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Boston University Graduates that own Companies Everyone has heard of

December 28, 2019 by

Boston University is a very prestigious educational institution. What is more, the competition is high which is the reason why writing an impressive Boston University admissions essay is not an easy task to complete. Yet, most of its graduates typically become very successful and achieve all their goals. Therefore, all those frustrating years of dealing with all kinds of Boston University essay will finally pay off. 

college expense

If you are currently working on your Boston University supplement essay or are searching for an interesting subject to dwell upon in your why BU essay, focusing on all those graduates who have managed to achieve huge career success is a topic the Boston University admissions office will definitely pay special attention to. So, here are a few graduates who have started their own business or have founded their own companies which you can dwell upon in your Boston University essay. 

The first person to mention is Margaret Wallace who graduated from Boston University in 1989. In 2001, she co-founded Skunk Studios, and in 2007 she already managed to found Rebel Monkey which is an entertaining company that became popular because of the game CampFu that got launched there. Since then, she is considered to be one of the most influential women in the gaming industry. If you are looking for a very successful woman to dwell upon in your Boston University undergraduate admissions essay, Margaret Wallace is definitely the person to choose. Perhaps, she is one of your role models as well as the reason why you have decided to enter this educational institution. If that is the case, feel free to mention this fact in your why BU essay. 

Another prominent figure to mention in your Boston University essay is Patriсk Spain who has had a rather extraordinary career. He majored in law and graduated in 1979. The first company he launched was called Hoovers. It was focused on business research. Later, he sold this company and founded an advertising-based online news site. As you can see, he started working in a field that is very different from the area he majored in. This aspect is of key importance to anyone who wants to start their own business but is afraid to do so: no matter whether you have majored in nursing or writing poetry, this should not stop you from following your dreams, especially when you feel like you can actually do it. You will quickly learn and develop new skills as soon as you join the business world. Furthermore, you will have to acquire tons of new knowledge one way or another. 

Mickey Drexler is another Boston University graduate who has had a successful career in tons of big companies, such as Apple, Bloomingdales and Gap Inc. Having acquired all necessary experience, he went on to start his own company called Drexler Ventures that is aimed at providing funding to new startups, as well as offering advisory services. Apart from that, the man is also a chairman in a company called Outdoor Voices which a brand of activewear. 

Another person to mention in regards to successful Boston University graduates is Bruce Karatz. He is both a businessman and philanthropist who is mainly interested in the field of property. Bruce Karatz has been the CEO of a homebuilding company called KB Home for a very long time until he founded a real estate company Nafilyan & Partners with a group of other successful businessmen and investors. 

What it all boils down to is that studying at Boston University will be a great start for your successful career. You will acquire all necessary knowledge and experience, as well as graduate having all important contacts and having met all these incredible people who you may someday work with or even start a company together. Studying at college is not merely about acquiring knowledge. It is also about networking. Some business owners even highlight the fact that college networking is one of the first steps you need to take if you want to build a successful career in the field you are interested in. All in all, studying at Boston University will definitely be an advantageous experience for you. The acceptance rate is high. Yet, you will get both useful knowledge and meet a lot of people who may soon become your business partners if you choose to apply to Boston University. 




Taking the Financial Sting out of Family Flu Shots

December 24, 2019 by

Flu season has officially arrived. Is your family prepared? If your answer is a big “no”, could money be to blame? Without insurance, flu vaccinations are expensive, potentially costing as much as $50 per person.

doctor

Skipping these shots may seem like a good idea for your wallet, but it leaves you and your family vulnerable at a time when germs spread like wildfire. 

If you’re worried about how you’ll afford to balance your budget and your family’s health, check in with these tips. 

Use Credit Carefully

Coming up short of what you need, you may reach for your line of credit to help bridge the gap. But is this the best use of your credit?

Financial institutions like CreditFresh recommend a personal line of credit acts as your financial parachute in unexpected emergencies. 

With flu season arriving at the same time every year, getting a flu shot should be an expected winter expense. And for most relatively healthy families, it’s not an emergency. 

Budget Early for Your Family’s Shots

Although it may not fit the definition of an emergency, a flu shot is an important part of your family’s health — and your finances.

Getting sick is expensive. Between doctor’s visits, prescription medicine, and time off work, the flu can do a number on your budget. 

Creating a cushion in this spending plan may be cheaper than the cost of getting sick. By putting aside some cash towards a health fund each month, you may afford the shot and any wintertime illnesses without the help of a personal line of credit. 

Use this spending plan to spot other expenses you can cut out or eliminate, so you can free up cash for your family’s health. 

Enrol in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers no-cost vaccinations, including flu shots, through the VFC. 

It’s available to eligible children under 18 whether they’re insured, underinsured, or Medicaid-enrolled. 

If your child fits the bill, they may get a flu shot for free from a VFC Program provider. Just keep in mind providers may apply an administrative fee.

Check with Your Local Health Department

Some state and county health departments provide free flu shots to residents. Check in with yours to see if they’ll help vaccinate your family free of charge. 

Sign up for a Sponsored Flu Clinic

You aren’t stuck getting your shot from your family doctor or local clinic. If these health providers charge to vaccinate your family, look beyond these clinics for help.

As the flu season gets underway, schools, community centers, and churches will organize temporary flu clinics. Many of them give the shot for free. 

Check with your child’s school to see if they plan on running one this year. Otherwise, reach out online to other parents to see if they know of any anti-flu drives in your community.

Look out for Vouchers

Many of the country’s biggest pharmacies offer vouchers for free flu shots to uninsured and underinsured families. Plan a trip to Walgreens, CVS, or Target to see if there are any free flu shots left. These vouchers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last, so make sure you hurry.

Plan ahead and Get Vaccinated 

Generally, you should get inoculated before Thanksgiving. This gives the vaccine time to work before the flu season hits its peak in December. 

(Don’t worry — the shot still helps even if you get it in the new year!) 

This proactive approach will also help your finances. Between tweaking your budget, hunting down VFC providers, and cashing in on limited vouchers, planning ahead will help you take some of the sting out of your family’s flu shots.




Simple Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Tips For Families

December 24, 2019 by

77% of Americans want to learn to live more sustainably, Forbes reports. Families are interested in becoming greener largely due to issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution. However, some parents don’t know where to start or doubt they’d make much of a difference. The good news is making just a few, small changes to your family’s lifestyle is enough to lower your carbon footprint and help the environment.  

eco tips

Start recycling 

The current U.S. recycling rate is roughly 34%. Getting that number up to 75% will have the same effect as removing 50 million passenger cars from U.S. roads. Introducing recycling bins for plastic and paper into your home can get your family into the habit of recycling. You can then use your city’s curbside program or local recycling drop-off centre to empty the bins. Scrap metal like aluminium, copper, and steel is another important material to recycle. Recycling scrap metal conserves natural resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions produced during manufacturing new metal, Gardner Metal explains. For example, recycling aluminium rather than making it from virgin ore results in energy savings of up to 92%.

Conserve energy

Conserving energy at home will lower your energy bills and help the planet. For example, encourage your children to turn off lights and electronics when they’re not using them. This is a simple way to teach them about the importance of energy conservation without nagging them about using their devices too much. Additionally, start using power strips. Your electronic devices actually continue to use power when they’re plugged in but turned off. So, plugging all your devices into one or two power strips makes it easy for you to unplug the whole thing in one go and save energy. 

Grow your own food 

Growing your own food helps you save money, reduces your environmental impact, and lets you enjoy fresher better-tasting food. It’s also a fun way to get your kids outdoors and teach them a valuable life skill. Cherry tomatoes, snap peas, and strawberries are easy to grow and fun for children to watch grow and pick and eat once they’re ready. You also don’t necessarily need a big space to start a garden. Vegetables can even be planted in pots or hanging baskets.  

Making a few small lifestyle changes can end up making a big impact on the environment. These green living tips can help your family become more eco-conscious. 




SmartBuyGlasses launches Lens Scanner App: Get your Free Glasses Prescription – anywhere, anytime.

December 17, 2019 by

Getting your current prescription has never been so convenient! The Lens Scanner app makes buying your new glasses hassle-free and easier than ever.

When it comes to buying glasses online, people nowadays are always looking for a spontaneous and efficient experience. Not remembering your current prescription might, for instance, force you to have your prescription checked again, wasting not only time and patience but also money. 

lens scanner

In order to avoid these unpleasant situations, as well as to improve access to vision care, SmartBuyGlasses has launched a virtual eye clinic by introducing the Lens Scanner – powered by 6over6. The Lens Scanner is a free and user-friendly prescription reader application that allows users who already have prescription eyeglasses to extract their prescription directly from their phone, meaning that glasses wearers no longer need to go to an eye clinic to get their current eyeglasses prescription. Thanks to this new technology, eye care can be provided in a convenient and direct way.   

How does it work?

The process is very easy. You just need 4 things:

 1. A smartphone with the Lens Scanner app installed, the app is available in both the Apple store and Google play store.

 2. A laptop or computer (with a 12” screen or larger). 

 3. Your current pair of prescription eyeglasses.

 4. A standard size magnetic card for measurement.

process

Through the manipulation of light coming from your digital screen and use of the magnetic part of your card, the app is able to retrieve the optical parameters of your current eyeglasses. Once the app has finished scanning the lenses of your glasses, it will provide you with an accurate prescription. Your glasses prescription will be automatically saved and added to any glasses you’d like to purchase. 

What are the benefits of using Lens Scanner? 

The main benefit of the Lens Scanner app is that you will save time and money by having your vision correction details checked in just a few minutes. 

The app is FDA listed, completely free of charge and can be used entirely at the convenience of the user. 

On top of all those benefits, the FDA has listed the software as a safe and effective mobile medical app. 

In just a few, easy-to-follow steps, you can get your glasses prescription along with a pair of designer eyeglasses anywhere, anytime

About SmartBuyGlasses

The Lens Scanner by SmartBuyGlasses is a mobile app available for android and IOS devices, designed to extract your prescription details from your current glasses. If you own glasses but don’t know what your original prescription is, this service will help save time and money in the process of buying new glasses.

SmartBuyGlasses Optical Group is the world’s leading designer glasses e-commerce company. With operations across Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas, our portfolio of domain properties are market leaders in over 20 countries, including SmartBuyGlasses.com in the US and VisionDirect.com.au in Australia.

The Lens Scanner app is currently offered FREE OF CHARGE. In comparison, an eye exam to retrieve your prescription typically costs between $100 and $250. This service is offered by SmartBuyGlasses.com as a part of our commitment to making eyewear and eye care affordable for everyone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PYUGfqQF-A&t=3s



Is Damp Causing Health Issues For Your Children This Winter?

December 10, 2019 by

Damp is the silent cause of numerous health issues, especially for the children. Dampness usually occurs in homes lacking inappropriate heating, ventilation and insulation. Damp related problems usually surface in the winter due to the extreme cold weather. 

Damp develops over time if left unnoticed it will develop into a costly issue to resolve with severe impact on health. In this article, we shall explore how to recognise signs of damp, the effect of damp on our health and how to protect our homes against damp.

mould

Recognising Signs of Damp in Your Home

It is always best to check for damp in your home from time to time as damp is an issue which develops gradually, its signs becoming visible over time. The following signs are a giveaway, indicating whether your home suffers from damp:

  • a damp musty smell
  • dark or discoloured patches appearing on walls and plaster
  • walls, floors and ceilings feeling cold and damp
  • bubbled or peeling plaster
  • appearance of mould on walls, ceiling or floors
  • Peeling floor tiles
  • Excessive condensation on walls and windows

It is best to regularly check the walls, floor and ceiling for signs of damp. If you are worried, it is always best to call on the expertise of surveyors who will check for signs of damp inside and outside your home. They will assess the type of damp and the cause and offer advice on how to resolve the issue.

How to Deal with Damp

An easy way to minimize or prevent indoor mould is to keep your home adequately heated especially in the winter. With the rising fuel costs it is particularly important that you ensure your home is properly insulated, this will reduce air humidity levels and condensation keeping damp at bay. Furnace can be one of the solutions that can help with this problem, also this furnace buying guide might help you make an informed decision while choosing the right furnace for your home. In this article, we shall explore how to recognize signs of damp, the effect of damp on our health and how to protect our homes against damp. Another easy way of protecting your home from damp is to install adequate ventilation in wet areas such as bathrooms and wet rooms, as well as the kitchen and laundry room. This will ensure the circulation of air, reducing humidity levels. It is also very important to check for any external water leaks from drain pipes. Any damage to the external surfaces of the house such as a hole in the roof, the walls, windows, skylights can provide access for the seepage of water, giving rise to damp related issues. The external surfaces of your house should be damp-proof. If damp has taken hold in your home, you may see dark patches of mould on hard surfaces, it is best to remove this mould by using a sugar soap solution; if the patches persist then using bleach will help. This is not a long term solution; you must identify the cause of the damp and deal with it to prevent the issue from growing. You may need to replace, curtains, carpets or furniture which are made from absorbent materials as these are more likely to retain mould spores. In severe cases, you must call on the expert commercial damp proofing and remediation services to make your property damp, safe creating a safe environment for you and your family. It is vital that we protect our homes from damp; it is not only harmful to our homes but also our health. Checking our home regularly for damp can ensure a safe environment for everyone and also prevent costly remediation work..

Damp Related Health Issues

According to the NHS, damp issues in the home increase the likelihood of respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies and asthma. They also warn that damp and mould adversely affects the immune system.

Moulds can produce allergens, irritants and toxic substances. Inhaling damp mould fragment or spores inflames the sinus air passages causing nasal congestion, wheezing and coughing, runny nose, red eyes, skin rash and throat irritation. Prolonged exposure to damp could result in chronic health issues such as asthma and other respiratory infections.

NHS has warned that some people are more sensitive than others and should keep away from damp and mould:

  • babies and children
  • the elderly
  • people already suffering from respiratory problems, such as allergies and asthma
  • people already suffering from skin problems, such as eczema and dermatitis
  • people undergoing chemotherapy, with an already weakened immune system

Many children suffer from coughs and colds during the winter months but these could be exacerbated by the presence of damp in the home. If children are continually exposed to damp conditions and mould, these common coughs and colds have the potential to develop into more chronic issues.

Mould has the potential to affect everyone’s health; it exacerbates already existing health issues but can cause healthy people to become ill. 




What Your Teenager Should Know About Instagram

December 5, 2019 by

As a parent, you want to protect your children. As they approach their adolescent years, however, your kids yearn for their independence. We know we have to let them learn some of life’s tough lessons on their own, and all we can do is be there to support them. That can be particularly difficult in today’s digital age. There are many more ways bullies and people will ill-intent can reach kids these days. 

Instagram Bio

Social media sites are popular with teens. They serve as a way to communicate with friends, show off their creativity and meet like-minded people from around the world. Unfortunately, these sites can open your kids up to danger if they don’t know how to properly navigate them. Instagram has become one of the fastest growing platforms for teens. That’s why these tips for what you teenager should know about Instagram are particularly timely. Take a look.

1. Set Your Account to Private

Your teens should know that when they post on Instagram, their images and photos can potentially be seen by every person who uses the service. 

Currently, that’s around one billion per month. Your teen may be eager to gain followers quickly and find it exciting to connect with new people. That’s great. However, it also can lead to unwanted and potentially dangerous attention. People can follow your teenager based on an interest in their look or because they believe your kid may be vulnerable for some reason. 

You can buy Instagram likes from ViralRace and other such sites. Most folks do this with the good intention of boosting their likes or follower count and using their account in positive ways. You don’t want your child’s photos to reach anyone whose intentions aren’t so good. Advise them to set their account to private, as this restricts viewing strictly to their own followers. 

2. Don’t Share Your Location

Geotagging is a popular way to share the fun things you’re doing and to find others who have a geographic location in common with you. Unfortunately, they also give your specific location to people may not wish to have it or those who are interested in doing you harm. 

Geotags can be broad, as in identifying the city or state you’re in. They can also provide very specific location information down to the very building you’ve entered. It may seem the odds are against anything bad happening to you, but the possibility does exist. 

3. Likes Don’t Equal Worth

Adolescence is a time of growth and discovery. It can also be a period of poor self-esteem issues. Teens gain their sense of self and meaning from their peers in a lot of ways. Therefore, the likes and positive comments they receive on sites like Instagram can seem like concrete reminders of their worth. They enjoy the approval of their peers, so they strive to get more followers and likes. They can be quite devastated when those likes fail to be received. Remind your team that likes don’t equal worth and that their view of themselves is what matters most of all. 

4. You’re in Charge of the Followers You Keep

An important lesson, teenagers need to learn about social media is that they are absolutely in charge of their own accounts. They get to choose which people to follow and which ones they keep around. They can decide to delete comments and to report inappropriate behaviors. 

Encourage your child to maintain the online connections that bring them joy and lift them up, but to delete any that continually cause them anxiety or stress. Having a sense of autonomy over one’s social media experience is liberating and can increase confidence. 

5. Avoid Adding Contact Information to Your Bio

Many internet savvy teens already know this rule and may find it obvious. But many may not or might think it doesn’t apply to them. A reminder can’t hurt because it’s so important that your teenager understands they should never share their personal information online. Using their full name or any part of it in their Instagram username can make it easy for anyone to find them. 

This is especially true if they share information in their posts about their school or hometown. Remind them to be careful of identifying information in photos such as signs or building markers. Even sharing other places, they can be found online such as Facebook or KIK can be problematic. 

When people can find your teen on other platforms, they can use that information against them and play upon their weaknesses. This isn’t meant to scare you, but teens should be made aware that their are manipulative people who are skilled at getting what they want. 

6. Encourage Communication

Perhaps most importantly, encourage your child to communicate with you. Let them know you’re always there to listen to their concerns, that they can come to you when they don’t know what to do. Teenagers may not have the life experience or developmental maturity to handle certain situations. Having a supportive adult to help them navigate complex issues can make things seem less scary and help them to make better decisions. 

Remind them that they should talk about problems like cyberbullying, harassment or other inappropriate with someone, even if it’s not you. It could be a teacher, guidance counselor or friend’s parent. Sharing with trusted adults can help keep them safe. 

Keep these tips in mind and maintain an open dialogue with your teen. Know that you understand what your teenager should know about Instagram, you can feel better about their overall online social networking experiences. Talking about things and understanding the basics is important.




Top Stories for Kids That Have Morals

December 2, 2019 by

Stories are undoubtedly one of the best ways of teaching life lessons to your kids, as mentioned by MomJunction. You have the option of teaching all the necessary morals as well as values to your kids with the help of stories without having to look preachy. When it is story time in your home, it is suggested that you choose short stories, which the kids will enjoy while learning important lessons. Given below is a list of the best stories for kids, which have appropriate morals. 

books

The Boy Who Cried, Wolf

This story is about a shepherd boy who did not find fun in watching over his flock of sheep. To entertain himself, he would keep shouting “Wolf! Wolf!” This would make all the other villagers come running to him to help him and his sheep. When the villagers would come, they would see that there was no wolf. 

However, he encountered a real wolf one day and when he called out for help, not a single villager came to help him. The moral of the story is that when you keep lying, people will stop trusting you and will not believe you even when you keep telling the truth. 

The Midas touch

This story is about a king who was fascinated with gold and kept wanting more. He also had a pretty daughter whom he loved more than all the riches in the world. One day, the king was offered a boon by Dionysus, who was the God of wine and celebration. The king wished that everything that he would touch would become gold. His wish was granted and the king went around touching everything and making everything gold. 

He was so happy that he went and hugged his daughter and his daughter immediately turned into gold. Then the king realized the mistake that he had made because he wanted his daughter back. The moral of the story is that you should not be greedy because greed can even make the people you love go away. You need to be happy with everything that you already have. 

The Golden Egg

The story is about a farmer who was responsible for having a goose, which laid one golden egg regularly. This golden egg would provide a lot of money to the farmer and his wife and help them with all the basic needs of the day. Suddenly, the farmer became greedy and decided that he wanted all the golden eggs at once and his wife also agreed. 

The farmer decided to open the stomach of the goose. However, when they killed the bird and opened his stomach, they found nothing. This story explains that you should always think before you are taking any action because actions can also have consequences. This is undoubtedly a great story for kids with moral values. 

The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse

One day, the town mouse visits his cousin in the country. The country mouse respects his cousin heartily and gives him beans and bacon to eat. Unmoved with the food served, the town mouse brags of the high life in the city and requests that his cousin goes with him. They arrive at the town and go to a lounge area to eat jam and cake, where they are pursued off by two huge dogs and run for their lives.

The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion

Two friends, the ass and the fox, go to a jungle to find food. On their way, they meet a lion. The shrewdness fox guarantees the lion that he can have the ass for dinner yet asks that his life be saved. Together, they stunt the ass to fall into a pit. When the ass was secured, the lion seizes the fox, slaughtering it for its meat and winds up having both.

The Fox and the Crow

A fox sees a crow carrying a bit of cheese to a treetop. It decides to get the cheese for himself. It goes to the tree and starts lauding the crow that it can sing superior to a cuckoo. Hearing this, the crowbars with satisfaction, and attempts to sing. Cheese falls to the ground as it opens its mouth to sing. The fox gets the piece and flees.

The Peacock and the Juno

The peacock was desirous of the songbird and wanted to sing just like the latter. At the point when it attempts to sing, everybody laughs at it. Frustrated, the peacock approaches Roman goddess Juno and requests a voice as wonderful as the nightingales. Juno cannot and tells the peacock that simply like it is presented with beauty, the songbird is given a delightful voice, the falcon, strength, etc. Juno: “Everyone is unique in their own way.”

Conclusion

Some of the moral stories have amazing moral values that can be taught to the kids easily. Therefore, it is suggested that you consider reading out stories to your kids, right before they go to bed. Ensure that you are choosing from any one of the stories that have been mentioned above so that you can teach the best lessons to your children. 




Keeping Kids Active and Social During the School Holidays

November 28, 2019 by

School holidays are a great break from the regular school term routine however, as we move into the colder, damper months, it becomes more difficult to encourage the kids to get out and be active and social. Especially if your child is involved in a number of school clubs. This break in a normally active lifestyle can affect children’s health and wellbeing leading to them being lethargic and potentially irritable. 

kids active

The best way to keep your children full of energy, ready and excited for the new school term is to encourage them to keep busy during the holiday. To help inspire you, we’ve suggested some interesting and varied holiday activities to keep your children make the most of their time off school. 

Holiday Schools and Summer Camps

While there is not a huge demand for holiday camps over the shorter half-term break. For longer holidays and summer breaks, children’s summer camps can be an excellent opportunity for your child to take part in some fun activities. While making it easier for you to manage the standard workday schedule. There are plenty of specialist camps available, from sports themed holiday camps from companies like Playball, that are specialists in ensuring your child remains healthy while learning some key sport skills to adventure camps that teach children how to survive in the great outdoors. 

Holiday camps offer children the chance to make new friends and meet people from all walks of life while experiencing time away from their parents which can be exciting! 

Hiking and Outdoor Exploration

Adventure is exciting, whether you are young or old. Sadly, we tend to lose our love for adventure as we grow and time becomes more precious, but that shouldn’t stop us passing our love for outdoor exploration to our children. If your children are quite young, set aside time for a break outdoors, taking part in geocaching or simply identifying different natural objects and colours outside. For more independent children, make a treasure or scavenger hunt that they can enjoy by themselves in the local area and bring back a memento from their time exploring. 

Hiking doesn’t have to be a huge distance or effort but simply choosing an hour-long route that takes you to some new locations and can be easily arranged between a group of friends to enjoy together. Ensuring the kids get to catch up with their school mates in the break and using the opportunity to learn new skills including navigation and map-reading. 

Enjoy a New Indoor Sport

When the rain is coming down outside, no one wants to head out of the cosy and warm and it can often cause more washing when you do. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to try indoor sports and activities that allow your children to meet new peers while enjoying a sport they haven’t tried before. Rock climbing is a favourite and will ensure your kids are completely exhausted after a climbing session but if you fancy something a little less ‘extreme’ – give badminton, squash or martial arts a go! Sports are great activities for children as they teach more than just how to run around but warming up and warming down safely, following rules and understanding boundaries. 

Talk to your local sports centre or leisure centre about holiday clubs for children, they might have an opportunity to enjoy a taster of different sports or provide a schedule of activities to choose from during the school holidays. 

While we would all love the school holiday to spend more time with our children, unfortunately maintaining a household comes with responsibilities that can’t be avoided. That doesn’t mean your children have to sit at home during the entire break though and where possible, you should organise activities and opportunities to keep them active and mentally stimulated – a busy child has no chance to become bored!




6 Ideas to Upgrade Your Home’s Interior

November 21, 2019 by

There comes a time where we look at the inside of our homes and want a change. Nothing excites you anymore when staring at your living room space, bedroom, kitchen or bathroom. It all needs an upgrade and you’re not sure where to start. Home interior isn’t complicated when picking the right decor that works. There are thousands of resources to use online that can generate some ideas. Most of us seem to throw things together without a plan. Here are six ideas to upgrade your home’s interior.

1. Lighting

Take a look at your interior lighting. If it’s dull, then you need an upgrade. Lighting can make your rooms come alive. It makes them more enjoyable and helps with opening up the space visually. Consider track lighting in the living or the bathroom. Update all old lighting that’s out of date. Think about using different bulbs that can give off a different feel for each room. Placing lamps near chairs that fit with your decor can help as well.

2. Flooring

Any flooring that’s old and dingy needs to be replaced. It makes no sense to keep this flooring in your house as it can hurt the value. Find flooring that works with your home’s decor and doesn’t throw it off. Hardwood floors are great for pet owners. There are thousands of floor styles to choose from. Use the internet to match flooring types with your particular interiors.

3. Color Scheme

We all get tired of the paint on our walls. One big thing we discover is that nothing matches and it looks awful. We’ve walked around the house for years and never noticed it. Not all of us are the best decorators. You might need to call over a friend or family member to help you decide on what colors are appropriate for the furniture you have. This is also the same for window treatments or shades. Everything needs to coordinate with each other. If you don’t know where to turn, then talk with an interior designer to get you on track.

4. Bathroom Modification

Many bathrooms are simply boring and need an upgrade. You’ve hung on to the same old liner or shower curtain for years. Your sink counters are either faded or outdated. Take the time to research new bathroom wallpaper or color schemes. Consider installing a different type of shower instead of going for the traditional ones that are no longer used. Try something trendy and appealing. There’s nothing like having a well-designed bathroom to show off and use. You might consider the best sliding barn doors to give it a new entryway.

5. Kitchen Cabinets

Our kitchen cabinets go through a lot of wear and tear. They have visible dings or scratches. They could be so old that they’re on their last leg. Consider getting new ones that boost a new style. This will give your kitchen an instant new look that you’ve craved for years. Use the internet to find cabinets that work with your kitchen’s style and are on-trend. Avoid any that still look outdated or just old. To compliment your revamped kitchen, why not add a touch style with some wall hangings or art? If you’re going to spend a lot time whipping up culinary delights, best to make your kitchen as stylish as possible right!

To give your kitchen an updated look without compromising on style consider painting your cabinets or cabinet doors a new color. If you’re going for a minimalistic look, consider painting them white or another light neutral color. If you want to add a bit of personality to your kitchen, consider showing off your favorite dishware like a minimalistic teapot and place the mugs around it. These small changes will make a big impact on the overall look of your kitchen.

6. Ceilings

Years ago, many homes had popcorn ceilings. If you have this in your home, you might want to consider a change. Go for the smooth plain ceilings as they look and feel more trendy. It gives your home a more sophisticated feel instead of looking like you’re living back in the 70s. It’s best to consider revamping all of the ceilings in the entire house to a smooth surface.

These are six ideas to upgrade your home’s interior. Think about changing the lighting in all of your rooms. Some times we don’t realize how dull the look actually is. Bring some life to your house with new lighting styles. Get rid of and replace ugly flooring. Change your old color schemes to something new instead of hanging on to the old bland colors. Consider doing a revamp of your bathroom installing bright or printed shower curtains. Maybe the sink is outdated and you need something more trendy? Kitchen cabinets take a beating over time. It’s a good idea to replace these completely with something in the current year. Clean the popcorn ceiling so you have smooth surfaces that are more appealing.

Try some of these ideas to give your home a new, modern feel. You will love the look that these changes can bring. 




Skills vs. Qualifications: What You Need to Win Your Next Position

November 20, 2019 by

What is the best way to impress a potential employer? A CV with plenty of experience? A list of qualifications? Both? This is the question asked by many hungry applicants across every industry on the planet, as if there was some magic formula to secure your dream job. After all, without the prerequisite certification, candidates will likely face elimination in the early screening stages. But similarly, those without adequate experience to perform the role are also likely to be quickly turned down. So what’s left? In this blog, we explore when you have the skills, but not the qualifications, and what’s really needed to win your next position. 

job position

RPL Assessment

Just like the range of diverse professions available, every job posting will have a manager or recruitment officer behind it looking for something unique. What you can count on is that, no matter what you might be applying for, they are ultimately concerned with how you will perform the job once you’re hired. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know this until you have actually started working. One way to gain an indication is to see if you have the relevant qualifications to efficiently perform the tasks. But you could have obtained your skills outside of formal training avenues, or overseas, meaning you might not have the right piece of paper, but you have skills far superior than anyone else applying. That’s where an RPL Assessment can assist. This is a process that helps utilise your past experience and knowledge and translate it against applicable, nationally recognised qualifications. 

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can give your resume everything it needs to impress potential employers. Qualifications are normally issued by registered training organisations (RTOs) after someone has completed lengthy and costly training courses. RPL is the process by which RTOs can assess a portfolio of evidence consisting of examples of prior work, footage of work completed, referrals, other forms of qualification and more, to see whether the candidate can be deemed competent in their field in accordance with Australian standards. If so, then they will either be awarded credits against, or a full, nationally recognised qualification. If not, the RTO may even highlight the candidate’s areas in need of improvement, and recommended courses or programs that can help them upskill. 

Making the Most of Your Resume

There is no perfect balance between education, skills and qualifications. You want to do as much as you can to impress in both areas, to dissuade any doubts the person reading your resume – the one looking for the best new fit for their organisation – may hold. If you have the qualifications, but no real experience, it can always be beneficial to move into related roles that might not necessarily be what you want to do, but offer opportunities to upskill. Everyone has to start somewhere. Alternatively, if you have the  skills, but not the qualifications, look for ways (such as RPL) to utilise those parts of your life to be certified.




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