How to Take Excellent Photos for Your Blog or Website

We all want to take awesome photos. Whether it’s for a blog or website, or for social media, we want our photos to be the best and to have the most impact on viewers. Unfortunately, not many of us have the tools or skills required to take those world-class photos.  However, with a bit of know-how, you can be taking great photos in no time. Today, we’ll be having a look at how you can take awesome photos for your blog or website.

Upgrade Your Camera

Today, most photos are taken on a phone. While a DSLR or mirrorless camera would be ideal, many will have to make do with a phone. If you own a cheaper phone, consider upgrading to the latest Android or iPhone since the more you spend, the better the photo quality will be. If you want to get serious with your photography, consider buying a cheaper DSLR or digital camera. Lenses are important too and Sigma makes a wide variety of great lenses. Sigma Rumors is a great website which will keep you informed about Sigma lenses. Bang-for-buck, getting a dedicated camera will be better than simply upgrading your phone, but who doesn’t like getting a new phone and camera in one?

Consider the Purpose and Focus of Your Photo

If you’re taking a photo for your blog, what’s the story behind the photo? What do you want to emphasize? If you’re trying to show your awesome holiday, give your photos variety and focus on the story. Don’t get too focused on things that might look good but don’t add to your story - the main reason for a photo should be to complement the writing and to strengthen the story. If you want to emphasize something in the foreground or background, you can use a shallow depth of field on your camera to blur out the rest of the photo. If you’re on a mobile phone, it might have to be done manually, but on most cameras, simply opening the aperture and focusing on the object will blur everything else out.

Learn How to Use the Camera

Great, so you know what you should be taking a photo of and you have a great camera. If you simply switch to auto mode, you might come away with some great shots, but for an amazing photo every time, you’ll want to learn how to use your camera in its entirety. Learning how to use manual modes will enable you to take photos in conditions outside the normal operating range of auto mode, so you’ll be able to get awesome shots, even in extremely low or high light situations.

This concludes the list of how to take excellent photos for your blog or website. With these tips, you should be able to take awesome photos day in day out. Whether it’s for your traveling blog or your website portfolio, these tips should ensure that you take great looking photos. 

Final photo in the old basement at 9028 Grant Street ... my readers love pictures of my husband because he's cute and also because they see plenty of the kids :-)

How Are Business Credit Cards Different From The Consumer Credit Cards?

A consumer credit card is a credit card that pretty much anybody can get. You can buy Visa and MasterCard credit cards from different financial institutions such as banks, credit unions, community banks, large banks, insurance banks, and finance companies. But business credit cards are very different in the sense that they are supposed to be specifically for small businesses.

So, in other words, they are for people who own a store, who have retailer outlets and for small business owners. Business credit cards and consumer credit cards look very similar to each other. Both have a credit card number, magnetic strip, and the same type of overall layout.

Liability and Credit Reporting

The primary difference between the two types of credit cards is liability and credit reporting. With a consumer credit card, whether you use it online or go to a branch, you are signing to be liable for that card yourself. It means that if you make charges on the card, then you are liable for the debt and if you do not make payments on that card it will be reported on your credit report.

Personal Guarantee

A small business card application is filled out on not only your name but also on your company’s name. So, a company that is essentially applying for the card and is, therefore, liable for the payments of that card. There are many scenarios, however, where the small business owner or the principal is being asked to sign, which is referred to as a personal guarantee.

In this case where you sign for a personal guarantee, not only does this make your business liable for the debt incurred on the card, but the owner or the principal of the company is also personally liable for the debt incurred on the card as well. It means that if a debt is incurred on the small business credit card and it is not paid then the bank not only goes after the company for the payment but they can also go after the business owner or the principal because they have signed to be personally liable for the debt.

Credit Score

When this happens, the bank can employ the same type of activities or tactics that any normal consumer credit card company could employ. This will include: negative credit reporting, outsourcing of the collection of debt to a third-party debt collector, and they can even sue you, not the company but the individual who signed the guarantee for the debt on the credit card. That’s bad news.

However, the good news is also there. It is when the card is being paid on time, and then the credit card activity will not be reported to the principal of the company’s consumer credit report. It is done because in many cases the small business owners use their best business credit cards to fund operations of the business. What happens in this scenario is that the debt that is incurred on behalf of the company ends up showing on the credit report of the owner of the company, and it can cause harm to his/her credit score.

Another thing to keep in mind is that many credit cards have rewards associated with them that have tangible benefits. If you have a small business credit card which has a reward program, the company realizes the benefit of the reward program and the company has to report it as some income or benefit.

Small Business Credit Card – A Win-Win Option

A good business survives only when you have an adequate level of liquid cash resources. You must always be ready for some unforeseen expenses so you should always have some cash resources to be utilized on time. Cash is something you can’t always keep in your pocket. The alternate way is to keep a couple of credit cards. If you own business, then you must apply for a business credit card. Don’t worry if your business is not big enough; you can always apply for small business credit cards even if your company is not big enough or even when you are only a sole proprietor.

Having one or more small business credit cards gives you multiple advantages to you and your business. Some of the advantages are mentioned below which can help you gain the dual win.

Track Your Expenses

Whether you are running a business or not, you must always keep an eye on your expenses. Keeping track of your expenses is the key to financial success. Your habit of tracking expenses can give you several advantages in your personal and business life. The easiest way to track your expenses is to spend every penny using a credit card. The first benefit is no doubt the bonus points and miles that you can cash in later. The main benefit of spending through a credit card is that you will have free expense tracking. You can see in every credit card bill what you spent on what and when.

Free Points and Bonuses

If you have a small business credit card, then you will have an extra advantage in the form of points. With every purchase you make using your credit card, you are given some points. These points can buy you some amazing prizes, bonuses and even some free travel. Make all business payments using the credit card and earn points and utilize these points for the dual benefit of your business.

Improved Credit

Credit cards are credit boosters. If you have credit cards and you spend a lot and pay bills on time, then your credit rating will improve swiftly. An improved credit rating will open new doors of financial success for your business. If you have bad credit, you can still get some credit cards. Once you get one, start paying your credit card bills on time, and you will have better credit soon.

Extra Cash Resource

This benefit should have been mentioned at the top, as it is the major benefit of having a credit card. In business, there come the days when you urgently need some cash to make payments. Sometimes you find some resource, but sometimes it becomes hard to arrange some ready cash to meet the expense. In such situations, small business credit cards become the blessing in the pocket. If can be used as an extra cash resource in case of need. You should have more than one credit card so you can always have one spare card which can be used only in case of urgent need.

Having read the advantages mentioned above of small business credit cards, you must apply for at least one credit card today so that you may have the win-win situation for your business.

Exploring 401(k) Loan and Utilizing It for Debt Consolidation

When you are desperate to get rid of your debt, you can borrow from your retirement money to consolidate your debt. This retirement amount is known as 401(k) plan. It is also called a pension plan. The best thing about borrowing from this plan is that you can get the money at a low interest rate.

 Understanding the Concept of a 401(k) Loan

Employers follow one simple rule, and that is they permit employees to loan up to half of their superannuation account for about five years. The limit is usually about $50,000. If you are thinking along the lines of making use of your 401(k), then first it is important that you decipher the concept and know the rules. For example, if you decide to leave your employment, then you will need to pay back the balance of your 401(k) loan in about 60 days. If by chance you are unable to pay back this loan,  then the IRS will view this loan as a dissemination, and you will get taxed in that particular tax year.

Perks of 401(k) Loan for Debt Consolidation

When you opt for a 401(k) loan for debt consolidation, then it has loads of perks. These loans cost less than the credit cards. What most people worry the most about is their credit score when they opt for a loan. However, you will not have to face this issue when you opt for a 401(k) loan because it does not affect your credit score in any way. The best part is that you pay the interest on your account only. 

When you want to take the best advantage of the 401(k) loan, then the smart approach is that you should pair up this loan with a good financial plan. Ideally, you should utilize your 401(k) for debt consolidation if you feel that you will not end up in the debt pile again soon. You should not borrow freely. You should only borrow an amount that you can confidently pay back to the company. For example, you should get hold of a loan that you can easily pay back in 12 months. 

Do not get tempted to use your credit cards when you use your 401(k) loan for debt consolidation. The most important thing is that when you have decided to get the 401(k) loan, then you need to have a clear strategy in mind. Some people borrow this money without a strategy in mind, and this is why they get into deeper trouble. Discuss the feasibility of a good debt consolidation company. Most companies do offer a free consultation.

This way you will be sure if you are getting the right help or not. You can also raise your questions and concerns to the company to overcome this trouble. Once you find a good debt consolidation firm, they will guide you on how you should avoid financial trouble coming your way in the future also. 

4 Tips on Transitioning to a Vegan Lifestyle #Veganuary

Whether going vegan has been a resolution idea for you for some time or you’ve recently decided to sign up to the Veganuary challenge, this is a lifestyle and diet change that many individuals benefit from. Not only does veganism inspire many people to eat healthier and get more nutrients in their diet, it is also kinder for the environment and the only way of ensuring that your diet is completely cruelty-free. Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle can seem really daunting at first, but the good news is that today it’s easier than ever to become vegan with more and more people making the switch. Here are some top tips and ideas to help you kick-start your new vegan way of living.

Tip #1. Add to Your Diet First:

One of the main things that put some people off from going vegan is the amount of food that they won’t be able to eat as a vegan. However, don’t think about this too much, as it’s not all that bad. In fact, one of the best things about going vegan is the number of new foods and meal ideas that you will discover. With veganism booming in popularity, there are so many different recipes to try, whether you’re looking for food that’s healthy and nutritious or you want an indulgent treat. For example, this kale kimchi is a vegan take on the traditional Korean dish that’s full of healthy nutrients.

Tip #2. Get Social:

Transitioning to a vegan lifestyle on your own can be even more daunting, so it’s a good idea to find other people who are willing to do it with you, or team up with people who have been vegan for a while and will be able to provide you with advice on where to find the best vegan foods or their favorite vegan restaurants, for example. Social media is a great place to look if you’re hoping to find supportive vegans, with pages, events, and social media groups dedicated to this lifestyle. Don’t forget that there are also many avid vegan bloggers who can’t wait to share their latest news and tips with their followers.

Tip #3. Start Small:

If you’re used to cooking with meat and animal products, then going vegan can be an intimidating prospect. Thankfully, there are several ideas for quick, simple, and easy vegan recipes that anybody can make in no time at all. When you first start on your new vegan lifestyle, it’s a good idea to have a handful of quick and easy recipes that you can turn to when you’re stuck for ideas. Don’t forget that staples such as bread, dried pasta or noodles, rice, and vegetables are all vegan-friendly!

Tip #4. Don’t Stop Learning:

The more you know about veganism, the easier it will be for you to stick to your new lifestyle choice. Spend some time seeking out websites, blogs, documentaries, books, magazines and more that you can use to learn as much as you can about going vegan!

If you enjoyed these tips, we’d love to hear from you in the comments.