In today’s world, a large number of job roles allow us to work from home. For many people, as long as you have internet access and a laptop, you don’t need to be in the office to be able to carry out a day’s work.

The idea of working from home may sound appealing, but for some people, it can present a number of distractions. When working from home, it’s important not to let the likes of a TV or other members of your household come between you and the tasks that need completing.

Whether you have a new job which requires you to frequently work from home or you already do and find you get distracted easily, creating a home office is the best way to maximise your productivity.

In an ideal world you’ll have a spare room which can be transformed into an office, but this isn’t the case for everybody. If you’re in this position, then think about an area of your home which you don’t use as much, and can act as a place to work from. Whether it’s in your dining room, a corner of your living room or even a garage; you can still create an organised work space.

To help you work to the best of your ability when working from home and avoid any distractions; here are a few simple ways in which you can create an organised working environment.

Make sure your space is clutter-free

When carrying out numerous tasks at once, it can often lead to a cluttered work space. Whether it’s reading multiple documents or sorting through files, it’s important you maintain an organised working environment, as this can help boost productivity.

There are a number of ways you can create a clutter-free work space, including desk drawers, filing cabinets, storage bins and stationary holders. Adding these into your workspace doesn’t have to come at a cost and you could even use drawers and cupboards that you already have in the home.

Create a daily plan

Just because you’re working from the comfort of your own home, doesn’t mean you can’t follow the same routine that you would in the office. On a daily basis many of us create a plan for the day ahead, consisting of emails that need to be sent, tasks that need completing etc.

The best way to plan your day is to display all of your tasks on a whiteboard or noticeboard so they’re visible at all times. Doing this will also give you a sense of satisfaction when you can tick each task off as you complete it.

Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you can’t be productive and create an organised work space. By following the simple steps we’ve mentioned and adding some of your own, will allow you to make the most of your time when working from home.

 

Living in a tropical paradise – this is often the first image when beach houses are discussed, and we can’t blame people for it. Being a beach house owner means enjoying vacations whenever you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

But it also comes with its risks, from paying a slightly higher price for the property to dealing with hurricanes. You must make a careful consideration of these factors when you’re in the market for a beach house.

Solid and stable construction

Beach houses come with higher risks of damage, even complete destruction, because of their close proximity to the sea or ocean. There’s always the risk of hurricanes, which can bring storm surges, heavy rains, and strong winds.

Your first consideration should then be the overall construction of the beach houses on your list. Are they solid and stable enough to withstand hurricanes and other extremes of weather? Are they suitable for the recurring issues caused by the weather, such as floods and changing tides? You should consider hiring a certified home inspector to consider these aspects, including the overall structural soundness of the beach houses.

Tip: Concrete is considered as the best material for beach houses. While wood-framed homes have their appeal, these are less likely to withstand hurricanes that make landfall.

You should pay close attention to these parts of the house, too.

• The roof should be made of sturdy weather-proof materials, preferably with a metal roof.
• The windows should be made of impact-resistant materials. Not only are these preferred as protection against strong winds, but these will also decrease noise levels and increase energy efficiency.
• The posts and beams should be strong enough to withstand hurricane-force winds.
• You may or may not want outdoor living areas, such as patios and pools, depending on your lifestyle. But these should also be solid enough to withstand Mother Nature’s whims.

When it’s your turn to place an ad stating, “I want to sell my house Boynton Beach,” you can point out these desirable features to potential buyers, too.

Proximity to water

While being close to the water has its merits, it also has its risks, including storm surges, high tides, and floods. You have to consider, too, the increase in insurance rates that comes with these risks.

You may want a beach house farther away from the water if you want to be closer to the stores, for instance. You may also have children, so being too near the water isn’t safe for them. But you may want to own a beach house so close to the water that it’s already in stilts, and it’s also the right decision.

Other fees and rates

If it isn’t your primary home, you will likely need caregivers to look after your beach house while you’re away. It can mean paying for property management fees but, at least, you have the assurance that your beachside home will be taken care of.

Lastly, consider its potential rental income if it isn’t your primary home. You can then recoup your expenses for insurance, property management fees, and upkeep costs.

You’re driving along and a little rain starts falling, you turn on your windshield wipers, but nothing happens. What should you do? The first thing is to pull over. Driving with non-functioning wipers can be dangerous. That is why you should check them regularly when inspecting your car. The next thing is to troubleshoot and fix the problem.

What Causes This?

There are a few possible culprits that may cause your wipers not to work. The most common are a malfunctioning switch and a seized or burnt motor. Unfortunately, identifying which is the problem can be a problem.

The good news is that you can easily find replacements for both parts using a VIN lookup at your local auto parts store. However, you don’t typically want to just replace things and hope for the best.

Troubleshooting the problem

One of the best ways to figure out which component is the problem is to use the windshield wiper stalk for other uses. Typically, they have more than one function. For example, you likely have multiple settings for the wipers. Try all of them and see if anything happens. Your switch probably also has the controls for your windshield washing fluid. Try activating that.

Some vehicles also have the turn signals integrated with the wiper control, try turning those on. Even if your turn signals are not on the same stalk, try turning them on and off. If they work, it isn’t a definite indicator that the problem isn’t the switch. However, if they don’t work, the problem is most likely with your controls.

You can also check the wiper motor wiring with a multimeter. Unplug the motor and connect your meter to the wiring harness. Check if you are getting a current to the motor when you use the controls.

Replacing both parts can be done without too much technical knowhow. However, the wiper stalk is a somewhat long process due to needing to remove some trim pieces.

Nonetheless, once you know which piece is the problem, fixing it is relatively easy. This is a common theme in automotive maintenance. Troubleshooting is the most challenging part. It is much easier with a multimeter. If you don’t own one, you can find them relatively inexpensively at many auto parts stores. AutoZone also has a loan program for various tools and diagnostic equipment.

Other Wiper Maintenance

Even if your wipers are working fine, you should consider installing windshield wiper replacement blades. This is very easy on most vehicles and will require, at most, a screwdriver. However, on many modern vehicles, you don’t even need tools at all. You can simply unclip them then slide the replacements into place until they snap-in.

Get Started

Whether you are replacing the wiper motor or just the blades, working on your own vehicle is very rewarding. It can also be a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. Don’t forget to make sure you are getting the right windshield wipers size and the correct motor or control stalk. Fortunately, finding the right parts is easy using the lookup tool described above.

 

Getting into a car accident is a very scary yet very common occurrence. For minor car accidents, you might be able to escape with little to no injuries. But in many instances, car accidents leave drivers and passengers with at least some kind of injury.

Depending on the type and extent of your car accident, there may be things you can do to mitigate the injuries you sustain. To show you how this can be done, here are three ways to protect yourself from injury due to a car accident.

Wear Your Seatbelt Properly

One of the best ways to always keep yourself protected from harm when in a car is by wearing your seatbelt. However, many people either don’t wear their seatbelt every time they are in the car or wear their seatbelt incorrectly, which won’t protect them as it should.

To show you the right way to wear your seatbelt, Wes Siler, a contributor to Gizmodo.com, reminds us that the shoulder harness should always go over the shoulder, not under the arm. Additionally, the lap belt should be worn low and tight. If you don’t wear your seatbelt in this way, you run the risk of getting even more hurt due to improper use of your safety belt.

Protect Your Most Vital Areas

When in a car accident, there are certain areas of your body that are going to be more vulnerable than others. Because of this, you should try your best to protect these vital areas. According to Daniel Engber, a contributor to Popular Science, it’s much better to break your arm in a car accident than to get a head or neck injury.

One thing you can do to try to protect the most vital areas of your body is to ensure that you’ve packed your car properly. If you leave items loose in your car, they can and will become projectiles in the event of a car accident. These items could easily hit you or your passengers in the head, which is the one area of your body that you want to be sure to protect. So to keep this from happening, make sure you always secure your cargo and keep it low to the floor of your vehicle.

Prepare For Impact

If you see that a car accident is imminent for you, your body will naturally try to brace itself. To make this as effective as possible, Megan Brame, a contributor to WiseBread.com, advises that you try to keep your hands on the steering wheel with your wrists straight and your head pressed back into your headrest.

In these positions, you’ll keep your arms out of the way of your airbag going off and you’ll secure your head so any whiplash will be minimized.

To give yourself the best chance of surviving a car accident, consider using the tips mentioned above to protect yourself when in a car accident.

 

Nine University Reviews – The Way Online Studying Should be Presented

Studying online is something that many people are now looking to do, and much of that is down to the convenience which this type of studying provides. In terms of how an online course is presented however, it appears that there is a great amount of variation amongst those who deliver an online course well, and those who do not. If you ate a look at some reviews you’ll find people who have been greatly underwhelmed by the way in which the course was structured. Conversely if you take a look at something like the Nine University reviews, they tell a very different tale. So what should people be looking for when they are thinking about studying online?

Resources

One of the most important things that people should look out for when deciding on where they are going to study online is a course which offers plenty of resources for students. This should feature written information, videos and a clear structure to how the course should be studied. Furthermore students should expect forums where they can chat with other students about what they are learning and most importantly they should expect to have real time support from their mentors and teachers. Being left to one’s own devices is not always the best way of learning a new skill.

Success Stories

Whether someone is looking to learn about the world of business, a new language or the sciences, it is essential that they choose their online course based on success stories of those who have already completed such a course. Taking the Nine University example again, they teach a course in launching an Amazon FBA business and the success stories are absolutely incredible. This is what new students should be basing their decision on, giving themselves the best possible opportunity to find their own success stories after they have finished the course.

Simplistic

Regardless of what course someone is going to study it is fair to say that there will be plenty off hard work expected. With this being said however, it is up to the people who have designed the course to ensure that it is simple and easy to digest. This is what the very best courses do, they mould the teachings that they are giving into easy to manage modules which help the learner to gain that knowledge with ease. So many fall into the trap of providing masses of information about a particular subject, when in reality it isn’t required and the plethora of information only serves to confuse. Students should seek courses which are direct and well mapped out for maximum success.

Ultimately learning online should be just as structured as it would be at a school or college, there should be plenty of support for the learner and they should feel confident in the fact that they are studying at a place which is going to give them the highest chance of doing well, both in the course and following it.

 

Even if you enjoy playing fast paced battle games or shooters, from time to time you may enjoy playing more sedate, relaxing games. To discover a few stress free games to play when you’re looking to relax and unwind, simply continue reading to discover a list of highly relaxing games.

5 Relaxing Games to Play:

Stardew Valley:

Stardew Valley is a relaxing role playing simulation game in which you’ll get to play as a character who has inherited a plot of land to farm from their grandfather. Stardew Valley is a simple, relaxing game which primarily revolves around farming and earning enough coins in order to transform your run down section into a thriving, working farm. Part of the fun of playing Stardew Valley is exploring your new town and getting to befriend some of the locals who call Stardew Valley home.

Animal Crossing:

Animal Crossing is a social simulation game in which you’ll take control of the only human in a friendly town of animals. Some of the relaxing activities which you’ll be able to complete in Animal Crossing include fossil collecting, fishing and bug hunting. One of the unique features of Animal Crossing is that there is an in game clock and day soon turns to night. So you’ll have to wisely plan out your day, so that you’ll be able to complete all of your necessary tasks before nightfall.

Candy Crush Soda Saga:

Candy Crush Soda Saga was produced by the same company behind the original Candy Crush puzzle game, which took the world by storm. Just like Candy Crush, Candy Crush Soda Saga is a fun match three puzzle game which boasts fun high quality graphics. Just be warned though, while Candy Crush Soda Saga is a relaxing game to play, just like its predecessor it’s extremely addictive. So don’t be too surprised if you forgo going to sleep in order to complete as many levels as you can.

Casino games:

Casino games such as slots, bingo, keno, blackjack and baccarat are relaxing to play as they don’t have a steep learning curve and usually have simple rules to follow. So if you’re looking for fun casual games that you’ll be able to play while you’re lying in bed or sitting on your sofa watching TV, it’s well worth visiting 13Wins, one of the top rated online casinos. Just be sure to look for special bonuses and offers on 13Wins, in order to get the best possible value for your money.

Minecraft:

Why is Minecraft a relaxing, pressure free game to play? While you can explore the perilous yet beautiful world of Minecraft, if you’re looking for a more relaxing experience you can choose to focus on building 3D structures. As examples, you may want to have a go and building a replica of your own home in Minecraft. Or you may be up for the challenge of recreating a famous real life tower in Minecraft such as Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State Building.

So if you’re looking to unwind and relax after a long, hard day it’s definitely well worth playing one of the stress free, relaxing games which are listed above.

 

When you’re ready to purchase a home for your family, there are several variables to consider. Purchasing the right home means that you’ve clearly defined your family’s needs, and you found a property that meets all of your standards.

Setting the standards for what would make the perfect home may be a bit more of a puzzle, though. Take heart, and read through a brief look into some tips for buying the most suitable home for your family.

Consider how much space you need

When you’re trying to decide how much square footage you need for your family to live comfortably, you should move beyond the number of bedrooms. Your family will need more than sleeping space to thrive.

You may have plenty of bedrooms, but do you have space for an office? Your forever home may need a spare room in addition to the necessary square footage.

When you’re goal is to find the perfect home for your family, consider the whole story while considering various elements of prospective properties.

Consider what you can truly afford

When you are projecting what you and your family can afford in a new home, you have to consider the full picture. You will be paying more than a mortgage payment each month to maintain a comfortable home.

In addition to your monthly mortgage payment, you will be responsible for the physical upkeep of your property. You will have to pay an energy bill each month. You will also be financially responsible for any repairs on the home.

Consider the neighborhood

You need a safe and comfortable environment to choose the perfect home. You want to know that your family will be safe at night.

You want to be assured that your children are surrounded by upstanding individuals. Take the time to truly research various aspects of any prospective neighborhoods, and use what you find to decide whether or not the property is right for your family.

Consider the features of the home

For a home to be the perfect space for your family, it needs to showcase all of the necessary features. Your partner may love to cook. That means you need a nice kitchen. If you have active children, you may benefit from a large yard space or basement.

Consider the state of the home

Always get a full and professional home inspection on a property before you sign on the dotted lines. You don’t want to purchase a home that needs more work than you’re willing or able to give it. Talk with the family about the level of newness you all expect in the perfect home, and search until you find what you seek.

 

When it comes to home improvement, there is a category of repair that lots of people tend to avoid. And that is when you need to fix something about your bathroom. These are not fun jobs. But they are very practical ones. And, if you don’t do repairs on your own, bathroom repairs can be extremely expensive if you have to call a plumber. That’s why you should have some DIY skills ready in your toolbox.

Three situations, in particular, come to mind when thinking about bathroom home improvement and repair. First of all, there is when your bathtub drain stopper stops working. Second, there is the classic issue of the leaking toilet. And third, there is the dripping showerhead. In each of those instances, a few tools and some know-how will go a long way.

The Bathtub Stopper

What happens when your bathtub drain stops working? It can make for a terrible experience first of all. Especially when you’re taking a shower, you don’t want to end up with your feet submerged in 4 inches of water. So, if this common bathroom situation does occur, you need to know how to fix it. These days, it usually doesn’t take more than a short amount of research on Google to find out what type of bathtub drain stopper you have, what the most common issues are, and what to do about it.

The Leaking Toilet

Do you know how to fix a leaking toilet? If there is one bathroom problem that’s the most annoying, it’s going to be that. A leaking toilet makes noise, wastes money, and can cause significant damage to bathroom floors, depending on where the leak is. Because of this, it’s much better to learn how to find where the leak is coming from and fix it yourself rather than waiting too long before significant damage occurs and then having to call a plumber with outrageous pricing.

The Dripping Shower

After you take a shower, does the water turn entirely off? If not, and there is still some dripping coming from the showerhead, you know that can be a source of irritation. A single drip coming out of a showerhead can make an obnoxious noise, and it can create stains in your bathtub. Because of this, you should learn some quick showerhead repair techniques and have those tools on hand. That way, the first time you notice your shower head leaking, you immediately have the skills and materials to fix the situation. Sometimes your best bet is to buy a new shower head as an enhancement to your bathroom, but that is simply one of several methods to come to the desired goal.

 

When my friend Stacey L Tokunaga moved down to Mexico 5 years ago I desperately wanted to join her and move down there myself, if for no other reason than the experience of living somewhere new for a while. In preparation to make the move I decided to start learning Spanish, as I didn’t want to be alienated once I moved down there. Stacey was able to speak Spanish from a young age and she did tell me that if I wanted to enjoy living there, that I should too. Learning a language is not only fun but it gives you the chance to unlock an entire culture. If you want to get started with learning a language, here are some tips which may help you out.

Use it Or Lose It

As you learn a new language you have to make sure that you are doing all that you can to practice. Even Stacey tells me that after a couple of weeks of being back in the US that she has to shake off a little bit of rust when she goes back to Mexico, and she can speak almost fluently! In order to retain what you are learning you must find ways in which to practice and speak to others in your nw language.

Confidence

If you think that you are not going to make mistakes then you are completely wrong, and the truth is that you should want to make mistakes as this is how you are going to learn. Don’t be embarrassed when you are chatting with a native speaker, just try and say what you can and they will most likely correct you if you get something wrong. The key to learning a new language is having the confidence to go out there are speak it, regardless if you make mistakes.

Submerge

Although I did manage to get my Spanish to a solid level before I moved to Mexico, I have learned far more in a shorter space of time since I have been down here. The reason for this is that I have submerged myself in the language and surrounded myself with people who don’t speak English, forcing me to up my game, or sit in silence. If you have the chance to do this then I would recommend it completely. You only learn to drive a car once you have passed your test and got out on the road, and the same thing is true in terms of learning a new language.

Use Tech

It has never been easier to learn, practice and speak a new language than it is right now and there are so many apps which you can use to boost your learning. You can find dictionaries and social media learning apps which will help you to take your language learning to the next level.

Work hard, be brave and you will be able to pick up a new language in no time at all.

During my first year at the Automotive Training Network I made very good friends with Mark Gilbert ATN founder and a massive music fan. It was in fact through the music that we bonded and we used to introduce each other to different types of music and information about our favorite bands. Growing up I can remember seeing people of a certain age completely shut off the idea of listening to new music and I was determined to never be like that. Mark provided me with the perfect inspiration because although he was older, he still had his finger on the pulse of the new bands and artists that were coming out in the modern day. The idea of stopping listening to new music seems absurd to me, regardless of how old you are, and here is why you should never stop.

Not Finished Yet

Many people buy into this myth that everything that could be made has been made and that the only new music there is, is old music that issuing regurgitated and repackaged. This is just not the case at all and music has a million and one ways in which it can be played, presented and delivered. Even if we look at the court cases which have taken place in recent years of artists who have apparently copied rhythms or time signatures, the two songs are very often completely different. Also you only have to look back to the Beatles and Led Zeppelin who based their careers on trying to sound like others, only in a different way.

There Won’t Be Another…

After Elvis they thought nobody could take over the way that he did, then came Michael Jackson, after Jacko people thought that nobody could do what he has done but you know what, someone will come along and take things further. The same goes for guitarists, people thought Robert Johnson was the king and then Hendrix came along, after Hendrix came the likes of Slash and Kirk Hammett, there is always someone new and there is always progression in new music.

There is Room

We have to remember as well that within every genre there is room for a number of artists and songs which can be written at different times. Take the grunge scene for example, when Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains were making their early albums they had a certain sound which was instantly recognizable, the bands were very different in content and delivery, but they all matched that sound. If a group comes out tomorrow with that sound people write them off as copying, but the truth is that there is room to love Dirt ,Ten, In Utero and whatever record happens to come out tomorrow. New music doesn’t have to be unique and the first of its kind, it just has to make you feel good, make you sing, dance or put you in a certain mood, regardless of when it is made.

Don’t close your ears just yet, there is plenty of great new music on its way.