General Article

Building Your Lifestyle – Part 1

Financial plans, cash flow analysis, savings plans, budgets, debt plans… These are the topics that most personal finance authors focus on. They are some of the most important pieces of personal finance but they are also the most boring, least read, and most importantly they do not help people change their behavior.

Breathe deep and relax, I am going to write about building your lifestyle. Of course there will be personal finance tips and strategies here and there. Of course debt and saving will come up from time to time. But the goal is to help you build your lifestyle, not to cut your debt or save more.

Let’s begin the journey. The first step is simply know what you want as a lifestyle. There is no wrong or right answer to this question. Want to travel the world solo? Build a family and grow deep roots in the community? What about working to the top of the building and have people work for you?

Spend some time on this and think about what you want your life to look like. What do you want to build towards? What would you be most proud of accomplishing over the next few years? What do you want to avoid? There are a myriad different ways to flesh through your desired lifestyle but the one that has been most successful for me is to write. The process of writing allows you to work through your thoughts and feelings through a ‘self-conversation’. Writing helps you understand yourself and your deeper thoughts and emotions. At times subconscious feelings will arise that you didn’t know that you had.

The point is take some time out and figure out what type of lifestyle you want to build. Use whatever tactics work best for you. When you are done write it up in a detailed description. Write what you own, who you are with, where you are and what you are doing. Write in enough detail to allow yourself to close your eyes and imagine yourself there. Don’t leave anything out, put your soul into it.

Taking action is what matters. Treat yourself to some soul searching and clearing up your life path. If this is done correctly it will not be a waste of time. In fact if taken seriously it may be an activity that you repeat.

My next post will detail the making money portion of building your lifestyle. We will cover how much money is too little, too much and how to find a job to support your desired lifestyle.…

The Basic Office Cleaning Supplies Every Office Should Have

When working, it is important to have a neat and clean ambience to facilitate good vibes and motivate employees in doing their tasks efficiently. Because of this, most offices invest in the training and hiring of personnel who can do the tasks involved in the maintenance of the workplace’s overall cleanliness. In addition to the people, there are the office cleaning supplies that should be always presently and budgeted well enough since they are essential in making sure the entire office is as clean as it should be.

Here are some of the essential office cleaning supplies that should always be present in any workplace. It helps to know what these cleaning supplies are, so one can always make sure they are every present and never out of stock.

1. All-purpose cleaner – A disinfecting cleaner is necessary for cleaning hard surfaces within the workplace. Tabletops, desks and the likes can easily be cleaned and free from dirt as well as bacteria with the aid of disinfectant. One can go with a cleaning solution that can effectively eliminate grease and all kinds of dirt. For tables in the office’s pantry or lunchroom, it is best to use a cleaning solution that has ample bleach content to deal with food stains as well as bacteria effectively.

There are also cleaning solutions that work for floors and walls. These are hardcore solutions that are designed for dealing with greater amounts and harder to deal with kind of dirt. Odorless solutions should also be odorless to avoid the possibilities of getting any of the staff be irritated by the solution.

2. Wipes – Aside from cleaning and disinfecting solutions, there are also wipes that help clean areas and items which cannot be cleaned using the liquid solutions. These include gadgets such as computers. It might be hard to eliminate the dirt that accumulates between the spaces in a keyboard or similar other areas that are hard to get to. Sanitized wipes are the best office cleaning supplies to use for these situations.

3. A working vacuum – For carpet cleaning, it is necessary for the office to have a working vacuum around. A vacuum that is medium to large in size and offers excellent suction power is the best option for the workplace. If possible, a model that allows attachments is more preferable as it gives one a chance to clean curtains and upholsteries as well.

4. Disposable bags – Eliminating the dirt and all the trash in the office cannot be completed unless they are all taken away. The perfect answer to this need comes in the form of disposable bags. Having an ample supply of such makes it possible to get rid of garbage and other dirt efficiently.

In addition to these cleaning supplies, the office should also be equipped with the basic cleaning materials that are necessary to deal with dirt and garbage. An effective broom and dusters should be available …

Canada’s Insurance Brokers Association – What Are the Benefits of Joining?

Belonging to Canada’s Insurance Brokers Association provides many benefits. But do these outweigh the time and cost of belonging to this organization? Because we are dealing with a business decision we must make our arguments for, or against, based on the business benefits it does, or does not provide. This short article will look into some of the benefits of belonging to this august organization, focusing especially on the education and training available to members.

We will divide this article in two main sections. Our first section will focus on the education programs available, while our second will highlight the improved service an Insurance Brokers Association member can offer. We hope this article can help you make a decision that will benefit you and your professional advancement in the insurance industry.

One of the satisfactions of being part of any industry as a professional is the opportunity of growth. True professionals never stop learning, and are constantly trying to better themselves through training and education. If you take on this challenge of continually improving yourself you can expect this constant learning and improving of your skills will allow you to take on higher levels of responsibility. What these higher levels of responsibility are will depend on your goals, ambitions and personal qualities, however you will not be short of options.

In order to provide their members with the best service possible the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada has created a Career Path that will allow you a lifetime of learning and training. This will make your career more interesting and vibrant, as well as making you a better professional.

There are nine main programs currently available to members. We will highlight some of them, although you are encouraged to do further research and find more information on all nine programs. The first step for a budding insurance broker is to carry out a Best Practices program. This program is designed to enhance the performance of members by comparing the broker operations of the 150 top performing companies in the U. S and Canada. This helps brokers identify the type of strategies that work in the insurance industry.

A great second step is to earn your CCIB, Canadian Certified Insurance Broker, designation. This qualification proves to customers you are prepared to offer a superior standard of excellence. These qualification do not only make you a better broker but also a more successful one financially speaking as customers prefer brokers that inspire confidence with an acclaimed qualification.

IRM, Introduction to Risk Management is another great program if you are interested in improving your professional skills. This program will provide you with a basic understanding of what risk management is all about, and how risk managers do their job. This is important for insurance brokers as their whole industry relies on the accurate management of risk.

If you take on one or all of the programs available through the Canadian Insurance Brokers …

Finding Condos And Lofts And More

Condos and Lofts are a very interesting idea when one thinks of getting a property. Some will want a large house in the suburbs. If raising a family then this normally is the usual idea, although everyone is different and therefore some might just prefer to have their children raised in the city. Whatever the case it is always down to the people who are going to be purchasing the place itself.

For the most part it is quite a popular idea to be living in a loft apartment. There are those with creative or artistic temperaments who might decide that this kind of building is perfect for them. Indeed, some might even want to rent out a place in order to use it as a studio for themselves as well. All of the finances need to be organized, however, if this is going to be the case and people need to be fiscally responsible with it.

Sometimes it is usually a much more cost effective solution for people to go out and rent a place themselves. A lot of the time families who have two incomes are going to be happy to know that they’ve got a lot of choice with regards to this. Therefore living in a rented place usually isn’t a bad idea as long as one knows just how to manage the money that is coming in.

People know that they have a lot of choices with regard to property. On the Internet it is possible to search through the different catalogs that websites will show, where there will be long listings of different types of property which are available in the different areas of a city. One can scroll down through all of them and see the different options that they’ve got in this regard.

Nowadays many people will want to get an apartment, as well as condos and lofts, in a good place so that they can avail of this source of income. Of course it is vital that one makes sure that the finances are worked out so that people actually gain a profit, whilst still not scaring off potential tenants.

People naturally need to ensure themselves that they organize everything properly if they’re making these kinds of arrangements. Land lords also have to deal with a numerous amount of different things, including declaring their income taxes.

Renting is always a good idea for those who are uncertain of where they want to live. In certain places there will be very good rent laws that have been put in place so one normally doesn’t have to worry about being evicted as long as the rent is paid.

When it comes down to purchasing things like condos and lofts and other pieces of property one needs to be very careful. This is going to be a huge investment when it comes to the financial side of things so one needs to ensure that they’re going to follow through …

What Is The Initial Home Foreclosure Process?

Foreclosure is the process which permits a lender to recover the amount owed on a non-paid loan, by either selling or taking ownership of a property that secures the loan. The initial process of foreclosure starts when a borrower fails to pay a loan. The lender then files a public default notice known as Notice of Default.

Home foreclosure is not difficult but it is very multifaceted. This kind of foreclosure starts when the home owner fails to pay the principle, interest and/or real estate taxes for a period of about 6 months.

Mortgage rates can go up at a certain percentage after the initial period. Some home owners may find this difficult and begin to get behind on paying the mortgage. Home foreclosure starts when the mortgage loan imbursement is 16 days overdue. At this point the whole procedure is usually not far away from start. It is at this time that the mortgage service provider tries to contact the offending homeowner so as to come to some kind of agreement of a possible repayment course of action.

Home foreclosure can end in four ways: the home owner can reinstate the mortgage loan by paying the amount he or she owes during the grace period that a mortgage service provider gives, or the home owner can sell the home to another person during the grace period and then pay off the mortgage loan, or the lender can seize and take ownership of the home usually with intentions of selling it, or the home can be auctioned at the end of pre-foreclosure period.

If the homeowner keeps on missing the mortgage payments for the next six months, home foreclosure procedures can start. A mortgage service provider orders a trustee to draft and record a Notice of Default. Notice of Default informs borrowers that they face foreclosure actions. It also sets off a restore period usually up to five days after which the property is listed or auctioned off. At this point home sale date is recognized and the owners receive Notice of Sale.

This notice is posted on the house and a copy is verified at the office of the County Recorder. Some County Recorders also advertise the home sale in local newspapers or post the notice in their websites.

The location, date and time of sale are specified at this juncture usually at the location of the home. At the local auction the foreclosure home is awarded to the highest bidder, who is expected to pay a specified initial deposit in cash due to upfront.

The remaining balance is usually expected to be paid in 24 hours time. The opening bid is usually set by the lender or the auctioneering company with agreement with their clients. This bid usually of the equal amount of outstanding mortgage balance including accumulated interests and other fees related with Trustee Sales. If the bid is not met, the property is considered as Real Estate Owned.

It …

Thinking Of Studying Abroad?

Whether you are considering full-time education or participating in an international student program, studying in a different country has many unique advantages, it can pave big opportunities far and beyond the borders of your home country, allowing you to travel and see the world from a different perspective.

Studying abroad is exciting and rewarding opportunity, one which allows you to gain new experience, whilst developing academically and professionally.

A new perspective of the world

Studying abroad is an excellent opportunity to expand your horizons, see the world and give you a whole new prospective of life and your own culture. A new environment plus different people gives you better understanding of different cultures, whilst developing lifelong relationships. The overall experience helps students grow a degree of intricacy with good academic insight and appreciation for the cultural, social, and political grounds around them.

Discover a new language

There is no better or more effective way to learn a language than to be engrossed in a culture that speaks the language you are learning. The only way to truly become fluent in a language is to be immersed in it. You will be surrounded by the language on a daily basis, learning it in correct cultural context. The vantage point is that understanding a language that is distinctive to your own will make you better skilled and equipped to take on professional challenges.

Better your chances of landing a job

We live today in a global society where worldwide knowledge and experiences are becoming a prerequisite in the workplace. Participating in international study will shape your resume in a unique light making you an attractive job candidate to potential employers. In an increasingly competitive job market, having resume that shows versatility, zeal and proactive nature will open many doors, letting you stand out from the crowd. For example, a person who studied a Business Finance course abroad will have acquired good understanding of business and finance from an international stand point and be able to demonstrate knowledge of various financial markets and trends, hence, a better candidate for role seeking this quality.

The rise of the internet and its ability to penetrate through borders and regions means more businesses, both small and large are able to operate at a global scale. Business markets have become even more competitive with consumers having greater choices, driving the demand for globally aware employees.Studying abroad remains a good investment and one of the best pathways to achieving a good job and rewarding career.

Gain invaluable life skills and independence.

Moving to a foreign country will most often than not, spate you from familiar things and people. Students can get involved in different group activities and community projects which is often a good way to drive personal growth. Whether you realize this or not, your social skills, as well as intercommunication skills grows enabling you to show the world the new you. Studying away from ‘home’ also allows you to improve or gain …

4 Reasons Why You Need Commercial Window Cleaning

Keeping your business premises clean is important for your image, for your customers and also for your staff. Keeping your windows in pristine condition should be part of every businesses cleaning regime but is often overlooked. We’ve listed top 4 reasons why commercial window cleaning is so important for every business.

How you keep your business premises will reflect on the way others see you

How your business projects to customers and staff will determine how they feel and interact with your business. If your business is dirty, unclean or messy, this sends a negative message. Your windows are what people first see when approaching your office. This first look into your premises should be positive and reflect your business values.

A clean environment is always better to work in. Staff will feel proud of where they work and studies have shown that staff are more productive in a clean environment. If the windows are dirty and hard to see through, it can be off putting for staff and customers alike.

This is a job for the professionals

Office window cleaning is no easy task. It is not something you want people to try to attempt if they don’t know what they are doing or don’t have the right tools. The people who clean the windows of buildings that are many stories high, have professional training to learn how to do this effectively and safely. They also use the right cleaning products and tools to leave windows looking clean and sparkling.

Windows and glass surfaces are usually large and often the size of whole walls in many office buildings. It is important to get professionals in who know how to clean them in the most effective and safe way.

Stand out from the rest and make your building sparkle

Let’s face it. It is often the case in business that people do judge a book by its cover. You want your business premises to stand out and sparkle, not look dull and grubby. Clean windows make a big difference to how your business looks from the outside as well as the inside.

By employing a cleaning company that also offer an office window cleaning service, you will ensure that every facet of your workplace will look it very best.

Clean windows look better and ensure the optimal amount of natural light enters your office

During the day it is always important to optimise as much natural light in an office space as possible. If your windows are covered in dirt from rain or have been left unwashed for months, your windows will not be able to let the optimal amount of natural light in.

Secondly, clean windows simply look better from the inside and out. Make your office windows a feature in your business space by keeping them clean.

Commercial window cleaning is something every business should have to make sure their business is not only clean, but sparkles from the inside …

Office Cleaning for Set Up and Long Term Sanitation

A business’s offices are critical to the performance of much of its image and branding presentation. It is the space that they conduct their sales and acquisitions. It is the space where they present their products or services. It is the space where they conduct their business’s integral customer service. So to present themselves and their product or service well, regular performance of office cleaning is important to sanitation for employee safety and a clean polished appearance for the attraction of their clients. Yet, different companies are at different stages so they require different amounts of office cleaning throughout the life of the business.

First, before a business can even start up it has to undergo renovation and cleaning. Everything from the air/ventilation system and paint application to the flooring and equipment has to be updated when opening a new office location. After all of that work, the space has to have a polished appearance for its final presentation to the community that the business intends to serve. So if the office is within a building then it can be cleaned by the buildings contracted janitorial services on a regular basis. But if it is a standalone store front then the management can hire a maid service company to take care of the odds and ends of removing spilled paint, cleaning windows and surfaces to pristine glory and sanitizing the washrooms so that the employees and clients will be comfortable. The services required are only as specific as management outlines. If the company is joining the fold of the other offices in the building then they can simply request the same care for their space. However, if certain rooms are not to be cleaned or sensitive material needs to be handled with care or delicate equipment avoided then those specific instructions will guide the maid or janitorial services that will be performed within that office.

After the initial cleaning and set up and office is open for regular business and will be in needing regular cleaning thereafter. Depending upon the type of business, office cleaning can be required daily or only several times a week in order to meet building code or in order to create or deliver the product or service that they intend. Office cleaning can include clean-up for the equipment, paper waste, the staff kitchenette, the flooring and all glass surfaces in order to keep the room(s) clear of a great majority of germs and bacteria that can hinder productivity or customer safety. Office cleaning is just as important as the services that they provide to the people they serve.…

Mutual Funds Tutorial

There have probably been enough books written on how to compare mutual funds to fill up Kennedy Airport, but the basic principles can be written on the back of an envelope. Yet these are principles only a fraction of investors know or follow.

Principal Number One is to know what this fund is really costing you. Studies have shown again and again that most investors go into a fund – often on the basis of a broker’s advice – without a clue what its costs are.

There are two kinds of costs, loads and operating expenses.

Loads are the commissions you pay your broker when he/she sells you a mutual fund. These can be horrendous, like 5% or more, and your broker may well “forget” to mention the load at all – or may even tell you it’s a “no-load fund” when in fact it carries a big sales charge if you sell within some given number of years. How do you determine for sure if a fund has a load? Read the prospectus before you invest. Or hire a financial advisor on a fee-for-service (not a commission) basis. You should always invest in no-load funds, which historically have performed just as well as load funds (in fact, better, when the load is factored in).

Second, be aware of the operating expenses of your fund. This means marketing expenses, salaries, overhead, etc. involved in managing the fund, as well as profit to the fund developers. Again, you have to read the fund’s prospectus to find out what the expenses really are. Look in the expenses section for “Operating Expenses.”

Principle Number Two in making mutual fund investments is to not rely entirely on what nearly everybody relies on in making fund choices, namely historic rate of return. Just looking at a list of funds’ historic performances for the past few years is a terrible way to pick funds. Too many things can affect those performances, and they are too easily manipulated by fund managements. You should always review rates of return – together with volatility – over eight to ten years or more. Assess these rates of return and riskiness (volatility) in light of your own investment goals. And always read at least the first few pages of the fund’s prospectus before investing (no need, however, to wade through the whole thing, say most experts).

Principle Number Three, and last, is to become familiarized with the tax-friendliness of a fund before forking over your money. What does this mean exactly? Some funds produce far more taxable distributions, namely capital gains and dividends, than others. If the fund manager is extremely aggressive about timing the market he/she will buy/sell more actively, resulting in more capital gains distributions for you to pay taxes on each year. Another consideration is dividends. If the funds pays high dividends, higher-tax-bracket investors may be subject to higher taxes.

According to some experts December is the month in which most mutual funds make capital …

Dirty Office Carpets and Flooring and Illness – How They Are Linked and What It Means For Employers

Unless businesses have a cleaning crew devoted to regularly scheduled cleaning the odds that the office is not as clean as it should be. Simply having an employee running a vacuum every night does not assure that the carpet is clean. Hidden and ground in dirt and allergens will not only create a dingy atmosphere, but can actually cause the staff to become ill.

The number of allergies which the public suffers from is on the rise. These allergies, which cause respiratory distress, can lead to a compromised immune system and create the perfect environment for communicable illnesses to flourish. Surprisingly much of the contaminants, pollen and irritants reside in the carpet and upholstery of every carpet and office chair throughout the workplace.

Every time an employee sits down or stands up, the fabric of the chair is disturbed which allows any allergens to become airborne. The worst area, however, is the carpeting. During the cooler seasons the risk of illness can increase as well as the dirt. Indoor air pollution is a major contributor to employees missing work.

Vacuums actually do not clean carpets, but merely remove much of the larger debris located at the surface of the carpet fibers. The beater bar on most vacuums is supposed to loosen trapped dirt in order for the vacuum to remove all of the dirt. In truth the vibration of the vacuum motor and the beater bar can actually cause the dust and dirt to be worked in deeper. The best solution is to have a professional cleaning performed.

Professional carpet cleaning services have a variety of methods at their disposal for specific types of carpeting. Berber carpets are very common in commercial, retail or corporate work offices due to the durability and longevity of the carpet compared to a high pile plush carpet. Cleaning methods for one type of weave will not work well on other types of weaves.

A professional floor maintenance company should be able to use the best methods of floor cleaning from deep steam cleaning to using dry chemical applications. The proper industrial cleaning equipment that the cleaning service companies possess are much costlier than the average rug cleaner which can be rented from an assortment of local retailers and will always perform better. The main advantage of utilizing a cleaning service is that the customer does not need to invest in expensive equipment and the maintenance cost which is required to keep that equipment in proper operating condition. In this highly indeterminate economy saving money is one of the high priorities of business.…