During my 20s I was incredibly dedicated about making money, so much so that I really didn’t spend much time with my friends or have much of a social life. I was doing well given my age and I was able to by my very first house and I had a nice car, all paid for by the age of 29. The truth is however that whilst I was enjoying the money, I hated what I was doing to make that money and so that was something which was always at the back of my mind.

I went to a business conference a couple of years ago and watched the brilliant Will Sherlund talking. Will was discussing burnout and how so many are chasing the money so hard that they never even enjoy it, or life itself. This was something which really resonated with me and after that conference I made an exit plan. Five years on I have a small business which I am passionate about, I made some smart investments and I have less money, but a far richer life.

The Chase

Most people who are the way that I was will be focused on the money and it is never enough. Closing a big deal is great when the deal closes and the money comes into your account, yet shortly after the hunt is back on again. What you actually realize when you step away from this is that it is all about the chase and nothing more. When it becomes abut the chase and not the prize, there will never be a moment to stop.

Money Buys Joy

It is true that money can’t buy happiness but it can certainly buy a lot of joy and that is what keeps us all on the hook. I vacation to some exotic island gives us joy for a couple of weeks but when we get back it has worn off. What makes us happy is love, security, stability and kindness, money is great, but it will not capture all of those things for you.

Stop and Think

The comment which Will made which really resonated was about the ability to stop and enjoy life. At that moment I personally realized that I had not done it, at no point had I just stopped and looked around at what I had, what I was asking or what I was doing. This is what happens when you just chase the money and very quickly everything becomes vacuous and wasteful, everything that is not making money.

Lose Chances

And finally if you are constantly going after your career and the men then you absolutely 100% lose the chance to meet people, forge strong and loving relationships and there will be so many opportunities for pure happiness which will eventually slip you by.

Money is great and we should work hard to make enough of it to give us a good life, it is not however, the be all and end all.

 

Rolex Explorer II watches are designed to have outstanding durability for extreme activities. They are guaranteed to have excellent resistance to water, corrosion, shock, and scratch. Watchshopping is a website that offers pre-owned, and brand-new Rolex watches from the Rolex Explorer II series. Here are some of them.

Pre-Owned Rolex Explorer II Watches

Maybe a brand-new Rolex Explorer II is better than pre-owned ones in some aspects, but come on, it’s Rolex. These watches are guaranteed to last longer than you expected. Metaphorically speaking, Rolex watches do not age. Here are three of the best second-hand timepieces from the Watchshopping website.

Rolex 216570 Explorer II White 42 mm Steel Watch

The Rolex 216570 Explorer II is still a stunning watch despite being pre-owned. It even has the satisfying features you can get from the new ones like the warranty card and the original box. Plus, the Watchshopping graded this product with A or the highest case condition as it only has minimal signs of being worn.

This watch is a stainless steel casing and bracelet with a white dial that incorporates dotted indexes and Breguet hands. The date window features a Cyclops lens cover while a sapphire crystal protects the whole dial. This automatic timepiece also has a solid back case making it waterproof for up to 100 meters with a 50-hour power reserve.

Rolex 216570 Explorer II Black 42 mm Steel Watch

The Watchshopping also offers a pre-owned black version of the Rolex 216570 Explorer II Men’s Watch. Just like other timepieces on the list, it still comes with a warranty card placed on the original box. The website also graded this watch with A as it only shows a few signs of wear.

This stunning analog watch from the Rolex Explorer II series is made from stainless steel with a solid back cover. Its black dial incorporates dotted-type luminous indexes and Breguet hands protected by a sapphire crystal front cover. Despite being second-hand, this timepiece still boasts its automatic caliber movement and 100 meters of water resistance.

Rolex 16570 Explorer II Unisex Black Dial Stainless Steel Watch

The Rolex 16570 Explorer II Unisex Watch is also a stunning timepiece offered by the Watchshopping with an A grade. It only has minimal signs of being worn and also comes with its original box and warranty card.

As for the design, this watch displays a visually-pleasing combination of Black and silver. Its casing and bracelet are both made from stainless steel material, while the black dial shows dotted indexes and Breguet hands with luminous finishes. This analog automatic timepiece also boasts its 48 hours of power reserve and 100-meter water resistance.

Brand-New Rolex Explorer II Watches

If you are looking for a brand-new Rolex Explorer II timepiece, then you have come to the right place. Watchshopping offers sophisticated products on their website with great deals. Brand-new watches give you a different experience than pre-owned ones as you get to take the first touch. Here are some of their latest Rolex watches from the Explorer II series.

Rolex 216570 Explorer II White Dial Stainless Steel Oyster Bracelet Men’s Watch

This Rolex Explorer II product is an excellent watch for extreme adventures in the dark as it has excellent optimal legibility with luminous Breguet hands and dotted indexes. This watch also boasts many satisfying Rolex features like stainless steel casing, sapphire crystal front cover, automatic caliber movement, and 100-meter water resistance.

Rolex 216570 Explorer II Black Dial Stainless Steel Oyster Bracelet Men’s Watch

This Rolex Explorer II product is an excellent watch of choice for extreme adventures in the dark as it has excellent optimal legibility with luminous Breguet hands and dotted indexes. This watch also boasts many satisfying Rolex features like stainless steel casing, sapphire crystal front cover, automatic caliber movement, and 100-meter water resistance.

Rolex 16570 Explorer II Black Stainless Steel Unisex Watch

This list of sophisticated Rolex Explorer II watches will not be complete if the Rolex 16570 Unisex Stainless Steel watch is not here. Just like the rest, it incorporates a sapphire crystal front cover, automatic caliber movement, 48 hours of power reserve, and 100 meters of water resistance. Plus, this timepiece boasts its large dial with luminous finishes.

Takeaway

Watchshopping is an excellent website for Rolex Explorer II watch hunting. Pre-owned or brand-new, all Rolex watches are the same as long as they are not fake. Check out this list and find the best deal that suits you.

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If your house is under construction or renovation, then choosing the right hardwood floor for your home is important. Although you may have a range of flooring options, hardwood flooring is one to consider. Hardwood floors are elegant and charming and have many positive qualities that increase with age. They also attract fewer allergens and dust particles and are also non-electromagnetic. Since hardwood floors are organic, they are less prone to damage and safer for children. These are just some of the many reasons why hardwood flooring is considered one of the safest flooring options for your home. Here are some important parameters to consider when choosing and installing hardwood floors in your home.

Select Engineered or Solid Flooring

For apartments and basements with concrete subfloors, it is better to use engineered flooring since it is easier to install. On the other hand, solid wood works better with layers of plywood installation, helping raise the floor height.

Choose Site Finish or Prefinished Wood

With prefinished wood, you know exactly what are you getting. There is little room for customization. On-site finishing gives the customer room for customization, making it appealing to many designers and homeowners.

Consider the Types of Wood

Oak is the king of hardwood flooring. Walnut is another common option. Other available North American hardwoods on the market are hickory, maple, cherry, and ash.

Other parameters to consider include:

• Plank Width
• Grain Pattern
• Furnish Type

Wooden Flooring Installation Method

If you are installing wood flooring, then you will need to have the subfloor ready in order to place the wooden floor. Of course, there are other options available. You should always consult with a professional before beginning the installation process.

Let the Wood Acclimatize

Before installing solid wood flooring, you must let the wood acclimate and reach the house temperature level. Leave the wood in an environment where you are going to install it for a minimum of 3 days.

Gather the Necessary Tools

To install hardwood floors, you will need various tools and materials for this job. If you do not own any tools, then you have the option of renting certain tools from a nearby hardware store.

Installation Process

Lay the first board down with the edge with the tongue pointing towards the corner of the room. You must leave a little space with the wall to expand (check the manufacturer’s recommendations) and should be aligned. Place the spacers in the opening. To install the first row of guide boards from the line, you just drew, drill the board with small holes and use the nail gun to install each board respecting the length that limits its division. After this, you need to follow the below-mentioned guidelines:

Nail the boards to the subfloor

Join the boards

Don’t forget to cut the boards to size

Nail the rows with the nail gun

Hammer in the last rows

Lay the end boards using a pry bar

And enjoy an amazing floor

 

This is one of the most common questions homeowners generally ask when it comes to home warranty. The decision to purchase a home warranty is based on your situation and budget. However, buying a home warranty is one of the perfect ways homeowners can protect their home appliances and systems.

The cost of repairs and replacements can cost thousands of dollars annually. If a homeowner doesn’t have an emergency fund and their system breaks down, they can be forced into consumer debt, which can hurt them financially. This is where a home warranty comes in; it will save you the headache because the home warranty company will handle all the repairs and even replacements if necessary.

But before we delve into further details, do you think you need a home warranty plan. Well, this article can help you make that decision.

What is a home warranty?

Before you find out whether or not you need a home warranty, you need to understand what it is all about. A home warranty is a service contract that is designed to protect your home appliances and systems. When your home appliance or system breaks down due to age or wear and tear, your home warranty will repair or replace it if necessary.  A home warranty is there to save you money when your refrigerator or water heater breaks down unexpectedly.

How it works

ARW home insurance warranty works similarly to any other insurance policy. Each year that you want your appliances and systems to be covered, you pay a monthly or annual premium. The annual premium ranges from $300-$600, depending on the plan you choose and your home’s size.

When your dishwasher suddenly stops working or your HVAC system breaks down, you call the home warranty company and file a claim. The company will then send a contractor who will come and assess the appliance or system that is not working. If your claim is approved, the contractor will fix the appliance or the system. The only amount you will be required to pay is a service call fee, which can range from $50-$100.

The benefits of a home warranty

There are plenty of benefits to purchasing a home warranty plan. First, it can save you money.  Research shows that homeowners could be spending thousands of dollars on repairs and replacements annually. On the other hand, a home warranty only costs about $800 annually. This amount is way lower than what homeowners are spending on repairs and replacements. That means that a home warranty can help save a lot of money.

When it comes to a home warranty plan, you have the option to choose which plans suits your situation. There are mainly two home warranty plans: the basic plan and the complete plan. The complete plan is more expensive than the basic plan because it covers huge systems, such as the HVAC system and the roof. Therefore, this flexibility in choosing a plan allows homeowners to choose a plan that suits their needs and budget.

A home warranty offers homeowners peace of mind. If your appliance or system breaks down unexpectedly, you know that a professional will come to fix it. Knowing that someone has your back will make you worry less about the whole situation.

The drawbacks of a home warranty

The main drawback of a home warranty is that not all appliances and systems are covered. This is why you need to read the company’s policy to know which items are covered and which ones are not. For instance, things that are not well maintained are not covered by the plan. Again, faulty items during the plan purchase time won’t be covered by the plan. In addition to that, an item may not be covered by the company if they don’t offer coverage of the said item. So, remember to read the contract before you sign the contract.

Making the decision

A home warranty is a solution for some of the homeowners’ maintenance concerns. However, it is worth mentioning that a home warranty is different from homeowners insurance because the latter protects the structure of a home from theft, fire, floods, etc. In contrast, a home warranty offers protection to a home’s appliances and systems.

The decision on whether or not you need to invest in a home warranty is entirely your choice. Just do thorough research before taking the next step, and then weigh the pros and the cons.

 

Underwear for both men and women has dramatically diversified. This is in terms of both design and material. All made to suit different tastes and preferences. Being that men and poor shoppers, gone are the days you had to visit a physical shop to make the necessary purchase. They are many online shops today that deal with underwear sales. That are many things that you need to understand about men’s underwear. More information is offered on this site.

• What is the best men’s underwear?

• Trunks

These are the type of men’s underwear and seem to cover the thigh halfway. They are also termed as brief boxers. Trunks type of underwear are known to have a short build and recommended to people who do not like having their thighs entirely covered by the innerwear.

• Boxers

This underwear has the same appearance as the trunk but tends to be a little bit tight. Boxers are found in many types of fabrics hence suitable for all ages. It is recommended for the buyer to check all the underwear features to ensure that you get a perfect fit. Shopping for underwear online in Australia gives you an ideal shopping experience since there are many types that you can go for.

• Athletic

As the name suggests, the underwear should be light so that the body should be allowed to breathe.

• Choosing the right underwear fabric

The fabric type to choose for your underwear should promote comfort, breathability, and regulate temperature to your body organs. Going for cotton fabric would be perfect for you. If you want the elastic type of underwear, the jersey fabric completes this. Being that the right underwear should absorb moisture accordingly, you need to check on a smooth kind of jersey.

• Essential factors to consider when buying underwear

Before you decide to purchase underwear, especially online, there are essential things that you need to evaluate.

• Size

You need to be conscious when choosing the right size for your underwear. Keep it medium size to fit you well without being tight or loose. Tight underwear can cause sweating hence discomfort as a result of the bacteria that may accumulate. You must note this since you need to keep your body organs clean and free from bacteria.

• Type

There are different types of underwear. Check out underwear online in Australia to take a look at the kinds of underwear offered. There is even sexy lingerie for men that are sold at affordable prices.

• Care and maintenance of underwear

It is always necessary to wash your underwear immediately after you take them off. Allowing them in the laundry basket for days would accumulate bacteria hence not safe for your body. Some men always prefer changing their closet after three to five months duration. It is advisable to have many pairs.

It is the essence for one to research the best underwear and settle on a preferable seller. This is to ensure that you have the fit wear for your body.

Often during the year especially during the hot summer time people often call either their water utility or their plumbing heater tradesman or contractor complaining of foul-smelling water which also tastes bad. While distasteful smell of the home water supply may sometimes in the summer time be due to algae blooms at the waters source, it’s not that frequent an issue. Winter time seasons of course it can be almost ruled out on the spot in terms of plumbing diagnostic workups. You can call hot water tank Calgary to fix your problems. You can call us at (403) 520-2040 if you are looking for the best plumbing services in Calgary.

In most cases simply draining the sediment from the hot water tank will be the simple fix. It’s so easy to do that most home and property owners can do it with minimal supplies, tools and expertise with little fear of damage or mistakes what so ever.

Here is a simple sequence to follow to flush the hot water tank unit:

Turn of the main power

For electric (non -gas) hot water heaters begin by shutting off the power from the circuit breaker. If you have a gas (natural gas / propane / butane) hot water heater shut the valve providing the gas supply.

Turn off the cold-water supply

Next shut (turn off) the cold-water supply to the tank. It should be easy to spot. It will be a valve near the bottom entry to the water tank in most cases. In other cases you may find it as a water valve near the heater itself. If you are concerned it is the wrong valve (there is usually a hot water valve as well), trail the pipe the valve is attached to. Feel the pipe for cold temps as opposed to the hot water outlet pipe which will be hot or at least warmer to the touch.

Drain Valve

Near the bottom of the water heater you can spot a drain valve. In most cases it looks similar to a faucet. Or it may be a simple round dial with an outlet to attach a hose in the middle of it. If there is such an outlet with a hose attachment- attach a simple garden hose to it, make sure it’s tight so there is no leakage. Open the spigot and stand back to drain the effluent into a safe place where it can drain away. In these situations, drain the water into a bucket or series of containers, ensuring that minimal spillage occurs. Have some towels nearby to mop up spills. It’s good to have two or more buckets (that are small enough in height to fit under the lip of the drainage faucet outlet). This way as one bucket fills, you can swap in the next and empty number one. It’s sort of like an old-fashioned fire brigade.

When the tank is good and empty you can start the process of refilling the tank. Very important do not turn power or gas back on until the tanks are fairly full. Otherwise you risk great damage to the tank unit – gas or in the case of the electric heated unit – to burn out the dry uncovered electrical heating element in one brief second. It happens all the time with careless amateur and novice plumbers who all said would pay less in total had they called in a professional plumbing tradespeople to begin with.

I watched in disbelief yesterday as Manchester City were once again put to the sword, this time by Spurs. The Citizens have had a tough start to the campaign and they currently sit in 12th spot after 8 games played, they have a game in hand over the rest, but that would only see them up to 8th, and that is if they win it of course. I was catting to fellow fan Joe Cianciotto about this, who has seen his fair share of City issues having followed them since the days before the money came in. We were trying to get to the bottom of exactly what has gone wrong at the club which was setting Premier League records just 2 seasons ago. Here is what we think may be wrong at the moment with the side.

Attacking Options

One big failure which Guardiola has made since he has been at the club has been his abject failure to invest in a great striker, which is unforgivable. Ultimately he knew that Aguero was one of the best in Europe, and that Jesus was a good option as back up. He also knew that Aguero was getting older and that Jesus was not reaching the potential which so many felt that he had. And so Pep didn’t buy a 3rd choice striker to keep the pressure on, Jesus and Aguero get injured and then City, one of the world’s richest clubs, don’t have a striker, madness.

Defensive Frailties

City have never been sensational in defense, and they would usually cover that up with 70% or 80% possession and a raft of goals. This season however, they have been caught out time and time again by teams who are happy to say up the pressure and then hit them on the counter attack. We see Leeds dismantle them like this, then Leicester did the same thing and then yesterday we see Spurs do it again. If there is a simple formula to beat you then you have to switch things up, and sadly City very rarely have a plan B.

Same Old

Something which many football professionals said about Spurs in the final year that Pochettino was there, is that there is only so many times you can train players to do the same thing and expect them to go out there and implement it. We know about the Guardiola ‘way’ but ultimately those players who have been doing the same thing over and over again, players like Sterling for example, they will eventually become bored of it and this is when the team begins to become ineffective.

Replacing

Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and David Silva, these were three massive players for City, they were leaders and they had outstanding ability. None of these positions have been truly replaced and that is another reason why this team is not in the shape which many wish it to be.

Pep has just signed a 2 year contract, this year will be tough, that final year will have to be special otherwise he may stain his legacy.

 

Everyone needs some help at one point or the other. It’s also not uncommon to have several loans at the same time.

At the time you are reading this, it might be possible that you or someone you know might be juggling several loans from different lenders.

While you might have had good reason to take out several loans simultaneously, they tend to get cumbersome along the way. Debt consolidation is a great way to handle this.

What Is Debt Consolidation?

Essentially, consolidating debt entails taking one large loan to absorb multiple smaller ones.

This leaves you with one single repayment, one interest rate. You are also likely to get a longer repayment period and lower interest rates.

How to Consolidate Debt

There are several ways to consolidate debt. The trick, if any, is to find an option that aligns with your budget and time frames.

Here are suggestions on how to consolidate your debt.

Debt consolidation with a loan

The most conventional way to make a credit consolidation or debt consolidation is by taking a loan. This can be from online lenders, banks, or credit unions.

By the time you are applying for this loan, you should have exact figures on your total debts, including interest rates. With this in mind, you can apply for a loan that can cover all your debts.

You can then focus on repaying one loan.

Retirement/Savings Account

If you have a healthy retirement or savings account, you can opt to use this to discharge all your debts.

The best thing about this option is that it does not require you to take on more debt. It has other advantages as well. Because these are essentially your own savings, you do not need to have good credit to access them either.

However, depending on how much debt you are in, you might take a significant chunk off your retirement savings, which can disadvantage you later.

Tap Home Equity

You can tap your home equity to pay off your consolidated debt.

Interest on home equity loans is typically lower than credit card loans. You also have two options here:

• get a home equity loan
• get a home equity line of credit

Keep in mind that by using this method to consolidate your debt, your home becomes collateral for the loan. This means that you could potentially lose your home should you fail to repay the amount borrowed.

Evaluate Your Options Carefully

Debt consolidation is beneficial in many ways. It can lower your interests, make repayments easier, and give you a longer repayment duration, which is often more manageable.

This notwithstanding, you need to carefully evaluate your options to identify the best option for your circumstances.

Owning your own home is a big responsibility, and no one is hard-wired to know exactly what to do to take care of such a massive piece of property. Even if you own a small home, the task of proper maintenance is bigger than you think.

It’s crucial that you keep up with the proper maintenance of your home, so you’ll always have a safe spot to crash. Check out a quick look at a few home maintenance tips every homeowner should know, and consider what needs to be done next around your place.

Clean out dryer exhaust

Your washer and dryer do a lot of work for the family, and you have to take the time to give a little back every once in a while. If you want to assure your dryer isn’t working overtime, you should take a peek at the exhaust at least once every year or two.

Take a trip outside, and get ready to dig into that dryer exhaust to clean out any lint buildup. If you neglect this job, you could place your home at risk of a fire from excess lint collection.

Take steps for a pest-free home

Your home won’t be quite as comfy at night if you have to worry about creepy crawlies bothering you as you sleep. Even the cleanest homes can be subject to a pest invasion without taking proper measures to create a barrier.

You can be practical, and keep wet wood away from your foundation, but there are better ways to get the job done. Call a pest control specialist to visit your home once per month, and you won’t have to share your space with unwanted guests.

Clean your refrigerator coils

The coils on the back of your refrigerator may be of no consequence to you, but you have to clean those things on occasion. If you don’t clean your fridge coils, you could compromise the performance of your refrigerator.

Take a look at the roof

The roof on your home is what keeps everything on the inside safe and comfortable. It behooves you to take a good look at the condition of your roof at least once every two to three years.

Sometimes it’s pretty simple to repair a broken shingle, as opposed to letting it go. Letting small damage ride when it comes to your roof won’t ever turn out the way you had hoped.

Clean out gutters and downspouts

At the start of each season, it helps to take the time to clean out your gutters and downspouts. Leaves and other debris can muck up the draining process and leave water pooling against your home’s foundation. Excess water around your foundation can compromise the integrity of your home.

 

This is the era of smartphones. As more and more people become connected to the Internet, the information superhighway that the Internet provides becomes much more intense, not just in need but also in demand. With more than half of the population having a smart device these days, recording information, as well as conversations, on screens, apps, and everything else in between, is a necessity.

It started with the screenshot. The screenshot is a way for people to take a snapshot of what they have going on on their screens, in order to get a reference for the processes they’re doing, whether it be a conversation, a prompt, or a result. As we move to a much more connected world, screenshotting become commonplace, and the next big thing to supplant it is screen recording. In this article, we’ve listed down the ways you can screen record on any device:

On smartphones

The smartphone industry is currently reigned by two major operating systems: iOS and Android. Smartphones that carry the iOS software are iPhones, and if you have one, then the ability to screen record is pretty much embedded in the system itself. But how to screen record with different kinds of iPhones? The latest iteration of iOS, which is iOS 14, lets its user to access screen recording features in just two steps quickly:

1. For iPhone X and up users: From your screen, swipe from the top left part. This should give you access to the Control Center, where you see some quick toggles. For iPhone SE 2020 and down users, swipe up from your screen to access the same Control Center.
2. From there, press the button with a circular dot that has another circle on it. It will trigger the screen record function. You know you’ve successfully done it if there’s a countdown that happens. When you swipe up/down from the Control Center, there should be a red recording icon on the top of your iPhone.

If you are an Android user, there’s also a built-in system on the smartphone’s operating system that lets you quickly access screen recording capabilities. While it’s true that there are quite a number of Android devices, the process should be similar across all devices:

1. Swipe from the top of your screen to access the Notification shade.
2. Go to Quick settings. This is different from one device to another, as some already give you access to quick settings like brightness, sound levels, etc.
3. Tap the screen recorder icon and wait for it to start. Some Android devices will ask for permission first to screen record. Click Start when ready, and Stop when finished.

It should be said that there is also a barrage of apps on both operating systems that offers screen recording functions. One of the best ones is Go Recorder, which is exclusive to Apple. Screencam app is the top choice for Android users.

On laptops and computers

Before smartphones took over our lives, laptops and computers were the go-to devices to communicate, get information from, and do tasks. Screen recording has been present on laptops and computers for quite some time, and similar to smartphones, it also has quite a number of apps that offer the capability.

Mac users

For Mac users, macOS has a screen recording capability built-in in its system through its default media player, QuickTime. You can access the player from Applications, then once you’ve opened it, go to file, and select Screen Record. It’s an excellent screen recorder, but if you want more flexibility on the resulting files, you’d need to get a third-party application like Camtasia or Lonely Record.

Windows 10 users

For Windows peeps, the Window’s Game Bar has a nifty screen record tool hidden on the menu. If you are a Game Bar user on Windows 10, you can easily screen capture and record by pressing the Windows Key + G on the Xbox app. A pop up should appear, click on that and press start recording.

Takeaway

Bear in mind that you are also recording whatever it is you are doing on your screen when screen recording so you might want to stay away from opening banking sites and such.