Archives for 2017

12/24/2017 By Ben Leave a Comment

My 50 Favorite Christmas Songs: 2017 Edition

For the fifth time in six years, I've decided to post the list of my 50 favorite Christmas(/Advent) songs, first assembled in 2012. The list returned for 2013, 2014 and (after a cross-state moving hiatus) in 2016. Once again, as in the last couple editions, I have linked every entry to a free online version that best captures the respective song's quality (or just was available and sounded interesting). Most of the links are the same as before. Nonetheless, a few had to be replaced after coming off YouTube, or I just found a better or more interesting version. While three songs disappeared off the list for the first time ever (marked in Bold Italics in the list below the Top 50), this year two oldies made inaugural appearances on the Top … [Read more...]

12/19/2017 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Tax Reform and You: What Will 2018 Bring?

Image Source: Pexels 2017 has seen a number of different tax reform proposals, most significantly a revision of the current tax brackets and modification of various deductions, depending on the state where you live. Now, the Senate has passed a bill to drastically reform federal taxes. While it still has to be approved by the House of Representatives before it goes through, the bill holds massive potential to benefit businesses. While the proposed tax bill drew strong, controversial reactions from Democrats, there is no doubt that it would help increase businesses growth and success. Here’s how it could affect your next tax season if it passes. Business Tax Changes It’s no secret that Obama era tax reform did nothing to help … [Read more...]

12/19/2017 By Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Powerful Ways To Handle Difficult Situations

It’s likely you’re going to have to handle a difficult situation once in a while. It’s never a pleasant experience and oftentimes causes a lot of angst. There are some people who fold or turn their back and others who learn to face adversity with a sense of calm and poise. It’s your decision who you want to be and which strategy you choose to use in your life. If you’re someone who wants to learn more about tackling challenges with proactive approaches then you’ve come to the right place. Remember that it’s never too late to get back on the right foot. See powerful ways to handle difficult situations. Go to the Source One way is to stop beating around the bush and go right to the source of your pain. Whether it’s a job, person or … [Read more...]

11/8/2017 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

Building Self Esteem at Any Age

C.S. Lewis once wrote: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” Many of us often seem to get humility confused with bad self-esteem as a way to justify our dwelling place within self discouragement. But it’s not good or healthy for us to stay there. We’re more or less taught this by society unfortunately, and learning bad self-esteem at a young age is pretty common. Since so many of us are programed to think lowly ourselves, how can we turn that around, no matter where we are in age or life experience? We all have different challenges that work against our own self respect and self image, but they can be manageable and do not have to break us down. Trust, Trust, Trust Did you know that including a … [Read more...]

10/12/2017 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

How to Realistically Find an Optimal Work-Life Balance

Finding the appropriate work-life balance is a challenge that every individual struggles with at some point in their life. As Juliet Schor reports in her book “The Overworked American: The Unexpected Decline of Leisure,” hours worked and stress about those jobs are on the incline, while family time, sleep, and leisure time are gradually becoming more like amenities, rather than necessities for all classes of employed Americans. According to research, finding a suitable work-life balance is even harder if you’re a member of a younger generation. “Nearly one-third of millennials say managing their work, family, and personal responsibilities has become more difficult in the past five years,” writes Time contributor Donna Rosato. “And nearly … [Read more...]

9/20/2017 By Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

5 Tips for Planning a Successful Road Trip

Do you love to take control of your own destiny? Do you hate having to let other people tell you what you are doing and where you are going? If so, you should consider arranging a road trip. This is a great way to explore new places, on your own terms. It is also an extremely cost-effective way of going on vacation. In order to ensure that your road trip goes smoothly, you will need to plan ahead. Below are five tips for planning a successful road trip. Get a great playlist In order to get through your long journey, you will need a fantastic playlist. Try to find songs for all of your different moods. You should also try to choose tunes that match the places that you are visiting. If you are travelling in a group, you could suggest that … [Read more...]

9/19/2017 By Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

How the EB5 Visa has Encouraged Investment in the U.S.

For people who want to move to the U.S. and work or start a business, there are a number of routes to go down to get the rights to do this, and not all of them are easy or available to everyone. Some people apply for jobs in the USA and are able to move here because their companies sponsor them or because they can’t fill these roles with local people, for example. This is obviously something only people with specialist skills who want to be employed can do. For those who actually want to start their own businesses in America, there has for some time now been another option: the EB5 visa. What Is The EB5 Visa? The EB5 visa is a program under which foreign nationals can gain a green card for two years by investing at least $500,000 in the … [Read more...]

9/12/2017 By Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

5 Tips for Creating an Optimal Retail Space

The design and outlook of your retail space influence your customer’s experience and shopping behavior. Creating the optimal space requires a combination of interior design and architectural skill. You do not need a degree in the two fields to improve your customer’s experience and boost sales. You can implement the same design tips that large retailers use and get the same results in sales. The top design tips for retail spaces are outlined below. 1. Choose an Attractive Design The design of your store should be attractive and outstanding right from the entrance to the checkout counter. Pick the right colors and lighting that will make your store stand out. Buyers should be attracted to your store from several blocks across the road. … [Read more...]

8/29/2017 By Brooke Faulkner Leave a Comment

How Your Desk Job Is Harming Your Health

Getting that high-paying desk job can be a dream come true or your worst nightmare. Desk jobs can be killers, literally. More and more studies are coming to light on the effects office jobs have on your health. Not only is stress a major negative factor, but long hours, sedentary work environments and the vices people use to cope with these stressors contribute to the rampant ailments and diseases that plague our country as well. However, you don’t need to quit your job just yet to improve your health. There are simple, everyday things you can do to make your desk job more beneficial to your longevity. Stressed out Stress doesn’t take just a mental toll, it takes a toll on your body as well. You can even be put in a stressful … [Read more...]