3 Reasons Your Home Business is Struggling

You have the dream you wanted in being able to run a business out of your home.

So, you would think you’d feel pretty good about it, right?

But what happens when your home business is having a hard time making a go of it? Are there any remedies you can deploy to get things back on track?

What Changes Must You Make?

When all you have worked for is not panning out, the time to act is now.

Having a home business can be both a blessing and a curse. So, is now the time for you to act?

If so, here are three reasons your home business may not be working out:

  1. Finances are issue – It is not a big surprise that many home businesses end up failing due to money. From not making enough revenue with sales to spending too much on supplies and more, money can be the killer. That said are you in a decent financial position right now with your home business? If the answer is no, any one thing you can do to change this? One of the issues may be that you have debt hanging over your head. If so, do you have any possibilities to lower that debt? This can especially be the case with credit card debt. Too much debt can weigh you down and make it all but impossible to climb out from under. If you are not bringing in enough revenue, it may be because you fail to spread the word (see more below). Try doing more to alert consumers to what your home business has to offer. At the end of the day, you need your finances in the black and not stuck in the red.
  2. Too many distractions – Another reason your business can be suffering is distractions. If you are having trouble getting your work done at home, how can you expect your business to thrive? From family time to noisy neighbors and more, your environment may be distracting. Another distraction is when you are getting too many unwanted calls. Such calls lead you to have trouble concentrating on what is important. If left wondering all too often who called me, there are online resources available to you to help. That is to track down the callers. While some calls may in fact be relevant, many others are likely spam. Do a reverse phone number search and get to the bottom of who is distracting you. If their call is worth returning, do it. If not, make sure they stop bothering you.
  3. Not enough people know you – Last, have you done enough to get the word out about what your business is and can offer? If the answer is no, this is a big reason why you are in the predicament you are in. Take the time to reassess your marketing efforts. They may be one of the main reasons you are having struggles right now. You can’t expect consumers to come and do business with you if few know what you have to offer.

As you look to get your home business back on track, where will your focus turn to?

3 Tips for Keeping Your Kids Safe at Home

When you have one or more little ones at home, safety is key to a happy family life.

With this in mind, what steps have you taken to make sure your children are safe in your home?

From security from intruders to safety around appliances and more, you have your work cut out for you.

That said using commonsense and buying some of the best home products are in your best interests.

Where Will Your Focus Turn to?

In coming up with the best ways to protect your young children at home, keep these tips in mind:

1. Appliances – One of the biggest concerns are appliances sitting around homes. Have you made it a priority to make sure all the appliances at home are safe for your kid or kids to be around? These would include dishwashers, washers and dryers, microwaves, stoves, refrigerators and more. Keep in mind that the age of your child will go a long way in determining the danger level. That said it is never a bad idea to err on the side of caution. You also want to be sure when you have younger children at home that they are not getting their fingers in outlets. Be sure to cover such outlets.

2. Security – Also make sure your child has protection from intruders and sneaking out. When the latter happens, they can end up wandering to places they should never go on their own when too young. An example here would be a backyard swimming pool. That said finding the right doors and windows for your home should be a priority. If you are thinking of adding sliding doors, do some research. Go online to see which brand or brands get the top ratings. This would be for things such as safety, keeping temperatures at the right degrees and more. When you install sliding doors in your home, you want comfort, a nice look and of course security. Speaking of security, does your home have a security system? If the answer is no, you may well want to think about installing one. The right system can protect your entire family each day. No system is 100 percent foolproof. That said it stands to reason you and your children are safer when you have a home security system.

3. Products – Finally, never lose sight of all the products you have sitting around your home. As an example, think about all the different liquids and powders that are in the home. From detergents to liquids used on appliances and more, you have some dangerous items. As such, it is important that you keep such products of the hands of your young ones. Until your child is old enough to understand the dangers, make sure he or she can’t get their hands on them.

As you go about keeping your kids safe at home, have you covered everything on your home safety checklist?

Top DIY tips for new homeowners

If you are in the process of buying your first home it is an exciting time. Moving out to your own place is the first step to real independence and getting on the property ladder is always a wise investment. However, it is also a big undertaking as the maintenance of the property is something you always need to bear in mind. Keeping on top of DIY jobs around the new home is vital to help it maintain its value and also to be safe to live in. Of course, keeping your new home well maintained also ensures it is a pleasant environment in which to live.

But what are the best DIY tips for those looking to buy their first home?

Get a home inspection first

Okay, this is not strictly a DIY tip as a home inspection needs to be carried out by a professional, however, it is an important step to take in terms of buying a home that it merits a mention. This is something you do need to have carried out before you buy a property. The inspection will flag up any problems with the property such as damp so you can either renegotiate the price or give it a miss altogether. Although there are some costs involved in a home inspection it is definitely worth it as the home inspection cost will be a lot less than having to fix a serious hidden problem with the property after purchase.

Don’t overstretch yourself

As Dirty Harry once said: “A man’s got to know his limitations.” It is easy to feel under pressure as a new homeowner to fix all the various repair jobs that may crop up. However, first take a minute to look at what is involved and decide if you think you can do a good job without injuring yourself. If the answer is ‘No’, then you need to call in professional help. This is essential if you have problems with things like your electrical wiring or fittings, or a gas heating system. Don’t tamper with either!

Consider all DIY products

There are a lot of things you can consider doing yourself. Painting the walls, updating furniture and decor. A ‘fresh’ makeover will do wonders. As with painting you can save a lot by learning how to do that yourself. Updating furniture can also be thrifty, consider purchasing second hand pieces and showing them a bit of love. Refurbish, and Reuse. If you must buy new, consider buying online as you will often save a fortune over brick and mortar stores. Moving into a new home often means brand new window coverings, those are items that you usually cannot reuse or refresh. If your window furnishings are past their use by date, consider DIY blinds, these are purchased online, and measured & installed by yourself! It’s the new way to purchase blinds.

Get a basic toolkit together

There is nothing worse than starting to undertake a standard DIY job in your new home and discovering that you don’t have the necessary tools. It could something as simple as not having a hammer to put a picture hook up or not having filler to plug gaps in walls. To save time having to head to the DIY store each time a job comes up, invest in a basic toolkit when you move in. This will make DIY less frustrating and mean you always have the right tool at hand. Common items to include are a hammer, pliers, Stanley knife, a screwdriver set, and a tape measure.

Get ready for DIY nirvana

Although you may not do much home improvement work if you move into a newly built home you will always have little jobs to carry out. As long as you work safely with the right tools and only do tasks you feel able to complete, you will be fine. Home inspections will also help as they will ensure if you buy an older house that there is no major work required to bring it to an acceptable modern standard.

3 Keys to Saving Dollars When Outside Your Home

As much as you may love your home, you can’t afford for your own sanity to be in it 24/7.

That said what kinds of things do you like to do that involve getting outside of your home?

From trips across the country or even further to doing things not far from home, there are options for you to enjoy.

With this in mind, how can you go out and have fun and still save some money in the process?

Be on the Lookout for Deals

When it comes to saving money when you are away from home, keep these keys in mind:

1. Finding deals before you head out – One of your best ways to save money when out of home is finding deals ahead of time. So, you might be thinking about going to Disneyland, one of America’s greatest theme parks. If so, you can go on the Internet and search for discount Disneyland tickets. By securing those tickets ahead of time, you will often save and not have to worry about buying at a ticket window. No matter the business you want to work with in saving money, also know you may have other options. You might find tickets to an event or locale you want by getting them from an approved ticket reseller. No matter the choices you have, save money and make your experiences even more enjoyable.

2. Getting more social – If you use social media, you have taken an important step on the road to trying to save more. It is not uncommon for consumers to talk about their spending on sites such as Facebook and others. As a result, you could win when viewing or even taking part in such conversations. Whether you know the people chatting online or not, see what they have to say. Often, you can pick up some tips from others on how to go about saving money when away from home.

3. Knowing what kind of budget you have – It is also a good idea to know what kind of budget you may have when you plan to go out. This can be everything from a trip to a theme park or taking a vacation to a routine visit to your local store. By knowing what you can and can’t afford, you are less likely to run into financial predicaments. If money has been tight for you for a long time or in more recent times, have you done any budgeting along the way? By coming up with a budget, you are less likely to spend more money than you need to. As an example, grocery shopping can add up rather fast if one is not careful. That said have a list of what you absolutely need when you go to the store. Try your best to stick to that list. Also, avoid if you can going to the grocery store when on an empty stomach. Going when you are quite hungry can lead you to buying and of course spending more.

By trying your best to save dollars when outside the home, you can relax more once you do in fact get home.

5 Tips to Improve Your Lighting at Home

One of the most important things about feeling comfortable at home is having good lighting. That’s one of the main reasons why lighting design is such a hot topic recently. Nobody brings out the best features of any room better than good lights. There are a lot of ways to improve your lighting at home or at work, and it really does make a difference.

Keep scale in mind

One of the first and foremost rules of lighting is that there is no one-size-fits-all light. That means you can’t use the same type and strength of light in all rooms. Sometimes, you just want smaller table lamps; other times, you need a large chandelier. Smaller rooms go much better with smaller, yet tactically placed sources of light, while large rooms generally require a centerpiece. Keep that in mind when you’re figuring out how to improve the light quality at home.

Dimmers work wonders

Having a dimmer to change the mood and tone of the room makes an enormous difference. What was before a vibrant and bright living room can easily become a moody room that exudes ambiance. Besides, if you spend plenty of time in a single room, you won’t want the lighting to be constant. It should adapt to the time of day, and dimmers are a great way to achieve that.

Pick the right shade

Window shades play an important role in how people perceive the mood of your room. If your room has a lot sunlight during the day, consider using different colored shades. White shades are great if you want to have more light in, but they can sometimes add a cold feeling to your room. To contrast that, colored shades will tint the light, and they will slightly darken the room, but add a warmer and creamier feel to the room.

Light dark corners

Small utility lights are often underutilized in the home. Most homes have a lot of corners that aren’t properly lit, which is why a lot of rooms might feel cramped and smaller than they actually are. Lighting these dark spots will often make the room feel bigger and add even more beauty to the space around the lights. This goes for different parts of the home as well, like closets, kitchen counters, cupboards, and shelves.

Replace old lights

If you live in an older home, chances are you have a lot of old fixtures. Truth is, just a couple of decades ago, thinking about light as a natural part of design just wasn’t part of the equation. So a lot of these old fixtures might be functional, in a way, but don’t really bring out the best of the room. Consider replacing them, and you’ll immediately notice just how beautiful a room can be.

Light is one of the most important parts of the home. Without good lighting, you won’t feel comfortable, productive, or simply at home. Good lighting really does work wonders, and it’s something every home should have.

Good Reasons to Select Engineered Wood Flooring for Your Home

There are several options for wood flooring today that deserve consideration when you are looking to purchase a new wood floor. You can select from hardwoods like Merbau, Oak, or Cherry, that have great durability and last a very long time, or softwoods like Spruce or Cedar that have a bit of a spring and look beautiful. These woods are collectively known as solid wood flooring because they are made from wood directly as it comes from the tree.

If you choose either of these woods, there is a downside in that they are tough to maintain and can damage easily. For those looking to have the beauty and durability of wood flooring another option that might be better than either hard or softwood is engineered wood flooring. Here are some of the benefits of installing this engineered wood flooring in your home or office.

What is Engineered Wood Flooring?

Engineered wood is a composite flooring that is made from several layers of wood fibers that are glued together to form one strong wood composite. There are always 3 to 12 layers of hard and soft wood layers at the bottom and center of engineered wood while the top layer is a hardwood.

The Benefits of Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered Wood Flooring Lasts a Long Time

Engineered wood flooring is made to last as long as solid wood flooring. If you maintain the floor well it will provide you with beauty and comfort as well. When the flooring begins to show wear and tear you can clean and varnish it and it will regain its beauty. You can expect it to last for more than 30 years. It also outlasts other inferior choices like laminate flooring.

Friendlier to the Environment

Solid wood flooring must look perfect meaning much of the tree will not be used for flooring planks. With engineered wood because most of the wood will not be seen. There is much less waste. In fact, an engineered wood floor would use less than one third of the trees of a solid wood floor.

Engineered Wood flooring Costs Less Than Solid Wood Flooring

Engineered wood flooring i much more cost effective than solid wood flooring. You can expect to pay one third less for a high grade engineered wood floor than for a high quality solid wood floor. And of course the floor will look as beautiful, wear better, and last as long also.

Engineered Wood Flooring is More Resistant to Wear and Tear

One of the big challenges with solid wood flooring is that it is sometimes difficult to tell how a wood plank will react when laid on a floor. It can warp or buckle without notice. Engineered wood is a finished product that is easy to care for and has a long warranty against any types of defects.

Less Contraction than Solid Wood Flooring

Because engineered wood is made up of many layers of wood glued together in a way that accounts for spaces that are needed as temperature changes in a room, this type of wood flooring will expand and contract less than solid wood flooring. If you live in an area that is tropical with high temperatures and humidity, the wood sold there will likely be made to remain solid and contract less in the heat. This is one of the great benefits of buying engineered wood flooring, you can choose the characteristics of the flooring that you need based on the location of your home or business.

Wood is Healthy and Feels Good Under Your Feet

There is no floor more beautiful in your home and comfortable to the feet than natural wood and engineered wood is that most comfortable because ifs layers provide a little bounce as well. The flooring will be warmer than the room during the cooler months and cooler during the hottest months as well. Finally it will not attract allergens and is very easy to clean.

For its many benefits engineered wood flooring should be your top flooring choice.

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Recent Posts

Metaverse gaming indoor bike, DETS BIKE Pro

One of the most discussed topics during the pandemic year of 2020 was the “metaverse.” The term metaverse comes from the combination of meta and universe, which defines realistic three dimensional virtual spaces. As COVID-19 pushed the daily lifestyle to remote lifestyle, the demand for the metaverse has increased.

In 1992, Neal Stephenson coined the term “metaverse” in his novel “Snow Crash.” In 2020, the term globally spread out when NVIDIA CEO said, “The era of the metaverse is coming.” There is no doubt that the metaverse is now a global phenomenon that interacts with majority of the industries.

Metaverse X Cycle makes exercise fun

There have been attempts to implement metaverse into the fitness industry, but only a few companies were able to lead to commercialization. However, the world’s first indoor bike with the metaverse gaming application, called DETS BIKE Pro, has just launched on Kickstarter. DETS BIKE Pro is an indoor bike with a gamification controller built by a self-developed technology. Both handlebars are specifically designed to provide an optimal environment for both gaming and exercise at the same time.

One of the reasons why getting into a consistent home training routine is hard is because it requires full motivation and interest. DETS BIKE Pro will keep you motivated to maintain a consistent workout routine.

With 28 different gaming stages, DETS BIKE Pro will immerse users into the game while riding the indoor bike. The experience is different from when users simply follow the cycling instructions. The more you focus on the game, the more you will be immersed in your workout to forget about the fatigue and maintain the motivational level.

Exercise together in the metaverse!

Inside the extremely saturated fitness market, this metaverse gaming bike surely stands out. The biggest advantage of the metaverse is the seamless connection between the real world and the virtual world. As soon as a user get on this bike, a user can connect with other users in real time and experience the joy of gaming and exercising all together.

Users can choose their favorite gaming modes. In Training Mode, users can focus on their workout while competing for the top spot on the system ranking board. Boss Battle Mode is highly recommended for users who want to clear missions through team playing. Adventure Mode is perfect for users want to focus on clearing stages with various missions. Multiplayer Mode is for users who want to build teamwork and interaction while accomplishing the same goal with each other.

The joy of exercising shared with other players is a joy made double.

DETS BIKE Pro heats up the 2022 Fit Expo with its innovation.

DETES BIKE Pro was praised by participants and attendees who actually had their hands on the bike and left positive feedback. One parent quoted, “This will help a lot to remove my kids from the TV screen.” An athlete also quoted, “The games are so cool that you don’t even realize you’re doing cardio.”

Enjoy playing games with your family and friends while keeping up with healthy workout routines with DETS BKE Pro. You’ll be craving to workout on the metaverse gaming bike every day.

Meet DETS BIKE Pro, a new type of workout experience, now available on Kickstarter!

Easy and fast cutting without damage with EZ CUT

Anyone who ordered anything and waited for it to come will be excited and happy as soon as the package is opened. However, you will be quite upset if, when opening a box or package with a cutter knife, you use too much power and damage the ordered goods.

For those who experienced this terrible situation, EZ CUT was developed. EZ CUT, which is now available on Kickstarter, does not damage the product inside the box as well as the user’s body parts. It is very safe, easy, and convenient to use.

Unbelievably safe blade that never cut your hands or product.

Since it is created with a thickness that allows it to function as a cutter without injuring the user, EZ CUT’s blade is not as sharp as a normal blade. The blade is 6mm long, which is the ideal length for cutting without causing any harm to the product inside the packaging. It is easier to cut packages because the Teflon-coated blade will not attach to sticky tapes or stickers. EZ CUT’s blade is made with an ideal design for maximum stability.

L shaped supports which help to cut with stability.

With EZ CUT’s L-shaped blade supports on either side, you can quickly and safely cut on any surface, including flat, curved surface, and on the edge. On a flat surface, these supports hold the surface to keep the direction. You may also easily cut the edges by aligning the L shaped supports to the edge. L shaped supports reduce slippage on curved surfaces and make it simple to remove the PET bottle’s label.

Simple storage for quick use when necessary

EZ CUT has a built-in magnet that allows you to store it quickly by attaching it to a metal front door or refrigerator. The product’s bottom hole can also be used to hang it on a hook for a storage. The product can be securely kept after use by covering the blade with a built-in safety cap.

Looking for a safe cutter knife? EZ CUT is the one.

A knife is necessary both at home and at business. However, you be very careful when using it because you can possibly be injured. On Kickstarter, EZ CUT, a convenient cutter that cuts anything with minimal risk of injury, is now getting funded. Experience EZ CUT’s safe cutting at a discount price only available on Kickstarter!

Do Singapore ETFs pay dividends?

Dividends refer to payments made by companies to their shareholders, typically out of the company’s profits. Companies will often declare and pay dividends quarterly. Some companies also have special dividend payments that they occasionally make, such as when they have extreme profits in a given year.

Singapore ETFs are exchange-traded funds that track the performance of an underlying index or basket of assets. ETF trading occurs on the Singapore stock exchange and can be bought and sold like any other stock. Many Singapore ETFs offer exposure to international markets, which can help diversify one’s portfolio.

Yes, some Singapore ETFs do pay dividends. However, it is essential to note that not all ETFs will pay dividends, and the number of dividend payments can vary significantly from one ETF to another. For example, some ETFs may only pay out dividends yearly, while others may do so quarterly. Furthermore, the amount of the dividend payments will depend on the underlying assets held by the ETF and the current market conditions.

How can I claim dividend payments from a Singapore ETF?

Check the fund’s factsheet to see if it pays dividends

The first step is to check the fund’s factsheet to see if it pays dividends. The factsheet will provide information on the fund’s strategy, performance, risk level, and other vital details. It should also list whether or not the fund pays dividends and, if so, how often these payments are made.

Determine the ex-dividend date

The ex-dividend date is when a stock becomes ineligible for a dividend payment. For example, assume that a company has a share price of SGD100 and declares a quarterly dividend of SGD1 per share. You will not receive the dividend if you buy shares on or after the ex-dividend date. However, if you buy shares before the ex-dividend date, you will be entitled to the dividend payment.

The ex-dividend date for a Singapore ETF is typically several days before the actual dividend payment date because it takes time for the fund to sell its assets and generate the cash needed to make the dividend payments.

Buy shares of the ETF before the ex-dividend date

If you want to receive a dividend payment from a Singapore ETF, you must purchase shares of the ETF before its ex-dividend date. After doing this, the fund will add your name to its shareholder register, and you will be entitled to receive dividends when they are paid out.

Hold onto your shares until the dividend payment date

Once you have purchased shares of a Singapore ETF, you will need to hold onto them until the dividend payment date to receive the dividend payment. On this date, the fund will distribute the dividends to shareholders on the fund’s shareholder register.

Step 5: Sell your shares after receiving the dividend payment

Once you have received the dividend payment, you are free to sell your ETF shares if you wish. However, it is essential to remember that dividends are not guaranteed and can fluctuate significantly from one year to the next. As such, you should always consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Which ETFs pay dividends in Singapore?

iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS)

The iShares MSCI Singapore ETF tracks the performance of the MSCI Singapore Index. This index is made up of large and mid-sized companies that are listed on the Singapore stock exchange. The fund pays dividends quarterly, with payments typically occurring in March, June, September, and December.

SPDR Straits Times Index ETF (ES3)

The SPDR Straits Times Index ETF tracks the performance of the Straits Times Index, which comprises 30 large companies listed on the Singapore stock exchange. The fund pays dividends quarterly.

ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund (A35)

The ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund tracks the performance of the FTSE SGD Corporate Bond Index. This index is made up of investment-grade corporate bonds that are issued in Singapore dollars. The fund pays dividends monthly.

Lion-Phillip S-REIT ETF (CFA)

The Lion-Phillip S-REIT ETF tracks the performance of the FTSE ST Real Estate Investment Trusts Index. This index is made up of 30 real estate investment trusts that are listed on the Singapore stock exchange. The fund pays dividends quarterly.