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Technology

What Will Future Over 60’s Look Like

April 10, 2019

No one can tell what the future holds but there are current trends that we can look at to predict what the world might look in a few decades time. Take older people, for example, can we say for sure that over 60s in 2050 will behave in the same way that our current generation of seniors do? It seems very unlikely, especially considering the differences in tastes, circumstances, and attitudes between millennials and baby boomers. But what could millennials look like when they eventually reach their golden years?

Well, Age UK Mobility have looked to tackle this question exactly by putting together an extensive piece that delves into what we can expect from the future generation of over 60s. They have broken down this fascinating topic into five key areas – technology, fashion, entertainment, health, and values – in a valiant attempt to predict how future over 60s might behave. They have even created a handy infographic to go along with the piece, replete with stats, facts, and predictions for the future. How will future over 60s travel? What will they do for entertainment? What will be the issues that are important to them? It’s pretty cool and this is certainly a subject that is fun to think about.

Filed Under: Technology

8 Work From Home Tips That Will Increase Your Productivity

November 6, 2018

Working from home is an unbeatable gratifying feeling. Whether you are telecommuting or you recently had your baby, and you are now a stay-at-home mom, working from home can be fun. However, there are times you will find yourself not having the energy to work. Challenges such as distractions will also be there. How you handle them is what determines your productivity which is seen through results.

Here’s a guide to survive when working from home:

1. Set up a home office

The first step to staying productive while working from home is having a home office. Do you have a spare room you could renovate to an office? Sometimes, you’ll find that you have to declutter your house to make room.

Decluttering is necessary especially if the room you intend to use has been a storage room or a laundry room. Setting up the home office involves buying a table and chair that suit the purpose. Next, you may need some storage cabinets for documents you need to verify at a later date.

Once the room is ready, you can begin your journey of working from home.

2. Make a list of what needs to be done

A plan is a must-do task before the next day. Planning prepares your mind psychologically on what you are supposed to do. Set deadlines on specific tasks which you need to complete for accountability purposes.

Make a checklist and tick once you complete the stated tasks. Structure your day just as you would if you were in the office. This keeps you on your toes and helps you become more productive.

3. Dress for the occasion

Working from home is similar to going to the office only that the comfort is incomparable. Funny as it sounds, it could work in your favor to dress up as if you are going to the office. This helps the home office feel like a real office.

It does not mean you dress in formal clothes, just dress decently and avoid working when wearing your PJs.

4. Get a distraction nearby but out of sight

Working needs regular breaks. How do you plan your breaks? It could be after every two hours. What do you do during the breaks? Have something to keep you distracted so that you can relax your mind. It could be doing some light exercises, or just walking around or a game of Clash of Clans. Resting helps your mind relax and enables you to start afresh when you get back to work.

5. Choose your colors wisely

Color has everything to do with the mood you have when working. What are your favorite colors? What color makes you feel relaxed? How are your home office walls painted? Are they purple, white or orange? Get a color that increases the chances of your mind relaxing.

If your room colors make you feel like pulling out your hairs, then you need to change the colors. You could repaint if you own the house or ask the landlord if you can repaint if it’s a rental.

Lighting is also crucial to your mood. Ensure that enough light comes in during the day without glaring through the computer screen. You can also rearrange the office to help you have enough light.

6. Work away from home

As much as working from home is comfortable, get outside the comfort zone once in a while. Look for a coffee shop near your house that has free Wi-Fi and work from there. You could actually do more work there than when in the house. This helps increase your productivity levels.

Sometimes, saving for such expenses could work well financially to avoid debt. However, you may walk into a bank with the intention of opening a savings account, and the attendant tells you, you can’t because of your ChexSystems report. Upon ordering the report, you find inaccurate information. Here’s a guide on how to dispute chexsystems.

7. Set boundaries with friends and neighbors

Do you have those friends who don’t take your working from home seriously? Do they keep calling or popping in to make small talk? Friends and neighbors can be major distractors because they believe you should have time for them.

Set strict boundaries during your working time. Don’t pick calls even when they call you unless it’s an emergency. Have talks with your neighbors and make them know your working hours, so they don’t walk in when you are busy.

8. Avoid non-work-related appointments in the middle of the day

Doctors’ appointments are among the things that reduce your productivity during the day. Schedule appointments during the weekend (especially if you don’t work during weekends) to avoid disrupting your day unless it’s an emergency. You can also schedule them in at the end of the day when you complete your tasks.

If a home office is what makes you productive, then do it. Life is about going for the things we want and are passionate about.

Filed Under: Technology

Four Tips For Keeping The Info In Your Apps Safe

March 28, 2018

The internet has made life easy and apps have made life even easier. They’re a great way for startups to make money, but because they don’t cost a lot, they’re easy for everyone to download and try.

There are apps for everything, but no matter how much your apps cost or what kind of apps you use, they all have access to your personal data. Just like you should keep a close eye on your security when you’re using desktop and laptop computers, so too should you make sure the information in your apps is secure.

Password Protect Your Phone and Apps

Just like when using your computer, the best way to keep any device, app, or program safe is to use passwords. Start by creating a password in order to unlock your phone. That way, your information is safe if you accidentally lose it.

Then, make sure you protect all the apps that you can with passwords. For an extra layer of security, don’t allow any applications to automatically sign you in. Instead, type in your personal information each time.

A few password tips include:

  • Use at least 12 characters
  • Avoid using dictionary words
  • Include numbers, capital letters, and symbols
  • Never use the same password twice

Don’t Allow Automatic Connections to the Internet

We use the internet so much now that we forget that we’re even using it! Using the internet so much means we all need to make sure we’re staying safe on public Wi-Fi networks. If you’re using your phone, one way you can do that is to make sure automatic connections to the internet are disabled.

Although an automatic connection can ensure you don’t go over your data limit, it is important that you have full control over the networks you use so you aren’t putting your app and phone data at risk. Only enable automatic connections to networks that you already know are safe.

Limit the Data Your Apps Have Access To

Whenever you download an app, it asks for permissions to access your data. That might include contacts on your phone or calendar data. Only allow access to information that is absolutely vital to the functionality of the app.

For example, a fitness app may need access to your calendar to help you schedule time to exercise, but it doesn’t need access to your contacts.

Keep Your Phone Up-To-Date

Whether you have an iPhone or an Android device, it is extremely important to update it regularly. In many cases, your phone will update automatically if it is connected to the internet, so make sure you connect to your home or work Wi-Fi at least once a day. You may also want to check online periodically and manually update your phone just in case.

Apps can make life a lot easier, and they can make life a lot more fun too, but only if you keep your information safe! With these tips, you can download and use all the apps you want without worrying about compromising your information. In addition, you’ll be able to access all your business site and social media while on the go, and feel safe while doing so.

Filed Under: Finances, Technology

How To Improve Your Website

March 27, 2018

The experience that visitors have when visiting your website is one of the most important things to note when building or updating a website. How easily do they navigate once on the website, or do they continue exploring what it has to offer? These are only a few of the questions you should be asking yourself when you’re reviewing your website’s design. There are various tips about going in the right direction, since you want that bounce rate to be at a minimum at all times.

Always have a plan

Think thoroughly about which parts of your website the users will interact the most. Once you figure that out you must create a seamless tunnel to the process or activity that will make them become your customer. You need to be one step ahead of the user at all times, and not simply fling them to the end page without answering a single question.

Be as minimal as possible

Remove all unnecessary stock images and complicated animations, and make sure to convey the point of your website as soon as possible. With the average user’s attention span being really low, you cannot afford to have an excessive distraction.

Connect to social media

Having buttons that instantly share a part of your content to the user’s social media account can be incredibly useful. Social media traffic is an integral part to any modern online community, something your brand and website should strive to nurture.

Implement proper Call-To-Action buttons

Once the visitor has landed on your website, is it clear where to should click on next? If not, you might be missing CTA buttons, which indicate exactly where should the visitors click if they want to continue with the process. However, make sure that it’s a step-by-step process, so they won’t get bogged down directly to the ending without really knowing what they’re looking for.

Don’t be scared of a scrollable website

Using a more expansive layout these days can be quite the boon for your website. Instead of smashing everything on the front page, consider creating different segments that navigate to other, more detailed parts of the website. These sections can include everything from an About Us section, to Testimonials, or Product Overview. Just don’t get too liberal with the scrollable website, since you don’t want the design to be too daunting or imposing to the visitor.

Update your content more frequently

While you don’t want to bombard your users with constant updates that do little more than being an annoyance or hindrance, you should care what and when they see said content. Having content that can reflect who you are and what you do is crucial for a website, and here’s where you should consider getting the help from professionals. Companies like Broadplace help improve the user experience by providing quality website content writing services, which might be exactly what you need to reduce that bounce rate.

Fix every little error

If your website’s been around long enough, you might have some unwanted 404 errors, or maybe some glitches in the margins. Comb through the website carefully to remove as many of these little nuisances as possible.

Filed Under: Technology

Financially Savvy Home Upgrade Ideas

March 22, 2018

When it comes to sprucing up your home, everybody thinks of getting upgrades that change the entire outlook without burning a hole in the pocket.

There are several ways you can improve the way you home looks without spending too much.

1. Bathroom Makeover

It is a good idea to start with giving your bathroom a mini makeover in two simple, cost-savvy steps.

First, buy and place a fresh granite vanity top in it. Depending on the size, a variety of bathroom countertops are available in elegant colors, designs, and textures in reasonable prices.

Second, get a wall or all of them painted and place a new mirror.

With a chic countertop, bright paint, and a beautiful looking bathroom mirror, your bathroom is sure to look pleasantly different.

2. Lounge Makeover

Your lounge sure needs to be upgraded as that’s where the guests sit and judge you for your interiors.

You simply need to have an accent wall in your lounge. Do that by adding a unique textured paint or by applying nice wallpaper on that one wall.

Using wallpaper should be preferred over textured paint because it brings less mess and more durability. Unlike textured paints, wallpapers are water resilient and last a long time. Yes, wallpapers are expensive, but not when you are getting just one wall covered.

Also, having an accent wall gives rooms a look trendier than the tacky looking rooms ballooned with wallpapers.

3. Kitchen Makeover

Your kitchen is the first thing people check when buying a house. Unclaimed corner spaces or walls should be taken advantage of to incorporate unique selling points.

Inclusion of rollouts is an easy and cheap way to make your kitchen look clean, organized, and up to the minute. They make it easier for you to look out for things that remained out of sight before rollout installation.

You can also consider installing dark colored countertops to add a strikingly classy feel.

4. Simple DIY fixes for $1 or less

If you do not want to go for renovation of particular rooms or areas in the house, here are a ways you can make your home look beautiful while costing $1 or less each.

Upgrade

  • Use a whitening pen to whiten and polish tile and window grouts
  • Add decent LED push lights to the roof and walls
  • Polish and coat your wooden structures
  • Install self-adhesive hooks for towels, cooking spoons, etc.
  • Use cable clips to keep cables out of the way and safe
  • Replace washers of leaking faucets
  • Cover ripped paint or polish with pens or nail paints of the same color

 

Embellish

  • Go for add-ons such as small flower vases, frames
  • Install key hooks of nice designs
  • Add tint to existing lamps, lights, and shades
  • Use wall stickers to decorate particular areas such as kids room

Organize

  • Include portable closets
  • Place a laundry basket
  • Install file  and book holders for books and other important files and documents

Clean

  • Clean light fitting and fans often
  • Use glass cleaners on glass and mirrors
  • Get oven and grill spray to keep your oven, grill, and stoves cleans
  • Wash the carpets with shampoo (no need to buy expensive cleaners)

Follow these simple relatively inexpensive tips to help give your home an impressionable upgrade,

Filed Under: Finances, Home & Garden, Megan's Blog, Technology

Technology That Makes Your Life Easier

March 22, 2018

One of the most dramatic forces shaping people’s life is technology. It continues to amaze us and provides numerous ways to make our lives easier almost on a daily basis!

Mentioned below are a few tech products that are making our lives better.

Amazon Echo Dot

With a built in feature of Amazon’s virtual assistant, this puck shaped device is our top pick when it comes to improving the quality of our life. It keeps you updated with the current news, latest trends and weather. You can also set alarms or control the smart bulbs in your house with this device. If synced with a few music browsers and apps you can enjoy music all over your place.

Yootech Qi Wireless Charger Pad

If you are fed up of wired chargers then this anti-slip rubber exterior charger is excellent for you. It will make your life easier if you travel a lot and need to charge your phone while on the go. LED indicator lights on the device lets you know the status of your charge.

Tile Mate

Do you often misplace your stuff?

The Tile Mate is the answer to all your problems. The device rings a bell on the item with which the tile is attached and lets you know the exact location of the item you are searching. This gadget is the best way to keep track of your important stuff as it covers a radius of approximately 100 feet.

Designed to loop into your keychain or anything else of the same sort, this devise is handy if you fear losing something valuable. It is supposed to be synced with an online mobile app to find the item that has been misplaced.

Anker USB-C Hub

No need to ask your friend to charge your phone for you since you are short on ports. This efficient 3.0 USB port device is an ideal choice if you have a habit of doing multiple things at a time. This small device is portable and can be plugged directly into any compatible port for use. You can charge your phone, attach a monitor or a mouse or an external hard drive all at the same time.

Philips Hue Smart Bulbs

Preferred by those who are looking to indulge themselves into the luxuries of the modern technological era, this bulb can be controlled through apps provided for Android or iOS users.

When paired with Amazon Echo dot, it provides you the ease to switch on or switch off your light from across the lounge while sitting comfortably on your sofa. You can also set timers for the lights to go off 5 minutes after you leave the house or switch on 5 minutes before you reach your place.

iOttie Easy One Touch 3 Car Mount

Suitable for those who spend a lot of time driving this gadget allows you to use your phone without asking for help from the person sitting next to you…or even doing it yourself and risking a road accident! It provides a compact and functional mounting solution in which a cell phone of approx 3.5 inch can fit.

These tech products are what we believe worth investing in. They provide you the best value in their own category that we are assured would provide you the ease you are looking for.

Filed Under: Megan's Blog, Technology

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About Megan

Hi There! As you can tell by the name of my website, I'm Megan and I love cooking! I don't only supply easy and delicious recipes for you and your family, I write about a variety of life topics. Most of what I cover is related to home and family, but can be useful to anyone in any stage of life!

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About Megan

Hi There! As you can tell by the name of my website, I'm Megan and I love cooking! I don't only supply easy and delicious recipes for you and your family, I write about a variety of life topics. Most of what I cover is related to home and family, but can be useful to anyone in any stage of life!

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