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  • Save Time with the Best Payroll Software

    Save Time with the Best Payroll Software

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

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

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

    Which is the Best Payroll Software?

    ADP

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

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

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

    Gusto

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

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

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

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

    Sage

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

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

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

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


  • Fish Oil Could Change Your Health

    Fish Oil Could Change Your Health

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

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

    Best Fish Oil Supplements

    Health Benefits

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

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

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

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

    Nutrigold Triple Strength

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

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

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

    Life & Food Omega-3

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

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

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

    Wiley’s Finest Alaskan Fish Oil

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

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

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

  • Tackling a Kitchen Remodel? What You Need to Know

    Tackling a Kitchen Remodel? What You Need to Know

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

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

    Top Things to Know When Taking on a Kitchen Remodel

    Expected Cost

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

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

    Research the Contractor

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

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

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

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

    Get a Time Table

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

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

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

    Other Important Info

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

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

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

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

    Is Networking on LinkedIn the Path to a New Job?

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

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

    LinkedIn and Job Prospects

    What is It?

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

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

    Networking

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

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

    Job Listings

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

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

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

    In the Know

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

    Personal Brand

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

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

    Is LinkedIn Right for You?

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

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

  • Recruitment Tools to Make Your Hiring Process Easier

    Recruitment Tools to Make Your Hiring Process Easier

    Let’s face it: hiring isn’t easy. When you’re looking for top-level people to really make your company fire on all cylinders, it’s hard to find who you need. There’s only so much time in the day, so how do you make the most of it? Going over application by hand is time-consuming, and a lot of headhunter agencies don’t filter out the riff raff.

    Well, if you’re looking for a better way to hire quality people, then you’re in luck. Today we’re going to show you just how to fill out the ranks of your workplace with nothing but the best people with some simple recruitment tools. After all, the backbone of a strong company is a great workforce. Let’s get to hiring!

    Recruitment Tools to Make Your Hiring Process Easier

    Testing Sites

    An often-overlooked type of recruitment tool is the testing site. If you’re hiring for a position that requires quick math skills, or fast recognition, you might want to use one of these services. Despite the relative ease of these sites to filter potential hires, only 57% of companies use these tools! These are some of the best knowledge, skill, abilities and other qualifications (KSAOs) test sites out there.

    Self Management Group is a science-based assessment program that relies on accumulated data to score and test potential hires. The site is well-known for their accurate sales profiling, which is notoriously difficult to pin down over an internet test. Even better, the program is available in over 40 languages.

    HackerRank is a great site to use if you’re trying to hire coders or software engineers. This technical type of assessment is very particular, so this site is a great resource for web-based companies. The site even offers an online interviewing tool!

    Finally, we’ve got pymetrics, a site that works on “bias-free algorithms” to sort candidates. The site is game-like, offering fun games and activities that candidates fill out that then offers up helpful data to employers.

    Job Boards

    One of the most readily available recruitment tools for companies is the job aggregation board. While this one might seem like a simple solution, there’s actually a lot going on with these sites. Let’s look at some of the most popular job posting boards. Remember, nearly half of all hires come from job boards like these.

    Indeed is one of the most well-known such job boards and one of the biggest sources of hires in the US. In fact, the site is so popular that it is accountable for 65% of 2017’s American hires and 72% of interviews conducted during that time. There are over 100 million resumes on the site, so it’s a great resource for companies.

    Next up is Google For Jobs, one of Indeed’s biggest competitors. Salary information, location filters, job bookmarking and selectable job boards. For both employers and job candidates, it’s a really well-made and fleshed-out job posting board.

    Finally, CareerBuilder is currently the second-highest source of hires in the industry, just behind Indeed. They have great surveys for job seekers and offer excellent recruiter tools, making them a very well-rounded career site.

    Applicant Tracking Systems

    ATS are used by nearly all large companies and well over half of all small businesses. ATS programs like Greenhouse, Workday and iCIMS are all quite popular.

    Workday is a fast-growing system that helps track applicants and offers ample backend support for employees. The service also acts as an employment hub for workers through a smartphone app that lets them track their hours and time off.

    Taleo is more recruitment-focused and is a massive organization. In fact, the company was acquired by Oracle in 2012 to the tune of nearly $2 billion. They have a staggering 23% market share, too.

    Greenhouse is a quickly-growing ATS that has taken a large portion of the market in the last 2 years. The service is well known for its unique structure and straightforward hiring and interviewing process.

    iCIMS is the second-largest ATS, behind Taleo, and specializes in content-generation. The service is widely used in office and retail jobs. Their unusual name is actually an acronym for Collaborative Information Management Systems.

    Recruitment CRM Programs

    Candidate Relationship Management programs are a new trend among companies that seek to reach out to entice potential employees. The programs, as their name implies, seek to foster good relationships between employers and candidates to get things off to the right start.

    Notable examples include Ascendify, Avature, Beamery, Smashfly and Yello. Essentially, these sites work as branding that keeps employees engaged with the company’s values and image.

  • They Left the House, Now What?

    They Left the House, Now What?

    It’s been a long 36 years since you first got that pregnancy test results back in the early 80s. You watched your child grow and blossom, TCBY’s come and go, grunge music, and then they finally turned 18 and graduated high school. That was gonna be it, time to take your life and home back, or so you thought. College came and went, along with relationships, but they just seemed to stay around. Then the crash of 2008 happened and you thought this was it, they will be home for life. All of theirs, or the rest of yours.

    That was ok though, you almost took some comfort in it. No shame in the game, all of your friends still have their middle-aged kids at home too. It’s like a whole new culture thing and you got pulled in to it. Then as quickly as it the situation evolved, times turned in America. Jobs and money are flowing like the 50s and the stock market is doing incredible things with everyone’s money. Just like that, your precious 35-year-old couch potato is employed, buying a house and a car, and moving out to start his life. They are gone now.

    Meals for two again, quiet, serene peace. It’s almost frightening. Time seems to be fast forwarding and days melting together, all the while nothing feels like it’s being accomplished. Am I getting close on this one? Are you suffering from an unanticipated empty nest long after it should have been emptied? So now what? I’m glad you asked that, let’s talk about what is next.

    Do I have Empty Nest Syndrome?

    Depression, alcoholism, identity crisis and marital conflicts can all stem from the unexpected sense of loneliness you will feel with an empty nest. There is no real reason this has to become you, you can use this empty nest to solve and alleviate family and work-related conflicts. This will, in turn, improve the quality of your life.  Once a child leaves the home, finally, leaves the home, parents can find the chance to reconnect with each other.

    Take the time to quiet your mind and rekindle those long lost interest you once had. This will offset the loneliness and avoid you falling into the empty nest syndrome.

    Yoga

    By the year 2050, the senior population will expect to double.  Medicine is getting pretty scientific. It is great for keeping us alive. That’s not quite good enough, I want to get old without the pain. My dream is to give my body back to the earth without the complaints.  That’s where Yoga comes in. We all need to get into some Yoga stretching. Yoga classes for seniors include poses in forward bends and twists that protect the fragile bone system. There are classes designed, supported and taught with seniors in mind. The benefits include pain management, balance, spirituality, and graceful aging.

    Take the best of modern, evidence-based medicine matched with the ancient wisdom, experience, and tradition.  Yoga teachings for seniors can vastly improve your quality of life. Seniors come across a lot of issues that yoga can help, including reducing high blood pressure, easing back pain, enhancing sleep, as well as greatly improving your mood. I can’t stress enough how much Yoga will help improve your aging process as well as help you cope with your newly found empty nest.

    Find a Challenge

    There is one constant in all life advice. Its challenges and victories. It is a universal theme that can combat whatever is going on in your head. Stop the deconstructive behavior, challenges yourself,  and bask in the mini victories. This will inevitably change your perspective and get you over any tumultuous issues in your life. Empty nest syndrome is no different. It is simple. First set out to ease the sense of loss and loneliness by taking on a new and unrelated challenge. Have fun with it, do something you have always wanted to but never could justify.  Whether you’ve dreamed of completing a marathon, finish your degree,  or remodel your bathroom, today is your day to jump in.

    You can even get really crazy with it,  like volunteering with habitat for humanity build or spend time with sick kids. This will help you focus all that parenting wisdom to someone that could really use it. Set yourself up to achieve what I like to call mini victories, give a sick kid a smile and a toy, your first yoga class, install a new sink,  a weekend getaway or an afternoon on a job site for charity. These will all give you these mini victories. String a few together and like magic, you will find yourself transforming into the you that you had had always thought you were.

  • Best News Apps to Manage your Prescription Schedule

    Best News Apps to Manage your Prescription Schedule

    No one loves having to keep up with a complicated schedule of taking prescriptions on time. After all, you’re a busy person with a lot going on. It’s hard to remember when to take what! However, your health relies on you taking your medicines on time. If you’re having a hard time keeping up with your medication, you can try some of these helpful apps that can manage your prescription schedule. It’s important that you take care of yourself by keeping up with your medicine! If you happen to save a bit of money with some of these apps while doing it, all the better!

    Best New Apps to Manage Your Prescription Schedule

    Medisafe

    The first app we’re looking at is called Medisafe. This is a handy app that’s available for both Android and Apple devices and it’s great. Not only does it help you track your prescriptions and when you’ll need a refill, you also get tracking for your doctor’s appointments. If you’re forgetful like us, these are fantastic features to have in a smart phone app. The app is easy to use, incredibly handy and imminently easy to personalize.

    Some great features include safety ones such as emergency contacts who can be notified if you miss a dose. This is a way to make sure you’re safe and could even safe your life! You can set up fun alert sounds, too. There are a number of characters and celebrities you can choose from for the voice to alert you that it’s time to take your medicine. Who ever said that prescription schedules couldn’t be fun? Well, everyone, but, that’s okay.

    PillPack

    If you’re anything like us, you probably hate having to go to the pharmacy. It’s boring, it’s slow, it takes forever and you’d really rather be somewhere else. Well, that’s where PillPack comes in. This app, available on Apple devices, is a fully-licensed pharmacy that you can access from your smartphone.

    Not only does PillPack ship your medicine right to your door, it also pre-separates it out for you into handy baggies. All of the medication you need to take on one day will be in its own bag. When you combine this with Medisafe you get the double benefit of both reminders and helpful medication sorting!

    The package you get from PillPack is totally personalized for you, as each pill has a photo next to it and a chart to tell you which is which. Any special instructions are printed out for you, and it’s very easy to tell which pill you should take when, and how. If you often forget which of your medications you need to take, and for what, PillPack is a great service for you.

    The best thing about PillPack is that it’s very easy to get your medicine refilled. If you set it up, the app can coordinate with your healthcare provider and insurance and make sure you get your medicine on time. You only pay your standard co-pay! While the app is currently only available on iOS, it’s also on the way to Android devices soon!

    GoodRX

    Everyone hates having to pay high prices for medicine, but not a lot of people know about the best ways to save. One of the best ways you can save money on your prescriptions is by going through GoodRX, an app that helps you find the very best prices from all stores in your area. If you’ve ever used GasBuddy, this is sort of the same idea, but for medicine instead of gas.

    When you search for a medication on GoodRX you’ll see the prices of medication at various retailers in your city. This allows you to compare and contrast at a glance and make sure you’re finding the absolute best prices in your area. Why spend more when you don’t have to?

    You can search for either single medication prices or for the pharmacy that gives you the best overall price on your prescriptions together. You can also set up reminders for when you need to refill to ping you through the app! There are even coupons on select medications available through the GoodRX app, which helps you to save even more money on your medications!

    Currently the GoodRX app is available on both Android and Apple devices. The best part is, the app is totally free. It’s hard to beat the low price of free for an app that could potentially save you a ton of money, in our book. Don’t hesitate to start saving with GoodRX today.

  • Great Jobs that Don’t Require a College Degree

    Great Jobs that Don’t Require a College Degree

    Just because you didn’t go to college doesn’t mean you can’t find a great job in an exciting career field. In fact, there are a number of great career opportunities that people without degrees can pursue. If your biggest concern is landing a great job that will pay you well and has room for growth, you’re not out of luck if you didn’t go to college. Here are some of the best jobs you can find that will hire with just a high school diploma.

    Great Jobs that Don’t Require a College Degree

    Web Developer

    Generally speaking, web developers don’t need to have college degrees to find work. If you’re good with computers and can design a great website, whether you went to school won’t really matter. Some web developers work for one company as a full-time employee, covering their web needs, creating and maintaining their website, handling their backend tech issues and more. This is a great job for tech-savvy people who might not have the money or desire to go to college.

    Other web developers work as independent contractors and handle web services and backend for numerous companies. These contractors are technically self-employed, which makes education less important than portfolio. Contractors can set their own hours and take work at their own pace. And as creating stylish websites is a highly sought-after skill, this is a very safe career path choice. The internet isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

    Hotel Manager

    Working for a hotel is a great way to make good money without needing a college degree. Hotels generally need all the help they can get, and management positions at these positions often don’t require you have a college degree. Even if you’re not immediately placed into management, hotels are full of great career paths that could be uniquely suited to your strengths.

    For instance, if you’re a people person you can easily find work at the front desk of a hotel. If you’re a night owl, you could get a night audit position. If you like driving, you could drive the shuttle to and from the hotel and various attractions in town. Then, if you perform well, hotels often promote from within. As such, positions within a hotel often lead to management positions over that department. Front desk, catering, housekeeping: there are tons of departments within hotels that require managers to oversee them.

    This is a great way to sort of slide into a solid career by just starting at the ground level. If you keep your head down, work hard and impress your managers, you could likely find yourself in a position to manage the entire hotel by the time you’ve been there for ten years. And those intervening ten years will have you making solid money in a good field while you climb the ladder.

    Executive Assistants

    Nearly every office building needs assistants. It might sound like a very unfun job, but hear us out. Assistants play a vital role in most offices. Between those who act as receptionists, helping visitors and managing calendars, to those who help coordinate executives’ activities, assistants are a huge support role. Additionally, work as an assistant is often full-time and has a lot of opportunities for career growth.

    A few things about getting hired on as an assistant make it a great back-door into a career you want. For one, you don’t often need a college degree to get hired on as an assistant. For another, you’re working directly with a major boss of the company, so any great work ethic or talent you show is observed directly by the person who has a say in promoting you. Further, once you’ve proven yourself a valuable asset to the company, you’ll likely find yourself promoted into a position you really want and deserve. That’s literally the definition of career growth!

    Retail Management

    If you can stand the absolute drudgery of retail floor work, retail management is a good career field to enter into. Often times you’ll have to start out on the ground level, especially if you’re coming in with no degree, but that’s life. Generally, retail work is rather unforgiving, if relatively boring. For the first bit on the ground level, you’ll likely spend more time just trying to keep customers happy than anything.

    However, those who work hard and show skills with people and coworkers will likely find themselves fast-tracked to management. Smart people, with or without college degrees, can expect to move up the ladder into management positions that come with benefits and solid pay.

  • Does Your Dog Have Heartworms?

    Does Your Dog Have Heartworms?

    Many dog owners fear the possibility that their dog could have heartworms. Heartworms are a dangerous parasite that can be transferred to dogs via mosquito bites. The worms enter the dog’s bloodstream through the mosquito’s bite as microscopic eggs that grow into large worms that live in the heart of the host dog. Dogs with large amounts of heartworms inside their bodies develop symptoms including weight loss, lethargy and persistent cough. Does your dog have heartworms? And, if it does, how are you going to treat them?

    How to Treat Heartworms: Conventional or Natural?

    Conventional

    Normal procedures used to kill heartworms are often dangerous for dogs. That’s because the active ingredients used in killing the worms can cause organ damage in dogs. This is on top of the damage already done to the dog’s organs by the worms themselves. Further, once the worms die, they usually flow into the dog’s lungs. This can cause even more complications, such as blood clots, blocked airways and even more organ damage.

    The main ingredient in the procedure that kill heartworms has an ingredient called immiticide which is injected over two or three doses, though many vets prefer the three-dose version. This is because the adult worms dying in large groups can cause more damage than them dying in smaller groups. The three-dose treatment occurs over three months.

    Dogs undergoing treatment need to be kept indoors and need to be kept from strenuous activity that could increase heart rate. The risk of an embolism is lessened if the dog is kept from getting an increased heart rate, though this is somewhat difficult for some dog owners.

    While undergoing treatment, dogs should be kept indoors for a month and any physical activity that will increase the heart rate must be strictly avoided. The reason for this is to minimize the above risk of circulatory embolism.

    Ivermectin is often used in dogs who have minor cases of heartworms. That’s because it’s able to kill baby heartworms while also weakening and sterilizing existing heartworms. This prevents new infections from forming and allows your dog to naturally outlive the heartworm infection they have.

    Natural Treatments

    Some dog owners swear by natural treatments for heartworms. One such natural treatment includes the herb black walnut used in conjunction with various homeopathic remedies. These types of remedies tend to be mixed together and given to a dog once or twice a month.

    Another such natural treatment is milk thistle seed and dandelion tea. These types of treatments are often recommended for people who are using conventional treatments for their dogs, too! While the natural treatments have mixed results, some dog owners have reported them as working very well.

    Keep in mind, if you’re thinking about giving your dog natural treatment for heartworms, that you need to keep your vet in the loop. Make sure you have your dog checked up monthly for heartworms and see how your natural treatment is progressing. If your natural treatments aren’t having any effect, don’t hesitate to ask your vet about more conventional treatments.

    Prevention

    It’s actually not hard to help your dog keep from ever getting heartworms in the first place. All you need to do is be aware of some easy ways to prevent them from being infected at all. There are preventative medicines, like Heartgard Plus, that dog owners can use to keep the worms from being able to take root in the dog’s heart. This medication is given orally and must be given to the dog throughout their lifespan.

    Remember: if the area you live in has mosquitos, your dog is at risk for heartworms. You need to take immediate steps to make sure that your dogs don’t have worms. If they do, you need to start treatment right away. If they don’t, you need to get them on a prevention medication right away. Sadly, this is a reality for dogs who live in areas like the American South or other areas where mosquitos are common.

    What Happens if You Don’t Treat Heartworms

    If you don’t treat heartworms, your dog will deteriorate in health over time. As the worms grow and multiply, it becomes harder and harder for them to pump blood to their organs. This results in lasting organ damage that will make them slower, more lethargic and less healthy. As the infection worsens, your dog will eventually pass away from organ failure. Don’t let your dog suffer this fate: begin taking steps today to keep them safe from heartworms. They depend on you to take care of them, so don’t let you down!

  • What is the Best Way to Save Money On Baby Formula?

    What is the Best Way to Save Money On Baby Formula?

    It’s a glorious time in your life. The dream you have had as long as you have been a conscious human being it about to be realized. Waiting for your whole life to do something meaningful and the time is now. You are going to be a parent. Maybe even a good parent.

    Back to reality, babies are expensive, needy, and very expensive. On top of that, everything they need is expensive. Diapers, food, clothing, toys, educations, hobbies, entertainment, sports, travel sports, college. It just keeps escalating out of control.

    How can anyone afford a whole other person? Let’s take it one step at a time. First, you want to make sure your new baby has food. For starters, babies like mothers breast milk. That’s easy you make it for free. Unless you don’t, or can’t breastfeed. Then it’s onto formula.

    Like all the other things you are stressing about with your newborn, formula cost is a major concern. I’ve compiled a few easy ways to save some money on your new babies formula. While they may seem minuscule and not worth the time, remember your baby will need a lot. This will add up quickly.

    Samples at the Dr’s Office

    It is a great big marketing world we live in, aggregated with our free market economy, that results in large companies vying for the chance to be your formula supplier. You are going to, for lack of a better word, milk this opportunity. Start by asking your doctor or nurse for samples.  Formula companies know the best way to win over a mothers formula loyalty is to get the doctor to recommend their brand.

    They do this by buying the doctor’s office lunch, telling them why their brand is the best, and giving the office loads of free samples. It’s a simple conversation with your doctor, just ask what they recommend, you will go home with at least 2 weeks worth of free samples.

    Cash the Formula Checks

    Now that you got the free sample from the doctor, look inside for the company insert. It is usually in a plastic pouch. Most discard this but don’t. It is full of goodies. In this pouch will be formula checks that can be used like cash to buy formula. How amazing is this? Before redeeming these, go check out the company’s website. It will be in the info in the plastic pouch. Register with them.

    These products are expensive, the companies know this, and are making a fortune selling it. These formula manufacturers like to make coupons and sample packs available to parents. Once you are linked up online, they will shower you with more coupons, checks and additional incentives on other related baby products.

    After you have tapped the online resources, make a  phone call or send an email reaching out to their customer service department. These companies love positive notes, boast about how much you love their product and how your baby loves them. You will be surprised how willing they will reward your gracious appreciations with some valuable coupons in the mail.

    Social Media

    Take to social media and Facebook. There are thousands and thousands of garage sale, mommy, and swap pages you can comb through and find all sorts of precious and modestly priced baby products. Remember people get a lot of coupons in the mail, even people without babies. Some of them even receive formula samples from brands that they don’t prefer or just don’t like. You will be blown away on the coupons or stockpiles of formula you can get from social media.

    Amazon Mom

    Want to save 20% off of diapers and formula? With Amazon Mom Subscribe & Save subscription for moms you can. Plus they throw in additional $1 to $3 e-coupons. You will get the prime shipping free and Amazon will always match Walmart’s prices. Pit them against each other.  20% off formula and supplies is a massive saving. You will save on formula easily with an Amazon Mom membership.

    Also, you will also get a 15% baby registry discount and your first 30 days is free. There is also the option on Amazon Mom to buy diapers and wipes that are returns or that have damaged packaging for less than the regular price. It’s a moderate risk, but there is the option. Desperate times?

    Dads’ To The Rescue

    There is also another great way to load up on formula before the baby is born. It is a new phenomenon called “the dad shower”. Like a baby shower for moms but a lot more fun. Dads get together around a pool or televised sporting event. The new dad-to-be supplies beer and food. Traditionally pizza or bbq. Invites all his buddies and co-workers, in turn, they all bring a gift of diapers or formula.

    It’s an easy, low key good time,  and very beneficial for new parents. You would be surprised how generous single men without babies are. Also, we have no idea what a baby actually consumes so we tend to grossly overcompensate. Free beer, why not.