Access to Contraceptives Around the World: What You Need to Know

6 International Travel Tips You’ll Find Handy

Exploring world-class destinations, learning about unique cultures, and treating your taste buds with delicious foods is what traveling is about. And the fun of traveling multiplies if you are flying to a foreign destination, more if that’s your first international trip.

To help you prepare, here are some international travel tips you’ll find useful on your first vacation abroad.

Know Your Travel Budget

Are you traveling as a backpacker or want to bask in the luxury your hotel and airline may offer you? Knowing how much your vacation may cost you can help you budget your trip. It’s great if you already have the money in your bank. If not, take the time to prepare your budget and allocate your funds wisely.

See Also: 7 Ways To Save Money While Traveling

Create an Itinerary

This includes everything from the length of your trip to the attractions and landmarks you wish to explore. You don’t have to know the exact dates and time but a rough idea of when, where and for how long you’ll be staying there can greatly help you. Certainly, you wouldn’t want to be wondering what to do next with three or four more days in your hand, do you?

Book Flights and Hotels

With the internet at your disposal, once you know where you are going, booking your international flights, hotels, and activities are perhaps the easiest part of planning your trip. However, you must not be impatient to book whatever you find through your travel agent. Browse the internet and find out some great deals for yourself to make the most of your budget.

Pack Light and Right

No one likes to pay for extra bags unnecessarily! If you don’t wish to be levied with additional charges, knowing a little about the weather in your destination and packing accordingly may help you. Pack as less as possible.

Pack woolen clothes if you think it’ll be cold where you land and pack light clothes if it’s summer there. Don’t forget to pack a few waterproof jackets, a poncho, and a light sweater if your destination tends to experience rain a lot. This practice will also allow some space for you to bring home some keepsakes for your loved ones.

Buy travel insurance

We all want our vacations to be full of happy moments and great experiences, but that’s not always the case. For not-so-pleasant situations while traveling, such as lost baggage, health issues or trip interruption, you must buy travel insurance. Speak with your travel agent or ask people you know for recommendations and have an insurance that provides great services.

See Also: How To Stay Safe and Prevent Theft While Traveling

Automate Your Bills

A missed credit card payment or mortgage repayment may be the last thing you would like to discover after you are back from your vacation. You can automate your personal finances to ensure that your dues are paid on time while you are on a flight, sleeping in your hotel room or clicking pictures of a breathtaking sight before you. Do it and save yourself from incurring late charges.

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5 Financial Blunders to Avoid This Holiday Season

With Christmas and New Year just around the corner, you may now be expecting your wallet to empty up. You’re likely on a break from school or work and spending more time with your family and friends, going to different places to celebrate. Overspending during this time is typical, though not advisable.

If you’re guilty of any of these common financial blunders due to the holidays, then it’s time to learn some holiday budget tips.

Not keeping or sticking to a budget

Creating a budget is a necessity, whether it’s the holidays or beyond. When you have no means to guide and track your expenses, you can go over the line and spend on unnecessary or unplanned purchases, especially during occasions.

If you do have a budget, stick with it. There may be different factors and temptations along the way, such as a coveted item being on sale. But with a spending cap in mind, you can avoid impulse purchases.

Not planning for the holidays

You have 11 long months to prepare for Christmas, but you chose to cram all of your holiday expenses on your December salary. Unless you have a six-figure income, you’ll understandably fall short.

Avoid this mistake by planning your holiday. Know what you want to do, list down your projected expenses and amount, and save early on. It will also help to create a gift list, and decide the maximum amount you can spend on each present. Adjust your budget along the way, if needed.

Relying on your yearly bonus

You cannot depend on the windfall to pay off all of your holiday expenses. Chances are, having twice the amount of expenditures because of the occasion will once again make you fall short. Again, something as simple as saving throughout the year can help you through the holidays.

Not comparing prices

One of the best things about this time of the year is the numerous discounts and deals that you can enjoy. This may sound like a total temptation for you to overspend, but that’s only if you didn’t allocate enough for shopping. Take this chance to check out the offers and see if you can buy gifts at lower prices.

Do your research before checking out. You can do this by window shopping and comparing prices from one store to another, including online shops. Naturally, go for the store that offers the lowest possible cost to save money. Do not be duped into paying more than you need to.

Not opting for low-cost traditions

Every family has a Christmas or holiday tradition that they want to carry on every year. Then, there are those who want to elevate the custom. If your family’s expectation is to have something different every year—unplanned or not—expenses can go out of control.

It’s time to accept that not every holiday needs to be extravagant. Sometimes, the simplest of experiences can make the biggest impact, especially if you’re living it through with the ones you love. Plenty of practical ways to do something new or different would still allow you to create lasting memories. You can try baking holiday treats, revisiting your hometown or rekindling connections.

Christmas season is a time to make relationships better and not to put yourself in a huge financial problem. Learn to celebrate within your means and have enough to survive the days after the holidays.

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7 Surprising Things You Do Every Day That Damage The Environment

Climate change has reached crisis levels. A recent IPCC report warned that humans have until 2030 to turn the situation around or risk a catastrophe that could worsen the lives of hundreds of millions of people. Here in the US, we are already subjected to freak weather events every year that will only become more frequent and destructive as the world continues to warm.

As individuals, it’s easy to blame this situation on the world leaders and the many brands and businesses that put profits before their responsibilities and regulations. However, as individuals, we are also responsible for looking after our planet and making sure it’s somewhere our children can thrive.

Before you can make a positive change, it’s important we understand what everyday human activities that cause climate change. Below is a quick list to give you a clearer idea:

Drinking from paper coffee cups

You might think that as they’re made of paper, the 23 billion coffee cups that are used in the US every year would not be harmful to the environment, but you’d be wrong. Sadly, very few people take the time to find a recycling bin for their cup once they’ve finished their coffee. Instead, the cups are thrown away and taken to landfill sites where they contribute to an already enormous problem.

Solution: Take the time to find a recycling bin for your coffee cup. Some coffee shops even offer discounts if you take your own cup with you.

Using polystyrene takeout containers

We’re often told about how damaging plastic is for the environment. Despite that, few people appreciate the harm caused by the polystyrene foam containers. You can typically find them in takeout food.

Solution: Recycled paper products are just as effective but much less damaging. Try to use those as much as you can.

Throwing pet bedding away

If you have a pet, like a rabbit, guinea pig or hamster, and you’re innocently throwing their used bedding away, you’re inadvertently adding to the landfill problem.

Solution: Compost used animal bedding and waste so you and your pets can sleep soundly at night.

Washing your face

The damage caused by microbeads has been well publicized. Business Insider reported that 19 tons of microbeads were added to the water system in New York State in one year alone. Although microbeads have been banned in the US, many people still use products bought before the ban or from overseas.

Solution: Throw away any old products you own that still contain microbeads. Do not buy products with microbeads from other countries.

Drinking through plastic straws

Plastic straws are absolutely everywhere and yes, they’re extremely harmful to the environment. Reportedly, 500 million plastic straws are thrown away by Americans every single day.

Solution: Many bars and restaurants in the US are introducing paper straws which are certainly an improvement. However, if you really want to do your bit, then buy a reusable metal straw or don’t use a straw at all.

Flushing your toilet

Did you know that you use up to seven gallons of water every time you flush your toilet? You might think that’s unavoidable but there is something you could do to reduce your water usage.

Solution: We wouldn’t want you to leave pee festering in your toilet for days, but flushing the toilet every other time you go for a pee could significantly reduce your water consumption. Obviously, when it comes to the solids, give it a flush every time.

Leaving your appliances plugged in

The annual carbon dioxide emission of the US weigh the equivalent of 24 million Statues of Liberty. That is a pretty terrifying fact.

There are several factors that contribute to that level of CO2. It includes leaving some appliances that are not in use plugged in. There are some appliances that use something called ‘phantom energy’, which means they consume electricity even when they’re not switched on. Computers games consoles, modems and routers are some of the worst offenders.

Solution: A simple rule to follow is if an appliance is not in use, unplug it. It may not be that practical, but it’s a habit that could help to save the planet.

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The Accomplishment Journal: A Yardstick Against Your Life

Have you ever gathered all of your professional and personal accomplishments into a single document?

An accomplishment journal isn’t equal to your CV, credentials or acquired skills. It’s a simple bullet list of your achievements that you’ve completed throughout your life or over the recent years.

Whether you are about to change careers, set stretching goals or just need a yardstick to measure where you are now, an accomplishment journal will let you address tough questions.

Let’s jump in and see what an accomplishment journal can offer and how to create one.

How do I keep an accomplishment journal?

It was a course I took on Coursera―one of the largest online learning platforms―when I first came across the idea of the accomplishment journal (credit to Charles Duquette and the Coursera community). I quickly embraced the concept and scheduled a one-on-one meeting with myself to create one.

Then, I faced a painful experience. It dawned on me that, despite my degrees, credentials and almost 10 years of work experience, I could hardly put any measurable accomplishments onto paper. Still, I persevered and finally hammered out a nice list of accomplishments. Well, it’s not so easy to get everything measured, but once you get the idea, it will be a lot easier and fun.

Your accomplishment journal should be composed of accomplishment statements. Begin your statement with an action verb and use the simple past tense. Be as specific as you can. Name things by their names and underpin your statements with exact numbers wherever possible. The key here is to be measurable. No place for rambling here.

For example, you could put an accomplishment statement like this: “Authored 13 guest posts in top-ranking productivity magazines with a total number of 152 comments.”

As a backup of your statement, articulate the antecedents, the steps you took to move things forward, the competencies you needed, and the deliverables. You could then make use of all these pieces of information as you will see later in this post.

Your journal can be a physical bullet journal. A note-taking app like Evernote or even a mind mapping tool will do the trick as well. Whatever platform you use for journaling, keep it simple and easily available for future references. The latter is the subject we continue with.

How do I harness my accomplishment journal?

Let’s assume you’ve gathered all your accomplishments and put them in a journal. The next step is to claim your benefit.

Have a look at your list and ask yourself the following questions: What are my enjoyable accomplishments? Are there any? How could I build on them? What steps could I take to get more enjoyable accomplishments done?

Maybe, it’s time to change careers, harness your dormant skills or negotiate with your boss for more deep work.

If you’re preparing for a job interview, it’s mandatory that you consider your accomplishment journal first. It’s very likely that you’ll meet some tough questions about your accomplishments and a list can help you with that.

Carefully selected accomplishment statements would perfectly fit into your CV as well. If you keep your accomplishment journal updated, you no longer have to spend hours updating your resume. You would just pick up those accomplishments that are in line with your targeted position and fine-tune them if necessary.

Your journal will best serve you if you keep it fresh and to the point. I suggest that you schedule a regular update of your accomplishment journal. I would prefer a monthly update, but a quarterly update is highly recommended. Group, rethink, and rephrase your statements as frequently as you need.

See Also: Inspiring Journaling Prompts To Help Re-Shape Your Life

Final thoughts

I found that an accomplishment journal takes minimum effort to assemble, but it really pays off in the long run. It can assist you when applying for a job or building your career further.

More importantly, it may serve as a yardstick against your life. It may point you in the right direction and keep you on track.

Give it a try and schedule a meeting with yourself now to put all your accomplishments together.

See Also: 5 Benefits of Journaling To Inspire and Motivate You

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5 Things That Can Bring More Satisfaction In Your Life

Life in an urban settlement can be hectic. There is that traffic you need to traverse through in order to reach the office on time. Then, you need to make sure that you are meeting up with your deadlines. There is this huge list of never-ending things to do that includes all your household chores that simply wouldn’t do themselves.

Within 24 hours, you are hustling and bustling and while you sit down to have your dinner, you realize there wasn’t enough time to cater to yourself and your needs. This can go on for days and weeks without you actually feeling satisfied with your life.

So, to make sure you feel fulfilled in what you do and your life, here are some steps you can take so you can start being satisfied with what you have.

Connect With an Old Friend or Relative

There are times when some of our best buddies simply get too busy just like ourselves and with the passage of time visits and meet-ups become less frequent until the point comes where a year passes by and you don’t get to talk with them face to face.

Social media is not the answer. You need to make this real and take out some time to connect with your friends. Remember, life is too short.

If there’s one thing that can help you realize how important friendship is, then hear about the amazing findings of William Chopik in his study on friendship. His study reveals that not only people with friends have better health and stronger morals about themselves but it also boosts their self-confidence and helps them live longer.

If there is anything that can help you be more content with your life, it’s spending time with friends after work. That is simply so much better than letting your time just fly by in front of electronic devices.

Actively Indulge in Philanthropy

If there is one thing you need to realize early in your life is that money isn’t the answer to all your needs. Believe it or not, being selfless is a great feeling.

However, simply giving your change to a homeless person wouldn’t cut it. You need to find a cause that you deeply care about and then commit to it wholeheartedly for the rest of your life. This will give you an opportunity to see how your small acts of kindness can bring out the best in you and the society.

Once you start seeing the results, you would never back out and that is the beauty of it all. It not always about cash. Keep in mind that your invested time and effort could make a world of a difference for someone out there.

Finish Reading a Book

Reading stimulates the mind. It works great in reducing stress, improving your vocabulary and increasing your pool of knowledge. It can also improve your focus, concentration and communication skills.

The reason we did not ask you to initiate reading a book is that completing a book is far more satisfying than simply reading halfway through it. So, pick up a nice book now and make it into a habit.

Renovate / Revamp / Redecorate Your House

Whether you live in a mansion or a shabby two-room apartment like me, there will come a time where you simply cannot stand those walls anymore. Years have gone by and it’s probably the right time for you to redecorate your house.

It’s quite uplifting and it can dramatically improve your mood. Rearranging your things and furniture can totally make your home feel and look completely different- almost as if it’s new!

Renovating your house is a fun activity. If you don’t have a strong sense of decor, then simply ask your friend to help you out or seek out professional assistance. Even a paint job is tons of fun. So, get to it!

Exercise or Join a Sports Club

Exercise is a great way to channel your energies in the right direction. If you are stuck in a 9-to-5 job, then you need to seriously reconsider your physical activity. Simply sitting at your workstation all day will only make that waistline grow bigger.

I can go on for a very long time about how eating healthy and organic food can save your life right now. However, the bottom line is this: exercising daily is the real cure you need.

As time flies by, we all get older. What you do with your body today can help you stay healthy in the coming years. So, stay fit, go for a walk, jog or run if you can. Exercising will not only improve your overall capacity as a productive human being, but it will also make you look good and know your true strengths.

Conclusion

Being satisfied with what you have can be troublesome these days. However, when you recombine your true inner, peaceful self with the natural environment, you’ll be better with whatever you choose to be.

We hope that you give the aforementioned habits a try for yourself and see how they make a difference. Maybe then, you can also recommend them to those who need a positive change in their lives.

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “We must accept infinite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope”.

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9 Useful Tips On How To Get Out of Debt Quickly

Are you or someone in your household in debt? If so, you’re not alone.

In 2018, it was estimated that the average American household had wracked up over $137,000 in debt. When you consider that the average annual income for the same household is just over $60,000, you start to see the gravity of the problem.

However, we’ve put together several ways how to get out of debt quickly to help you get more financially stable and secure.

Start the 50/30/20 Budget

This budget is a straightforward technique that can help you pay down your debt. First, figure out your monthly income after taxes. When you do, take 50% of your total and earmark it for essentials like bills, groceries, insurance, childcare, transportation, and minimum monthly payments.

Next, take 30% of your remaining amount and earmark it for things you want like dining out, entertainment, and travel. The final 20% will go toward your savings and repaying your debt. Throw your extra 20% at your smallest debt first and work your way up as you pay it off.

See Also: How to Budget Using the 50/20/30 Rule

Reduce Recurring Subscriptions

Chances are, you most likely have a few reoccurring subscriptions each month. You may have even forgotten about some and have no idea how much you’re spending on them. Even with a $10-subscription, the total can add up quickly.

The Trim app can help negotiate lower monthly bills, let you see exactly where your money goes and search for any subscriptions. If you find ones you don’t use, it’ll cancel them for you. You can then take this extra money and add it to your repay your debts.

Take up a Freelance Job

The beauty of a freelance job is that you can do it on your own time. It works around your schedule and how much you make is entirely up to how much you want to work.

Content sites like Textbroker or Getacopywriter pay you for writing articles. Clickworker will pay you between $0.25 and $0.75 to perform short tasks and surveys. Amazon’s Mechanical Turk will pay you for jobs ranging from transcription to translations to product description.

However, these sites don’t take taxes out of your earnings, so be aware of this and set aside a percentage each week to cover it when tax time comes. You can split anything you earn and put half savings and half toward paying down your debt.

Consider Debt Consolidation

Taking out a larger debt consolidation loan is one way to get rid of a lot of your smaller payments and combine them into one payment. Debt consolidation loans come from your bank or lender.

You apply, get a good interest rate, and use the money from the loan to pay off things like credit card balances, student loans, and miscellaneous fees. You won’t have to worry about paying off several small payments each month. You’ll just pay your loan payment and save money on interest costs.

Use the Debt Snowball Process

Start by making a list of all of your debts with their balances arranged from smallest to largest. Each month, make the minimum payment on every debt but the smallest balance.

Take any extra money you have or the additional money you would pay on the larger debts and pay your smallest one. When you pay it off, move onto the next one and repeat this process until it snowballs. Eventually, you’ll have no debt left.

Build an Emergency Fund

Yes, it sounds crazy to add money to a fund that you don’t touch when you’re trying to get out of debt. But, really think about it.

If you had an emergency with your pet or kid, would you be able to handle an additional $500 to $1,000 bill without incurring more debt? The answer is usually no.

Having at least $1,000 in an emergency fund can help save you in unexpected situations and prevent further debt.

See Also: 5 Financial Emergencies Everyone Must Be Prepared For

Start Using Coupons

Coupons are one way that a lot of people don’t think to save money. However, you have access to thousands of digital coupons and coupon-specific apps that could help trim down your grocery or household expenses.

It may take a while to get it down to a science. However, you can take the money you save from couponing and put it toward your debt. Any little bit helps when it comes to debt, and you get better at it with practice.

Limit Your Credit Card Use

If you don’t change your spending habits and you continue to use your credit cards, you’re not going to get out of debt. Switch to paying in cash as much as you can. You’re able to actually see where your money is going each time you spend it. Additionally, this can also make you more hesitant to buy items you really don’t need.

Sell Your Clothing or Items Online

It’s the digital age. This means that you can quickly and easily make additional money from selling your clothing or household items that you don’t use anymore. There are most likely a lot of items in your closet that you’ll never wear.

Why leave them to collect dust?

Craigslist, LetGo, Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, Shopify, and Thredup are all online merchants that connect you with people who want your clothing or items. A lot of them are free to use too!

These nine tips on how to get out of debt quickly will help you reduce your overall debt amounts and get out of debt quicker. It does require a little patience and dedication on your part. However, being debt-free is well worth cutting back on your expenses for a few years.

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How Depression is Changing Internet Culture

In 2016, the comedic YouTube creator iDubbbz uploaded a video of himself jumping off the back of a car into a wheelchair saying, “I have crippling depression.” He says these words self-deprecatingly and almost mockingly. It’s as if to tell his viewers that it’s OK to laugh at the “play” on words. Yes, depression can be so crippling that it can feel as extreme as a physical disability.

Since then, the internet community has been flooded with conversation and viral contents satirizing not only the term “crippling depression”, but many other aspects of mental health.

Such content raises this question:

Is turning psychological conditions into something humorous beneficial or detrimental for those actually suffering from them?

In the case of iDubbbz’s video, which was originally made for laughs, serious conversation developed around the term “crippling depression”. It was an all-too-familiar feeling for those diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

In today’s internet culture, psychological conditions have become a topic where users can openly discuss and joke about them. It makes them more relatable and less frightening. Given that, historically, mental health was something that was rarely spoken of. Going to therapy was even deeply stigmatized. This prevented people from seeking the help they needed.

Humor, in particular, gives this community a more comfortable and engaging way to communicate their challenges with each other. It also makes their experiences more relatable to those who may not be as familiar.

Crippling Depression and Major Depressive Disorder Explained

To answer the question of whether humorous content about mental illness is ultimately beneficial or detrimental, let’s first define crippling depression.

The online therapy company Talkspace defines crippling depression or major depressive disorder as depression that is “severe to the point of limiting basic functioning, including the ability to work and live normally”. This type of depression can leave someone in a state where every task becomes mundane. It makes living a functional life more difficult.

Living with major depressive disorder can be debilitating. Sometimes, it can ruin relationships, work, and daily life. It makes it impossible to accomplish even the simplest tasks.

Depression is a challenging condition in that its early, milder symptoms can be exacerbated if not addressed quickly. Symptoms such as changes in appetite, malaise, and insomnia can cause someone’s mental health to deteriorate even further, driving them closer to major depressive disorder.

Due to the severe effects depression can have on a person, it can quite literally be crippling. It can restrict its victims to a bed without the willpower to get out.

In an account from Everyday Health, a person with clinical depression says, “I couldn’t wait to go to sleep, but I’d wake up at 3 a.m. and not be able to fall asleep again”. Having this condition can make it hard to live a normal life, no matter how much the sufferer wants to. Facing the world becomes tiresome. Any relief from the feeling is certainly welcome.

To an outsider, the severity of these conditions can make it seem like those suffering from them might be isolated from others. The internet provides a way for those people to stay connected with others.

The Internet and Depression

The internet is a tricky place for all of us, but particularly for those who live with mental health issues. Extremely short videos and endless amounts of visually-stimulating content encourage us to scroll on our devices indefinitely. It provides quick bursts of dopamine that only keep us scrolling for longer.

To a user without depression, this can be an entertaining way to pass time. However, to someone who suffers from a mental health condition, those dopamine bursts can provide a momentary relief from a state of deep depression.

A college student diagnosed with depression told Talkspace, “Being on the internet helps distract me from whatever I am going through at the time. It also helps me not feel so alone because tons of people I follow on the internet are depressed or have other mental issues”.

This instant gratification can cause further issues. While it may provide some relief, it means the core cause of their suffering is not addressed. The healthiest outlet may instead be facing these problems head-on.

How Memes Help Us Relate

Perhaps surprisingly, memes about mental health may be one of the most productive aspects of mental health awareness on the internet. There’s an increasing amount of humorous content on the web that centers around mental health.

People create memes — comedic, often viral videos or images — that comment on any topic one could imagine. Good examples include cats, comics, absurd images, but also suicide, anxiety, and crippling depression.

This creates an environment that allows people to outwardly share what they’re experiencing through videos and images. Others can respond in comments or simply have a laugh while viewing and maybe share with a friend. People all over the world can connect and build niche communities that support one another.

Although memes may not seem like they have measurable effects on one’s mental health, they certainly spark laughter as well as recognition. Knowing that you’re not alone while going through a particular hardship (such as depression) can be beneficial in and of itself while helping one feel better and improving their mental health.

The reason that themes of mental health have become popular meme content is not because people simply enjoy laughing at these issues; it’s because so many people can relate to them. We find this type of humor entertaining. It makes the feelings less frightening since people can share them.

One of the themes central to mental health memes is a main character covering up his depression by distracting himself with the internet. It’s humorous to those with clinical depression because they are doing the same thing. They divert their attention from a serious problem by aimlessly scrolling on the internet. It’s a bit meta, but presenting these concepts in a fun way can make it easier to cope with the symptoms of depression.

Effects of Internet Usage

While this culture of satirizing mental health brings awareness to depression and helps sufferers feel less alone, it remains an escape. Interactions made online can have a fleeting impact on someone’s life, but lasting, substantive change may be what’s needed.

While having these relationships online can be healthy, it’s important to maintain a balance with face-to-face human interaction. According to Psychology Today, “researchers found that having limited face-to-face social contact nearly doubles someone’s risk of having depression”.

The article goes on to say that, “Study participants who met in person regularly with family and friends were less likely to report symptoms of depression, compared with participants who emailed or spoke on the telephone”.

Having an online community can be beneficial. It lets people relate to one another and vent about their experience. More conversation helps to break the stigma around mental health and seeking care. However, relying too heavily on internet culture can have effects that amplify the symptoms they’re trying to alleviate.

See Also: Social Media Causing Depression and Anxiety: Is It True?

Seeking Help for Clinical Depression

When someone starts to recognize symptoms of clinical depression, it’s important to seek out professional help. A relationship with a therapist can provide a way for a client with mental issues to share in an environment where they can receive ways to improve their overall well being.

The trend of satirizing mental health conditions has created benefits for those who suffer from them. The internet gives people a place to share their thoughts. It enables them to be a part of a community with similar issues and help them feel less alone. However, it sometimes prevents people from going out and getting the help they need.

The internet can make someone feel better for a moment, but it can make a depressed person lose interest in the outside world and lose themselves in these communities. It’s important for those with depression to address the problems they’re going through and seek professional help. Clinical depression is a serious condition that can take over someone’s life. While some say laughter is the best medicine, crippling depression is no joke.

See Also: How to Deal With Depression: 22 Things You Need to Try Today

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How Often Does A Landlord Have To Replace Carpet Or Repaint In Rental Unit?

The carpet is one of the most well-used items in a rental unit. Because of that, it can become very dirty over time. If you are planning on moving into a new home, it’s something you have to seriously look into.

Are there any rules on how often a landlord has to replace carpet or repaint a rental unit?

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Guidelines for Carpet

An apartment rug or carpet collects dust, dirt, and pet hair. Those things, if not cleaned up properly, can cause some serious health issues. Children, for example, tend to put their hands on dirty carpets and into their mouths. They can easily end up sick because of that.

Air circulating over a dirty carpet can cause breathing problems, like asthma. Some heat registers are located right along the floor and sweep air up from the carpet. Changing the carpet can improve air quality almost instantly.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has set 7 years for the replacement of carpet in rental units. This is something you have to consider even if you have modern carpets at home. While they are durable, they can start losing their texture and color after 4 or 5 years. Their fibers might not stand up straight any longer and you’ll see matted-down patches.

How Often Should an Apartment be Repainted

Your paint is not only for appearance; it is also insulation and protection for your walls. There is both the inner primer layer and the outer paint layer.

Some municipalities use old lead paint, so be careful and read your renting manual to see if that is a concern. Old paint chips can be a health risk.

Under city guidelines, the landlord is obligated to repaint his apartment unit every 3 years. Most of the time, they don’t do this because it would require covering all your furniture and the carpet. Where would you live while paint fumes were filling your housing unit?

Thus, if your landlord tries to force you to pay for a new carpet and paint after you leave, quote the statutes. Protect your renting rights by knowing your landlord’s obligations to provide a good, clean, and hygienic apartment.

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How to Use Video Marketing to Boost Your Traffic and Conversions

With customers moving away from traditional ads, video marketing has become a critical marketing tactic. It builds trust and it’s an organic way to market brands by being interesting, useful, and easy to relate to.

More than that, video marketing is readily available, can be consumed easily and serves as a distraction in these stressful times. It has become a valuable marketing strategy that influences even the laziest customer out there.

Video Marketing In Brief

In simple words, video marketing is nothing but recording a video and posting it on various online platforms to achieve desired business goals. Creating a viral video has become the Holy Grail of marketing and it offers the following benefits:

• Can be used for branding and rebranding
• Conversions
• Boost search engine rankings
• Improve customer retention of brand information

Although the idea of producing a video may seem nice and promising, it needs to complement the overall strategy of the company and be able to generate the required return on investment. This may sound daunting if you are new in the industry. However, with the right strategies and plans, you can use video marketing to boost traffic and increase conversions.

Impact of Video Marketing

As per research, video marketing helps increase brand awareness by 54%. It’s able to generate 66% more qualified leads per year, too. And just the word ‘video’ in emails has led to an increase in the open rates by 19%. The videos on landing pages are capable of increasing the conversion rate by 80%.

These figures prove that video marketing plays a critical role in the marketing and business plan and strategy. Let’s admit that the numbers do not lie.

When we talk about video, we make it synonymous to YouTube videos. Although this is the most common form, it is but just one of the varied platforms. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat are other equally stimulating online platforms where you can post a great video. What is required is a raw, pure, and authentic content that is relevant to the business and matters to the viewers.

Using Video Marketing to Boost Traffic and Conversions

Below are some of the ways you can use video marketing to increase traffic and conversions rates.

Sell a Story

A video targeted directly towards selling a product or service can be bothersome for the public. This is why it is preferable to spin a story around a product and focus on narrating that story.

A story gathers more attention and traffic. One can add a call to action or a URL to leave no loose ends. However, these must be placed smartly in the video.

The best 10 seconds

With the intention of narrating a well-crafted story, do not forget that mostly one-fifth of the viewers click away a video in the first 10 seconds or even less. The initial 10 seconds must convince the viewer to watch the whole video. It must be immediately catchy and entertaining. The push can be because the video was funny, informative or one that stirs up curiosity. Those 10 seconds are the most crucial to any video. Utilize them to the maximum.

Catchy tags and searches

More than making and recording an excellent video, it is important that the video reaches the target audience. This is possible if there are proper and suitable tags attached to the video. Proper use of SEO strategies will also make the video more visible.

Use humans as a thumbnail

A video with a smiling human being as a thumbnail attracts more viewers than a video with plain texts. According to a test by Wishpond, the smiling image on the video was able to increase the company’s profits by 10.7%. This is sufficient proof that, even in today’s digital world, nothing looks more engaging than human interaction.

A Different Video for A Different Kind of Product

Before you set out to make video marketing a part of your business strategy, understand that making a video is a science and an art. It is essential that you explore and try different ways of marketing the product, instead of following one single thumb rule. Be creative and understand the video niche that best suits that specific product or service.

Here are some of the different options available.

• How-to-videos

As per facts, 1 in 3 millennials is believed to have bought a product after watching a how-to video. This type of video explains how to use a product, different ways in which it can be used and solutions to any problem associated with it. The explanatory video shares the uses of the product. The focus is not on selling but helping the audience and instructing them about the product.

• Promotional Videos

Creating a short video showcasing the benefits, features, and highlights of the product make the customer get a better understanding of it. Create such a video and upload it on the company’s website to attract traffic.

• FAQ Videos

It’s a fact that people learn more and better visually. Making a FAQ video that answers people’s most common queries relating to a product will help customers develop a better insight. This also ensures that they do not end up frequently calling customer care for minor inquiries. This helps build trust and credibility in the company.

• Testimonial Videos

Crowd draws crowd. Receive help from your loyal customers and ask them to talk about your product in a positive tone. Compile these messages and make testimonial videos. People are easily influenced by others and this works as a marketing advantage. Influencer marketing videos are also a great tool you can use.

• Video Ads

This is the most obvious of all. Make an advertisement and upload it on various social media platforms. Video ads are gaining more edge than TV advertising. Use it to your advantage.

See Also: Four Great Sites for Creating Amazing Online Videos

To Sum It Up

The year 2016 saw the birth of video advertising. In 2018, this trend is in full swing with businesses adopting it more as a mandate and less as a choice.

With more and more people being on the internet, video marketing continues to have a huge scope for expansion and value addition. Whether you are a startup or a force in the making, this is a tool that can give your business a fresh image and wings to fly.

See Also: 5 Keys to Getting More Clients Through Video Marketing

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How Do I Get My Dishwasher To Stop Leaving White Powdery Film On My Glasses?

4 Ways Men Can (Accidentally) Mess Up Their Relationship

Men are from Mars and women from Venus, right? That was the big a-ha moment back in the 90s when Dr. John Gray wrote his book. When that book came out, men and women everywhere stopped, took notice, and said: “Okay that makes sense. Men and women handle relationships (and many other things) differently!”

Not that it was that big of a secret. The emotional differences between men and women have long been noted. Those differences, however, can also be one of the reasons why many relationships fail.

In particular, men are too often at fault on this score. Because many of us haven’t developed emotional intelligence, we often look past the emotional needs of our partners. We may not experience the same feelings, so it doesn’t occur to us that they would. As a result, we get ourselves in trouble and can, without even realizing it, mess up our relationships.

Before we take a look at some of the areas men routinely overlook, let’s talk about the #1 way that men kill their relationships.

The biggest man-made problem is thinking that those differences don’t matter and that we don’t need to worry about them. Of course, if you are one of those men, you are probably not reading this. Good for you as you’ve dodged the biggest bullet.

Just because a woman views things differently than you or measures the impact of things differently, it doesn’t mean you can dismiss those things and keep going. Actually, the fact that you don’t get it probably means you need to stop and take notice.

So, assuming you are trying to avoid accidentally ruining your relationship with your partner, what are those things you should pay attention to?

Below are four of the biggest relationship mistakes guys make.

Letting your appreciation go silent

When you started dating, you likely told her pretty routinely how much you appreciated her presence in your life. You probably said things like “you’re beautiful”, “I am lucky to have you” and “thank you”.

Once your relationship is firmly established, those often stop. There’s no need, right? You told her over and over before and now you guys are committed and she should know.

Nope.

When the expression of appreciation stops, women take notice and not in a good way. For many women, no longer hearing those things means you have stopped feeling and thinking them. That translates into feeling taken for granted and undervalued.

I know you are saying to yourself, “Why is she so insecure?”

Guys, this is usually not an insecurity thing. It’s more of reinforcing your connection and not taking her for granted. It doesn’t need to be done excessively. You don’t necessarily have to do daily flower deliveries and love songs, but routinely letting her know that she’s important to you will go a long way.

See Also: How to Get Rid of Relationship Insecurities

Thinking that sex no longer requires romance

When you’re in a steady relationship, you might think that you can just roll over any morning and let her know you’re ready and it’s game on. Well, not so fast.

While that may work on certain occasions, a woman really never stops wanting to feel pursued. Taking the time to do things right will maintain the intimacy in your relationship and reinforce that feeling that you want her and she’s worth the time and effort. You may be pleasantly surprised at her reaction.

Ignoring what she tells you

One thing that women tend to do far better than men is express their feelings. The problem is that not only do men not DO this well, they also don’t LISTEN to it well.

I have a friend whose wife told him for years what she wanted from their relationship – more time together, sex, and romance. She said she felt secondary in his life to work, friends, football – you get the picture.

I was actually around to hear some of these things said. He seemed caught completely off guard when she decided she was done talking and never being heard. She decided to file for divorce.

The point is, listen to what she tells you. Many women will almost give you a blueprint for the relationship if you just pay attention.

Assuming she cares about your underwear and socks

Here’s the thing – she doesn’t.

Don’t assume she’s going to take care of all your incidentals. Your laundry, dinner dishes, putting your shoes away, ensuring that you always have deodorant — those things are your responsibility. That doesn’t mean she may not do those things, it depends on how you have your division of responsibilities arranged.

But when you get angry because your sock drawer is empty and that becomes a regular complaint, it’s time to read the signs and take care of things on your own. Women want to be seen as equals, partners, and intelligent human beings – not your mom.

When you take that for granted, she will handle all those little things. She may end up pushing back or spending time with someone who doesn’t expect her to do them.

Men often assume that once the relationship is established, we are good and all the work is done. That’s simply not true. And although women can be just as guilty of all of the points above, we are often our own worst enemies when it comes to these things. Try appreciating and respecting the natural differences between you and your partner. Doing this will help keep you from accidentally messing up a good thing.

See Also: 7 Best Secrets To Building Lasting Relationships

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How to Budget Using the 50/20/30 Rule

Thinking about ways to better manage your finances? The 50/20/30 rule is one of the most popular techniques that you can try. It’s simple and easy to follow. You only need to categorize your spending into three categories.

50% of Your Income – Essentials

To start with, allocate 50% of your monthly income to your necessities, like your mortgage, utility bills, transportation, grocery, and more. This percentage might sound too big, but once you list down all your fixed monthly expenses, everything will certainly make sense.

It is important to smartly differentiate between your ‘needs’ and your ‘wants’. This way, you can properly allocate your money.

20% – Savings, Investments, Financial Goals

Many people find saving money a challenge but with this rule, it shouldn’t be.

20% of your income should go toward your financial goals. This includes your savings, investments, and debt-reduction payments.

Saving money is very important. You might feel like you’re too young to be saving up for your retirement but time flies so fast and before you know it, you haven’t saved enough for your future. There is also no best time to start investing but ‘now’. Learn about the different ways to grow your money, aside from just keeping it in your bank. The right investments can give you great returns.

Try to reduce your existing debts, such as your credit card and cash advance payments. Setting aside at least 20% of your monthly income for this purpose ensures that you have a good credit rating, making you more qualified for future loans in case you will need one.

30% – Flexible Spending/Your Wants

The remaining 30% of your monthly income should go to your wants. Spend it in whatever way you want – buy a new pair of shoes, a new phone or save it up for a vacation.

This percentage goes to everything you buy that you don’t need and you need not feel guilty about it. You worked hard for your money so basically, you deserve to enjoy it. However, if you live frugally, anything that remains in your flexible spending can go to your savings.

Keep in mind that the percentages in the ‘essentials’ and ‘flexible spending’ should be the maximum you should spend.

How to Get Started

Following this 50-30-20 budget plan may seem overwhelming at first. However, once you get used to it, it will surely have a positive impact on your finances.

To start with, you need to determine how much exactly you make per month as it is where you will base your 50-30-20 percentages. It can be tricky if you are self-employed.

To do this, be sure to track your earnings to determine your average income per month and budget accordingly. The key is to be mindful of your money and how you spend it.

Next, itemize your monthly expenses. It’s important to keep track of your spending. Every cent counts.

How much do you spend on your food and transportation? How about your housing and bills?

It is important that your expenses don’t exceed the 50% threshold. If it does, review your essentials. There might be some expenses that you can reduce or cut.

For example, if you are renting a house that’s too big for you or your family, you may want to downsize to reduce the cost. You can also consider moving to a location that’s near your workplace so you don’t have to drive too often to get there. Making adjustments is important to stick to the 50-30-20 allocation.

Now, don’t be upset if only a little money goes to your savings because you don’t have a huge income. As long as you are able to keep up with the 20% for your financial goals, you’re doing great. Once you get to save enough money, consider investing it for an opportunity to earn more.

The best thing about the 50-20-30 budget plan is that it gives you flexibility. You can slightly tweak it to make the strategy work better for you. As you know, every budget is different. The key is to be consistent with managing your money and being responsible for every cent you spent.

More importantly, you should make sure to cover your expenses well, save up for tomorrow, and give room for fun and leisure. Achieving a balance in your financial life is easy, as long as you are mindful of your spending habits.

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Identify One Goal: The Secret to Discovering Your Purpose

I think a lot of young people will find this post very useful if they were to apply themselves to it.

Most often, I find people wondering what their purpose in life is. And before they discover it, they try a couple of things and make some mistakes. They are the lucky ones as some people don’t even find out their life’s purpose at all. So, they end up living someone else’s life — a fake life.

But discovering your purpose is not a hard thing — at least not as hard as some say it is.

As a motivational speaker and life coach, I encounter this question a lot and most often, usually asked by young people. Not too long ago (January 2017), someone asked me that same question.

This lady was in her early thirties, a banker, had a car and living in a really nice apartment. At that point, she was living better in most standards than me. As we got talking, she asked me how someone could identify one’s purpose. I was shocked because, in my own mind, I would think she’s living her dream life. However, I contained myself and gave her an answer.

Identify one goal

What do you want to spend your life doing? What is that one thing you want to be identified with? And what is that one thing you want to be known for?

Identify that one thing you can do forever and you don’t mind doing it for free. That is the question that can point you to where your passion lies.

When you finally identify it, spend every day of your life learning about it, studying it, practicing it, and doing it. Practice until you are not afraid to do it in front of other people.

“Don’t think about money; don’t start by focusing on the money. Do it because it just makes you happy and satisfied.”

Like I don’t care if I get paid for writing or speaking, as far as there is one person who listens to me or reads what I write, I’m satisfied. That’s why on my website, I have a place to book a one-on-one time with me because I care about just you who’s reading this.

“Focus on what you love and when you are so good at it people will start paying you for it.”

Usain Bolt is a multi-millionaire for just running. Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova are worth millions of dollars for just playing tennis. Linda Ikeji is a millionaire for being a gossiper. But at first, they all started loving what they do and they were doing it whether money was involved or not.

Takeaway

If you want to be counted as one of the greats or one of the richest, identify that one thing you are passionate about and be the best at it. You’d be lost having fun and doing your thing that one day, you’ll just discover that you’re rich and you’re celebrated.

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6 Foolproof Ways to Refine Your Professional Life

Sometimes, we feel that a new job will diffuse us with happiness we have always longed for. At times, however, we feel that staying away from toxic people and jobs can improve our lives.

There are a number of things that can make you unhappy at work. This includes feeling unfulfilled, lacking direction, being ignored by superiors, performing repetitive tasks, and not being considered for promotion or appraisals.

The good news is that you don’t have to feel that way about work. With these tips on how to improve yourself professionally, you’ll be able to develop a better perspective about your career.

Decide what you want from your career

It’s time to stop complaining and walking in circles. Think about your existing status and where you want to head in the future. Craft a plan or roadmap focusing on what you want to achieve. Then, start working on your goal one step at a time.

The entire journey won’t be consistently paced and smooth. Some days you will feel like running. At times, you will struggle to even jog. It’s okay as long as you are moving forward.

Take care of yourself

A human body is a machine. Just like any other machine, we need to tune it each day. Eating, exercising, and getting a proper rest is crucial for your well-being. Having enough physical, mental and emotional strength is mandatory if you are to stay laser-focused on your goal and achieve it. Furthermore, being strong enough also makes us more resilient in the face of never-ending obstacles.

Always embrace new ideas

Everyone is advised to keep their minds open to new idea. There is always some learning in every communication and idea we share. You never know what insights the colleague seated next to you holds that might boost your career like never before.

Cut out toxic influences

It is impossible to eradicate all the negative and toxic situations and people around us. However, we have the authority and power to decide whether to fall under their influence or not. If you uncover a certain aspect of your life that’s particularly negative, an instant action is required to protect your emotional and mental well-being.

At times, some negative influences are difficult to discover. Consider an example of sharing a college dorm with a particularly pessimistic, unhealthy roommate. The person might have been quite intolerable, but he might also be fun at times. In fact, his dark side only protrudes when you start to spend a considerable time with him continuously.

Toxic people and circumstances at workplaces are great examples, too. Your colleague might complement you now but right in the next meeting, he/she will try to discourage and contain you in front of your manager or badmouth you to others.

In order to get away from such craziness, you must first learn how to refuse to cater to such false pretenses. Keeping your interactions polite and distant is another great way. And if you think your negative colleagues need to hear how their behavior and vibes are affecting others, then explain it to them.

Furthermore, try to replace negative interactions with positive, healthy ones. People who aren’t judgmental and narcissistic can help bring out the best in you.

See Also: 5 Signs You Need to Start Removing Toxic People

Unplug and get out

People who spend most of their time behind a desk are more irritated and cranky. Every employee, ranging from an office boy to CEO, should understand that unplugging themselves from the never-ending work and going outside is downright beneficial physically and mentally.

Spending time with others, staying away (for a while) from your system’s screen, and making the most out of your break times are great things you can do to elevate your spirit and re-energize your mind. If your manager expects you to be a genuine workaholic who put extra hours at work, then you need to stand up for yourself. Politely let him know that you have a life out of your office, too.

Even small acts like a high-five over a short humorous conversation, applauding someone over a job well done, and hugging your colleague-turned-close-friend on special occasions can be a mighty boost in uplifting your mood.

Start participating in community work

Quite an extension of the last point, you should consider getting out and becoming a part of communities working for the betterment of society.

Whether it’s spending time with kids in an orphanage, teaching useful life skills or even forming groups to clean the neighborhood, you are using your free time productively and contributing well to great causes.

Participating is similar social causes which will make you understand that true happiness doesn’t only lie in living and earning for yourself. Instead, it’s more about stepping out in the harsh realities and helping others acquire the comfort they have always been deprived of.

See Also: The Power of Volunteering

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5 Habits You Should Adopt to Become an Effective Public Speaker

Most people want to be an effective public speaker. However, not all people are naturally gifted with skills in public speaking. That’s why if you want to be an excellent public speaker, you need to put a considerable effort to work at it.

Some people believe that to be good at public speaking, you need to have charisma. Although charisma can indeed captivate listeners, there are other qualities of a good public speaker you need to possess. For instance, you need to be authentic with your message.

So, if you want to be effective in public speaking, it’s essential that you adopt some habits to achieve your goal. For a little help, read on below.

Know What Your Audience Needs

Before you hone your skills, it’s essential that you change your perspective for the sake of your audience. Public speaking is not about your needs. It’s about your listeners’ needs. If you think that your presentation is unimportant, you must think the other way.

There’s no small or big presentation when you speak before your audience. You should remind yourself that these people who came to listen to you want something.

Although you’re the one who’s speaking, you should keep in mind that you’re not the center of things. You should think about your audience and the ideas that you have to convey to them. Focusing on your audience instead of yourself will also help reduce your stage fright.

See Also: How to Make People Listen: 7 Things You Shouldn’t Ignore

Don’t Forget the Importance of Body Language

In public speaking, it’s not only your brain and mouth that must work. Your body language is also essential to relate to your listeners what you want to say. The non-verbal aspects of your talk will help in engaging with your audience and getting their attention.

For instance, it’s crucial how you use the space while you’re speaking. Your facial expression, the tone of your voice, gestures, and how you use objects and technology are also important factors to becoming an excellent speaker.

Think and Speak Visually

Everything now is visual. In the age of the Internet with television, smartphones, tablet, and digital billboards, you’ll surely agree to this. A lot of people now think visually and in any public speaking engagement, you should also think and speak that way.

When speaking before an audience, it’s crucial that you know how to create word-pictures. In this way, you can convey your thoughts and ideas clearly. Speaking visually can also help in making your listeners retain what you’re telling them.

Make It Conversational

When you watch a TED Talk, you’ll realize how even speakers discussing a technical topic use conversational language to make their point. It’s also evident now in most politicians. To connect with ordinary people, they speak simple, everyday language.

What you need to keep in mind as a public speaker is to speak in simple terms the things you’re passionate about. The more you’re at home with yourself, the more your audience will understand you.

Don’t Be Afraid to Slow Down

When speaking in public, there are times that you get lost in what you’re saying. If this happens, you should take the time to slow down and gather your thoughts. Sometimes, silence will help you get through with your ideas and relate it to your audience.

A short pause or a moment of silence can also get your audience to anticipate what you’ll say next. So, don’t be afraid to slow down when you’re speaking in public.

See Also: Deliver Your Speech Like A Pro By Using These 12 Ways to Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking

Takeaway

There are a few things more rewarding and enriching than talking about your ideas before an audience. Public speaking has been an effective way to express new views and to inspire people. However, to be an excellent public speaker, it’s a must that you know the habits to become one. The tips in this article will help you for that purpose.

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6 Really Simple Strategies for Sharing Files Like a Pro

E-Waste Tips: What To Do With Old Tech Gadgets

Have you noticed how we seem to be piling up a lot of our electronic devices at home? Some we use and some collect dust in some forgotten drawer. If you’ve always puzzled how to do some electronic spring cleaning, here are some ways that you can get rid of old gadgets.

Take it to a Retail Location

Did you know that several retail stores will accept old and broken electronics? Best Buy accepts a huge selection of electronics ranging from car GPS units to larger appliances. You can drop your fax machines, shredders, tablets, and phones at Staples. Finally, Lowes accepts rechargeable batteries at no cost to you. They’ll take your old electronics and dispose of them in a safe and effective manner.

Donate

Even if your electronic is a few years old and still works, many nonprofit agencies or charities would be glad to have them. You can start by calling and asking senior centers in your area if they’re interested. If you have any thrift stores in your area like Goodwill, they may be interested as well. eBay for Charity lets you sell you things through the platform and donate your earnings to whatever charity you choose. Just be sure that you keep your receipt because this will let you write it off to taxes at the end of the year.

Recycle Your Electronics

Almost every city or town has one or two days a year where they accept all types of electronic devices for recycling. You can gather up all of your outdated or broken electronics and bring them in on this day. If you don’t want to wait, look for a rechargeable battery and recycling program in your area.

Call2Recycle is a great option because it accepts batteries and old cell phones. All you do is input your zip code to find the closest location where you can bring your items and drop them off. Their services are available in Europe and UK as well.

See Also: Your New Year’s Resolution: Better Recycling Practices

Check if the Manufacturer Will Take it Back

Many electronic manufacturers don’t want to see their items end up in a landfill. This is why they offer large recycling programs where they’ll take back your outdated or broken electronic device and recycle it for you. Apple and Sprint both have Buyback programs available. You can get phone line credits or gift cards for returning certain items instead of throwing them out.

Trade Your Device In

There are reputable tech recyclers, like Plunc.com, that will let you swap and trade in your electronics for money. You enter your electronic’s details and the company gives you a quote. They’ll send you a shipping label and envelope to send your device to the retailer. When they get it, they’ll send you a check, gift card or deposit your money into your PayPal. It’s perfect if you want to sell your iPad, phones, tablets, or computers.

List them on Electronic-Based Apps

There are several quality apps available that allow you to list your electronic devices free of charge and sell them to people who will use them. Certain apps are for face-to-face meetings and restrict you more to your local area while others will generate shipping labels for you, so you don’t have to worry about trying to send your items to the buyers. This lets you connect to more people. You do most of the communicating through the apps as well.

Sell It on eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook

Craigslist, eBay, and Facebook are sites that let you list your unwanted electronics free of charge. You can list them through Facebook’s Marketplace or in local selling groups. Craigslist has selling lists for each state, and you can even narrow it down to the city if you live in a larger one. eBay lets you list to sell or auction, and you send the item to the buyer once they purchase it. Local classified ads are another great option to consider if you’re not moving the items as quickly as you’d like.

See Also: 4 Ways You Can Make Money Online By Selling Old Stuff

Take Part in an Electronics Drive

If you have a lot of older electronics laying around, chances are your family, coworkers, and friends do as well. You can all get together and host an electronics drive. When it’s over, take all of the bulk electronics you have to a certified electronics recycler. This is a great way to clear out any electronics you have gathering dust. You can have your event run for a few days or a few weeks at a time.

Consider Repairing It

Just because you don’t have a need for your old electronics doesn’t mean someone else won’t want it. Taking your electronics to a computer or electronic repair shop is the first step. They’ll tell you if they’re able to get it back to good working condition. If they are, have them repair and call your local schools to see if they have students who could use your old electronics. They usually do, and they can give the electronics to the students for you.

Now, don’t forget. It’s important that you keep your own safety in mind when you’re dealing with your old electronics. You want to make sure that you wipe any personal or sensitive information off of your device before you get rid of it. This can help protect your identity, and it can stop people from seeing things that they shouldn’t see.

Done right, these nine e-waste tips will help you get rid of your old electronics in a safe and effective manner. You won’t have to worry about them cluttering up your local landfills, and someone may get more use out of them.

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5 Interview Mistakes That Can Get In The Way of Your Dream Job

Being called in for that exciting first job interview causes a whirlwind of emotions — excitement, nervousness, and fear. The first impression is the only impression that matters on this interview, so what should you avoid?

An employer wants a confident, intelligent, honest, and trusting person. So, let’s see how to be that person by avoiding mistakes most people do on interviews.

Not keeping eye contact: Shows dishonesty

People hire people they like. This is why it’s critical to make an effort to smile and connect with company representatives. An interested demeanor wins the approval of hiring executives.

Equally important is making eye contact during the interaction. A study done by Michigan State University Extension shows that people who do not make eye contact often receive comments later about poor communication skills.

Using filler words: Shows inability to stay on a thought or on task

Although we all use them on casual occasions, there’s no room for filler words in interviews. By using them, you’ll seem like you don’t have enough self-confidence or you’re not smart enough. You don’t want to sound childlike, insecure or dumb during your interview, right?

Jennifer from Interview Genie advises using no more than one filler word per minute of speech. You want your interviewer to understand what you’re talking about.

So, how to get rid of using filler words?

Learn which filler words you’re using. Instead of using it, just pause and say nothing. Leave an empty space. It might sound weird to you, but other people won’t notice.

Showing any bitterness towards a previous employer: Employers assume you will find a reason to be bitter

You can’t talk about your past employer in a negative way. It will immediately reject the interviewer and give an impression that there’s a possibility that you were the problem rather than the job. You don’t want to go there as you have no idea if there are any relations with the new company and your previous employer. Also, you don’t want to be seen as whiny, vindictive or immature.

But what if they do ask you and the previous employer was terrible?

Well, you don’t have to lie. You just keep your answer short and succinct and politely switch to another topic. As Robert Everett said in his article written for Careermetis “It is always good to quote the zeal for growth as the reason for leaving previous organization, not bad employers.”

See Also: How to Ace Your Job Interview

Slouching in your chair: Gives the impression of being lazy or lack of interest in the position

According to Lida Citroën who did a study on body language: “Body language definitely impacts another person’s impression of you”.

Interview candidates need to be hyper aware of posture and other subtleties that impact perceived professionalism. For example, it is a good idea to pause before answering serious questions.

Even if you have rehearsed the answer one hundred times, pausing before making an important statement is sure to earn more points. Using your hands and eyes to emphasize certain answers makes you seem more human and enthusiastic.

Not being prepared to ask questions or not knowing the business: Shows no interest in the position

When it comes to being prepared for the job interview, Linda Pell, HR specialist says: “Hiring professionals expect you to conduct a research of the company. Anyone who hasn’t obviously completed some basic research on the company will be considered unprepared and unprofessional.”

Research is also critical for preparing a list of thoughtful questions. If you don’t ask good questions, you don’t really appear to be interested and prepared.

Part of being prepared includes reviewing any requirements posted and gaining as much information before an interview as possible about the most important requirements for the job. As an interested party, it is up to you to get as much of this information as possible beforehand for the purpose of preparing answers to satisfy interviewers.

Steps to Start Your Research

In order to effectively research in advance, it’s important to keep several simple keys in mind. Use the following simple steps to begin your research process:

• Perusing Company Publications – Perhaps the easiest place to start the research process is on the website of the company. Besides websites, many companies now use social media to share information about their current promotions, activities, and more.
• Utilizing Contacts and Employee Reviews – Contacting current and former employees to learn more about the unique culture and professional environment of the business can help give you an edge over other candidates.
• Using Products and Services – If a company provides services and products to the general public, it may be good to gain firsthand experience. This is particularly a good idea for marketing professionals, but can also apply to office workers and product development experts. It will give you a unique perspective that can help keep the interview on the right track.
• Showing Adequate Preparation – Using printed materials during an interview can help show the recruiter that you’re truly intrigued by the position available as well as to ensure them that you’re a great fit with the hiring organization.

Getting a job in a competitive market can feel extremely challenging, with many candidates investing several months looking for the right position. Even if the first opportunity does not turn out well, it pays to continue your research process. Ultimately, in-depth research is one of the most productive ways to ensure that you leave a good impression with a job recruiter.

See Also: Warmth or Competence: What Job Interviews Are Looking For

Conclusion

A perfect mix of brevity, professionalism, and online expertise goes a long way in ensuring you stand out from other qualified applicants. You should feel confident and always look your best. Have your resume, be prepared, but most importantly — be you. Your greatest attributes will shine through.

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