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3 Ways To Let More Light Into Your Home

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If you’re wanting your home to feel brighter, cleaner, and more welcoming, letting more natural light in can help you accomplish all of these feelings and more. However, with only so many places where you can put windows, many homeowners struggle with knowing how to get more natural light into the current layout of their home.

To help you learn how you can deal with this type of issue, here are three ways to let more light into your home.

Install Glass Doors

It’s not only the windows of your home that can let light in through their glass facade. According to HouseBeautiful.com, you can also swap out some of your exterior doors for doors either made completely of glass or doors that have more glass in them.

Having a glass door, or just a door that has a few glass panes in it, can really add a lot more light to a room. But to get the maximum benefit from this, you may want to see if there are any walls that you could add a glass door to to brighten up your space to the fullest extent. While this won’t work in every home or for every budget, if you’re able to make this change, not only will you let more light into your home, but you may also get a great view added into your life as well.

Hang More Mirrors

If adding glass doors or more windows isn’t a possibility for you, you can always amplify the light that you already have going on in your home by adding mirrors or other reflective surfaces within your living space.

According to Monique Valeris and Kelsey Kloss, contributors to ElleDecor.com, putting a window in a room of your home can double the amount of natural light in that space by allowing the light to bounce off the mirror and reflect back into the area in which it’s pointed. But to save you from having a mirror on every wall, you can also try installing more reflective tile in rooms like your kitchen or bathroom as well as choosing some more reflective paint for certain areas of your home.

Put In Some Skylights

For those who love the idea of additional windows but either don’t have the wall space or are needing a little extra privacy, a skylight could be a great option for you.

With a skylight, you’re able to get more natural light in without actually having a window that you’re able to look through. And according to Lee Wallender, a contributor to The Spruce, you can even get more natural light with a skylight than you can with a window because there will be less time during the day when your roof is in shadow.

If you’re wanting your home to be lighter and brighter, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you get more natural light into your space.

 

BarxBuddy 2020 Product Review: Should You Buy It?

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Every dog owner wants what is best for their dog. But sometimes, it can be tough to decide what actually is best for them. From food to their routine and everything in between, you want to choose things that can enhance your dog’s life and help them be the best member of the family they can be.

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This is also the case when it comes to dog training. Every dog is going to need some level of training, so the choice is really how you want to go about it. A new dog training device caught my eye online, and I wanted to review it.

BarxBuddy is a handy little gadget that allows you to train your dog with ease right in your own home. Here’s my 2020 BarxBuddy product review, and my thoughts on the device.

How does BarxBuddy work?

BarxBuddy is small, portable, and very simple to use. It has a button on it, and when you press it, the device emits a high-pitched noise which humans can’t hear.

The sound isn’t harmful to dogs, but the idea is that it gets their attention. BarxBuddy is designed to be used when your dog is acting out, misbehaving, or exhibiting any behavior you’re looking to train them away from.

For example, BarxBuddy is really handy to help tackle problems like excessive barking, because it can be difficult to train your dog if they’re not paying attention.

How do you use BarxBuddy?

When your dog is acting out, you grab your BarxBuddy and press the button to emit the tone. That should be enough to get your dog’s attention and interrupt their behavior, but if it’s not, there’s also an LED light on the device to help.

Once you have your dog’s attention, you have an opportunity to train them. The makers behind BarxBuddy suggest having your dog sit calmly for a few seconds, before praising them or giving them a treat.

 

 

What are the perks of the BarxBuddy dog training device?

BarxBuddy has a few perks which make it stand out as a training tool. Firstly, it’s small and portable, which means you can easily take it on walks, keep them in multiple places around the house, and easily take it along for trips in the car. The idea is that you always have one nearby, so you’re ready whenever a training opportunity presents itself.

BarxBuddy is also great because it allows you, the owner, to be 100% in control of the training, unlike outside classes and courses. This means everyone in your house can easily use BarxBuddy as well, to help enforce the training and make it consistent across the board.

BarxBuddy is a humane training solution, unlike other devices out there, such as shock and prong collars. The high-frequency sound is specifically designed to target a dog’s hearing, meaning its’ designed to be effective.

And lastly, BaxBuddy is actually multi-functional. If you ever encounter misbehaving dogs while you’re out in your neighborhood, you can actually use BarxBuddy as a defensive device, to help distract them as well.

 

3 Reasons You Should Always Have Emergency Savings For Home Repairs

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As a homeowner, you have the power to make changes in your house without having to worry about asking permission from someone. However, along with that power also comes the responsibility of having to take care of your own home repairs. When you own your own home, you no longer have the luxury of calling your landlord to make things right.

There are some home repairs that cost very little to fix. However, in many cases, the dollar signs can start to add up quickly. As a homeowner, you should have a reasonable amount of fear about being prepared for house problems as they come up so that you’re as prepared as possible.

Here are some of the most important reasons why you should always have emergency savings for home repairs.

Your Water Heater Could Need To Be Replaced

Your water heater is something you might take for granted; however, if it were ever to break down, your day to day life would be seriously disrupted. Not only will you not be able to take those hot showers you love in the morning, but it will also cost a considerable amount of money to replace.

If your water heater is older than ten years, then it’s a good idea to start anticipating a replacement. Repairing your water heater is something that happens from time to time.

Instead of waiting for the last second, it’s best to prepare yourself for this expense. Putting aside several thousands of dollars ensures that you will have the money on hand for this pricey home repair.

Your Roof May Need to Be Repaired

As if you didn’t already have enough to worry about, your roof is also something that can fail on you. Your roof is incredibly susceptible to leaks or even rotting. Small fixes may be simple to handle; however, if the damage is beyond a certain point, then you’ll likely have to replace the entire roof. Replacing the entire roof can cost up to $12,000, not even including the cost of any repairs you have to make to the interior of your home.

Your HVAC May Need To Be Replaced

Your heating ventilation and air conditioning system, also known as an HVAC, could require repairs from time to time. In some cases, you may eventually have to replace the entire system. You’re looking at as much as $8000 for a professional to come and install your HVAC. If you live in a particularly cold or warm place, failing to have control over your home’s temperature could be a serious problem.

These are just a handful of some of the expensive repairs that come along with homeownership. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to a catastrophe. Plan ahead by putting as much money aside as possible for unexpected repairs.

Marketing Expert Douglas James Reviews The Best Advertising Campaigns Launched During The 2020 Pandemic

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During the coronavirus global pandemic, brands and companies have made big changes to the way they operate. Namely, they’ve had to make big changes to the way they speak to their consumers.

Many brands themselves have had to adapt to the new circumstances, and their customers are no different. We sat down with marketing expert Douglas James, who reviewed some of the best advertising campaigns launched during the 2020 pandemic.

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Douglas, who has developed his own digital marketing course, has his thumb on the pulse of critical marketing techniques, and has an eye for who is ahead of the curve. He’s helped more than 1,500 entrepreneurs boost their internet presence with the help of digital marketing, and now, he’s weighing in on how brands are adapting to the 2020 pandemic.

Big focus on social media reach to engage with customers

According to Marketing Expert Douglas James, brands that have been savvy during the pandemic are using their social media channels to spearhead their engagement for advertising campaigns.

For example, many athletic wear companies have been hosting live workout classes on their social media channels, food brands have hosted cooking lessons, and artists have even been hosting painting classes. Brands that are ahead of the curve understand what their base wants from them and know how to leverage their social media channels to keep their customers engaged.

Businesses that want to survive COVID-19 must maintain consistent and relevant communication with customers throughout the pandemic. Here’s how to do it: https://steemit.com/marketing/@thedouglasjames/reaching-customers-best-digital-marketing-practices-during-the-covid-19-crisis

Brands are pivoting to meet needs

What do Subway, Dominoes, and Target all have in common? According to Douglas, they’re focusing on things which are vital to consumers right now, such as no-contact deliveries.

Dominoes has run a series of television ad campaigns showing off how they can place a pizza in your trunk, contact free. According to James, this means that these brands are listening to the concerns of their consumers and pivoting to meet their needs.

Then, customers feel like they can trust these brands, and that these brands are making it easy to continue using them.

Giving back to the community

Brands that are killing their advertising right now are also making sure to make either charity or community service part of their imaging. Right now, with all of the large issues going on in the world, a brand that is taking a back seat may be seen as insensitive and hoarding its resources.

Brands which are giving back to their community have two benefits: they get to actually help a cause, and they get an image boost. This leads to your customer base trusting you even more, and becoming your advocate, which can be a huge strength.

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About Douglas James

Douglas James is a serial entrepreneur who is an expert in digital marketing. After serving as a Navy Corpsman in 2014 on humanitarian missions, Douglas decided to dedicate his life’s work to helping others find financial freedom. To get to know more about Douglas James’ entrepreneurial journey, you can check out his recent interview with Entrepreneur.

Informing Your Employees about a Planned Cut in Expenses

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The current pandemic has severely affected everyone around the world. Even businesses that used to thrive have ended up closing their doors. Others tried to get back on their feet and made the most of what they have. Your company might also be among the casualties of the closure orders due to the pandemic. You haven’t had any income over the past few months. As you try to resume operations, you have no choice but to reduce operating expenses.

You can’t spend the same way you used to since the company still has to wait for recovery. Informing your employees about potential changes due to cuts in expenses could be challenging.

Let them know that their benefits aren’t the first to go

If you decide to let go of your employees and scale your operations down, you have to let them know right away. Don’t keep your employees hanging since they also have families to feed. If you decide to keep them, you can’t drastically reduce their income. Let them know that you’re going to keep them, and their benefits will stay the same. You can’t keep your employees because they do an excellent job, and not pay them what they deserve.

Ask for everyone’s cooperation

Due to the limited income, your company has to forego business trips. You might also cancel all other parties and activities scheduled for the year. It might be painful, but you have no choice. The items on your list of non-essential expenses should go first. Tell your employees that you didn’t want it to happen, but you hope for their cooperation and understanding.

You might also need everyone’s cooperation on the use of office supplies. Everyone needs to be more cautious about the use of supplies. If unnecessary, employees shouldn’t use whatever is available. These supplies have to last a lot longer since you can’t afford to keep spending money to buy them. Consider www.aosonline.co.uk if you want quality supplies you can afford to buy if your current supplies run out.

Be transparent

You have to let everyone know why you’re planning to reduce the expenses. You should also be honest about the status of the business. If you’re barely surviving, everyone has to know. You can’t keep your employees’ hopes up, and declare in a few months that your business is going to close. Make them involved in the process if possible.

Be motivational

When telling your employees about these plans, you can’t look defeated. Instead, you have to be the most optimistic person in the room. Given the current situation, your employees are already in a bad mood. You don’t want to make it worse for them. Tell them about your plans, and the clear path to recovery. It might not guarantee results, but you know what to do. It gives them hope and also motivates them to do their share.

Recovering from this devastating pandemic isn’t going to be easy. You will have to make several sacrifices and hope for the best outcome.

Tools Of The Trade: What You’ll Need To Be An Effective Police Officer

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Choosing to place yourself in the line of fire as a police officer is a noble career path. It’s noble, because you will be faced with challenging situations and numerous opportunities to help your local community remain safe and secure.

However, fulfilling such a crucial role requires the right tools to assure your safety as well as those around you. If you’re considering a life in law enforcement, take a few moments to consider the tools of the trade.

Your weapon is important

An overwhelming majority of police officers in the line of duty today carry a Glock pistol on their hip. Purchasing a quality Glock handgun is an important part of equipping the right tools for your job.

As an officer of the law, pulling your weapon is a last resort. There will also be plenty of training on how to properly manage the power and responsibility of such a critical tool.

Your brain is a crucial tool

An officer’s mental strength is one of his/her most important tools when out on the beat. Your mind should always be clear and focused on the safety and security of those around you.

Even once you are finished with the required education to become a police officer, it’s a good idea to keep learning. Keep your mind sharp, and stay ahead of the game mentally.

You will need a radio

Every police officer’s belt needs a reliable radio for communications. Law enforcement works as a large team, and communication is absolutely critical for it all to work properly.

You will learn a whole new language of communication while training to become a police officer, and your radio is your first line of defense against an intense situation. Never leave home without your radio.

Non-lethal defense mechanisms

Law enforcement officers carry several forms of non-lethal defense on their utility belt as well. Being that firing a lethal weapon is the last line of defense, officers have a few other tools to utilize.

Pepper spray is one of the things you’ll find on most officer’s tool belts. Carrying a taser is another way to subdue a troublesome individual while on duty. These defense measures generally don’t place the life of the suspect in jeopardy.

Handcuffs are vital

You would be hard-pressed to find an officer on duty without a set or two of handcuffs. The common utility belt worn by police officers has room for more than just a couple sets of handcuffs.

Every officer needs a flashlight and baton

The flashlight and baton are a police officer’s first line of defense. When night falls, it’s pertinent that an officer is able to see his/her surroundings clearly. Officers carry a heavyweight flashlight that can act as an illumination device and a weapon if necessary.

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How To Stay Sober

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People can get carried away on many things in life, such as eating specific types of food, drinking or playing games at online casinos or any of their sister sites, it can be fun and exciting and can keep you engaged but you have to make sure that you are only doing them within your means. For people who drink a lot, Being sober is an accomplishment and staying sober is a continuous work in progress.

Although hard to keep, there are ways that can help you stay sober for a long time and even forever. To help you with it, below is a guide you can follow.

Staying Sober

Keep yourself away from risky situations

This may be sad for you, but keeping yourself away from people you used to use drugs or drink alcohol with is a must. If you are with them, you will just miss the times you were doing the things you are trying to avoid.

Get support from people around you

The best way to avoid vices is building a strong support team, including your family, closest friends and partner. You can also seek help from organizations helping people to stay sober, or you can get counselling etc.

If there is a party you need to attend to, have someone sober to go with you. This way, you will not be tempted to drink or use drugs again.

Manage the urges

Some urges lasted for about fifteen to thirty minutes, getting a substitute can somehow subside the urge you feel. You can keep a mantra or you can even chew gum. Whatever you think can help you, do it.

Think of an activity you love doing

Exercising is a good way to release happy hormones and make you look good at the same time. If you are not into exercising, you can go with organizations volunteering to help the community. This can give you valuable meaning to your life and your worth.

Manage the stress you feel

Recovery stage can be very stressful, hence finding a way to relax can help you big time. Talk to a friend or a loved one you know can understand what you are going through. To loosen up the stress, you can exercise, eat healthy, and get enough sleep.

To relax, you can do different activities like yoga, meditation, breathing exercise, listening to music, a massage, nature trips and so on.

Manage the pain you feel

For injuries or accidents, it is best if you avoid pain medications that could possibly make you relapse. You can ask your doctor if they have any nonmedical ways to help you ease the pain you feel.

Go for a mocktail

There are some situations that you cannot avoid drinking, instead of getting cocktails, go for mocktails. Mocktails look like cocktails only that they have no alcohol. Sure, you will be more comfortable in a huge drinking crowd, if you have a glass in your hand. You can also avoid people from asking or offering you a drink if you already have something on your hand.

Once you become successful battling vices, you will definitely feel different, happier and more satisfied with your life and being.

 

Why You Should Try Out Online Slots

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It probably comes as no surprise that the revenue brought in by the online gambling industry is phenomenal, but did you know that the majority of profit comes from online slots? In fact, slot games are the most popular type of casino game by far, including online slots and physical slot machines in land-based casinos. Slots are convenient and appealing games to play, but there are many more reasons why you should try playing them at least once. If you’re not yet convinced, stick with us as we fill you in on the benefits of playing slots. If you’re already keen to play, check out some of our favourites at Goldrushslots

Fun, Fun and More Fun

The endless possibilities when it comes to slots – particularly online slots – give rise to endless fun. This is the single more important reason you should try out slot games, even if just once. The themes are fun, spinning the reels is entertaining… and that’s not to mention the thrill that’s enjoyed when a win lands your way. You needn’t bet a lot of money even, for substantial wins are still possible from small bets.

Options Galore

The extensive range of online slots might actually blow your mind. There are varied themes and genres galore, with literally thousands and thousands of online slots available in online casino libraries, plus state-of-the-art new releases added regularly. Each slot game is unique, some are simple to play (try classic slots for simplicity) while others feature more complex and exciting bonus features. There truly is an online slot game for everyone.

No Waiting Around

Forget queues; there is zero waiting time when you hit the online slots. You don’t have to stand around waiting for you favourite slot machine to become available; simply launch your game and away you go. It’s instantaneous. An added bonus? No queues for the bar either!

Casino Bonuses & Free Spins

Most online casinos will offer you a welcome bonus for signing up and playing their games. These can consist of free bonus money, and/or free spins for a particular slot game. Depending on the casino, you might receive further offers as a loyal player too. The welcome bonus is exclusive to online casinos, and another great reason to try out slots online.

Practice Makes Perfect

Some online casinos allow casino players to try out their slots for free. Simply look out for ‘free play’ or ‘demo mode’; this gives you an opportunity to try out the game before you spend any money. Of course, this isn’t an option in brick and mortar casinos. By playing for free, you can get an idea of whether the game appeals to you, how to trigger bonus rounds and more. When you’re confident you like it, simply switch to the real money version!

Final Thoughts

Online Slots are categorically worth trying out. They are the most popular casino game globally for good reason, after all! So, if you have a mobile or computer with an internet connection, and for unlimited entertainment, choices galore, zero queuing times and an abundance of generous bonus and free spins offers, it seems silly not to check them out. Especially when you can play for free!

Choosing Between Poker And Blackjack Needs A Better Understanding

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You must understand the difference, the working process and the odds to choose between poker and blackjack when you want to play online casino game.

In a game of poker, the players will get opening cards of the same range. It all depends on how each player plays them. Poker game follows a math called pot odds. Blackjack is not so dramatic as poker. You play against the casino house edge instead of the players and the basic strategy is not difficult to learn.

Choosing Blackjack table

If you want to play Blackjack just like a pro, you must for sure consider this site to choose a table considering these factors:

  • Rules – Know the specific set of rules and different modifications as that will impact your winning chances
  • Mood – This is the digital biography section of the table or the dealer which makes the intermediate players feel more comfortable and
  • Timing – This is important to know which cards are already dealt.

Once done with your table choice, follow the basic strategy to play.

The strategy to follow

The basic playing strategy of Blackjack is to know the right way to:

  • Hit
  • Split
  • Stand and
  • Double down your hand.

Lower down house edge from 2% to 0.5%. You can do this by Standing at 12-16 while the dealer has 2-6 and hitting while the dealer has 7-Ace, splitting Aces and 8s, hitting or doubling Aces-6 and doubling 11 against 2-10 of the dealers.

Poker playing tips

To play poker, you must read and follow these tips to help you in the game.

  • Play fewer hands
  • Play aggressively
  • Defend big blinds
  • Never Limp first
  • Semi-bluff your draws aggressively
  • Fold if you are unsure
  • Fast play strong hands and
  • Attack your weak opponent.

Play only when you feel like and always play good games, including tournaments, not worrying about survival.

Patience is the key

No matter whichever game you choose to play, you will need to be patient. Wait for the right moment to bet more aggressively. All online games are based on the law of averages and therefore, a time will come when the odds will be in your favor.

 

3 Tips For Giving Your Living Room A Makeover

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For many people, the majority of their waking hours spent at home take place in the common areas of their kitchen and living room. Considering the amount of time spent here and the type of activities you participate in in these rooms, it only makes sense that you should try to make them as comfortable and welcoming as possible.

If your current living room situation isn’t fitting this bill, here are three tips for giving your living room a makeover.

Play With Color

Generally, there are two kinds of people when it comes to playing with colors in their home decor or design: those who embrace bold colors and those who shy away from bold colors. Depending on what type of person you are, your strategy for playing with colors when updating the look of your living room will vary.

According to Nicole Sforza, a contributor to Real Simple, one of the best ways to play with color in your living room space is to pick one statement piece that’s a bold color and add a few accent colors in the same tone on top of an overall neutral color scheme. By doing this, you’ll be about to ride the line between having too many colors and having too few colors. So if your living room presently looks like a color palette exploded, trying reeling it in a bit. And if your space is looking a little monochromatic, consider picking one bold color to use in a few places throughout your space.

Make It Warmer

One attribute all living rooms should aim to fulfill is being a space that’s warm and welcoming. To accomplish this, Lee Wallender, a contributor to The Spruce, shares that a great addition to your current living room could be to add a fireplace, be it an insert or a real fireplace. However, this may be an upgrade that you’re not ready to take on. If this is the case, you could also add a faux fireplace to give your living room the same warm feeling without the actual physical warmth.

To bring in warmth without adding any kind of fireplace, you can also play with the textiles you have in your living room, opting for lush, luxurious fabrics and accents.

Rethink Your Storage

Another great way you can make your living room look like an entirely different space is to rethink the storage options you’re using.

According to HGTV, by simply adding some additional storage units, be it shelves, bins, or something else, you can rearrange the items in your room and even add some more interest while also serving a very functional purpose.

If you’re tired of your boring old living room, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you give this space an entirely new look.