5 Problems With Buying an Old House

“However, while many people will romanticize old homes, they come with their fair share of issues, so if you’re planning on investing in an older property, you must understand what problems you might encounter.”

Two key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Home and Living Discussions. Our primary residences are the biggest purchases many people will ever make. The age of the property is a significant consideration and there can be issues with purchasing older houses. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Problems With Buying an Old House.

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Old homes come with a particular elegance and grace. Unlike new builds, they are filled with history and, depending on where you live, you may be the latest in a long line of inhabitants to make this house into a home. However, while many people will romanticize old homes, they come with their fair share of issues, so if you’re planning on investing in an older property, you must understand what problems you might encounter.

It Is Not Energy Efficient

New homes are made to conserve and retain energy. Some homes are so good at this that you may not even know it’s winter, as the insulation is so effective that it efficiently traps the heat inside. This is not the same as old houses, especially considering they do not come with double glazing and other amenities essential for conserving energy.

While this might not be much of an issue in the summer, you want to enjoy the heat; it will become a problem in winter. You might think you can counteract the chill with a wood fire or ramp the heating up, but this will make your energy bills skyrocket, which is never something you want.

It Can Be Difficult To Upgrade

If you’re someone who wants to combine the traditional with the modern, it’s perhaps best to wait and make sure this is possible. Old homes do not come with the convenience of newer builds, or even houses that are 10 to 20 years old.

This will make it difficult and expensive to upgrade them. For example, if you want to bring smart home technology into your house, you might be in for a surprise. Often, there is not the space to do so, and the foundations may not be as stable as you’d like them to be, which will make any upgrades challenging at best and dangerous at worst.

The Pipes May Be Rusted

Likewise, there’s also the risk that the pipes have not been updated in years, which means there could be rust and decay within the walls. If you’ve ever owned a property before, you don’t need reminding how hazardous this can be, so it’s worth checking on the pipes before moving in.

There are several ways to do this. You can request an inspection to ensure the house is safe for you to live in and fit for purchase. Alternatively, you might want to look at dye tablets for leak detection, which can identify any issues later on. This approach is useful for any house, but it may be most useful for an older house with the original pipes.

The Roof Could Be Damaged

A damaged roof is another issue that you may encounter when purchasing an old house, especially if the house is close to woodland or near overhanging tree branches. Over time, these environments can cause debris to damage the roof, causing the tiles to crack or fall, and this opens up the chance for gaps in the roof.

This will impact energy efficiency, making it impossible to keep warm, and it could also cause severe issues with the house’s frame. As houses are made of wood, weather damage can cause damp, and therefore rot, which will affect the house’s structural integrity, which is not something you want to encounter. It could be both costly and dangerous if you do not spot the issue quickly enough.

Pests And More

If you’re used to modern homes, you are going to be shocked at how easily bugs, critters, and pests can get into an old house. There are many reasons this would happen, and it usually relates to holes in the brickwork, but a damaged roof can also be inviting for them, especially during winter.

Pests and more are not something you want in your house, even if you’re an animal lover. If you are scared of bugs and spiders, it can put you off purchasing an old house altogether, but you can take action to keep these pests out, so they do not make things worse. Call an exterminator to deal with termites that could affect the structure, and seal up any gaps that you find.

This Old Place

While elegant and steeped in history, an old home can come with an array of issues. With this in mind, you must ensure that you know what you’re getting yourself into and whether all the repairs and upgrades will be worth it. If you decide they are, then you can enjoy a house that will soon become a home once again, as it has for many centuries before you.

That being said, an old property is not for everyone. This is why a lot of new home buyers prefer to invest in modern houses, such as these townhomes in King of Prussia, for example. Remember that when buying a property, you want to invest in what feels homely to you, whether it’s a brand-new 2-story townhome or an old house with a long history. The key is to approach the journey with your eyes open so that you are fully aware of the pros and cons of each property.

Finding The Best Entertainment Booking Agency

Two focuses of my blog are Business/Entrepreneurship and Entertainment and New Talent. In some instances, you may need to book an entertainment act. If you’re unfamiliar with the process, it can be a gargantuan task and as such, finding the a good booking agency could be very helpful. The following guest post is entitled, Finding The Best Entertainment Booking Agency.

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If you have ever thought about booking an entertainment act, you know that it can take a lot of work. Instead of doing all that hard work yourself, there are other ways to get the act chosen quickly and affordably.

Consider using an entertainment booking agency. Below are some of the big advantages of these companies:

They Save You Time

This might seem rather apparent, but you may not realize how much time and energy it takes to find the act that you want. There are many entertainment options available and almost limitless entertainers within each option. You will need to look at dozens or even hundreds of performers, look for testimonials, watch videos, and get their contact information.

If you want to blow your guests away with the quality of your entertainment, you will need to put in long hours to find the right people.

But when you hire an agency, the process is fast, simple, and clan. A good entertainment agency should have several appropriate options available quickly, once they understand you needs and goals. An entertainment agency’s reputation is its most important commodity, and it will not waste that precious resource on bad entertainment. There will be few if any poor or unreliable performers. Your agency should take care of everything you need and provide you with great entertainment for your event.

Reduce Risk

Even after you spend hours researching an act or group, you may not be certain that what you viewed is what you will get. An entertainer’s tape can look fantastic, but may not deliver the goods when the lights go down. Or, they can be great on stage and very difficult off stage. There are stories of some acts getting drunk, making absurd demands and taking offense to strange things.

When you work with an agency, you minimize the risk of something bad happening. They have done the research and worked with hundreds of entertainers. They know who are seasoned pros and who to avoid. They also know who has talent and who is not. They know who will be a perfect fit for your act.

They Have Industry Knowledge

You could have the greatest entertainer for your event but you don’t have their contact information. Should you call their agent or call them directly? Where to get the information you need?

When you need to reach some entertainers, it helps if you have connections. An entertainment agency has great connections in the industry and more and better talent available. As your success means their success you know they will deliver a great product.

They Have Experience

If you partner with an entertainment agency, you are gaining an organization with decades of experience. This is something that is hard to beat, even if you are new to event planning. Beyond the instincts and knowledge that come with many years in this industry, the agency will be able to help you deal with drafting and negotiating the contract. If you try to do this yourself, it could be confusing and may create problems later.

While not every entertainment agency available out there has the exact same experience and benefits, you should get a clear, simple process that provides you with a good entertainer who is reliable and matches your needs. Booking good entertainment should not be a high-stress process. The agency will take most of that stress away and let you focus on other aspects of your event.

Now that you understand the benefits of working with an agency, you should be able to find the best entertainment option for your next event.

Helping Older People Choose The Right Mobile Phone

Two key focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Technology. Mobile phones have now become a part of our everyday lives. While the younger generations can and will adapt more easily to the technology, it can be a daunting task for the older generations. The following contributed post is entitled, Helping Older People Choose The Right Mobile Phone.

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A mobile phone is an everyday essential item that lets you stay in touch with family and friends. Some older people may have put off getting a mobile phone for many years, but now more than ever, it’s important to stay in contact with each other. Choosing a mobile phone can be hard as there are many devices to select from. If you are helping an older person choose a new phone, there are some things to consider.

Although there are many models available, there are two main types of phones to choose from, cell phones and smartphones. Cell phones have features that are designed to help older people, like emergency buttons, hearing aid support, and GPS tracking. The buttons are considerably bigger on a cell phone, and the interface is much easier to navigate.

Smartphones are more advanced and can be beneficial for seniors who are more tech-savvy. With features such as a bigger and brighter display, it makes it easier for older people who have eyesight problems. Another bonus for smartphones is that they come with a protective case so they won’t get badly damaged if they fall on the floor.

The below infographic from Fanmisenior explains in further detail the differences between a cell phone and smartphone and looks at which of two may be better suited to older people. When it comes to helping them choose the right phone, you need to keep in mind the different features and which will be more beneficial. Check the infographic out here.


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6 Benefits of Mindful Breathing

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. We often take it for granted, but breathing is not only an essential part of our lives in terms of biology, but it can also unlock other keys to increasing our qualities of life. The following contributed post is entitled, 6 Benefits of Mindful Breathing.

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Isn’t it funny how we need to breathe to survive, but breathing is something we do without thinking and often forget the importance of it? It’s crazy that it can take something like a global pandemic and having to wear masks to make us appreciate being able to breathe in the wonderful fresh air.

If you’re not sure how to practice mindful breathing, then you can seek out guides to help you online, or if you’re really serious about getting it right, then check out this app from obVus Solutions, which visually displays your breath so that you can see when you’re breathing correctly using your diaphragm.

Meditation practitioners have known the benefits of mindful breathing for thousands of years, so there must be some truth to it, and there must be some profound benefits, but what are they?

It reduces stress and anxiety
We all know how it feels when you need to take deep breaths on a stressful day, well this is because mindful breathing activates your body’s “rest and digest” system and once this is activated, your heart rate and blood pressure lowers, which helps to reduce anxiety. It can also help to balance your emotions, and decrease the hyperactivity in your brain.

It helps to reduce exhaustion
With the busy lives people lead these days, it’s common to feel exhaustion. However according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, mindful breathing reduced burnout, cynicism, emotional exhaustion, and anxiety.

It provides pain relief
Research has found that mindfulness meditation can be effective in reducing the level of pain intensity. The study, published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences said there should be further researched as an alternative to opioids in people with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, migraines, and lower back pain.

It helps your to feel more positive
Mindful breathing can help you to feel happier and more positive as is can reduce repetitive negative thoughts that people with depression often struggle with. According to the journal of Cognition and Emotion, manipulating the breath can account for as much as a 40 percent change in feelings of anger, fear, joy, and sadness.

It can aid in weight Loss
Practicing breathing exercises increase your leptin levels, which is a hormone produced by fat tissue that signals the brain to inhibit hunger. If you’re looking to lose weight then it’s certainly cheaper and safer than trying weight loss pills or any quick fixes. What do you have to lose (apart from weight) by trying some mindful breathing each day?

It can help you to live a longer life.
Practicing something like meditation or yoga has been shown to increase metabolism and suppress genetic pathways linked with inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been associated with deadly diseases as Alzheimer’s, depression, cancer, and heart disease, so if there’s anything you can do to decrease your chances of suffering from one of these, then it’s well worth doing. Who knew that better breathing could change your life? In fact, mindful breathing could even save your life.

Keep On Top Of Every Little Thing When You Run A Business

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Depending upon the type of business that you’re trying to grow and running, it can be a gargantuan task. That said missing and or neglecting some of the details can be costly. The following contributed post is entitled, Keep On Top Of Every Little Thing When You Run A Business.

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Running a business is no easy task, as we’re sure that you are aware. It requires a lot of effort and commitment from you to even be able to think about seeing success. You need to keep on top of every single thing that is going on in your business, even though you have other people to oversee the departments. At the end of the day, it’s your company, which means you need to have your fingers in all the different pies. In this article, we’re going to look at some of the departments you’ve especially got to be on top of, so keep reading if you want to know what they are.

Finances

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The first thing that we want you to think about is finances. Finances are really difficult to manage, which is why you’ve probably got an accountant doing it for you. Even though this is the case, you need to look over what they are doing every now and then to make sure that they are on top of everything. We’re sure that they are, but it’s always important to check so that there are no surprises. Make sure that they’ve got everything that they need to complete their job effectively, such as crypto tax software, if this is necessary, and other software to make their job easier. Ask them what they need, and then learn how to use whatever they use as best you can so that you know everything is going well.

Marketing

Marketing is massively important to your business, even if some companies have got it into their heads that it isn’t. How else are potential clients going to know who you are, what you can do, and what you can offer them? The short answer is that they won’t. You’ve got to know exactly what marketing campaigns are being used for your company, who is being featured in your ads, what marketing techniques you’re making use of, and so on. You never know, you might have some ideas to improve it, such as posting more varied content on social media. If you don’t know what’s going on, something could be missed!

Customer Service

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Lastly, your customers are essential to your business because without them, you don’t exist. It’s for this reason that you need to make sure your employees are providing the highest standard of customer service possible to each and every customer. You want a reputation for doing everything in your power to fix any mistakes you’ve made and doing everything to make your customers happy. Send your employees on training courses periodically if that is what it takes, but your reputation for customer service must be good if you want to stay afloat.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see why you need to keep on top of every little thing when you run a business. It’s essential that you don’t let anything distract you from having the information that you need, or your company is the one that will suffer. Good luck.

In Case You Missed It: My Interview With Dennis Wilson Jr. Regarding Business/Entrepreneurship And Branding

As many of you know, I’ve branched out from the Big Words Blog Site into YouTube where I now have four channels. My original channel is Big Discussions76 where I now discuss general topics. One of my recent guests is fellow Buffalonian Dennis Wilson Jr. (see the video at the bottom of this post). Being in the same peer group, Dennis and I played basketball in Buffalo’s “Yale Cup” high school basketball league around the same time in the early 1990s. After launching a career in education, Dennis started and has steadily built his own business empire. In addition to owning one of the more popular restaurants in Buffalo, the Oakk Room, Dennis further hosts high quality and sophisticated events and has also started his own clothing line.

In this interview, I asked Dennis about his background, his educational path, how he launched in the business world, and finally what he foresees going forward. Links to Dennis’ business websites are in the description box below the video. If you want to read more about business topics of all kinds including branding, select the “Business/Entrepreneurship” category from the list of topics in the drop-down menu in the left-hand margin my blogging platform. Thank you for watching, and if anything in our discussion resonates with you, please like, share and subscribe to my channel.

4 Financial Issues Today’s Youth

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Current Events. Even before Covid-19, the younger generations faced new challenges and a vastly different economic landscape in comparison to those the Baby Boomers and their predecessors. Many of the challenges involve finding work, and being competitive in today’s and tomorrow’s workforce. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Financial Issues Today’s Youth.

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Young people are facing numerous financial challenges today. Let’s explore some of the biggest issues that they will need to overcome.

Buying Property

The first major problem facing young people today is the challenge of buying property. It’s fair to say that buying your first home used to be a lot easier. Today, homes are more expensive and lenders are less likely to take a chance on someone that doesn’t have a healthy record when it comes to borrowing. Buyers are also going to have to spend some time exploring the market to find the right home for them. However, there are still some great opportunities out there including the houses from Cami Jones & Company.

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Saving A Pension

If it’s difficult for young people to buy property, it’s virtually impossible for them to save a pension. The only real way to do this is to ensure that you are building up your savings as much as possible each month. One of the options here would be to set up a second or third income. You can also think about focusing less on things that you enjoy such as holidays and meals out. However, many young individuals are left wondering about the point of this if they are constantly saving for tomorrow and not enjoying today. Ultimately, it’s going to be a balancing act and young people will constantly need to try and keep their finances healthy while also ensure that they are actually able to enjoy their life.

Gaining Job Security

A key issue for the next generation will be finding a job that provides security and stability. This is due to the fact that a lot of businesses are now establishing a model where they use freelancers. The benefit for businesses is obvious. With freelancers, business owners don’t have to worry about offering employees with expensive incentives. They can also dodge the issue of needing to provide redundancy settlement packages. Instead, employers are free to cut and hire employees as they like. By 2021, it’s expected that more than half of the American workforce will be freelancers. Hopefully, new laws and regulations will come in to protect these individuals. For now, though, young workers will need to learn how to survive on an income that is constantly in flux.

Paying Off Debts

Finally, one of the biggest challenges that are certainly impacting the youth of today is the issue of attempting to clear debts. Specifically, we need to think about the issue of student loans. Student loans can be hundreds of thousands of dollars, plummeting young individuals into high levels of debt before they ever have a chance to build up a solid career. If you are worried about this, then you can think about the support offered by the government. You should also be working to pay off your debt little by little each month. One of the ways you can do this is by setting up a direct debit to repay your debt and save as much money as you can, even as you are going through college.

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Improving Your Business Travel Experience

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Many businesses involve some sort of travel. While it’s necessary in business, it doesn’t have to be an altogether unpleasant experience. The following contributed post is entitled, Improving Your Business Travel Experience.

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Whenever you have to travel for business reasons, whether it’s just for a couple of days or even several years, it can often be an experience that you simply dread. The chaos of airport security, cold lifeless accommodation, a considerable distance between you and family or friends and a general sense of an uncomfortable countdown slowly grudging by are just a few of the side effects that many professionals fear, but it needn’t be like this for much longer. There are so many tips and tricks that you can make the most of to ensure you have the best time possible, no matter where you might be, and it couldn’t be easier to begin planning your journey today. So, if you would like to find out more, then read on to uncover some of the greatest steps that you can follow now to improve your business travel experience in no time at all.

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Book Your Own Accomodation

More often than not, your employer will be the one who chooses, books and pays for your accommodation. This means that you’re probably going to end up with the easiest, most affordable option, whether you like it or not. However, rather than suffering through a 1 star hotel, it may be possible for you to approach your boss and request a new method of handling the situation – simply ask them to set a budget, and request that they allow you to find and arrange your own suitable accommodation. Hosting sites such as Airbnb can be a great place to find excellent accommodation in the centre of every city or town, and the fact that your host is likely a local will be of real benefit to your trip too! There are so many ways to find affordable accommodation, and gaining the opportunity to pick and choose based on your own personal preferences can make your travel experience feel less lonely.

Research & Organise Transportation

There’s nothing worse than arriving at your location to find no taxis, public transport or car hire as far as the eye can see. Organising the right transportation is such a key aspect of your trip, as you need to have the freedom and capacity to visit any location you wish to. Business travel does provide some down time, and it’s such a bad idea to simply sit inside your accommodation and watch the hours crawl by when you could be out on the road experiencing all of the sights and sounds. Whether you arrange accommodation close to a regular bus route or train station, hire a vehicle straight from the airport, or even use a site like https://carsrelo.com/ to transport your own car from your hometown for ultimate comfort, there are just so many different options that you can explore. Why stay isolated inside when you can just get outside and experience the culture of the area surrounding you?

Improving your business travel experience has never been so simple when you are able to utilise the tips and tricks detailed above.

3 Things You Have To Remember When You’re Launching A New Business

Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Launching a new business can be a daunting task if you’ve never done it before. It can be exponentially easier if you understand some of the basic concepts. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Things You Have To Remember When You’re Launching A New Business.

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These days you need to make the right decisions at the right times, and moving forward in the right way is so important. When you are launching a business it is vitally important that you take steps to focus on what you can do to launch the business in a more successful way. There are so many factors that you need to make the most of right now, and this is something that plays a massive part in this.

Here are some of the ideas you are going to need to work on right now, and there are a lot of things that you need to keep an eye on when it comes to launching a new business. This is something that you need to work on to help make this as successful as possible. You are going to have to factor in what you need to launch the best possible business right now.

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1. A Business Plan is Vital

There are a lot of ideas you are going to need to work on doing as much as you can to work on improving your business plan as much as possible. A strong and detailed business plan is something that you need to try to work on when you are trying to move forward. The business plan is the most important part of the process when it comes to the initial phase of developing and executing a successful business for the future. The business plan is the blueprint for taking your company forward in the best possible way, and this is something you need to work on right now.

2. You Need to Do Your Research

Doing your research is really important and this is something that you need to make sure you keep in mind right now. There are so many factors that you need to keep in mind when it comes to making the right business decisions, and research is absolutely essential for this. Make sure you factor in the best ways of being able to do this moving forward, and there are a lot of things you need to know about. For instance, you should be researching the cosmetics industry if you’re looking to launch a beauty business, and check out the trends and things to look out for. The more you can do to get this right the better the decisions you will be able to make in the future.

3. Reputation Matters

Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and this is something that you need to try to make the most of right now. There are a lot of ideas that play a role in this, and it is important to make sure you focus on doing what you can to take things to the next level. There are so many things you need to get right here, and you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. So this means you need to work on making a good first impression as much as possible, and this is something you have to try to make the most of as much as possible moving forward.

As you can see, these are a few of the key things you need to keep in mind when you are looking to make the right decisions for your new business. It is important that you come up with ideas that you can use to take things to the next level right now. Here are some of the key elements you need to make right now, and getting this right is important moving forward.

6 Side Hustles For Sports Lovers

Two focuses of my blog are Athletics/Sports and Career Discussions. While many youngsters have aspirations of playing sports at the highest levels, the reality is not everyone will ascend there as players. The good news is however that there are multiple ways to continue to be involved in the world of sports. The following contributed post is entitled, 6 Side Hustles For Sports Lovers.

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Want to turn your love of sports into an income? While not all of us are able to dedicate our lives to a career in sports, there are still ways to make a bit of extra money on the side. Here are just six examples of sports-related side hustles.

Sports coaching

If you have experience participating in sports and feel you have a good understanding of your chosen sport, you could consider looking into coaching. It’s possible to coach a kids’ team or privately coach individuals in your free time. Certain sports may require you to first obtain a license from a professional body. You’ll also need to consider expenses such as renting out a field or a gym hall, as well as insurance. It’s ideal for those that enjoy the participation aspect of sports and for those that want to pass on their knowledge.

Sports betting

Sports betting definitely isn’t a certain way of making money. However, with a good strategy and sensible budgeting, you can minimise your losses and maximise your chance of winning. There are lots of sites set up to offer tips on sports betting. By shopping around bookkeepers, you can also find the highest paying odds.

Fantasy sports betting

Fantasy sports has become very popular in recent years, with many sites setting up professional leagues offering huge prizes. It’s best to start off on smaller DFS sites – these sites offer smaller payouts, but also have smaller entry fees and a greater range of less experienced players. By doing your research, you can increase your chance of creating that winning team. You can find tips on individual fantasy sports online such as these winning DFS NHL hockey picks. As with regular sports betting, it’s important to manage your bankroll effectively to minimise your losses.

Selling sports memorabilia

People pay a lot of money for sports memorabilia. This includes items signed by athletes and rare sports collectibles. In order to make money selling sports memorabilia, you need to be able to hunt down authentic items that are under-priced so that you can buy them and sell them on at a profit. You can also invest in certain items by holding onto them and letting them gain value.

Sports blogging

A sports blog could be used to provide sports news, advice or other information. Succeed in getting enough readers and you may be able to monetise your blog by providing ads. You may also be able to run sponsored content such as reviews of sports products and sports-related affiliate pieces. You can find tips on making money blogging here.

Sports vlogging

A vlog is similar to a blog but is made up of video content. Your video content could be dedicated to news, commentaries, advice or even memes. If it gets enough views, you’ll similarly be able to monetise it by displaying ads. There may also be the option of running sponsored content to make money. YouTube is the best platform for starting a vlog on.