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The Pros and Cons of Working from Home and the Office

December 5, 2017

Companies are asking workers today for longer hours which means that they get less time for their families. When you take the typical 8 to 10 hour work day and then add in the commute time, there’s barely enough time to get home, check the kid’s homework, have a meal, and read bedtime stories. Weekends are spent trying to make up for lost time during the week, and sleeping.

Employees are very concerned about the lack of time they have for their families, and companies must now offer options that allow some employees to stay at home during the workday, and do their work there.

Employees looking to work from home, are presented with a new set of circumstances they must deal with in order to get their work done effectively and on time. The home environment is very different than the office and many find they need an adjustment, for them to get up to speed. What are the differences between working at home and working in the office?

Time Management

Pros: When you work at home, there was no one looking over your shoulder and constantly badgering you. You can take a break if you need, go to the restroom, get some exercise, and even take a nap. This type of work schedule might make you much more productive as opposed to what typically occurs in the office.

Cons: The downside is that with no one making sure that you get your work done, if you are not very disciplined, your productivity can fall off a cliff, with more napping than typing. You really need to be disciplined and be a good time management person.

Distractions

Pros: When you work from home you can control the amount of distractions in your environment. You don’t have to be concerned about the person in the next cubicle talking too loud on the phone, telling bad jokes, or interrupting you when you are in the middle of something important. Your focus can be 100% on the job at hand, and again your productivity can skyrocket.

Cons: if you do not have an environment at home that you can control, it can become very difficult for you to get your work done. Screaming children, a nosy mother or mother-in-law and the stay-at-home spouse who is constantly asking you to take a break, can all work against your productivity goals. For this reason you need to make sure that when you work at home, your family understands your need for focus. The best option is to work in a quiet room with all of the necessary business tools and furniture at work needed for you to do your work, and a door that locks.

Commute Time

Pros: When you work at home you can mute is from your bedroom to your kitchen to get a cup of coffee. No worries about traffic jams, long lines at the gas station to fill up your car, and worries about finding a good parking space. With no time needed for commute you can spend more time working. You also save money on fuel and car maintenance.

Cons: Many people use the commute time to prepare themselves for work. This 15 minutes to an hour can be very valuable and many use that time to go over upcoming job tasks, creative ideas, and important issues around company projects. Without this preparation time, you might find it hard to get started in the morning.

There are many pros and cons for working at home, or working at the office. The key is to understand how to make each environment the most productive. As more and more employees choose the working at home option, they need to also understand how to best maximize the environment so both they and the company wins.

Signs That You Need a New Air Conditioner

DIY / Home Improvement Shopping

January 23, 2017

Air-Conditioning systems not only consume huge amounts of a home’s total energy budget, they also directly affect the comfort and well-being of your family. If you are experiencing problems with your air-conditioning unit, it may need to be replaced and you may need to immediately contact licensed, HVAC certified top professionals who will provide you with great consultation, the best products, and the most trouble-free air conditioning installation.

Here are some telltale signs that your unit may be about to fail.

It’s Old – Air conditioner units should be expected to have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. If yours is this old or older, it is time to replace with a new unit. Also, older systems are usually half as efficient as newer models on the market today. So replacing your older unit to a more efficient one can reduce your electricity bills by 30 to 40%. This saving will begin immediately and continue over the lifetime of the system.

More and More Repairs – As an air conditioners ages, it typically needs to be repaired more. If you are finding that you are seeing your HVAC contractor more frequently, this is a sure sign that your unit is going bad and needs to be replaced soon. So, you need to weigh up whether it is worth the increased repair bills for a unit that will fail soon.

Air is Not Cool and Home Has Too Much Humidity – The amount of cool air coming from your air conditioner should be on-demand and consistent. If at some point, you discover that even at full blast, the air coming from your vents just isn’t as cold as it used to be, this could be a sign that your system is in need of serious repair or it might be time to replace the unit.

Air conditioners not only cool the home, they also remove humidity. As air conditioners age, they may not effectively dehumidify the home, and the indoor air quality is drastically reduced. A high level of home humidity may be a sign that you need a new system.

Air Conditioner Runs Too Long – An additional indicator that you may need a new air conditioning system is inefficiency. This often means that your air conditioner runs too long with no noticeable cooling of your home. There can be several reasons for this, including issues with the ducts, but it can also mean it is time for the unit to be replaced.

Reduced Air-Flow – If the air-flow coming from your AC has gotten weaker, or you find that some rooms are getting sufficient air-flow while others hardly get any, the unit’s compressor may be failing.

Strange Noises or Smells – Unusual noises including squealing, grating, and grinding sounds, or bad smells coming from your air conditioner might mean it is having serious problems. These may imply that something is wrong inside the unit or that your duct system is not compatible with your cooling system. Further inspection by a professional might reveal that the entire system may need to be replaced.

Like all electrical devices, air conditioning units eventually fail. Recognize the signs that it is failing long before it actually occurs, so you do not end up with no AC on the hottest day of the year. A new air-conditioning unit will not only save you money in the long run, but will add to your overall comfort of you and your home.

It’s Time to Start Buying Your Meat Online

Shopping

January 23, 2017

Thanks to many savvy business owners out there and the ever-growing trend for sourcing healthy and ethical produce, buying high-quality meat online from the comfort of your own home is no longer a tough decision, it is a convenient reality. We’ll discuss the key benefits associated with buying your meat online.

Supporting Local Business

Simply put, supporting local businesses will strengthen the economy of the local community and its surrounding areas. Your local butcher shop is no exception. Unlike supermarkets who support conventional farming methods, your local butcher shop often source their free range meat from local agricultural businesses and suppliers too, in turn strengthening the whole supply chain too. The more this happens, the more options you have, for you and your family.

A Wide Range of Produce

Buying your meat online, and from your local butcher will offer you a much wider range of produce compared to the typical supermarket isle. It’s important to remember that your local butcher shop specialises in quality meat, therefore it can offer you a special and much wider selection of fresh high quality meats and related products. Certain products will come raw and unprepared for you to cook however you like, while others may be prepared and pre-seasoned for you so you can simply chuck it in the oven.

Only the Highest-Quality Meat and Service

Your local online butcher stocks only the highest-quality meat, seafood and other related products that can be bought. Since the shop carefully sources its produce, there are no ‘bad’ products so to speak for you to purchase. Your butcher knows this, and therefore not providing you with the quality and service that you have come to expect will mean losing a valuable customer. Supplying sub-par meat and produce will hurt the store’s overall reputation, and in turn, their revenue.

It’s SO Convenient

In today’s busy world, convenience is probably the biggest advantage to buying your meat online. Gone are the days of standing in line at the supermarket. Simply jump online when you get home, browse their high-quality selection, pick what you want and press buy. All this within the comfort of your own home.

How to dress for a first date

Fashion Love Shopping

April 21, 2016

Did someone swipe right on you? Excited for a first date but terrified as well? You are not alone, it is normal for most men to get nervous before a first date and what you are wearing can be a major factor. Here are some tips how to dress for a first date.

Make It Appropriate to the Venue but Stay Flexible
The first thing you need to know is, where you’re date is starting and where it potentially will end. Going to the movies and a mid-range restaurant, skip the suit but maybe jeans and dress shirt? If you are going hiking, wear something comfortable for the outdoors but also keep in mind, if things go good maybe you will be going out to dinner after and then to the bars; so make sure you wear something that can be flexible enough (a change of shoes in the car trunk can help too.) The key is to dress for the occasion.

Don’t Be Too Formal or Too Aggressive
Alligator shoes and a shirt that screams “look at me” can come off as too desperate. Also, if you dress to fancy you can run the risk of making your date feel like they didn’t dress up enough. It is best to play it somewhere in the middle. You may look good in a suit but your date shows up in jeans they will likely feel uncomfortable. Remember, you want to look confident but not come off as too cocky.

Shoes Make the Man
Weather you are wearing a tuxedo or a sweat suit, the most important accessory is your shoes. Make sure you have a new (but not brand new) pair of shoes to wear. No scuffs, no holes; you want your date to know you put some effort into your appearance. Make sure you have a “hip” pair of shoes, not sure what “hip” shoes are, ask some girls in your life, they will tell you. A nice pair of dress shoes can class up a pair of jeans, and a pair of tennis shoes can work to dress down a suit; so use this to your advantage. If you are going to remember one thing about how to dress for a first date, make sure it’s the shoes.

I hope these tips are helpful at how to dress for a first date and soothing your nerves before you next big date. Remember if you ever need help ask someone you know who is a good dresser, not only will they be flattered but they surely will be able to help you decide something to wear. Most importantly, don’t stress out too much; if you really have a connection a pair of mismatched socks won’t effect it. Good luck on that next big date!

Category: Shopping