From Cultural Visits to Hot Air Balloon Rides – These Are the 5 Most Exciting Things to Do in Maasai Mara Kenya

By

-

January 22, 2020

The Masai Mara game reserve, located in Narok County in Kenya, is Africa’s most popular safari destination. The World Travel Awards has repeatedly crowned it as Africa’s Leading safari destination for 5 years in a row.

To clinch this coveted award, the park had to topple other premium game reserves such as Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the Kruger National Park in South Africa, and the Okavango Delta in Botswana. But what makes the Mara so popular?

The magic of the Masai Mara Game Reserve cannot be fully captured in writing. It has to be personally experienced and savored. Only then can you immerse yourself in the culture and spirit of the Mara.

In this detailed and exhaustive compilation, we present you with the 5 most adventurous activities to do and see in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.

1. Cultural visit to a Maasai village

Morans prepare to dance. Photo: Pixabay.com

Arguably one of the most distinctive peoples of Africa, the Maasai are a hotpot of cultural preservation and heritage. Incredibly, these semi-nomadic people have managed to resist most western influences and zealously guard their cultural beliefs and practices.

The area around the Mara is mainly inhabited by the Maasai, and naturally, a visit to a Maasai village is a must for any culture enthusiast. Did you know that despite their tall stature, the Maasai reside in huts (manyattas) that are roughly only 3 feet in height? Here, you will be able to experience these dwellings firsthand.

You will also get to witness the Maasai world-renown unique sense of fashion, their incredible and intricate beaded jewelry as well as their fascinating choice of shoes. If you are lucky, the Maasai morans (warriors) will throw in a dance or two for your enjoyment!

For curio aficionados, their craft shops are replete with African carvings, artwork, and jewelry, which you can purchase as mementos of your time in the Mara. If you so wish, these highly amiable locals resplendent in their traditional regalia will also freely pose for photographs with you and answer any queries you may have pertaining to their way of life.

As the saying goes, the best way to explore a new place is with the people who were born and raised there. That said, for a more immersive and educational Masai Mara cultural tour, plan your trip with Nairobi based travel agencies such as AjKenyaSafaris.com or MasaiMarasafari.in. Their guides were born and raised around the Mara, and they will safely and smoothly introduce you to the natural wonders of the Masai mara game reserve.

You can plan your cultural tour to Masai Mara at any time and have a great holiday. However, the dry months between July and November and January to March are great, especially if you also plan to do game drives in the Mara. April to June is the rainy season and the best time to plan budget Masai Mara safari packages.

2. Hot Air Balloon ride

The beauty with Hot Air Balloon rides is that they are perfect for everyone, as they give you a good view of the nooks and crannies of the Mara ecosystem. A Maasai Mara or Serengeti safari is never quite complete without one.

The only catch here is that you have to be ready for take-off at the crack of dawn, as the balloons take to the skies at 5 am. It proves to be well worth it in the end, though- imagine the aerial view as you leisurely drift like a gentle wind over the expansive sleepy Mara savannah, as far as the eye can see.

Now picture that landscape steadily but gradually getting sun-kissed and stirring to life before your very eyes, as the orange rays of the early morning sunbathe it with warmth, chasing away the last remnants of the night’s darkness.

Suddenly, the vast expanse is rife with activity. Predators going for the kill just before the scorching sun becomes too much for this grueling task- a life and death dance ensues, set against the ironic happy tunes of innocently chirping birds.

The balloon rides are your perfect precursor to an adventure-filled day. They offer you an idyllic escape and a fresh perspective without missing out on the action! As part of the trip, you may be treated to complimentary champagne, and just when your aerial tour winds down, you find a warm and hearty breakfast awaiting you!

3. Game Drives

Game drives are by far the most popular activity while on a Kenya safari holiday in the Mara. Depending on your preference, you can go for a half-day game drive, a full day game drive, a night game drive, or any combination that suits your fancy. For people traveling with toddlers, half-day drives are the most advisable and convenient.

All in all, the drives are facilitated through the use of open vehicles for easy game viewing. Here, is where you get in close proximity with the Big Five (African Lion, Buffalo, Rhino, Elephant and Leopard) in their natural habitat. The excitement brought on by this experience is even more palpable if your visit coincides with the annual Wildebeest migration (also known as the 8th wonder of the world)

However, if you crave adrenaline-fueled encounter, be sure to factor in a night game drive in your itinerary as well.

A night game drive brings with it some nocturnal predators who are otherwise elusive during the day. One such example is the Leopard, who prefers to hunt after nightfall. The night game drive would afford you an opportunity to catch this majestic beast in action.

4. Game Walk safari

Armed Maasai tour guides. Photo: pixabay.com

Still, feeling adventurous yet tired of being cooped up in the safari vehicle? – No problem. A guided game walk safari might be just what you need. Unlike the game drive, a walking safari avails you the opportunity to interact with the smaller game that may otherwise not be visible while onboard a safari vehicle. Aside from big games, animals such as the Genet, Warthogs, Black Eared fox, Dik Diks, and the Lesser Kudu are what you can expect to find on such excursions.

This intimate excursion into the African jungle is absolutely safe as you will at all times be aided by experienced armed Maasai rangers and animal trackers who interact with all the wild game on a daily basis. The feeling of encountering the Big Five up close is quite an exhilarating experience. The game walk can be as long or as short as you wish it to be.

The game walk experience is perfectly complemented by a bush dinner at the end of the day.

5. Mobile camping

Annual Wildebeest migration. Photo: Unsplash. com

Mobile camping safaris are comprised of real camping experiences using very basic amenities. It affords you the rare opportunity to constantly move around within the 1,510 sq Km Maasai Mara reserve to where the action is. This movement especially comes in handy during the annual Wildebeest migration, as you can constantly follow the migrating herds and their predators.

Another advantage that comes with mobile camping is that compared to the luxury resorts, it is fairly cheaper, given that you will be making do with just the most basic of amenities. To be a mobile camper, be prepared to sleep in a tent with just a mattress and sleeping bags, just as these founded on this website. Movement around the reserve is through 4WD Land Cruisers or minivans.

Each camping excursion comes with a trained and experienced safari guide, a trained cook, and an experienced driver. The food and tents are also supplied, as are the makeshift mobile shower and flush toilets to be used by the campers. The staff will be at hand to do all the work from cooking, heating the campers’ shower water to cleaning up. All you have to do is relax and enjoy nature’s drama as it unfolds.

Mobile camping is particularly ideal for nature photographers and birdwatchers, who might need more time with the outdoors, unlike the average visitor.

Parting shot

Regardless of whether you opted for the main activities listed here, or for the lesser-known but equally rewarding experiences such as horseback riding in the savannah; one thing is for sure- there will be many tales shared on the day’s activities. After all, no two moments are ever similar in the African savannah. Visit MasaiMarasafari.in and start planning your Kenya safari.

Smartphone Overuse And Increasing Eye Health Risks in Teenagers

By

Дмитра Врачарић

-

January 21, 2020

Before smartphones, parents weren’t a lot concerned about the eye health of their kids, unless the kid complains about it. However, with the advent of technology and smartphones, it’s an altogether different ballgame.

A child spends eight to nine hours a day engrossed in their smartphone, which is indeed a matter of concern. Not because they are too busy with their mobile phones, but they are playing with their eyes also.

Some of the questions that may arise with the continuous usage of smartphones are:

What are the risks associated with smartphone overuse?
What is the best possible way to explain these risks to a child?
What is the best preventive measure?

Now, a child may go through the following eye problems with continuous use of their mobile phones:

Dry eye syndrome: Dry eye syndrome is a problem that frequently occurs in older people; however, this condition is now also occurring in teenagers. One of the main reasons for dry eyes is the overuse of smartphones. The eyes of your kids could be maturing fast than it should be.

Myopia: It is not confirmed yet, and more research needs to be done regarding this. Still, it is suspect that children who use smartphones more often have more chances of having myopia, and it progresses this condition as well.

More exposure to blue lights: More exposure to blue light means more age-related muscular degeneration. If your kid has an iPhone, you may want to turn on the Night Shift, which blocks the blue light.

Children during their teenagers are always curious to try new things, and they don’t understand the consequences of it. It may be hard for kids of this age to take such risks seriously also. To avoid unwanted confusion, it is best to take a more common-sense approach.

Some of the more common problems that can be seen in children during their teenage years are as follows:

Depression and anxiety: Social media feeds, and the internet is overloaded with upsetting updates and news, which can lead to stress and depression among young souls. Plus, a child who is addicted to their smartphone can suffer from boredom as well without their mobile phone.

Lack of imagination: When your kid is continually absorbing ideas of others, it can lead to a lack of imagination and creativity. They might start copying others and not allow their mind to function correctly.

A lot of distraction: Focus is crucial when it comes to studying, doing school work, athletics, and other productive work. Whenever a smartphone buzzes, it takes away that concentration and distracts your child.

What is the solution you can think of?

There are a few things that you can incorporate to ensure that your child is allowing their eyes to go through a constant break before they get their eyes into some kind of trouble. These approaches are effortless and easy to understand.

Of course, there are parental control applications, and once you come to know about the stability of FamiSafe, you will understand why parental control applications are useful. Other than that, you can’t completely restrict your child from using their cell phone because that will be unfair. So, while your child uses his/her cellphone, make sure they do certain eye exercises:

20-20 rule: Whenever your child starts using their cell phone, teach them about the simple 20-20 rule. The way to go about it is simple. They will use their phone for around 20 minutes, and once the 20 minutes are over, they will look 20 feet away for just 20 seconds before they start using their cell phone again, and the same needs to be repeated.

Close your eyes: Cell phone screen’s brightness puts a lot of strain on your child’s eyes. Tell your kids to close your eyes for 20 seconds after using their phone for 20 minutes. Ensure that they are doing it, and let them make this their habit.

Now that we have given you some general tips that they can follow, one last thing to do is getting a robust parental control application. A parental control app, like FamiSafe, comes with some amazing features that will let you keep an eye on your kid’s mobile phone activity. This way, you will be able to know how long your child has been using their phone for, and take the necessary steps accordingly.

One quick tip, before downloading the parental control application, make sure that you speak to your child about the use of it, how overusing mobile phones can be dangerous, and how it can affect your child’s eyes.

To download the FamiSafe application, you will first have to visit their official website. FamiSafe is a reliable parental control app that is for both Android and iPhone users. You can go to the Play Store or the App Store to download the app.

Once you registered, you will have to download the application in both yours and your kid’s mobile phone. Connect both the app in the two mobile phones and now begin monitoring your child. The steps are easy to follow, and if you are still in doubt, go to the official site to know more about the steps.

Here are a few features of FamiSafe:

Screen time limit: A child using his/her phone for 8-9 hours a day means wasting a lot of their valuable time, which they could have used to do something productive. You never know when they are using their smartphone. You can set screen time limitations and don’t let them use their phone when they are at school, sleeping, playing, or studying.

Web filtering: Within those 8-9 hours, you never know what they are really browsing or surfing on the internet. You need to see what is keeping them so busy. Through the web filtering feature, you will be able to browse through their browsing history, and filter dangerous content, for example, gambling sites, addictive gaming platforms, and pornographic sites. Don’t let your child get older before time.

App blocking: The App Store and the Play Store are also loaded with a lot of unwanted gaming applications, and dating applications. Gaming applications are still fine unless they get addicted to it and start playing those games night and day. But when it comes to dating apps, it becomes even more worrisome. The reason is simple, though, and every parent should know if their kid is using some type of dating application. No one knows who your innocent kid is talking to. Scammers and people often fake their identity to get in touch with young kids, because they are easy to target. Plus, young kids trust people more easily. FamiSafe allows you to block such applications. You will see what they have installed and what they have uninstalled recently. Along with that, you can block all those apps that could potentially be dangerous for them.

Track location in real-time: Know where your kid is heading to, know when they have left school, whether they are genuinely going to their school party or the friend’s house. Get to know everything about their whereabouts with just one click. FamiSafe allows you to keep an eye on your kid’s movement. This will you will have a peace of mind too. Streets are never safe after dusk, and when you don’t get to hear anything about your kid, it worries you. But now you will know where they are, and you can be there for them when you see them in an unknown place. Plus, FamiSafe also has a geofencing feature that will let you set a safe zone for them, and whenever they cross that, you can call them right away to ask why they have crossed that mark.

These are some top features of this parental control app, and now you know how safe and easy it is to use FamiSafe. It makes sense to invest in something that will not only keep your kids safe but will protect their eyes too. In this digital age, it has become more and more critical for every parent to ensure that their kids are protected from all types of threats.

Young age eye problem is a severe problem, and seeing these young kids wearing spectacles at such a tender age does raise a concern in every parents’ mind. Along with downloading the app, it is also a good idea to talk to them about keeping alone time for mobile phone use, and not mix it up with their homework. When it comes to homework, they should do homework only, and when it is about exercise, they should exercise only.

Use screen time feature of FamiSafe to restrict their mobile phone time utility and allow them to sleep, study, play, and exercise when they should. Tell them it is good for them, and instead of using their phone all the time, it is better to get a parental control app as soon as possible and let them stay safe.

Things You Need to Know About Start-ups

By

Дмитра Врачарић

-

January 21, 2020

Getting a job position in a start-up business or creating on by yourself seems like a great idea to everyone. Such a job position gives you an impression of an office environment with a light atmosphere, friendly coworkers and overall fun than working in a cubicle. If it is your own start-up then you get an image of employees that will always be striving to develop and grow your business.

And all of this can be true. Of course, it depends on which one you choose or what kind of a company you will build, but most start-ups are just like what you have seen on TV or have heard.

However, it is not always about having fun and playing games with your coworkers. Naturally, start-ups will have a lot of challenges and obstacles that you will need to pass since you are still at the beginning. The business needs to grow and you are one of the people who will need to work hard to help it grow.

So, before you start looking for jobs or before you sign the employment document, here are some of the things you need to know about start-ups.

Always be ready for change

When you get a job position in a big corporation you will probably be faced with hundreds or maybe even thousands of employees in your office building. All of those people have a task and go through difficult processes that ensure that the office will work as efficiently as possible. All those employees have to follow the rules and regulations of the CEO or their manager.

With start-ups, this can be quite a bit different. Naturally, your manager or your boss will not be as needy as the one within a generic office building. However, you will constantly be met with changes that will disrupt your flow of work. Your tasks will constantly change, your job title, your office or cubicle will change or you may even move buildings depending on the growth of the business. While all of this is not something you need to be afraid of, you still need to be aware that it will happen. You need to be ready for anything.

Embrace the idea that it might be annoying at the start and that chaos in such environments is normal.

Always be a team player

We have to mention corporate work once again because it is the complete opposite of start-ups which gives us an easier way to explain things. When working for a big company you sometimes find yourself insignificant between the other thousand employees. Most of the time, your CEO probably doesn’t even know you exist, you are just another payment to him. Naturally, in such an environment you stop caring about the work you get done and you think about yourself and getting as much free time as possible.

However, when joining a start-up you are becoming a part of a team or a family. You need to constantly give your best, you have to work hard if you expect to keep your coworkers and boss happy. You cannot expect that you can slack off while everyone else is doing everything they can.

You might get a job position as the lead programmer, but you will sometimes have to do even the most basic tasks. You will probably have to run out and get coffees for everyone or bring them a pizza, sometimes you will even have to work as IT help because you cannot expect that a start-up will spend thousands of dollars on janitors, IT experts or on kitchen workers. You will all have to work together as a team and make your lives as comfortable and easy as possible. Eyal Nachum goes into detail about what it takes for start-ups to be successful.

Cooperate with experts

Most young businesses being with just a few employees who show a lot of potential. They want young people who will be eager to provide as much as they can for the business. In the beginning, motivation is very important to enforce growth between coworkers.

However, once the CEO feels like the business needs to expand more and more, they will start bringing in older and more experienced people into the team. This can be quite stressful for the younger members, especially because the experts will constantly push you to be better. You feel like someone has come into your home and is telling you how to live your life which can seem a bit unfair.

But, you will need to understand that these experts are here to help both you, your teammates and the company. There is no need for competition, they are not your competition, they will help you grow into the right path. Listen to what the veterans have to say and learn. Although, always take everything with a grain of salt. Just because someone has had years of experience does not mean they will be always right.

The office environment may change

Everyone who has had a position in a young business will tell you that the best thing about it is the freedom to take lunch breaks, your own personal space, and the overall happy office attitude. Sometimes, your boss will let you go early on Friday nights, they may even extend your weekend with Monday, sometimes your boss will even host parties for no particular reason. All of this will make you feel like you are best friends with the employees in your company.

However, times can come where things can radically change. You will suddenly get into a month where you will have to stay for 12 hours a day and you will even have to get to the office at weekends. It will feel like you are going through hell during these times, but you have to remember that this is only temporary. This probably happens because your CEO is striving to keep growing his own company into something much more.

5 Solid Reasons Why You Need Microsoft 70-764

By

Daniela Meyer

-

January 21, 2020

There’s no doubt that having skills in SQL is important in helping your career grow by the day. Now, do you wish to become a successful infrastructure specialist or database administrator, or perhaps, upgrade your existing awareness in the field?
The IT jobs’ market, though competitive, has more room for database professionals with the Microsoft corporation ensuring their dreams as to become, take, a knowledgeable worker able to install, maintain, and configure database come true.

Well, this is all possible through the Microsoft 70-764 exam aiming at the MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Administration credential.

Try your luck thus and pursue this assessment to enjoy the benefits that follow. This article has been created to make you understand all the perks that come with this Microsoft test for your career development, and the preparation clues download here.

Exam 70-764 Details

As mentioned above, to become certified in MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Administration it is necessary to pass exams 70-764, after which you are clearly advised to go further and take over 70-765 tests. Hence, the 70-764 exam prepares candidates to gain skills and requisite knowledge to help administer the infrastructure of the SQL database. In the process, they’ll have to conquer four specific domains and various subdomains in order to gain what’s required. Exam labs are the topics to be mastered by the exam applicants:

• Configuration of data access
• Configuring data auditing
• Backup management and database restoration
• Managing and monitoring instances for SQL Server
• High availability management as well as recovery of data

Exam 70-764 Structure

Further on, be well-considered about other important test details and what you’re most likely to get in the paper for 70-764 test:

• Number of questions: 40-60
• Questions’ format: Best answer, case studies, review screen, short answer, multiple-choice, active screen, fill-in-the-blank, mark review, drag-and-drop, and more
• Exam duration: 2 hours
• Pass score: 700 points
• Cost: $165

5 Solid Reasons Why You Need Exam 70-764

It’s the topic beyond discussion that every career needs worthy development and commitment. To that aim, if you’re into database administration, deal with setting up database systems and protect data from fraudulent access, you should design the prospects for your professional future.

By taking 70-764 test, you’re undoubtedly going to demonstrate how you regard this highly-demanded profession. So, read on about 5 reasons to know why you need this Microsoft assessment.

1. Pursuing Exam Shows Your Action-Oriented Personality

For starters, just wishing for a successful career is not enough that’s why you should struggle to master the proficient domains in your specialty and demonstrate employers and colleagues that you’re a professional driving the field forward.

2. Exam 70-764 Helps BuildingSQL Database Skills

Before you sit for the exam, hard preparation is needed. The studying includes analyzing manual and guides, learning with 70-764 training courses, and comprehensive practice. This is what’s going to help you build your SQL infrastructure administration skills useful both for the test and the work duties.

3. You Become Dependable Employee

Every employer desires to get workers who can be trusted in doing their jobs enthusiastically. It’s even better when these employees have the right skills, with eyes twinkling with the desire to go the extra mile at work. This also means such personnel performs the duties effectively with minimum or no supervision. This Microsoft exam ensures you’re up to the task by equipping you with helpful database-related skills. So, your supervisor or seniors at work will always know they can depend on you to deliver what’s expected in the position.

Furthermore, being a dependable employee means having a stable CV and switching companies should be easier in case you want to move from one to another. Speaking of CVs, you can check out examples at Ladders to make sure you are on the right track.

4. Exam Helps You Earn Microsoft Certification

The test is the first one for you to pass. Once you’re successful in it, you’ll be able to proceed to the second exam that will now ensure you get certified. Therefore, by acing this first hurdle, you’ll move a step closer to your MCSA certification and further on, to the MCSE: Data Management and Analytics badge. By the way, these are certifications preferred by most businesses and organizations throughout the world, and passing this Microsoft test means better things ahead for you.

5. Better Job Opportunities and Enhanced Income

When you’re armed with a prestigious Microsoft credential, chances are high that you’re going to win jobs giving you access to better pay. Frankly speaking, employers prefer taking in experts who can demonstrate the skills through their certifications.

With the skills you’ve gained by passing exam 70-764, you’re going to be much more efficient and productive in the job. For you as an infrastructure specialist or database administrator, finding a position that befits your skill level would be easy. You’ll also be paid worthwhile for your skills. As ZipRecruiter reports, 70-764 test-passers skills do attract an average pay of $86,593 per year.

How Use Practice Tests to Pass Exam 70-764?

To be candid, each applicant has their preferred exam preparation method. What works for one person may not work for another one, that’s why it’s important to be familiar with several prep methods. For this purpose, using exam 70-764 practice tests has been proven to give candidates the knowledge and confidence they need to get high marks in the test.

Largely, practice tests include specific test questions accompanied by answers. You’ll be, therefore, solving the same items as those in the real test. This is what enables practice tests users to get the necessary insight into the real Microsoft exams and what it takes to perform well.

Here, the Exam-Labs website has been designed for this purpose. The exam takers are able to get a verified practice test, study guide, and training course compiled into one70-764 Premium Bundle. By getting this batch together with the efficient VCE Exam Simulator, you can easily master the requirements and pass the test fluently!

Conclusion

If you’ve been wondering why you should pass the Microsoft 70-764 exam, the explanation is simple. Looking for ways to gain better skills is indispensable for your career, so, by being always both trained and engaged in your job, you’ll ensure no opportunity walks past.

To summarize, database administrators wishing to become helpful employees must consider pursuing this MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Administration credential also using practice tests. That is what you should do to build your career today with long-lasting benefits!

Insulated Glass: A Great Option for Healthy and Eco-Friendly Interior

By

Дмитра Врачарић

-

January 21, 2020

Is your electricity bill skyrocketing even after investing in an expensive air conditioning system? Have you ever noticed snow frost on your window panes on a freezing winter morning? Have you ever been annoyed by rattling window panes due to loud music playing next door or an airplane passing by in the middle of the night? If you are looking for a panacea solution to all these problems around your house, then invest in good insulated glass panels.

Insulated glass consists of layers of glass panes having air pockets sealed between them. Scientifically, air is amongst the best insulators with the added benefit of being transparent. So, insulated glasses allow sunlight to pass through while keeping out the cold and heat at the same time. This maintains the inside environment cozy, comfortable and healthy especially during extreme temperatures such as chilling winters and steaming summers.

Also, it protects from sudden temperature changes which can cause flu, mild fever, sinus problems, and various allergic reactions. All in all, it will save you both energy and money. Here are benefits of Insulated Glass which you need to know before buy:

Lower your carbon footprint by saving energy:

Thermal insulation provided by insulated glass technology also decreases the power consumed to regulate the inside of your building at optimal temperature. This reduces the energy required for the heating and cooling of a room. Initially, insulated glass will cost you a lot more than other types. But seeing the amount of money that will be trimmed off your electricity bill over the longer run, this initial investment will certainly be worth it. In this way you are not only saving money while also reducing your carbon footprint and thus helping out the environment in the process.

Noise Insulation:

Apart from being good heat insulators, an insulated glass acts as fantastic noise insulter. Talking scientifically, sound travels through the air in the form of longitudinal waves that produce vibrations. When the sound waves hit a normal glass, they vibrate straight through it and enter inside the home. However, when using an insulated glass panel, the air pockets absorb most of these vibrations and keep your home noise-free. Adding other insulators like krypton or argon gas between the panes will reduce noise even more. So, no more waking up in the middle of the night to the music playing next door or the airplane passing over your home.

Limited condensation:

Moisture, if accumulated on warm surface produces water droplets on it, which further freeze into frost in extreme winters. This makes your home feel all the colder, forcing you to adjust the air conditioning inside. The air pockets between the layers of glass of an insulated glass pane, plus the airtight seal, prevents condensation of water droplets by blocking moisture in cold weather.

Greater Safety and Security:

You may have over the top locks and security systems installed in your home. But if a burglar tries to break in through the window you can’t do much to stop him from getting in. Here you require a little extra home security by investing in some good insulated window panes. Due to multiple layers of glass which are tightly sealed together, insulated glass windows are tougher to break. Also, they do a great job of filtering UV rays which can be harmful to your skin and to your home interiors. Unfiltered sunlight can damage or fade your furniture wall paints, paintings, carpet, and other objects in your home. It can also cause various types of skin cancers.

Versatility and range of choices:

The customizations that you can have with insulated glass panes are incredible. Usually, insulated glass panes come as double-paned. But you can customize them to have three, four, or even more glass panels for extra insulation. You can also choose from various low-emittance coatings for your glass panes which offer additional insulation against the extreme temperatures outside. Apart from that, various gasses may be used to fill air pockets between the layers of glasses. You can choose krypton or argon as they are denser and are less likely to allow heat conduction. They can also be paired with different materials such as wood, vinyl, and fiberglass.

Increased ROI on property and easy maintenance:

Insulated glass panes are expensive. However, do not think of it as mere household expenditures. These are investments that add some value to property. As already mentioned, they protect the interior of your home from scorching sunlight, moisture, frost, and temperature changes. This increases the value of your property and gives a good return on investment. Talking about the maintenance, superior-quality of insulated glasses don’t require their seals replaced except only when it is damaged completely; in which cases your insurance may cover the repair charges. Cleaning insulated glass is as easy as cleaning normal household windows – just wipe them with a soft cloth and use regular glass cleaning spray whenever required.

At this point, you may also want to know how to choose a good insulated glass online from a top energy-efficient window manufacturer.

Below are some characteristics of state of the art glass panes that the experts at fabglassandmirror.com suggested:

Visible transmittance or ‘V,
The solar heat gain coefficient or ‘SHGC’,
Air leakage resistant,
Thermal transmittance or ‘U-factor’,
‘AL’ and condensation resistance or ‘CR’
Additional considerations included product performance over time, return on investment and our demonstrated commitment to new product innovations.

Start Your Property Investment Journey With This Helpful Checklist (5 Steps)

By

Daniela Meyer

-

January 20, 2020

As an investment strategy, purchasing property stands out as one of the best options to go with, for several reasons. Not only is it looked upon as much more secure in the long run, due to it is a physical investment in a typically stable market (as opposed to an investment in virtual shares of fluctuating stocks, which can be quite volatile), but it can be a major keystone in any healthy portfolio, bolstering finances for years to come.

However, despite these positives, as with any other investment strategy, there are risks associated, and things to take into consideration before jumping in.

Are you thinking of purchasing and investing in a property to make a long-term, successful addition to your financial portfolio? Get yourself prepared with this checklist, highlighting some of the most important and key factors to consider along the way.

1. Make sure you’re financially prepared

The first step that you should make sure is covered before jumping in headfirst to investment is getting all of your prior commitments in order financially. While there are a huge number of affordable properties for beginners, if looking in the right places, it is still a large responsibility, and so you need to make sure that it’s the right thing for you.

If you haven’t got a sufficient level of capital available to be able to pay a deposit outright on a property, that doesn’t mean that you can’t invest. Some companies will accept a buy to let mortgage, which may be something that you could look into if you still wanting to invest. This is ostensibly very similar to a standard mortgage on a property.

Many companies feature tools online, such as mortgage calculators and more, to help you decide whether this is a feasible route to go down.

Source: Vantage Financial Partners Limited

2. Make sure you have a clear goal in mind

Sure, following a checklist will help you to make sure you do not forget something major when jumping into your investment. Still, you also need to think about making a personal checklist, and thinking about some of the things exclusive to your situation that could affect your investment strategy. This could include bills that you have to handle, family commitments, etc.

Remember, property investment is usually a long term affair, and your capital will be tied up for long periods where you won’t be able to access it. So if you put all of your money into the ordeal and leave yourself with no backup funding, you might struggle if something comes up that you need to pay for.

Luckily, as mentioned earlier, one of the many benefits of property investment over other investment methods lies in the fact that when letting out to a tenant, you can make rental income to recoup some of the costs, giving you that financial buffer should you need it.

On the subject of long term, you should also sit down and figure out a clear financial goal that you want to achieve, and forge a clear path for the future. This will help to stop you from getting lost along the way with your investment, and aid in ensuring that every step you take is working towards that same goal that you’ve set for yourself. Happily we leave in the era where we have so many possibilities to invest our money in. Sometimes you will succeed and sometimes you will not. One thing you must know, you should never back down. See this page for some great possibilities of investing.

Source: James Clear

3. Figure out the type of property that you want to invest in

There are a ton of different property types available out there on the market, depending on what sort of investment strategy you want to go with. This ranges from traditional detached, semi-detached and terraced houses, to student property within cities across the country, and even hotel or retirement home investments! Each of these has its pros and cons, so it depends on which you think you’d prefer.

Currently, student property is extremely popular among investment experts. This is due to its relatively affordable nature (when compared to some of the other property types), matched with its growing house price average and the high average rental yields – which are some of the best available.

4. Decide on the right area for your investment

Knowing the right type of property is only half the battle when choosing an investment if you don’t go to the right area. You need to make sure that your property is seated in a place that has surrounding regeneration, popularity, and longevity. If looking at student property, for example, highlighted in the previous step, you might want to look towards somewhere like Liverpool, a city with a steadily increasing student population thanks to its many prestigious universities.

Tip – Unsure on the type of property that you want to invest in, or even the area that you think might be the most lucrative? Why not get in contact with and consult a professional, or even take a look at some of the market projections and guides that are available currently. One of the many benefits of investing in the modern day is that you have a ton of different technologies and projections (more accurate than ever before) at your disposal, so make sure that you’re using them to your advantage.

RWinvest, a UK property investment company with offerings in cities throughout the country, have a range of different guides on their website, providing a ton of information on hotspots looking forward to 2024 and beyond into the future. This includes tips on again Liverpool, Manchester, London, and Edinburgh, just to name a few of the most popular spots.

5. Forging a solid plan for your secondary income

Once you’ve established a solid, consistent secondary income stream from your buy to let property, and you’re happy with the investment you’ve made, you shouldn’t rest on your laurels. Instead, funnel some of this profit back into new investments and savings, in order to further yourself financially even more. Perhaps you could allocate this money into a new account primarily for this purpose, to ensure it’s untouched.

Bitcoin Vs. Ripple: What is the Difference?

By

Дмитра Врачарић

-

January 20, 2020

Cryptocurrencies are gaining popularity, and more currencies keep appearing as a response to the market changes and the opportunities that present itself. Bitcoin started the revolution when it first appeared in 2009. Everything began with Bitcoin, and from its way of functioning on the market, the other cryptocurrencies evolved, providing some options that Bitcoin couldn’t offer.

The number of cryptocurrencies keeps growing by the day as more and more people realize all the possibilities that the coin exchange offers. There are currently 10 main ones that took the lead on the market: Ripple, Ethereum, XRP, Hbar, Litecoin, Tether, Bitcoin Cash, Libra, Monero, EOS, Bitcoin SV and Binance Coin. Each one has its followers and the advantages they offer that put them on the financial map of the world. The main one on the market is Bitcoin, but lately, Ripple has shown just how precious it is.

Few facts about Ripple

Ripple is a currency and a platform. The platform is designed to enable cheap and fast transactions. The great thing about Ripple is that the payments made internationally can be performed in real-time. It first appeared in 2011, and since then, it has gathered quite a number of fans. The costs are lower, and the transaction time is very much decreased. The interesting thing about it is that it does not require mining because the tokens are mined prior to launching, so it only gets introduced and then removed from the market in accordance with the rules. Since the mining is removed from the process, the usage of power is reduced to the minimum, which makes the whole process easier.

Ripple made quite a noticeable success, and it is now one of the leading currencies of this kind. The market cap is $9.2 billion right now, making it the third place concerning the most influential coin currencies. It seems that Ripple maybe just the next best thing concerning global transactions. This may sound pretty ambitious, but we’ve all seen what happened to Bitcoin. Despite all the negative predictions, it is still standing, and its value is going up. Maybe this will happen with Ripple too. We will see. In the meantime, here are some characteristics of both, so you can have a better understanding of the way Bitcoin and Ripple function.

The main differences

The Bitcoin was created as an answer to the way the market was functioning at the moment so that the people can get better ways to transfer currencies. It was described as the Robin Hood of currencies as a way to bring back control of the finances to the people. On the other hand, Ripple was created with the intention of making real-time transfers possible. Payments with Ripple are transparent, affordable, and secure. Ripple protocol is probably bulletproof since all the malicious entries are instantly blocked.

Bitcoin was created by an individual or a group of people called Satoshi Nakamoto. It is a public currency, while Ripple is created by a private company and investors known by the name the Ripple company. Bitcoin appeared in 2009, while Ripple appeared two years later end it established its position pretty quickly.

Perhaps the main difference between Bitcoin and Ripple is that it’s that Bitcoin uses mining, while Ripple doesn’t function that way. Ripple was not created with the intention to be mined. This is the main difference between these two currencies. While Bitcoin miners get a new Bitcoin as the reward, this is not the case with Ripple. Ripple gets mined before it becomes available on the market. There are 38 bln Ripple coins on the markets and Ripple labs that get released periodically.

On the other hand, there are 21 mln Bitcoins on the market, and the users perform the mining. The value of Ripple is far less than the value of Bitcoin. At the moment, the value of Ripple is 0.23 United States dollars, while the value of Bitcoin is 8646,00 United States dollars. This gives you a pretty clear idea of the value of these two currencies. If you want to engage Bitcoin trading, visit bitcointalkshow.com to find out more.

The transaction of Bitcoin lasts an average of 10 minutes. On the other hand, Ripple transaction requires only 5 seconds, which is pretty amazing. The goal of Ripple is to facilitate transfers of items such as gold or oil through the network, while the Bitcoin uses the money capacity. The interesting thing about the Ripple network is that it is a decentralized exchange of currency, while Bitcoin requires a centralized one. Selling of XRP, which is a cryptocurrency used by Ripple, can be performed directly without any third party.

The predictions for the future

Even though predicting the value of cryptocurrencies in the future is not an easy task, that does not stop the experts from making assumptions about the possible outcomes. No one can tell you with certainty the exact value that these currencies will have in the period of the next five years, but here are some that are made based on the current position on the market.

The value of Ripple may go up to $23,00, which is a certain improvement when compared to its value at the moment. On the other hand, the predictions for Bitcoin are sky-high. While some experts say that its value will go up to 100,000 U.S. dollars, others are so ambitious that their prediction reaches the astonishing one million U.S. dollars.

One thing is for sure, these currencies, both Bitcoin and Ripple, hold valuable positions on the market. As it seems, their value will just go up, and people will probably create more cryptocurrencies based on the way these two work. More and more people learn to make investments in the cryptocurrency market since we’ve all seen just how wealthy certain people became by learning how to invest properly. This is an area that gains more and more value every day, and with a solid reason, that’s for sure.

5 Practical Tips to Drain Your Toilet

By

Дмитра Врачарић

-

January 20, 2020

If you’re planning to repair or replace your toilet, you might need to completely drain the tank and bowl. Or if you just want to give your toilet a thorough cleaning, you’ll still need to drain the tank and bowl. Sounds complicated, right? But you shouldn’t worry that much, because there is always a solution to every problem. The best way to do this is to combine multiple techniques and everything can be done in just a couple of minutes. Keep reading to find out how!

1. Shutting Off the Water Supply

The first and the most important thing you need to do, before anything else is, shut off your toilet’s main water supply. Then flush it thoroughly. Doing this will remove a significant amount of water from the bowl and tank. Sometimes this is the only step you’ll need to do, and if you are lucky enough, all of the water will go, and you will have an empty toilet, ready to be cleaned, replaced, or fixed.

But it’s important to note that this method is only applicable if your toilet doesn’t feature a clog. If it’s clogged, you’ll need to try something else, and one of those things you can try is plunging it.

2. Plunging

You can also opt to plunge your toilet bowl to drain any remaining water. The motion produced by the plunger forces water out of the toilet trap. This method is particularly useful for eliminating any remaining water in a toilet that’s clogged.

Flushing a clogged toilet makes it harder for you to empty the bowl as it might overflow.

Start by turning off the water supply. Then place the plunger over the toilet’s drain opening. Plunge the toilet to get rid of any water held inside the trap. Plunging will also generate some pressure that’ll remove any existing clogs. Also, be sure to do a gentle first plunge. This is important because if you do it hard it will force the air back around the seal and that will end up in a huge mess and water all over the bathroom and you will be soaked.

Once you’ve done that, go ahead and flush your toilet. This will go a long way in emptying the toilet tank. But there is a possibility that your clog is making a huge problem and that it can’t be fixed with plunging and flushing. If that’s the case you’ll need to do something else.

3. Siphoning

Siphoning is another popular technique of removing water from the toilet. All you need is a short and highly flexible hose. This technique is very simple, but it includes you getting into contact with a lot of dirt. So if you don’t like the idea of you being covered in unidentified dirt, be sure to wear safety equipment, or opt for another technique.

Wear some rubber gloves as you’ll be required to dip one of your hands into the toilet water. Fill the hose with water. Then plug both pipe openings with your fingers to make sure that the water available within the hose won’t escape. If water escapes, the hose will be filled with air, something which could end up breaking the siphon.

Remove your fingers from the openings of the hose and water will start flowing freely from the toilet bucket. Just make sure that the end in the bucket stays at a lower position than that in the toilet to pave way for siphoning.

4. Sponging

Upon emptying your toilet using the above methods, some water may still be left behind. You can dry the toilet completely through sponging. Take an absorbent sponge and clear up any residual water.

Always wear gloves when sponging the toilet. And once the sponge is fully soaked in water, squeeze it to your bathroom drain or bucket. This can be a bit boring because it’s a bit of a slow process and you need to do it until there’s no more water left.

5. Vacuuming

You can also do wet-dry vacuuming to remove water from your toilet. This technique is only convenient for draining clean toilet water. Please remember to never vacuum dirty toilet water. To get into the wet mode, you’ll have to detach the vacuum filter. When vacuuming, avoid overfilling the bin as this would lead to water spillage around your house as you move the heavy vacuum. Also, this technique is much easier and faster than sponging.

Other useful tips

It’s gonna be messy – Even if you are super careful it’s going to be messy, and you will certainly spill some water. So be sure to lay down some old towels or some cloth around the base of your toilet. This way any water that spills will be soaked up.
Cut off the water supply – We already mentioned this, but we need to do it again because it is very important. You always need to cut off the water supply before you do anything because if you don’t do it your toilet won’t drain properly. That can also cause a serious water leak and a real mess in your bathroom.
Don’t throw things into your toilet – If you want to avoid clogging your toilet you shouldn’t throw things that are not supposed to be thrown into a toilet. The toilet is not a garbage can, and you should especially explain that to your kids if you have them.
Don’t use chemicals for unclogging – Chemicals can sometimes work, but most often they are very slow, and they don’t do the job. And chemicals are just not good and you will end up with a drain full of corrosive water.

Conclusion

Before replacing or repairing your toilet, you’ll need to drain it completely. And there are several ways to do it; vacuuming, siphoning, sponging, and plunging. For a quicker fix, you’ll need to combine multiple methods. Plus, you need to get it right with the new toilet you purchase. For quality toilet equipment, try the EasyMerchant shop today!

Miranda Kerr Net Worth 2024

By

Дмитра Врачарић

-

January 19, 2020

Miranda Kerr is a famous model, known for being the first Australian Victoria’s Secret Angel. Read further to learn all about her life, career, and income.

Early Life

Miranda May Kerr was born on April 20, 1983. She grew up in Gunnedah, New South Wales. Her parents, Therese and John, had another child named Matthew.

During her stay in Australia, she rode horses and raced motorbikes. She describes that part of her life as the one where anyone could just be themselves.

The Kerr family moved to Brisbane so the kids could have a proper taste of city life. After graduating at All Hallows’ School, Miranda studied health psychology and nutrition.

Career

Back in 1997, the then 13-year-old Kerr won the Dolly Magazine model competition. The shoot done for this occasion sparked some controversies as she was photographed in her bathing suit. Due to this, many were worried that the girl was the victim of pedophilia.

She signed to Chic Management. The contract allowed her to work with brands such as Lisa Ho, Finetti, Levi’s, Alex Perry, Blumarine, Roberto Cavalli, and more.

In 2006, the model appeared on Project Runway, which is a popular TV show. She modeled for one of the contestants, Daniel Vosovic. Around the same time, she signed a contract with Maybelline.

Some might even recognize her from Kanye West and Pharell’s music video for their single “Number One”.

Her fame exploded once she started working for Victoria’s Secret. As previously stated, Kerr was the first Australian VS angel. She became the face of their PINK campaign in 2006. During the next four years, she appeared on their runways, which were screened on four continents.

She had a brief appearance on “How I Met Your Mother”, alongside several other fellow models. She became the face of Clinique fragrance and replaced Megan Gale as the new face of David Jones.

During the summer of 2009, the model posed naked for Rolling Stone Australia, trying to help raise awareness for the endangered koalas. In an environment and health light, we should note out that she also launched a brand of organic skincare products with George Moskos.

In 2011, while she was six months pregnant, Kerr was featured in Vogue Australia. That makes her the first pregnant woman to model for Vogue. Two months after giving birth, she went straight back to work, taking part in Paris Fashion Week. That same year, Harper’s Bazaar took nude photos of the model during their photoshoot.

2013 was somewhat of a rough year for the model. Both David Jones and Victoria’s Secret decided not to renew contracts with her, stating that she had quite a “difficult reputation”. However, the model’s camp noted out that the woman was just not able to commit the necessary time for the brands.

She quickly replaced them with Swarovski, as she was named the face of their that year’s fall campaign. In early 2014, she partnered with H&M and was featured in campaigns for Wonderbra and Reebok. She walked for Sonia Rykiel, both opening and closing that show.

During the last few years, the model has been working with Jeremy Scott, Louis Vitton, Riccardo Tisci, and Buick. She also took part in Australia’s Next Top Model.

Personal Life

If you look up her relationships, the Internet takes you back as far as 17 years ago, when Miranda was engaged to Adrian Camilleri, who was a finance broker. The man, later on, went to jail as he was found guilty for fraud, and the two cut all ties.

Then, she dated the singer of Tamarama, Jay Lyon. The two dated from 2003 to 2007; therefore, they had enough time to collaborate. The model starred in their music video for a song named “Everything To Me”.

Several months after their breakup, Kerr jumped into a relationship with Orlando Bloom. The two got married in July 2010. On January 6, she gave birth to their son, Christopher Blanchard Copeland Bloom. Two years afterward, the two had announced their split.

She was spotted with eleven years younger Justin Bieber, which caused the young superstar to get psychical with Bloom. It was never revealed if anything happened between them, so we can only speculate about the two.

More recently, she dated Evan Spiegel, the co-founder of Snapchat. The two got married in 2017 and have a son together named Hart Spiegel. Back in October 2019, she gave birth to their second child, Myles.

Miranda Kerr Net Worth 2024

Our sources estimate that Miranda Kerr’s net worth as of 2024 reaches the number of $50 million. Apart from her modeling career, most of this money comes from various endorsement deals.

Benefits Of Having A Home Spa

By

Billy Voss

-

January 19, 2020

After a long and exhausting day, we all need relaxation. However, very often we do not have enough time to visit wellness centres. For those of you who have a bit of spare space in your home – the ideal solution would be a home spa. Exercise, healthy food, spa treatments, rest and time to relax will help you regain energy.

Balance Of Spirit And Body

As usual, as the end of winter approaches, and the beginning of spring, we all fall into thinking about the changes we want in our lives. The best life change we can afford is more care for our health. When our health and mind are balanced, there are few other things we cannot accomplish and achieve.

The importance of relaxation is increasingly emphasized and explored, as stress is a common problem in modern man. Stress is also the biggest cause of all other types of health problems, so it should be reduced in all possible ways.

Wellness Center In Your Home

Going to wellness treatments in the last few decades has become a standard way of dealing with accumulated stress and relaxation after a hard day’s work. Consequently, many people also wished to have a spa in their homes.

That way they would not have to waste time going to the spa or share it with a large number of strangers. Today it is very easy to make one such space, even small in size. As it is a relaxing space, where, besides hygiene, the need for health is primarily expressed – nature must be the main inspiration for the interior design of this space. If you want to find anything for your home, you can visit SteamShowerStore.

Colours And Materials

For a home spa, relaxing colours such as soft white or beige, light blue or green are ideal. This pallet will look good in combination with any shade of wood that will give off heat, or in combination with natural stone. Various tropical herbs will certainly help with the relaxation, and for anyone who believes in the healing power of colours, we suggest showers with the increasingly popular chromotherapy. The home spa will include candles as well as a must-have bowl for aromatic oil. Carpets made of natural materials such as cotton may also be found on floors, but thicker woollen variants should be avoided.

Experts Are Needed

Whether it’s a spa pool, a larger jacuzzi, a Finnish or even a Turkish sauna – every home spa will require you to give up one part of your living space. When choosing the exact position, it should be kept in mind that it requires adequate installations. Therefore, before commencing any work, we advise that you consult with experts who will inspect existing installations and meet all the necessary technical requirements for the final installation of a home spa. Creating such a space is no problem, but professional help is required.

Enjoy Your Pool

You have decided to create your private spa to enjoy. Opt for a hot tub or a pool to enjoy all year round, outdoors or in your home, as they are suited for both outdoor and indoor use, regardless of the season. The size of the space most often depends on the type of pool you will choose. You can choose a classic skimmer or, say, a hydro-massage pool.

Skimmer pools are predominantly intended for private – home use for their performance. They have a basic filtration system consisting of a filtration pump and a filter, while in the semi-professional variant, a sand filter contributes to better water filtration. Massage pools are larger, of higher quality and more powerful massages, and have water heating and filtration systems so the water stays in for a long time.

For those of you who are considering this option, it is a good idea to look at this website and try to find the one that works best for you. The priorities that professionals take when producing and installing these pools are durability, functionality, and design.

Salt Rooms

With its simple and modern design, the salt rooms will fit perfectly into your home. Combining mineral salts, gentle warmth and modern design – salt rooms can be the perfect choice for your home wellness.

Heating cables are most often integrated into the benches, floor or walls of the salt room, which provides an optimum temperature of about 30 degrees Celsius and humidity of about 40%. That is a microclimate in which mineral salt is naturally ionized.

Finnish Saunas

Finnish saunas are an indispensable part of home wellness. You can hire a company that designs saunas to fit your space and uses the highest quality materials with the options of your choice. Such an approach to wellness involves an aesthetically flawless sauna, which is tailored to your needs and desires.

Accessories such as aromatherapy with the essence of a bio sauna or the gentle RGB lighting that accentuates the lines of the sauna, the lightweight audio system you choose – will make all your senses enjoy.

Steam Baths

Besides the relaxation area, the steam baths will also serve as a shower for everyday use, so this is a practical product. In addition to the functionality, the steam bath can offer you exclusive design in only two squares.

Steam baths are generally made to fit your space and with the choice of materials to your wish. This kind of space will give you exceptional design and elegance that all your senses can enjoy.

Infrared Saunas

Infrared saunas are supplied with infrared heaters that produce rays like the sun, only without the negative ultraviolet rays. Unlike a traditional Finnish sauna that indirectly heats the body by air or steam, the infrared sauna with its warm rays directly passes through the skin, producing many of the health benefits.

Tepidariums And Warm Benches

The basic function of a tepidarium is to relax the whole body and muscles, especially before and after using the massage pools, Finnish sauna and steam bath. Tepidariums are usually made with an integrated heating grid and with a thermostat to achieve a relaxation temperature of 37-40 degrees Celsius.