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Mamma Fairy

Features

5 Questions to Ask Your Vet about Pet Care

puppy

Pic Credit: Pixabay

It is important to understand that adopting a pet is a big responsibility. That adorable little ball of fur has many physical, social, and emotional needs that need to be met daily. Here are some questions to ask your vet about pet care at your new pet’s next appointment. 

How do I keep my pet at a healthy weight? 

Obesity in dogs and cats is widespread. This common condition leads to many health problems for your pet, and even reduce their life span by about two and a half years. Your vet, like Heart + Paw in East Market, will be able to customize a feeding schedule for your pet and advise you in terms of which treats to give (and not to give) going forward. 

What food is right for my pet? 

Your available budget will undoubtedly affect your choice of food for your pet. However, it is often worthwhile to spend a little bit more on a better-quality brand that is suited to both your pet’s breed, as well as his or her current stage of life. For example, kittens will require different food from a senior cat. Your vet will provide you with a list of appropriate options based on how much you can afford to pay. 

What vaccinations does my pet require? 

Your vet will provide you with plenty of information concerning the vaccinations that he or she will need to receive over the coming weeks and months. Vaccinations play an important role in keeping your pet healthy not only during his or her younger years but for the rest of his or her life as well. Pic Credit: Pixabay

How do I groom my pet? 

It is up to you to make sure that your pet is clean and properly taken care of. Grooming is a huge part of that. Every pet needs to be groomed, although some more frequently than others. Grooming refers to more than just bathing your pet every few weeks. It also includes brushing your pet regularly, trimming his or her fur, trimming his or her nails, and brushing his or her teeth. Your vet will advise you in terms of how to go about all of this, along with providing guidelines in terms of how often. 

How do I protect my pet from ticks and fleas?

Both cats and dogs are prone to ticks and fleas, which are known to cause them discomfort and spread disease. Your vet will be happy to provide a range of suggestions regarding preventing this problem from occurring in the first place. Nowadays, there are numerous topical and oral options available to choose from, with many single-dose oral treatments providing lasting protection for approximately three months at a time.

Remember to visit the vet every year for regular check-ups to ensure that your furry companion is happy and in good health. This will also give you peace of mind and ensure that any potential health problems are caught early.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Mamma Musings

The Benefits Of Using Vacation Days

In the US, it’s common for employees to turn down the opportunity to take vacation days. As the infographic below suggests, this could have a negative impact on both employers and workforces. If you run a business, or you’re an employee, and you haven’t taken time off for as long as you can remember, it’s worth taking a look at this intriguing image in more detail.

Around 53% of employees in low-paying jobs and 80% of workers in mid-high paying jobs have access to paid vacation time. Despite this, uptake is relatively low. Only 16% of traditionalists take vacation days, with the figures higher among millennials (44%) and generation X (53%). In the US, people in the North East are most likely to take advantage of paid leave. 

In 2015, 55% of Americans didn’t use their vacation allowance, with employees forfeiting the equivalent of $61.4 billion worth of benefits. The average worker took just 16.2 days off work. The most common reasons for not taking time off were planning to roll days over to take a longer break and having too much work to go on vacation. 

Many people might assume that spending more time at work is beneficial for employers, but research suggests that taking time out can actually be mutually advantageous for bosses and employees. Vacations can boost morale, health and wellbeing and make employees more productive, which also benefits the organization. Using vacation time can also contribute to national economic benefits, including $160 billion in total sales and $21 billion in tax revenue. 

To capitalize on the benefits of employees taking time off, employers can actively encourage workers to book vacations, introduce measures to promote a healthy work-life balance and enable employees to completely disconnect from work once their out of office email response is active. 


Infographic Designed By Norwich University

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

How to Choose the Right Energy-Efficient Windows to Make the Most of Your Available Space

Although they are a small detail of your home, windows are essential. From filtering natural light into your home to allow proper ventilation and even making your home more energy-efficient, there’s a lot that a window can do. Surprised? Most homeowners are. 

As a responsible homeowner, however, you must learn about the different types of windows you could upgrade to and make your home more comfortable and sustainable. 

With providers such as https://www.windowworldofoahu.com/, you’ll get a vast selection of windows to find one that suits your style. But, how do you select windows which are suited for your home?

Selecting Energy Efficient Windows: What Should You Remember?

Energy-efficient windows can be extremely beneficial for any homeowner. Hence, most people want to switch to energy-efficient windows and replace their outdated ones. So, why wait? Get set to make your home more energy efficient with these windows at the earliest opportunity and start enjoying a more comfortable and cost-effective living space.

However, selecting them may not be as easy as you think. Homeowners should select such windows based on the size of their home and its requirements. Here are a few things to consider.

windows

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Selecting the Frame

When selecting energy-efficient windows, most people tend to focus more on the glass pane and do not pay enough attention to the frame. However, to ensure your window’s efficiency, the frame is just as important as the glass pane. 

There are several options available, from wood to vinyl to aluminum, when selecting the perfect frame. However, the final selection will rest on your requirements, such as the look, whether it enhances resale value, ease of maintenance, insulation capacity, and finally, your budget.

Energy Rating

When purchasing energy-efficient windows, it is crucial to check for their energy ratings. Depending on your region, different energy ratings may be suitable for your home to make it a power-saving investment. 

Without an energy rating, it is not only difficult to understand how the window will perform over time, but it can be hard to determine whether it will help in making your home energy efficient at all. Energy ratings are, thus, the most crucial factor when selecting windows for your home.

Glass Pane and Coatings

As you become more conscious of saving energy, you will realize a single glass pane window is not efficient at all. In general, most people want to opt for a double-paned window. But, let’s not stop there; while the double-paned glass is quite energy-efficient by itself, coatings, gas injections, and tints can enhance their insulation capability. 

Enhancing the method you opt for will depend on where you live, whether or not you want tinted windows and insulation requirements. Hence, when selecting the glass pane for your window, you should also inquire into what type of coating, gas injections, or other insulation enhancement features they provide.

Whether you are concerned about the planet or want to save on energy bills, energy-efficient windows offer a wide array of benefits. Selecting energy-efficient windows can help you work towards a more sustainable lifestyle and care for the planet. Although it may seem like a small step, it has a significant impact in the long run. 

Look through options from various providers to know the different windows available.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Mamma Musings

Stop Avoiding Social Media; It Could Be What Saves Your Brand

Right from the outset, savvy entrepreneurs saw social media as an inexpensive tool to get their messages out to customers and build their brand. These platforms allowed them to communicate with their audience in a way that wasn’t possible before. 

For starters, they could use demographic information to target their advertisements better. Moreover, they created content that presented their firms in a more comprehensive light, explaining to clients what they were really about. 

A lot of entrepreneurs, however, avoided social media – at least in the early days. It seemed like a gimmick and wasn’t really relevant to their operations. How could they use it to make money? The answer wasn’t obvious. 

It turns out, though, that there are several ways that companies now use social media. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter help with sales, internal communications with employees, customer feedback, ratings, telling the brand story, and sharing information about products and services. Thus, these platforms provide practically every outreach service that you can imagine. 

The trick, as the following infographic points out, is to do it correctly. When it comes to social media marketing, there are some tried and tested techniques that you need to follow. It is nothing like traditional branding activities, so you’re not going for the hard sell. 

The best place to start is with education. It would help if you learned about how to use these platforms and offered training to your team. Once you have all the right skills in place, you can use social media to improve your marketing ten-fold.


Infographic by University of Alabama Birmingham

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Home & Interiors

Top 4 ways to add value to your property

Are you planning to rent out your property? Before doing so, you should consider updating your property to ensure it appears attractive to tenants. This not only increases tenant demand, but it also enhances your property’s prospects, allowing you to up the rent and helping you receive excellent returns on your investment. Its so important to do your own research from the outset and sites such as  A+ Construction & Remodeling can prove to be an invaluable resource.

There are several ways to add value to your property. Here are a few ideas which will help you enhance your property and achieve success as a property investor.

Enhance room decor

decorative feature vase

Is your living room or bedroom looking a bit worse for wear? This will be off-putting to a lot of tenants; therefore, you should make sure every room in your house looks presentable before advertising it. This may just mean applying a new layer of paint, which will cost you next to nothing but will give your property a well-needed revival. On the other hand, it may be that you need to undertake a complete renovation, including new flooring, wallpaper, and furnishing. While this may cost more, the changes will be worthwhile in the long run, as your property will be much more appealing.  

Perform necessary repairs

There is nothing more off-putting to tenants than a damaged property, as the reason people to choose to rent is so that they avoid the responsibilities associated with owning a home. To avoid scaring away tenants, you should make sure that everything in the property is functioning and well put together. For example, it is vital that any structural problems are fixed by a professional to make the property as safe as possible, while also preventing it from looking like an eyesore.

You should also check every inch of the house to ensure that nothing is broken, especially if you’re renting out a furnished property. This could include white goods, furnishings, and any electrical fixtures which may need to be restored or replaced.

Sustainability

Sustainability is a real buzz word at the moment, particularly re energy sustainability.  Which according to wikipedia is using energy in a way that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Therefore if you are renovating a house it is highly advisable to consider the most sustainable way of heating your home or utilising energy. There really is a raft of literature out there on this topic and it can be a little overwhelming where to start. I have read a number of articles by leading utilities attorney Douglas Healy who remarks that the issue of sustainable energy is very much on the minds and agenda of the big utilities.

There are some simple steps you should take to ensure your home is efficiently heated thus more sustainable in terms of energy consumption, such as sealing or replacing any doors or windows to prevent cold entering the property. You should also consider updating your insulation, as this will not only keep the cold out but will also retain heat, meaning the heating will be used less which will result in reduced energy bills.

More costly sustainable options include, solar panels, wood burning stoves, low energy light fittings. Its important to remember every change no matter how small is a positive step towards (1) sustainable energy (2) make your property more attractive to potential purchasers thus adding value.

Update your exterior

Boosting your property’s kerb appeal is one of the most effective ways to add value. This is because it is the first thing that your potential tenants will see, and if this looks aesthetically-pleasing, their interest will increase. To start, you should sort out your garden, whether that is in the front, back, or both. To improve your green space, you should rip out any weeds, fix fences, and add colourful florals to make your garden more appealing.

Another way to update your exterior is by updating your front door, which may be the first point of focus for any tenants coming to visit your property. Therefore, you should make it stand out by using a bright colour like red or blue, which will highlight the entrance and make it look much more attractive. You could also consider implementing a porch, as this will frame the entrance making it look more homely and inviting.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

Strong Shaping Shapewear and Waist Trainer Sales

Do you know when the best time to buy shapewear is? It’s during sales season! Just like you wait for the sales to start to buy clothes, the same you should do when it comes to shapewear too!

Why is a good idea to buy shapewear on sale?

shapewear

The main reason for buying anything on sale is for the big discounts. You can even buy products for half of their original price and you can save a lot of money that you can use to buy even more items. FeelinGirl shapewear has some of the best offers you can find during the sales season and you should have your list ready with your favourite body shapers and take advantage of their offers. After all, their products have the best quality on the market!

What to know before buying body shapers on sale?

Of course, there are a few things you should consider doing before the sales start. 

You should have your wish list ready with all the items that you want from FeelinGirl and see which ones have the best discounts. 

You should also have a budget established, so you won’t over spend.

Do not forget to properly measure your waistline, so that you by the perfect size. You can also check the size chart that each FeelinGirl product has.

Which shapewear you should buy during sales at FeelinGirl?

It’s best to inform yourself before buying body shapers, especially if it’s your first time. You have to know for what do you want them: to lose weight or to smooth your body. 

Chose a waist trainer for strong shaping

If you want to lose weight you will need strong shaping shapewear. And the best choice is the latex waist trainer from FeelinGirl. This waist cincher will help you achieve an hourglass silhouette by adding strong compression to your waist line. Don’t worry, you can set the level of compression due to its adjustable straps. 

This waist trainer will give you the best results and help you get a small waist and a flat abdomen if it’s worn daily and especially during gym training.

It’s a very popular shapewear product and in high demand, so you should take advantage of the sales and buy one. 

Chose a bodysuit for a smooth silhouette

If you do not need to lose weight and just want to enhance your silhouette and a boost of confidence with it, the slimming bodysuit from FeelinGirl is perfect for you! It will smooth your curves while keeping everything in place and will give you a very harmonious hourglass silhouette. It’s made out of nylon and spandex, which makes it super soft, breathable and comfortable, so you will be able to wear it the entire day without a problem. 

 

Whether you want a waist trainer, a bodysuit or other shapewear items don’t forget to take advantage of the big sales and the free international shipping for orders over 70$ that FeelinGirl offers. 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Home & Interiors

Home Cinema and a Look at Silent Projectors

We would all love to go to the cinemas every weekend, big box of the saltiest popcorn that makes your lips crinkle halfway through, a 1L drink you normally wouldn’t finish and topped off with a bag of chocolate raisins, but due to increased prices that doesn’t happen nearly as often as we’d like it to. Boo. Read this article and see the opinions on this topic.

So, these days, with all men deciding they are now handy DIYers who can put their hands to anything, the home cinema theatre rage has boomed and every second house has a ‘version’ of a cinema, looking more like an over-sized screen with a cushion filled couch in-front of it. But it keeps them busy and out of our hair, so we go with it.

 

DIY Projector screen.

Ok, even though they claim they know what they’re doing, it often ends in more mess than to begin with, and we applaud them for giving it a go and having the courage to tackle the task, but without some idea, manual or even basic tutorial, it’s pretty much pot luck if it’ll work out.

Technology is fast-paced and advancing each day, so it makes sense to read up on the latest techniques, gadgets or methods for a job to ensure you are first, on track, but secondly are using a procedure that is modern to be able to source parts.

A few minutes’ research will save you from a headache, a crying wallet, and an annoyed spouse, so click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEjq-pF20pI for a quick fix lesson that’ll make you look like you knew what you were doing all along.

What to Consider to Create a Home Cinema?

 

  • Seating. This is usually in the form of a large, wide couch you can stretch out on, can fit the whole family and friends’ group and is so comfortable you inevitably end up falling asleep.
  • Snacks. If you can afford to splurge on a popcorn machine in the room then definitely go for it, movies are nothing without popcorn, otherwise making a quick batch upstairs in the kitchen will do just fine, and then the array of sweet or savory bars and packets on the side. Drinks will be in the bar fridge no doubt, so that’s sorted.
  • Lighting. A wall sconce is a great way to not only complete the cinema them and overall look, but they provide light without being obtrusive and in your face, it also doesn’t reflect onto the screen, have a look at different styles and models of cinema lighting to inspire you.
  • Projector and Screen. Of course, without these 2 essential items, no-one is going to be watching nothing nowhere, these will be the biggest expense so do your research and buy wisely. More expensive doesn’t necessarily equal quality.

 

How to Choose a Projector.

As this part of the project comes with a hefty price tag, it’s vital to do your homework, have a guideline of the features you are looking for and be sure the budget you set is the price range you are looking at, no point shopping for cars when you came for a horse if you know what I mean.

Go to the shops and have a look at a wide range of models, speak to the experts, people and companies who specialize in this field to give you the best advice, and take your time, there are many factors to consider, a lot of questions you need to ask yourself, and the professionals, and make a decision based on facts-and budget.

How bright should it be, does it need 3D, 4K HD, Bluetooth or WIFI, how long does the bulb last, should it hang or be on a bench and even if you didn’t think of it, how silent is it? Just these few simple questions can be overwhelming and a lot to take in.

Many people tend to put a few more pennies in the pot when it comes to the sound side of things, the noise of the fan can be annoying and wear out over time causing it to get even louder, but seeking the opinion from the pros on the quietest screen projects will put your mind at ease and they can explain all the benefits of certain features.

Top 5 Features to Look for in a Projector.

  • The contrast, adjustments and color accuracy, we want our film to be shown in the right colors, of course, see more info on this and get a better understanding of ratios.
  • Lens Zoom. This means you can adjust it back and forth when positioning it to get the clearest image, a larger zoom provides a better ‘throw-distance,’ which is the ideal distance ratio of screen to a projector for the type of model you have, be sure to measure before you mount.
  • Lens Shift. A key feature most will appreciate because not all rooms are the same and the projector can’t always be mounted where we would like it to be, so having the lens be able to move in all directions gives us that extra bit of flexibility.
  • Brightness. While a bright clear picture is great, too much light output can cause fatigue and you’ll end up with a lot of people staying over.
  • Noise. There are a lot of mechanics going on inside that little box, fans and wheels and moving lenses, so opt for the quietest model your finances allow, and that ambient movie scene won’t be ruined by whirring fan blades.

It is a lot to think about and who even knew projectors were so in-depth, but with proper planning and pros and cons lists, you’ll find the best solution that works for you, happy movie watching.

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

How To Set Up An App

To those of you with an entrepreneurial spark, setting up your own app might sound like a tempting and lucrative idea in this day and age. There are many things to think about as you go about each step of the process. You need to ask yourself initial questions like, “Will it be useful?”, or, “Will it make sense?”. What is the purpose of your app and who are you creating it for?

lightbulb

Pic Credit: pexels

Brainstorm your ideas, keeping the sky as the limit. Put your ideas onto paper, plan out practical development plans and think of a prototype for each idea. Try to not to get fixated on one idea, the more ideas you have, the more chance you have of success in the market. After you launch a single idea, give it a few months on the market to test it, if it doesn’t catch on, try out another one of your ideas. If there isn’t a user base developing for it then try another one. 

laptop

Pic Credit: pexels

When you’re ready to develop an idea it will be necessary for most of you, unless you’re a professional yourself, to hire a developer. There are several different companies available but some are more recommended than others. Xibis, for example offers many development services and has a proven reputation among big brands as well as smaller businesses. You’re looking for a developer with expertise and experience, in order to help take your prototype to market. At the end of the development process your developer will also be responsible for uploading the app to the app stores.

 

cash

Pic Credit: pexels

Money will be a factor and it’s difficult to say how much it costs to set up an up, as it really depends, you could be looking at anywhere from around $3,000-10,000 and that’s just an estimate. There are ways you can save money in the earlier stages and more importantly, think about how you can make more money from your up to break even and eventually make a profit on how much you spent setting it up. For example, it normally works out cheaper to opt for an outsourced provided, who knows what your criteria will be. Later on, if and when you see success in your product, you could move production home. Maintenance and development will be cheaper outsourced, rather than in-house at the beginning. 

Another great option is seeking help from financialadvisers.co.uk. Creating an app can be a very costly process, but with the help of financial advisers, it doesn’t have to be. They can provide you with the guidance and advice you need to save money efficiently so that you can allocate those funds towards developing your app. They can also help you create a budget and financial plan that will suit your unique needs and situation. Working with a financial adviser ensures that your app development process is as affordable as possible.

In order to sell your app you will need to take care of promotion. There are different ways to do this, a good start is with third party endorsement. Get your app reviewed by online bloggers, particularly tech bloggers and press. Afterall, you are looking to start a business essentially here, it might not be realistic to expect to suddenly make millions. Having said that, stay positive, it is a booming business and the future of how we do, pretty much everything. With a level head and the right support you’ll have the world at your fingertips. 

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Mamma Musings

What Running A Good Business Actually Looks Like

Being in business can be a lot of fun. Doing your own thing and being a business owner takes a lot of work, but it’s incredibly rewarding too. It’s nice to be able to create something of your own and do a lot of good with it. But, in order to do that, you have to focus on the idea of doing good. And that means running a good business. These are the three key values your business should operate on to do that.

 Integrity

 If you want to be able to build a good business, you need to make sure that you are moral. You have to be in it for the right reasons. You should care about the kind of business that you’ve built and that you’re creating something that does good in the world.

 Relatability

 At the same time, your audience should be able to relate to you. If they are going to connect with your business and want to buy from you – no matter whether you’re selling a product or service, you need to speak to them. So make sure you connect with your audience.

 Honesty

 Finally, it’s important for you to be honest. And this means operating in the most honest way possible. Don’t trick your audience and don’t do anything that could be considered illegal – like white collar crime. If you’d like to learn more about white collar crime, just take a look at the infographic below.


Infographic Design By USC

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Mamma Musings

Sales Tax Audit – some tips

sales tax audit books

Pic Credit: Pixabay

There is nothing like hearing the words tax and audit in a sentence together to strike fear in any business owner. Sales tax compliance is something that must be on the minds of any business audit. As the old saying goes when it comes to sales tax audit think of when not if. That way being sales tax compliant remains at the forefront of your mind. The first thing to do if you received a notification of a sales tax audit is – do not panic. I know this is easier said than done but stressing genuinely wont help. You need to be able to think clearly and act rationally and deal with the matter at hand as effectively and efficiently as possible. Bearing in mind that it is mostly a documentary process conduced via mail so the chances are you may not even meet somebody from the IRS.

So what is a sales tax audit?

According to Wikipedia  it is the examination of a company’s financial documents by a government’s tax agency to verify if the proper amount of sales tax has been remitted to the proper authority.  According to Bob Meighan from Huffington Post stated that “most people don’t realize that only 1.1 percent of individual taxpayers receive an audit letter every year“.

So if you are in the unfortunate 1.1% so what should you do?  Talk to the experts. Companies like TaxConnex use their years of experience in  the are of sales tax audit you get all the know-how – From wayfair nexus to managing audits. They effectively act as an intermediary between your company and the audit assisting you long along with way.  Particularly in a stressful situation it can be invaluable to have somebody deal with the queries, pull the paperwork, give further clarity and context especially for independent contractor taxes

It is important to bear in mind that tax should not just be reactive. It is something you need to be considering on an ongoing basis again utilising experts if this is not a skill set you have in house.  It may sound simplistic and that im overly simplifying this but you really do need to maintain a tax calendar with all your key reporting/ filing dates on it.  Also note that it may change over time and with legislative changes to keeping up date is critical.

A couple of tips

  • Don’t panic
  • Call the experts
  • Every letter from the IRS isn’t necessarily an audit
  • Submitting an amendment does not necessarily mean you will increase you chances of being audit -if you spot a mistake correct  it
  • Most audit are conducted via mail – you might not even meet somebody from the IRS
  • A lot of articles in this area suggest businesses which deal a lot in cash, bars, restaurants, etc are more prone to audits to ensure controls around cash and reporting are operating effectively.
  • Research suggests that if you sell outside of your own state is increases your likelihood of sales tax audit
  • Expect the auditor to use some form of sampling method around your data
  • Don’t evading taxes that are legally due
  • The auditor is not the enemy that are only doing their job.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post