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Author: Cameron

  • Tesla Model Y Closer than We Think?

    Tesla Model Y Closer than We Think?

    Tesla CEO Elon Musk surprised investors on the Q4 earnings call be hinting at some new info regarding the upcoming Tesla Model Y. The Model Y, which is set be a companion to the affordable Model 3 sedan, will apparently share as much as 75% of its parts with the Model 3. This is huge news and lends credence to the idea that the Model Y could be in production by 2020.

    Tesla Model Y Production

    Model Y Specs

    We don’t know a lot about the Model Y yet. At time of writing, the best guess that industry analysts have is that the Model Y could be some type of crossover. Tesla’s affordable Model 3 vehicle is a full-sized sedan, so it only makes sense that an SUV would be its sibling.

    After all, the SUV is on track to pretty much kill off the sedan in 2019. Very few carmakers still post profits on their sedans, with Tesla being a rare exception. If Tesla wants mainstream success across the US and global markets, an SUV-style electric car may be just what they need.

    Production

    On the call, Musk made it clear that the Model Y is intended to sport nearly 75% of the same parts as the Model 3. This is a big twist for the company and heartens investors slightly. After all, ramping up to full-swing production was quite the hurdle for the Model 3, as the machining process to get the vehicles ready was daunting.

    However, with those parts already created and ready to go, it’s looking like the Model Y can capitalize on the work that’s already been done. If Tesla is able to take advantage of its existing manufacturing, the overhead for the Model Y could be markedly lower and help the company post much better profits on the Model Y.

    Location

    Rumor has it that Tesla is looking to expand from their production facility in Fremont for Model Y production. Currently, the Model S, Model X and Model 3 are all manufactured at that production facility. It makes sense that they’d want to branch out, given the Fremont facility is rather close to being at capacity.

    Just last year, when Tesla was pushing to meet demand for Model 3’s, the Fremont facility had a tent added on for production. It was a silly time and showed just how slam-full the Fremont facility is.

  • Apple FaceTime Bug Surprises iPhone Owners

    Apple FaceTime Bug Surprises iPhone Owners

    Apple’s FaceTime software has encountered a strange bug lately that has surprised iPhone owners and Apple alike. The bug was first detected by a 14-year-old gamer who was getting a group FaceTime together to play Fortnite with his friends. The boy’s mother attempted to warn Apple of this error around January 19th, though the bug wasn’t widely known until the 28th.

    Apple FaceTime Bug

    The Bug

    The bug itself is rather unnerving. Essentially, it occurs when someone starts a Group FaceTime. Whether or not the recipients of the call answer it, their conversations will be audible to those on the call.

    This is disturbing for a number of reasons. Primarily, it’s an issue when you consider how someone could simply call your device for a Group FaceTime and then just leave the line open and listen to your conversations. Essentially, the bug allowed any FaceTime-enabled device to become a listening device.

    Discovery

    Michele Thompson’s son, a 14-year-old boy, discovered the bug. Thompson then replicated the results herself a few times to make sure the bug was replicable. Upon discovering that it was, Thompson set about trying to inform Apple of the security breach.

    Thompson expressed frustration with how difficult it was to raise awareness of this issue with Apple. Finally, she even resorted to tweeting Apple CEO Tim Cook and warned him that this would be made public shortly. However, she felt bad about the Tweet later and deleted it.

    Apple’s Response

    Apple responded to the discovery of the bug (eventually) by having Group FaceTime disabled. The Group FaceTime functionality was added in October 2018, so security bugs like this were expected to occur in some capacity. This particular bug, however, is a bit distressing.

    Any bug that results in the device becoming a security breach is a major issue. Apple has promised to re-launch the software when the security breach has been patched. Hopefully this time the software doesn’t offer a window straight into user’s private conversations.

  • Save Time with the Best Payroll Software

    Save Time with the Best Payroll Software

    If you own a small business, then you’re surely not a huge fan of the process of managing payroll. If you’ve been trying to do payroll by hand without any software, you’re aware of how time-consuming it can be. The best way to cut the time for payroll management down is through payroll software.

    Software that helps to optimize your payroll might sound like a dry subject, but when you see how much time it can save you, you’ll perk up. It might sound difficult to figure out which is the best though: it’s not easy to experiment and try out different software. Not to mention, there are so many great options out there? Which payroll software is the best?

    We’re breaking down some of the best payroll software on the market to help you figure out which one will be right for your business.

    Which is the Best Payroll Software?

    ADP

    The go-to payroll software for most businesses is, of course, ADP. Originally known as Automatic Data Processing, this company got their start in the 1950’s and has grown to be the biggest payroll company in the world. This is no mistake: ADP’s software is top-notch and will greatly help to maximize your time. One out of six businesses use ADP, so it’s likely to be a great choice for your business.

    ADP Run is a software package that is ideal for small businesses with 50 or less employees. This software uses cloud storage to keep your information safely backed-up, and it also does a number of processes in the background to keep you from having to keep up with them. Processes like payroll deductions, tax calculations and even direct deposit can all be handled through ADP Run.

    There is a bit of downside: the software isn’t cheap. This software suite will run you twice what a service like Gusto would. The software price is highly variable, as well, depending on the size of your business and how often payroll is run.

    Gusto

    Speaking of Gusto, this software is highly user-friendly and can be learned easily. Small businesses love the Gusto software package, as it has great customer service and includes tax support and HR in the software.

    Those who want a simple payroll platform would be pleased to know that Gusto can run automatic payroll as well as managing both onboarding for new employees and benefits management. The onboarding in particular is a huge time-saver for a small business, as it allows your new employees to enter their own info and keep your records up-to-date.

    If you’re really not keen on keeping up with payroll yourself, you can actually set it up to run on a programmed schedule. If you want, the Gusto software package can run automatic payroll at set intervals. On top of that, workers’ comp, retirement plans and tuition savings plans can all be set up through Gusto.

    This affordable software package comes in at a solid $39 a month for their basic package, plus $6 per employee on the payroll. This, paired with Gusto’s super simple user-interface, makes it a great software suite for any small business.

    Sage

    Sage’s software suite is offered in two forms: an Essential Plan for companies with 10 or less employees, and a Full-Service Plan for companies with more than 10. The Sage software can be run via either cloud processing or on site. The functions are rather deep and accessible, and the ability to run multiple reports helps you see what minor adjustments change.

    The Essential Plan is great for very small companies, as data can even be entered via your smartphone. Then, payroll is quite simple. Employees can be paid out via direct deposit or prepaid debit cards, or just through old-fashioned checks. Taxes can also be calculated and deducted straight from the software with the Essential Plan.

    The Full-Service Plan offers everything you get with the Essential Plan as well as many functions better-suited to larger businesses. Additionally, Sage will set up the Full-Service Plan software for you once you purchase it and walk you through how to use it.

    The software isn’t terribly expensive, either, coming in at $50 per employee per month. This is markedly lower than ADP. It is, however, a good bit pricier than Gusto, making it a bit of a step between the two services. Sage does have a leg up over Gusto, though, in that it offers full QuickBooks integration. There is also a full online chat-support for customers, so you’ll never be lost without any help.


  • Are You Spending Too Much Time on Social Media?

    Are You Spending Too Much Time on Social Media?

    It can be very difficult to tell when you’re spending too much time on social media. It’s easy to sit down at your computer or on your couch and start scrolling endlessly through your social media feeds. Twitter offers up news and bites of thought, Facebook shows you your friends everyday life events and Instagram shows you windows into the lives of others.

    Maybe you’re feeling like you’re spending too much time on social media due to the effect it’s having on your psyche. Are you feeling depressed or anxious when you start scrolling through your feed? Maybe it’s time to step back.

    How to Tell If You’re Spending Too Much Time on Social Media

    Every Moment is Captured

    If you notice you’re always framing each moment and capturing it for Instagram or Facebook, maybe it’s time to reconsider your social media intake. If every meal is being photographed and uploaded and every restaurant is only for your Insta clout, that’s not terribly healthy. It’s okay to enjoy things in the moment, as the ephemeral and temporary things they are.

    If you’re always clinging to the very moment, you’re causing yourself anxiety that is totally unnecessary. Your life is yours alone: you don’t need to stress out trying to make it look fantastic and otherworldly for other people’s benefit. Live your life for yourself first and take a step back from the over-documentation.

    You Compulsively Check Your Phone

    “Live in the moment” is a difficult adage to live by. We’re inherently social creatures, and we often desire outside validation from our peers. That’s why it’s so addictive to grab our phones, open them, and check on our social media. However, this is a really bad habit to fall in to.

    You know the loop: you’re stressed out, you’re putting off important things that you need to do, and you check your phone really fast to see the time. Maybe you’re looking to check off any notifications before you start in on something important. Then, you get sucked in to scrolling.

    Maybe it’s Facebook scrolling down your friends’ pictures, Twitter scrolling to see news updates or just zoning out while looking at Instagram models. In any event, you’re looking at your phone for twenty minutes, and you feel yourself wasting time. But still, you keep compulsively switching apps and scrolling.

    You Care More about Social Media Than Real Friends

    Another big red flag for social media addiction is compulsive phone checking at the expense of actual social engagements. You’ve probably had friends over before and felt yourself drifting out of conversation by scrolling down your phone, making yourself distant from the real people in your life.

    If you’re neglecting your real friends in person over your social media accounts, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Again, you need to live in the moment and enjoy what’s in front of you. If you’re out with your friends, you should just connect with them! There will be a chance to check social media later, when you go home and don’t have friends around.

    You’re Always Comparing Yourself

    A buddy of yours from school got more likes on their selfie than you did. A person you used to date is looking hot on a date with someone who looks way better than you. Some of your friends went to a movie and got dinner without you. These things are popping up all over your feed and you’re starting to get really self-conscious about it.

    These digital updates are actively making you feel bad. Your phone is glued to your hand, you don’t know what to do. You’re on the couch, the TV is blaring white noise and you can’t seem to snap out of it. You’re comparing yourself to the people you know and it’s killing you.

    What Should You Do?

    There are a few things you can do to try to break this cycle off. The first, and most obvious, thing you can do is to just delete the apps from your phone outright. Maybe you keep your accounts online so you can check from your desktop at home, but you should really start with getting them off of your phone.

    A more drastic step you can take is to downgrade from a smartphone. If your smartphone addiction is driving you to constantly reinstall apps and start the social media cycle over, just get rid of the smartphone. It’s not worth hanging on to something that makes you feel bad. Remember: the things you own shouldn’t own you.

  • Fish Oil Could Change Your Health

    Fish Oil Could Change Your Health

    When it comes to complete health, there are many things you can do to keep yourself in top shape. Between nutrition and fitness, there are many considerations to make regarding your health. One of the biggest decisions you could make with your nutrition is taking a fish oil supplement.

    Here’s what you might not know: taking a fish oil supplement could totally change your health. The benefits of fish oil include heart health, nerve function, brain health and even combating depression. However, you need to make sure the supplement you’re taking is high-quality in order to get the best results!

    Best Fish Oil Supplements

    Health Benefits

    Fish oil is great for the human body. The compounds found within are packed with many effects that can help out the human body. If you’ve never had it before, don’t let the name fool you. It doesn’t usually have a “fishy” taste or aftereffect if taken in a supplement. The supplements are usually easy to take and can be taken with or without food.

    As we’ve mentioned, there are numerous health benefits associated with fish oil supplements. One of the most notable examples is the heart health benefits. Fish oil is recommended in order to keep hearts healthy thanks to the omega-3’s blood-pressure reducing properties.

    Other benefits of these omega-3 fatty acids include lower plaque buildup in arteries, reduced risk of abnormal heart rhythm and reduced likelihood of heart attack or stroke. It also lowers the number of triglycerides and can even reduce the likelihood of sudden death in patients with heart disease.

    Today we’re going to look at a few of the top brands of fish oil supplements. Remember, in order to get all the benefits of fish oil supplements, you need a high-quality supplement. Here are some of the best supplements you can find on the market.

    Nutrigold Triple Strength

    This is a popular pick among those who don’t mind a bit of “fishy” smell or taste, thanks to its high purty and quality. The 1,000 mgs of EPA and DHA make this dosage a very cost-effective and high-quality supplement.

    Like all high-quality fish oil supplements, the Nutrigold Triple Strength is quality-tested and assured. The supplement is one you can trust to be free from harmful substances like mercury that might be an issue in lower-quality fish products.

    Essentially, Nutrigold Triple Strength is a good pick for those on a budget who still want top-quality, pure fish oil supplements. The purity and budget combination does, however, lead to the telltale fishy taste and odor of this particular supplement. If you’re on a budget and don’t mind that fishy taste or flavor then this is the right supplement for you.

    Life & Food Omega-3

    If you really don’t like that fishy smell and still want a great fish oil of high purity, then this brand is one you should check out. These small, easy-to-take supplements have a very neutral flavor and smell, making them ideal for picky customers.

    Due to that small size, though, people who take these Life & Food supplements need to take more in order to get a good amount of EPA and DHA in their systems. The fish gelatins used within replace cow-based gelatins found in other fish-oil supplements, making these a great pick for pescatarians.

    While this is a high-quality supplement, it can be a pain to keep up with having to take so many throughout the day to get the full effect. If you can’t stand the fishy smell or want a smaller supplement, the Life & Food Omega-3 supplement is a good supplement to try out.

    Wiley’s Finest Alaskan Fish Oil

    Environmentally-minded folks might consider Wiley’s when they look for a good fish oil supplement. Wiley’s uses environmentally-friendly manufacturing and ecologically-minded packaging. Much like the Life & Food supplement, this particular supplement is pescatarian and uses only fish gelatins.

    This supplement offers a high concentration of both DHA and EPA and is a more standard-sized supplement. This one has relatively little fishy odor or taste, making it a great pick for someone who doesn’t like that fishy smell. The Wiley’s supplement is also a bit pricier than the previous supplements on this list, thanks to its eco-friendly packaging and high concentration of compounds.

    Those looking for a great fish oil supplement that is good for them and the environment at the same time should look no further than Wiley’s Finest Alaskan Fish Oil. It’s hard to overstate the health benefits of these fish oil supplements. Hopefully this has helped you decide on which is right for you!

  • Our Guide to the Best Portable Generators of 2019

    Our Guide to the Best Portable Generators of 2019

    When the power goes out, or you’re out camping, you really want to have the best possible portable generator on hand. It can be hard deciding on which ones are the best, though, as they’re somewhat expensive and hard to just test out.

    However, you’re in luck if you’re looking for a great portable generator. Today, we’re going over the best of the best. Here’s our guide to the best portable generators of 2019. Whether you’re temporarily without power or on a fun adventure in the woods, here are our picks for the portable generator you should have with you.

    Our Guide to the Best Portable Generators of 2019

    Honda EU2000i

    This lightweight and quiet generator comes in right at 59 decibels, making it a great pick for those looking to splurge. Best of all, the generator is a light 46 pounds, and it rocks a 1.1 gallon tank for fuel. When operating at 100 percent, the generator puts out four hours of energy. At a stretch it can even put out ten hours of energy if it’s operating around 25 percent.

    Also great to have is the two AC outlets in addition to the DC outlet, making this a flexible generator. The generator is able to hook up to similar generators and output double the power if you have a very high power requirement. That’s a pretty tall order, though, as the unit can put out 2,000 watts of energy.

    The Honda EU 2000i also sports Eco-throttle and clean output in order to reduce its environmental impact, making it a smart choice. If you’re looking for a good generator to treat yourself on, this is it. It even comes with a 3-year warranty. Environmentally friendly and easy to maintain, it’s hard to go wrong with this Honda.

    Briggs & Stratton 30651 P2200 PowerSmart

    Next up is the Briggs & Stratton PowerSmart generator. Its biggest draw is the extremely portability of the device. This unit has an H-handle design that makes it very easy to pick up and transport, even for just one person. Two people can easily share the weight of the unit, making it a great pick for those who love camping.

    The motor puts out 2,200 starting watts and offers 1,700 running watts. At 25 percent output it can run for eight hours on a full tank, which is about a gallon. In fact, this device can run most 120V appliances with no problem. It can also power smaller devices like laptops and smartphones, making it a versatile pick.

    The PowerSmart is also quite understated, running at only 59 decibels when operating, making it no louder than a normal speaking voice. The panel offers one DC outlet and two household outlets, as well as a USB plug for power output.

    Much like the Honda 2000i, it can also plug into another unit for more power output. Additionally, the generate offers a “PowerSmart” mode that allows it to shift performance in order to conserve power, allowing you to do more with less.

    WEN 56200i

    The best overall generator in our experience is the WEN 56200i, for a number of reasons. This lightweight portable generator is a surprising 48 pounds, making it very easy to recommend as a first-time generator. It’s also rather quiet, like the other entries on this list, coming in just at 51 decibels while operating.

    If you need power, the WEN has you covered, putting out 2,000 starting watts and 1,600 watts when running. It’s got two three-prong outlets, both of which put out 120V, as well as a DC input capable of putting out 12V. Additionally, there is a 5V USB port that will allow for even smaller devices like smartphones to receive power.

    The internal tank is capable of holding six gallons of gas and can offer up to six hours of energy when running at 50 percent. If you’re worried about running out of fuel, don’t be! The generator offers low-fuel automatic shutdown in order to keep the generator from damaging any items plugged in when it shuts down.

    Further, the generator offers up an Eco-Mode that not only helps the unit to use less power but also watches out for the environment by being less wasteful! This allows it to switch its fuel consumption to a lower mode to keep the unit charged up for longer, and also keeps power going to your devices. Overall, this is the best portable generator for your buck on the market today, thanks in no small part to its versatility.

  • Cracked Phone Screens are the Worst!

    Cracked Phone Screens are the Worst!

    You’ve got that fancy, expensive smartphone in your pocket. You know, the one that cost you hundreds of dollars but is also incredibly fragile and prone to developing those unsightly cracks. Yeah, that smartphone.

    If your phone has developed a series of spiderweb cracks following an unfortunate high-speed encounter with the floor, it’s frustrating. However, you need to get it repaired as soon as possible. You see, it’s not as expensive as you might think, and you could be causing more damage to your phone by leaving it cracked and still using it.

    Fix Your Cracked Phone Screen Right Away

    Cracked Screens are Even More Fragile

    So, as you well know, a glass screen is a fragile thing. It’s glass, after all. When your phone takes a high-dive off of a table to the hard floor, it’s going to crack. However, this isn’t the least of your worries when it comes to phone fragility.

    Here’s the thing: even the most durable Gorilla Glass has a finite lifespan. Your phone might be rock-solid for the first several drops, but once the first cracks start to show, it’s likely not far from shattering completely. You see this in spiderwebbing damage that spread out from smaller cracks in some situations.

    If your phone screen gets cracked, it’s not enough to simply put it in a case and hope nothing bad happens. You need to get the screen replaced entirely, which can be a tough ask, as it’s often expensive to go through this kind of repair procedure.

    Say Goodbye to Waterproofing

    If your phone is a newer model with a high waterproofing and dust-resistance rating, then we’ve got bad news for you. Once the screen is cracked, it’s unlikely your phone resists these outside materials anymore. Much like when your body has a cut, any open exposure to the outside world is terrible for your phone.

    Where before water would simply roll off of your phone and cause no damage at all, now it can flow straight into that hairline crack. Even if your phone doesn’t get wet, it could be getting dusty. Dust and debris can get stuck in your phone’s internal components after entering through an external crack. That’s because your phone’s normal dust resistance is compromised.

    You don’t need us to tell you how much of a problem these things are. Your phone is already damaged, so getting it repaired right away is your best bet. If you don’t, leaving it damaged and accruing dust and water damage could result in an even more expensive repair process. When it inevitably fails thanks to the buildup of damage, you’ll wish you had gotten it fixed right away.

    Resale

    When it’s time to upgrade to the newest model, you really don’t want to try to sell a phone with a cracked screen. No one wants to buy a phone that looks like it was owned by a butter salesman with no thumbs. After all, the most common way to get money to upgrade is by trading in, so why hurt your phone’s resale value?

    What’s more, all phone resellers know that a cracked phone could be evidence of more damage inside the device. Like we mentioned, water and dust damage is much more common among phones with cracks.

    On top of this, it’s much more likely that someone clumsy enough to have a cracked phone is clumsy enough to have more damage inside the phone than is showing. At least, in the eyes of a phone reseller this is the case.

    Health Risks

    There are also notable healthy risks associated with keeping a phone with a cracked screen for months without fixing it. For one thing, you could accidentally incur a cut from the sharp glass of your screen. If you’re rolling your eyes, don’t. Your phone’s cracks could spiderweb and result in small shards coming loose, resulting in potential injury to your fingers or hands.

    Further, trying to read text through a cracked screen puts further strain on your eyes. It’s already been shown that staring at a phone screen for too long can result in poor vision, so imagine adding a cracked screen on top of that.

    Consider the costs for either of these things. If you get badly cut by your phone screen, you might need to visit a doctor’s office, which is expensive. If you end up needing glasses from straining to look at a damaged screen, that’s pretty expensive.

    Bottom line? Get your phone screen fixed right away if it cracks. There’s no reason to limp along with a broken phone.

  • The Best Cars for New Drivers

    The Best Cars for New Drivers

    There are a ton of cars out there for new drivers to consider. It seems like you can’t turn your head without seeing an add for some new vehicle. But which cars are the best for new drivers? It can be very difficult to narrow down which one is right.

    So, your kid’s about to get their own car for the first time. What features does it need to have? Surely, your biggest concern is the safety rating of the vehicle. More than anything, you need a car that has the best safety ratings to keep them from getting hurt. But that’s not the only consideration! Let’s look at some of the best cars for new drivers.

    The Best Cars for New Drivers

    Ford Focus

    The $17,00 starting price for the Ford Focus makes it a solid entry point for any new driver. The vehicle is sleek and stylish, so it’ll please many new drivers for just its looks! It sports a great motor for a new driver, with enough power to get them where they need to go but not so much that they’ll get into trouble!

    The Focus is also a leader in safety in its class. Seven airbags make it unlikely that any crash will occur without an airbag deploying to protect the people inside. The car’s doors are also inlaid with boron-steel beams that are incredibly dense and hard to break, keeping the driver quite safe. In addition to that, the vehicle sports a handy back-up camera.

    Toyota Corolla

    Much like the Ford Focus, the Toyota Corolla costs a budget price of $17,000, making it a great starter car. It’s not just that low price that makes it a great pick: it’s also got a five-star safety rating. The car isn’t exactly “cool,” but it is a solid pick for a new driver thanks to its stellar safety features.

    For one thing, it’s loaded with airbags. There are eight airbags in the vehicle standard, and this ensures that any direction someone goes that they’ll be caught by an airbag. The seats were specially constructed to reduce the likelihood of whiplash, as well, making this a great pick for newer, inexperienced drivers.

    Other great features include the great gas mileage, stellar reliability and exceptional handling. In all, the Corolla is an easy vehicle to take care of and drive around for any new driver. You can rest assured that your kid will be safe in a Corolla, which is something you can’t put a price on.

    VW Jetta

    What’s not to love about the Jetta? Okay, the looks, maybe, but that’s no huge concern. Your first-time driver doesn’t need a muscle car to race around with their buddies, right? The Jetta is a great, sensible vehicle for new drivers thanks to its reliability, safety ratings and low introductory price.

    The Jetta starts at $16,000, making it a great buy for the money. The vehicle also boasts an impressive five-star safety rating, like the Corolla, putting it in great company. It sports an Electronic Stability Control System that is said to reduce accidents by as much as 33% among all drivers.

    JD Power also rated the Jetta five-stars for reliability, meaning you know the youngster won’t have to worry about the thing breaking down on them somewhere. Additionally, adaptive traction control and six standard airbags don’t hurt to seal the deal for this new-driver friendly vehicle!

    Honda Civic

    Blending sleek looks, a fun drive and Honda reliability, the Honda Civic is a great all-around car. If your first-time driver needs a reliable and safe starter car, there’s no better place to go than Honda. This IIHS Top Safety Pick is far and away a favorite of new drivers and offers no shortage of reliability.

    It’s a bit pricier than some cars on this list, starting around $180,000, but it does offer a lot for that price. Standard backup camera, eco-boost drive modes and daytime running lights are all great features to help put this car over some of the competition.

    The efficient fuel-economy is nothing to scoff at either, helping to keep the costs of owning the car lower. Thanks to its high safety ratings, it will also likely result in less injury to the driver. This is due in large part to the stellar Advanced Compatibility Engineering body it sports, which promises to keep drivers safe.

    Conclusion

    These are all great picks for any new driver. Those looking to safe money and protect their young drivers could feel safe going with any of these top picks for safety and reliability.

  • Tackling a Kitchen Remodel? What You Need to Know

    Tackling a Kitchen Remodel? What You Need to Know

    No house is a home without a great kitchen. If you’re looking to remodel your home’s kitchen, you’re likely wondering where to start. How much will it cost? What kinds of renovations should you be looking to get done? There are a lot of factors with a kitchen remodel.

    Don’t sweat it, though, because we’ve got you covered. Today we’re going over the top things you need to know when considering a kitchen remodel. Let’s get your house looking brand-new with a great new kitchen.

    Top Things to Know When Taking on a Kitchen Remodel

    Expected Cost

    The cost of any given remodel will directly depend on just how much you want to get done. Are you getting entirely new cabinets, or just replacing the doors? Do you want your countertop refinished or do you want an entirely new countertop? Will you be upgrading to new appliances to modernize your kitchen’s look?

    Make sure you have a good idea of what you want before you talk to a contractor or remodeling company. Make yourself a list of the changes you want to see. That way, when you go to them for a quote they can give you an accurate estimate of what the labor and materials will cost. You can then adjust what you’re looking for accordingly.

    Research the Contractor

    Before you dive in with a contractor or remodeling company, do a bit of research. You don’t want to immediately start signing contracts with a company or contractor after just meeting with them. You’ll want to look online at detailed background on what the people doing the work have done in the past. Do people like them? Do they do a good job? Are they prompt and professional?

    Importantly, you’ll also want to make sure whoever is doing the work has experience with the kind of work you’re asking them to do. If they’ve never redone cabinets, or the ones they have done are of lower quality, you might want to go with someone else for the work.

    Another thing you need to keep in mind is what kind of price you’re paying for the work. Does the contractor charge a fixed rate, or do they give estimates up front? If cost is a concern, consider going with a contractor who offers you a flat fee for specific jobs. This allows you to have a better idea of what you’re paying.

    Further, make sure you ask about their policy in case something unexpected comes up. What if a contractor breaks the pipes in the sink, or causes other damage to the house? What if some unexpected damage existed before the contractors even arrived? You’ll want this info up-front.

    Get a Time Table

    Before the contractors get started, you’re going to want to know just how long the project will take. A professional contractor should be able to give you an accurate time table, though you should also be prepared for delays should unexpected things arise.

    For instance, if a contractor falls ill or has a family emergency, this will naturally slow the process. Likewise, some contractors occasionally find themselves working faster than their estimate, pleasantly surprising themselves or the remodeling homeowners. In fact, some contractors will give a “worst-case” time estimate in order to prepare you in case something goes wrong.

    Another important question to ask is: will any parts of the home be inaccessible during the remodeling process? Often, more complex remodeling projects will result in the kitchen or other parts of the home being accessible only to contractors. Get an idea of when this will be and be prepared to schedule around it. If you don’t know when this will occur, you could be caught off-guard and unsure what to do for dinner.

    Other Important Info

    Make sure your contractor service is fully accredited. Pretty much every place in the US requires any contractor work done by a third party requires accreditation. If you’re unsure, ask them right away to see their accreditation and licensing.

    Not only is this licensing required, seeing it up to date and ready to go shows that the company in question is responsible and dependable. If the company doesn’t have this licensing, you should simply walk away. It’s unlikely a company unwilling or unable to go through this process is trustworthy enough to do work on your home.

    You’ll also want to know how updates to the project are going to be communicated to you. Will there be a group text, or will updates be recorded on a sheet in the home? You want to know before you go ahead with the work.

  • Is Networking on LinkedIn the Path to a New Job?

    Is Networking on LinkedIn the Path to a New Job?

    LinkedIn is a social platform, much like Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, but it has a distinct edge over those platforms for job-seekers. While Facebook and the like are inherently casual and mostly for wasting time (sorry, Facebook) LinkedIn could help you score a new job.

    No, seriously! LinkedIn is a professional networking app that allows you to make connections and make your name known amongst professionals in your field. If you’re not using LinkedIn to expand your professional network, you’re missing out on a huge help to your career prospects.

    LinkedIn and Job Prospects

    What is It?

    LinkedIn is, at its core, a professional-minded social networking app. The stated purpose of the site is to help connect professionals. You can upload your resume, work history and connections and make yourself more well-known in your field.

    Unlike Facebook and Twitter, profiles on LinkedIn are professional first. Recruiters and employers often first look to a candidate’s LinkedIn profile to see how the candidate stacks up. It’s a quick way to pull someone’s work history and resume without having to go through the formal hiring procedures.

    Networking

    If you’re a freelancer or someone looking to break into a field, then the networking offered by LinkedIn is a huge boon. Hiring managers and recruiters often set apart time of their day to browse LinkedIn connections. By increasing your network’s size, you make it that much more likely that hiring managers can see you in their normal scouting.

    You can’t predict just how big of a role networking could play in your job-hunting process. Just because you know someone, you might get an inside track on a job you didn’t even know existed. If you’re gunning for a competitive position, the benefit of knowing someone in the field can be impossible to pass up.

    Job Listings

    Another big part of LinkedIn is the job listing section. If you’re actively hunting for a job, you can make managing your LinkedIn a full-time job! There are always new listings going live on this tab, so you can rest assured that you’ll find new opportunities on the site every day. In fact, many people get messages about open positions if they simply maintain their LinkedIn.

    If you’ve become recently unemployed, LinkedIn can be a huge boon to your job search. It puts you in the loop regarding what jobs are open in your field and gives you a structure to searching for your next career. The listings can be sorted based on pay, field and requirements.

    This allows you to stay up-to-date on just what options are available to you. If you’re keeping tabs on your LinkedIn profile, then you make it that much more likely you find the work you’re looking for. It almost acts like a headhunter agency that doesn’t take a cut of your pay when it finds you a job!

    In the Know

    Another huge aspect of LinkedIn is the active job article section. The articles can keep you in the loop on various industry trends, changes in the company or companies you’re interested in getting work in and showing you what behaviors led to various CEOs and execs getting ahead. It helps to know what got the people at the top to their positions and just how they keep their position in their field. After all, knowing is half the battle!

    Personal Brand

    LinkedIn is also important in managing ones own personal brand. If you apply for a job and the employer looks up your LinkedIn profile, it can help solidify your professional legitimacy. If people who know you have endorsed your skills and put their name behind you, it makes you that much more desirable than the candidates who don’t have such guarantees.

    There are numerous skills you can list on your profile, such as Photoshop or Microsoft Excel. Some people list skills like “sales experience,” “customer service experience,” or “writing talent.” Any of these types of skills can be endorsed by your LinkedIn connections, including your prior managers and coworkers.

    Is LinkedIn Right for You?

    So, you’re looking for a better job and you don’t know where to start to get yourself a leg up. Well, maybe it’s time to download LinkedIn and get your profile up. It’s not that hard to list your skills connect with your coworkers and former managers, and get validation on your personal skills.

    When you’re competing for positions in highly sought-after fields, every little bit helps. Put yourself in a winning position by getting a LinkedIn account.