Great Ways to Get Your Home in Shape - And Enjoy a Stress Free Summer

Summer’s here and we’re all feeling much happier, aren’t we?

The better weather means more time to do the things that matter most to us - which is great news.  Fun days at home with the people we love - family barbecues, getting together with friends...what could be better?

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But there are also some things we have to address too, aren’t there?  And that includes giving our homes an overhaul.  

So here are just a few things to put on your list - to make sure your house is in great shape for the season…

Check your home’s exterior and make necessary repairs

Did you have issues with your home over the winter?  Maybe the roof leaked or there were problems with the guttering.  Why not get these things sorted now the weather’s better - to protect your home and maximise its potential?

It helps increase your property’s value, in the long term, if you keep on top of issues as they arise, after all.  Things only get worse if you don’t try to address them head on - and no-one wants that, do they?

Even if you plan to fix some problems later - at the very least you should get exterior wood repaired and repainted.  Then it will be ready to withstand any potential heat related damage this summer, ahead of the hottest days of the year.

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Get your air conditioning system repaired..or replaced

When we move to the inside of our homes, there are some really key considerations to think about too, we know.  And one of the most important issues is to make sure your air conditioning is running effectively and efficiently.

Are you concerned about costs rising?  

If you noticed any unexplained increases this winter, it could be due to damage in your A/C ductwork. This is a crucial component of your home’s air con and heating system - and you need to make sure it’s properly sealed and insulated.  Otherwise, you can end up wasting precious energy and money on cooling spaces that don’t need it. 

Remembering to have regular checks and maintenance of your air conditioning not only helps you stay cool - it saves on your bills.  And who doesn’t want that...? 

When it’s time to replace it...

Sometimes your system is beyond the benefits of any good service - and you need to invest in a new one.  Then it’s time to call in your local Air Conditioning Replacement Services, which might not prove as expensive as you think.

It could sound like a costly procedure, but it will save you a huge amount of money over time compared to continual repairs.

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You’ll enjoy a range of benefits: improved air quality, reduced energy bills and decreased chances of sudden, expensive breakdowns.

So it’s well worth investigating the pros and cons of replacement over repair - particularly if your system is really flagging.  New technology also makes modern A/C units significantly more efficient, which will save you money each month on energy.

We hope you agree these tips could help you get your home back in shape - and enjoy the summer...stress free.  They could mean you save money, stay cool and feel relaxed - all ready to have fun - with your favourite people.

Why Jackpot Slots Have Become So Popular

The last decade has seen an unprecedented rise in popularity across the multi-faceted world of slots that has seen them played at record frequencies across the online and land-based spheres. And there’s no wonder really, especially when you consider the rate of technological progress made across the board. Where slots were once clunky, slow and one-dimensional, they are now packed with features that amplify the whole experience, especially at sites such as Wizard Slots.

In recent years it is progressive jackpot slots especially that have caught many people’s eyes with their often outrageous prizes. They have always been around, however their popularity is hitting newfound levels in the 21st Century due to a variety of factors. Probably the biggest catalyst is that, alongside the slot industry’s expansion, the prizes on offer are getting bigger and bigger. You know what that means don’t you? More and more players, which in turn drive potential jackpots even higher. 

Fun Factor 

The fun factor associated with slots has always been there, you cannot argue with that. However, nowadays this aspect of slot only gets more and more relevant as developers race to make their titles as engaging and fun as possible. For instance, 20 years ago it might take a few hundred spins to get a winning combination on the reels that would in turn unlock the jackpot. That would be it, however now you can go through various bonus rounds in order to get to the jackpot, something that is just intrinsically more fun. 

Technological Advances 

The massive increase in fun factor goes hand in hand with the immense technological advances made in the last few decades. Slots in general have come a long way since their humble beginnings at the start of the 20th Century; these days there are some quite incredible examples of graphics, gameplay and themes on offer. This was never going to do anything else other than make them more popular.

Furthermore, you can now play jackpot slots from pretty much anywhere you find yourself, provided you have a stable Internet connection of course. The online slot industry has blown the doors wide open to a whole new influx of gamblers, and progressive jackpot slots can be the most appealing option on the market. The reason why? Well, would you say no to a game that gave you the chance of winning over a million dollars in one spin? We didn’t think so.

Massive Jackpots 

But by far the biggest reason why jackpot slots have become so popular is purely because of the gargantuan size of some of the prizes on offer. It is truly ludicrous, and goes a long way in explaining their popularity. For instance, a software engineer won 39 million dollars off of one spin off of a Las Vegas Mega Bucks, and that’s only scratching the surface of some of the biggest wins. Is there any surprise these games are so popular?

Why You Need To Communicate Well

Communication is always going to be important for your company. But why? If you’re not really sure what kind of impact communications can have in business, here’s three thoughts for you.

So Your Audience Can Connect With You

The very first reason for why you need to do this, is because you need your audience needs to connect with you. If you want to be able to gain loyal customers and make the right impact on them, you’ll want to make sure that the way you communicate with your audience, and market, it’s going to help you build a relationship with them.

So Your Position Yourself Correctly

But then also, as a step on from that, you can use communication to position yourself in terms of branding. Because everything that you put out in terms of marketing makes an impression on not just your audience, but the whole world. This is why you need to make sure that you are on-brand with your marketing, and projecting the right messages too.

So Your Employees Can Perform Well

Finally, you’ll also see that when it comes to your employees, the better you can communicate with them, the better they perform. This very much comes into play in terms of communicating your business strategy, as you’ll see in the infographic below. When you’re able to get across your vision and strategy effectively to your staff, you can get some great results and they feel more engaged. So make sure you implement the data below.

Infographic Design By University of Southern California

How To Get Your House Ready To Sell

The decision to sell your house is a big one, and although it’s an exciting time for the most part, it can also be extremely stressful if you’re not properly prepared, or if things just aren’t going as smoothly as you perhaps hoped.



However, with some careful planning and being organized, the whole process of selling your house can be a good bit easier than it might be otherwise, so here are some tips to consider when getting ready to sell your house.



Fix up your garden:



A garden is a huge selling point for any house, but yet it’s often one of the most neglected areas of the home.



Of course, depending on the climate where you live, a garden is not always something you’re able to enjoy the way you’d perhaps like to. But, if you’re selling the house, then the last thing you want people to see when they come to view it is a messy garden that looks like the grass hasn’t been touched for the duration of the time you’ve lived there.



The good thing about maintaining a garden is that it’s really not complicated, or expensive, and you can make a big difference simply by adding some nice furniture and accessories, and making sure the grass is cut on a regular basis.



Carry out any repairs:



If there are repairs that you’ve been needing to get done around the house that you’ve been putting off, now is the time to do them. Not only will it help with making a sale a bit quicker, but it can also even increase the value of your home slightly depending on the nature of the repairs that need doing.



At the very least, they will make your home seem more appealing to potential buyers - especially when the repairs or changes are visible ones such as refreshing your floors. Getting floors done is something you can do on your own, but if you search online for polished concrete floors Toronto, you’ll find companies in your local area who can do this, and save you the stress and extra work.



Have your paperwork in order:



Buying and selling houses is something that requires a good deal of paperwork on both sides, so it’s imperative that you have yours in order before you even start accepting viewings. This will just make things more organized overall and, especially if you’re looking for a faster sale, you’ll find it’s much easier if the paperwork side of things can get moving as quickly as possible, especially as this is often one of the main reasons for a house sale to get held up.



Declutter:



Moving house is the perfect excuse to get rid of any junk you have lying around or simply, and to clear out things you no longer want or need such as furniture, clothing and appliances. It’s also a practical thing to do since it makes it much easier for you when you’re getting ready to move to a new place.

1970's Travel vs. Today: How Times & Travel Have Changed

Since the invention of the wheel in 3,500 BC, man has conceived new ways to travel. In just in the past 50 years, we've experienced great changes in how we get from place to place, and thanks to the technological and social advancements since the 1970s, traveling has become more popular, more convenient and much safer. Through consideration of modes of transportation and elements of safety, it is evident how lucky travelers in 2019 are when compared to those in 1970.

Modes of Transportation

In 1970, transportation had an entirely different face from that of travel today. When we think of modes of transport, the airplane is often the first to come to mind, but in 1970, it was the bus that most impressed people. Public transport in U.S. cities was evolving to the delight of many urban workers who could not afford cars. On September 8, 1970, Seattle Transit launched America's first express bus service, "Blue Streak," which later would become the model used to develop park-and-ride routes throughout the country. Three years later, Metro Transit began operation in Seattle charging passengers a 20-cent set fare.

In 2019, rideshares like Lyft and Uber are all the rage. The first Uber ride occurred on July 5, 2010, in San Fransisco and a short nine years later, Uber is completing more than 5.5 million rides every day. These modes of transport are operated by individual car owners and pull straight up to a passenger's location and take them to their intended destination, literally door-to-door service. Surely 1970 bus patrons would envy this option offering a more convenient and personal experience, and would likely enjoy not having to rub elbows with strangers.

Travel Safety

In the 1970s, air travel was considered more enjoyable largely because guests had incredible freedom on board. They could smoke, drink, roam freely about the cabin and TSA had not yet turned check-in into the equivalent of being processed into a Turkish prison. However, the level of safety was completely different than that of today. As 1970 rolled around, US Airlines had reported around six crashes per year, nearly all resulting in multiple fatalities. This was also the time of the rise in hijackings. American travelers also experienced residual dangers when they left home to travel since that era's method of home security was merely a bolt lock to protect their homes. In 1970, burglaries were 1,085 per capita.

In 2019, air travel rights have been severely limited, but passengers have become accustomed to taking off their shoes, walking through metal detectors and the occasional private search by TSA. Though flying may be less enjoyable, it is undoubtedly safer. The last fatal aircraft crash in the U.S. occurred more than 10 years ago, and since 9/11, hijackings have become nearly obsolete. The rate of burglary dipped to 430 per capita in 2017, so now through advancements in safety and technology, travelers can order security camera solutions for their homes online and travel with peace of mind.

Overall, man's traveling methods have come a far way since the invention of the wheel, and farther still in the past 50 years. We have moved from bus lines to Uber apps and party planes to safer flights. As far as convenience and safety go, traveling in 2019 totally tops 2017.