Borrowing money for business is not a simple decision to do. No one can really tell whether expected returns for taking on the financial responsibility will be realized. There are essential aspects to consider to determine whether it is a wise move.

Whether borrowing is something regular or seasonal for business, it has its purpose. Debts are not necessarily a liability specifically in business. Not in the right business hands, they aren't. 

Photo by Mike Petrucci on Unsplash

Business owners who learn to maximize the advantages of business loan use end up enjoying the results of calculated risks. Cash flow management is more efficient. Credit worthiness reputation is built with responsible repayment. Possibilities for expansion can be unlimited.

So when is it wise to consider borrowing money for business? 

Sufficient Planning

Prudent business owners do not simply decide to  borrow money. Such decision is best arrived at after careful planning. This means giving time to research financing options and determining suitability based on actual  business needs and circumstances. The loan process may also take some time to be completed so it makes sense to file the application way before the time of actual need.

There are standard business loan requirements that borrowers need to comply with. While there may be some challenges in completing them especially for new business owners, there is nothing to prevent them from complying. It is important to have a strategic plan in place so that borrowed funds will definitely go to intended reasons. It is always wise to borrow when plans are in place.

Expanding Operation

It is not rocket science that business expansion requires more capital. Unless business owners have their own unlimited funding source, borrowing is a sensible option. It also bears knowing that the cost of equity is higher than the cost of debt. 

There are different types of business loans. Term loans where borrowers get a lump sum of cash to be repaid with interest over a predetermined period, are suitable for business expansion.  A business cash advance is extended to the borrower based on a business' future revenue. Another is the business line of credit provides access to funds based on credit limit. It is wise to borrow for business expansion as it creates financial leverage to a profitable business.

Machinery and Equipment Purchase

For a business to make increase in production possible, upgrading machinery and equipment is necessary.  Of course this requires money. So does investing in new technology that will help boost production.

Increased production means more clients served. More clients mean more income. More income means more profit. It is wise to borrow to purchase machinery and equipment that strengthens business infrastructure.

My Say

A business loan is a useful tool for growth. When utilized the right way, it can be a business owner's best ally. When availed of irresponsibly, it can be the heaviest burden to carry.

Risks will always be part of doing business. Taking out a business loan is one such risk. That said, risks are worth taking as long as they are calculated to increase business profitability.

Preparing for a portrait photoshoot can turn out to be overwhelming. You need to do many things to ensure that you get a quality portrait and have the best experience. Therefore, preparing for your portrait early is critical. These tips are what you should have on your mind while preparing for a portrait photoshoot.

Photo by Harrison Haines from Pexels

Choose a Reliable Photographer

Before you do anything, look for a portrait photographer with extensive experience specializing in portraits. You can visit their websites to read previous customers' reviews. Also, go through their professional portraits gallery to see whether they have a picture with a style that you would want. You can talk to them about your portrait session and choose a day, time, and location. They offer the best portrait services for personal and business use.

Go For Manicure

A good portrait photographer captures every single detail. Therefore, plan for a manicure and pedicure a day or two before the portrait photoshoot. This way, your nails will look better on camera. Consider putting a dark nail color to make your nails look intriguing and prettier. You can also go for a beautiful French manicure. Avoid using bright nail colors since they will attract too much attention. However, if you choose to do your nails at home, ensure you trim the cuticles and file them well.

Get a Good Night's Sleep

It is critical to get a good night's sleep the day before your portrait photoshoot session. A good rest will make you look great. Furthermore, you will be able to wake up early and get enough time to prepare, style yourself, perfect your wardrobe, and travel. You will reach your destination without rushing, giving you enough time to relax before the photo session starts.

Keep Skin Hydrated

One week before the portrait photoshoot, ensure you take care of your skin. Avoid drinking too much alcohol but take loads of water. Eat healthy foods and avoid salty foods. Also, each day moisturizes your skin. This way, you will have an elegant look during your portrait-taking session.

Select Your Wardrobe

As you prepare for a portrait photoshoot, take with you several outfits. Pick clothing that fits well. This way, you will be more comfortable while moving, which will boost your confidence. While choosing a wardrobe for portrait shooting, avoid stripes and patterns, especially if your location is new, as they can conflict with other things. Furthermore, avoid clothes with logos since they are visually distracting. Consider wearing neutral colors like beige, white, gray, tan, or black since they are perfect for portraits. These neutral colors will avoid conflicting with the background and complement your skin better.

Hair

If you have dyed your hair, retouching the growth three or four days before the portrait photoshoot is ideal. Avoid any drastic changes at this time. If you prefer cutting your hair, trim it to look neat and vibrant. Also, visit your hairstylist to condition your hair or do it yourself. A little preparation can change your portrait photoshoot from good to the best.

My Say

Therefore, doing these things can help you prepare and get the best portrait photoshoot.

The Dengue season is again upon us. Has anyone else noticed how more persistent the mosquitoes have become in clinging to human skin? They're literally everywhere but it's a good thing I've discovered how to drive mosquitoes away in style. 

How, you ask? With the good ol' mosquito coil or katol. Katol is essentially a mosquito-repelling incense that comes in spiral form. While it works to drive away annoying mosquitoes, it should be used in areas where there is sufficient ventilation to avoid health issues. It should not also be left unattended to avoid accidental fires.

Granted that basic safety precautions are observed, the use of mosquito coil to repel mosquitoes is economical and safer to use than most insecticides. One concern in its use is the rather unattractive appearance while being used. It is not something that you would like your guests to see while visiting your home.

Reinventing Katol 

Katol nowadays can be bought in scented form aside from their original formulation. Thanks to more recent stylish innovations, you can actually keep it lighted even in the presence of visitors. The usual metal stand can now be replaced with beautiful holders that look like decorative pieces.

Photo Credit

I bought four pieces of retro-iron mosquito coil holder in gold and the design just perfectly fit our home. My online search led me to other options for katol as well as holders. Smokeless katols seem to be a good choice and so are the beautiful holders shown above. 

My Say

For the longest time, I have been hiding katol while in use. That said, with the recent innovations in formulation and holder style, I don't see any reason to do that anymore. Let's drive away mosquitoes in style. 

Doing the laundry during the rainy season can be the bane of many homemakers. It is not uncommon to end up rewashing many clothes after being in the clothesline for several days due to non-stop rain. This of course wastes so much precious time as such time can be used for other household tasks that are equally important.

Photo by Randy Fath on Unsplash

Here are my 5 Top Laundry Tips During the Rainy Season:

1. Prioritize Laundry Items to Wash

Since it would take a longer time for newly laundered clothes to dry during the rainy season, this means limited hanging space for the next laundry batches. Prioritize which clothes to wash first according to the need for them. It would be helpful for family members to consider using particular clothes such as denim pants more than once before throwing into the laundry basket so as not to create an unnecessarily big pile.

2. Invest in a reliable dryer

During the rainy season when outdoor drying of clothes is a guaranteed game of hit and miss, owning a reliable dryer is a definite time saver. Having to dry clothes indoor is extremely difficult if they are dripping wet. Make sure to adjust the heat level on the fabric.

3. Use a fabric conditioner

Drying clothes indoors may result to musty smelling clothes. Using the right fabric conditioner can resolve this concern. Downy Kontra Kulob is my preferred product for this purpose. 

4. Set up a Portable Clothes Dryer

Newly laundered clothes should have a place for hanging even if already passed through through the dryer. They still benefit from some time hanging on a clothes dryer with sufficient space in between. This is best done in an airconditioned room or at least a room with a fan or slightly opened windows, if possible.

For the average Canadian, thinking of Calgary brings to mind cowboys on horseback and modern players playing hockey.  Although this rugged energy is a tradition that the city prides itself on, sitting at the oil capital of Canada: people are never really sure what to expect when they arrive.

Photo by Deane Bayas from Pexels

To many, Calgary sounds like a large city with a small-city energy.  They're not wrong!  Sprawled out flat across many lands, living in Calgary can feel a lot like vanishing into dozens of towns molded into one piece.

What does that mean about home price, though?

Here are the top things to consider when deciding if Calgary homes for sale are going to fit your budget.  

The Expanse of Land

It can feel like there’s endless land in Calgary.  Stopped only by the surrounding mountains and developers' wallets, the city seems to lose space quickly.  This is driving up the cost of homes, increasing the expense people have to pay on fuel, and leaving many fed up with city life.

The ample open space can also work against homeowners, especially if they live on the outskirts because the traffic and distance they have to travel to work or enjoy the city can add up to a lot of missed time.  For many, it's worth buying a condo instead.

The Types of Jobs Available

Because of Calgary's past, many may assume they'll have to find a hands-on job; it's not the case!  Most of Calgary's workforce makes between $50,000 and $500,000 a year, depending on the role and the company.  Calgary's central money-making functions are those involved in oil and those in the technology sector.  Although this city isn't known yet as a technological metropolis, it's gaining a more techy reputation by investing a lot in start-ups and smaller companies.

These jobs bring in more money than the average hourly job.

The Snowbirds

Although you may not think snowbirds (people who fly South for the winter) would affect much of the price in Calgary, it does!  Although many people slip south in the winter: there are even more who come up north during the summer for cooler weather and partying.

Calgary has a severe issue with landlords renting out entire apartment buildings on listing sites like Airbnb because it limits the living situations for those who spend every day of the year in the city.  This can boost up the prices of housing that is available and stops many people from being able to buy a home.

The average cost of a house in Calgary is 1.5x the price of a home in a larger city like Houston in the United States.  Although you can get a Houstonian home for $225,000 easily, in Calgary, similar homes sell for $350,000.

My Say

If you can balance out the cost with saving money in other parts of your life, buying a home in Calgary is a great idea!  That said, you’re almost guaranteed to gain money in the long term, as long as you can handle the upfront cost.

Most parents of today try to be super humans who do everything for their children. A big part of that may mean exempting them from household chores. There is a view held by some parents that assigning chores to kids robs them of their childhood. The opposite view says that kids have to be taught the realities of adulthood early on because those realities are sure to come and will most definitely include household chores. 


Photo by Heather Ford on Unsplash

There are 3 main aspects for parents to consider when assigning household chores to teenage kids:

Age Appropriateness

Age appropriateness refers to the physical, psychological, and emotional capabilities of a kid to handle a task. Although most teenagers of today have a tendency to act like adults, this does not necessarily mean that they have matured that far. Assigned chores should not expose kids to unnecessary danger.

Some of the tasks that teenage kids or younger can easily tackle are putting away their belongings; sweeping, vacuuming, and dusting; feeding and walking family pets; washing and putting away dishes; and washing the family car, among others. There are still actually a lot more and family members can just agree how household chores are divided. No one has to feel burdened by doing everything while other able-bodied household members do nothing. 

Responsibility vs Punishment

Parents should introduce household chores as a responsibility of all family members. Everyone should contribute as a team member in ensuring the upkeep of the home. Doing one's part is expected and not to be seen as a form of punishment.

A home that is in order benefits the whole family. Many parents give household chores to kids in addition to suspending privileges as a form of punishment especially for serious infractions of household rules. While it can give the kid something constructive to do (if he does it), presenting household chores as a form of punishment only, negates the purpose of establishing a sense of responsibility. That is the very reason why introducing household chores to kids at every appropriate level is important, instead of using it just to punish erring kids. A reward system which does not necessarily involve money but hinged on availing of privileges such as more computer time for example, for a task done right and on time, may be an option.

Workable Structure

Kids should not be put up for failure in performing household chores by unrealistic demands in time and nature of the tasks. Parents cannot expect kids to make an efficient job if it interferes with their non-negotiable obligations in school, social life, and personal life. A structure has to be worked out within the family because there are always consequences if one member fails to do his share.

Expecting kids to finish school assignments and cleaning his room at the same time is unrealistic. The tasks are physically and mentally impossible to do at the same time. A proper work around would be to schedule cleaning the room on a weekend or assign a chore that can be done in between studies like washing their own dishes after use. The regularity of the motions lessens objections when minor household chores are seen as part of daily life and not as obstructions to more critical responsibilities.

My Say

I personally believe that making kids do age-appropriate household chores is necessary to their full development. This is especially so for teenage kids who are nearing the adult stage. This is just part of parents' job to prepare their kids to survive real life. 

That said, making teenage kids do household chores can easily turn into an uphill domestic battle.Nagging parents and indifferent kids are common scenarios. Families will have to continuously work it out between and among their members. There are no hard and fast rules to go about it, just an understanding that every member needs to do his share for the family and the place they all call home.

Experienced businessmen will tell you that it is not easy to run a business. It requires hard work, a level of consistency that people who quit lack, and discipline.


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You may have a successful launch; however, the maintenance and the growth of the business may be lacking. That is one of the reasons why many businesses close down. CEOs may not have a clue on how to proceed from where they are and go to another level.

Be assured that once you start your business, you have to possess certain leadership qualities. As the leader, you have to learn specific things to aid in you growing the company so that it can reach its goals.

Therefore, what are the things that you should do to have a successful company?

1. Purchase first aid products

Well, since you aspire to have premises, there are factors you should consider. One of them is to have a safe environment for your staff.

That can be one of the simplest gestures that you care about them and not that you are not about making money only. For instance, if your business is a high-risk company, where people handle dangerous chemicals or equipment, then you may require having a complete kit.

Choose the best supplier such as Save Rite Medical in your locale. Make sure that you go for a size that matches the number of employees in your organization.

Another point to consider is that it is always a good idea if you keep in a location that is easy to reach.

2. You have to find the right mentor

It is still good to learn the journey all alone. Nonetheless, it may take you a long time to learn a simple concept like leadership skills.

To counter the problem of wasting time learning a concept like the one mentioned above, get a mentor. Such people are helpful, and they will save your time because they have the right experience that you lack in running that business.

When looking for a mentor, it is also advisable that you search for one within your circles. They will give you personalized advice on a one to one level.

The thing is, learn as much as you can even if you have to go to a school to learn business management.

3. Push your employees to be better

If you have the right leadership skills, then it is your job to ensure that all your workers become better while they work there.

When looking for employees, always pick the one who fits the vision of the firm and who is capable of bringing change to it. Give promotion to people who deserve it, motivate your workers every morning when they report to work, and deal with issues fairly.

Treat everyone with respect by always listening to complaints, requests, and new ideas that they would want to implement.

Once you do this, you find that people will respond better to you and even to clients.

My Say

When doing business, always consider the fact that companies have difficulties. Learn from mistakes and move on to the next level. 

That said, put everything in order. From how the office looks to how you arrange files, be sure that you remain organized at all times. Clients admire that.

There are many things that one needs to do or have so that they can get a good night's sleep. Starting from the right number of blankets, bed sheets, mattresses, and pillows, one needs to know what exactly makes them comfortable when they are in need of sleep. There are many other factors that also determine how well one can sleep at night. 

You may have the best bed and mattresses and still struggle to fall asleep. Other than having the best bedding, it is also important that you avoid bright lights in the bedroom. You should also ensure that you avoid taking coffee and other drinks that have caffeine, at least 5 hours before you go to sleep.  You may also need to increase the blankets and number of pillows that you use during your sleep time.


Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash


In this article, we shall discuss some of the things that you need to have to sleep well. Here are 5 of them:

1. Electric blanket

One of the things that can make someone unable to sleep well is lack of warm blankets and bed sheets. Electric blankets have electric cables that run out of them. As such, the blanket can be warmed through the insulated network of wires that run through it. The wires heat when the blanket is plugged and this makes the bed warm. This is definitely one of the best ways that one can sleep soundly due to the warmth that the blanket provides.

2. Use the right number of pillows

You should choose the right type of pillow for your needs. You need to align the neck bones with the spine. For this purpose, you should use less number of pillows for more comfort. Based on your body type, you can choose the most comfortable pillows for your deep sleep at night. If you are a side sleeper, two pillows would be good for you. The first pillow should be beneath your head while the second one should put between the knees.

3. Use the right kind of mattress

Your mattress plays a very big role in your sleep pattern. The right kind of a mattress will be determined by many factors. There are people who are comfortable sleeping on a soft mattress while others prefer a high-density mattress. For people with medical conditions, they may have to consult for better advice. Your mattress should allow proper air flow at night due to your snoozing.

4. Have sufficient exercise

Exercises can make you sleep well. They definitely do wonders to your body and this makes the body to require rest in the form of sleep. When you exercise, the energy levels of your body will increase. However, you should not exercise just a few hours before going to bed. This could prevent you from sleeping.

5. Have a proper meal

This may sound a little far-fetched but it’s a very important thing that you should have to sleep well. By a proper meal, we mean that you should eat sufficient amounts of food for your supper. The meal should also be balanced and should contain food ingredients that help in sleep inducement.

My Say

If you are like many people who lie in bed for a number of hours without getting the much desired sleep, it is necessary that you find out what's causing this. Sleep or the lack of it can considerably affect your well-being. That said, make sure you get that needed sleep to avoid possible related health conditions.

Photo by Jonny Caspari on Unsplash

Photo by Martine Savard from Pexels

There will come a time in your life when you feel like living at home with your parents just isn’t what you want anymore. You will eventually need to have some independence and the ability to spread your wings and find your place in the wider world.

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Once you have resolved yourself and know that you want to move out and find your own feet, you will need to find out if you can afford the move. Moving home involves a lot of additional costs, they will often involve costs that you have never even heard or been told about, so make sure that when you come to buy a home, you have a decent buffer in your savings account for anything which may be thrown in your direction.

How much can we borrow?

When you come to look for houses, you will first need to find out how much you can borrow from the mortgage lender towards your home. This will determine the house price range you will be looking at. Use a house loan calculator online to find out how much you are expected to be able to borrow, and then also visit a mortgage lender to get some advice on your current situation and see if they think you are in a position to be buying a home.

The amount you can borrow will depend on a few different factors in your life. It will depend on how much money you earn a year; how much money comes out of your account for essentials each month such as childcare and car insurance; and also factors such as your age. The amount you can borrow will also depend upon the bank you go with - so don’t be afraid to do some research and get a few different quotes to work with.

Putting down a deposit for a mortgage

When you buy a property, you will have to put down a deposit as a lump sum at the start of the process. This is the money which will seal the deal and allow you to exchange contracts with the seller. In most cases, you will be required to put down a minimum of 10% of the overall cost price of the home. However, there are some banks which will allow you to go as low as 5% - which is mostly aimed at first-time buyers who are trying to get themselves on the property ladder. Again, you will need to be prepared to do some research and find out which banks allow for this if you don’t have a large enough deposit to put down 10%.

How much will the property cost?

The mistake that many first-time buyers make when it comes to purchasing their first home is not researching all of the extra costs involved in buying a home. While you may already have enough money to cover the deposit - that is not the only thing you will need to pay out for during the process. Here are some of the extra costs which you will need to save up for:

• Stamp Duty - This is a land tax which can cost up to 7% of the total value of your home. It is one you will need to calculate using a stamp duty calculator.
• Solicitor Fees - Solicitors don't work for free, and the cost of admin and drawing up the contracts can set you back over a thousand, if not more.
• Surveys and valuations - Your mortgage lender will require you to carry out a survey on the home before they accept your mortgage application.
• Furniture - Once you have bought your home, you will need to furnish it. White goods, a sofa and bed can cost you a lot of money, so make sure you have sufficient amount saved up for these.

How will we pay for the monthly mortgage payments?

Most of the time, the interest rate which you pay on your mortgage each month will depend on the deposit value you put down initially. And you can also change the interest rates you pay depending on the type of mortgage you go for:

• Fixed-rate mortgage - this means that the interest rate will stay the same, regardless of changes in the market, for a period of either 2.3 or 5 years. This is recommended for the first few years of your mortgage because the repayment won't fluctuate during the time. 
• Tracker Mortgage - Rather than the interest rate staying the same, it will fluctuate alongside the wider market. This can be beneficial if interest rates suddenly dip, although there is a risk that they will rise.

How To Save Up For A House

The easiest way to save up for a deposit on a home is to regularly pay an amount of money into a bank or building society savings account. As you put money in, you will accrue interest on your savings and come out with a little bit more at the end.

If you struggle being able to save up and budget your money efficiently, you may need to start looking at your finances more thoroughly and much more often. The key to being able to save up your money is to understand fully how much money you have. Take the time to go through your bank statement at the end of the month and you will see how much money you have incoming from your employment, and you will also see how much money you spend on things like your phone contract, food, insurance and other costs. Once you’ve looked at the essential costs and subtracted that from your earnings, you’ll be left with your expendable income. This is the money you have left at the end of the month to buy food, go out with your friends or do some retail therapy. The key is to cut down these spending habits as much as you can, in order to give you a certain amount of money to save up each month. 


My Say

Owning your own home may entail some sacrifices. That said, those sacrifices will be worth it as you enjoy the fruits of saving up for your own home.