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  • Best Small Business Software Review

    Best Small Business Software Review

    A survey on entrepreneurs indicated that over half of their productive time is spent managing daily business tasks. Just 32% of their time is used on activities that result in business growth. Big businesses streamline daily activities by using software tools for businesses. These tools automate functions, eliminate manual actions and errors, and reduce redundancy and delays in the business processes.

    By streamlining the business processes, the entrepreneur can focus on things that add value to the business and lead to business growth. However, for small enterprises, there is always the issue of cost. Software is not cheap. Affordability may restrain small businesses from purchasing or subscribing to these tools.
    The good news is that there is affordable software that small enterprises can use to utilize their productive time well. Here is a list of software suitable for small companies looking to streamline their services to enhance their efficiency. The list is based on everyday small business needs.

    1. Gusto
    Gusto is a cloud-based platform that manages payrolls, employee benefits, taxation, insurance and human resource management. The payroll software has the most positive reviews online compared to the competition. The software’s most basic plan is efficient for small enterprises.
    When it comes to taxation, Gusto lets business automatically file their local, state and federal taxes. It also makes provision for state and federal unemployment insurance tax filling. Additionally, Gusto automatically generates and distributes the W-9 and 1099 tax forms. You can also automatically file taxes for onboarding employees with your state government.

    Aside from the ease in filing government documents, Gusto also tracks planned time off (PTO). The software monitors paid vacations, sick and personnel days off and holidays. It syncs with other payroll software such as Xero, QuickBooks Online, ZipBooks, Autobooks and FreshBooks. All these accounting software are cloud-based and are excellent for small businesses.

    Gusto enables employees to access Paystub and W-2 forms. Paystub lets employees see the outline and details on their paycheck. It also shows employee work hours. Employees can access their stabs pay through the business online payroll system. It makes provisions for wage garnishment debits and child support distribution in all states except South Carolina.

    Pros
    • Gusto does not charge extra costs for its automated tax filing, wage garnishment, and compensation features like other payroll software service providers.
    • All of Gustov’s features are available in the most basic payment package.
    • PTOs can be tracked and approved and the schedule integrated with the employee’s pay schedule.
    • It has no limits on the payroll runs in all states.
    Cons
    • The basic ay plan has limited PTO features. You cannot approve PTOs or sync it in the employee’s pay schedule.
    • The basic plan does not have holiday pay features.
    • Customer support is limited to working hours on weekdays.

    2. Intuit QuickBooks Payroll
    The QuickBooks Payroll software is an essential tool for small businesses because of its flexibility and variety. It offers multiple solutions for different small enterprises. The flexibility enables small companies to choose the package that works well for their business. The payment variations are based on business size and budget.
    QuickBooks Payroll service per plan is quite versatile. It ranges from a self-service plan to a QuickBooks’ run payment plan. You can calculate your payments or let QuickBooks do the calculations and salary reimbursements on your company’s behalf.
    Aside from providing broad payment options, this software can sync with QuickBooks accounts. The integration simplifies the process of running payrolls and tracking accounts. Both software streamline income tracking and expenditure, increase tax deductions, run reports, and provide estimates.
    Like other QuickBooks software, the payroll tool is a cloud-based software. Your company’s payroll data is stored in a cloud storage database. The cloud-based service requires no installation or maintenance. It can also be accessed on any internet-enabled device.
    The payroll software enables small enterprises to pay bills automatically, file payroll taxes, and manage employee benefits. Your small business can manage benefits and employee services on this online application.
    Pros
    • Works with or without QuickBooks accounting
    • The payroll software is easy to use and navigate.
    • It is available on all android and iOS devices.
    • Users have access to all types of reports like payroll and tax reports and summaries and wage, compensation and contractor details.
    • Quality and readily available customer support
    • It has an A+ rating in the Better Business Bureau website
    • It has a one-month free trial period
    Cons
    • The payroll software does not have human resource services
    • It does not provide the management of health care benefits services

    3. IDrive

    If you are looking for a backup cloud database for your small enterprise, then IDrive is the best one for you. The cloud backup software offers many more features aside from data protection, storage and retrieval.

    The software provides the usual integration and restoration features, device support, group management, archiving and top-notch security. IDrive continuously backups files updating immediate upgrades. It makes provision for scheduling and gives notifications on pending backups.
    IDrive lets you restore up to 30 versions of previous file versions. Its versioning feature protects files from corruptions and unwanted edits. Restore points are saved as snapshots making the tracing process of restoration points a lot easy. The software does not delete backed up data even when the file is deleted on the device. Its only limitation is that the cloud-based software does not offer unlimited backup.

    Nevertheless, with IDrive for small businesses, there is no limitation on the number of devices that can be backup. The devices include phones, hard drives, servers and NAS. Network drives can be backed up as well. You can backup Windows, Linux, Oracle servers, and Microsoft SQL, Exchange and Sharepoint servers.
    Similarly, IDrive backs up local devices; this backup provides an additional layer of data protection. Additionally, the data restoration rate is much faster for IDrive compared to the internet restoration speed. The phenomenon is known as a hybrid backup.

    The IDrive restoration process is quite advanced. It creates a disk image of your hard drive that can be used to restore your operating system on the original computer. However, the stored data cannot be used on different hardware.
    The software also backs up data from both android and iOS phones. It stores contacts, events, call logs, music, photos and social network accounts. Having social media backup is vital, especially if your business runs social media campaigns.

    Pros
    • IDrive offers an advanced backup system with excellent security features that provide private, at-rest, and in-transit encryption
    • Can back up an unlimited number of devices
    • Provides NAS and server backup
    • Retains deleted files
    • Offers 24-hour support every day of the week
    • Provides room for scaling
    • Remote access through its mobile application
    Cons
    • It does not provide unlimited backup.

    4. CrashPlan
    CrashPlan is specifically designed for small and medium enterprises. It works as a backup and recovery software. It backups data continuously from your computer to the cloud. It provides unlimited storage with advanced security, privacy and around the clock customer support.

    It has fast backup and restoration speeds. You also get the advantage of scheduling your backups. The software maximizes backup when your computer is idle; this can slow down production time. Scheduling the process enables backups to be conducted when the computer is not in use.

    The software doubles as a restoration application because it permits backing up data in the cloud and on the computer. It provides customizable versioning where different versions of the files are saved. The software comes as a desktop application and web dashboard. Both variants perform all functions. In case you do not want the desktop application, you can choose the web dashboard.

    Pros
    • Provides hybrid backup
    • User profiles can be created in bulk by importing a TXT file with user information
    • Saves on bandwidth by using a block-level algorithm that limits the backup to the updated portion of files
    • It has fast data transfer speeds
    Cons
    • Unlimited storage does not cover different devices. You have to pay for the software to backup additional devices.
    • It does not provide manual data backup control.
    • CrashPlan has no courier services for restoring massive data during the initial backup.

    5. UZIO
    UZIO is a SaaS-based software that offers human resource management, payroll, and benefits management services. It is perfect for small businesses transitioning from a paper-based system. UZIO provides an online platform for human resource operations. Through this platform, services are streamlined. The small business software automates the functions between the human resource and employees, increasing production time between the two entities.
    It excellently provides accurate employee payment and tax fillings. Payment processes are integrated with the human resource and benefits data, and precise quotes for workers’ compensation are also offered through the software.
    It provides a benefits payment platform covering health, dental, and vision insurance plans, life accidents and disability policies, and commuter benefits. Employees are automatically connected with their insurer through the software ones they choose their policy provider.

    Pros
    • Easy to use interface
    • Provides reports for employee benefits to ensure benefit election matches provider billing statements.
    • Reasonable control over client portals
    • Support is proactive
    Cons
    • Customer support is limited to business hours
    • Limited customization options

    6. Wave Payroll
    The wave payroll software perfect for small businesses. The monthly costs range from $20 to $35 and $4 charge for every employee, making it very affordable. The cloud-based service manages income and outgoing finances.
    It integrates with Wave’s free accounting, reporting, invoicing and receipt capture application. Wave is a simple software that works just as well or even better than other payroll softwares. The platform enables you to review, edit and approve payroll runs. It also allows you to schedule your payment schedule. The software’s employee portal gives access to payroll data, reimbursement, tax forms, vacation time, and paystubs.
    Wave offers tax administration services in a limited number of states. The taxation services are currently present in California, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois and Washington. The software makes automatic payments and files employee state and federal taxes.

    Pros
    • Wave is affordable and offers additional features which increase its value
    • It is easy to use yet provides most features available in similar payroll softwares.
    Cons
    • Tax administration is limited to specific states. Outside these states you’ll have to compute and input tax information.
    • Wave does not provide check signing or stuffing services.
    • It does not offer pay cards

    7. Carbonite
    Carbonite is a backup cloud database that is simple and secure. For small business software, it is sufficient in proffering excellent security, privacy and consumer services. The cloud-based software has a straightforward process of backing up files. The software service offers hybrid backup and data recovery for small businesses and single users.
    It also provides metal backup and restore services. Metal backup stores everything from files and folders to the operating system. The service’s payment packages enable users to choose which backup services they want. You can choose what you want the software to back up once it is installed on your desktop. Deleted files in the cloud storage can be retrieved within a 30-day window.

    Carbonite has variations between Windows and iOS clients. For instance, versioning is only available in Windows. Similarly, having the software on your desktop enables you to perform some functions with ease. For example, taking files from the disk to the cloud is straightforward with the desktop application. However, it takes several minutes for the same function with the application on the web dashboard.

    The restoring process is straightforward with Carbonite because it downloads and stores the needed data in one folder. Security varies depending on the package. Personal pay plans have low-level security: AES 128-bit encryption. However, business payment plans enjoy AES 256-bit encryption. On the downside, Carbonite does not have a copy of the key to this encryption. Therefore, if you forget your passcode, your data will remain encrypted for all eternity.

    Pros
    • It has no storage limits
    • Easy to use interface
    • Has two-factor authentication
    Cons
    • The software has very slow updating and retrieval speeds.
    • It does not provide users with control options over the backup process.
    • Limits the number of devices that can be backed up
    • It has no mobile application.
    • Carbonite’s online interface provides only basic functioning.


  • Companies that are Hiring Remote Workers Now!

    Companies that are Hiring Remote Workers Now!

    Remote working is a new normal in our society today. Many companies are finding that it is very beneficial to them to have employees work from home. Not only does it help them find better quality talent for their companies, but also can help save on costly office space. Many prospective employees like the idea of working remotely as well. When you no longer have to commute for your job, advantages like saving money on child or pet care can become a reality. Greater flexibility also means greater responsibility for employees, but for the most part, remote work is a win-win for employers and employees.

    If you’re currently seeking employment, finding the right work from home opportunity can take a little time and research. Determining which companies and positions offer the best work at home opportunity for you can prove to be a challenging task. Many companies are increasing remote positions, but it can still be difficult to find the right role for you.  In this article we will spend some time looking at the best companies to work for remotely and what positions they have open right now.

    Companies Hiring Remote Workers Right Now:

    Robert Half International

    Robert Half International is a global staffing firm. They have operations in more than 400 locations worldwide, making it easy for you to find a lot of open positions that will suit your needs and even your preferred locations. They frequently have many positions open for remote workers, but some of the current positions include Director of National Lending and Trade Compliance Analyst.

    UnitedHealth Group

    If you are looking for a job in the health insurance industry, this is one of the best companies to use. They have some of the best customer service and fantastic benefits packages to all of their workers. Currently, they have headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and provide services and benefits to more than 139 million people worldwide. Right now the open remote positions that they offer include Senior IT Project Manager and Security Architect.

    Boldly

    Next on our list is Boldly. This is a subscription staffing company, which is a little bit different. But it allows them to work with a whole crew of remote team members throughout Europe and North America. This gives you some freedom to move around based on the position you would like. Within this company, you will provide your clients with the marketers, project managers, support personnel, and executive assistants that they need. The positions they have open right now include Project Manager and Executive Assistant. However, this company often opens up other remote working positions to help you get started so you should check back often.

    Yelp

    Yelp was originally founded in 2004 and focuses on helping consumers find all the local businesses that they need through crowdsourced reviews and some paid advertising services. Many consumers choose to work with this company with their online searchers, looking through reviews to see which companies are the best in the area. Yelp has gathered more than 108 million reviews from consumers all around the world. The current remote work at home jobs they have right now includes the Learning Operations Specialist.

    Amazon

    Even Amazon has some remote positions and these frequently change based on the operations and where they open up new facilities. This company made over $280 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow so always check back with them to see whether something opens up or not. Some of the current remote positions available with Amazon include Senior Instructional designer and Worker’s Compensation Manager.

    Fastly

    This is a fun company you can choose to work with. It is an internet company that provides a cloud platform along with providing clients with improved application and web performance. Many clients who work with this company enjoy high-quality video and cloud security. Some of the positions that are available include Staff Software Engineer-Release Systems and Engineering Manager-Data Reliability.

    Ultimate Software

    This is a great company that specializes in something known as human capital management or HCM. This allows them to deliver and develop an HCM solution that is cloud-based, known as UltiPro. This cloud service will allow all of the workers for a company to come together across multiple platforms. The current positions available through Ultimate Software includes Financial Analyst and System Consultant, Specialist.

    HubSpot

    HubSpot is a good place to move to if you want to work on strategy, sales, and marketing. This is one of the leaders in the industry for this. One of the things you will enjoy the most about this company is that it has been recognized for its workplace culture and how great it treats its employees. Some of the open positions available for remote work right now include Project Manager and Senior UX Designer.

    Philips

    If you are looking to get into the world of electronics, or this is part of your specialty right now, then Philips is the right place for you to go. This is a company found in more than one country and is one of the biggest electronic companies in the world. They spend most of their time and resources on health technology, though they may focus on a few other areas at times as well. Some of the open remote positions available through this company include Service Operations Project Manager and Senior Regulatory Affairs Engineer.

    Shopify

    Next on the list is Shopify. This is an eCommerce company, which can provide a lot of opportunities for you as you work to grow in your field. It works to provide a cloud-based commerce platform so that small and middle-sized companies can design and organize their stores without the high overhead that would happen if they did this on their own. A remote position that is available in this company is the Capital Operations Specialist.

    Purdue University Global

    If you are looking to get into some teaching or tutoring, Purdue University Global has a few great positions open. This is an educational facility that offers personalized and affordable education to students online, specifically working to provide a good education to working adults who want to further their skills around their regular jobs. All of the programs are online and the classrooms are interactive. Some open remote positions you can consider while working here include Academic Center Tutor – Math and Adjunct Faculty – Nursing.

    BELAY

    This is a virtual solutions company that strives to provide its clients with bookkeepers, webmasters, and administrative assistance as needed. It is one of the best and most recognized national leaders in nonprofit and church bookkeeping solutions so this is a good place to look if you would like a career on this path. An open position available here includes Executive Assistant. They also frequently have virtual assistant positions so check back often.

    Working Solutions

    The final option on our list comes from Working Solutions. This is a company that provides on-demand remote customer service and sales agents to companies when necessary. Some of these contracts are long-term and you may work for the same company for a long time, and others are short-term. The company serves a lot of industries so there is always something new to do. Some of the open positions available include Senior Living Customer Care and Bilingual Sales and Customer Service Representative.

    Tips to Get a Remote Position

    Some of the tips that you can follow to help you get any remote position you want to include:

    • Think about what type of job you want. You may choose to work in the same kind of position you already have or something completely new. Think about what type of career you want and then begin your search.
    • Figure out whether you have the motivation to get it done. It takes a lot of motivation and self-discipline to work in a remote position. Make sure you are prepared for that before started.
    • Tailor your resume to get the job. This is especially important if you have not worked in the field you are applying to. Make your resume and cover letter stand out from the crowd to increase your chances of getting the job.
    • Have the right skills. If you don’t have the skills already, now is the perfect time to learn something new and add those to your resume.
    • Get prepared for the interview. You will still need to complete the interview to get the position. Be professional and on time to increase your chances and show you are prepared for this job.
    • Negotiate the salary and get started. Even if you are working from home, you can still negotiate the salary and the compensation package that you will get in this position.

    Free Training Programs to Help You Prepare

    The more you can prepare yourself for working remotely, the more likely it is you will get the job. Remote positions are a little bit different than going in for a regular job. And many times making that shift is the most challenging part. Learning how to market and brand yourself so you stand out against all the other applicants (and there will be many applicants for any good remote position), can make life easier.

    A few of the different training programs you can use to help prepare for remote work include:

    1.Finding a Remote Job: This comes from LinkedIn Learning and is a course that will help you prepare for finding a remote position. It also covers how to get a remote job so you are prepared. If needed, you can use this to learn how to craft your resume, avoid scams, negotiate the right salary, how to complete an interview remotely, and how to create a productive workspace.

    2. LinkedIn Profile Awesomeness: While this one is all about LinkedIn, it comes to us form Skillshare. This is a great course to use to identify ways to improve your online presence, making it easier for a potential employer to find you. It is great to learn how to make the right connections online, how to build the perfect LinkedIn profile, and how to work on y our resume.

    3. Successful Remote Working Skills and Practices: This is a course from Udemy that will help you understand all the practices and skills that are necessary to find the right remote position for you.

    4. Work Smarter, Not Harder: This is a course found on Coursera that will give you all of the tools and the techniques you need to set goals, make schedules, and manage your time more efficiently. While this may not help you get a remote position, it will ensure that once you have that position, you can manage your time wisely to get everything done during the day.

    These are just general courses that will help you prepare, land, and handle a remote position. If you are going into a specific career choice, such as accounting, writing, bookkeeping, or something else, you will need to look for courses that specifically help you get the right skills.

    Finding a remote position is an important way to gain more control and freedom in your position. This is quickly becoming an option that a lot of employees and employers want to use because of the mutual benefit. When you are ready to find the perfect remote position for your needs, make sure to check out the list of companies that already offer these positions and then follow our great tips to make sure you get the position of your dreams.


  • Gift Guide for Kids!

    Gift Guide for Kids!

    The holiday season is already upon us and before long, it will be time to hand out presents and spend time with family and friends. While everyone has their own favorite thing to enjoy around Christmas and their traditions, one thing that many parents and grandparents enjoy is seeing the joy and excitement on tiny little faces as they open specially picked out presents.

    For many parents and grandparents, picking out the right presents is half of the fun. But finding the right toy for that little boy or little girl on your list is sometimes easier said than done. If you are still scratching your head and looking for the best present for the child in your life, then check out some of the hottest toy trends for Christmas 2020 below!

    1.Itty Bitty Pretty’s Tea Party Teacup Dolls Playset

    When you are shopping for the little girl on your list, nothing is better than dolls, playing, and a tea party! And this little toy will provide all of those and more. In each toy, there are two Itty Bitty Pretty dolls along with all the supplies needed to create the best tea party ever for the whole family. There are also 25 surprises found inside, allowing any little girl the fun and excitement of unwrapping and seeing what comes next. Everything about this toy will spark delight and fun for the little girl in your life. From sparkling stickers to unicorns, dolls, and a fun tea party that you can enjoy all the time, this is the perfect gift to help spark the imagination of that special little girl.

    Price: $30

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    2.Monster Jam, Official Mega Grave Digger All-Terrain Remote Control Monster Truck with Lights

    Shopping for a little boy is sometimes tough. They aren’t into the dolls and frilly things like girls are, but you want to find them something fun and unique. This Monster Jam monster truck is one of the perfect options to add to your list. This is a big monster truck, coming in at over 2-feet long. It is faster, larger, and more powerful compared to the other options by this brand and any little boy can use the dual joystick controller from up to 250 feet away to control the monster truck and play their way.

    There is so much that you can do with this truck. You can overcome any obstacle on and off the road, even with a lightweight design and huge tires that make it easier to use. Instead of purchasing a small monster truck that takes all the fun out and gets broken in no time, consider this Monster Jam Monster Truck and see that little boys’ eyes light up. Just don’t forget the batteries!

    Price: $88

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    3.Disney Frozen Elsa Fashion Doll and Nokk Figure

    Honestly, anything to do with Frozen or Frozen 2 will probably be a big hit with any little girl from your family. This one will bring out the imagination of your little girl, providing Elsa in her magical ice dress from the end of the second movie, and Nokk, the mystical horse who helps her win the day.

    Get ready to see her run around with Elsa and Nokk, exploring the world of Arendelle, singing some of her favorite songs from both Frozen movies, and having a ball.

    Price: $20.69

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    4.Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Grow-the-Fun Garden to Kitchen

    If you are looking for a great present for the toddler in your life, this Laugh and Learn option from Fisher-Price is the perfect option for you. This is a playset with two sides, one being a garden and the other being a kitchen, which comes with learning content, music, colorful lights, and more than 30 pieces to play with. This toy also changes as your baby grows, allowing them to learn manners, how to follow directions, eat healthily, shapes, colors, numbers, and letters all while having a lot of fun.

    When your toddler plays with the garden, they can gather eggs, stir the honey, sort the vegetables and fruits, and plant flowers. In the kitchen, they get to prepare their meals and mix smoothies in a blender! There is so much fun in store with this toy and your child can enjoy it for many years to come, learning while playing.

    Price: $64

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    5.NERF Ultra One Motorized Blaster

    Another great option for the boy in your family is the NERF Ultra Blaster. There are many great options from the NERF Family, but this one is considered the gold standard when it comes to dart blasting. These darts have a speed, accuracy, and distance that are not found with any of the other NERF guns you may have used in the past. For example, these can go up to 120 feet if nothing gets in the way.

    Whether you have one boy in the family who would like to see the power and speed of these darts and can have fun “hunting” and exploring in the backyard, or you want to get one for all the boys in your family and start a NERF war, this is one of the best options out there. It comes with 25 NERF Ultra darts and it is easy to find more when needed. A simple option that will provide lots of fun!

    Price: $50

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    6.Fingerlings: Untamed T-Rex

    While this specific one is designed for little boys, there are some unicorn and pink options that make it a perfect toy for girls as well. This toy can fit on the fingers of your child but is sturdy enough to play around no matter where you go. It is designed to react to touch, motion, and sound and your child can even train the little dinosaur to make it behave. It also makes a lot of different sounds including chomping jaws, wild roars, and more while gripping onto the finger.

    When the child receives this toy, they can bring them to life and then start training them. They even react and work with one another, making it easy to train your Army using the new untamed battle arena app. Whether you have one or many of these, Fingerlings are a lot of fun to play with

    Price: $26.45

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    7.L.O.L. Surprise Bigger Surprise

    L.O.L. Surprise is one of the hottest new trends with these dolls. This box allows so many surprises that it may take days to get through. There are more than 60 never before seen surprises inside this package with exclusive accessories and dolls. If you want to make sure the little girl in your life doesn’t get something they already have, then this is the right option to work.

    In addition to opening up all of the different parts that are inside, little girls can play around and having fun. They can give their dolls many different hairstyles and looks along the way while taking everything along inside the convenient carrying case whenever they need it. With all the surprises inside, this is sure to be a gift that is a hit. There are many other L.O.L. toys on the market as well so this is the perfect gift to add to their collection if the child is already a big fan.

    Price: $89

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    8.Vtech KidiZoom Creator Cam HD Video Kids’ Digital Camera with Green Screen

    This is a great HD camera for any child who wants to learn how to create their videos. It comes with a built-in microphone and many different special effects. Your child can also swap in more than 20 animated backgrounds including becoming invisible, getting chased by a T-Rex, and visiting outers space. This can help enhance the video and photography skills of your child, giving them something fun to do with their creativity.

    This camera has everything that your child will need to make some cool pictures and videos that they want. It is designed to work for children between ages 5 to 10 and has a lot of additional features that make it even more fun. For example, it has a selfie stick, a green screen, and lots of special effects that make it perfect no matter what time of year you decide to give this as a gift.

    Price: $49.44

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    9.LEGO Classic

    There is nothing better for Christmas than some great LEGO’s to get the imagination going and helping you to build something new. There are options available for boys and girls, including the classic LEGOs that require the child to build whatever they want, and some sets with instructions to help the child learn how to follow directions. Both are perfect gifts for your child to enjoy this holiday season.

    No matter the hobby or interest of the child, you are certain to find a Lego option that works for them. Consider things like Star Wars, Harry Potter, Airplanes, Dinosaurs, Princess Castles, and more. LEGO has become a household name and has taken their class blocks to the next level with building sets that work for everyone. Or keep it simple with a classic set that gives the child a chance to use their imagination and build whatever they want.

    Price: $17.59 for a 300-piece classic set

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    10.The Gotrax GXL V2 Commuting Electric Scooter

    If you are looking for a gift for an older child on your list, then the Gotrax Scooter is the best option out there. This electric scooter provides all the additional features you would need, including cruise control, a handbrake, and the ability to carry 220 pounds while going 15.5 miles per hour.

    This powerful scooter can go up to 12 miles and only takes 4 hours to recharge. This makes it the perfect option for riding around town or hanging out with friends. The frame will also fold down and lock easily, making it a good option to take out and about as well. Your child can go along with their friends or ride back and forth up the street enjoying this fun electrical scooter.

    Price: $248

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    Summary

    With the holiday season just around the corner, it is time to start looking for the perfect gift for the child in your life. There are so many toy options on the market and choosing the one that will be best for your child can seem like an uphill battle.

    When looking for some of the hottest trends in toys this holiday season, look no further than this list. Whether you have a boy or a girl, someone who likes to make believe, who wants to be out on the go, there is the perfect Christmas gift available!


  • Cyber Security at Home: How to Stay Protected

    Cyber Security at Home: How to Stay Protected

    The most essential transactions these days happen over the internet. However, even though the increasingly connected world makes work easier, we expose most of our personal information to hackers. Hackers have several ways of stealing essential information that is put to misuse. This article has detailed several new tricks that hackers can use to steal your data and the best practices to promote more robust security.

    Latest tricks hackers use today and how to stay safe

    Phishing

    This is a fake email that hackers create that looks legitimate. The primary goal of using email phishing is to steal confidential information such as bank account details and passwords. The email may appear to have originated from the company you work for or your bank. The email tries to create panic or urgency by tricking users into providing their personal information. For instance, you may receive an email from your bank claiming that your ATM is disabled, and you have to confirm your card number for re-activation. Most users fall for the email, which malicious hackers send to have your data.

    How to protect your data

    When you receive a fake email, look for grammatical errors in email addresses or domain names. Hackers also use email addresses that resemble well-known organizations but slightly are altered.

    Also, check if the email has a link. If one is present, hover your mouse on the link and check if the URL matches the link provided in the email.

    Hackers use threats such as your account has been blocked or your security is compromised. Avoid such tricks.

    Malware

    Hackers write this malicious software intending to compromise your home computer cybersecurity to access confidential information. The software can perform functions that include deleting or stealing vital data, tracking the victim’s activities secretly, and modifying the system’s core functionalities. Some factors that lead to malware installation in your system, include running a pirated or older version of an operating system, installing pirated software or clicking on unknown links.

    Some of these malware software’s include:

    • A virus that can infect your software and disable system functionality
    • Trojans that create backdoors in your home computer cybersecurity for hackers to monitor your activities
    • Spyware that hackers design to spy on a user and track everything they do online including your surfing habits, passwords, and credit card numbers.

    How to maintain safety

    • Install legitimate antivirus software.
    • Avoid clicking on fake antivirus pop-ups generated from websites.
    • Avoid downloading fake software
    • Update your operating systems often
    • Avoid downloading pirated software or apps since they may contain malware

    Insecure networks

    Connecting your devices and systems to insecure networks creates an excellent opportunity for hackers to access your files and monitor your online activities. With that, a hacker can steal your bank account password and your social accounts or even inject malware on your trusted sites. With the wide range of programs available on the internet, a hacker can get close to your residence and gain access to your accounting data, passwords, usernames, and critical files. If such in-depth knowledge gets into the wrong hands, it can cause damaging consequences to your business.

    Connecting to free Wi-Fi at the airport or coffee shop is dangerous, especially when carrying out essential activities online, like having private conversations, banking, or browsing your email. The networks are not protected and can give hackers an opportunity in the same region to snoop on you.

    How to protect your data

    Do not connect to open, untrustworthy Wi-Fi networks. Free Wi-Fi may not be safe. When in a hotel or bar with Wi-Fi, do not connect randomly to any open network. Ask the staff which Wi-Fi is safe to connect to. That can minimize the chances of your accounts being hacked.

    Also, avoid accessing any vital information while connected or performing bank transactions. Use strong encryption like WPA2 on your home Wi-Fi router instead of WEP security or Open.

    Physical security threats

    This is threat involves people accessing your devices, such as mobile devices, laptops, and hard drives physically.

    People underestimate physical security threats in favor of technical threats like malware and email phishing. However, physical security threats occur when one can physically gain access to vital information, such as information collected from stolen devices.

    These physical breaches can take place at your home or workplace. For instance, one could access an unattended system that is not protected by a password or get access to your confidential files.

    How to stay safe

    • Use encrypted USBs and computer hard drives when storing confidential information. Avoid writing your passwords on a notepad or post-it.
    • Also, protect your system with a strong password. Avoid leaving your pc or phone unlocked. Ensure that you have proper backup and enable remote wipe services in case you lose your phone.

    Smishing

    This is where a hacker tries to trick you into providing them with your data via either an SMS message or a phone call. This technique is becoming more common and is a growing threat to online security.

    Smishing utilizes elements of social engineering to have you submit your vital data. The hacker earns the user’s trust and gets access to their personal information. The data can be anything from details of your bank account, OTPs, or online password to gain access your accounts. An attacker can use the information for various attacks. Sometimes the SMS messages come with short links with tempting offers and deals. When you click the link, the malware gets installed on your device.

    How to protect your data

    • Avoid sharing your personal information over an SMS or phone call
    • Before clicking links in a message, make sure you verify its identity. If you get a message claiming it is from a person you know and requests for critical data, contact the person using the phone number in your contacts and verify that they have requested the data.

    Malicious mobile apps

    Most people believe that every app available on the Apple Store or Google Playstore is legitimate. However, not every app on these stores is safe. Some apps contain some malicious codes that can jeopardize your privacy.

    A malicious app may have a code snippet that installs on your mobile phone or tablet. The app may also request permissions that may be valuable to hackers in getting your vital information, including your text messages, media, and contacts.

    It is essential to be smart before accepting permissions such as:

    • Accounts access
    • SMS permission
    • Microphone access
    • Contacts
    • Device admin permission

    How to protect your data

    • Before downloading an app from Google Playstore or Apple store, first, check the permissions.
    • Check the app’s reviews and ratings
    • Avoid downloading applications from unknown sources
    • Do not download cracked or pirated apps

    Top 10 vulnerabilities of using the same password

    Password reuse is among serious cybersecurity concerns. Users and administrators can use several ways to increase their password security, but they are often not adopted. Below is how you can ensure vital information in your web application is not compromised because of password reuse.

    The danger of password reuse

    Even with the most secure password, using it on several applications and websites can make it insecure. With the increasing global data breaches, there is a high chance that your password is stored in some applications or sites. Fortunately, some sites do not store passwords in plain text, meaning that the hacker only compromises the password hash in case of a data breach. In that case, a hacker only requires less time to get the password.

    Password manager security

    Most users resort to password managers to deal with password reuse. Most of the password managers are easy to use and cross-platform. That means that one can store their password database in the cloud and access it via a web interface from your mobile phone or PC. Password managers deal with password reuse and can generate unique passwords. However, such passwords can be challenging to remember.

    Length or complexity

    The most common password policy that administrators enforce in web applications, among other systems, is the length and complexity policy. However, the policy is weak.

    A few websites can check how long it can take a hacker to crack their password using a brute-force attack. For instance, if you feed an 8-character password with special characters, upper and lowercase, as well as numbers into the website, it can determine how long it can take to break the password. The sites can guide you on how to increase the complexity of your password.

    Is length enough?

    If the brute-force method is the only password cracking process, password length would be the best way to outdo attacks. However, dictionary attacks can decrypt passwords with commonly used words. A password with similar letters would be a hard nut to crack. If you use fake words that are easy to memorize, you can avoid the dictionary attacks.

    A false sense of security

    Force users to change their passwords regularly to increase your password security. Web applications and other systems use this common mechanism. Such mechanisms store hashes of old passwords, limiting the user to reuse their previous passwords.

    However, this policy introduces a false sense of security since most people only one character at the end, and they keep replacing it after every few months. Therefore, it is better not to implement this mechanism in your web application since it does not prevent dictionary attacks.

    Clear text passwords

    They are passwords stored in configuration files in exact text or passwords that remain visible even after the end-user types them. They are vulnerable to password hacking, be it as configuration files or inputs.

    The passwords pose a threat to password security since they expose the user’s credentials and allow attackers to act as legitimate users to access the accounts.

    Multi-factor Authentication

    Nowadays, the most robust defense against password attacks is the (MFA) multi-factor authentication. The mechanism is also part of most compliance requirements of DSS, PCI among others.

    The common (MFA) method is the one that the web application sends a one-time code SMS to the user’s mobile number. However, hackers compromise such mechanisms using SIM-swap attacks. They trick the mobile operator into providing a duplicate SIM card of the user and use it to get the SMS with a one-time code.

    To avoid that, use one-time-password (OTP) solutions like FreeOTP or Google Authenticator. Mobile apps send a push notification to your phone or send a one-time code generated by the app.

    Password recovery systems

    Applications with systems that allow users to reset or recover their password can also offer hackers the opportunity to access your vital information. The remember, a forgotten password mechanism is a possible way of authenticating a user, but it must be strong.

    Hackers can act as users and attempt to access users’ accounts by trying resetting the password. Applications that depend on security questions like a pet’s name or birthday are insignificant for authentication since attackers can access vital information for users in social networking accounts.

    Hardware tokens

    It is the ultimate security option for MFA. They are now becoming popular, especially the hardware keys. The idea has been in existence for several years and was used by certain software designers to combat piracy. Besides, there are keys one can use for mobile phones and computers. They can use either a wireless one or a physical interface.

    The hardware security mechanisms are now part of regular computing machines like laptops and desktops. Computers have hardware modules that offer encryption technologies. Operating systems like Windows 10 is compatible with the FIDO2 standard. That means that any device with Windows 10 and the hardware module can function as a hardware key. Nowadays, phones come with facial recognition or fingerprint scanners. With all these features and password combinations, one is sure of extra security.

    All passwords matter

    Most web application developers think that when an unprivileged user experiences a password breach, it will not endanger the web application. However, that is not the case. For instance, if a hacker uses SQL injection to a list of password hashes and hacks a user’s password, they can use it to gain access to privileged accounts in the system. The hacker can also get a user’s password via email phishing, social engineering, or malware, which is beyond a web application developer.

    Therefore, the application developer should make sure that users are using secure passwords at all times. You can test for weak passwords or use a password security mechanism in your application.


  • Best ATV Destinations in America

    Best ATV Destinations in America

    All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) provide a massive amount of enjoyment for people of all ages. Make sure you have insurance before you hit the trail!

    There are some places to take out your quad that are more exciting than others. Fortunately, some of the best ATV destinations are likely right around the corner from where you might live. If you have a free weekend, you can’t miss out on these hot spots.

    Best ATV Destinations:

    Badlands Off Road Park: This Indiana park has sand dunes, mud holes, rocks fields and more. The terrain spreads out for over 800 acres.

    Hatfield-McCoy Trail System: This ATV destination is open year-round. There are 600 miles of trails that are professionally managed. It’s also referred to as “Trail Heaven.”

    Ridge Outdoor Adventure Park: Located in Alabama, this park offers off-road fun for ATVs, motorcycles, OHVs and more. There are 35 miles of trails along with motocross courses and kids’ areas.

    Brimstone Recreation Park: With nearly 20,000 acres of land, the Brimstone Recreation Park offers more than 300 Appalachian trails as ATV destinations.

    Check These ATV Hot Spots off Your Bucket List!

    From serene state parks to rugged rock crawling, the best ATV destinations come in many forms. Answer the call of these popular trails, and you will experience an adventure that will cause jealous stares from your friends for years to come.

     


  • The Best Cloud Computing Services in 2020

    The Best Cloud Computing Services in 2020

    The cloud computing architecture has evolved significantly in the past few years. The past year alone has seen exponential growth in how enterprises and small businesses use cloud computing services worldwide. The Software as a Service industry saw several companies opt for cloud migration in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. But the multi-cloud service was already the new rage as more vendors developed cloud services for an even better cloud experience. So, whether it’s infrastructure, applications, software, products, services, and even operating systems, it’s evident that everything is getting into the cloud. And that’s why several companies are investing millions of dollars in cloud migration.

    This detailed article aims to review the best cloud service providers to use, their cloud offerings, and which provider you should consider using for your cloud services in 2020, from a developer perspective.

    Some Key Benefits of Using Cloud Computing:

    • It allows businesses to cut their fixed and monthly operational costs of hardware, servers, databases, and software licenses. Cloud computing also significantly reduces the need for hiring IT resources.
    • It offers 24/7 uptime, about 99.99% uptime. Therefore, there’s no need for employee management.
    • Provide automatic updates and maintainability of new software, databases, OS, and third-party software.
    • It is scalable and highly reliable. There’s no limit to the number of resources or users. Also, the cloud increases resources and processing as needed. And you can also always scale down if you don’t need resources.
    • Providers have data centers in specific locations, which makes them a lot faster and more reliable. The larger cloud service providers have data centers worldwide for an even better and faster experience using their services.

    But enough of that, let’s get to the main section of this excerpt. Here’ a detailed overview of the top 5 cloud computing services to consider using in 2020:

    1. Microsoft Azure
    Microsoft Azure has been intentional about its services since it was founded nearly a decade ago, 2010. Azure services are built on the Windows Server, Visual Studio, and the .Net framework, making the lift and shift of the on-premise apps relatively painless. This cloud computing service now owns nearly 17% of the global market and continues to grow and expand into even wider markets.

    Microsoft Azure users can also run any service on the cloud or combine them with their existing applications, infrastructure, or data center. This cloud service provides users with a wide array of suitable solutions for all industries and businesses. You can rest assured that all your business needs will be met by using this service.

    With Microsoft Azure, you don’t need any physical servers onsite, which reduces the usual costs like hiring onsite server support teams. The solution is compatible with Linux as well, allowing it to reach an even wider market base.

    Benefits of Using Microsoft Azure:
    • 12-month free trial
    • Comprehensive services
    • Effective business-related solutions
    • Flexible and cost-effective technology
    • Windows and Linux compatible
    • Access to tools and resources for consistent performance

    Key Values/Differentiators:
    • Azure storage – to manage keys for your Azure Account, which it regenerates periodically.
    • Use cases – it can handle most cloud computing and IT storage needs, which is critical to be a direct competitor.
    • Enterprise security – enables users and several Microsoft Azure applications to store and use different types of key data.
    • DB service – this is a globally distributed database service used for building highly available, large-scale operations. By default, Azure’s DB service automatically indexes all data it ingests efficiently, ensuring a faster, more consistent SQL queries.

    Who uses Azure: SMBs to large enterprises

    2. Amazon Web Services
    AWS is the first and still one of the most effective and active cloud computing service providers in the world today. Founded in 2006, AWS offers infrastructure as a service to enterprises across the globe and has never looked back. It launches new services annually and is currently creating its own compute stack, which should make it even more efficient and desirable among cloud businesses.

    Since it was founded, AWS provides what most companies consider to be the best on-demand cloud computing services. It also offers extensive administrative controls that are available through their secure Web client. Its users can access several features from here, including auditing and encryption key creation.

    This is a cloud service that lets its users customize its infrastructure requirements according to their preferences and needs. This costs far less compared to setting everything up in your own premises.

    AWS has three pricing models; ‘Save when you reserve,’ ‘Pay less using more,’ and ‘Pay as you Go.’ This allows you to use the service that best fits your budget. For more information, you can visit their website or contact their sales team directly.

    Benefits of Using AWS
    • A 12-month free trial period
    • Highly customizable
    • Hassle-free sign-up process
    • Swift deployment
    • Huge choice of services
    • Unlimited access to storage
    • Billing on per-hour basis
    • Centralized management

    The Key Values/Differentiators
    • Scope – the largest hybrid cloud services provider globally.
    • Use cases – AWS can handle most cloud computing and IT storage needs. The mainstays include servers, general enterprise storage, archiving, data backup etc.
    • Security – AWS has its own highly secure in-house security solutions to protect all types of use cases. You will have several options to choose from.
    • Computing stack/databases – this is also a plus, especially for customers who name their configurations and let the service provider do all the grunt work.

    Who uses AWS: SMBs to large enterprises

    3. Google Cloud
    This is perhaps one of the most popular cloud service providers in the world, thanks largely to the name “Google.” Google Cloud Platform enables its users to create customized business solutions using its Google-provided, modular Web services. The service also offers several other services, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Services (PaaS) solutions.

    Google Cloud’s multi-layered secure infrastructure makes it one of the best, most secure cloud service providers that users can rely on. Anything you build, create, store, or code on this cloud service will be protected. The company’s commitment to transparency and highly trained engineers always ensures the safety and security of the service.

    Google Cloud also has several tools for ensuring consistent management and performance. These include App Engine, Cloud Storage, Big Query, Container Engine, and Compute Engine. Additionally, Google offers one of the best, smoothest migrations to virtual machines at very flexible pricing.

    Benefits of Using Google Cloud
    • 12-month free trial
    • User friendly
    • Access to AI and data analytics
    • Good range of services
    • No need for expensive server installments
    • Flexible technology
    • Full access to cloud-based services

    Key Values/Differentiators
    • Cloud expertise – you won’t find a better, more detailed cloud computing service that has the development expertise you need than Google.
    • Innovation galore – Google is where TensorFlow, Kubernetes, and several other cloud and storage technologies were invented. As a result, you should expect it to have a lot of residual intellectual property inherent in it.
    • Aimed at developers – if you are an enterprise cloud developer who is continuously creating and maintaining high-end cloud-based applications and services, Google Cloud will probably provide you with more surrounding support than other cloud service providers.
    • Use cases – Google Cloud is specially equipped to handle intense active IT and development applications. This is the cloud computing provider to create, update, and maintain applications in real-time (or near real-time.)
    Who uses Google Cloud: cloud developers and middle range to large enterprises are a target

    4. IBM Cloud
    Another renowned name in the online field is IBM. IBM Cloud is one of the best cloud computing service providers in the world. It is offered by the tech giant IBM, of course. It offers PaaS solutions, SaaS solutions, and IaaS.

    IBM Cloud also offers several services, but not all of them are cloud-based. This provider offers both virtual and hardware-based servers that are composed of private, public, and management networks.

    It combines its virtual and hardware-based servers into one on-demand cloud platform. With IBM Cloud, you will have full infrastructure control. The company claims that its hardware servers function more as “bare metal” that provides its clients with sole access to their servers. This greatly improves performance.

    The company also provides its customers with full server customization features. Therefore, you are always in control of everything that’s included in the server. This way, you never have to pay for any features or services that you may never use.

    Benefits of Using IBM Cloud
    • Management tools
    • Fully customizable
    • Pre-configured tools
    • Increases the value of your business
    • Excellent cloud performance
    Key Values/Differentiators
    • Full-service options – IBM Cloud has the widest range of products and services in the world, bar none.
    • IBM has a long-standing history of servicing and maintaining systems for mid-range to large enterprise customers.
    • Use cases – IBM Cloud handles the most requested cloud computing and IT storage. It operates several high-end data centers throughout the globe.
    • IBM’s reputation – IBM has a long-standing reputation for being one of the world’s best original IT companies. It started in 1916 during the First World War. Here is a company that you know delivers on the services and promises it pledges to its customers.
    • You get what you pay for – using IBM Cloud’s cloud computing services will cost you a lot more than almost all the other names on this list. So, you shouldn’t expect anything cut-rate.
    Who uses IBM Cloud: SMBs, midrange, and large enterprises

    5. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
    Finally, we have Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, another renowned cloud service provider from a computing behemoth. As you would expect, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is a powerful, feature-packed platform that’s used by millions of enterprises across the globe. Its services are especially strong for supporting different workloads, especially for Microservices, OLTP, IoT, along with other applications dependent on machine learning and AI. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure has two main service provisions, which include storage data and cloud architecture.

    Its cloud architecture includes databases, data management, and applications. On the other hand, its Data Cloud is mainly for driving big data analytics for intelligence insights. The company also provides a range of SaaS solutions such as EPM, SCM, HCM, and social media tools.

    Oracle Cloud Infrastructure has a vast range of services with the potential to serve several users. But you find that most of its cloud services are designed more to accommodate enterprise needs and not individuals or small businesses.

    Benefits of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
    • Free tier
    • Enterprise-ready
    • Architecture and storage
    • Modern technologies like AI, chatbots, and machine learning
    • Access to unsanctioned applications
    • Next-generation data management tools
    • Protection against cyber attacks

    Key Values/Differentiators
    • One throat to choke – users who buy into Oracle Cloud Infrastructure are always in for a long haul. But the company will basically run everything for you. This entails software and some long-term hardware costs. But that is the business Oracle is in, and the main reason why it receives so much military and government business.
    • Speed is of the essence – whether in a cloud or a data center, Oracle database servers are perhaps some of the fastest in the world. You get exactly what you pay for using this cloud service, especially with regard to speed and performance.
    • Use cases – Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is also designed for cloud app developers and IT administrators. And the chief services sold include enterprise storage, enterprise applications, server, and database services.
    Who uses Oracle Cloud Infrastructure: SMBs to large enterprises, highly regulated companies, and government agencies

    The Verdict
    From the above excerpt, it’s evident that Microsoft Azure and AWS rank top of the list in the race for cloud supremacy. However, it’s also worth noting that other cloud service providers like Google, IBM, Oracle, Rack, etc. are getting better every day.
    So, if I were to choose a cloud service to work with, it would probably be Microsoft Azure or AWS. And the reason being that both cloud computing services are way ahead of the race. You can’t go wrong with either of these options. However, other cloud providers have tools and services that neither Azure nor AWS provides. These are some of the main reasons that may make an enterprise or SMB choose other cloud service options.
    Remember, with cloud service, there’s no one-size-fits-all. You must what your needs are and other cloud services that best fit your needs.

    The Bottom Line
    Choosing the best cloud service that meets your business’ needs depends on several factors. By this stage, you should have enough information to analyze the requirements needed for the best cloud service experience for your business. Try the options mentioned above and see how they work out for you.

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  • Search Best Home Security Systems

    Search Best Home Security Systems

    Think a home security system is too expensive or too complex to set up? Many options exist for every budget and every size home, apartment, or condo.

    Our team has reviewed some of the most popular options on the market.

    Cheapest and Easiest to Install: If you’re on budget and looking to DIY install, here are a few good options:

    1. SimpliSafe: Founded in 2006,  Simplisafe is an easy to install security system priced at $299. No contract is required.
    2. Frontpoint: Frontpoint offers the same high quality security equipment as security companies like Brinks, but without the need for professional installers. Base price is $319.95
    3. Ring: Ring is one of the cheapest systems out there with an outdoor camera. The base prince is $199, and installation is DIY.

    Professionally-Installed Systems: 

    1. ADT: ADT is the largest home security company in the US and has more than 7 million customers. A wide range of equipment and services are available with contracts starting at 2 years. Monthly fees start at $28.99
    2. Vivint Smart Home: While not cheap, the Vivint Smart Home is a wireless home security system that is rich in features. The security equipment from Vivint integrates with many home automation devices.

    Before you buy- consider the pros and cons of a home security system: 

    Pros: 

    1. Can help deter break-ins
    2. Can help deter petty theft and package theft
    3. Can help save money on home insurance
    4. Provides some peace of mind when you’re away from home and overnight.

    Cons:

    1. Can be expensive to purchase, and often requires a monthly fee
    2. Doesn’t guarantee a faster police response.
    3. Wireless systems and camera monitoring can present a privacy risk.

    What convicted burglars have said: 

    • More than 80% don’t try to disable a security system they encounter
    • 43% say they never break into a home with if they see that it has an alarm
    • 50% of burglars report that they leave a home immediately if they encounter a security system.

     


  • Review: Ready to Switch up Your Mobile Phone Plan?

    Review: Ready to Switch up Your Mobile Phone Plan?

    It is never too soon to think about switching up your mobile data plan. Most carriers update their plans frequently, and the chances are high that you are not getting as much value as you should be from your current plan. Most customers ‘set it and forget it’, when they could be paying less AND getting more value from their service.
     
    Make sure your plan is optimized to your usage habits and data needs. Check out some of the current carriers, plans and features below:

    Overview:

    1. Verizon consistently offers the most reliable coverage out of all the wireless providers.
      • Verizon Get More Unlimited: Best unlimited plan—$90/month
      • Verizon Do More Unlimited: Best coverage phone plan—$80/month
    2. Visible Wireless has made a big play in the prepaid wireless space with unlimited plan that costs $40 a month. Large discounts are also available when additional lines are added to a family plan.
      • Visible Wireless: Best prepaid plan—$40/month
      • Visible Wireless: Best family plan—$100/month for 4 lines
    3. Metro by T-Mobile currently offers the best value for family prepaid plans.
      • Metro by T-Mobile $50 Unlimited Plan: Best prepaid family plan—$90/month for 3 lines


    Summary: 

    Best overall mobile plan: The Verizon Do More Unlimited plan offers everything. With amazing coverage, speed plus HD streaming and 22 GB of 4G LTE data each month, it was an easy pick for best mobile phone plan overall.

    Best prepaid plan: When it comes to prepaid- Visible wireless offers unlimited features and services on the best network for $40 a month. All of it combines for great value. However, be mindful of data slowing down over time, which has been reported by some users.

    Best prepaid family plan:  You will spend $50 a month if you choose Metro by T-Mobile unlimited plan. However, your costs are reduced to $30 a month for every additional line you add. The more people you have in your family- the better the savings.

    Best family plan:  Visible wireless is great for family plans because of the large discount when multiple lines are added. You cost can be reduced to $25 a line for unlimited data with enough people on the plan

    Best unlimited plan: The Verizon Get More unlimited plan offers 75 GB of data and comes with 5G data access and HD streaming. It’s expensive, but you get what you pay for.

    So when was the last time you reviewed your plan and usage to ensure you’re getting the best value? There’s no time like the present~ Check into it!

     


  • Is BodySculpting for you?

    Is BodySculpting for you?

    Dieting and doing a lot of exercise has often been viewed as the best way to try and improve your appearance. These traditional methods, though tedious and onerous, are the do-to choices for most of us. However, due to the numerous technological developments that have deluged the world over the years, many methods have been developed that help change the body shape.

    It is popular to use non-invasive devices along with diet and exercise to achieve this goal through body contouring. Relatively nascent to the world, many of things entail body contouring. Consequently, before you engage in any type of body sculpting technique, it is essential that you understand everything it entails.

    What exactly is body sculpting?

    Body sculpting, or body contouring, is the use of technology and technological advancements to provide the safest and fastest way through which you can change the shape of your body. The icing on the cake is that when it comes to body contouring, you have a variety of options to choose from. The method to choose depends on your preference, though all body contouring techniques have some benefits over the others.

    This article aims to provide you with everything you need to know about the different types of body sculpting techniques available, from the benefits to the costs, so that you can make an informed decision.

    Skin tightening radio frequency

    Loose skin is something that exercising and dieting cannot rectify. Exercising and dieting may actually lead to the development of loose skin. This is because, even though you may be able to lose some weight after exercising, the elastin fibers in your skin may already have been stretched and damaged. Consequently, you end up with lots of loose skin, with no particular way of getting rid of it. That is until now.

    Skin tightening radio frequency is a nonsurgical way through which loose and lax skin can be tightened promptly and efficiently. Though this technology is fairly nascent, it has received lots of raging reviews due to its efficiency, efficacy, and quick recovery time.

    The modus operandi of the procedure is simple. By using energy waves, the deepest part of your skin is stimulated to produce a protein known as collagen. Collagen is the most common protein in the human body, and it is essential in making sure that your skin remains firm. It is due to a lack of collagen that skin becomes loose and lax. Thus, by stimulating its formation, skin tightening radio frequency improves the condition of your skin.

    Benefits

    Numerous benefits come with skin tightening technology. Obviously, the main one is that you will have tighter skin. Notwithstanding, there are other benefits associated with skin tightening radio frequency.

    They include:

    • Face contouring: It is common to find that loose skin is concentrated around the face and neck. Consequently, skin tightening radio frequency ascertains that the facial laxity will improve tremendously, thus improving your facial contouring.
    • Getting rid of wrinkles: The skin’s collagen deficiency is responsible for the formation of wrinkles. Therefore, since skin radio frequency makes sure that the skin has enough collagen, wrinkles and fine lines will disappear.

    Drawbacks

    The drawbacks associated with skin tightening are mild and rare. The most common side effects include mild redness for a couple of hours after the procedure and temporary swelling. You may also feel a tingling sensation.

    Several options are available when it comes to skin tightening. Ulithera and Thermage have been in the market for a couple of years, and you will find numerous testimonials of their efficiency on the internet. Elixis, on the other hand, is fairly new to the market, but it has been making waves and has a lot of benefits. Regardless of the technique, you find most suitable, you can be assured that you will be pleased with the results.

    Costs

    Skin tightening is quite affordable. You may need a couple of sessions for the procedure to be complete, with each session costing about 200 dollars. Consequently, for the entire process, you will need between 800 dollars and 1000 dollars. The number of sessions you will need may vary, and so the overall price may fluctuate a bit.

    Temperature-based fat reduction

    Even with exercising and dieting, there are certain types of fat that cannot be removed that easily. These stubborn fats require some other method for them to be completely eradicated. Enter temperature-based fat reduction. Technology has been able to provide us with the means by which we can melt or freeze fat away, thus making sure that you achieve the body shape that you have been looking for.

    As a body sculpting technique, temperature-based fat reduction comes with two options, either melting the fat or freezing the fat.

    CoolSculpting

    As the name would suggest, CoolSculpting entails the used of controlled cooling to eradicate the excess fat you want to get rid of. The said cooling freezes the fat cells in the region, which is commonly the stomach, inner thighs, or upper arms.

    As a consequence of the freezing, the fats cells die, and the body naturally rids itself. This method of temperature-based fat reduction has become popular, mainly because of its efficiency. This is because CoolSculpting is a permanent solution to excessive fat because new fat cells cannot replace the ones that have been frozen.

    SculpSure

    The second temperature-based technique is known as SculpSure, it works parallel to CoolSculpting, though the results are often the same.

    SculpSure entails the use of laser heat for body contouring. Essentially, the laser heat dissolves the fat cells in the region you would like to reduce fat. During the treatment, the device applies the said laser heat in intervals.

    Benefits

    There is a myriad of benefits that come with temperature-based fat reduction.

    • Time: The first one is the speed through which the techniques work. For SculpSure, you only need about 25 minutes for the process to be over. This means that you will be more than able to resume your daily routine as soon as the session is over.
    • It is non-intrusive: Since both treatments are non-intrusive, no anesthetic is required. Additionally, no incisions have to be made for the process to begin. Consequently, these procedures will leave you with no scars whatsoever.
    • Appropriate for everyone: Except for expectant mothers, these procedures can be used on almost everyone else. Thus, everyone that would want to lose excess weight can do so.

    Side effects

    There aren’t a lot of side effects when it comes to temperature-based fat reduction. Some of the most common drawbacks are some mild conditions you experience after the procedure is complete. They include slight swelling, blistering, and bruising.

    Notwithstanding, there are some rare severe side effects. They include scaring, subcutaneous fat loss, skin indentations, and burns.

    Cost

    The costs for the two procedures vary a bit. For CoolSculpting, you will have to part with anywhere between 2,000 dollars and 4,000 dollars. SculpSure is a bit more expensive, and it will cost you between 1,000 dollars and 1,500 dollars.

    Exilis

    Exilis Ultra 360 is an FDA approved device that combines ultrasound and radio frequency to tighten loose skin and address fine lines and other body concerns. The device uses controlled heating and cooling to ensure that energy is delivered to different depths of the tissue. With the use of five different applicator tips, the device can treat different areas of the body.

    Benefits

    The benefits of treating sagging, loose skin with Exilis Ultra 360 include:

    • It is a quick, non-invasive, non-surgical treatment – Exilis Ultra 360 is designed to stimulate the body’s natural elastin remodeling and collagen production.
    • Painless treatment – You will not experience any discomfort during treatment.
    • Can be used on any area of the body. It can eliminate mild to moderate sagging on various skin types.
    • Results start to show after about two treatments and can last up to one year or longer.

    Drawbacks

    • Results can vary from person to person.
    • There is a concern about radiofrequencies being carcinogenic.
    • Some individuals can experience side effects in the form of skin redness, tenderness, and swelling.
    • It can be fatal if an inexperienced provider conducts it.

    Cost

    The prices of Exilis differ from one city to the other and from one provider to the other. The cost also depends on the part of the body a person wants to treat. Nonetheless, the majority of providers charge $350 and higher for a body part.

    Muscle enhancement

    The gym is considered the most appropriate place to do to make your muscles increase in size. However, contrary to the knowledge of many, different people have different genetic make-up. Thus, for some, it may prove to be an arduous, almost impossible task to try and get their muscles to show.

    As is the case with numerous other genetic quandaries, technology has provided a remedy. Muscle enhancement is a tried a tested way through which you can increase the size of your muscles. As a result, this body contouring technique has gotten a lot more popular over the year.

    Emsculpt

    Emsculpt is a body contouring technique that ensures that the fat in your body is burnt will simultaneously increasing the size of your muscles. All this is actually done while you lay down. The procedure is so effective that the muscle gains you attain after a simple twenty minutes session are equivalent to doing tens of thousands of sit-ups. It is no wonder that many people have developed a preference for it.

    How it works

    The functionality of the procedure is as easy as it can possibly be. A rubber pad is placed on the target area, say the thigh muscles or the abs. This pad produces intense electromagnetic waves. Consequently, these electromagnetic waves cause contractions on the target muscles.

    It is these muscular contractions that are responsible for the breaking down of the excessive fats. Additionally, they are responsible for the increase in muscular strength and tone.

    Since a thirty-minute process is similar to doing 20,000 sit-ups, it is only fair that you will feel the same soreness you would expect to feel after a regular strenuous workout.

    Benefits

    • Muscle increase:The most impressive benefit this process gives is its incredible muscle-building ability. It is incredibly astonishing the amount of muscular gains you can achieve after a short session. According to research conducted by the company, the product is able to increase muscle mass by sixteen percent, while simultaneously reducing the size of the waistline by a whopping nineteen percent.
    • Fat reduction:A bonus to the increase in muscle size is the fat reduction that comes with the procedure. As a result of the said muscular contractions, your body can burn the excess fat, as would a normal workout regimen.

    Downside

    As a result of its nascent nature, no side effects have been brought forward concerning the procedure. Notwithstanding, doctors are hesitant about the long-term effects such strenuous exercises could have on internal organs.

    Cost

    Four sessions of Emsculpt will cost you about 1,000 dollars. In the future, you should follow up on the progress you’ve made with additional sessions.

    Liposuction

    Liposuction is, without a doubt, one of the more popular methods of body sculpting, simply because it is a tried and tested method through which you can remove the unwanted fat in your body.

    Of all the other methods, as mentioned earlier, liposuction is the most invasive method of body contouring you will find in the market. Since it is more medical than all the other techniques, an anesthetic is used. Hence, you will not feel pain during the actual procedure. However, you may feel pain after it is complete.

    Benefits

    • One of the most significant benefits when it comes to liposuction is the fact that it is a healthy, effective, and efficient way through which you will be able to get rid of the excessive fat in your body. You will be able to lose between two and five pounds of weight after the procedure.
    • It treats other conditions
    • Liposuction has been known to be a remedy for numerous other maladies chief amongst them is gynecomastia, which is the accumulation of fat beneath a man’s breast.

    Risks

    The risks associated with liposuctions are more compared to the other procedures, mainly because liposuction is invasive, while the others are not. There is a myriad of risks associated with the procedure. Some of them can happen during the actual procedure, while others are associated with the time after the procedure.

    • During the procedure: Since an anesthetic is being used, some anesthetic complications may arise. Additionally, you may be at risk of developing nerve damage or even going into shock.
    • Immediately after the process: Blood clots may form in the lungs. Additionally, fluid may accumulate in the lungs, hence resulting in breathing complications. You may also develop heart and kidney problems after the procedure.
    • Risks while recovering: You may develop numbness, soreness, or swelling while recovering from the procedure. The area where the procedure took place may also develop infections, or scars. Changes in skin sensation and color have also been noted, though they occur rarely.

    Costs

    Since liposuction is a medical procedure, there are a lot of factors that influence its cost. Medical services such as anesthetic will play a huge role in determining the cost. The average cost of liposuction is about 3,550 dollars, but it may vary.

    Conclusion

    Body sculpting techniques can help you to enhance the appearance of your body. With these techniques, you can eliminate stubborn fat, loose skin, and make your body appear more toned. Body contouring comes in various styles and is ideal for different parts of your body. Compare different body sculpting techniques to determine which one is right for you.


  • Roadside Assistance- Why You Should Invest

    Roadside Assistance- Why You Should Invest

    As a single female, my parents always instilled in me the value of roadside assistance. Every year I would have a mishap. I wasn’t the type of person that liked to bother friends or family. I didn’t have a partner, so I just found ways to get my needs met. Some of this involved learning about the various roadside assistance programs and signing up for one. On the way, I learned a lot about what these programs offer a person. I would definitely recommend having one in place because you are bound to need it this year. With people flocking to the roads instead of risking it on planes, you are bound to get some extra miles on your car. The chances that you will have an incident like a flat tire also are excelled. In the following article, we will look at the various programs out there so that you can make an informed decision.

    AAA:

    Triple A is a standard staple when it comes to roadside assistance. They operate throughout North America. It is a non-profit that takes their mission to help seriously. So seriously I find that even when I’ve had a flat tire, the first thing I do is call. They will change the tire for you or just tow you to a safe location. You should give them a detailed explanation of what is wrong when you are on the road.

    When you call AAA, they will ask you if you are a member. If you are not a member, they will offer to sign you up on the spot and then will take care of your needs for the day. The sign up process doesn’t take too long, but you will have to have a wallet full of your details. If you don’t have all of your information with you, they will try to be flexible with what you have. AAA will then ask you if you are in a safe location or not. This typically means are you stranded at home versus on a busy freeway. They will offer you priority service if it is an emergency. You know that waiting at home can be a lot more pleasant. However, if you need to get to work quickly and are at home, make sure you advocate for yourself. This could mean the difference between waiting a half hour as opposed to a few hours. AAA has a great way of prioritizing. I’ve been stranded on really cold days and they come quickly. They are friendly on the phone and cheerful helpers. I have never had an experience with one person where I feel like complaining afterwards. These are customer service orientated professionals and it really shows in the way they treat you. If customer service really is a priority for you, then I recommend this service. With AAA, you can also upgrade to one of their better programs. Some of the perks will include longer tows that are free. If you want to be towed across a city or even when you are in a nearby town to the city, then you should go with the Gold Card. This will be a little bit more per month but is worth it. Some of the service providers are so nice that they will let you upgrade at the time of your emergency, however, this is not a given. It really will be luck of the draw when it comes to what you get. Another nice perk that they have added is checking your car out to make sure that you are winterized and your fluids and battery are in good working order. You can call them and schedule an appointment just to do this. I recommend that you call them when you are at home off work. You might just get a same day appointment. If you get this done, then you can expect to have one less emergency on your hands such as your battery suddenly dying. They are knowledgable, so they will get you up to speed on what you need done in order to get your vehicle up to snuff.

    Onstar:

    Onstar is another company that you may have seen advertised on the radio or TV. They have a heavy handed advertising campaign, so it is likely that you have at least heard of them. Onstar is a subsidiary of General Motors. They provide service all over North America as well as other countries such as China, Europe, Brazil, and Argentina. As you can tell, they have quite a far reach. They will offer other services as well, but one of their offerings is emergency services. You will have to have their audio interface in your vehicle to call them. If you’ve had a major emergency, then their sensors will automatically contact the Onstar call center. This can be nice when you’re in a collision because you are not scrambling for a phone number. On the other hand, if you wanted to handle anything with a cash payment, then it can be harder to keep the collision off of public records.

    The services for Onstar can really rack up. If you are on a tight budget, then the $20 just for emergency services can be expensive. This can add up to $240 a year. If you compare this to AAA, this is what you will have to pay on a Gold Plan. However, some people like the fact that there is more SMART technology with Onstar. They can often just locate you without you having to tell them where you are. This can help if you just want quick help with not a lot of questions. Additionally, your car can have free Onstar for the first five to ten years, so if you get used to the Onstar system, then you will probably not want to switch it out. With that said, all of the bundles for Onstar are $90 a month, so they probably want you to get used to hands free calling and everything that they have to offer. The plan is offered through cell phone companies, but it is really just a security, emergency services, and 30 hands free calls per month for your car plan. This means you shouldn’t get used to those hands free calls because if you do more than one a day, the charges can really rack up.

    Aside from the costs, Onstar is a level of comfort that you can only get with Smart features. You know that you will be protected with the Onstar system. You don’t even need to worry about using your phone when you need emergency calling. You really have a phone built into your car. It senses when you have a problem and will send help. However, if you let your battery die or have another problem, then you should have the Onstar number in your phone. You cannot call from your car if all systems are down.

    Onstar is a swanky service that also is friendly. They pride themselves on being able to be there for you right away and taking a proactive approach to your safety and well-being in the car. People who love technology and want more Smart features in their lives will go for the Onstar approach. You can just sign up for the emergency plan and not worry about the other Onstar services if you are on a budget. It is relatively in line with AAA.

    Goodsam:

    The Goodsam Club is geared towards RV adventurers. There are a lot more of them on the road now too thanks to COVID-19. The RV vacation has surged in popularity as you are really in your own bubble in terms of air. You even get your own bathroom if you are willing to pump out the waste. The Goodsam club is ready to offer roadside assistance. The club already has 2.185 members to speak of. This means they already have quite a reach and a proven track record.

    However, just because they offer RV plans, doesn’t mean they don’t have something for cars. While the automobile plans usually cost $100, now they are going for $50 in a huge sale. This means it’s a great time to sign up if you are looking for any affordable auto plan. The costs at this rate really cannot be beaten. However, if you already have a Goodsam membership, then unfortunately, you are not eligible for this deal. If you really look at the above options that we’ve covered, Goodsam is the best price by far. Even when you go with AAA, you will still pay over $100 per year. Also, right now the sale is $55 for coverage of your sport trailer as well. This is a novel option for people that travel with these. If you purchase the platinum package for $90 right now, you will also get emergency medical coverage. This is important for people that travel to other countries. If you are in America, you probably will like having emergency medical coverage if you don’t have medical coverage through work. In this case, at least you know that if you get in a car accident, your medical expenses will be covered.

    With this plan, like the others above, you will get 24/7 assistance. This is of course important because you absolutely need the 24/7 coverage or what is the point? Being stranded in the middle of the night in a car is even more dangerous than during the day. The plan also offers loyalty features. If you use auto-renew, then you will get a $10 discount. This is a great hidden feature that can inspire you to just keep your safety assistance rolling for the next year.

    One of the best parts of the basic plan is that they will cover all of your towing costs. They say that whether it is five miles or 500 miles, that they have you covered. What could be better than being in another state and still having your towing covered? I personally think that if you want to capitalize on the Goodsam sale, that this is the best plan to go with. If you go with AAA, you will have to buy a Gold plan, and even then, they have a cap on how far you can get a tow. The Onstar plan will charge you $20 a month just to get roadside assistance.

    It’s easy to see why the Goodsam family is growing fast. They are in touch with the times and they are offering discounts during COVID-19. This is a time when many people are unsure of everything. They don’t necessarily want to spend on extra expenses, but they still know they should get certain help such as roadside assistance for emergencies. It’s an important part of feeling secure when you travel anywhere in these difficult times.

    Summary

    All of the Roadside Assistance providers offer different perks. I have tried to highlight the little known details that make each provider so special. This can help you make a more informed decision as well as know how each plan differs from the next one. It can be hard when you see a barrage of information and advertising to know what to choose. We’re all on a time crunch and it seems working at home due to COVID has only made us busier.

    You will be in good hands with any of the providers. I made my choice for a recommendation based on economics and how I see a new member to roadside assistance being the best served in this time. However, I do recommend all three of these services as they all have advantages. AAA is the most well-established service, so if you want to go with proven quality, then you can’t go wrong. However, I was surprised by Goodsam and so it is more choice to recommend it for new members.

    Happy Motoring 🚗  🚘  🚙