Use Pre-Baby Bucket Lists to Perfect the Art of Baby Prep

Use Pre-Baby Bucket Lists to Perfect the Art of Baby Prep

By Tommy on

The time leading up to having a baby is exciting but also stressful unfortunately as there is plenty to do. Baby prep is essential far before your due date as you might have a child that comes a few weeks early and you need to be ready. This will help with the first few days of being a parent which are some of the most tiring of your life. A proactive approach is the best thing you can possess during this time as you have to get a lot done. The following are things that you need to include on your baby prep bucket lists.

Go Out To Eat….A Lot

The one thing many people miss is being able to go out to eat on a whim with a new child. Go out to eat frequently as this is something that is not an option without getting a babysitter during the first few months of parenthood. The positive aspect of this is that pregnant women have no problem with going out to eat a lot as they have an insatiable appetite when eating for two.

Have Friends Over Frequently

Your social circle is going to shrink after you have a child as you will not be able to go out and do the same things for a while. Have friends over frequently for a party or just dinner as friends could be helping out with the baby when you just want to have a nice night out without the baby.

Use a Registry To Get Nearly All of The Baby Shopping Done

Online registries are great for those parents that need to do baby prep shopping. Put the items on there you want and do not think that asking for something big is presumptuous as many grandparents would be happy to purchase a crib or stroller.

As you can see baby prep has a lot to do with enjoying yourself and cherishing time together as a couple. Do not underestimate how much a baby will change your life.

Conducting Employee Background Checks: Everything You Need to Know

Conducting Employee Background Checks: Everything You Need to Know

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Before hiring someone, people usually want to do a background check on the people they want to hire. A wrong hiring decision will ruin your company, and you probably don’t want that to happen to you or to your business. Let’s not even mention time or money, and, in the worst-case scenario, lawsuits.  

7 out of 10 companies have claimed that they have conducted criminal background checks in all their job candidates. It’s a normal thing to do.

We’ve written this article to give you some tips on how to conduct a successful background check.

Be thorough

Don’t settle for less, find out everything you can about that person, from education, past employment, criminal history to social media and driving history. Companies lose a lot of great people because they only focus on one aspect they were able to find out easily. According to Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) you cannot exclude applicants who have a criminal record, no matter the charge or when it has happened.

Stay away from the “box”

EEOC and many other local counties try their best to ban the “box”. The box is that question that says “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?”. This way, you discriminate people, instead of of interviewing and considering all of them equally.

Respect the law

When it comes to the background check, you’ll have to have a legal release form, that was completed by the applicant, informing the person of the right he or she has.  You’ll also have to give the person a copy, and adverse actions communications.

Do not bend the law

You can conduct a background check the wrong way – there are so many ways – but you need to be careful and follow the rules. No bending whatsoever. The rules are all about federal, state or local specific laws. Make sure you talk to your company’s legal counsel to see how you can proceed well.

Be consistent

Make sure that the process for all the applicants is consistent. No matter how many people apply for the same job, they should have the same chances at getting it, and they should also have the same searches and investigations run on them. It’s true, some jobs require different levels of investigation, but when it comes to the same job title, make sure the process is uniform. No discrimination whatsoever.

Always communicate

When you find something uncomfortable while conducting the background check, you should talk to the applicant about it. There are so many mistakes, sometimes misconceptions, that can be solved, simply by talking.

 

6 Tips For Saving Money On Travel Experiences

6 Tips For Saving Money On Travel Experiences

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  1. Take A Travel Companion

The easiest way to cut down on expenses is by having a travel companion. This way you can share accommodation, transport and meals. You might even get deals for sharing. You will be splitting the costs of most things making the experience a lot less costly.

Be careful who you take as a travel companion. This needs to be someone that has a lot of the same interests as you do. You need to get along quite well with this person so that the trip doesn’t become unpleasant later on.

  1. Go Cheap On Accommodation.

If you’re trying to see the world but you don’t want to break the bank you might have to compromise on accommodation. Hotels are the obvious choice for tourists. They’re recognised institutions with great service but that service comes at a price.

A much cheaper option would be staying in hostels while travelling. You will be sharing dormitories with other travellers so you won’t have a lot of privacy but you’ll have a place to sleep at a fraction of the price of a hotel.

The next best thing is a bed and breakfast. You will have your own room and each room might have its own ensuite bathroom which offers you a lot more privacy. You also get breakfast which you should take full advantage of. It saves you from spending extra money on things like snacks.

  1. Experience Local Cuisine

When it comes to food, tourists often prefer to stick with what is familiar. So they will seek out a recognisable fast-food chain or look for a fancy looking restaurant in hopes that the food will not disappoint. These aren’t viable options when you’re travelling on a budget.

Save some money and immerse yourself in the culture by trying out the authentic local cuisine. Go to markets and support the street food vendors, or seek out low-cost local restaurants.

  1. Negotiate

In some countries, you can negotiate the price of almost everything. This even applies in some malls. Haggling is part of the culture.

If you team up with other travellers you can ask for a bulk pricing on things like tours or accommodation. If you’re staying in one place for a week or longer you might be able to negotiate for a lower price on accommodation when you check in.

  1. Timing

Often times how much you spend on travelling is subject to when you are travelling. For instance, if you travel during off-season times you will pay less for things like flights and accommodation than you would if you travelled during peak times. The same goes for what time of the day you are travelling.

If you travel between off-peak hours your flights will be a lot less costly. You will save money by flying indirectly and flying to lesser known airports as well.

Book your tickets well in advance and look for travelling deals or discounts. If you book tickets for tourist attractions beforehand you will be paying less than you would be paying on the day.

  1.      Hit The Road

If you’re staying within the borders of your own country the most economical way to travel is in the comfort of your own car. Get a few of your friends together, load up the car and hit the road. You can split the costs of petrol rather than buying a return plane ticket for each of you. Additionally, you can share accommodation costs, or even better, save money on accommodation and camp out in tents.

To prevent any unforeseen expenses while you are out on the road, make sure that your car is in a good condition and that your insurance payments are up to date. if you know you’re going on a trip and you are trying to save some extra money you can shop around for car insurance that suits your pocket and save some money there as well. This gives you peace of mind while you’re on the road if anything happens.

These are just a few tips on how you can travel and see the world without breaking the bank. It’s not how much you spend that makes the trip enjoyable. It’s the experiences and the memories you make that counts.

Going green in 2019 with dark green living room decor

Going green in 2019 with dark green living room decor

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The past decade has seen the ascendency of pastel colors in the home. Living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms, all have been filled with the pale and neutral shades of formerly deep and earthy colors — in pursuit of what? Karma? Meaningfulness? Focus? Reduction of the carbon footprint? Today it’s hard to tell why America went for pastel house colors in such a big way, because the big bad bold colors are making a decided comeback, and people are loving it and wondering why it ever went away in the first place. IKEA has been one of the instrumental fashion influences to bring back dark colors, especially dark green. The Nordic nations never lost their love and respect for a good dark green — they use it indoors and love to exhibit on the outside of their houses as well — either as a vibrant trim or as a color-coordinated wall coating. A home with dark green, inside and/or outside, is a home full of personality.

In the bedroom a dark green, in the vicinity of forest green to emerald green, is a perfect accompaniment to the natural accents of wood grain bedsteads and dressers. Add some white trim to break the monotony, with a shading of pink (as a nod to the not-quite-extinct mania for pastels) and the bedroom becomes a soothing and steady palette that helps the tired body and weary mind slip under the covers and sleep deep.

Fitness trackers: is your data protected?

Fitness trackers: is your data protected?

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Advances made in technology has made it possible to measure and analyze our lifestyle activities such as exercises with the aim to improve it. It has been made possible by the quantified self or what most of you would refer to as self-tracking. But, how safe is your self-tracking?

Currently, there have been security risks that have been associated with a large number of tracking devices. The reason behind the insecurity is due to the social factors and technological advances. Furthermore, stored personal data in this devices is also vulnerable to attacks.

How do different fitness trackers ensure the safety of data inside the tracker itself? What can we do as users to ensure that additional layers of security are added? Before looking at security concerns, we have to understand what quantified self-care.

What does self-track mean?

Self-track is technological devices that use the concept of collecting and analyzing data to track every aspect of human life. The fitness self-track are used by people to monitor progress in heart rate, exercises among other health-related activities.

It is important to note that a report prepared by ABI indicates that the number of wearable computing devices such as self-track devices will increase by approximately 485 million devices annually in 2018.

The huge number of people wearing the devices from top manufacturers including Samsung, and Fitbit that track their daily movement, have raised the question on safety of the devices.

How is your data tracked?

The fitness self-track may come in many forms. Smartphones are currently everywhere. They have many different inbuilt tracking sensors.

Also, most of them have self-tracking applications and due to the inclusion of sensors such as accelerometer, heart rate sensor, GPS and gyroscope they can be converted into an effective self -tracking devices. The applications used have the rights to store read and interpret the data extracted by the sensors.

Another fitness self-track devices are the wearable. These devices can be worn on the body and can also be attached to sports equipment. Wearables have sensors such as gyroscope and accelerometers that generate data.

 

Why are fitness self-track devices hacked?

The use of sensors such as GPRS makes these devices to be prone to attacks and hacking. The information that is extracted from the devices include the distance that you cover within a specific period of time; time that you go for a run; where you go running; age, sex, weight and height; the heart rate; where one lives; your attitude; when and where you go for a vacation.

This information is a goldmine for most businesses that would like to lure you into buying some of their items. Besides, the information is also essential for criminals.

The ease with which personal information is extracted from these devices is alarming. Reports indicate that an estimated 20% of fitness self-track apps were seen to transmit their passwords openly. 52% of these apps lacked policies that govern privacy.

So, what kind of security do they offer?

Type of security

Most manufacturers who provide cloud-based tracking system use the current technology of encrypted protocol. An example is the HTTPS to transfer data.

Out of all the manufactures, only 4 providers are known to take extra caution when it comes to security issues. Despite their efforts to keep data intact and ensure that it remains unaltered, some scammers and hackers still succeed.

It is even more disappointing to realize that even novices of hackers can easily extract information from the self-track. This is because the devices lack end to end encryption or any other tamper protection measures during synchronization of data.

Furthermore, the data stored in some of the fitness trackers that allowed synchronization of data was in plain text a form that is available for hackers to use whenever they want to.

Therefore, it is up to you to ensure that your sensitive data is protected and that no people are tracking your every move. Below are some tips on how you can protect your data.

How to protect your self-track from hacks

Make sure you turn off the WIFI and the Bluetooth connection. Do this every time you are not using them as they can transmit signals which can be used by the tracker.

If you are a person who likes having hundreds of apps in your phone, It is time you redefined your behavior as you should be careful with what that app is going to do with your data.

Some wearable such as MoveC300 watch can sync with smartphones, an iPad or iPhone device. They do not do it automatically and you will have to press the sync button when in need of transferring data from one device to the other. Such a feature makes these watches hard to hack.

How TheRealReal Strategically Became a Leading Luxury Consignor

How TheRealReal Strategically Became a Leading Luxury Consignor

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One of the world’s top luxury consignors, The RealReal, is unequivocally shifting the way we shop, accessorize and experience fashion as a whole. The company knows all too well that luxury goods will always be a global hot commodity. They want others to understand that their pre-owned luxury goods can have a resale value of up to 80 percent. The company has positively encouraged its members to resell what they no longer use instead of discarding it in the trash. This not only helps its members make a good return on their investments, but it also helps to promote recycling.

As of today, the RealReal has over 9 million members and is reportedly worth more than $450 million. They have consigned over 8 million luxury items including ultra-rare pieces by Louis Vuitton, Manolo Blahnik, Chanel, Celine, and Rolex through its online, brick-and-mortar and pop-up shops. The luxury consignor’s chief merchant for its San Francisco office, Rati Levesque, focuses on educating its merchants on what’s currently trending up or spiraling down. She uses real-time data so the sales team can decide what item’s resale price should be raised, or what item should be stored away until it’s trending again.

The world of fashion is very fickle and ever-changing, a top designer’s piece that was once deemed outdated can make its way to the top again in an instant. And that is exactly what this company wants you to remember; your luxury goods will always have the potential to stay marketable. Levesque, an economics major, used to own an upscale boutique before she helped launched the RealReal back in 2011. The real-time data that she constantly updates her sales team with are eventually used to help each consignor successfully resell their goods. It’s up to them to let the consignors know that those fabulous pairs of Gucci boots are now selling like hotcakes, and now is the perfect time to give up a pair if they’re no longer wearing them.

Levesque also researches the past history of any type of luxury item that was ever consigned through the company. If an item didn’t sell well in the past, it was simply because it was overpriced. They would have to price these items a bit lower in hopes to see them move out of their ever-increasing inventory. She explained that everything showcased in-store is also available online during the same time. Due to this feature, the brick-and-mortar stores have practically turned into miniature warehouses where items can be picked, packed and shipped out if needed.

To help the sales team keep a constant eye on their inventory, the company relies on an RFID chip that is placed inside every tag. They can easily locate a vintage Louis Vuitton dress to have it shipped out immediately if it sells online. Or, if a customer takes an item in the fitting room, it will conveniently be placed on temporary hold online. The company has hired a team of stylists at their brick-and-mortar stores in New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA, to help push out inventory. They are trained to converse with their customers, in a rather tactful way, to let them know that what they’re buying will still hold its resale value and that they can make a nice profit when they’re done using it. It is a win-win situation that millions worldwide can’t help but agreed with.

Looking for a Reason to Exercise? Here’s How it Can Improve Your Sex Life

Looking for a Reason to Exercise? Here’s How it Can Improve Your Sex Life

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Exercise has proven benefits for our physical and mental health. Despite knowing this, as many as 80% of adult Americans exercise much less than the recommended weekly, says a survey analysis published by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

So, if you’ve been planning to begin an exercise routine and haven’t got around to it yet, here’s something that may motivate you! Did you know that regular physical activity can improve your sex life? In fact, an exercise routine is highly recommended to improve your libido and boost your performance, even if one’s relying on top male enhancement products like Tengenix, say experts at Mens Health Digest. Also, don’t forget to read Tengenix reviews to get all the information on dosage and side effects before starting to use the product.

Here’s What Exercise Can Do for You

To begin with, exercising regularly can help control weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve your immunity. All these health benefits are important to enjoy yourself with your partner. But, that’s not all. Exercising can have a much more direct impact on your sex life.

3 Workout Routines That Can Boost Your Sex Life

You don’t need to read motivational quotes or watch inspiring videos to hit the gym on a regular basis. All you need to think of is enjoying with your partner! And, that should be motivating enough to start exercising, right? So, here are three ways in which following a regular workout routine can help you satisfy yourself and your partner.

#1: Cardio

Ask your gym instructor about a good cardio workout. Keeping your heart healthy and strong will make you feel more energetic, even if you’ve had a tiring day at work. As a healthy heart keeps your body going for longer, you’ll be ready for some highly passionate foreplay. This is an important part of lovemaking that is often overlooked. When you’re ready, your heart will pump the much-need blood to the right places! That too, much more quickly than before. To this end, exercises like swimming, running and cycling have great benefits.   

#2: Strength Training

This increases testosterone levels in the body, which is responsible for your sex drive. Do be careful though, as too much strength training can have the exact opposite effect! A drop in testosterone levels is sometimes experienced by professional athletes and bodybuilders. You may be far from getting there, but it’s good to have all the information before you begin. Just as you would read reviews of top male enhancement products like Tengenix to know the right dosage and side effects, it’s also important to know enough about strength trading to make the right decision.

#3: Yoga

Did you know yoga has postures that can stimulate sexual awakening? Even if you don’t experience something that dramatic, yoga classes can relieve stress, improve focus and enhance your senses. All of these can spell wonders for your sex life.

Finally, exercising improves flexibility, which can be a great advantage if you wish to try new positions! So, the next time you think of using top male enhancement products, do consider throwing in even a light exercise routine, to get the best of both worlds.

Here’s When You Need to Call a Garage Door Repair Service

Here’s When You Need to Call a Garage Door Repair Service

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Has your garage door been playing tricks on you lately?  It sometimes acts lazy to let you out and other times don’t close properly? These are the common garage door issues that homeowners in US, experience every now and then. In most cases the dying batteries are the common culprits. Issues with external opener, remote opener or main opener batteries could make garage doors undependable in no time. In such cases, simply replacing the batteries can bring back the garage door into its earlier working stage.

However, in many situations, it is not the batteries that are responsible for the problems. Sometimes, even after changing the batteries the garage door won’t open or close properly. There might be other some issues that are affecting its performance. Here are some of the major garage door issues highlighted by the experts at J & J Garage Door & Electric Openers; a leading garage door repair service in Algonquin, who also provide their services in places like Palatine, Elgin, Deerfield, Northbrook, Mount Prospect, McHenry, Cary, Arlington Heights and Buffalo Grove.

Let us discuss some of the major issues that need professional attention.

 

  • Doors Open But Won’t Close

 

Usually, this happens when an object on the ground blocks the path of the invisible beam transmitted by the sensors of the s. However, it can also happen as a result of debris build-up on the tracks or sensors getting misaligned; both of which can prevent the rollers from moving forward to shut down the garage door.

 

  • Strange Sounds

 

Have you been listening to unusual noises every time the garage door opens and closes? This usually happens when the torsion spring of lifting cables gets broken. Since, the springs operate under immense stress; this causes unwanted noise and could pose a safety risk too.

 

  • Problem with Tracks

 

The rollers and tracks are in operation for number of times in a day, which makes them susceptible to wear and tear. Most of the times the tracks fall out of alignment or the bolts in the brackets come loose. Sometimes, the tracks get damaged after getting bumped by the car while parking, causing additional strain in operation. All these situations can cause serious issues with the door. Contact a garage door installation and repair service before it’s too late.

 

  • Issues with Rollers

 

Rollers come in different types, steel, nylon and plastic. All these have different life-expectancies. When installing the garage doors, people pay least attention to the material of rollers. Rollers of the garage doors need to be cleaned and lubricated every year to maintain efficiency. Not doing so shall increase the chances of having serious problems in future.

 

  • Broken/Eroded Seals

 

Broken and eroded seals in garage doors act as entryways for pests. They are harmful for the stuff kept in the garage. If left unaddressed, soon they’ll make their way to the interiors, causing a huge amount of damage and mess. One has to stop their entry right at the garage door.

In case you have any of the above problems, it is best to call a garage door installation and repair service in your area. These people usually have years of experience dealing with all the problems mentioned above. They’ll also be able to answer all your queries related to garage doors and their maintenance.

4 Critical Things to Consider While Choosing the Right Warehouse for Your Business

4 Critical Things to Consider While Choosing the Right Warehouse for Your Business

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Helping businesses maintain adequate inventory in a secure way, warehouses are an extremely important part of any business. Leasing or purchasing a warehouse is a major business investment. Having the right warehouse space, at the best possible location, can enhance efficiency and profitability for a business. It can ensure that the company is able to compete in the market and serve their customers effectively.

At present, the US is witnessing low vacancy and strong absorption rates, along with high demand for warehouse space. Although the conditions seem perfect for the growth of the warehousing sector in 2018, business owners need to put in some extra efforts to find the perfect space that will ensure the quickest possible delivery to customers.

As a quick suggestion, it is wise to look for warehouse space for rent in central locations like Houston, TX, which also boasts affordable prices.

4 Important Things to Consider When Choosing a Warehouse

  1. Location: Although warehouses are essentially “big boxes” or large commercial buildings meant for the storage of goods by manufacturers, exporters, importers, wholesalers, customs, etc., each warehouse has some distinguishable features that decide its suitability for certain business types, says an expert at Samuel L. Bryant Investments, leading providers of warehouse with office for rent in Houston. Take your business needs into consideration to understand whether a given layout, size and the facilities would suit you.
  2. Rent & Taxes: In the US, rental rates are usually based on square feet (SF). Given the rising demand for warehouse space in the country, it is obvious that average prices will spike. Cost is a major criterion when selecting a location for a warehouse, but it must not be the only one. Businesses should focus on other hidden costs and taxes that could derail their budget before deciding on the rent. Fortunately, there are some warehouse providers who are dedicated to offering the most affordable facilities with great amenities.
  3. Workforce Availability: Even if you have invested in warehouse space for rent at a great location, unless it is easy to access for your employees, there is going to be a problem. Also, if it in a region where it is difficult to find skilled workforce, it will cost your business. Local demographics play a major role in deciding workforce availability, skills and labor costs. It is really important to consider the geographical location of a warehouse for lease, such as Houston, to ensure access to a skilled workforce.
  4. Connectivity: Impacting the attractiveness of the warehousing facility and competitiveness of the company, connectivity is the cornerstone of running a business. No matter what the business type is, the space should have accessibility to roads, highways and any other mode of transportation you might need to ensure smooth delivery of goods.

So, keep these crucial aspects in mind the next time you are looking for appropriate warehouse space for rent, such as those available in Houston.

The Pros and Cons of ADDTabz

The Pros and Cons of ADDTabz

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If your child finds it difficult to concentrate while studying, it is quite possible that you have tried out several natural aids by now. However, are you aware that ADDTabz is one of the strongest alternatives to Adderall? It is aimed at students who want to get a mental edge over the competition. This, in turn, helps them prepare better for tests and presentations. ADDTabz reviews point out that this brain supplement helps in increasing focus and improving cognitive abilities. Moreover, it enhances critical thinking and problem solving.

According to the unbiased reviews on Smart Pill Guide, ADDTabz can help the user concentrate for longer periods of time, without feeling anxious or getting distracted. The review also mentions that the recommended dosage is one 395 mg capsule per day. The ingredients of ADDTabz are Octopamine, DMAA, caffeine and CDP Choline, which make for a simple formula. These ingredients have a calming effect, reduce anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and reduce fidgeting. All these go towards reducing hyperactive and unfocused behaviour, which is a symptom of ADHD. Hence, ADDTabz may prove to be a safe and effective alternative to Adderall for treating ADHD. However, it is always better to consult a doctor, especially if one is taking some other medication for ADHD.

Side Effects   

The two major ingredients that improve cognitive performance in this supplement are CDP Choline and DMAA. DMAA is a stimulant that is similar to amphetamine. It improves focus in people suffering from ADHD or ADD. Although it works very effectively to improve concentration, the side effects of DMAA overpower its benefits, according to many users.

As of now, as many as 86 adverse reports on the side effects of DMAA have been sent to the FDA, according to ADDTabz reviews. This compound has been shown to cause side effects like seizures, heart attacks, strokes, heart palpitations, panic attacks, anxiety, nervousness and stress. These side effects could occur after you take one dose or after you take several capsules. The other nootropic ingredient, CDP Choline, can boost memory as well as  learning, by helping the brain produce acetylcholine. This chemical takes care of the brain’s cognitive functions. CDP Choline may improve the functioning of other ingredients and also prevent other side effects. The use of caffeine in ADDTabz raises a red flag. Caffeine is not recommended for children or adults suffering from ADD or ADHD, since this stimulant may cause irritability and anxiety.

Going by the potent ingredients of AddTabz, you need to consult a doctor before you use this over-the-counter medication. People with a history of heart ailments, hypertension or negative side effects such as withdrawal after taking amphetamines should not use this Adderdall alternative.

Overall, the AddTabz boosts focus as well as concentration for several hours. It may also help improve comprehension and learning skills. However, DMAA is known to cause serious side effects. Moreover, since this supplement is based on stimulants it can lead to dependency. Also, it does not create a balance between neurotransmitter levels.