Being Smart About Summertime Bugs!

To most people, summer entails pool time, barbecues, road trips and county fairs. To a few people however, summertime means one thing: bugs.

Nobody wants to go outside and almost immediately be swarmed by thousands of disease carrying mosquitoes, and other creepy crawlies, that simply want to feast on your blood.  Okay, so maybe that is not their intention, but we all know the worst is having to slap yourself in the face when a bug buzzes close to your ear, or waking up the next day itching in some awkward spot, that you were unaware got bit the night before.

That is not my idea of summer and I don’t think it is yours either.  Many people have their go-to deet-infused insect repellent, but today I want to go over some natural options to help increase your chances of keeping the bugs away.

Small Glowing Objects

Everyone knows that bugs are attracted to the flame.  The same goes for mosquitoes and our phones.  Most people don’t realize it because it is so instinctive and habitual, but checking your phone every five minutes at a campfire is actually attracting bugs right in front of your face.  Make it a point to actually enjoy your time in nature or with family and friends, rather than checking social media profiles or the news.  If you are going to be “that guy or girl” at a gathering, try to check your phone while walking, as to not attract bugs to yourself or others.

One of the better things to have outside in the summer are the standing citronella or oil filled candles.  Strategically placing some of those in a circle around your gathering will greatly increase your chances of not being bitten.  Supplementing those with an electronic bug zapper will be even better.  Most bugs will be attracted to the flames but will not fly into them.  Having a bug zapper in your gathering will catch many of those attracted to the various lights and scents of your gathering.  Some of the best bug zappers out there emit carbon dioxide, other scents, or non-toxic pheromones like octonel, that attract mosquitoes to the zapper.  If you are going to buy a good bug zapper for your outdoor venue here are a few other things to keep in mind:

●     Buy one rated for outdoors.  Bug zappers that are rated for both indoor and outdoor use are often not robust enough to cover a wide area outside, plain and simple.

●     Buy one that is either propane fueled or corded. These models stay in use longer, are typically quieter, and the added power means more heat for luring in bugs.  Cordless models do not typically have extra features like pheromone release or that extra heat and light.

●     Buy one with easy to clean components and extra security features.  You definitely want a bug zapper that has a pull out tray or easy to clean grids.  Also, always get one with a guard over the electrified portion of the device to prevent someone from accidentally touching it.

Perfume, cologne, laundry detergent, lotion, body washes, etc.

Certain unnatural scents and ingredients in popular everyday products attract all kinds of airborne critters.  When you are going to be outdoors for an extended period of time, it is best to not practically invite the bugs to feast on your exposed skin.  When showering in the summertime, try to find a good citronella or unscented soap brand that is known for not attracting bugs.  The same goes for lotions, shampoos and body washes.  Prell is one such shampoo that is relatively scentless and does not attract most forms of bugs. 

Mosquitos, in particular, are drawn to heat, sweat and general dinginess.  That means that areas like close to your feet are always susceptible to being bitten, regardless if you have socks on or not.  Having dirty socks or shoes actually attracts more mosquitoes than say, a strong floral scent.

What you eat is what they crave

Certain foods attract bugs and certain foods attract bugs as you sweat.  Sugary foods and beverages will always be on the top of both those lists. 

Avoid eating things like bananas or lemons, as they have pheromones that attract bees and mosquitoes.  Salty things like peanut butter can attack many types of ants, but today we are mostly concerned with the airborne bugs.

Always compare your list of foods and beverages to the umpteen amount of lists available on the internet of what attracts and repels the types of bugs that are prevalent in your area.  Just keep in mind that many things like fruits, juices and most alcoholic drinks contain sugar in their natural makeup, and that attract bugs.  Many species of insects, especially the airborne ones, can detect a scent from miles away, and will move accordingly.

A few other tips are to avoid things like leaving empty cans of beer all over your gathering or eating a box of movie candy just before going outside.  Clean up any spills and put the tops back on beverages while unattended.  Be smart about it.  And most of all: be pragmatic.  If you got bitten up after eating or drinking a certain thing, don’t do it again!  

Day Trips Around Pune for Soul Travelling

You might have heard that Pune is the perfect place for partying; the night life of Pune can allure every fun-loving creature. If this has made you believe that Pune is full of noise and you can’t have your peace of mind there, then I’m sorry to say you are mistaken, my friend. It is a city that attracts people with its liveliness, as well as the captivating natural beauties.

Pune is the perfect blend of party culture and serenity!

If you want to come out of the hustle and bustle of Delhi to enjoy nature in solitude, then keep your bag packed. Go to the Yatra portal and book yourself a flight ticket from Delhi to Pune.  

Here we are giving you the top 5 options for soul travelling Pune within a day.

Duke’s Nose Trek    

What can be better than trekking for having a closer look at nature? Duke’s Nose is a cliff that is called nagphani due to its structure that looks like a snake’s hood (Britishers named it after the big nose of Duke Wellington). Here you can get teamed up with an expert team of explorers to guide you and take care of your safety. Trekkers from all over the world like to flock here because of the breathtaking view is seen from the top of the cliff. It is needless to say that you should have lunch and water in your backpack before starting the trekking journey. If you are going aloof the city crowd, you cannot expect any lavish restaurant ready to serve you at the cliff, right?

The Segway Ride in Lavasa (only for experienced riders)

If you are an experienced rider of the self-balancing vehicle, nothing else can be more exciting and relaxing at the same time. You get to ride the adventurous vehicle while exploring the scenery of nature. The fun here gets multiplied several times due to the man-made hill station you get to roam around. If you don’t have any experience, then don’t get disheartened just start your training!

River Rafting at Kundalika River  

There are many of us who find the beauty of flowing water more alluring than the hills, valleys and trees. If you are one of them, then you’ll surely want to ride the water currents and feel the beauty of nature splashing around yourself. Kundalika River Rafting Adventure is one of the favourite hotspots for escaping the crowd. It ideally takes 3.5hours to cover the stretch of 14Km but this fraction of time will add lots of memories in your soul for a lifetime.

Bike Riding Expedition in Satara Circuit

Most of the youths have become so accustomed to adventure and speed that they want to be close to nature but without getting down from the wheels. This expedition can be a glimpse of paradise for those adventurous youths. The expedition normally starts around 6:30 AM and ends around 7:30 PM. You can zoom all your way through the slopes and terrains (may also be done with private cars). The best part of this expedition is that you don’t need to carry your lunch with yourself; just carry your enthusiasm, and everything else will be taken care of in the package you choose for the expedition.

Paragliding and Joyride in Kamshet

Does adventure to you mean floating in the air? Do you see birds as your soul-mate? (Don’t take this literally!) Then nothing can give you more pleasure than Paragliding and Joyride over the beautiful Western Ghats. All the measures of safety will be taken care of while giving you the thrill of hanging in the air. You can also ask to customize this ride for special occasions like birthday or anniversaries.

Feeling excited? Take a weekend break and come to Pune to enjoy a soulful and adventurous day. Moreover, yes, make sure to book your flight ticket from Delhi to Pune in advance.

How to Get Your Retail Business Off the Ground Using Pop Up Leasing

Have you got a burning desire to start your own retail business? If so, you need to prepare properly and put in place steps that will allow you to get up and running as quickly as possible. Generating momentum and a buzz around your new venture will give you the energy and the confidence to create and grow a business you can be proud of. You can do this as follows by using one of the many pop up leasing solutions that are currently available.

Put Your Products in Front of Your Target Market

When you've decided what products you will offer to the public, you need to find out where the people who will be interested in your products hang out. In some cases, it may be easier to find these people online, while in other situations, your perfect shoppers and customers may visit your local mall each week.

In the case of a shopping mall, it is possible to reach huge numbers of shoppers through one of the many Pop In Retail solutions like Westfield POP, which gives a retailer the opportunity to display their products in front of the 335 million shoppers who pass through their doors every year.

Local Promotion of Your Pop Up Store

In most cases, pop up retailers initially sell to local shoppers and customers. As soon as you make the decision to start your retail business, it's essential to start getting the word out about your new business and let people know where your pop up shop is located.

You can start this process by telling as many of your friends and family members as possible about your business and ask them to spread the word. In the run-up to the launch of your retail pop up store or stores, you then need to start professionally marketing and advertising.

Typical ways you can do this include the development of a high-quality website, the creation of branded social media pages, and the designing of professional-looking, traditional marketing materials such as leaflets, posters, signs, and any other items that will attract the attention of potential customers and shoppers.

Displaying Your Products

Before you decide to use this type of business solution, you need to think carefully about how your products will be displayed in front of shoppers. Ideally, you should develop a brand that people become familiar with and will instantly recognize whenever they pass your store. If you can master this aspect of your business, you find that more people will return to buy your products in the mall you are located in and your customers will also refer other people to your retail business.

Every retailer has to start somewhere and most of the leading retail entrepreneurs started their businesses from humble beginnings too. However, it's vital to get off to the best possible start and make intelligent choices before you begin to trade. Using a pop up retail solution is one effective way to give yourself and your new retail business the best possible chance to succeed. 

Swagbucks Swag Luau Team Challenge

Put on your lei, enjoy some Slack-key guitar, and get ready to eat some Kalua Pork, because Swagbucks is holding a Luau Team Challenge to help you earn free gift cards! For those of you who don't know what Swagbucks is, it's a website where you can earn cash back on everyday tasks you do online like shopping, answering surveys, discovering deals, and watching videos. You can even earn for searching the web! 

If you've never tried Swagbucks before because you didn't know where to begin, their Team Challenges are a great way to learn the ropes! The challenge, begins Monday, August 14th at 8am PT, but you can pre-register starting on Friday, August 11th!

Here's how you can join the challenge and the site:  

1. Click here to join the challenge and be assigned to a team.

2. Starting August 14th at 8am PDT, in addition to earning SB you'll contribute points to your teams total as you complete different activities on Swagbucks.

3. Check back on the page often to see the scores and what you've contribute so far.   

All members who participate and contribute at least 600 points to their team’s total will receive a SB bonus in the form of a SB Swag Up Rebate on their next gift card! 

Not only that, but if you sign up under me this month and earn 300 SB before September 1st, you'll get a 300 SB bonus!

Members of the 1st place team will receive a 100 SB Swag Up Rebate, members of the 2nd place team will receive a 50 SB Swag Up Rebate, and members of the 3rd place team will receive a 30 SB Swag Up Rebate. Your SB Swag Up Rebate will be made available on Friday, August 18th at 2 pm PT and will expire on Thursday, August 31st at 11:59 pm PT.

7 Tips For Consolidating Debt On Poor Credit

Many of us have a mound of debt that we don’t know how to repay, and it can be hard finding a debt consolidation solution when you have bad credit. If you have problems repaying your debts, you may have done damage to your credit score, and it’s for this reason you need a consolidation loan – but this could also be the reason that you are battling to get one. Let’s look at a few resources that can help.

Credit Scores and Debt Consolidation Loans

Did you know that you can use debt consolidation loans from Debt Fix to pay off your debts and replace them with just a single loan? By doing so, you can lower your monthly payments or even seek a cheaper interest rate. However, qualifying for another loan when you have poor credit can be tricky. You may need to accept a few trade-offs to secure your loan, such as loan fees, higher interest rates, or limited options in terms of loan types.

Consolidating Student Loans

If you are trying to consolidate your student loans, you are in luck. Overall, these loans are harder to get rid of compared to other debts, and it makes them a lot less risky for lenders. For borrowers, it means more flexible and often lower credit requirements to qualify for a consolidation loan.

Lenders that offer lower credit score minimums

If you’re looking to consolidate your loans, and you have a poor credit rating, take note that different lenders usually have different credit requirements and there are many who may be willing to consider you.

Secure a Co-signer

Many lenders out there will not offer consolidation loans for people with poor credit, but they may well approve your loan application if you have a co-applicant who has good credit. In order to get a co-signer for your loan, you will need someone who is willing to co-sign for you, and a lender who accepts co-signers. Ask your partner, or a family member who has good credit to co-sign the loan for you and you may have a much better chance of approval for your debt consolidation loan.

Talk to a credit union

Credit unions at considered not-for-profit financial institutions at serve the community. The unions often offer debt consolidation loans for people with poor credit ratings, and you may well secure a low rate.

Non-profit consolidation

There are a few non-profit organisations that help people get out of debt when their credit rating is bad. They usually offer free debt assistance and credit counselling.

A secured loan

If you have a few assets, consider borrowing against them with the help of a secured loan in order to consolidate your debts. With such a loan, your asset, like your car, is collateral the lender uses to guarantee your loan.

Try again later

Finally, spend the time repairing your credit rating and then try again for a debt consolidation loan. If you’re able to raise your score even a few points, you may improve your chances of approval for a loan.

Those are tips on how you can consolidate your debts even when you have bad credit score. Don’t hesitate to consult experts about your financial situation.