4 Green Habits That Really Do Make a Difference

 

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With everything going on in the world right now, you’d be forgiven for forgetting about the other big global threat looming over us. Climate change has been an issue for several decades and is showing no signs of going away. Big changes are needed if our planet is to reverse the effects of global warming and make the earth habitable for future generations.

As consumers, we are regularly given opportunities to do our bit for the environment. We can recycle our used goods, reuse our shopping bags, and buy biodegradable laundry tablets. These are undoubtedly meaningful actions to take, and if everyone were to do the same, it would certainly make a huge difference. But individually, these small steps are barely a drop in the ocean of what is needed to change the planet. And there is a risk that people will carry out these small steps and feel as though they are doing their bit for the environment, when their actions really amount to very little. More is needed.

If we are to arm ourselves against the assault of climate change, it is necessary to take larger actions that have greater consequences. Although it is the governments of the world who can incite real change, there are some habits you can adopt at home, which will have a larger impact on a greater scale.

Cutting out meat

The meat industry is one of the biggest polluters on the entire planet, yet it shows no sign of slowing down. It uses up huge swathes of land, releases vast quantities of methane from animals into the atmosphere, and burns excessive fossil fuels in the production and distribution processes. If everyone were to switch to a plant-based diet, the world’s food-based emissions would drop by 70%. There are now so many delicious alternatives to meat and dairy out there that going vegan is easier than ever.

Stop flying

The other big polluter is the aviation industry. Plane travel might be convenient, but it does a lot more harm than good. So next time you take an international holiday, why don’t you travel by train, coach or boat instead? It’s perfectly possible to see the world without flying, and communication technology is making international business travel more or less redundant.

Go zero waste

As consumers, we produce an inordinate amount of waste in our everyday lives—packaging, uneaten food, discarded toys, and clothing, you name it. Not only is this incredibly wasteful, but it has a huge environmental impact. Plastic ends up in the ocean, and the increasingly full landfills generate vast amounts of methane. By taking steps to eradicate household waste, you can dramatically reduce your own carbon footprint. Find innovative ways to make your food last longer, recycle or donate your used and broken items, and buy food without plastic packaging whenever possible. Donate your wood waste to companies like Edrich Lumber, Inc. and compost organic waste rather than sticking it in the trash.

Use your voice

There’s only so much one person can do. The most effective way you can personally help the planet is by spreading the word. Tell others about your green habits, talk about environmental issues on social media, sign petitions, and get involved in local politics. Change starts with all of us.

How to Protect Your Money at Home and Away

 

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 It takes a lot of hard work to make money. When you finally have it, you must ensure you protect it in all ways possible. After all, money is supposed to help you live the life you envision, not go to waste, or frustrate you. Protecting your cash here implies two things:

·         Keeping it from fraudsters

·         Avoiding situations that cause you to spend unnecessarily

 This said, it's crucial to check where your money goes. Here are steps to take to ensure your money stays safe, both at home and away.

Check Your Accounts Daily

This may sound extreme, but it’s not. Fraud is a reality, and it happens every passing day. Statistics have it that about 45,000 cases of identity theft occurred every day in 2017. You want to take every precaution possible to ensure your debit cards and personal cash are safe.

 Monitoring your accounts gives you a clear picture of your cash flow. You’ll be able to take measures as soon as you notice something fishy. Remember, once your cash is wiped out, it's highly likely that it's gone forever.

Take Protective Measures

You should be highly cautious when using your credit and debit cards, especially at the point of sale. There are different laws concerning debit and credit cards, especially concerning the consumer. If you ever lose your credit card number:

·         The federal law protects you from any unauthorized charges on the card

·         You’re responsible for no more than $50 of the authorized charges. However, this only applies if you reported the lost card to the card issuer. Some credit card providers won’t charge you anything.

 For debit card fraud:

·         Ensure you report the loss of the debit card within two business days. This will absolve you of any liability above $50 of unauthorized transactions.

·         Reporting the loss within 60 days after receiving your statement might see you lose as much as $500

·         The potential danger is unlimited if you don’t report the unauthorized use of your debit card within 60 days of receiving your statement

Do Home Repairs in Good Time

What have home repairs got to do with protecting your money? You ask. The point is that if you leave your home to deteriorate, you’ll spend a lot of money replacing and repairing components.

 For example, if you have a leaking pipe and leave it unrepaired, you might soon be dealing with a flooding problem. The flooded area could be near electrical lines. You can only imagine the resulting damage.

This also goes for electrical cables damaged by rodents. Leaving them unrepaired will lead to a hazardous outcome for your home. The repairs will be costly, yet you could have dealt with them without spending a fortune.

Final Thoughts

After working so hard for your money, you want to ensure that it also goes into good use. Therefore, you have to do all it takes to prevent it from fraudsters and avoidable expenses. Analyze your finances and identify the areas you're likely to lose your money. Please take the necessary measures to protect yourself from losing it.

Mistakes To Avoid When Planning A Funeral

 

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Planning the funeral of a loved one can be difficult. When coming to terms with loss, many of us struggle to think straight. As a result, even the most organised and meticulous people can make mistakes when planning a funeral. Below are just some of the biggest mistakes to avoid when making funeral plans. 

Not taking the time to shop around

There are many funeral homes out there to choose from. Shopping around allows you to find the right funeral home for you. If you simply go with the first funeral home you find, it’s possible that you may not get the best deal. Rates can vary a lot from funeral home to funeral home. It’s worth also factoring in the reputation of a funeral home and the range of services they provide. Carry out this research with a friend or family member if you don’t have the energy to do it alone.

Not asking necessary questions

There may be questions that you need to ask a funeral director while planning the funeral service. To ensure that you don’t forget these questions it could be worth writing them down on a notepad. This ensures that no important details of your loved one’s funeral are overlooked. Questions could include inquiries into individual costs, inquiries into laws or rules surrounding certain types of funerals or even definitions of terms such as ‘viatical’ and ‘gasketed casket’. 

Not keeping to a budget

Whether your loved one has put money aside or you are paying for the funeral yourself, it is important to have a budget in place. The costs can easily mount up if you don’t have a budget and you could end up spending more money than you can reasonably afford. Your loved one likely wouldn’t want you getting into financial trouble just to fund their funeral - be realistic about what you can afford and keep within this spending limit. 

Not personalising the service

If your loved one made no funeral plans, you may find it convenient to simply opt for a traditional funeral service. However, there are likely to still be small ways in which you can personalise the service to make it a more meaningful tribute to their life. Allow yourself time to think of all the ways you could personalise the service such as creating a collage of photos, playing their favorite music or serving their favorite food/drink at the wake. You don’t want to be kicking yourself after wishing you’d added these personal twists. 

Not planning in advance

You don’t have to wait until someone has passed away to plan their funeral. You could help a dying relative to plan their funeral, working with them while they are still alive to arrange the service that they want. You could even plan your own funeral in advance to ensure that your service goes exactly how you want it to. You don’t even have to wait until you are old and ill - in fact, you can start planning your funeral at any age. On top of planning the service, you could consider paying into a prepayment scheme, opening a trust fund or making life insurance contributions, allowing you to pay for your funeral in advance so that your loved ones aren’t burdened with the cost. 

Why Having a Pest Infestation on Your Property Could Threaten Your Health

There are so many reasons you don't want pests on your property. Many, like mice and rats, are happy to chew through things like electrical cables, causing all kinds of damage. If they're in your walls or attic, you'll be able to hear them moving around at night. And, of course, there's the fact they'll leave droppings in your home. What you really need to know is how these pests can be a threat to your health. Here are all the details, so you can stay informed.

Infection and Disease

One of the most important things you need to be wary of is infection. Many different pests are able to infect you with lots of different diseases that are potentially deadly. Mice, rats, and other rodents are well known for this. Diseases rodents carry include salmonella, Hantavirus, and more. If they're in your kitchen walking around on your countertops, then you may be in trouble.

It's not just rodents that spread disease, though. You'll also see that cockroaches are able to make you ill. They are well-known carriers of E. coli, as well as salmonella. If there are ticks or fleas in your home, they can carry Lyme disease and fevers, which have the potential to make you very ill.

Usually, these diseases are picked up from where the pests have come from. This could be from traveling in pipes or sewers or looking in garbage cans for food. It's vital you keep pests out, so they can't transmit these illnesses to you. Click here for more information on diseases pests can cause.

Allergens

There are many people out there that are allergic to all kinds of animals, and unfortunately, that includes pests. If there is someone in your home that is allergic to things like dander, then you'll need to be vigilant about pest control. 

Termites are well known for spreading dust around your home. With your ventilation system, this gets spread further, aggravating allergies. 

Mouse droppings and dander are both able to trigger allergies in people. This usually happens when you inhale particles that have been aerosolized or spread in the air. This triggers the body's immune system and that allergic reaction. 

One pest you may not have considered is dust mites. They're able to trigger major allergic reactions through their droppings, as well as leaving the air dry. They eat dead skin cells and absorb water in the air, leading to this dryness. 

Cockroaches are a major allergen trigger. They can trigger allergies even if they're dead, thanks to their cadavers and saliva. Their droppings are also known to trigger allergies. Because of this, it's important to clear all cadavers out if you've dealt with a cockroach infestation. 

Remember that you don't need to come into direct contact with a pest in order to suffer allergies. Their allergens are easily spread by your HVAC system, or even through the walls. That’s why it’s important to find a professional for help like those at Wildlife X Team Tulsa. 

Bites and Stings 

Finally, a pest may cause an allergic reaction by biting or stinging you. The most obvious stingers are pests like wasps and hornets. If they make their home somewhere on your property, they're going to be a danger to anyone who has an allergy. 

You'll also see that bed bugs can cause allergic reactions. They'll often bite you at night, leaving painful red sores. If you find you have bed bugs, you'll need to have them eliminated as soon as possible. 

Spiders are also well known for biting humans. Their bites are either harmless or poisonous, depending on the species. If you have been bitten, identify the spider so you can check if the bite will need medical treatment. 

Keeping Pests Out 

You don't want to have to deal with any of these issues, so the best thing to do is keep the pests out. There are several ways you can prevent infestations. Seal up any garbage cans or food containers on your property, so pests can't get into them. Also, seal up any cracks in your exterior, as they can get through the smallest of gaps. Also, keep your home as clean and tidy as possible to clear away potential food sources or shelter. 

Pests are able to cause you harm in several different ways. There's no need to worry though if you work to prevent them.

Some Ways to Make Life’s Everyday Frustrations More Bearable

 

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No matter how much of a positive disposition you might naturally have, it is always going to be the case that, from time to time, things just become frustrating and feel overwhelming.

Frustrations can arise from all sorts of different sources. It might be that a job you thought you were about to be offered suddenly evaporates into thin air, or it could be that you’ve got a leaking pipe in your home that needs some urgent repair, or maybe you’ve had a fender bender.

More recently, huge numbers of people around the globe have been experiencing more everyday frustration than usual, as a result of the global pandemic.

Here are a few tips to help make life’s everyday frustrations feel more bearable.

Remember that there are often solutions to things that don’t immediately meet the eye

Every time a frustration arises in your life, it’s a good idea to take a deep breath, step back, and consciously remind yourself that there are very often solutions to things that don’t immediately meet the eye.

In other words, your first reaction to an event may be to become deeply frustrated, because you can’t think of an easy solution to whatever problem has just arisen.

Often, however, simply taking a deep breath, taking a step back, and spending a while thinking things through and doing a bit of research can yield solutions that you might have thought weren’t there at all.

If you get a traffic ticket, for example, and want to contest it without making a court appearance, a service like GetDismissed could certainly help.

Set yourself big goals that genuinely excite you, so that the “small stuff” becomes even less significant

Everyday frustrations are likely to seem much bigger and more frustrating if you don’t have much else in your everyday life to invest your attention in instead. These frustrations can then seem to grow dramatically out of proportion, and can become a lot more irritating than they otherwise would be.

A great way of altering the situation is to set yourself goals that genuinely excite you, so that the “small stuff” becomes even less significant.

Make sure that there is always some project, task, or point you are moving towards, and that you are enthusiastic about, so that you don’t get sidetracked.

Be sure to allow some time each day for fun

It’s very difficult to deal with and defuse everyday frustrations, if you are burning yourself out, and aren’t allowing at least a bit of time each day for fun, laughter, and entertainment.

If, on the other hand, you have some time set aside each day for fun activities – whether that means playing a sport, reading a good book, watching a film, playing a videogame or any number of other things, you will likely be significantly more resilient when it comes to meeting the general frustration of everyday life head on and tackling them, rather than letting them have a disproportionate impact on you.

Of course, this also means that you need to cultivate the skill of detaching yourself from things when it is time, and of “switching gears” when – for example – the work day is done.