Not all of us are aware that our future will be here before we even know it. Sure we are all encouraged to live in the here and now, make the most of every moment, but we also have a duty to ensure that our future selves are going to be money savvy and prepared, for when life changes. After all, once the wages have gone, how will you fund the lifestyle you have grown accustomed to? There is a lot to think about to protect yourself as well, and while you have the chance, it is always a good idea to think about what’s in store. With that in mind, here are some of the things to think about.
One of the first things you could consider doing right now, if you haven’t already, is getting on the property ladder. Having a property is one of the biggest purchases and investments you will likely make in your life, but it is also one of the ones that can help you in the future. Property tends to increase in value, especially if you make improvements or even step up the ladder. The sooner you do it, the sooner your mortgage will be paid off. Your property can then provide you with money for your retirement. For example, you may sell it and downsize to free up equity. You might consider staying and doing something like equity release to enjoy some of them value from your home. It provides you with more options than you could know, so if you haven’t thought about getting on the property ladder start considering it sooner rather than later.
Having a will in place
It is also extremely important, even now, to consider having a will in place. Especially if you are already on the property ladder, have savings or even assets. This is so if something were to happen to you, the estate would be decided exactly how you want it to be. Websites like bopprelawfirm.com can help with this. It can really help friends and family in the process. It may sound unnecessary now, but time does move quickly and really none of us have any idea of what is actually around the corner when it comes to our lives.
Putting a little way each week now
Ever wondered if there was anything else you could do that was a little more practical and in your control? Saving little and often could be it. Some people consider things that they could do without for the week. It might be one take out coffee or choosing to take your own out instead. It might be that take out meal you have once a week or a vice like drinking or smoking. Using the money spent for these things and saving them each week won’t feel like you are missing a lot of money, in some terms it would have already been spent, but over the months and years these small amounts will really add up. It could even be put towards things like a holiday.
Let’s hope that this has given you some food for thought to help you take control of your future finances.
We all know that taking steps towards going green can help the environment, but still many companies struggle to make the change. Part of it is not knowing how to implement meaningful change, but some of it is worry about profit margins and the bottom line.
Making business changes that hurt the sustainability of your business is not a smart move, but going green doesn’t mean losing your profit margin. Here are some ways you can be more environmentally friendly while actually saving money for your business.
Go Paperless
One of the easiest ways to get started if you don’t know where to begin is to make less paper purchases. You can start going paperless by using Cloud networks and scan the important documents you need. Having these available on the Cloud for all employees means less copies are made and it is an easier and safer way to store documents. You are not only helping the environment, but you are streamlining your efficiency and reducing your overhead costs.
Reusable Items
Another easy way to implement some environmentally friendly options for your business is to use more reusable products instead of disposable ones. Using these reusable items will prevent the disposable counterparts from ending up in landfills or as litter, but there are also benefits for your business. You can use insulated bags or shopping totes with your logo on it to promote your business. Customers will likely use these options if they are made available to them.
Water Dispensing Systems
Bottled water is a huge source of waste that ends up polluting the planet. Many businesses will offer customers bottled water while they are at their building, but this is not the most effective way of providing a service.
Installing a water filtration and dispensing system to be used by customers and employees is a better way to provide water while still helping the environment. While there will be some upfront cost associated with installing this system, in the long run you will save money not having to buy endless supplies of bottled water to have on hand all the time.
Utility Costs
One big expense for businesses is the cost of utilities for the building. Renewable energy is a great way to cut costs, but is not always available for all businesses to implement. Smaller steps you can take towards lowering your utility usage is to install energy-efficient fixtures with LED light bulbs. These bulbs may last up to twenty years, so less cost for you. They also use less energy, so a win for Mother Nature also.
Tax Credit
Not only will becoming more environmentally friendly help the world, but it can often be used as tax credit. You can take tax credits for energy efficiency, reduced emissions, solar energy, and other ways to go green. Doing this can save you money when it comes to your taxes.
Investors
Going green is also a great way to attract potential investors. A good investment is a company that works to reduce their overhead and cares about giving back. Going green shows investors that you are committed to both your own business, but also the world as a whole.
Right now we are in unprecedented times where you will need to think about your business and diversify how you do things. It might be that you have to start thinking about a lot of changes, and this can be unnerving. But, it is also a huge opportunity to start making plans for the future and thinking about the different steps you can take with your business. Be that looking for new profit opportunities or finding ways to enhance your business. With that in mind, here are some of the things to think about.
One of the first hurdles you may have to face during this period of time is the issue that you may not be able to do business in the manner that you would normally. So you may need to start thinking about how you can diversify your business. This might mean things like offering online classes if your business usually provides these face to face. It might be that you can create new products that work with these times in mind. Think about what your business does now and the changes that you can make to enhance them and make them better.
Making plans for the future when it comes to manufacturing
Another thing to think about would be the manufacturing side of things, and how you can make this part of your business model moving forward. This could be in many different ways, but the planning process will include where you can do it and how it would logistically work for your business. You also need to think about the tools and fabrication side of things and this is when companies like eckstrom industries could prove useful. It could be a great way to enhance your business and have more control over the creation and production of the products and services that you provide.
Tackling jobs that have been on the list for while
There will always be ongoing things on the list that need doing, but have you thought about how you are going to use the time while on lockdown? This is an opportunity where you may have more time than usual, or working from home that provides you greater flexibility with your business. Now is the time to think about tackling the “to do” list and doing things like search engine optimization and improving content on your website. Coming up with a social media campaign and changing your marketing focus. Even researching different aspects of your business and how you can make savings. Use the time wisely.
Giving your business a health check
Finally, your business may have been running just fine before lockdown, but now might be the time to start thinking about how you can make improvements. Give your business a health check and tackle things like cash flow, communications, costs, outsourcing, and new plans for the future. You could even look back at old goals you have set and see how far your business has come since the initial business plan was created.
Let’s hope these suggestions help you to utilise the lockdown period when it comes to your business.
Mental health is a topic that deserves as much attention as possible. Regardless of who you are or what you do, you will likely be affected by mental health problems in some way or another. We already know the strong links between sports and your mental health, but regular people can be plagued by issues as well.
One of the biggest concerns is that it’s hard to solve issues with your mental health. More often than not, people turn to things that almost form a crutch of sorts. This means that their solution isn’t a proper solution at all. It just exists to almost distract yourself from the problem while you either make it worse or let it fester. Sadly, alcohol is one of the most common mental health crutches. There’s an ugly link between the two, and that’s what we’ll discuss today.
Why do people with mental health problems turn to alcohol?
We’ve all had a drink or two at some point in our lives. As such, we all know the effects that alcohol has on the body and brain. In essence, it is a drug that changes the way you feel and act. When you consume enough alcohol, you become elated and happier. You no longer care about your normal struggles – at least, not initially. As the effects wear off, you may experience a comedown of sorts.
Nevertheless, you can start to see why people turn to alcohol when they have mental health problems. It offers them a temporary release from their issues and lets them enjoy life without worrying about those nagging pains in the back of their mind.
What are the dangers of using alcohol as a mental health crutch?
Obviously, alcohol is not a prescribed medication that you can take to solve your problems. While it may offer temporary relief, the long-term effects are far more damaging. It’s an addictive substance, meaning the more you consume, the more your body starts to depend on it. Before you know it, you’re drinking every day to ward off the bad thoughts in your head. You drink without thinking about it, and you go about daily tasks while drunk. The next thing you know, you’re hurting other people because of this habit. You may end up in a DWI incident and find yourself in court with a criminal defense lawyer trying to keep you out of jail. Put simply, using alcohol as a solution to your problems can end up ruining your life forever.
Furthermore, there are very strong links between alcoholism and mental health. Effectively, people who develop a dependency on alcohol will end up with more mental health issues. So, it’s not so much a solution as an accelerant of your existing problems! This leads you in a nasty spiral where you drink to escape your problems but end up compounding them and making them even worse.
In conclusion, there’s a very ugly link between alcohol and your mental health. If you suffer from any issues, then see a medical professional or talk to your friends/family. Don’t turn to alcohol or drugs to try and escape from reality. It may feel like you get some relief, but this can quickly push your life downhill.
Ocean pollution and the risks it poses have been rife in the news for some time. Since 2015, particularly, our best oceanologists have reported rising sea levels, decreasing marine life, and a generally bleak picture. And, as eco-consciousness increased last year, 2050 was set as something of a marker for the oceanic point of no return.
Of course, as with any climate issue we attempt to tackle, there is a certain degree of uncertainty rife in any predictions we can make here. Everything that happens to our ocean from here on out does, after all, depend on the actions we choose moving forward. But, if we want to get a true deep-dive idea of what 2050 could look genuinely look like, there are few better resources than the experts who are out there on the frontline.
Using a range of marine equipment, including fantastic contraptions like box corers and bongo net systems, such individuals continually monitor our oceans and their futures. That’s why we’ve put together their predictions, to give you the most realistic view possible of what a 2050 ocean might look like.
‘More plastic than fish in the sea’ – Ellen Macarthur
According to retired English sailor and ocean activist Dame Ellen Macarthur, 2050 means oceans containing more plastic than fish if we don’t take fast action. And, with the equivalent of around one refuse truck of plastic dumped into our oceans every minute, it’s difficult to disagree. According to Macarthur, fundamental reform is the only way to avoid this eventuality.
‘Unmanageable sea level rises’ – Michael Oppenheimer
According to IPCC member Michael Oppenheimer and his team, continued increases in carbon pollution could quickly lead to sea level increasing as much as 2 feet 9 inches, which he and his fellow experts deem ‘unmanageable. In fact, the only solution Oppenheimer sees is to reduce carbon pollution as soon as possible. While we’re still past the point of being able to undo the damage entirely, this should see levels rising to no more than one foot, which, while far from ideal, will be much easier to cope with.
‘Abundance, diversity, and purity’ – Alexandra Cousteau
In direct contrast to other, bleaker ocean predictions, explorer Alexandra Cousteau predicts 2050 oceans that are back to their best. But, as he states himself, a lot needs to change to make that possible. Over three decades of ocean chronicling, the Cousteau family has seen first-hand the impact humans have had. Still, Cousteau believes it’s possible to have more marine life in the oceans once again, as long as we stop overfishing, reduce bycatch, and restore habitats.
There’s no denying, having looked at these reports, that 2050 could, indeed, be a terrifying time for our oceans. But, what’s evident by turning to the experts is the fact that hope isn’t lost. Far from assuming there’s nothing we can do, then, now seems to be the time for us to stand up and protect our oceans as much as oceanologists have been doing all along.
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