurs believe this is how business works. They’re wrong. That’s how stress and living a shady life works.

Do something you love and the results will shine through in the end product. How? Because being brand-aware means choosing suppliers and marketing techniques that keep growing your business to please your audience, rather than choosing to go about your business in a way that gains maximum exposure at speed without a product of service based on integrity – your audience can spot your intentions a mile away. Investing in ORM packages that could help you build your brand and reputation online could be one of the ways in which you could up your business game!

One of the best ways to improve your brand awareness is through storytelling. Stories are a powerful way to connect with your audience and make your brand more relatable. When you share a story about your brand, you’re able to communicate with your audience on a more personal level. This helps build trust and loyalty, which are essential for any business. Many business owners today work on improving their storytelling skills and collaborate with a professional storytelling coach to captivate their audience and leave a long-lasting impression on them.

Define Core Business Values

Another important step is to clarify what your core business values are. Your values should explain why you created your business, i.e. tell more about your mission and vision. If you want your core business values to matter, they must define how you want your whole business to operate. Also, you can think of your core business values as a moral code. Every decision you make will be ultimately made considering your values. Moreover, when they are carefully defined your core values will help you build a thriving business environment.

Think about packaging

This point very much ties in with your brand awareness. Your packaging is the number one way you can get your customers to remember your brand and also add to their overall customer experience

If they order a product from you and it arrives in a boring, brown box with just an address label on it, this isn’t memorable. However, if you go to a custom box company and design your own packaging with bright logos all over it, this will provide a much richer experience for them. They will be able to see the time and effort you have put into your business and they’re much more likely to remember your brand.

A lot of the time, small businesses think that custom packaging is an unneeded expense but it’s been proven to increase customer loyalty as well as make them more likely to suggest your brand to other people. In today’s day and age, there’s a product for everything so you need to find a way to stand out.

Automate as many administrative tasks as possible

Things take time. Too much time. That’s why any administrative aspects of your business that you can sensibly delegate to software should be packaged off and assigned to the hard drive faster than you can say, “OK, what are the most important things I need to achieve with my time today?”

Think about customer care. Do you manually thank each of your customers for their business? That can be automated. And while we’re talking about customers and automation, invoicing is another aspect of your business where an invoice software can easily take a tedious job off your hands.

Think about your business accounts. Do you have to stay up late at night typing in all of the details of your expenditure and revenue?

Automated systems can save you the time you need to focus on core aspects of your business, like growth, exposure, and profitability. There are only so many working hours in a week. Spend them wisely.

E-commerce website
Get an e-commerce website started to promote your business. If this is where you’re going to be selling your products or services from, you’ll want to make sure that it is well-designed and thought out.

Make sure to place the listings clearly so that people can see what products are available. You will also need to find a payment gateway service too. This will allow you to accept payments from different countries. Without a good payment gateway, your business will struggle to make money. Perhaps you could consider using Unicorn Payment as your gateway solution. You will then be able to accept multiple different currencies, allowing your brand to go global. This should increase success.

Start networking (& keep learning)

Networking. It’s a business word that gets thrown around almost jokingly. Every conversation on a train with a stranger can technically be counted as networking. Matching with someone on a dating app and telling them that you’re the Managing Director of MyHomeBiz.biz can be laughed off as keeping up with your networking duties.

Networking is so much more than that. Networking means reaching out to industry thought leaders to compliment them on their recent work – and inviting them to look and comment on your brand. Starting conversations isn’t easy. And you’re completely reliant on the other side being open to your message. That’s why you need to get serious about networking in numbers. How else are you going to learn? YouTube roulette? You can (and must) do better.

5 Ways to Keep Your Relatives from Driving You Crazy

 

No one gets to pick their family. They are your blood relations, and maybe you get along with all of them. On the other hand, perhaps you don’t bond very well with your immediate family because you feel differently about various topics.

 

If your beliefs are not like theirs, you might feel like they’re driving you crazy sometimes. Until you’re legally old enough to distance yourself from them, you’ll have to deal with them as best you can. As an adult, though, you have better options.

 

We’ll go over some of them in this article. If you want to have peace between yourself and your family members, consider implementing these policies.

 

Tell Them You Won’t Tolerate Cruelty from Them

Maybe you don’t like your immediate family members because you feel like they’re bullies. It could be that they’re physically or verbally abusive.

 

They might target you when you’re living among them, but once you’re out of the house, then presumably, they can’t harm you anymore. If you have elderly relatives who remain behind, though, and can’t defend themselves very well because of their age, you may worry about them. The National Council on Aging says that nearly one in ten Americans over 60 experience elder abuse, so you’re right to worry.

 

If you can get away from an abusive family while older relatives stay behind, tell them they can reach out to you if your other relatives harm them. If that ever happens, you can involve the authorities.

 

Move Far Away from Them

Once you’re old enough, you can move not just out of the house but completely out of the city and state where most of your relatives live. Many families live mainly in one geographic region. The best way to get along with your family members in the future is to create some distance between you.

 

If you live all the way across the country, or even if you expatriate, you’ll probably get along better on the rare occasions you see each other. Most family members, even if they don’t see eye to eye, can get along okay if they only visit for a few days every couple of years.

 

Don’t Borrow Money from Them or Lend Them Any

You should also never let your family members borrow any money from you, even if you have any to lend. On the other side of things, you should not accept a loan from them, even if you feel like you badly need it.

 

If you already don’t get along with your relatives, adding debt to the equation will not help matters. Whether it’s them owing you money or vice versa, there being money between you means you’ll have to deal with them more often until you pay the debt, or they do. If you know you tend to argue with your relatives anyway, it’s best to remove obligations, so you are not beholden to them or them to you.

 

Refuse to Talk About Contentious Issues with Them

It could be that you’re able to get along with your immediate family more or less okay until they start to talk about a contentious issue like religion or politics. Maybe they’ll start talking about those things, and you can’t stand it since you don’t believe the same things they do. Perhaps they want to speak to you about your love life, and you don’t want to do that either.

 

You can tell them you will only talk to them or visit them if they agree not to bring up those topics. Once they agree to that, be firm.

 

If they ever start bringing up those topics again in your presence when they agreed not to, leave the gathering or hang up the phone without any further discussion. That should teach them you’re serious about your boundaries.

 

Don’t Enter the Family Business

You might be in a family that has a family-run business. Maybe it has been in your family for multiple generations.

 

If you love your family members and you also enjoy the sort of work the business offers, you can take a prominent position within the company when you’re old enough. If you can’t get along with your family, you’ll want to shun that business and strike out on your own. Perhaps your older family members would like you to enter the company, but if you can’t get along with them, you have to stay away and try something different.

Otherwise, if you are worried that joining a family business can create issues in your relationship with your family, it can be better to avoid joining the company altogether. You can instead start your own business if you want to choose that path. You can establish a small business and hire necessary services and resources to run the company, including financial management, cyber security (learn about alarm management platform for secured cloud data), administration, and business funds or benefactors.

Don’t fall prey to petty family feuds. Issues can come and go, but if you keep your cool and tread carefully through family conflicts, you can maintain a peaceful relationship with everyone that’s precious to you. Also, ensure that you don’t add fuel to existing issues that are buried deep and let go of any bitterness towards a family member.

 

National Geographic Dinosaur Book Package Giveaway

Welcome to the Moms Rock Giveaway Hop

 

 

 

Enter for your chance to win a prize package of Dinosaur books from National Geographic Kids

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