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According to an Alpharetta realtor, these are the best suburbs to live in Georgia

Purchasing a home in Georgia can be tricky. There are so many things to consider, like the average income of the area, the cost of living, unemployment and poverty rates, the school system, and of course, the cost of purchasing a home. With so much to think about, the task of finding the perfect house, apartment, or condo can seem impossible.

According to a highly-qualified Alpharetta realtor from a leading Georgia real estate firm, there are a few suburbs within the state that deliver on all of the aspects mentioned above. If safety, low crime rates, a high average income, top-rated schools, and an affordable real estate market is what you’re after, start searching for your new home or condo in one of these 4 suburbs in Georgia.

Watkinsville in Oconee County

Watkinsville is a small town in Oconee County with an area of 3.2 square miles. Within this small area, you can find several amazing neighborhoods to establish some roots. The town has an interesting history dating back to 1802. Before that, the area was a small village located on the new US frontier, right between two native American territories (the Cherokees and the Creeks).

Now, there are just under 3,000 Georgians living in Watkinsville. The median income for a family is about $60,000 per year, meaning the average cost of housing is relatively low compared to other areas of Georgia.

Holly Springs in Cherokee County

It wasn’t long ago that Holly Springs was named the safest city in all of Georgia. This fact makes it an amazing place to raise a family. There are about 12,000 residents living in Holly Springs and the median income per household is over $80,000. This means that the housing market is a bit more lucrative here, with the average cost of a Holly Springs home being just under $300,000.

Woodstock in Cherokee County

Woodstock in Cherokee County might not be for everyone since it is technically a part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. However, it was ranked as one of the fastest growing suburbs in the US in 2007, and there’s a reason for this. There are about 30,000 people living within the confines of this city, partly because of the lower than average cost of housing. If you want the best of both worlds living near downtown Atlanta, Woodstock is a great option.

Senoia in Coweta County

Senoia is just a 35-minute drive south of Atlanta making it a part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. The city has a population of less than 5,000; you’ll feel the small town Georgia vibes as you walk through the streets of Senoia. If you’re a fan of the hit TV series The Walking Dead, you’ll be pleased to hear that show and comic book is based in this Georgia town. Other than that, Senoia is home to well-kept parks and great school districts.

 

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6 Minor Changes That Will Make Your Bedroom Summer Ready in A Day

Your bedroom is the space in the house where you spend the most relaxing moments. After a long and hard day, it is your bedroom where you unwind and take a deep breath, calming your mind and soul. It is your sanctuary which reflects not only your choices but the persona too. As the summers are rising to their full wrath, this same sanctuary might make you feel uncomfortable all night. As you change clothes according to season, your house might need a tweak too as per the intensity of the sun outside. To make your bedroom a summer oasis, you don’t have to go over and beyond or spend a luxury to make it look cool. A few changes here and there will not only lend a fresh look to your space but will also keep it cool during summers.

1. Swap The Bedding

Fold and tuck away the bedding in neutrals and dark shades and make space for some new sheets brimming with summer hues. Shades of yellow, blue, green, pink, white with patterns like floral, geometric, chevron and abstract will give an instant makeover to your bedroom. It will look more fresh and welcoming.

2. Pick Some Plants

Place some indoor plants in the bedroom for a fresh appeal. It is not advised to keep plants in the bedroom because of the fact that they release carbon dioxide during day time. You can opt for some greens that release oxygen during day and night. If you can’t lay your hands on them or don’t have enough space for potted plants on the floor, go for Lucky bamboo plant. Being a Feng Shui plant, it will attract positive vibes in the room and it doesn’t even need soil to grow. You don’t have to worry about any mess created by mud. It is easy to care for and green stalks will lend a vibrant vibe to your bedroom.

3. Pop of Colour

Add some striking splash of bright colours to your bedroom for a summer look. No, you don’t have to invest in new furniture and wall decors but just need to lay your hands on some paint. Pick your choice of colours and paint the existing furniture like side table or book rack in bright hues. If you wish, introduce some accents in the room with popping colours to accentuate the vibe.

4. Fabric Wall Decor

For wall decor, choose a bed sheet with a beautiful print and cut it in half or quarter size as per the space on your wall. Nail those pieces to a cardboard sheet and hand it on the wall to have a summer wall decor. Pick tropical or nautical, floral or minimal, just make sure it reflects the aura of the room positively.

5. Make Way For Sunlight

Open those windows for at least an hour or two and let the sunshine come in. It will make the room fresh and in a certain way, will make it look bigger, Natural lighting kill harmful bacteria and organisms that can grow in any house and provide a much bright sense of illumination. Your room will never have odour again or the musty smell that comes from the furniture.

6. Go Marie Kondo On Your Bedroom

The most efficient way to make your room look fresh, spacious and airy- the three essentials of summer vibes, is to de-clutter it. Anything that you haven’t used in last 3-4 months, chances are slim that you will use them again. Box them up and either put it in storage or get rid of them entirely. De-cluttering your bedroom will also give a sense of peace to your mind.

 

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Choosing the Right Watch for a Woman

When choosing gifts for people, finding the perfect present can be a very daunting task, especially if you don’t know the person well.

Watches are a good and universal choice since it is loved by everyone regardless of gender. However, when choosing a watch for a woman, just any watch won’t do it. This is because, most women don’t view watches as an object for telling time, but a compliment of their beauty.

Therefore, whether the gift is for your partner, friend, mother or a relative, there are a number of factors that you have to consider before settling on the perfect watch.

In this article, I will share five factors that are pivotal in the decision making.

Her Accessory’s taste

This is the most important aspect you should consider. Women like watches they can match with their outfits, something they can brag with while with their friends.

Therefore, make it your aim to notice how she styles up, the kind of jewelry she puts on, the colors she prefers and even the kinds of watches she has if any.

You should also note the kind of activities she takes part in so as to differentiate between a sports watch or a designer watches for women. If she takes part in swimming or other aquatic activities, choose a water-resistant watch and a dress watch for formal events.

Watch’s Movement

The choice between whether she likes a mechanical watch or a quartz watch is up to her personality. Mechanical watches are more engineering based, heavier and usually much larger than quartz watches. They are also not very reliable for time management.

Quartz watches are much smaller and are powered by a battery. They are more durable, more accurate for and require little maintenance.

You should, therefore, determine what kind of person the lady is. However, mechanical watches are more preferred due to their sleek look and are more fashionable.

The material of the watch

For women, the material for the watch should be considered with regards to their skin tone. The watch should complement her beauty and style. Golden watches, like for men, have been favorites for a while among women as it matches most of their accessory.

The strap material is also important as it should match with her dressing. Determine whether she loves leather, metal, nylon or rubber straps.

The straps should be interchangeable for durability and should come in the colors she loves.

Shape and size of the watch

Watches come in various styles and shapes, from rectangular watches, square watches to the circular watches each with unique designs and colors. Before acquiring one, be sure to know her likes and which shape will suit her well.

Also, get to know the size of her wrist so as to determine the size of the watch to get her. Getting an oversized or undersize watch can be embarrassing especially if it’s for your partner or colleague.

With most women wrist sizes being around 11cm to 16cm in diameter, ensure that the dial properly fits her wrist without appearing too big. However, if she loves fashion trends and sports, a large watch may be appropriate.

Brand and Cost of the watch

Like everybody else, women will prefer watches from the major watch brands such as Rolex or Giorgiensen, even if they don’t like its design.

Despite them being expensive, if you can afford it, go for it. However, never go for a watch that is way beyond your means. Whoever you are buying the watch for will probably understand if you get the watch regardless of the price.

For most of them, it’s the thought that counts. However, that is no excuse for getting a shady watch for your lady.

Conclusion

Watches are a huge aspect of fashion and style and have the ability to transform the whole outlook of a person. You should, therefore, be very careful when selecting a watch as a gift or even for yourself.

For women, the most important thing to remember is that the watch should complement her beauty, match her style and fit her perfectly. With the points mention above, you can be sure of getting her a watch she will never put down!

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5 Ways to Make a Quick Buck When Money is Tight

We’ve all been there. Maybe you just spent your last dollar on groceries or you don’t have enough to cover rent. Whatever the situation, getting low on funds can be difficult, embarrassing, and sometimes scary. But there are ways to make a quick buck you might never have thought of. Some require a little upfront cash, but most of them require nothing but a little hustle.

Sell your stuff

Almost everybody has stuff lying around their house they no longer need. And you might be surprised at what you can sell, especially online. People have sold things on eBay as odd as egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, pine cones, and tumbleweeds. So, don’t limit yourself to things you think are valuable. 

Start out by cleaning out closets and drawers and putting everything in a box. If you have larger items, like bicycles or TVs, try selling those on Craigslist or a Facebook selling page. But for things you can easily ship, do a quick search on eBay or Amazon to see whether people are buying them. 

If you have a little cash to spare upfront, you might also consider buying some things to sell. Many online sellers frequent garage sales and thrift stores, looking for bargains they can make a profit on. And you can also shop liquidation sales and wholesale outlets for unused merchandise that you can mark up.

Walk the neighborhood dogs

If you’re taking your dog for a walk anyway, why not stop by the neighbors’ houses and ask if they could use your service. You can walk a few dogs at a time and charge as much as you’d like. But most dog walkers charge from $10 to $30 per 30-minute walk. If you’re opposed to going door-to-door, you can also sign up on online services, like care.com or rover.com. These sites allow people who need dog walkers to find one in their area and hire them directly from the app.

Get a quick loan

Getting a loan through a bank can take time, collateral, and credit that you may not have. And if you’re in a bind, your options might be pretty slim. In these cases, you can apply for online payday loans. These types of loans sometimes get a bad rap, but the truth is that they are providing a specialized service for people who might not otherwise be able to secure a loan. And if you pay them off on time, they’re only slightly more expensive than traditional loans.

The best thing about payday loans is that you usually get your funds within 24 hours. 

Mow your neighbors’ lawns

Mowing lawns isn’t just a kid’s job. Many big landscape businesses were built from the ground up starting with just mowing people’s lawns. But you don’t have to have big ambitions or even do it forever if you need some quick cash over the weekend. Just pop next door after you’ve mowed your own lawn and ask your neighbor if they need your assistance. Sometimes, if the other neighbors see you working, you’ll even get a few requests for help with their lawns.

Drive

Driving for companies like Lyft and Uber has become an increasingly popular way to make money. And they’re said to make an average of $8.55 to $11.77 per hour after expenses. But this amount can be much more, depending on how much and where you work. For example, driving in New York City might average you close to $30 an hour and you could easily make a full-time living if you wanted to. These companies usually pay weekly, but because you can receive tips, you’ll probably be able to earn some quick cash every time you drive.

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How to Style a Fascinator Fashionably

Have an upcoming big wedding or a fancy race to attend? Well, then it is your time to take some fashion inspiration from the royals and be a total head turner at the event. If you want to get the look of the royals without spending like one then fascinators are your best bet. Head over the right online store and you will be mesmerized by the gorgeous collection at a diverse price range. However, if you are a newbie to this head gear then here is our guide to pick and style these beauties to absolute perfection.

Colour is key

Getting a flattering colour of fascinator is half the battle won when it comes to styling one. It is a wise idea to plan your outfit including the shoes and handbag before going fascinator shopping. This colour of your outfit will guide you in choosing the right colour of fascinator that gives a cohesive look. You can go for a classic look by getting the accessory in the exact same colour or within the same colour family as your dress or you can make a bolder statement by going for a fascinator which is in a different colour that your dress. A pop of colour in the form of a fascinator is, especially, effective when you don an all-black or all white outfit.

The colour of your hair is also quite a determinant for the fascinator you choose to pick. Earthy colours like deep green, beige and brown are a great choice for redheads. Pops of bright colours like yellow, pink and red with brown hair are a match made in heaven. And, soft shades of warm pastels like coral, lilac, powder blue is perfect for blonde hair.

Your face matters

For beauties with a long face, fascinators that have a longer design and add length to their shape are ideal. For those with an oblong face can benefit from fascinators that sit in a way to hide your forehead to balance out the length of your face. Those with a strong and heavy jaw line can sport a style which is wide.

Where to put it

Traditionally, fascinators are worn on either side of the face where the parting of the hair rests. However, it is not uncommon to see fascinators place in the front for those willing to take some risk in their fashion game.

Hairstyle

If you plan to wear your hear sleek and chic in styles like a low pony or slicked back up do then a smaller fascinator will give you a timeless sophisticated look. For fascinators of a more considerable size, it is a better idea to go for hairstyles with some volume such as curls and waves.

Hair type and length

Fascinators come attached to clips, combs and bands. If you have shorter hair or thinner hair then bands work best for you. Clips are great for those with hair of medium thickness so the clip has enough to hold on to. Combs work best with thicker hair which can often be coarse which gives the comb a very good grip.

 

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Ian Weisberg – Guitar Practice Tips to Play Like a Boss

I have been playing the guitar for about 20 years now and I’ve never taken it too seriously, which is probably why I haven’t advance much. Last year I overheard my neighbor doctor Ian Weisberg playing guitar in his study, and he was very good indeed. Of course the next time that I saw him I decided to steer the conversation in the direction of guitar playing and I told him about my abilities and why I had never advanced. Ever the helpful neighbor Ian gave me some awesome tips to use in order to practice my playing and the difference between now and last year is incredible. And so here I am to pass on those tips to you guys, if you have found yourself in the same situation as I was.

Practice

As much as we are all aware of it, I should still tell you that without practice you will not advance and you will not improve your guitar playing skills. Try to make at least 30 minutes each day to have a noodle on your guitar because if you don’t use it, you will lose it.

Blues Scales

A lot of blues scales and variations are very simple to play and through practicing them you can really increase the dexterity of your fingers. The best one to get started with is the pentatonic scale, a very easy to read and easy to play scale which allows you to create a wide variety of rhythms and melodies.

Learn Tablature

Most amateur guitar players aren’t interested in learning to read music, but rather playing our favorite songs. In order to do this with ease you need to try to learn tablature, a very easy to understand method of playing certain songs or tunes. Basically tablature is a picture with 6 horizontal lines on it, these lines represent the strings and then numbers are placed over the lines to let you know which fret your finger should be on. Tablature makes it very easy to play your favorite songs and there is a huge volume of tabs which can easily be found online.

Acoustic

If you don’t play acoustic already then this may be something that you could think about starting, the acoustic is much harder to play than the electric guitar and that means that you can get your fingers used to pushing down hard and moving up and down the fretboard. You will find that after playing the acoustic, the electric guitar becomes incredible simple to play in terms of moving your fingers around and creating a clean sound with your notes.

The key to improving above all else is to just keep practicing, practice with every spare second that you have, and you will soon be able to play all of those songs which you love and wow your family and friends with your abilities.

 

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Louis Hernandez Jr – Final Predictions For The Premier League

With just 12 games of the 2018/19 season to go the Premier League is galloping to an extraordinary finale in which just about anything can happen. My buddy Louis Hernandez Jr and I have been chewing the fat over this for some time now and the welcome domestic cup break has given us some time to try and ascertain what will happen come May, let’s take a look.

Champions

There was a moment in December where we thought that Liverpool would have this all wrapped up buy now but that has not proven to be the case. The battle for top spot is now very much a battle between Liverpool and Man City, currently equal on points and Liverpool have a game in hand. There is a third option which could come into play and that is Tottenham Hotspur, 5 points behind Liverpool and 5 behind City with a game in hand. What makes Spurs an exciting prospect at the moment is that they still have to play both City and Liverpool, albeit away from home. Our prediction for the title is Manchester City, they are ramping up the pressure and they have what it takes to psychologically overcome Liverpool.

Top 4

There looks to be just 1 Champions League spot up for grabs and Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal will be battling it out for the final place. As it stands United are in 4th spot with 51 points and Chelsea and Arsenal are on level points at 50, with level goal difference. United have been resurgent since Solskjaer took the helm and they have won 9 from 10 games. Despite the resurgence however, they do not have a good looking run in when compared to the other two and despite the fact that Sarri is having a rough time at Chelsea, we expect them to pip United to that final Champions League place.

Relegation

We are pretty convinced that Huddersfield and Fulham are already down, despite the managerial changes which they have made. This leads us to question who out of the 6 teams that are down there will eventually fall down into the relegation position. Southampton currently occupy 18th position but they look well organized and energized under the new manager, who is starting to pick up points for the Saints. Newcastle look like they will just scrape by and a couple of recent victories have boosted their chances. Burnley look to be relatively safe given their recent form and for us it will come down to a straight shoot out between Cardiff City and Brighton. Our prediction is that as well as Neil Warnock is doing with the players that he has at his disposal, that it will be the Bluebirds who once again face the drop from the Premier League.

What do you make of our predictions? Let us know what you think will happen in the comments section below. And feel free to contact us at Get Under Skeleton for more on this topic!

 

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Anouk Govil – How The US Delivers Its News

I first met Anouk Govil when he was studying with me in London and after college he invited me to spend some time with him back in his home town of New York. Since that trip I have been back to the US on a number of occasions and beyond all of the things that there are to see here, one of my favorite things to do is watch the coverage of the news. There is just something about the news that the Americans do so well and even if there is no news, the news itself becomes the entertainment. It sounds a bit geeky but if you have never experienced a day invested in watching the networks like Fox news and CBS, well then I would say that you have never lived, and here is why I love it so much.

Controversy

In the UK the majority of news readers are very conservative and they like to deliver the news in a monotone style, the idea is simply to deliver the news and then let you make up your own mind. Here in the US however the news channels are alive with all kinds of high energy interviews, controversy, personal opinions and fiery debates, and I absolutely love it. Fox news would be the best example of this and they have presenters like Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson who love nothing more than ruffling the feathers of their guests and letting their political preference be known as they offer biased accounts of the latest news stories.

Behind the Truth

Something else which they do here in the US which I love is that they like to dig further than everyone else in their search for insider information which can get them closer to the truth. These guys are relentless and you can guarantee that if there is a story of a person who has committed a crime, that the news networks will already have that person’s best friend from school and their ex-babysitter all lined up ready to offer their take on events.

Information Overload

Watching the news here isn’t just as simple as sitting down and listening to someone tell you what has been going on in the world today, in fact at times it feels like a workout for the brain. There are all kinds of charts and blurbs that hit you from the side of the screen, the stock prices will be flying along the bottom of the screen like some kind of numerical attack and the news is always presented with plenty of infographics, there is certainly an assumption by them that they need to  break things down in layman’s terms for their viewers.

I’ll be honest, there have been some days where I have stayed in my room all day and just ingested the news that comes out of these brilliant networks, which doesn’t make the best tale when I get home and people ask me what I did in New York!

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Ron Cadman – What a Garden Renovation Can Do For You

My friend Ron Cadman used to always say that I should do more with the outdoor space that I have in my property and after resisting for much time, 2 years ago I went to a lender and borrowed a small amount of money and decided to give it a makeover. Now the only reason why I hadn’t done this in the past was because I always felt that my money would be better spent on renovating the inside of the property rather than the outside.What I had failed to realize prior to renovating the garden was just how much that I would love it and just how much both myself and my family could benefit from a fresh and clean outdoor space. If you have been thinking about doing your garden, here is why I’d recommend it.

New Hobby

I would be something of a fraud if I told you that I enjoyed gardening in the past, the truth is that I have never had any inclination to get out in the garden and plant, prune and trim. In fact when I was younger my Dad would get me out in the garden to give him a hand and they were days that I absolutely loathed. When I got a garden of my own however, I felt the sudden desire to get out there and try my hand at gardening, which I absolutely adored. I am now a fully paid up member of the green-fingered society and you may find that the same thing happens to you.

No Shame

One of the biggest reasons why I decided to eventually do something to the garden was because it brought a little bit of shame whenever people came over to the house. The old garden was a barren one, full of old bits and pieces, dying shrubs and brown patches. After investing in the garden however I am now more than happy to invite anyone over to the house, in fact it is something which I actively encourage.

Added Value

Something which I had completely failed to count on when considering how much money I was spending on the garden is that in doing this, I was able to actually add value on to my property. This is not always the case of course but when it comes to kitchens, bathrooms and gardens, a renovation can significantly increase the value of the property, which almost pays for the work itself. Across the USA there are house hunters who are seeking out homes which have beautiful gardens, and this not only gives the seller more value, but a far higher chance of being able to see the property at all.

My recommendation would be to invest in your garden wherever possible, there may be rooms in the house which are more pressing but the benefits which you’ll get if you invest in the exterior will make it more than worthwhile.

 

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Patrick Dwyer Merrill Lynch, Finances We Should Teach in School

For Patrick Dwyer Merrill Lynch was a company which he had dreamed of working of since he was a young boy and after we finished studying at the university of Miami, that is exactly what he went on to do. Now if we are to be completely honest it was in fact Patrick Dwyer’s dream to be a starting QB for his beloved Miami Dolphins, but he never quite had the skills. Patrick skills were all centered around mathematics and finance and that is why he has gone on to have the glittering career which he has. We met up last week and I wanted to pick his brains own a recent initiative that he has started, trying to get better financial education into schools and here is why he thinks it is so necessary.

Personal Finance 

Personal finance is something which we are expected to learn from our parents rather than the school system but this shouldn’t be the case and Patrick believes that it is the responsibility of the school system to properly educate boys and girls about how to manage their money. WE can see throughout the country that there are so many people in debt which they cannot manage, having racked up personal loans and credit card balances which they simony cannot afford to pay. The consequences of debt can be catastrophic and we must teach young people about responsible lending. Furthermore our young men and women should be taught about money management and how they can make a budget or arrange their monthly bills. If we teach the students then we can help them to become more responsible adults.  

Business Finance 

It always seems strange that when students study business they will learn about all manner of strategies like the Boston Matrix and beyond, but not about managing a business and its finances. The large majority of businesses who fail, do so because of poor financial management, something which we could  certainly help minimize if we do a better job at teaching our young men and women how to properly manage business finance, how to seek investment, understanding tax codes and interest rates and ultimately how to financially manage business. We live in a world were more and more businesses are being created as each year passes and this is exactly why we must prepare our young adults for this competitive world. Setting up a business is very fashionable and as an education system we must make sure that we are doing everything that we can to increase the chances of success for a student.

What are your thoughts on better financial education in the school system? Do you agree with Patrick that more can and should be done? Or do you think that it should be the responsibility of the parents to teach their children about money management and finance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below this post.

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